M&M Mandibuzz [QC 3/3] [GP 2/2] - [Done]

[Gman]

[OVERVIEW]
Sablenite turns Mandibuzz into a wall that is able to withstand attacks from threatening offensive breakers such as Lunala, Kartana, and Primal Groudon, and access to Foul Play prevents passivity against physical threats. By virtue of its Dark typing and access to reliable recovery, it is one of the best defensive checks to Lunala and is thus mainly used as a dependable special wall. Magic Bounce, which is acquired upon Mega Evolving, grants Mandibuzz an immunity to status from defensive Pokemon such as support Arceus formes and defensive Primal Groudon. Furthermore, combined with access to Defog, it allows Mandibuzz to perform well in entry hazard control. With U-turn, it functions as a reliable slow pivot that can provide its teammates with free opportunities to switch in. However, a weakness to Stealth Rock can be detrimental to Mandibuzz’s ability to perform the aforementioned roles. Further, Mandibuzz is easily offensively pressured by most teams due to the abundance of Altarianite users such as Zygarde and Entei as well as the existence of Terrakion and Magearna. Boosted super effective coverage moves such as Ice Beam from Darkrai and Moonblast from Lunala can also overwhelm it. Finally, while it can't freely switch in, if Primal Groudon manages to preserve its HP, its Swords Dance and Eruption sets can muscle through Mandibuzz.

[SET]
name: Sablenite Utility
move 1: Foul Play
move 2: Roost
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Defog
item: Sablenite
ability: Big Pecks
nature: Sassy
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
ivs: 0 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Foul Play avoids passivity against physical attackers, OHKOing +2 Kartana and dealing heavy damage to Swords Dance Primal Groudon. It can also hit some specially offensive targets for heavy damage, such as Lunala and Diancite Tapu Lele. The latter is severely chipped and even has a chance to be OHKOed after the Defense drops from its Mega Evolution. Roost provides reliable recovery; the loss of the Flying type is hardly ever detrimental, as Ground-type attackers are usually faster than Mandibuzz and thus cannot take advantage of it. U-turn grants Mandibuzz the ability to perform as a slow pivot that can’t be restrained by a Ground-type switch-in, giving it the edge over Volt Switch users in generating momentum. Defog is run as an entry hazard countermeasure. Toxic could work as a means to pressure offensive Mandibuzz switch-ins as well as Arceus formes if the team already has another Defogger. However, extreme care should be taken in using this move to avoid it being bounced back by an opposing Magic Bounce user.

Set Details
========
248 HP EVs combined with 252 Special Defense EVs turn Mandibuzz into a sturdy special wall, maximizing its ability to take special attacks like Overheat from Primal Groudon and Moonblast from Lunala. The HP EVs maximize the number of times Mandibuzz can switch into Stealth Rock. A Sassy nature and 0 Speed IVs give Mandibuzz its slowest possible U-Turn, letting a teammate switch in more safely. Big Pecks is run to avoid the occasional Defense drop from moves like Golisopod's Liquidation.
An alternative set with a spread of 248 HP / 100 Def / 160 SpD and a Relaxed nature can also be run as a way to better check physical attackers like Kartana and Stone Edge Primal Groudon. The drop in special bulk does, however, cause Mandibuzz to be 2HKOed by +1 Moonblast from Lunala.

Usage Tips
========
Mega Evolving Mandibuzz early is important to increase its overall bulk, gain Magic Bounce to block status moves, and properly avoid opposing entry hazards. Foul Play should be used as the primary offensive move. It heavily pressures Lunala, Ho-Oh, most Diancite users, and relevant Necrozma formes. Additionally, it deals significant damage to physical attackers on the switch, as long as they don’t resist the move. Foul Play can also be used to punish foes that boosted their Attack, like Shift Gear Pinsirite Magearna, Swords Dance Metagrossite Kartana, and Swords Dance Primal Groudon. However, the damage received by a boosted physical move from these threats will invalidate Mandibuzz's ability to properly check other breakers. Thus, it is imperative to understand which Pokemon among the aforementioned poses the biggest threat to the rest of the team in order to choose which wallbreaker Mandibuzz ought to check. If a non-Mega Evolved Terrakion is found on the opposing team, it is important to be wary of using Foul Play, as it has very few switch-ins after a Justified boost. U-turn should be used as a means to punish predicted switches and generate momentum. It can also be utilized against passive foes to gain a free switch for a wallbreaker. However, switching is preferred to using U-turn if the opponent has the potential to deal heavy damage to Mandibuzz in a situation where the latter’s health should be preserved, such as against Altarianite users, Terrakion, and Zeraora. Roost should be used copiously to keep Mandibuzz healthy throughout the game and allow it to consistently check opposing threats. However, Roost may give threatening Pokemon like Nasty Plot Darkrai a free setup turn. In such cases, the recovery may have to be delayed in favor of U-turn. In situations where Mandibuzz is weakened while claiming momentum with U-turn, finding an opportunity to get it back in on a predicted switch to a Pokemon that doesn't pressure it can let it safely use Roost. Defog is to be used according to the entry hazard matchup on both sides. Beware, however, that if Mandibuzz is the only Defogger on the team, switching out without clearing Stealth Rock may deprive it of a quarter of its HP.

Team Options
========
Primal Groudon is a good partner for Mandibuzz, as it can switch in on Fairy-types like Magearna, Xerneas, and Altarianite Entei as well as Primal Kyogre and Zeraora, all of which pressure Mandibuzz. In exchange, Mandibuzz can take on Lunala and Darkrai as well as serve as a pivot against Arceus-Ground and Manectite Mew, thus taking pressure off Primal Groudon. Manectite Mew forms a functional defensive core with Mandibuzz, as it covers three of the most dangerous threats to it in Altarianite Zygarde, Altarianite Entei, and Terrakion. Alternatively, Aggronite Mew worsens the Entei and Terrakion matchup but does a better job at checking Pinsirite users like Magearna and Kartana, which heavily threaten Mandibuzz. It returns the favor by checking Lunala and Darkrai, both of which otherwise dismantle Mew. Will-O-Wisp Arceus-Ground has good synergy with Mandibuzz, checking the most prominent Altarianite users in the tier in Zygarde and Entei, while the latter is able to check Kartana and Lunala. Terrakion punishes other Sablenite users like Blissey and Zapdos, against which Mandibuzz is relatively powerless. In addition, Terrakion really capitalizes on the free switches Mandibuzz provides it with, as it is otherwise very difficult to bring it safely on the field. Still, it should be noted that both Pokemon are particularly weak to Fairy-types like Altarianite users and Arceus-Fairy.
Altarianite Entei works as an offensive check to Altarianite Zygarde and Terrakion and is able to punish boosted Darkrai. Mandibuzz synergizes well with it, with its Ground immunity allowing it to take on Primal Groudon, a Pokemon that greatly hinders Entei, and the ability to help it switch in freely. Arceus-Fairy is another solid check to both Altarianite Zygarde and non-Pinsirite Terrakion, and in return appreciates Mandibuzz checking Lunala, Necrozma-DM, and Kartana to an extent. However, both are noticeably weak to non-Pinsirite Magearna variants. Finally, Kartana pairs well with Mandibuzz, as it takes advantage of Altarianite Zygarde and Arceus-Fairy. In return, Mandibuzz provides extra opportunities for Kartana to come in safely and break down teams with its slow U-turn.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Metagrossite can be used as a means to outspeed Lunala and slightly increase Mandibuzz's offensive presence, particularly on teams where Sablenite is unavailable. Other defensive Mega Stones like Venusaurite and Manectite could be considered, but the absence of Magic Bounce is usually detrimental to Mandibuzz, as it becomes much more vulnerable to status and Stealth Rock.

Checks and Counters
===================
**Altarianite Users**: Zygarde and Entei threaten Mandibuzz with their powerful Fairy STAB attacks, and Mandibuzz can do next to nothing in return.

**Terrakion**: All of Terrakion’s viable sets threaten Mandibuzz with a guaranteed 2HKO from Stone Edge. They can also use Swords Dance on a predicted Roost, but Diancite and Pinsirite variants need to be wary, since Foul Play OHKOes them at +2. Additionally, non-Mega Evolved Terrakion is a deterrent to the use of Foul Play because of its ability Justified.

**Magearna**: No move from Mandibuzz can threaten Magearna, which can easily pressure it. Cameruptite sets can freely set up and 2HKO Mandibuzz with BoltBeam coverage at +1, whereas Sablenite and Manectite versions threaten it with Fleur Cannon. Moreover, since Sablenite sets are potentially slower, they can capitalize on Mandibuzz’s U-turn with their own Volt Switch, effectively regaining all momentum unless a Ground-type Pokemon is brought in. Pinsirite Magearna can OHKO Mandibuzz with Explosion at +1, but it must be wary of Foul Play when setting up.

**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types such as Lucarionite Tapu Lele and Arceus-Fairy heavily pressure Mandibuzz. Tapu Lele's Moonblast is a guaranteed 2HKO, whereas Mandibuzz can only 3HKO back with Foul Play, and Judgment from Arceus-Fairy deals significant damage to Mandibuzz, 2HKOing it at +1. Toxic variants of Mandibuzz can at least put Arceus-Fairy on a timer at the expense of chip damage, but Defog variants are devoid of any means to retaliate.

**Primal Kyogre**: Primal Kyogre can threaten Mandibuzz with a 2HKO from Origin Pulse. It can set up with Calm Mind on Roost attempts to clean more easily, but it must be wary of Foul Play 3HKOing.

**Calm Mind Arceus-Ground**: Arceus-Ground can freely set up as well as recover any lost HP when it faces Mandibuzz. Interestingly enough, Toxic variants of Mandibuzz can prevent this by inflicting status.

**Electric-types**: Electric-types such as Pinsirite Zeraora and Red Orb Raikou can 2HKO Mandibuzz with their respective STAB attacks. While Mandibuzz 2HKOes Zeraora back with Foul Play, it fails to threaten Raikou as effectively.

**Other Rock-types**: While relatively uncommon, Pokemon like Arceus-Rock, Diancite Archeops, and Tyranitar all pressure Mandibuzz significantly. Namely, Archeops threatens to OHKO it with Head Smash, and Tyranitar can 2HKO it with Stone Edge. Further, non-Toxic variants of Mandibuzz have no means of pressuring Arceus-Rock, while it can heavily chip Mandibuzz with Judgment in return.

**Status**: Toxic poison and burn, whether reflected by Magic Bounce users or Synchronize Mew, inflicted through Magic Bounce by Gyaradosite users, inflicted via moves such as Scald and Lava Plume, or inflicted before Mandibuzz Mega Evolves, can severely cripple it, hampering its sustainability.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Gmansour20]]
- Quality checked by: [[xavgb, 231402], [Andyboy, 257571], [Quantum Tesseract, 297239]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [Rabia, 336073]]

 

[xavgb]

[OVERVIEW]

• Sablenite turns Mandibuzz into a bulky wall that is able to withstand attacks from threatening offensive breakers, such as Lunala, Kartana, and Groudon-Primal, and access to Foul Play avoids passivity to a certain degree against physical threats.
• By virtue of its Dark typing and access to reliable recovery, it is one of the best defensive checks to both Lunala and Darkrai and is thus mainly used as a dependable special wall. - I wouldn't say that mandibuzz is a top defensive check to Darkrai, but it is one of the best lunala checks
• The ability Magic Bounce, which is acquired upon Mega Evolving, and access to Defog let Mandibuzz perform well in entry hazard control.
• Mandibuzz functions as a reliable slow pivot that can provide its teammates with free switch-ins, whilst being immune to status from defensive mons such as support arceus and defensive Groudon-Primal.
• A weakness to Stealth Rock can be detrimental to Mandibuzz’s ability to perform the aforementioned roles.
• Mandibuzz is easily offensively pressured by most teams, due to the abundance of Fairy types like Altarianite users and Magearna such as Landorus-Therian and Zygarde, as well as the existence of Terrakion and Magearna. signify that Mandibuzz is easily offensively pressured by most teams.
• Boosted super effective coverage moves from the likes of such as Ice Beam from Darkrai and Moonblast from Lunala can also overwhelm it.
  - Add a point to explain that in a similar manner Groudon-Primal can overwhelm Mandibuzz with Eruption or Swords Dance if it can stay at a high enough amount of hp.

[SET]
name: Sablenite Utility
move 1: Foul Play
move 2: Roost
move 3: U-Turn
move 4: Defog
item: Sablenite
ability: Overcoat
nature: Sassy
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
ivs: 0 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

• Foul Play is a STAB attack that has the advantage of avoiding passivity against physical attackers.offensive opponents. As an example, it OHKOs Diancite Tapu Lele. ,by OHKOing +2 kartana, and dealing heavy damage to swords dance Groudon-Primal. It can also hit some specially offensive targets, such as Lunala and Diancite Tapu Lele.
• Roost allows for reliable recovery. The loss of the Flying type is hardly ever detrimental, as Ground-type attackers are usually faster.
• U-Turn allows Mandibuzz to perform as a slow pivot that can’t be restrained by a Ground-type switch-in, giving it the edge over Volt Switch users in generating momentum.
• Defog is run as an entry hazard countermeasure.
• Toxic could work as a means to pressure offensive Mandibuzz switch-ins as well as arceus formes, in case another Defogger already exists in the team. However, extreme care should be taken in using this move if a Magic Bounce user were able switch in. to avoid toxic being bounced back by an opposing Magic Bounce user.

Set Details
========

• 248 HP EVs combined with 252 Special Defense EVs turn Mandibuzz into a sturdy special wall, maximizing its ability to take Overheat from Groudon-Primal and Moonblast from Lunala. The remaining 8 EVs are invested in Defense to improve physical bulk.
• A Sassy Nature combined with 0 Speed IVs gives Mandibuzz its slowest possible U-Turn, granting a free switch-in to a teammate.
• Overcoat is run to avoid the occasional, albeit rare, sand damage.
• An alternative set with 248 HP, 100 Defense, and 160 Special Defense EVs with a Relaxed nature can also be run as a way to better check physical attackers like Kartana and Stone Edge Primal Groudon. Should this be the preferred set, Big Pecks would be an equally valid option as an ability. The drop in special bulk does however cause Mandibuzz to be 2HKOed by +1 Moonblast from Lunala.

Usage Tips
========

• Mega Evolving early is important not only to increase Mandibuzz's overall bulk but also to gain Magic Bounce to prevent status moves and to properly avoid opposing entry hazards.
• Foul Play should be used as the primary offensive move. It heavily pressures Lunala, Ho-Oh, most Diancite users and relevant Necrozma forms. Additionally, it deals significant damage to physical attackers on the switch, as long as they don’t resist the move.
• Foul Play can also be used to punish foes that boosted their Attack, like Shift Gear Pinsirite Magearna, Swords Dance Metagrossite Kartana or and Growth Red Orb Shaymin-Sky Swords Dance Groudon-Primal. Nevertheless, it should be clear that Mandibuzz’s health is going to pay a heavy toll, if it takes a boosted physical attack from the likes of Kartana or Pinsirite Magearna. - Reword that last sentence to explain that the mandibuzz user should work out which threats pose the biggest risk to the rest of the team, before choosing between checking boosted Lunala, Kartana, or Groudon-Primal.
• The use of Foul Play ought to be avoided if a non-Mega Evolved Terrakion is found on the opposing team, because its ability Justified will raise its Attack to +1, which is hardly desirable. at which point it has very few switchins.
• U-Turn should be used as a means to punish predicted switches, as it maintains momentum. It can also be utilized against foes that are unlikely to switch out cannot do much damage to it, in order to improve the matchup. gain a free switchin for a wallbreaker.
• Switching is preferred to using U-Turn if the opponent has the potential to deal heavy damage to Mandibuzz in a situation where the latter’s health should be preserved. This is the case against Altarianite users, Terrakion, and Zeraora, amongst others.
• Roost should be used copiously to keep Mandibuzz healthy throughout the game, to allow it to consistently check opposing threads. However, Roost may give the opponent a free set-up turn. In case of opposing Pokemon that could exploit this, such as Nasty Plot Darkrai, the recovery may have to be delayed in favor of U-Turn.
• Defog is to be used according to the entry hazard matchup on both sides. Beware, however, that if Mandibuzz is the only defogger on the team, switching out without clearing Stealth Rocks can effectively deprive him of a quarter of its HP.
• It may be wise to scout for super effective coverage moves against the likes of Lunala and Darkrai. Additionally, before hard-switching Mandibuzz into Diancite Lele, one should consider the possibility of it using Moonblast over a Psychic type attack, in which case the bird would be 2HKOed.
  - Add a point to explain that in situations where Mandibuzz is weakened whilst claiming momentum with u-turn, it is a good idea to try and find an opportunity to get it back in on a predicted switch to a mon that Mandibuzz checks.

Team Options
========

• Primal Groudon is a good partner for Mandibuzz, as it can switch in on Fairy types like Magearna, Xerneas, Altarianite Noivern and Altarianite Entei, as well as Primal Kyogre, all of which pressure Mandibuzz. In exchange, Mandibuzz can take on Lunala and Darkrai and Arceus Ground.
• Manectite Mew pairs well with the Dark-type bird, as it covers three of the most dangerous threads to it in Altarianite Zygarde, Altarianite Entei and Terrakion. Alternatively, Aggronite Mew worsens the Entei and Terrakion matchup but does a better job at checking Pinsirite users like Magearna and Kartana, which heavily threaten Mandibuzz. The bird returns the favor by checking Lunala and Darkrai, both of which otherwise invalidate Mew.
  - Add a point here for Will-O-Wisp Arceus-Ground, which can check Altarianite users for Mandibuzz, whilst Mandibuzz can check Kartana and Lunala
• Terrakion punishes other Sablenite users like Blissey and Zapdos, against which Mandibuzz is relatively powerless. In addition, Terrakion really capitalizes on the free switch-ins that the bird provides, as it is otherwise very difficult to bring him safely on the field.
• Altarianite Entei works as an offensive check to Altarianite Zygarde and Terrakion, whilst also being able to punish boosted Darkrai. Mandibuzz synergizes well with a Ground immunity and the ability to generate switch-ins.
• Arceus Fairy is a solid check to both Altarianite Zygarde and non-Pinsirite Terrakion, and appreciates Mandibuzz checking Lunala and Kartana to an extent.
  - Add a point for Kartana, since it takes advantage of Altarianite Landorus-Therian and Zygarde, and in return Mandibuzz provides extra opportunities for Kartana to break down teams with its slow u-turn.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

• Toxic could replace Defog if Mandibuzz is not needed as an entry hazard remover. However, if the move were to bounce back, Mandibuzz’s trustworthiness as a wall would doubtlessly be impacted. - Replace the last sentence, and instead explain that Mandibuzz is even more pressured to mega early when it forgoes defog, since it requires its ability to bounce back Stealth Rock from Groudon-Primal.
• Whirlwind could also be considered as a fourth move. Still, in general, Mandibuzz can either stomach boosted hits, punish the set-up with Foul Play or improve the matchup more reliably with U-Turn.
• Other defensive stones like Venusaurite or Manectite could be speculated, but the absence of Magic Bounce is usually detrimental to Mandibuzz, as it becomes much more exposed to status and Stealth Rock.

Checks and Counters
===================

• **Altarianite Users**: Entei, Zygarde, Noivern and the occasional Landorus-T all threaten Mandibuzz with their powerful Fairy STAB attacks, and Mandibuzz can do next to nothing to retaliate.
• **Terrakion**: All of Terrakion’s viable sets (Lucarionite, Diancite, Pinsirite) threaten Mandibuzz with a powerful Stone Edge, a guaranteed 2HKO. They can also use Swords Dance on a predicted roost, but Diancite and Pinsirite variants need to be wary since Foul Play OHKOs at +2. Additionally, non-Mega Evolved Terrakion is a deterrent to the use of Foul Play, because of its ability Justified.
• **Magearna**: Whilst no move from the bird can threaten Magearna, the latter can easily pressure Mandibuzz. Cameruptite sets can freely set up and 2HKO it with BoltBeam coverage at +1, whereas Sablenite Magearna threatens it with Fleur Cannon. Moreover, since Sablenite sets are potentially slower, they can capitalize on Mandibuzz’s U-Turn with their own Volt Switch, effectively regaining all momentum unless a Ground-type Pokemon is brought in. Pinsirite Magearna can OHKO with Explosion at +1, but must be wary of Foul Play when setting up.
• **Lucarionite Tapu Lele**: Moonblast is a guaranteed 2HKO, whereas Mandibuzz can only 3HKO back with Foul Play.
• **Primal Kyogre**: The Devolution of the Sapphire mascot Kyogre-Primal can threaten Mandibuzz with a 2HKO from Origin Pulse or paralysis from Thunder. It can set up with Calm Mind on Roost attempts to clean more easily, but it must be wary of Foul Play 3HKOing.
• **Zeraora**: Pinsirite Zeraora can 2HKO with Plasma Fists. It must be stated that Mandibuzz 2HKOs back with Foul Play.
• **Other Pinsirite users**: Pokemon like Pinsirite Kartana or Metagross can threaten Mandibuzz with their flying STAB attack. Specifically, Metagross can OHKO with Explosion. Kartana's Return/Frustration normally can also 2HKOs the specially defensive variant of Mandibuzz, and can OHKO at +2 but the Ultra Beast must be wary of setting up since Foul Play would then OHKO as well.
• **Other Sablenite users**: Both Zapdos and Seismic Toss Blissey can stall out Mandibuzz’s recovery, with the latter not dealing nearly enough damage to retaliate. However, with U-Turn, Mandibuzz can capitalize on these opponents, provided it has the right teammates.
• **Status**: Toxic, whether Bounced back, from Synchronize Mew, Gyaradosite Toxapex or inflicted before Mega Evolving, can severely cripple Mandibuzz, hampering its sustainability.
• **Primal Groudon**: Stone Edge from this Pokemon has a good chance of 2HKOing Mandibuzz, with it only 3HKOing back. The alternative, more physically biased Mandibuzz set, however, reduces the damage of Stone Edge to a guaranteed 3HKO, as if Stone Edge’s accuracy didn’t do that for itself. - Remove this point
  - Add a point for Calm Mind Arceus-Ground, which can set up freely on Mandibuzz and also recover any lost hp when Mandibuzz is in. Do point out that toxic variants of Mandibuzz can stop Arceus-Ground from freely recovering hp and setting up in front of Mandibuzz.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Gmansour20]]
- Quality checked by: [[, ], [, ], [, ]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]

The content here was pretty good, I've added some things in blue to flesh out the analysis a bit more, and changed some parts a bit to make it less informal so that the information is clearer. QC 1/3

 

[Gman]

Implemented, ready for QC 2 :)

 

[Andyboy]

[OVERVIEW]

• Sablenite turns Mandibuzz into a bulky wall that is able to withstand attacks from threatening offensive breakers, such as Lunala, Kartana and Groudon-Primal and access to Foul Play avoids passivity against physical threats.
• By virtue of its Dark typing and access to reliable recovery, it is one of the best defensive checks to Lunala and is thus mainly used as a dependable special wall.
• The ability Magic Bounce, which is acquired upon Mega Evolving, and access to Defog let Mandibuzz perform well in entry hazard control.
• Mandibuzz functions as a reliable slow pivot that can provide its teammates with free switch-ins, whilst being immune to status from defensive Pokemon such as support Arceus formes and defensive Primal Groudon.
• A weakness to Stealth Rock can be detrimental to Mandibuzz’s ability to perform the aforementioned roles.
• Mandibuzz is easily offensively pressured by most teams, due to the abundance of Altarianite users such as Zygarde, Entei and Landorus-T, as well as the existence of Terrakion and Magearna.
• Boosted super effective coverage moves such as Ice Beam from Darkrai and Moonblast from Lunala can also overwhelm it.
• Whilst it can't freely switch-in, if Primal Groudon manages to preserve its HP, its Swords Dance or Eruption sets can muscle through Mandibuzz.

[SET]
name: Sablenite Utility
move 1: Foul Play
move 2: Roost
move 3: U-Turn
move 4: Defog
item: Sablenite
ability: Overcoat
nature: Sassy
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
ivs: 0 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

• Foul Play is a STAB attack that has the advantage of avoiding passivity against physical attackers, by OHKOing +2 Kartana, and dealing heavy damage to Swords Dance Primal Groudon. It can also hit some specially offensive targets for heavy damage, such as Lunala and Diancite Tapu Lele. It's important to note that Diancite Tapu Lele actually gets OHKO'd after megaing as well
• Roost allows for reliable recovery. The loss of the Flying type is hardly ever detrimental, as Ground-type attackers are usually faster.
• U-Turn allows Mandibuzz to perform as a slow pivot that can’t be restrained by a Ground-type switch-in, giving it the edge over Volt Switch users in generating momentum.
• Defog is run as an entry hazard countermeasure.
• Toxic could work as a means to pressure offensive Mandibuzz switch-ins as well as Arceus formes, in case another Defogger already exists in the team. However, extreme care should be taken in using this move to avoid Toxic being bounced back by an opposing Magic Bounce user.

Set Details
========

• 248 HP EVs combined with 252 Special Defense EVs turn Mandibuzz into a sturdy special wall, maximizing its ability to take Overheat from Primal Groudon and Moonblast from Lunala. The remaining 8 EVs are invested in Defense to improve physical bulk.
• A Sassy Nature combined with 0 Speed IVs gives Mandibuzz its slowest possible U-Turn, granting a free switch-in to a teammate.
• Overcoat is run to avoid the occasional, albeit rare, sand damage.
• An alternative set with 248 HP, 100 Defense, and 160 Special Defense EVs with a Relaxed nature can also be run as a way to better check physical attackers like Kartana and Stone Edge Primal Groudon. The drop in special bulk does however cause Mandibuzz to be 2HKOed by +1 Moonblast from Lunala.

Usage Tips
========

• Mega Evolving early is important not only to increase Mandibuzz's overall bulk but also to gain Magic Bounce to prevent status moves and to properly avoid opposing entry hazards.
• Foul Play should be used as the primary offensive move. It heavily pressures Lunala, Ho-Oh, most Diancite users and relevant Necrozma forms. Additionally, it deals significant damage to physical attackers on the switch, as long as they don’t resist the move.
• Foul Play can also be used to punish foes that boosted their Attack, like Shift Gear Pinsirite Magearna, Swords Dance Metagrossite Kartana and Swords Dance Primal Groudon. However, the damage received by a boosted physical move of the sort will invalidate Mandibuzz's ability to properly check other breakers. Thusly, it is capital to understand which Pokemon among Lunala, Kartana and Primal Groudon poses the biggest threat to the rest of the team, in order to choose which breaker Mandibuzz ought to check.
• The use of Foul Play ought to be avoided If a non-Mega Evolved Terrakion is found on the opposing team, it is important to be wary about using Foul Play as after it is hit with a Dark-type attack, its ability Justified will raise its Attack to +1, at which point it has very few switch-ins.
• U-Turn should be used as a means to punish predicted switches, as it maintains and generate momentum. It can also be utilized against passive foes, that cannot do much damage to Mandibuzz, in order to gain a free switch-in for a wallbreaker.
• Switching is preferred to using U-Turn if the opponent has the potential to deal heavy damage to Mandibuzz in a situation where the latter’s health should be preserved. This is the case against Altarianite users, Terrakion, and Zeraora, amongst others.
• Roost should be used copiously to keep Mandibuzz healthy throughout the game, to allow it to consistently check opposing threats. However, Roost may give the opponent a free set-up turn. In case of opposing Pokemon that could exploit this, such as Nasty Plot Darkrai, the recovery may have to be delayed in favor of U-Turn.
• In situations where Mandibuzz is weakened whilst claiming momentum with U-Turn, finding an opportunity to get it back on a predicted switch to a Pokemon that doesn't pressure the bird can be a successful strategy that allows Mandibuzz to safely use Roost.
• Defog is to be used according to the entry hazard matchup on both sides. Beware, however, that if Mandibuzz is the only defogger on the team, switching out without clearing Stealth Rocks can effectively deprive him it of a quarter of its HP.

Team Options
========

• Primal Groudon is a good partner for Mandibuzz, as it can switch in on Fairy types like Magearna, Xerneas, and Altarianite Entei, as well as Primal Kyogre and Zeraora, all of which pressure Mandibuzz. In exchange, Mandibuzz can take on Lunala and Darkrai as well as serve as a pivot against Arceus-Ground and Manectite Mew thus taking pressure off of Primal Groudon.
• Manectite Mew pairs well with the Dark-type bird, as it covers three of the most dangerous threats to it in Altarianite Zygarde, Altarianite Entei and Terrakion. Alternatively, Aggronite Mew worsens the Entei and Terrakion matchup but does a better job at checking Pinsirite users like Magearna and Kartana, which heavily threaten Mandibuzz. The bird returns the favor by checking Lunala and Darkrai, both of which otherwise invalidate dismantle Mew.
• Will-O-Wisp Arceus-Ground has good synergy with Mandibuzz, in that the former can check the most prominent Altarianite users in the tier in Zygarde, Landorus-T and Entei, whilst the latter is able to check Kartana and Lunala.
• Terrakion punishes other Sablenite users like Blissey and Zapdos, against which Mandibuzz is relatively powerless. In addition, Terrakion really capitalizes on the free switch-ins that the bird provides, as it is otherwise very difficult to bring it safely on the field. Mention the downside that both of these Pokemon are very weak to Fairy types like Altarianite Zygarde, Entei, Landorus, and Arceus-Fairy
• Altarianite Entei works as an offensive check to Altarianite Zygarde and Terrakion, whilst also being able to punish boosted Darkrai. Mandibuzz synergizes well with its Ground immunity allowing it to take on Primal Groudon, a Pokemon that greatly hinders Entei and the ability to generate switch-ins.
• Arceus Fairy is a solid check to both Altarianite Zygarde and non-Pinsirite Terrakion, and appreciates Mandibuzz checking Lunala, Necrozma-Dusk-Mane, and Kartana to an extent. Mention how weak these two are to non Pinsirite Magearna variants
• Kartana pairs well with Mandibuzz, as it takes advantage of Altarianite Landorus-T, Arceus-Fairy and Zygarde, and in return Mandibuzz provides extra opportunities for Kartana to break down teams with its slow U-Turn.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

• Toxic could replace Defog if Mandibuzz is not needed as an entry hazard remover. However, foregoing Defog adds to the pressure to Mega Evolve early, since the acquired ability becomes essential to bounce back Stealth Rock from Primal Groudon.
• Whirlwind could also be considered as a fourth move. Still, in general, Mandibuzz can either stomach boosted hits, punish set-up with Foul Play, or improve the matchup more reliably with U-Turn. (you're welcome to pm me about this but I think there's pretty much no situation where you want to run Whirlwind over Toxic or Defog.)
• Other defensive stones like Venusaurite or Manectite could be speculated, but the absence of Magic Bounce is usually detrimental to Mandibuzz, as it becomes much more exposed to status and Stealth Rock.

Checks and Counters
===================

• **Altarianite Users**: Entei, Zygarde, and Landorus-T threaten Mandibuzz with their powerful Fairy STAB attacks, and Mandibuzz can do next to nothing to retaliate.
• **Terrakion**: All of Terrakion’s viable sets (Lucarionite, Diancite, Pinsirite) threaten Mandibuzz with a powerful Stone Edge, a guaranteed 2HKO. They can also use Swords Dance on a predicted roost, but Diancite and Pinsirite variants need to be wary since Foul Play OHKOs at +2. Additionally, non-Mega Evolved Terrakion is a deterrent to the use of Foul Play, because of its ability Justified.
• **Magearna**: Whilst no move from the bird can threaten Magearna, the latter can easily pressure Mandibuzz. Cameruptite sets can freely set up and 2HKO it with BoltBeam coverage at +1, whereas Sablenite Magearna threatens it with Fleur Cannon. Moreover, since Sablenite sets are potentially slower, they can capitalize on Mandibuzz’s U-Turn with their own Volt Switch, effectively regaining all momentum unless a Ground-type Pokemon is brought in. Pinsirite Magearna can OHKO with Explosion at +1, but must be wary of Foul Play when setting up.
• **Lucarionite Tapu Lele**: Moonblast is a guaranteed 2HKO, whereas Mandibuzz can only 3HKO back with Foul Play.
• **Primal Kyogre**: Primal Kyogre can threaten Mandibuzz with a 2HKO from Origin Pulse. It can set up with Calm Mind on Roost attempts to clean more easily, but it must be wary of Foul Play 3HKOing.
• **Calm Mind Arceus Ground**: This Arceus forme can freely set up as well as recover any lost HP when it faces Mandibuzz. Interestingly enough, Toxic variants of the bird can prevent this by inflicting the status.
• **ZeraoraElectric-types**: Electric types such as Pinsirite Zeraora and Red Orb Raikou can 2HKO with Plasma Fists and Thunderbolt respectively. It must be stated that While Mandibuzz 2HKOs Zeraora back with Foul Play, it fails to threaten Raikou as effectively.
• There should be a bullet for Arceus-Fairy here
• It would be great to mention other Rock-types besides Terrakion such as Arceus-Rock, Diancite Archeops, and Tyranitar. Make sure to mention how Archeops threatens the OHKO on specially defensive Mandibuzz with Head Smash, how non Toxic variants of Mandibuzz can do nothing to Arceus-Rock while it can heavily chip Mandibuzz with Judgement in return, and Tyranitar can 2HKO it with Stone Edge.) (I believe it should still be fine to keep these separate from the Terrakion considering it is such a defining presence in this matchup
• **Status**: Toxic, whether Bounced back, from Synchronize Mew, Gyaradosite Toxapex or inflicted before Mega Evolving, can severely cripple Mandibuzz, hampering its sustainability.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Gmansour20]]
- Quality checked by: [[xavgb, 231402], [, ], [, ]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]

This is good stuff man, really nicely done for your first analysis. QC 2/3

 

[Gman]

Thank you . Implemented, switched to text, ready for QC 3 :)

 

[Quantum Tesseract]

Comments in Bold

[OVERVIEW]
Sablenite turns Mandibuzz into a bulky wall that is able to withstand attacks from threatening offensive breakers, such as Lunala, Kartana and Groudon-Primal, and access to Foul Play avoids passivity against physical threats. By virtue of its Dark typing and access to reliable recovery, it is one of the best defensive checks to Lunala and is thus mainly used as a dependable special wall. The ability Magic Bounce, which is acquired upon Mega Evolving, and access to Defog let Mandibuzz perform well in entry hazard control. With U-Turn, it functions as a reliable slow pivot that can provide its teammates with free switch-ins, whilst being immune to status from defensive Pokemon such as support Arceus formes and defensive Primal Groudon. However, a weakness to Stealth Rock can be detrimental to Mandibuzz’s ability to perform the aforementioned roles. Further, Mandibuzz is easily offensively pressured by most teams, due to the abundance of Altarianite users such as Zygarde, Entei and Landorus-T, as well as the existence of Terrakion and Magearna. Boosted super effective coverage moves such as Ice Beam from Darkrai and Moonblast from Lunala can also overwhelm it. Finally, whilst it can't freely switch-in, if Primal Groudon manages to preserve its HP, its Swords Dance or Eruption sets can muscle through Mandibuzz.
This entire paragraph is sort of awkwardly organized; status immunity should be in the same sentence as magic bounce, for instance. It's arguably a GP issue, since the content is all there, but this is detrimental.

[SET]
name: Sablenite Utility
move 1: Foul Play
move 2: Roost
move 3: U-Turn
move 4: Defog
item: Sablenite
ability: Overcoat
nature: Sassy
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
ivs: 0 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Foul Play is a STAB attack that has the advantage of avoiding passivity against physical attackers, by OHKOing +2 Kartana, and dealing heavy damage to Swords Dance Primal Groudon. It can also hit some specially offensive targets for heavy damage, such as Lunala and Diancite Tapu Lele. The latter is OHKOed after it Mega evolves. Roost allows for reliable recovery. The loss of the Flying type is hardly ever detrimental, as Ground-type attackers are usually faster and thus cannot take advantage of the effect. U-Turn grants Mandibuzz the ability to perform as a slow pivot that can’t be restrained by a Ground-type switch-in, giving it the edge over Volt Switch users in generating momentum. Defog is run as an entry hazard countermeasure. Toxic could work as a means to pressure offensive Mandibuzz switch-ins as well as Arceus formes, in case another Defogger already exists in the team. However, extreme care should be taken in using this move to avoid Toxic being bounced back by an opposing Magic Bounce user.

Set Details
========
248 HP EVs combined with 252 Special Defense EVs turn Mandibuzz into a sturdy special wall, maximizing its ability to take Overheat from Primal Groudon and Moonblast from Lunala. Mention what 248 HP does The remaining 8 EVs are invested in Defense to improve physical bulk. A Sassy Nature and 0 Speed IVs gives Mandibuzz its slowest possible U-Turn, granting a free switch-in to a teammate. Overcoat is run to avoid the occasional, albeit rare, sand damage. Sand damage premega is just not a thing; you arent switching into ttar, especially not premega, and powders are all irrelevant. Big Pecks is occasionally useful for switching into moves like liquidation.
An alternative set with 248 HP, 100 Defense, and 160 Special Defense EVs with a Relaxed nature can also be run as a way to better check physical attackers like Kartana and Stone Edge Primal Groudon. The drop in special bulk does however cause Mandibuzz to be 2HKOed by +1 Moonblast from Lunala.

Usage Tips
========
Mega Evolving Mandibuzz early is important not only to increase its overall bulk but also to gain Magic Bounce to prevent status moves and to properly avoid opposing entry hazards. Foul Play should be used as the primary offensive move. It heavily pressures Lunala, Ho-Oh, most Diancite users and relevant Necrozma forms. Additionally, it deals significant damage to physical attackers on the switch, as long as they don’t resist the move. Foul Play can also be used to punish foes that boosted their Attack, like Shift Gear Pinsirite Magearna, Swords Dance Metagrossite Kartana and Swords Dance Primal Groudon. However, the damage received by a boosted physical move of the sort will invalidate Mandibuzz's ability to properly check other breakers. Thusly, it is capital to understand which Pokemon among the aforementioned poses the biggest threat to the rest of the team, in order to choose which breaker Mandibuzz ought to check. If a non-Mega Evolved Terrakion is found on the opposing team, it is important to be wary of using Foul Play as after it is hit with a Dark-type attack, its ability Justified will raise its Attack to +1, at which point it has very few switch-ins. U-Turn should be used as a means to punish predicted switches and generate momentum. It can also be utilized against passive foes, in order to gain a free switch-in for a wallbreaker. Switching is preferred to using U-Turn if the opponent has the potential to deal heavy damage to Mandibuzz in a situation where the latter’s health should be preserved. This is the case against Altarianite users, Terrakion, and Zeraora, amongst others. Roost should be used copiously to keep Mandibuzz healthy throughout the game, to allow it to consistently check opposing threats. However, Roost may give the opponent a free set-up turn. In case of opposing Pokemon that could exploit this, such as Nasty Plot Darkrai, the recovery may have to be delayed in favor of U-Turn. In situations where Mandibuzz is weakened whilst claiming momentum with U-Turn, finding an opportunity to get it back on a predicted switch to a Pokemon that doesn't pressure the bird can be a successful strategy that allows it to safely use Roost. Defog is to be used according to the entry hazard matchup on both sides. Beware, however, that if Mandibuzz is the only defogger on the team, switching out without clearing Stealth Rocks can effectively deprive it of a quarter of its HP.
Looks good

Team Options
========
Primal Groudon is a good partner for Mandibuzz, as it can switch in on Fairy types like Magearna, Xerneas, and Altarianite Entei, as well as Primal Kyogre and Zeraora, all of which pressure Mandibuzz. In exchange, Mandibuzz can take on Lunala and Darkrai as well as serve as a pivot against Arceus-Ground and Manectite Mew, thus taking pressure off of Primal Groudon. Manectite Mew forms a functional defensive core with the Dark-type bird, as it covers three of the most dangerous threats to it in Altarianite Zygarde, Altarianite Entei and Terrakion. Alternatively, Aggronite Mew worsens the Entei and Terrakion matchup but does a better job at checking Pinsirite users like Magearna and Kartana, which heavily threaten Mandibuzz. The bird returns the favor by checking Lunala and Darkrai, both of which otherwise dismantle Mew. Will-O-Wisp Arceus-Ground has good synergy with Mandibuzz, in that the former can check the most prominent Altarianite users in the tier in Zygarde, Landorus-T and Entei, whilst the latter is able to check Kartana and Lunala. Terrakion punishes other Sablenite users like Blissey and Zapdos, against which Mandibuzz is relatively powerless. In addition, Terrakion really capitalizes on the free switch-ins that the bird provides, as it is otherwise very difficult to bring it safely on the field. Still, it should be noted that both Pokemon are particularly weak to Fairy types like Altarianite users and Arceus-Fairy.
Altarianite Entei works as an offensive check to Altarianite Zygarde and Terrakion, whilst also being able to punish boosted Darkrai. Mandibuzz synergizes well with its Ground immunity allowing it to take on Primal Groudon, a Pokemon that greatly hinders Entei, and the ability to generate switch-ins. Arceus Fairy is another solid check to both Altarianite Zygarde and non-Pinsirite Terrakion, and appreciates Mandibuzz checking Lunala, Necrozma-Dusk Mane and Kartana to an extent. However, both are noticeably weak to non-Pinsirite Magearna variants. Finally, Kartana pairs well with Mandibuzz, as it takes advantage of Altarianite Landorus-T and Zygarde, and Arceus-Fairy. In return Mandibuzz provides extra opportunities for Kartana to come in safely to break down teams with its slow U-Turn.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Toxic could replace Defog if Mandibuzz is not needed as an entry hazard remover. However, foregoing Defog adds to the pressure to Mega Evolve early, since the acquired ability becomes essential to bounce back Stealth Rock from Primal Groudon. Other defensive stones like Venusaurite or Manectite could be speculated, but the absence of Magic Bounce is usually detrimental to Mandibuzz, as it becomes much more exposed to status and Stealth Rock.
Heat wave for kartana in specific, some teams need this (also more defensive sets in general, since Mandibuzz can be paired with, say, other lunala checks or just teams in general that give it fewer opportunities).

Checks and Counters
===================
**Altarianite Users**: Entei, Zygarde, and Landorus-T threaten Mandibuzz with their powerful Fairy STAB attacks, and Mandibuzz can do next to nothing to retaliate.
**Terrakion**: All of Terrakion’s viable sets (Lucarionite, Diancite, Pinsirite) threaten Mandibuzz with a powerful Stone Edge, a guaranteed 2HKO. They can also use Swords Dance on a predicted roost, but Diancite and Pinsirite variants need to be wary since Foul Play OHKOs at +2. Additionally, non-Mega Evolved Terrakion is a deterrent to the use of Foul Play, because of its ability Justified.
**Magearna**: Whilst no move from the bird can threaten Magearna, the latter can easily pressure Mandibuzz. Cameruptite sets can freely set up and 2HKO it with BoltBeam coverage at +1, whereas Sablenite Magearna threatens it with Fleur Cannon. Moreover, since Sablenite sets are potentially slower, they can capitalize on Mandibuzz’s U-Turn with their own Volt Switch, effectively regaining all momentum unless a Ground-type Pokemon is brought in. Pinsirite Magearna can OHKO with Explosion at +1, but must be wary of Foul Play when setting up.
**Lucarionite Tapu Lele**: Moonblast is a guaranteed 2HKO, whereas Mandibuzz can only 3HKO back with Foul Play.
**Primal Kyogre**: Primal Kyogre can threaten Mandibuzz with a 2HKO from Origin Pulse. It can set up with Calm Mind on Roost attempts to clean more easily, but it must be wary of Foul Play 3HKOing.
**Calm Mind Arceus Ground**: This Arceus forme can freely set up as well as recover any lost HP when it faces Mandibuzz. Interestingly enough, Toxic variants of the bird can prevent this by inflicting the status.
**Electric-types**: Electric types such as Pinsirite Zeraora and Red Orb Raikou can 2HKO with Plasma Fists and Thunderbolt respectively. While Mandibuzz 2HKOs Zeraora back with Foul Play, it fails to threaten Raikou as effectively.
**Arceus-Fairy**: Judgement from this Arceus forme deals significant damage to Mandibuzz, and it 2HKOes at +1. Toxic variants of the bird can at least put Arceus-Fairy on a timer at the expense of chip, whereas Defog variants are devoid of means to retaliate in any way. There is no reason for this to be below groundceus, put this higher (possibly as a fairy type supercategory, or with lele)
**Other Rock types**: While relatively uncommon, Pokemon like Arceus-Rock, Diancite Archeops, and Tyranitar all pressure Mandibuzz significantly. Namely, Archeops threatens to OHKO it with Head Smash, and Tyranitar can 2HKO it with Stone Edge. Further, non-Toxic variants of Mandibuzz have no means of pressuring Arceus-Rock while it can heavily chip Mandibuzz with Judgement in return.
**Status**: Toxic, whether Bounced back, from Synchronize Mew, Gyaradosite users or inflicted before Mega Evolving, can severely cripple Mandibuzz, hampering its sustainability. And burn isn't included here... why?
Also fix the spacing here

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Gmansour20]]
- Quality checked by: [[xavgb, 231402], [Andyboy, 257571], [, ]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]

3/3

 

[Gman]

Implemented, ready for GP 1.

 

[Gman]

Deleted mentions of Landorus-T (with a heavy heart).

 

[Lumari]

remove add / fix (comments); (AC=add comma; RC=remove comma; SC=semicolon)
GP 1/2

check

[OVERVIEW]
Sablenite turns Mandibuzz into a bulky wall that is able to withstand attacks from threatening offensive breakers, such as Lunala, Kartana, (AC) and Primal Groudon-Primal, and access to Foul Play avoids prevents passivity against physical threats. By virtue of its Dark typing and access to reliable recovery, it is one of the best defensive checks to Lunala and is thus mainly used as a dependable special wall. Magic Bounce, which is acquired upon Mega Evolving, grants Mandibuzz an immunity to status from defensive Pokemon such as support Arceus formes and defensive Primal Groudon. Said ability Furthermore, combined with access to Defog, it allows Mandibuzz to perform well in entry hazard control. With U-turn, it functions as a reliable slow pivot that can provide its teammates with free switch-ins opportunities to switch in. However, a weakness to Stealth Rock can be detrimental to Mandibuzz’s ability to perform the aforementioned roles. Further, Mandibuzz is easily offensively pressured by most teams, due to the abundance of Altarianite users such as Zygarde and Entei, as well as the existence of Terrakion and Magearna. Boosted super effective coverage moves such as Ice Beam from Darkrai and Moonblast from Lunala can also overwhelm it. Finally, whilst it can't freely switch in, (RH) if Primal Groudon manages to preserve its HP, its Swords Dance or and Eruption sets can muscle through Mandibuzz.

[SET]
name: Sablenite Utility
move 1: Foul Play
move 2: Roost
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Defog
item: Sablenite
ability: Big Pecks
nature: Sassy
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
ivs: 0 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Foul Play is a STAB attack that has the advantage of avoiding avoids passivity against physical attackers, by OHKOing +2 Kartana (RC) and dealing heavy damage to Swords Dance Primal Groudon. It can also hit some specially offensive targets for heavy damage, such as Lunala and Diancite Tapu Lele. The latter is severely chipped and even has a chance to be OHKO'd OHKOed after it Mandibuzz Mega Evolves. Roost allows for provides reliable recovery; (SC) the loss of the Flying type typing is hardly ever detrimental, as Ground-type attackers are usually faster than Mandibuzz and thus cannot take advantage of the effect it. U-turn grants Mandibuzz the ability to perform as a slow pivot that can’t be restrained by a Ground-type switch-in, giving it the edge over Volt Switch users in generating momentum. Defog is run as an entry hazard countermeasure. Toxic could work as a means to pressure offensive Mandibuzz switch-ins as well as Arceus formes, in case the team already has another Defogger already exists in the team. However, extreme care should be taken in using this move to avoid Toxic it being bounced back by an opposing Magic Bounce user.

Set Details
========
248 HP EVs combined with 252 Special Defense EVs turn Mandibuzz into a sturdy special wall, maximizing its ability to take special attacks like (awkward otherwise) Overheat from Primal Groudon and Moonblast from Lunala. The HP spread maximises EVs maximize the amount number of times Mandibuzz can switch into Stealth Rocks Rock. The remaining 8 EVs are invested in Defense to improve physical bulk. (they don't really, you can axe this unless there's something specific it lets it do) A Sassy nature and 0 Speed IVs gives give Mandibuzz its slowest possible U-turn, granting a free switch-in to letting a teammate switch in freely. Big Pecks is run to avoid the occasional Defense drop from moves like Golisopod's Liquidation. An alternative set with 248 HP, 100 Defense, and 160 Special Defense EVs with and a Relaxed nature can also be run as a way to better check physical attackers like Kartana and Stone Edge Primal Groudon. The drop in special bulk does, (AC) however, (AC) cause Mandibuzz to be 2HKOed by +1 Moonblast from Lunala.

Usage Tips
========
Mega Evolving Mandibuzz early is important not only to increase its overall bulk but also to gain Magic Bounce to prevent block status moves and to properly avoid opposing entry hazards. Foul Play should be used as the primary offensive move. It heavily pressures Lunala, Ho-Oh, most Diancite users, (AC) and relevant Necrozma forms formes. Additionally, it deals significant damage to physical attackers on the switch, as long as they don’t resist the move. Foul Play can also be used to punish foes that boosted their Attack, like Shift Gear Pinsirite Magearna, Swords Dance Metagrossite Kartana, (AC) and Swords Dance Primal Groudon. However, the damage received by a boosted physical move of the sort from them will invalidate Mandibuzz's ability to properly check other breakers. Thusly, Thus, it is capital to understand which Pokemon among the aforementioned poses the biggest threat to the rest of the team, in order to choose which breaker Mandibuzz ought to check. If a non-Mega Evolved Terrakion is found on the opposing team, it is important to be wary of using Foul Play, (AC) as after it is hit with a Dark-type attack, its ability Justified will raise its Attack to +1, at which point it has very few switch-ins after a Justified boost. U-turn should be used as a means to punish predicted switches and generate momentum. It can also be utilized against passive foes, in order to gain a free switch-in for a wallbreaker. However, switching is preferred to using U-turn if the opponent has the potential to deal heavy damage to Mandibuzz in a situation where the latter’s health should be preserved, (comma) This is the case such as against Altarianite users, Terrakion, and Zeraora, amongst others. Roost should be used copiously to keep Mandibuzz healthy throughout the game, to allow it to consistently check opposing threats. However, Roost may give the opponent opposing Pokemon a free set-up setup turn. In case of opposing Pokemon that could exploit this, such as Nasty Plot Darkrai, the recovery may have to be delayed in favor of U-turn. In situations where Mandibuzz is weakened whilst while claiming momentum with U-turn, finding an opportunity to get it back on a predicted switch to a Pokemon that doesn't pressure the bird it can be a successful strategy that allows it to safely use Roost. Defog is to be used according to the entry hazard matchup on both sides. Beware, however, that if Mandibuzz is the only Defogger on the team, switching out without clearing Stealth Rocks Rock can effectively deprive it of a quarter of its HP.

Team Options
========
Primal Groudon is a good partner for Mandibuzz, as it can switch in on Fairy-types (AH) like Magearna, Xerneas, and Altarianite Entei, as well as Primal Kyogre and Zeraora, all of which pressure Mandibuzz. In exchange, Mandibuzz can take on Lunala and Darkrai as well as serve as a pivot against Arceus-Ground and Manectite Mew, thus taking pressure off of Primal Groudon. Manectite Mew forms a functional defensive core with the Dark-type bird, as it covers three of the most dangerous threats to it in Altarianite Zygarde, Altarianite Entei, (AC) and Terrakion. Alternatively, Aggronite Mew worsens the Entei and Terrakion matchup but does a better job at checking Pinsirite users like Magearna and Kartana, which heavily threaten Mandibuzz. The bird returns the favor by checking Lunala and Darkrai, both of which otherwise dismantle Mew. Will-O-Wisp Arceus-Ground has good synergy with Mandibuzz, in that the former can check the most prominent Altarianite users in the tier in Zygarde and Entei (RC) whilst the latter is able to check Kartana and Lunala. Terrakion punishes other Sablenite users like Blissey and Zapdos, against which Mandibuzz is relatively powerless. In addition, Terrakion really capitalizes on the free switch-ins switches that the bird Mandibuzz provides it with, as it is otherwise very difficult to bring it safely on the field. Still, it should be noted that both Pokemon are particularly weak to Fairy-types (AH) like Altarianite users and Arceus-Fairy. Altarianite Entei works as an offensive check to Altarianite Zygarde and Terrakion, whilst also being and is also able to punish boosted Darkrai. Mandibuzz synergizes well with it, (AC) with its Ground immunity allowing it to take on Primal Groudon, a Pokemon that greatly hinders Entei, and the ability to generate switch-ins help it switch in freely. Arceus-Fairy (AH) is another solid check to both Altarianite Zygarde and non-Pinsirite Terrakion (RC) and in return appreciates Mandibuzz checking Lunala, Necrozma-Dusk Mane and Kartana to an extent. However, both are noticeably weak to non-Pinsirite Magearna variants. Finally, Kartana pairs well with Mandibuzz, as it takes advantage of Altarianite Zygarde and Arceus-Fairy. In return, (AC) Mandibuzz provides extra opportunities for Kartana to come in safely and break down teams with its slow U-turn.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Toxic could replace Defog if Mandibuzz is not needed as an entry hazard remover. However, foregoing Defog adds to the pressure to Mega Evolve early, since the acquired ability becomes essential to bounce back Stealth Rock from Primal Groudon. Other defensive Stones like Venusaurite or and Manectite could be speculated considered, but the absence of Magic Bounce is usually detrimental to Mandibuzz, as it becomes much more exposed to status and Stealth Rock.

Checks and Counters
===================
**Altarianite Users**: Zygarde and Entei threaten Mandibuzz with their powerful Fairy STAB attacks, and Mandibuzz can do next to nothing to retaliate.

**Terrakion**: All of Terrakion’s viable sets (Lucarionite, Diancite, Pinsirite) threaten Mandibuzz with a powerful Stone Edge, a guaranteed 2HKO from Stone Edge. They can also use Swords Dance on a predicted Roost, but Diancite and Pinsirite variants need to be wary, (AC) since Foul Play OHKOes them at +2. Additionally, non-Mega Evolved Terrakion is a deterrent to the use of Foul Play, because of its ability Justified.

**Magearna**: Whilst No move from the bird Mandibuzz can threaten Magearna, the latter which can easily pressure Mandibuzz it. Cameruptite sets can freely set up and 2HKO it with BoltBeam coverage at +1, whereas Sablenite Magearna threatens it with Fleur Cannon. Moreover, since Sablenite sets are potentially slower, they can capitalize on Mandibuzz’s U-turn with their own Volt Switch, effectively regaining all momentum unless a Ground-type Pokemon is brought in. Pinsirite Magearna can OHKO Mandibuzz with Explosion at +1, but it must be wary of Foul Play when setting up.

**Fairy-types**: (AH) Fairy-types (AH) such as Lucarionite Tapu Lele and Arceus-Fairy heavily pressure Mandibuzz. Tapu Lele's Moonblast is a guaranteed 2HKO, whereas Mandibuzz can only 3HKO back with Foul Play, and Judgement Judgment from this Arceus forme deals significant damage to Mandibuzz, and it 2HKOes 2HKOing it at +1. Toxic variants of the bird can at least put Arceus-Fairy on a timer at the expense of chip damage, whereas but Defog variants are devoid of any means to retaliate.

**Primal Kyogre**: Primal Kyogre can threaten Mandibuzz with a 2HKO from Origin Pulse. It can set up with Calm Mind on Roost attempts to clean more easily, but it must be wary of Foul Play 3HKOing.

**Calm Mind Arceus-Ground**: (AH) This Arceus forme Arceus-Ground can freely set up as well as recover any lost HP when it faces Mandibuzz. Interestingly enough, Toxic variants of the bird can prevent this by inflicting the status.

**Electric-types**: Electric-types (AH) such as Pinsirite Zeraora and Red Orb Raikou can 2HKO Mandibuzz with Plasma Fists and Thunderbolt respectively their respective STAB attacks. While Mandibuzz 2HKOs 2HKOes Zeraora back with Foul Play, it fails to threaten Raikou as effectively.

**Other Rock types**: While relatively uncommon, Pokemon like Arceus-Rock, Diancite Archeops, and Tyranitar all pressure Mandibuzz significantly. Namely, Archeops threatens to OHKO it with Head Smash, and Tyranitar can 2HKO it with Stone Edge. Further, non-Toxic variants of Mandibuzz have no means of pressuring Arceus-Rock, (AC) while it can heavily chip Mandibuzz with Judgement Judgment in return.

**Status**: Toxic and burn, whether Bounced back, from reflected by Magic Bounce users or Synchronize Mew, inflicted through Magic Bounce by Gyaradosite users, (AC) or inflicted before Mega Evolving Mandibuzz Mega Evolves, can severely cripple Mandibuzz, hampering its sustainability.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Gmansour20]]
- Quality checked by: [[xavgb, 231402], [Andyboy, 257571], [Quantum Tesseract, 297239]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]

 

[Gman]

Thank you!
Implemented, ready for GP 2 :)

 

[Rabia]

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[OVERVIEW]

Sablenite turns Mandibuzz into a bulky (all walls are bulky) wall that is able to withstand attacks from threatening offensive breakers,(RC) such as Lunala, Kartana, and Primal Groudon, and access to Foul Play prevents passivity against physical threats. By virtue of its Dark typing and access to reliable recovery, it is one of the best defensive checks to Lunala and is thus mainly used as a dependable special wall. Magic Bounce, which is acquired upon Mega Evolving, grants Mandibuzz an immunity to status from defensive Pokemon such as support Arceus formes and defensive Primal Groudon. Furthermore, combined with access to Defog, it allows Mandibuzz to perform well in entry hazard control. With U-turn, it functions as a reliable slow pivot that can provide its teammates with free opportunities to switch in. However, a weakness to Stealth Rock can be detrimental to Mandibuzz’s ability to perform the aforementioned roles. Further, Mandibuzz is easily offensively pressured by most teams,(RC) due to the abundance of Altarianite users such as Zygarde and Entei,(RC) as well as the existence of Terrakion and Magearna. Boosted super effective coverage moves such as Ice Beam from Darkrai and Moonblast from Lunala can also overwhelm it. Finally, whilst while it can't freely switch in, if Primal Groudon manages to preserve its HP, its Swords Dance and Eruption sets can muscle through Mandibuzz.

[SET]
name: Sablenite Utility
move 1: Foul Play
move 2: Roost
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Defog
item: Sablenite
ability: Big Pecks
nature: Sassy
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
ivs: 0 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Foul Play avoids passivity against physical attackers, by OHKOing +2 Kartana and dealing heavy damage to Swords Dance Primal Groudon. It can also hit some specially offensive targets for heavy damage, such as Lunala and Diancite Tapu Lele. The latter is severely chipped and even has a chance to be OHKO'd OHKOed after the Defense drops from its Mega Evolution. Roost provides reliable recovery; the loss of the Flying type is hardly ever detrimental, as Ground-type attackers are usually faster than Mandibuzz and thus cannot take advantage of it. U-turn grants Mandibuzz the ability to perform as a slow pivot that can’t be restrained by a Ground-type switch-in, giving it the edge over Volt Switch users in generating momentum. Defog is run as an entry hazard countermeasure. Toxic could work as a means to pressure offensive Mandibuzz switch-ins as well as Arceus formes,(RC) in case if the team already has another Defogger. However, extreme care should be taken in using this move to avoid it being bounced back by an opposing Magic Bounce user.

Set Details
========

248 HP EVs combined with 252 Special Defense EVs turn Mandibuzz into a sturdy special wall, maximizing its ability to take special attacks like Overheat from Primal Groudon and Moonblast from Lunala. The HP EVs maximize the number of times Mandibuzz can switch into Stealth Rock. A Sassy nature and 0 Speed IVs give Mandibuzz its slowest possible U-Turn, letting a teammate switch in freely more safely. Big Pecks is run to avoid the occasional Defense drop from moves like Golisopod's Liquidation. An alternative set with 248 HP, 100 Defense, and 160 Special Defense EVs a spread of 248 HP / 100 Def / 160 SpD and a Relaxed nature can also be run as a way to better check physical attackers like Kartana and Stone Edge Primal Groudon. The drop in special bulk does, however, cause Mandibuzz to be 2HKOed by +1 Moonblast from Lunala.

Usage Tips
========

Mega Evolving Mandibuzz early is important not only to increase its overall bulk but also to,(AC) gain Magic Bounce to block status moves,(AC) and to properly avoid opposing entry hazards. Foul Play should be used as the primary offensive move. It heavily pressures Lunala, Ho-Oh, most Diancite users, and relevant Necrozma formes. Additionally, it deals significant damage to physical attackers on the switch, as long as they don’t resist the move. Foul Play can also be used to punish foes that boosted their Attack, like Shift Gear Pinsirite Magearna, Swords Dance Metagrossite Kartana, and Swords Dance Primal Groudon. However, the damage received by a boosted physical move from these threats will invalidate Mandibuzz's ability to properly check other breakers. Thus, it is capital imperative to understand which Pokemon among the aforementioned poses the biggest threat to the rest of the team,(RC) in order to choose which breaker wallbreaker Mandibuzz ought to check. If a non-Mega Evolved Terrakion is found on the opposing team, it is important to be wary of using Foul Play, as it has very few switch-ins after a Justified boost. U-turn should be used as a means to punish predicted switches and generate momentum. It can also be utilized against passive foes,(RC) in order to gain a free switch for a wallbreaker. However, switching is preferred to using U-turn if the opponent has the potential to deal heavy damage to Mandibuzz in a situation where the latter’s health should be preserved, such as against Altarianite users, Terrakion, and Zeraora. Roost should be used copiously to keep Mandibuzz healthy throughout the game,(RC) to and allow it to consistently check opposing threats. However, Roost may give threatening Pokemon like Nasty Plot Darkrai a free setup turn. In such cases, the recovery may have to be delayed in favor of U-turn. In situations where Mandibuzz is weakened whilst while claiming momentum with U-turn, finding an opportunity to get it back in on a predicted switch to a Pokemon that doesn't pressure it can be a successful strategy to let it safely use Roost. Defog is to be used according to the entry hazard matchup on both sides. Beware, however, that if Mandibuzz is the only Defogger on the team, switching out without clearing Stealth Rock can effectively will deprive it of a quarter of its HP.

Team Options
========

Primal Groudon is a good partner for Mandibuzz, as it can switch in on Fairy-types like Magearna, Xerneas, and Altarianite Entei,(RC) as well as Primal Kyogre and Zeraora, all of which pressure Mandibuzz. In exchange, Mandibuzz can take on Lunala and Darkrai as well as serve as a pivot against Arceus-Ground and Manectite Mew, thus taking pressure off Primal Groudon. Manectite Mew forms a functional defensive core with the Dark-type bird Mandibuzz, as it covers three of the most dangerous threats to it in Altarianite Zygarde, Altarianite Entei, and Terrakion. Alternatively, Aggronite Mew worsens the Entei and Terrakion matchup but does a better job at checking Pinsirite users like Magearna and Kartana, which heavily threaten Mandibuzz. The bird Mandibuzz returns the favor by checking Lunala and Darkrai, both of which otherwise dismantle Mew. Will-O-Wisp Arceus-Ground has good synergy with Mandibuzz, in that the former can check checking the most prominent Altarianite users in the tier in Zygarde and Entei whilst,(AC) while the latter is able to check Kartana and Lunala. Terrakion punishes other Sablenite users like Blissey and Zapdos, against which Mandibuzz is relatively powerless. In addition, Terrakion really capitalizes on the free switches with which Mandibuzz provides it with, as it is otherwise very difficult to bring it safely on the field. Still, it should be noted that both Pokemon are particularly weak to Fairy-types like Altarianite users and Arceus-Fairy. Altarianite Entei works as an offensive check to Altarianite Zygarde and Terrakion and is also able to punish boosted Darkrai. Mandibuzz synergizes well with it, with its Ground immunity allowing it to take on Primal Groudon, a Pokemon that greatly hinders Entei, and the ability to help it switch in freely. Arceus-Fairy is another solid check to both Altarianite Zygarde and non-Pinsirite Terrakion, and in return appreciates Mandibuzz checking Lunala, Necrozma-Dusk Mane Necrozma-DM,(AC) and Kartana to an extent. However, both are noticeably weak to non-Pinsirite Magearna variants. Finally, Kartana pairs well with Mandibuzz, as it takes advantage of Altarianite Zygarde and Arceus-Fairy. In return,(AC) Mandibuzz provides extra opportunities for Kartana to come in safely and break down teams with its slow U-turn.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Toxic could replace Defog if Mandibuzz is not needed as an entry hazard remover. However, foregoing Defog adds to the pressure to Mega Evolve early, since the acquired ability becomes essential to bounce back Stealth Rock from Primal Groudon.(this is included in the Moves section already) Other defensive Mega Stones like Venusaurite and Manectite could be considered, but the absence of Magic Bounce is usually detrimental to Mandibuzz, as it becomes much more exposed vulnerable to status and Stealth Rock. Metagrossite can be used as a means to outspeed Lunala and slightly increase Mandibuzz's offensive presence, particularly on teams where the Sablenite Stone is unavailable.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Altarianite Users**: Zygarde and Entei threaten Mandibuzz with their powerful Fairy-type STAB attacks, and Mandibuzz can do next to nothing to retaliate in return.

**Terrakion**: All of Terrakion’s viable sets threaten Mandibuzz with a guaranteed 2HKO from Stone Edge. They can also use Swords Dance on a predicted Roost, but Diancite and Pinsirite variants need to be wary, since Foul Play OHKOes them at +2. Additionally, non-Mega Evolved Terrakion is a deterrent to the use of Foul Play,(RC) because of its ability Justified.

**Magearna**: No move from Mandibuzz can threaten Magearna, which can easily pressure it. Cameruptite sets can freely set up and 2HKO it Mandibuzz with BoltBeam coverage at +1, whereas Sablenite and Manectite versions threaten it with Fleur Cannon. Moreover, since Sablenite sets are potentially slower, they can capitalize on Mandibuzz’s U-turn with their own Volt Switch, effectively regaining all momentum unless a Ground-type Pokemon is brought in. Pinsirite Magearna can OHKO Mandibuzz with Explosion at +1, but it must be wary of Foul Play when setting up.

**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types such as Lucarionite Tapu Lele and Arceus-Fairy heavily pressure Mandibuzz. Tapu Lele's Moonblast is a guaranteed 2HKO, whereas Mandibuzz can only 3HKO back with Foul Play, and Judgment from this Arceus forme Arceus-Fairy deals significant damage to Mandibuzz, 2HKOing it at +1. Toxic variants of the bird Mandibuzz can at least put Arceus-Fairy on a timer at the expense of chip damage, but Defog variants are devoid of any means to retaliate.

**Primal Kyogre**: Primal Kyogre can threaten Mandibuzz with a 2HKO from Origin Pulse. It can set up with Calm Mind on Roost attempts to clean more easily, but it must be wary of Foul Play 3HKOing.

**Calm Mind Arceus-Ground**: Arceus-Ground can freely set up as well as recover any lost HP when it faces Mandibuzz. Interestingly enough, Toxic variants of the bird Mandibuzz can prevent this by inflicting the status.

**Electric-types**: Electric-types such as Pinsirite Zeraora and Red Orb Raikou can 2HKO Mandibuzz with their respective STAB attacks. While Mandibuzz 2HKOes Zeraora back with Foul Play, it fails to threaten Raikou as effectively.

**Other Rock-types**: While relatively uncommon, Pokemon like Arceus-Rock, Diancite Archeops, and Tyranitar all pressure Mandibuzz significantly. Namely, Archeops threatens to OHKO it with Head Smash, and Tyranitar can 2HKO it with Stone Edge. Further, non-Toxic variants of Mandibuzz have no means of pressuring Arceus-Rock, while it can heavily chip Mandibuzz with Judgment in return.

**Status**: Toxic poison and burn, whether reflected by Magic Bounce users or Synchronize Mew or,(AC) inflicted through Magic Bounce by Gyaradosite users, inflicted via moves such as Scald and Lava Plume, or inflicted before Mandibuzz Mega Evolves, can severely cripple it, hampering its sustainability.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Gmansour20]]
- Quality checked by: [[xavgb, 231402], [Andyboy, 257571], [Quantum Tesseract, 297239]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [Rabia, 336073]]

gp 2/2 once done

 

[Gman]

Implemented, ready for launch! :D
Thanks to all the QCers and GPers, this has been a fun project for me :3

Magikarp is best birb, but Mandibuzz is a close second

 

[Ginger Princess]

https://www.smogon.com/dex/sm/pokemon/mandibuzz/mix-and-mega/

This is uploaded!