Would sheer force Nidoking do more damage with the elemental punches or with the basic elemental special attacks?

Question

This is for a sheer force and life orb Nidoking. Please include EVs and IVs and Natures.

Elemental punches:
Thunder punch
Ice Punch
Fire punch

Basic Elemental special attacks:
Thunderbolt
Ice beam
Flamethrower

Comments

If we assume both Attack and Special Attack are the exact same, then the elemental special attacks would do more, with or without Sheer Force.

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Well Nidoking's attack and special attack are not the same, so I wanted to know if the extra damage from thunderbolt, ice beam, and flamethrower would make up for it.

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Nidoking is usually run specially, so while I don't have any math to back it up, I would say yes.

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Flag for BA

Answer 1

For this, I put a Nidoking with no EVs or Nature with T-Punch and T-Bolt in against a Silvally (because of even defense stats) with no EVs or Nature. Here’s how it went:
0 Atk Sheer Force Nidoking Thunder Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Silvally: 75-89 (22.6 - 26.8%) -- 36.3% chance to 4HKO
Possible damage amounts: (75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89)

SpA Sheer Force Nidoking Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Silvally: 77-91 (23.2 - 27.4%) -- 69% chance to 4HKO
Possible damage amounts: (77, 78, 79, 80, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91)

As you can see, Thunderbolt is a bit higher.

Therefore, Thunderbolt, Ice Beam, and Flamethrower are stronger

Hope this helps!

Comments

69% chance to 4HKO :o

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In case you're wondering, the special moves are still stronger when Nidoking has 252 EVs in each attack stat.
252 SpA Life Orb Sheer Force Nidoking Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Castform: 168-198 (59.7 - 70.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Life Orb Sheer Force Nidoking Ice Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Castform: 157-186 (55.8 - 66.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO