roman
Banned deucer.
[OVERVIEW]
A fantastic Attack stat thanks to Huge Power, great set up potential with Belly Drum + Normalium Z, and priority in Aqua Jet allow Azumarill to pose a massive threat to balance and offense teams alike. Azumarill also has use outside of its sweeping capabilities, being able to provide utility with Knock Off to cripple Pokemon like Chansey and revenge kill threats such as Nihilego with Aqua Jet. Azumarill's Speed stat can be maximized with a Jolly nature to flip the Poison matchup, letting it outpace a massive roadblock in Mega Venusaur and bypass other would-be checks such as Rotom-W and Mantine. However, a poor Speed stat, even with a Jolly nature, leaves it reliant on Aqua Jet to remove faster threats, which will not always work against common offensive Pokemon like Latios and Tapu Bulu. Azumarill has issues sweeping no matter the nature it uses: Adamant Azumarill struggles greatly with breaking through defensive cores found on types such as Flying and Electric due to its inability to outpace and remove walls such as Mantine, while Jolly Azumarill fails to OHKO prevalent walls such as Celesteela.
[SET]
name: Belly Drum (Fairy)
move 1: Belly Drum
move 2: Aqua Jet
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Play Rough / Return
item: Normalium Z
ability: Huge Power
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Belly Drum allows Azumarill to maximize its Attack stat to threatening levels. Aqua Jet helps mitigate Azumarill's poor Speed stat, taking out faster Pokemon such as Volcarona and Zapdos that would otherwise threaten it. Knock Off is great against Steel teams, removing Celesteela after slight chip damage as well as taking out Ferrothorn. Play Rough is the preferred move on Adamant sets, as they are going to be slower than Return targets such as Mega Venusaur, meaning the stronger STAB attack is more important for Pokemon like Porygon2. On the other hand, Return is extremely important for Jolly Azumarill to take out Mega Venusaur with slight chip damage, as otherwise it'll be stopped and removed with one of Mega Venusaur's STAB attacks.
Set Details
========
Huge Power doubles Azumarill's Attack stat. 252 Attack with 252 Speed EV investment maximizes Azumarill's power and speed; the Speed investment in particular allows Azumarill to outpace Pokemon like Klefki and defensive Mega Scizor. An Adamant nature maximizes Azumarill's Attack stat, while a Jolly nature lets it outpace checks like Mega Venusaur and Mantine. Normalium Z lets Azumarill set up against nearly anything by fully healing Azumarill before it cuts its health in half from Belly Drum.
Usage Tips
========
Z-Belly Drum will not halve Azumarill's HP if it is already at +6 Attack but will still restore it to full HP, so if Azumarill is up against an extremely weak or Choice-locked resisted attacker, use Z-Belly Drum after boosting with Belly Drum to safely heal. Jolly Azumarill counters Poison and Steel teams, so make sure to maximize your chances and wait for the opportune moment to sweep. For example, increase your chances of winning by supporting Azumarill with Spikes and dual screens support from Klefki and Stealth Rock from Mega Diancie. Also, make sure to weaken Poison teams with Psychic Mega Diancie and Swords Dance + Zen Headbutt Tapu Bulu before trying to set up and sweep with Azumarill. Similarly, against Steel teams, weaken Pokemon like Ferrothorn and Celesteela with teammates like Fire Blast + Babiri Berry Clefable before setting up with Azumarill. Wear down defensive counterplay like Rotom-W into range of Azumarill's attacks before trying to sweep the opposing team, as if you use Belly Drum with major roadblocks in the way, Azumarill will accomplish nothing. Azumarill shouldn't be categorized as only a sweeper, as Knock Off provides great support; to give a specific example, Azumarill is a good lead against Flying teams, forcing Gliscor out and preventing Poison Heal from being activated, allowing Mega Diancie to 2HKO it or weaken answers like Celesteela for teammates like Mimikyu. Knock Off Azumarill is also one of the only ways that Fairy can cripple Alolan Muk. Avoid every type of status, as they all cripple Azumarill's sweeping potential. Remove phazers like Mantine before setting up.
Team Options
========
Klefki provides dual screens and Spikes support, making it easier for Azumarill to sweep. Tapu Koko and Mega Diancie are great wallbreakers, weakening or taking out troublesome Pokemon for Azumarill. Mega Diancie also provides Stealth Rock support for Azumarill. Swords Dance + Zen Headbutt Tapu Bulu weakens Poison teams, making it much easier for Azumarill to sweep late-game. Sticky Web Ribombee lets Azumarill outpace checks like Speed-invested Mega Venusaur. Mimikyu is great for dealing with Psychic teams and beats Pokemon like Celebi, Latias, and Latios that check Azumarill. Babiri Berry + Fire Blast Clefable provides Stealth Rock support and can take out checks like Mega Scizor for Azumarill.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Fairy
--------
Although Z-Belly Drum sets have a much higher success rate, Azumarill can use Iapapa or Sitrus Berry instead of Normalium Z if the team already has a Z-Move user.
Checks and Counters
===================
Fairy
--------
**Faster Walls**: Mega Venusaur, Rotom-W, and Celebi all tank a boosted Aqua Jet and KO Azumarill in return with their super effective STAB moves. However, they have to be wary of being outpaced and KOed by Jolly Azumarill sets.
**Haze Users**: Mantine outpaces Adamant Azumarill and stops it with Haze, and Toxapex can stomach a single hit from Azumarill and remove its boosts.
**Offensive Water-resistant Pokemon**: Latios, Tapu Bulu, and Gyarados all take a boosted Aqua Jet and KO Azumarill in return.
**Status**: All forms of status are extremely detrimental for Azumarill. Burn prevents it from breaking walls, paralysis prevents Jolly Azumarill from outpacing and KOing walls, and poison wears it down quickly.
A fantastic Attack stat thanks to Huge Power, great set up potential with Belly Drum + Normalium Z, and priority in Aqua Jet allow Azumarill to pose a massive threat to balance and offense teams alike. Azumarill also has use outside of its sweeping capabilities, being able to provide utility with Knock Off to cripple Pokemon like Chansey and revenge kill threats such as Nihilego with Aqua Jet. Azumarill's Speed stat can be maximized with a Jolly nature to flip the Poison matchup, letting it outpace a massive roadblock in Mega Venusaur and bypass other would-be checks such as Rotom-W and Mantine. However, a poor Speed stat, even with a Jolly nature, leaves it reliant on Aqua Jet to remove faster threats, which will not always work against common offensive Pokemon like Latios and Tapu Bulu. Azumarill has issues sweeping no matter the nature it uses: Adamant Azumarill struggles greatly with breaking through defensive cores found on types such as Flying and Electric due to its inability to outpace and remove walls such as Mantine, while Jolly Azumarill fails to OHKO prevalent walls such as Celesteela.
[SET]
name: Belly Drum (Fairy)
move 1: Belly Drum
move 2: Aqua Jet
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Play Rough / Return
item: Normalium Z
ability: Huge Power
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Belly Drum allows Azumarill to maximize its Attack stat to threatening levels. Aqua Jet helps mitigate Azumarill's poor Speed stat, taking out faster Pokemon such as Volcarona and Zapdos that would otherwise threaten it. Knock Off is great against Steel teams, removing Celesteela after slight chip damage as well as taking out Ferrothorn. Play Rough is the preferred move on Adamant sets, as they are going to be slower than Return targets such as Mega Venusaur, meaning the stronger STAB attack is more important for Pokemon like Porygon2. On the other hand, Return is extremely important for Jolly Azumarill to take out Mega Venusaur with slight chip damage, as otherwise it'll be stopped and removed with one of Mega Venusaur's STAB attacks.
Set Details
========
Huge Power doubles Azumarill's Attack stat. 252 Attack with 252 Speed EV investment maximizes Azumarill's power and speed; the Speed investment in particular allows Azumarill to outpace Pokemon like Klefki and defensive Mega Scizor. An Adamant nature maximizes Azumarill's Attack stat, while a Jolly nature lets it outpace checks like Mega Venusaur and Mantine. Normalium Z lets Azumarill set up against nearly anything by fully healing Azumarill before it cuts its health in half from Belly Drum.
Usage Tips
========
Z-Belly Drum will not halve Azumarill's HP if it is already at +6 Attack but will still restore it to full HP, so if Azumarill is up against an extremely weak or Choice-locked resisted attacker, use Z-Belly Drum after boosting with Belly Drum to safely heal. Jolly Azumarill counters Poison and Steel teams, so make sure to maximize your chances and wait for the opportune moment to sweep. For example, increase your chances of winning by supporting Azumarill with Spikes and dual screens support from Klefki and Stealth Rock from Mega Diancie. Also, make sure to weaken Poison teams with Psychic Mega Diancie and Swords Dance + Zen Headbutt Tapu Bulu before trying to set up and sweep with Azumarill. Similarly, against Steel teams, weaken Pokemon like Ferrothorn and Celesteela with teammates like Fire Blast + Babiri Berry Clefable before setting up with Azumarill. Wear down defensive counterplay like Rotom-W into range of Azumarill's attacks before trying to sweep the opposing team, as if you use Belly Drum with major roadblocks in the way, Azumarill will accomplish nothing. Azumarill shouldn't be categorized as only a sweeper, as Knock Off provides great support; to give a specific example, Azumarill is a good lead against Flying teams, forcing Gliscor out and preventing Poison Heal from being activated, allowing Mega Diancie to 2HKO it or weaken answers like Celesteela for teammates like Mimikyu. Knock Off Azumarill is also one of the only ways that Fairy can cripple Alolan Muk. Avoid every type of status, as they all cripple Azumarill's sweeping potential. Remove phazers like Mantine before setting up.
Team Options
========
Klefki provides dual screens and Spikes support, making it easier for Azumarill to sweep. Tapu Koko and Mega Diancie are great wallbreakers, weakening or taking out troublesome Pokemon for Azumarill. Mega Diancie also provides Stealth Rock support for Azumarill. Swords Dance + Zen Headbutt Tapu Bulu weakens Poison teams, making it much easier for Azumarill to sweep late-game. Sticky Web Ribombee lets Azumarill outpace checks like Speed-invested Mega Venusaur. Mimikyu is great for dealing with Psychic teams and beats Pokemon like Celebi, Latias, and Latios that check Azumarill. Babiri Berry + Fire Blast Clefable provides Stealth Rock support and can take out checks like Mega Scizor for Azumarill.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Fairy
--------
Although Z-Belly Drum sets have a much higher success rate, Azumarill can use Iapapa or Sitrus Berry instead of Normalium Z if the team already has a Z-Move user.
Checks and Counters
===================
Fairy
--------
**Faster Walls**: Mega Venusaur, Rotom-W, and Celebi all tank a boosted Aqua Jet and KO Azumarill in return with their super effective STAB moves. However, they have to be wary of being outpaced and KOed by Jolly Azumarill sets.
**Haze Users**: Mantine outpaces Adamant Azumarill and stops it with Haze, and Toxapex can stomach a single hit from Azumarill and remove its boosts.
**Offensive Water-resistant Pokemon**: Latios, Tapu Bulu, and Gyarados all take a boosted Aqua Jet and KO Azumarill in return.
**Status**: All forms of status are extremely detrimental for Azumarill. Burn prevents it from breaking walls, paralysis prevents Jolly Azumarill from outpacing and KOing walls, and poison wears it down quickly.
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