[OVERVIEW]
With Teleport, Slowbro has found a new lease on life as one of the best defensive pivots in the tier with its combination of solid bulk, a strong defensive typing, and a fantastic ability in Regenerator. It stonewalls some of the metagame's top physical attackers in Urshifu-R and Melmetal and can turn them into entry points for frail attackers such as Blacephalon with Teleport, which is compounded by its STAB Future Sight that can blow through checks to its teammates. Colbur Berry + Body Press sets can also lure in and KO strong physical Dark-types like Weavile and Choice Band Tyranitar. However, Slowbro is greatly annoyed by Toxic putting it on a timer against Pokemon like Melmetal that it can otherwise sit on, does not appreciate U-turn spam from the likes of Urshifu-R, and is hamstrung by its lackluster Special Defense that makes it hapless against strong special attackers like Dragapult and Blacephalon, which is exacerbated by its subpar secondary typing in Psychic making it weak to the ever-spammable Shadow Ball. But as long as these shortcomings are accounted for, the Kantonian Hermit will gaze into the future and provide safe passage for its teammates with a consistency befitting its moniker.
[SET]
name: Defensive Pivot
move 1: Future Sight
move 2: Scald / Body Press
move 3: Slack Off
move 4: Teleport
item: Heavy-Duty Boots / Colbur Berry
ability: Regenerator
nature: Relaxed
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
ivs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Future Sight allows Slowbro to help wallbreaking teammates like Weavile, Urshifu-R, and Choice Band Tyranitar break through their checks, such as Toxapex, Buzzwole, and Tapu Fini. It also provides Slowbro with a way of dealing considerable damage to Pokemon that often try to stay in on it for multiple turns, such as Tornadus-T and Clefable. Teleport is a mandatory move for this set, as it has incredible synergy with Regenerator and the aforementioned Future Sight, allowing Slowbro to heal off damage it takes when bringing in the aforementioned wallbreakers to exploit looming Future Sights. Slack Off keeps Slowbro healthy when Regenerator recovery is not sufficient. Scald is an amazing STAB move that deals hefty damage to Water-weak Pokemon that Slowbro checks, such as Victini, Landorus-T, and Excadrill, while threatening to burn physical attackers like Garchomp and Melmetal that Slowbro can tank multiple hits from. The threat of a burn also deters physical attackers that can KO Slowbro, such as Rillaboom and Kartana, from switching in even if they resist Scald. Body Press can be run in this moveslot if Slowbro is holding a Colbur Berry so it can lure in and remove physical Dark-types like Weavile and Choice Band Tyranitar, but Heavy-Duty Boots is generally preferred due to letting Slowbro ignore entry hazards and thus maximize its longevity. The EV spread above maximizes Slowbro's physical bulk, while 0 Speed IVs and a Relaxed nature give it the slowest possible Teleport for matchups against opposing Slowbro and Slowking. Mixed EV spreads with Special Defense investment can be used so Slowbro can take hits from special attackers like Volcanion and Choice Scarf Tapu Lele while still retaining the physical bulk needed to check physical attackers, but it is recommended to keep Slowbro physically biased with a Relaxed nature, since Slowking outclasses it as a specially defensive pivot with its higher base Special Defense.
Team Options
========
Slowbro fits on bulky offense and balance teams looking for a defensive pivot that keeps up momentum and enables their offensive cores. Urshifu-R is an exemplary teammate, as Unseen Fist prevents teams from trying to stop Future Sight combinations with Protect, and its typing allows it to be a short-term check to Weavile and Tyranitar, Pokemon that greatly threaten Slowbro. In return, Slowbro can bring Urshifu-R safely onto the field with Teleport after setting Future Sight. The combination of Future Sight and Urshifu-R's own attacks on the same turn can be devastating for many of Urshifu-R's checks, such as Toxapex, Buzzwole, and Tapu Fini, paving the way for Urshifu-R to break through the opposing team. Other attackers that appreciate Teleport and Future Sight support like Weavile, Dragapult, and Blacephalon are also fantastic teammates for Slowbro. Teleport greatly improves their longevity, as it allows them to not take attacks while entering the field, while Future Sight helps them push through their checks: Dragapult and Blacephalon can overwhelm Hippowdon and Gastrodon with Future Sight support, and Weavile loves Future Sight obliterating its switch-ins, as it shares multiple checks with Urshifu-R, such as Toxapex, Tapu Fini, and Buzzwole. Weavile also comes with the benefit of resisting the Ghost-type attacks that Slowbro is terrified of, so it can act as an offensive check against the likes of Dragapult and Blacephalon. Choice Band Tyranitar is another Dark-type wallbreaker that takes great advantage of Future Sight to blow through its checks, but it sacrifices the utility of Knock Off and Weavile's blistering Speed tier for being an even sturdier check to Ghost-types with its incredible special bulk under sand. As mentioned above, Weavile and Tyranitar can let Urshifu-R enter the field, so they love Slowbro's ability to check it. As for defensive partners, sturdy Ground-types that can check Electric-types like Tapu Koko, Zapdos, Rotom-W, and Zeraora are mandatory, making specially defensive Landorus-T and Garchomp excellent teammates. In return, Slowbro can check offensive Water-types like Barraskewda and Urshifu-R. Steel-types make for great teammates: specially defensive Heatran is a sturdy Dragapult and Blacephalon check while forcing out Tapu Koko and Zapdos by leveraging its high special bulk and access to moves like Magma Storm, Earth Power, and Toxic; Melmetal can check both Weavile and Dragapult thanks to its mixed bulk and strong Double Iron Bash; and Ferrothorn is a great Weavile, Tapu Koko, and Rotom-W check with its fantastic Steel / Grass typing. All of them appreciate Slowbro checking offensive Ground-types like Swords Dance Excadrill, Garchomp, and Landorus-T, as well as Fighting-types like Urshifu-R, Buzzwole, and Blaziken. Flying-types like Tornadus-T and Zapdos are able to stave off offensive Grass-types such as Rillaboom and Kartana. It should be noted that both examples form pivoting cores with Slowbro via U-turn and Volt Switch, respectively, and Tornadus-T can also form a potent Regenerator core with it.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Ice Beam can be run instead of Scald if Slowbro is the last line of defense against offensive threats that are weak to Ice like Garchomp, Dragonite, Landorus-T, and Hawlucha. However, this makes Slowbro unable to check Victini and Excadrill, while physical attackers like Weavile, Tyranitar, bulky Swords Dance Rillaboom, and Crawdaunt can switch into it much more easily without the fear of a potential Scald burn. Thunder Wave or Toxic can be run over Slack Off to make Slowbro extremely difficult to switch into, but this is highly discouraged, as this makes Slowbro unable to sit on threats like Melmetal, and Regenerator alone is often insufficient to heal off the chip damage Slowbro accumulates over the course of the match from entry hazards, status, and U-turn. Rocky Helmet is an alternate item choice if Slowbro wishes to punish contact moves such as U-turn from Pokemon like Urshifu-R and Galarian Zapdos, but being vulnerable to entry hazards without the upside of removing Dark-types like the Colbur Berry + Body Press set is generally undesirable.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ghost-types**: Slowbro's secondary typing in Psychic leaves it vulnerable to Ghost-type attackers like Dragapult and Blacephalon, which is compounded by its subpar special bulk, as both are mainly special attackers. It should be noted that Blacephalon is greatly threatened by Scald if it tries to directly switch into Slowbro, while Dragapult generally dislikes taking chip damage from the move. Both also do not appreciate Slowbro immediately using Teleport to pivot out as they switch in, as their switch opportunities are already limited to begin with due to their susceptibility to passive damage from entry hazards, weather, and status conditions. Aegislash is a Ghost-type attacker that resists Future Sight and Stealth Rock due to its amazing typing while having the natural bulk to take Scald, but it is vulnerable to Slowbro using Teleport to bring in a wallbreaker as it switches in due to its lack of Speed.
**Dark-types**: Dark-types like Weavile, Tyranitar, Crawdaunt, and Bisharp threaten Slowbro, but they are greatly annoyed by Scald and get obliterated by Colbur Berry + Body Press variants, even though it should be noted that Beat Up Weavile can bypass Colbur Berry due to the move's multi-hit nature. Hydreigon holds the distinction of being a special attacker that preys on Slowbro's physical bias while also being the only notable Dark-type attacker that is not KOed by Body Press. Moreover, it resists Scald and has access to Roost, so it can easily heal off any chip damage incurred when switching into Slowbro.
**Electric-types**: Outside of hitting Slowbro super effectively, Zapdos, Tapu Koko, Rotom-W, and Zeraora can use Slowbro to gain momentum via Volt Switch or U-turn. While Zeraora does not like risking a Scald burn, Zapdos, Tapu Koko, and Rotom-W all have access to recovery moves that can heal off burn damage and do not mind their physical moves being weakened, as they are special attackers. Magnezone is another Electric-type that can threaten a KO on Slowbro with Volt Switch or Thunderbolt, but it dislikes taking Scald due to its low special bulk and lack of recovery and is weak to Body Press from Colbur Berry + Body Press Slowbro.
**Strong Special Attackers**: Strong special attackers like Choice Specs Tapu Lele and Volcanion can overwhelm Slowbro even through resisted hits by taking advantage of its relatively low Special Defense for a defensive pivot. However, mixed variants of Slowbro can take hits from the two relatively well, so they can stay in and scout before switching out to keep themselves reasonably healthy with Regenerator.
**Grass-types**: Rillaboom and Kartana can KO Slowbro with their powerful Grass-type STAB moves. However, the threat of a Scald burn deters them from switching in often, and Scald deals considerable damage to Kartana due to its abysmal special bulk.
**Residual Damage**: Slowbro can be reliant on Regenerator to stay healthy over long periods, so it despises any sort of residual damage that consistently eats into its recovery, as this can put it in range of attacks from Pokemon that it is supposed to check. The ubiquity of Knock Off and Toxic means that Slowbro can easily lose its Heavy-Duty Boots from Knock Off users that it often switches into, such as Toxapex and Clefable, or be put on a timer from Pokemon that it checks like Melmetal and Buzzwole if it is not careful. Slowbro variants not running Heavy-Duty Boots are especially susceptible, as they are vulnerable to entry hazard damage for the entire game. It should be noted that this issue is more prevalent in variants that forgo Slack Off, as Slowbro can use it to somewhat mitigate this issue in longer games.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/slowpoke-fan.617219/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/veti.612907/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/pulsar512b.469728/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/solarbeam.470115/
With Teleport, Slowbro has found a new lease on life as one of the best defensive pivots in the tier with its combination of solid bulk, a strong defensive typing, and a fantastic ability in Regenerator. It stonewalls some of the metagame's top physical attackers in Urshifu-R and Melmetal and can turn them into entry points for frail attackers such as Blacephalon with Teleport, which is compounded by its STAB Future Sight that can blow through checks to its teammates. Colbur Berry + Body Press sets can also lure in and KO strong physical Dark-types like Weavile and Choice Band Tyranitar. However, Slowbro is greatly annoyed by Toxic putting it on a timer against Pokemon like Melmetal that it can otherwise sit on, does not appreciate U-turn spam from the likes of Urshifu-R, and is hamstrung by its lackluster Special Defense that makes it hapless against strong special attackers like Dragapult and Blacephalon, which is exacerbated by its subpar secondary typing in Psychic making it weak to the ever-spammable Shadow Ball. But as long as these shortcomings are accounted for, the Kantonian Hermit will gaze into the future and provide safe passage for its teammates with a consistency befitting its moniker.
[SET]
name: Defensive Pivot
move 1: Future Sight
move 2: Scald / Body Press
move 3: Slack Off
move 4: Teleport
item: Heavy-Duty Boots / Colbur Berry
ability: Regenerator
nature: Relaxed
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
ivs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Future Sight allows Slowbro to help wallbreaking teammates like Weavile, Urshifu-R, and Choice Band Tyranitar break through their checks, such as Toxapex, Buzzwole, and Tapu Fini. It also provides Slowbro with a way of dealing considerable damage to Pokemon that often try to stay in on it for multiple turns, such as Tornadus-T and Clefable. Teleport is a mandatory move for this set, as it has incredible synergy with Regenerator and the aforementioned Future Sight, allowing Slowbro to heal off damage it takes when bringing in the aforementioned wallbreakers to exploit looming Future Sights. Slack Off keeps Slowbro healthy when Regenerator recovery is not sufficient. Scald is an amazing STAB move that deals hefty damage to Water-weak Pokemon that Slowbro checks, such as Victini, Landorus-T, and Excadrill, while threatening to burn physical attackers like Garchomp and Melmetal that Slowbro can tank multiple hits from. The threat of a burn also deters physical attackers that can KO Slowbro, such as Rillaboom and Kartana, from switching in even if they resist Scald. Body Press can be run in this moveslot if Slowbro is holding a Colbur Berry so it can lure in and remove physical Dark-types like Weavile and Choice Band Tyranitar, but Heavy-Duty Boots is generally preferred due to letting Slowbro ignore entry hazards and thus maximize its longevity. The EV spread above maximizes Slowbro's physical bulk, while 0 Speed IVs and a Relaxed nature give it the slowest possible Teleport for matchups against opposing Slowbro and Slowking. Mixed EV spreads with Special Defense investment can be used so Slowbro can take hits from special attackers like Volcanion and Choice Scarf Tapu Lele while still retaining the physical bulk needed to check physical attackers, but it is recommended to keep Slowbro physically biased with a Relaxed nature, since Slowking outclasses it as a specially defensive pivot with its higher base Special Defense.
Team Options
========
Slowbro fits on bulky offense and balance teams looking for a defensive pivot that keeps up momentum and enables their offensive cores. Urshifu-R is an exemplary teammate, as Unseen Fist prevents teams from trying to stop Future Sight combinations with Protect, and its typing allows it to be a short-term check to Weavile and Tyranitar, Pokemon that greatly threaten Slowbro. In return, Slowbro can bring Urshifu-R safely onto the field with Teleport after setting Future Sight. The combination of Future Sight and Urshifu-R's own attacks on the same turn can be devastating for many of Urshifu-R's checks, such as Toxapex, Buzzwole, and Tapu Fini, paving the way for Urshifu-R to break through the opposing team. Other attackers that appreciate Teleport and Future Sight support like Weavile, Dragapult, and Blacephalon are also fantastic teammates for Slowbro. Teleport greatly improves their longevity, as it allows them to not take attacks while entering the field, while Future Sight helps them push through their checks: Dragapult and Blacephalon can overwhelm Hippowdon and Gastrodon with Future Sight support, and Weavile loves Future Sight obliterating its switch-ins, as it shares multiple checks with Urshifu-R, such as Toxapex, Tapu Fini, and Buzzwole. Weavile also comes with the benefit of resisting the Ghost-type attacks that Slowbro is terrified of, so it can act as an offensive check against the likes of Dragapult and Blacephalon. Choice Band Tyranitar is another Dark-type wallbreaker that takes great advantage of Future Sight to blow through its checks, but it sacrifices the utility of Knock Off and Weavile's blistering Speed tier for being an even sturdier check to Ghost-types with its incredible special bulk under sand. As mentioned above, Weavile and Tyranitar can let Urshifu-R enter the field, so they love Slowbro's ability to check it. As for defensive partners, sturdy Ground-types that can check Electric-types like Tapu Koko, Zapdos, Rotom-W, and Zeraora are mandatory, making specially defensive Landorus-T and Garchomp excellent teammates. In return, Slowbro can check offensive Water-types like Barraskewda and Urshifu-R. Steel-types make for great teammates: specially defensive Heatran is a sturdy Dragapult and Blacephalon check while forcing out Tapu Koko and Zapdos by leveraging its high special bulk and access to moves like Magma Storm, Earth Power, and Toxic; Melmetal can check both Weavile and Dragapult thanks to its mixed bulk and strong Double Iron Bash; and Ferrothorn is a great Weavile, Tapu Koko, and Rotom-W check with its fantastic Steel / Grass typing. All of them appreciate Slowbro checking offensive Ground-types like Swords Dance Excadrill, Garchomp, and Landorus-T, as well as Fighting-types like Urshifu-R, Buzzwole, and Blaziken. Flying-types like Tornadus-T and Zapdos are able to stave off offensive Grass-types such as Rillaboom and Kartana. It should be noted that both examples form pivoting cores with Slowbro via U-turn and Volt Switch, respectively, and Tornadus-T can also form a potent Regenerator core with it.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Ice Beam can be run instead of Scald if Slowbro is the last line of defense against offensive threats that are weak to Ice like Garchomp, Dragonite, Landorus-T, and Hawlucha. However, this makes Slowbro unable to check Victini and Excadrill, while physical attackers like Weavile, Tyranitar, bulky Swords Dance Rillaboom, and Crawdaunt can switch into it much more easily without the fear of a potential Scald burn. Thunder Wave or Toxic can be run over Slack Off to make Slowbro extremely difficult to switch into, but this is highly discouraged, as this makes Slowbro unable to sit on threats like Melmetal, and Regenerator alone is often insufficient to heal off the chip damage Slowbro accumulates over the course of the match from entry hazards, status, and U-turn. Rocky Helmet is an alternate item choice if Slowbro wishes to punish contact moves such as U-turn from Pokemon like Urshifu-R and Galarian Zapdos, but being vulnerable to entry hazards without the upside of removing Dark-types like the Colbur Berry + Body Press set is generally undesirable.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ghost-types**: Slowbro's secondary typing in Psychic leaves it vulnerable to Ghost-type attackers like Dragapult and Blacephalon, which is compounded by its subpar special bulk, as both are mainly special attackers. It should be noted that Blacephalon is greatly threatened by Scald if it tries to directly switch into Slowbro, while Dragapult generally dislikes taking chip damage from the move. Both also do not appreciate Slowbro immediately using Teleport to pivot out as they switch in, as their switch opportunities are already limited to begin with due to their susceptibility to passive damage from entry hazards, weather, and status conditions. Aegislash is a Ghost-type attacker that resists Future Sight and Stealth Rock due to its amazing typing while having the natural bulk to take Scald, but it is vulnerable to Slowbro using Teleport to bring in a wallbreaker as it switches in due to its lack of Speed.
**Dark-types**: Dark-types like Weavile, Tyranitar, Crawdaunt, and Bisharp threaten Slowbro, but they are greatly annoyed by Scald and get obliterated by Colbur Berry + Body Press variants, even though it should be noted that Beat Up Weavile can bypass Colbur Berry due to the move's multi-hit nature. Hydreigon holds the distinction of being a special attacker that preys on Slowbro's physical bias while also being the only notable Dark-type attacker that is not KOed by Body Press. Moreover, it resists Scald and has access to Roost, so it can easily heal off any chip damage incurred when switching into Slowbro.
**Electric-types**: Outside of hitting Slowbro super effectively, Zapdos, Tapu Koko, Rotom-W, and Zeraora can use Slowbro to gain momentum via Volt Switch or U-turn. While Zeraora does not like risking a Scald burn, Zapdos, Tapu Koko, and Rotom-W all have access to recovery moves that can heal off burn damage and do not mind their physical moves being weakened, as they are special attackers. Magnezone is another Electric-type that can threaten a KO on Slowbro with Volt Switch or Thunderbolt, but it dislikes taking Scald due to its low special bulk and lack of recovery and is weak to Body Press from Colbur Berry + Body Press Slowbro.
**Strong Special Attackers**: Strong special attackers like Choice Specs Tapu Lele and Volcanion can overwhelm Slowbro even through resisted hits by taking advantage of its relatively low Special Defense for a defensive pivot. However, mixed variants of Slowbro can take hits from the two relatively well, so they can stay in and scout before switching out to keep themselves reasonably healthy with Regenerator.
**Grass-types**: Rillaboom and Kartana can KO Slowbro with their powerful Grass-type STAB moves. However, the threat of a Scald burn deters them from switching in often, and Scald deals considerable damage to Kartana due to its abysmal special bulk.
**Residual Damage**: Slowbro can be reliant on Regenerator to stay healthy over long periods, so it despises any sort of residual damage that consistently eats into its recovery, as this can put it in range of attacks from Pokemon that it is supposed to check. The ubiquity of Knock Off and Toxic means that Slowbro can easily lose its Heavy-Duty Boots from Knock Off users that it often switches into, such as Toxapex and Clefable, or be put on a timer from Pokemon that it checks like Melmetal and Buzzwole if it is not careful. Slowbro variants not running Heavy-Duty Boots are especially susceptible, as they are vulnerable to entry hazard damage for the entire game. It should be noted that this issue is more prevalent in variants that forgo Slack Off, as Slowbro can use it to somewhat mitigate this issue in longer games.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/slowpoke-fan.617219/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/veti.612907/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/pulsar512b.469728/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/solarbeam.470115/
Last edited:
