Slaking Movesets & Competitive Sets

Shadow Tag Slaking performs a similar role to Shadow Tag Regigigas and differentiates itself with its higher physical bulk, which allows it to survive hits like Huge Power Mega Gyarados's Knock Off and boosted Mold Breaker Primal Groudon's Thousand Arrows. Fake Out and Extreme Speed are crucial due to the former chipping foes with no drawback and the latter finishing off weakened foes, especially if their Defense is lowered from using Shell Smash. Slaking values coverage to hit physical threats, in particular Huge Power Mega Gyarados, more than Regigigas does, as it can take a hit more easily. Low Kick has a good chance to 2HKO Wonder Guard Slaking after Stealth Rock and Arceus from full, and it KOes Mega Gyarados after a Silk Scarf-boosted Fake Out. Encore allows Slaking to lock slower Wonder Guard users into a move, in particular Substitute + Baton Pass Xerneas, which seldom runs Shed Shell or invests in Speed. Alternatively, Taunt disrupts passive Wonder Guard users that are otherwise safe switch-ins to Slaking, like Mega Audino and Primal Kyogre. Spikes capitalizes on passive foes, especially if Slaking opts for Encore or Taunt, as locking the foe into a useless move and denying hazard removal and utility allows Slaking to set up multiple Spikes layers unobstructed. Silk Scarf boosts Fake Out's and Extreme Speed's damage, allowing Slaking to revenge kill foes like weakened Huge Power Mega Mewtwo X, uninvested Mega Latios, and boosted Mold Breaker Xerneas lacking King's Shield, while Leftovers increases Slaking's longevity by allowing it to recover health when using Fake Out and on turns where the foe is locked into a move via Encore. The given EV spread allows Slaking to hit as hard as possible while maximizing its physical bulk, which is crucial for letting it live both Lum Berry and Dread Plate Huge Power Mega Gyarados's Sucker Punch after Stealth Rock. Slaking functions well on teams that appreciate its ability to both revenge kill frailer foes and set Spikes, that can also compensate for its inability to threaten Mega Gengar. Huge Power Mega Gyarados is a great partner, as it can weaken sweepers running King's Shield for Slaking if needed, has a hard time fitting entry hazards so appreciates Slaking's ability to do so, and can switch into and threaten most special Mold Breaker users, including Mega Gengar and Mega Latios. Mega Gyarados also threatens Mold Breaker Primal Groudon, which is too bulky for most Slaking sets to threaten if healthy. Magic Bounce Giratina can Imposter-proof all sets with ease, though it is hard to fit on teams due to Prankster Giratina being difficult to forgo. A support Wonder Guard user not weak to coverage Slaking is running, such as Mega Audino, Primal Kyogre, or Mega Swampert, is essential, as while it must be wary of Encore and Taunt, it can run Defog to remove Spikes set by opposing Imposter users Transformed into Slaking. Prankster Giratina is good setup deterrence and can annoy Imposter users Transformed into Slaking with Spore, Will-O-Wisp, Glare, and Curse. A robust offensive presence is integral; two Mold Breaker users is ideal, as two Huge Power Mega Mewtwo X are hard to fit, though a single Mold Breaker is also workable if two cannot be fit onto a team.

Slaking is a premier pivot and cleric with Wonder Guard thanks to its single weakness in Fighting and impressive physical bulk that lets it check Mold Breaker Pokemon like Primal Groudon and Secret Sword Mega Gengar. Parting Shot and Baton Pass allow Slaking to generate momentum for its team; the former lowers the foe's offenses but is exploitable by Magic Bounce users, and the latter possesses greater PP but passes undesirable effects like Curse, Perish Song, and Gastro Acid to its teammates. Recover provides Slaking with instant recovery, while Wish makes use of Slaking's high HP stat to keep both itself and its teammates healthy at the cost of often sacrificing momentum when used. Defog is a valuable support option that minimizes the chip damage Slaking and its teammates take throughout the game by removing entry hazards; alternatively, Stealth Rock is a valid option if the role of Defogger is already filled. Similarly, many teams appreciate Aromatherapy's ability to cure bothersome status conditions, but King's Shield and Whirlwind can be used if a teammate is already carrying it. King's Shield safely scouts for Fighting-type coverage and lets Slaking safely heal via Wish, while Whirlwind thwarts Substitute passing and setup attempts. Slaking uses a Relaxed nature minimum Speed IVs to increase the chances it moves last, allowing it to safely bring in a teammate via Parting Shot or Baton Pass. Shed Shell lets Slaking escape from Shadow Tag users such as Mega Mewtwo X, Mega Latios, and Mega Mewtwo Y, whereas Safety Goggles provides an immunity to Spore from Pokemon like Giratina, Primal Groudon, and Mega Gengar. Like other support Wonder Guard users, Slaking is mainly used on balance and bulky offense teams where a multitude of Pokemon enjoy the utility it provides. Offensive Pokemon such as Mega Rayquaza, Mega Gengar, and Mega Latios benefit from Slaking's pivoting capabilities, which ensure they safely enter the field, as well as its ability to check Fake Out + Extreme Speed users, such as Regigias and Mega Diancie, and faster No Guard Pokemon, like Mega Mewtwo Y, Mega Lopunny, and Deoxys-S. Slaking also supports bulkier offensive teammates like Primal Groudon and Dialga, healing them with Wish, which allows them to be threatening throughout the course of a game and reduces their chances of being revenge killed. Slaking is capable of Imposter-proofing Huge Power or Protean Pokemon, such as Mega Mewtwo X, Mega Latios, and Mega Mewtwo Y, lacking Fighting-type coverage. Due to Slaking's ability to compress the roles of a defensive pivot, entry hazard removal, and cleric into one teamslot, it can afford be run alongside offensive Shell Smash Wonder Guard users, such as Xerneas, Deoxys-A, and Mega Mewtwo Y. Alternatively, Slaking can be paired with a more passive second Wonder Guard user, such as Primal Kyogre or Mega Audino, to free up moveslots it would otherwise always dedicate to Defog and Aromatherapy. Slaking also supports Substitute + Baton Pass users lacking recovery like Wonder Guard Xerneas by healing them with Wish. Prankster Giratina can take on strong Fighting-type attacks from Mega Mewtwo X and cripple it with a status condition, aid Slaking in dealing with Mold Breaker Primal Groudon, and absorb attempts to use Trick on Slaking if Giratina is holding a Griseous Orb. Choice Scarf Shadow Tag Primal Groudon could be considered for its ability to trap faster offensive Pokemon that threaten Slaking as well as Taunt Mega Beedrill. Mega Gyarados is a potent potential partner, as it threatens Giratina—one of Slaking's most common switch-ins—with Pursuit, and it also has the potential to revenge kill dangerous Shell Smash Mold Breaker Pokemon such as Primal Groudon. Pixilate Mega Diancie particularly excels in checking Mold Breaker Mega Rayquaza for Slaking and can similarly terrorize a multitude of Shell Smash users like opposing Mega Diancie and Mega Gengar.

With the highest Attack stat in ZU, a wide offensive movepool, and a great Speed tier, Slaking stands out as a dangerous wallbreaker. Double-Edge can be used over Return for extra power at the cost of wearing Slaking down more quickly. Earthquake crushes Steel-types like Lairon and Pawniard and significantly damages Graveler. Night Slash targets Solrock and Ghost-types like Frillish and Gastly. Sucker Punch picks off faster Pokemon like Simisear, Emolga, and Persian with enough chip damage. Pursuit traps frail attackers like Persian, Pikachu, non-Protect Grumpig, and Mr. Mime. Pursuit can also remove sufficiently weakened defensive Pokemon, such as Frillish, specially defensive Clefairy, and Solrock. Slaking best fits on balance teams due to its hit-and-run nature: it provides great offense, but it needs bulkier teammates to come in and tank hits if Truant forces it out. Staryu stands out as a great partner, pressuring Rock- and Steel-types with Scald and Frillish with Toxic, as well as removing entry hazards to improve Slaking's longevity. Pivots such as Emolga and Vibrava allow Slaking an easier time entering the field safely. Pokemon that commonly carry Protect, like Grumpig and Muk, can be especially problematic for Slaking; teammates like Emolga and Arbok can check them with their faster Speed or super effective coverage, respectively. Ground- and Fighting-types like Mienfoo, Hippopotas, and Whiscash can check Steel-types, while Grass-types like Meganium and Ivysaur can check Frillish and Solrock. Once Slaking has sufficiently damaged teams, offensive partners like Muk and Simisear can clean up late-game.

Choice Scarf Slaking outpaces the entire unboosted metagame, serving as a strong revenge killer. Double-Edge provides higher damage output at the cost of recoil. Earthquake allows Slaking to revenge kill Rock Polish Lairon and the uncommon Pawniard. Night Slash targets Solrock and Ghost-types like Frillish and Gastly. Pursuit picks off weakened foes like Mr. Mime and non-Protect Grumpig. This Slaking set fits better on bulky offense and balance teams, providing a revenge killer and Pursuit trapper. Pivots like Emolga and Pelipper allow it to hit the field more safely. Ground- and Fighting-types like Hippopotas, Vibrava, and Mienfoo check the Rock-types that switch in on Slaking, while Grass-types like Meganium and Ivysaur can pressure Frillish and Solrock. In return, Slaking can take on naturally fast Pokemon like Emolga and Simisear, as well as Choice Scarf users like Grumpig and Mr. Mime.

Set Description Giga Impact is Slaking's strongest move and should be used against Volcarona, Arcanine, and Conkeldurr. Earthquake should be used against Chandelure and Heatran without Air Balloon. Encore gets past Endure users, while Endure can be used against Choice item Snorlax and Porygon-Z. EVs Slaking should use maximum Speed EVs and a Jolly nature to Speed tie fast Volcarona. Usage Tips Normal Gem Slaking's Encore and Endure make it less one-dimensional, but it relies on correctly guessing foe sets to use to its full extent. If Slaking can OHKO a foe with either Earthquake or Giga Impact, it should use that move. If its foe will use a move with a recharge turn, Slaking should use Endure to attempt to PP stall foes that are locked into such moves due to using Choice items. Against Pokemon that are expected to use Endure or a faster Substitute, Slaking should use Encore to lock them into their status move.

Set Description Giga Impact is Slaking's strongest move and should be used against Volcarona, Arcanine, and Conkeldurr. Earthquake should be used against Chandelure and Heatran without Air Balloon. Low Kick beats Tyranitar, Snorlax, and Air Balloon Heatran. Fire Punch is for Genesect and Ferrothorn. Ice Punch is for Landorus-T and Dragon Gem or Choice item Garchomp. EVs Slaking should use maximum Speed EVs and a Jolly nature to Speed tie fast Volcarona. Usage Tips Choice Band Slaking should always use the move with the highest possible accuracy that will OHKO a foe. Due to Truant, Choice Band Slaking cannot outplay Pokemon with Endure, Protect, or a fast Substitute.

Set Description Double-Edge is extremely strong and allows Slaking to grab important OHKOs on Pokemon such as Latios, maximum HP Latias, and lead Mewtwo. It also consistently 2HKOes defensive Groudon and Kyogre, whereas Slaking avoids a 2HKO and OHKO, respectively, from these foes. Shadow Ball provides coverage against rare Rock- and Ghost-types such as Regirock and Dusclops while also dealing larger amounts of damage to the plethora of Psychic-types that Ubers is riddled with. Notably, it has a good chance to OHKO maximum HP Latias, 2HKOes defensive Lugia, and deals good damage to Metagross. Focus Punch is the strongest move Slaking has to hit Steel-types, dealing more than 50% to Skarmory and Forretress and OHKOing Snorlax. Hyper Beam blows away the opponent's dedicated walls such as defensive Latias and Ho-Oh but prevents Slaking from switching out upon landing, making this a high-risk, high-reward move that is best utilized later in the game to pave the way for your cleaners. Earthquake is an option if you don't want to rely on Focus Punch's predictive nature but still wish to hit Steel-types like Metagross, Jirachi, and Forretress. The trade-off is being hard walled by Skarmory and Forretress. A Jolly nature is used to outspeed neutral nature Latios and Latias, common leads that are often extremely valuable. Team Options Magneton is, by and large, Slaking's best teammate and almost mandatory, being able to trap all the Steel-types that resist Slaking's Normal-type attacks and KO them or chip them to the point that they can no longer take its attacks. Slaking fits best on offensive builds due to its hit-and-run nature. It forms an excellent double-Normal core with Snorlax, with both of them sharing checks they can overwhelm with their strong STAB moves. Deoxys-A is another great partner, cleaning up teams after Slaking has sufficiently damaged its checks with Extreme Speed. It also patches up the weakness to Substitute users that Slaking enables on its Truant turns, namely Groudon, Kyogre, and Heracross. Because of how threatening opposing Deoxys-A can be to team structures utilizing Slaking as their wallbreaker, Pursuit Metagross is a way to mitigate the impact it will have against your team. Slaking's Special Defense leaves much to be desired, leaving it extremely vulnerable to an OHKO from Kyogre. Your own Kyogre, Latios, and Latias all answer it quite well without giving up any momentum. Spikes support from Forretress and Skarmory is also appreciated, chipping at Slaking's checks so that it can OHKO them.