Slaking

Legal regulations: regulation-m-a

Slaking is a high-risk, high-reward restricted slot: its Attack stat is among the highest in Regulation M-A, but its Truant ability forces it to loaf around every other turn, which changes the entire way a team has to play. In practice Slaking functions as a board-control threat that pressures opponents into acting on a specific clock — they know you have one strong turn followed by a free one, and the mind games around that rhythm are where the value lives. It can also be built with a speed or support twist to minimize the Truant downside, but the honest evaluation is that Slaking trades reliability for a damage ceiling most restricted Pokémon cannot match. It is very vulnerable to being punished during its loaf turns, so it demands heavy support: redirection, Fake Out and Intimidate to keep it alive when it cannot act. It struggles against strong Fighting and Steel coverage. Teams that commit to Slaking must win the games they can end in two or three of its active turns, because every loaf turn is an open invitation for the opponent to reclaim the board. It is a niche but real strategy in the format.

Use this page to understand Slaking's role in the current VGC metagame. Check the base stats and Level 50 benchmarks to plan your EV spreads. Review common moves, items, abilities and Tera types to see what the community uses most. The partners section shows which Pokémon pair well with Slaking, while counters and checks highlight what to watch out for in team preview.

Last updated: July 2026 (Regulation Set M-A). Data is based on available competitive trends and editorial review.

Slaking performs best when its role is clearly defined in team preview. As a Physical Attacker and Speed Control Pokémon, focus on positioning it where it can execute its job without being forced into unfavorable exchanges.

When teambuilding, pair Slaking with Pokémon that cover its type weaknesses (see counters section below) and provide the speed control or redirection it needs to function. Review the common moves and items section for established sets, then adjust based on your team's specific needs.