[OVERVIEW]
Thanks to Accelgor's blistering Speed stat, great Special Attack in tandem with Choice Specs, and valuable coverage coupled with utility moves like Spikes, Accelgor cements itself as a huge annoyance to teams. Adding onto the point of Accelgor's coverage, Accelgor is capable of dealing massive damage to many unsuspecting Pokemon, such as hitting Steelix with Focus Blast and Diancie with Energy Ball. Accelgor outpaces the most common Choice Scarf user in NU, Passimian, making Accelgor even more menacing to teams where Passimian is the designated Choice Scarf holder. Unfortunately, Accelgor has rather lackluster defensive stats and a poor defensive typing, making it extremely difficult to use efficiently and preventing it from switching into nearly anything in the metagame well.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Bug Buzz
move 2: Focus Blast
move 3: Energy Ball
move 4: Spikes
item: Choice Specs
ability: Sticky Hold
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Bug Buzz is a reliable STAB attack that nails prominent Psychic-, Dark-, and Grass-types such as Slowbro, Guzzlord, and Sceptile. Focus Blast is essential in Accelgor's movepool, severely denting Steel and Rock-types like Gigalith, Steelix, Klinklang, Silvally-Steel, and Alolan Sandslash, as well as hitting other Pokemon for more desirable damage such as Incineroar, Piloswine, Type: Null, Ferroseed, and Cryogonal. Energy Ball primarily deals with troublesome Rock-types, namely Diancie and Rhydon, and it deals damage to Bug-resistant Pokemon such as Palossand. Spikes may seem odd on a Choice-locked Pokemon; however, Accelgor makes good use of the move thanks to its fantastic Speed stat and ability to set multiple layers of Spikes on an expected switch from the opponent. U-turn is an alternative to Spikes, enabling Accelgor to gain momentum against Pokemon that can wall it; however, Spikes is generally the better option, as it's a major contributing factor to Accelgor's viability.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack and Speed investment ensures that Accelgor hits as fast and hard as possible, and a Timid nature allows Accelgor to outpace Choice Scarf variants of Passimian. Choice Specs increases Accelgor's Special Attack substantially, converting it into a powerful wallbreaker that's a force to be reckoned with. Sticky Hold is the preferred ability, as it allows Accelgor to retain its Choice Specs even when hit by Knock Off.
Usage Tips
========
Due to Accelgor's poor defensive stats, it should avoid switching into foes multiple times, and it is best brought in with the help of VoltTurn users against Pokemon like Slowbro and Guzzlord that it can capitalize on. If the opponent is expected to bring in a counter to Accelgor, sometimes it's best to use Spikes on the switch, pressuring the opponent heavily throughout the game. On the flip side, if the opponent is likely to switch into a Steel- or Rock-type like Steelix or Gigalith, predicting that and going for Focus Blast can throw off the opponent and allow Accelgor to gain momentum rapidly. Likewise, if a Bug-resistant Pokemon is expected to switch in like Diancie, Steelix, or Palossand, Energy Ball and Focus Blast are the best moves Accelgor should go for.
Team Options
========
Accelgor struggles immensely against bulky Flying-types, namely Golbat and Substitute + Bulk Up Braviary, so checks to them are necessary. Rock- and Steel-types like Diancie, Gigalith, and Steelix make for good teammates, effectively handling these Pokemon. Numerous Fire-types pose major threats to Accelgor; Incineroar, Houndoom, Magmortar, and Delphox can either outspeed it if holding a Choice Scarf or immediately force Accelgor out depending on what move it's locked into, so sufficient countermeasures to them are advised. Again, Rock-types like Diancie, Gigalith, and Rhydon are all more than capable of checking these Fire-types. Water-types such as Slowbro, Slowking, Blastoise, Vaporeon, and Samurott can all put Fire-types in check, taking pressure off of Accelgor. Rock-types can tank attacks from Accelgor depending on what move it's locked into, so Fighting-, Grass-, and Steel-types like Passimian, Whimsicott, and Klinklang are good partners. Similarly to Rock-types, Ground- and Steel-types can also tank hits from Accelgor based on what move it's locked into, so yet again Water-, Grass-, and Fighting-types are good partners for Accelgor. Accelgor appreciates coming into battle safely with VoltTurn support, so pivots like Passimian, Xatu, and Rotom synergize well with Accelgor. Additionally, these three can pivot out against Pokemon that naturally answer them like Slowbro, Guzzlord, and Whimsicott to let Accelgor in more easily.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Life Orb can be run over Choice Specs to give Accelgor more freedom while attacking, allowing it to exploit its checks more easily; however, the drop is significant, and taking chip damage from Life Orb reduces the number of times Accelgor can switch into Stealth Rock. A Spikes lead set with Focus Sash can be used, consisting of Spikes, Final Gambit, Bug Buzz, and Toxic Spikes, with Encore as an option as well. However, this set should only be used on hyper offensive teams and generally isn't worth using in most cases.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Flying-types**: Golbat completely walls Accelgor, taking about 10% from Bug Buzz and comfortably OHKOing it in return with STAB Brave Bird. Substitute + Bulk Up Braviary is also able of tanking Accelgor's attacks and setting up on it. Other less defensive Flying-types like Vivillon, Scyther, and Dodrio can threaten Accelgor with their STAB attacks; however, these Pokemon are fairly uncommon and either don't switch into entry hazards well or take huge damage from Focus Blast.
**Faster Pokemon and Priority Users**: Almost any Pokemon holding Choice Scarf that outspeeds Accelgor will have very little difficulty taking it down thanks to Accelgor's lackluster defensive stats. Examples of Choice Scarf users include Heliolisk, Houndoom, Togedemaru, Delphox, and Scyther. Priority users like Comfey and Sucker Punch or Shadow Sneak Decidueye can pick off Accelgor pretty easily as well.
**Rock-types**: Although Accelgor has moves like Focus Blast and Energy Ball at its disposal, Diancie, Rhydon, and Aerodactyl are capable of OHKOing Accelgor with their STAB attacks.
**Steel-types**: Steelix, Klinklang, Silvally-Steel, and Togedemaru can all prove extremely troublesome to Accelgor if it's Choice locked into any attack that's not Focus Blast. Steelix and Klinklang can OHKO Accelgor with their STAB attacks, whereas Togedemaru can outspeed it if holding a Choice Scarf and has a 75% chance to OHKO Accelgor after Stealth Rock damage. Silvally-Steel can deal hefty damage to Accelgor with Flamethrower and tank even a Choice Specs-boosted Focus Blast.
**Fire-types**: Fire-types like Houndoom and Delphox that typically utilize Choice Scarf are able to outspeed Accelgor and OHKO it with ease. Furthermore, if Accelgor locks itself into Energy Ball against any of these Fire-types, it's immediately forced out. However, even though none of Accelgor's attacks are super effective against Fire-types, the majority of them struggle to successfully switch into it. Incineroar and Houndoom are OHKOed by Focus Blast and take substantial damage from Bug Buzz, and Delphox takes 70% from Bug Buzz and is outpaced if not holding a Choice Scarf. Magmortar takes well over half from Focus Blast, making it an unreliable switch-in.
Thanks to Accelgor's blistering Speed stat, great Special Attack in tandem with Choice Specs, and valuable coverage coupled with utility moves like Spikes, Accelgor cements itself as a huge annoyance to teams. Adding onto the point of Accelgor's coverage, Accelgor is capable of dealing massive damage to many unsuspecting Pokemon, such as hitting Steelix with Focus Blast and Diancie with Energy Ball. Accelgor outpaces the most common Choice Scarf user in NU, Passimian, making Accelgor even more menacing to teams where Passimian is the designated Choice Scarf holder. Unfortunately, Accelgor has rather lackluster defensive stats and a poor defensive typing, making it extremely difficult to use efficiently and preventing it from switching into nearly anything in the metagame well.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Bug Buzz
move 2: Focus Blast
move 3: Energy Ball
move 4: Spikes
item: Choice Specs
ability: Sticky Hold
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Bug Buzz is a reliable STAB attack that nails prominent Psychic-, Dark-, and Grass-types such as Slowbro, Guzzlord, and Sceptile. Focus Blast is essential in Accelgor's movepool, severely denting Steel and Rock-types like Gigalith, Steelix, Klinklang, Silvally-Steel, and Alolan Sandslash, as well as hitting other Pokemon for more desirable damage such as Incineroar, Piloswine, Type: Null, Ferroseed, and Cryogonal. Energy Ball primarily deals with troublesome Rock-types, namely Diancie and Rhydon, and it deals damage to Bug-resistant Pokemon such as Palossand. Spikes may seem odd on a Choice-locked Pokemon; however, Accelgor makes good use of the move thanks to its fantastic Speed stat and ability to set multiple layers of Spikes on an expected switch from the opponent. U-turn is an alternative to Spikes, enabling Accelgor to gain momentum against Pokemon that can wall it; however, Spikes is generally the better option, as it's a major contributing factor to Accelgor's viability.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack and Speed investment ensures that Accelgor hits as fast and hard as possible, and a Timid nature allows Accelgor to outpace Choice Scarf variants of Passimian. Choice Specs increases Accelgor's Special Attack substantially, converting it into a powerful wallbreaker that's a force to be reckoned with. Sticky Hold is the preferred ability, as it allows Accelgor to retain its Choice Specs even when hit by Knock Off.
Usage Tips
========
Due to Accelgor's poor defensive stats, it should avoid switching into foes multiple times, and it is best brought in with the help of VoltTurn users against Pokemon like Slowbro and Guzzlord that it can capitalize on. If the opponent is expected to bring in a counter to Accelgor, sometimes it's best to use Spikes on the switch, pressuring the opponent heavily throughout the game. On the flip side, if the opponent is likely to switch into a Steel- or Rock-type like Steelix or Gigalith, predicting that and going for Focus Blast can throw off the opponent and allow Accelgor to gain momentum rapidly. Likewise, if a Bug-resistant Pokemon is expected to switch in like Diancie, Steelix, or Palossand, Energy Ball and Focus Blast are the best moves Accelgor should go for.
Team Options
========
Accelgor struggles immensely against bulky Flying-types, namely Golbat and Substitute + Bulk Up Braviary, so checks to them are necessary. Rock- and Steel-types like Diancie, Gigalith, and Steelix make for good teammates, effectively handling these Pokemon. Numerous Fire-types pose major threats to Accelgor; Incineroar, Houndoom, Magmortar, and Delphox can either outspeed it if holding a Choice Scarf or immediately force Accelgor out depending on what move it's locked into, so sufficient countermeasures to them are advised. Again, Rock-types like Diancie, Gigalith, and Rhydon are all more than capable of checking these Fire-types. Water-types such as Slowbro, Slowking, Blastoise, Vaporeon, and Samurott can all put Fire-types in check, taking pressure off of Accelgor. Rock-types can tank attacks from Accelgor depending on what move it's locked into, so Fighting-, Grass-, and Steel-types like Passimian, Whimsicott, and Klinklang are good partners. Similarly to Rock-types, Ground- and Steel-types can also tank hits from Accelgor based on what move it's locked into, so yet again Water-, Grass-, and Fighting-types are good partners for Accelgor. Accelgor appreciates coming into battle safely with VoltTurn support, so pivots like Passimian, Xatu, and Rotom synergize well with Accelgor. Additionally, these three can pivot out against Pokemon that naturally answer them like Slowbro, Guzzlord, and Whimsicott to let Accelgor in more easily.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Life Orb can be run over Choice Specs to give Accelgor more freedom while attacking, allowing it to exploit its checks more easily; however, the drop is significant, and taking chip damage from Life Orb reduces the number of times Accelgor can switch into Stealth Rock. A Spikes lead set with Focus Sash can be used, consisting of Spikes, Final Gambit, Bug Buzz, and Toxic Spikes, with Encore as an option as well. However, this set should only be used on hyper offensive teams and generally isn't worth using in most cases.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Flying-types**: Golbat completely walls Accelgor, taking about 10% from Bug Buzz and comfortably OHKOing it in return with STAB Brave Bird. Substitute + Bulk Up Braviary is also able of tanking Accelgor's attacks and setting up on it. Other less defensive Flying-types like Vivillon, Scyther, and Dodrio can threaten Accelgor with their STAB attacks; however, these Pokemon are fairly uncommon and either don't switch into entry hazards well or take huge damage from Focus Blast.
**Faster Pokemon and Priority Users**: Almost any Pokemon holding Choice Scarf that outspeeds Accelgor will have very little difficulty taking it down thanks to Accelgor's lackluster defensive stats. Examples of Choice Scarf users include Heliolisk, Houndoom, Togedemaru, Delphox, and Scyther. Priority users like Comfey and Sucker Punch or Shadow Sneak Decidueye can pick off Accelgor pretty easily as well.
**Rock-types**: Although Accelgor has moves like Focus Blast and Energy Ball at its disposal, Diancie, Rhydon, and Aerodactyl are capable of OHKOing Accelgor with their STAB attacks.
**Steel-types**: Steelix, Klinklang, Silvally-Steel, and Togedemaru can all prove extremely troublesome to Accelgor if it's Choice locked into any attack that's not Focus Blast. Steelix and Klinklang can OHKO Accelgor with their STAB attacks, whereas Togedemaru can outspeed it if holding a Choice Scarf and has a 75% chance to OHKO Accelgor after Stealth Rock damage. Silvally-Steel can deal hefty damage to Accelgor with Flamethrower and tank even a Choice Specs-boosted Focus Blast.
**Fire-types**: Fire-types like Houndoom and Delphox that typically utilize Choice Scarf are able to outspeed Accelgor and OHKO it with ease. Furthermore, if Accelgor locks itself into Energy Ball against any of these Fire-types, it's immediately forced out. However, even though none of Accelgor's attacks are super effective against Fire-types, the majority of them struggle to successfully switch into it. Incineroar and Houndoom are OHKOed by Focus Blast and take substantial damage from Bug Buzz, and Delphox takes 70% from Bug Buzz and is outpaced if not holding a Choice Scarf. Magmortar takes well over half from Focus Blast, making it an unreliable switch-in.
Last edited: