ANALYSIS
Arctibax is one of the NFEs in this meta, and with surprisingly decent attack (95), it can hit decently hard. It has 90/65/65 bulk, which isn’t the greatest bulk, but thanks to the eviolite, both of its defenses reach a respectable level, meaning it is actually somewhat bulky. It’s speed is also kinda bad (62). However this can be solved by using Dragon Dan- oh it doesn’t get it. That’s okay! It can use Swords Dance and Scale- wait it doesn’t get Scale Shot either?
Yeah so, Artcibax is forced to use max HP and max Attack instead of max Speed and max Attack, because if it can't boost it's poor speed, what's the point? With Max HP and Eviolite, it becomes a bulky attacker, being able to take hits and hit hard back.
Thanks to its ability Thermal Exchange, it doesn't have to fear Will-O-Wisp from Rotom-Fan, and can setup on it with Swords Dance. It's main STABs of choice are Icicle Crash and Outrage. While Icicle Crash is inconsistent, it really has no choice but to use it. Outrage tho, hits very hard and doesn't have many switchins. The last slot can be used for coverage. Iron Head can be used to hit Fairies like Florges and Hatterene, while Brick Break can be used to hit Alolan-Sandslash and Rhydon, who would otherwise eat its hits easily.
Unfortunately, Arctibax isn't that great in the meta. It is, again, very slow so it can easily be revenge killed if it takes too much damage, and being weak to Stealth Rock is a detriment to it, as it needs eviolite to do it's job.
Written by OceanicGamer