LC Spotlight: Foongus

By Starly Released: 2019/03/04.
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art

Art by Iyarito.

Introduction

Since its arrival in BW, Foongus has been a unique Pokémon with lots of appeal. With access to Spore and Regenerator and the introduction of Eviolite, Foongus had a distinctive niche as a defensive pivot worth consideration on many teams. Now in USM LC, Foongus is more viable than ever. Foongus's valuable defensive typing and access to Regenerator allow it to consistently check a number of common Pokémon; in particular its ability to frequently force out the likes of Mienfoo and Snivy is extremely beneficial and allows Foongus to generate some momentum with Spore. Foongus has cemented itself as one of the premier defensive Pokémon in Little Cup; in this article, we'll see what exactly let Foongus rise to stardom.

Foongus Back Then

foongus

BW introduced both Foongus and Eviolite, the latter of which completely reshaped the tier. Foongus was one of many Pokémon to benefit from a much bulkier metagame, but it only began to see notable use as a sleep user after BW2 gifted it Regenerator. Foongus's viability was somewhat tumultuous as the metagame shifted after various bans, most notably after Scraggy's departure. Yet, due to sleep turns resetting upon switching out in BW, Foongus would always remain viable. Nasty Plot Misdreavus tended to give Foongus trouble if something else had already been put to sleep, however, which was a massive downside to using Foongus. Similarly, Mienfoo's most common sets faired rather well against Foongus, notably Flying Gem Acrobatics, which threatened an OHKO. However, being a Toxic Spikes absorber was a nice trait in the tier, and checking both Bulk Up Timburr and Carvanha made Foongus worth using.

foongus

While the buff to Knock Off in XY certainly affected Foongus's ability to take hits, its passive healing from Regenerator gave it much more staying power than other choices. Without Eviolite, Foongus could not pivot into neutral attacks as comfortably as it could before. Another big blow to Foongus's viability was that sleep mechanics were toned down, and Grass-types such as Ferroseed could now wall and defeat it with relative ease. Additionally, Ferroseed absolutely humiliated Foongus if it ran dual status due to taking little to no damage from either of its STAB moves and being immune to both Spore and Stun Spore, letting it exploit Foongus's passivity and set Spikes with little to no threat. These changes caused Foongus to more often run a Hidden Power to wear down common switch-ins. This slightly more offensive inclination paired with the introduction of Fairy-types gave Foongus a distinct place on balance teams. However, Foongus's dominance was frequently curtailed by Gothita, which lent to other Fighting-type answers becoming more common towards the end of the generation.

Foongus Now

foongus

SM brought more changes that benefited Foongus greatly. Chiefly, Foongus no longer needs to manage the problem of being trapped by the now banned Gothita. With Vullaby running Weak Armor more often than ever, Foongus needs to only worry about opposing Grass-types when using Spore. Synthesis is run over Hidden Power or Clear Smog, as the self-sustain allows Foongus to ensure that it can stay on the field longer. Importantly, Synthesis allows Foongus to more comfortably check Snivy and Mienfoo and generally makes Foongus much more difficult to wear down or outlast.

Playing With Foongus

Foongus's solid bulk and dual typing allow it to serve as a defensive pivot that can come in on a myriad of Pokémon, such as Mienfoo, Snivy, Onix, Spritzee, and Timburr. Tanks such as Onix and Tirtouga work well with Foongus, as their typing combined with Foongus's covers a respectable portion of the current metagame. Other Regenerator users such as Mienfoo also enjoy Foongus's company to continuously pivot and regenerate health to wear out the opposing team. Everyone loves Spore's ability to put an enemy to sleep, so try to identify threats that rival your own damage dealers and look to put them out of commission. When faced with an enemy Foongus, removing the opposing Foongus's Eviolite with Knock Off while maintaining your own will allow you to win the "Foongus Wars." Try to predict when an enemy may come in with a Grass-type to soak up a Spore and surprise them with a Sludge Bomb instead, or double switch into a teammate that takes advantage of Foongus's check if you're feeling confident.

GOOD CORES

Foongus + Vullaby

Foongus + vullaby

Little Cup's top bird appreciates Foongus's Spore absorbing, allowing it to run the more versatile Weak Armor. Vullaby itself carries great utility in Knock Off and U-turn and is often able to take care of an opposing Foongus with a timely switch. Foongus itself takes care of enemy Rock-types such as Onix and Tirtouga, clearing the way for Vullaby. Bulkier Vullaby sets carrying Berry Juice can often serve alongside Foongus as a great defensive pairing; both Pokémon are great answers to the many Fighting-types throughout Little Cup and can restore their HP when weakened.

Foongus + Mienfoo

Foongus + mienfoo

Mienfoo's kit complements Foongus's incredibly well. Their Regenerator abilities enable consistent defensive support for the rest of your team. In a metagame where Knock Off is omnipresent and Foongus vs Foongus battles are often decided on which one still carries Eviolite, Mienfoo can serve as a Knock Off absorber for Foongus. More offensive Mienfoo sets appreciate Foongus's solid defensive stats, Spore, and the ability to U-turn into a teammate that can take a hit. However, both Pokémon fear the equally dominant Flying-types throughout LC.

Foongus + Onix or Tirtouga

Foongus + onix / tirtouga

As mentioned above, these tanks work well with Foongus. Although nothing on this core enjoys eating a Knock Off, the Rock-types wall common Foongus checks such as Vullaby and Ponyta. They can also set Stealth Rock, which synergizes well with Foongus's ability to force a switch on a fear of Spore or Sludge Bomb.

Foongus + Mudbray or Diglett

Foongus + mudbray / diglett

Both Ground-types help eliminate popular Steel-type Pokémon such as Pawniard and Magnemite from the battle. Pawniard carries Knock Off and is immune to Sludge Bomb, making it a popular switch-in when Spore has already put a threat to sleep. Magnemite can often pivot easily with Volt Switch, turning the momentum in favor away from Foongus. Diglett's greater Speed and Arena Trap allow it to eliminate these threats, although it can't reliably take a hit. Mudbray is far bulkier, and Stamina allows it take on physical threats such as Vullaby and Pawniard with general ease.

Playing Against Foongus

As Foongus is one of the best tanks in Little Cup, nearly every team has a Foongus check of some sorts. Opposing Foongus are immune to Spore, while Vullaby can run Overcoat to turn the tables on the mushroom. Furthermore, wallbreakers such as Abra and Ponyta can often OHKO Foongus if it has incurred some chip damage or has lost its Eviolite. Chespin and Ferroseed utterly wall Foongus thanks to Bulletproof on the former and a Steel typing on the latter and can use Foongus as bait to set Spikes or Knock Off its Eviolite. Setup sweepers can often exploit Foongus's poor offensive presence; Nasty Plot Vullaby can carry Overcoat to nullify Spore, although it must be wary of getting poisoned. Finally, Foongus itself has no reliable way to pivot out itself and can often be the victim of U-turn from Mienfoo and Vullaby, both of which deal a quarter of Foongus's health in damage while pivoting to a check.

Final Thoughts

Despite the resurgence of offensive cores such as Gastly + Abra in Little Cup, Foongus remains a solid pivot in the tier. Carrying both great utility and a great movepool with the stats to back it up, Foongus is a premier defensive pivot in Little Cup. Bring this mushroom along, give it some support, and you'll have your opponents clamoring for a Foongus ban in no time.

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