Mastering Watchhog in Pokemon Legends: Z-A – A Surprising Physical Attacker

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In the world of Pokemon, certain creatures are often considered "underdogs" due to their unimpressive stats or unremarkable movepools. Watchhog, however, is one of those Pokemon that defies expectations in Pokemon Legends: Z-A. While it typically doesn't stand out in traditional gameplay, when used correctly, Watchhog can be a formidable force that surprises both opponents and players alike.

Why Watchhog?

At first glance, Watchhog’s base stats seem underwhelming. With an attack stat of 85 and generally low defenses, it doesn’t scream "top-tier contender" at all. However, there is an interesting strategy that completely changes how Watchhog operates in battle, making it a sleeper pick for those looking to try something a bit different.

The key to Watchhog’s success lies in the combination of the Scope Lens and Focus Energy. The Scope Lens boosts Watchhog's critical hit rate, while Focus Energy further increases the crit chance, ensuring that its critical hits become a reliable part of its offensive strategy. Combine that with Swords Dance, a move that sharply raises Watchhog’s attack, and Giga Impact, a devastating physical move, and you've got a recipe for a potential powerhouse.

Setting Up for Success

Using Watchhog effectively requires patience and precision, as it relies on setup moves to maximize its damage output. The sequence typically involves:

Focus Energy: This sets up Watchhog’s critical hit chances.

Swords Dance: Boosts its attack even further, making Watchhog a serious threat.

Giga Impact: A powerful attack that, when coupled with the increased attack and guaranteed critical hits, can wipe out enemies in one shot.

This setup requires some time to execute, so positioning and map choice are key. On smaller maps, where you can lock onto an opponent more easily, this setup can lead to some incredible moments, like the three KOs Watchhog scored in a recent match. However, on larger maps, the strategy becomes more difficult to execute because the time it takes to set up gives your opponents a chance to react.

Watchhog in Action: A Gameplay Breakdown

One of the most surprising aspects of using Watchhog in Pokemon Legends: Z-A is how it can dominate a match if everything falls into place. In a recent clip, Watchhog was able to secure a triple knockout with just one Giga Impact after setting up with Focus Energy and Swords Dance. It's moments like these that make Watchhog so enjoyable to use. While these occurrences aren't common, they demonstrate just how powerful Watchhog can be when it’s given the right conditions.

However, it’s not always smooth sailing. Watchhog can struggle against Ghost and Steel-type Pokemon, which are immune to Giga Impact or resist it significantly. So, players need to be aware of these counters when building their team around Watchhog. For optimal results, pairing Watchhog with powerful allies like Xerneas and Clawitzer can help cover its weaknesses and create a balanced team.

Key Considerations for Using Watchhog

Map Selection: Smaller maps are ideal for Watchhog since they allow you to set up your combo more easily. Large, open areas make it harder to execute Watchhog's strategy due to the time it takes to set up and the higher chance that an opponent will interrupt you.

Opponent Awareness: Watchhog is particularly effective against neutral targets—those who don't resist Giga Impact. If your opponent has a Ghost or Steel-type, it’s important to either play around them or choose another Pokemon to counter them.

Teaming Up: Watchhog works best when supported by other strong Pokemon. Pairing it with powerful sweepers like Clawitzer or Xerneas can help ensure you have backup when Watchhog’s strategy doesn’t quite pan out.

Should You Buy Shiny or Alpha Watchhog?

For those looking to spice things up with a shiny or alpha Watchhog, it's certainly possible to buy shiny Pokemon or even buy alpha Pokemon from reliable sources like U4GM. Having a shiny or alpha Watchhog doesn’t change its core performance, but it does make it more visually exciting to use in battle. Just keep in mind that using shiny or alpha versions does not guarantee victory—they are primarily cosmetic upgrades, so it's important to focus on strategy and proper team-building first.

Watchhog may not be the first Pokemon you think of when planning your team, but with the right setup and strategy, it can shine in Pokemon Legends: Z-A. While it has its limitations, the ability to hit hard with Giga Impact after a few setup moves is not to be underestimated. If you’re looking for a fun, niche Pokemon to experiment with, Watchhog might just be the perfect choice. Just remember: timing and map awareness are essential for making the most of this surprisingly powerful crit machine.

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