Pawmot in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC Regulation H: Best build, strategies, and more

Pawmot in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC has shown promise as a somewhat niche support option with some potent damage opportunities. The creature was used in multiple ways during the recent Baltimore Regional Championships, but they all seemed to follow a similar playstyle that offered a bit more offense than the standard support.

Here is everything to know about Pawmot in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC.

Note: Some aspects of this article are subjective and reflect the writer's opinions

Why use Pawmot in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC

Pawmot is an Electric and Fighting-type Pokemon (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Pawmot in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC has access to a surprising amount of helpful utility moves. Most notably, it has access to Fake Out, which can cause its target to flinch without protection from abilities, Protect, or the Covert Cloak item. This can be helpful for shutting down turn-one set-ups or heavy burst damage.

Also read: 5 unexpected picks at Pokemon VGC Baltimore Regional Championships

Pawmot's Fighting coverage and typing allow it to deal with the many Rock- and Steel-type critters that find themselves relevant in Regulation H's lower power level.

The Pocket Monster can also learn Revival Blessing, the only move in the game that can bring a teammate back from fainting.

Best strategies for Pawmot in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

Pawmot can fit decently into most teams, as it can make great use Fake Out. More damage is also great to have on any team.

However, Pawmot works much better with a teammate that can set up status conditions like sleep or paralysis or those that can boost its speed with Tailwind.

With its access to heavy-hitting moves like Close Combat and Double Shock, Pawmot can easily score knock-outs on creatures that cannot move before it.

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Pawmot pairs well with redirectors like Amoonguss, as they can take the pressure off of it, providing it safety after using Fake Out. The Pocket Monster's access to Revival Blessing also makes it a viable choice for players who build their teams around a particular damage carry like Dondozo or Hisuian Typhlosion. The move allows them to revive the carry if it fainted previously.

Best build for Pawmot in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC

Pawmot has access to two powerful attacks that both benefit from the same-type attack bonus (Image via Game Freak)

With speed and physical attack being Pawmot's biggest strengths, the creature is built to maximize these benefits. Since the Pocket Monster is not fit for Trick Room teams, players are safe to bring one with perfect IVs.

Here is a potential build that players can find success with when using Pawmot in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC:

Nature: Adamant (+ Attack, - Special Attack)
Effort Values: 252 Attack, 252 Speed, 4 Defense
Held Item: Focus Sash
Tera Type: Electric
Moves: Fake Out, Revival Blessing, Close Combat, Double Shock

The use of the Electric Tera Type allows Pawmot to spam Double Shock. Terastallizing Pawmot keeps its Electric typing from going away, counteracting Double Shock's only downside.

Protect can be taken over Revival Blessing if players want to prioritize Pawmot's damage potential, or if they are pairing it with Earthquake-users.

Counters to Pawmot in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC

Since Pawmot relies heavily on speed and status from its teammates, Trick Room and opposing Tailwinds tend to be its greatest bane.

Fake Out is also a huge thorn in the critter's side due to it negating the effects of the Focus Sash it holds, typically allowing it to last a few turns. The flinch also wastes Pawmot's turn, greatly hindering its value.

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Sand Rush Excadrill and Life Orb Garchomp can wall off Double Shock, thanks to their immunity to the Electric element. They can then retort with massive burst damage from Earthquake.

With Sandstorm teams being built around dealing chip damage and soaking up large amounts of damage, they are the best strategy for dealing with Pawmot in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC.