qc 3/3: dk / pk / sub18
gp 1/2: cryo / tdp
[OVERVIEW]
Due to its decent bulk, excellent typing, and useful ability, Bronzong checks a plethora of OU threats, namely Mega Metagross, Landorus-T, Tapu Lele, Garchomp, Magearna, Sand Rush Excadrill, and Nihilego. Bronzong is also a decent Stealth Rock user; its good bulk allows it to get the entry hazards up reliably in the majority of matchups. Additionally, Bronzong fills a multitude of roles in one slot, taking pressure off teammates to fill those roles. Conversely, it faces competition from many other Stealth Rock users, such as Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Heatran, even though they don't necessarily offer the same specific role compression. Bronzong's passivity makes it susceptible to Taunt, prevents it from getting up Stealth Rock against Mega Sableye, which is crucial against stall, and gives certain other Pokemon such as Volcarona and Manaphy setup opportunities. Finally, due to Bronzong's lack of reliable recovery, it can be easily pressured and worn down throughout the match.
[SET]
name: Defensive Pivot
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Gyro Ball
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Hidden Power Ice
item: Leftovers
ability: Levitate
nature: Relaxed
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock is one of the main reasons to use Bronzong, as it helps wear down the opposing team throughout the match. Gyro Ball is a decently strong STAB move that mainly hits Pokemon like Tapu Bulu and Tapu Lele hard. Earthquake allows Bronzong to check Mega Metagross and Magearna much more effectively and also hits Pokemon such as Heatran. Hidden Power Ice is used to hit Landorus-T and Garchomp, two metagame-defining Pokemon that Bronzong is supposed to check. It also keeps Bronzong from being setup bait for Zygarde. Toxic is an option over Hidden Power Ice, as it can cripple common switch-ins and punish Pokemon expecting a free setup opportunity like Volcarona and Mega Charizard X. Protect helps with Bronzong's lack of reliable recovery by giving it an extra turn of Leftovers recovery while scouting for the sets of Greninja and Tapu Lele.
Set Details
========
Leftovers is the only form of recovery Bronzong has besides Rest and helps prevent it from being worn down quickly. Maximum investment is placed into HP and Defense in order to help Bronzong check Landorus-T and Mega Metagross; specifically, it allows Bronzong to take +2 Supersonic Skystrike followed by Fly from Adamant Landorus-T almost all of the time, factoring in Stealth Rock damage and Leftovers recovery. A spread with more Special Defense investment and, optionally, a Sassy nature can be run to tank more hits from Tapu Lele and Magearna. A Relaxed nature is used to further bolster Bronzong's Defense while increasing Gyro Ball's power. Finally, Levitate is vital for Bronzong in order to check Landorus-T, Mega Metagross, and Garchomp.
Usage Tips
========
Conserve Bronzong's HP throughout the match in order to check what it is supposed to check, such as Landorus-T, Tapu Lele, and Mega Metagross. Typically, it is not a good idea to switch Bronzong recklessly into neutral attacks, as it is easily worn down. That being said, Bronzong should be switched into Pokemon that it walls, such as Nihilego and Garchomp, so that it can set up Stealth Rock. Many Pokemon, such as Volcarona, can set up on Bronzong due to its passivity; prevent this from occuring by double switching to Pokemon that can handle said setup sweeper. Consider your priorities when setting up Stealth Rock; for example, if the opponent has a Stealth Rock-weak Pokemon such as Mega Charizard Y or Volcarona, it may be worth having Bronzong be worn down in order to get up Stealth Rock.
Team Options
========
Bronzong is best on balanced teams where it can provide much-appreciated role compression and Stealth Rock support. Due to Bronzong's horrendous matchup against stall, Pokemon that alleviate this weakness are nearly mandatory partners. Examples include Taunt Tapu Lele, Swords Dance Tapu Bulu, and Mega Mawile. Tapu Fini is an amazing partner for Bronzong; it takes on Fire- and Dark-types and forms a core with Bronzong that can both set and remove entry hazards. Other Pokemon that can take Fire- and Dark-type attacks for Bronzong, such as Zygarde, Toxapex, and Magearna make decent partners. Bronzong needs partners that can revenge kill Pokemon that set up on it. Because Volcarona and Mega Charizard X are some of said Pokemon, Choice Scarf users such as Garchomp, Keldeo, and Nihilego are all good partners.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Despite it being a more matchup-based strategy, Bronzong is one of the most effective leads for Trick Room teams, as it learns Stealth Rock, Trick Room, and Explosion. Psywave allows Bronzong to pressure Tapu Fini and other bulky Pokemon slightly more effectively. Rest with a Chesto Berry gives Bronzong a form of recovery that is not Leftovers, but this adds to its passivity and results in it not being able to touch some of the Pokemon that it is supposed to check, such as Landorus-T, Mega Metagross, and Tapu Lele, no matter what coverage it gives up. Meanwhile, a Colbur Berry can surprise Weavile, Mega Mawile, and Tyranitar and allows Bronzong to avoid being Pursuit trapped. Finally, Rock Slide can nearly OHKO Mega Charizard Y and Volcarona on the switch in and Zen Headbutt OHKOs Gengar after Stealth Rock damage.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-types**: Pokemon such as Volcarona, Mega Charizard X and Y, and Alolan Marowak can all threaten Bronzong with their powerful STAB moves or set up on it.
**Mega Sableye**: Mega Sableye prevents Bronzong from getting up Stealth Rock, which is crucial in the matchup against stall. In return, it can Knock Off Bronzong's Leftovers and wear it down with Will-O-Wisp.
**Dark-types**: Ash-Greninja, Hoopa-U, and Tyranitar can all OHKO Bronzong with their respective STAB moves. Specifically, Pursuit can weaken Bronzong to the point that it can no longer check the threats that it is supposed to, like Landorus-T and Tapu Lele.
**Ghost-types**: Gengar, Mimikyu, and Alolan Marowak can all threaten Bronzong out with their super effective STAB moves, but none of them want to switch into it.
**Entry Hazard Removal**: Zapdos, Skarmory, Tapu Fini, and Excadrill can prevent Bronzong from doing its job by removing the Stealth Rock that it sets. None of them take significant damage from Bronzong besides Excadrill, which can hit Bronzong regardless with a super effective Earthquake due to Mold Breaker.
gp 1/2: cryo / tdp
[OVERVIEW]
Due to its decent bulk, excellent typing, and useful ability, Bronzong checks a plethora of OU threats, namely Mega Metagross, Landorus-T, Tapu Lele, Garchomp, Magearna, Sand Rush Excadrill, and Nihilego. Bronzong is also a decent Stealth Rock user; its good bulk allows it to get the entry hazards up reliably in the majority of matchups. Additionally, Bronzong fills a multitude of roles in one slot, taking pressure off teammates to fill those roles. Conversely, it faces competition from many other Stealth Rock users, such as Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Heatran, even though they don't necessarily offer the same specific role compression. Bronzong's passivity makes it susceptible to Taunt, prevents it from getting up Stealth Rock against Mega Sableye, which is crucial against stall, and gives certain other Pokemon such as Volcarona and Manaphy setup opportunities. Finally, due to Bronzong's lack of reliable recovery, it can be easily pressured and worn down throughout the match.
[SET]
name: Defensive Pivot
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Gyro Ball
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Hidden Power Ice
item: Leftovers
ability: Levitate
nature: Relaxed
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock is one of the main reasons to use Bronzong, as it helps wear down the opposing team throughout the match. Gyro Ball is a decently strong STAB move that mainly hits Pokemon like Tapu Bulu and Tapu Lele hard. Earthquake allows Bronzong to check Mega Metagross and Magearna much more effectively and also hits Pokemon such as Heatran. Hidden Power Ice is used to hit Landorus-T and Garchomp, two metagame-defining Pokemon that Bronzong is supposed to check. It also keeps Bronzong from being setup bait for Zygarde. Toxic is an option over Hidden Power Ice, as it can cripple common switch-ins and punish Pokemon expecting a free setup opportunity like Volcarona and Mega Charizard X. Protect helps with Bronzong's lack of reliable recovery by giving it an extra turn of Leftovers recovery while scouting for the sets of Greninja and Tapu Lele.
Set Details
========
Leftovers is the only form of recovery Bronzong has besides Rest and helps prevent it from being worn down quickly. Maximum investment is placed into HP and Defense in order to help Bronzong check Landorus-T and Mega Metagross; specifically, it allows Bronzong to take +2 Supersonic Skystrike followed by Fly from Adamant Landorus-T almost all of the time, factoring in Stealth Rock damage and Leftovers recovery. A spread with more Special Defense investment and, optionally, a Sassy nature can be run to tank more hits from Tapu Lele and Magearna. A Relaxed nature is used to further bolster Bronzong's Defense while increasing Gyro Ball's power. Finally, Levitate is vital for Bronzong in order to check Landorus-T, Mega Metagross, and Garchomp.
Usage Tips
========
Conserve Bronzong's HP throughout the match in order to check what it is supposed to check, such as Landorus-T, Tapu Lele, and Mega Metagross. Typically, it is not a good idea to switch Bronzong recklessly into neutral attacks, as it is easily worn down. That being said, Bronzong should be switched into Pokemon that it walls, such as Nihilego and Garchomp, so that it can set up Stealth Rock. Many Pokemon, such as Volcarona, can set up on Bronzong due to its passivity; prevent this from occuring by double switching to Pokemon that can handle said setup sweeper. Consider your priorities when setting up Stealth Rock; for example, if the opponent has a Stealth Rock-weak Pokemon such as Mega Charizard Y or Volcarona, it may be worth having Bronzong be worn down in order to get up Stealth Rock.
Team Options
========
Bronzong is best on balanced teams where it can provide much-appreciated role compression and Stealth Rock support. Due to Bronzong's horrendous matchup against stall, Pokemon that alleviate this weakness are nearly mandatory partners. Examples include Taunt Tapu Lele, Swords Dance Tapu Bulu, and Mega Mawile. Tapu Fini is an amazing partner for Bronzong; it takes on Fire- and Dark-types and forms a core with Bronzong that can both set and remove entry hazards. Other Pokemon that can take Fire- and Dark-type attacks for Bronzong, such as Zygarde, Toxapex, and Magearna make decent partners. Bronzong needs partners that can revenge kill Pokemon that set up on it. Because Volcarona and Mega Charizard X are some of said Pokemon, Choice Scarf users such as Garchomp, Keldeo, and Nihilego are all good partners.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Despite it being a more matchup-based strategy, Bronzong is one of the most effective leads for Trick Room teams, as it learns Stealth Rock, Trick Room, and Explosion. Psywave allows Bronzong to pressure Tapu Fini and other bulky Pokemon slightly more effectively. Rest with a Chesto Berry gives Bronzong a form of recovery that is not Leftovers, but this adds to its passivity and results in it not being able to touch some of the Pokemon that it is supposed to check, such as Landorus-T, Mega Metagross, and Tapu Lele, no matter what coverage it gives up. Meanwhile, a Colbur Berry can surprise Weavile, Mega Mawile, and Tyranitar and allows Bronzong to avoid being Pursuit trapped. Finally, Rock Slide can nearly OHKO Mega Charizard Y and Volcarona on the switch in and Zen Headbutt OHKOs Gengar after Stealth Rock damage.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-types**: Pokemon such as Volcarona, Mega Charizard X and Y, and Alolan Marowak can all threaten Bronzong with their powerful STAB moves or set up on it.
**Mega Sableye**: Mega Sableye prevents Bronzong from getting up Stealth Rock, which is crucial in the matchup against stall. In return, it can Knock Off Bronzong's Leftovers and wear it down with Will-O-Wisp.
**Dark-types**: Ash-Greninja, Hoopa-U, and Tyranitar can all OHKO Bronzong with their respective STAB moves. Specifically, Pursuit can weaken Bronzong to the point that it can no longer check the threats that it is supposed to, like Landorus-T and Tapu Lele.
**Ghost-types**: Gengar, Mimikyu, and Alolan Marowak can all threaten Bronzong out with their super effective STAB moves, but none of them want to switch into it.
**Entry Hazard Removal**: Zapdos, Skarmory, Tapu Fini, and Excadrill can prevent Bronzong from doing its job by removing the Stealth Rock that it sets. None of them take significant damage from Bronzong besides Excadrill, which can hit Bronzong regardless with a super effective Earthquake due to Mold Breaker.
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