Slowpoke Movesets & Competitive Sets

Moves Slack Off is Slowpoke's most reliable recovery option and allows it to maintain its longevity. Scald is a powerful STAB move that can hit Fire-, Rock-, and Ground-types such as Ponyta, Onix, and Mudbray super effectively; it can also provide some utility by burning physical attackers to render them weak. Psychic is Slowpoke's secondary powerful STAB move, hitting common Poison- and Fighting-types like Mienfoo, Foongus, and Croagunk. Croagunk especially is an important target due to its ability to easily switch into Scald. Thunder Wave is an important utility move that Slowpoke has, and it can spread paralysis to cripple fast offensive Pokemon such as Abra; however, Slowpoke still cannot outspeed paralyzed 18 Speed Pokemon. Fire Blast is an alternative option as a powerful coverage move that hits Pawniard, Ferroseed, Alolan Sandshrew, Magnemite, and Snivy. Alternatively, Slowpoke can use Calm Mind on defensive cores or bulkier teams once Dark-types have been eliminated. It can set up to become more specially bulky and sweep opposing teams with powerful special attacks. Set Details Slowpoke's EV spread allows it to be as tanky as possible, enabling it to tank most physical and special attacks effectively. In addition, the HP EVs allow Slowpoke to reach 27 HP, which enables it to recover 9 HP when switching out instead of 8 HP. The remaining EVs are put into Slowpoke's Special Attack so it can retaliate with powerful moves after it tanks a hit, 2HKOing defensive Foongus and bulky Mienfoo with Psychic. The main EV spread and a Calm nature maximizes Special Defense, allowing Slowpoke to consistently avoid the OHKO from Life Orb Gastly's Shadow Ball and Snivy's Leaf Storm. Alternatively, the same EV spread can be run but with only 36 Special Attack and 76 Speed EVs, which allows Slowpoke to outspeed Foongus; however, the drop from 12 Special Attack to 11 worsens the damage rolls against 14 Special Defense Pokemon with Eviolite, meaning Slowpoke can't 2HKO Foongus with Psychic from full health anymore. If Calm Mind is run, a physically defensive EV spread of 116 HP / 236 Def / 116 SpA / 36 SpD should be used, turning Slowpoke into a more physically defensive tank that almost completely shuts down Mudbray, while also better checking Timburr without Bulk Up. Eviolite is very important to Slowpoke, as it helps Slowpoke tank moves more efficiently. Regenerator is very beneficial, as it allows Slowpoke to recover health while switching out, which it does often due to its defensive role. Usage Tips Slowpoke should be switched into Pokemon it can handle, tanking their hits and KOing them back. Slowpoke can also be sent out to force switches, although it should generally immediately switch out afterwards. Slowpoke also shouldn't be switched in and out randomly to just get its HP restored from Regenerator, as its checks are very common in the metagame, and if it switches in carelessly, it might take a super effective move such as Knock Off. Knock Off in general should be avoided, as it deals super effective damage and removes Slowpoke's important Eviolite, which hinders its bulk. Slowpoke can also spread paralysis once it switches in, potentially crippling fast offensive Pokemon. When Slowpoke reaches a low amount of HP, it should switch out to gain more HP and then switch into a Pokemon it can use Slack Off against so it can recover its HP fully. Slowpoke should avoid some mixed or special attackers, as its Special Defense is lacking compared to its Defense, meaning it might get KOed by powerful special attacks; it should still be able to switch into resisted special attacks, but should be wary in general. If Slowpoke is running Calm Mind, it should be kept healthy until late-game when most of its checks are defeated and it can set up on passive Pokemon or Pokemon whose attacks it resists and then clean the rest of the opposing team. Slowpoke can also consistently check hail teams, as it can take care of Slush Rush sweepers such as Alolan Sandshrew and hail setters such as Snover with Fire Blast. Team Options Grass-types make good teammates, as they can wall incoming Grass- and Electric-type attacks and provide good type synergy with Slowpoke, as Slowpoke can take care of the Fire- and Ice-type Pokemon Grass-types don't appreciate such as Ponyta and Alolan Sandshrew. Foongus and Ferroseed make great partners, and the latter can also set entry hazards to help Slowpoke take care of opposing Pokemon more easily. Slowpoke hates Knock Off, so Pokemon that don't mind Knock Off such as Sticky Hold users like Trubbish are great. Slowpoke can also wall Psychic-types for Trubbish, which in return can take of most Grass-types that don't have a secondary Poison typing. Pokemon that can check Grass-, Electric-, and Dark-type Pokemon are favorable. Pawniard deserves a mention here because it provides good type synergy with Slowpokeand appreciates Slowpoke's ability to spread paralysis. Vullaby also deserves a mention, as it can wall most Dark-types such as Scraggy and take care of Grass-types such as Foongus; it also provides nifty type synergy with Slowpoke, as the two form a nice core that can take on nearly everything except Electric-types. Fighting-type Pokemon such as Mienfoo can also be good teammates, as they can take care of Dark-types for Slowpoke, while Slowpoke can wall most Psychic-types and other checks. Mienfoo also forms a solid Regenerator core with Slowpoke and is a decent Knock Off absorber, especially if it runs Acrobatics.

Moves Scald is Slowpoke's STAB attack of choice, being able to hit things decently hard and also potentially burn them. Slack Off is a reliable form of recovery, letting Slowpoke heal itself while continuing to wall the opposition. Thunder Wave can cripple offensive foes, making it easier for teammates to handle them later. Finally, Psychic is a secondary STAB move that hits the Fighting-types that Slowpoke walls for a fair amount of damage. As an added bonus, it also hits Poison-types, and can help deter them from trying to inflict status on Slowpoke. Fire Blast can also be used in the last slot to nail Steel-, Bug-, and Grass-types that give Slowpoke problems, making it harder to switch into. Set Details This set's main goal is to wall physical attackers and act as a bulky tank to support Slowpoke's team. A high Defense stat and Regenerator make Slowpoke a very solid Pokemon that can be difficult to KO and almost impossible to wear down. An alternative EV spread of 116 HP / 76 Def / 116 SpA / 196 SpD with a Careful nature allows Slowpoke to survive powerful Special attacks in exchange for some physical bulk. With Scald and Thunder Wave, Slowpoke can easily wall, cripple, and outlast loads of common powerhouses. Slowpoke's longevity and ability to switch in many more times than its opponents make it a long-lasting support Pokemon that can easily sponge attacks and cripple offensive sweepers. Its typing also helps it wall many Fighting-types, but the buff to Knock Off makes this slightly risky against certain Fighting-types such as Mienfoo and Timburr. In addition, Slowpoke's weaknesses to common attacking types and attacks such as Volt Switch and U-turn make it difficult to wall many common top-tier threats. Usage Tips Because of its ability, Slowpoke can easily heal itself after most minor misplays. Despite this, Slowpoke shouldn't be used randomly. It should be used against physical attackers that can't reliably and continuously hit it super effectively. Once in, Slowpoke should cripple its opponent with either Scald or Thunder Wave. The EVs give Slowpoke a small boost in power, so Scald and Psychic will deal decent damage to anything they hit super effectively. If Slowpoke sustains too much damage or the opponent switches into a counter, Slowpoke can either heal itself with Slack Off or switch out and heal with Regenerator. Slowpoke should watch out for mixed attackers, as its Special Defense stat isn't very high and it is susceptible to repeated strong special STAB attacks. Slowpoke also has to watch out for Knock Off, which hits hard and cripples it by removing its Eviolite. Team Options Slowpoke can easily fit into a multitude of defensive cores since it doesn't fear switching out because of Regenerator. Grass-types are the best partners for Slowpoke, because they resist the Grass- and Electric-type attacks that Slowpoke is weak to, while Slowpoke resists the Fire- and Ice-type attacks that threaten them. Notable Grass-types include Foongus and Ferroseed. Fairy-types also work well with Slowpoke. They can absorb Dark- and Bug-type attacks while Slowpoke beats Poison-types, the Fairies' bane. Spritzee gets a special mention, as it can provide Aromatherapy and Wish support for Slowpoke, which Slowpoke really appreciates. In general, Pokemon that can handle Grass-, Electric-, and Dark-types are ideal partners for Slowpoke. Pawniard is notable, as it has good type synergy with Slowpoke and appreciates the paralysis support that Slowpoke provides. Vullaby, too, gets a special mention as it can easily wall many of the Pokemon that Slowpoke can't, such as Bellsprout and Scraggy. Together, they can handle most of the tier aside from Electric-types, forming a very solid core.

With its ability to force switches and its decent bulk, Slowpoke can become a reliable user of Trick Room. The main goal of this set is to create opportunities for your teammates to sweep under Trick Room. However, Trick room has its advantages for Slowpoke as well by remedying one of Slowpoke's greatest weaknesses: its low Speed. In order to maximize your opportunities to set up and increase Slowpoke's survivability, Slack Off provides reliable recovery. Trick Room Slowpoke allows a large variety of other Pokemon the chance to wreak havoc on the opponent for four turns. On the physical side, Cranidos comes to mind with its sky high Attack, though it is quite frail and weak to four priority attacks. With its Thick Club, Cubone is able to throw strong Earthquakes at its opponents and provides a bit more bulk than Cranidos. Porygon is a great candidate for Trick Room, as it cannot only hit from the special side with a powerful STAB Tri Attack, but it can also go mixed using Return. Krabby makes a good candidate thanks to its powerful Crabhammer and ability to boost its Attack with Swords Dance. Finally, due to its excellent Attack stat and coverage, Munchlax outspeeds the entire metagame under Trick Room, and as such, can cause massive damage.

This is your basic bread and butter Slowpoke set, and it is used by abusing its solid Defense to switch into any Pokemon it isn't threatened by. Slowpoke is able to take out specific threats, most notably Machop, while also being able to support the team with paralysis, or heal itself with Slack Off. With the abundance of Fighting-types being used, Slowpoke shouldn't have a problem finding its way into most battles. Aqua Tail acts as Slowpoke's main STAB and deals solid damage to threats, such as Gligar and Aron, while also providing solid coverage on its own. Zen Headbutt provides great coverage with Aqua Tail, and serves as another important move for this set's success by denting the common Choiced Fighting-types for super effective damage. Slack Off provides safe, reliable recovery for when your Oran Berry is finally disposed of. The choice between supporting team and yourself is up to personal preference. Thunder Wave cripples the opponent's switch-in and provides support to slower sweepers on your team; however, Protect is a valuable option for its ability to scout the opponent's team and a switch-in's attacks. Though it does its job very well, Slowpoke can be easily stopped by a Pokemon who can take advantage of its abysmal Speed. If Houndour does not come in on Aqua Tail or Thunder Wave, it can easily outspeed Slowpoke and OHKO it with Stealth Rock support. Elekid can abuse the highest Speed in LC to quickly hit Slowpoke with a super effective Thunderbolt or Thunder Punch for a quick KO. To combat these two, a Scarfed Gligar is recommended to take care of these threats. Snover also causes problems for Slowpoke, though Bronzor and Munchlax can deal with it. Bronzor itself is a Pokemon Slowpoke has trouble dealing with, as it can easily set up anything it wants on Slowpoke without taking much damage. In order to deal with this, a Fire-type can take advantage of Bronzor's Steel-typing for a quick take down.