[Overview]
Seismitoad's great defensive typing and helpful utility movepool allow it to effectively compress roles and be a consistent switch-in to common threats. Water / Ground typing with the ability Water Absorb allows Seismitoad to completely wall the common Rotom-W, as well as being a superb check to other dangerous Electric-types such as Tapu Koko, Zapdos, Magnezone, and Mega Manectric. Seismitoad can also be a great switch-in to the threatening Magma Storm Heatran, which usually threatens bulkier teams considerably. Unfortunately, the major downside to Seismitoad is its lack of reliable recovery, which, in addition to its average bulk, leaves it vulnerable to being chipped down by entry hazards and attacks throughout a game. Seismitoad can also be easily threatened out by the plethora of strong offensive Grass-type Pokemon commonly seen in the tier, such as Kartana, Tapu Bulu, and Serperior, as well as Grass-type coverage. Lastly, Seismitoad also faces stiff competition from Gastrodon, which possesses the same defensive utility, superior bulk, and reliable recovery in the form of Recover.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Scald
move 3: Earthquake / Knock Off
move 4: Toxic / Earthquake / Knock Off / Refresh
item: Leftovers
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Careful
evs: 244 HP / 36 Def / 216 SpD / 12 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Since Seismitoad walls Rotom-W and various other common Volt Switch users, it gets many free opportunities to set up Stealth Rock during a game. Scald hits common Pokemon such as Landorus-T super effectively and can heavily punish switches to physical attackers like Kartana and Tapu Bulu with a burn. Earthquake hits common defensive Pokemon super effectively, importantly being able to OHKO Heatran and 2HKO Assault Vest Magearna and specially defensive Toxapex. Knock Off can also be used in place of Earthquake to remove items such as Leftovers from common switch-ins such as Tapu Fini, Ferrothorn, and Serperior, as well as Eviolite from Chansey. Toxic threatens Pokemon that do not fear Seismitoad's STAB attacks, such as Rotom-W, Tapu Bulu, and Mega Latias. Refresh can also be used, as it allows Seismitoad to not fear Will-O-Wisp or Toxic from Pokemon it is tasked with dealing with, such as Rotom-W.
Set Details
========
12 Speed EVs allow Seismitoad to outrun uninvested Mega Scizor and threaten it with a Scald burn. 244 HP EVs and 36 Defense EVs allow Seismitoad to avoid the OHKO from a Swords Dance-boosted Sucker Punch from Mega Mawile. Lastly, the rest of the EVs are put into Special Defense to help Seismitoad better take on special attackers such as Tapu Koko and Magearna. If Earthquake is not being used, you should use a Calm nature instead to maximize the amount of damage Scald does. It is also possible to use an alternate physically defensive spread of 252 HP / 244 Def / 12 Spe with an Impish nature, which allows Seismitoad to better take on physical attackers such as Landorus-T, Tyranitar, Mega Charizard X, and Mega Mawile. However, the specially defensive set is more commonly useful due to the prevalence of Tapu Koko, Magearna, and Heatran.
Usage Tips
========
Seismitoad should be sent out against Pokemon that it can easily wall, such as Rotom-W, allowing it to freely set up Stealth Rock or potentially Scald burn an incoming switch-in. Seismitoad is also adept at coming in on predicted Electric-type moves, specifically Volt Switch from the likes of Magearna and Tapu Koko, allowing it to threaten them out with Earthquake. Also, make sure to take full advantage of Water Absorb to get free recovery from a Choice-locked Greninja using Hydro Pump or a Toxapex using Scald. While Heatran is a Pokemon that Seismitoad can switch in on and threaten, you should also be wary of Heatran's Grassium Z variant, which threatens to OHKO Seismitoad. You should make sure to keep multiple layers of Spikes off the field when using Seismitoad, as it isn't able to reliably heal off this damage. It also allows your opponent to bait your Seismitoad in with their Electric-types, causing it to take Spikes damage and get worn down.
Team Options
========
Seismitoad fits on a plethora of team styles, but it's especially good on teams ranging from semi-stall to bulky offense. You should always pair Seismitoad with a Grass-type check, such as Magearna, Heatran, or Celesteela. Heatran is especially noteworthy because of its ability to handle the dangerous Serperior and because Heatran greatly appreciates both Seismitoad's immunity to Water-type attacks and not needing to run Stealth Rock itself, freeing up a moveslot for Protect or Taunt. It is also a good idea to run both a Dark-type answer such as Clefable or Magearna and a Fairy-type check such as Jirachi or Heatran for Greninja's Dark Pulse and Tapu Koko's Dazzling Gleam, as Seismitoad cannot switch into these moves repeatedly. Entry hazards limit the number of times Seismitoad can switch in, so pairing it with hazard removal such as Tornadus-T is highly beneficial. Wish support can be useful when using Seismitoad, as it acts as an extra safety net when Seismitoad's HP runs low, so pairing it with a Wish passer such as Jirachi or Clefable is beneficial. If your Seismitoad isn't running Refresh, it is a good idea to bring cleric support from the likes of Clefable and Chansey, preventing your Seismitoad from being worn down by status and waking it up if it opts to use Rest.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Rest can be used on some stall teams to allow Seismitoad to heal itself, although this requires a lot of team support such as Heal Bell and Wish; therefore, Refresh is much easier to fit onto Seismitoad. Earth Power can be used when Seismitoad is paired with Tapu Bulu to bypass the weakening of Earthquake in Grassy Terrain. Sets using Earth Power should always run a Calm nature to maximize its damage output. An Infestation trapping set is also possible, using an EV spread of 244 HP / 252 Atk / 12 Spe with an Adamant nature and holding Groundium Z, to trap and KO Pokemon such as Toxapex.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-type Pokemon**: Seismitoad is quite easily threatened out by the common Grass type Pokemon in the tier, such as Kartana, Tapu Bulu, Ferrothorn, Tapu Bulu and Tangrowth, only being able to fish for a Scald burn as they switch in.
**Grass-type coverage**: Grass-type moves like Bloom Doom from Heatran and Solar Beam from Mega Charizard Y can promptly remove Seismitoad, and more uncommon moves like Giga Drain from Volcarona, Energy Ball from Magearna and Mega Alakazam, and Grass Knot from Tapu Koko can surprise Seismitoad with massive damage.
**Residual Damage**: Seismitoad lacks reliable recovery and has to rely on Leftovers, unless it's running Rest. This means that entry hazards, Leech Seed, and especially Knock Off can greatly harm Seismitoad's longevity.
**Physical Wallbreakers**: Powerful physical attackers such as Mega Medicham and Kyurem-B threaten to OHKO Seismitoad if they are able to get in safely.
**Bulky Setup Sweepers**: Setup sweepers that can shrug off Seismitoad's moves such as Swords Dance Gliscor, Calm Mind Reuniclus and Calm Mind Clefable can take advantage of it.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/acneautist.569291/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/skypenguin.462413/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rabia.336073/
Seismitoad's great defensive typing and helpful utility movepool allow it to effectively compress roles and be a consistent switch-in to common threats. Water / Ground typing with the ability Water Absorb allows Seismitoad to completely wall the common Rotom-W, as well as being a superb check to other dangerous Electric-types such as Tapu Koko, Zapdos, Magnezone, and Mega Manectric. Seismitoad can also be a great switch-in to the threatening Magma Storm Heatran, which usually threatens bulkier teams considerably. Unfortunately, the major downside to Seismitoad is its lack of reliable recovery, which, in addition to its average bulk, leaves it vulnerable to being chipped down by entry hazards and attacks throughout a game. Seismitoad can also be easily threatened out by the plethora of strong offensive Grass-type Pokemon commonly seen in the tier, such as Kartana, Tapu Bulu, and Serperior, as well as Grass-type coverage. Lastly, Seismitoad also faces stiff competition from Gastrodon, which possesses the same defensive utility, superior bulk, and reliable recovery in the form of Recover.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Scald
move 3: Earthquake / Knock Off
move 4: Toxic / Earthquake / Knock Off / Refresh
item: Leftovers
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Careful
evs: 244 HP / 36 Def / 216 SpD / 12 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Since Seismitoad walls Rotom-W and various other common Volt Switch users, it gets many free opportunities to set up Stealth Rock during a game. Scald hits common Pokemon such as Landorus-T super effectively and can heavily punish switches to physical attackers like Kartana and Tapu Bulu with a burn. Earthquake hits common defensive Pokemon super effectively, importantly being able to OHKO Heatran and 2HKO Assault Vest Magearna and specially defensive Toxapex. Knock Off can also be used in place of Earthquake to remove items such as Leftovers from common switch-ins such as Tapu Fini, Ferrothorn, and Serperior, as well as Eviolite from Chansey. Toxic threatens Pokemon that do not fear Seismitoad's STAB attacks, such as Rotom-W, Tapu Bulu, and Mega Latias. Refresh can also be used, as it allows Seismitoad to not fear Will-O-Wisp or Toxic from Pokemon it is tasked with dealing with, such as Rotom-W.
Set Details
========
12 Speed EVs allow Seismitoad to outrun uninvested Mega Scizor and threaten it with a Scald burn. 244 HP EVs and 36 Defense EVs allow Seismitoad to avoid the OHKO from a Swords Dance-boosted Sucker Punch from Mega Mawile. Lastly, the rest of the EVs are put into Special Defense to help Seismitoad better take on special attackers such as Tapu Koko and Magearna. If Earthquake is not being used, you should use a Calm nature instead to maximize the amount of damage Scald does. It is also possible to use an alternate physically defensive spread of 252 HP / 244 Def / 12 Spe with an Impish nature, which allows Seismitoad to better take on physical attackers such as Landorus-T, Tyranitar, Mega Charizard X, and Mega Mawile. However, the specially defensive set is more commonly useful due to the prevalence of Tapu Koko, Magearna, and Heatran.
Usage Tips
========
Seismitoad should be sent out against Pokemon that it can easily wall, such as Rotom-W, allowing it to freely set up Stealth Rock or potentially Scald burn an incoming switch-in. Seismitoad is also adept at coming in on predicted Electric-type moves, specifically Volt Switch from the likes of Magearna and Tapu Koko, allowing it to threaten them out with Earthquake. Also, make sure to take full advantage of Water Absorb to get free recovery from a Choice-locked Greninja using Hydro Pump or a Toxapex using Scald. While Heatran is a Pokemon that Seismitoad can switch in on and threaten, you should also be wary of Heatran's Grassium Z variant, which threatens to OHKO Seismitoad. You should make sure to keep multiple layers of Spikes off the field when using Seismitoad, as it isn't able to reliably heal off this damage. It also allows your opponent to bait your Seismitoad in with their Electric-types, causing it to take Spikes damage and get worn down.
Team Options
========
Seismitoad fits on a plethora of team styles, but it's especially good on teams ranging from semi-stall to bulky offense. You should always pair Seismitoad with a Grass-type check, such as Magearna, Heatran, or Celesteela. Heatran is especially noteworthy because of its ability to handle the dangerous Serperior and because Heatran greatly appreciates both Seismitoad's immunity to Water-type attacks and not needing to run Stealth Rock itself, freeing up a moveslot for Protect or Taunt. It is also a good idea to run both a Dark-type answer such as Clefable or Magearna and a Fairy-type check such as Jirachi or Heatran for Greninja's Dark Pulse and Tapu Koko's Dazzling Gleam, as Seismitoad cannot switch into these moves repeatedly. Entry hazards limit the number of times Seismitoad can switch in, so pairing it with hazard removal such as Tornadus-T is highly beneficial. Wish support can be useful when using Seismitoad, as it acts as an extra safety net when Seismitoad's HP runs low, so pairing it with a Wish passer such as Jirachi or Clefable is beneficial. If your Seismitoad isn't running Refresh, it is a good idea to bring cleric support from the likes of Clefable and Chansey, preventing your Seismitoad from being worn down by status and waking it up if it opts to use Rest.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Rest can be used on some stall teams to allow Seismitoad to heal itself, although this requires a lot of team support such as Heal Bell and Wish; therefore, Refresh is much easier to fit onto Seismitoad. Earth Power can be used when Seismitoad is paired with Tapu Bulu to bypass the weakening of Earthquake in Grassy Terrain. Sets using Earth Power should always run a Calm nature to maximize its damage output. An Infestation trapping set is also possible, using an EV spread of 244 HP / 252 Atk / 12 Spe with an Adamant nature and holding Groundium Z, to trap and KO Pokemon such as Toxapex.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-type Pokemon**: Seismitoad is quite easily threatened out by the common Grass type Pokemon in the tier, such as Kartana, Tapu Bulu, Ferrothorn, Tapu Bulu and Tangrowth, only being able to fish for a Scald burn as they switch in.
**Grass-type coverage**: Grass-type moves like Bloom Doom from Heatran and Solar Beam from Mega Charizard Y can promptly remove Seismitoad, and more uncommon moves like Giga Drain from Volcarona, Energy Ball from Magearna and Mega Alakazam, and Grass Knot from Tapu Koko can surprise Seismitoad with massive damage.
**Residual Damage**: Seismitoad lacks reliable recovery and has to rely on Leftovers, unless it's running Rest. This means that entry hazards, Leech Seed, and especially Knock Off can greatly harm Seismitoad's longevity.
**Physical Wallbreakers**: Powerful physical attackers such as Mega Medicham and Kyurem-B threaten to OHKO Seismitoad if they are able to get in safely.
**Bulky Setup Sweepers**: Setup sweepers that can shrug off Seismitoad's moves such as Swords Dance Gliscor, Calm Mind Reuniclus and Calm Mind Clefable can take advantage of it.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/acneautist.569291/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/skypenguin.462413/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rabia.336073/
Last edited:
