Analysis
Dustox has always been a pretty bad mon, but in the context of 35 pokes… it’s still bad lol! But, if you use Dustox… you win something that your opponents won’t… true bravery, and that’s because you are definitely not winning the battle.
The Double Dance set uses Dustox’s “bulk” to become a Crit-Me-Not sweeper. Access to a valuable Toxic immunity, as well as an amazing ability in Shield Dust. Roost is a consistent healing move, which is great because Dustox will need multiple turns to setup, because it’s bulk isn’t great, or average for that matter. Bug Buzz is just your damage option, although Signal Beam is probably better because of the more pp, making it more sustainable. And while it does have a significant power decrease, Dustox isn’t going to do real damage anyway, so this set is recommended to be used alongside a Toxic Spikes user, like Glimmora.
Unfortunately, this is not really a good sweeper. Dustox being weak to rocks is definitely a weak point, and if you run boots you lose longevity that this set oh so desperately needs. A Dustox that is trying to setup can be setup fodder for opposing setup sweepers, meaning it can’t really setup easily, if at all.
However, Dustox doesn’t always have to be a setup sweeper, as it actually has decent utility moves. Having a low speed stat makes it a great pivot Pokémon, and unlike Bellibolt it’s pivot move can’t be blocked. Roost is, of course, there for reliable healing. Toxic + Protect is good for racking up damage that Dustox struggles up to do. Although, most people wouldn’t know, but Dustox has Defog, making it a somewhat reliable hazard removal with its bulk. Dustox also has Whirlwind, which gives it a phasing tool, and Electroweb, which could slow down fast threats, like Slush Rush users, as Dustox can usually survive and slow them down in return.
(252 Atk Choice Band Beartic Icicle Crash vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Dustox: 187-222 (57.7 - 68.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Life Orb Sandslash-Alola Iron Head vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Dustox: 129-152 (39.8 - 46.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO)
Unfortunately, the Dustox Utility set is still pretty mid. These amazing utility options are cool, but it’s stats are a big issue, and it usually is outclassed by Clodsire as a bulky Poison, or Rotom-Fan as a hazard removal that can pivot. However if you need a mon that needs the utility that Dustox can provide, then you should look into Dustox.
Written by OceanicGamer