Community POTW #1

[Masteryoshimon]

The problem with that Hone Claw set is that it's basically just a DD set that's stopped by anything faster than it -- and gen 5 released a huge number of Pokemon that are, essentially meaning that literally a turn after you set up you'll either be killed or turned into setup bait.

edit: and mence really has no use for stone edge, btw

Not necessarily, Hone Claws allows Salamence to use Dragon Rush, which is superior to Dragon Claw in nearly everything, except Accuracy. Assuming Salamence won't get OHKO, he remains an effective Physical sweeper if he's running Jolly nature, or possibly an Adamant nature.

[Masteryoshimon]

Ah, double post, my bad...

[windsong]

The thing is though, you basically need paralysis support on literally everything other than Salamence (and a reliable way to remove Randorosu and Doryuuzu) in order to have any chance at sweeping with a Hone Claw set, since its so damn easy to revenge, as literally anything with base 101+ speed can just switch in. You can even switch in on it relatively easily, since it can't really afford to utilize its STAB until it's set up for fear of an untimely miss due to the absolutely horrible accuracy.

So yeah, I'm remaining adamant on the fact that Hone Claw Salamence is really gimmicky and ineffective in comparison to other sets.

[Casty]

I'm truly disappointed with the lack of defensive Mences in this thread.

Salamence @ Leftovers
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 220 Def / 36 Spd
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Dragon Tail
- Flamethrower
- Roost
- Toxic / Substitute

Excellent shuffler and Fighting type counter in one (which FLOOD the generation 5). It's actually pretty similar to the defensive Gyarados, but it has a different, yet amazing typing, more general power (STAB Dragon Tail hurts even with no Attack EVs) and an instant recovery. Another advantage it has that Gyarados arguably doesn't is unpredictability. People start switching like crazy the instant they see a Salamence, which helps him rack more residual damage via Dragon Tail and hazards.

36 Spd beats Zapdos, Jirachi (if it's still used...) and another base 100 Pokemon that commonly run 32 Spd. The rest was used to maximize his physical bulk. Even with an Impish nature, Flamethrower is stronger than Fire Fang, and thus, I have chosen the former.

Recommended teams: balanced (biased towards defense).

[seth656]

as touched on before Salemence has not really changed from the generation switch.
the few new details hav already been mentioned so im not gonna bring them up

heres my set build
Salamence @life orb/leftovers(i love the health restoration)
Ability: Moxie
EVs: 252 Speed / 252 Atk / 4 HP
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Draco Meteor
- Stone Edge
- Brick Break
- Dragon Claw

salemence has very high based speed so if u EV train it for speed you will certainly not need a quick claw

My set is odd beacuse of the use of brick break. I no its an odd idea to put with salemence but I find it works favorably well and is better tha
n other choices such as aerial ace fly or earthquake.

[salaswampert]

bestsalamencesetever@lifeorb
ability moxie
adamant nature/jolly
evs:4hp 252attack 252 speed
dragon dance
dragon claw
fire fang
earthquake
This is the best physical salamence set ever. I LOVE salamence its my favorite number 1 pokemon tied with swampert. I've used tons of salemence sets, and this set yeilds the best results...by far. Salamence has a huge attack stat and great speed, which is what this set takes full advantage of. This set can sweep incredibly easily if ypu can pull of a dragon dance. The boost in speed can give salamence a large advantage. Salamences new ability:moxy allows salamence to get an enormous boost because most likely salamence will probably sweep multiple pokemon so salamence's attack continues to grow with each opponent fainted. This set works best in single battles, and a great partner is swampert. Swampert can set up stealth rock and do a fair amount of damage to pokemon before salamence is sent in. I've used the two pokemon together and it forms such a great team that there are few ways to beat salamence. The general idea is you have a swampert lead with focus sash. This allows you to set up a stealth rock, which chips a chunk of hp out of pokemon's hp on the switch in. The residual damge makes salamence need a bit less power to faint a pokemon. Also steel pokemon are resistant to ice and dragon, allowing salamence longer life. In a double battle a togekiss can use follow me to let salamence set up several dragon dances. Fire fang can do huge damage to steel pokemon after an attack boost an life orb. Zorark could be used to scout your opponents salamence countes by appearing to be salamence drawing out its counter. This alows you to have a general idea of their counter. It still has its issues but it Could work ... I guess. Earthquake is a great move and works great to kill pokemon named heatran. A new trick salamence got is hone claws. This works great with dragon rush which is incredibly strong. The only problem is you don't get the speed boost which could to salamence fainting. I've tested this set personaly and salamence has never let me down... ever. Thunder fang is an option if you have a large fear of gyrados or kyogre. Normally salamence should not be anywhere near kyogre but kyogre has a lower defence stat so it is possible to KO it but, but it is best if it already has damage. The nature depends on how much you are worried on being the faster pokemon so salamence does not faint. The extra attack would be so your more likely to 1hitko a bulky opponent.

Salaswampert
Also the idea that the comunity can create sets is genius, and is something I've always wanted to do.

[TimmahX]

I'm not exactly great with writing sets, but I'll give it a shot. Counters and synergy are more of my thing.

Ubermence @ Life Orb
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 120 HP / 252 Atk / 136 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Dragon Claw / Outrage
- Crunch
- Stone Edge / Earthquake
- Dragon Dance

Dragon Claw is my preferred route because leaving yourself open in the Uber tiers for a switch in is never a good decision, but if you're near the end of a fight, Outrage's raw power can be a saving grace against bulkier ubers like Giratina. Crunch is there for the massive amount of Psychic types present in the uber tier. For a last offensive move, decide between Stone Edge and Earthquake, depending on what coverage your team may need more of. Finally, Dragon Dance provides a raw Attack and Speed boost.

Countering Salamence

Donphan and Cloyster can eat Salamence's Outrages and launch back Ice Shards, which makes them reliable responses to most move sets that use Outrage. Donphan must watch out for Hydro Pump and Cloyster must avoid Stone Edge respectively. Bulky water types with Ice Beam or Ice Punch work wonders, like Swampert, Slowbro, Vaporeon, Milotic, Empoleon, and Manaphy.

One trick that works on rare occasions is luck based, but effective. After being annihilated by an Outrage, throwing in a Shell Break Omastar with the free turn will allow you to tank through one hit, then fire off a lethal Ice Beam the following turn. Cloyster can do the same trick with either Ice Beam or Icicle Spear. Again, this is a very luck based gimmick.

Weavile decimates sets that use Hone Claws or Choice Band instead of Dragon Dance. Skarmory and Bronzong can both tank Choice Band sets, whilst Blissey tanks the Special Sweeper variants. Doryuuzu with Sand Throw can take Salamence down with Stone Edge.

Pokemon with more Speed than Salamence with Will-O-Wisp or Thunder Wave can rip it a new one. Especially pokemon with Mischievous Heart. Mischievous Paralyzers include Voltolos, Murkrow, Volbeat, Illumise, and Lepardas. Sableye can burn Salamence easily with Will-o-Wisp.

Another gimmicky option to use against Salamence is Trick Room. Salamence is really fast, so using a move that turns its own strength against it just seems natural. Especially with pokemon like Octillary and Gastrodon who can follow it with a first strike Ice Beam.

Besides the main listed options, Stone Edge revenge kills are a very viable option, especially against Outrage users. Salamence is generally pretty tricky too counter directly.

Synergy

Machamp: I'm against the use of Hone Claws set, so here's a substitute. No Guard brings Dragon Rush, Stone Edge, Hydro Pump, Draco Meteor, and Fire Blast to 100% Accuracy. 100% Accuracy Dynamicpunch also knocks out Cloyster fairly easily.

Porygon-Z: Pairing the Physical Variants with Porygon-Z gives Salamence protection from most of its counters. A Porygon-Z with the Bolt-Beam combo takes out Bulky waters, other dragons, and Donphan easily.

Magnezone: Keeps Steel types in play for Special Variants with Fire Blast or Flamethrower. Plus the massive resistance pool is great.

Anything faster than Salamence that is faster than it and knows Whirlwind and Roar that can stop anything that wants to revenge Salamence mid Outrage.

... That's about all I got. Hopefully this will help out, and thanks for giving the community more voice in the Pokemon of the Week segment.

[Reno]

I'm surprising pleased with how many replies this has gotten. keep up the good work everyone! I really hope this project works well, and I especially hope it is still popular by the time 5th gen pokemon are introduced. so please everyone, keep this project as alive and successful as it is now

what did everyone think of my restalkddmence set? does it seem legitimate to anyone else or am I just a fanboy for my own ideas?

EDIT: used everyone like fifty times in this post. ridiculous.

[windsong]

It's better than at least half of the trash posted in this thread, but I personally think that a standard defensive set with Roost would be slightly more effective, as I personally find Gyarados to pull the resttalk thing off a bit better.

However, it was a solid set, and i need to test it out (I would've already but I'm to busy laddering to 1500 for suspect voting rights)

[marioman223]

Salamence @ Life Orb
Ability: Moxie
EVs: 252 Speed / 252 Atk / 4 HP
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Hone Claws
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Dragon Tail/Outrage

Counters for this set would be something like Skarmory. Skarmory does take normal damage from Stone Edge, but can take a few hits from it with it's defenses. But I can't think of a lot to counter it with a great attack and defense stat. Heatran, Zekrom, and Aggron are weak to Earthquake, Kyuremu and Reshiram are weak to Stone Edge, and Ononokusu is weak to the Dragon moves.

[Sceptile Leaf Blade]

Dragon Tail is better on Lugia, Zekrom, and Dragonite than on Salamence, both have better defences than Mence and can do the job better. Lugia also has the new ability Miracle Skin and because of this ability it entirely outclasses Mence as a defensive pokemon. And I know this is obvious, but if your using a phazing move entry hazards are a must. Good users are Forry, Nattorei, Agiruudaa, and Deoxys-S.

Possibly true, but Dragonite lacks intimidate to add defensive power and Dragonite has less hard-hitting power and less speed than Salamence, so it can't just go outspeed and take out a weak foe when it shows up as easily as Salamence can, and perhaps tiers haven't been firmly placed now, but I can predict already that Zekrom will be banned from standard and be forced going to Ubers with those stats combined with Lightning Strike, Hone Claws, and access to Outrage, hitting 30% harder with Lighting strike than Groudon does with Earthquake not counting in type advantages or any boosts apart from STAB, and of course Lugia stays in Ubers as it has a new ability to further boost its defensive power

I do agree that you need entry hazards to make the best use out of phazing.

[Eon Master]

I'm going to try compiling as many potential teammates as I can here. I'll be constantly updating it, so look forward to it.

Heatran: He's a big one. Salamence resists all his weaknesses, and Heatran resists two of Mence's weaknesses. He draws in Fighting-type attacks for Salamence, and Mence draws in Ice- and Dragon-type attacks for him. Heatran also removes Steel-types for a potential Salamence sweep. Heatran also has access to SR to assist Salamence if you can't find another place for it.

Garchomp: I'm sure several people just did double-takes when they read this, but hear me out first. While they're not quite as powerful as SD Yache Chomp and DD Ononokusu, SD Yache Chomp and DD Salamence work together to soften up and scout their counters and checks (which are extremely similar if not often identical) better than 'Kusu + Chomp. Salamence also has a slight speed advantage over 'Kusu which allows it to outspeed more Pokemon (like opposing Ononokusu), and it draws in Rock-type moves for Garchomp to switch into. Salamence also resists Roopushin's Mach Punch, which would stop a weakened Garchomp cold, and can soften up oppsing Pokemon with Intimidate for an easier setup.

Nattorei: When it comes to defensive partners for Salamence, Nattorei is easily one of the best. With resistance to Salamence's Rock and Dragon weaknesses and access to either Stealth Rock or Spikes, Nattorei can help Salamence set up much more easily. It also attracts Fighting- and Fire-type attacks for Salamence to switch into. Hell, it even carries Thunder Wave, which can help non-DD Salamence with causing much more damage.

Magnezone: As one of the best Steel killers in the metagame, Magnezone should be given immediate consideration as a teammate for DD Mence. It resists all three of Mence's weaknesses, and Mence resists all three of Magnezone's weaknesses. This means it can not only remove Steel-types that would hinder Mence's sweep, but it can also act as a check to Scarfed Dragon-types like the Lati-twins that try to switch in on Salamence's Dragon Dance and outspeed or after he has KO'd something to revenge him. Magnezone also synergizes well with Specs, Scarf and MixMence, since it's an excellent check for Choice Band Scizor, who enjoys switching into resisted Dragon-type attacks and striking back with Bullet Punch.

And guys, enough Hone Claws / Claw Sharpen sets. They're too easy to revenge kill and lack the immediate threat that every other Salamence set brings because its moves will usually miss before you're set up. It's a gimmick, nothing more.

[bubi the gamer]

"where did the big bang come from?"

-Draco meteor
-dragon claw
-earthquake
-crunch/stone egde
item:dragon jewel
ability:moxie
nature:naughty(+att -sdef)or lonely(+att -def)

This set is simple;Fire of an draco meteor and murder annything not steel type or blissey.
When counting stab and dragon jewel boost(yes "dragon jewel!")the base power caps out on wery impressive 315.Dragon jewel powers up the first dragon type hit,but you will wery likely get a moxie boost after that anyway.When draco meteor got weak u start to fire out other attacks.dragon claw is you reliable stab move.Earthquake is neccecary so steel types doesnt wall you.Then the last slot depens on what you want to cover.Crunch is wery useful in the ubers covering all those psychic and ghost types.Stone edge is to pummel trough fliers.

[dark fire 6]

i have 2 questions that have been bugging me....
1)why did we not start with a gen 5 pokemon?
2)@salaswampert(or anyone else who knows)-where do you get those little moving sprites?


oh on q 2 since there are the ones on the site i will assume those are the ones normally used.....
does anyone know how i could get them to access on another site....without copy at pasting from here?

[Rotomknight]

Salamance@leftovers
trait: moxy or intimidate
Sdef:100, Def:100, HP:100, any remaining in attack
Brave nature(+attack,-speed)
earthquake
fire fang
thunder fang
dragon tail
Let your foe scout out earthquake, thunder fang, fire fang. That should cover about every type in the game. Your opponent would switch to a bulky pokemon, then use dragon tail. Take out the foe, see bulky dragon tail. Repeat.

[windsong]

The Dragon Jewel set is outclassed by LO Sazando.
The defensive set right above my post has terrible EVs and useless coverage moves.
And finally, the "best sweeping salamence set ever" is sort of lolz, since you absolutely need a +spe nature.

[assassinsceptile]

Best sweeping Mence is obviously the one I posted then Blue Harvest copied except moved the extra 6 EVs to HP.

[bugcatchersdream]

Shellmence
Ability:Moxie
Nature:Adamant
Item:Shell Bell
EVs: 252 SpAtk, 252 Def, 4 Atk
Moves:
Dragon Claw
Dragon Dance
Earthquake
Flamethrower
Moxie increases Attack whenever you KO an opponent. With Attack boosted that high, you can OHKO pretty much anything very easily. Shell Bell boosts HP when you deal damage. The two work perfectly together. Flamethrower is reliable, and counteracts Steels and Shedinja. Earthquake covers everything that Steel does not. Dragon dance boosts it's Speed to an incredible level, while boosting Attack even more. Dragon Claw is actually pretty powerful with Adamant nature, 6 Attack boosts, and STAB, and has 100 accuracy and no negative side effects. the EV distribution counteracts an Adamant nature's effect on Special Attack, and since most of Salamence's weaknesses are Physical, a Defense boost is needed.
All the other sets are good too, btw.

[Blue Harvest]

Best sweeping Mence is obviously the one I posted then Blue Harvest copied except moved the extra 6 EVs to HP.

Fixed, now it can switch in on SRs four times (not that it matters). Also now I'm 100% copying you. But I posted the most sets, so I win.

[salaswampert]

i have 2 questions that have been bugging me....
1)why did we not start with a gen 5 pokemon?
2)@salaswampert(or anyone else who knows)-where do you get those little moving sprites?


oh on q 2 since there are the ones on the site i will assume those are the ones normally used.....
does anyone know how i could get them to access on another site....without copy at pasting from here?

You get the pokemon on the side also if yo put2 ; with a pokemons pokedex number than it will give you the sprite an example would be ; zero two five ; if you put in 025 instead of what i put it will look like this
Salaswamert