Avalugg Movesets & Competitive Sets

Avalugg attempts to perform the role of entry hazard remover and physically defensive wall. However, its typing and horrible Special Defense make it very hard for it to wall anything and make it easy to take down. Other physically defensive walls like Tangela and Miltank are more equipped to take on the tier with better typing, stats, and support movepools. There are also much better options like Crygonal and Articuno, which can remove hazards much more easily with the help of their better stats and movepool.

Thanks to its high Defense stat, Recover, and coveted move in Rapid Spin, Avalugg is not only able to check physical attackers like Bisharp and Excadrill but also able to effectively act as a reliable spinner for Ice teams. Iron Defense allows Avalugg to increase its Defense stat powering up Body Press allowing it to become a dangerous attacker. However, forgoing Avalanche means Ghost-type Pokemon like Dragapult completely wall Avalugg. Body Press allows Avalugg to deal good amount of damage to the aforementioned Steel-types, while Recover lets it perform its role without getting worn out throughout the battle. Maximum HP and Defense investment with Impish nature makes Avalugg as physically bulky as possible and makes Avalugg's Body Press more powerful. Heavy-Duty Boots makes Avalugg unaffected by Stealth Rock and Toxic Spikes, allowing it to clear hazards more effectively, and helps preserve Sturdy. Sturdy is the preferred ability as it ensures Avalugg can use Rapid Spin even against Pokemon that would otherwise OHKO it such as Hydreigon and Indeedee. Pokemon like Galarian Darmanitan, Lapras and Choice Scarf Weavile benefit from the hazard control Avalugg provides, as it gives them more opportunities to enter the battle and wallbreak or revenge kill without getting worn out by Stealth Rock and Toxic Spikes. Choice Band Mamowsine can beat Steel-type Pokemon like Aegislash and Heatproof Bronzong. Eviolite Piloswine and Lapras can take care of Fire-type Pokemon and special attackers that threaten Avalugg like Charizard and Gengar. Additionally, Piloswine can also provide Stealth Rock support, while Lapras can beat Water-type Pokemon like Pelipper and Toxapex for the team.

Avalugg's incredible physical bulk, access to reliable recovery, and Rapid Spin make it a defensive staple that can deal with threats to Ice teams such as Excadrill, Bisharp, Tyranitar, and Mega Aerodactyl. Rapid Spin allows Avalugg to remove opposing entry hazards for its teammates. Roar phazes setup sweepers like Mimikyu and Mega Altaria that Avalugg cannot touch with Body Press, or Mega Tyranitar if it runs Avalanche. Body Press works well in conjunction with Avalugg's high Defense stat, letting it hit Steel-, Dark-, and Rock-types such as Ferrothorn, Excadrill, Bisharp, and Tyranitar. However, Avalanche allows Avalugg to deal good damage to Zapdos, Landorus, and Tapu Bulu that it otherwise relies on Roar to handle. Heavy-Duty Boots is invaluable, as it provides an immunity to entry hazards, especially Stealth Rock, to prevent Avalugg from being chipped and breaking its Sturdy. Avalugg should generally avoid status aliments such as Toxic and getting hit by Knock Off, since it will be too weakened to check the aforementioned Pokemon. Sturdy allows Avalugg to survive moves from powerful attackers like Hydreigon, Keldeo, and Victini, successfully using Rapid Spin against them. All of Avalugg's teammates appreciate its defensive utility, especially since Ice teams are vulnerable to entry hazards. Alolan Ninetales can deal with Fighting-types such as Kommo-o, Keldeo, and Mega Gallade. Additionally, it provides defensive support through Aurora Veil, giving Avalugg an opportunity to wall threats such as Mega Lopunny, Terrakion, Excadrill, and Bisharp. Choice Scarf Weavile is particularly useful for revenge killing Ghost-types such as Aegislash, Blacephalon, Gengar, and Spectrier that spinblock Avalugg, trapping them with Pursuit. Piloswine forms a nice defensive core with Avalugg; Thick Fat and Eviolite let Piloswine take on Fire-types such as Volcarona, Blacephalon, and Mega Charizard Y, it can set Stealth Rock to let Avalugg chip down foes with Roar, and it can absorb attacks from most special attackers like Tapu Koko, Alolan Raichu, Hydreigon, and Nihilego. Galarian Darmanitan is capable of revenge killing Steel-types like Aegislash, Celesteela, and Heatran with the combination of Flare Blitz and Earthquake, especially if it's running a Choice Scarf. Cloyster especially appreciates Rapid Spin support from Avalugg, as it can preserve its occasional Focus Sash and get an easier sweep with Shell Smash.

With this set, Avalugg attempts to be an entry hazard remover and mixed wall with its amazing Defense stat and access to reliable recovery; instead, it falls quite short of other removers such as Alolan Sandslash, Skuntank, and Kabutops because of its numerous weaknesses, awful Special Defense, and inability to beat common entry hazard setters. While its absurd Defense stat and access to Recover can sometimes come in handy, Avalugg still has no real use and is almost always outclassed.

Moves Rapid Spin allows Avalugg to switch in on entry hazard setters such as Torterra, Sandslash, Marowak, Crustle, and Smeargle and remove Stealth Rock, Spikes, and Sticky Web to support the team. Avalanche gives Avalugg an Ice-type STAB move that move has great synergy with Avalugg's slow base Speed and high base Attack, dealing great damage if Avalugg is hit first on that turn. Toxic can be used to cripple switch-ins such as Gourgeist-XL, Combusken, and Simipour, which provides more utility. Roar allows Avalugg to phaze Pokemon that try to set up on it such as Silvally-Fighting, Pinsir, and Pawniard. Set Details Maximum HP and Defense investment alongside an Impish nature allows Avalugg to become the best physical wall it can be to take on Swords Dance users such as Pinsir and Leafeon. Sturdy is Avalugg's best ability, as it gives it the opportunity to phaze a setup sweeper or OHKO a threat with Avalanche such as Altaria or Marowak when at full HP. Leftovers gives Avalugg passive recovery, while Rocky Helmet wears down physical attackers using contact moves such as Komala. Usage Tips Switch Avalugg in on physical attackers such as Pinsir, Komala, Torterra, and Marowak, as Avalugg can take their hits quite comfortably. Also, directly switch in Avalugg on a predicted Stealth Rock from setters that it can spin on and beat such as Torterra, Sandslash, Marowak, and Gabite. It is best to keep Avalugg as healthy as possible throughout the match, as it can continually check physical attackers and remove entry hazards when needed. Therefore, Avalugg will have to use Recover a considerable amount, potentially letting it be taken advantage of. Avalugg is also able to throw out a Toxic on a predicted switch-in as well as Toxic stall a majority of physical attackers. Use Roar to phaze setup sweepers such as Swords Dance Pinsir and Silvally-Fighting. It is best to avoid Toxic poison from Bronzor, as that will then put a timer on Avalugg. If this happens, it is best to switch out Avalugg for a Heal Bell user to cure Avalugg of status. Avalugg must also avoid taking special hits, as its poor special bulk will not allow it to take special attacks from Combusken, Swanna, and Simisear. Against these foes, it is best to switch out Avalugg for Pokemon better suited to handle special attacks. Team Options Special walls such as Bronzor, Mareanie, and Lickilicky can sponge special attacks that threaten Avalugg; in return, Avalugg can take physical hits for them. Lickilicky is especially notable, as it also provides Wish support and can serve as a cleric with Heal Bell. Altaria and Beheeyem can beat Ghost-types such as Gourgeist-XL and Dusknoir that attempt to act as a spinblocker to Avalugg. Defoggers such as Silvally-Fighting and Vibrava can remove Toxic Spikes and Stealth Rock so that Avalugg does not get whittled down too far over the course of the match, and Poison-types like Mareanie and Muk can absorb Toxic Spikes. Silvally-Dragon, Gourgeist-XL, and Pyukumuku can be excellent partners for Avalugg, as they complement its weaknesses and can check Pokemon such as Combusken, Silvally-Water, Silvally-Fighting, and Floatzel.

Moves Avalanche is used to beat Pokemon such as Dragonite, Garchomp, Naganadel, Greninja, and Choice Scarf Porygon-Z. Superpower is preferred over Earthquake to hit Air Balloon Heatran and Choice Band Kartana. Earthquake, however, can be used for a better matchup versus Aegislash and non-mixed Zeraora and to solidify matchups versus non-Will-O-Wisp Victini and Bulk Up Mega Blaziken. Stone Edge is used to hit a variety of threats, such as Mega Charizard Y and Flyinium Z Gyarados, and is the go-to move if Avalanche doesn't have a chance to win due to its raised critical hit chance. Lastly, Mirror Coat is used to beat many special attacking Pokemon, OHKOing them in conjunction with Sturdy, such as Genesect and Choice Specs Meloetta. Gyro Ball with a Brave nature and minimum Speed IVs is a notable option, as it beats Tapu Lele through Z-Reflect and takes out Leech Seed Tapu Bulu. Set Details Choice Band along with 248 Attack EVs and an Adamant nature allows Avalugg to hit as hard as possible after tanking a hit, securing wins versus Dragonite, Garchomp, Will-O-Wisp Mega Charizard Y, and Volcarona. 240 HP EVs maximize Avalugg's physical bulk, allowing it to have a better matchup versus threats like bulky Mega Gyarados and maximize damage done back through Mirror Coat. 20 Special Defense EVs solidify the Greninja matchup, allowing Avalugg to tank two Ice Beams from Choice Specs variants and 2HKO back with Avalanche while also beating Hydro Cannon, Dark Pulse, and Grass Knot sets. Sturdy allows Mirror Coat to function properly, as well as letting Avalugg take extremely powerful physical attacks coming from Choice Band Archeops and Darmanitan. Usage Tips Avalanche should be chosen when facing off against Greninja, as it will 2HKO or OHKO Choice Specs Greninja no matter the move it uses, outside of Hidden Power Fire. You should use Superpower against Petaya Berry, Waterium Z, or Choice Specs + Hidden Power Fire variants, however, to get the best chance of victory. Many matchups involve picking between choosing Mirror Coat on a predicted attack and an attacking move on a predicted non-attacking move; for example, against Kommo-o, you must use either Avalanche on a predicted Taunt PP stalling attempt or Close Combat, or Mirror Coat on a predicted Clangorous Soulblaze. Team Options Because Avalugg struggles with Steel-type Pokemon and Will-O-Wisp users, so Fire-types like Mega Charizard Y and Volcarona make great partners, with the former being able to take out Magearna, Mega Mawile, and Registeel and the latter taking on troublesome Psychic-types like Mega Gardevoir and Mega Slowbro. Avalugg, in return, can take care of the bulky Dragon-types that counter most Fire-types, including Dragonite and Garchomp, as well as countering other specific threats such as Choice Specs Greninja and Heatran if using Superpower. Steel-types like Magnezone and Aegislash make interesting partners for Avalugg, with both being able to break through defensive Pokemon like Primarina, Chansey, and non-Amnesia Mega Venusaur with the combination of Metal Sound and their respective Z-Moves. Both also help take care of the many Psychic- and Fairy-types that roam the tier, such as Mega Gardevoir, Mega Metagross, Tapu Lele, and Clefable. In return, Avalugg can take care of Ground-types like Landorus-T and non-Counter Donphan that threaten them. Charm Mega Venusaur is also a great partner for Avalugg, being able to beat fast stall Pokemon like Whimsicott, Serperior, and Jumpluff while also taking care of Mega Charizard X and Mega Gyarados. Mega Venusaur also takes care of Defense-boosting Pokemon like Chansey and Mega Altaria with Leech Seed + Synthesis while handling Fire-types with Thick Fat. Avalugg, in return, can take care of Flyinium Z Dragonite and Landorus-T.

Moves Rapid Spin allows Avalugg to remove entry hazards for its teammates. Recover allows Avalugg to recover its HP, giving it sustainability. Roar enables Avalugg to force out setup sweepers such as Volcarona and Mega Scizor, which would otherwise utilize it as setup bait. Avalanche is used to ensure that Avalugg has an offensive presence by taking advantage of Avalugg's poor Speed, but it is extremely weak if Avalugg isn't attacked. Set Details Full HP investment allows Avalugg to be as bulky as possible, while maximum Defense investment along with an Impish nature bolsters Avalugg's Defense stat. Sturdy is the preferred ability because it allows Avalugg to take any hit when at full health, allowing it to consistently phaze setup sweepers such as Mega Scizor and Volcarona. Leftovers allows Avalugg to recover a bit of its HP each turn, increasing its longevity. Alternatively, Rocky Helmet can be used to punish Pokemon the utilize contact moves such as U-turn Landorus-T. Usage Tips Try to switch Avalugg in on a predicted use of Stealth Rock because it prevents Avalugg from taking unnecessary Stealth Rock damage. Preserve Avalugg's HP because it needs to be at full health to take powerful physical attacks. If Avalugg is running Rocky Helmet, it should switch into U-turn users such as Landorus-T and Jirachi. It should not stay in against special attackers, as its Special Defense stat is extremely poor. Use Roar to phaze setup sweepers that threaten Ice-type teams such as Mega Scizor and Mega Gyarados. Avoid status, specifically burn and poison, because a burn halves Avalugg's otherwise decent Attack stat, while poison slowly wears it down, hindering its ability to wall certain threats. If there is a Ghost-type on the opponent's team, it is usually best to avoid using Rapid Spin until it is eliminated so that Avalugg doesn't lose momentum. Pivot Avalugg into physical attackers such as Heracross and Landorus-T so that it can either use Recover or threaten them with Avalanche. Team Options Avalugg fits on all Ice-type teams because of its ability to reliably remove entry hazards with Rapid Spin. Alolan Ninetales can set up Aurora Veil, making up for Avalugg's terrible Special Defense stat. It also can check Fighting-types such as Keldeo and Terrakion for Avalugg with its Fairy-type attacks. Mamoswine can check Fire-types that threaten Avalugg and has access to Stealth Rock, forming a hazard control core. This allows Ice-type teams to force Flying- and Fire-type teams to use Defog, making Avalugg's job much easier. Choice Scarf Kyurem-B can check Fire-types such as Mega Charizard Y and Heatran for Avalugg. Piloswine switches into physical and special attacks, making it much easier for Avalugg to remove hazards. It also can set up Stealth Rock, forming a hazard control core and giving Avalugg's Roar extra utility. Weavile can trap Psychic-types that threaten Avalugg such as Victini and Latios with Pursuit, while Avalugg can check physical attackers that threaten Weavile. Walrein and Lapras can take Steel- and Fire-type attacks from Pokemon such as Mega Scizor and Heatran for Avalugg. Rapid Spin support from Avalugg allows Cloyster to preserve its Focus Sash, allowing it to safely set up with Shell Smash. Rotom-F can cripple Mega Scizor with Will-O-Wisp. It also has Volt Switch, which allows Avalugg to be brought in safely. Avalugg allows Alolan Sandslash to run Earthquake instead of Rapid Spin so that it can KO Heatran.

Avalanche utilizes Avalugg's decent Attack to give it an offensive presence against faster Pokemon like Terrakion and Weavile. Roar allows Avalugg to phaze setup sweepers like Mega Scizor and Azumarill. Sturdy allows Avalugg to survive any attack and use Rapid Spin or Avalanche. Rocky Helmet wears down physical attackers like Azumarill, Excadrill, and Mega Lopunny, but Leftovers is an option to give Avalugg passive recovery. All of Avalugg's teammates appreciate Rapid Spin removing entry hazards. Kyurem-B's vast coverage allows it to muscle through defensive Pokemon like Mega Venusaur, Heatran, and Sableye. Choice Scarf Weavile can deal with threatening Psychic- and Ghost-types like Victini and Gengar and revenge kill faster Pokemon like Choice Scarf Jirachi, Mega Lopunny, and +1 Volcarona. Mamoswine can KO Rock-, Steel-, and Electric-types like Tyranitar, specially defensive Jirachi, and Raikou and offers an immunity to Electric-type attacks. Piloswine also offers an Electric immunity and can better survive special attacks from Pokemon like Mega Charizard Y and Volcarona. Avalugg also forms a bulky defensive core with Piloswine that can check physical attackers like Golurk and Drapion. Lapras can sponge Water-type attacks, KO Water-types like Slowbro, Suicune, and Rotom-W, and notably survive +2 Bullet Punch from Mega Scizor and retaliate with Hidden Power Fire. Cloyster can set up with Shell Smash and outspeed and KO Fire- and Bug-types like Victini and Choice Scarf Heracross. In return, Avalugg can switch into priority users like Breloom and Mega Pinsir, which may revenge kill Cloyster.