Samurott looks like a bad Feraligatr. Slower, not as bulky, and weaker. It does have a decent movepool though. Too bad Empoleon walls it to hell unless it carries the useless Revenge or it has to rely on Hidden Power. A few sets.
~Swords Dance~
Samurott@Life Orb
Adamant/Jolly, Torrent
4 HP / 252 Attack / 252 Speed
-
Swords Dance
-
Megahorn
-
Aqua Jet
-
Return /
Night Slash
Probably the best thing Samurott can do is Swords Dance up and abuse Aqua Jet. The one advantage Samurott has over Feraligtr is Megahorn. Megahorn is a huge Bug-type attack that tears through common opponents Samurott will face such as Celebi, Shaymin, Starmie, and Slowbro. The nature is really up to the user though I'd suggest Adamant just so it can deal some more damage. Return is the hardest hitting option Samurott has but Night Slash will deal with Jellicent. Though they do supply similar coverage, never substitute Megahorn for Night Slash.
~Torrent Abuse~
Samurott@Salac Berry
Jolly, Torrent
4 HP / 252 Attack / 252 Speed
-
Swords Dance
-
Substitute
-
Aqua Jet /
Waterfall
-
Megahorn
Though not the most dangerous set, since most of Samurotts counters easily outrun base 70, it tends to give one an edge when dealing with its beatable counters. Starmie, Shaymin, and Celebi easily outrun Samurott though this is remedied with the Salac Berry boost. The strategy is pretty much the same as all pinch-activated strategies: use Substitute to force HP drops, while using Swords Dance, to the point where Torrent and the Salac Berry activate and attempt a sweep. Aqua Jet supplies priority but Waterfall hits twice as hard so it depends on how weakened you plan the opponents' team to be when you attempt the sweep. Megahorn decimates the faster of Samurott's counters.
~Double Status Tank~
Samurott@Leftovers
Bold, Shell Armor
252 HP / 176 Defense / 80 Special Attack
-
Toxic
-
Scald
-
Taunt /
Ice Beam
-
Grass Knot /
Ice Beam
Shell Armor is quite a useful defensive ability, making it so you never have to worry about the occasional critical hit that ruins your team. Samurott also decent physical bulkiness and coupled with Scald can prove to be a useful tank. With these two status effects, few opponents can switch in without worry (ex: Tentacruel). Taunt can be useful to set up or break down walls that will switch in to absorb the status and works well at bringing down Vaporeon and Jellicent while preventing Tentacruel or Ice Beam Empoleon from setting up. If Taunt is selected, a slight redistribution of EVs of 12 HP to Speed will alow Samurott to outrun most forms of Skarmory and prevent setting up. Grass Knot deals with the Water-types that Samurott has issues with like Starmie. Ice Beam can be used in either of the last two slots as a precaution to Dragon and Grass-types.
~A Lackluster Wallbreaker~
Samurott@Leftovers
Rash, Shell Armor/Torrent
20 HP / 220 Attack / 252 Special Attack / 12 Speed
-
Taunt
-
Hydro Pump /
Surf
-
Megahorn
-
Grass Knot /
Ice Beam
With decent offenses and Taunt, Samurott can pose a threat to several walls. This set is to utilize a mix set while Taunting everything that switches in (within reason of course). The 20 HP provides extra recovery from Leftovers and 12 Speed makes sure to outrun 8 Speed Skarmory. Hydro Pump is prefered for the huge fire power but Surf is for a more reliable STAB. Megahorn tears up a lot of foes, little more needs to be said. Grass Knot helps deal with bulky Water-types while Ice Beam hits Dragon-types harder. If you go for Grass Knot you lose coverage against Dragonite and the like while Ice Beam makes it much easier for Empoleon and Tentacruel to switch in. Hidden Powers like Fire (Ferrothorn) and Electric (Empoleon) can be useful as well.
Counters:
- Tentacruel and Empoleon are incredibly difficult for Samurott to take down. Both can be hit hard with Hidden Power [Electric] but Samurott is so easily outclassed in terms of special sweepers its hard to make room for something like that in a set. Even with HP-Electric Samurott will have a difficult time taking down both counters.
- Bulky Water-types, specifically Vaporeon, Rotom-W, Gyarados, Suicune, and Jellicent, will give Samurott a run for its money. All have a way to deal good damage and can switch into most of Samurotts attacks. Rotom-W doesn't enjoy Megahorn and Jellicent and Vaporeon should try to avoid Toxic from bulky sets.
- Dragonite, Poliwrath, and Alteria resists both Water and Bug-type and thus can make a handy check. Since Samurott doesn't hit too hard with anything other than STAB attacks and Megahorn, all three should be a decent answer.
- Forretress, Skarmory, Registeel, Ferrothorn, and Metagross can all take hits quite well. Though Forretress' best option is to set entry hazards, the others can force Samurott out via offense or defense such as Whirlwind or Power Whip.
