Tauros
Dec 20, 2011 17:30:18 GMT -8
Post by WaterWizard on Dec 20, 2011 17:30:18 GMT -8
353 298 288 318 238
Tier: OU
General Bio:
Tauros is a fast, powerful physical sweeper and holds a unique place in RBY. Known for for frequently critical hits and crippling Body Slams, this pokemon is seen on almost every single team because he is the best at what he does. Tauros is a fantastic revenge killer, too, as he is very difficult to switch into, so weakened pokemon usually just stay in to die. With strong normal STAB and type coverage through Blizzard and Earthquake, Tauros can hit just about everyone hard.
Movesets:
"The Standard"
Body Slam, Hyper Beam, Earthquake, Blizzard
With this set, Tauros has the most type coverage possible out of his movepool. Body Slam is the move of choice, as it provides consistent high damage and can paralyze 30% of the time. Hyper Beam is for finishing, and due to RBY's mechanics, Tauros does not have to recharge if he can KO the foe with this attack. Earthquake is primarily for Gengar, but can also be used to check for the presence of Counter. Blizzard is the most common 4th move, used to hit grounds, as well as Exeggutor and Zapdos when Body Slam isn't going to cut it. While Blizzard does more to Golem and Rhydon than Earthquake, the combination of the two attacks will usually KO them, so many users prefer to use EQ once due to the higher accuracy and also because of the generally stronger power if the foe switches out.
Alternative Options:
-Thunder/Thunderbolt is occasionally used in place of Blizzard for a better chance against Cloyster and Kingler.
-Stomp can be used to flinch the foe. This attack is particularly useful in Stadium, usually over Hyper Beam, because the flinch rate is increased.
-Double-Edge provides a bit more oomph for those who want it, though the recoil and the lack of paralysis inducement dissuades most trainers.
Counters:
There are really no true counters to Tauros, as no one can fight him and walk away unscathed. The best bets are bulky aquatics like Cloyster, Lapras, and Kingler, as well as Reflect Articuno. These pokemon can usually 2HKO Tauros with STAB special attacks. The problem is that Tauros has an incredible knack for scoring a critical hit, an event which quickly turns the match-up in Tauros' favor. Slowbro can also counter will, by crippling and then setting up, resting whenever needed, until the opportune time to strike back. Again, critical hits will prove to be the undoing of anyone who goes up against Tauros. Other pokemon worth mentioning are Reflect Snorlax, and Counter-Chansey and Counter-Snorlax.
Aside from trying to actually counter Tauros through physical strength, you can try to paralyze it and hit him with special attacks. Those pokes who can recover HP can paralyze him and then try to hit and recover, but again, they'll quickly succumb to his critical hits or paraslams. Even so, after Tauros is paralyzed and damaged he can usually be revenge killed fairly easily.
Team Role:
Tauros provides the physical pressure that every team needs to break the otherwise specially-dominated metagame. Other pokemon like Persian, Kangaskhan, and Snorlax can provide power, but these pokes usually run along side Tauros instead of outright replacing him. While Tauros is usually used as a late-game sweeper, he can also switch in on sleeping pokemon during the mid-game to dish out some physical power in a hit-and-run.
~
Contributors to this analysis: WaterWizard, Earthworm, Crystal
Tier: OU
General Bio:
Tauros is a fast, powerful physical sweeper and holds a unique place in RBY. Known for for frequently critical hits and crippling Body Slams, this pokemon is seen on almost every single team because he is the best at what he does. Tauros is a fantastic revenge killer, too, as he is very difficult to switch into, so weakened pokemon usually just stay in to die. With strong normal STAB and type coverage through Blizzard and Earthquake, Tauros can hit just about everyone hard.
Movesets:
"The Standard"
Body Slam, Hyper Beam, Earthquake, Blizzard
With this set, Tauros has the most type coverage possible out of his movepool. Body Slam is the move of choice, as it provides consistent high damage and can paralyze 30% of the time. Hyper Beam is for finishing, and due to RBY's mechanics, Tauros does not have to recharge if he can KO the foe with this attack. Earthquake is primarily for Gengar, but can also be used to check for the presence of Counter. Blizzard is the most common 4th move, used to hit grounds, as well as Exeggutor and Zapdos when Body Slam isn't going to cut it. While Blizzard does more to Golem and Rhydon than Earthquake, the combination of the two attacks will usually KO them, so many users prefer to use EQ once due to the higher accuracy and also because of the generally stronger power if the foe switches out.
Alternative Options:
-Thunder/Thunderbolt is occasionally used in place of Blizzard for a better chance against Cloyster and Kingler.
-Stomp can be used to flinch the foe. This attack is particularly useful in Stadium, usually over Hyper Beam, because the flinch rate is increased.
-Double-Edge provides a bit more oomph for those who want it, though the recoil and the lack of paralysis inducement dissuades most trainers.
Counters:
There are really no true counters to Tauros, as no one can fight him and walk away unscathed. The best bets are bulky aquatics like Cloyster, Lapras, and Kingler, as well as Reflect Articuno. These pokemon can usually 2HKO Tauros with STAB special attacks. The problem is that Tauros has an incredible knack for scoring a critical hit, an event which quickly turns the match-up in Tauros' favor. Slowbro can also counter will, by crippling and then setting up, resting whenever needed, until the opportune time to strike back. Again, critical hits will prove to be the undoing of anyone who goes up against Tauros. Other pokemon worth mentioning are Reflect Snorlax, and Counter-Chansey and Counter-Snorlax.
Aside from trying to actually counter Tauros through physical strength, you can try to paralyze it and hit him with special attacks. Those pokes who can recover HP can paralyze him and then try to hit and recover, but again, they'll quickly succumb to his critical hits or paraslams. Even so, after Tauros is paralyzed and damaged he can usually be revenge killed fairly easily.
Team Role:
Tauros provides the physical pressure that every team needs to break the otherwise specially-dominated metagame. Other pokemon like Persian, Kangaskhan, and Snorlax can provide power, but these pokes usually run along side Tauros instead of outright replacing him. While Tauros is usually used as a late-game sweeper, he can also switch in on sleeping pokemon during the mid-game to dish out some physical power in a hit-and-run.
~
Contributors to this analysis: WaterWizard, Earthworm, Crystal