Using its impressive HP and Defense stats alongside its unique set of resistances and decent Speed tier, Buzzwole becomes a stellar physical wall capable of consistently answering some of the metagame's most dangerous physical attackers, such as Mienshao, Excadrill, Swords Dance Aegislash, and Scizor. Close Combat is preferred over Drain Punch because its higher Base Power allows it to deal with Roost variants of Scizor more effectively while making it less passive against bulky Pokemon such as Hydrapple and Celesteela. Earthquake OHKOes Iron Moth on the switch and prevents Okidogi and Aegislash lacking Air Balloon from taking advantage of it. Toxic allows Buzzwole to punish a wide range of defensive Pokemon, most notably Mega Latias, Slowbro, Rotom-Wash, and Hippowdon; its effectiveness at spreading it is compounded by the number of opportunities Buzzwole gets against the plethora of physical attackers it can force out. Alternatively, Bulk Up can help improve its matchups into attackers such as Scizor and Iron Boulder and turns it into a potent win condition that can power through weakened defensive Pokemon such as Celesteela and Slowking; increasing its Defense stat also allows Buzzwole to stay in against physical attackers such as Mega Aerodactyl and Victini in a pinch and KO them back. Lastly, Roost provides Buzzwole with a consistent recovery option that allows it to stay healthy in the face of pivoting moves such as U-turn from Mienshao and Scizor as well as sand when facing Sand Rush Excadrill and Choice Band Tyranitar. Heavy-Duty Boots are preferred to ensure Buzzwole isn't being worn down by entry hazards. However, on teams with consistent hazard removal, Rocky Helmet and Leftovers are alternative items that can assist Buzzwole by punishing the use of contact moves from Scizor and Excadrill with additional chip damage and providing passive healing, respectively. The given EV spread allows Buzzwole to outpace Adamant Azumarill and 2HKO maximum HP Scizor with Close Combat from full, with the rest in Defense to allow Buzzwole to survive all but the strongest physical attacks, including Iron Boulder's Continental Crush and Excadrill's Corkscrew Crash after a Swords Dance, though it is worth noting that Buzzwole can also run additional Speed EVs to outpace specific threats such as Swords Dance Aegislash and Tyranitar, improving its matchups against them at the cost of some physical bulk. With its immense defensive profile and decent offenses, Buzzwole can fit on various bulky offense and balance teams alike. Fast, frail attackers such as Iron Moth, Alakazam, and Mega Aerodactyl benefit the most from Buzzwole's ability to stave off common bulky attackers such as Scizor and Tyranitar that are often used to respond to them. In return, these Pokemon can help pressure several special attackers that may otherwise force Buzzwole out, notably Enamorus, Mega Gardevoir, and Keldeo. Similarly, other defensive staples such as Celesteela, Assault Vest Tangrowth, and Aegislash can pair well with Buzzwole, checking several of the aforementioned special attackers while appreciating Buzzwole's ability to stave off physical attackers such as Life Orb Mienshao and Bisharp and absorb potential attempts to cripple them with Knock Off. Buzzwole also appreciates Knock Off and hazard support from Tyranitar, Excadrill, and Clefable, each of which can help chip down defensive walls such as Celesteela, Skeledirge, and Amoonguss, supplementing Buzzwole's offenses while potentially opening up opportunities for it to sweep late-game with Bulk Up.

Offensive Buzzwole combines its naturally high Attack stat with its colorful coverage options to serve as a powerful wallbreaker, and unlike other Fighting-types like Mega Gallade, it does this while retaining great defensive utility between its stellar physical bulk and resistances. This allows it to consistently find opportunities against opposing offensive threats such as Mienshao and Tyranitar. Earthquake provides solid neutral coverage with Close Combat, OHKOing Iron Moth while also 2HKOing Aegislash and Skeledirge. Poison Jab can chunk Clefable attempting to switch in while hitting Enamorus and Azumarill super effectively. Roost provides Buzzwole with a form of reliable recovery, allowing it to leverage its defensive profile against potential threats such as Scizor long-term. Fist Plate strengthens Close Combat's power, allowing it to consistently 2HKO defensive Celesteela and Gastrodon. Alternatively, Life Orb also boosts the power of its coverage moves at the cost of sustaining recoil damage, notably allowing it to 2HKO physically defensive Clefable with Poison Jab. 188 Speed EVs ensure Buzzwole outruns maximum Speed Aegislash and Magnezone. Offensive Buzzwole fits best on bulkier teams in need of its firepower and natural defensive traits against potential threats such as Scizor and Tapu Bulu. Defensive Water-types such as Rotom-Wash and Slowking possess excellent synergy with Buzzwole; Buzzwole provides them with much needed security and a point of entry against the Dark- and Fighting-types, such as Mienshao, Tyranitar, and Zarude, which are capable of threatening or wearing them down; Rotom-Wash provides crucial hazard control to ensure Buzzwole's wallbreaking prowess isn't limited by entry hazards, whereas Slowking provides Future Sight support to help Buzzwole break down certain defensive Pokemon that would otherwise stop it, such as Mega Venusaur and Amoonguss. Entry hazard setters such as Excadrill, Skarmory, and Clefable can force additional chip damage onto physically defensive walls such as Tangrowth. Excadrill and Clefable also help play around dangerous Psychic-types such as Mega Latias and Reuniclus, which are capable of using Buzzwole as setup fodder. Additionally, Clefable can use Knock Off to remove items like Rocky Helmet from Skarmory and Heavy-Duty Boots from Slowking, making it easier for Buzzwole to break past these Pokemon as well. Lastly, Buzzwole also necessitates faster teammates in order to revenge kill the myriad of threats that are capable of outspeeding and forcing it out, such as Iron Moth and Alakazam. Teammates such as Iron Boulder, Zeraora, Mega Aerodactyl, and Choice Scarf Enamorus are all good examples that can assist in this aspect.