[OVERVIEW]
Ever since the dawn of time, Snorlax has been one of the best and most threatening Pokemon in GSC. This holds true even up in Ubers, where its absurd power, unpredictability, and hard-to-kill nature, are second to none, and thus, grants Snorlax a spot in every single competitive Ubers team. Snorlax's sole presence warps the entire metagame around it, forcing teams to pack not only one, but multiple answers for it, while Snorlax, simultaneously, checks a wide array of very threatening Pokemon like Mewtwo, Zapdos, and Jolteon. Snorlax is one of the best progress maker in the format with its Curse set, relentlessly forcing its way through the opposition with absurd power and bulk alike, while also having other options like Belly Drum to annihilate defensive or paralyzed teams. Snorlax can do whatever its team needs it to do, and does it with an unmatched game-to-game consistency.
However, not everything is perfect for Snorlax. Because of how metagame warping Snorlax is, teams pack a lot of answers to it, such as Tyranitar, Golem, and Steelix, all of which can phaze Snorlax out with Roar, with Golem and Steelix even having access to Explosion to threaten a huge dent in Snorlax's HP. Other ways of dealing with Snorlax include Explosion from Pokemon like Mewtwo, Mew, and Gengar, all of which can KO Snorlax after some chip damage, although Snorlax can survive the explosions if it has enough Curse boosts. More defensive teams pack sturdy checks to Snorlax such as Barrier Mewtwo, Skarmory, and Lugia, all of which can be massive roadblocks for Snorlax. Lastly, Snorlax doesn't commonly run Sleep Talk, meaning that once its been forced to use Rest, or put to sleep with Sleep Powder or Lovely Kiss, the enemy team can use this opportunity to freely take advantage of it, as Snorlax won't have ways to punish them. Make no mistake, however, as despise these flaws, Snorlax is still King, and thus, should be given the utmost respect, or you will face the consequences.
[SET]
name: Monolax
move 1: Double-Edge / Body Slam
move 2: Curse
move 3: Rest
move 4: Lovely Kiss / Sleep Talk
item: Leftovers
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Monolax combines consistency and power to be the standard Snorlax set in Ubers. As STAB move, Double-Edge is the default choice, as thanks to its high damage output, it is vastly preferred over the other options due to it's powerful hits against threats like Mewtwo, Zapdos, and Mew, Pokemon that Snorlax 3HKOes unboosted, and 2HKOes at +1. Body Slam is the other option, allowing Snorlax to spread paralysis against common switchins to it, giving room for teammates like Mew and Marowak to benefit from it. However, it must be noted that Body Slam is an inferior option in terms of damage, missing the aforementioned benchmarks on the mentioned Pokemon; Body Slam Snorlax also cannot 3HKO opposing Snorlax in the mirror matchup, and thus, relies on paralyzing it to beat it, unlike Double-Edge, which consistently 3HKOes it. Furthermore, Body Slam versions of Snorlax are completely helpless against Tyranitar, and need of slower teammates that appreciate the paralysis, like Golem, Exeggutor, or Marowak to beat it, where Double-Edge variants can potentially overwhelm it with Lovely Kiss. Curse allows Snorlax to dish out powerful attacks, nearly 2HKOing common switchins to it, such as Cloyster, Celebi, and Mewtwo, at +1; Curse also makes Snorlax significantly bulkier, allowing it to tank hits more easily, while also increasing Snorlax's firepower, forcing its opponent to react quickly to it before it gets out of hand, with common answers being phazing it, or poisoning it with Toxic to force it to use Rest. Rest allows Snorlax to stay healthy and consistently check threatening Pokemon, like Zapdos and Mewtwo. Lastly, Lovely Kiss gives Snorlax a tool to put opposing Pokemon to sleep, potentially allowing it to power through its checks with boosted attacks. Snorlax has a very potent sleep-inducing role, because common users of Sleep Talk Pokemon in the format, like Zapdos, don't appreciate tanking Snorlax's hits, meaning that there are no good absorbers of Lovely Kiss, and thus, no good checks to it, as Snorlax can power through them with its attacks.
Sleep Talk is an option over Lovely Kiss, sacrificing Snorlax's ability to induce sleep but giving it a massive advantage against very powerful attackers, like Zapdos and opposing Lovely Kiss Snorlax. Sleep Talk Snorlax is one of the very few Pokemon that can deal with an opposing Lovely Kiss Snorlax, as it can tank hits from itself, with each and every one of the Sleep Talk rolls being favorable for Snorlax, either by getting stronger and bulkier with Curse, recovering HP with Rest, or by attacking.
Monolax can be played both offensively and defensively, depending on what its team needs. Snorlax's attacks are tough for the opponent to tank without consistent walls, so one should try and scout what the opponent's main switch-in to Snorlax is, either by using Curse or by attacking. If the situation demands it, however, Snorlax should fearlessly use its other moves to counter-attack the threats it has in front; for example, against Growth + Baton Pass teams, Snorlax should utilize its superb bulk and access to Lovely Kiss to momentarily stop the Mewtwo that has been passed the Growth, for a teammate to phaze it out afterwards.
Team Options
========
Snorlax is extremely flexible, being able to fit on all kinds of teams. Pokemon that can deal with the Rock- and Steel-type Pokemon that annoy Monolax, like Celebi and Zapdos, respectively, are good teammates for it. Additionally, Explosion and Self-Destruct are also used to take down Snorlax, with every team having one or more Explosion users; because of this, Pokemon that can take these hits directed towards Snorlax, like Steelix and Gengar, pair nicely with Snorlax on offensive teams. Tyranitar and Steelix are especially nice alongside Monolax, as they all share common checks in Barrier Mewtwo, Skarmory, and Cloyster, meaning that they can work together to take them down; Tyranitar additionally can potentially lure checks to Monolax, like Skarmory and Forretress, with Fire Blast. Other Pokemon that carry Fire-type moves, like Mewtwo and Exeggutor, are also good partners for Monolax, as they can help Snorlax by taking out checks to it like Steelix, while Exeggutor also helps against Tyranitar, Golem, Cloyster, and Gengar. Monolax appreciates Spikes support from Cloyster or Forretress because most of its checks are grounded. Pursuit users like Tyranitar and Houndoom are also good teammates, as Monolax appreciates Ghost-types like Gengar being taken down.
[SET]
name: Curselax
move 1: Double-Edge / Body Slam
move 2: Curse
move 3: Earthquake / Flamethrower / Fire Blast
move 4: Rest
item: Leftovers
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Curselax can bait and lure checks to itself with super-effective moves, where Monolax must land Lovely Kiss to beat them. This allows Snorlax to bait-and-lure common checks for itself without recurring in team slots or hoping the opposing Pokemon stays asleep for long. Double-Edge is the preferred STAB option as it 3HKOes Mewtwo, Zapdos, Mew, and Ho-Oh unboosted, while giving Curselax a consistent high damage move to use against opposing Snorlax. Body Slam is the other option if spreading paralysis in checks to Snorlax like Tyranitar, Steelix, Mewtwo, Cloyster, and Forretress, is preferred.The choice in coverage depends on what Snorlax wants to lure, and what its team needs. Earthquake hits Tyranitar, Golem, and Steelix quite hard, and works perfectly alongside Body Slam's chance of paralysis, as the aforementioned Pokemon will be slower than Curselax after paralysis, and thus, will get 2HKOing the former two while dealing up to 46% to Steelix at +1. Earthquake also targets Gengar, an otherwise hard-counter to Snorlax, for devastating damage, 2HKOing it unboosted and OHKOing it at +1.
One of Flamethrower or Fire Blast can be used over Earthquake in case Snorlax wants to lure other Pokemon. Flamethrower allows Snorlax to deal critical damage to Forretress, a Pokemon that usually stays in on Snorlax to click Spikes or Toxic; however, it barely comes short from OHKOing it. Flamethrower also hits Skarmory, one of the best counters to Snorlax, for a 3HKO, and retains the super-effective hit on Steelix. Fire Blast is a more powerful move that outright OHKOes Forretress and 2HKOes Skarmory and Steelix, but the low accuracy might be off-putting; Fire Blast also only has 8 PP, which makes it prone to getting stalled after it's been revealed. Furthermore, Forretress can be potentially taken down with the combination of Double-Edge and Flamethrower, rendering Fire Blast as an inferior option. Overall, Fire-type coverage Curselax is better against defensive or stall teams due to these carrying one of Forretress or Skarmory to check Monolax, both of which get cooked by Fire-type coverage, while Earthquake Curselax is better against offensive teams due to them oftentimes having only Tyranitar and Cloyster as defensive Snorlax checks, both of which get lured by +1 Earthquake and Double-Edge respectively.
Team Options
========
Curselax teammate's depend on what coverage option its running, although there are Pokemon that enjoy having any Curselax variant as teammate. For example, Pokemon like Tyranitar and Mew are good teammates because they share common checks, namely Cloyster, Steelix, and Barrier Mewtwo. Earthquake Snorlax can take out Steelix with boosted attacks, while Tyranitar beasts Barrier Mewtwo one-on-one with the combination of Curse, Roar, and Rest, and also 3HKOes Cloyster with Rock Slide. Mew on the other hand can break through its checks with a boosted Explosion, or a boosted Earthquake. Ideally, Curselax will want to be paired with strong attackers or setup sweepers, like Marowak, the aforementioned Tyranitar and Mew, and Jolteon, that can double-down on the offense that Curselax did. Cloyster or Forretress are also good teammates, as Curselax appreciates having the extra help of Spikes wearing down its checks. Both of them can also support Curselax via Toxic and Explosion. Rapid Spin support from Golem and Forretress is also appreciated, as Curselax might be troubled switching into Zapdos if Spikes are up; Golem's Electric-type immunity can also help with pivoting.
[SET]
name: Restless Snorlax
move 1: Double-Edge / Body Slam
move 2: Curse / Belly Drum
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Self-Destruct / Lovely Kiss
item: Leftovers
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Snorlax can run more offensive moves over Rest, changing the dynamic of how its played entirely. Double-Edge is the default STAB move, as unboosted it 3HKOes Mewtwo, Mew, and Zapdos, while giving Snorlax a consistently strong option against opposing Snorlax. Body Slam is an option if spreading paralysis on checks like Tyranitar, Steelix, Skarmory, and Golem, is preferred; unfortunately, the drop in damage is very noticeable, as Snorlax can't 3HKO the aforementioned Pokemon, and can no longer threaten opposing Snorlax in the Snorlax mirror matchup. However, Snorlax can KO Skarmory and Lugia with Self-Destruct more easily if they switch into Body Slam and got paralyzed. Curse allows Snorlax to boost its Attack and Defense to superb levels, making it both impenetrable defensively and offensively threatening to the point of 2HKOing Zapdos, Mew, and Mewtwo, at +1, while having favorable chances of also 2HKOing Cloyster after its taken some amount of chip damage. Belly Drum can be used instead if more immediate power is desired, as Snorlax after a Belly Drum can OHKO the entire metagame aside from very few select Pokemon, like Skarmory and Lugia, although the later has a chance of getting OHKOed by a +6 Double-Edge. Earthquake hits the Rock and Steel-types that would otherwise check Snorlax, like Tyranitar, Golem, Rhydon, and Steelix. It is worth nothing that every listed check gets OHKOed by a +6 Earthquake, so if Snorlax opts for Body Slam as its STAB move, it can later take them down with ease after paralyzing them. This allows Snorlax to play a supportive role in the sense that it will lure Pokemon that check common teammates, such as offensive Mewtwo. Running Self-Destruct trades Rest's consistency and ability to check Zapdos, with the ability to annihilate even the bulkiest of Pokemon, like Skarmory and Lugia, after a Curse. Self-Destruct also targets Pokemon like Zapdos and opposing Snorlax, oblivious and not foreseeing the possibility of Self-Destruct, effectively luring them for its teammates. Lovely Kiss can be an option over Self-Destruct that gives Snorlax a tool to put opposing Pokemon to sleep, potentially allowing it to power through its checks with boosted attacks.
Team Options
========
Restless Snorlax commonly sees itself on more offensive teams, as due to the lack of Rest on this set, it can't be switching constantly on threats like Zapdos, and thus, it should not be used as a wall. Instead, it should be used to break holes onto the opposing team, hopefully trading two-for-one with the opponent with Lovely Kiss and Self-Destruct. Pokemon like Jolteon, Vaporeon, Heracross, and Lugia, are good partners for Self-Destruct Snorlax, as the Pokemon that it targets, like Skarmory, Zapdos, and opposing Snorlax, are all checks for the aforementioned teammates. Cloyster is another great teammate as it can lay down Spikes for Snorlax, and can double-down on the offense with a Explosion of its own. Other Pokemon with access to Self-Destruct or Explosion, like Mewtwo, Mew, Gengar, Steelix, Golem, and Exeggutor, are also good partners.
[SET]
name: Drumlax
move 1: Body Slam / Return
move 2: Belly Drum
move 3: Rest
move 4: Lovely Kiss / Earthquake
item: Leftovers
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Belly Drum provides Snorlax with the most immediate offense possible, giving it the possibility of destroying teams with very little effort. In this set, the main STAB option is Body Slam, as Double-Edge's recoil can be detrimental to Snorlax as it will be forced to click Rest to heal more often, giving it less room to perform the offense. Body Slam spreads paralysis on faster foes like Mewtwo, Cloyster, and Tyranitar, leaving room for Snorlax to potentially overpower them later after it has clicked Belly Drum. Return is an option over Body Slam if more damage is preferred; Return has chances of 3HKOing Zapdos, one of the few Pokemon that can threaten Snorlax with Thunder, as it can potentially do up to half of Snorlax's HP in two turns. Lovely Kiss helps Snorlax beat Pokemon that would otherwise give it trouble, even at +6 Attack, like Skarmory. It can also be potentially used to deny Spikes from Cloyster or Forretress, and also deny phaze attempts from Lugia, Tyranitar, and the aforementioned Skarmory. Earthquake can be used instead to give Snorlax an option to hit Steel and Rock-type Pokemon like Tyranitar and Golem for an OHKO, and Steelix after one round of Spikes damage; Earthquake also allows Snorlax to hit otherwise hard-counters, like Gengar and Misdreavus. Lastly, Rest gives Snorlax much needed longevity and allows it to use Belly Drum again later in the battle.
Team Options
========
Drumlax is usually seen on teams that can spread paralysis, and teams that are in need of an immediate breaker, meaning that, under the right conditions, it can fit both on offensive and defensive teams. Offensive teams can support a Drumlax sweep with teammates like Thunder Wave Mew, Thunder Wave Mewtwo, Thunder Wave Zapdos, Tyranitar, and Cloyster, with Tyranitar removing the Steel and Ghost-type Pokemon that can annoy Snorlax if its not using Earthquake with Fire Blast and Crunch, respectively, while Cloyster lays down Spikes for Drumlax to net certain KOs against Pokemon like Steelix. On more defensive builds, Snorlax will have Pokemon that can switch into the threatening attacks that don't allow it to use Belly Drum, meaning Pokemon like Barrier Mewtwo, Celebi, Lugia, and Skarmory, are good teammates. Pokemon that can spread paralysis for Drumlax, like Starmie, Steelix, Blissey, and the rarer Miltank, are good teammates as well because Snorlax appreciates paralysis in helping it overcome its middling speed. Rapid Spinners like Forretress, Cloyster, and Golem, are also appreciated, as Spikes hurt Drumlax's ability to set-up.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Surf and Thunder are both options Snorlax can run on some of its sets. Surf hits Golem and Rhydon harder than any other move in Snorlax's arsenal while retaining its super-effective hit against Steelix. However, Snorlax will much prefer to run Earthquake over Surf as Surf is very weak, and doesn't hit anything else other than the listed Pokemon. Earthquake also hits Pokemon like Tyranitar and Gengar harder, two Pokemon which could wall Snorlax if its running Surf. Thunder allows Snorlax to hit Skarmory with high chances of 2HKOing it, while KOing Cloyster after it has switched into Double-Edge. Furthermore, Thunder also gives Snorlax the ability to potentially spread paralysis on Pokemon like Gengar. However, running Thunder means that Snorlax is now hopelessly walled by Rock and Steel-type Pokemon like Tyranitar, Steelix, and Golem.
Rollout is another option to run on Curselax sets, as Rollout is one of the few moves that allows Snorlax to beat certain combination of Pokemon, like Barrier Mewtwo + Skarmory. However, Rollout won't be useful most of the time because its a move that needs continuous turns to ramp up in power, where Snorlax can be threatened with powerful attacks, or phazed out. Running Rollout also leaves Snorlax hopeless against Steelix.
Lastly, Protect is an option Snorlax can run to recover HP and scout Explosion from Pokemon like Mewtwo, Mew, Cloyster, and opposing Snorlax. It's best used on Drumlax sets, as Snorlax will be at half HP after using Belly Drum. Furthermore, this also allows Snorlax to use Belly Drum when below 50% HP, thanks to Leftovers, to gain a +2 in Attack. However, it doesn't offer much else, meaning that Snorlax would much prefer running other moves.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Skarmory**: By virtue of its incredible bulk, typing, and access to Curse, Rest, and Whirlwind, Skarmory is the best available counter to Snorlax and thus is one of the most common defensive answers for it, being a staple in more defensive builds. However, it must be careful of Flamethrower and Fire Blast, both of which 3HKO and 2HKO it, respectively, and Self-Destruct, which can severily damage Skarmory for a teammate to finish off, or just outright OHKO it after some damage. Because of this, making sure Skarmory is not paralyzed is key, as is having enough Curse boosts to ensure Self-Destruct can't take it out.
**Other Normal-Resisting Phazers**: Tyranitar, Golem, and Rhydon are more offensive Snorlax checks that can reliably phaze it, having enough physical bulk to not mind Earthquake too much; however, they all get 3HKOed on the switch and 2HKOed at +1. Steelix is another phazer that tanks a +1 Earthquake and can phaze Snorlax out. Golem and Steelix also have access to Explosion, giving them a way of dealing critical damage to Snorlax for a teammate to take it out; however, this would only work if Snorlax doesn't have too many Curse boosts, so all the mentioned Pokemon would rather tank a hit and phaze Snorlax out than using Explosion. Lastly, obscure Pokemon like Omastar can negate Snorlax's boosts with Haze, although it must be careful of Earthquake, as it 3HKOes it unboosted and 2HKOes at +2.
**Mewtwo**: Barrier variants of Mewtwo will give massive trouble to Snorlax, as it can comfortably stall its attacks out of PP, while not minding critical hits too much because of Recover. Mewtwo must be careful of Lovely Kiss and Self-Destruct variants however, as those two can overwhelm it pretty easily. Offensive variants of Mewtwo can potentially threaten Snorlax with Psychic after Spikes, while also threatening Snorlax with a devastating Dynamic Punch and Self-Destruct of its own, both of which severely dent Snorlax. Body Slam paralysis can annoy Mewtwo greatly however, as getting fully paralyzed will mean it loses the one-on-one fight against Snorlax. As such, it must be kept at a relatively high HP.
**Cloyster**: Cloyster is one of the best offensive checks to Snorlax, and is a Pokemon that will be switching into it across the early to mid-game portions of the game. Cloyster's raw bulk lets it get 4HKOed from unboosted Double-Edge and 3HKOed from a +1 Double-Edge. Cloyster can thus set Spikes and badly poison Snorlax with Toxic, and eventually force it to use Rest, giving away key momentum. However, one small adaptation Snorlax can make is keep boosting itself with Curse in Cloyster's face, allowing it to potentially overwhelm it, although if done too much, Snorlax will be forced to use Rest to heal Toxic, meaning that Snorlax must decide between boosting or attacking. Although very uncommon, Cloyster also needs to be careful of Thunder, as the move can KO it after tanking a Double-Edge from Snorlax.
**Snorlax**: Some Snorlax variants might have more trouble defeating others; for example, Body Slam variants of Snorlax will be troubled against Double-Edge variants, as Body Slam only 4HKOes Snorlax, whilst Double-Edge 3HKOes. Lovely Kiss variants will beat slower variants of Snorlax, as it doesn't commonly run Sleep Talk, meaning that a sleeping Snorlax will be a punching bag for up to six turns. Lastly, Self-Destruct variants can outright either OHKO or severely damage most Snorlax variants, making it a good panic button in case opposing Snorlax is getting out of hand with its Curse boosts.
**Ghost-Types**: Gengar and Misdreavus are the only Pokemon in the game immune to Snorlax's STABs, giving them a special niche in checking Snorlax. Gengar can hit Snorlax with Destiny Bond, Explosion, and even potentially inflict freeze with Ice Punch, making it a good temporary hard-stop to Snorlax. However, it must be careful of Earthquake, as it gets 2HKOed unboosted, and OHKOed at +1. Misdreavus can annoy Snorlax with the combination of Toxic, Protect, and Pain Split or Rest, PP stalling Monolax one-on-one and potentially forcing Curselax to Rest. However, it needs to be careful of Belly Drum variants, as those can OHKO Misdreavus. Similarly, Misdreavus can succumb to Curselax if it has too many Curse boosts.
**Explosion Users**: Explosion is one of the most common ways to offensively deal with Snorlax, as due to GSC mechanics, the faster Pokemon that utilizes Explosion will make the turn end, thus, leaving no room for Snorlax to use Rest and heal the damage off. Common Explosion Pokemon include Mewtwo, Mew, Cloyster, Forretress, Gengar, Steelix, and Exeggutor. Snorlax itself can also use Self-Destruct to seriously dent the opposing Snorlax, as the Snorlax mirror matchup is a rather common thing to happen, and Self-Destruct is not very common on Snorlax, meaning that hitting the opposing Snorlax with it is a viable way of keeping it in check.
**Physically Bulky Pokemon**: Umbreon is physically bulky enough to take most Snorlax variants one-on-one with the combination of Growl, Toxic, and Rest. However, it must be careful of Belly Drum and Lovely Kiss variants, as well as Self-Destruct ones, as those can all overwhelm Umbreon either by boosting itself too much for Umbreon to negate, by putting it to sleep, or by straight up OHKOing it. Miltank can negate Snorlax's Curse boosts with Growl and has access to Heal Bell to offset Lovely Kiss, although it must be careful of Belly Drum sets and Self-Destruct. Defense Curl Celebi works similarly to Miltank, being able to withstand Snorlax's attacks with Defense Curl while offsetting Lovely Kiss with Heal Bell, although it must be similarly careful about Belly Drum and Self-Destruct sets. Both Miltank and Celebi don't appreciate absorbing Lovely Kiss themselves either, so having another Pokemon that can absorb that for them before checking Snorlax is key. Lugia can comfortably sit on Snorlax, as Curse, Recover, and Whirlwind can beat every Snorlax variant, bar Self-Destruct, one-on-one. However, Lovely Kiss Snorlax can potentially break through Lugia, so making sure a different teammate is asleep first is key for Lugia.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/corvere.306317/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/isa.168574/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/mr-378.5541/
Grammar checked by:
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