What are good support Pokémon for Focus Punch Conkeldurr?

Question

I had an idea lately about using an Iron Fist Life Orb Conkeldurr that knows Focus Punch in doubles. (Yes, I know this is probably a horrible idea, I just want to try something out.) In order to make sure I don't flinch all the time, I'd need an ally that knows Rage Powder or Follow Me, and maybe Wide Guard. Unfortunately, no Pokemon learns multiple of these moves, but which one would be the best?

Comments

What kind of doubles? VGC, OU, or something else? What Pokemon, moves, or abilities are you not allowed to use?

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Sword and Shield ranked doubles, so two restricted Pokemon are allowed. (I don't know where that falls under, sorry…) I was thinking that this Conkeldurr could maybe be used as a Zacian killer.

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That sounds pretty similar to the VGC22 rules. You might get a good answer by asking here: https://www.smogon.com/forums/threads/vgc-ask-a-simple-question-get-a-simple-answer.3588172/

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Thanks sumwun!

Answer 1

You didn't ask there, so I asked for you.

If you'd want to use a Conkeldurr in S12, you would definitely need a lot of support. Wide Guard is one thing that should be on the team, along with Follow Me (an Indeedee would be perfect for this, since it also sets up Psychic Terrain, which stops Fake Outs). Other than that, I would probably go for a Trick Room mode with Amoonguss. Sporing your opponents so you can easily get in Conk to Focus Punch would help a lot, and you have even more redirection with Rage Powder. Maybe Lunala with Wide Guard and Trick Room? Which would mean you could go for a Lunala Groudon core and go hard TR. Just make sure you get the TR up and create a situation (using spore and/or redirection/protection) in which you can safely position your Conk and Focus Punch. It's gonna be a challenge, but good luck if you're still gonna try it!

Just don't use one in S13, I can't see that succeeding lol. Mostly because of all the mons I just mentioned, only Groudon is probably gonna be used in that format (and maybe Amoonguss).

Cheers

source

Comments

Wow, thanks a lot! I didn't even think about using Lunala…

Answer 2

I would do Follow Me or Rage Powder. Wide Gaurd protects ONLY against moves such as Surf or Earthquake that would hit multiple targets. If the opposition is doing single-target attacks, Wide Guard is useless. Here is a Pokémon and a set to go with it for Rage Powder and Follow Me respectively:

Amoongus @ Black Sludge
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 Def / 252 SpD / 4 HP
Calm / Bold Nature
- Rage Powder
- Synthesis
- Giga Drain
- Toxic

Togekiss @ Leftovers
Ability: Serene Grace / Hustle
EVs: 252 Def / 252 SpD / 4 HP
Calm / Bold Nature
- Follow Me
- Morning Sun
- Dazzling Gleam / Air Slash / Shadow Ball
- Toxic

These sets are pretty self-explanatory. For Amoongus, you mainly use Rage Powder to help Conkeldurr land Focus Punch as you planned, but it also has Giga Drain and Synthesis for HP recovery after soaking up all that punishment, and Toxic for support. Its Nature and EVs are all defensive, as it will probably be taking some serious beatings.

For Togekiss, it has the same strategy as Amoongus, with a higher damage potential.

I hope this helps!

Comments

The other thing you could do is a Sub-Punch set, but I don't know how well that would work in doubles...

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But if the opponent is using multi-target attacks, follow me and rage powder become useless. Also why do you use Togekiss over Indeedee?

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Indeedee was a close possibility, but it has trash physical Def. I did forget to look at both genders now that I think about it... also I liked Togekiss's defensive stats. I can provide a wide guard set if needed. I just thought Follow Me and Rage Powder would be more useful

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Indeedee's ability blocks priority attacks and makes it an actual offensive threat, and it also raises special defense if Indeedee holds a psychic seed. Indeedee has 2 weaknesses compared to Togekiss's 5. This notably lets Indeedee survive Zacian's behemoth blade.

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Oh yeah...

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fwiw please use PS importable format to post answers with movesets. It's easier to understand.

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Why is it "easier to understand"?

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I think reading is pretty easy, even if I don't use PS importable format.

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PS importable is better because it's a structure everyone has seen and used before, so they know where to find each detail at a glance.
You should want to make the answer most convenient for other people. There is no need to pick on semantics.

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Is there a good reason to not use the PS! format?

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I don't want to go on Showdown and make it. (Also what is PS importable format) xD

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Is the PS! format more difficult to type manually than your format?

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I made a question for this: https://pokemondb.net/pokebase/409704/what-is-showdown-importable-syntax

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Thanks. Sorry for getting defensive. I just prefer typing it out manually for whatever reason.

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Actually, it wouldn't be hard to do that. I will use Showdown format now.