[SET]
Support Wonder Guard (Slaking) @ Shed Shell / Safety Goggles
Ability: Wonder Guard
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
- Parting Shot / Baton Pass
- Recover / Wish
- Defog / Stealth Rock
- Aromatherapy / King's Shield / Whirlwind
[SET COMMENTS]
Slaking is a premier pivot and cleric with Wonder Guard thanks to its single weakness in Fighting and impressive physical bulk that lets it check Mold Breaker Pokemon like Primal Groudon and Secret Sword Mega Gengar. Parting Shot and Baton Pass allow Slaking to generate momentum for its team; the former lowers the foe's offenses but is exploitable by Magic Bounce users, and the latter possesses greater PP but passes undesirable effects like Curse, Perish Song, and Gastro Acid to its teammates. Recover provides Slaking with instant recovery, while Wish makes use of Slaking's high HP stat to keep both itself and its teammates healthy at the cost of often sacrificing momentum when used. Defog is a valuable support option that minimizes the chip damage Slaking and its teammates take throughout the game by removing entry hazards; alternatively, Stealth Rock is a valid option if the role of Defogger is already filled. Similarly, many teams appreciate Aromatherapy's ability to cure bothersome status conditions, but King's Shield and Whirlwind can be used if a teammate is already carrying it. King's Shield safely scouts for Fighting-type coverage and lets Slaking safely heal via Wish, while Whirlwind thwarts Substitute passing and setup attempts. Slaking uses a Relaxed nature minimum Speed IVs to increase the chances it moves last, allowing it to safely bring in a teammate via Parting Shot or Baton Pass. Shed Shell lets Slaking escape from Shadow Tag users such as Mega Mewtwo X, Mega Latios, and Mega Mewtwo Y, whereas Safety Goggles provides an immunity to Spore from Pokemon like Giratina, Primal Groudon, and Mega Gengar.
Like other support Wonder Guard users, Slaking is mainly used on balance and bulky offense teams where a multitude of Pokemon enjoy the utility it provides. Offensive Pokemon such as Mega Rayquaza, Mega Gengar, and Mega Latios benefit from Slaking's pivoting capabilities, which ensure they safely enter the field, as well as its ability to check Fake Out + Extreme Speed users, such as Regigias and Mega Diancie, and faster No Guard Pokemon, like Mega Mewtwo Y, Mega Lopunny, and Deoxys-S. Slaking also supports bulkier offensive teammates like Primal Groudon and Dialga, healing them with Wish, which allows them to be threatening throughout the course of a game and reduces their chances of being revenge killed. Slaking is capable of Imposter-proofing Huge Power or Protean Pokemon, such as Mega Mewtwo X, Mega Latios, and Mega Mewtwo Y, lacking Fighting-type coverage. Due to Slaking's ability to compress the roles of a defensive pivot, entry hazard removal, and cleric into one teamslot, it can afford be run alongside offensive Shell Smash Wonder Guard users, such as Xerneas, Deoxys-A, and Mega Mewtwo Y. Alternatively, Slaking can be paired with a more passive second Wonder Guard user, such as Primal Kyogre or Mega Audino, to free up moveslots it would otherwise always dedicate to Defog and Aromatherapy. Slaking also supports Substitute + Baton Pass users lacking recovery like Wonder Guard Xerneas by healing them with Wish. Prankster Giratina can take on strong Fighting-type attacks from Mega Mewtwo X and cripple it with a status condition, aid Slaking in dealing with Mold Breaker Primal Groudon, and absorb attempts to use Trick on Slaking if Giratina is holding a Griseous Orb. Choice Scarf Shadow Tag Primal Groudon could be considered for its ability to trap faster offensive Pokemon that threaten Slaking as well as Taunt Mega Beedrill. Mega Gyarados is a potent potential partner, as it threatens Giratina—one of Slaking's most common switch-ins—with Pursuit, and it also has the potential to revenge kill dangerous Shell Smash Mold Breaker Pokemon such as Primal Groudon. Pixilate Mega Diancie particularly excels in checking Mold Breaker Mega Rayquaza for Slaking and can similarly terrorize a multitude of Shell Smash users like opposing Mega Diancie and Mega Gengar.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Wonder Guard Slaking has several other options, for example: Magic Coat can be used in either of the last two moveslots, reflecting status moves such as Spore, Dark Void, Glare, Encore, Taunt, and entry hazards aimed at Slaking. Spikes is an alternative to Stealth Rock, trading the ability to pressure Flying-types for the possibility of multiple layers of hazards. Lum Berry can be used over Safety Goggles to cure sleep from Dark Void, but its one-time use stipulation makes it an inferior option. U-turn is a more uncommon pivot move that is importantly ineffective into opposing Wonder Guard users, but heavily chips offensive Pokemon such as Mega Gyarados and Mega Mewtwo Y and is not stopped by Taunt. Knock Off annoys Giratina for a teammate, removing its Safety Goggles and making it vulnerable to Spore, and lets Slaking singlehandedly beat non-Sludge Wave variants of Mega Gengar. A set of Fake Out + Extreme Speed can be used in tandem with the alternate spread 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD and an Adamant nature to compress the roles of Wonder Guard and revenge killer into one teamslot if it is desperately needed, but this loses out on pivot and cleric capabilities as a result.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fighting-type Coverage**: Like all Wonder Guard users, Slaking is vulnerable to powerful coverage moves from foes, such as Drain Punch from Huge Power Mega Mewtwo X and Secret Sword from Protean Mega Latios and Protean Mega Mewtwo Y. King's Shield variants of Slaking somewhat offset this vulnerability, allowing it to relatively safely scout for an unfavorable matchup.
**Shadow Tag users**: If Wonder Guard Slaking loses its Shed Shell or is not running one, it can be trapped and heavily damaged or removed entirely by Shadow Tag users with Fighting-type coverage before it can use Parting Shot or Baton Pass to escape. It similarly falls victim to the combination of Taunt + Perish Song.
**Mold Breaker users**: Powerful Mold Breaker users, especially special attacking ones, prey on their ability to bypass Wonder Guard and Slaking's relative passivity to scare it out and potentially set up a Shell Smash, even if Whirlwind dissuades the latter.
**Taunt users**: Taunt from Pokemon like Mega Beedrill completely shuts down Wonder Guard Slaking, forcing it to switch lest it use Struggle.
**Trick users**: Wonder Guard Slaking is crippled if it is given a Choice item from Trick, locking it into one move—forcing it to either use a pivot move or give up momentum—and negating the benefits of Shed Shell or Safety Goggles.
**Dark Void**: Wonder Guard Slaking typically cannot avoid being put to sleep by Dark Void, meaning its teammates won't receive its valuable support until it wakes up. This can be mitigated by Magic Coat somewhat, however.
**Giratina**: Giratina forces Wonder Guard Slaking to switch out by threatening to status it and pressuring it with Curse and Encore, with Magic Bounce variants also turning Parting Shot against it.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/wrathoftheleopard.511181/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ntothen.569731/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rl.554093/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/autumn.384270/
Support Wonder Guard (Slaking) @ Shed Shell / Safety Goggles
Ability: Wonder Guard
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
- Parting Shot / Baton Pass
- Recover / Wish
- Defog / Stealth Rock
- Aromatherapy / King's Shield / Whirlwind
[SET COMMENTS]
Slaking is a premier pivot and cleric with Wonder Guard thanks to its single weakness in Fighting and impressive physical bulk that lets it check Mold Breaker Pokemon like Primal Groudon and Secret Sword Mega Gengar. Parting Shot and Baton Pass allow Slaking to generate momentum for its team; the former lowers the foe's offenses but is exploitable by Magic Bounce users, and the latter possesses greater PP but passes undesirable effects like Curse, Perish Song, and Gastro Acid to its teammates. Recover provides Slaking with instant recovery, while Wish makes use of Slaking's high HP stat to keep both itself and its teammates healthy at the cost of often sacrificing momentum when used. Defog is a valuable support option that minimizes the chip damage Slaking and its teammates take throughout the game by removing entry hazards; alternatively, Stealth Rock is a valid option if the role of Defogger is already filled. Similarly, many teams appreciate Aromatherapy's ability to cure bothersome status conditions, but King's Shield and Whirlwind can be used if a teammate is already carrying it. King's Shield safely scouts for Fighting-type coverage and lets Slaking safely heal via Wish, while Whirlwind thwarts Substitute passing and setup attempts. Slaking uses a Relaxed nature minimum Speed IVs to increase the chances it moves last, allowing it to safely bring in a teammate via Parting Shot or Baton Pass. Shed Shell lets Slaking escape from Shadow Tag users such as Mega Mewtwo X, Mega Latios, and Mega Mewtwo Y, whereas Safety Goggles provides an immunity to Spore from Pokemon like Giratina, Primal Groudon, and Mega Gengar.
Like other support Wonder Guard users, Slaking is mainly used on balance and bulky offense teams where a multitude of Pokemon enjoy the utility it provides. Offensive Pokemon such as Mega Rayquaza, Mega Gengar, and Mega Latios benefit from Slaking's pivoting capabilities, which ensure they safely enter the field, as well as its ability to check Fake Out + Extreme Speed users, such as Regigias and Mega Diancie, and faster No Guard Pokemon, like Mega Mewtwo Y, Mega Lopunny, and Deoxys-S. Slaking also supports bulkier offensive teammates like Primal Groudon and Dialga, healing them with Wish, which allows them to be threatening throughout the course of a game and reduces their chances of being revenge killed. Slaking is capable of Imposter-proofing Huge Power or Protean Pokemon, such as Mega Mewtwo X, Mega Latios, and Mega Mewtwo Y, lacking Fighting-type coverage. Due to Slaking's ability to compress the roles of a defensive pivot, entry hazard removal, and cleric into one teamslot, it can afford be run alongside offensive Shell Smash Wonder Guard users, such as Xerneas, Deoxys-A, and Mega Mewtwo Y. Alternatively, Slaking can be paired with a more passive second Wonder Guard user, such as Primal Kyogre or Mega Audino, to free up moveslots it would otherwise always dedicate to Defog and Aromatherapy. Slaking also supports Substitute + Baton Pass users lacking recovery like Wonder Guard Xerneas by healing them with Wish. Prankster Giratina can take on strong Fighting-type attacks from Mega Mewtwo X and cripple it with a status condition, aid Slaking in dealing with Mold Breaker Primal Groudon, and absorb attempts to use Trick on Slaking if Giratina is holding a Griseous Orb. Choice Scarf Shadow Tag Primal Groudon could be considered for its ability to trap faster offensive Pokemon that threaten Slaking as well as Taunt Mega Beedrill. Mega Gyarados is a potent potential partner, as it threatens Giratina—one of Slaking's most common switch-ins—with Pursuit, and it also has the potential to revenge kill dangerous Shell Smash Mold Breaker Pokemon such as Primal Groudon. Pixilate Mega Diancie particularly excels in checking Mold Breaker Mega Rayquaza for Slaking and can similarly terrorize a multitude of Shell Smash users like opposing Mega Diancie and Mega Gengar.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Wonder Guard Slaking has several other options, for example: Magic Coat can be used in either of the last two moveslots, reflecting status moves such as Spore, Dark Void, Glare, Encore, Taunt, and entry hazards aimed at Slaking. Spikes is an alternative to Stealth Rock, trading the ability to pressure Flying-types for the possibility of multiple layers of hazards. Lum Berry can be used over Safety Goggles to cure sleep from Dark Void, but its one-time use stipulation makes it an inferior option. U-turn is a more uncommon pivot move that is importantly ineffective into opposing Wonder Guard users, but heavily chips offensive Pokemon such as Mega Gyarados and Mega Mewtwo Y and is not stopped by Taunt. Knock Off annoys Giratina for a teammate, removing its Safety Goggles and making it vulnerable to Spore, and lets Slaking singlehandedly beat non-Sludge Wave variants of Mega Gengar. A set of Fake Out + Extreme Speed can be used in tandem with the alternate spread 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD and an Adamant nature to compress the roles of Wonder Guard and revenge killer into one teamslot if it is desperately needed, but this loses out on pivot and cleric capabilities as a result.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fighting-type Coverage**: Like all Wonder Guard users, Slaking is vulnerable to powerful coverage moves from foes, such as Drain Punch from Huge Power Mega Mewtwo X and Secret Sword from Protean Mega Latios and Protean Mega Mewtwo Y. King's Shield variants of Slaking somewhat offset this vulnerability, allowing it to relatively safely scout for an unfavorable matchup.
**Shadow Tag users**: If Wonder Guard Slaking loses its Shed Shell or is not running one, it can be trapped and heavily damaged or removed entirely by Shadow Tag users with Fighting-type coverage before it can use Parting Shot or Baton Pass to escape. It similarly falls victim to the combination of Taunt + Perish Song.
**Mold Breaker users**: Powerful Mold Breaker users, especially special attacking ones, prey on their ability to bypass Wonder Guard and Slaking's relative passivity to scare it out and potentially set up a Shell Smash, even if Whirlwind dissuades the latter.
**Taunt users**: Taunt from Pokemon like Mega Beedrill completely shuts down Wonder Guard Slaking, forcing it to switch lest it use Struggle.
**Trick users**: Wonder Guard Slaking is crippled if it is given a Choice item from Trick, locking it into one move—forcing it to either use a pivot move or give up momentum—and negating the benefits of Shed Shell or Safety Goggles.
**Dark Void**: Wonder Guard Slaking typically cannot avoid being put to sleep by Dark Void, meaning its teammates won't receive its valuable support until it wakes up. This can be mitigated by Magic Coat somewhat, however.
**Giratina**: Giratina forces Wonder Guard Slaking to switch out by threatening to status it and pressuring it with Curse and Encore, with Magic Bounce variants also turning Parting Shot against it.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/wrathoftheleopard.511181/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ntothen.569731/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rl.554093/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/autumn.384270/
Last edited:
after everything is added QC 2/2 Done.
