Pokemon of the day #10: Arceus-Normal

Well, I am back to revive this blog!

We will be talking today about "the god" of Pokemon, Arceus. Although by looking at it, it's certainly not a god:



Really, GameFreak? Really? A god-like Pokemon does not look like a deer. At all.

By looking at its stats, Arceus is just a better Mew/Manaphy/any other pixie with 100 base stats across the board, with Arceus having 120. As Smogon says "Dare not incur Arceus's divine wrath, or else the consequences shall be severe and merciless, and life shall become but an evanescent wisp.", you can be sure this thing is tough. It is the best physical sweeper in the game. While in generation 4 it had the 100 EVs syndrome, in Gen 5 this is gone, which means Arceus is free to rampage through the Uber tier with the combination of Swords Dance + ExtremeSpeed. Having 28% of its percent usage demonstrates just how powerful Arceus is. It can also go on a defensive route, having access to Recover, Will-o-Wisp, and other things. Do not underestimate it. At all.

Stats:
Attack/Defense/HP/anything else = 120

Arceus cannot run many viable sets due to being outclassed or simply because those set do not work.

1. Best sets
#1.1: Extreme Killer

Arceus @ Lum Berry
EVs: 88 HP/252 Atk/168 Spe
Nature: Adamant
Ability: Multitype

 - Swords Dance
 - ExtremeSpeed
 - Shadow Claw / Shadow Force
 - Recover / Earthquake / Overheat / Brick Break

 With the given EV spread, Arceus can outrun Rayquaza and all the 90 base Speed mons. Swords Dance makes ExtremeSpeed a great weapon, severely denting anyone that is not named defensive Groudon or other physical tanks. Shadow Claw / Force is Arceus's best weapon against Lugia and Giratina and will 2HKO them after Stealth Rock damage. Finally, Recover can keep Arceus in good shape, Earthquake will destroy things like Dialga, Overheat can destroy Ferrothorn and Skarmory(unless rain is active) and Brick Break OHKOes Tyranitar. Lum Berry is the best item for Arceus as it repels nasty burn and paralysis, though physical tanks can more often than not take two hits and status it.
Wobbuffet is definitely Arceus's best partner: it can easily trap and dispatch Choice Scarf users thanks to its ability, Shadow Tag. It can also utilize Encore to buy Arceus a much-needed turn to use Swords Dance safely.

2. Other options

1. Defensive set - can be used in a stall team, with Arceus having access to a plethora of support moves.
2. Choice Band / Choice Specs - they are viable options, but there are better Choice users out there, such as Zekrom and Kyogre.
3. Grass Knot - can be used on the Swords Dance set to get past Groudon.
4. Thunder - can also be used on the Swords Dance set to KO Skarmory in the rain.
5. Calm Mind - can be used, but it is outclassed by the other Arceus forms.
6. Safeguard  - another good option on the Swords Dance set, it can stop Lugia and Giratina while allowing Arceus to use another item. However, Arceus will desperately want a coverage move.

Counters

Arceus can be very difficult to halt, because of it having supreme bulk and access to ExtremeSpeed to not being revenge killed. Arceus-Poison can burn Arceus and set up on it, as can do many other Arceus forms. Lugia and Giratina can also stop Arceus if it does not have Shadow Force and stall it with Toxic + Roost or Rest, or phaze it. Skarmory laughs at all of its attacks in the rain(bar Thunder) and can set up entry hazards for free before phazing Arceus with Whirlwind. Choice Scarf Terrakion can take a +2 ExtremeSpeed and OHKO Arceus with Close Combat. Finally, many other choice scarfers can destroy Arceus. Just watch out for ExtremeSpeed.











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Pokemon of the day: #9 - Weavile(OU)

Ah, my favorite Pokemon.

We will talk today about an underrated threat of UU that can also function very well in OU.


While its sprite suggests otherwise, Weavile is indeed an Ice-type.

The main reason people avoid Weavile is that its Choice Band set absolutely sucks and after using CB Weavile for a few battles they would already change it to something like Scizor. However, Weavile is prized for his Life Orb set. It has access to two very good utility moves: Pursuit and Ice Shard. With Pursuit, Weavile can trash a lot of Psychic-types and some Ghosts(Gengar is a prime example). Ice Shard helps him in taking out Choice Scarf Salamence and his friends, as well as taking out heavily weakened threats. Weavile can also take the role of a late-game cleaner with Swords Dance.

Weavile's problems are his Stealth Rock weakness, below average bulk and pretty weak STAB moves. Let's hope, however, that Pokemon X and Y will finally give Weavile two 100 or 120-power STAB moves or Technician/Adaptability.

Weavile's stats are as follows...

HP: 70
Attack: 120
Defense: 65
Sp. Attack: 45
Sp. Defense: 85
Speed: 125

As for its sets:

#1. Best sets

#1.1 Life Orb Attacker

Weavile @ Life Orb
EVs: 252 Atk / 32 SDef / 224 Spe
Nature: Jolly
Ability: Pressure

- Ice Shard
- Pursuit
- Ice Punch / Night Slash
- Low Kick

The EV spread allows Weavile to always outspeed max Speed Tornadus-T. Life Orb is the best item for Weavile, as it allows to switch attacks while losing 10% of its HP, which isn't a big deal thanks to Weavile's subpar bulk. Ice Shard is extremely useful for Weavile, KOing many unsuspecting threats like Choice Band Dragonite. Pursuit its Weavile's other main attraction, punishing predicted switches and destroying threats like Gengar, Starmie and Latios. Low Kick is invaluable for Weavile. It can OHKO Terrakion and other threats like offensive Heatran, while 2HKOing Scizor after Stealth Rock damage(it is recommended to switch out, however, because Scizor might OHKO it with Bullet Punch). The final slot is occupied by Ice Punch or Night Slash. It depends how your team handles specific Dark- or Ice-type weak enemy Pokemon.

#2. Viable sets

#2.1 Swords Dance

Weavile @ Life Orb / Lum Berry
EVs: 252 Atk / 32 SDef / 224 Spe
Nature: Jolly
Ability: Pressure

- Swords Dance
- Night Slash
- Ice Punch / Ice Shard
- Low Kick

Again, the same EV spread. Life Orb is again the preffered item, though Lum Berry can also be used to clear Weavile of burn or paralysis. Weavile would appreciate a 372 Attack stat, but it absolutely needs to use a Jolly nature. Swords Dance is the crux of this set, allowing Weavile to 2HKO almost everything at +2 with its STAB moves. However, due to Weavile's lack of defenses and by extension, relatively low number of chances to set up, it's best to keep its function as a revenge killer in mind earlier in the game and attempt a sweep only when its counters have been cleared or at least weakened, especially Scizor. Low Kick is again neccesary to KO heavy threats like Terrakion. If you have problems with Choice Scarf users, Ice Shard can eliminate or at least hurt them.

#3. Other options

1. Fake Out + Counter = an anti-lead set that can work, but it's a gimmick at best.
2. Choice Band = It is even stronger than Life Orb, but I've explained in the "Pokemon sets to avoid" post why not to use it.
3. Aerial Ace = can hit Conkeldurr harder, but there's no point in staying on a Fighting-type.
4. Taunt = can be used to shut down some walls.

Counters

Weavile's counters depend on which set is it using. Scizor is a threat to both of them, OHKOing Weavile with Bullet Punch. However, Scizor will be 2HKOed by Low Kick after Stealth Rock. Jirachi can also KO Weavile with Iron Head, but needs to be wary of the Swords Dance set. Some Choice Scarf users like Heatran can revenge kill it, but watch out for Ice Shard or, in the case of Heatran, Low Kick. Bulky waters can also wall Weavile if it doesn't have Taunt or is not packing the Swords Dance + Lum Berry combination. Finally, Fighting-types like Conkeldurr can take its STABs and pick it off with Mach Punch or Close Combat.

Pokemon of the day - #8: Charizard

I need to stop being lazy.

I will talk today about Charizard, the most overrated Pokemon the world has ever seen (bar maybe Pikachu). Analysis requested by thexwalkthrough1.


Look at the derpy sprite.

Charizard was absolutely terrible in Gen 4 because of the introduction of Stealth Rock, because it made its trademark set (BellyZard) useless. However, in gen 5 Charizard finds a new niche as the premier Sunny Day attacker in NU. Boasting a good 109 Special Attack and 100 Speed, Charizard could have already worked in sunlight, no? Well, then GameFreak finally took pity on its forgotten child and granted it Solar Power. With Solar Power Charizard's Special Attack gets boosted to a level where it rivals the one of Deoxys-A in sunlight.

However, Stealth Rock is still there and is what made Charizard more of a liability. Charizard also has to watch out for Rock-types that can set them up(especially Golem, who can take a SolarBeam thanks to Sturdy and OHKO Charizard).

Its stats clearly suggest that Charizard is a special attacker, though I will show you a decent physical set.

HP: 78
Atk: 84
Def: 78
Sp. Atk: 109
Sp. Def: 85
Speed: 100

#1: Best sets

#1.1 Sunny Day Attacker

Charizard @ Heat Rock / Leftovers
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Nature: Timid
Ability: Solar Power

- Sunny Day
- Fire Blast
- SolarBeam
- Roost

 This Charizard is the best you can use in NU. Sunny Day boosts Charizard's Fire Blast to absurd levels, to the point where it can even 2HKO Alomomola(68.1% - 80.3%) and deal severe damage to Regirock in sunshine. SolarBeam 2HKOes Regirock and a lot of Rock-types that can otherwise take on Charizard, while Roost is absolutely necessary to maintain Charizard's survability.
The set’s last 4 EVs go into Defense for an odd HP number, and a second switch-in to Stealth Rock at full health. Leftovers is a good item choice, as it mitigates the recoil from Solar Power. Now, please do not use Life Orb on this Charizard. If anything, Flame Plate is often superior to Life Orb, thanks to its lack of recoil—especially as Fire Blast would be the primary move in most situations. Heat Rock is another option to keep the sunny weather.


 #1.2 Choice

Charizard @ Choice Specs / Choice Scarf
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Nature: Timid / Modest
Ability: Solar Power / Blaze

- Fire Blast
- Air Slash
- Dragon Pulse / Focus Blast
- Hidden Power Grass

 Does Charizard not deliver enough pure destruction? Choice Specs Charizard crushes villages by simply spamming STAB Fire Blast at the opposing team. In sun and with Solar Power, Charizard can OHKO specially defensive Lickylicky. The rest of the moves are practically filler. They are only useful when Fire Blast's PP is gone or when the sun is not out. Dragon Pulse can 2HKO some dragons like Altaria and Dragonair(the latter in sun), while Focus Blast takes care of pesky Rock-types. Finally, Hidden Power Grass is preffered over SolarBeam, because it hits the aforementioned Rock-types reliably outside of sun.
Choice Scarf can always go over Choice Specs if you want Charizard to be a revenge killer.

#2. Viable sets

#2.1 Swords Dance

Charizard @ Flying Gem
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Nature: Jolly
Ability: Blaze

- Swords Dance
- Flare Blitz
- Acrobatics
- Earthquake

Charizard can also use its lower offensive stat to great effect. While 84 Attack may suggest otherwise, Swords Dance can increase it to usable levels, allowing it to plow through teams with its mighty Flying Gem-boosted Acrobatics. Flare Blitz is also powerful and can KO a wide range of threats that do not resist it. Finally, Earthquake can take care of things like Golem, though the latter would still probably win against Charizard unless it switches directly on the fiery dragon.


#3. Other options

1. Dragon Dance - it can be used alongside an Adamant nature instead of Swords Dance, but it really isn't worth it, especially with Charizard's already high speed.
2. BellyZard - its trademark set can be used with a Salac Berry, but Stealth Rock prevents that from working effectively.
3. Quick Attack - just a priority move.
4. Charizard can use other Hidden Power types, such as Ice or Electric, but it is generally not worth it
5. Overheat can be used if you have Rapid Spin support.

Counters

The most efficient way of countering Charizard is keeping Stealth Rock up. Every time Charizard switches in it will lose half of its HP, which means that any decently powered STAB move should be able to bring Charizard down.

Regirock can take Charizard's STAB moves with ease, especially with a specially defensive spread, and will always OHKO Charizard with Rock Slide or Stone Edge. However, Rock-types take heavy damage from Hidden Power Grass and Focus Blast. Flareon, though rare, laughs at Fire Blast and Air Slash and can defeat Charizard through a combination of Toxic, Wish and Protect. . Mantine has massive Special Defense, a resistance to Fire and neutrality to Grass-type attacks, courtesy of its Flying typing. It can switch into almost anything Charizard can throw at it and proceed to wash it away with its STAB Water-type moves.
Finally, Choice Scarf users such as Rotom-S will often tear Charizard apart.

Pokemon of the day: #7 - Reuniclus

We will talk today about a Pokemon requested by XUnknownX, called Reuniclus.


Again, another uninspired Pokemon. It looks like a green tedy bear.

But anyways, at first glance, upon looking on its stats and typing, one may wonder why to even use Reuniclus. Thanks to its abysmal Speed and crap typing, it may look like a gimmick Pokemon. But, after looking at its movepool... that's another story. Reuniclus has the bulk and power to set up Calm Minds or Trick Room, and with a combination of Psychic/Psyshock and Focus Blast, little can stand in Reuniclus's way. Once Trick Room is set up, only Ferrothorn is faster than Reuniclus(but even then it cannot hurt the latter badly). There's also Magic Guard. This ability prevents Reuniclus from taking passive damag(like Stealth Rock). It also has Regenerator, but it's not worth losing an immunity to Toxic/Stealth Rock/whatever. 

Reuniclus's problems are obviously its crap speed, bad typing, and the fact that Jirachi and Scizor stop it cold.

Reuniclus's stats are as follows:

HP: 110
Attack: 65
Defense: 75
Sp. Attack: 125
Sp. Defense: 85
Speed: 30

Now... let's have a look at what it has to offer.

#1. Best sets

#1.1 Trick Room

Reuniclus @ Life Orb
EVs: 192 HP / 64 Def / 252 SpA
Nature: Quiet
Ability: Magic Guard

- Trick Room
- Psyshock / Psychic
- Focus Blast
- Shadow Ball / Hidden Power Fire

This set was the reason of Reuniclus's suspect test back at the  beggining of Gen 5. Trick Room plays right into Reuniclus's hands, thanks to its bad Speed and good bulk, as well as good Special Attack. Choose Psyshock if you are weak to Blissey, else go with Psychic. Focus Blast pairs up nicely with the psychic-type move and KOes a lot of Pokemon that laugh at Psychic/Psyshock(like Tyranitar). It also gains perfect coverage with Shadow Ball. The latter one smashes ghosts like Cofagrigus, 2HKOing them.
The idea of this set is to come in on a non-threatening Pokemon, such as Conkeldurr, set up a Trick Room, and attempt a sweep. With a Quiet nature and an IV of 0, Reuniclus reaches a Speed stat of 58, allowing it to outpace every common Pokemon bar minimum Speed Ferrothorn after it sets up Trick Room.
Hidden Power Fire can be used over Shadow Ball if you really, really hate Scizor and want to KO it in one shot, but Choice Band U-turn actually OHKOes.

#1.2 Calm Mind

Reuniclus @ Life Orb / Flame Orb
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD or 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Nature: Modest/Bold
Ability: Magic Guard

- Calm Mind
- Psychic
- Focus Blast / Trick
- Recover


The definition of a bulky sweeper is a Pokemon that can boost its defenses and has access to recovery. Reuniclus is one of those Pokemon that can come on a Fighting-type and start setting up (unless the fighting-type is named Machamp or Scrafty). After one or two Calm Minds, Psychic will destroy anything that does not resist it, while Focus Blast hurts Dark- and Steel-types. Recover is absolutely necessary, and when combined with Magic Guard, it can also make Reuniclus a sturdy special wall. There is also Trick + Flame Orb. With this combination, Reuniclus aims to lure and cripple some of its most common counters by utilizing Trick and Flame Orb as a pseudo, albeit 100% accurate, Will-O-Wisp. In addition to Tyranitar and Scizor, most of Reuniclus's counters are physically-inclined, such as Metagross and Jirachi. As such, crippling them with a burn will not only allow Reuniclus to do more damage to the opponent's team, it can also effectively facilitate a sweep for a teammate who shares a common counter with Reuniclus.


#2. Other options

1. Choice Specs - can be used, but IMO there's no reason to use it over Life Orb.


Yeah, Reuniclus doesn't really have options.


Counters

Reuniclus has few counters because of its good movepool, access to Trick Room and Trick, as well as Psyshock. Chansey is Reuniclus's public enemy: it laughs at all of his attacks, doesn't care about burn thanks to Natural Cure and can wear down Reuniclus with Seismic Toss. Blissey also comes to mind, except it can also use Flamethrower to damage Trick Room Reuniclus. Tyranitar and Scizor don't care about the amount of Calm Minds, are not OHKOed by Focus Blast(with a little investment in the former's special defense), and can destroy Reuniclus with Crunch, U-turn or Pursuit. Latias takes little from Psychic or Focus Blast, but it needs to avoid Shadow Ball. It can, however, use a Calm Mind + Roost combination against Reuniclus. The rare Cofagrigus can 2HKO Reuniclus with Shadow Ball and actually speed ties with it in Trick Room(as long as it uses a Quiet or a Sassy nature). Spiritomb walls the Calm Mind set and can set up its own or simply hurt Reuniclus with Pursuit.

US20's advices #2: Cinccino vs Ambipom (UU)

Right here we have two Pokemon that can fill the same role. At first glance, both may look generic Normal-types, but just a few tools can make Ambipom UU and Cincinno very close to becoming RU. However, what Normal-type should you really use?

Ambipom                                 vs                                Cinccino

HP:                    75                  vs            75
Attack:              100                vs            95
Defense:           66                  vs             60
Sp. Attack:       60                   vs            65
Sp. Defense      66                  vs             60
Speed                115                vs             115


As you can see, Ambipom has slightly higher Attack and better defenses, while Cinccino has better special attack(not that it's useful anyway). So why are we comparing these two? Both of them have Technician, and both have good attacks to use. Ambipom has Fake Out and Low Sweep, as well as Switcheroo, while Cinccino has Tail Slap, Bullet Seed and Rock Blast. However, Cinccino also has access to a more useful ability: Skill Link. (Ambipom also gets it, but it doesn't have the moves to abuse it.) Cinccino can therefore use 3 moves with 125 base power. 

Both of them also have access to U-turn, a very useful move.

Both can use effectively a Choice Band or a Life Orb. Ambipom can also use a Normal Gem to boost Fake Out's power and has access to the elemental punches, while Cinccino can effectively use Aqua Tail, as well as Wake-up Slap(which should be used with Technician).
Both of them are hard-walled by Steel-types, and due to their pathetic defenses, they are easily revenge-killed.

So, which one should you use?

A fast, hard-hitter Normal-type:
- Cinccino is what you normally should use, because it has a 125 base power compared to Ambipom's Return(102 power). It also has good coverage.


A scouter:
- You can use both here, though Ambipom is somewhat better here due to Fake Out.

A "screw-over walls" attacker:
- Definitely Ambipom, it has access to Switcheroo to destroy Milotic, Registeel, and even some sweepers, by giving them a Choice Band.

What nature should you use?

- Definitely Jolly, there is no excuse to run an Adamant nature. If running Adamant, they will find themselves outsped by base 100 speed Pokemon.

What ability should you use?

Ambipom: Go on Technician, it only has DoubleSlap(lol) to abuse Skill Link. Technician boosts Fake Out, Low Sweep and Beat Up.
Cinccino: Even though Technician is also viable(Tail Slap, Bullet Seed and Rock Blast have 75 base power at worst) as it boosts Wake-up Slap, Skill Link is what Cinccino should use, because its moves will always have 125 base power.



Finally, who of these two is recommended?

- Cinccino is recommended if you want a fast Normal-type attacker that also has access to powerful coverage moves.
- Ambipom is recommended if you want to use a Normal-type scouter.

Pokemon of the day: #6: Cinccino(RU)

Hrmmmm.... well, where to start. This one was requested by.... OMG, it's very hard for me to tell you. It was requested by sonriopoby123. This Pokemon is special for outclassing one of the most retarded Pokemon from UU(Ambipom), yet the latter one is overrated. We'll focus on analyzing Cinccino in RU.


It doesn't  look that different from Minccino, huh?

This thing is absurdly fast and has about the same offensive power as Ambipom(seriously that thing is NU worthy), but it has the Skill Link ability to make up for Tail Slap's inconsistency, bringing it to a good 125 base power, further boosted by STAB and Life Orb/Choice Band(Cinccino has no reason to use a defensive set). Not only that, but it also has Bullet Seed and Rock Blast for coverage(also having 125 base power), as well as U-turn to keep momentum.
Cinccino, however, suffers from the same problem Ambipom suffers in UU: it has to run a Jolly nature, else it will find itself outsped and KOed by Pokemon such as Galvantula. It is also predictable, as an offensive set is the only one that really should be used.

Its stats are as follows:

HP    75
Atk    95
Def    60
SpA    65
SpD    60
Spe    115

Now, let's see the one and only set that is viable:

#1. Physical Attacker

Cinccino @ Life Orb / Choice Band
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Nature: Jolly
Ability: Skill Link

- Tail Slap
- Bullet Seed
- Rock Blast
- U-turn / Wake-up Slap

Cinccino is the only fast Pokemon in the game that can use Skill Link at its maximum potential. Tail Slap is very strong when boosted by STAB and the item, even with Cinccino's average 95 attack, reaching a great 243.75 base power with Life Orb and 281.25 with Choice Band. Bullet Seed deals a large amount of damage to all Rock-types that think they can wall Cinccino, such as Rhydon. Rock Blast is Cinccino's main coverage move, hitting Magmortar, Entei and Cryogonal for super effective damage. U-turn is the attack that should be used if Cinccino opts to use a Choice Band, while Wake-up Slap is Cinccino's only means of hitting Steel-types.

#2. Other options

1 - Sing + Wake-up Slap + Zoom Lens = a gimmicky pair of options that can be used to damage Choice Scarfers, but Cinccino should normally just switch out, and it's already too fast to utilize Zoom Lens.
2 - Knock Off - normally seen on defensive Pokemon, it can be used to screw over some sweepers, but Cinccino prefers having as many coverage moves as possible.
3 - Endure + Flail = another gimmicky option that can be used to inflict massive damage to all things that do not resist it, but Cinccino doesn't like having low health, as it will beg for priority moves to hit it.

Counters

Tangrowth is a very good counter to Cinccino, taking minimal damage from Tail Slap and can put it to sleep or simply 2HKO it with Power Whip. Ferroseed laughs at all of its attacks(even Wake-up Slap) and can set up on it or simply hit hard with Gyro Ball. The rare Probopass gets a comedy mention for shrugging off all of Cinccino's attacks, and can paralyze it or KO it with Power Gem. Rhydon can take a Bullet Seed and OHKO Cinccino with Earthquake. Steelix can also 2HKO Cinccino with Gyro Ball, and takes minimal damage from Wake-up Slap.

Pokemon of the day: #5 - Porygon2 (UU)

Merry Christmas everyone! Today we will talk about a Pokemon that did not appear in the anime, but it does appear competitively very often: Porygon2, requested by Dragonite.


Yeah, it doesn't even look like a Pokemon. It's actually robotic.

Nevertheless, this thing is very annoying in the UU metagame solely because of Eviolite. Porygon2 is bulkier than Porygon-Z and Eviolite only boosts this further. It also has awesome abilities in Trace and Download, as well as Analytic from the Dream World(Porygon2 is already very slow). Its 105 Special Attack is very good, allowing it to be the definition of a bulky attacker.
Porygon2, like all Pokemon that require an Eviolite to function, absolutely hates Knock Off and Trick, and its low base speed does not help either.


So, let's see its stats(I'm not gonna bother to rate them from now on.):

HP: 85
Atk: 80
Def: 90
SpA: 105
SpD: 95
Spe: 60

Now, time for its sets... Muhahaha.

#1. Best sets

#1.1 Bulky attacker

 Porygon2 @ Eviolite
 EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpA
 Ability: Download / Analytic
 Nature: Modest / Quiet

- Tri Attack / Return
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt
- Recover

This Porygon2 is extremely bulky thanks to Eviolite and Recover, but it can still pose an offensive threat. Use Tri Attack if running a Modest nature. If it gets the Special Attack boost, it will put a dent in all things that do not resist it. Return, while weaker thanks to Porygon2's lower Attack stat, can still hurt if boosted by Download, sending its power to levels like 252 Atk Snorlax's Return. Ice Beam and Thunderbolt are absolutely necessary for Porygon2 not to get walled by ghosts, and togheter they form the BoltBeam combination, something only Magneton can claim of laughing at. Finally Recover is used to maintain Porygon2's survability.

#2. Viable sets

#2.1 Defensive Duck

Porygon2 @ Eviolite
EVs: 252 HP / 176 Def / 80 SpD
Ability: Trace
Nature: Bold

- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
- Toxic / Thunder Wave
- Recover


 This set is definitely not a sitting duck thanks to Eviolite, and its made for supporting the team. Toxic and Thunder Wave can cripple walls or sweepers, depending on which move do you want Porygon2 to go. The rest of the slots are occupied by Recover and BoltBeam, offering walling capability and great coverage. With the EV spread I listed, Porygon2 will never be 2HKOed by Choice Band Zen Headbutt from Azelf after Stealth Rock and 3 layers of Spikes.

#3. Other options

1. Offensive Trick Room - useful if you are running a Trick Room team.
2. Shadow Ball - if Ghosts are a problem, then you can use this to KO them with little trouble.


Counters

Porygon2 is setup bait for a handful of specially bulky sweepers. Mismagius is the most notable, as it is immune to Tri Attack and can set up on Porygon2 with both Substitute and Calm Mind. Cobalion also resists Tri Attack and can set up Swords Dance or Calm Mind boosts. Hitmontop can destroy Porygon2 in two hits with Choice Band Close Combat, while Ferroseed walls it and can set up free entry hazards. Houndoom and Chandelure can deal large amounts of damage with Overheat and Fire Blast, but if Porygon2 has Trace, use Hidden Power Fighting  to KO it. Finally, Knock Off, Trick and Switcheroo all ruin Porygon2's day.