Governess
A Beautiful Blossom Waiting to Bloom
[box][qc]3/3[/qc]
[Ebeast, Raseri, EBeast (In place of Zebraiken.)]
[gp]2/2[/gp]
[Oglemi, jumpluff]
QC Rejected: 0/3
Current State: Done
[/box]
[SET]
Name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Roost
move 3: Dark Pulse
move 4: Substitute / FeatherDance
item: Eviolite
ability: Prankster
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Roost
move 3: Dark Pulse
move 4: Substitute / FeatherDance
item: Eviolite
ability: Prankster
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
- This set is made to combine Murkrow's Prankster ability with its wide range of support moves, along with its decent Special Attack.
- Usually behind Sub, its job is to use its priority to set up Calm Mind, and sweep with Dark Pulse.
- Roost can be used to increase the durability of Murkrow, and can be used effectively due to Prankster.
- Not a variety of coverage; its a Boosting Sweeper than can usually come in to battle at any point of the match, usually to check powerful Psychic-Type Pokemon in the game, such as Gardevoir and Musharna.
- Calm Mind is the crux of this set, helping Murkrow gain strength defensively(special) and powering up its STAB move, Dark Pulse.
- Eviolite helps give Murkrow great defense stats that allow it to do its job more effectively.
- The final slot can either be Feather Dance or Substitute; though Featherdance lowers the attack of opponents, Substitute has the advantage over FeatherDance: being able to avoid any status attacks launched at Murkrow, and set up CM easier, making Sub a more reliable choice.
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS] - The EV's are made in a way that helps Murkrow set up more Sub with 248 HP Evs. 252 EVs for defense, so it lasts longer, and 8 SpD to give it as much bulk as it can muster.
- Bold Nature is used to maximize its defensive stat; though if you aim for more power, Modest could be used instead.
- Featherdance can also be preferred in place of Sub, but this is optional really, and you would loss the safety of setting up behind Sub, and be an easy target for Status effects.
- Other Partners: Even with a SR weakness, Murkrow doesn't need a spinner partner, due to its priority. However, Shell Smash Torkoal and Swords Dance Armaldo are good partners to it, if you perfer a spinner. Wartortle is also an option with Foresight RapidSpin, but it isn't the best spinner with Murkrow.
- Psychic types in general are good partners for Murkrow; they stop Fighting types who threaten this set; par that Murkrow doesn't have FeatherDance for this set.
- Clerics are great partners, since the opponent is going to try to status Murkrow, to ruin its Prankster ability. People think Musharna, but it actually isn't a best choice. Vileplume and/or Gardevoir are more surperior choices, due to their high bulk, while Musharna gets walled with the same things Murkrow does.
- CB Sawk is probably one of the best users. It can break through the walls Murkrow can't scratch, pummel those rare steel types it faces, and occasionally prevent SR from setting up.
- Other bulky Pokemon, such as LickiLicky and Eelektross, are good buddies as well. They can switch into attacks Murkrow cant stand, from Pokemon such as Zangoose, Rotom-G, Braviary, etc.
^ Above is the skeleton of the analysis. Below is the fully written analysis.
[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Roost
move 3: Dark Pulse
move 4: FeatherDance / Substitute
item: Eviolite
ability: Prankster
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>With Murkrow's ability Prankster, access to recovery moves, and decent Special Attack and Speed, it makes a fine setup sweeper. Murkrow also has a decent defensive typing, being able to take hits from a variety of attacks, switch into Psychic-type Pokemon with the right prediction, and come in against unprepared Fighting-types with FeatherDance. Paired with Eviolite, it can set up much more easily. Its goal is to set up with Calm Mind and sweep with Dark Pulse, using Substitute, FeatherDance, or Roost as it sees fit. Murkrow does well against many top-tier Pokemon such as Musharna, Gardevoir, Exeggutor, and Roselia. Murkrow can also beat Pokemon such as Golurk and Zangoose in a one-on-one situation with FeatherDance. It can take a max Attack Iron Fist Ice Punch from Golurk; in fact, it's only 2HKOed by it, after Stealth Rock damage. Psychic-types, such as Gardevoir and Musharna, are much easier to handle with this set; however, Murkrow can't safely switch into any Psychic-type Pokemon out on the field. Gardevoir, for example, can still check it with Thunderbolt if they predict the switch in.</p>
<p>Roost heals off any damage, and will almost always go first due to priority. Dark Pulse is Murkrow's main (and only) STAB move for this set, dealing great damage to the foe from the Calm Mind increase. The fourth moveslot depends on your preference. FeatherDance is the overall best option for Murkrow, as it gives it more opportunities to set up Calm Mind by lowering the opponent's Attack, which makes it easier to set up against physical threats. FeatherDance and Calm Mind make a great combo with each other, together allowing Murkrow to set up against physical and special attackers and preparing Murkrow for almost any situation it may stumble into. Substitute, on the other hand, allows it to avoid status and set up on Pokemon such as Alomomola, Lickilicky, and Tangela, none of whom can break Murkrow's Substitute. However, it makes it more difficult to set up against physical attackers. They both have their pros and cons, but FeatherDance allows you to set up on a bigger range of Pokemon.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The 248 HP EVs allow Murkrow to survive four switches into Stealth Rock. The Defense EVs plus Eviolite make it's defenses soar to acceptable heights, enabling it to take several hits. The Bold nature raises Murkrow's Defense as much as possible, since it need the defenses it can get. However, if you aim for power, Modest could be used in its place with a 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 SpD EV spread. Eviolite is the only viable item at this point, as without it, Murkrow would have pitiful defense even with the EV investment.</p>
<p>Murkrow doesn't need a spinner to remove Stealth Rock, as it has support moves such as Calm Mind and FeatherDance to prevent a KO, and it can Roost to heal back HP. However, if you wish to have one as a teammate, Shell Smash Torkoal and Swords Dance Armaldo are great options; they can both break Ghost-types that give Murkrow trouble, such as Misdreavus. Foresight Wartortle is also a good choice as a spinner, since its Foresight can ignore their Normal-type immunity and go for the Rapid Spin against Ghost-types. Wartortle can also carry support moves such as Haze and Toxic to stall out the opponent, and shut down any setup Pokemon that may interfere with Murkrow. Psychic-type Pokemon overall also make great partners to Murkrow; they can handle the Fighting-types Murkrow has trouble with, like Gurdurr and Sawk. Clerics are also great aids to Murkrow; they help Murkrow deal with status moves that could potentially ruin its chance at a sweep. Vileplume, Musharna, and Gardevoir are by far the superior choices, due to their high bulk.</p>
<p>Musharna and Sawk are also great partners for Murkrow. Musharna can handle the Fighting-types Murkrow occasionally struggles with, while Sawk deals with the Dark-, Rock-, and Steel-types Murkrow can't get past and prevents Stealth Rock from being set up. Musharna is a great partner alongside Choice Band Sawk as well, as Musharna can handle the Poison- and Psychic-type Pokemon Sawk can't. Pokemon with the abilities Volt Absorb and Lightningrod, like Zebstrika and Raichu, can take the Electric attacks aimed at Murkrow. Golem can check all of Murkrow's weaknesses with the appropriate moveset, set up Stealth Rock, and defeat Pokemon like Regirock and Rotom-S. Bulky Pokemon, such as Eelektross and Lickilicky, are good partners as well, as they can take powerful attacks that Murkrow cannot absorb; however, they must look out for Sawk, who can power his way through. They can come into attacks Murkrow can't take from Pokemon such as Braviary, Rotom-A, and Zangoose.</p>