Palpitoad Movesets & Competitive Sets

Palpitoad's well-rounded stats and great Water / Ground typing help it fit on teams as a viable physical wall. It can set up Stealth Rock early-game and threaten other entry hazard users like Piloswine and Koffing with its STAB attacks. Earth Power can nail common physical attackers like Klang and Raboot that Palpitoad has no problem switching into. Scald has a chance to burn physical attackers like Thwackey and Fraxure that may switch in on Palpitoad and can also wear down defensive Pokemon that lack recovery like Hattrem and Charjabug. On the other hand, Sludge Bomb nails Grass-types like Tangela and Thwackey; the latter otherwise could Substitute safely on Palpitoad. Toxic is great for crippling walls that shrug off Palpitoad's attacks like Galarian Corsola and Togetic. Palpitoad is a good check to some physical attackers, but its lack of recovery and immediate firepower makes it vulnerable to multiple foes. Palpitoad should avoid setting up Stealth Rock if Magic Bounce users are on the opposing team, as Hattrem especially can shrug off Palpitoad's attacks and threatens back with Giga Drain. Try pairing it with Dark- and Steel-types like Galarian Linoone and Klang to help with these situations. Palpitoad also struggles against other entry hazard setters like Ferroseed and Roselia, so having anti-entry hazard Pokemon like Hattrem and Vullaby is worthwhile. Additionally, being 4x weak to Grass-type attacks is dangerous, which walls like Ferroseed, Roselia, Vullaby, and Charjabug can all help patch; in return, Palpitoad functions as a Fire-type switch-in for these three. As Palpitoad worries about strong special wallbreakers like Abra, special walls like Galarian Corsola and Klang can help make a defensive backbone for the rest of the team. Palpitoad is also susceptible to being worn down from status, Knock Off, and multiple physical attacks. Try to either have other physical walls with reliable recovery and support with Wish and Heal Bell from users like Clefairy.