Electrode

[Bulbasaurus Rex]

How would this Electrode do as a Special Tank?

Electrode
Ability: Static
Item: Leftovers
Nature: Calm (+SD, -A)
EVs: 252 HP, 252 SD, 4 Speed

Magnet Rise
Thunderbolt
Mirror Coat
Toxic / Light Screen

Electrode doesn't have great HP or Special Defense, but its HP isn't horrible, and its Special Defense is good and better than its Defense. Magnet Rise is the difference maker, as it leaves Electrode with absolutely no weaknesses, and Electrode will be able to outspeed almost anything to allow it to setup Magnet Rise before any Ground attacks can get through. Thunderbolt is by far Electrode's best direct attack and gets STAB as well as using its good Special Attack power. Mirror Coat takes advantage of its special tanking abilities and can pull out a surprise KO every once in a while.

Which is better for that last spot? Toxic takes care of all physical attacking opponents that resist Thunderbolt except for Steelix and physical versions of Venusaur, Nidoqueen, Nidoking, and Victreebel. Light Screen greatly increases its special tanking abilities, but you're screwed against a lot more opponents like Swampert.

[Pencil Thief]

I would say Toxic for the last slot, because the pokemon you mentioned are rarely going to be scene in a competitive environment.

[WER]

478 attack vs 284 defense, 140 power(*1.5), 324 max HP: 78.09% - 91.98%

That's the calculation for your Electrode taking a Draco Meteor from a Timid SpecsMence. You might wanna reconsidering having a Special wall that will get 2hkoed by Draco Meteor.

Yes, Electrode outspeeds Mence, but are you really gonna keep Mence in on Electrode anyway? Plus, if Stealth Rock is in play you've got a good chance of getting OHKOed.

[Bulbasaurus Rex]

Well, no Pokémon can cover everything. Electrode is still able to take 1 or more hits from most special attacks from most Pokémon. Even if Electrode is going to get OHKOed by Salamence's Draco Meteor, it can get a Thunderbolt or Toxic in first, while Salamence loses half of its Special Attack power.

Actually, I mean Electrode will still be able to take 2 or more hits from most special attacks from most Pokémon.

And if Draco Meteor is going to be a 2HKO, that leaves even more options. The best one is to Mirror Coat the Draco Meteor for a KO on Salamence. Failing that, you could use Magnet Rise the first turn to guard against the possibility of Earthquake, then throw in a Thunderbolt or Toxic before Electrode goes down. If you know Salamence won't have Earthquake, you could use 2 Thunderbolts or a Thunderbolt and Toxic. If you're using Light Screen, you can throw that up and last a lot longer. You could also switch. Any of these options will cause Salamence to lose at least half of its Special Attack power from Draco Meteor's side effect. If Salamence switches after the first turn, you get a free attack against the next Pokémon, and then most likely outspeed it for another attack or switch.

[WER]

What happens if Electrode is your team's special wall, and you switch it into a Salamence Draco Meteor? Chances are you're not going to have a situation where Electrode and Salamence come out at the same time, and I'd assume that it's carrying HP Ice, so I know I would be switching out.

[Bulbasaurus Rex]

First of all, it's a Special Tank, not a Special Wall. It's meant to more damage from special attacks than a special wall but fight back with Thunderbolt, Mirror Coat, and maybe Toxic. With Magnet Rise as a big part of its defense, I'd try to send it out either at the beginning of the battle or after something else has been defeated, not as a switch in. I certainly wouldn't switch it into a Salamence, which is a physical sweeper quite often and also has access to Earthquake. If Salamence does switch, I get a free attack on the next Pokémon and will probably outspeed it to get in a 2nd consecutive attack.

[WER]

If that's the case then I would substitute HP Ice/Grass over Mirror Coat. You don't seem to have too many options when it comes to dealing with Ground types. Personally I'd go with Ice because the threat of Garchomp is a very real one.

And "tank" doesn't mean it shouldn't take hits as well as a wall. A tank is exactly like a wall, except for the fact that it can threaten the stuff it's supposed to wall. There's a difference between "My Pokemon is a Special tank" and "My Pokemon is EVed to take a Special hit or two".

[Bulbasaurus Rex]

Originally Posted by WER

If that's the case then I would substitute HP Ice/Grass over Mirror Coat. You don't seem to have too many options when it comes to dealing with Ground types. Personally I'd go with Ice because the threat of Garchomp is a very real one.

I do have Toxic that will work against all Ground types except Nidoqueen, Nidoking, and Steelix, but I suppose HP Ice would be a better option for the 4th move spot instead of Toxic or Light Screen.