Archaludon Smogon: A Comprehensive Guide to the Ancient Dragon

Archaludon, the ancient and formidable dragon introduced in Generation IX of the Pokémon franchise, has garnered significant attention from both competitive and casual players alike. With its unique abilities and powerful moves, Archaludon has quickly become a force to be reckoned with in the Smogon competitive meta. This guide will delve into the intricacies of Archaludon Smogon, providing an in-depth analysis of its strengths, weaknesses, and strategies to unleash its full potential.

Archaludon Smogon Overview

Archaludon is a Dragon/Steel-type Pokémon possessing exceptional stats, with a base stat total of 600. It boasts impressive Attack (130), Special Attack (110), and Defense (120), making it a formidable offensive and defensive force. Its Steel typing grants it resistance to a wide range of common attacks, including Normal, Flying, Rock, Bug, Grass, Psychic, Ice, Dragon, and Fairy. However, its Dragon typing makes it vulnerable to Ice and Dragon-type attacks.

Abilities

Archaludon possesses two abilities:

Mold Breaker: This ability ignores the abilities of opposing Pokémon, allowing Archaludon to bypass common abilities like Levitate, Sturdy, and Shadow Tag. This makes it especially effective against Pokémon that rely on their abilities for survival.

Unaware: This ability prevents Archaludon from being affected by stat changes, both positive and negative. This makes it immune to common strategies that involve boosting or lowering stats, such as Swords Dance or Intimidate.

Moves

Archaludon has access to a versatile movepool, including powerful physical and special attacks. Some of its key moves include:

Earthquake: A powerful Ground-type move that deals significant damage to opposing Pokémon.

Draco Meteor: A devastating Dragon-type special attack that deals massive damage but lowers Archaludon's Special Attack by two stages.

Swords Dance: A physical attack that increases Archaludon's Attack by two stages, boosting its offensive presence.

Protect: A defensive move that allows Archaludon to protect itself from incoming attacks.

Types and Movesets

Archaludon can be played effectively in various types of Smogon formats. Here are some common builds:

Physical Attacker:
* Moveset: Earthquake, Swords Dance, Headlong Rush, Protect
* Nature: Adamant (+Attack, -Special Attack)

Special Attacker:
* Moveset: Draco Meteor, Flamethrower, Focus Blast, Protect
* Nature: Modest (+Special Attack, -Attack)

Mixed Attacker:
* Moveset: Earthquake, Draco Meteor, Swords Dance, Roost
* Nature: Jolly (+Speed, -Special Attack)

Defensive Tank:
* Moveset: Stealth Rock, Protect, Earthquake, Toxic
* Nature: Impish (+Defense, -Special Attack)

Strategies

When using Archaludon in battle, there are several key strategies to consider:

Physical Pressure: Archaludon's high Attack stat allows it to deal significant damage with physical moves like Earthquake and Swords Dance. By boosting its Attack with Swords Dance, Archaludon can become a formidable threat to opposing Pokémon.

Special Coverage: With Draco Meteor, Flamethrower, and Focus Blast, Archaludon has excellent type coverage. This allows it to effectively target a wide range of Pokémon, including Fairy and Steel-types.

Defensive Bulk: Archaludon's Steel typing and Unaware ability make it a tough Pokémon to take down. It can withstand several attacks and outlast opponents with its defensive capabilities.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

To maximize Archaludon's potential, here are some common mistakes to avoid:

• Overreliance on Draco Meteor: Draco Meteor's high damage output comes at a cost, as it lowers Archaludon's Special Attack by two stages. Use this move sparingly and consider alternative special attacks like Flamethrower or Focus Blast.

• Ignoring Type Coverage: Archaludon's Dragon and Steel typing make it vulnerable to Ice and Dragon attacks. Be cautious when facing opponents with Ice Beam or Dragon Claw in their movesets.

• Neglecting Defense: While Archaludon has a high Defense stat, it is still vulnerable to strong physical attacks. Invest in defensive moves like Protect or Roost to ensure its survival on the battlefield.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• High Attack and Special Attack stats
• Excellent type coverage
• Mold Breaker and Unaware abilities
• Strong defensive capabilities

Cons:

• Vulnerability to Ice and Dragon attacks
• Draco Meteor's stat-lowering effect
• Slow speed

Conclusion

Archaludon is a formidable Pokémon in the Smogon competitive meta, offering a unique combination of offensive and defensive capabilities. With its Mold Breaker and Unaware abilities, it can overcome common strategies and deal devastating damage to opposing Pokémon. By understanding its strengths, weaknesses, and strategies, players can unleash the full potential of Archaludon and achieve victory in their Smogon battles.

Additional Resources

• Smogon University: https://www.smogon.com/dex/ss/pokemon/archaludon/
• Pokémon Database: https://pokemondb.net/pokedex/archaludon
• Serebii.net: https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-swsh/archaludon

Tables

Table 1: Archaludon Base Stats

Table 2: Archaludon Egg Groups

| Egg Group |
|---|---|
| Dragon |
| Mineral |

Table 3: Archaludon Level-Up Moves

Table 4: Archaludon TM/HM-Compatible Moves