[SET]
name: Defensive Pivot (Dark)
move 1: Foul Play
move 2: Roost
move 3: Defog
move 4: U-turn
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Overcoat
nature: Impish
evs: 248 HP / 244 Def / 16 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Thanks to its good defensive stats, neutrality against Fighting- and Bug-type attacks, and good utility moves, Mandibuzz performs the role of a premiere utility support Pokemon for Dark-type teams, making it usable even on hyper offense archetypes. Foul Play lets Mandibuzz greatly damage physical attackers like Mega Gallade, Dragonite, and Victini while also punishing setup sweepers like Mega Scizor, Mega Charizard X, and Excadrill. Roost allows Mandibuzz to keep itself healthy, giving it longevity and thus allowing it to be an effective defensive pivot throughout the game. Defog is a good utility move that is greatly appreciated by teammates of Mandibuzz, as it keeps them safe from entry hazards like Sticky Web and Toxic Spikes that may plague the entire team. Lastly, U-turn lets Mandibuzz gain momentum on a predicted switch-in against it and bring in an appropriate teammate in the battle safely. 16 Speed EVs let it outspeed Adamant Belly Drum Azumarill and check it with Foul Play. The rest of the EVs are invested into HP and Defense to optimize its overall bulk. Heavy-Duty Boots is used as an item so that Mandibuzz can freely switch in without getting chipped down by Stealth Rock, making it harder for the opposing team to wear it down. Overcoat makes Mandibuzz immune to Spore from Breloom and Amoonguss while also keeping it safe from sand and hail damage.
Teammates like Urshifu-S and Greninja like Mandibuzz switching in against physical attacks aimed at them from Pokemon like Excadrill and it creating momentum with U-turn to bring them in safely as well as clearing entry hazards away and allowing them to wallbreak foes much more effectively. Specially defensive Tyranitar can form a defensive core with Mandibuzz, since it can take on special attacks aimed at Mandibuzz while also providing Stealth Rock and Thunder Wave support. Mega Sableye takes the pressure off of Mandibuzz and can check threats like Mega Gallade that can otherwise break apart Dark-type teams, additionally bouncing back any status move aimed at Mandibuzz from Pokemon like Gastrodon and Swampert. It also does great against opposing entry hazard setters like Tyranitar, Blissey, and Ferrothorn. Hydreigon can take care of walls like Toxapex and Hippowdon that Mandibuzz can struggle against. Alolan Muk and Bisharp can cover Fairy-types like Clefable. The former can also absorb special attacks aimed at Mandibuzz well and act as a good wincon when running Curse, while the latter is a good setup sweeper and wallbreaker against defensive types like Poison. Zarude can cover Water-type teams and beat threatening Pokemon like Urshifu-R.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Dark
Toxic can be used over U-turn to cripple defensive Pokemon like Porygon2, Hippowdon, and Avalugg; however, Mandibuzz then misses out on U-turn, which is very much appreciated thanks to it being able to swing in momentum for free against a predicted switch-in. Taunt is also an option over U-turn to prevent walls like Toxapex, Blissey, and Celesteela from using status moves, helping Mandibuzz wear them down. Knock Off can be used over Foul Play to annoy walls like Toxapex, Porygon2, and Blissey, but without Foul Play, Mandibuzz cannot punish threatening setup sweepers like Azumarill and Mega Gallade.
Checks and Counters
===================
Dark
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types like Mega Diancie, Tapu Lele, and Hatterene have little to no trouble beating Mandibuzz.
**Status**: As a defensive Pokemon that is intended to be used for longer games, Mandibuzz finds itself susceptible to statuses like Toxic poison and paralysis. Toxic puts it on a timer, while paralysis can prevent it from performing its role effectively.
**Super Effective Attacks**: Super effective attacks from Pokemon like Alolan Raichu, Terrakion, and Galarian Darmanitan can make Mandibuzz extremely weakened or even OHKO it.
**Wallbreakers**: Mandibuzz has trouble facing extremely powerful wallbreakers like Mega Heracross and Dracovish, which can break it apart easily.
**Stallbreakers**: Common stallbreakers like Gliscor and Mew can completely shut down Mandibuzz with Taunt, cripple it with Toxic or Will-O-Wisp, and prevent it from recovering its health.
**Walls**: Mandibuzz struggles to get past certain walls on its own such as Toxapex, Amoonguss, and Zapdos, as even Taunt variants cannot stop them due to their massive bulk.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Harpp, 320110]]
- Quality checked by: [[Maple, 473171], [maroon, 305839]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Estronic, 240732]]
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