Drampa Movesets & Competitive Sets

Moves Calm Mind makes Drampa a powerful threat to bulky teams late-game and helps it against Pokemon that would normally beat it like Ludicolo. Roost lets Drampa stay healthy throughout the match, letting it switch into threatening Pokemon like Eelektross reliably, as well as allowing it to set up Calm Mind multiple times throughout the game. Flamethrower is used to hit bulky Steel-types like Alolan Sandslash and Ferroseed as well as Ice- and Grass-types like Abomasnow and Cryogonal. Hyper Voice is the stronger STAB attack and is an option over Flamethrower, for its good neutral coverage; however, this leaves Drampa walled by Steel-types. Set Details Drampa needs 116 Speed EVs to outspeed uninvested base 50 Speed Pokemon such as Regirock and Eelektross. 140 HP EVs allow Drampa to take strong attacks like Oricorio-E's unboosted Supersonic Skystrike and Simisear's unboosted Focus Blast. Berserk makes Drampa more threatening upon it taking a strong attack rather than having to use Calm Mind and synergizes well with Roost, but it means Drampa loses an important immunity. Usage Tips Drampa should aim to set up Calm Mind mid- to late-game once faster Pokemon like Aurorus and Stoutland that can revenge kill it have been removed. It should also be noted that Pokemon like Cryogonal and Calm Mind Clefairy need to be severely weakened before Drampa can set up. Drampa can also come in against passive Pokemon like Ferroseed and force switches against Pokemon like Lanturn, which are great opportunities for it to set up Calm Mind. After setting up, Drampa is absurdly strong, so use its immense power to blow holes into the opposing team. Make sure not to boost more than necessary because the more Drampa boosts, the more likely it is to be struck by a critical hit. Pivoting Drampa in and out on attackers it checks like Jellicent, Haunter, and Eelektross while dealing damage to checks and counters as they come in with Dragon Pulse is usually ideal; however, be wary that these Pokemon sometimes carry super effective coverage attacks like Ice Beam, Dazzling Gleam, and Drain Punch. Don't set up Calm Mind if you need Drampa healthy to take on these aforementioned threats. If Drampa intends to pivot into these Pokemon and gets worn down in the process, don't be afraid to use Roost. Drampa can also pivot into Grass-types such as Ludicolo and Victreebel thanks to Sap Sipper and the Water-type resistance, but it should be wary of Ice Beam and Sludge Bomb. Being poisoned is extremely crippling for Drampa, leaving it unable to sweep effectively, so be wary of Toxic or Toxic Spikes. Drampa should also avoid switching into Pokemon that it checks if entry hazards are still on the field, as it might not have the necessary bulk to pivot onto the field later. Team Options Drampa fits well on balance and bulky offensive teams that appreciate a setup sweeper that can punish and exploit bulky foes like Regirock and Ferroseed, as well as teams looking for checks to Pokemon like Eelektross. Entry hazard setters such as Mudsdale and Qwilfish serve as checks to Fighting-type Pokemon like Primeape and Gurdurr and help wear down Drampa's checks over time with entry hazards. Qwilfish can also cripple faster Pokemon like Lycanroc with Thunder Wave and absorb Toxic Spikes, while Mudsdale can handle powerful wallbreakers such as Aggron and Stoutland that pressure Drampa. While they can't handle Fighting-types, other Stealth Rock users like Metang and Regirock can offer valuable resistances, with Metang taking strong Ice-type attacks from the like of Aurorus for Drampa, while Regirock provides a more reliable check to Normal-types like Kangaskhan. Oricorio-E makes for a good teammate, being able to threaten or cripple most of Drampa's checks like Gurdurr and Cryogonal with Hurricane and Toxic. It also provides a switch-in to Hitmonchan. In return, Oricorio-E appreciates Drampa's ability to break down Pokemon like Regirock, which can make it sweep more easily. Pokemon that can remove entry hazards such as Skuntank and Alolan Sandslash are good teammates; Skuntank can also Pursuit trap bulky Pokemon like Cryogonal, while Alolan Sandslash can handle Pokemon like Clefairy. Lastly, pivots such as Lanturn and Eelektross are ideal teammates for Drampa because they bring it onto the field safely, allowing it to set up more freely, and chip away at Pokemon that give Drampa trouble like Hitmonchan, Clefairy, and Cryogonal. Lanturn can also remove status with Heal Bell for Drampa if it gets crippled by Toxic.

Moves Draco Meteor is Drampa's most powerful move, capable of achieving OHKOs on bulky Pokemon such as Musharna and Regirock after Stealth Rock. Hyper Voice offers a secondary STAB move that allows Drampa to hit Fairy-types hard, with the potential of OHKOing Silvally-Fairy after Stealth Rock. It's also the move with the least drawback, as long as there are no Ghost-type Pokemon on the field. Fire Blast is Drampa's best option for hitting Steel-types like Ferroseed, Metang and Alolan Sandslash, but Flamethrower can be used for better accuracy while still maintaining coverage against these Pokemon and other bulky Steel-types. Focus Blast allows Drampa to ensure a 2HKO against Type: Null and Munchlax, as well as a very strong chance of OHKOing Audino after Stealth Rock. Energy Ball provides Drampa with a strong neutral coverage move versus teams with both Jellicent and a Fairy-type, easing the need to predict correctly. It also 2HKOs Carbink, an otherwise safe switch-in. Set Details The EV spread gives Drampa enough Speed to outspeed uninvested base 50 Speed Pokemon such as Regirock, Sableye, and Audino. The remainder HP EVs let Drampa take hits better, allowing it to always survive Life Orb-boosted Focus Blast from special Floatzel at full HP. Sap Sipper allows Drampa to more easily pivot into Grass-type moves, protecting it from utility options like Sleep Powder and Leech Seed from the likes of Tangela and Ferroseed. Usage Tips Drampa should look for opportunities to come in early- and mid-game to punch holes against the opposing team, as it paves the way for teammates to clean up later in the battle. Against defensive teams, Drampa is very capable of pressuring the likes of Grass-type Pokemon like Tangela and other passive Pokemon such as Lanturn, Regirock, and Sableye, as they usually can’t do much in return. Against more offensively oriented teams, it's best to try to use Drampa as a pivot against Pokemon that can’t touch it much like non-Drain Punch Eelektross and Jellicent and use that opportunity to nab a KO against the opponent's team. Unless a Pokemon is immune to Drampa's STAB moves, you're generally safe to fire them off against these types of teams, as even resisted hits will deal a significant amount of damage. While Drampa can be sent out on weaker neutral attacks and resisted hits, avoid sending it out against strong neutral attacks or super effective coverage, as that makes it much easier to wear down. After using Draco Meteor, Drampa still has enough power to take out Pokemon like Carracosta that try to take advantage of the Special Attack drops, but it should be switched out against bulkier Pokemon that can set up, like Torterra and Throh. Team Options Part of making the most out of Drampa involves providing as many opportunities for it to grab a free switch as possible. Momentum support from the likes of Eelektross, Lanturn, Alolan Persian, Silvally-Fairy, and Primeape is appreciated, as many either provide a slow VoltTurn or tend to lure in bulky Pokemon for Drampa to take advantage of. Lanturn invites in lots of Grass-types, while Alolan Persian, Silvally-Fairy, and Primeape tend to lure physically defensive Pokemon such as Qwilfish and Gurdurr. Stealth Rock support is crucial in securing certain OHKOs on Pokemon like Musharna and Audino, and as such Stealth Rock users like Torterra and Mudsdale are beneficial, with Mudsdale in particular checking Fighting-types for Drampa. Lastly, late-game sweepers and cleaners such as Alolan Persian, Z-Lovely Kiss Jynx, Omastar, Lycanroc, and Choice Scarf Primeape all benefit from the massive holes that Drampa punches into teams, easing their win conditions.