QC:- KevinELF / Eien / Misaka Mikoto
GP:- The Dutch Plumberjack / CryoGyro
[OVERVIEW]
Normal
========
Porygon2 is the premier option for a physically defensive Pokemon on Normal teams thanks to its great bulk that is further bolstered by Eviolite. Even without investment, Eviolite also lets Porygon2 take special attacks from wallbreakers like Latios and Hydreigon. Porygon2 complements Chansey really well, as they can switch into most of each other's checks and form a great defensive backbone for Normal teams that is capable of switching into almost every attack. A great ability in Trace lets Porygon2 check big threats to Normal teams like Dragonite and Landorus-T. Porygon2 has a diverse movepool with coverage options such as Ice Beam and Discharge, utility moves like Toxic and Foul Play, and reliable recovery in Recover. However, Porygon2's pure Normal typing doesn't offer any novel resistances and just adds on to the team's weakness to Fighting-types. Porygon2 is also extremely vulnerable to stallbreakers like Mew and is severely crippled by Knock Off and Trick users.
[SET]
name: Physically Defensive (Normal)
move 1: Recover
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Foul Play / Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Toxic / Discharge
item: Eviolite
ability: Trace / Download
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Recover gives Porygon2 a reliable way to recover health and allows it to continue to switch into attacks. Ice Beam gives Porygon2 good coverage, notably hitting Gliscor, which can otherwise stallbreak it, and Dragonite. Foul Play prevents Pokemon like Scizor from using Porygon2 as setup bait. It also hits other powerful physical attackers such as Excadrill. Toxic gives Porygon2 a way to wear down defensive Pokemon like Swampert and Mega Slowbro. Discharge can be used over Toxic for its good coverage alongside Ice Beam and its decent chance to paralyse the foe. Hidden Power Fire is a decent coverage option that, alongside Download, lets Porygon2 hit defensive Mega Scizor and Ferrothorn hard. Should Hidden Power Fire be used, Discharge must be run over Foul Play along with Download to let Porygon2 deal with Steel teams more easily. However, either of those options means losing out on Toxic's important utility.
Set Details
========
Maximum investments are made in HP and Defense with a Bold nature to make Porygon2 as bulky as possible, letting it take hits from strong physical wallbreakers like Choice Band Excadrill. Eviolite boosts Porygon2's Defense and Special Defense to high levels. Trace is the preferred ability, as it allows Porygon2 to copy other abilities such as Multiscale from Dragonite, Intimidate from Gyarados, and Regenerator from Slowbro. Download should be used over Trace if Porygon2 is running three attacks to give it a chance to boost its Special Attack.
Usage Tips
========
Use Porygon2 as a pivot into physical attackers such as Mega Sharpedo and Excadrill. Make sure to keep Porygon2 healthy with Recover whenever it switches into an attack to prevent it from being worn down easily. Use Trace to give Porygon2 more opportunities to switch in. Copying Multiscale lets Porygon2 at full health switch into Choice Band Dragonite, for example. Be careful of Knock Off and Trick users like Bisharp and Togekiss, as without Eviolite, Porygon2 can become a liability. Keep Porygon2 away from status ailments, particularly Toxic poison, as they limit its ability to switch into attacks. Try to hide what move Porygon2 is carrying in its fourth moveslot against some threats. For example, Mega Slowbro doesn't mind Discharge but hates Toxic. Conversely, Keldeo hates the Discharge paralysis. Porygon2 should use its bulk to stall out threats like Mega Slowbro with Toxic + Recover. Porygon2 can switch in as a sweeper such as Mega Charizard X attempts to set up, then punish it with Foul Play. If you're using three attacks on Porygon2, do note its usefulness against Steel teams. Try to send Porygon2 out when a physically defensive Pokemon like Skarmory is on the field to give Porygon2 a boost in Special Attack. Make sure to take care of Bisharp and Toxic Heatran before attempting to clean up with Porygon2, however.
Team Options
========
Porygon2 is a staple pick on balance teams thanks to its ability to check a plethora of threats and switch into physical attacks. Porygon2 and Chansey form a great defensive core. Porygon2 can switch into checks to Chansey like Dragonite and Excadrill, while Chansey can switch into special wallbreakers like Mega Charizard Y and Tapu Koko. Only a handful of Pokemon can break through them. Chansey can additionally absorb status ailments thanks to Natural Cure, cure Porygon2 if it's already inflicted with status through Heal Bell, set Stealth Rock, and run Toxic to free Porygon2's last moveslot for another move. Mega Lopunny is a great switch-in to Knock Off and can easily check threats like Bisharp and Alolan Muk. Additionally, Mega Lopunny's Encore lets it take care of stallbreakers. On teams without Mega Lopunny, three attacks Porygon2 is very useful, as it can help against Steel teams. Staraptor can get rid of entry hazards with Defog and soften attacks from Fighting-types like Heracross with Intimidate. Staraptor is also a great switch-in to Knock Off and can check Bisharp, which is a huge threat, with Close Combat. Frailer Pokemon like Porygon-Z, Diggersby, Mega Pidgeot, and Meloetta appreciate having Porygon2 pivot into priority users like Scizor and Dragonite. Porygon2 can also wear down their checks with Toxic. Mega Pidgeot and Meloetta can additionally check Fighting-types. Ditto can punish setup sweepers that use Porygon2 as setup fodder like Manaphy and Xurkitree.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Normal
--------
Thunder Wave is an option over Toxic to cripple faster threats like Keldeo and Terrakion; however, this means Porygon2 can no longer beat defensive Pokemon like Mega Slowbro and Mantine.
Checks and Counters
===================
Normal
--------
**Wallbreakers**: Wallbreakers like Choice Band Victini, Mega Charizard Y, and Choice Specs Meloetta can easily 2HKO Porygon2; however, they need to watch out for Thunder Wave.
**Mega Sableye**: Mega Sableye takes little from Porygon2's coverage moves, bounces back Toxic, and can remove Porygon2's Eviolite with Knock Off.
**Stallbreakers**: Zapdos can stall Porygon2 out with Toxic + Substitute. Mew can cripple Porygon2 with Taunt and Knock Off.
**Item Removers**: Knock Off and Trick users like Alolan Muk and Togekiss, respectively, can cripple Porygon2 by removing its Eviolite, reducing its bulk significantly.
**Toxic**: Porygon2 hates Toxic, as it stays on the field for a long time and is therefore susceptible to Toxic's increasing damage.
**Setup Sweepers**: Bisharp can set up on Porygon2 without having to worry about Foul Play damage. It can also remove Porygon2's Eviolite. Mega Altaria and Manaphy can also use Porygon2 as setup fodder, as they take little damage from its coverage moves. Mega Altaria can cleanse itself of status with Heal Bell, and Manaphy's Rain Dance + Hydration prevents it from being inflicted with status.
**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types like Keldeo, Terrakion, and Mega Gallade can easily KO Porygon2; however, they need to be careful of switching into Thunder Wave or Discharge.
GP:- The Dutch Plumberjack / CryoGyro
[OVERVIEW]
Normal
========
Porygon2 is the premier option for a physically defensive Pokemon on Normal teams thanks to its great bulk that is further bolstered by Eviolite. Even without investment, Eviolite also lets Porygon2 take special attacks from wallbreakers like Latios and Hydreigon. Porygon2 complements Chansey really well, as they can switch into most of each other's checks and form a great defensive backbone for Normal teams that is capable of switching into almost every attack. A great ability in Trace lets Porygon2 check big threats to Normal teams like Dragonite and Landorus-T. Porygon2 has a diverse movepool with coverage options such as Ice Beam and Discharge, utility moves like Toxic and Foul Play, and reliable recovery in Recover. However, Porygon2's pure Normal typing doesn't offer any novel resistances and just adds on to the team's weakness to Fighting-types. Porygon2 is also extremely vulnerable to stallbreakers like Mew and is severely crippled by Knock Off and Trick users.
[SET]
name: Physically Defensive (Normal)
move 1: Recover
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Foul Play / Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Toxic / Discharge
item: Eviolite
ability: Trace / Download
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Recover gives Porygon2 a reliable way to recover health and allows it to continue to switch into attacks. Ice Beam gives Porygon2 good coverage, notably hitting Gliscor, which can otherwise stallbreak it, and Dragonite. Foul Play prevents Pokemon like Scizor from using Porygon2 as setup bait. It also hits other powerful physical attackers such as Excadrill. Toxic gives Porygon2 a way to wear down defensive Pokemon like Swampert and Mega Slowbro. Discharge can be used over Toxic for its good coverage alongside Ice Beam and its decent chance to paralyse the foe. Hidden Power Fire is a decent coverage option that, alongside Download, lets Porygon2 hit defensive Mega Scizor and Ferrothorn hard. Should Hidden Power Fire be used, Discharge must be run over Foul Play along with Download to let Porygon2 deal with Steel teams more easily. However, either of those options means losing out on Toxic's important utility.
Set Details
========
Maximum investments are made in HP and Defense with a Bold nature to make Porygon2 as bulky as possible, letting it take hits from strong physical wallbreakers like Choice Band Excadrill. Eviolite boosts Porygon2's Defense and Special Defense to high levels. Trace is the preferred ability, as it allows Porygon2 to copy other abilities such as Multiscale from Dragonite, Intimidate from Gyarados, and Regenerator from Slowbro. Download should be used over Trace if Porygon2 is running three attacks to give it a chance to boost its Special Attack.
Usage Tips
========
Use Porygon2 as a pivot into physical attackers such as Mega Sharpedo and Excadrill. Make sure to keep Porygon2 healthy with Recover whenever it switches into an attack to prevent it from being worn down easily. Use Trace to give Porygon2 more opportunities to switch in. Copying Multiscale lets Porygon2 at full health switch into Choice Band Dragonite, for example. Be careful of Knock Off and Trick users like Bisharp and Togekiss, as without Eviolite, Porygon2 can become a liability. Keep Porygon2 away from status ailments, particularly Toxic poison, as they limit its ability to switch into attacks. Try to hide what move Porygon2 is carrying in its fourth moveslot against some threats. For example, Mega Slowbro doesn't mind Discharge but hates Toxic. Conversely, Keldeo hates the Discharge paralysis. Porygon2 should use its bulk to stall out threats like Mega Slowbro with Toxic + Recover. Porygon2 can switch in as a sweeper such as Mega Charizard X attempts to set up, then punish it with Foul Play. If you're using three attacks on Porygon2, do note its usefulness against Steel teams. Try to send Porygon2 out when a physically defensive Pokemon like Skarmory is on the field to give Porygon2 a boost in Special Attack. Make sure to take care of Bisharp and Toxic Heatran before attempting to clean up with Porygon2, however.
Team Options
========
Porygon2 is a staple pick on balance teams thanks to its ability to check a plethora of threats and switch into physical attacks. Porygon2 and Chansey form a great defensive core. Porygon2 can switch into checks to Chansey like Dragonite and Excadrill, while Chansey can switch into special wallbreakers like Mega Charizard Y and Tapu Koko. Only a handful of Pokemon can break through them. Chansey can additionally absorb status ailments thanks to Natural Cure, cure Porygon2 if it's already inflicted with status through Heal Bell, set Stealth Rock, and run Toxic to free Porygon2's last moveslot for another move. Mega Lopunny is a great switch-in to Knock Off and can easily check threats like Bisharp and Alolan Muk. Additionally, Mega Lopunny's Encore lets it take care of stallbreakers. On teams without Mega Lopunny, three attacks Porygon2 is very useful, as it can help against Steel teams. Staraptor can get rid of entry hazards with Defog and soften attacks from Fighting-types like Heracross with Intimidate. Staraptor is also a great switch-in to Knock Off and can check Bisharp, which is a huge threat, with Close Combat. Frailer Pokemon like Porygon-Z, Diggersby, Mega Pidgeot, and Meloetta appreciate having Porygon2 pivot into priority users like Scizor and Dragonite. Porygon2 can also wear down their checks with Toxic. Mega Pidgeot and Meloetta can additionally check Fighting-types. Ditto can punish setup sweepers that use Porygon2 as setup fodder like Manaphy and Xurkitree.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Normal
--------
Thunder Wave is an option over Toxic to cripple faster threats like Keldeo and Terrakion; however, this means Porygon2 can no longer beat defensive Pokemon like Mega Slowbro and Mantine.
Checks and Counters
===================
Normal
--------
**Wallbreakers**: Wallbreakers like Choice Band Victini, Mega Charizard Y, and Choice Specs Meloetta can easily 2HKO Porygon2; however, they need to watch out for Thunder Wave.
**Mega Sableye**: Mega Sableye takes little from Porygon2's coverage moves, bounces back Toxic, and can remove Porygon2's Eviolite with Knock Off.
**Stallbreakers**: Zapdos can stall Porygon2 out with Toxic + Substitute. Mew can cripple Porygon2 with Taunt and Knock Off.
**Item Removers**: Knock Off and Trick users like Alolan Muk and Togekiss, respectively, can cripple Porygon2 by removing its Eviolite, reducing its bulk significantly.
**Toxic**: Porygon2 hates Toxic, as it stays on the field for a long time and is therefore susceptible to Toxic's increasing damage.
**Setup Sweepers**: Bisharp can set up on Porygon2 without having to worry about Foul Play damage. It can also remove Porygon2's Eviolite. Mega Altaria and Manaphy can also use Porygon2 as setup fodder, as they take little damage from its coverage moves. Mega Altaria can cleanse itself of status with Heal Bell, and Manaphy's Rain Dance + Hydration prevents it from being inflicted with status.
**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types like Keldeo, Terrakion, and Mega Gallade can easily KO Porygon2; however, they need to be careful of switching into Thunder Wave or Discharge.
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