This handsome fellow's name is Druddigon, and he likes his personal space.
[Pros]
<ul>
<li>Decent overall defenses give it just enough bulk to fulfil its job.</li>
<li>Respectable 120 base attack combined with high base power moves allow it to pose some offensive threat.</li>
<li>Good defensive typing with no 4x weaknesses and a nice assortment of resistances.</li>
<li>Hosts a great set of abilities, allowing it to deal residual damage to physical attackers on the switch, or take on a more offensive role if necessary.</li>
<li>Has a surprising amount of utility, boasting the ability to inflict Paralysis, Phase out opponents, and attack with priority. </li>
<li>Works well as a fast, bulky sweeper on Trick Room teams. </li>
</ul>
[Cons]
<ul>
<li>Slow as molassas. Don't count on outspeeding anything without Sucker Punch or Trick Room in effect.</li>
<li>Has no reliable form of recovery, meaning that it needs to be employed with extreme caution and is vulnerable to being worn down over the course of a match.</li>
<li>Doesn't have much of an answer to defensive fairy-types, who are immune to Dragon Tail and barely use contact moves.</li>
<li>Has competition from bulky Rough Skin Garchomp, who sports slightly greater bulk, vastly superior speed, the ability to boost, immunity to sandstorm, stealth rock resistance and a lot more power.
<li>Lacks a 2x boosting move, having only Hone Claws and Power up Punch to increase its power.</li>
<li>Neutral vulnerability to all kinds of entry hazards and weather damage.</li>
<li>Will often need to act as a sacrificial lamb against many opponents. </li>
</ul>
[Set Recommendations]
<p> Name: Bulky Rough Skin Phaser<br />
- Glare<br />
- Sucker Punch<br />
- Dragon Tail<br />
- Earthquake/Superpower/Revenge</p>
Item: Rocky Helmet<br/>
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Atk <br />
Ability: Rough Skin<br />
Nature: Impish (+Def, -Spa)<br />
<p>
- A combination of Rocky Helmet and Rough Skin will bring recoil physical attackers and life orb users to near or under half HP if Druddigon switches in against a physical attack.
- Barely 2KOed at best by Adamant Choice Banded Talonflame's Brave Bird.
- Glare will drop Talonflame and other speedy priority attackers down a speed tier, allowing Druddigon to strike first with Sucker Punch.
- Survives modest Mega Gengar's Dazzling Gleam with no special defense investment and 2KOs back with Sucker Punch
- Superpower or Revenge will 2KO defensive variants of Tyranitar. OHKO if Tyranitar uses a physical move on the first turn. This allows Druddigon to spend a turn using Glare to prevent Dragon Dance, then deal with Tyranitar at its own pace.
- Survives unboosted Return, Fake Out, Sucker Punch and Power up Punch from Mega Kangaskahn and paralyzes it with Glare, while ripping off half of its health on contact or OKOing with Revenge or Superpower (after contact).
- Earthquake or Revenge 2KOes Mega Lucario soundly, while Druddigon takes 79.3% at most from unboosted adaptability Close combat from Adamant variants.
- Earthquake allows it to take on Aegislash without fear of King's Shield. Aegislash also does not appreciate being Glared and then out prioritised with super effective Sucker Punch. Shadow Sneak is a contact move.
- Mega Heracross's arm thrust is a guaranteed self-KO against a healthy Druddigon.
- Takes very little damage from Choice Band Azumarill's Aqua Jet and chips it down.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>
- Bulky special attackers such as Reuniclus or Slowking have no trouble destroying Druddigon and rarely care too much about Paralysis.
- Bulky fairy types such as Sylveon can come in on Druddigon with ease and set up, not having to worry about being phased.
- Avalugg is a complete and total counter, caring little for Superpower or Revenge and KOing back with Avalanche.
- Harvest Trevenent can set up Leech Seed and wear it down, as can other bulky grass types such as Mega Venasaur who resist Fighting/Ground coverage.
- Checked by many faster special attackers, especially those carrying non-contact ice moves.
- Substitute Gengar can come in and do whatever it wants, as Druddigon's only real answer to it is Sucker Punch and Glare.
- Cloyster outspeeds and OKOs with Icicle Spear, which is a non-contact move. It's also not too bothered by Superpower thanks to its great defense.
- It doesn't have a way to deal with Rotom W, as Earthquake and Glare are both ineffective, while Rotom is free to threaten with Will-o-whisp.</p>
<p>
- Having no self-recovery, Druddigon appreciates Wish support as well as a bulky special sponge to take super effective Ice Beams for it
- Sylveon is a great option, as it can pass wishes to Druddigon, who punishes physical attacks aimed at it. Vaporeon is another potential partener, able to pass fat wishes and Acid Armor while tanking special Ice attacks handily.
- Aromatisse can set up Trick Room for Druddigon, pass wishes, and heal off status with Aromatherapy which are all things Druddigon really appreciates. It's also immune to Taunt.
- Florges does these things as well, while trading off taunt immunity for a more immediate offensive presence.
- A fast pursuit trapper such as Weavile can take advantage of Pokemon weakened by Druddigon's residual damage.
- Druddigon greatly appreciates entry hazard support, and can rack up damage fast by phasing with Dragon Tail. Stealth Rock especially helps with taking down Talonflame.
- Pokemon with U-turn style moves such as Greninja, Meinshao, Heliolisk, Infernape and Crobat enjoy having Druddigon as a partner for obvious reasons.
- Druddigon can use Earthquake or Superpower to harm Steel and Poison types that threaten fairy-type partners.</p>
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