Beginner's Guide to Entry Hazards: XY Edition

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Introduction

Entry hazards are a common sight in most competitive Pokémon battles, often being used at the start or during the middle of a match. Entry hazards include Spikes, Toxic Spikes, Stealth Rock, and the newly-introduced Sticky Web. In this article, we'll be explaining why entry hazards are used, what effect they have on a battle, and how you can utilize them to their fullest extent.

But why would anyone waste a turn just for a tiny amount of damage?

The answers lies in one of competitive battling's most common mechanics: switching Pokémon. Offensive pressure or momentum can often result in players switching out their Pokémon to attain a more favorable matchup, and this is where entry hazards come into play. By slowly chipping away at a bulky wall or crippling a speedy sweeper, entry hazards can be crucial to a player's success or failure in a battle. Entry hazards can also break potential Focus Sashes, effectively rendering that specific opponent itemless. Some teams can also choose to forgo the use of entry hazards, and start a battle with immediate offensive presence, but this article is geared towards telling you why entry hazards are used, so that's for another article, another time.

What kinds of entry hazards are there?

Entry hazards can typically be separated into two categories: grounded and non-grounded hazards. Grounded hazards do not affect Flying-types or Pokémon with the Levitate ability under normal circumstances, while non-grounded hazards affect all Pokémon except those with the Magic Guard ability. Now without further ado, let me 'introduce' you to all the available entry hazards available in Generation VI:

That's really neat, but how can I prevent the opponent from using these against me?

Well, there are a number of ways that 'hazard control' can be asserted. Some of these have other uses as well, but that's kinda straying away from the topic. Anyway, these are the usual methods of hazard control.

Entry Hazard Setters

There are many Pokémon that set or remove entry hazards. I will list one common Pokémon from each tier along with a set, and briefly explain why they are good at their jobs.

Deoxys-Speed is naturally the fastest unboosted Pokémon in the game, and with access to an expansive movepool containing Spikes and Stealth Rock. What better example of a lead hazard setter could you ask for? Focus Sash ensures that Deoxys-Speed will be able to set up at least one layer of hazards, a fast Taunt easily shuts down opposing hazard setters, and Knock Off provides some utility after its main job is done.

Landorus-T is a great offensive pivot with Intimidate and access to Stealth Rock. Its typing and ability allows it to easily switch into most physical attackers in the OU tier, and set up hazards as they switch out. It even has access to U-turn, to keep momentum for the team. Landorus-T is no slouch on the offensive side either, having a great base 145 Attack and access to EdgeQuake, making it useful as an offensive pivot even after hazards have been set up.

Galvantula is one of the few Pokémon that has access to XY's new entry hazard: Sticky Web. Galvantula is one of the fastest Pokémon in the UU tier, allowing it to set up a Sticky Web most of the time in conjunction with its Focus Sash. Its Compound Eyes ability allows Thunder to hit 91% of the time, making it a strong, spammable STAB attack to be used after setting up Sticky Web. Bug Buzz provides a secondary STAB move to hit Ground-types, and Volt Switch enables it to be saved for later, to either set up Sticky Web once more or to be used as death fodder.

Cobalion's great typing, natural bulk, and plethora of switch-in opportunities make it an excellent offensive Stealth Rock user in RU. Its support capabilities aren't just limited to setting up Stealth Rock; Iron Head provides a reliable STAB attack and Volt Switch lets Cobalion act as a pivot. STAB Close Combat is a powerful attack that can dent a lot of Pokémon, making Cobalion a versatile and powerful threat.

Accelgor is excellent at setting up Spikes, having blazing fast Speed and decent Special Attack. It also has access to Unburden, and along with Focus Sash, allows it to set up multiple layers of Spikes. Energy Ball and Bug Buzz are decent moves and ensure that Accelgor is not setup fodder for Seismitoad and Mesprit respectively. Besides setting up Spikes, Accelgor can also function as an effective one-time spinblock with Final Gambit, or pave the way for a setup sweeper with Encore.

Dwebble is one of the most common leads in the LC metagame, and rightly so. Its Sturdy ability in combination with Berry Juice allows it to usually set up two layers of entry hazards, something other leads in higher tiers cannot hope to consistently do. Rock Blast breaks through Substitutes and Focus Sashes, while Knock Off is especially useful in LC, removing precious Eviolites and Berry Juices.

Hazard Controllers

While some Pokémon may be adept at setting up entry hazards, there are also many Pokémon capable on removing them. Some prominent examples across all the tiers are shown below:

Many Arceus formes have a support set, but Arceus-Ghost is the only one that can spinblock, even if Rapid Spin users are rarely seen in the Ubers metagame. The Arceus formes' outstanding 120 / 120 / 120 bulk make them all solid candidates for a defensive role, and access to high Base Power STAB moves in Judgement, reliable healing in Recover, and utility in Defog and Will-O-Wisp make them very effective, albeit predictable hazard controllers. Keep in mind, however, that many Arceus formes choose to take on an offensive role, and the Arceus's typing will not be revealed in Team Preview, so be wary of trying to set up on one.

An example of a somewhat rare offensive Defogger, Latios is a constant presence in the OU metagame capable of forcing many switches, which it capitalizes on to remove entry hazards. Latios's high Special Attack and Speed allow it to hit extremely fast and hard, effortlessly threatening most of the tier with its dual STAB moves. Draco Meteor and Psyshock allow it to hit from both sides of the spectrum, Recover enables Latios to stay healthy throughout the match and Defog more than once if needed, Hidden Power Fire hits common switch-ins such as Bisharp and Ferrothorn, and Defog clears entry hazards from the battlefield. As an offensive Defogger, Latios can also fill an attacking role if the opponent does not carry entry hazards, making it more flexible if elected as a hazard controller.

Mega Absol's Magic Bounce ability deters all kinds of entry hazards and status moves, simply by being in play. Clever switch-ins can even allow you to 'set up' your own entry hazards, and most common leads are forced out, fearing an attack from a fearsome base 150 Attack. A mixed set is very viable on Mega Absol due to its solid base 115 Special Attack, granting it precious coverage options to surprise would-be checks. Mega Absol is also one of the most threatening Pokémon in the tier, making the opponent think twice before switching something in or attempting to set up entry hazards as long as it is still alive.

Hitmonlee is not only RU's resident 'nuke' button, but also a very capable spinner which can threaten potential Ghost-type switch-ins such as Cofagrigus with a powerful Knock Off. A Life Orb-boosted High Jump Kick destroys almost anything that doesn't resist it, allowing Hitmonlee to generate opportunities to spin by forcing opponents out. Mach Punch and Sucker Punch allow it to pick off weakened opponents attempting to revenge kill or spinblock. Rapid Spin, while generally outclassed by Defog, is still immensely useful, due to the presence of Braviary in RU.

Archeops is typically played in an offensive role due to its impressive offensive stats and blazing fast Speed, but it is also just as capable in a supporting role. With access to the fastest Taunt in the tier, it can shut down most opposing leads looking to get up their entry hazards. Archeops even gets access to Defog and Stealth Rock, meaning it can potentially prevent setup, remove hazards, and set them up itself. Roost and Leftovers allows it to stay out of Defeatist range and keep its attacks at full power, while U-turn lets it pivot out to gain an advantageous matchup.

Drilbur fills the same role in LC that its evolution Excadrill does in OU: a great offensive spinner. With a high Attack stat, decent bulk, and good Speed, Drilbur can often remove entry hazards in a clutch situation. Drilbur also has access to the Rock Slide/Earthquake combination, making it a fearsome sweeper if the Rapid Spin support is unneeded, and Swords Dance is just the icing on the cake.

Conclusion

Entry hazards are an integral part of competitive battling, regardless of whether they are applied in an offensive or defensive role. Entry hazards are by no means necessary to do well in battling, but bear in mind that they will almost always be omnipresent in the competitive scene. They may not be present in every single battle, but nonetheless, any seasoned veteran will carry entry hazards, or at the very least, a countermeasure to them. There is a motto inscribed on the wall of my local gym: "Failing to prepare is preparing to fail", a piece of wisdom which can surely be applied to the presence of entry hazards; make sure you have an answer to these levitating stones and scattered Lego pieces, or else you might just find yourself between a rock and a hard place.

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