Myosin
wishy fishy
[OVERVIEW]
Palossand is able to carve out a niche for itself in the NU tier thanks to its access to Stealth Rock and reliable recovery in Shore Up. Its Ground / Ghost typing combined with its formidable physical bulk makes it a solid check to Fighting-types such as Medicham and Toxicroak, as well as granting immunities to Normal, Fighting, and Electric and the ability to serve as a spinblocker. Thanks to its STAB Shadow Ball and base 100 Special Attack, Palossand is also one of the few Stealth Rock users in the tier that are able to beat Xatu. Water Compaction also allows Palossand to switch into weaker Water-type moves, such as Samurott's Aqua Jet, and gain a +2 Defense boost. However, due to Palossand's rather poor Special Defense and weakness to many offensive types, it is vulnerable to many of NU's strongest special attackers, namely Vanilluxe, Whimsicott, and Venusaur. While it has a solid Special Attack stat, it is still very passive and struggles to OHKO even offensive foes. Additionally, Palossand struggles to put its Ghost typing to use for spinblocking, as the only spinners it can really take on are Hitmonlee and the unviable Hitmontop.
[SET]
name: Defensive Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Shadow Ball
move 4: Shore Up
item: Leftovers / Colbur Berry / Passho Berry
ability: Water Compaction
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock is useful for any competitive team, and Palossand's ability to beat other Stealth Rock users, such as Steelix and Rhydon, grant it many opportunities to set it up. Earth Power allows Palossand to hit Pokemon such as Steelix, Garbodor, and Heliolisk for super effective damage. Shadow Ball is crucial for dealing with Xatu, one of the tier's most common forms of entry hazard control. It also allows Palossand to deal solid damage versus Pokemon such as Slowbro, Rotom, and Mismagius. Shore Up is important for keeping Palossand healthy throughout the battle, allowing it to switch into Pokemon such as Medicham and Hitmonlee on multiple occasions.
Set Details
========
Palossand's main role is to take physical hits; therefore, 252 EVs are placed into HP and Defense along with a Bold nature. Leftovers provides Palossand with passive recovery, preventing it from being worn down as easily. Alternatively, Colbur Berry allows Palossand to take Dark-type moves such as Hitmonlee's Knock Off, Houndoom's Dark Pulse, and Incineroar's Darkest Lariat more effectively, and Passho Berry can be used to allow Palossand to check Heliolisk and other users of Water-type moves such as Slowbro. Water Compaction, though situational, is Palossand's best ability; however, Palossand struggles to actually gain from it, since most Water-types are too overwhelming for it to handle. If damaged by a weak Water-type move such as Slowbro's Scald, Palossand gains a +2 Defense boost, making it more effective at taking physical attacks.
Usage Tips
========
Switch Palossand into Pokemon such as Hitmonlee and Steelix in order to get up Stealth Rock, typically earlier in the battle. However, if you predict Xatu or a Defogger such as Whimsicott to switch in, use Shadow Ball in order to get off damage, making it easier to keep Stealth Rock on the field later in the battle. Pokemon such as Garbodor, Rhydon, and Druddigon also struggle to deal very much damage to Palossand, so switching Palossand directly into them will likely result in a free turn to use Stealth Rock. Once Palossand has taken a decent amount of damage, use Shore Up in order to keep it healthy throughout the battle. Be wary of Toxic from Pokemon such as Steelix and Slowbro, as it will put Palossand on a timer and lessen its utility. Palossand's partial Ghost typing also discourages Pokemon such as Medicham and Passimian from spamming High Jump Kick and Close Combat, so this could be used to your advantage throughout a battle.
Team Options
========
Special walls such as Type: Null and Assault Vest Guzzlord complement Palossand nicely, taking on special attackers such as Vanilluxe and Slowking that threaten Palossand. Grass-types such as Venusaur, Sceptile, and Whimsicott take care of Palossand's weakness to opposing Grass- and Water-types. Ferroseed is also able to set Spikes, which Palossand can then spinblock. Fire-types such as Delphox and Houndoom resist opposing Grass- and Ice-type moves and can fire back with super effective STAB attacks. Pokemon that are weak to Fighting-type moves such as Klinklang, Heliolisk, Sneasel, and Guzzlord all appreciate Palossand's ability to check said Fighting-types. A cleric such as Vaporeon or Mega Audino can use Heal Bell in order to cure a Toxic or burn placed on Palossand; additionally, both of them synergize well with Palossand, taking on Pokemon it's weak to.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Toxic can be used to rack up damage on bulkier foes such as Slowbro and Braviary, diminishing their effectiveness throughout a battle greatly; however, Palossand struggles to free up a moveslot for it. Ghostium Z can be used to OHKO Pokemon such as Slowbro and deal more damage to possible switch-ins such as Whimsicott while also lessening damage from Knock Off. However, Z-Moves are typically more useful on offensive sweepers such as Klinklang and Venusaur. Along with Toxic, Infestation could be used to trap bulkier foes and whittle them down with racked-up passive damage. Hypnosis may be used to put common switch-ins such as Vanilluxe and Venusaur to sleep, but it's quite inaccurate and typically not worth the moveslot.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types**: Whimsicott and Venusaur don't mind either of Palossand's attacks, and they can use their respective Grass-type attacks to KO Palossand. Because Venusaur takes little damage from any of Palossand's attacks, it uses Palossand as setup bait for a possible sweep.
**Ice-types**: Vanilluxe, Cryogonal, and Sneasel give Palossand a lot of trouble, dealing super effective damage with their STAB moves. Meanwhile, Palossand can't quite OHKO in return.
**Water-types**: Vaporeon, Slowking, and Samurott have the bulk to take attacks from Palossand and deal super effective damage with Scald and Waterfall.
**Strong Super Effective Attackers**: Palossand's strong point is physical bulk; however, it lacks the special bulk to take hits from special attackers such as Vivillon, Sceptile, and Guzzlord.
**Toxic**: Because Palossand is so passive, getting inflicted with Toxic poison puts it on a timer lessens its utility greatly.
**Flying-types**: Dodrio and Braviary are completely immune to all of Palossand's attacks, so they are able to use it either as setup bait or as a free opportunity to Defog. Pokemon such as Charizard and Vivillon also are immune to Earth Power and take very little damage from Shadow Ball, so they gain setup opportunities from Palossand as well.
**Bulky Setup Sweepers:** Palossand is rather passive when it comes to damaging bulkier foes. Therefore, Pokemon such as Scrafty, Ludicolo, Aromatisse, and Malamar are all able to use it as setup bait. Even against some Pokemon such as Delphox and Klinklang, where Palossand has a type advantage, it can be used as setup bait; the former can use Calm Mind and proceed to OHKO with a +1 Grass Knot or Inferno Overdrive, while Klinklang can use Magnet Rise and KO Palossand with Gear Grind and Corkscrew Crash at +1.
Palossand is able to carve out a niche for itself in the NU tier thanks to its access to Stealth Rock and reliable recovery in Shore Up. Its Ground / Ghost typing combined with its formidable physical bulk makes it a solid check to Fighting-types such as Medicham and Toxicroak, as well as granting immunities to Normal, Fighting, and Electric and the ability to serve as a spinblocker. Thanks to its STAB Shadow Ball and base 100 Special Attack, Palossand is also one of the few Stealth Rock users in the tier that are able to beat Xatu. Water Compaction also allows Palossand to switch into weaker Water-type moves, such as Samurott's Aqua Jet, and gain a +2 Defense boost. However, due to Palossand's rather poor Special Defense and weakness to many offensive types, it is vulnerable to many of NU's strongest special attackers, namely Vanilluxe, Whimsicott, and Venusaur. While it has a solid Special Attack stat, it is still very passive and struggles to OHKO even offensive foes. Additionally, Palossand struggles to put its Ghost typing to use for spinblocking, as the only spinners it can really take on are Hitmonlee and the unviable Hitmontop.
[SET]
name: Defensive Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Shadow Ball
move 4: Shore Up
item: Leftovers / Colbur Berry / Passho Berry
ability: Water Compaction
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock is useful for any competitive team, and Palossand's ability to beat other Stealth Rock users, such as Steelix and Rhydon, grant it many opportunities to set it up. Earth Power allows Palossand to hit Pokemon such as Steelix, Garbodor, and Heliolisk for super effective damage. Shadow Ball is crucial for dealing with Xatu, one of the tier's most common forms of entry hazard control. It also allows Palossand to deal solid damage versus Pokemon such as Slowbro, Rotom, and Mismagius. Shore Up is important for keeping Palossand healthy throughout the battle, allowing it to switch into Pokemon such as Medicham and Hitmonlee on multiple occasions.
Set Details
========
Palossand's main role is to take physical hits; therefore, 252 EVs are placed into HP and Defense along with a Bold nature. Leftovers provides Palossand with passive recovery, preventing it from being worn down as easily. Alternatively, Colbur Berry allows Palossand to take Dark-type moves such as Hitmonlee's Knock Off, Houndoom's Dark Pulse, and Incineroar's Darkest Lariat more effectively, and Passho Berry can be used to allow Palossand to check Heliolisk and other users of Water-type moves such as Slowbro. Water Compaction, though situational, is Palossand's best ability; however, Palossand struggles to actually gain from it, since most Water-types are too overwhelming for it to handle. If damaged by a weak Water-type move such as Slowbro's Scald, Palossand gains a +2 Defense boost, making it more effective at taking physical attacks.
Usage Tips
========
Switch Palossand into Pokemon such as Hitmonlee and Steelix in order to get up Stealth Rock, typically earlier in the battle. However, if you predict Xatu or a Defogger such as Whimsicott to switch in, use Shadow Ball in order to get off damage, making it easier to keep Stealth Rock on the field later in the battle. Pokemon such as Garbodor, Rhydon, and Druddigon also struggle to deal very much damage to Palossand, so switching Palossand directly into them will likely result in a free turn to use Stealth Rock. Once Palossand has taken a decent amount of damage, use Shore Up in order to keep it healthy throughout the battle. Be wary of Toxic from Pokemon such as Steelix and Slowbro, as it will put Palossand on a timer and lessen its utility. Palossand's partial Ghost typing also discourages Pokemon such as Medicham and Passimian from spamming High Jump Kick and Close Combat, so this could be used to your advantage throughout a battle.
Team Options
========
Special walls such as Type: Null and Assault Vest Guzzlord complement Palossand nicely, taking on special attackers such as Vanilluxe and Slowking that threaten Palossand. Grass-types such as Venusaur, Sceptile, and Whimsicott take care of Palossand's weakness to opposing Grass- and Water-types. Ferroseed is also able to set Spikes, which Palossand can then spinblock. Fire-types such as Delphox and Houndoom resist opposing Grass- and Ice-type moves and can fire back with super effective STAB attacks. Pokemon that are weak to Fighting-type moves such as Klinklang, Heliolisk, Sneasel, and Guzzlord all appreciate Palossand's ability to check said Fighting-types. A cleric such as Vaporeon or Mega Audino can use Heal Bell in order to cure a Toxic or burn placed on Palossand; additionally, both of them synergize well with Palossand, taking on Pokemon it's weak to.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Toxic can be used to rack up damage on bulkier foes such as Slowbro and Braviary, diminishing their effectiveness throughout a battle greatly; however, Palossand struggles to free up a moveslot for it. Ghostium Z can be used to OHKO Pokemon such as Slowbro and deal more damage to possible switch-ins such as Whimsicott while also lessening damage from Knock Off. However, Z-Moves are typically more useful on offensive sweepers such as Klinklang and Venusaur. Along with Toxic, Infestation could be used to trap bulkier foes and whittle them down with racked-up passive damage. Hypnosis may be used to put common switch-ins such as Vanilluxe and Venusaur to sleep, but it's quite inaccurate and typically not worth the moveslot.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types**: Whimsicott and Venusaur don't mind either of Palossand's attacks, and they can use their respective Grass-type attacks to KO Palossand. Because Venusaur takes little damage from any of Palossand's attacks, it uses Palossand as setup bait for a possible sweep.
**Ice-types**: Vanilluxe, Cryogonal, and Sneasel give Palossand a lot of trouble, dealing super effective damage with their STAB moves. Meanwhile, Palossand can't quite OHKO in return.
**Water-types**: Vaporeon, Slowking, and Samurott have the bulk to take attacks from Palossand and deal super effective damage with Scald and Waterfall.
**Strong Super Effective Attackers**: Palossand's strong point is physical bulk; however, it lacks the special bulk to take hits from special attackers such as Vivillon, Sceptile, and Guzzlord.
**Toxic**: Because Palossand is so passive, getting inflicted with Toxic poison puts it on a timer lessens its utility greatly.
**Flying-types**: Dodrio and Braviary are completely immune to all of Palossand's attacks, so they are able to use it either as setup bait or as a free opportunity to Defog. Pokemon such as Charizard and Vivillon also are immune to Earth Power and take very little damage from Shadow Ball, so they gain setup opportunities from Palossand as well.
**Bulky Setup Sweepers:** Palossand is rather passive when it comes to damaging bulkier foes. Therefore, Pokemon such as Scrafty, Ludicolo, Aromatisse, and Malamar are all able to use it as setup bait. Even against some Pokemon such as Delphox and Klinklang, where Palossand has a type advantage, it can be used as setup bait; the former can use Calm Mind and proceed to OHKO with a +1 Grass Knot or Inferno Overdrive, while Klinklang can use Magnet Rise and KO Palossand with Gear Grind and Corkscrew Crash at +1.
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