


Discussion in 'BW OU' started by Colonel M, Sep 28, 2010.

  1. Colonel M

    is a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a Contributor Alumnus

    Aug 5, 2007

    I think it's time for the world to be revealed... of the demon that could spawn from this thing.
    #51 - Dugtrio
    Type: Ground
    Base Stats:
    35 HP
    80 Atk
    50 Def
    50 SpA
    70 SpD
    120 Spe
     [u]Arena Trap[/u]
       Traps opponents that do not Levitate or Fly.
     [u]Sand Veil[/u]
       Raises Evasion in Sandstorm
     [u]Sand Power[/u] - Dreamworld Exclusive
      Boosts Rock-, Ground-, and Steel-type moves
    in a Sandstorm.
    Move List
    [b]Lv1: Night Slash[/b]
    Lv1: Tri Attack
    Lv1: Scratch
    Lv1: Sand-Attack
    Lv1: Growl
    Lv4: Growl
    Lv7: Astonish
    Lv12: Mud-Slap
    Lv15: Magnitude
    Lv18: Smooth Over
    [b]Lv23: Sucker Punch[/b]
    Lv26: Sand Tomb
    Lv28: Mud Bomb
    Lv33: Earth Power
    Lv40: Dig
    Lv45: Slash
    [b]Lv50: Earthquake[/b]
    Lv57: Fissure
    TMs and HMs (Gen 5)
    [b]TM01 - Claw Sharpen
    TM06 - Toxic[/b]
    TM10 - Hidden Power
    TM11 - Sunny Day
    TM15 - Hyper Beam
    TM17 - Protect
    TM21 - Frustration
    TM26 - Earthquake
    TM27 - Return
    TM28 - Dig
    TM32 - Double Team
    TM34 - Sludge Wave
    TM36 - Sludge Bomb
    TM37 - Sandstorm
    TM39 - Rock Tomb
    [b]TM40 - Aerial Ace[/b]
    TM42 - Facade
    TM44 - Rest
    TM45 - Attract
    TM46 - Thief
    TM48 - Troll
    TM49 - Echo Voice
    [b]TM65 - Shadow Claw[/b]
    TM68 - Giga Impact
    [b]TM71 - Stone Edge[/b]
    TM78 - Smooth Over
    [b]TM80 - Rock Slide[/b]
    TM87 - Swagger
    [b]TM90 - Substitute[/b]
    TM94 - Rock Smash
    HM01 - Cut
    Faint Attack
    [b]Beat Up[/b]
    Mud Bomb
    Gen 4 Notable TMs (I'm not going to list them 
    all because the vast majority are either
    the same or "won't be used")
    Natural Gift
    Stealth Rock
    4th Gen Move Tutors
    3rd Gen Moves
    Fury Swipes (FRLG Lv 21)
    Body Slam (Move Tutor)
    Double-edge (Move Tutor)
    Mimic (Move Tutor)
    [Dugtrio At A Glance]
    • Memento. Yes, Dugtrio learns Memento now with Breeding. Note that it is illegal with Stealth Rock as well, so don't get excited on that one. Memento is the most noteworthy addition to Dugtrio primarily because Dugtrio has Arena Trap. It is guaranteed to use Memento on a Pokemon that it is forced upon so long as it is grounded. This could be a scary addition for Dugtrio.
    • Arena Trap. A solid ability, Arena Trap, makes Grounded Pokemon suffer for existing. What better to trap them when many of them will suffer from Earthquake?
    • 120 Speed. What's a nice thing for a trapper? The trapper being quick! Base 120 Speed gets the vast majority of the old OU metagame and will likely get the vast majority of the new Pokemon as well. For reference, the new Pokemon that are faster than Dugtrio are as follows: Agirudaa, Meloia (Step Forme). That's it!
    • Somewhat underwhelming in power. It's not the strongest Pokemon on earth. Base 80 Attack is nothing that screams powerful.
    • LolDefenses. It's frail and only boasts an Electric immunity. You're only pulling Claw Sharpens on Electric locks.

    [Possible Movesets]

    name: It's a Trap!
    move 1: Earthquake
    move 2: Rock Slide / Stone Edge
    move 3: Night Slash / Sucker Punch
    move 4: Memento
    ability: Arena Trap
    item: Choice Band / Life Orb
    nature: Jolly
    evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe

    The only thing that changes is that Memento should be an option on the set. You're likely not going Adamant either, as it prevents Dugtrio from trapping Starmie as well as many other Pokemon that have trollish Speeds. Still the best set for it.

    Choice Scarf is an option...

    name: Sand Power
    move 1: Earthquake
    move 2: Rock Slide / Stone Edge
    move 3: Night Slash
    move 4: Memento / Sucker Punch
    ability: Sand Power
    item: Life Orb
    nature: Jolly
    evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe

    It's only noteworthy because of the ability itself. Not sure how much Sand Power increases the moves though. Probably better as an Other Option material, but *shrugs*.

    So not much has changed for Dugtrio aside from the metagame... and Memento. Discuss.
  2. Wynought


    Sep 12, 2010
    name: Physical Shandera
    move 1: Substitute
    move 2: Claw Sharpen
    move 3: Earthquake / Fissure? lol
    move 4: Sucker Punch / Stone Edge
    ability: Arena Trap
    item: Life Orb / Leftovers
    nature: Jolly
    evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe

    The idea is simple, switch into an obvious Wall who can't touch you without the use of Status inflicting moves, which is where Substitute becomes really handy. Once safely behind a Sub, raise your Attack and Accuracy and sweepity sweep sweep.
  3. Uncommon Madness

    Uncommon Madness

    Jul 2, 2010
    @Wynought: That set may look good on paper but the only real opportunity it has to set up is a choiced Electric move as even walls with a support role carry STAB and Seismic Toss. Dugtrio is a good trapper and revenge killer, that's the only thing it can do decently.
  4. Corrupted


    May 23, 2008
    ^ I really can't think of anything it can set up on tbh haha.

    Remember reading Sand Power increased ground, rock and steel move x2. No Arena Trap but still cool as a gimmick i guess.
  5. The King of Harts

    The King of Harts

    May 22, 2010
    Do we know the exact mechanics of Desperation yet? Does the damage depend on remaining HP or total HP? If it's the former, then I think combining Arena Trap and Desperation would be deadly.

    Dugtrio @Life Orb
    HP 4 / ATK 252 / SPE 252
    -Stone Edge
    -Night Slash/Sucker Punch

    While Dugtrio doesn't have the biggest HP, 212 damage still leaves a sizable dent in most sweepers and walls. Of course Earthquake, Stone Edge and Night Slash form his main attacking options, leaving Desperation as his last ditch effort; kind of like Explosion before it get nerfed.
  6. DDRMaster


    Jun 26, 2008
    Fissure ignores Accuracy boosts, or atleast it did in Gen 4, so it's not going to help Dugtrio at all. I have a feeling there will be plenty of Choiced Thunderbolts and Volt Changes you could get it in on, but you have to predict perfectly or have Dugtrio get KOd. Seems like a high risk, high reward situation since you get Dugtrio to +6 behind a Sub and basically get atleast 2 kills. Shanderaa's probably better at this, though.

    The problem I see with Desperation is that Dugtrio already has low HP and you're making it even lower with Life Orb. It won't work as well as Explosion used to because you can't effectively use it after Dugtrio has gotten down to low HP.
  7. GtM


    Jun 3, 2009
    Memento is a pretty neat move on Dugtrio, forcing a switch for your setup sweeper once Dugtrio is on his last legs, and he can make good use of this with his speed. It's no Explosion, but that got nerfed to heck anyways, so heh. If entry hazards become less popular, it might be worth running a Focus Sash so that you can get off Memento no matter what.

    On another note, Sand Strength has a lot of potential, since many people won't try switching out of Dugtrio anyways. Sandstorm is fairly common as well thanks to Tyranitar, so it might not be a complete giveaway. Plus it gives Dugtrio the power boost that he really needs.

    If only Electrode had gotten such a sweet deal. :D
  8. Uncommon Madness

    Uncommon Madness

    Jul 2, 2010
    It's true that the number of Choiced Pokés with Volt Charge will be pretty huge, especially in the lower tiers, but since Gen IV came out Dugtrio has been the only reason why no one should spam choiced Electric type moves everywhere before scouting opposing Pokémon.

    Just a little nitpick:

    Did you mean Stone Edge?
  9. PK Gaming

    PK Gaming Pursuing My True Self

    Aug 18, 2009
    He's still Dugtrio. Good revenge killer...

    Also Memento on him is absolutely bullshit.
    Momento a weak ass pokemon, and setup a Rock Polish / Swords Dance with Gliscor and Baton Pass. Imagine that behind screens...
  10. RocketSurgery


    Sep 21, 2010
    Unless when Dugtrio comes out a big banner flashes across the screen saying Dugtrio's sand strength was activated. Off the top of my head I can't remember if any youtube videos with the mole did that, but if so, it ruins that idea. (Of course, if the banner doesn't show, anyone who wants to switch out of dugtrio should be smart enough to try to switch, since at worst it will tell you you can't. It won't waste a turn to try).
  11. probationsmack


    Dec 3, 2005
    Claw Sharpen is a huge boon. Come in on a choiced electric, sub, claw sharpen, and then sweep with edgequake.
  12. black_cotton


    Mar 23, 2010
    just something that took my interest...
    216 Speed and jolly is overall better, let's you outrun every + base 115, invest the rest into defences to survive random weak priority moves, and to be honest there isn't anything that dugtrio would like to speed tie with:

    Sceptile: Hum... no thanks.
    Alakazam: Sucker punch it.
    Other dugtrio: Yeah right...
    Arceus: lol

    And that's it, unless i'm forgeting someone.
  13. GtM


    Jun 3, 2009
    Fair enough, I guess. D: If this thing works like Mold Breaker, then my idea won't work at all, and people can still try and switch anyways.
  14. KokoaKiwi


    Sep 22, 2010
    I absolutely adore the Claw Sharpen set, but seems a bit too difficult to pull off.
    However, I expect to see a lot of Choice Scarf electro u-turn, so maybe it won't be TOO difficult.
  15. Murkglow


    Sep 21, 2010
    This is Dug's big worry. If that "see your enemy's team" thing goes through it will hurt him terribly.

    Other then that Dug seems like he'll stay mostly the same. Maybe add Memento but other then that...

    Has this be confirmed to be the case? I had thought it was still up in the air.
  16. Ash Borer

    Ash Borer Throttle Chopper

    Jul 26, 2007
    Im going to guess a 1.3x damage boost is what sand power does.

    A nice 195 power move with 120 base speed is great.

    A thought. Have you ever had dugtrio switch in, and you submitted your pokemon assuming it had arena trap on?

    I know I have once or twice, by mistake. If sand power is rare at best for dugtrio sets, would it be fair to say that dugtrio gains a small advantage in tricking or fooling your opponent into thinking they cant switch out?
  17. Murkglow


    Sep 21, 2010
    Unless a message comes up telling them of sand power, yes I think most will assume you have arena trap. Well, maybe the sand storm will tip them off. How common is Dug on Sand teams?
  18. ShinyAzelf

    is a Contributor Alumnusis a Battle Server Moderator Alumnus

    Jan 18, 2010
    My only problem with Dugtrio that has stopped me from using it is that its weak. A Life Orbed Earthquake from Max Attack Jolly Dugtrio only does around 55% to 4 HP/252 Def Chansey, and Life Orb damage will be stalled with Softboiled. Outside of its mediocre attack stat, I like its ability to trap pokemon, and with Memento, it has been upgraded nicely. I might try this out in the lower tiers..
  19. Colonel Darren

    Colonel Darren

    Mar 11, 2010
    I have, at times, bluffed with Bronzong successfully as a Heatproof, so I can attest that most people might assume they are trapped.

    It would certainly make some revenging easier/harder with a boost in power, yet the more attentive people might try switching once after a while to scan for bluffing Dugtrios.
  20. Azure Demon

    Azure Demon Guest

    Momento dugtrio is going to be a monster trap a pokemon outspeed it and then lower the attack and special attack harshly then go into shadow tag shanderra Sub then cm up :)
  21. Fisdunction


    Sep 20, 2010
    I know I'll probably be running Dugtrio a lot during the early metagame. He may not be the biggest powerhouse out there, but being able to trap and OHKO Terakion, Shanderaa, and that (BAN ME PLEASE) firemoth is just too good to pass up. Memento is gonna be great on him since it lets him cripple things he can't score a SE hit on.
  22. Torchic


    Dec 23, 2009
    Memento must be great on Duggy.
    I used to use Memento Jumpluff and it is really good, however Duggy is faster.
    Anyway if Ninetales is OU I think Duggy will be more.
  23. Surskit


    Aug 8, 2010
    Seems like he will be outclassed in terms of broad-purpose trapping/revenging in Gen V (damn Shandera), but now he has a niche in trapping/revenging, and memento is a blessing :)

    The problem with the sand strength bluff technique is that if it actually works, then people will get into the habit of checking if they can switch. This is unlike Bronzong with heatproof, because if you try to call their bluff you may end up wasting a turn earthquaking a levitating bronzong, whereas there is no drawback if you attempt to switch when dugtrio is in.
  24. adventureguy


    Oct 17, 2010
    I'm surprised dugtrio isn't getting more recognition here. Pursuit appears to be less popular than it was in gen 4 since tyranitar and warubiaru are the only potentially common pursuit users without a fire weakness, almost every wall breaker is weak to ground, and it is arguably the most reliable physical revenge killer in the game. Given solid prediction abilities, choice scarf dugtrio could prove an excellent addition to many stall teams as an answer to blaziken and shanderaa, as well as an all-purpose trapper.

    Memento on a pokemon this fast cannot be underestimated either. If you're willing to make the sacrifice, dugtrio would almost guarantee at least one turn of setup. An offensive or balanced rain dance team with a shell break user could use dugtrio as an effective alternative to shanderaa since they wouldn't have to worry about weakening any important fire-type moves. It even has some small synergy with water types with its (albeit very risky) electric resistance.

    Dugtrio will probably be much more useful in this gen than it was in the last with scizor being seemingly less popular with all the new fire types in OU as well as the gaps it appears to cover that promise to plague the new breed of stall teams in the 5th gen.
  25. breh

    breh ⁰ ゝ⁰
    is a Smogon IRC AOPis a Tiering Contributor

    Feb 6, 2010

    Have you ever played with dugtrio? It's the frailest thing to exist and not particularly strong (or blessed with a truly good movepool) either...

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