Snorlax Analysis



With the introduction of Pinch Berries in 2017, Snorlax has risen to prominence as one of the best Pokemon in VGC. With its incredibly low base speed, access to consistent recovery, and a choice of set up moves, Snorlax is a bulky nuisance that can double as a Trick Room sweeper.




Pros
*160 / 60 / 110 Defenses allows Snorlax to tank Z Moves and Super Effective moves alike
*Incredible bulk allows Snorlax to switch into moves in place of its allies
*Normal Typing is great defensively, making Snorlax weak only to Fighting types
*Fighting types are severely threatened in this format because of Tapus
*Ability of Gluttony activates Snorlax’ Pinch Berry at 50% HP, allow Snorlax to abuse moves like Belly Drum and otherwise stay above 50% HP at all times
*110 Attack stat is decent, and combined with set up moves (Curse / Belly Drum), Snorlax can become a terrifying sweeper
*Base 30 Speed allows Snorlax to underspeed the majority of the format, becoming a threatening sweeper under Trick Room
*Nostalgia
Cons
*Snorlax speed ties Amoonguss, which has access to both Clear Smog and Spore
*Spore can completely stop Snorlax from recovery or set up, while Clear Smog removes buffs entirely
*Snorlax does marginal damage if not set up; very reliant on Curse and Belly Drum
Set - Thicc Thighs
Snorlax @ Wiki Berry  
Ability: Gluttony  
Level: 50  
EVs: 68 HP / 4 Atk / 188 Def / 244 SpD / 4 Spe  
Sassy Nature  
IVs: 0 Spe  
- Return  
- High Horsepower / Fire Punch
- Recycle  
- Belly Drum / Curse
*An incredibly thick Snorlax, this set focuses on surviving the strongest of attacks while setting up to sweep
*Return allows Snorlax a STAB option to deal damage, KOing all non-resisted threats at +6
*+6 4 Attack Snorlax Return KO’s 68/188 Defense Snorlax 100% of the time
*High Horsepower and Fire Punch are used to hit Steel types and Ghost types that would otherwise wall Snorlax
*High Horsepower is preferable to avoid being walled by Heatran, but Fire Punch provides better accuracy
*Those with solid answers to Steel and Ghost types can instead run Protect in this slot
*Recycle is Snorlax’ main form of recovery, allowing Snorlax to continuously regain 50% berries to heal itself up
*This move is why Snorlax is so obnoxious; Gluttony + Recycle + Pinch Berry allows Snorlax to endlessly heal up
*Belly Drum and Curse are both wonderful options
*Belly Drum allows Snorlax to sweep through opponents
*Curse slows down the game, making Snorlax a bulky presence on the field that only gets bulkier over time. If opponents do not deal with Snorlax immediately, Snorlax will also eventually start dealing massive damage
*68 / 188 Defense allows for Snorlax to tank multiple attacks, including
*+252 Atk Landorus-T Superpower is a 3HKO after procing Pinch Berry
*+252 Atk Landorus-T Z Earthquake does 82-97% to Snorlax, procing Pinch Berry
*252 Atk Life Orb Tyranitar Low Kick is a 2HKO
*252 Atk Kommo-o Close Combat is a 2HKO
*68 / 244+ Special Defense allows Snorlax to survive the strongest of Z Moves, including
*252 SpA Thundurus-T Z Focus Blast is a 3HKO (assuming 3 Z Move usages)
*+252 SpA Tapu Lele Z Psychic in Psychic Terrain deals up to 81.5%, procing Berry
*Survives +252 SpA Helping Hand Ludicolo Z Hydro Pump in the Rain 93.8% of the time
Using Snorlax
*Snorlax is a great Pokemon and arguably the only Pokemon that you can throw onto any team and still function well
*Because of its amazing Bulk and low speed, Snorlax finds itself anchoring teams in need of a Trick Room answer
*Snorlax is also commonly used on Mega Manectric teams as a bulky Pokemon to switch into
*Pairs well with Cresselia and Gothitelle, both of which can set up Trick Room and allow Snorlax to be an offensive Threat
*Gothitelle also provides Heal Pulse support, making it so that Snorlax can set up / go for attacks without having to spam Recycle to survive
*Amoonguss is arguably the number one Snorlax counter and is incredibly annoying to play against because of Clear Smog and Spore
*Try to get rid of opposing Amoonguss when using Snorlax, or simply do not bring Snorlax into the matchup

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