QC by: mad0ka / AD Thunderboy / sparktrain
GP by: The Dutch Plumberjack / CyroGyro
Amchecks by: Fireflame479
[OVERVIEW]
One of the most common tanks in the metagame, Slowpoke has great Defense and HP stats that allow it to tank most physical moves in conjunction with a reliable recovery option in Slack Off and a great defensive ability in Regenerator. Alongside its defensive stats, Slowpoke also has access to a great defensive moveset with utility moves such as Thunder Wave and good attacking options such as Scald, and moderate Attack and Special Attack stats that allow it to hit decently hard. Slowpoke's defensive typing is also beneficial, giving it resistances to many common attacks. Slowpoke's great physical Defense makes it a consistent and solid check to Mudbray, as it can easily take Mudbray's moves and KO it with Scald. Slowpoke is also welcome on most defensive cores due to its ability to freely switch out when it pleases due to the healing provided by Regenerator. Unfortunately, Slowpoke is rather passive and is often used as setup bait for Pokemon it can't touch, such as Scraggy, and it also serves as a free switch in for Pokemon such as Snivy. The common move Knock Off is a big threat to Slowpoke due to its high dependency on its Eviolite. Common pivoting moves like Volt Switch and U-turn are also threatening towards Slowpoke because they both deal super effective damage and provide momentum for the opposing team, which can be detrimental late-game.
[SET]
name: Tank
move 1: Slack Off
move 2: Scald
move 3: Psychic
move 4: Thunder Wave / Fire Blast / Calm Mind
item: Eviolite
ability: Regenerator
nature: Bold
evs: 116 HP / 156 Def / 116 SpA / 116 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Slack Off is Slowpoke's most reliable recovery option and allows it to maintain its longevity. Scald is a powerful STAB move that can hit Fire-, Rock-, and Ground-types such as Ponyta, Onix, and Mudbray super effectively; it can also provide some utility by burning physical attackers to render them weak. Psychic is Slowpoke's secondary powerful STAB move, hitting common Poison- and Fighting-types like Mienfoo, Foongus, and Croagunk. Croagunk especially is an important target due to its ability to easily switch into Scald. Thunder Wave is an important utility move that Slowpoke has, and it can spread paralysis to cripple fast offensive Pokemon such as Abra; however, Slowpoke still cannot outspeed paralyzed 18 Speed Pokemon. Fire Blast is an alternative option as a powerful coverage move that hits Pawniard, Ferroseed, Alolan Sandshrew, Magnemite, and Snivy. Alternatively, Slowpoke can use Calm Mind on defensive cores or bulkier teams once Dark-types have been eliminated. It can set up to become more specially bulky and sweep opposing teams with powerful special attacks.
Set Details
========
Slowpoke's EV spread allows it to be as tanky as possible, enabling it to tank most physical and special attacks effectively. In addition, the HP EVs allow Slowpoke to reach 27 HP, which enables it to recover 9 HP when switching out instead of 8 HP. The remaining EVs are put into Slowpoke's Special Attack so it can retaliate with powerful moves after it tanks a hit. The main EV spread allows Slowpoke to take at least two Brave Birds from an unboosted Bulk Up Rufflet variant as well as 2HKO defensive Foongus and bulky Mienfoo with Psychic. Alternatively, the same EV spread can be run but with only 36 Special Attack and 76 Speed EVs, which allows Slowpoke to outspeed Foongus; however, the drop from 12 Special Attack to 11 worsens the damage rolls against 14 Special Defense Pokemon with Eviolite, meaning Slowpoke can't 2HKO Foongus with Psychic from full health anymore. A specially defensive EV spread of 116 HP / 76 Def / 116 SpA / 196 SpD can also be used, turning Slowpoke into a more specially defensive tank to better complement its already high base Defense; however, Slowpoke should never use this specially defensive EV spread if it decides to run Calm Mind because it can already boost its Special Defense with the move. In addition, the specially defensive EV spread cannot let Slowpoke check Mudbray like the main EV spread does, as Slowpoke might get 2HKOed from Mudbray's Earthquake after Stealth Rock damage. Eviolite is very important to Slowpoke, as it helps Slowpoke tank moves more efficiently. A Bold nature is the preferred nature because Slowpoke can gain more physical bulk to increase its physical tanking capabilities with no drawbacks; however, a Calm nature can also be used to increase Slowpoke's Special Defense to make it more specially bulky. Regenerator is very beneficial, as it allows Slowpoke to recover health while switching out, which it does often due to its defensive role.
Usage Tips
========
Slowpoke should be switched into Pokemon it can handle, tanking their hits and KOing them back. Slowpoke can also be sent out to force switches, although it should generally immediately switch out afterwards. Slowpoke also shouldn't be switched in and out randomly to just get its HP restored from Regenerator, as its checks are very common in the metagame, and if it switches in carelessly, it might take a super effective move such as Knock Off. Knock Off in general should be avoided, as it deals super effective damage and removes Slowpoke's important Eviolite, which hinders its bulk. Slowpoke can also spread paralysis once it switches in, potentially crippling fast offensive Pokemon. When Slowpoke reaches a low amount of HP, it should switch out to gain more HP and then switch into a Pokemon it can use Slack Off against so it can recover its HP fully. Slowpoke should avoid some mixed or special attackers, as its Special Defense is lacking compared to its Defense, meaning it might get KOed by powerful special attacks; it should still be able to switch into resisted special attacks, but should be wary in general. If Slowpoke is running Calm Mind, it should be kept healthy until late-game when most of its checks are defeated and it can set up on passive Pokemon or Pokemon whose attacks it resists and then clean the rest of the opposing team. Slowpoke can also consistently check hail teams, as it can take care of Slush Rush sweepers such as Alolan Sandshrew and hail setters such as Snover with Fire Blast.
Team Options
========
Grass-types make good teammates, as they can wall incoming Grass- and Electric-type attacks and provide good type synergy with Slowpoke, as Slowpoke can take care of the Fire- and Ice-type Pokemon Grass-types don't appreciate such as Ponyta and Alolan Sandshrew. Foongus and Ferroseed make great partners, and the latter can also set entry hazards to help Slowpoke take care of opposing Pokemon more easily. Slowpoke hates Knock Off, so Pokemon that don't mind Knock Off such as Sticky Hold users like Trubbish are great. Slowpoke can also wall Psychic-types for Trubbish, which in return can take of most Grass-types that don't have a secondary Poison typing. Pokemon that can check Grass-, Electric-, and Dark-type Pokemon are favorable. Pawniard deserves a mention here because it provides good type synergy with Slowpokeand appreciates Slowpoke's ability to spread paralysis. Vullaby also deserves a mention, as it can wall most Dark-types such as Scraggy and take care of Grass-types such as Foongus; it also provides nifty type synergy with Slowpoke, as the two form a nice core that can take on nearly everything except Electric-types. Fighting-type Pokemon such as Mienfoo can also be good teammates, as they can take care of Dark-types for Slowpoke, while Slowpoke can wall most Psychic-types and other checks. Mienfoo also forms a solid Regenerator core with Slowpoke and is a decent Knock Off absorber, especially if it runs Acrobatics.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Future Sight and Earthquake are options for Slowpoke's 4th moveslot, as the former does a ton of damage once it hits and the latter can deal with Electric-types; however, they are underwhelming because Future Sight gives the opponent a free turn, allowing them to either KO Slowpoke or switch to a Dark-type check, and Electric-types are generally faster than Slowpoke and can probably KO it before it can hit them with Earthquake. Slowpoke can also run a Curse set with physical attacks such as Zen Headbutt and Aqua Tail, since its Attack is higher than its Special Attack. Curse turns Slowpoke into a slow physical bulky sweeper that can tank moves and then hit pretty hard. Slowpoke can also set up and sweep with Trick Room because of its slow Speed stat; however, the limited duration of Trick Room is what causes it to become underwhelming.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types**: Grass-type Pokemon such as Ferroseed, Foongus, and Snivy are main checks to Slowpoke due to their ability to hit Slowpoke's weaker Special Defense and wall most of Slowpoke's moves; however, they need to be wary of Fire Blast or Ice Beam. Foongus needs to be careful of Slowpoke's Psychic, but it can 2HKO Slowpoke with Giga Drain.
**Dark-types**: Dark-types such as Pawniard and Vullaby are a threat to Slowpoke, as they can wall most of Slowpoke's moves and easily KO it in return with powerful STAB attacks; they can also cripple Slowpoke's bulk with STAB Knock Off. However, Pawniard needs to be cautious of Fire Blast, and most Dark-types don't appreciate being hit with Thunder Wave or burned by Scald.
**Electric-types**: Electric-type Pokemon such as Chinchou and Magnemite can hit Slowpoke's weaker Special Defense with their STAB attacks and KO it. Chinchou especially can wall all of Slowpoke's moves, as it is part Water-type and gets healed by Thunder Wave; utility Chinchou can also use Heal Bell to cure status from Slowpoke's victims. Magnemite also deserves a mention due its ability to resist Slowpoke's Psychic and KO it with powerful STAB moves. Furthermore, Recycle Magnemite can easily switch into Slowpoke any time and force it out, although all Magnemite variants needs to watch out for Fire Blast.
**Knock Off**: Knock Off is a common move in the LC metagame, and Slowpoke does not appreciate it due to it doing a lot of super effective damage and removing Slowpoke's Eviolite, which is very important for its role as a tank. Common users include Mienfoo, Timburr, Pawniard, and Vullaby, and although the Fighting-types need to watch out for Psychic, Knock Off makes it harder for Slowpoke to switch into them.
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