Since the addition of fairy types in Generation Six, Dragon types have seen a little less competitive play. In fact, barring Garchomp (which often is run without a Dragon type attack), there’s not a single Dragon in the top 30 most used Pokémon on Battlespot. Garchomp is the most used among all the dragon types legal in VGC 17, but today, we are focusing on a Pokemon that hasn’t seen much usage of late. Feast your eyes on The Scaly Pokemon: Kommo-o!
*Feature art was created by Yggdrassal – check out more of their work by following this link!*
Of course, being a Pseudo-legendary, its stats are fantastic. Marvelous 110 physical Attack, a powerful 100 Special Attack and well-rounded defenses. However, Kommo-o’s speed is very awkward to work with. Having a base speed at 85, it is too quick to be utilised well under Trick Room and whilst outside the twisted dimensions it is too slow to pose a significant threat to most common speedy threats. With low Hp along with a dual typing of Dragon/Fighting, Kommo-o is left vulnerable to an abundant of common attacks.
Kommo-o’s movepool is incredibly disappointing, with the only STAB boosted moves to take advantage of that high physical attack being Dragon Claw & Sky Uppercut/Brick Break. Instead, you’re better off relying on Kommo-o’s slightly inferior Special Attack; its signature move, Clanging Scales, is a 110 base power Special Attack that hits both opponents but lowers Kommo’s Defense by one stage whilst having moves like Flamethrower and Flash Cannon to provide decent coverage. The only potential flag in Kommo-o’s special movepool is relying on Focus Blast, an extremely powerful but prone to miss attack, as the only form of Fighting STAB.
Kommo-o might be easy prey for fairy types, but that doesn’t mean it won’t go down without a fight!
Set 1: Clanging the Bells
Kommo-o (M) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Bulletproof / Overcoat
Level: 50
EVs: 172 HP / 28 Def / 196 SpA / 100 SpD / 12 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
– Focus Blast
– Draco Meteor
– Flamethrower
– Clanging Scales
You thought you were going to get an all-out offensive Kommo-o didn’t you? Yes it does have a low HP stat, however it’s still able to take a few hits whilst dishing some significant damage out, despite the lack of a boosting item. Despite the added bulk Tapu Lele still poses a significant threat, so keep this in mind whilst team building. Draco Meteor and Focus Blast are your two main stab attacks, whilst Clanging Scales allows you to use a Dragon move to hit both opponents but without the Special Attack Drop. Flamethrower is the perfect coverage move for this set as it allows you to take out Kartana in one hit. Either of Kommo-o’s abilities can aid this dragon in battle, Overcoat is by far the better option in a general sense to prevent weather damage and Sleep Powder/Spores but Bulletproof could prove useful in certain circumstances.
The Assault vest lets us survive some surprising hits:
252 SpA Life Orb Tapu Koko Dazzling Gleam vs. 172 HP / 100 SpD Assault Vest Kommo-o: 125-146 (72.6 – 84.8%) — guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Garchomp Dragon Claw vs. 172 HP / 28 Def Kommo-o: 110-132 (63.9 – 76.7%) — guaranteed 2HKO
84 SpA Tapu Fini Moonblast vs. 172 HP / 100 SpD Assault Vest Kommo-o: 132-160 (76.7 – 93%) — guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Arcanine Flare Blitz vs. 172 HP / 28 Def Kommo-o: 41-48 (23.8 – 27.9%) — 90% chance to 4HKO
252+ SpA Pelipper Hurricane vs. 172 HP / 100 SpD Assault Vest Kommo-o: 98-116 (56.9 – 67.4%) — guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Ninetales-Alola Blizzard vs. 172 HP / 100 SpD Assault Vest Kommo-o: 62-74 (36 – 43%) — guaranteed 3HKO
That Special Attack is put to some good use too:
196+ SpA Kommo-o Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Garchomp: 218-260 (119.1 – 142%) — guaranteed OHKO
196+ SpA Kommo-o Flamethrower vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Kartana: 424-500 (314 – 370.3%) — guaranteed OHKO
196+ SpA Kommo-o Draco Meteor vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Arcanine: 117-138 (59.3 – 70%) — guaranteed 2HKO after Figy Berry recovery
196+ SpA Kommo-o Focus Blast vs. 244 HP / 140+ SpD Eviolite Porygon2: 102-120 (53.4 – 62.8%) — guaranteed 2HKO
196+ SpA Kommo-o Focus Blast vs. 68 HP / 0 SpD Snorlax: 168-198 (68.8 – 81.1%) — 47.3% chance to 2HKO after Gluttony Figy Berry recovery
196+ SpA Kommo-o Focus Blast vs. 228 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Gigalith in Sand: 98-116 (51.8 – 61.3%) — guaranteed 2HKO
Fancy mixing it up even more?
Set 2: Built to Scale
Kommo-o @ Life Orb/Poisonium Z
Ability: Bulletproof/Overcoat
Level: 50
EVs: 44 HP / 84 Atk / 252 SpA / 128 Spe
Lonely Nature
– Protect
– Poison Jab
– Focus Blast
– Draco Meteor
By trading defence for offence, Kommo-o is able to dish out much more powerful attacks. Its speed investment enables Kommo-o to outspeed 20 Spe Lele and do a chunk of damage with Poison Jab before being KO’d. Draco Meteor and Focus Blast are two fantastic stab attacks with their immense power, whilst also being boosted even further with a Life Orb making it more viable (just beware of misses). Poison Jab supplies reliable coverage for dealing with Tapus whilst Protect is, as ever, essential on this frailer build. Because this Kommo-O isn’t the bulkiest, you COULD use a focus sash to compensate, but this wouldn’t be advisable as the drop off in power is definitely noticeable.
252 SpA Life Orb Kommo-o Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Garchomp: 276-328 (150.8 – 179.2%) — guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Life Orb Kommo-o Draco Meteor vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Arcanine: 144-172 (73 – 87.3%) — guaranteed 2HKO
84+ Atk Life Orb Kommo-o Poison Jab vs. 164 HP / 92 Def Tapu Lele: 114-135 (68.6 – 81.3%) — guaranteed 2HKO
84+ Atk Life Orb Kommo-o Poison Jab vs. 252 HP / 60 Def Tapu Bulu: 177-208 (100 – 117.5%) — guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Life Orb Kommo-o Focus Blast vs. 244 HP / 140+ SpD Eviolite Porygon2: 125-148 (65.4 – 77.4%) — guaranteed 2HKO
Poisonium Z would also be a very fun item to run on this spread as it would allow you to pick up a surprise KO against Trainer Tower Tapu Lele:
84+ Atk Kommo-o Acid Downpour (160 BP) vs. 164 HP / 92 Def Tapu Lele: 174-206 (104.8 – 124%) — guaranteed OHKO
So there we have it, an alternate Dragon to trial in VGC 17! It’s almost certainly outclassed by Garchomp but give it a go, Kommo might surprise you!
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