cyanize
Mantra Good I Casted So Many Spells U Idiot
[OVERVIEW]
Samurott holds a niche in NU as a strong offensive Water-type with excellent physical and special coverage moves like Megahorn, Ice Beam, and Grass Knot. These moves make it highly unpredictable, and this, supported by its above-average attacking stats, gives Samurott the ability to break balanced teams well and allows it to beat common Water-resistant Pokemon effectively. Samurott is also a very solid late-game cleaner after a Swords Dance boost, which also comes with significant breaking power. Samurott’s decent natural bulk allows it to switch in and set up on some neutral attacks and attacks from weaker support Pokemon such as Steelix and Slowbro. However, below-average Speed causes Samurott to be offensively pressured easily and leaves it heavily reliant on Aqua Jet. Despite its solid uninvested bulk, Samurott has no recovery and little defensive value, so it is unable to switch in to many Pokemon.
[SET]
name: Physical Sweeper
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Liquidation
move 3: Aqua Jet
move 4: Megahorn
item: Life Orb
ability: Torrent
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance boosts Samurott's Attack, giving it massive power and allowing it to sweep. Liquidation is its best physical STAB move, and it also comes with a useful 20% chance to lower a foe's Defense. Aqua Jet mitigates Samurott's middling Speed, giving it a way to beat Pokemon faster than it, like Houndoom and Delphox, and also allows it to clean faster teams that are weakened. Megahorn provides the best neutral coverage, hitting Grass-types and bulky Water-types such as Slowbro, Vileplume, and Seismitoad for big damage.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack investment optimizes Samurott's offensive prowess, and maximum Speed EVs let it outspeed most of the defensive Pokemon in the tier as well as some offensive threats such as Emboar and Vanilluxe. A Jolly nature is preferred, as it allows Samurott to outpace Modest Vanilluxe as well as neutral-natured max Speed base 80 Pokemon. An Adamant nature can also be used to boost the power of Aqua Jet, making Samurott a more reliable cleaner, but the Speed tier granted by Jolly is much too important because it allows Samurott to hit Choice Specs Vanilluxe before it can move and potentially OHKO Samurott. Life Orb gives all of Samurott's attacks a notable boost in power, upping its breaking ability and cleaning prowess. Torrent is the preferred ability, as Samurott shouldn't be tanking hits, and as such does not benefit from for the critical hit immunity provided by Shell Armor. Torrent also has the ability to make Samurott's STAB moves a force to be reckoned with when its HP is low, giving Samurott an even better ability to clean up teams. Life Orb also synergizes well with Torrent to this end. Lum Berry can be used as an item instead to give Samurott a one-time reprieve from status, which is especially useful against burn.
Usage Tips
========
Set up on foes such as Rhydon and Emboar that are afraid of Samurott's STAB attacks and as such are likely to switch out. The most reliable defensive answers to Samurott such as Seismitoad and Vileplume are often able to take a +2 Megahorn; make sure they are weakened before attempting a sweep. Likewise, quite a few faster threats, such as Virizion, Whimsicott, and Sceptile, are capable of taking a +2 Aqua Jet and then OHKOing Samurott in return. These Pokemon should also be removed or weakened before attempting a sweep. Samurott's above-average natural bulk often allows it to take a decently strong neutral hit such as Choice Scarf Braviary's Brave Bird. Use situations such as this as an opportunity to set up Swords Dance. Samurott's bulk also allows it to get into Torrent range more reliably, so it is wise to pick and choose what attacks to take to get Samurott below 33% HP. However, this tactic should be reserved as more of a last resort, as while it can have great rewards, it is also quite risky, as it leaves Samurott very vulnerable.
Team Options
========
Checks to offensive Grass-types, like Golbat and Druddigon, are essential, as Grass-types resist Aqua Jet and as such are able to stop Samurott's sweep cold and threaten to OHKO it in return. Wallbreakers such as Emboar and Vikavolt that can switch into Grass- and Electric-type threats and use them to punch holes in the opposing team early in the match are useful to give Samurott an easier clean-up job. Teammates that check offensive Electric-types, like Guzzlord and Rotom-C, are also recommended to take pressure off of Samurott. Pokemon that take advantage of bulky Water-types, such as Sceptile and Whimsicott, make for good partners, as they enjoy Samurott's ability to lure in Pokemon they can take advantage of. As Samurott's bulk isn't great enough to switch into hits repeatedly, U-turn and Volt Switch users such as Rotom-C and Whimsicott that allow it into the field make for good partners. Pokemon that can draw in bulky Rock- and Ground-types, such as Dodrio and Scyther, make for good teammates. Braviary, Scyther, and Cinccino are especially notable in this role, as they also have U-turn to bring Samurott onto the field safely.
[SET]
name: Special Wallbreaker
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Grass Knot
move 4: Aqua Jet / Taunt
item: Life Orb
ability: Torrent
nature: Rash / Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hydro Pump is a strong STAB move capable of OHKOing or 2HKOing a large portion of the tier. Ice Beam smashes through Grass- and Dragon-types that resist Hydro Pump, such as Guzzlord and Vileplume. Grass Knot breaks through bulky Water-types such as Slowbro, Jellicent, and Poliwrath that resist Water- and Ice-type attacks. Aqua Jet allows Samurott to pick off weakened faster threats and offensively check faster Pokemon weak to Water such as Delphox and Houndoom. Taunt lets Samurott reliably beat Vaporeon and Slowbro one-on-one and can also potentially prevent Samurott from being setup fodder to Pokemon such as Bulk Up Braviary and Calm Mind Mega Audino. Megahorn is an option in the last slot to smack Slowking and Guzzlord harder than Samurott's other options.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack investment with a Rash nature maximizes Samurott's offensive prowess while simultaneously not compromising the power of Aqua Jet. A Modest nature can be used instead if running Taunt. Maximum Speed investment allows Samurott to outpace all of the defensive Pokemon in the tier, as well as get the jump on threats such as Emboar. Life Orb is used to give the most power without locking Samurott into a move, allowing it to utilize its expansive coverage effectively. Torrent is the preferred ability, as it synergizes well with Life Orb by giving Samurott a large boost in power after repeated rounds of recoil.
Usage Tips
========
This set performs well early-game, breaking down walls with its strong STAB move and expansive coverage moves. Use Hydro Pump liberally, as it is quite powerful and has few reliable switch-ins. Additionally, thanks to Samurott's high Special Attack, predicting switches into Water-resistant Pokemon isn't often required, as they often are KOed by Hydro Pump followed by an appropriate coverage move. Note that some Water-resistant Pokemon, however, are not quite as susceptible to Samurott's coverage—for example, Guzzlord is not KOed by Hydro Pump + Ice Beam, giving it a chance to retaliate. Samurott's above-average bulk often allows it to take a moderately strong neutral hit in a pinch, so use that to your advantage. As it is hard to guess all of Samurott's moves before they are used because it is so versatile, it can bluff having an attack and threaten out Pokemon before it has revealed all of its moveslots or surprise a foe with a previously unrevealed move—for example, Samurott can use the threat of Aqua Jet to force out faster Fire-types even if it isn't running it.
Team Options
========
Partners that appreciate bulky Rock- and Ground-types out of the equation, such as Vivillon and Braviary, enjoy Samurott being able to OHKO them. As Samurott's bulk isn't great enough to switch into hits repeatedly, U-turn and Volt Switch users such as Rotom-C and Whimsicott that allow it onto the field make for good partners. Pokemon that can draw in bulky Rock- and Ground-types, such as Dodrio and Scyther, make for good teammates as they bring in Samurott's prime targets; Braviary, Scyther, and Cinccino are especially notable in this role, as they can lure in bulky Rock- and Ground- types and also have U-turn to bring Samurott onto the field safely. Teammates such as Guzzlord and Garbodor that can take care of faster Grass-types that Samurott is weak to are able to switch into offensive pressure aimed at Samurott. Similarly, Electric-type checks like Steelix and Virizion can switch into Samurott's other weakness. Partners such as Virizion, Sneasel, and Choice Scarf Delphox that can clean up weakened teams enjoy Samurott breaking through walls for them.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Buginium Z is an option on the Swords Dance set to give Samurott access to a devastatingly powerful Savage Spin-Out, which can reliably OHKO Slowbro and do major damage to Vaporeon and Seismitoad at +2 without the chance of missing—however, Life Orb-boosted Megahorn does this job just as well and also provides a boost to Samurott's Water-type moves. Knock Off on the Swords Dance set is the only way that Samurott can hit Jellicent for notable damage, but this makes Samurott notably weaker versus all other Water-resistant targets. Knock Off also isn't always effective on Jellicent, as it commonly runs Colbur Berry. Rindo Berry on the Swords Dance set allows Samurott to weaken the impact of a Grass-type move, which can be useful given the ubiquity of Grass-type Pokemon in the tier, and lets Samurott KO faster threats with Megahorn, allowing it to continue a sweep. However, powerful Grass-types such as Choice Specs Sceptile and Rotom-C can still OHKO Samurott despite the damage reduction, which mitigates the effectiveness of the item. Wacan Berry can also be used on the Swords Dance set for similar reasons, but the only relevant faster Electric-type is Rotom-C, which has Grass-type STAB moves to hit Samurott with anyway. Superpower is an option on the Swords Dance set to smack Ferroseed harder than anything else Samurott has but is often not worth it due to Ferroseed’s low usage, and Superpower also makes Samurott weaker versus the majority of Water-type resistant Pokemon.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Grass- and Electric-types**: One of the best ways to answer Samurott is with offensive pressure from Pokemon such as Rotom-C, Whimsicott, and Sceptile, as it has middling Speed and not enough bulk to survive most super effective hits. Offensive Grass-types are especially threatening, as they are unlikely to be threatened by Aqua Jet.
**Bulky Water-resistant Pokemon**: Despite Samurott's expansive coverage, a few bulky Water-resistant and immune Pokemon such as Druddigon, Vileplume, and Vaporeon are able take a hit from Samurott and retaliate with a status move to cripple it or, in the case of Grass-types, KO it in return with a STAB move. Jellicent is particularly notable, as it switches into all of Samurott's attacks with ease bar a well-timed Grass Knot. Toxicroak is also noteworthy, as it only fears Ice Beam and can use Samurott as setup fodder. It is worth noting, however, that answers to one set often do not answer the other; for example, Vaporeon is a reliable answer to special sets lacking Taunt but is setup fodder for Swords Dance sets.
**Offensive Pressure**: Despite its solid bulk, Samurott's average Speed leaves it vulnerable to being revenge killed by strong faster attackers such as Hitmonlee, Vanilluxe, and Sigilyph that either have the super effective coverage or sheer power to OHKO it.
Samurott holds a niche in NU as a strong offensive Water-type with excellent physical and special coverage moves like Megahorn, Ice Beam, and Grass Knot. These moves make it highly unpredictable, and this, supported by its above-average attacking stats, gives Samurott the ability to break balanced teams well and allows it to beat common Water-resistant Pokemon effectively. Samurott is also a very solid late-game cleaner after a Swords Dance boost, which also comes with significant breaking power. Samurott’s decent natural bulk allows it to switch in and set up on some neutral attacks and attacks from weaker support Pokemon such as Steelix and Slowbro. However, below-average Speed causes Samurott to be offensively pressured easily and leaves it heavily reliant on Aqua Jet. Despite its solid uninvested bulk, Samurott has no recovery and little defensive value, so it is unable to switch in to many Pokemon.
[SET]
name: Physical Sweeper
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Liquidation
move 3: Aqua Jet
move 4: Megahorn
item: Life Orb
ability: Torrent
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance boosts Samurott's Attack, giving it massive power and allowing it to sweep. Liquidation is its best physical STAB move, and it also comes with a useful 20% chance to lower a foe's Defense. Aqua Jet mitigates Samurott's middling Speed, giving it a way to beat Pokemon faster than it, like Houndoom and Delphox, and also allows it to clean faster teams that are weakened. Megahorn provides the best neutral coverage, hitting Grass-types and bulky Water-types such as Slowbro, Vileplume, and Seismitoad for big damage.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack investment optimizes Samurott's offensive prowess, and maximum Speed EVs let it outspeed most of the defensive Pokemon in the tier as well as some offensive threats such as Emboar and Vanilluxe. A Jolly nature is preferred, as it allows Samurott to outpace Modest Vanilluxe as well as neutral-natured max Speed base 80 Pokemon. An Adamant nature can also be used to boost the power of Aqua Jet, making Samurott a more reliable cleaner, but the Speed tier granted by Jolly is much too important because it allows Samurott to hit Choice Specs Vanilluxe before it can move and potentially OHKO Samurott. Life Orb gives all of Samurott's attacks a notable boost in power, upping its breaking ability and cleaning prowess. Torrent is the preferred ability, as Samurott shouldn't be tanking hits, and as such does not benefit from for the critical hit immunity provided by Shell Armor. Torrent also has the ability to make Samurott's STAB moves a force to be reckoned with when its HP is low, giving Samurott an even better ability to clean up teams. Life Orb also synergizes well with Torrent to this end. Lum Berry can be used as an item instead to give Samurott a one-time reprieve from status, which is especially useful against burn.
Usage Tips
========
Set up on foes such as Rhydon and Emboar that are afraid of Samurott's STAB attacks and as such are likely to switch out. The most reliable defensive answers to Samurott such as Seismitoad and Vileplume are often able to take a +2 Megahorn; make sure they are weakened before attempting a sweep. Likewise, quite a few faster threats, such as Virizion, Whimsicott, and Sceptile, are capable of taking a +2 Aqua Jet and then OHKOing Samurott in return. These Pokemon should also be removed or weakened before attempting a sweep. Samurott's above-average natural bulk often allows it to take a decently strong neutral hit such as Choice Scarf Braviary's Brave Bird. Use situations such as this as an opportunity to set up Swords Dance. Samurott's bulk also allows it to get into Torrent range more reliably, so it is wise to pick and choose what attacks to take to get Samurott below 33% HP. However, this tactic should be reserved as more of a last resort, as while it can have great rewards, it is also quite risky, as it leaves Samurott very vulnerable.
Team Options
========
Checks to offensive Grass-types, like Golbat and Druddigon, are essential, as Grass-types resist Aqua Jet and as such are able to stop Samurott's sweep cold and threaten to OHKO it in return. Wallbreakers such as Emboar and Vikavolt that can switch into Grass- and Electric-type threats and use them to punch holes in the opposing team early in the match are useful to give Samurott an easier clean-up job. Teammates that check offensive Electric-types, like Guzzlord and Rotom-C, are also recommended to take pressure off of Samurott. Pokemon that take advantage of bulky Water-types, such as Sceptile and Whimsicott, make for good partners, as they enjoy Samurott's ability to lure in Pokemon they can take advantage of. As Samurott's bulk isn't great enough to switch into hits repeatedly, U-turn and Volt Switch users such as Rotom-C and Whimsicott that allow it into the field make for good partners. Pokemon that can draw in bulky Rock- and Ground-types, such as Dodrio and Scyther, make for good teammates. Braviary, Scyther, and Cinccino are especially notable in this role, as they also have U-turn to bring Samurott onto the field safely.
[SET]
name: Special Wallbreaker
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Grass Knot
move 4: Aqua Jet / Taunt
item: Life Orb
ability: Torrent
nature: Rash / Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hydro Pump is a strong STAB move capable of OHKOing or 2HKOing a large portion of the tier. Ice Beam smashes through Grass- and Dragon-types that resist Hydro Pump, such as Guzzlord and Vileplume. Grass Knot breaks through bulky Water-types such as Slowbro, Jellicent, and Poliwrath that resist Water- and Ice-type attacks. Aqua Jet allows Samurott to pick off weakened faster threats and offensively check faster Pokemon weak to Water such as Delphox and Houndoom. Taunt lets Samurott reliably beat Vaporeon and Slowbro one-on-one and can also potentially prevent Samurott from being setup fodder to Pokemon such as Bulk Up Braviary and Calm Mind Mega Audino. Megahorn is an option in the last slot to smack Slowking and Guzzlord harder than Samurott's other options.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack investment with a Rash nature maximizes Samurott's offensive prowess while simultaneously not compromising the power of Aqua Jet. A Modest nature can be used instead if running Taunt. Maximum Speed investment allows Samurott to outpace all of the defensive Pokemon in the tier, as well as get the jump on threats such as Emboar. Life Orb is used to give the most power without locking Samurott into a move, allowing it to utilize its expansive coverage effectively. Torrent is the preferred ability, as it synergizes well with Life Orb by giving Samurott a large boost in power after repeated rounds of recoil.
Usage Tips
========
This set performs well early-game, breaking down walls with its strong STAB move and expansive coverage moves. Use Hydro Pump liberally, as it is quite powerful and has few reliable switch-ins. Additionally, thanks to Samurott's high Special Attack, predicting switches into Water-resistant Pokemon isn't often required, as they often are KOed by Hydro Pump followed by an appropriate coverage move. Note that some Water-resistant Pokemon, however, are not quite as susceptible to Samurott's coverage—for example, Guzzlord is not KOed by Hydro Pump + Ice Beam, giving it a chance to retaliate. Samurott's above-average bulk often allows it to take a moderately strong neutral hit in a pinch, so use that to your advantage. As it is hard to guess all of Samurott's moves before they are used because it is so versatile, it can bluff having an attack and threaten out Pokemon before it has revealed all of its moveslots or surprise a foe with a previously unrevealed move—for example, Samurott can use the threat of Aqua Jet to force out faster Fire-types even if it isn't running it.
Team Options
========
Partners that appreciate bulky Rock- and Ground-types out of the equation, such as Vivillon and Braviary, enjoy Samurott being able to OHKO them. As Samurott's bulk isn't great enough to switch into hits repeatedly, U-turn and Volt Switch users such as Rotom-C and Whimsicott that allow it onto the field make for good partners. Pokemon that can draw in bulky Rock- and Ground-types, such as Dodrio and Scyther, make for good teammates as they bring in Samurott's prime targets; Braviary, Scyther, and Cinccino are especially notable in this role, as they can lure in bulky Rock- and Ground- types and also have U-turn to bring Samurott onto the field safely. Teammates such as Guzzlord and Garbodor that can take care of faster Grass-types that Samurott is weak to are able to switch into offensive pressure aimed at Samurott. Similarly, Electric-type checks like Steelix and Virizion can switch into Samurott's other weakness. Partners such as Virizion, Sneasel, and Choice Scarf Delphox that can clean up weakened teams enjoy Samurott breaking through walls for them.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Buginium Z is an option on the Swords Dance set to give Samurott access to a devastatingly powerful Savage Spin-Out, which can reliably OHKO Slowbro and do major damage to Vaporeon and Seismitoad at +2 without the chance of missing—however, Life Orb-boosted Megahorn does this job just as well and also provides a boost to Samurott's Water-type moves. Knock Off on the Swords Dance set is the only way that Samurott can hit Jellicent for notable damage, but this makes Samurott notably weaker versus all other Water-resistant targets. Knock Off also isn't always effective on Jellicent, as it commonly runs Colbur Berry. Rindo Berry on the Swords Dance set allows Samurott to weaken the impact of a Grass-type move, which can be useful given the ubiquity of Grass-type Pokemon in the tier, and lets Samurott KO faster threats with Megahorn, allowing it to continue a sweep. However, powerful Grass-types such as Choice Specs Sceptile and Rotom-C can still OHKO Samurott despite the damage reduction, which mitigates the effectiveness of the item. Wacan Berry can also be used on the Swords Dance set for similar reasons, but the only relevant faster Electric-type is Rotom-C, which has Grass-type STAB moves to hit Samurott with anyway. Superpower is an option on the Swords Dance set to smack Ferroseed harder than anything else Samurott has but is often not worth it due to Ferroseed’s low usage, and Superpower also makes Samurott weaker versus the majority of Water-type resistant Pokemon.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Grass- and Electric-types**: One of the best ways to answer Samurott is with offensive pressure from Pokemon such as Rotom-C, Whimsicott, and Sceptile, as it has middling Speed and not enough bulk to survive most super effective hits. Offensive Grass-types are especially threatening, as they are unlikely to be threatened by Aqua Jet.
**Bulky Water-resistant Pokemon**: Despite Samurott's expansive coverage, a few bulky Water-resistant and immune Pokemon such as Druddigon, Vileplume, and Vaporeon are able take a hit from Samurott and retaliate with a status move to cripple it or, in the case of Grass-types, KO it in return with a STAB move. Jellicent is particularly notable, as it switches into all of Samurott's attacks with ease bar a well-timed Grass Knot. Toxicroak is also noteworthy, as it only fears Ice Beam and can use Samurott as setup fodder. It is worth noting, however, that answers to one set often do not answer the other; for example, Vaporeon is a reliable answer to special sets lacking Taunt but is setup fodder for Swords Dance sets.
**Offensive Pressure**: Despite its solid bulk, Samurott's average Speed leaves it vulnerable to being revenge killed by strong faster attackers such as Hitmonlee, Vanilluxe, and Sigilyph that either have the super effective coverage or sheer power to OHKO it.
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