Name: Toxicroak
Number: 454
Type: Poison/Fighting
Abilities:
Anticipation, Dry Skin, Poison Touch
Base Stats:
83 / 106 / 65 / 85 / 65 / 86
Level Up Move Edits:
None
Move Tutor Move/TM Edits:
None
Egg Move Edits:
None
Example Set 1
Bulk Up@ Leftovers
244 HP / 252 Atk / 12 Def
Dry Skin, Adamant Nature
- Bulk Up
- Substitute
- Drain Punch
- Sucker Punch
Explanation of Set
The idea is to come in on something that you can set up on, ideally a Water- or Bug-type move, and use Substitute on the switch. Substitute provides protection from status but leaves you vulnerable to phazing. However, the common OU phazers Skarmory and Hippowdon are more likely to attack with their STAB Ground and Flying-type moves, respectively. Nevertheless, once Toxicroak is set up, it can essentially be more destructive than the Swords Dance set. After a few Bulk Ups the Defense boosts allows it to take Earthquakes from the likes of Hippowdon, survive, and recover lost health back with Drain Punch, leaving Hippowdon scrambling in futility with Slack Off and Earthquake, as long as it lacks Roar. 244 EVs in HP keeps Toxicroak as bulky as possible without taking away attack power. Speed investment isn't worth much, considering Toxicroak's low base Speed and the set's need for heavy investment in bulk.
Example Set 2
Swords Dance@ Life Orb / Leftovers
4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Dry Skin, Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Cross Chop
- Ice Punch
- Sucker Punch
Explanation of Set
Toxicroak's respectable base 106 Attack stat and access to powerful attacks such as Cross Chop and Sucker Punch make it a very potent sweeper with Swords Dance. After a Swords Dance Toxicroak hits a massive 684 Attack that puts a dent in almost anything with Sucker Punch or STAB Cross Chop. Ice Punch is what really separates Toxicroak from other physical sweepers, as the attack allows it to defeat Gliscor after a Swords Dance. Ice Punch is illegal with Drain Punch, meaning Cross Chop is therefore Toxicroak's STAB attack of choice. Despite it's offsetting accuracy, its sheer power lets Toxicroak muscle its way past even the sturdiest of physical walls. It is fairly easy to set up a Swords Dance with Toxicroak by coming in on either a predicted Water attack or a weaker attack it resists; the health that you lose can be greatly softened by Dry Skin healing. This set allows Toxicroak to be one of the most dangerous Pokemon in the game after a Swords Dance. After two boosts, neither dedicated physical walls nor standard Toxicroak checks can stop it.
