Ting Lu

With excellent bulk, Vessel of Ruin, and a strong support movepool, Ting-Lu makes for a good supportive attacker. Thanks to Vessel of Ruin, it can slow down the metagame's special attacking compositions, like Farigiraf + Ursaluna-B and Flutter Mane + Chi-Yu. These traits make for a good supportive attacker and defensive wall.

Ting-Lu synergizes well with bulky disruptive Pokemon that can take advantage of Vessel of Ruin. Dondozo is the perfect example, as it appreciates Vessel of Ruin to more easily set up Yawns in combination with Ting Lu's Sand Tomb. Ting Lu's typing makes it weak to many of the strong physical attackers in the format, such as both Urshifu formes, Rillaboom, and the various Ogerpon formes, meaning it appreciates Incineroar's Intimidate and Amoonguss's redirection.

Ting Lu struggles with passivity; it's vulnerable to being overwhelmed or weakened by Intimidate easily, relying on partners to make up for its low damage. These partners can include Dragonite, which is unaffected by Intimidate and threatens big damage with priority, or Gouging Fire, which can use Howl to increase Ting Lu's offensive presence.