roman
Banned deucer.
qc: eyan / cynde / amarok
gp: p^2 / lotiasite
[OVERVIEW]
Snorlax's incredible bulk paired with solid setup via Curse and recovery in the forms of Recycle + Iapapa Berry and Rest allows it to be a niche setup sweeper in UU. However, Snorlax's extremely lackluster Defense prevents it from sweeping most teams comfortably, as it still gets destroyed by Fighting-type attacks even after boosting once or twice. Taunt users such as Mandibuzz beat Snorlax sets with any sort of setup, as without boosts Snorlax has trouble breaking through most Pokemon.
[SET]
name: papa lax
move 1: Curse
move 2: Facade
move 3: Recycle
move 4: Fire Punch / Earthquake
item: Iapapa Berry
ability: Gluttony
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 152 Def / 108 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Curse lets Snorlax take hits more easily from physical attackers like Mega Aerodactyl and break past Pokemon like Gliscor. Facade allows Snorlax to overpower Pokemon hoping to cripple it with status such as Gliscor and helps it switch into Thunder Wave and Scald more easily thanks to the boost Facade gains when Snorlax is statused. Recycle in conjunction with Gluttony and Iapapa Berry gives Snorlax a reliable way to recover throughout a match. Fire Punch lets Snorlax hit threatening Steel-types such as Scizor and Cobalion on the switch, while Earthquake allows it to hit the majority of Steel-types super effectively while also hitting threatening Pokemon such as Infernape and Chandelure.
Set Details
========
Gluttony works well with Recycle, letting Snorlax activate its Iapapa Berry once it gets below 50% HP. The listed EVs allow Snorlax to avoid the 2HKO from Choice Specs Primarina and avoid being OHKOed by Infernape's unboosted Close Combat after Stealth Rock damage. It can also tank All-Out Pummeling from Cobalion after a single Curse.
Usage Tips
========
Be extremely careful when playing around Toxic users such as Gliscor, as once inflicted with Toxic poison, Snorlax has no chance of setting up Curse and gets worn down extremely quickly. Also, when unsure about whether or not the opponent has Toxic on Pokemon like Gliscor, make sure to scout for it. Furthermore, utilize Snorlax as a paralysis and burn absorber to prevent the opponent from playing around it with Toxic and boost Facade simultaneously. Utilize Snorlax's bulk to handle most special attackers such as Nidoking throughout a game and send it in for free setup against walls lacking Toxic. Attack offensive checks such as Mienshao and Cobalion by chipping them down with the appropriate attack as they switch in, as once these are gone, Snorlax has much greater breathing room to set up late-game. Take caution when switching into potential Trick users such as Latias and Chandelure, as being locked into a move will render Snorlax useless and prevent it from having any sort of recovery. Take advantage of entry hazards by manipulating them so that Snorlax can activate Iapapa Berry on its switch in. Avoid Knock Off from Pokemon such as Scizor and Krookodile at all cost, as without its Iapapa Berry, Snorlax's ability to set up and check special attackers becomes null. Play around Taunt users such as Mandibuzz by switching to an offensive teammate that can handle it efficiently, as Snorlax gets completely shut down by Taunt.
Team Options
========
Fairy-types like Azumarill, Sylveon, and Mega Altaria deal with Fighting- and Dark-type Pokemon that beat Snorlax with Fighting-type STAB moves and Knock Off, respectively. Clerics such as Sylveon and Togekiss are important teammates for this Snorlax set because if Snorlax gets inflicted with Toxic poison, it's nearly useless. Pokemon such as Gliscor, which can sponge status, mainly Toxic poison, can help mitigate Snorlax's weakness to Toxic. Gliscor can also provide a Knock Off switch-in and a Toxic sponge as well. Magneton can trap threatening Steel-types like Scizor for Snorlax. Having a Knock Off switch-in is vital for this set, so Pokemon such as Mega Altaria and Cobalion can turn out to be great teammates. The former can also provide Defog and Heal Bell support for Snorlax. Toxic support from Pokemon such as Tentacruel is extremely helpful for wearing down threatening Taunt users such as Jellicent. Hazard removers like Tentacruel and Scizor are helpful, since they can remove hazards that chip Snorlax quickly.
[SET]
name: RestTalk
move 1: Curse
move 2: Return / Body Slam
move 3: Rest
move 4: Sleep Talk / Fire Punch / Earthquake
item: Leftovers
ability: Thick Fat
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 152 Def / 108 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Curse is Snorlax's reliable form of setup, boosting its Attack and Defense stats simultaneously. Return is Snorlax's strongest, most spammable attack, trading Body Slam's chance of paralysis for a higher damage output. Rest gives Snorlax a reliable form of recovery and allows it to set up multiple times a game. Sleep Talk lets Snorlax set up against foes while asleep. Fire Punch allows Snorlax to chip threatening Steel- and Fighting-types such as Scizor and Cobalion on the switch, and Earthquake hits the same few targets but misses out on hitting Scizor hard on the switch. Earthquake also hits most Steel-types like Doublade and Cobalion harder than Fire Punch.
Set Details
========
Leftovers gives Snorlax another way to heal throughout a match. Thick Fat lets Snorlax switch into opposing Fire- and Ice-type attacks from Pokemon such as Nidoking, Kyurem, and Moltres. The listed EVs allow Snorlax to avoid the 2HKO from Choice Specs Primarina and avoid being OHKOed by Infernape's unboosted Close Combat after Stealth Rock damage. It can also tank All-Out Pummeling from Cobalion after a single Curse.
Usage Tips
========
Utilize Snorlax's immense special bulk to switch in and set up on special attackers such as Nidoking and Scarf Hydreigon. Also capitalize on Snorlax's ability to beat passive Pokemon such as Blissey one-on-one by setting up on them. Make sure to weaken offensive checks lacking recovery such as Flame Orb Heracross by chipping them down with a STAB move as they switch in. If you are running Body Slam, try fishing for paralysis against offensive switch-ins such as Mienshao. Utilize Snorlax's ability to absorb all status for teammates by switching it into status users such as Gliscor and Seismitoad. As alluded to before, don't try to set up with Snorlax early-game. Instead, use it as a bulky pivot that can absorb status until most of the counterplay your opponent has to it has been properly taken care of. Don't stay in against Taunt Pokemon such as Jellicent. Instead, use the opportunity to offensively pressure your opponent's team by switching to a teammate that threatens it.
Team Options
========
Pursuit trappers such as Krookodile are great teammates for Snorlax sets that opt for Sleep Talk over coverage, as they can trap Ghost-types that Snorlax can't hit. It's also very important to be able to hit Steel-types if you opt to run Sleep Talk, so teammates such as Cobalion and Infernape fit nicely on teams running this set. Pokemon like Tentacruel and Latias that can beat the Fighting-types that Snorlax fears are helpful teammates. These two can also help remove entry hazards that Snorlax is susceptible to. Clerics such as Sylveon are great teammates, as they can wake Snorlax with Heal Bell, giving it more room to play freely instead of relying on Sleep Talk to pick the desired move. Toxic Spikes Pokemon such as Tentacruel can prove to be great teammates, wearing down checks and counters such as Quagsire with poison.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Choice Band and an EV spread of 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 SpD allows Snorlax to power through would-be switch-ins such as Cobalion and Quagsire. However, this set is mostly outclassed by other wallbreakers such as Choice Band Bewear, as all that Snorlax has over it is access to Pursuit. Whirlwind lets Snorlax phaze special setup sweepers like Latias and Suicune. Belly Drum allows Snorlax to boost its attack to extreme levels. Normalium Z allows RestTalk Snorlax to switch into Knock Off and Trick users without worry of being crippled by either move but misses out on the passive recovery that Leftovers provides. Running Toxic over Sleep Talk allows you to beat Unaware Pokemon like Quagsire.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ghost-types**: Ghost-types such as Jellicent and Doublade completely wall Curse / Rest / Sleep Talk Snorlax, as they are immune to its only attack. Jellicent in particular completely shuts down all Snorlax sets thanks to Taunt, and Doublade can bypass potential Defense boosts thanks to Sacred Sword. Other Ghost-types such as Chandelure, Gengar, and Decidueye counter Snorlax depending on which coverage move it runs.
**Knock Off**: Knock Off cripples Iapapa Berry Snorlax, as without the item it has no way to heal.
**Strong Fighting-type Coverage**: Even a slightly chipped Snorlax stands no chance against Fighting-type attacks from Pokemon such as Choice Band Scizor, Cobalion, Terrakion, and Flame Orb Heracross.
**Taunt Users**: Snorlax gets completely stopped by Taunt users such as Mandibuzz and Jellicent, which can prevent it from setting up or healing HP.
**Toxic Poison**: Once the Recycle + Curse Snorlax has been Toxic poisoned by opposing Pokemon such as Gliscor, it has no chance to set up later in the game and gets easily worn down by it throughout a game.
**Unaware Pokemon**: Unaware Pokemon completely wall Snorlax, and Quagsire can even use it to set up with its own Curse or cripple it with Toxic.
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