Blastoise

Mega Blastoise sits at 6.05% usage among top-rating players (rank 30), making it a consistent offensive presence in singles. Its ability Mega Launcher boosts all pulse/aura moves by 50%, turning Aura Sphere, Dark Pulse, and Water Pulse into enhanced coverage tools beyond typical expectations. It pairs frequently with Ceruledge (10.2%) and Archaludon (6.9%), functioning as a mid-game breaker with either a Shell Smash setup or straightforward wallbreaking lines.

Playstyle：Standard sets run Modest nature fully invested in Special Attack and Speed, with Blastoisinite locked in and Mega Launcher always active post-Mega. Core coverage consists of Aura Sphere + Dark Pulse for broad neutral coverage, plus Shell Smash or Water Pulse depending on whether the player opts for setup or immediate pressure. The Smogon B- rating reflects its ceiling being blocked by Primarina — even at +2, Mega Blastoise struggles to OHKO bulky Primarina with Flash Cannon. Commentary mentions note that Shell Smash + Scald combinations generate near-unbeatable burst, and pairing with Hippowdon for safe switch-in opportunities is highlighted by multiple builders.

✅ Favorable matchups5

CorviknightGengar-MegaHippowdonHydreigonArchaludon

⚠️ Unfavorable matchups4

PrimarinaFloette-MegaVenusaur-MegaMeowscarada

Mega Blastoise holds a 7.45% usage rate in top-rating doubles (rank 19), firmly establishing it as a top-tier doubles threat. Mega Launcher-boosted Water Spout at full HP delivers devastating spread damage, and pairing with Fake Out or sleep support (notably Vivillon at 6.5% teammate rate) allows simultaneous multi-target pressure. The Farigiraf + Mega Blastoise core for Trick Room disruption and the Trick Room offense pairing are both documented in tournament commentary.

Playstyle：Standard doubles builds use Quiet nature (minimum Speed) with full Special Attack investment and Blastoisinite. Water Spout + Dark Pulse form the offensive core, supported by Protect to survive fast spread attacks and Fake Out support from teammates. Commentary explicitly describes the Vivillon sleep lead + Fake Out allowing Shell Smash setup, followed by a near-game-winning +2 Brine. The Farigiraf (16.2% teammate rate) enables Trick Room to activate Water Spout at its full 150 BP potential while removing Speed as a liability.

✅ Favorable matchups3

ArchaludonKingambitIncineroar

⚠️ Unfavorable matchups2

SinistchaWhimsicott

Base Blastoise is an extreme niche pick in singles, posting just 0.22% at 1760+ (rank 147) and 0.46% overall. Its solid Special Defense (105) and Defense (100) are its main selling points, but with Mega Blastoise occupying the Shell Smash sweeper niche and powerhouse Water-types like Basculegion dominating, plain Blastoise lacks the ability or offensive threat to hold a consistent slot.

Playstyle：Singles Blastoise splits into two archetypes: the dominant Relaxed physical wall (32/0/30/0/4/0 at 48%) running Rapid Spin, Yawn, and Flip Turn as a utility pivot; and a minority Modest/Timid Shell Smash sweeper backed by Sitrus Berry (55.5%) or White Herb (31.7%). Move usage — Ice Beam (21.4%), Yawn (14.3%), Rapid Spin (14.3%), Flip Turn (14%) — reflects the pivot-support emphasis. Teammates like Garchomp (13.1%) and Charizard-Mega-Y (13%) suggest roles in hazard-removal or niche team builds.

Blastoise sees similarly niche doubles usage at 0.26% in the 1760+ bracket (rank 124) and 0.5% overall. The doubles set shows more creative support utility — Fake Out, Flip Turn, Yawn, and Icy Wind all appear — and partners like Gengar-Mega (11.7%) and Incineroar (10%) place it alongside legitimate doubles powerhouses. Community commentary specifically references a Mega Blastoise Shell Smash + Vivillon Sleep Powder combo; plain Blastoise in doubles functions primarily as a transition or budget iteration of that strategy.

Playstyle：The doubles build defaults to Calm with physical bulk (32/0/19/0/15/0 at 17.4%), with items spread across Leftovers (41.8%), Sitrus Berry (13.4%), Wacan Berry (11.4%), and Choice Scarf (11.3%). Rain Dish ability (70.6%) dominates, placing it firmly in rain teams. Move priorities are Fake Out (19.7%), Flip Turn (17%), Yawn (14.8%), and Protect (13.2%), offering disruption and pivot in one package. Icy Wind (8.7%) adds spread speed control, while Water Spout (5.5%) provides rain-amplified burst damage. Commentary confirms a Farigiraf + Blastoise anti-Trick Room role as a specific application.