Community POTW #110

[Serebii]

Time for the next Pokémon, and this month the RNG has been skewed slightly to be more seasonal

This week, we're covering Mamoswine, the awesome Ice/Ground-type. Mamoswine is surprisingly viable and has decent strength and speed

http://www.serebii.net/pokedex-xy/473.shtml

Go nuts

 

[HigoshiMaru2564]

THIS Beast. THIS beast right here is an absolute monster. And I love it.
Pros
- 110 Base HP gives it enough bulk to outlast some hits. (Usually anything with over 100 HP has great bulk potential)
- 130 Attack makes this thing an absolute physical beast.
- Has access to plenty of helpful offensive moves like Icicle Crash, Rock Slide, Superpower, Earthquake and Iron Head.
- It's Hidden Ability works wonders on it. Gives its Ice resistance back and removes its Weakness to Fire.
- Decent Speed investment makes it surprisingly able to outspeed things you wouldn't expect.
- Ice Shard for things that DO outspeed and Stealth Rocks always help out too.

Cons
- The main con is where Mamoswine stands defensively. It works wonders offensively, but defensively it struggles somewhat. 5 Weaknesses are plopped onto this guy and all can hurt. Admittedly Thick Fat gets rid of to much worry of Fire, and it handle Grass and Steel with its STAB types, but Fighting and Water types can make this thing struggle. (If it had a Special Attack stat that was higher, maybe it could kill with freeze-Dry.)

Example Set - The Ancient Power Restored (The set I use which has surprisingly good results)
Nature - Jolly
Ability - Thick Fat
Item - Life Orb (or something like Shell Bell or Leftovers should you want to stay up and running longer.)
EVS - 252 ATT/252 SPE/4 DEF
Attacks
- Ice Shard
- Icicle Crash
- Rock Slide (or any other kind of move for this slot)
- Earthquake

 

[Karxrida]

Shell Bell is *** and this thing shouldn't be running Lefties.

 

[jireh the provider]

Correct me if I'm wrong. But back in the past 2 generations, Mamoswine could be simplified as one of the best and biggest names in the Pokemon VGC Doubles format. That's all I recall about it the best.

Nature: Either Jolly or Adamant
Item: Focus Sash / Life Orb / Choice Scarf / Choice Band
Ability: Thick Fat
Moves
-Ice Shard
-Earthquake
-Superpower / Icicle Crash
-Stone Edge / Rock Slide / Iron Head / Protect

From what I understand, this mon in VGC in terms of value lost a bit of bit somewhat with the rise of Screaming Sylveons and Gale Winss Talonflames swarming around. However, its power is still dangerous if left unchecked. Since hazards don't mean anything in VG oubles, this is like a hard hitting tank at best.

 

[2Fruit]

On a slightly different Mamoswine, support Mamoth works if you don't want to be taunted and can handle defoggers outside Skarmory and others.

Mamoswine with Leftovers (This also works on Eviolite Piloswine)
Ability: Oblivious
EVs: 92 HP / 252 Atk / 164 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Ice Shard
- Toxic/Knock Off
- Stealth Rock

EV'd to outspeed uninvested base 100 pokemon like Jirachi and Zapdos. Has stronger attacks than Donphan and better special bulk and speed.

On a side note, Mamoswine's face is hillarious. It looks so angry with those snow goggles and beady little eyes.

 

[Mestorn]

Hunting the Mammoth

Mamoswine is a force to be feared. A fantastic physical attack, two awesome STABs, and the 2nd strongest user of Ice Shard in the game. So what can bring the awesome force down? Quite a lot actually. 5 (4 if running Thick Fat) weaknesses to common types (weak to every starter, natch) does not help 80/60 defenses. Sure that 110 HP is impressive, but Mamoswine folds under most special assaults and doesn't last much longer under physical ones. Of course, that Ice Shard complicates things, patching up Mamoswine's "sluggish" 80 speed and ensuring frailer threats can't get out unscathed. Bulky threats that don't fear Ice or Ground are good options. Mega Blastiose, Cloyster (can setup, and OHKO with Razor Shell), Rotom-H (when not carrying Rock Slide), Suicune, and Cresselia can come in and beat Mamoswine (or Burn it in Rotom-H's case). Speaking of Burns, despite Thick Fat removing Mamoswine's fire weakness, Burning it effectively removes Mamoswine's threat and makes it easier to take out. Mamoswine hates entry hazards as well; their unavoidable damage saps Mamoswine's health, making it easier to O/2HKO. Scarf Chandelure, Cobalion, Infernape, and Mega Sharpedo can all come in on a free switch and revenge kill Mamoswine, but prior damage is virtually required, lest they get OHKOd in turn by Earthquake. In OU, threats like Mega-Charizard, Conkeldurr, (Mega) Scizor, Azumarill and Mega Slowbro can easily drive Mamoswine back into extinction. Heck, Mega Slowbro would outright counter Mamoswine if it didn't have Freeze Dry. Mamoswine hits hard -few pokemon can avoid taking major damage, but its less then stellar defenses and sluggish speed make battles with it lightning quick -one way or the other.

 

[Deltadromeus]

Finally! A Pokemon I have used! This set has been already suggested, but it was vauge, so I am going to post the set I have had to much sucsessful in for VGC (not Smogon, I don't know about Smogon)

Mamoswine@ Choice Scarf
Thick Fat
Jolly
252 Atk, 252 Spd, 4 SpD
- Earthquake
- Icicle Crash
- Rock Slide
- Superpower

Mamoswine is one of the best genie counter in the game. It can't be paralyzed. It can take anything Landorus has to through at him barring Superpower, and unless Landorus is Jolly, Mamoswine will outspeed. He can also most Mega Salamence's after Intimidate. And Thunderus can kiss his sorry *** goodbye when facing down Mamoswine. I chose Rock Side over anything else because of Mega Charizard Y, which thanks to thick fat, he can take a Heat Wave from. Superpower is for things weak to fighting like Kangaskhan and... Kangaskhan.

 

[Kraleck]

Mamoswine. I admit, I really do not like to face this thing, but it is friggin' cool to watch in action.

Stats:
-HP - Great-bordering-Godly - Base 110 allows you to break into the 101+ HP Substitute range. Not too bad for a Ground or Ice Type.
-Attack - Incredible - Base 130 Attack plus lots of diverse Physical option gives you something reeeeeeally nice to work with.
-Defense - Average - Base 80.
-Sp.Atk - Below Average - *monotone and poorly acted* What a marvel. A Pokémon with great Attack, mostly-Physical Moves, and low Sp.Atk. I would have guessed from its Stats that this could work as a Special Attacker. *normal* Yeah, Special Mamoswine sucks more than a mosquito in a vacuum cleaner inside a black hole. At least it doesn't totally suck due to Mud Shot and Icy Wind giving you utility with your "meh" Speed, but there are far better options.
-Sp.Def - Mediocre - Mamoswine having a low-ish Sp.Def is worrisome when you consider the prevalence of Surf, Scald, Flamethrower, and many other common Super-Effective Special Moves.
-Speed - Average (Non-Trick Room) - Base 80 Speed puts it just past the Dead Zone border, but it really needs Ice Shard for that sweet Priority. Otherwise, as previously stated, your Speed is just a lot of "meh" in an otherwise cool package.

Abilities:
-Oblivious - Immunity to Attract is worthless and immunity to Taunt with something prone to offense is similarly useless.
-Snow Cloak - Evasion is effectively buffed 1 stage during Hail. Meh.
-Thick Fat (Hidden, Available) - This is probably the most useful of the three. Halving your Fire-Type Weakness and Ice-Type Neutrality is probably the most use you'll get out of an Ability with Mamoswine.

Overall, Mamoswine is a major issue for those without the means to neutralize it. Scald is very-highly recommended due to the chance of Burns if you miss the KO. Otherwise, Mamoswine will slowly and steadily mow down your Team if you don't take it out ASAP.

 

[Razor Shiftry]

Freeze dry is certainly a very viable option for Mr Mammoth in the higher tiers of online competitive battling on an all out attacking set - namely to main bulky water types that like to switch in to an earthquake such as defensive Gyarados, Alomomola, MegaBro and the dreaded washing machine. Freeze dry with a naive nature, 12 special attack EVs and a life orb allow for a 2HKO against them which can turn an unfortunate situation into a beneficial one.

As for counters, Mamoswine really doesn't like the modern world and steel types not weak to earthquake are the way forward: Scizor, Ferrothorn, Bronzorg and especially Skarmory who Mamo is hopeless against. Faster steels can come in on an ice attack and take out the mammoth with bullets or meteors (I'm looking at you Metagross). Miss-predict and many water types can come in, tank a hit and take out our ice age friend with their STAB attacks. Azumarril gets a mention because of Huge Power boosted Aqua Jet is a sure fire way for Mamoswine's demise although it can only come in on an ice attack because STAB LO EQ will still hit it hard.

 

[lucariomaster2]

All right! Mamoswine is one of my favourite Pokemon to use in VGC, and quite possibly the best anti-metagame Pokemon right now. It's an incredibly hard counter to Thundurus and Landorus, being able to beat the infamous Double Genie combination on its own. It also beats Mega Salamence and non-Shuca Heatran. Here's the set I use:

Destroyer of Genies
-Icicle Crash
-Earthquake
-Rock Slide
-Superpower / Knock Off
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly nature
Item attached: Choice Scarf
Ability: Thick Fat

Icicle Crash is obviously the move you're going to want to use most of the time: it can OHKO all Landorus-T almost all Mega Salamence even at -1, and less bulky Thundurus if you're not Intimidated. Earthquake is always a great move, especially since most teams only have the Genies to switch into it. Rock Slide is for Charizard, Volcarona, and flinches, though it is pretty weak being a 75 BP non-STAB move. The last move is mostly up to choice: Superpower does heavy damage to Kangaskhan, though it doesn't OHKO and then you're locked in at -1 Atk/Def. Knock Off is always nice, especially in a best-of-3 situation. A Jolly nature along with the Choice Scarf ensures that you outspeed Mega Salamence and Adamant Scarf Landorus in order to bop them.

Other options:
Freeze-Dry can be used to hit Water-types, but Mamoswine loses to bulky waters anyway and would rather have a partner take care of them.
Ice Shard has priority, and is pretty good on non-Scarf variants. It's pretty weak otherwise, though.
Stone Edge is stronger than Rock Slide and isn't blocked by Wide Guard, but it doesn't have the Flinch chance, requires slightly more prediction to use, and has that nasty 80% accuracy.
Fissure can be interesting in formats that allow it; while it's way too unreliable to use if you're serious about winning, it's fun to spam if you're just playing for fun. You probably won't make any friends, though.
Icicle Spear can be used over Icicle Crash if you're worried about accuracy or Focus Sash, though it's less reliable overall.
A Life Orb set with Icicle Crash, Earthquake, Rock Slide, and Protect fits very well onto Tailwind teams due to Mamoswine being a natural counter to Thundurus.

Partners:
Mamoswine is a great supporter for Charizard Y: Charizard gets rid of defensive Steel-types and weakens bulky waters for Mamoswine, and Mamoswine removes most common Rock Slide users so that Charizard can do major damage. Calm Mind Cresselia is a great third member since Mamoswine has a tendency to force a lot of switches, which gives Cresselia the chance to set up. Using a Thundurus of your own can also be beneficial because you can Taunt Sableye and co. before they can Will-o-Wisp you.

Countering Mamoswine:
Mamoswine works by putting pressure on Landorus, Thundurus, and other big-name Pokemon and forcing them to switch or pay the price, so Fake Out from Kangaskhan or Scrafty can stop it dead for long enough that a Landorus partner can get a Rock Slide off. As for beating Mamoswine itself, burns are your best friend. It can't touch Rotom-W, who forces it out with Hydro Pump or Will-o-Wisp. Sableye has Prankster Will-o-wisp which stops it cold. Heatran gets special mention since, although it loses to Mamoswine 1-on-1, it can switch into a predicted Icicle Crash and then win against Scarf variants. Steel-types that can take an Earthquake such as Scizor, Ferrothorn, and Aegislash can also win against it.

So overall, Mamoswine is fantastic at countering VGC 2015's top threats, but can't really do much outside of that, so it should be used to pave the way for another Pokemon to sweep.

 

[ampfire101]

Countering Mamoswine

Choice Scarf Mamoswine is a bane to many of the most used Pokémon in VGC. Amoonguss, Landorus-T, Hydreigon, Mega Salamence, and Thundurus-I are all in unfavorable positions due to STAB Icicle Crash and Icicle Spear, and Earthquake does heavy damage to everything that doesn't resist it or have a ton of defensive investment. Meag Charizard Y is a big no no as Mamoswine gets Stone Edge and Rock Slide, and will be outsped if Mamoswine has a Choice Scarf. Also, if you're looking for chip damage via weather on this thing, look elsewhere because Sand and Hail won't cause any damage to it. So what exactly CAN counter it? Well to counter it, you'll have to use some of the mons you don't see every battle. Ludicolo under Rain is a good counter, but Icicle Crash can do a decent amount of damage and can be walled without proper setup. Fake Out, Burns, and Intimidate are all useful to take it out, so Scrafty, Mega Kangaskhan, and Weavile can provide some assistance with Fake Out pressure, Rotom Forms and Sableye with Burns, and Gyarados and Arcanine with Intimidate. A special mention to the Rotom Formes, as Earthquake can't touch them, Icicle Crash won't do very much to Wash or Heat, they have Will-O-Wisp, and they can take it out with Hydro Pump or Overheat. The world saw how fearsome this beast can be in 2013 Worlds, as it was used by Arash Ommati, but there are ways to take it down. If you can capitalize on these ways, Mamoswine will be defeated.

 

[JZG]

Mamoswine makes a great counter to Landorus-T. A scarfed Jolly max speed Mamoswine outspeeds scarfed Adamant max speed Landorus-T and OHKO's with Icicle Crash even at -1 Attack.

As for battle partners, Mega Charizard Y and Mamoswine pair very well. Charizard is immune to Earthquake and can remove Steel types, while Mamoswine KO's Landorus and Garchomp, who are some of Charizard's biggest threats with Rock Slide and Stone Edge.

 

[The Umbreon Tamer]

Whew, a break from the stream of NUs.

Mamoswine is awesome. Not perfect by a long stretch, but still awesome.

+Huge base 130 Atk! This is on par with attacking juggernauts like Breloom and Machamp.
+Ground/Ice is an awesome offensive typing. They're both good attacking types, but together, they have fantastic coverage.
+110 base HP is nice. Gives it at least some hit-taking abilities.
+Base 80 Speed isn't exactly horrid. Not great, but far from horrific.

-Base 80 Speed is alright, but not great, as I said before. You're outsped by Lucario, Nidoking and Gyarados, to name but a few.
-Ice is a horrid defensive typing. 'Nuff said.
-It may have high HP, but that's not going to help much with a pathetic base 60 SpD.
-It has a pretty low base 70 SAtk, which is kind of sad when it has Earth Power and Ice Beam. It can still run the odd Special coverage move, though.

Leading Mammoth

-Stealth Rock
-Endeavour
-Ice Shard
-Earthquake
Item: Focus Sash
252 Atk/ 252 Spe/ 4 Def
Jolly Nature

I don't believe anybody's done LeadSwine yet, so I'll do it. Get onto the field and set up Rocks, then use Endeavour if you can. If, by this time, you're still fighting and at one HP, then use Ice Shard. This turns it into a FEAR user of sorts. Earthquake is there to stop you from being total Taunt bait. Max Speed and max Attack is obvious, and Jolly nature makes you as fast as possible so that you have more chance of getting off Endeavour- however, you can go Naive or Hasty to get you to 1 HP as soon as possible.

 

[Karxrida]

Suicide Lead Mamoswine is pretty bad right now because of Mega Sableye. If you run Stealth Rock on it, you should do it on Life Orb since you can force a lot of switches to get it up safely.

 

[fishyfool]

One of the sets really needs to be named 'Big Pigs: Over the Road Racing' only for the pun.

Mamoswine actually makes decent use of an Assault Vest what with decent defence and monstrous attack.

 

[Karxrida]

I have never heard of anybody using Assault Vest Mamo, and its lack of resists and recovery make me hesitate to even try it. "Good" AV user Conkeldurr has very similar Special bulk, better physical bulk, less weaknesses, and Drain Punch, and it's considered aggressively mediocre.

 

[KillerDraco]

Suicide Lead Mamoswine is pretty bad right now because of Mega Sableye. If you run Stealth Rock on it, you should do it on Life Orb since you can force a lot of switches to get it up safely.

Well, I mean Mamo is UU now, and Suicide Lead still functions decently well there with the absence of Mega Sableye. That said, offensive rock setter is still the more used of the two since Mamo's offensive prowess is hard to pass up, given how viable it is in UU.

 

[Karxrida]

Could have sworn that they BL'd the thing and it was only usable in OU.