Many credits go to Elevator Music's skeleton!
QC [2/2]: Heysup; Moo
GP [1/2]: Comatthew6
[Overview]
<p>Koffing hasn't changed much this generation, but it did gain access to Clear Smog. Clear Smog has granted Koffing a new niche because it allows Koffing to effectively stop physical boosting sweepers. This, along with his great defense stat, resistance to the common Fighting-type attacks, and Will-O-Wisp, makes Smogon's mascot a great physical wall. However, all is not good for the Poison Gas Pokemon. Koffing has a lack of reliable recovery, which is a huge flaw for any defensive Pokemon because it limits its survivability. Koffing's average HP and Special Defense stats aren't good news either. Overall, though, Koffing should be considered for any team having problems with physical sweepers.</p>
[SET]
name: RestTalk
move 1: Rest
move 2: Sleep Talk
move 3: Clear Smog
move 4: Will-O-Wisp
item: Eviolite
nature: Bold
evs: 196 HP / 236 Def / 76 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>The purpose of this set is to wall physical sweepers throughout the entire match. Clear Smog stops sweepers in their tracks, ridding them of any boosts they have. Scraggy, Drilbur, and Timburr are examples of sweepers that Clear Smog will halt. Will-O-Wisp can permanently cripple most physical Pokemon, such as Mienfoo and Croagunk, which can greatly aid your team. And though Rest isn't the most reliable type of recovery, it does fully restore Koffing's HP and remove status. Sleep Talk is almost always mandatory alongside Rest, because it allows Koffing to actually do something while it's asleep.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>There are a variety of options Koffing can choose to use over Will-O-Wisp. Stockpile can be used to boost Koffing's defenses, making it much harder to take down. Using Flamethrower or Fire Blast gives Koffing a way to deal with Ferroseed and other Steel-types who are immune to Clear Smog, such as Magnemite. If you want Koffing to be able to deal a good amount of damage, Sludge Bomb is viable, but it leaves Koffing useless against the likes of Pawniard, Aron, and other Steel-types. Bulky waters such as Slowpoke can be troublesome for this set because they don't mind taking a Clear Smog or being burned. Toxic or Thunderbolt can be used to deal with them more easily. Finally, Explosion is an option for Koffing to sacrifice itself and deal a huge amount of damage after it has served its purpose in the match.</p>
<p>Koffing has trouble taking hits from special side, so walls such as Munchlax, Ferroseed, and Lileep are fantastic partners for Koffing. They all can easily take special attacks and their Fighting weakness is covered by Koffing. Entry hazards are great if you plan to use Koffing, because Koffing forces many switches during a match. Lileep and Ferroseed can both set up entry hazards while also sponging the special attacks aimed at Koffing. Any Pokemon that benefits from the removal of Fighting-types also makes great partners. Aron, Deino, and Pawniard all have an easier time sweeping with Fighting-types removed. Since this Koffing uses Rest, a cleric such as Chinchou or Lickitung can be considered because of the new sleep mechanics introduced in this generation.</p>
[SET]
name: Pain Split
move 1: Pain Split
move 2: Clear Smog
move 3: Will-O-Wisp
move 4: Fire Blast / Sludge Bomb
item: Eviolite
nature: Bold
evs: 196 HP / 76 Def / 236 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set plays in a similar way to the above set as it's meant to wall physical sweepers, mainly Fighting-types. Instead of Rest, however, Pain Split is the chosen form of recovery. While Pain Split doesn't generally restore as much health as other forms of recovery, it does take away the HP of opposing Pokemon (unless they have less HP than you do) which is always helpful. Using Pain Split also means that Koffing doesn't need to use Sleep Talk, meaning an extra move slot is open. Fire Blast is the favorable choice, hitting Ferroseed, Pawniard, Bronzor, and other Steel-types for supereffective damage. However, you can chose to opt for Sludge Bomb as a stronger stronger STAB move instead. Thunderbolt is also an option, hitting things like Taillow, Doduo, and Slowpoke harder. Clear Smog strips set-up sweepers of their boosts, while Will-O-Wisp makes most physical Pokemon useless.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Similar to the last set, Koffing appreciates teammates that can take special attacks. Munchlax, Ferroseed, Lileep, and Mantyke are all great special walls. Entry hazard support works nicely with Koffing because it tends to force many switches. Again, Lileep and Ferroseed are good partners for Koffing. Pokemon that enjoy the removal of Fighting-types make fantastic teammates. Munchlax, Pawniard, and Scraggy are all good examples.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Koffing doesn't have much else it can work with. It can make a decent Choice Scarf user and revenge killer because of its great offensive movepool and coverage. Stockpile can be used to turn Koffing into a very bulky, almost unbreakable wall, but without reliable recovery it isn't very effective. Koffing can also try running a set with Curse and Gyro Ball, but its physical movepool is very lacking. Finally, Memento can be used for team support, but aside from that, Koffing doesn't have other support options.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Countering Koffing is fairly simple. Any powerful special attacker can 2HKO it, if not OHKO it. Abra outspeeds and OHKOs Koffing with STAB Psychic. Staryu also outspeeds and does huge amounts of damage with Hydro Pump. Magnemite hits hard with Thunderbolt or Volt Switch, but must be wary of Fire Blast or Flamethrower. Chinchou, Gastly, Houndour, Omanyte, and other special attackers work as well. However, most of the time, Koffing will have a teammate that can sponge special attacks, so be prepared. Countering Koffing with physical Pokemon doesn't work most of the time, but if Koffing isn't running a Fire-type move, Pawniard of Aron can easily switch in a set up on it.</p>
