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DarXidE
07-30-2009, 11:31 PM
Solrock

http://www.legendarypokemon.net/images/dp_artwork/338.png



Summary:

Most Used Set:

The most used set would be either the Support set or the Suicide Lead. These are Solrock's best way of doing anything productive in the UU tier. It has decent defenses, and the movepool to make them work.

Usual Counters:

Bulky Water or Ground types do well against it. Some worth mentioning are Quagsire, Gastrodon, and Blastoise. These all to farely well, although they take lots of damage from a surprise grass knot. Steelix can take a hit from Solrock, and OHKO back with Gyro Ball. Anything with Taunt cripples the Suicide Lead. Steelix also does well against the suicide lead setting up its own Stealth Rock and resisting Explosion, but Earthquake can hurt it. Claydol is probably the best counter, due to resisting its STAB Rock attacks and being immune to Earthquake. Choice Banded pokes with Pursuit function well, mainly Absol and Drapion.

Types of Teams Pokemon Is Used In:

Solrock is mostly used on Offensive teams. The suicide lead can easily get off Stealth Rock, and explode if it gets the chance to start the game nicely. He can also function well in Balanced teams and even Stall teams due do it's large movepool.


In Depth:

Supporter
http://www.pokemondb.co.uk/images/sprites/diamond-pearl/normal/solrock.png
Solrock @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Impish
EVs: 252 HP / 76 Atk / 176 Def / 4 Spe
~ Stealth Rock / Earthquake
~ Will-O-Wisp / Reflect
~ Stone Edge
~ Explosion

This EV spread aims to give Solrock as much bulk as possible, while giving it some attacking power. It's ability gives it a helpfun immunity to Ground. Stealth Rock is pretty self explanitory, as it is arguably the best move in the game. If you want it to be a bit more offensive, Earthquake could go over it though. It would also help you handle Steel types easier. Will-O-Wisp helps in handle Physical types easier, although Reflect could in that slot as well. Stone Edge is its main STAB attack, and can hit Flying and Fire types hard. The last move is when Solrock is at low HP, or if you need to get rid of a threat.

Suicide Lead
http://www.pokemondb.co.uk/images/sprites/diamond-pearl/normal/solrock.png
Solrock @ Focus Sash
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
~ Stealth Rock
~ Rock Slide / Stone Edge
~ Earthquake
~ Explosion

The plan is simple: set up Stealth Rock, then blow up on your opponent. With a Focus Sash, Solrock will always get Stealth Rock up against leads that aren't carrying Taunt. Explosion will do a lot of damage and almost KO any poke that doesn't resist it. Rock Slide and Earthquake are there for coverage and they give Solrock strong attacks it to use before it Explodes. Stone Edge can be used over Rock Slide for more power, but the better accuracy is usually prefered.

Baton Pass
http://www.pokemondb.co.uk/images/sprites/diamond-pearl/normal/solrock.png
Solrock @ Leftovers / Leichi Berry
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Naughty
EVs: 120 HP / 252 Atk / 136 Spe
~ Rock Polish / Calm Mind
~ Rock Slide / Stone Edge / Grass Knot
~ Substitute / Earthquake / Fire Blast
~ Baton Pass

The idea of this set is to Rock Polish on a switch, or use it with hopes of surviving a hit. Rock Slide is so he isn't ruined by Taunt, and so he can attempt a sweep if he's the last one on your team. Once you get a Rock Polish off, you can use Substitute and attempt to pass that, or you can Substitute down to get the Leichi Berry boost. If you decide to pass Calm Mind, Grass Knot and Fire Blast are preferred over Rock Slide and Substitute. A better EV spread for passing calm mind would be 252 HP / 120 Def / 136 Spe and a Bold nature, with Leftovers as the item.

Choice
http://www.pokemondb.co.uk/images/sprites/diamond-pearl/normal/solrock.png
Solrock @ Choice Band / Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 120 HP / 252 Atk / 136 Spe
~ Stone Edge / Rock Slide
~ Earthquake
~ Return / Double Edge
~ Explosion

Solrock has a respectable base 95 Attack, and with Choice Band becomes very powerful. Stone Edge is its STAB Attack and does lots of damage. Earthquake is for coverage with Stone Edge. Return is mostly a filler, but it still does a lot of damage. Double-Edge can go over Return for a bit more power. Explosion will put a KO, if not put a huge dent in anything that doesnt resist it, and still does good damage to things that do.
Choice Scarf can be used over Choice Band, but its usually not preferred because Solrock doesn't have too great of an attack stat. A Choice Scarf with Explosion could be scary though.


Other Options

Solrock doesnt really like taking strong Special Attacks, so Light Screen could work instead of Reflect. Solrock also gets a variety of Special Attacks. Charge beam could help again Water types, and could also get a Special Attack boost. HP Rock and Psychic could be used for Special STAB attacks, but aren't really helpfull. Shadow Ball can hit Ghosts and Psychics. Overheat could be used over Fire Blast if you want more power.
Solrock also gets Iron Defense which could be Baton Passed. Solrock also gets other useful moves like Trick Room, Toxic, Seismic Toss, and Body Slam which can all be used to some success.

Opinion

In my opinion I think Solrock is a very usable Pokemon in UU. With its large movepool, you never know what to expect from it. It can really put a hole in unprepared teams, and is a fantastic supporter. It is clearly a fine pokemon, and is certainly worth a try in any UU team.

Statigar
07-31-2009, 06:49 AM
Excellent work dude! 1.5k coming straight at you =D