[SET]
Bulky Swords Dance (Snaelstrom) @ Toxic Orb
Ability: Poison Heal
Tera Type: Water / Normal / Fairy
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Razor Shell / Liquidation
- Toxic / Facade
- Swords Dance
- Spiky Shield / Recover
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
===================
Snaelstrom can act as a bulky physical sweeper with Swords Dance that punishes passive or status-reliant Pokemon such as Clefable, Cresceidon, and Toxic Gliscor. Poison Heal combined with Toxic Orb gives Snaelstrom powerful passive recovery and immunity to other status, which allows it to break past the aforementioned Pokemon, who rely on status to stop sweepers. Additionally, after the initial Toxic Orb activation, Snaelstrom no longer requires its item, allowing it to absorb Knock Off, allowing it to switch into Pokemon such as Arghonaut, Gliscor, and Great Tusk without fear of losing its item. Swords Dance allows Snaelstrom to leverage its bulk and status immunity to boost its modest Attack to threatening levels. Razor Shell allows Snaelstrom to effectively wallbreak due to its 50% chance to lower the opponent's defense. However, Liquidation can be used for more immediate power and accuracy. Toxic chips down Unaware Pokemon such as Arghonaut, as well as crippling Pokemon that want to set up alongside Snaelstrom such as Zamazenta or Hemogoblin. Alternatively, Facade threatens Pokemon who resist or are immune to Snaelstrom's Water STAB, such as Kyurem, Dragonite, Ogerpon-W, and Mollux. Spiky Shield guarantees Toxic Orb activation, and allows Snaelstrom to scout opposing Choiced Pokemon, while Recover allows Snaelstrom to better take advantage of weaker attacks and forced switches. Tera Water boosts Snaelstrom's primary STAB, while Tera Normal boosts Facade's already impressive damage by giving it STAB, while giving Snaelstrom an immunity to Hex. Alternatively, Tera Fairy is a generically strong defensive typing that allows Snaelstrom to muscle past Pokemon that can hit it's base typing super-effectively.
Pokemon such as Cresceidon, Kitsunoh, and Equilibra appreciate Snaelstrom's ability to switch into Knock Off once its Toxic Orb has activated. Similarly, status weak pokemon such as Great Tusk, Zamazenta, and Dragapult appreciate Snaelstrom's ability to easily switch into status moves.
Snaelstrom's defensive typing makes it a good partner for Ground-types such as Gliscor, Equilibra, Great Tusk, and Ting-Lu, due to its resistance to Ice, Ground, and Water-type attacks. Equilibra and Great Tusk are especially great teammates for Snaelstrom due to their ability to remove hazards and immunity to Electric-type attacks which threaten Snaelstrom super-effectively. Snaelstrom is also a very effective counter to Equilibra, making it a good teammate for Raging Bolt and Slowking-G, which are walled by Equilibra. Skeledirge and Arghonaut can handle set-up attackers such as Dragonite, Ogerpon-W, and Zamazenta that can muscle past Snaelstrom's natural bulk thanks to Unaware. Pokemon such as Landorus-T, Great Tusk, Arghonaut and Gliscor can provide entry hazards and Knock Off to wear down Pokemon such as Arghonaut and Mollux, which might otherwise halt a Snaelstrom sweep.
[SET]
Bulky Pivot (Snaelstrom) @ Toxic Orb
Ability: Poison Heal
Tera Type: Fairy
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Careful Nature / Bold Nature
- Surf / U-turn
- Stealth Rock / Rapid Spin
- Toxic / U-turn
- Spiky Shield
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
Snaelstrom can act as a bulky utility Pokemon or slow pivot that punishes passive or status-reliant Pokemon such as Clefable, Cresceidon, and Toxic Gliscor. Poison Heal combined with Toxic Orb gives Snaelstrom powerful passive recovery and immunity to other status, which allows it to freely switch into the aforementioned Pokemon. Additionally, after the initial Toxic Orb activation, Snaelstrom no longer requires its item, allowing it to absorb Knock Off and switch into Pokemon such as Arghonaut, Gliscor, and Great Tusk without fear of losing its item. The default EV spread maximizes special bulk, which complements Snaelstrom's naturally impressive physical bulk and allows Snaelstrom to pivot into common meta threats such as Cresceidon, Equilibra, and Darkrai. Alternatively, Snaelstrom can fully invest in Physical Defense, improving Snaelstrom's matchup into common Knock Off users like Great Tusk, Samurott-H and Ogerpon-W; however, this comes at the cost of taking more damage from Cresceidon, Slowking-G and Darkrai, which Snaelstrom otherwise freely switches into. Surf allows Snaelstrom to pressure common Ground-types like Gliscor, Great Tusk, and Equilibra. Toxic allows Snaelstrom to punish Pokemon that try to set up on it, while U-turn allows Snaelstrom to act as a slow pivot and gain momentum.
Pokemon such as Cresceidon, Kitsunoh, and Equilibra appreciate Snaelstrom's ability to switch into Knock Off once its Toxic Orb has activated. Similarly, status weak pokemon such as Great Tusk, Zamazenta, and Dragapult appreciate Snaelstrom's ability to easily switch into status moves.
Snaelstrom's defensive typing makes it a good partner for Ground-types such as Gliscor, Equilibra, Great Tusk, and Ting-Lu, due to its resistance to Ice, Ground, and Water-type attacks. Equilibra and Great Tusk are especially great teammates for Snaelstrom due to their ability to remove hazards and immunity to Electric-type attacks which threaten Snaelstrom super-effectively. Snaelstrom is also a very effective counter to Equilibra, making it a good teammate for Raging Bolt and Slowking-G, which are walled by Equilibra. Skeledirge and Arghonaut can handle set-up attackers such as Dragonite, Ogerpon-W, and Zamazenta that can muscle past Snaelstrom's natural bulk thanks to Unaware.
[OTHER OPTIONS]
Snaelstrom can use Infestation to lock in opposing Pokemon and deal consistent chip damage, which pairs well with Spiky Shield or Toxic. However, this set is walled and easily taken advantage of by Slowking-G or Clefable, and lacks the utility that often justifies Snaelstrom's slot on teams. Snaelstrom can also use Sticky Web, though Ribombee and Araquanid are more suited to the fast-paced nature of Sticky Web teams.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Checks and Counters
===================
** Stealth Rock **: Snaelstrom's inability to hold Heavy-Duty Boots leaves it vulnerable to hazards, hampering its ability to consistently switch in and absorb attacks for its teammates. It is especially susceptible to Stealth Rock due to its Rock weakness.
** Electric-types **: Strong Electric-type Pokemon like Raging Bolt, Zapdos, and Caribolt can outspeed Snaelstrom and threaten it with super-effective Electric-type STAB attacks. However, they must be wary of a potential boosted Tera Normal Facade.
** Flying-types **: Strong Flying-type Pokemon such as the aforementioned Zapdos, Moltres,, Venomicon-E, or Venomicon with Hurricane, can deal significant damage to Snaelstrom. However, Hurricane is a less common option on many defensive Flying-type Pokemon, such as the aforementioned Moltres and Venomicon.
** Neutralizing Gas **: Neutralizing Gas from Pokemon such as Miasmaw and Weezing-G disable Snaelstrom's Poison Heal ability, making it take damage from its self-inflicted poison instead. This is especially dangerous if Snaelstrom has stayed in for a high number of turns.
** Slowking-G **: Slowking-G is immune to Toxic, and takes minimal damage from Surf while taking advantage of Snaelstrom to set up Future Sight and pivot into its teammates. It also underspeeds Snaelstrom, allowing it to pivot in an appropriate answer if Snaelstrom opts to use U-turn.
** Kyurem **: Kyurem resists Snaelstrom's STAB while threatening it with a powerful super-effective Freeze-Dry. However, Kyurem has to be wary of Tera, as this can remove Snaelstrom's weakness to Freeze-Dry and Kyurem does not appreciate taking Tera Normal Facade.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/spammernoob.203741/
Quality checked by: https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/quziel.297859/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/kenn.604741/
Grammar checked by:
Bulky Swords Dance (Snaelstrom) @ Toxic Orb
Ability: Poison Heal
Tera Type: Water / Normal / Fairy
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Razor Shell / Liquidation
- Toxic / Facade
- Swords Dance
- Spiky Shield / Recover
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
===================
Snaelstrom can act as a bulky physical sweeper with Swords Dance that punishes passive or status-reliant Pokemon such as Clefable, Cresceidon, and Toxic Gliscor. Poison Heal combined with Toxic Orb gives Snaelstrom powerful passive recovery and immunity to other status, which allows it to break past the aforementioned Pokemon, who rely on status to stop sweepers. Additionally, after the initial Toxic Orb activation, Snaelstrom no longer requires its item, allowing it to absorb Knock Off, allowing it to switch into Pokemon such as Arghonaut, Gliscor, and Great Tusk without fear of losing its item. Swords Dance allows Snaelstrom to leverage its bulk and status immunity to boost its modest Attack to threatening levels. Razor Shell allows Snaelstrom to effectively wallbreak due to its 50% chance to lower the opponent's defense. However, Liquidation can be used for more immediate power and accuracy. Toxic chips down Unaware Pokemon such as Arghonaut, as well as crippling Pokemon that want to set up alongside Snaelstrom such as Zamazenta or Hemogoblin. Alternatively, Facade threatens Pokemon who resist or are immune to Snaelstrom's Water STAB, such as Kyurem, Dragonite, Ogerpon-W, and Mollux. Spiky Shield guarantees Toxic Orb activation, and allows Snaelstrom to scout opposing Choiced Pokemon, while Recover allows Snaelstrom to better take advantage of weaker attacks and forced switches. Tera Water boosts Snaelstrom's primary STAB, while Tera Normal boosts Facade's already impressive damage by giving it STAB, while giving Snaelstrom an immunity to Hex. Alternatively, Tera Fairy is a generically strong defensive typing that allows Snaelstrom to muscle past Pokemon that can hit it's base typing super-effectively.
Pokemon such as Cresceidon, Kitsunoh, and Equilibra appreciate Snaelstrom's ability to switch into Knock Off once its Toxic Orb has activated. Similarly, status weak pokemon such as Great Tusk, Zamazenta, and Dragapult appreciate Snaelstrom's ability to easily switch into status moves.
Snaelstrom's defensive typing makes it a good partner for Ground-types such as Gliscor, Equilibra, Great Tusk, and Ting-Lu, due to its resistance to Ice, Ground, and Water-type attacks. Equilibra and Great Tusk are especially great teammates for Snaelstrom due to their ability to remove hazards and immunity to Electric-type attacks which threaten Snaelstrom super-effectively. Snaelstrom is also a very effective counter to Equilibra, making it a good teammate for Raging Bolt and Slowking-G, which are walled by Equilibra. Skeledirge and Arghonaut can handle set-up attackers such as Dragonite, Ogerpon-W, and Zamazenta that can muscle past Snaelstrom's natural bulk thanks to Unaware. Pokemon such as Landorus-T, Great Tusk, Arghonaut and Gliscor can provide entry hazards and Knock Off to wear down Pokemon such as Arghonaut and Mollux, which might otherwise halt a Snaelstrom sweep.
[SET]
Bulky Pivot (Snaelstrom) @ Toxic Orb
Ability: Poison Heal
Tera Type: Fairy
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Careful Nature / Bold Nature
- Surf / U-turn
- Stealth Rock / Rapid Spin
- Toxic / U-turn
- Spiky Shield
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
Snaelstrom can act as a bulky utility Pokemon or slow pivot that punishes passive or status-reliant Pokemon such as Clefable, Cresceidon, and Toxic Gliscor. Poison Heal combined with Toxic Orb gives Snaelstrom powerful passive recovery and immunity to other status, which allows it to freely switch into the aforementioned Pokemon. Additionally, after the initial Toxic Orb activation, Snaelstrom no longer requires its item, allowing it to absorb Knock Off and switch into Pokemon such as Arghonaut, Gliscor, and Great Tusk without fear of losing its item. The default EV spread maximizes special bulk, which complements Snaelstrom's naturally impressive physical bulk and allows Snaelstrom to pivot into common meta threats such as Cresceidon, Equilibra, and Darkrai. Alternatively, Snaelstrom can fully invest in Physical Defense, improving Snaelstrom's matchup into common Knock Off users like Great Tusk, Samurott-H and Ogerpon-W; however, this comes at the cost of taking more damage from Cresceidon, Slowking-G and Darkrai, which Snaelstrom otherwise freely switches into. Surf allows Snaelstrom to pressure common Ground-types like Gliscor, Great Tusk, and Equilibra. Toxic allows Snaelstrom to punish Pokemon that try to set up on it, while U-turn allows Snaelstrom to act as a slow pivot and gain momentum.
Pokemon such as Cresceidon, Kitsunoh, and Equilibra appreciate Snaelstrom's ability to switch into Knock Off once its Toxic Orb has activated. Similarly, status weak pokemon such as Great Tusk, Zamazenta, and Dragapult appreciate Snaelstrom's ability to easily switch into status moves.
Snaelstrom's defensive typing makes it a good partner for Ground-types such as Gliscor, Equilibra, Great Tusk, and Ting-Lu, due to its resistance to Ice, Ground, and Water-type attacks. Equilibra and Great Tusk are especially great teammates for Snaelstrom due to their ability to remove hazards and immunity to Electric-type attacks which threaten Snaelstrom super-effectively. Snaelstrom is also a very effective counter to Equilibra, making it a good teammate for Raging Bolt and Slowking-G, which are walled by Equilibra. Skeledirge and Arghonaut can handle set-up attackers such as Dragonite, Ogerpon-W, and Zamazenta that can muscle past Snaelstrom's natural bulk thanks to Unaware.
[OTHER OPTIONS]
Snaelstrom can use Infestation to lock in opposing Pokemon and deal consistent chip damage, which pairs well with Spiky Shield or Toxic. However, this set is walled and easily taken advantage of by Slowking-G or Clefable, and lacks the utility that often justifies Snaelstrom's slot on teams. Snaelstrom can also use Sticky Web, though Ribombee and Araquanid are more suited to the fast-paced nature of Sticky Web teams.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Checks and Counters
===================
** Stealth Rock **: Snaelstrom's inability to hold Heavy-Duty Boots leaves it vulnerable to hazards, hampering its ability to consistently switch in and absorb attacks for its teammates. It is especially susceptible to Stealth Rock due to its Rock weakness.
** Electric-types **: Strong Electric-type Pokemon like Raging Bolt, Zapdos, and Caribolt can outspeed Snaelstrom and threaten it with super-effective Electric-type STAB attacks. However, they must be wary of a potential boosted Tera Normal Facade.
** Flying-types **: Strong Flying-type Pokemon such as the aforementioned Zapdos, Moltres,, Venomicon-E, or Venomicon with Hurricane, can deal significant damage to Snaelstrom. However, Hurricane is a less common option on many defensive Flying-type Pokemon, such as the aforementioned Moltres and Venomicon.
** Neutralizing Gas **: Neutralizing Gas from Pokemon such as Miasmaw and Weezing-G disable Snaelstrom's Poison Heal ability, making it take damage from its self-inflicted poison instead. This is especially dangerous if Snaelstrom has stayed in for a high number of turns.
** Slowking-G **: Slowking-G is immune to Toxic, and takes minimal damage from Surf while taking advantage of Snaelstrom to set up Future Sight and pivot into its teammates. It also underspeeds Snaelstrom, allowing it to pivot in an appropriate answer if Snaelstrom opts to use U-turn.
** Kyurem **: Kyurem resists Snaelstrom's STAB while threatening it with a powerful super-effective Freeze-Dry. However, Kyurem has to be wary of Tera, as this can remove Snaelstrom's weakness to Freeze-Dry and Kyurem does not appreciate taking Tera Normal Facade.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/spammernoob.203741/
Quality checked by: https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/quziel.297859/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/kenn.604741/
Grammar checked by:
Last edited:
