Competitive Pokemon roles and understanding them

[RicePigeon]

This thread's purpose is to introduce people to the various roles that Pokemon can do on a team, in the hopes that this will create better team builders. This list is not comprehensive, but only serves to provide examples of the roles. Do note that some Pokemon species can fulfill multiple roles depending on its moveset, but the roles that a Pokemon can do effectively are largely determined by its base stats.

 

 

Sweeper

This role you are probably most familar with. These are Pokemon that are, once setting up with a boosting move, can sweep through an opponent's team and take out a large number of Pokemon without having to switch out. Effective Sweepers are Pokemon that have both high physical attack stat and high speed, or are capable of boosting both such as through Dragon Dance, so that they can outspeed the opponent's team while hitting hard. Because these Pokemon are primarily offensive, they prefer holding a Life Orb to maximize their damage output, while using a +speed nature such as Jolly to guarantee that they will be as fast as possible, though exceptions do exist. Since many effective sweepers are physical, they absolutely hate being burned, and paralysis can also cut their sweep short. These Pokemon are most effective late in the game when their checks and counters have been successfully removed. Note that some Sweepers who rely on Swords Dance or Nasty Plot can also double as Wallbreakers, which will be detailed below.

 

Example Sweepers:

Ability: Blaze (Tough Claws) / Item: @Charizardite X
Nature: Adamant w/ EVs: 96 HP / 252 Attack / 160 Speed
Moves: Dragon Dance / Flare Blitz / Dragon Claw / Roost

 

Ability: Steadfast or Justified (Inner Focus) / Item: @Galladite
Nature: Jolly w/ EVs: 252 Attack / 4 Defense / 252 Speed
Moves: Swords Dance / Close Combat / Psycho Cut / Ice Punch, Knock Off, or Shadow Sneak

 

Ability: Rough Skin / Item: @Lum Berry or Life Orb
Nature: Jolly w/ EVs: 4 HP / 252 Attack / 252 Speed
Moves: Swords Dance / Earthquake / Dragon Claw or Outrage / Fire Fang, Substitute, or Stone Edge

 

 

 

 

Cleaner

A Cleaner is a variation of a sweeper. It fulfills a similar purpose as a Sweeper, but these Pokemon generally do not have a way to boost their offense stat, yet are very fast. Similar to sweepers, these Pokemon are best saved until late game to "clean up" weakened Pokemon that are left behind. It should be noted that Cleaners may lack the same offensive power as Sweepers. Pokemon that utilize a Choice Scarf may also double as a cleaner due to the nature of their boosted speed, but unlike Sweepers, these Pokemon usually require the opponent's team to be weakened first before they can effectively clean up.

 

Example Cleaners:

 

Ability: Protean / Item: @Life Orb
Nature: Naive w/ EVs: 44 Attack / 212 Attack / 252 Speed
Moves: Gunk Shot / Ice Beam / Dark Pulse / Low Kick or Hydro Pump

 

Ability: Intimidate / Item: @Leftovers
Nature: Adamant w/ EVs: 56 HP / 220 Attack / 232 Speed
Moves: Earthquake / Stone Edge / Rock Polish / Swords Dance

 

Ability: Pressure (Tough Claws) / Item: @Aerodactylite
Nature: Adamant w/ EVs: 252 Attack / 4 Defense / 252 Speed
Moves: Stone Edge / Ice Fang / Aerial Ace / Earthquake or Fire Fang

 

 

 

 

Wall

Walls are, as the name implies, Pokemon that are very great defensively, but can't do much offensively. Good walls typically have some kind of recovery move such as Recover or Softboiled. Walls are typically found on Stall teams, where they aim to switch in repeatedly and absorb hits reliably. Since they Pokemon dont hit very hard, they are often relegated to support roles such as setting up Stealth Rock, inflicting status, or phazing out opponents.

 

Example Walls:

 

Ability: Natural Cure / Item: @Eviolite

Nature: Bold w/ EVs: 4 HP / 252 Defense / 252 Sp.Defense

Moves: Softboiled / Heal Bell or Stealth Rock / Seismic Toss / Toxic, Thunder Wave, or Stealth Rock

 

Ability: Levitate / Item: @Leftovers

Nature: Calm w/ EVs: 252 HP / 4 Defense / 252 Sp.Defense

Moves: Psychic or Moonblast / Moonlight / Reflect / Ice Beam or Thunder Wave

 

Ability: Sturdy / Item: @Shed Shell

Nature: Bold or Impish w/ EVs: 252 HP / 252 Defense / 4 Sp.Defense

Moves: Defog / Roost / Counter or Brave Bird / Whirlwind or Taunt

 

 

 

 

Wallbreaker

As its name implies, a Wallbreaker is a Pokemon that sports tremendous offensive stats in order to "break walls", yet are usually too slow to effectively perform a sweep. These are Pokemon that instead focus on dishing out as much damage as possible right off the bat in order to poke holes in an opponent's defensive cores, enabling another Pokemon to sweep or clean. Some wallbreakers may require the use of a Choice Band or Choice Specs in order to maximize their wallbreaking potential, while some sweepers that utilize Swords Dance can also double as a wallbreaker if their Attack stat is high enough.

 

Example Wallbreakers:

 

Ability: Trace (Pixilate) / Item: @Gardevoirite
Nature: Modest or Timid w/ EVs: 24 Defense / 232 Sp.Attack / 252 Speed
Moves: Hyper Voice / Psyshock / Focus Blast or Hidden Power Ground / Taunt, Substitute, or Will-o-Wisp

 

Ability: Justified / Item: @Life Orb
Nature: Jolly w/ EVs: 252 Attack / 4 Defense / 252 Speed
Moves: Swords Dance / Close Combat / Stone Edge / Substitute or Quick Attack

 

Ability: Justified / Item: @Choice Specs
Nature: Timid w/ EVs: 4 Defense / 252 Sp.Attack / 252 Speed
Moves: Hydro Pump / Scald / Secret Sword / Icy Wind or Hidden Power Flying

 

 

 

Stallbreaker

Although they perform a similar role as a Wallbreaker, Stallbreakers differ in that rather than smashing through defensive Pokemon with brute force, they aim to shut down defensive teams by denying them access to their non-damaging moves such as Toxic and Recover through to use of Taunt. These Pokemon also provide some kind of offensive presence or otherwise put pressure on defensive Pokemon by whittling them down or outstalling them. While they can be used on Offensive teams, Stallbreakers can also be used on Defensive teams in order to break opposing Stall.

 

Example Stallbreakers:

 

Ability: Poison Heal / Item: @Toxic Orb
Nature: Careful w/ EVs: 244 HP / 192 Sp.Defense / 72 Speed
Moves: Taunt / Toxic / Roost / Earthquake or Knock Off

 

Ability: Gale Wings / Item: @Leftovers
Nature: Careful w/ EVs: 248 HP / 252 Sp.Defense / 8 Speed
Moves: Brave Bird / Taunt / Roost / Will-o-Wisp

 

Ability: Prankster (Magic Bounce) / Item: @Sableite
Nature: Bold w/ EVs: 252 HP / 252 Defense / 4 Sp.Defense
Moves: Will-o-Wisp / Recover / Knock Off / Taunt or Foul Play

 

 

 

Revenge Killer

As the name suggests, Revenge Killers are Pokemon that can come in after an opponent scores a KO and KO them back. This is usually done through the use of Priority moves or Choice Scarf, to ensure that these Pokemon strike first and strike hard, and can outspeed even Dragon Dance users. Alternatively, Revenge Killers can also be brought in on predicted switches or through slow users of Volt Switch or U-turn, in order to ensure that they get in safely.

 

Example Revenge Killers:

 

Ability: Intimidate / Item: @Choice Scarf
Nature: Jolly w/ EVs: 252 Attack / 24 Defense / 232 Speed
Moves: Earthquake / Stone Edge / U-turn / Superpower, Knock Off, or Explosion

 

Ability: Gale Wings / Item: @Choice Band
Nature: Adamant w/ EVs: 252 Attack / 4 Defense / 252 Speed
Moves: Brave Bird / Flare Blitz / U-turn / Tailwind or Roost

 

Ability: Teravolt / Item: @Choice Scarf

Nature (1): Naughty or Naive w/ EVs: 252 Attack / 32 Sp.Atk / 224 Speed

Nature (2): Adamant or Jolly w/ EVs: 32 HP / 252 Attack / 224 Speed

Moves: Outrage / Dragon Claw / Fusion Bolt / Ice Beam or Iron Head

 

 

 

Tank

Tanks are sort of a hybrid between an attacker and a wall, in that they sport nice defensive bulk while also maintaining an offensive presence. Commonly found on Bulky Offense teams, these Pokemon are not only able to sponge hits, but are also able to dish out damage in return. These Pokemon either have a naturally high Defense or Sp.Defense stat, or are capable of utilizing Assault Vest without any drawbacks that would hinder their effectiveness.

 

Example Tanks:

 

Ability: Huge Power / Item: @Assault Vest
Nature: Adamant w/ EVs: 16 HP / 252 Attack / 240 Sp.Defense
Moves: Play Rough / Waterfall / Aqua Jet / Knock Off

 

 

 

Pivots

Pivots are Pokemon that are used mainly for switching. More defensive pivots switch in to take an attack and then generally switch back out as the opponent is forced to switch out, thus disrupting an opponent's momentum. More offensively inclined pivots gain momentum for the player by threatening the opponent with a KO and thus force a switch. Momentum can be gained with pivots either by hard switching or using indirect switching through the use of Volt Switch, U-turn, or Baton Pass.

 

Example Pivots:

 

Ability: Blaze (Tough Claws) / Item: @Charizardite X
Nature: Careful w/ EVs: 248 HP / 180 Sp.Defense / 80 Speed
Moves: Will-o-Wisp / Dragon Claw or Earthquake / Earthquake or Flare Blitz / Roost

 

Ability: Lightning Rod (Intimidate) / Item: @Manectite
Nature: Timid w/ EVs: 4 Defense / 252 Sp.Attack / 252 Speed
Moves: Thunderbolt / Overheat / Hidden Power Ice / Volt Switch

 

Ability: Regenerator / Item: @Life Orb
Nature: Naive w/ EVs: 76 Attack / 216 Sp.Attack / 216 Speed
Moves: Hurricane / Superpower / U-turn / Taunt

 

Ability: Regenerator / Item: @Assault Vest
Nature: Timid w/ EVs: 132 HP / 160 Sp.Attack / 216 Speed
Moves: Hurricane / Focus Blast / U-turn / Knock Off

 

 

 

Trappers

Trappers are Pokemon designed to put an opponent or a specific Pokemon into a lose-lose situation, putting them in a situation where it is too dangerous for them to stay in and attack, and also too dangerous to switch out. This is most commonly done through the use of Pursuit, Magnet Pull, and Shadow Tag, where the former is used to eliminate annoying Psychic and Ghost types, while the latter two prevent the opponent from switching entirely and can reliably eliminate a check or counter to your team's win condition. Common examples in OU include Pursuit for Latios, Magnet Pull for Skarmory and Ferrothorn, and Shadow Tag for Chansey.

 

Example Trappers:

 

Ability: Sand Stream / Item: @Choice Scarf
Nature: Jolly w/ EVs: 252 Attack / 4 Sp.Defense / 252 Speed
Moves: Stone Edge / Pursuit / Ice Punch / Super Power

 

Ability: Defiant / Item: @Assault Vest
Nature: Adamant w/ EVs: 64 HP / 252 Attack / 192 Sp.Defense
Moves: Sucker Punch / Pursuit / Iron Head / Knock Off

 

Ability: Magnet Pull / Item: @Choice Scarf
Nature: Timid w/ EVs: 4 Def / 252 Sp.Attack / 252 Speed
Moves: Thunderbolt / Flash Cannon / Hidden Power Fire / Volt Switch

 

 

 

Status Absorbers

Status Absorbers are Pokemon that are either immune to, can easily remove, or can take advantage of common status conditions such as Burn, Poison, and Paralysis. Pokemon that know both Rest and Sleep Talk can also fall under this category.

 

Example Status Absorbers:

 

Ability: Natural Cure / Item: @Eviolite

Nature: Bold w/ EVs: 4 HP / 252 Defense / 252 Sp.Defense

Moves: Softboiled / Heal Bell or Stealth Rock / Seismic Toss / Toxic, Thunder Wave, or Stealth Rock

 

Ability: Poison Heal / Item: @Toxic Orb
Nature: Careful w/ EVs: 244 HP / 192 Sp.Defense / 72 Speed
Moves: Taunt / Toxic / Roost / Earthquake or Knock Off

 

Ability: Prankster (Magic Bounce) / Item: @Sableite
Nature: Bold w/ EVs: 252 HP / 252 Defense / 4 Sp.Defense
Moves: Will-o-Wisp / Recover / Knock Off / Taunt or Foul Play

 

 

 

Phazers

Short for "Pseudo Hazer" or "False Hazer", the term originates from Gen 2 where Haze used to be the most common way to deal with dangerous stat boost users such as Snorlax until people began to realize that forcing them out with Roar and Whirlwind was a much more reliable method of dealing with them. Phazers force an opponent to switch out not by putting them into a disadvantageous situation where the best possible move is to switch out, but forcefully causes them to switch out to a random teammate. This can be done through the use of Roar, Whirlwind, or Dragon Tail, but Perish Song and Yawn can also fall into this category. Phazing an opponent has more applications than just dealing with setup sweepers, as it can also be used to rack up entry hazard damage.

 

Example Phazers:

 

Ability: Sturdy / Item: @Shed Shell

Nature: Bold or Impish w/ EVs: 252 HP / 252 Defense / 4 Sp.Defense

Moves: Defog / Roost / Counter or Brave Bird / Whirlwind

 

Ability: Sandstream / Item: @Leftovers

Nature: Impish w/ EVs: 252 HP / 144 Defense / 112 Sp.Defense

Moves: Earthquake / Stealth Rock / Slack Off / Whirlwind

 

 

 

Clerics & Wishpassers

A Cleric is a Pokemon that supports its teammates by keeping them healthy. This is usually accomplished through the use of Wish for HP healing, and Heal Bell or Aromatherapy to keep them free of debilitating status conditions. These Pokemon are most commonly found on Stall and Balance teams due to their defensive capabilities.

 

Example Clerics & Wishpassers:

 

Ability: Natural Cure / Item: @Eviolite

Nature: Bold w/ EVs: 4 HP / 252 Defense / 252 Sp.Defense

Moves: Softboiled / Heal Bell / Seismic Toss / Toxic, Thunder Wave, or Stealth Rock

 

Ability: Regenerator / Item: @Leftovers

Nature: Calm w/ EVs: 36 HP / 220 Defense / 252 Sp.Defense

Moves: Scald / Wish / Protect / Toxic or Knock Off

 

Ability: Unaware / Item: @Leftovers

Nature: Bold w/ EVs: 252 HP / 252 Defense / 4 Sp.Defense

Moves: Moonblast / Heal Bell / Wish / Protect