QC Checks: PK Gaming, Snunch, Delta 2777
GP Checks: New World Order, Woodchuck (Stamped by ShakeItUp)
Mind Controller's Analysis
[Overview]
<p>Formerly the best ADV OU spinblocker, Dusclops fell from grace during DPP due to the addition of Dusknoir and the Rotom Appliances. BW brought about the addition of Eviolite, which allows Dusclops to perform defensive duties better than Dusknoir due to a 50% buff to its defenses. This item, two useful immunities, and Pressure allow Dusclops to absorb hits while distributing statuses such as burn and poison. Coupled with the fact that the Rotom Appliances lost their Ghost typing with the generation shift, Dusclops can now compete comfortably for the role of best spinblocker in UU.</p>
<p>There are some disadvantages to using Eviolite; it means Dusclops is without Leftovers recovery, forcing it to rely on less reliable forms of recovery, such as Pain Split or Rest, which can leave Dusclops in a tight spot if forced out. Unlike big brother Dusknoir, who has useable Base 100 Attack, Dusclops barely scratches opponents with its Base 70 Attack and Base 60 Special Attack, so it has to resort to set power moves like Night Shade or Seismic Toss to inflict any damage. To top it all off, entry hazards and status greatly ruin Dusclops's walling capabilities, so one must take care to avoid them. All in all, Dusclops remains the same as it was since it premiered in ADV, and, even with some bumps along the road, the Ghost-type does justice to its walling and spinblocking duties.</p>
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Will-O-Wisp
move 2: Pain Split
move 3: Toxic / Taunt
move 4: Night Shade
item: Evolite
ability: Pressure
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 176 Def / 80 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Thanks to Eviolite, Dusclops becomes a near impenetrable wall that can inflict burn or poison status. The EV spread gives Dusclops 284/561/474 defenses, which allows it to deal with the numerous physical attackers in the tier. Therefore, Will-O-Wisp is the preferred status move for Dusclops, as it can survive a good amount of hits from physical attackers and cripple them with a burn. For a secondary status move, Toxic compliments Dusclops's tanking ability against other walls, such as Milotic. With Night Shade on hand, Dusclops completely ignores the defense boost provided by Marvel Scale and wears down Milotic using Night Shade and Pain Split. Night Shade is chosen over Seismic Toss to break through Mismagius's Substitutes and hit other Ghost-type Pokemon. Most of Seismic Toss's primary targets, Normal-types, are crippled with Will-O-Wisp, and Chansey, the only exception, can easily heal off the damage.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>If you have no problems dealing with Flash Fire Pokemon, who gain a boost to their Fire-type attacks when hit by Will-O-Wisp, Taunt can be used over Toxic to shut down opposing walls. Seismic Toss can be used in place of Toxic, granting Dusclops perfect coverage while also minimizing the effectiveness of opposing Taunt users. This also allows Dusclops to avoid being walled by Normal-types such as Ambipom and Snorlax. An alternative spread of 252 HP / 128 Def / 128 SpD can be used if a more balanced distribution is desired. This spread gives Dusclops better special defense at the cost of physical defense.</p>
<p>Dusclops is susceptible to status and entry hazards, so Rapid Spin and cleric support are greatly welcomed. Xatu can reflect back entry hazards and any status moves aimed at Dusclops thanks to Magic Bounce. However, both share Dark and Ghost weaknesses, so if you prefer a spinner, Hitmontop is a better choice, as it can take unboosted Ghost-type attacks decently and resist the STAB of and subsequently scare off Dark-types. As for a cleric, Chansey compliments Dusclops's physically defensive capabilities by absorbing special hits. Chansey can also neutralize Ghost-type moves, while Dusclops can block Fighting-type moves that threaten Chansey. Wish and Aromatherapy support also greatly benefit Dusclops. For offensive partners, Steel-types can soak up Dark- and Ghost-type moves and hit back with their own STAB moves. Bisharp and Empoleon are good examples of this, both switching in easily on either type.</p>
[SET]
name: RestTalk
move 1: Will-O-Wisp / Toxic
move 2: Rest
move 3: Sleep Talk
move 4: Night Shade
item: Evolite
ability: Pressure
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 176 Def / 80 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Rest and Sleep Talk have always been a great combination on any bulky Pokemon, and Dusclops is no exception. This set allows Dusclops to absorb any status, heal itself completely with Rest, and is able to continue attacking during the turns of sleep thanks to Sleep Talk. Will-O-Wisp is chosen over Toxic because it hits a wider range of Pokemon and cripples physical attackers. Much like the previous set, Night Shade is chosen over Seismic Toss to combat Ghost-types who run Substitute, such as Mismagius.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>You can go for Toxic over Will-O-Wisp, but only if you have other means of taking care of physical attackers. Note that there are two types immune to poison (Poison- and Steel-types) compared to one type being immune to burns (Fire-types). Unlike the previous set, this Dusclops doesn't mind entry hazards as much, since it can heal up status and damage with Rest. However, Fire-types, particularly those with Flash Fire, such as Arcanine and Houndoom, are much more dangerous thanks to the unreliability of Sleep Talk. Therefore, bulky Water-types, such as Milotic, make excellent partners, scaring away Fire-types with STAB Scald. Chansey is a stronger counter to this set, as it does not care about Will-O-Wisp and is immune to Night Shade. Fighting-types such as Heracross and Hitmontop can scare away the bloated blob; Dusclops attracts status inflicting moves, so switching in Heracross on the predicted Toxic from Chansey is beneficial. A Chansey of your own provide Aromatherapy support should Dusclops be forced to switch out while asleep.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Toxic stall may be viable with Protect, but Milotic pulls it off better thanks to Recover. Confuse Ray can be used to potentially cause switches or to discourage attacks. Trick Room is an option and Dusclops can repeatedly set it up due to its great defenses. However, it can't inflict meaningful damage and must constantly switch out to a Pokemon that can make effective use of Trick Room. Gravity is an okay support option; however, Dusknoir performs such duties better, as it has higher Attack with which to take advantage of DynamicPunch and Earthquake. In addition, Gravity Dusclops suffers the same problem Trick Room Dusclops faces in that it itself is unable to make much use of Gravity.</p>
<p>Dusclops has a lot of physical moves such as Earthquake and the elemental punches, but its low Attack stat makes them unfavorable. Dusknoir makes much better use of these moves. Torment and Disable is an extremely annoying combination, but Dusclops is too slow to effectively pull it off. Memento can be used to help set up a teammate, although Dusclops is also too slow for that. Memento is also a waste of Dusclops's defensive capabilities. Seismic Toss can hit Normal-types, but most of them have too much HP or are burned into uselessness anyway. Dusclops has access to powerful specially based moves, such as Shadow Ball and Ice Beam, and can make use of them with Calm Mind. However, the poor damage output, even after two boosts, makes it an unattractive option.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Given Dusclops's lack of speed, anything with Substitute and a setup move can set itself up for a sweep. Normal-type sweepers are best, since they are immune to Night Shade, and Seismic Toss is rarely seen on Dusclops. Chansey wins one-on-one confrontations with Dusclops, since it can outstall most variants with Toxic and Softboiled or Wish. If it gets inflicted with a burn or poison, it simply needs to switch out to cure status or use Aromatherapy. Xatu is immune from non-damaging and status inflicting moves thanks to Magic Bounce and is able to outstall Dusclops with a combination of Night Shade and Roost. Hard hitters, such as Victini and Nidoking, are immune to burn and poison, respectively, and possess enough power to 2HKO Dusclops. Houndoom and Arcanine are immune to Will-O-Wisp and will enjoy the Flash Fire boost. In particular, Houndoom with Nasty Plot is especially deadly after the Flash Fire boost. Taunt users also screw Dusclops as most only carry one attacking move.</p>
