Welcome to Pokemon of the Week! This week, we will be focusing on a Pokemon that has gotten better and better with every generation since it's inception. This week, we discuss Breloom.

Breloom has always been an interesting Pokemon. In the 3rd generation, it was one of two Pokemon to naturally learn Spore, though technically only Shroomish learned it. It had a unique type, and decent moves. But with the physical/special split of the 4th generation, it finally got some use out of it's Grass typing, gaining Seed Bomb, as well as a new ability in Poison Heal, which made it possible to tank and even become one of the best SubSeeders, despite low defensive stats. Finally, with the 5th generation, Breloom gained yet another amazing ability in Technician, which allowed it to take on a more offensive presence than it had ever done previously. While it seems like Breloom only gets better as time goes on, there are still some major roadblocks for the mushroom head...

With all the above said, Breloom still has hurdles to overcome. Base 70 Speed places it among the absolute lowest in OU, especially for an offensive Pokemon. While base 130 Attack combined with Bullet Seed's boost in power makes a huge dent in many things, there are Pokemon that can take it with ease that also don't fear Breloom's other common move, Mach Punch. Access to Spore, Low Sweep, and Swords Dance make Breloom is a terrifying Pokemon to be up against if you don't have a dedicated counter, but there exist many Pokemon in OU that do counter Breloom, with the most obvious one being Celebi, who can take any attack Breloom throws at it, even a Spore, thanks to Natural Cure. Skarmory and Xatu also switch into most Breloom with minimal risk. Overall, it's easy to see why Breloom is so good, but it's certainly not flawless.

Breloom@ Life Orb / Choice Band Technician Jolly nature (+Speed, -Sp. Attack) / Adamant nature (+Attack, -Sp. Attack) EVs: 252 Attack / 252 Speed / 4 HP Low Sweep Mach Punch Bullet Seed Spore / Stone Edge

This is the most common Breloom you'll see running around the OU tier, and it's not too difficult to see why. Low Sweep means that any Pokemon that switches into Breloom has their Speed dropped immediately, setting many opponents up for another attack before they can do anything about it. Additionally, Technician boosts this move to base 90 power before STAB, so it will more often than not be your best, most reliable STAB move. Mach Punch ensures you strike fast foes first, with a nice base 60 power before STAB, courtesy of Technician. Bullet Seed is your final move, and has the potential to be the most devastating move in your arsenal. With Technician, each seed is hitting for an initial base power of 37.5, with 5 seeds reaching a whopping 187.5 base power before STAB is even factored in. That's nearly twice the power of Earthquake, and more than Hyper Beam, to put things into perspective.

The final slot offers two very different options. Spore is almost too good to pass up, potentially shutting down a Pokemon for the duration of the match. Stone Edge, on the other hand, hits some Pokemon that would otherwise not really care too much about Breloom, such as Dragonite, Volcarona, and Xatu, while providing good neutral coverage with the rest of your moves. Obviously, Choice Band and Spore can be a bit of a conundrum, but don't immediately count it out if you're running Choice Band, since shutting an opponent down will often force the opponent to switch, giving Breloom time to get out as well.

Breloom@ Life Orb / Lum Berry Technician Adamant nature (+Attack, -Sp. Attack) / Jolly nature (+Speed, -Sp. Attack) EVs: 252 Attack / 252 Speed / 4 HP Swords Dance Spore Bullet Seed Mach Punch

Breloom is a very viable user of Swords Dance, turning his attacks into much more devastating blows. Spore shuts an opponent down, giving you time to setup a boost. After that, simply strike the foe with your STAB attacks, very simple. Mach Punch allows Breloom to bypass his low Speed stat, while still hitting decently hard, while Bullet Seed gains ridiculous power.

Keeping your opponent's team and remaining Pokemon in mind is crucial to determining when - or if - you should setup your boost. Pokemon like Volcarona, Xatu, Dragonite, or any fast, threatening Pokemon that resists Mach Punch will put a stop to your sweep right away.

Focus Sash is a viable item on Breloom as a lead, or if you have a Spinner, as it allows you to shut down any threat you want to with Spore, and gives you a surefire chance to boost as they switch, which can turn the tide of battle, but you really miss the power granted by Life Orb.

Breloom@ Choice Scarf Technician Jolly nature (+Speed, -Sp. Attack) EVs: 252 Attack / 252 Speed / 4 HP Spore Bullet Seed Force Palm / Low Sweep Stone Edge

Choice Scarf isn't Breloom's best set, but the surprise factor can certainly catch an opponent off-guard. Spore shuts a Pokemon down completely, which forces the opponent to switch, giving you time to switch out as well. Bullet Seed is easier to use on this set, since you can strike first, allowing Breloom to finish off many weakened foes with enough seed hits. Force Palm is the Fighting move of choice, gaining a Technician boost, as well as a 30% Paralysis rate that can cripple opponents. Low Sweep is an option, however, for ensuring you slow down some common switch-ins, possibly allowing you a second hit. Stone Edge rounds out the set, providing wonderful coverage against Flying types that don't care about your STAB attacks.

This set benefits most from having entry hazards up on the opponent's side, as this Breloom doesn't hit nearly as hard as previous sets. Gothitelle with Shadow Tag can also provide some wonderful utility, trapping some of Breloom's counters and killing them with powerful Specs-boosted attacks.

Breloom@ Toxic Orb Poison Heal Impish nature (+Defense, -Sp. Attack) EVs: 236 HP / 252 Defense / 20 Speed Spore Substitute Leech Seed Focus Punch

I used to use this a lot in 4th gen OU, and let me tell you, it is one of the most fun defensive Pokemon ever. Spore shuts an opposing counter down, giving you time to setup a Substitute. From there, depending on what the opponent brings in, either Leech Seed to restore health, or Focus Punch from behind the safety of your Sub. Poison Heal, when combined with Leech Seed, makes free subs every turn, pretty much regardless of what opponent is seeded, meaning that you can continually make free substitutes, which means that the opponent will be forced out eventually.

Entry hazard support is highly recommended with this set, as the damage from Leech Seed will take a toll on the opponent as they continually break Subs while you set them back up. Something to note is that while this set is effective, it has a few holes in it. If the opponent breaks your Sub as you Leech Seed them and are faster than you are, Breloom is in danger of taking a fatal blow then and there. Furthermore, there are some Pokemon that flat out laugh at this set. The #1 counter to this set is Xatu, who bounces Spore and Leech Seed back, while quad resisting Focus Punch. Reuniclus is uneffected by Leech Seed, due to Magic Guard, and resists Focus Punch, while also giving itself time to setup either Trick Room or Calm Mind, or flat out KOing you with Psychic or Psyshock. Any Pokemon with Substitute can block Leech Seed, and is especially helpful if they resist Focus Punch. Gliscor restores HP lost by Leech Seed, and can strike back with Ice Fang, or just Taunt Breloom to put a stop to his antics.

Breloom@ Toxic Orb Poison Heal Adamant nature (+Attack, -Sp. Attack) EVs: 12 HP / 252 Attack / 244 Speed Spore Substitute Focus Punch Seed Bomb / Stone Edge / Facade

This Breloom takes on a more offensive nature than the previous set, delivering one of the most powerful attacks in the OU tier. Spore shuts an opponent down, giving time to Substitute, which then allows Breloom to deliver a devastating Focus Punch, capable of ripping through nearly any Pokemon that doesn't resist it.

The last slot provides a coverage move for Breloom, as well as a more reliable move, as Breloom cannot always have a Sub up. Seed Bomb is a secondary STAB move, and deals good damage to many Pokemon, including Jellicent, who is immune to Focus Punch, but can't do much back to Breloom on most standard sets. Stone Edge gives wonderful coverage alongside Focus Punch, hitting Flying type Pokemon hard. Facade is a wonderful move to use with the Poison flowing through Breloom's vains, but beware of Ghosts, who would wall you completely. Choice Band Tyranitar helps with them, Crunching them for massive damage, or Pursuiting them on their way out.

Obtaining a Breloom in-game isn't the most difficult thing in the world, but it can be tricky. Shroomish can be found in Black Version on Route 11 when they're swarming. Breloom themselves can be found in Hidden Grotto's in Black2 and White2. Shroomish can also be obtained from the Dream World in the Dream Park, which will give Quick Feet Shroomish, which changes to Technician upon evolution. When using a Breloom in-game, I'd recommend this:

Breloom Technician Spore Bullet Seed Force Palm Stone Edge

Breloom that have the Technician ability are powerful attackers, capable of doing massive damage very easily. Spore shuts off the opponent's offense temporarily, giving you free shots in as they snooze, but keep in mind that only Shroomish learns it, and it has to wait until level 45 to learn it before evolving. Still, it's too good to pass up, so grind through it until that level. Bullet Seed is often your most powerful attack, dealing massive damage if it hits 4-5 times, and good damage if it hits 3 times. Force Palm provides a Fighting type attack that is boosted to base 90 power from Technician, and has a nice 30% Paralysis rate. Stone Edge rounds off the set, giving you something to hit Flying types.

Breloom Spore Seed Bomb Substitute / Stone Edge Focus Punch / Brick Break / Drain Punch

For any non-Technician Breloom, you play a bit differently. Spore is your Sleep move that's too good to pass up, while Seed Bomb is your Grass STAB of choice, dealing out good, reliable damage. Substitute and Focus Punch are reliable to use in-game, since you'll be putting your foe to Sleep immediately. If you'd rather just go on the offensive and gain more coverage, Brick Break is a TM you can use to give Breloom an accurate, powerful attack. But if you're up for spending on Breloom, Drain Punch is a tutor move in Black2 and White2 that has the same power, with the bonus of restoring some health upon hitting the foe, while also having room for Stone Edge to hit Flying types.

I did not like Breloom when I first saw it in Ruby and Sapphire, but it has really grown on me over the past few years, like some kind of happy fungus. It's got an adorable face that hides deadly spores and absurdly small hands that are apparently strong enough to punch you clear through 2 buildings. It's got so much versatility, and two great abilities that drastically changes how it plays, so putting one on your team is very easy to do, regardless of what your team needs. I'd really recommend that everyone raise a Breloom, especially those of you that have a low opinion of it; his smiling face while he punches foes 6 feet under is sure to capture your heart.

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