Uploaded -zard
[OVERVIEW]
Munchlax stands out as being the best Fire- and Ice-type check in the tier, capable of taking almost every special hit thrown its way, even super effective attacks like Magmortar's Focus Blast. Curse allows Munchlax to function as a mid- to late-game wincon, and multiple boosts can patch up its weakness to strong physical attacks. Even though it has rather low Defense, Munchlax is still able to take weaker physical hits if needed due to its high HP stat and Eviolite. A low Speed stat allows it to deal with most Trick Room teams once their main physical attackers are dealt with. Thick Fat allows it to wall most Fire- and Ice-types, like Magmortar and Abomasnow. However, Munchlax faces competition from both Type: Null and Miltank, with the former having more overall bulk than it and the latter having reliable recovery in Milk Drink and access to Stealth Rock. The standard Munchlax set is easily walled by Ghost-types, meaning it is either forced to switch or stall them out.
[SET]
name: CurseLax
move 1: Body Slam
move 2: Curse
move 3: Rest
move 4: Sleep Talk
item: Eviolite
ability: Thick Fat
nature: Careful
evs: 4 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Body Slam is the preferred attacking move, as its chance to paralyze foes is generally more useful than the slight damage boost from Return. Return should be considered for teams running Toxic Spikes, as the paralysis chance becomes irrelevant. Curse is used to let it set up against special attackers like Magmortar and Pyroar, allowing it to potentially sweep late-game. Rest keeps Munchlax healthy throughout the match and allows it to remove status effects that would otherwise cripple it such as burn and Toxic poison. Sleep Talk stops Munchlax becoming setup bait for opposing Pokemon when it's asleep.
Set Details
========
Eviolite is by far the best item for improving Munchlax's bulk, as without it, Munchlax struggles to check the Pokemon it is used to beat. Maximum Defense and Special Defense investment allow Munchlax to get the most out of its bulk. While a spread with maximum HP investment could be used, it is less effective because the damage difference is almost negligible due to an already high HP stat, and it loses significant physical bulk. Thick Fat is Munchlax's best ability and allows it to check Fire- and Ice-type foes, such as Pyroar and Abomasnow. A Careful nature on Munchlax is preferred to maximize its Special Defense.
Usage Tips
========
Munchlax can be brought in against most special attackers but should be wary of mixed attackers carrying Knock Off such as Shiftry and Eelektross. Munchlax should be kept healthy throughout the match in order to be a reliable switch-in to these threats. Setting up with Curse will generally be a late-game goal, unless your opponent has no way to break Munchlax early on. It is vital that Munchlax does not have its Eviolite removed by Knock Off during the match, as it then fails to check many of the special attackers it is meant to, such as Magmortar and Pyroar. It's also vital that entry hazards are kept off the field as much as possible, as they hinder how well Munchlax can switch in. Munchlax has to be wary of Z-Moves like an All-Out Pummeling from Magmortar or a Devastating Drake from a boosted Turtonator, as their increased Base Power can break it. Although Munchlax cannot directly beat Ghost-types, it is capable of PP stalling some of them—most notably Life Orb Haunter and Gourgeist-XL. This is not advisable early-game, however, as it wastes Rest's PP.
Team Options
========
Munchlax should be used on bulkier, more passive teams like balance or stall, as it can be a momentum drain on offensive builds. Munchlax appreciates support from sturdy Fighting-resistant Pokemon, such as Mesprit and Weezing. These two Pokemon also provide entry hazards and the ability to cripple physical attackers that Munchlax would otherwise struggle with, respectively. Heal Bell users like Granbull are good for Munchlax because it won't have to stall out sleep turns, which can be detrimental mid-game; Granbull also acts as a good Knock Off absorber. Hazard stackers like Qwilfish are also good teammates for Munchlax, as the residual damage helps wear down switch-ins that would otherwise take advantage of Munchlax’s passiveness, and Qwilfish in particular appreciates Munchlax as a switch-in to special attackers. Pursuit users such as Skuntank are good teammates, as they help beat the Ghost-types that usually wall and set up on Munchlax, such as Substitute Haunter and Oricorio-G. Skuntank can also clear entry hazards with Defog, which Munchlax appreciates. Teammates like Regirock and Lanturn offer good synergy, as they both help deal with Oricorio-G—a common Munchlax switch in—while offering utility in either Stealth Rock or Heal Bell.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Fire Punch is an option over Body Slam to hit and beat Ferroseed and Ghost-types, but losing out on a STAB move means that Munchlax cannot beat Pokemon it usually checks such as Magmortar and Pyroar. Dropping Sleep Talk is another option, but without it Munchlax becomes extremely passive while it's asleep. Toxic is an option over Curse to deal residual damage to most Pokemon, but Curse is generally more consistent, as it allows Munchlax to function as a win condition for balance and stall teams. Whirlwind is also a very niche option that can have some benefits on hazard stacking teams, but it's often just a waste of a moveslot.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Strong Physical Attackers**: Most strong physical attackers like Zangoose, Choice Band Skuntank, and Stoutland find it quite easy to break Munchlax because of its naturally low Defense, but they can struggle to do so if Munchlax has already set up Curse.
**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types like Primeape and Hitmonchan find it easy to break Munchlax, even if it has boosted with Curse prior to switching. However, most of them do not like switching directly into a Body Slam, as they risk being paralyzed, except for Guts users like Gurdurr and Throh.
**Ghost-types**: Every Ghost-type walls Munchlax and can either set up on it or use utility moves like Stealth Rock, bar the Toxic set, as Munchlax is incapable of harming them. However, it is possible for Munchlax to PP stall certain Ghost-types, like Haunter without Trick, Palossand, and Gourgeist-XL, with Rest. Oricorio-G can switch into Munchlax and freely set up with Calm Mind and Substitute.
**Ferroseed**: Ferroseed is one of the few Pokemon that beats Munchlax one-on-one, even at +6 Attack, due to the combination of Leech Seed and Iron Barbs; however, Munchlax is able to beat it with Fire Punch.
**Knock Off Users**: Knock Off users such as Shiftry and Absol are able to cripple Munchlax for the match by removing its Eviolite, thereby preventing it from effectively walling special attackers.
**Taunt and Encore Users**: Weezing and Qwilfish, especially with Rocky Helmet, are able to beat Munchlax by preventing it from setting up with Taunt and can set their own entry hazards or cripple it. Togedemaru can't be paralyzed by Body Slam and can accomplish a similar result by locking Munchlax into one of its three status moves with Encore.
[OVERVIEW]
Munchlax stands out as being the best Fire- and Ice-type check in the tier, capable of taking almost every special hit thrown its way, even super effective attacks like Magmortar's Focus Blast. Curse allows Munchlax to function as a mid- to late-game wincon, and multiple boosts can patch up its weakness to strong physical attacks. Even though it has rather low Defense, Munchlax is still able to take weaker physical hits if needed due to its high HP stat and Eviolite. A low Speed stat allows it to deal with most Trick Room teams once their main physical attackers are dealt with. Thick Fat allows it to wall most Fire- and Ice-types, like Magmortar and Abomasnow. However, Munchlax faces competition from both Type: Null and Miltank, with the former having more overall bulk than it and the latter having reliable recovery in Milk Drink and access to Stealth Rock. The standard Munchlax set is easily walled by Ghost-types, meaning it is either forced to switch or stall them out.
[SET]
name: CurseLax
move 1: Body Slam
move 2: Curse
move 3: Rest
move 4: Sleep Talk
item: Eviolite
ability: Thick Fat
nature: Careful
evs: 4 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Body Slam is the preferred attacking move, as its chance to paralyze foes is generally more useful than the slight damage boost from Return. Return should be considered for teams running Toxic Spikes, as the paralysis chance becomes irrelevant. Curse is used to let it set up against special attackers like Magmortar and Pyroar, allowing it to potentially sweep late-game. Rest keeps Munchlax healthy throughout the match and allows it to remove status effects that would otherwise cripple it such as burn and Toxic poison. Sleep Talk stops Munchlax becoming setup bait for opposing Pokemon when it's asleep.
Set Details
========
Eviolite is by far the best item for improving Munchlax's bulk, as without it, Munchlax struggles to check the Pokemon it is used to beat. Maximum Defense and Special Defense investment allow Munchlax to get the most out of its bulk. While a spread with maximum HP investment could be used, it is less effective because the damage difference is almost negligible due to an already high HP stat, and it loses significant physical bulk. Thick Fat is Munchlax's best ability and allows it to check Fire- and Ice-type foes, such as Pyroar and Abomasnow. A Careful nature on Munchlax is preferred to maximize its Special Defense.
Usage Tips
========
Munchlax can be brought in against most special attackers but should be wary of mixed attackers carrying Knock Off such as Shiftry and Eelektross. Munchlax should be kept healthy throughout the match in order to be a reliable switch-in to these threats. Setting up with Curse will generally be a late-game goal, unless your opponent has no way to break Munchlax early on. It is vital that Munchlax does not have its Eviolite removed by Knock Off during the match, as it then fails to check many of the special attackers it is meant to, such as Magmortar and Pyroar. It's also vital that entry hazards are kept off the field as much as possible, as they hinder how well Munchlax can switch in. Munchlax has to be wary of Z-Moves like an All-Out Pummeling from Magmortar or a Devastating Drake from a boosted Turtonator, as their increased Base Power can break it. Although Munchlax cannot directly beat Ghost-types, it is capable of PP stalling some of them—most notably Life Orb Haunter and Gourgeist-XL. This is not advisable early-game, however, as it wastes Rest's PP.
Team Options
========
Munchlax should be used on bulkier, more passive teams like balance or stall, as it can be a momentum drain on offensive builds. Munchlax appreciates support from sturdy Fighting-resistant Pokemon, such as Mesprit and Weezing. These two Pokemon also provide entry hazards and the ability to cripple physical attackers that Munchlax would otherwise struggle with, respectively. Heal Bell users like Granbull are good for Munchlax because it won't have to stall out sleep turns, which can be detrimental mid-game; Granbull also acts as a good Knock Off absorber. Hazard stackers like Qwilfish are also good teammates for Munchlax, as the residual damage helps wear down switch-ins that would otherwise take advantage of Munchlax’s passiveness, and Qwilfish in particular appreciates Munchlax as a switch-in to special attackers. Pursuit users such as Skuntank are good teammates, as they help beat the Ghost-types that usually wall and set up on Munchlax, such as Substitute Haunter and Oricorio-G. Skuntank can also clear entry hazards with Defog, which Munchlax appreciates. Teammates like Regirock and Lanturn offer good synergy, as they both help deal with Oricorio-G—a common Munchlax switch in—while offering utility in either Stealth Rock or Heal Bell.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Fire Punch is an option over Body Slam to hit and beat Ferroseed and Ghost-types, but losing out on a STAB move means that Munchlax cannot beat Pokemon it usually checks such as Magmortar and Pyroar. Dropping Sleep Talk is another option, but without it Munchlax becomes extremely passive while it's asleep. Toxic is an option over Curse to deal residual damage to most Pokemon, but Curse is generally more consistent, as it allows Munchlax to function as a win condition for balance and stall teams. Whirlwind is also a very niche option that can have some benefits on hazard stacking teams, but it's often just a waste of a moveslot.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Strong Physical Attackers**: Most strong physical attackers like Zangoose, Choice Band Skuntank, and Stoutland find it quite easy to break Munchlax because of its naturally low Defense, but they can struggle to do so if Munchlax has already set up Curse.
**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types like Primeape and Hitmonchan find it easy to break Munchlax, even if it has boosted with Curse prior to switching. However, most of them do not like switching directly into a Body Slam, as they risk being paralyzed, except for Guts users like Gurdurr and Throh.
**Ghost-types**: Every Ghost-type walls Munchlax and can either set up on it or use utility moves like Stealth Rock, bar the Toxic set, as Munchlax is incapable of harming them. However, it is possible for Munchlax to PP stall certain Ghost-types, like Haunter without Trick, Palossand, and Gourgeist-XL, with Rest. Oricorio-G can switch into Munchlax and freely set up with Calm Mind and Substitute.
**Ferroseed**: Ferroseed is one of the few Pokemon that beats Munchlax one-on-one, even at +6 Attack, due to the combination of Leech Seed and Iron Barbs; however, Munchlax is able to beat it with Fire Punch.
**Knock Off Users**: Knock Off users such as Shiftry and Absol are able to cripple Munchlax for the match by removing its Eviolite, thereby preventing it from effectively walling special attackers.
**Taunt and Encore Users**: Weezing and Qwilfish, especially with Rocky Helmet, are able to beat Munchlax by preventing it from setting up with Taunt and can set their own entry hazards or cripple it. Togedemaru can't be paralyzed by Body Slam and can accomplish a similar result by locking Munchlax into one of its three status moves with Encore.
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