Blastoise, The Shellfish Pokémon. Once it takes aim at its enemy, it blasts out water with even more force than a fire hose. The water spouts are very accurate. They can shoot bullets of water with enough accuracy to strike empty cans from a distance of over 160 feet. It crushes its foe under its heavy body to cause fainting. In a pinch, it will withdraw inside its shell.
Overview
Blastoise is one of the Kanto starters, and unfortunately it is still the most ignored out of the three. While Charizard has become one of the most commonly used of the three due to its Mega Evolution, and Venusaur has had its boost thanks to its Hidden Ability, Blastoise still struggles to get out of the gate. While its Rain Dish ability does help on rain teams, and its Mega Evolution can be used very well, standard Blastoise is just a bit of a non-starter. It can be used well in the right scenario, but it's just not the best at what it does.
Positives
+Original Starter Pokémon
+Ungodly Bulk sporting a 100+ Base Defense and Special Defense in both its regular stage and its Mega Evolution
+Much needed power boost with Mega Evolution bringing Blastoise's below average Base Special Attack up from 85 to 135
+Its Mega Evolution existing has given it a wider range of moves
+It can Rapid Spin
+Awesome Design!
Negatives
-Lack of reliable recovery of any kind outside of the passive one Leftovers can provide it in its regular stage
-Anything it can do, something else can do better.
Abilities
Torrent: When HP is below 1/3rd its maximum, power of Water-type moves is increased by 50%.
Hidden Ability (Available)
Rain Dish: If Heavy Rain weather is in effect, recovers 1/16th max Hit Points at the end of the turn. You really only want to use this on sets where you're holding Blastoisinite to be honest. Otherwise Torrent is just way more reliable.
Movesets
Hero in a Half Shell
- Scald
- Rapid Spin
- Roar
- Toxic
Item Attached: Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs and Nature:
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
Scald should always be your STAB attack of choice on any bulky water type, and this is no exception. It has awesome consistency, and that burn chance should never be ignored. Rapid Spin allows Blastoise to remove entry hazards that would otherwise wear down its squadmates over time. Roar phazes the opposing Pokemon in order ensure our Blastoise doesn't become instant setup bait. Toxic is used to weaken the enemy's walls. Especially the likes Jellicent, which is immune to both Scald and Rapid Spin, as well as Pokemon that either resist or are immune to Scald. Like Heliolisk for example.
This set is basically the only reason to even use regular Blastoise because it's almost entirely outclassed by its Mega Evolution's noticeably better bulk and power. The only thing it lacks is the reliable passive recovery that lefies provides..which is essential on a defensive set like this.
Double & Triple Options
Blastoise seems to be part of the unfortunate bunch of Pokemon with Megas that don't really impact the metagame, so with time it may be an obscure tactic to go Mega. Luckily there's a Choice Scarf lying around
Hero in a Half Shell
- Water Spout
- Ice Beam
- Dark Pulse / Aura Sphere
- Muddy Water
Item Attached: Choice Scarf
Ability: Torrent
EVs and Nature:
EVs:
252 SAtk , 252 Speed, 4 HP
Modest / Jolly
Nature
This set takes many players by surprise as they expect Blastoise to Mega Evolve, AND move slower. By doing neither of these things we've a potent surprise strategy the opponent will only understand when it's too late. Water Spout can be used until Blastoise gets hit. Muddy Water will be your back up STAB with that nasty accuracy drop rate. Not to mention in tandem with Torrent, Water Spout and Muddy Water work well with Full HP and Low HP respectively. Ice Beam is great coverage and Dark Pulse is there to get nasty flinches. Aura Sphere is stronger coverage though without the flinch rate.
Countering Blastoise
How do you counter Blastoise? Well, it has significant bulk, that's for sure, but as it can't do too much damage as standard, your best bet is to switch into a Grass-type Pokémon to absorb any Water hits and go for the Giga Drain/Solar Beam or any other Grass-type move. Though of course you have to be careful for the Ice Punches, so in situation like that, Magnezone could be a decent counter. It resists the hits and can hit hard with super effective Electric-type moves
Overview
Ah Mega Blastoise, now you are starting to live to your potential, although you do still miss the mark a little. With X & Y came the Mega Blastoise with cannons coming out of its back and wrists and with that came the Mega Launcher ability. Due to that, Blastoise started to get access to even more moves like Aura Sphere that are boosted by the ability and can do decent damage thanks to its increased strengths. It is a far more useable Pokémon now and you will see it in many competitive teams, but some Pokémon can still do what it does better due to hold items.
Positives
+79/120/115 bulk is just beastly. It'd be near impossible to OHKO this Pokémon
+Special Attack of 135 is just awesome
+Did I mention the cannon on its back?
Negatives
-It still lacks Speed
-While Mega Launcher does boost some moves, it's not the best ability
-Lack of hold items does limit what Mega Blastoise can do a bit
Abilities
Mega Launcher: Increases the power of Aura and Pulse moves by 50%. It provides a much needed offensive power boost for our Blastoise to go along with its ungodly bulk.
Movesets
Turtle Power
- Rapid Spin
- Scald
- Dark Pulse
- Ice Beam
Item Attached: Blastoisinite
Ability: Mega Launcher (Rain Dish on regular Blastoise)
EVs and Nature:
EVs: 184 HP / 252 SpA / 72 Spe
Modest Nature
I don't like running all out attack sets with Blastoise ever. Even on Mega sets just because it doesn't quite have enough raw power to pull it off as well as other mons since it can only hold its mega stone, and it just functions way better in a supportive wallbreaker role.
Anyways though you know the drill by now. Rapid Spin is for clearing entry hazards on your side of the field. Scald applies defensive pressure to the opponent's team with its 30% chance to burn. Dark Pulse provides Mega Blastoise with some decent Mega Launcher boosted coverage and offers near perfect neutral coverage in conjunction with Blastoise's main STAB move Scald. The last slot is up to you. Use whatever coverage move best suits your squad's needs. Ice Beam is the best option for dealing with the many Dragon types and Flying types. Whereas Aura Sphere is a decent Mega Launcher boosted option for taking out Dark and Steel types.
Other Options
-Hydro Pump: Extremely High Powered Water Stab Move. Unfortunately it's just not accurate enough for my taste. If you do opt for turning Mega Blastoise into an all out attacker over what I've suggested you'll definitely want Hydro Pump though.
-Water Pulse: People love to mention Water Pulse on its Mega set because of the boost from Mega Launcher , but the power difference just isn't enough to justify taking it over Scald and that Burn chance is way more helpful.
-Dragon Pulse: It's worth mentioning , but overall Ice Beam is just superior coverage wise. Ice Beam is way better suited for dealing for mons like Salamence and it makes the likes of Chesnaught and Sceptile too scared to even consider switching into this thing.
-Water Spout: It's just not worth it outside of Choice Scarf sets.
Double & Triple Battle Options
Adamantoise
Fake Out
Water Spout / Hydro Pump / Water Pulse
Aura Sphere
Ice Beam
Item Attached: Blastoisinite
Ability: Mega Launcher
EVs and Nature:
EVs:
252 SAtk, 252 Speed, 4 HP
Modest Nature
Hitting hard is the name of the game here. Mega Launcher essentially means Blastoise gets STAB on Aura Sphere and Dark Pulse. Redirection support is preferred for Water Spout sets to keep Blastoise healthy. Blastoise partners well with Dragons as a means to switch out safely, though Salamence is neutral to Electric and enjoys Mega Evolving in Blastoise's place. Blastoise doesn't get the most out of its ability with not many "Pulse" moves to take advantage of for obscene power. This COULD be remedied if Blastoise just learned Origin Pulse too, but that seems a ways off. Blastoise's speed makes it slower that the popular Megas like Kang and Salamence will go first and risk getting the KO first. Blastoises will find it's home on a team that isn't totally dedicated to it, it's a popular choice. Dual Mega teams should give Blastoise a shot!
Countering Mega Blastoise
Electric Types will give this mon all sorts of trouble regardless of your coverage and your bulk. Especially Mega Ampharos and Heliolisk. It also really isn't a fan of your pesky Grass Types like Roserade and Shaymin, and it's going to run into a lot of trouble getting around super bulky special walls. Especially Blissey , Vaporeon, Umbreon, and Florges..so be on the look out.
Locations in Games
Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald:
Trade from FireRed/LeafGreen
FireRed/LeafGreen:
Evolve Wartortle
Colosseum/XD:
Trade from FireRed/LeafGreen
Diamond/Pearl/Platinum:
Trade from HeartGold/SoulSilver
HeartGold/SoulSilver:
Evolve Wartortle
Black/White:
Transfer from Generation IV
Black 2/White 2:
Transfer from Generation IV
X/Y:
Evolve Wartortle
Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire:
Trade from X/Y
Animé Appearences
