Azumarill, one of the most underrated Pokemon.

~Pros
+ High HP for 101 HP Subs
+ Huge Power trait
+ Unexpected!

~Cons
- Low SA and Speed
- No STAB'ed Physical moves
- Mediocre movepool
- Few resistances

Base Stats

Base / Max / Max+Personality

HP: 100/404/n/a
Attack: 50/199/218 (Huge Power: 398 max/436 max+personality)
Defense: 80/259/284
Speed: 50/199/218
SAtk: 50/199/218
SDef: 80/259/284

Azumarill, which happens to be my second favorite Pokemon, is a very underappreciated Pokemon. Screwed over royally in GSC by a horrid movepool and bad overall stats, Azumarill was given a significant upgrade in RS (and again in LG/FR). Unfortunately, alot of people either don't realize this or still think Azumarill just isn't very good.

It's movepool still isn't great, but with Huge Power it has very impressive attacking power. The one high stat it does have (HP) is JUST high enough to allow it to counter the hated Blissey. The Subs absorb multiple Seismic Tosses, and if the Blissey has Ice Beam it just counters it all the better. Some physical walls aren't going to effectively counter Azu either. Azumarill is just something that isn't gameplanned against.

However, Azumarill isn't just for countering Blissey. It can take out or damage alot of other Pokemon that think they are going to switch into it.

Azumarill @ Leftovers
Trait: Huge Power
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SDef
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Substitute
- Focus Punch
- Hidden Power [Ghost]
- Encore/Return/Double-Edge/Blizzard/Hydro Pump/Iron Tail/Rollout

The first three moves are set in stone and the last one...umm..isn't. Return for another attacking move, Double-Edge for extra attacking power, Blizzard for Salamence if you think you'll hit(you won't), Hydro Pump mostly because you get STAB and it might catch a Rock Blasting Rhydon, Golem or Armaldo off-guard. Iron Tail is good if you want to take out the three aforementioned Pokemon but are more afraid of Armaldo than Rhydon. Encore can help for supporting other Pokemon. Rollout is just cool, but I wouldn't suggest it unless this Azu is the target of a Speed and Attack pass.

Anyway, the point of the set is the 101 HP Sub. Great if you can predict a switch to Blissey or you can just switch in on Blissey anyway. HP Ghost takes care of the Ghosts and defensive Psychics that would switch in on a Focus Punch. If you happen to choose Blizzard/Hydro Pump, go with Brave instead of Adamant. This thing might lack Speed, but it doesn't hurt it THAT much.

Azumarill @ Choice Band
Trait: Huge Power
EVs: 160 HP / 252 Atk / 96 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Focus Punch / Brick Break
- Hidden Power [Ghost/Rock]
- Return / Double-Edge / Body Slam
- Iron Tail

Azu's maximum potential attack stat with Choice Band is 654 I believe. Now, maybe it is just me, but 654 seems really high.

If you feel you can predict well, go with Focus Punch...but Brick Break is a possibility. I've explained why you would use HP Ghost in the last set. Return is good for another attack, Double-Edge for more power but remember you don't have Leftovers for recovery, and Body Slam if an Electric(esp. Zapdos) thinks they can switch in on you, only to have a 30% chance of getting smacked with Paralysis. Iron Tail, despite its accuracy, is the best option for a last move. Azumarill would have REALLY benefited from just one more solid physical attack. p.s. The speed evs are to outspeed Weezing. You might add a few more, but to have a chance of outspeeding it and other 60 base Speed pokemon, you need at least 88 speed EVs.

General counters

Ampharos, Armaldo, Claydol, Golem, Gyarados, Raikou, Rhydon, Salamence, Skarmory, Steelix, Weezing, Zapdos

It is worth noting that with good prediction, alot of these counters aren't always very effective against Azu. It is also worth noting that without good prediction, it is very hard to use Azumarill effectively. Alot of things not listed become counters without sufficient prediction.

As always, constructional criticism, new sets, etc. would be great. There is a good chance I left some things out. ;o

edit: Added HP Rock as an alternative on the Choice Band set.

edit 2: Made Encore the suggested fourth move over Return.

Azumarill + Choice Band =

Hydro Pump is THE best choice for a Sp.Atk to deal with Regirock, Skarm, and the like. STAB + 120 BP will shine even with the low Sp.Atk stat.

I'll also recommend ALWAYS picking HP Rock > any other HP physical. Flying Types are annoying. That is why I say so.

Gengar, Dusclops, and Banette are the main ghosts you will face. Azumarill HATES those three. Gengar will normally always have thunderbolt. Dusclops can tank hits and Wisp. Banette can wisp, then just own with Shadow Ball.

I'd say that switching from a ghost would be Azu's best means of defense against them simply because the Ghosts can halt Azumarill completely.

Azumarill really is unexpected.

The CB set is powerful but the Sub punch set isnt used too much unless its with sing. usually or atleast from what i've seen the set has been

Azumarill @ Brightpowder/leftovers
Trait: Huge Power
EVs: 252 hp, 152 atk, and 104 spcl def
Adamant +atk -Spcl atk

-Sing
-Substitute
-focus Punch
-HP Ghost

I've Tried it out and it works pretty well but when a fast pokemon with thunder bolt or giga drain steps in, its gone.

Wouldnt the set that FS put up kill itself?

If it has adamant its spcl atk goes down but even with its high atk power the move is still weaker than it should be so in my opinion hydro pump and Blizzard dont work

If i bumped this sorry.

EncorePunch Azumarill =

Good In theory but what about the occasional switch to a tank lets say... Skarmory or Lugia ( you never know) then that set might screw over...Especially with lugia, dbl resistance to fight and it has mega uber defenses, able to match with steelix in some cases

If you're dumb enough to take Azumarill into uber play, I don't think you deserve to win.

That's why it's UU.

Skarm takes neutral damage to Focus Punch.

That translates to a rather nice 53-63% damage on the switch. THAT my friends is hawt.

Also, Encore is to encourage a switch.

Sub, Encore, and Focus Punch also make for a Raikou counter if you are keen enough.

Sub on the Raikou switch in.
Encore the thunderbolt.
Switch to Dugtrio or Trapinch
ArenaTrap, ftw.

Meh, your both right, guess im done here
XD
But yeah you'd have to be a total idiot to bring a Azumarill into a uber game, never thought of it as a raikou counter X3

wewt for new ideas and Stratigies!

I would add Sing as one of the many alternatives in the main set, but I just can't bring myself to suggest it with its horrible accuracy.

hm, Ignorant me as always XD

Yeah its accuracy is horrible. but it does work most of time. so far ive used it and its only died roughly 4 times. Its a real good sweeper if your opponent doesnt know it. Anyone else your dead. Team Aqua Started OU'ing Azumarill but since it died azumarill has been very mellow.

I might try that moveset. I'm tired of seeing the same old OU pokemon over and over agian with the same movesets. If that moveset is not on Smogon than I can catch some people ofguard with Azumarill.


This was the moveset I used to beat a few special attackers(Suicune was one of them) and Tyranitar.


Azumarill
@Leftovers
-Seismic Toss
-Charm
-Amnesia
-Substitute

HP- 343
ATK- 136
SPD- 259
DEF- 136
SPA- 122
SPD- 283

Post the EVs rather than the stats themselves.


Azumarill can actually somewhat counter:
- Curselax(w/ Encore)
- Non-DD'd T-tar
- Blissey
- Skarm
- Forretress
- Raikou(w/ Encore)
- Zapdos(HP:Rock)
- Milotic
- Salamence(HP:Rock)
- Suicune
- Sceptile(w/ Encore)
- Medicham(HP:Fly)
- Heracross(HP:Fly)
- Cursepert

Also, Once you get the sub up...NOTHING will want to switch into Azumarill, save Gengar or Dusclops....but if you Encore their attack as the break the sub...you score a free switch in/set-up with another pokemon.

That my friends, now makes me petition to classify Azumarill as OU and for its regular use in the Metagame.