Residing in NU since the days of Black and White, Mantine has always been viewed as an incredibly mediocre Pokemon. However, in Generation 7, Game Freak has gifted Mantine with access to Roost and raised its base HP stat from 65 to 85. These buffs have increased Mantine's viability significantly, and it currently resides as a premier bulky Water-type in the RU metagame. Mantine's impressive bulk, fantastic ability in Water Absorb, and plethora of useful utility moves allow it to function as a solid check to prominent Pokemon such as Sharpedo and Feraligatr. Additionally, Mantine fits well on almost any team archetype aside from hyper offense due to its solid synergy with Stealth Rock users such as Rhyperior and Registeel and its ability to check the aforementioned threats.
Mantine @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Calm Nature
- Scald
- Roost
- Defog
- Toxic / Haze
Maximum HP and Defense investment allows Mantine to properly check powerful physical attackers like Heracross and Escavalier while also improving its matchup versus Stealth Rock users such as Diancie and Gigalith. Furthermore, a Calm nature aids Mantine in combatting special attackers such as Gardevoir and Swellow. Water Absorb is incredibly useful for taking on offensive Water-types like Feraligatr as well as sponging Scalds from the likes of Milotic and Slowbro. Speaking of Scald, it also is a decently powerful Water-type STAB move for Mantine with a handy 30% chance to burn the target. Roost extends Mantine's longevity greatly, and Defog allows Mantine to clear the field of hazards and support its teammates. Toxic cripples bulky Pokemon such as Cresselia and Porygon2 that would otherwise be bothersome for Mantine; however, Haze can also be used in this slot in order to improve Mantine's matchup versus setup sweepers such as Dragon Dance Flygon and Swords Dance Doublade. Lastly, Air Slash is also a viable option for Mantine, as it completes it dual STAB coverage and allows it to better check Pokemon such as Heracross, Shaymin, Kommo-o, and Roserade.
Although Mantine certainly has numerous positive attributes, it is not without its fair share of flaws as well. A 4x weakness to Electric-type attacks hampers Mantine greatly, as many Pokemon such as Z-Thunder Reuniclus will carry Electric-type coverage moves in order to lure in and severely damage Mantine. Finally, Mantine's weakness to Stealth Rock can be troublesome at times, as it struggles to properly check Pokemon like Swellow and Kommo-o after losing 25% of its maximum HP. This weakness to Stealth Rock can make it difficult for Mantine to consistently use Defog over the course of the battle as well.
Can't wait to see what all the hype is about? Be sure to give Mantine a shot on your next team!
Mantine @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Calm Nature
- Scald
- Roost
- Defog
- Toxic / Haze
Maximum HP and Defense investment allows Mantine to properly check powerful physical attackers like Heracross and Escavalier while also improving its matchup versus Stealth Rock users such as Diancie and Gigalith. Furthermore, a Calm nature aids Mantine in combatting special attackers such as Gardevoir and Swellow. Water Absorb is incredibly useful for taking on offensive Water-types like Feraligatr as well as sponging Scalds from the likes of Milotic and Slowbro. Speaking of Scald, it also is a decently powerful Water-type STAB move for Mantine with a handy 30% chance to burn the target. Roost extends Mantine's longevity greatly, and Defog allows Mantine to clear the field of hazards and support its teammates. Toxic cripples bulky Pokemon such as Cresselia and Porygon2 that would otherwise be bothersome for Mantine; however, Haze can also be used in this slot in order to improve Mantine's matchup versus setup sweepers such as Dragon Dance Flygon and Swords Dance Doublade. Lastly, Air Slash is also a viable option for Mantine, as it completes it dual STAB coverage and allows it to better check Pokemon such as Heracross, Shaymin, Kommo-o, and Roserade.
Although Mantine certainly has numerous positive attributes, it is not without its fair share of flaws as well. A 4x weakness to Electric-type attacks hampers Mantine greatly, as many Pokemon such as Z-Thunder Reuniclus will carry Electric-type coverage moves in order to lure in and severely damage Mantine. Finally, Mantine's weakness to Stealth Rock can be troublesome at times, as it struggles to properly check Pokemon like Swellow and Kommo-o after losing 25% of its maximum HP. This weakness to Stealth Rock can make it difficult for Mantine to consistently use Defog over the course of the battle as well.
Can't wait to see what all the hype is about? Be sure to give Mantine a shot on your next team!
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