#286 Breloom
Typing: Fighting/Grass
Abilities: Poison Heal- Heals 1/8th health when poisoned
Effect Spore: Inflicts paralysis, sleep or poison when struck
60/130/80/60/60/70
Breloom@Toxic Orb
Adamant/Poison Heal
44Hp/252Atk/212Spe
-Spore
-Stun Spore
-Substitute
-Focus Punch
A combination of the SubPunch and Double Powder set, but this set plays slightly different than both. The idea is to come in on something slower than you then Spore. Sub up on the switch then Stun Spore whatever comes in. With Toxic Orb healing off 1/8 of your health each turn your more than guaranteed to get a sub up against your paralyzed foe, at which point you proceed to Falcon Punch them in the face off a beastly 394 Attack stat. While this set is completely walled by Ghosts, none, not even the slow ones, enjoy being paralyzed, and pokes like Gengar and Mismagius are almost completely shut down when paralyzed.
Scarfloom
Breloom@Choice Scarf
Jolly/Poison Heal
252Atk/228Spe/30Hp
-Super Power
-Seed Bomb
-Spore
-Stone Edge
It always struck me as odd that Breloom never had a choice set, and then I realized that without Focus Punch his best choice for a STAB Fighting move was Sky Uppercut. The Platinum updates have alleviated it of this problem by giving it the now very common Super Power. This set acts more as a revenge killer operating off Brelooms huge attack stat and useful resistance to Stealth Rocks allowing it to come in multiple times. 228 Speed EV's and a +Speed nature puts you at 384, one point above Jolly Weavile. Don't bother maxing speed as you'll only hit 393, one point below Jolly Aerodactyl.
Super Power is your main move here as the stat drop is negated by the fact that Breloom will most likely be switching out after attacking. Seed Bomb provides a powerful secondary STAB move that deals with Bulky Waters and Hippowdon. Spore is useful as a surprise move on pokemon who don't expect to be out sped by Breloom like Tyranitar after a single Dragon Dance. Stone Edge in the final slot is a must as it hits fliers like Gyarados and Zapdos hard.
Poison Heal is generally the better option for this set as the ability to freely switch in to Toxic and Toxic Spikes is always a huge plus, however Effect Spore could have some use. While Breloom doesn't have amazing defenses it's typing does allow for some useful resistances like Ground and Water, giving it the ability to switch in on weaker hits from the likes of Swampert and Hippowdon and possibly status them.
Sub Punch
Breloom@Toxic Orb
Adamant/Toxic Heal
252Atk/212Spe/44Hp
-Spore
-Substitute
-Focus Punch
-Seed Bomb/Stone Edge
Less stalling, more killing, a standard Sub Punch set made all the better by Brelooms ability to heal off 1/8th of his HP a turn. Spore what's slower than you, sub up then begin your rampage. Seed Bomb is a strong secondary STAB move, however Grass has rather poor coverage and with focus punch is walled by Flying types, so stone edge is an acceptable replacement. The EV's are standard for maximum HP recovery as well as out speeding max speed Tyranitar and puts you a few points above minimum speed Base 95's.
Extra Options:
On the stall set you have the option to replace Focus Punch with something more neutral if you prefer. Stone Edge hits fliers hard but the 8 PP and imperfect accuracy make it a rather poor option for a stalling set. In general, as you aren't actually trying to sweep with this, Focus Punch is your best bet. The Scarfer can drop Spore for another offensive move, however Spore is the best option if you're leading with it. Breloom gained Thunderpunch through the platinum updates but it's only really an option for Gyarados, who is already hit hard by Stone Edge. Facade can be used on the Scarf set as a boost from Toxic Spikes will give it 140 Base Power
EV's:
The standard 44Hp/252Atk/212Spe for maximum health recovery and damage. No defensive EV's are used as this set is less about taking hits and more about letting the subs take hits for you. You can run Max Speed if you prefer, although you don't stand to outspeed much more than you already do other than other Breloom which usually can't be Spored/Stun Spored anyways. If you do wish to use max speed take the extra EV's out of Attack.
For the Scarf Set just go with the EV's listed.
Counters:
Roar/Whirlwind pokemon are the best counters. Rest Talk Cresselia is the absolute best counter, taking minimal damage from Focus Punch and absorbing status' like a champ. Other than that not much. Once this guy's in he's a ******* to get rid of. Anything faster than him is quickly made slow and anything slower than him is in danger of being put to sleep. Bulky Rest Talkers can function well but many don't enjoy taking a full powered Focus Punch to the face. Hitmonlee deserves a mention as one of the only pokemon that actually runs Limber so he can absorb stun spore. While it will take a while(a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG while) Dusknoir can eventually take him down, as can Spiritomb. Gengar and Mismagius can wall him, but hate being paralyzed.
Zapdos and Gyarados can take the Sub Punching set if Breloom isn't running Stone Edge and Hippowdon can wall him if he is. Anything faster than him with Taunt can shut down alot of his strategies, although they wont enjoy the surprise of finding out you're running the Scarf Set. Mamoswine and Weavile can beat any set with STAB Ice Shard if they get in before you set a sub up.
Written by Pink Reaper