Onix [NU]

Onix



Typing:
Rock / Ground (Weak to Fighting, Ground, Steel, Water, Grass and Ice types) (Resistant to Normal, Poison, Rock, Flying and Fire types) (Immune to Electric type)

Abilities:
Rock Head
Sturdy
Weak Armor (Hidden)

Stats:
HP: 35
Attack: 45
Defense: 160
Special Attack: 30
Special Defense: 45
Speed: 70

BST (Base Stat Total): 385

Notable Moves:

Offensive:
Bulldoze
Dragon Tail
Earthquake
Gyro Ball
Iron Head
Payback
Rock Slide
Stone Edge

Non-Offensive:
Curse
Protect
Roar
Rototiller
Stealth Rock
Substitute
Taunt
Torment

Description:

Onix and Steelix have both been some of my favorite Pokemon for a long time, however while Steelix had its niche, Onix was left out in the dust. Until one beautiful item was created. Eviolite. With a max def nature and 252 evs, Onix reaches a massive total of 690 Defense! This alone allows it to wall most of the Physical side of NU. Its speed isn't that bad either for its role. However there are many problems that plague Onix, such as its low HP somewhat counteracting its sizable Physical bulk. Along with this, Onix's decent offensive movepool is rendered useless by his downright terrible attack. Finally, his Special Defense even with Eviolite is only at 200. However, let me show you a few calculations to show just how much Onix can take on the physical side from SUPER EFFECTIVE HITS.

252+ Atk Technician Scizor Bullet Punch vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Onix: 74-90 (27 - 32.8%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252+ Atk Dragonite Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Onix: 86-102 (31.3 - 37.2%) -- 76.9% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Mega Garchomp Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Onix: 138-164 (50.3 - 59.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Conkeldurr Drain Punch vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Onix: 98-116 (35.7 - 42.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Huge Power Mega Mawile Iron Head vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Onix: 170-204 (62 - 74.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Huge Power Azumarill Waterfall vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Onix: 220-264 (80.2 - 96.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Terrakion Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Onix: 134-162 (48.9 - 59.1%) -- 98% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Aegislash-Blade Sacred Sword vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Onix: 82-98 (29.9 - 35.7%) -- 36.3% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Onix: 114-134 (41.6 - 48.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

As you can see, Onix can tank the attacks of the most powerful OU Pokemon, not a single one of the OU titan's most used sets can OHKO Onix. Not even Huge Power Mega Mawile or Huge Power Azumarill (which I might add is double super effective against Onix). So how well do you think he would do in NU where the offense is much less? That's up for you to decide.

Set #1: Utility

Onix @ Eviolite
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Roar / Dragon Tail
- Toxic / Taunt / Torment / Substitute / Dragon Tail
- Toxic / Taunt / Torment / Substitute / Dragon Tail

Set Description:

Switch in on any Physical mon, set up Rocks, Roar / Dragon Tail anything out. Simple as that, the last two slots are mainly up to preference. You could even run both Roar and Dragon Tail on the same set, in case you get taunted. Or you could run Taunt, Torment, Toxic, or Substitute to last longer. This set is extremely customizable, but even if you are hit by a Fake Out mon, there's no Physical mon that can kill your Onix afterwords (unless you're in Ubers or very select rare sets in OU). So you're always going to get your Stealth Rocks up.

Other Options:

Onix has a decent physical movepool but unfortunately doesn't have the Attack power to use it. It for some reason also gets Dragon Pulse, Earth Power and Flash Cannon. All good moves wasted on a Pokemon that simply isn't cut out for offensive play. Bulldoze is STAB and could have a small niche however. Rototiller has a certain niche for double / triple battles I'm sure. Onix also gets access to Curse which could possibly give it a niche as an incredibly bulky Physical attacker. Finally, Onix has Sunny Day. Running this on a Sun Team could allow for a decent surprise factor.