[OVERVIEW]
Porygon's decent bulk, Normal typing, and access to Recover and Thunder Wave make it one of the best defensive Pokemon in the tier. Very few Pokemon are able to 2HKO Porygon, which allows it to switch directly into attacks and use Recover to remove the damage it takes from switching in. Porygon also has a crucial immunity to paralysis from Body Slam, making it an excellent check to Omanyte and Graveler and making it harder for Pokemon such as Rapidash and Arcanine to break through. Porygon's ability to switch into the Rock-types enables Fearow, Rapidash, and Arcanine to blast the opposing team more freely, since they will have a Pokemon to fall back on if one of their checks switches in in. Once Porygon is on the field, it can either paralyze foes with Thunder Wave or directly attack them; its diverse coverage allows it to hit every Pokemon for at least neutral damage, and it can hit top threats such as Nidoqueen and Fearow super effectively.
However, Porygon is very slow, only outspeeding Graveler, Omanyte, and the rare Slowpoke. This means Porygon will likely get hit twice before being able to use Recover, making it susceptible to critical hits. It's also often forced to use Recover upon switching in, giving the opponent a chance to gain momentum on the predicted recovery turn. Porygon is also vulnerable to paralysis, as even one full paralysis could allow a foe to break through it. This combination of low Speed and fear of paralysis means Porygon is dominated by Drowzee, which outspeeds it and scares it away with Psychic, Thunder Wave, and Hypnosis. Despite these flaws, Porygon's great defensive profile and movepool make it an elite Pokemon that is used on the vast majority of teams.
[SET]
name: Support
move 1: Recover
move 2: Thunder Wave
move 3: Blizzard
move 4: Double-Edge / Thunderbolt / Psychic
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Porygon's combination of Recover and Thunder Wave allows it to switch into many attacks and threaten paralysis. Thunder Wave notably scares away Pokemon such as Pinsir and Machamp that would otherwise be able to stay in and 2HKO it. Blizzard hits Ground-types for super effective damage; it most notably has a 33.5% chance to 2HKO Nidoqueen. It also 2HKOes the Ice-weak Fearow and Dragonair. Porygon's fourth move is a lot more flexible. Double-Edge is Porygon's strongest move against most neutral targets, notably 3HKOing Drowzee. Thunderbolt is the best move against Water-types, most notably hitting Omanyte, which resists Blizzard and Double-Edge. Psychic hits Gastly super effectively, which otherwise takes very little from Porygon's other moves. Psychic also hits Omanyte neutrally, and the chance to drop the foe's Special lets Porygon force out foes such as Arcanine and opposing Porygon, which can otherwise wall it. Psychic also hits Nidoqueen super-effectively and is more accurate than Blizzard; it hits every Pokemon in the tier aside from Drowzee, Abra, and the rare Slowpoke for neutral damage.
One of Porygon's most important matchups is against Nidoqueen. On paper, Porygon seems like an excellent Nidoqueen switch-in; it takes a maximum of 42.3% from Earthquake, meaning it can switch in to Nidoqueen and use Recover to heal off the damage it took. Recover also has double the PP of Earthquake, meaning it is possible for Porygon to stall Nidoqueen. Porygon also has a chance to 2HKO Nidoqueen with Blizzard. However, Nidoqueen outspeeds Porygon, and a critical hit Earthquake followed by a regular Earthquake KOes it. This means that when Porygon switches into or attacks Nidoqueen, it runs the risk of a critical hit Earthquake, forcing the user to either switch out or sacrifice their Porygon the next turn. The optimal play that maximizes Porygon's chance of victory is to repeatedly use Recover until Nidoqueen runs out of Earthquake PP, as this gives Nidoqueen the lowest odds to break through Porygon with critical hits. However, this makes Porygon very predictable, giving Pokemon that otherwise don't like switching into Porygon, such as Machamp, free entry.
Porygon's incredible support capabilities mean it can fit onto almost every team. Since Porygon walls Graveler and Omanyte while unparalyzed, Pokemon that are forced out by the Rock-types, such as Fearow, Rapidash, and Arcanine, are excellent teammates. In return, they threaten Machamp and Pinsir, Pokemon that hit Porygon super effectively, as well as Drowzee, which has a fantastic matchup against Porygon. Drowzee is a fantastic teammate that can switch into opposing Drowzee if it forces Porygon out. Drowzee can also absorb paralysis early-game, which allows Porygon to be unparalyzed for longer. Bulky attackers like Nidoqueen, Seaking, Pinsir, and Machamp, which appreciate Porygon's ability to spread paralysis, are also great teammates. Nidoqueen is also able to switch into Thunder Wave for Porygon and force out the Thunder Wave user.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Ice Beam can be used over Blizzard thanks to its greater accuracy and PP. However, the fast-paced nature of PU means Porygon rarely runs out of Blizzard PP, and Ice Beam misses out on important damage thresholds, such as a guaranteed 2HKO on Fearow and Dragonair as well as a chance to 2HKO Nidoqueen. Tri Attack is an alternative to Double-Edge that lacks recoil, but the greater power of Double-Edge makes it the preferred option. Porygon can use Reflect to become near-unbreakable on the physical side, but it is very hard to fit, and it ends up losing out on either Thunder Wave or valuable coverage. Reflect also doesn't help deal with its vulnerability to critical hits. Porygon can also turn into a sweeper with Sharpen, Recover, Hyper Beam, and either Agility, Thunder Wave, or a coverage move. However, dropping a coverage move means Porygon is completely walled by Gastly and has a much harder time breaking through Nidoqueen and Rock-types, while dropping Thunder Wave severely hinders Porygon's capabilities as a support Pokemon.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Paralysis**: An unparalyzed Porygon is very hard to KO, since very few moves 2HKO Porygon outside of critical hits. A paralyzed Porygon is much easier to KO due to full paralysis preventing recovery. A paralyzed Porygon can't even switch into Omanyte and Graveler effectively anymore, since the Rock-types now outspeed it and 3HKO it, meaning one full paralysis is all it takes. Despite this weakness, Porygon will often be forced to absorb paralysis for its team, since it's not as hindered by the Speed drop as its teammates.
**Drowzee**: Drowzee outspeeds Porygon and almost always 3HKOes it with Psychic. Drowzee also has Hypnosis and Thunder Wave to threaten Porygon with status, and doesn't mind Thunder Wave from Porygon that much. Porygon 3HKOes Drowzee with Double-Edge, but if it drops the move, then Blizzard is only a 4HKO.
**Critical Hits**: Many Pokemon in the tier, such as Nidoqueen, Fire-types, and Seaking outspeed and 3HKO Porygon, and this becomes a 2HKO if they get a critical hit. This means Porygon is always taking a risk when it switches in, since a critical hit will put it in KO range for a subsequent attack, immediately forcing the user to sacrifice it or switch out. Once Porygon does switch in, there is still risk of a critical hit every turn, forcing Porygon to use Recover more often than it wants to in order to mitigate the risk, making it passive.
**Fighting-type Coverage**: Although it doesn't appreciate getting hit by Thunder Wave, Machamp easily 2HKOes Porygon with both Submission and Low Kick, while it is only 4HKOed by Blizzard and Double-Edge, and 3HKOed by Psychic. Similarly, Pinsir also 2HKOes Porygon with Submission. However, it is important to note that once paralyzed, Submission's accuracy becomes a pathetic 59.8%, so Porygon can beat them with luck.
**Explosion**: Although Porygon walls Graveler, it can break through Porygon with Explosion; it has a 43.6% chance to OHKO Porygon, and its low Speed means it can be revenge killed easily if it survives Explosion. However, it is important to note that once Graveler explodes, Fearow becomes much more deadly, so in some cases it would be wise to invite Graveler's Explosion to enable Fearow. Gastly's Explosion is also dangerous, although its much lower Attack means Explosion will only do a maximum of 60.9%. This leaves Porygon's in KO range of common attacks such as Nidoqueen's Earthquake and Rapidash's Fire Blast, allowing the opponent to revenge kill Porygon immediately forcing the Porygon to either sacrifice itself or switch out at low HP, hindering its ability to switch in later in the game.
**Arcanine**: Porygon is completely walled by Reflect + Rest Arcanine. Blizzard only has a 1.9% chance to 4HKO, and Double-Edge 7HKOes once Reflect is up. If Porygon uses Psychic, it can force out Arcanine with enough Special drops, but Reflect + Rest Arcanine walls all of Porygon's other standard sets.
**Partial Trapping**: Since it is slow, Porygon is vulnerable to partial trapping. Dragonair can use Wrap on Porygon and switch in a teammate such as Nidoqueen to force it out, or it could just stay in and wear down Porygon's HP. Although inconsistent, Rapidash's Fire Spin is able to get Porygon into Fire Blast's 2HKO range, since Fire Blast barely misses out on a 2HKO otherwise. It can also let Rapidash pivot out in a pinch.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gastlies.540559/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gangsta-spongebob.535530/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sabelette.583793/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sabelette.583793/
Porygon's decent bulk, Normal typing, and access to Recover and Thunder Wave make it one of the best defensive Pokemon in the tier. Very few Pokemon are able to 2HKO Porygon, which allows it to switch directly into attacks and use Recover to remove the damage it takes from switching in. Porygon also has a crucial immunity to paralysis from Body Slam, making it an excellent check to Omanyte and Graveler and making it harder for Pokemon such as Rapidash and Arcanine to break through. Porygon's ability to switch into the Rock-types enables Fearow, Rapidash, and Arcanine to blast the opposing team more freely, since they will have a Pokemon to fall back on if one of their checks switches in in. Once Porygon is on the field, it can either paralyze foes with Thunder Wave or directly attack them; its diverse coverage allows it to hit every Pokemon for at least neutral damage, and it can hit top threats such as Nidoqueen and Fearow super effectively.
However, Porygon is very slow, only outspeeding Graveler, Omanyte, and the rare Slowpoke. This means Porygon will likely get hit twice before being able to use Recover, making it susceptible to critical hits. It's also often forced to use Recover upon switching in, giving the opponent a chance to gain momentum on the predicted recovery turn. Porygon is also vulnerable to paralysis, as even one full paralysis could allow a foe to break through it. This combination of low Speed and fear of paralysis means Porygon is dominated by Drowzee, which outspeeds it and scares it away with Psychic, Thunder Wave, and Hypnosis. Despite these flaws, Porygon's great defensive profile and movepool make it an elite Pokemon that is used on the vast majority of teams.
[SET]
name: Support
move 1: Recover
move 2: Thunder Wave
move 3: Blizzard
move 4: Double-Edge / Thunderbolt / Psychic
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Porygon's combination of Recover and Thunder Wave allows it to switch into many attacks and threaten paralysis. Thunder Wave notably scares away Pokemon such as Pinsir and Machamp that would otherwise be able to stay in and 2HKO it. Blizzard hits Ground-types for super effective damage; it most notably has a 33.5% chance to 2HKO Nidoqueen. It also 2HKOes the Ice-weak Fearow and Dragonair. Porygon's fourth move is a lot more flexible. Double-Edge is Porygon's strongest move against most neutral targets, notably 3HKOing Drowzee. Thunderbolt is the best move against Water-types, most notably hitting Omanyte, which resists Blizzard and Double-Edge. Psychic hits Gastly super effectively, which otherwise takes very little from Porygon's other moves. Psychic also hits Omanyte neutrally, and the chance to drop the foe's Special lets Porygon force out foes such as Arcanine and opposing Porygon, which can otherwise wall it. Psychic also hits Nidoqueen super-effectively and is more accurate than Blizzard; it hits every Pokemon in the tier aside from Drowzee, Abra, and the rare Slowpoke for neutral damage.
One of Porygon's most important matchups is against Nidoqueen. On paper, Porygon seems like an excellent Nidoqueen switch-in; it takes a maximum of 42.3% from Earthquake, meaning it can switch in to Nidoqueen and use Recover to heal off the damage it took. Recover also has double the PP of Earthquake, meaning it is possible for Porygon to stall Nidoqueen. Porygon also has a chance to 2HKO Nidoqueen with Blizzard. However, Nidoqueen outspeeds Porygon, and a critical hit Earthquake followed by a regular Earthquake KOes it. This means that when Porygon switches into or attacks Nidoqueen, it runs the risk of a critical hit Earthquake, forcing the user to either switch out or sacrifice their Porygon the next turn. The optimal play that maximizes Porygon's chance of victory is to repeatedly use Recover until Nidoqueen runs out of Earthquake PP, as this gives Nidoqueen the lowest odds to break through Porygon with critical hits. However, this makes Porygon very predictable, giving Pokemon that otherwise don't like switching into Porygon, such as Machamp, free entry.
Porygon's incredible support capabilities mean it can fit onto almost every team. Since Porygon walls Graveler and Omanyte while unparalyzed, Pokemon that are forced out by the Rock-types, such as Fearow, Rapidash, and Arcanine, are excellent teammates. In return, they threaten Machamp and Pinsir, Pokemon that hit Porygon super effectively, as well as Drowzee, which has a fantastic matchup against Porygon. Drowzee is a fantastic teammate that can switch into opposing Drowzee if it forces Porygon out. Drowzee can also absorb paralysis early-game, which allows Porygon to be unparalyzed for longer. Bulky attackers like Nidoqueen, Seaking, Pinsir, and Machamp, which appreciate Porygon's ability to spread paralysis, are also great teammates. Nidoqueen is also able to switch into Thunder Wave for Porygon and force out the Thunder Wave user.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Ice Beam can be used over Blizzard thanks to its greater accuracy and PP. However, the fast-paced nature of PU means Porygon rarely runs out of Blizzard PP, and Ice Beam misses out on important damage thresholds, such as a guaranteed 2HKO on Fearow and Dragonair as well as a chance to 2HKO Nidoqueen. Tri Attack is an alternative to Double-Edge that lacks recoil, but the greater power of Double-Edge makes it the preferred option. Porygon can use Reflect to become near-unbreakable on the physical side, but it is very hard to fit, and it ends up losing out on either Thunder Wave or valuable coverage. Reflect also doesn't help deal with its vulnerability to critical hits. Porygon can also turn into a sweeper with Sharpen, Recover, Hyper Beam, and either Agility, Thunder Wave, or a coverage move. However, dropping a coverage move means Porygon is completely walled by Gastly and has a much harder time breaking through Nidoqueen and Rock-types, while dropping Thunder Wave severely hinders Porygon's capabilities as a support Pokemon.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Paralysis**: An unparalyzed Porygon is very hard to KO, since very few moves 2HKO Porygon outside of critical hits. A paralyzed Porygon is much easier to KO due to full paralysis preventing recovery. A paralyzed Porygon can't even switch into Omanyte and Graveler effectively anymore, since the Rock-types now outspeed it and 3HKO it, meaning one full paralysis is all it takes. Despite this weakness, Porygon will often be forced to absorb paralysis for its team, since it's not as hindered by the Speed drop as its teammates.
**Drowzee**: Drowzee outspeeds Porygon and almost always 3HKOes it with Psychic. Drowzee also has Hypnosis and Thunder Wave to threaten Porygon with status, and doesn't mind Thunder Wave from Porygon that much. Porygon 3HKOes Drowzee with Double-Edge, but if it drops the move, then Blizzard is only a 4HKO.
**Critical Hits**: Many Pokemon in the tier, such as Nidoqueen, Fire-types, and Seaking outspeed and 3HKO Porygon, and this becomes a 2HKO if they get a critical hit. This means Porygon is always taking a risk when it switches in, since a critical hit will put it in KO range for a subsequent attack, immediately forcing the user to sacrifice it or switch out. Once Porygon does switch in, there is still risk of a critical hit every turn, forcing Porygon to use Recover more often than it wants to in order to mitigate the risk, making it passive.
**Fighting-type Coverage**: Although it doesn't appreciate getting hit by Thunder Wave, Machamp easily 2HKOes Porygon with both Submission and Low Kick, while it is only 4HKOed by Blizzard and Double-Edge, and 3HKOed by Psychic. Similarly, Pinsir also 2HKOes Porygon with Submission. However, it is important to note that once paralyzed, Submission's accuracy becomes a pathetic 59.8%, so Porygon can beat them with luck.
**Explosion**: Although Porygon walls Graveler, it can break through Porygon with Explosion; it has a 43.6% chance to OHKO Porygon, and its low Speed means it can be revenge killed easily if it survives Explosion. However, it is important to note that once Graveler explodes, Fearow becomes much more deadly, so in some cases it would be wise to invite Graveler's Explosion to enable Fearow. Gastly's Explosion is also dangerous, although its much lower Attack means Explosion will only do a maximum of 60.9%. This leaves Porygon's in KO range of common attacks such as Nidoqueen's Earthquake and Rapidash's Fire Blast, allowing the opponent to revenge kill Porygon immediately forcing the Porygon to either sacrifice itself or switch out at low HP, hindering its ability to switch in later in the game.
**Arcanine**: Porygon is completely walled by Reflect + Rest Arcanine. Blizzard only has a 1.9% chance to 4HKO, and Double-Edge 7HKOes once Reflect is up. If Porygon uses Psychic, it can force out Arcanine with enough Special drops, but Reflect + Rest Arcanine walls all of Porygon's other standard sets.
**Partial Trapping**: Since it is slow, Porygon is vulnerable to partial trapping. Dragonair can use Wrap on Porygon and switch in a teammate such as Nidoqueen to force it out, or it could just stay in and wear down Porygon's HP. Although inconsistent, Rapidash's Fire Spin is able to get Porygon into Fire Blast's 2HKO range, since Fire Blast barely misses out on a 2HKO otherwise. It can also let Rapidash pivot out in a pinch.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gastlies.540559/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gangsta-spongebob.535530/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sabelette.583793/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sabelette.583793/
Last edited:
