Shame the PS! model does not properly represent this Pokemon's SICK GAINS.
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[OVERVIEW]
* With reliable recovery in Roost, rock-solid 107 / 139 physical bulk, and key resistances to Ground-, Dark-, and Fighting-type attacks, Buzzwole serves as a formidable physical tank in the SM Ubers metagame.
* It checks a large variety of threats, such as Extreme Killer Arceus, Arceus-Ground, Arceus-Dark, Primal Groudon without Fire-type coverage, Mega Lucario, Pheromosa, Excadrill, and Mega Kangaskhan, with ease.
* Base 139 Attack is strong, letting Buzzwole easily dispose of the Pokemon it needs to check.
* Buzzwole's Special Defense is poor, and despite its great HP stat, Buzzwole is easily KOed by most special attackers.
* A 4x Flying weakness means that Buzzwole cannot check certain popular physical attackers such as Ho-Oh and Mega Salamence.
* Buzzwole's mediocre Speed prevents offensive sets from being viable, despite Buzzwole's high Attack and good coverage options.
* Beast Boost can sometimes assist Buzzwole in tanking, but isn't very useful overall.
[SET]
name: Physical Tank
move 1: Hammer Arm
move 2: Toxic
move 3: Roost
move 4: Earthquake / Stone Edge
item: Leftovers
ability: Beast Boost
nature: Impish
evs: 248 HP / 184 Def / 76 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Hammer Arm provides Buzzwole with a powerful STAB option, OHKOing Mega Lucario and 2HKOing Extreme Killer Arceus and Arceus-Dark. It is preferred over Superpower due to the increased PP and lack of Defense drops.
* Toxic allows Buzzwole to cripple Ground-type sweepers such as Primal Groudon and Arceus-Ground, as well as potential switch-ins such as Yveltal or Xerneas.
* Roost lets Buzzwole to stay healthy over the course of a match.
* Earthquake OHKOes Mega Gengar after Stealth Rock damage, which can otherwise switch in on any of Buzzwole's other moves and trap it.
* Stone Edge can be used instead to OHKO Ho-Oh switch-ins, but it leaves Buzzwole extremely vulnerable to being trapped and eliminated by Mega Gengar.
Set Details
========
* 248 HP and 76 Special Defense EVs allow Buzzwole to survive two +1 Judgments from Arceus-Dark after Stealth Rock damage and Leftovers recovery.
* The remaining EVs go to Defense with an Impish nature to take on physical threats as well as possible. The given investment allows Buzzwole to survive a +2 Iron Tail from Adamant Mega Lucario after Stealth Rock damage, factoring in Leftovers recovery.
* 252 Defense EVs can be used instead if Arceus-Dark is already handled adequately by Buzzwole's teammates.
Usage Tips
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* Use Buzzwole to solidly check Extreme Killer Arceus, Arceus-Ground, Arceus-Dark, Primal Groudon without Fire-type coverage, Mega Lucario, Pheromosa, Excadrill, and Mega Kangaskhan.
* Buzzwole can usually switch fearlessly into any Pokemon it checks, as most of them do not carry coverage moves to quickly take it out; however, Buzzwole should scout for Fire-type moves on opposing Primal Groudon first before attempting to check it.
* Keep Buzzwole healthy for as long as possible if it is crucial towards stopping an enemy Pokemon that it checks.
* Toxic is generally a safe option to use, as Steel-types usually will not switch in on Buzzwole.
* Earthquake should generally be used to try and catch Gengar on the switch. Although Buzzwole can usually survive a hit from Gengar if healthy, it will often be left at critical condition to where it can easily be picked off.
* Try not to let Buzzwole get burned or poisoned, as otherwise, it will not be able to defeat Calm Mind Arceus-Dark if it has Refresh.
* Buzzwole should stay as far away from special attackers not named Arceus-Dark as well as it can.
Team Options
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* Buzzwole mainly wants teammates to help cover its defensive flaws.
* Arceus-Water helps Buzzwole against Primal Groudon with Fire-type coverage, and it can also take on Flying-types such as Ho-Oh, Mega Salamence, and Rayquaza. Arceus-Rock also helps deal with Flying-types.
* Fairy-types such as Xerneas, Arceus-Fairy, Magearna, and Clefable deal well with Yveltal.
* Primal Groudon checks Xerneas and can set up Stealth Rock to help make Flying-types less of an issue over the course of a match.
* Other bulky Steel-types such as Magearna, Klefki, Ferrothorn, Bronzong, and Solgaleo can also deal with Xerneas.
* Dark-types such as Yveltal and Arceus-Dark make great partners to help deal with strong Psychic-types such as Mewtwo, Lunala, and Deoxys-A.
* Alolan Muk can reliably Pursuit trap Mega Gengar while acting as an extremely solid check to offensive Psychic-types.
* Fairy-types such as Xerneas and Clefable can check Yveltal and heal any status Buzzwole takes with Aromatherapy.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
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* Ice Punch can deter Rayquaza and Mega Salamence from switching into Buzzwole.
* Leech Life is a STAB move and adds to Buzzwole's recovery, but doesn't have many useful targets a Fighting-type move wouldn't cover already.
* Lunge guarantees an Attack drop on its target, which can help Buzzwole annoy physical Flying attackers that may try to switch into it.
* Shed Shell can be used instead of Leftovers to make sure Buzzwole doesn't have to worry about Mega Gengar, but it will not be able to check Arceus-Dark as well without Leftovers.
* Taunt can frustrate attempts to set up on Buzzwole and can stop slower walls from using Toxic or setting up.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Flying-types**: Ho-Oh, Mega Salamence, Rayquaza, and Yveltal all easily OHKO Buzzwole with their Flying-type STAB moves, and outside of Toxic or the odd Stone Edge, Buzzwole cannot do much to threaten them.
**Fairy-types**: Xerneas, Arceus-Fairy, and Clefable can switch into Buzzwole with little risk and OHKO it with super effective STAB move. Xerneas and Clefable can also use Aromatherapy to protect themselves from Buzzwole's Toxic.
**Psychic-types**: Buzzwole usually does not carry Bug-type moves, so Mewtwo can come in with ease and OHKO Buzzwole with its super effective STAB move. Deoxys-A can also easily OHKO Buzzwole, but due to its poor defenses it will need to come in on a non-attacking move.
**Mega Sableye**: Buzzwole cannot hurt Mega Sableye at all and will eventually succumb to burn or Toxic damage.
**Ghost-types**: Giratina-O and Lunala can switch in on Buzzwole fairly easily and OHKO it with special attacks, though neither particularly enjoy Toxic. Mega Gengar can trap Buzzwole and KO it once it has been weakened somewhat, though Gengar needs to be somewhat wary, as Earthquake will OHKO it.
**Powerful Special Attackers**: Primal Kyogre, Palkia, and almost anything else with a STAB Draco Meteor will easily OHKO Buzzwole due to its mediocre Special Defense.
**Status**: Toxic ruins Buzzwole's walling ability and burn's Attack drop can prevent Buzzwole from checking specific threats.
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