[SET]
name: Pivot
move 1: Ivy Cudgel
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Encore / Spikes
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Defiant
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
tera type: Grass
[SET COMMENTS]
Ogerpon functions as a solid pivot within the tier thanks to an array of excellent utility moves, a powerful STAB move in Ivy Cudgel, and great offensive stats. Knock Off allows Ogerpon to punish many of the Pokemon attempting to switch into it such as Zapdos, Tornadus-T, and Skeledirge. U-turn allows Ogerpon to pivot out of matchups that are unfavorable for it such as Tinkaton, Okidogi, and Skeledirge while doing solid damage to Hydrapple that may want to switch in, and thanks to Heavy-Duty Boots, it is able to remain healthy throughout the match and easily pivot in and out of the field. Encore gives it the ability to take advantage of slower Pokemon that have locked themselves into an awkward move so it can go for a free move the turn after, such as Zapdos using Roost or Mandibuzz clicking Defog, which, when paired with Defiant, gives Ogerpon a free Attack boost. On the other hand, Ogerpon is able to use the pressure it creates as opportunities to set up Spikes for its team, helping its teammates and itself by slowly chipping down the opposing team's checks. Ogerpon's Tera type is locked into Grass, but with Embody Aspect, it is given a boost to its Speed on top of the additional boost to its STAB moves, letting it OHKO Slowking and have a chance to 2HKO Tornadus-T after Stealth Rock. This means that Ogerpon can act not only as a powerful breaker with Tera, but also as an emergency speed control option that can outrun every unboosted Pokemon in the metagame, as well as a number of boosted Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Mienshao and Excadrill after Rapid Spin. Ogerpon's Speed boost also allows it to have unique interactions with Encore, switching in on faster Pokemon to lock them into set up moves such as Calm Mind Latios or Dragon Dance Kommo-o.
Ogerpon's pivoting and utility options are best suited on bulky offense teams that appreciate its ability to disrupt foes while bringing in their own threats. Wallbreakers such as Azumarill, Hisuian Arcanine, and Mamoswine love Ogerpon's ability to pivot them in safely, weaken their checks, and potentially set up Spikes for them to break more easily; In return, they are able to deal with some of Ogerpon's checks such as Zapdos, Tornadus-T, and Hydrapple. Pivots that are able to synergize well with Ogerpon such as Slowking, Tornadus-T, and Zapdos make for excellent partners, being able to form a strong core while relieving Ogerpon of the pressure of taking on threats like Latios, Iron Crown, Excadrill, and Lokix. Stealth Rock setters such as Tinkaton and Kommo-o mesh well with Ogerpon that opt for Spikes by maximizing the entry hazard stacking potential, with Tinkaton able to fit Encore instead while taking on Greninja and Zapdos, while Kommo-o can effectively deal with Excadrill and Lokix for it. Sandy Shocks is an excellent teammate for Ogerpon, being able to take on the Flying-types that it's afraid of, creating a VoltTurn core with it, and being able to set up Stealth Rock for it while Ogerpon handles the Water- and Grass-type attacks aimed at Sandy Shocks well while beating its key checks like Azumarill and Rotom-Wash.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/Hannah.540289/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/monky25.515132/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/twilight.344575/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/tbolt.555379/
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