I think I may've found Slaking's true niche..?

After answering Trachy’s question regarding Taunt and Encore, I realized how great of a strategy it would be, and it got me thinking…

Could this be Slaking’s true niche? Just take a look at this set, and you may see what I mean. I call it, “Lock-King.”

HOLD ITEM: Leftovers

NATURE: Adamant

Taunt (Lock the foe into a Stat move.)

Encore (trap the opponent)

Earthquake (deals with Electric, Rock, Poison, and Steel-types.)

Rock Slide / Giga Impact (Gives additional coverage against whatever Earthquake can’t hit.)

Slaking is hindered greatly by Truant, but how could have we all been so blind? If you can’t get rid of the ability, then OUTHINDER the opponent by locking them into a “tauncore” (Taunt and Encore. See what I did there? :P).

I’m sure that, after seeing Trachy’s question, you probably had this run through your heads, but I felt I had to bring this to the table. What do you guys think about this set? Anything that may make it better? Maybe it just can’t be done?

Pleaselog inorregisterto add a comment.

Most people use stat moves or risk moves like focus punch during Slaking’s truant turn. but If you can get them to use a stat move, I’d say this can work well! Takes precise timing though.

Sucker punch-Like Trachy said

Facade-doesn’t get picked up. Perhaps holding an item like toxic orb to increase power

encore- need these to set up. force the opponent into a stat raiser.

punishment-since the idea is to get your opponent to use a stat move over and over, why not use this, it can cap at 200 base power. since your opponent has their stat move, after encore, they would have used it several times, adding more power to punishment.

What is the best way to get the foe to not attack is what we must think now. I didn’t think of this at all for Slaking and I have been thinking of ways to overcome this Pokemon’s weakness (same with Regigigas) for a good amount of time. This might just work as a way to get Slaking upped a tier. Great thinking narwhals!

Edit: I think I might have a way to make the foe more likely to not attack. Sucker Punch! If you use this move at first during your first couple of times you are able to attack, you might be able to lull the foe into a false sense of security. This would work great when facing a foe that is resistant to Dark, they might think this is your only attacking move.