[OVERVIEW]
Bronzong boasts an incredibly good Steel / Psychic typing, which, in combination with Levitate, allows it to check a plethora of common threats in the Ubers metagame, including Xerneas, Mega Salamence, Arceus-Water, Arceus-Ground, Deoxys-A lacking Knock Off, and Primal Groudon lacking a Fire-type move. Its typing and ability also give it a resistance to Stealth Rock, an immunity to Spikes and Toxic Spikes, and an immunity to Toxic, making it less vulnerable to residual damage. Bronzong has access to a number of effective support moves, most notably Stealth Rock, which it can set fairly reliably thanks to its typing and good mixed defensive stats. However, Bronzong offers next to no offensive utility; it's incredibly slow and usually relies on Gyro Ball as its only form of dealing damage. Its typing is also fairly poor offensively and base 89 Attack is rather low. The increased usage of Ghost-types such as Marshadow, Lunala, and Mega Gengar and Dark-types such as Yveltal and Arceus-Dark also hinders Bronzong's viability, as they can easily force it out or, in Mega Gengar's case, trap it. Additionally, Bronzong is fodder for certain setup sweepers, such as Mega Lucario, Bulk Up Marshadow, and mixed Rock Polish Primal Groudon.
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Gyro Ball
move 3: Toxic
move 4: Protect
item: Leftovers
ability: Levitate
nature: Sassy
evs: 252 HP / 112 Atk / 144 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock deals chip damage to the opposing team, and Bronzong is a reasonably reliable setter by virtue of its typing. Gyro Ball is Bronzong's best option for a STAB attack, as it takes advantage of its low Speed and allows it to act as a Xerneas check. Toxic wears down common Bronzong switch-ins such as Primal Groudon, Ho-Oh, Yveltal, and Lunala while also crippling support Arceus forms such as Arceus-Water and Arceus-Ground and discouraging them from using Defog. Protect allows Bronzong to gain an extra turn of Leftovers recovery, deal more chip damage to a poisoned foe, and scout out Choice Scarf users such as Yveltal and Xerneas as well as Primal Groudon and Deoxys-A. Earthquake hits Primal Groudon for decent damage, which is otherwise one of the most solid switch-ins to Bronzong. It's also Bronzong's best option to hit Alolan Muk and Steel-types such as Excadrill, Magearna, Solgaleo, and Mega Lucario. Skill Swap is an alternative that allows Bronzong to remove Mega Sableye's Magic Bounce and set up Stealth Rock against it, and it also makes it a better Mega Salamence check.
Set Details
========
112 Attack EVs are necessary to give Bronzong the ability to take on Z-Geomancy Xerneas, which it otherwise struggles to 3HKO with Gyro Ball. The rest of the EVs are placed into Special Defense and HP, allowing Bronzong to better take special hits from Pokemon such as Xerneas, Primal Kyogre, and Deoxys-A. A Sassy nature further increases Bronzong's Special Defense while making Gyro Ball stronger. Levitate is the ability of choice because it allows Bronzong to provide a Ground immunity and check a number or threats that its typing alone wouldn't allow it to beat, such as non-Fire-type move Primal Groudon, Arceus-Ground, and Landorus-T. Leftovers provides Bronzong with some longevity and somewhat makes up for its lack of reliable recovery options.
Usage Tips
========
Watch out for common leads that can prevent Bronzong from keeping up Stealth Rock and do not lead with Bronzong if you spot one of them at Team Preview; Deoxys-S can use Taunt on Bronzong and use it as setup fodder for its own hazards, Mega Sableye can bounce back Stealth Rock thanks to Magic Bounce, and Excadrill ignores Levitate thanks to Mold Breaker and can use Rapid Spin to remove Bronzong's Stealth Rock. Bronzong's typing allows it to beat common Defog Arceus formes, such as Arceus-Water, Arceus-Ground, and Arceus-Fairy. Try to take advantage of this by switching directly into them and forcing them out while Bronzong sets up Stealth Rock. If you can identify that your opponent has a Geomancy Xerneas, try to keep Bronzong alive to revenge kill it in case it gets the chance to set up. Toxic is best used to annoy common Bronzong switch-ins, such as Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh, although in this situation it might sometimes be a better option to double switch into a check. Protect should be used to scout Primal Groudon for Fire-type moves, as well as Choice item users such as Yveltal and Ho-Oh. Use it sparingly though, as Rock Polish or Swords Dance Primal Groudon and Calm Mind Lunala can use this turn to set up. Protect can also be used simply to gain some additional recovery. Skill Swap should be used against Mega Sableye to steal its Magic Bounce and set up Stealth Rock. It can also be used on a predicted switch to Mega Gengar so that Bronzong can take its Shadow Tag and escape from it, or to steal Regenerator from Ho-Oh. Be wary of Primal Groudon switch-ins, however, as giving it Levitate makes it even more threatening.
Team Options
========
The main purpose of using Bronzong is to free Primal Groudon from having to use Stealth Rock and allow it to run a more offensive set, which is why Primal Groudon is an excellent partner. Bronzong also relieves Primal Groudon from the role of being the main Geomancy and Z-Geomancy Xerneas check. Bronzong needs support to deal with common Fire-types such as Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh, which is why Pokemon that can deal with them such as Arceus-Water, Arceus-Ground, Zygarde-C, and Giratina-O are useful teammates. Mega Diancie can check Mega Sableye for Bronzong, and it also beats Deoxys-S leads thanks to Magic Bounce and takes on Ho-Oh. In return, Bronzong can set Stealth Rock to help it pick up more KOs and checks Ground-types such as Primal Groudon lacking a Fire-type attack and Arceus-Ground. Bronzong appreciates Pokemon that can deal with Zygarde-C, including Xerneas, Lunala, and Primal Kyogre. Pokemon with resistances to Ghost- and Dark-type moves, such as Yveltal and Arceus-Dark, are helpful partners for Bronzong, as they give it a switch-in to Pokemon such as Yveltal, Lunala, and Arceus-Dark. Alolan Muk in particular makes for a very good partner, as Bronzong lures in Ghost-types for it to trap. Marshadow switch-ins such as Arceus-Fairy and Zygarde-C are also appreciated, as Bronzong tends to bring it in. Rapid Spin users like Cloyster are able to anti-lead Deoxys-S by spinning away the entry hazards it sets, allowing Bronzong to set up Stealth Rock once it has been KOed or forced out.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Heal Block is a niche option that can prevent Zygarde-C and Z-Geomancy Xerneas from using Rest and setting up on Bronzong. Hypnosis can put one of Bronzong's switch-ins to sleep, but its low accuracy makes it far less reliable than Toxic. Trick Room can be used to take advantage of Bronzong's decent bulk and low Speed stat, but it's gimmicky and only fits on very specific types of teams. Z-Psych Up gives Bronzong the ability to restore its HP to full once, as well as steal stat boosts from Mega Salamence and Z-Geomancy Xerneas. A dual screens set might seem like a decent option to take advantage of Bronzong's good mixed bulk. However, its low Speed makes such a set ineffective, as other setters like Deoxys-S and Klefki mostly outclass it.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Mega Gengar**: Mega Gengar's ability in Shadow Tag and Ghost typing allows it to trap and eliminate Bronzong if it manages to safely switch in or comes in to revenge kill. It takes a significant amount of damage from Gyro Ball, however.
**Mega Sableye**: Magic Bounce allows Mega Sableye to prevent Bronzong from setting up Stealth Rock, and its Dark / Ghost typing allows it to wall Bronzong and beat it one-on-one.
**Alolan Muk**: Alolan Muk is also capable of trapping Bronzong with Pursuit, and its good bulk means that it takes little from Bronzong's attacks.
**Zygarde-C**: Zygarde-C's great mixed defenses and typing allow it to take on Bronzong with ease and use it as setup fodder, as Thousand Arrows hits through Levitate. Non-Rest sets have to be wary of Toxic, though.
**Dark-types**: Yveltal and Arceus-Dark are able to OHKO Bronzong with their Dark-type STAB moves and can shrug off a Gyro Ball reasonably well.
**Ghost-types**: Ghost-types such as Marshadow and Lunala can offensively check Bronzong and can easily switch in on it and use the opportunity to set up.
**Primal Kyogre**: RestTalk Primal Kyogre can recover from being poisoned and is able to 3HKO Bronzong with Scald. Calm Mind Primal Kyogre is able to use Bronzong as setup fodder, as it takes next to nothing from Gyro Ball.
**Taunt Users**: Yveltal, Deoxys-S, Tapu Koko, and Mega Mewtwo Y are able to anti-lead Bronzong by virtue of their access to Taunt, which prevents Bronzong from setting up Stealth Rock.
**Fire-types**: Fire-types in general are very good checks to Bronzong. Ho-Oh and Primal Groudon both resist Gyro Ball and will happily take a Toxic in exchange for KOing Bronzong with their strong Fire-type attacks.
**Steel-types**: Bulky Steel-types like Celesteela, Mega Scizor, and Ferrothorn resist Gyro Ball and are immune to Toxic, allowing them to wall Bronzong. Ferrothorn is notably able to take advantage of Bronzong to set up hazards, while Swords Dance Mega Scizor can use it as setup fodder.
Bronzong boasts an incredibly good Steel / Psychic typing, which, in combination with Levitate, allows it to check a plethora of common threats in the Ubers metagame, including Xerneas, Mega Salamence, Arceus-Water, Arceus-Ground, Deoxys-A lacking Knock Off, and Primal Groudon lacking a Fire-type move. Its typing and ability also give it a resistance to Stealth Rock, an immunity to Spikes and Toxic Spikes, and an immunity to Toxic, making it less vulnerable to residual damage. Bronzong has access to a number of effective support moves, most notably Stealth Rock, which it can set fairly reliably thanks to its typing and good mixed defensive stats. However, Bronzong offers next to no offensive utility; it's incredibly slow and usually relies on Gyro Ball as its only form of dealing damage. Its typing is also fairly poor offensively and base 89 Attack is rather low. The increased usage of Ghost-types such as Marshadow, Lunala, and Mega Gengar and Dark-types such as Yveltal and Arceus-Dark also hinders Bronzong's viability, as they can easily force it out or, in Mega Gengar's case, trap it. Additionally, Bronzong is fodder for certain setup sweepers, such as Mega Lucario, Bulk Up Marshadow, and mixed Rock Polish Primal Groudon.
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Gyro Ball
move 3: Toxic
move 4: Protect
item: Leftovers
ability: Levitate
nature: Sassy
evs: 252 HP / 112 Atk / 144 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock deals chip damage to the opposing team, and Bronzong is a reasonably reliable setter by virtue of its typing. Gyro Ball is Bronzong's best option for a STAB attack, as it takes advantage of its low Speed and allows it to act as a Xerneas check. Toxic wears down common Bronzong switch-ins such as Primal Groudon, Ho-Oh, Yveltal, and Lunala while also crippling support Arceus forms such as Arceus-Water and Arceus-Ground and discouraging them from using Defog. Protect allows Bronzong to gain an extra turn of Leftovers recovery, deal more chip damage to a poisoned foe, and scout out Choice Scarf users such as Yveltal and Xerneas as well as Primal Groudon and Deoxys-A. Earthquake hits Primal Groudon for decent damage, which is otherwise one of the most solid switch-ins to Bronzong. It's also Bronzong's best option to hit Alolan Muk and Steel-types such as Excadrill, Magearna, Solgaleo, and Mega Lucario. Skill Swap is an alternative that allows Bronzong to remove Mega Sableye's Magic Bounce and set up Stealth Rock against it, and it also makes it a better Mega Salamence check.
Set Details
========
112 Attack EVs are necessary to give Bronzong the ability to take on Z-Geomancy Xerneas, which it otherwise struggles to 3HKO with Gyro Ball. The rest of the EVs are placed into Special Defense and HP, allowing Bronzong to better take special hits from Pokemon such as Xerneas, Primal Kyogre, and Deoxys-A. A Sassy nature further increases Bronzong's Special Defense while making Gyro Ball stronger. Levitate is the ability of choice because it allows Bronzong to provide a Ground immunity and check a number or threats that its typing alone wouldn't allow it to beat, such as non-Fire-type move Primal Groudon, Arceus-Ground, and Landorus-T. Leftovers provides Bronzong with some longevity and somewhat makes up for its lack of reliable recovery options.
Usage Tips
========
Watch out for common leads that can prevent Bronzong from keeping up Stealth Rock and do not lead with Bronzong if you spot one of them at Team Preview; Deoxys-S can use Taunt on Bronzong and use it as setup fodder for its own hazards, Mega Sableye can bounce back Stealth Rock thanks to Magic Bounce, and Excadrill ignores Levitate thanks to Mold Breaker and can use Rapid Spin to remove Bronzong's Stealth Rock. Bronzong's typing allows it to beat common Defog Arceus formes, such as Arceus-Water, Arceus-Ground, and Arceus-Fairy. Try to take advantage of this by switching directly into them and forcing them out while Bronzong sets up Stealth Rock. If you can identify that your opponent has a Geomancy Xerneas, try to keep Bronzong alive to revenge kill it in case it gets the chance to set up. Toxic is best used to annoy common Bronzong switch-ins, such as Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh, although in this situation it might sometimes be a better option to double switch into a check. Protect should be used to scout Primal Groudon for Fire-type moves, as well as Choice item users such as Yveltal and Ho-Oh. Use it sparingly though, as Rock Polish or Swords Dance Primal Groudon and Calm Mind Lunala can use this turn to set up. Protect can also be used simply to gain some additional recovery. Skill Swap should be used against Mega Sableye to steal its Magic Bounce and set up Stealth Rock. It can also be used on a predicted switch to Mega Gengar so that Bronzong can take its Shadow Tag and escape from it, or to steal Regenerator from Ho-Oh. Be wary of Primal Groudon switch-ins, however, as giving it Levitate makes it even more threatening.
Team Options
========
The main purpose of using Bronzong is to free Primal Groudon from having to use Stealth Rock and allow it to run a more offensive set, which is why Primal Groudon is an excellent partner. Bronzong also relieves Primal Groudon from the role of being the main Geomancy and Z-Geomancy Xerneas check. Bronzong needs support to deal with common Fire-types such as Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh, which is why Pokemon that can deal with them such as Arceus-Water, Arceus-Ground, Zygarde-C, and Giratina-O are useful teammates. Mega Diancie can check Mega Sableye for Bronzong, and it also beats Deoxys-S leads thanks to Magic Bounce and takes on Ho-Oh. In return, Bronzong can set Stealth Rock to help it pick up more KOs and checks Ground-types such as Primal Groudon lacking a Fire-type attack and Arceus-Ground. Bronzong appreciates Pokemon that can deal with Zygarde-C, including Xerneas, Lunala, and Primal Kyogre. Pokemon with resistances to Ghost- and Dark-type moves, such as Yveltal and Arceus-Dark, are helpful partners for Bronzong, as they give it a switch-in to Pokemon such as Yveltal, Lunala, and Arceus-Dark. Alolan Muk in particular makes for a very good partner, as Bronzong lures in Ghost-types for it to trap. Marshadow switch-ins such as Arceus-Fairy and Zygarde-C are also appreciated, as Bronzong tends to bring it in. Rapid Spin users like Cloyster are able to anti-lead Deoxys-S by spinning away the entry hazards it sets, allowing Bronzong to set up Stealth Rock once it has been KOed or forced out.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Heal Block is a niche option that can prevent Zygarde-C and Z-Geomancy Xerneas from using Rest and setting up on Bronzong. Hypnosis can put one of Bronzong's switch-ins to sleep, but its low accuracy makes it far less reliable than Toxic. Trick Room can be used to take advantage of Bronzong's decent bulk and low Speed stat, but it's gimmicky and only fits on very specific types of teams. Z-Psych Up gives Bronzong the ability to restore its HP to full once, as well as steal stat boosts from Mega Salamence and Z-Geomancy Xerneas. A dual screens set might seem like a decent option to take advantage of Bronzong's good mixed bulk. However, its low Speed makes such a set ineffective, as other setters like Deoxys-S and Klefki mostly outclass it.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Mega Gengar**: Mega Gengar's ability in Shadow Tag and Ghost typing allows it to trap and eliminate Bronzong if it manages to safely switch in or comes in to revenge kill. It takes a significant amount of damage from Gyro Ball, however.
**Mega Sableye**: Magic Bounce allows Mega Sableye to prevent Bronzong from setting up Stealth Rock, and its Dark / Ghost typing allows it to wall Bronzong and beat it one-on-one.
**Alolan Muk**: Alolan Muk is also capable of trapping Bronzong with Pursuit, and its good bulk means that it takes little from Bronzong's attacks.
**Zygarde-C**: Zygarde-C's great mixed defenses and typing allow it to take on Bronzong with ease and use it as setup fodder, as Thousand Arrows hits through Levitate. Non-Rest sets have to be wary of Toxic, though.
**Dark-types**: Yveltal and Arceus-Dark are able to OHKO Bronzong with their Dark-type STAB moves and can shrug off a Gyro Ball reasonably well.
**Ghost-types**: Ghost-types such as Marshadow and Lunala can offensively check Bronzong and can easily switch in on it and use the opportunity to set up.
**Primal Kyogre**: RestTalk Primal Kyogre can recover from being poisoned and is able to 3HKO Bronzong with Scald. Calm Mind Primal Kyogre is able to use Bronzong as setup fodder, as it takes next to nothing from Gyro Ball.
**Taunt Users**: Yveltal, Deoxys-S, Tapu Koko, and Mega Mewtwo Y are able to anti-lead Bronzong by virtue of their access to Taunt, which prevents Bronzong from setting up Stealth Rock.
**Fire-types**: Fire-types in general are very good checks to Bronzong. Ho-Oh and Primal Groudon both resist Gyro Ball and will happily take a Toxic in exchange for KOing Bronzong with their strong Fire-type attacks.
**Steel-types**: Bulky Steel-types like Celesteela, Mega Scizor, and Ferrothorn resist Gyro Ball and are immune to Toxic, allowing them to wall Bronzong. Ferrothorn is notably able to take advantage of Bronzong to set up hazards, while Swords Dance Mega Scizor can use it as setup fodder.
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