[OVERVIEW]
- Dugtrio's unique access to Arena Trap, which prevents foes from switching out, makes it the most reliable revenge killer for Ground teams.
- With a great Speed tier and a decent Attack stat, Dugtrio is a great check to many grounded threats such as Alolan Raichu, which it is able to trap, outspeed, and almost always take out safely.
- While its horrible defenses may seem problematic, they let it reliably activate Focus Sash to maximize Reversal damage.
- It even can use Sucker Punch to revenge kill faster and weakened threats like Alolan Raichu under Electric Terrain.
- Dugtrio has access to other utility options such as Pursuit to chip at airborne and Ghost-type Pokemon as they retreat and Memento to cripple foes it cannot revenge kill.
- Dugtrio almost no bulk to speak of, meaning that it's easily revenge killed itself and is vulnerable to even some of the weakest attacks.
- It's fairly reliant on team support, as the Focus Sash set requires careful entry hazard control and the Choice Band set can be easily taken advantage of after it locks into a move.
- Airborne and Ghost-type Pokemon cannot be trapped by Arena Trap and Dugtrio's Pursuit is quite weak, meaning that Dugtrio is rendered almost completely ineffective against some teams.
[SET]
name: Focus Sash
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Reversal
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Memento
item: Focus Sash
ability: Arena Trap
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
ivs: 28 HP / 2 Def
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
- Earthquake is Dugtrio's strongest STAB attack and the primary revenge killing move for slower Pokemon such as Nidoking.
- Reversal gives Dugtrio a powerful revenge killing tool by dealing huge damage after it activates its Focus Sash, letting it deal huge damage to even walls like Chansey and Porygon2.
- Sucker Punch allows Dugtrio to reliably revenge kill faster Pokemon like Electric Surge Alolan Raichu without losing its Focus Sash.
- Memento lets Dugtrio cripple a target, allowing a teammate to come in and potentially set up or have a free turn.
Set Details
========
- Maximum Attack and Speed investment with a Jolly nature makes Dugtrio as strong and fast as possible, even able to outspeed Serperior.
- Focus Sash lets Dugtrio always take at least one hit to retaliate with Reversal, making Dugtrio a fantastic revenge killer even against faster Pokemon.
- Arena Trap prevents foes from switching out, meaning Dugtrio can reliably take out powerful threats like Serperior or Pokemon with defensive utility like Heatran.
- 28 HP IVs let Dugtrio survive two Seismic Tosses with 3% HP, maximizing the power of Reversal.
- 2 Defense IVs make sure Dugtrio can always OHKO Ditto with Earthquake.
Usage Tips
========
- Dugtrio should almost never switch into attacks or entry hazards, as it's reliant on its Focus Sash to revenge kill certain threats, so try to bring it in when the field is clear through either a free switch or U-turn support.
- That being said, if Dugtrio does not need to save its Focus Sash, switching into an attack can easily trick an opponent into powering up Dugtrio's Reversal.
- Use Dugtrio to trap key grounded threats like Serperior as soon as possible to support the team.
- Dugtrio should avoid Flying-types, as they cannot be trapped and Dugtrio has no way to meaningfully damage them.
- Try to preserve Focus Sash for revenge killing foes like Tapu Koko, which Sucker Punch cannot touch.
- Sucker Punch can be used to outprioritize foes like Mimikyu that can use Shadow Sneak, but be careful of its relatively unimpressive damage.
- Memento should only be used when Dugtrio is incapable of defeating a threat such as Tapu Bulu. Dropping their offensive stats can open them up to being taken out by a teammate or used as setup fodder.
- Because Ghost-types fear Sucker Punch and can switch out of Arena Trap, it is often best to switch out as well to preserve momentum.
Team Options
========
- As one of the most reliable revenge killers, Dugtrio can fit on almost any team, as it can remove many threats to Ground teams such as Alolan Raichu.
- Entry hazard removal is essential to Dugtrio's success, so Rapid Spin Excadrill is a needed teammate. Dugtrio can in turn trap Torkoal and Alolan Raichu, which can make it difficult for Excadrill to sweep by removing sand and outspeeding it, respectively.
- Stealth Rock is also needed on any team with Dugtrio, as it guarantees KOs, such as against Volcanion, and chips at Flying-types that wall Dugtrio. Hippowdon, the most reliable Stealth Rock user, should often be paired with Dugtrio.
- Nidoking can take on Flying-types, which cannot be trapped, with Ice Beam. In exchange, Dugtrio takes out special walls such as Chansey that Nidoking cannot touch.
- U-turn support from Landorus-T can make it much easier to safely bring Dugtrio in. Landorus-T can also run sets such as double dance and Choice Band to wear down Pokemon for Dugtrio to trap and KO later.
- Gastrodon and Seismitoad can switch into Water-type attacks and work as great pivots for Dugtrio to switch in. Gastrodon has superior longevity and bulk, while Seismitoad's greater offensive presence lets it check threats like Azumarill.
- Garchomp's Rough Skin puts many Pokemon into Dugtrio's KO range, acting as a more passive way to support Dugtrio. Garchomp can also run Stone Edge and Fire Blast, which help to threaten Flying-types and Skarmory, respectively.
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Sucker Punch
move 3: Stone Edge
move 4: Memento / Pursuit
item: Choice Band
ability: Arena Trap
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
- Earthquake is Dugtrio's strongest attack and always OHKOes specially defensive Toxapex after Stealth Rock damage.
- Sucker Punch lets Dugtrio take out faster Pokemon, mostly those that use all-out attacker sets like Alolan Raichu.
- Stone Edge lets Dugtrio hit Flying-type Pokemon such as Mega Charizard Y.
- Memento is used to let Dugtrio cripple a foe to give a teammate a free turn.
- Pursuit can be used to OHKO Gengar and Latios after Stealth Rock damage but generally doesn't do much else.
Set Details
========
- Maximum Speed investment and a Jolly nature let Dugtrio be as fast as possible, notably outspeeding Serperior.
- Maximum Attack investment and a Choice Band make Dugtrio as strong as possible, allowing it to always OHKO Alolan Raichu.
- Arena Trap lets Dugtrio reliably revenge kill Pokemon by preventing them from switching out.
Usage Tips
========
- Dugtrio should be careful of which move it locks into, as moves other than Earthquake are weak and Earthquake cannot hit Ground-immune Pokemon.
- Because Dugtrio has horrible bulk, it should be careful when trapping any faster Pokemon or those with priority. Although Sucker Punch can sometimes allow Dugtrio to beat them, being locked into Sucker Punch is incredibly risky, as it can provide free turns, and Pokemon such as Mega Alakazam with Substitute cannot actually be beaten.
- As a result, Dugtrio is most effective against Pokemon like Alolan Raichu and Victini, which are either all-out attackers or simply slower than it.
- Dugtrio cannot switch into almost any attack, so try to only bring it in as a revenge killer or with double switches.
- Try to use Dugtrio to take out key threats such as Alolan Raichu as soon as possible. Sometimes it may be best to sacrifice another Pokemon to get Dugtrio an early free switch.
- Although Stone Edge can hit Flying-type Pokemon, they can also switch out, so it may be better to simply bring Dugtrio in to force them out and double switch at the same time.
- Pursuit should only be used to trap Pokemon like Gengar that Dugtrio can OHKO. While it may be tempting to Pursuit a retreating Zapdos, for example, being locked into Pursuit makes Dugtrio very easy to take advantage of.
- Memento can be used on a threat like Tapu Bulu that Dugtrio cannot touch, but make sure not to lose Dugtrio before it has finished trapping the threats it needs to.
Team Options
========
- Most Ground-types appreciate Dugtrio's ability to trap and KO threats such as Alolan Raichu, making Dugtrio a very good member of most teams.
- Stealth Rock from Hippowdon makes it much easier for Dugtrio to get KOs, making them great complements.
- Pokemon such as Landorus, Nidoking, and Fire Blast Mega Garchomp can take on Skarmory, which prevents Dugtrio from being a huge threat to Flying teams.
- Gastrodon and Seismitoad are great teammates for switching into the bulky Water-types such as Slowbro that Dugtrio struggles to break.
- Setup sweepers such as Swords Dance Excadrill, double dance Landorus-T, and Rock Polish Landorus all appreciate having Dugtrio's Memento support and can effectively use the free turn they're given.
- Choice Scarf Landorus-T can also use U-turn to bring Dugtrio in as it forces switches.
- Gliscor is a great stallbreaker that breaks Porygon2 and other physical walls that force Dugtrio out.
- Mamoswine is a nice offensive teammate that beats many Grass-types that wall Dugtrio such as Tapu Bulu.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
- Dugtrio can use Aerial Ace to revenge kill a very weakened Tapu Bulu, but it has almost no use outside of that and Tapu Bulu is rarely at low enough health to enable this.
- Dugtrio can try to run Toxic to cripple walls, but it doesn't hit the most threatening of walls like Skarmory and Mega Venusaur.
- Screech can be used on the Focus Sash set to more easily beat physically defensive Pokemon, but Memento's utility is generally superior.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Trace**: Trace can be devastating, as Choice Scarf Gardevoir, Mega Alakazam, and Porygon2 trap and almost always beat Dugtrio one-on-one with ease.
**Tapu Bulu**: Tapu Bulu is one of the best checks to Dugtrio possible. Nothing Dugtrio uses can touch it outside of Aerial Ace, and its use of Horn Leech easily heals off all of the damage. Tapu Bulu also sets Grassy Terrain, which halves Dugtrio's damage with Earthquake against it and its teammates, and even makes Reversal do less damage by healing Dugtrio.
**Skarmory**: Skarmory completely walls every Dugtrio set and prevents it from doing any damage to a Flying team. It can take the time to set up entry hazards as it forces Dugtrio to switch out, possibly preventing Dugtrio from ever switching back in if Focus Sash has activated.
**Flying-types**: Flying-types such as Zapdos and Mantine only fear Stone Edge from the Choice Band set and can switch out of Arena Trap at any time, making them one of the best checks to Dugtrio.
**Ghost-types**: Most Ghost-types such as Mega Sableye and Jellicent take minimal damage from Dugtrio and force it out with ease. Like Flying-types, Ghost-types cannot be trapped by Arena Trap and can easily scout Dugtrio's set if needed.
**Mega Venusaur**: Mega Venusaur completely walls all Dugtrio sets, doesn't care about Memento, and threatens to OHKO with Giga Drain. Sets running a utility move such as Leech Seed or Sleep Powder even get a free turn to use it as Dugtrio is forced to switch out.
**Physical Walls**: Physical walls in general force Dugtrio to switch out, as it lacks the power to break through Pokemon such as Clefable and Mandibuzz.
**Revenge Killers**: Although Dugtrio is perhaps the best revenge killer, its horrible bulk leaves it vulnerable to others. Faster Pokemon like Greninja and Choice Scarf Keldeo can be threatening for Dugtrio to give free switches to, and Pokemon with priority such as Azumarill, offensive Mega Scizor, and Choice Band Dragonite can OHKO Dugtrio with ease.
- Dugtrio's unique access to Arena Trap, which prevents foes from switching out, makes it the most reliable revenge killer for Ground teams.
- With a great Speed tier and a decent Attack stat, Dugtrio is a great check to many grounded threats such as Alolan Raichu, which it is able to trap, outspeed, and almost always take out safely.
- While its horrible defenses may seem problematic, they let it reliably activate Focus Sash to maximize Reversal damage.
- It even can use Sucker Punch to revenge kill faster and weakened threats like Alolan Raichu under Electric Terrain.
- Dugtrio has access to other utility options such as Pursuit to chip at airborne and Ghost-type Pokemon as they retreat and Memento to cripple foes it cannot revenge kill.
- Dugtrio almost no bulk to speak of, meaning that it's easily revenge killed itself and is vulnerable to even some of the weakest attacks.
- It's fairly reliant on team support, as the Focus Sash set requires careful entry hazard control and the Choice Band set can be easily taken advantage of after it locks into a move.
- Airborne and Ghost-type Pokemon cannot be trapped by Arena Trap and Dugtrio's Pursuit is quite weak, meaning that Dugtrio is rendered almost completely ineffective against some teams.
[SET]
name: Focus Sash
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Reversal
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Memento
item: Focus Sash
ability: Arena Trap
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
ivs: 28 HP / 2 Def
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
- Earthquake is Dugtrio's strongest STAB attack and the primary revenge killing move for slower Pokemon such as Nidoking.
- Reversal gives Dugtrio a powerful revenge killing tool by dealing huge damage after it activates its Focus Sash, letting it deal huge damage to even walls like Chansey and Porygon2.
- Sucker Punch allows Dugtrio to reliably revenge kill faster Pokemon like Electric Surge Alolan Raichu without losing its Focus Sash.
- Memento lets Dugtrio cripple a target, allowing a teammate to come in and potentially set up or have a free turn.
Set Details
========
- Maximum Attack and Speed investment with a Jolly nature makes Dugtrio as strong and fast as possible, even able to outspeed Serperior.
- Focus Sash lets Dugtrio always take at least one hit to retaliate with Reversal, making Dugtrio a fantastic revenge killer even against faster Pokemon.
- Arena Trap prevents foes from switching out, meaning Dugtrio can reliably take out powerful threats like Serperior or Pokemon with defensive utility like Heatran.
- 28 HP IVs let Dugtrio survive two Seismic Tosses with 3% HP, maximizing the power of Reversal.
- 2 Defense IVs make sure Dugtrio can always OHKO Ditto with Earthquake.
Usage Tips
========
- Dugtrio should almost never switch into attacks or entry hazards, as it's reliant on its Focus Sash to revenge kill certain threats, so try to bring it in when the field is clear through either a free switch or U-turn support.
- That being said, if Dugtrio does not need to save its Focus Sash, switching into an attack can easily trick an opponent into powering up Dugtrio's Reversal.
- Use Dugtrio to trap key grounded threats like Serperior as soon as possible to support the team.
- Dugtrio should avoid Flying-types, as they cannot be trapped and Dugtrio has no way to meaningfully damage them.
- Try to preserve Focus Sash for revenge killing foes like Tapu Koko, which Sucker Punch cannot touch.
- Sucker Punch can be used to outprioritize foes like Mimikyu that can use Shadow Sneak, but be careful of its relatively unimpressive damage.
- Memento should only be used when Dugtrio is incapable of defeating a threat such as Tapu Bulu. Dropping their offensive stats can open them up to being taken out by a teammate or used as setup fodder.
- Because Ghost-types fear Sucker Punch and can switch out of Arena Trap, it is often best to switch out as well to preserve momentum.
Team Options
========
- As one of the most reliable revenge killers, Dugtrio can fit on almost any team, as it can remove many threats to Ground teams such as Alolan Raichu.
- Entry hazard removal is essential to Dugtrio's success, so Rapid Spin Excadrill is a needed teammate. Dugtrio can in turn trap Torkoal and Alolan Raichu, which can make it difficult for Excadrill to sweep by removing sand and outspeeding it, respectively.
- Stealth Rock is also needed on any team with Dugtrio, as it guarantees KOs, such as against Volcanion, and chips at Flying-types that wall Dugtrio. Hippowdon, the most reliable Stealth Rock user, should often be paired with Dugtrio.
- Nidoking can take on Flying-types, which cannot be trapped, with Ice Beam. In exchange, Dugtrio takes out special walls such as Chansey that Nidoking cannot touch.
- U-turn support from Landorus-T can make it much easier to safely bring Dugtrio in. Landorus-T can also run sets such as double dance and Choice Band to wear down Pokemon for Dugtrio to trap and KO later.
- Gastrodon and Seismitoad can switch into Water-type attacks and work as great pivots for Dugtrio to switch in. Gastrodon has superior longevity and bulk, while Seismitoad's greater offensive presence lets it check threats like Azumarill.
- Garchomp's Rough Skin puts many Pokemon into Dugtrio's KO range, acting as a more passive way to support Dugtrio. Garchomp can also run Stone Edge and Fire Blast, which help to threaten Flying-types and Skarmory, respectively.
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Sucker Punch
move 3: Stone Edge
move 4: Memento / Pursuit
item: Choice Band
ability: Arena Trap
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
- Earthquake is Dugtrio's strongest attack and always OHKOes specially defensive Toxapex after Stealth Rock damage.
- Sucker Punch lets Dugtrio take out faster Pokemon, mostly those that use all-out attacker sets like Alolan Raichu.
- Stone Edge lets Dugtrio hit Flying-type Pokemon such as Mega Charizard Y.
- Memento is used to let Dugtrio cripple a foe to give a teammate a free turn.
- Pursuit can be used to OHKO Gengar and Latios after Stealth Rock damage but generally doesn't do much else.
Set Details
========
- Maximum Speed investment and a Jolly nature let Dugtrio be as fast as possible, notably outspeeding Serperior.
- Maximum Attack investment and a Choice Band make Dugtrio as strong as possible, allowing it to always OHKO Alolan Raichu.
- Arena Trap lets Dugtrio reliably revenge kill Pokemon by preventing them from switching out.
Usage Tips
========
- Dugtrio should be careful of which move it locks into, as moves other than Earthquake are weak and Earthquake cannot hit Ground-immune Pokemon.
- Because Dugtrio has horrible bulk, it should be careful when trapping any faster Pokemon or those with priority. Although Sucker Punch can sometimes allow Dugtrio to beat them, being locked into Sucker Punch is incredibly risky, as it can provide free turns, and Pokemon such as Mega Alakazam with Substitute cannot actually be beaten.
- As a result, Dugtrio is most effective against Pokemon like Alolan Raichu and Victini, which are either all-out attackers or simply slower than it.
- Dugtrio cannot switch into almost any attack, so try to only bring it in as a revenge killer or with double switches.
- Try to use Dugtrio to take out key threats such as Alolan Raichu as soon as possible. Sometimes it may be best to sacrifice another Pokemon to get Dugtrio an early free switch.
- Although Stone Edge can hit Flying-type Pokemon, they can also switch out, so it may be better to simply bring Dugtrio in to force them out and double switch at the same time.
- Pursuit should only be used to trap Pokemon like Gengar that Dugtrio can OHKO. While it may be tempting to Pursuit a retreating Zapdos, for example, being locked into Pursuit makes Dugtrio very easy to take advantage of.
- Memento can be used on a threat like Tapu Bulu that Dugtrio cannot touch, but make sure not to lose Dugtrio before it has finished trapping the threats it needs to.
Team Options
========
- Most Ground-types appreciate Dugtrio's ability to trap and KO threats such as Alolan Raichu, making Dugtrio a very good member of most teams.
- Stealth Rock from Hippowdon makes it much easier for Dugtrio to get KOs, making them great complements.
- Pokemon such as Landorus, Nidoking, and Fire Blast Mega Garchomp can take on Skarmory, which prevents Dugtrio from being a huge threat to Flying teams.
- Gastrodon and Seismitoad are great teammates for switching into the bulky Water-types such as Slowbro that Dugtrio struggles to break.
- Setup sweepers such as Swords Dance Excadrill, double dance Landorus-T, and Rock Polish Landorus all appreciate having Dugtrio's Memento support and can effectively use the free turn they're given.
- Choice Scarf Landorus-T can also use U-turn to bring Dugtrio in as it forces switches.
- Gliscor is a great stallbreaker that breaks Porygon2 and other physical walls that force Dugtrio out.
- Mamoswine is a nice offensive teammate that beats many Grass-types that wall Dugtrio such as Tapu Bulu.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
- Dugtrio can use Aerial Ace to revenge kill a very weakened Tapu Bulu, but it has almost no use outside of that and Tapu Bulu is rarely at low enough health to enable this.
- Dugtrio can try to run Toxic to cripple walls, but it doesn't hit the most threatening of walls like Skarmory and Mega Venusaur.
- Screech can be used on the Focus Sash set to more easily beat physically defensive Pokemon, but Memento's utility is generally superior.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Trace**: Trace can be devastating, as Choice Scarf Gardevoir, Mega Alakazam, and Porygon2 trap and almost always beat Dugtrio one-on-one with ease.
**Tapu Bulu**: Tapu Bulu is one of the best checks to Dugtrio possible. Nothing Dugtrio uses can touch it outside of Aerial Ace, and its use of Horn Leech easily heals off all of the damage. Tapu Bulu also sets Grassy Terrain, which halves Dugtrio's damage with Earthquake against it and its teammates, and even makes Reversal do less damage by healing Dugtrio.
**Skarmory**: Skarmory completely walls every Dugtrio set and prevents it from doing any damage to a Flying team. It can take the time to set up entry hazards as it forces Dugtrio to switch out, possibly preventing Dugtrio from ever switching back in if Focus Sash has activated.
**Flying-types**: Flying-types such as Zapdos and Mantine only fear Stone Edge from the Choice Band set and can switch out of Arena Trap at any time, making them one of the best checks to Dugtrio.
**Ghost-types**: Most Ghost-types such as Mega Sableye and Jellicent take minimal damage from Dugtrio and force it out with ease. Like Flying-types, Ghost-types cannot be trapped by Arena Trap and can easily scout Dugtrio's set if needed.
**Mega Venusaur**: Mega Venusaur completely walls all Dugtrio sets, doesn't care about Memento, and threatens to OHKO with Giga Drain. Sets running a utility move such as Leech Seed or Sleep Powder even get a free turn to use it as Dugtrio is forced to switch out.
**Physical Walls**: Physical walls in general force Dugtrio to switch out, as it lacks the power to break through Pokemon such as Clefable and Mandibuzz.
**Revenge Killers**: Although Dugtrio is perhaps the best revenge killer, its horrible bulk leaves it vulnerable to others. Faster Pokemon like Greninja and Choice Scarf Keldeo can be threatening for Dugtrio to give free switches to, and Pokemon with priority such as Azumarill, offensive Mega Scizor, and Choice Band Dragonite can OHKO Dugtrio with ease.
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