I haven't seen a VGC moveset posted yet so here we go!
Pawmot is often overshadowed by Iron Hands, but don't be disappointed! Pawmot has traits that make it unique!
VGC Regulation G
Pawmot @ Focus Sash
Ability: Volt Absorb
Tera Type: Fairy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe OR 68 HP / 76 Atk / 108 Def / 4 Sp Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Fake Out
- Revival Blessing
- Nuzzle/ Protect
- Close Combat
Role - Support Pokemon
Pawmot's main niche involves outspeeding all of the common Fake Out users, and most importantly, being able to revive a Pokemon. This Pawmot set is aiming to be a support Pokemon, that can enable its teammates with Fake Out and bring back your powerful restricted Pokemon after you lose it. Pawmot is also one of the few Pokemon who is able to completely stone wall Miraidon sets lacking Dazzling Gleam with the combo of Tera Fairy and Volt Absorb.
Focus Sash aids Pawmot in being able to more reliably get off a Revival Blessing. For anyone worried about Focus Sash being ignored by Urshifu-Rapid-Strike, here is where the alternative spread comes in.
68 HP / 108 Def / 252+ Atk Urshifu-Rapid-Strike Surging Strikes (3 hits) vs. 68 HP / 108 Def Pawmot on a critical hit: 126-153 (81.8 - 99.3%) -- approx. 2HKO.
This is if you wish to live regular Surging Strikes from Urshifu at the cost of losing some damage output. However, please keep in mind that this does not survive Sword of Ruin boosted Surging Strikes, Mystic Water boosted Surging Strikes, Rain Boosted Surging Strikes or Tera Water boosted Surging Strikes. This is why I did not put this as the main spread. Pawmot is not bulky enough to survive these, and the ones it can you end up sacrificing your speed, which is not worth it.
Fake Out is a disrupting tool, which prevents one of your opponents Pokemon from moving. This is quite valuable as Fake Out can enable you to set up your restricted Pokemon, such as Nasty Plot on Calyrex-S or Swords Dance on Zacian and Rayquaza, or go for potential damage.
Revival Blessing is one of the main reasons to use Pawmot over Iron Hands being able to revive an already fainted Pokemon. This is absolutely game changing in a single restricted format where teams are built around enabling your restricted Pokemon. Bringing back your teams most powerful Pokemon can put your opponent on the back foot, especially if their restricted has already been taken out.
Nuzzle functions as a reliable form of speed control and makes opponents unable to move 25% of the time as a bonus!
Protect is also a good option here, as if your team already has reliable speed control, you can use Protect as a tool to get in a better position to use Revival blessing. It is also quite literally the most important move in the history of VGC.
Both Protect and Nuzzle are good for different reasons. You can pick which one you prefer.
Close Combat is my attacking move of choice. This works as a STAB move, so Pawmot is still able to deal some damage if needed. I would not recommend removing Close Combat. If you do, Pawmot is completely unable to deal any decent damage of any form, which you need if you want to 1 v 1 Miraidon.
Now start blasting VGC with this GIANT PIKACHU!!!