Steelix offensive moves
Well now that the defenders tier list is out they have labeled dragontail/irontail and heavy slam as an A on defense. I just evolved a 100% onix and got dragontail and heavy slam. On offense will the difference in EPS between dragontail and iron tail counter the dps difference between the two since dragontail doesn't get the STAB. I want to power up this steelix all the way since steelix happens to be a personal favorite, but I'm wondering where this moveset will fall in terms of offense for a steelix. Do you guys think it will be an A, B, or C rank for steelix?
Answers
Although it is a great defender, its one of those that suffer for lack of CP to occupy a great spot in a gym, so it falls into that same group as Lapras and Confusion Exeggutor or slowbros - very nasty to battle against and really great defenders, but likely to be first to get shaved off the bottom of strong gyms.
For that reason, I think I would personally use the strong defense in an offense role: even well powered it is actually a good attacker and prestiger using a no dodge strategy (taking some damage in return charges the fast move better) and with that strategy, the faster charging quick move (DT) is going to be excellent, especially against dragonite (which its super effective against) while Steelix resists all of dragonite's moves, including legacy. Then although HS is neutral against dragon/flying is does decent damage (70 per use, thus 140 per full charge bar versus only 120 for earthquake). Crunch does even more damage, but is too slow for optimum attack.
So I would say you have the optimum attacking moveset for a no-dodge attack style, particularly in the matchup versus Dragonite, which will be the target you relish dealing damage too. Power that thing up!
Just to confirm, if you run Pokebattler sims, a level 30 perfect IV with that moveset is definitely the best versus Dragonite with any moveset. Using the "Dodge specials pro" strategy (i.e. no dodging the quick moves, unleash charge move as soon as possible, just dodge the quick moves) it will take down level 30 dragonite in just over 30 seconds, with between 40% and ~65% HP remaining (though personally I'll stick to my FB/B Cloyster):
http://www.pokebattler.com/fights/attackers/STEELIX/quickMoves/DRAGON_TAIL_FAST/cinMoves/HEAVY_SLAM/levels/30/ivs/FFF/defenders/DRAGONITE/quickMoves/DRAGON_BREATH_FAST/cinMoves/DRAGON_CLAW/levels/30/ivs/FFF/strategies/DODGE_SPECIALS/DEFENSE
I did say "if your local CP meta allows it". Even being low, it sits near or at the bottom catching the dragonites that the game selects for the player to use, which I doubt many bother to switch. Especially with steelix's non threatening CP.
I'm not sure many players will enjoy using Steelix as an attacker with such a low attack stat drawing out battles so long. Using snorlax as an example it's considered one of the best attackers on paper yet the majority of players dislike using him.
Anyways, it was just my opinion. I'm sure the poster would feel good showing off most likely the best Steelix in his area. I've got my 100iv IT/Cr in a gym right now, I attacked it just to get a feel for Steelix and he is the new Poli/slowbro. Tough dude.
Offensive moveset rankings are sometimes purely subjective since a faster move may be less DPS, but makes dodging easier, and easier dodging is pretty difficult to create a metric for since it comes down to player awareness and also decreases the energy you gain from taking damage. Dodging is irrelevant in this case though because DT and IT have the same speed.
IT/HS is theoretically the best moveset on both offense and defense numbers-wise. DT gives a little more energy per hit but not enough to compensate for the STAB bonus IT gets. But DT is a better offensive typing due to less resistances and super effectiveness against Dragonite.
It's up to you. In a neutral setting (where neither Dragon nor Steel is super effective or resisted by what you're attacking), DT/HS is about 8% less effective than IT/HS, but if you find yourself fighting a lot of Fire, Water, Electric, or Dragon types with Steelix, DT will be better there.
