[Final] Floatzel

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Hey guys and girls!

Told ya Spoovo that I'll have it up by today (Monday) or tomorrow (Tuesday)! :3

==General==
*Sports decent attack stats.
*Holds the title of the fastest water type in NU (and the joint fastest in the entire metagame with Starmie, bar Arceus-Water).
*Its high speed gets even faster in the rain thanks to Swift Swim, but has a nice ability in Water Veil also.
*Very powerful with a Choice Band equipped.
*Gets a good stat-boosting move in Bulk Up that it can use somewhat effectively.
*An interesting movepool that has just enough coverage and a unique move in Switcheroo.
*Very frail with 85 / 55 / 50 defenses.
*Overall a great, underrated Pokemon if you know how to use it and you have its threats covered.

==Choice Band==
Floatzel @ Choice Band / Flame Orb
Trait: Water Veil
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Waterfall
- Crunch / Aqua Jet
- Ice Punch / Return
- Aqua Jet / Switcheroo

*With a Choice Band equipped, Floatzel becomes a fantastic wallbreaker. Although Flame Orb is a good idea especially with Water Veil + Switcheroo.
*The EVs are designed to make Floatzel as fast as possible while maintaining very good power.
*Waterfall is a very strong and reliable move that can certainly dent anything that doesn’t resist it.
*Crunch can take on those Ghost and Psychic types a little bit better, even though some of them are already frail in NU as it is. Because of this, Aqua Jet can be used if you wish to run it with Switcheroo.
*Ice Punch is mostly preferred in the 3rd slot because it can cover those Grass types such as a weakened Tangela that can easily wall Floatzel and / or set-up on it. However, Return can be used for a strong and reliable attack that works well with Waterfall also.
*Aqua Jet can be used to pick off weakened opponents, however Switcheroo is another option. With the Choice Band, can be used to cripple those Tangelas using Sleep Powder, things that like to stall such as Jellicent or even those Lead Pokemon setting up the Stealth Rock or Spikes! Meanwhile, if Floatzel chooses to carry the Flame Orb, this move can easily cripple hard-hitting physical attackers such as Sawk, Samurott, Regigigas, and the like!

==Bulk Up==
Floatzel @ Life Orb
Trait: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Bulk Up
- Waterfall
- Crunch / Ice Punch
- Baton Pass / Substitute

*This requires Floatzel to set-up to become more useful, but in the long run it can work up better.
*Once again the EVs are used to hit as hard as possible.
*Bulk Up is the crux of the set and is useful as it can have more attack and defense than the Choice Band set.
*Waterfall is a strong and reliable STAB that can hit anything for decent damage.
*Crunch is used to pick off those Psychic and Ghost types, although one can use Ice Punch to counter and / or deal more damage to things such as weakened Tangela and Swellow.
*Baton Pass is an interesting move on Floatzel and with Bulk Up; it can make decent use of it, passing its Bulk Up boosts to a more bulky sweeper such as Seismitoad or something, however Substitute can help Floatzel set-up if it comes in on Fire, Rock or Ground types (if they can't counter without switching out).

==Mixed (Rain) Sweeper==
Floatzel @ Life Orb
Trait: Swift Swim
EVs: 240 Atk / 252 SAtk / 16 Spd
Rash Nature (+SAtk, -SDef)
- Waterfall
- Crunch / Brick Break
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Ice Beam

*This set takes advantage of both of Floatzels attacking stats and is good for a surprise factor. This set is best used in the Rain.
*The EVs are used mainly with a Rash Nature (reason is stated below), and almost max attack and special attack gives Floatzel good evened attack stats, at 306 and 295, respectively. 16 Speed EVs also allows Floatzel to outspeed Adamant of Sawk outside of Rain.
*Waterfall is once again a reliable STAB that is more powerful than Surf in terms of power.
*Crunch is, as explained before, good for hitting those Psychic and Ghost types. However it should be noted that in rain, Waterfall hits much harder, meaning that Brick Break is a good alternative.
*Hidden Power [Grass] gets hits bulky Water types such as Alomomola and scores a 2HKO on it.
*Ice Beam allows Floatzel to OHKO Tangela after Stealth Rock with a Rash Nature, and hit stuff as Altaria ridiculously hard.

==Rain Dance==
Floatzel @ Damp Rock / Life Orb
Trait: Swift Swim
EVs: 124 HP / 252 Atk / 132 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Rain Dance
- Waterfall
- Brick Break
- Ice Punch

*Thanks to Swift Swim, under the rain Floatzel definitely becomes a force to be reckoned with. It also becomes the fastest Pokemon in NU under the rain too, which is nice.
*The EV Spread allows Floatzel to hit as hard as possible, outspeed non-scarf Rotom-A outside of rain, as well as having some bulk to take weak attacks such as Pursuit a little bit better. 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd with a Jolly Nature to outspeed even +2 Ninjask under the rain!
*A Damp Rock can be used to make the rain last as long as possible, however Life Orb can be used for added power.
*Rain Dance is the crux of the set, nothing else to be explained here.
*Waterfall is a powerful and reliable STAB as always, with good coverage alongside Ice Punch. It also hits harder than Crunch under rain, which is why it isn’t listed.
*Brick Break hits those 5 types, most notably Steel, for super-effective damage, which is always better than Crunch for the reasons lifted above.
*Ice Punch has good coverage with Waterfall and it can somewhat damage those bulky Grass and Flying types.

=Other Options=
*Pursuit can be useful on the Choice Band set to nab those Ghost and Psychic types on the switch, but usually Crunch is better.
*Low Kick can be useful on almost any set, but Brick Break is more reliable.
*Toxic is good to cripple those bulky water types that like to switch into Floatzel, but isn’t recommendable otherwise as it loses coverage and Floatzel has pitful defenses to work with it. The same applies to Taunt.
*Agility can be noted on the Baton Pass set, but other Pokemon such as Ninjask are better at Baton Passing speed. Substitute is useful too, however Floatzel is that frail and fast that it will be broken in the same turn it is used. Aqua Ring is interesting however it isn’t useful for a lot of occasions.
*A Specially offensive set with Hydro Pump / Ice Beam / Focus Blast / Hidden Power [Grass] or Aqua Jet can be used, but it is a bit outclassed by Simipour and Samurott. The 2 things that helps Floatzel in this case though are its better speed stat and the "surprise factor" it gives, especially when they switch in bulky pokemon like Misdreavus and take a Hydro Pump in the face. Even with this though, Floatzel has much higher attack stat, and is much more recommended.

=Checks & Counters=
*Zebstrika and Electrode easily outspeed and can revenge kill Floatzel.
*At full health, Tangela can cripple and / or set-up on Floatzel without Switcheroo or Ice Beam.
*Choice Scarf users can pose a threat too, most notably when rain isn’t in play.
*Anything with decent bulk can take a hit and revenge back.
*Priorty can revenge Floatzel, especially Skuntanks Sucker Punch.
*Paralysis easily shuts Floatzel down as it cripples its speed. Toxic also reduces its lifespan.

 

Imo, you don't need to include alternate IV's to combat porygon's download, considering I don't recall ever having seen him on the ladder and that his usage stats show him being used only 81 times last month :/

Water Veil is BY FAR Floatzel's better ability if you don't plan on abusing rain.
Iirc there's a 5th gen tutor for Ice Punch, and Floatzel is fully DW released, meaning Ice Punch is Legal with Water Veil!
Easy free switches into scalds! which means free setup for the BU set if you have sub.

Speaking of which, slash Substitute behind Baton pass on the BU set. It'll help a ton for setup.

Aqua Ring can be mentioned in OO for the baton pass stuff.

Good writeup ^_^

 

Yeah, I definitely second Switcheroo + Water Veil. You can just slash the Flame Orb after the Choice Band on the first set for corresponding slashes.

And yup, Ice Punch, Low Kick and Sleep Talk are now legal with Water Veil, due to gen 5 move tutors. Methinks you read a little too far into Smogon's analysis? xD

Also, with the Special Defense thing... I wouldn't go that far. If it's just 4 Special Defense EVs, why not? But when you've gotta invest more than one or two stat points into it to make a difference, it just becomes pointless imo.

 

Thanks both, I'll sort that out tonight!

And yeah Spoovo I've never used Floatzel with Water Veil before so I had to look at Smogons analysis to do that. xD

 

Hi. Good job, but here are some suggestions:

General:
Floatzel is not only the fastest Water type in NU, it is the fastest water type in the whole game! (excluding Arceus-Water)
Mention how Floatzel faces a stiff competition with Samurott, Seismitoad and Simipour for team slot.


Other Options:
A Specially offensive set with Hydro Pump/Ice Beam/Focus Blast/HP Grass or Aqua Jet probably deserves a mention, but it is outclassed by Simipour and Samurott. The only thing that this set has aside from Floatzel's better speed stat is the 'surpise factor', especially when they switch in bulky pokemon like Misdreavus and take a Hydro Pump in the face.

 

Yep, everyone already said what I would have.

Approved

 

Thank you everyone! Edits made! I'll write this up soon as 1 person has approved this. ;)

 

You mean like Incon did, in the post before yours? xD

 

to be safe, have another Approved!

 

good job, Approved.

 

updated

Spoiler

{{Header}}
{{Tier|BW2 NU}}

{{Overview|Floatzel holds its fame as the fastest Water-type in NU (and the joint fastest in the entire metagame with Starmie, only losing out to Arceus-Water).

Its high speed gets even faster in the rain thanks to Swift Swim, but has a useful niche in Water Veil, and also packs great mixed attacking stats. In the rain, Floatzel is a huge threat, outrunning literally everything with little effort, and packing enough power to break about any wall with the right move.

Overall, Floatzel is a great, underrated Pokemon if you know how to use it and you have its threats covered.}}

{{Set|Water Veil|
Floatzel @ Choice Band / Flame Orb
Trait: Water Veil
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Waterfall
- Crunch / Aqua Jet
- Ice Punch / Return
- Aqua Jet / Switcheroo}}

{{Comments|Floatzel's fame may be derived from its nigh on impassable Speed in the rain, however it best sticks out with this weird set.

Wielding a Choice Band is hardly unique to Floatzel, but being immune to burns means that it can be a little more reckless in its attacks, being able to scare away the likes of Misdreavus much more easily.

A Jolly nature is the given on this set, making the most of Floatzel's amazing base 115 Speed, while the EVs are simple, being a physical attacking set. Waterfall is the listed STAB, hitting anything that doesn't resist for heavy damage thanks to the potential Choice Band boost. Slots 2 and 3 have some coverage options. Crunch helps Floatzel break into Misdreavus, while Aqua Jet is a backup STAB with priority to help pick off weakened targets. Ice Punch in slot 3 hits incoming Grass-types hard enough to scare most away, while Return offers more neutrality to the coverage, with very few opponents resisting the Water/Normal coverage combo.

Lastly, Aqua Jet and Switcheroo are in slot 4. Aqua Jet has already been explained, but Switcheroo is the fun choice here, allowing Floatzel to cripple a target once its usefulness as a Choice Band user has run out. However, the Flame Orb is interesting because it lets Floatzel effectively bluff a Choice Band. However, it'll still be able to switch moves (although the power loss will be noticeable), and it can then cripple an opposing sweeper with its Flame Orb, not only taking their item away from them, but also burning them in the process. As long as it isn't a Guts user like Gurdurr (who will still lament the loss of its Eviolite), Floatzel will be in a win-win situation.}}

{{Set|Bulk Up|Floatzel @ Life Orb
Trait: Water Veil / Swift Swim
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Bulk Up
- Waterfall
- Crunch / Ice Punch
- Baton Pass / Substitute}}

{{Comments|Instead of punching through middle game, this Floatzel set plans on either sweeping late game, or supporting another sweeper with Baton Pass. It requires more setup to be useful, however in the long run it pays off more.

Adopting basically the same skeleton as the previous set, this one runs the same EVs and nature as the previous, with only the possible ability being different. Water Veil is again the primary listing, allowing Floatzel to switch in on random Will-o-Wisps for free, however Swift Swim can be useful with rain support, as literally nothing will match Floatzel's Speed in the rain.

Bulk Up is the premise of the set, allowing Floatzel to boost its Attack and Defense stats at the same time, and immunity to burns means that it can find more turns to set up with it. Waterfall in slot 2 is the obligatory STAB, hitting decently hard with the Life Orb and potential Bulk Up boosts.
Crunch and Ice Punch are both crammed into slot 3, as coverage options. Crunch hits Misdreavus and boasts slightly better overall coverage alongside Ice Punch, while the latter helps deal with incoming Grass-types, not to mention Dragons like Altaria.

Lastly, slot 4 has Baton Pass and Substitute. Baton Pass lets Floatzel support another team member once it's had its fun weakening opponents, and also acts as an emergency exit should Floatzel find itself cornered. Substitute on the other hand stops Floatzel from fearing other status conditions such as poison instead, making it harder for stall teams to deal with. The Substitutes can even be difficult to break after a Bulk Up or two.

Alternatives on this set would be Taunt in slot 4, to annoy stall even more, and the Leftovers for the hold item. In tandem with Substitute, the latter works well. Squeezing an attacking move into slot 4 can be done too.}}

{{Set|Rain Sweeper|
Floatzel @ Damp Rock / Life Orb
Trait: Swift Swim
EVs: 120 HP / 252 Atk / 136 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Rain Dance
- Waterfall
- Brick Break
- Ice Punch}}

{{Comments|This is the set that holds most of Floatzel's fame; the incredible Speed it reaches in the rain.

With the given EVs, Floatzel hits a clean 300 Speed, which outruns neutral natured base 100s and anything slower outside of the rain, and just about everything when it is raining. The Attack is then maximised afterwards, with an Adamant nature to make the most of it, and everything else is dumped into the HP to maximise Floatzel's (admittedly limited) ability to take hits.

Otherwise, the set's not all that different from most rain sweepers. The Damp Rock is the primary hold item because it gives Floatzel more rain to abuse, not to mention letting it support the team for longer if needed. The Life Orb on the other hand lets Floatzel hit harder, meaning it can deal much more damage. The rain will run out faster, but so will Floatzel. If you want a standalone rain sweeper, the Life Orb is recommended, while the Damp Rock makes for a better team supporter.

Rain Dance is obvious and obligatory, while Waterfall and Ice Punch have both been seen before on Floatzel. The only real change in terms of listed moves is Brick Break, as this allows Floatzel to break into bulky Normal- and Steel-types. Crunch isn't listed on this set because Floatzel isn't as keen taking on Misdreavus without Water Veil, and a Waterfall in the rain hits harder than a super effective Crunch anyway, so it's almost pointless to have.}}

{{Set|Mixed Rain Sweeper|
Floatzel @ Life Orb
Trait: Swift Swim
EVs: 240 Atk / 252 SAtk / 16 Spd
Rash Nature (+SAtk, -SDef)
- Waterfall / Hydro Pump
- Crunch / Brick Break
- Hidden Power Grass
- Ice Beam}}

{{Comments|Sacrificing its ability to set up rain for itself, this set takes advantage of both of Floatzel's attacking stats, offering surprise factor and wallbreaking potential in one. While it CAN function outside of the rain, it's highly recommended to support with a rain setter, because Floatzel's Speed isn't all that incredible when it isn't raining.

A Rash nature is chosen to give Floatzel as much power as possible, while 16 Speed EVs lets Floatzel outrun Adamant Sawk outside of rain (to put into perspective just how fast the thing is), while the Special Attack is maxed out, and the rest are poured into Attack so that the offensive stats are almost evened out.

With four attacking slots unencumbered, Floatzel is ready and willing to go all out with its offence. Waterfall is the reliable STAB in slot 1, hitting everything that doesn't resist for solid damage, especially in the rain. Hydro Pump gets a back slash after it this time however, hitting even harder more often than not, but not being the most accurate of attacks. The physical walls that often come in to tank Floatzel's Waterfall may find themselves unpleasantly surprised when they take a Hydro Pump instead.

Crunch and Brick Break are crammed into slot 2, with Crunch hitting Ghost-types like Misdreavus and friends. Again, a Waterfall in the rain hits harder, which is why Brick Break is back slashed, however this set isn't entirely rain reliant, and thus Crunch still has a listing. Brick Break hits Steel-types once again, particularly the annoying Ferroseed.

Hidden Power Grass is available to hit bulky Waters like Quagsire and Alomomola, even scoring a 2HKO on the latter, while Ice Beam is there to tear into Dragons like Altaria, and also Floatzel's nemesis Tangela. Under the right conditions, mixed Floatzel is a deadly threat that shouldn't be trifled with.}}

{{Options|Pursuit can be useful on the Choice Band set to nab those Ghost and Psychic types on the switch, but usually Crunch is better. Low Kick can be useful on almost any set, but Brick Break is more reliable.

Toxic is good to cripple those bulky water types that like to switch into Floatzel, but isn’t recommendable otherwise as it loses coverage and Floatzel has pitful defenses to work with it. Taunt can function, as previously mentioned in the analysis, but only in the right circumstances.

Agility can be noted on the Baton Pass set, but other Pokemon such as Ninjask are better at Baton Passing speed. Substitute is useful too, however Floatzel is that frail and fast that it will be broken in the same turn it is used.

A Specially offensive set with Hydro Pump / Ice Beam / Focus Blast / Hidden Power [Grass] or Aqua Jet can be used, but it is a bit outclassed by Simipour and Samurott. The 2 things that helps Floatzel in this case though are its better speed stat and the "surprise factor" it gives, especially when they switch in bulky pokemon like Misdreavus and take a Hydro Pump in the face. Even with this though, Floatzel has much higher attack stat, and is much more recommended.}}

{{Checks|Zebstrika and Electrode easily outspeed outside of the rain and can revenge kill Floatzel.

At full health, Tangela can cripple and / or set-up on Floatzel without Switcheroo or Ice Beam. Choice Scarf users can pose a threat too, most notably when rain isn't in play.

Anything with decent bulk can take a hit and revenge back, as long as that hit isn't super effective. Priority can revenge Floatzel, especially Skuntank's Sucker Punch. Lastly, paralysis easily shuts Floatzel down as it cripples its speed. Toxic also reduces its lifespan.}}

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