NFE Bulk Up (Machoke) @ Eviolite
Ability: No Guard
EVs: 208 HP / 252 SpD / 48 Spe
Careful Nature
- Bulk Up
- Dynamic Punch
- Knock Off / Rest
- Earthquake / Heavy Slam / Rest
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Optional Move(s):
- Ice Punch
Optional Item(s):
- N/A
Optional Ability:
- N/A
Optional EV/IV(s):
- N/A
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Overview: With very good bulk, access to Knock Off and fantastic coverage, Machoke is one of the most threatening and devastating wallbreakers in the tier, capable of tearing through defensive walls.
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Bulky Attacker: The bulky attacker set balances being a good wallbreaker and having good bulk. Machoke is a tanky Pokemon, capable of eating strong super effective attacks such as Focus Sash Kadabra Psychic and Reckless Choice Scarf Staravia Brave Bird. It also isn't 2HKOed by Clefairy Moonblast. Close Combat hits Dark- and Steel-types such as Ferroseed, Krokorok, and Klang for huge damage, while also hitting most neutral targets for good damage. Knock Off is a fantastic utility move for any wallbreaker, which lets it remove Eviolite from bulky walls such as Clefairy, Mareanie, and Gloom, while also acting as a good coverage move against Ghost- and Psychic-types such as Misdreavus, Haunter, Dusclops, and Metang. Heavy Slam hits bulky Fairy-types such as Clefairy and Togetic, while Earthquake hits Poison-types such as Alolan Grimer and Mareanie for super effective damage. Bullet Punch is a reasonable option for offensive Machoke sets, giving up a coverage move for priority against a weakened Haunter, Kadabra or other frail fast attackers.
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Guts Attacker: Flame Orb Guts Machoke gives up bulk in exchange for being virtually impossible to switch into. It hits like a truck but it is much easier to revenge kill. Guts boosted Facade hits all neutral targets hard and eases prediction.
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Bulk Up: Bulk Up Machoke gives up one of its coverage options and some of its immediate attacking power in exchange for much better bulk. It still hits hard after a boost and is much harder to revenge kill on both defensive sides. No Guard with Dynamic Punch is the superior ability and STAB attack combination for the Bulk Up set because it avoids Close Combat's defense drops. Rest lets Machoke recover its HP.
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Checks and Counters: Bulky fast physical walls like Quilladin and Tangela can switch into any attack from Machoke and recover health before Machoke attacks again. If not carrying the correct coverage move, Clefairy, Mareanie, Gloom, and Togetic can check Machoke. However, none appreciate switching into Knock Off or super effective coverage. Close Combat lowers Machoke's defenses, meaning it becomes easier for faster attackers to revenge kill Machoke the more it spams Close Combat. In addition, Machoke is slow so faster offensive threats such as Electabuzz, Kadabra, Servine, and other strong threats can revenge kill a weakened Machoke but cannot switch into it. Unless carrying Rest, Machoke has no form of recovery so it is very susceptible to chip from either switching into attacks or from hazards such as Spikes.
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