Level 100 Statistics (see level 5, 50, 100)
|
Min- |
Min |
Max |
Max+ |
| HP |
80
|
- |
301 |
364 |
- |
| Atk |
80
|
176 |
196 |
259 |
284 |
| Def |
80
|
176 |
196 |
259 |
284 |
| SpA |
80
|
176 |
196 |
259 |
284 |
| SpD |
80
|
176 |
196 |
259 |
284 |
| Spe |
80
|
176 |
196 |
259 |
284 |
Overview
As a doppelganger of the legendary sea prince Manaphy, Phione doesn't look too horrible at first sight. Sure, it lacks huge stats, but they seem good enough for NU. It doesn't have access to boosting moves, but it can set up Rain Dance for teammates. In fact, the combination of Hydration, Rain Dance, Rest, and U-turn makes Phione seem like the Pokemon best suited for setting up rain. So what went wrong? Its bland typing adds no resistances to dedicated rain teams, and actually compounds the Electric- and Grass-type weaknesses that plague its teammates. For a utility supporter, this is a serious flaw. Competition from other superb rain setters makes it even harder for Phione to stand out. However, at the end of the day, you can laugh at Phione all you want; just have your game face on if you don't want to be washed away by incoming Swift Swim sweepers.
This set uses all of Phione's assets in order to muster up a decent supporting set. With U-turn, Phione can switch to a rain abuser immediately after setting up Rain Dance without having it take a hit. While Phione doesn't have any spectacular stats, its average Speed and bulk serves it well as a supporter. Rest, along with Hydration and Rain Dance, gives Phione enough bulk and longevity to set up rain multiple times a match. Scald is available as an attack, but you will rarely find yourself in a position to attack when you can simply U-turn to a sweeper that is far better at using the precious rain. Toxic is also an option to cripple opposing bulky Water-types and serve as a general nuisance against opposing stall.
Team Options & Additional Comments >>>
Damp Rock is the only viable item, as it lengthens the duration of Rain Dance significantly. The EVs and nature are for maximum physical bulk and a slow U-turn, but be sure to change the nature to Impish if you choose Toxic over Scald. Phione is relatively flexible with its EVs. In fact, an alternate spread with maximum HP and Speed may be useful for setting rain more reliably without worrying about Taunt users or faster attackers. However, this forfeits Phione's greatest asset, a slow U-turn to switch in a sweeper unscathed. It is important to pair up Phione with teammates that can effectively abuse the short bout of rain. Shell Smash Gorebyss and Huntail are incredibly dangerous in normal circumstances, and can be nigh unstoppable with rain support. Other capable Swift Swimmers include Seismitoad, Golduck, and Armaldo. Of course, dedicated rain teams need more than a single Rain Dance user. Electrode is yet another superb rain supporter, with a fast Taunt and Explosion at its disposal for maintaining momentum.
Other Options
Phione has little in the way of other options. An offensive Life Orb set can be viable with max Speed and Special Attack, especially as specially defensive Water-types, such as Mantine and Frillish, are often unable to harm Phione. Otherwise, Safeguard is the only remaining supporting option, which simply goes to show how pathetic its movepool is. Phione's greatest strength is support, and it should stick to providing 8-turn rain for its teammates.
Checks and Counters
Electric- and Grass-types can easily kill Phione with a super effective STAB move. However, countering Phione is often a pointless endeavor unless you can prevent it from setting up Rain Dance, as killing Phione will only allow the opposition to get a free switch to their sweeper. For example, Raichu, Rotom-S, and faster Electric-types can remove it before it gets a chance to set up Rain Dance. Also, Phione is rather helpless against Substitute and Taunt users, as it has little offensive presence. Often, Pokemon with Substitute easily set up on Phione, and can then hit the incoming rain sweeper with a strong attack. Finally, Huntail and Gorebyss set up on Phione, and use its rain to their advantage with Swift Swim.
