Great Tusk

Competitive Strategy

Great Tusk compresses several important jobs into one slot: a physical attacker, entry-hazard setter, and hazard remover. Headlong Rush and Close Combat hit extremely hard, but both lower its defensive stats. Use those moves to break a key target or force progress, rather than repeatedly exposing Great Tusk to revenge attacks after the drops. Rapid Spin removes hazards and boosts Speed, which can turn a defensive utility turn into a useful endgame position. Protosynthesis can enhance one of Great Tusk's stats in harsh sunlight or with Booster Energy, but the basic plan remains the same: capitalize on its physical bulk, set Stealth Rock when you force a switch, and remove hazards when your team needs the board cleared. It is especially valuable beside Pokémon that dislike Stealth Rock or need repeated switching opportunities. Because its Special Defense is much lower than its physical bulk, avoid leaving it in against strong special Water-, Grass-, Ice-, Fairy-, Flying-, or Psychic-type attacks. Counterplay usually comes from bulky Water-types, Flying-types, and faster special attackers. Keep a teammate that can answer those checks, such as an Electric- or Dark-type partner, and use pivots to bring Great Tusk in safely. The type calculator shows all six of its defensive weaknesses, while the team calculator can flag whether adding Great Tusk leaves your roster too exposed to Water or Fairy coverage.