Poliwrath [QC 0/3]

ShuckleDeath

They call me the kign of typos
is a Team Rater Alumnusis a Forum Moderator Alumnus
he dropped this on discord -zard

[OVERVIEW]

  • Decent defensive stats accompanied by a good defensive typing allows it to check numerous threats in the metagame, like Absol, Carracosta, and Floatzel.
  • Balanced stat distribution makes it versatile, able to run special sets along with a decent SubPunch set.
  • Is often times outclassed by other Fighting-types and Water-types to perform strictly offensive roles, like Primeape and Ludicolo.

[SET]
name: Special Tank
move 1: Scald / Hydro Pump
move 2: Focus Blast
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Vacuum Wave
item: Leftovers
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Modest
evs: 248 HP / 164 SpA / 96 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

  • Scald is reliable STAB that can be used to fish for burns helping it check physical attackers.
  • Hydro Pump is an alternative STAB that has higher damage output, but with far less accuracy and no chance of burn.

  • Focus Blast is strongest available special Fighting-type STAB, and the high power is appreciated coming of of a below average Spatk stat.
  • Ice Beam is used to hit bulky Grass-types as most notably Roselia.
  • Vacuum Wave is decent STAB priority that can be used to faint weakened faster threats.
Set Details
========

  • Water Absorb gives it an immunity to water as well as the added benefit of possible HP recovery as it only has leftovers outside of it.
  • 248 HP EVs are used to give the best bulk possible while giving you an odd hp number as Poliwrath switches in a lot and can be worn down by hazards if with his Stealth Rock resistance.
  • 96 Speed EVs allows Poliwrath to outpace neutral-natured max Speed base 50s like Aggron.
  • 164 Spatk EVs along with a modest nature is used to increase Poliwraths overall offensive presence.
  • An alternative spread of 124 Spatk EVs with 136 Speed EVs may be used to out pace neutral-nature max speed Pokemon most notably Golurk.

Usage Tips
========
  • Poliwrath can switch into Water, Dark, Steel, Rock, Ice and Fire-types but has to be wary of there coverage options like Absol's Play Rough.

  • Poliwrath is used as a tank and will be switching in quite a lot, but should be used sparingly in some match ups as it can be overwhelmed fast.
  • Using Scald early game is a great way to burn switch ins, such as Lanturn which is a great way to weaken them for teammates.
Team Options
========

  • Pokemon like Ferroseed can resist the Electric, Grass, Fairy and Psychic-type attacks aimed at Poliwrat. It can also set hazards which Poiliwrath appreciates as it can force switches. Poliwrath checks the Fire-types that plague Ferroseed.
  • Magmotar appreciates Poliwrath as it can check the Rock and Water-type Pokemon that them while they highly threaten Grass-types for Poliwrath.
  • Togedemaru can block Volt Switch, which Poliwrath invites, while also checking FlyingTypes like Oricorio-G, all while having the ability to Wish Pass as Poliwrath can get worn down quite easily. Poliwrath can check Ground and Fire-Types in return.
  • Poliwrath appreciates hazard control as it can be overwhelmed by them quickly with the number of times Poliwrath has to switch in. Skuntank is notable as it absorbs Toxic Spikes as well as checks Psychic-Types for Poliwrath.
[SET]
name: SubPunch
move 1: Waterfall
move 2: Focus Punch
move 3: Substitute
move 4: Toxic / Encore
item: Leftovers
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Adamant
evs: 112 HP / 252 Atk / 144 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

  • Waterfall is the strongest reliable physical Water-type STAB Poliwrath has available.
  • Focus Punch is a very strong Fighting-type STAB move that works very well with Substitute.
  • Substitute is used to avoid status moves like Toxic, as well allowing Poliwrath to use Focus Punch reliably.
  • Toxic is used for wearing down switch ins such as Swanna and Sableye; Encore can be used to shut down walls such as Clefairy.

Set Details
========

  • Leftovers is used to help negate some of the recoil done by Substitute and also lets it have slight recovery from switching into resisted attacks.
  • Water Absorb gives it an immunity to Water-type attacks as well as potential recovery outside of Leftovers and is the best available ability for this set.
  • An adamant is used to maximize the damage output of Poliwraths attacks.
  • 252 EVs are used to hit as hard as possible.
  • 144 Speed EV's are used to outpace Adamant max speed Golurk, so it can hit it with Waterfall before it can attack.
  • The final 112 EVs are placed in HP to increase overall bulk.
  • An alternative spread of 32 HP / 252 Atk / 224 can be used to outpace jolly Golurk, but isn't really worth the loss of bulk.
Usage Tips
========

  • SubPunch Poliwrath is used to check certain threats such as Floatzel and Carracosta, while also adding good offensive pressure to balance teams so this Poliwrath variant should be played a bit more hesitantly on switch ins, and would rather be brought in on a free switch such as a double switch or slow Volt Switch.
  • SubPunch Poliwrath can also be played much more aggressively than it's special tank variant, as your also trying to wear down the opposing team with Focus Punch.
  • Common switch ins to Poliwrath like Gastrodon and Defensive Mesprit usually do not expect Poliwrath to carry Toxic in its moveset so using Toxic followed by Substitute is a great way to weaken its own checks.
  • Using Substitute on a forced switch is a great way to ease prediction and to scout out the oppents moves.

Team Options
========

  • Skuntank is a great partner for Poliwrath as it can check the Fairy-types, Psychic-types, and Grass-types that give Poliwrath trouble as well as Pursuit trapping the Ghost-types that are immune to Focus Punch.
  • Fire-types like Pyroar can check Grass-types for Poliwrath, and Poliwrath can help to weaken Rock-types for them in return.
  • Healing Wish users like Mesprit make good partners for Poliwrath as it is often worn down fast between Substitute and the inevitable switch ins it will have to perform.
  • Hazard control such as Skuntank and Lurantis make good partners while despite being resistant to Stealth Rock Poliwrath utilizes Substitute and appreciates as much longevity as it can be allowed. Both can check Grass-types for Poliwrath while Skuntank also covers Psychic-types.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

  • Choice Specs can be used to increase damage output by a significant margin at the cost of bulk and usually don better by Pokemon like Floatzel for it's much higher speed and Special Attack.
  • Poliwrath has excess to Swift Swim and Belly Drum, however, Kabutops does this role much more reliably with Swords Dance, and special Swift Swim sets are done better by Pokemon like Ludicolo.
  • A physically defensive set Circle Throw Scald and RestTalk can be used but is quite niche for hazard stack teams, where Throh normally does this better, and this set doesn't let it beat the things it is meant to check anymore reliably than its tank set and in some cases such as Carracosta and Absol is actually not as reliable due to the lack of Vacuum Wave.
  • Bulk Up can be used to boost Poliwraths attack and defense turning it to a scary tank, however, these sets are done better by Gurdurr.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Bulky Grass-types**: Pokemon like Roselia can shrug off most of poliwrath's attacks and can retaliate with a super effective move.

**Bulky Water-types**: Pokemon like Gastrodon can handle most of Poliwrath's moves, besides Toxic and can retaliate back with a Toxic and recover off damage from Focus Blast.

**Strong attackers with super effective coverage**: Pokemon like Swanna and Raichu-Alola can take a Vacuum Wave and threaten to OHKO in return.

**Bulky Psychic-types**: Some Musharna and Mesprit variants can switch comfortably into any attacks Poliwrath has to throw at it, including toxic in the case of Heal Bell Musharna and can set-up on it or threaten with a Psychic.

**Flying-types** Pokemon like Oricorio-G and Swanna, while not liking switching into Poliwrath can threaten it heavily with there Flying-type STABs.
 
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TJ

Banned deucer.
is the Smogon Tour Season 34 Championis a Past SPL Championis a Two-Time Past SCL Champion
am check

  • "Typing allows it to check numerous threats in the metagame, like Absol, Carracosta, and Floatzel." Its typing also leaves in vulnerable to many threats in the meta
  • "Scald is reliable STAB that can be used to fish for burns helping it check physical attackers, Hydro Pump is an alternative STAB that has higher damage output, but with far less accuracy and no chance of burn." Hydro Pump should be a seperate bullet
  • "Focus Blast is strongest availible special Fighting-type STAB, and the high power is appreciated coming of of a below average Spatk stat." Maybe mention the drawbacks on Focusblast's accuracy?
  • "Ice Beam is used to hit bulky Grass-types as most notably Roselia and Jumpluff." Jumpluff isnt bulky and isnt relevant
  • "An alternative spread of 124 Spatk EVs with 136 Speed EVs may be used to out pase neutral-nature max speed Pokemon most notably Cacturne." Since this isnt in its main set, I think it belongs in other options
  • "252 EVs are used to hit as hard as possible." forgot to mention Atk
  • "An adamant is used to maximize the damage out put of Poliwraths attacks." forgot to mention nature
  • "Skuntank is a great partner for Poliwrath as it can check the Fairy-types, Psychic-types, and Grass-types that give Poliwrath trouble as well as Pursuit trapping the Ghost-types that are immune to Focus Punch." mention that skuntank also absorbs tspikes for wrath since they kinda hinder this set
  • "Hazard control such as Swanna and Lurantis make good partners while despite being resistant to Stealth Rock Poliwrath utilizes Substitute and appreciates as much longevity as it can be allowed." Skuntank is good too
  • Maybe mention Encore or a Z-move in other options?
  • For Checks and Counters mention Flying-types like Swanna
 

ShuckleDeath

They call me the kign of typos
is a Team Rater Alumnusis a Forum Moderator Alumnus
am check

  • "Typing allows it to check numerous threats in the metagame, like Absol, Carracosta, and Floatzel." Its typing also leaves in vulnerable to many threats in the meta
  • "Scald is reliable STAB that can be used to fish for burns helping it check physical attackers, Hydro Pump is an alternative STAB that has higher damage output, but with far less accuracy and no chance of burn." Hydro Pump should be a seperate bullet
  • "Focus Blast is strongest availible special Fighting-type STAB, and the high power is appreciated coming of of a below average Spatk stat." Maybe mention the drawbacks on Focusblast's accuracy?
  • "Ice Beam is used to hit bulky Grass-types as most notably Roselia and Jumpluff." Jumpluff isnt bulky and isnt relevant
  • "An alternative spread of 124 Spatk EVs with 136 Speed EVs may be used to out pase neutral-nature max speed Pokemon most notably Cacturne." Since this isnt in its main set, I think it belongs in other options
  • "252 EVs are used to hit as hard as possible." forgot to mention Atk
  • "An adamant is used to maximize the damage out put of Poliwraths attacks." forgot to mention nature
  • "Skuntank is a great partner for Poliwrath as it can check the Fairy-types, Psychic-types, and Grass-types that give Poliwrath trouble as well as Pursuit trapping the Ghost-types that are immune to Focus Punch." mention that skuntank also absorbs tspikes for wrath since they kinda hinder this set
  • "Hazard control such as Swanna and Lurantis make good partners while despite being resistant to Stealth Rock Poliwrath utilizes Substitute and appreciates as much longevity as it can be allowed." Skuntank is good too
  • Maybe mention Encore or a Z-move in other options?
  • For Checks and Counters mention Flying-types like Swanna
added a few suggestions thank you
 
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Akir

A true villain!
is a Community Contributoris a Tiering Contributoris a Community Leader Alumnusis a Battle Simulator Staff Alumnus
[OVERVIEW]

  • Typing allows it to check numerous threats in the metagame, like Absol, Carracosta, and Floatzel.
  • Balanced stat distribution makes it versatile, able to run special sets along with a decent SubPunch set.
  • (mention the good defenses and defensive typing too cuz its good shit broski)
  • Is often times outclassed by other Fighting-types and Water-types to preform strictly offensive roles, like Primeape and Ludicolo.

[SET]
name: Special Tank
move 1: Scald / Hydro Pump
move 2: Focus Blast
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Vacuum Wave
item: Leftovers
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Modest
evs: 248 HP / 164 Spatk / 96 Speed

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

  • Scald is reliable STAB that can be used to fish for burns helping it check physical attackers.
  • Hydro Pump is an alternative STAB that has higher damage output, but with far less accuracy and no chance of burn.
  • Focus Blast is strongest available special Fighting-type STAB, and the high power is appreciated coming of of a below average Spatk stat.
  • Ice Beam is used to hit bulky Grass-types as most notably Roselia.
  • Vacuum Wave is decent STAB priority that can be used to faint weakened faster threats.
Set Details
========

  • Water Absorb gives it an immunity to water and is the most useful ability for this set. (should also mention the healing aspect. helps longevity since it only has leftovers)
  • 248 HP EVs are used to give the best bulk possible while giving you an odd hp number as Poliwrath switches in a lot and can be worn down by hazards if with his Stealth Rock resistance.
  • 96 Speed EVs allows Poliwrath to outpace neutral-natured max Speed base 50s like Aggron.
  • 164 Spatk EVs along with a modest nature is used to increase Poliwraths overall offensive presence.
  • An alternative spread of 124 Spatk EVs with 136 Speed EVs may be used to out pase neutral-nature max speed Pokemon most notably Cacturne. (maybe a spread with less hp and more spatk is also a possibility?)

Usage Tips
========
  • Poliwrath can switch into Water, Dark, Steel, Rock, Ice and Fire-types but has to be wary of their coverage options like Absol's Play Rough.
  • Poliwrath is used as a tank and will be switching in quite a lot, but should be used sparingly in some match ups as it can be overwhelmed fast.
  • Using Scald early game is a great way to burn switch ins, such as Lanturn which is a great way to weaken them for teammates.
Team Options
========

  • Pokemon like Ferroseed can resist the Electric, Grass, Fairy and Psychic-type attacks aimed at Poliwrath, where Poliwrath checks the Fire-types that plague Ferroseed.
  • Magmotar and Charizard (yikes this is overdue huh) appreciate Poliwrath as it can check the Rock and Water-type Pokemon that them while they highly threaten Grass-types for Poliwrath.
  • Golem can Block Volt Switch for Poliwarth as well as check Flying-types like Ninjask.
  • Wishpassing and heal bell users probably also make good partners. hazard control (especially skunk) is also appreciated even tho wrath resists rocks since tspikes is damning
[SET]
name: SubPunch
move 1: Waterfall
move 2: Focus Punch
move 3: Substitute
move 4: Toxic / Encore
item: Leftovers
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Adamant
evs: 72 HP / 252 Atk / 184 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

  • Waterfall is the strongest reliable physical Water-type STAB Poliwrath has available.
  • Focus Punch is a very strong Fighting-type STAB move that works very well with Substitute.
  • Substitute is used to avoid status moves like Toxic, as well allowing Poliwrath to use Focus Punch reliably.
  • Toxic is used for wearing down switch ins such as Swanna and Sableye.
  • Gen4 tech I know, but encore can also shut down potential walls and give you a free sub. its not a bad option

Set Details
========

  • Leftovers is used to help negate some of the recoil done by Substitute and also lets it have slight recovery from switching into resisted attacks.
  • Water Absorb gives it an immunity to Water-type attacks and is the best available ability for this set. (said it earlier but you should mention the healing benefit too)
  • An adamant is used to maximize the damage out put of Poliwraths attacks.
  • 252 EVs are used to hit as hard as possible.
  • 184 Speed EV's are used to outpace Adamant max speed Pawniard, so it can sub easier and threaten with a Focus Punch. (is pawn a thing to creep? the other spread might be better honestly so u have fatter subs)
  • The final 72 EVs are placed in HP to increase overall bulk.
Usage Tips
========

  • SubPunch Poliwrath is used to check certain threats such as Floatzel and Carracosta, while also adding good offensive pressure to balance teams so this Poliwrath variant should be played a bit more hesitantly on switch ins, and would rather be brought in on a free switch such as a double switch or slow Volt Switch.
  • SubPunch Poliwrath can also be played much more aggressively than it's special tank variant, and should be trying to use Focus Punch as much as possible. (maybe not...as much as possible?)
  • Common switch ins to Poliwrath like Gastrodon, usually do not expect Poliwrath to carry Toxic in it's moveset so using Toxic followed by Substitute is a great way to weaken it's own checks. (i would rather just punch the gastro)
  • there should also be a mention of how to use sub. forcing the switch and then subbing eases prediction and gives u a chance to see what ur opp is going to do and use ur own resources accordingly. the main problem i have with the second bullet is that it implies that going for the punch is preferred over going for the sub and that is wrong most of the time

Team Options
========

  • Skuntank is a great partner for Poliwrath as it can check the Fairy-types, Psychic-types, and Grass-types that give Poliwrath trouble as well as Pursuit trapping the Ghost-types that are immune to Focus Punch.
  • Fire-types like Pyroar can check Grass-types for Poliwrath, and Poliwrath can help to weaken Rock-types for them in return.
  • Healing Wish users like Mesprit make good partners for Poliwrath as it is often worn down fast between Substitute and the inevitable switch ins it will have to preform.
  • Hazard control such as Swanna and Lurantis (these examples are actually rather redundant to what wrath covers. maybe bring up skuntank again, or maybe make this 1 bullet? not saying that they are bad partners but the defensive synergy that they provide can be rather redundant...at least redundant enough that id recommend skuntank over these first) make good partners while despite being resistant to Stealth Rock Poliwrath utilizes Substitute and appreciates as much longevity as it can be allowed.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

  • Choice Specs can be used to increase damage output by a significant margin at the cost of bulk and usually don better by Pokemon like Floatzel for it's much higher speed and Special Attack.
  • Poliwrath has excess to Swift Swim and Belly Drum, however Kabutops does this role much more reliably with Swords Dance, and special Swift Swim sets are done better by Pokemon like Ludicolo.
  • A physically defenisve set Circle Throw Scald, and RestTalk can be use but is quite niche for hazard stack teams, where Throh normally does this better, and this set doesn't let it beat the things it is meant to check anymore reliably than its tank set and in some cases such as Carracosta and Absol is actually not as reliable due to the lack of Vacuum wave.
  • Encore can be a useful move to deter set-up and can help in hindering defenisve threats but has trouble finding space for it. (not on subpunch yo)
  • mention bulk up sets too

Checks and Counters
===================

**Bulky Grass-types**: Pokemon like Roselia for the Special Tank set or Gourgeist-Super for the SubPunch set can shrug off most of poliwrath's attacks and can retaliate with a super effective move. (added the difference cuz rose actually loses to subpunch so its not a 100% statement)

**Bulky Water-types**: Pokemon like Gastrodon can handle most of Poliwrath's moves, besides Toxic and can retaliate back with a Toxic and recover off damage from Focus Blast. (qwilfish should be here)

**Strong attackers with super effective coverage**: Pokemon like Swanna and Raichu-Alola can take a Vacuum Wave and threaten to OHKO in return. (this is absurdly broad and implies stuff like Absol with Play Rough can check when it doesnt. also isnt this true for every mon? you can leave this for another qc since im not 100% sure but i personally think it should be refined)

**Musharna**: Some Musharna variants can switch comfortably into any attacks Poliwrath has to throw at it, including toxic in the case of Heal Bell Musharna and can set-up on it or threaten with a Psychic. (maybe add mesprit and expand this to "bulky psychics"

also i agree with TJ that there should be a part for flying types like swanna and oricorio, who can pretty decently check all of the sets
i was bored and QCed the oldest one so here u go shuckle, 1/3
 

MZ

And now for something completely different
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ok this is still ridiculously low on detail, just a problematically underwritten analysis. But on top of needing a ton of work just for being incomplete, this also needs a ton of work because QC have decided on a different set.

name: Substitute+Toxic
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Toxic
move 3: Scald
move 4: Focus Blast
item: Leftovers
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Modest
evs: 248 HP / 164 SpA / 96 Spe

the other sets just really arent good atm, this is the most annoying it can be. it also functions fairly differently to the other sets and i get that u have been having a hard time with writing analyses and being busy, so ur call if u want to continue. if you do, this is gonna need a ton more work
 

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