Status: Posted.
http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/tauros
________________________________________________________________
[Overview]
<p>Back in the first generation, Tauros was known as the “King of RBY”; however, due to severe changes in the game, he now lingers in the lower tiers, where he faces stiff competition from his fellow Normal-type, Kangaskhan. While Kangaskhan has the ability to hit Ghost-types thanks to Scrappy, Tauros has higher Speed and Attack as well as Intimidate, which gives him more chances to switch into physical attacks and makes up for his lack of resistances. When used properly, Tauros can be a potent physical threat in UU.</p>
[SET]
name: All-Out Attacker
move1: Double-Edge
move2: Earthquake
move3: Return / Stone Edge
move4: Payback
item: Choice Band / Life Orb
ability: Intimidate
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Your standard physical attacking Normal-type. The basic premise of this set is to switch into weak physical attacks, and then it's up to you to choose the right move accordingly. Double-Edge is recommended on this set in order to 2HKO sturdier physical walls like Donphan, Slowbro, and Tangrowth; however, success is dependent on either an Adamant nature or entry hazard support. For example, a Jolly Double-Edge with Choice Band will just fall short of securing the 2HKO on Slowbro as it deals 42.1% - 49.7%. However, with an Adamant nature, you have a good chance of 2HKOing it as it deals 45.9% - 54.3%. Earthquake is a staple on this set, as it inflicts high damage on Steel- and Rock-types, who would otherwise wall you.</p>
<p>The choice in the third slot comes down to Return or Stone Edge. Return is generally more convenient if you opt to use Life Orb, since the recoil from both Life Orb and Double-Edge can spell doom on Tauros in only a matter of turns. However, Stone Edge is more recommended on the Choice Band set if you want to hit defensive Moltres and Articuno for higher damage. Payback allows Tauros to catch Ghost-types on the switch, usually OHKOing most of them. Pursuit is always an option if you want to trap and KO fleeing Ghost-types; however, take note that it is sometimes risky since defensive Ghost-types can easily use Will-O-Wisp and render your attempts useless.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>There are two items to choose from: Choice Band and Life Orb. Choice Band is usually great in tandem with an Adamant nature as it allows Tauros to muscle his way through bulky physical walls like Tangrowth, Donphan, and Slowbro. With Stealth Rock down, Tauros has a high chance of 2HKOing Slowbro and Donphan, and has a small chance of 2HKOing Tangrowth. It's important to know that Scyther and Mismagius will outpace you if you opt to use Adamant. On the other hand, if you're not looking to break specific walls, choosing Life Orb allows Tauros to fare better against offensive teams, as it allows him to switch moves accordingly.</p>
<p>Steel- and Rock-types are major barricades to this set since they can switch into Tauros’s STAB quite easily. Torterra works exceptionally well alongside Tauros since he can check a good portion of Steel- and Rock-types. If you want to keep an offensive pressure going, Rock Polish Torterra is probably the best set to use. Dugtrio is another offensive partner to consider if you want to trap the aforementioned threats, though it's sometimes risky to switch into them due to Dugtrio’s paper-thin defenses. A defensive Hitmontop with 252 HP / 252 Def can fend off Choice Band Tauros quite easily since he has access to Intimidate and STAB Close Combat. Offensively, Moltres can mesh in quite well since he can absorb Close Combat and threaten Hitmontop with Air Slash. Furthermore, Moltres can switch into predicted Earthquakes from Steel- and Rhyperior and threaten them with Fire Blast and Hidden Power Grass, respectively.</p>
[SET]
name: Angry Bull
move1: Substitute
move2: Return
move3: Earthquake
move4: Payback
item: Leftovers / Salac Berry / Leichi Berry
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This seems like a fairly generic Substitute and boost Berry set, but there are some points that make it more attractive on Tauros than on other Pokemon. Anger Point is a ridiculous ability if your opponent scores a critical hit on Tauros, and the idea is to make that critical hit happen when Tauros is behind a Substitute. His Attack will max out, making him virtually unstoppable. This is a much more "high risk, high return" option compared to using Intimidate, but if you manage to pull it off, it will most likely result in a massacre. This is made much more effective with a Salac Berry, as it will allow Tauros to reach 525 Speed and outspeed every possible threat.</p>
<p>The moves are identical to the first set, and they provide Tauros with the best possible coverage. Unlike the first set, Double-Edge’s side effect is counterproductive for this type of strategy; therefore, Return is your main STAB move. Earthquake hits Rock- and Steel-types for super effective damage. Payback is more reliable on this set compared to the inaccurate Stone Edge and allows Tauros to hit defensive Ghost-types.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p> Intimidate can be used as an alternative if you find relying on Anger Point too luck dependent. It also allows Tauros to safely set up Substitutes on weak physical attacks and helps keep physical threats in check late-game if Tauros becomes death fodder. Using Leftovers will also allow you to make one more Substitute, if you find the critical hit rate too low. Liechi Berry can be used as a backup incase Anger Point doesn’t activate.</p>
<p>Dugtrio is highly recommended to pair alongside this set, even more so than with the first, if you decide to use Anger Point, since Steelix can repeatedly use Roar to completely foil your strategy. As mentioned in the All-Out Attacker set, Dugtrio’s paper-thin defenses makes it difficult to switch him in; therefore, pairing it with a solid U-turn user like Uxie would work well. If everything works out, Tauros can start using Substitute with little worries.</p>
[Team Options]
<p>For the most part, Steel- and Rock-types will be problematic since they will wall a good portion of your movesets. Without a Choice Band, Earthquake will not deal high enough damage against the aforementioned types. For offensive partners, Rock Polish Torterra or Choice Band Dugtrio work great alongside Tauros. Torterra in particular has the ability to check a portion of the Steel- and Rock-types in UU, allowing him to find time to set up Rock Polish. On the other hand, if you want to more swiftly remove the aforementioned threats, Dugtrio would probably be the better partner. A defensive Hitmontop will be problematic thanks to its high physical bulk and Intimidate, along with access to Close Combat and various priority moves. Moltres makes a great offensive partner since he boasts a resistance to Fighting-type moves, allowing him to switch in with impunity for the most part. Additionally, Moltres can act as a back-up check to Steel- and Rock-types.</p>
<p>The Substitute + Anger Point strategy is difficult to pull off, but it's very rewarding. However, addressing Steelix beforehand is probably a good idea since he can use Roar to blow away your attempts in trying to score an Attack boost. Although it's risky, Dugtrio can effectively remove Steelix thanks to its ability Arena Trap. It's recommended that you pair Dugtrio with a solid U-turn user such as Uxie so that it can make a successful switch in without getting damaged. Uxie can tend to lure in some of Tauros's common counters, such as Registeel and Steelix, and can U-turn off the bat on something that would normally switch out, hopefully catching one of them switching in.</p>
[Optional Changes]
<p>Body Slam can be used as a STAB replacement if you want to spread paralysis, and Adamant nature would probably work with this move to compensate for the loss of Speed. Zen Headbutt can be used if you want to hit Weezing and Venusaur super effectively and potentially score a flinch, but it is very unreliable due to accuracy and type coverage issues. Tauros surprisingly has access to a slew of special moves, most notably Fire Blast, but his low Special Attack stat makes these moves completely useless. Tauros can run a defensive spread with a set of Rest / Sleep Talk / Return / Earthquake, but he ultimately has better things to do than absorb hits. Endeavor can also be spaced in on the Angry Bull set.</p>
[Counters]
<p>Steelix, Rhyperior, Omastar, and to a lesser extent, Registeel, can take on Tauros's hits quite well and severely hurt him with with their respective STAB moves. Defensive Ghost-types like Spiritomb, Rotom, and Mismagius make excellent switch-ins to Tauros as well, since they are immune to Earthquake and Return. They can also weaken Tauros's physical hits with Will-O-Wisp.</p>
<p>Without a Choice Band, Tangrowth and Slowbro can take on Tauros; Tangrowth can severely hurt him with Leaf Storm or cripple him with Sleep Powder or Stun Spore, while Slowbro can render him useless with Thunder Wave. A defensive Donphan can take Life Orb Tauros as well. Defensive Fighting-types like Hitmontop can weaken his physical hits with Intimidate and strike back with Close Combat or Mach Punch. A defensive Hariyama can take on Tauros who lack Choice Band and hit back with Force Palm, which has the chance to paralyze Tauros.</p>
http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/tauros
________________________________________________________________
[Overview]
<p>Back in the first generation, Tauros was known as the “King of RBY”; however, due to severe changes in the game, he now lingers in the lower tiers, where he faces stiff competition from his fellow Normal-type, Kangaskhan. While Kangaskhan has the ability to hit Ghost-types thanks to Scrappy, Tauros has higher Speed and Attack as well as Intimidate, which gives him more chances to switch into physical attacks and makes up for his lack of resistances. When used properly, Tauros can be a potent physical threat in UU.</p>
[SET]
name: All-Out Attacker
move1: Double-Edge
move2: Earthquake
move3: Return / Stone Edge
move4: Payback
item: Choice Band / Life Orb
ability: Intimidate
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Your standard physical attacking Normal-type. The basic premise of this set is to switch into weak physical attacks, and then it's up to you to choose the right move accordingly. Double-Edge is recommended on this set in order to 2HKO sturdier physical walls like Donphan, Slowbro, and Tangrowth; however, success is dependent on either an Adamant nature or entry hazard support. For example, a Jolly Double-Edge with Choice Band will just fall short of securing the 2HKO on Slowbro as it deals 42.1% - 49.7%. However, with an Adamant nature, you have a good chance of 2HKOing it as it deals 45.9% - 54.3%. Earthquake is a staple on this set, as it inflicts high damage on Steel- and Rock-types, who would otherwise wall you.</p>
<p>The choice in the third slot comes down to Return or Stone Edge. Return is generally more convenient if you opt to use Life Orb, since the recoil from both Life Orb and Double-Edge can spell doom on Tauros in only a matter of turns. However, Stone Edge is more recommended on the Choice Band set if you want to hit defensive Moltres and Articuno for higher damage. Payback allows Tauros to catch Ghost-types on the switch, usually OHKOing most of them. Pursuit is always an option if you want to trap and KO fleeing Ghost-types; however, take note that it is sometimes risky since defensive Ghost-types can easily use Will-O-Wisp and render your attempts useless.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>There are two items to choose from: Choice Band and Life Orb. Choice Band is usually great in tandem with an Adamant nature as it allows Tauros to muscle his way through bulky physical walls like Tangrowth, Donphan, and Slowbro. With Stealth Rock down, Tauros has a high chance of 2HKOing Slowbro and Donphan, and has a small chance of 2HKOing Tangrowth. It's important to know that Scyther and Mismagius will outpace you if you opt to use Adamant. On the other hand, if you're not looking to break specific walls, choosing Life Orb allows Tauros to fare better against offensive teams, as it allows him to switch moves accordingly.</p>
<p>Steel- and Rock-types are major barricades to this set since they can switch into Tauros’s STAB quite easily. Torterra works exceptionally well alongside Tauros since he can check a good portion of Steel- and Rock-types. If you want to keep an offensive pressure going, Rock Polish Torterra is probably the best set to use. Dugtrio is another offensive partner to consider if you want to trap the aforementioned threats, though it's sometimes risky to switch into them due to Dugtrio’s paper-thin defenses. A defensive Hitmontop with 252 HP / 252 Def can fend off Choice Band Tauros quite easily since he has access to Intimidate and STAB Close Combat. Offensively, Moltres can mesh in quite well since he can absorb Close Combat and threaten Hitmontop with Air Slash. Furthermore, Moltres can switch into predicted Earthquakes from Steel- and Rhyperior and threaten them with Fire Blast and Hidden Power Grass, respectively.</p>
[SET]
name: Angry Bull
move1: Substitute
move2: Return
move3: Earthquake
move4: Payback
item: Leftovers / Salac Berry / Leichi Berry
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This seems like a fairly generic Substitute and boost Berry set, but there are some points that make it more attractive on Tauros than on other Pokemon. Anger Point is a ridiculous ability if your opponent scores a critical hit on Tauros, and the idea is to make that critical hit happen when Tauros is behind a Substitute. His Attack will max out, making him virtually unstoppable. This is a much more "high risk, high return" option compared to using Intimidate, but if you manage to pull it off, it will most likely result in a massacre. This is made much more effective with a Salac Berry, as it will allow Tauros to reach 525 Speed and outspeed every possible threat.</p>
<p>The moves are identical to the first set, and they provide Tauros with the best possible coverage. Unlike the first set, Double-Edge’s side effect is counterproductive for this type of strategy; therefore, Return is your main STAB move. Earthquake hits Rock- and Steel-types for super effective damage. Payback is more reliable on this set compared to the inaccurate Stone Edge and allows Tauros to hit defensive Ghost-types.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p> Intimidate can be used as an alternative if you find relying on Anger Point too luck dependent. It also allows Tauros to safely set up Substitutes on weak physical attacks and helps keep physical threats in check late-game if Tauros becomes death fodder. Using Leftovers will also allow you to make one more Substitute, if you find the critical hit rate too low. Liechi Berry can be used as a backup incase Anger Point doesn’t activate.</p>
<p>Dugtrio is highly recommended to pair alongside this set, even more so than with the first, if you decide to use Anger Point, since Steelix can repeatedly use Roar to completely foil your strategy. As mentioned in the All-Out Attacker set, Dugtrio’s paper-thin defenses makes it difficult to switch him in; therefore, pairing it with a solid U-turn user like Uxie would work well. If everything works out, Tauros can start using Substitute with little worries.</p>
[Team Options]
<p>For the most part, Steel- and Rock-types will be problematic since they will wall a good portion of your movesets. Without a Choice Band, Earthquake will not deal high enough damage against the aforementioned types. For offensive partners, Rock Polish Torterra or Choice Band Dugtrio work great alongside Tauros. Torterra in particular has the ability to check a portion of the Steel- and Rock-types in UU, allowing him to find time to set up Rock Polish. On the other hand, if you want to more swiftly remove the aforementioned threats, Dugtrio would probably be the better partner. A defensive Hitmontop will be problematic thanks to its high physical bulk and Intimidate, along with access to Close Combat and various priority moves. Moltres makes a great offensive partner since he boasts a resistance to Fighting-type moves, allowing him to switch in with impunity for the most part. Additionally, Moltres can act as a back-up check to Steel- and Rock-types.</p>
<p>The Substitute + Anger Point strategy is difficult to pull off, but it's very rewarding. However, addressing Steelix beforehand is probably a good idea since he can use Roar to blow away your attempts in trying to score an Attack boost. Although it's risky, Dugtrio can effectively remove Steelix thanks to its ability Arena Trap. It's recommended that you pair Dugtrio with a solid U-turn user such as Uxie so that it can make a successful switch in without getting damaged. Uxie can tend to lure in some of Tauros's common counters, such as Registeel and Steelix, and can U-turn off the bat on something that would normally switch out, hopefully catching one of them switching in.</p>
[Optional Changes]
<p>Body Slam can be used as a STAB replacement if you want to spread paralysis, and Adamant nature would probably work with this move to compensate for the loss of Speed. Zen Headbutt can be used if you want to hit Weezing and Venusaur super effectively and potentially score a flinch, but it is very unreliable due to accuracy and type coverage issues. Tauros surprisingly has access to a slew of special moves, most notably Fire Blast, but his low Special Attack stat makes these moves completely useless. Tauros can run a defensive spread with a set of Rest / Sleep Talk / Return / Earthquake, but he ultimately has better things to do than absorb hits. Endeavor can also be spaced in on the Angry Bull set.</p>
[Counters]
<p>Steelix, Rhyperior, Omastar, and to a lesser extent, Registeel, can take on Tauros's hits quite well and severely hurt him with with their respective STAB moves. Defensive Ghost-types like Spiritomb, Rotom, and Mismagius make excellent switch-ins to Tauros as well, since they are immune to Earthquake and Return. They can also weaken Tauros's physical hits with Will-O-Wisp.</p>
<p>Without a Choice Band, Tangrowth and Slowbro can take on Tauros; Tangrowth can severely hurt him with Leaf Storm or cripple him with Sleep Powder or Stun Spore, while Slowbro can render him useless with Thunder Wave. A defensive Donphan can take Life Orb Tauros as well. Defensive Fighting-types like Hitmontop can weaken his physical hits with Intimidate and strike back with Close Combat or Mach Punch. A defensive Hariyama can take on Tauros who lack Choice Band and hit back with Force Palm, which has the chance to paralyze Tauros.</p>
