Benzo
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[GAL=53638]The Mushroom Pokemon[/GAL]
Amoonguss
:vg_grass:/:vg_poison:
So, back in the days of Red and Blue, there was a Pokemon that impersonated the looks of a Pokeball. You would go into the building, look around, see a few Pokaballs on the ground- thinking it would be cool to find a rare item and --
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT! ELECTRODE!
Well, the 5th generation of Pokemon continues that little tradition, but this time it is in the forest. There you are, looking to capture some cool wild Pokemon, and, over off to the left is a Pokeball. Sitting there. Looking all innocent. Your thinking: RARE ITEM! So you walk on over, and--
AMOONGUSS!
(Sorry, I am not sure what a mushroom would sound like when it attacks!)
Now that is something that seems like it would be some sort of dream Mario is having, yet turns into a nightmare. There Mario goes, gathering mushrooms for a pizza to make for the Princess- and your topping attacks you.
So, is this Pokemon a nightmare that is worthy of causing mayhem on the field?
I would say so. This Pokemon is one of my personal favorites from the introduction of 5th generation Pokemon. I still use this guy at least 4 out of 10 battles, just to watch it work it's serious support in double battles.
For base stats, this is what we're looking at:
Hit Point: 114 max hit point total possible: 432
Attack: 85 max stat total possible: 295
Defense: 70 max stat possible: 262
Special attack: 85 max stat possible: 295
Special defense: 80 max stat possible: 284
Speed: 30 max stat possible: 174
This Pokemon has 2 abilities:
Effect Spore
Regenorator
Effect Spore is an awesome ability, as it is a side effect if Amoonguss is physically touched by an attacking Pokemon. A Pokemon that touches Amoongus is exposed to a 10% chance of a fun, wonderful status infliction. Sleep. Paralysis or Poison. (Maybe Mario should rethink making a pizza topping out of this guy after all.) This ability is a hindering ability, making your opponent take a slight risk in using a physical attacker to attack Amoonguss with since it might become under the influence of one of the three status inflictions. Hay, every little bit helps, and with this ability- it ups the play factor a bit, since it is a free 10% chance to cause a little grief to your opponent.
Regenorator, is, um, well- - um, it just does not seem to do justice for this Pokemon for double battles. But that is just me, my opinion, and I just do not see me switching out my Monster Mushroom to gain some health back by switching out. You see, Regenerator will heal your Amoonguss with up to 33.3% of your Hit Point total, just for switching out of battle. Seems cool and all, but I fail to see why it is better of a choice when Amoonguss can learn some Hit Point healing moves or have a hold item that will do the job, without having to switch out of battle. It can be of use over Effect Spore for single battles, as it can be a good way to replenish some health on a switch out if you are stuck behind a rock in a tough place and the Amoonguss can't put up much of a fight or handle the heat. If that is the case, you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. Chef Alakaramsy will have a field day with Amoongus. Switch out, heal, and try again with a band aid on.
So, what can this Pokemon do besides look like a Pokeball? It all depends on how you want to build one for battles. Or making a pizza, but that is for you to decide. Here we go, into build a mushroom that strikes fear into plumbers-er Pokemon that are not equipted to handle some garden salad shenanigans.
Amoonguss
Ability: Effect Spore
Hold item: Black Sludge Black Sludge will restore some Hit Points after each turn is complete.
Nature: Calm Special Defense up, Attack down
Effort Value placement: 252 Hit Point, 252 Special Defense, 4 in Special Attack
Investing your effort points into the Hit Point stat will boost your Amoonguss's health to a level it can take a good beating and still be around for a few more hits. It also takes advantage of having a high base Hit Point stat to stick around a bit longer for stalling a bit more. The effort values being placed into the special Defense stat is to further induce some bulk into the Amoonguss. A good number of threatening Pokemon to Amoonguss's existence are mostly High stated Special Attackers, so this will solidify some ground to stand on in battles against those threats.
Move set:
Spore
Rage Powder
Giga Drain
Protect
Spore:
Spore is a great weapon, especially for double battle support. Spore is a sleep inducing move that is 100% accurate, and a great way to spread around to your opposing Pokemon. Your opponent will not really like a sleeping status, especially from Spore. See a Psychic Pokemon? Put it to sleep! Fire going to burn your Pizza topper? Give it a nap!
Rage Powder:
Rage Powder is a support move that purposefully draws in attacks towards Amoonguss from your attackers. If you pair up Amoongus with a water type Pokemon for example, your opponent has a Pokemon with an electric attack- Rage powder will Redirect that thunder right onto your Amoongus, saving your water type Pokemon from serious injury or even a possible KO while taking little damage in return for having resistance to electric attacks. Rage Powder is so cool, it can be used to support any Pokemon regardless of type since it is used to draw away attacks from a Pokemon that is doing some hard work on getting in the KO's while Amoonguss cheers them on.
Giga Drain:
Gets STAB, is a complimenting attack which is decent, and keeps your Amoongus at least armed and able to do some damage. Even though Amoonguss is not an all-out battle attacking Pokemon, it can do some damage and will avoid getting hit by Pokemon using Taunt- which would shut down your Amoonguss and leave it for the compost pile for sure. Plus, with Black Sludge Hold Item restoring some gradual Hit Points, Giga Drain will restore Amoonguss's Hit Points by half of the amount of damage dealt out to your opponent. Hit a little, heal a little. Gain some nice health recovery when you target something weak to grass attacks!
Protect:
With Rage Powder on your move list, and Protect as well- this is where you can mess with your opponents mind. A lot. It can keep your opponent guessing, while they try to eliminate this supporter from the field. Use it wisely, and it will lead to victory and be quite the weapon to keep your other Pokemon alive as well.
OK, so this Pokemon can also become a pizza topping. Yup. It can't always stand the oven........er fire attacks all that great. See, even though Amoonguss is a Grass- Poison type Pokemon, it has some issues with fire and Psychic Pokemon. Alakazam in the Kitchen is just pure doom for this Amoonguss. You will need to play smart with Amoonguss, as a supporter for your partner Pokemon and a survivor. Watch for possible switch-ins and try to inflict sleep upon them. Trick room is an awesome booster in double battles for Amoonguss. Flying Pokemon will make a quick snack on this Pokemon as well, so be careful to avoid situations that will have your Amoonguss being taken for a flight it won't return on.
Amoonguss does not have a super fantastic move pool, but it can really do the job excellent in a double battle format. I honestly do not use Amoonguss for single battles, for this Pokemon is not suited for single battles all that well, from my point of view. This Pokemon is not some super top tier Pokemon by some standards, but well worth a try in the battle field as a supporter in doubles.
So, there you have an idea of what a pizza topping can do, at least this one in the review.
How do you like your pizza topping Amoonguss built for battle?
