Conni
katharsis
QC by: Nineage / Fiend / OP
GP by: Kris / CyroGyro
Pumpkaboo-XL is the slowest Pumpkaboo forme; however, it is also the bulkiest with high defensive stats, making it one of the bulkiest and best spinblockers in the LC metagame. Pumpkaboo-XL has a movepool suitable to its role as a spinblocker in conjunction with stats that make it very bulky and a decent attacker, thus making it effective at what it does. However, Pumpkaboo-XL's typing makes it vulnerable to many common types in the metagame as well as the common Knock Off, which is used by most Pokemon in the metagame.
[SET]
name: Special Spinblocker
move 1: Giga Drain
move 2: Synthesis
move 3: Will-O-Wisp
move 4: Fire Blast / Shadow Ball
item: Eviolite
ability: Frisk
nature: Calm
evs: 204 HP / 36 Def / 4 SpA / 236 SpD / 28 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Giga Drain is Pumpkaboo-XL's main STAB move, which lets it hit Water-, Rock-, and Ground-types such as Chinchou, Slowpoke, Tirtouga, and Mudbray super effectively, and is a semi-reliable recovery option. Pumpkaboo-XL's most reliable form of recovery is Synthesis, allowing it to maintain its longevity in battle to spinblock as long as possible. Will-O-Wisp allows Pumpkaboo-XL to spread status and cripple physical attackers, which switch into this set. Fire Blast is Pumpkaboo-XL's most powerful coverage move, hitting Steel-, Grass-, Bug-, and Ice-types such as Ferroseed, Foongus, Spinarak, and Alolan Sandshrew. Instead of Fire Blast, Shadow Ball can be run as Pumpkaboo-XL's secondary STAB move, hitting Psychic- and Ghost-types such as Abra and Gastly.
Set Details
========
Pumpkaboo-XL's current EV spread maximizes its special bulk, since its Special Defense is lower than its physical Defense. The special bulk also allows it to deal with Staryu, a common spinner. Pumpkaboo-XL can utilize a physically defensive EV spread of 204 HP / 196 Def / 4 SpA / 76 SpD / 28 Spe to increase its already high Defense; this allows Pumpkaboo-XL to efficiently check Mudbray, as it is now more resistant to its physical attacks; however, the spread's lower Special Defense makes Pumpkaboo-XL somewhat vulnerable to special attacks. 28 Speed EVs allow Pumpkaboo-XL to outspeed base 10 Speed Pokemon such as Ferroseed. They also allow it to Speed tie with Pokemon that reach 11 Speed, such as Mudbray. Eviolite is very important for Pumpkaboo-XL, as it maximizes its defenses, which helps it maintain its longevity in battle. Frisk is the ability of choice because it can help determine the foe's set, which provides good foresight. A Calm nature is preferred for Pumpkaboo-XL, as it further increases Pumpkaboo-XL's Special Defense, making it more specially bulky.
Usage Tips
========
Pumpkaboo-XL should be switched into a spinner to attempt to spinblock, allowing entry hazards to stay on the opposing side of the field. Pumpkaboo-XL can also be sent out early-game and spam Will-O-Wisp to spread burns and cripple early-game physical attackers. Pumpkaboo-XL can also switch into Pokemon that it can check, such as Mudbray and some Pokemon that have low Special Defense. It is best to keep Pumpkaboo-XL in the game until all of the opponent's spinners are defeated to ensure that the opposing side's entry hazards don't get removed. Pumpkaboo-XL should also be cautious of Life Orb Ice Beam Staryu, especially if it runs its physically defensive EV spread. Pumpkaboo-XL should generally avoid Knock Off, as it hits Pumpkaboo-XL super effectively and takes away its Eviolite, which is very important in maintaining its precious bulk.
Team Options
========
Since Pumpkaboo-XL is a spinblocker, it would be sensible to have entry hazard setters such as Drilbur, Ferroseed, Mareanie, and Surskit as teammates. The aforementioned entry hazard setters also appreciate Pumpkaboo-XL's utility; however, Pumpkaboo-XL can also be used on teams that don't rely on stacking hazards, as it can still check some Pokemon such as Mudbray. Pumpkaboo-XL's main checks are Dark-, Fire-, and Flying-type Pokemon such as Pawniard, Ponyta, and Vullaby, which can mostly wall all of Pumpkaboo-XL's moves and defeat it easily. Great partners to check the aforementioned Pokemon are Timburr, Mienfoo, and Chinchou, as Timburr can be good on entry hazard-stacking teams and can handle Houndour and Ponyta, as it doesn't mind getting burned and can KO them; Mienfoo can handle Dark-type Pokemon such as Pawniard, but it does mind getting burned; and Chinchou can take care of Vullaby and Ponyta with its Water- and Electric-type moves as well as provide a slow Volt Switch to get Pumpkaboo-XL safely into battle if necessary. Knock Off users and Pursuit trappers can be a pain to Pumpkaboo-XL, so Pokemon such as Trubbish and Diglett can be of use; Trubbish can deal with Knock Off users easily because of its decent physical bulk and ability, Sticky Hold, whereas Diglett can trap Pursuit trappers, and most likely OHKO them, and can also deal with Fire-types and some Steel-types for Pumpkaboo-XL; Pumpkaboo-XL can deal with Water- and Grass-types for it in return. Special walls can take nearly all of Pumpkaboo-XL's moves and proceed to stall out Pumpkaboo-XL until it gets KOed (although some of them don't appreciate getting burned), so powerful physical attackers can help Pumpkaboo-XL take care of them. Pawniard also makes for a good teammate to Pumpkaboo-XL, which cannot block Defog; Pawniard can switch into an expected Defog and gain a Defiant boost in compensation for the removal of entry hazards.
[SET]
name: Mixed Spinblocker
move 1: Giga Drain / Bullet Seed
move 2: Synthesis
move 3: Will-O-Wisp
move 4: Shadow Sneak / Fire Blast
item: Eviolite
ability: Frisk
nature: Sassy / Careful
evs: 204 HP / 36 Def / 4 SpA / 236 SpD / 28 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Giga Drain is Pumpkaboo-XL's primary Grass-type STAB move, hitting Rock-, Water-, and Ground-type Pokemon such as Tirtouga, Chinchou, Slowpoke, and Mudbray. It also acts as a source of recovery. Bullet Seed can be used over Giga Drain because it generally hits harder, is physical instead of special, and can break Sturdy, which can be very effective against Pokemon like Onix and Tirtouga; however, Mudbray gets insane Stamina boosts from Bullet Seed and can wall Pumpkaboo-XL as its Defense rises. Synthesis is Pumpkaboo-XL's main recovery option, allowing it to spinblock consistently for its team. Will-O-Wisp allows Pumpkaboo-XL to spread burns and cripple physical attackers that may switch into it. Shadow Sneak is Pumpkaboo-XL's secondary STAB move and a priority move, which allows it to pick off weakened Pokemon and hit Ghost- and Psychic-types super effectively. Fire Blast can be used instead of Shadow Sneak to hit Steel-, Grass-, Bug-, and Ice-types such as Ferroseed, Foongus, Spinarak, and Alolan Sandshrew super effectively.
Set Details
========
Pumpkaboo-XL's main EV spread allows it to be quite bulky, increasing its Special Defense to nearly be on par with its already high Defense, which helps it against Staryu, one of the most common spinners in the metagame. The EV spread also allows Pumpkaboo-XL to hit decently hard and outspeed base 10 Speed Pokemon and Speed tie with 11 Speed Pokemon such as Ferroseed and Mudbray, respectively; however, a Sassy nature will cut Pumpkaboo-XL's Speed to some degree. Instead of the main EV spread, Pumpkaboo-XL can run a physically defensive EV spread of 204 HP / 196 Def / 4 SpA / 76 SpD / 28 Spe, which allows it to further enhance its monstrous physical Defense to check Mudbray more effectively, but this leaves it vulnerable to powerful special attackers. Eviolite plays a large role in Pumpkaboo-XL's longevity, as it maximizes its already high bulk. Frisk can potentially determine the set of the opposing Pokemon, creating insight for Pumpkaboo-XL's teammates. A Sassy nature can be used to further enhance Pumpkaboo-XL's Special Defense giving it more bulk at the cost of its Speed, which isn't as important as its bulk. Instead of losing its Speed, Pumpkaboo-XL can utilize a Careful nature, which also increases its special bulk but lowers its Special Attack, making moves such as Giga Drain and Fire Blast less effective, so this nature is prefered if Pumpkaboo-XL chooses to use Bullet Seed and Shadow Sneak.
Usage Tips
========
Like the special spinblocker variant, Pumpkaboo-XL's main purpose is to switch into spinners and prevent them from removing the entry hazards on their side of the field, which helps the sweepers on Pumpkaboo-XL's team to sweep efficiently. Pumpkaboo-XL can deal with and force out most spinners, preventing them from removing the entry hazards. Pumpkaboo-XL should be kept alive until all spinners are defeated, as if Pumpkaboo-XL faints before that, the entry hazards could be removed, decreasing Pumpkaboo-XL's team's sweeping capabilities. Pumpkaboo-XL, like the special variant, should be wary of Knock Off, as it takes away an important factor of its bulk, leaving it more vulnerable to attacks. Pumpkaboo-XL can also be used early-game to spread burns and cripple physical attackers, which renders them mostly useless.
Team Options
========
Since this variant of Pumpkaboo-XL is also a spinblocker, Pokemon like Drilbur, Mareanie, Ferroseed, and Surskit appreciate Pumpkaboo-XL's ability to keep their entry hazards on the opposing side; however, Pumpkaboo-XL can also be used without entry hazard setters, as it can still check important Pokemon. Pawniard is a great asset to the team, as Pumpkaboo-XL cannot block Defog, so Pawniard can punish Defog users by gaining a Defiant boost as compensation for the loss of entry hazards. Knock Off users and Pursuit trappers spell trouble for Pumpkaboo-XL, so Pokemon like Trubbish and Diglett are great partners, as Trubbish can easily take a Knock Off due to its good physical bulk and Sticky Hold ability, while Diglett can trap Pursuit trappers and most likely OHKO them and can also deal with Fire-types that might pose a problem to Pumpkaboo-XL. Pokemon such as Mienfoo, Timburr, and Chinchou can deal with opposing Vullaby, Steel-, Dark-, and Fire-types for Pumpkaboo-XL; Chinchou and Pumpkaboo-XL also have good synergy, as both can deal with each others' checks, and Chinchou can provide a useful slow Volt Switch for Pumpkaboo-XL to safely enter battle.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Trick Room set with Trick Room, either Giga Drain or Bullet Seed, Will-O-Wisp, and either Destiny Bond or Explosion with a Quiet or Brave nature and an EV spread of 44 HP / 44 Atk / 196 Def / 156 SpD / 68 SpA can be used for Pumpkaboo-XL and other slow Pokemon to sweep the opposing team, but with the loss of one of the best Trick Room sweepers, Porygon, this set is underwhelming. Rock Slide can be very effective on the aforementioned Trick Room set, as it hits Fire-, Flying-, and Ice-type Pokemon such as Ponyta, Vullaby, and Slush Rush users super effectively while outspeeding them, but Fire Blast hits Ice-types a lot harder than Rock Slide. Another form of recovery that Pumpkaboo-XL can utilize is Leech Seed + Protect, as it can drain the opposing Pokemon's health and use Protect to heal itself up safely; however, this combination is underwhelming, as it takes up significant space in Pumpkaboo-XL's moveset and is too passive in comparison to the more reliable Synthesis. Instead of Will-O-Wisp, Toxic can be used to cripple setup sweepers and can be spread early-game, crippling opposing Pokemon and some of Pumpkaboo-XL's checks. Pumpkaboo-XL can also utilize Ghostium Z + Trick-or-Treat to gain a boost to all of its stats, but Pumpkaboo-XL's bulk is much more important than stat boosts; Z-Trick-or-Treat is much more fitting for Pumpkaboo-S because of its superior offensive capabilities.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-types** Fire-types, especially Houndour, which has a super effective typing against Pumpkaboo-XL's, can resist nearly all of Pumpkaboo-XL's moves and likely OHKO or 2HKO it with super effective special moves without much difficulty; some Fire-types can also gain a Flash Fire boost if they switch into Will-O-Wisp, causing trouble for Pumpkaboo-XL and its teammates.
**Guts Users** Guts users such as Timburr and Taillow can easily switch into Will-O-Wisp because of the negligible damage a burn deals per turn and defeat Pumpkaboo-XL easily with Guts-boosted Knock Off and Brave Bird, respectively.
**Dark- and Flying-types** Dark- and Flying-types, especially special Vullaby, can easily deal with Pumpkaboo-XL with their super effective STAB moves, either OHKOing or 2HKOing it, and can take all of Pumpkaboo-XL's moves, although most don't appreciate being burned by Will-O-Wisp.
Last edited:
