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.