Schwalboss Movesets & Wettbewerbs-Sets

Moves Boomburst reaches an outstanding 210 Base Power due to STAB, managing to hit incredibly hard even coming from a Pokemon with a low base Special Attack stat. As Steel-types such as Steelix, Klinklang, and Ferroseed are very often inclined to switch into Swellow, Heat Wave is a great means of weakening them or even scoring a 2HKO. U-turn maintains momentum on your side of the field during the early-game, when Swellow's checks are not weakened enough. Sleep Talk makes Swellow a decent sleep absorber, coming in on Pokemon such as Vileplume and Lilligant while also being able to dish out huge damage and burn sleep turns. Tailwind can take advantage of Swellow's high Speed stat and create a sweeping opportunity for a teammate when Swellow's job is done. While it may seem like an odd choice on a Choice Specs set, Brave Bird is an option to hit Hariyama, but has little use outside of that. Hidden Power Grass can be used to hit Rock-types, such as Rhydon and Carracosta, that take little damage from Swellow's other moves. Set Details Choice Specs and 252 Special Attack EVs increase Swellow's damage output to considerable levels. Fully invested Speed and a Timid nature allow Swellow to outspeed a huge part of the metagame. The remaining 4 EVs are used in either Defense or Special Defense in order to leave Swellow's HP as an odd number, allowing five switches into Stealth Rock. Scrappy allows Swellow to hit Ghost-types without being forced to run an extra coverage move. Usage Tips Swellow's lack of bulk means that in order to deal damage, it has to get a free switch into the battle, which is why getting switch opportunities with U-turn and Volt Switch is very important for its longevity. Swellow should be used throughout the game to revenge kill foes and whittle down its checks and counters such as Rhydon and Steelix, which it can usually do by simply spamming Boomburst. Swellow fails to OHKO a lot of bulkier Pokemon, such as Musharna and Ludicolo, so taking them on when they are at full health is not suggested, because Swellow can be heavily damaged even by defensive Pokemon. Keeping entry hazards up on the opposite side of the field, especially Stealth Rock, is very appreciated to help Swellow 2HKO bulky Pokemon such as Musharna and physically defensive Mantine. Team Options Water- and Grass-type Pokemon, such as Samurott, Ludicolo, and Lilligant, are great offensive partners for Choice Specs Swellow because they can break through bulky Rock-types, while Swellow lures in and defeats their checks, such as Ferroseed. Powerful Normal-types, such as Kangaskhan, Tauros, and Zangoose, are also great offensive teammates for Swellow, as they constantly pressure the same defensive Pokemon, such as Rock- or Steel-types trying to wall them. Hitmonchan, Claydol, and Sandslash are all entry hazard removers that pair up well with Swellow, the first threatening Ice-types and all of them threatening Rock- and Steel-types, which check Swellow. Lanturn resists Ice-type attacks, is immune to Electric-type moves, and provides switch initiative with Volt Switch. Bulky Ground-types that can set up Stealth Rock, such as Piloswine and Rhydon, can easily come in on the Rock-types that threaten Swellow.

Moves Facade is the most spammable move on this set, getting boosted to 140 Base Power and having no recoil. Brave Bird lets Swellow hit Ghost-types while also allowing it to defeat bulky defensive Pokemon such, as Vileplume and Gourgeist, and Normal-resistant Pokemon, such as Crustle, Cradily, and Ferroseed. U-turn keeps momentum on your side of the field and slowly whittles down common switch-ins such as Rhydon. Quick Attack is a STAB priority move that picks off weakened faster Pokemon, especially Choice Scarf users such as Jynx, Mesprit, and Rotom-S. Protect allows Swellow to safely activate Guts. Set Details A Jolly nature and 252 Speed EVs maximize Swellow's Speed, allowing it to outpace most of the metagame. Guts increases Swellow's Attack to considerable levels. 252 Attack EVs further augment Swellow's offensive presence. The 4 extra EVs are placed in either Defense or Special Defense, leaving Swellow's HP as an odd number and thus allowing it to take less damage from entry hazards. Toxic Orb is the most reliable way of activating Guts, inflicting a status condition that whittles it down the least over a longer period of time. Usage Tips Activating Guts early in the game offers Swellow as much offensive pressure as it can achieve. Unless it can ensure an OHKO or heavily damage the foe, staying in with Swellow over an extended period of time is detrimental to its longevity, as it will gradually lose HP. Brave Bird further weakens Swellow with recoil damage, and therefore it should only be used when it will be able to pick off a Pokemon that Facade wouldn't, such as Vileplume or Gourgeist. In the early stages of the game, Swellow can be used as a momentum gainer through the use of U-turn, while also being able to heavily weaken the opposing team with Guts-boosted Facade during the mid- or late-game. Entry hazard control on your side of the field will help Swellow a lot, as Stealth Rock damage, possible recoil from Rocky Helmet users, and poison damage can lead to an early demise. Team Options Offensive Fire-type Pokemon, such as Magmortar and Pyroar, threaten any Steel-type Pokemon that attempts to wall Swellow. Offensive Water- and Grass-type Pokemon, such as Samurott and Ludicolo, can easily dispatch of bulky Rock-types that threaten Swellow, such as Rhydon and Regirock. Offensive Normal-types, such as Kangaskhan, Tauros, and Zangoose, have the same switch-ins as Swellow and can whittle down one another's checks and counters, such as Rhydon and Ferroseed. Hitmonchan, Claydol, and Sandslash have decent offensive and defensive synergy with Swellow and are able to clear the field of entry hazards, allowing Swellow to repeatedly switch in. Bulky Ground-types such as Rhydon and Piloswine can take Rock- and Electric-type attacks aimed at Swellow while also pressuring opposing Rock- and Steel-types with their STAB Earthquake. Lanturn resists Ice- and Electric-type attacks, even regaining HP from the latter, and helps create switch-in opportunities for Swellow with a slow Volt Switch.

Swellow plays the role of a hit-and-run Pokemon. It works best as a mid-game sweeper because while Guts increases Swellow's strength, it doesn't quite have the raw power to OHKO everything in sight; preferably, enemies should be weakened beforehand. To avoid being weakened, Swellow can get a free switch in to activate Guts from a slow U-turn or Volt Switch, a predicted double switch, and/or when one of its teammates is KOed. Toxic Orb is then activated, though it puts Swellow on a timer and forces it to switch out often to avoid cumulative damage. Facade is Swellow's main STAB move; after Toxic Orb's effect and the STAB boost add up, it reaches an amazing Base Power of 210, OHKOing Tauros and Rotom-S. Brave Bird is also Swellow's STAB move, and while the recoil damage can be harmful, it allows Swellow to hit Ghost-type Pokemon such as Misdreavus, Haunter, and Golurk. U-turn allows Swellow to pivot into a counter of the opponent, maintaining momentum for the user. Because Swellow cannot stay in long, it will often use U-turn after every attack or two. Quick Attack is Swellow's final move; while it is usually looked down upon, it does a good job in revenge killing weakened threats, and having priority can be useful. It also allows Swellow to dodge Sucker Punch from virtually every user, as Swellow outspeeds all of them. A Jolly nature allows Swellow to outspeed Zebstrika and Tauros, which is why Adamant isn't recommended, as Speed is much more important than additional power in this situation. Roost can be used in the final moveslot to allow Swellow to last longer on the field, but it rarely finds an opportunity to use the move. Flame Orb should be used if this step is taken, as it works better for late-game cleaning when Swellow can stay in longer. However, as Swellow switches very often regardless of whether Roost is used, Toxic Orb is often superior to Flame Orb. This is because for the first two turns Swellow is in, it will take less damage from a Toxic Orb than a Flame Orb, and Swellow is often gone after a second turn. Protect is a great way to guarantee that Guts is activated, and it allows Swellow to scout the opponent's attacks, which is especially useful against Pokemon with a Choice item. However, Quick Attack is really important in getting past Sucker Punch, making Protect a less desirable option. Rapid Spin support is useful if Swellow wants to come in without fearing Stealth Rock, but isn't required. Torkoal is a good option as a spinner, as it can not only remove entry hazards for Swellow, but also lay Stealth Rock for it. Offensive pressure is also a good option to keep Stealth Rock users at bay; Mold Breaker Sawk is a good partner to consider, as it can handle Lickilicky and Steel- and Rock-types. Having entry hazard support is appreciated as well, as it allows Swellow to revenge kill weakened foes easier. Pokemon such as Golem and Carracosta are good entry hazard setters for Swellow. There are a few bulky Pokemon that should be removed before Swellow can revenge kill, notably Misdreavus, Golurk, Piloswine, and Alomomola. SubCM Serperior handles Alomomola and Golurk pretty well, while Samurott and Ludicolo can deal with Piloswine and Misdreavus. Additionally, all of the aforementioned partners can also deal with Rock-type Pokemon Swellow cannot get past. Steel-types such as Klang are also Pokemon Swellow has trouble defeating, so powerful Fire- and Fighting-types, such as Charizard and Gurdurr, can deal with them. While Wish support is not necessary, it allows Swellow to recover lost HP. Lickilicky and Alomomola are both good options for such a task. Electrode or Electric-types with a Choice Scarf also give Swellow trouble; Dragonair is a great counter to them, as it can tank their attacks and retaliate. Ground-types can also deal with them as well, and they have good synergy with Swellow. Eelektross is also good against them, and it can provide a slow Volt Switch to bring Swellow in safely. Having sweepers to use alongside Swellow is a great option, as Swellow cannot outright KO many bulky Pokemon in the tier. Finally, Gothorita can trap and set up on most physical walls that can stall out Swellow, so it's a great partner as well.

This set is designed to take advantage of Swellow's ability, Guts. Swellow is a fearsome sweeper late-game, with excellent Speed and access to strong STAB attacks. Thanks to Toxic Orb, Facade has 140 Base Power STAB attack, while Brave Bird allows you to hit the Ghost-types that Facade cannot. Brave Bird will 2HKO both Spiritomb and Rotom that don't invest heavily in Defense, as well as OHKO Mismagius. Protect is a great move if you decide to use Swellow as a lead or need a guaranteed turn to activate the status Orb late-game. It allows you to activate Guts without any risk and scout with a more powerful U-turn. Quick Attack, however, hits faster Pokemon, such as Electrode or a Choice Scarf Pokemon, and allows Swellow to revenge kill and activate Guts in one fell swoop. Pursuit can be useful for dealing with fleeing Mismagius, Rotom, and Chansey. Toxic Orb does less damage to Swellow for the first two turns it is out, but on the third turn, it is tied with Flame Orb for total damage done. If you think you can keep Swellow in for more than three turns, you'll want to use Flame Orb, otherwise, use Toxic Orb. The EV spread is a simple spread to take advantage of Swellow's highest stats and maximize its ability to sweep. This set is perfect for destroying teams late-game and taking care of the more fragile Pokemon in UU, but it is completely walled by Steel- and Rock-types. Swellow works great alongside Magneton, who can come in on Rock-, Electric-, and Ice-type attacks and trap Steel-types. Fire-types like Blaziken, Houndoom, Arcanine, and Magmortar can also force Steel-types out, but be careful not to switch any of the last three into a Rock-type attack aimed at Swellow. Nidoqueen and Nidoking can also scare away Rock-types with their powerful STAB. Defensively, a good partner to take out Rock-types for Swellow is Hitmontop, whose access to Intimidate will enable it to efficiently take the physical attacks directed at Swellow. Hitmontop also has access to Rapid Spin, which helps Swellow by removing Stealth Rock, thus increasing Swellow's survivability and viability in the late-game. Steel-types can come in on attacks directed at Swellow; perfect candidates for this job would be would be Steelix and Registeel. Steelix has a great typing which enables it to come in comfortably on Rock- and Electric-type attacks. Registeel is another option due to the tremendous bulk it has on both sides. Both of these Steel-types also set up Stealth Rock, which Swellow appreciates as a sweeper. Lastly, Dugtrio is a blessing for Swellow due to its exclusive ability to trap Rock- and Steel-types, and Swellow's U-turn used on the switch can safely bring Dugtrio in to trap and KO the opponent's Swellow check.

This set forgoes a status Orb for the power of a Life Orb and hope that it can switch in on Toxic or Will-O-Wisp to activate Guts. Swellow's main STAB options are Return and Facade. If you are sure you can come in on a status attack, then Facade is appealing for its higher power output; however, Return is more reliable and has a high Base Power regardless of whether you manage to switch into status or not. For example, Return OHKOes Manectric after Stealth Rock, whereas an unboosted Facade falls short. U-turn is to scout for incoming Steel- and Rock-types so that you can switch to an appropriate counter. Quick Attack is preferred in the last slot to hit Choice Scarf users, but Pursuit can be used to trap weakened Mismagius, Rotom, and Chansey. This set is walled by Steel- and Rock-types. Magneton traps Steel-types, while Fighting-types like Hitmontop threaten both Steel- and Rock-types, often causing them to switch out. Fire-types can also come in and force Steel-types to switch out, but double up on Swellow's Rock-type weakness. Blaziken is a good candidate because it has access to both STAB Fire- and Fighting-type moves to scare away Swellow's counters. Dugtrio can remove Steel- and Rock-types early in the match, allowing Swellow to sweep without issue later on.

Substitute down to low HP, Endeavor the enemy, and then KO with Quick Attack or Return. Return is better for general sweeping purposes, but Quick Attack works as a way of finishing off Salac Berry users and helps against Ninjask. Swellow can set up a Substitute safely if it switches into something it forces out, such as Heracross or Blissey. Once you see what they switch to, you can decide if you want Swellow to attack them or Baton Pass your Substitute to a teammate that will survive the foe's hit. If Swellow gets down to low health and is ready to Endeavor, but you know that the opponent will KO next turn, it can always Baton Pass the Liechi Berry boost out to a sweeper to soften up their team and switch in late-game to clean up. This is the advantage of Swellow's Speed--it doesn't need a Salac boost to be fast enough to Endeavor properly. You can just keep Swellow in the wings, threatening to Endeavor whatever late-game enemy is blocking a member of your team or simply take out weakened enemies along the way. Swellow also doesn't need to use Endeavor immediately after Substituting down to low HP. Swellow can also utilise Petaya Berry, which allows or the Special Attack boost to be passed to team mate; however Liechi is usually still preffered as it boosts Swellow's immidate offensive output (especially if you have Return).

Swellow makes for an excellent Choice Band user with Guts and its high Speed. Facade is to take advantage of Guts, making a burned Swellow a definite force to be reckoned with, while Return / Double-Edge allow Swellow to do damage without being statused. This set works very well in tandem with Medicham, as the latter takes out Rock- and Steel-types and resists Rock-type attacks (although it can only take one or two hits before going down, anyway). Medicham also lures out Weezing and Dusclops like no other, and Swellow can switch into Will-O-Wisp to activate Guts and sweep their team, though it will probably have to switch out of Dusclops and come back for a sweep late-game when the latter has been weakened sufficiently. Quick Attack can go over one of the Normal-type moves for taking out users of Salac + Flail / Reversal. Hidden Power Fighting is primarily for OHKOing Tyranitar, while Hidden Power Ground hits Metagross hard. Skarmory and Normal-types are hit harder by Return no matter which Hidden Power you choose, however. Sleep Talk can be used over one of the other moves, but since Facade is not boosted by sleep, you are better off not using this. A simple 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe EV spread with a Jolly nature works best; using Adamant is not advised, as this leaves Swellow outsped by Jolly Tyranitar after a Dragon Dance and Timid Raikou.