Slowbro, The Hermit Crab Pokémon. Though usually dim witted, it seems to become inspired if the Shellder on its tail bites down. If the tail-biting Shellder is thrown off in a harsh battle, it reverts to being an ordinary Slowpoke. Naturally dull to begin with, it lost its ability to feel pain due to Shellder's seeping poison.
Overview
Slowbro has always been a decent Pokémon. However, it is incredibly outclassed by many other Pokémon. Despite this, it has considerable Special Attack and decent bulk which make it a completely valid team member across various teams. With the inclusion of its Hidden Ability in Black & White, it is shown to have even more uses than before, plus it has an ever expanding movepool. Like its brother, Slowking, it specialises in one style of defence, this time Defence and lacks Speed which makes it perfect in a Trick Room team.
Abilities
Oblivious: A semi useless ability. While infatuation can screw up attacks and strategies, it is very seldom used competitively so it's probably the worst choice of ability for Slowbro.
Own Tempo: Slightly more useful than Oblivious, this ability prevents Slowbro from getting confused. Previously, this was the go-to ability, but it is now replaced in most sets.
Regenerator: Heals Slowbro by 33% when switched out. Very handy in battles and helps Slowbro revitalise itself.
Movesets
Not so fast...
-Calm Mind
-Scald / Surf
-Psyshock/Psychic
-Slack Off
Item Attached: Life Orb
Ability: Regenerator
EVs and Nature:
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SAtk
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
This set is the standard Slowbro set. It's relatively basic with Calm Mind boosting its usual Special Attack stat. Scald is a decent move that has become rather commonplace within sets with the power to potentially Burn the opponent, though Surf can be used as a decent alternative if you want more power. Similarly, Psyshock will power through, but hit Pokémon in Defense which can help take out Pokémon who focus on Special Defense, but with Psychic as a more powerful alternative. Slack Off allows for recovery as well, which when tied with Regenerator can allow you to retreat to fight another day!
Should have gone to Specsavers, but I was too slow
-Scald / Surf
-Psyshock/Psychic
- Ice Beam / Grass Knot / Trick
-Flamethrower / Fire Blast
Item Attached: Choice Specs
Ability: Regenerator
EVs and Nature:
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SAtk / 4 Spe
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
This is your standard Specs set. It has lots of moves that can provide various coverage to monopolise upon Slowbro's Special Attack. Scald, Surf, Psyshock and Psychic all get decent STAB to further this. Flamethrower and Fire Blast will surprise multiple opponents such as Shaymin, Bronzong etc. Grass Knot can do decent damage to any Water-types that may get in your way while Trick is typically used to switch the Specs onto the opponent in order to cripple them.
The Slow Tank
-Scald
-Psyshock
-Slack Off
-Yawn / Thunder Wave / Fire Blast
Item Attached: Life Orb
Ability: Regenerator
EVs and Nature:
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SAtk
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
Another of Slowbro's walls is as a simple Tank set. This set works akin to the Calm Mind set, with many similar moves. Scald & Psyshock get decent STAB and have their special effects while Slack Off will heal it. Fire Blast can do some significant damage but due to its accuracy, there are other options. Yawn will put Pokémon to sleep, giving you the chance to use Slack Off and retreat if necessary, while Thunder Wave will paralyse the opponents
Other Options
Belly Drum, Curse, Disable, Ice Beam, Shadow Ball, Signal Beam, Trick Room
Belly Drum can be useful as it can maximise Slowbro's Attack, which will suddenly make it viable to run Physical sets including moves like Aqua Tail and Earthquake
Curse on Slowbro works in a similar way, boosting its Attack and Defense while lowering the Speed. The Speed reduction is irrelevant due to Slowbro's Speed stat so it can be done regardless
Disable is rather self explanatory and can cripple any Pokémon running a choice set
Ice Beam, Shadow Ball & Signal Beam all provide different typed alternatives for the sets, to allow for a wider range of coverage
Trick Room is always good and beneficial for Slowbro. While ideally you can get some other Pokémon to set it up for Slowbro, Slowbro is a fully capable Pokémon of setting it up due to its Speed
Double & Triple Battle Options
Slowbro can do pretty well in Double & Triple battles. It can be used as the Pokémon to set up Trick Room for a Trick Room team and then help defeat Pokémon due to its own slow speed
Partners
Anyone that can set up Trick Room can be very handy. In addition to that, Pokémon who can protect it from the moves it's weak to are useful, due to switching now helping Slowbro recover its health.
Countering Slowbro
There is one thing that Slowbro is scared of and that's Megahorn from Heracross. However, despite that, Slowbro is capable of withstanding most attacks from Pokémon so you need to have something that can withstand Slowbro's attacks and still do significant damage, such as Shaymin or Raikou. Your best bet against Slowbro is to get it down through methods that aren't direct attacks such as through Toxic.
Locations in Games
Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald:
Trade from LeafGreen.
FireRed/LeafGreen:
Seafoam Islands Basements 1 & 2 (Cave) & 3 & 4, Cape Brink (Surf & Cave), Berry Forest, Cerulean Cave Floor 1 & Basement 1 (Surf), Cinnabar Island (Fish) (LeafGreen)
Trade from LeafGreen (FireRed)
Colosseum/XD:
Trade from LeafGreen
Diamond/Pearl/Platinum:
Evolve from Slowpoke (Pearl/Platinum)
Trade from Pearl/Platinum/HeartGold/SoulSilver (Diamond)
HeartGold/SoulSilver:
Slowpoke Well, Seafoam Islands, Tohjo Falls, Safari Zone
Black/White:
Abundant Shrine
Black 2/White 2:
Evolve Slowpoke
Animé Appearences
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Slowbro has made a few appearances. Most appearances have been cameos, but it was notably used by Kanto Elite 4 member Prima!
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Synopsis
Pictures
