[OVERVIEW]
Pangoro's high Attack stat, great STAB combination, useful movepool, and ability Iron Fist make it a powerful wallbreaker and late-game sweeper capable of threatening Pokemon like Rhydon, Slowking, and Palossand. Swords Dance allows it break walls like Weezing and Vaporeon as well as sweep late-game with Bullet Punch, KOing revenge killers like Aerodactyl, Sneasel, and Sceptile. Pangoro can also use Choice Band to get an immediate Attack boost, making it a deadly threat right off the bat. However, due to its low Speed, unimpressive bulk, and weaknesses to common attacking types like Fighting and Fairy, it is hard for Pangoro to find an opportunity to set up Swords Dance. For this reason, it faces competition from other wallbreakers like Incineroar and Passimian, which are faster and bring more utility to the table, making them easier to fit them on a team.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Drain Punch
move 4: Bullet Punch
item: Chople Berry / Life Orb
ability: Iron Fist
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance boosts Pangoro's Attack to dangerous levels, improving its wallbreaking abilities without being locked into a move. Knock Off is Pangoro's Dark-type STAB move that has the added effect of removing the foe's item such as Weezing's Rocky Helmet and Passimian's Choice Scarf. Drain Punch is the preferred Fighting-type STAB move due to its ability to recover Pangoro's health while having no drawbacks, and it is quite strong at +2. Bullet Punch gives Pangoro a form of priority, allowing it to act as a late-game sweeper after a Swords Dance even if faster threats like Aerodactyl and Whimsicott are around, and provides a way for Pangoro to hit Fairy-types super effectively.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack and Speed EVs and an Adamant nature improve Pangoro's offensive capabilities. Chople Berry allows Pangoro to take a Close Combat from Passimian. Life Orb is an option to improve Pangoro's power, but Chople Berry's utility is generally preferred. Iron Fist boosts Drain Punch and Bullet Punch.
Usage Tips
========
Use Knock Off whenever possible, especially early-game. There is no drawback to using it, as it can help scout for Z-Moves and remove important items. Pangoro's bulk is not very good, so it should be brought out through pivots, through double switches, or after a teammate has fainted. Pangoro doesn't find many opportunities to set up Swords Dance due to the amount of offensive Pokemon that can revenge kill it by taking advantage of its low Speed. Thus, Swords Dance should only be used if Pangoro is up against a naturally forced out foe like Slowking or Steelix or a Pokemon that cannot do much damage to Pangoro like Palossand. If the opponent still has a Pokemon that can revenge kill Pangoro, thus stopping its sweep, like Passimian or Whimsicott, make sure they are in range of +2 Bullet Punch. Use Drain Punch if Pangoro is low on health to make revenge killing it harder. Swords Dance Pangoro does amazingly against slow, bulky teams, so keep it healthy for a sweep in that matchup. However, against Unaware users, one should try to apply pressure through pivots or entry hazards, as both Pyukumuku and Quagsire have a high chance to be 2HKOed by Drain Punch after Stealth Rock and one layer of Spikes. Pangoro struggles to set up versus offensive teams, however, so it is usually better off just attacking and weakening the opposing team due to their general lack of reliable switch-ins to it.
Team Options
========
Pivots like Passimian and Togedemaru can bring Pangoro in safely. Entry hazard support is greatly appreciated, allowing Pangoro to plow through even Unaware walls. Stealth Rock users like Rhydon, Druddigon, and Steelix do the job nicely, as Rhydon and Steelix can cover Pangoro's weakness to Flying, and the latter can also cover Fairy-types. Spikes and Toxic Spikes users like Weezing, Garbodor, and Accelgor also work well; the former two can help against Fairy- and Fighting-types, while Final Gambit Accelgor can also KO Weezing and Garbodor. Fast attackers like Heliolisk and Sceptile can ease the matchup against fast offensive teams and enjoy Knock Off support, allowing them to break through checks more easily and particularly appreciating Passimian's Choice Scarf being removed to stop it from revenge killing them. Other late-game sweepers like Comfey and Vivillon appreciate Pangoro's ability to wallbreak. Comfey particularly enjoys Pangoro weakening Poison-types, and Vivillon enjoys Rock- and Steel-types weakened.
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Knock Off
move 2: Superpower / Hammer Arm
move 3: Drain Punch
move 4: Bullet Punch / Zen Headbutt
item: Choice Band
ability: Iron Fist
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Knock Off is Pangoro's most spammable move due to its lack of drawbacks and ability to remove items. Superpower is Pangoro's strongest Fighting STAB move, but the stat drops make Pangoro easier to revenge kill and pivot into. Hammer Arm is an alternative to Superpower that doesn't reduce Pangoro's Attack and Defense while maintaining the same power, but it leaves Pangoro vulnerable to revenge killing by slower Pokemon like Alolan Exeggutor and offensive Rhydon. Drain Punch lets Pangoro heal itself while still doing a decent chunk of damage. Bullet Punch is a form of priority that allows Pangoro to pick off weakened revenge killers like Passimian, Aerodactyl, and Whimsicott, slightly compensating for its low Speed. Zen Headbutt targets Poison-types like Weezing, Garbodor, and Golbat for super effective damage and hits Fairy-types like Whimsicott for neutral damage.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack and Speed investment alongside an Adamant nature and a Choice Band allows Pangoro to be as strong and fast as possible, outspeeding walls like Vaporeon and Dhelmise. Iron Fist boosts the power of some of Pangoro's moves, improving Pangoro's offensive capability. A Jolly nature can be opted for to outspeed opposing Pangoro and Speed tie with Scrafty, but the higher damage output is usually preferred.
Usage Tips
========
Pangoro's bulk and Speed are not very good, meaning it struggles a lot against offensive teams, so it generally should be switched in through pivoting, after a teammate has fainted, or on moves that Pangoro is resistant or immune to from the likes of Rhydon and Choice-locked Sneasel and Sigilyph. Avoid letting it get chipped down as well. Use Knock Off whenever Pangoro gets on the field if the opponent has a Ghost- or Poison-type like Decidueye or Weezing, as this weakens them gradually and removes their items, allowing Pangoro to use its Fighting-type moves more freely late-game. Pangoro should use Drain Punch to recover its health should it be low on health from residual damage from pivoting in. Use Bullet Punch to clean up a weakened team or revenge kill a foe. Make sure to put Pokemon in range of Bullet Punch by laying entry hazards and spamming Knock Off early-game. Pangoro does well against slower and bulkier teams due to its great offensive presence and Speed advantage, so try to keep it healthy against such teams.
Team Options
========
Pokemon with U-turn or Volt Switch like Passimian, Xatu, Decidueye, and Heliolisk are great partners that can bring Pangoro in safely. Passimian can also form a threatening Fighting-type core with Pangoro that aims to wear down checks by means of entry hazards, pivoting, and strong attacks. Heliolisk benefits from Pangoro's Knock Off threatening checks like Dhelmise. Pangoro also appreciates Fairy-resistant Pokemon like Steelix and Weezing. Steelix can also help with Flying-types and set up Stealth Rock, and Weezing can check Fighting-types and pressure Pangoro's switch-ins with Toxic Spikes. Entry hazard users like Rhydon, Druddigon, and Garbodor are good partners to help chip down Pangoro's checks. Garbodor covers Pangoro's Fairy weakness, and Rhydon helps with Flying-types. Druddigon can slow down checks like Passimian with Glare, making them easier to deal with. Late-game sweepers like Vivillon and Comfey are decent teammates. Vivillon appreciates Rock-types pressured, Comfey can pressure Poison-types alongside Pangoro, and both enjoy Steel-types pressured. Pangoro can also remove items like Iapapa Berry from Incineroar, Eviolite from Golbat, and Leftovers from various defensive Pokemon. In return, they can also offensively check Fighting-types.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Earthquake alongside Mold Breaker is an interesting option to hit Weezing super effectively, but it is very situational and slightly decreases Bullet Punch's damage. Gunk Shot can prevent Fairy-types from pivoting into Pangoro as easily; however, Bullet Punch and Zen Headbutt are often preferred, as Bullet Punch provides priority and allows Pangoro to prevent revenge killing from weakened faster threats, while Zen Headbutt hits Poison-types super effectively and provides a good neutral move alongside Pangoro's STAB moves. Ice Punch is decent neutral coverage alongside Knock Off and a Fighting-type move, but it is hard to justify over Bullet Punch or Zen Headbutt. Scrappy is an option to hit Ghost-types even with a Fighting-type move, thus making it more spammable, but the damage output of Bullet Punch will be reduced, which makes Pangoro a less effective revenge killer.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types and Fairy-type Moves**: Whimsicott and Comfey can outspeed and OHKO Pangoro with their Fairy-type STAB moves. Several Pokemon also bring Fairy-type coverage, such as Dazzling Gleam from Xatu, Delphox, and Mismagius, which can deal massive damage to Pangoro.
**Poison-types**: Weezing, Garbodor, and Golbat can all take Pangoro's powerful Fighting-type moves, although they all dislike Zen Headbutt and Knock Off. Weezing's amazing physical bulk allows it to take several hits and burn Pangoro, Garbodor can take at least a hit and retaliate with Gunk Shot or heavily cripple Pangoro with Rocky Helmet and Aftermath damage, and Golbat can outspeed Pangoro and threaten it with Brave Bird.
**Fighting-types**: Most Fighting-types such as Passimian and Medicham can outspeed Pangoro and OHKO it with their powerful Fighting-type STAB moves. Passimian should be wary of Chople Berry Pangoro, which can survive a Close Combat, but Medicham, Gallade, and Sawk can still OHKO Pangoro through Chople Berry.
**Flying-types**: Sigilyph and Vivillon can both outspeed Pangoro, KO it with their Flying-type STAB moves, and take several Fighting-type moves, meaning they are able to come in on a Fighting-type move and set up or throw off a powerful hit. Aerodactyl can also outspeed and threaten Pangoro, although it should be wary of a boosted Bullet Punch.
**Fast Attackers**: Passimian, Sceptile, and Braviary are examples of fast attackers that can threaten to OHKO Pangoro with their powerful moves. They can offensively pressure Pangoro by coming in on it after it has claimed a KO or through offensive double switches and force it out, creating momentum and minimizing opportunities for it to throw off a powerful hit.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[xapx, 406162]]
- Quality checked by: [[Rabia, 336073], [Eternally, 295647], [quziel, 297589]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Fireflame479, 231476], [Rabia, 336073]]
Pangoro's high Attack stat, great STAB combination, useful movepool, and ability Iron Fist make it a powerful wallbreaker and late-game sweeper capable of threatening Pokemon like Rhydon, Slowking, and Palossand. Swords Dance allows it break walls like Weezing and Vaporeon as well as sweep late-game with Bullet Punch, KOing revenge killers like Aerodactyl, Sneasel, and Sceptile. Pangoro can also use Choice Band to get an immediate Attack boost, making it a deadly threat right off the bat. However, due to its low Speed, unimpressive bulk, and weaknesses to common attacking types like Fighting and Fairy, it is hard for Pangoro to find an opportunity to set up Swords Dance. For this reason, it faces competition from other wallbreakers like Incineroar and Passimian, which are faster and bring more utility to the table, making them easier to fit them on a team.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Drain Punch
move 4: Bullet Punch
item: Chople Berry / Life Orb
ability: Iron Fist
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance boosts Pangoro's Attack to dangerous levels, improving its wallbreaking abilities without being locked into a move. Knock Off is Pangoro's Dark-type STAB move that has the added effect of removing the foe's item such as Weezing's Rocky Helmet and Passimian's Choice Scarf. Drain Punch is the preferred Fighting-type STAB move due to its ability to recover Pangoro's health while having no drawbacks, and it is quite strong at +2. Bullet Punch gives Pangoro a form of priority, allowing it to act as a late-game sweeper after a Swords Dance even if faster threats like Aerodactyl and Whimsicott are around, and provides a way for Pangoro to hit Fairy-types super effectively.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack and Speed EVs and an Adamant nature improve Pangoro's offensive capabilities. Chople Berry allows Pangoro to take a Close Combat from Passimian. Life Orb is an option to improve Pangoro's power, but Chople Berry's utility is generally preferred. Iron Fist boosts Drain Punch and Bullet Punch.
Usage Tips
========
Use Knock Off whenever possible, especially early-game. There is no drawback to using it, as it can help scout for Z-Moves and remove important items. Pangoro's bulk is not very good, so it should be brought out through pivots, through double switches, or after a teammate has fainted. Pangoro doesn't find many opportunities to set up Swords Dance due to the amount of offensive Pokemon that can revenge kill it by taking advantage of its low Speed. Thus, Swords Dance should only be used if Pangoro is up against a naturally forced out foe like Slowking or Steelix or a Pokemon that cannot do much damage to Pangoro like Palossand. If the opponent still has a Pokemon that can revenge kill Pangoro, thus stopping its sweep, like Passimian or Whimsicott, make sure they are in range of +2 Bullet Punch. Use Drain Punch if Pangoro is low on health to make revenge killing it harder. Swords Dance Pangoro does amazingly against slow, bulky teams, so keep it healthy for a sweep in that matchup. However, against Unaware users, one should try to apply pressure through pivots or entry hazards, as both Pyukumuku and Quagsire have a high chance to be 2HKOed by Drain Punch after Stealth Rock and one layer of Spikes. Pangoro struggles to set up versus offensive teams, however, so it is usually better off just attacking and weakening the opposing team due to their general lack of reliable switch-ins to it.
Team Options
========
Pivots like Passimian and Togedemaru can bring Pangoro in safely. Entry hazard support is greatly appreciated, allowing Pangoro to plow through even Unaware walls. Stealth Rock users like Rhydon, Druddigon, and Steelix do the job nicely, as Rhydon and Steelix can cover Pangoro's weakness to Flying, and the latter can also cover Fairy-types. Spikes and Toxic Spikes users like Weezing, Garbodor, and Accelgor also work well; the former two can help against Fairy- and Fighting-types, while Final Gambit Accelgor can also KO Weezing and Garbodor. Fast attackers like Heliolisk and Sceptile can ease the matchup against fast offensive teams and enjoy Knock Off support, allowing them to break through checks more easily and particularly appreciating Passimian's Choice Scarf being removed to stop it from revenge killing them. Other late-game sweepers like Comfey and Vivillon appreciate Pangoro's ability to wallbreak. Comfey particularly enjoys Pangoro weakening Poison-types, and Vivillon enjoys Rock- and Steel-types weakened.
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Knock Off
move 2: Superpower / Hammer Arm
move 3: Drain Punch
move 4: Bullet Punch / Zen Headbutt
item: Choice Band
ability: Iron Fist
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Knock Off is Pangoro's most spammable move due to its lack of drawbacks and ability to remove items. Superpower is Pangoro's strongest Fighting STAB move, but the stat drops make Pangoro easier to revenge kill and pivot into. Hammer Arm is an alternative to Superpower that doesn't reduce Pangoro's Attack and Defense while maintaining the same power, but it leaves Pangoro vulnerable to revenge killing by slower Pokemon like Alolan Exeggutor and offensive Rhydon. Drain Punch lets Pangoro heal itself while still doing a decent chunk of damage. Bullet Punch is a form of priority that allows Pangoro to pick off weakened revenge killers like Passimian, Aerodactyl, and Whimsicott, slightly compensating for its low Speed. Zen Headbutt targets Poison-types like Weezing, Garbodor, and Golbat for super effective damage and hits Fairy-types like Whimsicott for neutral damage.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack and Speed investment alongside an Adamant nature and a Choice Band allows Pangoro to be as strong and fast as possible, outspeeding walls like Vaporeon and Dhelmise. Iron Fist boosts the power of some of Pangoro's moves, improving Pangoro's offensive capability. A Jolly nature can be opted for to outspeed opposing Pangoro and Speed tie with Scrafty, but the higher damage output is usually preferred.
Usage Tips
========
Pangoro's bulk and Speed are not very good, meaning it struggles a lot against offensive teams, so it generally should be switched in through pivoting, after a teammate has fainted, or on moves that Pangoro is resistant or immune to from the likes of Rhydon and Choice-locked Sneasel and Sigilyph. Avoid letting it get chipped down as well. Use Knock Off whenever Pangoro gets on the field if the opponent has a Ghost- or Poison-type like Decidueye or Weezing, as this weakens them gradually and removes their items, allowing Pangoro to use its Fighting-type moves more freely late-game. Pangoro should use Drain Punch to recover its health should it be low on health from residual damage from pivoting in. Use Bullet Punch to clean up a weakened team or revenge kill a foe. Make sure to put Pokemon in range of Bullet Punch by laying entry hazards and spamming Knock Off early-game. Pangoro does well against slower and bulkier teams due to its great offensive presence and Speed advantage, so try to keep it healthy against such teams.
Team Options
========
Pokemon with U-turn or Volt Switch like Passimian, Xatu, Decidueye, and Heliolisk are great partners that can bring Pangoro in safely. Passimian can also form a threatening Fighting-type core with Pangoro that aims to wear down checks by means of entry hazards, pivoting, and strong attacks. Heliolisk benefits from Pangoro's Knock Off threatening checks like Dhelmise. Pangoro also appreciates Fairy-resistant Pokemon like Steelix and Weezing. Steelix can also help with Flying-types and set up Stealth Rock, and Weezing can check Fighting-types and pressure Pangoro's switch-ins with Toxic Spikes. Entry hazard users like Rhydon, Druddigon, and Garbodor are good partners to help chip down Pangoro's checks. Garbodor covers Pangoro's Fairy weakness, and Rhydon helps with Flying-types. Druddigon can slow down checks like Passimian with Glare, making them easier to deal with. Late-game sweepers like Vivillon and Comfey are decent teammates. Vivillon appreciates Rock-types pressured, Comfey can pressure Poison-types alongside Pangoro, and both enjoy Steel-types pressured. Pangoro can also remove items like Iapapa Berry from Incineroar, Eviolite from Golbat, and Leftovers from various defensive Pokemon. In return, they can also offensively check Fighting-types.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Earthquake alongside Mold Breaker is an interesting option to hit Weezing super effectively, but it is very situational and slightly decreases Bullet Punch's damage. Gunk Shot can prevent Fairy-types from pivoting into Pangoro as easily; however, Bullet Punch and Zen Headbutt are often preferred, as Bullet Punch provides priority and allows Pangoro to prevent revenge killing from weakened faster threats, while Zen Headbutt hits Poison-types super effectively and provides a good neutral move alongside Pangoro's STAB moves. Ice Punch is decent neutral coverage alongside Knock Off and a Fighting-type move, but it is hard to justify over Bullet Punch or Zen Headbutt. Scrappy is an option to hit Ghost-types even with a Fighting-type move, thus making it more spammable, but the damage output of Bullet Punch will be reduced, which makes Pangoro a less effective revenge killer.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types and Fairy-type Moves**: Whimsicott and Comfey can outspeed and OHKO Pangoro with their Fairy-type STAB moves. Several Pokemon also bring Fairy-type coverage, such as Dazzling Gleam from Xatu, Delphox, and Mismagius, which can deal massive damage to Pangoro.
**Poison-types**: Weezing, Garbodor, and Golbat can all take Pangoro's powerful Fighting-type moves, although they all dislike Zen Headbutt and Knock Off. Weezing's amazing physical bulk allows it to take several hits and burn Pangoro, Garbodor can take at least a hit and retaliate with Gunk Shot or heavily cripple Pangoro with Rocky Helmet and Aftermath damage, and Golbat can outspeed Pangoro and threaten it with Brave Bird.
**Fighting-types**: Most Fighting-types such as Passimian and Medicham can outspeed Pangoro and OHKO it with their powerful Fighting-type STAB moves. Passimian should be wary of Chople Berry Pangoro, which can survive a Close Combat, but Medicham, Gallade, and Sawk can still OHKO Pangoro through Chople Berry.
**Flying-types**: Sigilyph and Vivillon can both outspeed Pangoro, KO it with their Flying-type STAB moves, and take several Fighting-type moves, meaning they are able to come in on a Fighting-type move and set up or throw off a powerful hit. Aerodactyl can also outspeed and threaten Pangoro, although it should be wary of a boosted Bullet Punch.
**Fast Attackers**: Passimian, Sceptile, and Braviary are examples of fast attackers that can threaten to OHKO Pangoro with their powerful moves. They can offensively pressure Pangoro by coming in on it after it has claimed a KO or through offensive double switches and force it out, creating momentum and minimizing opportunities for it to throw off a powerful hit.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[xapx, 406162]]
- Quality checked by: [[Rabia, 336073], [Eternally, 295647], [quziel, 297589]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Fireflame479, 231476], [Rabia, 336073]]
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