WIP Galarian Slowking

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https://www.smogon.com/forums/threads/galarian-slowking-gp-2-2.3684881/#post-8865300

[Overview]

Galarian Slowking's great defensive stats and Regenerator make it a very active specially defensive pivot that has decent offensive potential with its wide coverage options and Future Sight, separating it from other special walls like Blissey, Slowking, and Toxapex. Regenerator and good special bulk coupled with Assault Vest allow Galarian Slowking to act as a blanket special wall that can switch into powerful special attackers such as Heatran and eat super effective hits from foes like Dragapult and Nidoking. Galarian Slowking's diverse movepool makes it very difficult to switch into, since it can use Scald and Flamethrower to catch and punish Ground- and Steel-type switch-ins. Future Sight, in conjunction with status inflicting moves such as Sludge Bomb and Scald, makes Galarian Slowking excellent at annoying teams with status, coverage, and supporting wallbreakers. However, Galarian Slowking has a crippling weakness to Knock Off, and without Assault Vest, it can quickly get overwhelmed by Pokemon it is supposed to check, such as Clefable, Tapu Fini, and Tapu Koko.

[SET]
name: Assault Vest
move 1: Future Sight / Psychic
move 2: Sludge Bomb
move 3: Flamethrower
move 4: Scald / Ice Beam
item: Assault Vest
ability: Regenerator
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 12 Def / 124 SpA / 120 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]

Future Sight synergizes with powerful attackers like Urshifu-R and Bisharp to break through Pokemon such as Toxapex and Buzzwole. The combination of Future Sight and Sludge Bomb also allows Galarian Slowking to easily break through and damage Substitute users like Zapdos. However, Psychic can be used for more immediate damage against Toxapex and Urshifu-R. Flamethrower punishes Steel-type switch-ins to Future Sight like Ferrothorn and Corviknight. Scald punishes Ground-types such as Hippowdon, Landorus, and Excadrill with a potential burn and chips down Heatran. Hydro Pump is a notable option, as its power allows Galarian Slowking to 3HKO specially defensive Heatran and 2HKO defensive Ground-types like Landorus-T and Hippowdon, but it has lower accuracy and cannot burn foes like Scald. Ice Beam can replace Scald to specifically target Ground- and Dragon-types like Landorus-T, Dragapult, and Garchomp. Assault Vest allows Galarian Slowking to act as a special tank, sponging hits from Fairy-types like Clefable, Tapu Koko, and Tapu Fini and threatening them with its STAB moves. The EV spread with a Calm nature and Assault Vest allows Galarian Slowking to tank two Choice Specs Shadow Balls from Dragapult and survive a Choice Band Surging Strikes from Urshifu-R. However, if improving the Dragapult matchup is not necessary for the team, a Modest nature can be run for increased damage output.

Urshifu-R is a nice partner due to its ability to deal with Ground- and Dark-types that threaten Galarian Slowking. In return, Galarian Slowking helps Urshifu-R break through opposing teams with Future Sight and status. Dragapult greatly appreciates Galarian Slowking's ability to switch into bulky Fairy-types such as Tapu Fini and Clefable. Moreover, Galarian Slowking can cripple walls such as Hippowdon and Tyranitar with Scald, empowering Dragapult's Hex and increasing its wallbreaking potential when paired with Future Sight. Partners that can absorb Knock Off such as Corviknight and Clefable also pair well with Galarian Slowking. Corviknight and Tangrowth in particular are also good switch-ins to Ground-types such as Landorus-T, Excadrill, and Garchomp. Entry hazard setters such as Ferrothorn and Skarmory appreciate Galarian Slowking pressuring most entry hazard removers with status from Scald and Sludge Bomb. In return, Galarian Slowking appreciates Spikes wearing down switch-ins such as Heatran, Tyranitar, and opposing Galarian Slowking in conjunction with its ability to spread status.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====

Earthquake is an option with a Sassy nature to easily 2HKO specially defensive Heatran. However, this move is very situational and results in Galarian Slowking losing important coverage. Calm Mind and Slack Off turns Galarian Slowking into a bulky special sweeper that is able to break past switch-ins such as Corviknight and opposing Galarian Slowking. Whirlpool can trap Toxapex, opposing Galarian Slowking, and Clefable, particularly punishing Toxapex and Clefable for staying in and using Knock Off.

Checks and Counters
====

**Dark-types**: Dark-types such as Bisharp, Weavile, and Hydreigon can switch into Future Sight and threaten a KO on Galarian Slowking with their STAB attacks. However, most of these Pokemon do not appreciate switching into Flamethrower, Scald, or Sludge Bomb. Tyranitar is able to easily switch into Galarian Slowking if it is not running Scald.

**Ground-types**: Common Ground-types such as Landorus-T, Garchomp, Hippowdon, and Excadrill easily threaten Galarian Slowking with Earthquake. However, these Pokemon do not appreciate switching into its Water- or Ice-type coverage moves.

**Knock Off**: Knock Off users such as Clefable, Tornadus-T, and Toxapex can remove Galarian Slowking's Assault Vest on an expected switch, limiting its ability to check them as well as other special attackers such as Tapu Koko.

**Strong Physical Attackers**: Due to Galarian Slowking's low physical defense, it is susceptible to being forced out by physical attackers such as Zeraora, Urshifu-R, Landorus-T, and Garchomp. Psyshock users such as Tapu Lele also exploit Galarian Slowking's low Defense. However, none of these Pokemon appreciate switching into Scald or Sludge Bomb.

**Specially Defensive Walls**: Blissey easily switches into Future Sight and heals off the damage with Recover; it also has Heal Bell or Natural Cure to remove Galarian Slowking's status. Corviknight cannot be 2HKOed by Flamethrower from non-setup sets and is able to PP stall Galarian Slowking. Heatran can trap Galarian Slowking and chip it down greatly, which is especially problematic on sets lacking Water coverage. Slowking can switch in easily and use Future Sight and Teleport against Galarian Slowking.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Anvil Head, 440741]]
- Translated by: [[Sificon, 417297]]
- German grammar checked by: [[Name des Users, id], [Name des Users, id]]
- Quality checked by: [[Abhi, 526987], [airfare, 513717]], [Clone, 218318]]
- Grammar checked by: [[DC, 449990], [estronic, 240732]]
 

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