Johnny's PokéReview #2: Toxicroak

"Neurotoxin"

#454 - Toxicroak, the Toxic Mouth Pokémon
Ability: Dry Skin (Recovers HP in rain, loses HP in sun, absorbs water, weak to fire)
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 HP, 252 Atk, 6 Def or Spdef
Hold: Focus Sash
-Sucker Punch
-Bullet Punch
-Pursuit
-Snatch

Neurotoxin exists for the very purpose its name implies: to screw with both yourself and the opponent. Optimized towards mind games rather than brute force, it can counter anything...assuming you choose the right move.

Sucker Punch is for when the opponent uses an offensive move. Hit em with a strong attack.

Bullet Punch covers offensive status moves like T-Wave. While you'll still be hit, they'll take damage, and ensures the opponent can never be safe regardless of what they use.

Pursuit is for if they foolishly decide to switch out, with the bonus of working even if they don't.

Lastly, Snatch steals healing and other support moves, which works well with Sucker Punch, as the latter is expected on Toxicroak, whereas Snatch isn't very common.

This moveset creates a scenario where the opponent cannot do ANYTHING without the possibility of being screwed. All they can do is limit the damage. This has the bonus of working best against psychics and ghosts, two things Toxicroak has trouble countering without Sucker Punch, and who might be tempted to set up on Toxicroak, or switch out to avoid the punch.

This also hast he benefit of working even once the opponent knows it's moveset (perhaps even working better), as long as the user doesn't brandish it against pokémon resistant to dark or steel, or heavy hitters (such as choice users) who exclusively use one type of attack.

EVs are for HP and Attack since not only does Dry Skin recover HP in rain, but all moves are priority, with the sole exception of non-switch Pursuit, so speed is useless. Focus Sash allows it to continue living, and as it's designed for optimal use in rain, sandstorm and hail aren't as much of a problem. Entry hazards are negated by the rain's recovery, thus ensuring that the focus sash won't be wrecked by Stealth Rock (which he resists). He even has the benefit of absorbing Toxic Spikes, and Dry Skin allows him to absorb water-attacks, giving him the bonus of Water Absorb.

All in all, Neurotoxin isn't intended to be a heavy hitter. He isn't meant to carry his own weight. His mission is simple: screw with your opponent and their walls and more frail sweepers. He is there for fun, and is not meant for "serious" OU-style teams. He probably won't win any battles for you, and may even be a dead weight at times. But damn is he fun, and really, isn't that what Pokémon is all about?

Other moves to consider are:
-Fake Out for a quick priority attack. Can help wear down pokémon for later sucker punching or pursuiting, and generally just screw with them further.
-Feint, normally a pretty crappy move, can add a new dimension to Neurotoxin's mind games by adding the possibility of even hitting through protect or detect, although it may be more useful in doubles than in singles.
-Taunt, Torment, Captivate, Attract, and Swagger are other notables, for their ability to mess with the opponent, but they rely on speed, and are generally not as effective for the purpose of screwing with the opponent as the other moves.