Hello dear smogoners!
I've been wondering for quite a while what are the most optimal monsters to use for the sole purpose of Max Raid battles. Etenratus, Zacian and Zamazenta are clearly in the S tier, but what other picks would be extremely useful? What type combinations would be the most problematic for those 3? Also as far as I know, every raid mon has its own points of damage dose it can take before it gets behind a barrier. With that in mind is going for as much damage output as possible really the most optimal strat? Does anybody know if inflicting the status conditions such as Freeze, Poison, Paralyze or Sleep affect the catching formula?
Here are my 2 pupils that have been putting in work. I encourage you to post your own picks and views. I will add all decent sets to this post for future reference!
I've been wondering for quite a while what are the most optimal monsters to use for the sole purpose of Max Raid battles. Etenratus, Zacian and Zamazenta are clearly in the S tier, but what other picks would be extremely useful? What type combinations would be the most problematic for those 3? Also as far as I know, every raid mon has its own points of damage dose it can take before it gets behind a barrier. With that in mind is going for as much damage output as possible really the most optimal strat? Does anybody know if inflicting the status conditions such as Freeze, Poison, Paralyze or Sleep affect the catching formula?
Here are my 2 pupils that have been putting in work. I encourage you to post your own picks and views. I will add all decent sets to this post for future reference!
Zacian-Crowned @ Rusted Sword
Ability: Intrepid Sword
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Behemoth Blade
- Play Rough
- Close Combat
- Wild Charge
Ability: Intrepid Sword
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Behemoth Blade
- Play Rough
- Close Combat
- Wild Charge
Eternatus @ Choice Specs
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Dynamax Cannon
- Sludge Bomb
- Flamethrower
- Toxic
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Dynamax Cannon
- Sludge Bomb
- Flamethrower
- Toxic
Dracovish @ Choice Band
Ability: Strong Jaw
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Fishious Rend
- Outrage
- Psychic Fangs
- Crunch
Ability: Strong Jaw
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Fishious Rend
- Outrage
- Psychic Fangs
- Crunch
Darmanitan-Galar @ Choice Band
Ability: Gorilla Tactics
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Icicle Crash
- Flare Blitz
- Earthquake
- Superpower
Ability: Gorilla Tactics
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Icicle Crash
- Flare Blitz
- Earthquake
- Superpower
Zamazenta-Crowned @ Rusted Shield
Ability: Dauntless Shield
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Behemoth Bash
- Close Combat
- Crunch
- Wild Charge
Ability: Dauntless Shield
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Behemoth Bash
- Close Combat
- Crunch
- Wild Charge
Lapras @ Wide Lens
Level: 100
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpAtk
Modest Nature
- Sheer Cold / Fissure / Horn Drill
- Hydro Pump
- Freeze Dry
- Life Dew
Level: 100
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpAtk
Modest Nature
- Sheer Cold / Fissure / Horn Drill
- Hydro Pump
- Freeze Dry
- Life Dew
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