GP: Fireflame479
[OVERVIEW]
Normal
========
* Porygon2 is the premier option for a physically defensive Pokemon on Normal teams thanks to its great bulk that is further bolstered by Eviolite.
* Even without investment, Eviolite lets Porygon2 take special attacks from wallbreakers like Latios and Hydreigon thanks to its ridiculous mixed bulk.
* Porygon2 complements Chansey really well, as they can switch into most of each other's checks, and together they form a great defensive backbone for Normal teams capable of switching into almost every attack.
* It has a great ability in Trace, which lets it check big threats to Normal teams like Dragonite and Landorus-T.
* Porygon2 has a diverse movepool with coverage options such as Ice Beam and Discharge, utility moves like Toxic and Foul Play, and reliable recovery in Recover.
* However, Porygon2's pure Normal typing doesn't offer any new resistances and just adds on to the team's weakness to Fighting-types.
* It is also extremely vulnerable to stallbreakers like Mew and is severely crippled by Knock Off and Trick users.
[SET]
name: Physically Defensive (Normal)
move 1: Recover
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Foul Play
move 4: Toxic
item: Eviolite
ability: Trace
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Recover gives Porygon2 a reliable way to recover health and allows it to continue to switch into attacks
* Ice Beam gives Porygon2 good coverage, notably hitting Gliscor, which can otherwise stallbreak it, and Dragonite.
* Foul Play prevents Pokemon like Scizor from using Porygon2 as setup bait. It also hits other powerful physical attackers such as Excadrill.
* Toxic gives Porygon2 a way to wear down defensive Pokemon like Swampert and Mega Slowbro.
* Alternatively, Discharge can be used to give Porygon2 good coverage alongside Ice Beam while giving it a decent chance to paralyze the foe. However, Toxic's ability to threaten defensive Pokemon is generally preferred.
Set Details
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* Maximum investments are made in HP and Defense with a Bold nature to make Porygon2 as bulky as possible, letting it take hits from strong physical wallbreakers like Choice Band Excadrill.
* Eviolite boosts Porygon2's Defense and Special Defense to high levels.
* Trace is the preferred ability, as it allows Porygon2 to copy other abilities such as Multiscale from Dragonite, Intimidate from Gyarados, and Regenerator from Slowbro.
Usage Tips
========
* Use Porygon2 as a pivot into physical attackers such as Mega Sharpedo and Excadrill.
* Make sure to keep Porygon2 healthy with Recover whenever it pivots into an attack to prevent it from being worn down easily.
* Use Trace to give Porygon2 more opportunities to switch in. Copying Multiscale lets Porygon2 switch into Choice Band Dragonite at full health, for example.
* Be careful of Knock Off and Trick users like Bisharp and Togekiss, as without Eviolite, Porygon2 can become a liability.
* Keep Porygon2 away from status ailments, particular Toxic, as they limit its ability to switch into attacks.
* Try to hide what move Porygon2 is carrying in its 4th moveslot against some threats. For example, Mega Slowbro doesn't mind Discharge but hates Toxic. Conversely, Keldeo hates the Discharge paralysis.
* Porygon2 should use its bulk and access to Recover to stall out threats like Mega Slowbro with Toxic + Recover.
* Porygon2 can switch in as a sweeper attempts to setup and punish it with Foul Play. For example, Porygon2 can switch into Mega Charizard X as it uses Dragon Dance and KO it with Foul Play.
Team Options
========
* Porygon2 is a staple pick on balance teams thanks to its ability to check a plethora of threats and switch into physical attacks.
* Porygon2 and Chansey form a great defensive core. Porygon2 can switch into checks to Chansey like Dragonite and Excadrill, while Chansey can switch into special wallbreakers like Mega Charizard Y and Tapu Koko. Only a handful of Pokemon can break through them. Chansey can additionally absorb status ailments thanks to Natural Cure or cure Porygon2 if it's already inflicted with status through Heal Bell, set Stealth Rock, and run Toxic to free Porygon2's last moveslot for another move.
* Staraptor can get rid of entry hazards with Defog and can soften up attacks from Fighting-types like Heracross with Intimidate. Staraptor can also check Bisharp, which is a huge threat, with Close Combat, and Staraptor is a great switch-in to Knock Off.
* Frailer Pokemon like Porygon-Z, Diggersby, and Meloetta appreciate having Porygon2 pivot into priority users like Scizor and Dragonite. Porygon2 can also wear down their checks with Toxic. Meloetta can additionally check Fighting-types thanks to its Psychic typing.
* Ditto can punish setup sweepers like Manaphy and Xurkitree that use Porygon2 as setup fodder.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Normal
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* Hidden Power Fire is an option to deal with Steel-types like Ferrothorn, Mega Scizor, and Bisharp more easily; however, Porygon2 loses out on using Toxic or Foul Play.
* Thunder Wave is an option over Toxic to cripple faster threats like Keldeo and Terrakion; however, this means Porygon2 can no longer beat defensive Pokemon like Mega Slowbro and Mantine.
* Download is an option to reliably beat Gliscor with Ice Beam. It also works great with Hidden Power Fire + Discharge to break Steel teams, as most Steel-types like Skarmory and Ferrothorn give Porygon2 a Special Attack boost. However, banking on the Special Attack boost makes it unreliable.
Checks and Counters
===================
Normal
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**Wallbreakers**: Wallbreakers like Choice Band Victini, Mega Charizard Y, and Choice Specs Meloetta can easily 2HKO Porygon2; however, they need to watch out for Thunder Wave.
**Mega Sableye**: Mega Sableye takes little to nothing from Porygon2's coverage moves, bounces back Toxic, and can proceed to Knock Off Porygon2's Eviolite or set up Calm Mind.
**Stallbreakers**: Zapdos can stall Porygon2 out with Toxic + Substitute. Mew can additionally cripple Porygon2 with Taunt and Knock Off.
**Knock Off and Trick Users**: Knock Off and Trick users like Alolan Muk and Togekiss, respectively, can cripple Porygon2 by removing its Eviolite, reducing its bulk significantly.
**Toxic**: Porygon2 hates Toxic, as it stays on the field for a long time and is susceptible to Toxic's increasing damage.
**Setup Sweepers**: Bisharp can set up on Porygon2 without having to worry about Foul Play damage. It can also Knock Off Porygon2's Eviolite. Magearna and Manaphy can also use Porygon2 as setup fodder, as they take little damage from its coverage moves. Magearna doesn't mind being paralyzed, and Manaphy's Rain Dance + Hydration prevents it from being inflicted by status.
**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types like Keldeo, Terrakion, and Buzzwole can easily KO Porygon2; however, they need to be careful of switching into Thunder Wave.
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