What’s up guys? Today I’m going to write my first analysis. I’m really hyped about this because I’m going to write about one of my favorite Pokémon in gen 7, and even one of my favorites of all time. You know him very well. Clocking in at 7’10” and being 735 pounds of pure muscle, he has shown himself to be quite the formidable physical attacker. He goes by many names, such as beefy mosquito, Swolesquito, and pretty much the name of any overtly muscular fictional character. He likes to flex and show off his gains for all the world to see, even after he’s lost the battle. Here he is, the one and only, Buzzwole!!!

#Stats

They say not to judge a book by its appearance. However, that doesn’t apply in this case. Just from looking at it, it’s safe to assume that it’s a bulky physical attacker with mediocre speed. Are these assumptions correct? Let’s find out.

>HP: 107

>ATK: 139

>DEF: 139

>SP. ATK: 53

>SP. DEF: 53

>SPE: 79

Looks like our assumptions were spot on. Great HP, amazing physical stats, middling speed, and poor special stats. Best not to keep it in on a strong special attacker then.

#Ability

*Beast Boost:* The Pokémon boosts its most proficient stat each time it knocks out a Pokémon.

Due to the way its stats are distributed, the stats that will get the boost will either be Attack or Defense. 99% of the time however, it’s going to be Attack.

#Moves

Buzzwole can run some different moves, depending on what you want out of it. Here are its most commonly used ones.

**Superpower**

Buzzwole’s best move in my opinion. Extremely strong Fighting STAB. If it gets a kill, Beast Boost will offset the Attack drop, meaning it could potentially sweep with it. Used best with Fightinium-Z to nuke bulky threats and potentially stay at +1.

**Hammer Arm**

Slightly weaker and more inaccurate than Superpower, but doesn’t make you more prone to physical attacks. The speed drop makes it perfect for Trick Room teams.

**Leech Life**

Strong Bug STAB. Very good way to get health back when used on Pokémon weak to it. However the numerous amount of types resistant to Bug holds it back.

**Ice Punch**

For elemental coverage. Its main purpose is dealing with Garchomp, who’s very prominent in VGC.

**Poison Jab**

To get rid of those sissy fairies. Could OHKO faster threats in Tailwind.

**Protect**

It’s VGC. If you don’t have this, you’re doing it wrong.

#Sets

Let’s start this section off with the set that I’m using.

>Buzzwole @ Fightinium Z

>Ability: Beast Boost

>EV’s: 164 HP / 252 Atk / 92 Spe

>Adamant Nature

>-Superpower

>-Leech Life

>-Poison Jab

>-Protect

Perhaps its best and most common set. The 92 Spe allows it to outspeed Modest Scarfed Lele when under the effects of Tailwind. As such, with Tailwind up it basically becomes a physical Pheromosa with much better bulk. Why the Fightinium-Z? Well here’s a calc that’ll tell you everything.

>252+ Atk Buzzwole All-Out Pummeling (190 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Porygon2: 194-230 (101 - 119.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

That’s right. It gets a guaranteed OHKO against the bulkiest mon in the format, even when it’s fully invested in physical defense. Easily the most satisfying calc in the format. It’s also a good nuke to have for taking out some bulkier threats. Here’s some more calcs that’ll show you just how good a nuke it can be.

>252+ Atk Buzzwole All-Out Pummeling (190 BP) vs. 252 HP / 140 Def Oranguru: 190-225 (96.4 - 114.2%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO

>252+ Atk Buzzwole All-Out Pummeling (190 BP) vs. 228 HP / 116 Def Celesteela: 163-193 (81 - 96%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

>252+ Atk Buzzwole All-Out Pummeling (190 BP) vs. 236 HP / 156+ Def Gastrodon: 190-225 (87.9 - 104.1%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO

>252+ Atk Buzzwole All-Out Pummeling (190 BP) vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Muk-Alola: 234-276 (110.3 - 130.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Besides being a strong nuke, I use it as an anti-TR weapon. Porygon2 and Oranguru are very common TR setters, and it can OHKO both of them. After all, they can’t set up TR if they’re dead. Unfortunately, there’s nothing it can do against Mimikyu, which is why I have Whirlwind on my Braviary.

>Buzzwole @ Assault Vest

>Ability: Beast Boost

>Level: 50

>EVs: 20 HP / 84 Atk / 4 Def / 252 SpD / 148 Spe

>Adamant Nature

>-Superpower

>-Leech Life

>-Ice Punch

>-Poison Jab

As we’ve already established before, Buzzwole has terrible Special Defense. However, with max investment combined with an Assault Vest, it can tank a lot of special attacks and hit back hard.

Offensively this spread just hits the benchmark to OHKO Garchomp with Ice Punch

>84+ Atk Buzzwole Ice Punch vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Garchomp: 184-220 (100.5-120.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

And defensively…well, take a look

>252+ SpA Tapu Lele Moonblast vs. 20 HP / 252 SpD Assault Vest Buzzwole: 138-164 (74.5-88.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

>252 SpA Life Orb Tapu Koko Dazzling Gleam vs. 20 HP / 252 SpD Assault Vest Buzzwole: 81-96 (43.7-51.8%) -- 9.8% chance to 2HKO

>252+ Atk Arcanine Flare Blitz vs. 20 HP / 4 Def Buzzwole: 152-180 (82.1-97.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

>252+ SpA Golduck Hydro Vortex (185 BP) vs. 20 HP / 252 SpD Assault Vest Buzzwole in Rain: 160-190 (86.4-102.7%) -- 18.8% chance to OHKO

Yep, not even a Moonblast from Lele can oneshot it. Terrain boosted Psychic can still kill it though, so you might want to switch out from it still.

#Checks/Counters

Buzzwole is a great Pokémon, but unfortunately it’s not a top pick because so many other top picks have the tools to fight it off. Brace yourselves, this list will be pretty long.

**Alolan Marowak:** Resists every single move Buzzwole has, and can oneshot it with Flare Blitz.

**Tapu Lele:** As I’ve mentioned earlier, a terrain boosted Psychic is sure to kill it no matter what. Poison Jab in Tailwind can help, but it’s a matter of luck, as this calc will show.

>252+ Atk Buzzwole Poison Jab vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Lele: 134-158 (92.4 - 108.9%) -- 50% chance to OHKO

**Mimikyu:** None of Buzzwole’s moves can do anything to stop it from setting up TR. Play Rough and its chance to lower attack doesn’t help matters either.

**Arcanine:** Has Intimidate to lower attack and Flare Blitz to deal some really heavy damage. Also has Extremespeed for chip in case of Tailwind.

**Tapu Koko:** Unless you’re properly invested, a terrain boosted Thunderbolt is sure to oneshot. Not even Tailwind PJab can help if you’re not boosted.

>252+ Atk Buzzwole Poison Jab vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Koko: 122-144 (84.1 - 99.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

And you’ll need at least 180 SpDef EV’s if you want to live a Life Orb Thunderbolt

>252 SpA Life Orb Tapu Koko Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 180 SpD Buzzwole in Electric Terrain: 153-181 (84 - 99.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

**Tapu Fini:** Since it most commonly runs max SpA specs, it’s gonna hit Buzzwole pretty hard. Tailwind PJab might not be so great against it due to its really good bulk.

>252+ Atk Buzzwole Poison Jab vs. 252 HP / 20 Def Tapu Fini: 92-110 (51.9 - 62.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

**Pelipper:** Tanks a lot of Buzzwole’s attacks, and with Drizzle it has access to a 100 accuracy Hurricane, which is STAB, is 4x effective, and is a special attack. I’ll let you figure out the rest.

**Drifblim:** Buzzwole can’t do much to stop it from setting up Tailwind, and it has Will-O-Wisp to cripple it.

**Torkoal:** Very physically bulky and has Eruption, which is made even stronger thanks to Drought. It’s slower, but commonly has After You and Quash support.

#Teammates

**Garchomp:** A very good partner to have, especially when scarfed. Can kill some faster threats such as Koko to give Buzzwole some more breathing room. It damages it with EQ, but thanks to its great physical bulk and ground resistance, that hardly matters.

**Braviary:** My favorite Tailwind setter, and a great intimidate deterrent. At +1 it can OHKO offensive variants of Arcanine with Brave Bird, and even with Return.

>+1 252+ Atk Braviary Return vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Arcanine: 166-196 (100 - 118%) -- guaranteed OHKO

**Tapu Fini:** Misty Surge can prevent Buzzwole from getting burned, thus keeping its offensive prowess in check.

**Arcanine:** Has intimidate to give Buzzwole more functional bulk, and extreme speed to chip off some faster threats.

**Kartana:** Hits most of the Tapus super effectively. Under Tailwind, these two can double up to take out a lot of important threats.

**Porygon2:** One of the best Trick Room setters in the format, which is very useful if you’re using Hammer Arm instead of Superpower.

#Conclusion

Buzzwole definitely has its uses in the current VGC format. It can hit hard, tank some hits, and potentially snowball in the right circumstances. Unfortunately, all the big players in the format just won’t let it come out to play most of the time. So is Buzzwole an amazing mon that’ll easily qualify you for Worlds? Most likely not. Is it really fun to use? Hell. Fucking. Yes.

Well, there you have it. My first analysis, but certainly not the last. Once Mega Aggron comes out, I’ll do some testing with it in OU and write an analysis about it. Look forward to it.

Shout outs to all my discord friends for providing feedback and giving me suggestions. You guys are awesome.