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POKEMON BATTLING ROLES
Physical Sweepers are all offense; they aim to deal as much damage as possible before the foe can do much back to them. Physical Sweepers make use of Physical attacks only, and, as such, depend heavily on their Attack stat. Speed is also a very important consideration, so as to gain the advantage of being able to hit the foe first. Their dependence on Physical attacks also means that their Special Attack stat hardly ever affects their function.
Commonly used damage-dealing moves: Earthquake, Aerial Ace, Rock Slide, Brick Break, Return, Sludge Bomb, Shadow Ball
Commonly used non-damaging moves: Belly Drum, Swords Dance, Bulk Up, Dragon Dance
Nature: Adamant
Key Stats: Attack, Speed
Item: Shell Bell, Leftovers, Choice Band, Salac Berry
Examples:
 | Heracross @ Leftovers
Ability: Swarm
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 Atk, 252 Spd, 6 HP | | Bulk Up | | Megahorn | | Earthquake | | Brick Break |
 | Salamence @ Shell Bell
Ability: Intimidate
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 Atk, 252 Spd, 6 HP | | Dragon Dance | | Aerial Ace | | Steel Wing | | Earthquake/Double-Edge |
 | Armaldo @ Leftovers/Shell Bell
Ability: Battle Armor
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 Atk, 252 Spd, 6 HP | | Swords Dance | | Ancientpower | | HP Bug/Earthquake | | Aerial Ace/Brick Break/Slash |
Special Sweepers are similar to Physical Sweepers, save for the fact that they make use of Special Attacks instead.
Commonly used damage-dealing moves: Thunderbolt, Surf, Ice Beam, Flamethrower, Psychic, Dragon Claw, Crunch
Commonly used non-damaging moves: Calm Mind, Rain Dance (in combination with Thunder), Sunny Day (in combination with Solarbeam or Flamethrower/Heat Wave)
Nature: Modest
Key Stats: Sp. Attack, Speed
Item: Shell Bell, Leftovers, Choice Band, Salac Berry
Examples:
 | Gardevoir @ Leftovers
Ability: Synchronize
Nature: Modest
EVs: 252 SA, 252 Spd, 6 HP | | Calm Mind | | Psychic | | Will-o-wisp | | Thunderbolt |
 | Milotic @ Leftovers
Ability: Marvel Scale
Nature: Modest
EVs: 252 SA, 252 Spd, 6 HP | | Surf | | Ice Beam | | Dragonbreath | | Rest/Recover/Attract |
 | Alakazam @ Shell Bell
Ability: Synchronize
Nature: Modest
EVs: 252 SA, 252 Spd, 6 HP | | Calm Mind | | Psychic | | Thunderpunch | | Ice Punch |
Mixed Sweepers have both Physical and Special Moves. This may be because of their wide movepools, or because they learn too few moves to specialise in either one. Mixed Sweepers may also be Pokemon that have dual-types, one of which is a Physical type while the other is a Special type, in order to use STAB moves of each type. Generally, Mixed Sweepers are less effective than other Sweepers as a result of their split EVs.
Commonly used damage-dealing moves: Refer to that for both Special and Physical Sweepers
Commonly used non-damaging moves: Refer to that for both Special and Physical Sweepers
Nature: Bashful, Docile, Hardy, Quirky, Serious
Key Stats: Attack, Sp. Attack, Speed
Item: Shell Bell, Leftovers, Choice Band, Salac Berry
Examples:
 | Blastoise @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
Nature: Docile
EVs: 252 Spd, 129 Atk, 129 SA | | Surf | | Ice Beam | | Earthquake | | Haze/Rapid Spin |
 | Blaziken @ Scope Lens
Ability: Blaze
Nature: Docile
EVs: 252 Atk, 252 SA, 6 Spd | | Sky Uppercut | | Blaze Kick | | Focus Energy | | Slash |
Annoyers either lay multiple status ailments on the foe, or raise their evasion while lowering the foe's accuracy such that the foe's ability to hit them is greatly reduced. Only after that does the annoyer start attacking. While an Annoyer can wreak havoc on in-game trainers, they do not work equally well in competitive battling. Since most Annoyers only have one or two offensive moves, should the foe switch to a Pokemon that is resistant to the Annoyer's attacks, the Annoyer can't do much in return. For example, when Raichu (a Parattractafusioner, which refers to a Pokemon that can inflict Paralysis, Attraction as well as Confusion at the same time) is used, the opponent can simply switch to a Ground type and Raichu would be unable to damage the foe. Also, Annoyers depend very much on chance. Moreover, given the common use of Haze, Annoyers are often unreliable in competitive battling.
Commonly used non-damaging moves: Thunder Wave, Sweet Kiss, Attract, Double Team, Confuse Ray, Glare
Examples:
 | Raichu @ Leftovers
Ability: Static
Nature: Modest
EVs: 252 HP, 129 Def, 129 SD | | Thunder Wave | | Thunderbolt | | Sweet Kiss | | Attract |
 | Sandslash @ Bright Powder
Ability: Sand Veil
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 Atk, 252 Spd, 6 HP | | Sandstorm | | Double Team | | Swords Dance/Earthquake | | Rock Slide/Return |
Drainers are so called because of their ability to drain HP from the enemy. Coupled with Leftovers and moves that restore HP, Drainers can remain in battle for very long as they slowly drain away the foe's HP.
Commonly used damage-dealing moves: Giga Drain
Commonly used non-damaging moves: Leech Seed, Rest, Synthesis
Nature: Relaxed, Careful, Impish
Key Stats: Defense, Sp. Defense, HP
Item: Leftovers
Examples:
 | Ludicolo @ Leftovers
Ability: Rain Dish
Nature: Bold
EVs: 252 HP 129 SD 129 Def | | Rain Dance | | Leech Seed | | Toxic/Dive/Surf | | Giga Drain |
 | Exeggutor @ Leftovers
Ability: Chlorophyll
Nature: Modest
EVs: 252 SA, 252 Spd, 6 HP | | Sleep Powder/Stun Spore | | Leech Seed | | Giga Drain | | Psychic |
Spikers are just Pokemon that make use of the move Spikes. They usually have shuffling moves like Roar and Whirlwind as well, so as to deal damage to the opponent using Spikes.
Commonly used non-damaging moves: Spikes, Roar, Whirlwind
Examples:
 | Skarmory @ Leftovers
Ability: Keen Eye
Nature: Careful
EVs: 252 HP, 129 Def, 129 SD | | Toxic | | Roar | | Spikes | | Steel Wing/Aerial Ace/Drill Peck |
 | Cloyster @ Leftovers
Ability: Shell Armor
Nature: Naughty
EVs: 252 Atk, 129 Def, 129 SD | | Explosion | | Rapid Spin | | Spikes | | Ice Beam/Surf |
Tanks are usually Pokemon that have good Defenses or Pokemon that can make use of defensive moves such as Cosmic Power. Tanks usually have a means of healing themselves as well. As such, Tanks are able to remain in battle for very long.
Commonly used non-damaging moves: Rest, Iron Defense, Amnesia, Cosmic Power, Wish
Nature: Relaxed, Careful, Impish
Key Stats: Defense, Sp. Defense, HP
Item: Leftovers
Examples:
 | Torkoal @ Leftovers
Ability: White Smoke
Nature: Bold/Calm
EVs: 252 HP, 129 Def, 129 SD | | Iron Defense | | Amnesia | | Rest | | Heat Wave |
 | Starmie @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
Nature: Modest
EVs: 252 SA, 252 Spd, 6 HP | | Cosmic Power | | Surf | | Psychic | | Recover/Thunderbolt/Ice Beam |
Physical Sponges are partial tanks. They have good Defense, and can take many hits from physical attacks. Switch one in when you anticipate that the opponent is going to use a strong physical move.
Key Stats: Defense, HP
Examples:
 | Weezing @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Impish
EVs: 252 Hp 252 Def 6 Atk | | Sludge Bomb | | Will-O-Wisp | | Pain Split | | Haze |
 | Golem @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 Atk, 252 Def, 6 HP | | Earthquake | | Explosion | | Focus Punch | | Rock Slide |
Self explanatory. Special Sponges have great Special Defense, and can take many hits from special attacks.
Key Stats: Sp. Defense, HP
Examples:
 | Blissey @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
Nature: Calm
EVs: 252 HP, 129 Def, 129 SD | | Heal Bell/Aromatherapy | | Counter | | Softboiled | | Seismic Toss |
 | Suicune @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
Nature: Modest
EVs: 252 SA, 129 Spd, 129 HP | | Calm Mind | | Surf | | Ice Beam | | Mirror Coat |
A type of Tank which makes use of Toxic and no offensive moves. Largely similar to ordinary Tanks. However, Toxi-Tanks will be made ineffective should the foe have a Healer in his/her team. As such, Toxi-Trappers are more useful than Toxi-Tanks.
Commonly used non-damaging moves: Toxic, Rest, Iron Defense, Amnesia, Cosmic Power, Wish
Nature: Relaxed, Careful, Impish
Key Stats: Defense, Sp. Defense, HP
Item: Leftovers
Examples:
 | Shuckle @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
Nature: Impish
EVs: 252 HP, 129 Def, 129 SD | | Wrap | | Toxic | | Attract | | Rest |
 | Claydol @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Careful
EVs: 252 SD, 252 Def, 6 HP | | Cosmic Power | | Rest | | Toxic | | Explosion/Double Team/Sandstorm |
Toxi-Trappers make use of Toxic as well as Mean Look to trap the enemy, forcing them to take the increasingly damaging Toxic. As such, they are more effective than Toxi-Tanks. Toxi-Trappers are usually Tanks as well, so they are able to last long in battle too.
Commonly used non-damaging moves: Toxic, Mean Look, Rest, Wish
Nature: Relaxed, Careful, Impish
Key Stats: Defense, Sp. Defense, HP
Item: Leftovers
Examples:
 | Dusclops @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
Nature: Careful
EVs: 252 SD, 252 Def, 6 HP | | Mean Look | | Toxic | | Rest | | Shadow Punch/Will-o-Wisp/Curse |
 | Umbreon @ Leftovers
Ability: Synchronize
Nature: Careful
EVs: 252 HP, 129 Def, 129 SD | | Mean Look | | Toxic | | Rest/Wish | | Baton Pass/Taunt |
Toxi-shufflers are Pokemon that have Toxic, as well as a shuffling move such as Roar. Their objective it to inflict as many of the opponent's Pokemon with Toxic as possible.
Commonly used non-damaging moves: Toxic, Roar, Whirlwind
Examples:
 | Arcanine @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
Nature: Modest
EVs: 252 SA, 252 Spd, 6 HP | | Flamethrower/Heat Wave | | Crunch | | Toxic | | Roar |
| Skarmory @ Leftovers
Ability: Keen Eye
Nature: Careful
EVs: 252 HP, 129 Def, 129 SD | | Toxic | | Roar | | Spikes | | Steel Wing/Aerial Ace/Drill Peck |
Self explanatory name; Hazers are Pokemon that makes use of the move Haze to negate any stat-increasing moves the opponent has used. This pretty much thwarts the foe's plan to sweep through your team with a Pokemon with increase stats.
Commonly used non-damaging moves: Haze
Examples:
| Blastoise @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
Nature: Docile
EVs: 252 Spd, 129 Atk, 129 SA | | Surf | | Ice Beam | | Earthquake | | Haze/Rapid Spin |
| Weezing @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Impish
EVs: 252 Hp 252 Def 6 Atk | | Sludge Bomb | | Will-O-Wisp | | Pain Split | | Haze |
 | Vaporeon @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
Nature: Calm
EVs: 220 HP, 118 Def, 76 SA, 96 SD | | Haze | | Protect/Ice Beam | | Wish | | Surf |
Pseudo-Hazers negate stat-increasing moves the opponent has used by using shuffling moves such as Roar and Whirlwind.
Commonly used non-damaging moves: Roar, Whirlwind
Examples:
| Skarmory @ Leftovers
Ability: Keen Eye
Nature: Careful
EVs: 252 HP, 129 Def, 129 SD | | Toxic | | Roar | | Spikes | | Steel Wing/Aerial Ace/Drill Peck |
 | Manectric @ Leftovers
Ability: Static
Nature: Modest
EVs: 252 SA, 252 Spd, 6 HP | | Thunderbolt | | Crunch/HP Grass | | Thunder Wave | | Roar |
Seldom seen battling type that uses Psych Up to copy the opponent's stat changes, thus gaining whatever advantages that the opponent has.
Commonly used non-damaging moves: Psych Up
Examples:
 | Persian @ @ Leftovers
Ability: Limber
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 Atk, 252 Spd, 6 HP | | Psych Up | | Substitute/Roar | | Slash/Return | | Shadow Ball |
Spinners are short for Rapid-Spinners. They are Pokemon with the move Rapid Spin, and are used to get you out of conditions like Spikes and Leech Seed.
Commonly used damage-dealing moves: Rapid Spin
Examples:
| Blastoise @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
Nature: Docile
EVs: 252 Spd, 129 Atk, 129 SA | | Surf | | Ice Beam | | Earthquake | | Haze/Rapid Spin |
| Cloyster @ Leftovers
Ability: Shell Armor
Nature: Naughty
EVs: 252 Atk, 129 Def, 129 SD | | Explosion | | Rapid Spin | | Spikes | | Ice Beam/Surf |
Pokemon that use stat-upping moves, and then pass on the stat changes to other Pokemon via Baton Pass. The type of stat-upping moves used depends on the target that you want to pass to.
Commonly used damage-dealing moves: Silver Wind, Ancientpower
Commonly used non-damaging moves: Baton Pass, Calm Mind, Bulk Up, Double Team, Substitute, Dragon Dance, Agility, Swords Dance, Iron Defense
Examples:
 | Ninjask @ Leftovers
Ability: Spd Boost
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 Atk, 252 Spd, 6 HP | | Silver Wind | | Double Team | | Swords Dance | | Baton Pass |
 | Jolteon @ Leftovers/Salac/Petaya/Leichi
Ability: Volt Absorb
Nature: Calm
EVs: 252 HP, 129 Def, 129 SD | | Attract/Thunder Wave | | Agility/Double Team | | Thunderbolt | | Baton Pass |
 | Girafarig @ Leftovers
Ability: Early Bird
Nature: Calm
EVs: 252 HP, 129 Def, 129 SD | | Calm Mind | | Agility | | Baton Pass | | Psychic/Crunch |
Pokemon that have the ability to heal all the status ailments on your entire team.
Commonly used non-damaging moves: Aromatherapy, Heal Bell, Softboiled, Rest, Refresh
Examples:
| Blissey @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
Nature: Calm
EVs: 252 HP, 129 Def, 129 SD | | Heal Bell/Aromatherapy | | Counter | | Softboiled | | Seismic Toss |
 | Chimecho @ Leftovers/Chesto
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Modest
EVs: 252 SA, 252 Spd, 6 HP | | Psychic | | Heal Bell | | Rest | | Calm Mind |
Pokemon that continually Substitute or take hits while using Endure when necessary until a Berry activates due to the low HP. Subsequently, the Pokemon can sweep using Reversal or any other offensive moves.
Commonly used damage-dealing moves: Reversal
Commonly used non-damaging moves: Substitute, Endure
Item: Salac Berry, Liechi Berry
Examples:
 | Hitmonlee @ Salac
Ability: Limber
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 Atk, 252 Spd, 6 HP | | Substitute | | Reversal | | HP Ghost | | Brick Break |
| Heracross @ Salac
Ability: Swarm
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 Atk, 252 Spd, 6 HP | | Endure/Substitute | | Reversal | | Swords Dance | | Brick Break/Megahorn/Earthquake |
While there seem to be a wide variety of battling roles, only a few are much more important than the rest. Sweepers and Tanks, for example. Also, Pokemon today are seldom a single Battling Type. What trainers typically use in battle are hybrids of several Battling Types. Blissey, for instance, with its Heal-Bell/Aromatherapy and Softboiled (to complement its high HP and Special Defense), is a Heal-Beller as well as a Special Sponge. Umbreon, with its decent defenses, Toxic, Mean Look, Wish and Baton Pass, is a Toxi-Trapper, a Tank, and a Baton-Passer. What one should do is essentially incorporate as many functions into a team of six as possible, in order to be highly versatile.
All credit goes to sN0wBaLL for this guide
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