Harpp
No rain, no flowers.
[OVERVIEW]
Bug
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Due to its good physical bulk, Buzzwole is a big threat to Dragon-type teams, taking out threatening Pokemon, such as Dragonite and Kyurem-B, with Ice Punch and Superpower. Buzzwole is primarily used as a Choice Scarf user on Bug teams, allowing it to deal with problematic Fire- and Rock-types such as Heatran, Mega Charizard Y, and Terrakion. Buzzwole's ability Beast Boost, along with a massive base 139 Attack stat, makes it a threatening revenge killer, boosting its Attack after it knocks out a Pokemon. Its part Fighting typing makes it neutral to Rock-type attacks, and this paired with its good physical bulk means it is able to tank attacks such as Stone Edge from the likes of Terrakion and Mega Tyranitar, which can only 3HKO and 2HKO it, respectively. However, Buzzwole’s low Special Defense means it is easily threatened by special attackers and has almost no opportunities to switch into them, as it risks getting 2HKOed even by attacks that it resists. It is generally overshadowed by Heracross on Bug-type teams, as Heracross has access to better STAB moves in Close Combat and Megahorn, a higher Speed stat, and a similar ability to Beast Boost, Moxie. However, Buzzwole has much greater physical bulk than Heracross, surviving a +6 Aqua Jet at full health from Azumarill. It also pressures Dragon-type teams, a troublesome matchup for Bug. Its mediocre Speed makes it vulnerable to being revenge killed by faster Choice Scarf users, such as Latios and Victini. Buzzwole's part Fighting typing is a disadvantage for it in matchups against Psychic teams, as Buzzwole often does not run Bug-type moves, so it struggles to break past Pokemon such as Slowbro and defensive Mew.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf (Bug)
move 1: Superpower
move 2: Ice Punch
move 3: Stone Edge
move 4: Earthquake / Leech Life
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Beast Boost
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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Superpower is the strongest STAB move on the set, severely denting neutral targets and dealing with the problematic Steel- and Rock-types for Bug teams. Ice Punch allows Buzzwole to pressure Dragon-type teams, as Bug otherwise lacks access to Ice-type moves and struggles to deal with Dragon-type teams offensively. Ice Punch, when combined with Superpower, allows Buzzwole to threaten Dragon, as Kyurem-B fears Superpower, which makes the rest of the team vulnerable to Ice Punch. It can also deal with Ground-types, such as Landorus and Gliscor. Stone Edge is important in order to deal with Flying- and Fire-type threats, such as Mega Charizard Y, Mantine, and Volcarona, all of which are huge threats to Bug-type teams. Earthquake allows Buzzwole to deal with Rock- and Poison-types like Mega Diancie and Toxapex. It also has amazing coverage with Stone Edge, forming the EdgeQuake combination that hits a lot of types for super effective damage. Leech Life gives Buzzwole some recovery and a reliable Bug-type STAB move that can pressure opposing Psychic-type teams; however, Buzzwole has to forgo important offensive coverage.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack investment optimizes Buzzwole's overall damage output. Maximum Speed investment, along with a Jolly nature and a Choice Scarf, allows Buzzwole to deal with threats such as Mega Charizard Y, Tapu Koko, and Mega Diancie, be an effective revenge killer and check to threats to Bug-type teams. Its ability Beast Boost allows it to get an Attack boost after each Pokemon it KOes. This not only makes Buzzwole difficult to stop defensively, but it is especially helpful when using Superpower, as Beast Boost negates the drop in Attack after it manages to get a KO.
Usage Tips
========
Due to its typing, Buzzwole has key resistances to Ground-, Dark-, and Fighting-type attacks, which grants it some opportunities to switch in. Smart double switches and U-turn pivots from the likes of Scizor allow Buzzwole to come in safely to revenge kill threats without taking unnecessary damage. Proper predictions should be made, as locking Buzzwole into a certain move can allow opposing Pokemon to set up freely; for example, Ground teams can predict Ice Punch, switching into Seismitoad or Mamoswine and sacrificing Buzzwole’s momentum. Status moves, such as moves that inflict paralysis and burns, should be avoided at all costs, as they make Buzzwole unable to revenge kill threats that it is supposed to. Due to its low special bulk, Buzzwole should not be switched in on special moves, as even weak special attacks can easily 2HKO it. Even though Buzzwole has good physical bulk, it shouldn't switch into physical attacks often to remain healthy, especially if it is needed to revenge kill a certain threat for the team. Superpower lowers Buzzwole's Attack and Defense stats by one stage, so it should be used cautiously, because it forces Buzzwole out and can let a foe set up; the lowered Defense also makes Buzzwole more prone to being revenge killed. However, its ability Beast Boost negates the Attack drop after it knocks out a Pokemon. One should be cautious of switching Buzzwole into certain Pokemon like Garchomp, which potentially carry a coverage move such as Fire Blast, weakening Buzzwole. As Buzzwole is an asset against Dragon-type teams, it should be preserved to revenge kill threats such as Dragonite, Garchomp, and Kyurem-B. Buzzwole can easily tank Extreme Speed from Choice Band Dragonite due to its high physical bulk, and it can also score an OHKO with Ice Punch if Multiscale is no longer in effect. Scizor should be preserved, as it can Pursuit trap Choice Scarf Latios.
Team Options
=========
Galvantula makes for a fantastic teammate, as it not only provides Sticky Web support for Buzzwole but also deals with bulky Water-types that trouble it, since Galvantula has access to Thunder and Energy Ball. Choice Band Scizor is a good teammate, bringing Buzzwole in safely with U-turn while also providing the team with priority Bullet Punch to deal with threats like Mega Diancie, Nihilego, and Terrakion. Scizor can also provide Pursuit support to trap and take out troublesome Pokemon for Buzzwole, such as Latios and Victini. Mega Scizor is another good teammate for Buzzwole, as it appreciates Buzzwole covering threats for it, such as Mega Charizard Y. Mega Scizor can pressure and break down common checks as well as act as a sweeper by setting up Swords Dance. Volcarona deals with physical walls that Buzzwole has a hard time breaking, such as Celesteela and Skarmory, while Buzzwole takes care of special walls like Chansey for Volcarona to sweep more easily. Armaldo and Forretress are good teammates because both provide Rapid Spin support, since Buzzwole is susceptible to all forms of entry hazards. They also provide Buzzwole with Stealth Rock, Spikes, and Toxic Spikes, which makes cleaning teams easier for Buzzwole. Armaldo also provides Buzzwole with Knock Off support, which allows Buzzwole to deal with Pokemon such as defensive Staraptor and Toxapex much more easily. Mega Pinsir is another good teammate, as it can wallbreak with Swords Dance, which pressures common checks and opens up walls for Buzzwole. Araquanid provides Buzzwole with good defensive support with Assault Vest to sponge strong special attacks, such as Fire Blast from Mega Charizard Y, which threaten Buzzwole. It is also a good status absorber for Buzzwole, as Water Bubble makes it immune to burns. Due to its ability Speed Boost, Scolipede can function quite effectively even without Sticky Web support, outspeeding threatening Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Victini, which Choice Scarf Buzzwole cannot outspeed. Scolipede also puts in a lot of work against Psychic-type teams with Megahorn.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Bug
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Poison Jab can be used to deal with Fairy-types like Azumarill; however, it is situational and outclassed by other moves on the set due to better coverage. A Choice Band set can be used as a wallbreaker to open up big holes for teammates, but it is put at risk by common threats due to its mediocre Speed stat. A stallbreaker set with Taunt can be used to have an easier time dealing with walls, as it prevents them from setting up or using recovery moves.
Checks and Counters
===================
Bug
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**Revenge Killers**: Faster revenge killers, such as Choice Scarf Latios and Victini, can easily take out Buzzwole with their STAB moves.
**Physical Walls**: Buzzwole finds it hard to get past physical walls, such as Skarmory, Celesteela, Slowbro, and even bulky Mew if Buzzwole is lacking Leech Life.
**Mega Sableye**: Mega Sableye easily checks Buzzwole, as it is immune to Superpower and can burn Buzzwole with Will-O-Wisp, rendering Buzzwole useless.
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types, notably Clefable, have little to fear from Buzzwole, since Clefable has good bulk and can recover off the damage with Soft-Boiled and proceed to take out Buzzwole with its STAB Moonblast.
**Special Attackers**: Due to its poor Special Defense, Buzzwole is easily threatened by most special attackers and risks getting severely weakened or knocked out.
**Mega Venusaur**: Buzzwole is easily checked by Mega Venusaur, as it can tank hits due to its solid bulk and heal with Synthesis. It can wear down Buzzwole with Leech Seed and Hidden Power Fire.
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