PhoenixClaw
02-14-2009, 05:12 PM
I've looked up the Toxicroak analysis and noticed that no one focused on it's potential to become a physical wall. (I know that sounds insane, but hear me out)
Toxicroak @ Black Sludge
Ability: Dry Skin
Nature: Impish (+Def/-SpA)
EVs: 252 HP/252 Def/4 Spe
Bulk Up
Rain Dance
Sucker Punch
Poison Jab/Cross Chop
Given the EV spread, Toxi's Defense is still only at 251 when it first comes in, thus its vital you get in at least one Bulk Up before something big and nasty tries to smite you. After that, squeeze in a Rain Dance for a total of 18% HP recovery and work from there.
Your best bet is to come in on a water attack and Bulk Up as they switch out. One Bulk Up allows you to survive most any physical attack save Explosion, giving you the opportunity to attack or go for more stat boosts as you see fit. Poison/Fighting offers resistances to Stealth Rock first and foremost as well as Fighting/Rock/Dark to name about half, quite a nice benefit considering the current metagame.
The choice between Jab and Chop is yours, as you'll be walled by Steels with one and walled by bulky Fliers with the other. Concerning Sucker Punch, it may be nice to know that two Bulk Ups allows for a OHKO on Latias as well as take care of the glaring weakness to Psychics in general. 3 Bulk Ups seem to be the general 'tipping point' where damage received is outclassed by damage recovered, so keep that in mind as well. (It's also the point where having an opponent quit in the middle of a match becomes more commonplace. ^^)
With an immunity to Water and Toxic, resistances to some of the most common attack types in the game and a moveset that will most likely catch an opponent off-guard, I recommend you try it before you knock it, as I've 6-0'd enough teams (including exploding Metagross which only takes 60% at 3 BUs) to say with confidence this set can be brutally efficient when used correctly.
Toxicroak @ Black Sludge
Ability: Dry Skin
Nature: Impish (+Def/-SpA)
EVs: 252 HP/252 Def/4 Spe
Bulk Up
Rain Dance
Sucker Punch
Poison Jab/Cross Chop
Given the EV spread, Toxi's Defense is still only at 251 when it first comes in, thus its vital you get in at least one Bulk Up before something big and nasty tries to smite you. After that, squeeze in a Rain Dance for a total of 18% HP recovery and work from there.
Your best bet is to come in on a water attack and Bulk Up as they switch out. One Bulk Up allows you to survive most any physical attack save Explosion, giving you the opportunity to attack or go for more stat boosts as you see fit. Poison/Fighting offers resistances to Stealth Rock first and foremost as well as Fighting/Rock/Dark to name about half, quite a nice benefit considering the current metagame.
The choice between Jab and Chop is yours, as you'll be walled by Steels with one and walled by bulky Fliers with the other. Concerning Sucker Punch, it may be nice to know that two Bulk Ups allows for a OHKO on Latias as well as take care of the glaring weakness to Psychics in general. 3 Bulk Ups seem to be the general 'tipping point' where damage received is outclassed by damage recovered, so keep that in mind as well. (It's also the point where having an opponent quit in the middle of a match becomes more commonplace. ^^)
With an immunity to Water and Toxic, resistances to some of the most common attack types in the game and a moveset that will most likely catch an opponent off-guard, I recommend you try it before you knock it, as I've 6-0'd enough teams (including exploding Metagross which only takes 60% at 3 BUs) to say with confidence this set can be brutally efficient when used correctly.