|
-
Intimidate
- Lowers the foe's Attack 1 stage. Decreases wild encounter rate.
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Statistics
|
Min- |
Min |
Max |
Max+ |
| HP |
70
|
- |
281 |
344 |
- |
| Atk |
60
|
140 |
156 |
219 |
240 |
| Def |
62
|
144 |
160 |
223 |
245 |
| SpA |
80
|
176 |
196 |
259 |
284 |
| SpD |
82
|
180 |
200 |
263 |
289 |
| Spe |
60
|
140 |
156 |
219 |
240 |
Masquerain is often forgotten, for good reason, due to being inferior to many other Choice Specs users. However, this set still takes advantage of Masquerain’s decent Special Attack and good movepool.
Bug Buzz provides reliable STAB, as well as being able to 2HKO Hypno and Grumpig, while Ice Beam hits Altaria and other Flying-types hard. Hydro Pump is useful for quite a few Pokémon, most notably Probopass, who is 2HKO’d by this 65% of the time after taking Leftovers recovery into consideration. Hidden Power Ground guarantees the 2HKO, but has less base power when dealing neutral damage. The last slot can be used for secondary STAB through Air Slash, however, Shadow Ball hits Rotom and Drifblim harder while Energy Ball deals an OHKO to Whiscash and Quagsire, as well as stopping Lanturn from walling you if you don't carry Hidden Power Ground.
This set utilizes the ever common “ParaFlinch”. Stun Spore the switch in, Air Slash, and hope for either a flinch or paralysis. Roost allows for some much needed recovery given Masquerain's 4x weakness to the ever present Stealth Rock, but Hydro Pump provides decent additional coverage. Shadow Ball can again be used in the final slot for Rotom, who can otherwise Rest off Stun Spore. Bug Buzz gives another STAB move though, and helps take out Hypno and Grumpig, though Ice Beam may suit your tastes more.
This set is extremely simple: you Agility then Baton Pass the boost. Hydro Pump gives good coverage, though passing a Substitute will help the switch-in. Substitute also helps you down to a Berry boost. Air Slash or Bug Buzz is for STAB, though the former may be slightly better with its 30% flinch rate, which benefits more from Masquerain’s boost in Speed. An alternate EV spread of 244 HP / 120 Def / 144 Spe can be used with a Bold nature, which allows more bulk. 144 Speed EVs allow you to still outspeed Swellow after an Agility.
Other Options
Masquerain can use Silver Wind, hoping to get stat boosts; however, the 10% chance that it will happen isn't exactly something to rely on. Masquerain can also use Agility with a more offensive style set and attempt to sweep.
EVs
Generally Masquerain will want a Timid or Modest nature with max Special Attack, while investing in Speed or HP. On the Agility set, Masquerain can use an EV investment of either 216 or 144 in Speed, allowing you to outrun Electrode and Swellow respectively after an Agility. Masquerain also has decent resists, especially Grass, Bug, and Fighting, as well as an immunity to Ground, so it is viable to invest into the defenses. Use an odd HP stat, so you can switch into Stealth Rock twice before fainting.
Opinion
At first Masquerain looks awful, but it has a surprisingly good movepool, which helps it out a lot. Its stats aren’t much to boast about, but Masquerain can do a lot with them. Choice Specs is surprisingly powerful, and can 2HKO many of UU's common special walls. Masquerain’s biggest problem is its slow Speed, which will often hinder a sweep.
Counters
Muk counters Masquerain fairly well, and can Haze the stat boosts away, as can Mantine. The Choice Specs set is by far the most dangerous, and is countered by prediction. Masquerain can do huge damage if it scores a super effective hit, so try to prevent this. Stealth Rock also helps in wearing Masquerain down.
