Community POTW #006

[kirant]

I always loved Snorlax. Even though the game passed him and Slowbro by recently, I still use them.

Snorlax certainly hasn't gotten anything new this time. But it's fun to still use him. Especially now that he isn't expected anymore.

Curselax and all my favourites have already been listed...so here's my stab at things.

Awaking the Sleeping Giant
Snorlax w/ Choice Band (Turns out, as a new member, the at sign is currently blocked for me)
Ability: Thick Fat
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 Atk / 56 HP / 200 SpD
- Return
- Pursuit
- Superpower
- Thunder Punch/Wild Charge

One of the biggest threats to Snorlax is its inability to take repeated hits...the game has sped up since it was dominant. Instead of tanking each shot in this set, Snorlax would instead take out single targets, getting a KO or forcing a switch. Return is Snorlax's STAB move and, while probably not going to hit a great number of Pokemon for neutral damage, can be pulled every once in a while for great effect.

Pursuit should make Snorlax a great counter to some frail Pokemon. MegaGengar in specific would crumple to a Choice Band Pursuit and can't deal more than ~35% in retaliation (Sludge Bomb).

Superpower allows Snorlax to it a lot of tanks and wear them down a bit.

The last move is coverage, though it's unlikely Snorlax will find a KO there. Wild Charge could be used instead of Thunder Punch as it would more effectively check Skarmory and Tentacruels, though not enough to land a OHKO on it.

Another option for the last slot is Earthquake, though it really doesn't improve coverage all that much. Fire Punch can also hit some targets, but not hard.

 

[Razor Shiftry]

This is what I've been using and its been surprisingly useful in its walling prowess:

Snorlax @ Leftovers
Ability: thick fat
Nature: Careful
EVs: 52 HP / 252 Def / 200 SpDef
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Body Slam
- Crunch / whirlwind

The main role of this build is for Snorlax to sit there and just be...fat. Max defense to patch up its sub-par defense to tank a surprise physical hit better, 200 EVs in special defense to take advantage of its high base stat and then the rest in HP. The reasoning for only 52 in HP is that its already stupidly high and Snorlax would benefit more from boosting its defenses than trying to do a Blissey and sponging. Moveset are as follows: Rest-talking for semi-reliable recovery. Due the the change in sleep mechanics, this is now a vaiable option as long as you remember how long Snorlax has been asleep for. Means Snorlax can hang around longer and doesn't care about status. His attacking moves are Body Slam, for STAB and para chance, and Crunch. Since steels don't resist dark moves any more, this is the perfect go to option and also hits those ghosties who are immune to body slam including levitating ones.

Snorlax does invite set-up pokes so a worthwhile investment would be whirlwind if you're terrified of them, although this is what team mates are for and I often partner up my Snorlax with Skarmory to phaze out pokes.

 

[PrincessAbsol]

Just to point out, Razor, you're missing 4 EVs. Would you put them in HP or Attack?

 

[Dragonquester]

Physical boltbeam combo

PUNCHES YOU IN HIS SLEEP

Nature:any one you think works
Item:kee berry
Ability:thick fat
Moves:
Thunderpunch
Ice punch
Rest
Sleep talk

A little different from other things I've seen posted. Boltbeam(ice beam and thunderbolt for those who don't know)is a combo with nearly perfect coverage, and since snorlax has terrible special attack, I decided to run a physical version. Kee berry is for boosting your defense upon taking a physical attack(love the new berries!). Rest and sleep talk is self-explanatory. I don't really do the whole “EV spread thing”, because I don't know where to place them for max efficiency. Nature is the same. If it works, use it.

 

[ajgrocks100]

Physical boltbeam combo

PUNCHES YOU IN HIS SLEEP

Nature:any one you think works
Item:kee berry
Ability:thick fat
Moves:
Thunderpunch
Ice punch
Rest
Sleep talk

A little different from other things I've seen posted. Boltbeam(ice beam and thunderbolt for those who don't know)is a combo with nearly perfect coverage, and since snorlax has terrible special attack, I decided to run a physical version. Kee berry is for boosting your defense upon taking a physical attack(love the new berries!). Rest and sleep talk is self-explanatory. I don't really do the whole “EV spread thing”, because I don't know where to place them for max efficiency. Nature is the same. If it works, use it.

How bout i help you out here. 252 is the max EV total, and you can put it in 2 stats, so put it in attack. Then 200 in Defense for kee berry, and the lastly 54 in HP. Nature should be adamant, as your attack is prominent and you special attack sucks anyway. Also, maybe add avalanche as a replacement option for ice punch

One final thought: doesn't having sleep talk's randomness ruin the point of perfect coverage? really, its a huge gamble, considering you have a 33% chance of what you want, a 33% chance of what you don't want, and a 33% chance of using rest.

 

[Dragonquester]

Thanks for the help, but I'm not stupid. I know how to do EV stuff, I just generally max out two stats. That usually doesn't work here, and I'm not good at doing stuff like 52/200/252

 

[Dragonquester]

Oh, didn't know it was a 33% chance. And avalanche is probably better.

 

[Zachmac]

Return/Crunch and Return/Earthquake both provide good coverage in their own rights. Not exactly bolt beam level of coverage, but a not very effect Return is just a bit more powerful then a neutral Fire/Ice/Thunder Punch.

 

[Mudkipz_Lulz]

I've seen a lot of talk in other areas of Assault Vest Snorlax but I don't think it is a good Idea. Snorlax will miss rest and curse way too much to run pure attacking moves

 

[Zachmac]

I've seen a lot of talk in other areas of Assault Vest Snorlax but I don't think it is a good Idea. Snorlax will miss rest and curse way too much to run pure attacking moves

I'd argue otherwise. Curse Snorlax and AV lax are completely different. The first depends on setting up to work, but the second is something you can swap in and out more freely to serve as a counter as opposed to a tanky sweeper.

RestTalk, I'll admit, but it's not like other AV weilders don't miss it either. Looking at you, Goodra.

 

[Mudkipz_Lulz]

I'd argue otherwise. Curse Snorlax and AV lax are completely different. The first depends on setting up to work, but the second is something you can swap in and out more freely to serve as a counter as opposed to a tanky sweeper.

RestTalk, I'll admit, but it's not like other AV weilders don't miss it either. Looking at you, Goodra.

That's why I think AV is too gimmicky (coming from me who loves gimmicks) and just going to play out as not useful. I think the consensus for best Lax set is RestTalk and AV is gonna see serious damage from status inflictions and spikes/rocks. AV Lax running into rocks and toxic or a Scald, which seems to be more and more popular, just ruins him.

 

[Zachmac]

That's why I think AV is too gimmicky (coming from me who loves gimmicks) and just going to play out as not useful. I think the consensus for best Lax set is RestTalk and AV is gonna see serious damage from status inflictions and spikes/rocks. AV Lax running into rocks and toxic or a Scald, which seems to be more and more popular, just ruins him.

You make a fair point, but with Defog's buff, rocks are easier to handle then ever.

I have not actually tried AV lax, but I have tried T-tar. It spaks up special hits so well, it almost doesn't mind the lack of recovery. It's easy to imagine lax, with its huge HP, taking hits so easily as well. T-tar too does npt apriciate poison, burning, or spikes, but it managed to pull through.

Of course, lax won't be as good as t-tar, but it's not really something that will make OU anyway.

 

[Mudkipz_Lulz]

You make a fair point, but with Defog's buff, rocks are easier to handle then ever.

I have not actually tried AV lax, but I have tried T-tar. It spaks up special hits so well, it almost doesn't mind the lack of recovery. It's easy to imagine lax, with its huge HP, taking hits so easily as well. T-tar too does npt apriciate poison, burning, or spikes, but it managed to pull through.

Of course, lax won't be as good as t-tar, but it's not really something that will make OU anyway.

I agree T-Tar enjoys AV, eating up Focus Blast like no other must be nice lulz!

The reason I don't think AV lax can survive is the difference between T-Tar's Defense and Lax's Defense. 110 compared to 65. I know everyone wants to throw AV on anything with high SpD but a AV Lax with no rest that is suffering burn or toxic and hurt by rocks is gonna get KOed pretty fast by anything with Superpower, I'm looking at Azumarill. Heck, Azumarill might not even need the status!

 

[KillerDraco]

I agree T-Tar enjoys AV, eating up Focus Blast like no other must be nice lulz!

The reason I don't think AV lax can survive is the difference between T-Tar's Defense and Lax's Defense. 110 compared to 65. I know everyone wants to throw AV on anything with high SpD but a AV Lax with no rest that is suffering burn or toxic and hurt by rocks is gonna get KOed pretty fast by anything with Superpower, I'm looking at Azumarill. Heck, Azumarill might not even need the status!

That's the beauty of it though; people know to switch in physical attackers to take on Snorlax. And Snorlax happens to be blessed with Pursuit. So with AV, Snorlax is able to switch into most special attacks with impunity, and force the switch. Things like Alakazam, Starmie, Gengar, etc. don't particularly appreciate Pursuit, but non-status variants can't deal with AV Snorlax's special bulk, so it's pretty much the epitome of being Pursuit-trapped.

I'm not saying AV is something that should be on every Snorlax, as it's an incredibly situational item. But it does have some uses, making a small niche for itself.

 

[ajgrocks100]

Thanks for the help, but I'm not stupid. I know how to do EV stuff, I just generally max out two stats. That usually doesn't work here, and I'm not good at doing stuff like 52/200/252

Well I thought you were! LOL JK. and btw it should be 54/200/252.cus those last 4

 

[ajgrocks100]

And BTW if ur gonna use AV snorlax, use a heal beller and a defogger. Altaria, anyone?

 

[The Imposter]

And BTW if ur gonna use AV snorlax, use a heal beller and a defogger. Altaria, anyone?

Heh. Altaria. Altaria's completely outclassed, and is a pretty bad partner for Snorlax.

A partner I have had success with is Togekiss. Togekiss can slow things down for Snorlax to outspeed and sponges fighting hits like nothing. It can provide Defog/Heal Beal support, and the two work well together overall.

 

[ajgrocks100]

Heh. Altaria. Altaria's completely outclassed, and is a pretty bad partner for Snorlax.

A partner I have had success with is Togekiss.

Snorlax is going to be UU. Maybe even Ru
Togekiss? OU. No doubt
I know its a guess, but its valid as a point

 

[sbktdreed]

Thick Fat w/ Leftovers/Lum Berry
Adamant/Brave w/ 252 Attack, 212 HP, 46 Sp Defense
Body Slam/Chip Away/Return
Crunch
Zen Headbutt
Rest

Countering
High Attack and Defense pokemon with Fighting-type moves like Metagross, Tyranitar, Scizor, Pinsir, Aggron, Chesnaught, Barbaracle, or Dusknoir.