TJ
Banned deucer.
uploaded -zard
[OVERVIEW]
Huntail faces competition from other Shell Smash users in PU; Gorebyss has access to stronger Special Attack and STAB moves, and Carracosta has better bulk with access to a reliable priority attack in Aqua Jet. However, Huntail's primary niche that sets it apart from the aforementioned Shell Smash users is access to Sucker Punch, which allows it to pick off faster Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Manectric. Additionally, Huntail outshines its fellow Water-types in terms of having a higher base Speed stat than Carracosta, an immunity to being burned, meaning Pokemon such as Weezing from crippling with Will-O-Wisp, and finally the ability to run mixed sets with Ice Beam, which can lure in bulky Grass-types such as Tangela and take them out. On the downside, finding setup opportunities with Huntail is difficult because it has mediocre bulk and doesn't have access to Solid Rock. Additionally, being susceptible to all form of entry hazards means that Huntail has to be preserved for late-game, since it gets worn down easily, making setup opportunities even more difficult. Also, unfortunately, even after a +2 Speed boost from Shell Smash, Huntail is easily revenge killed by faster foes such as Choice Scarf Primeape and Rotom-F, which take a +2 Sucker Punch. Furthermore, despite having Ice Beam, Huntail struggles at breaking through other Grass-type Pokemon like Ferroseed and Abomasnow. Huntail also has trouble getting past bulky Water-types, like Gastrodon, which can wall it and thus prevent a sweep. Lastly, with Kangaskhan, Skuntank, and Hitmonchan being so prevalent, vulnerability to priority is also an issue for Huntail.
[SET]
name: Shell Smash
move 1: Shell Smash
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Ice Beam
item: White Herb
ability: Water Veil
nature: Naughty
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Shell Smash allows Huntail to outspeed most of the unboosted metagame and potentially sweep teams late-game. Waterfall is Huntail's STAB move that provides a powerful yet reliable option for sweeping through the opponent's team after a Shell Smash boost. Sucker Punch allows Huntail to pick off weakened Choice Scarf users, which is important because Huntail is very slow. Ice Beam helps Huntail break through Altaria and Grass-types such as Tangela, Lilligant, and Gourgeist-XL.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack and Speed investment alongside a Naughty nature is used to avoid lowering power when using Ice Beam and lets Huntail be as strong and fast as possible. White Herb allows Huntail to preserve its defenses after a Shell Smash, making it less susceptible to priority attackers such as Hitmonchan. Water Veil ensures that Huntail does not get burned by Pokemon like Weezing.
Usage Tips
========
Ideally, Huntail should be saved for late-game when Pokemon such as Gastrodon and Ferroseed are weakened enough for it to effectively sweep through the rest of the team. Huntail finds decent setup opportunities against defensive and passive Pokemon such as Weezing, so make sure to take advantage of that by using them as setup fodder. Additionally, try to remove any entry hazards such as Toxic Spikes before attempting to set up, as they cripple Huntail. Furthermore, Huntail should avoid setting up if Choice Scarf users such as Swanna and Manectric are at full HP because they are faster than Huntail after +2 and Huntail can't score OHKOs with Sucker Punch without prior damage; however, Huntail can be used to punch holes early-game against more offensively oriented teams if standard checks are not present.
Team Options
========
Huntail appreciates Memento support from Pokemon such as Jumpluff to make it easier for Huntail to set up with Shell Smash. Jumpluff is also a good partner for Huntail because it chips away at bulky Grass-types such as Ferroseed with Acrobatics. Huntail pairs well with wallbreakers such as Kangaskhan and Archeops that can punch holes through the opposing team and remove Huntails's defensive answers so it has an easier time sweeping. In return, Huntail is able to severely weaken the former's checks such as Regirock. Huntail is frail, so being brought safely into the match from Volt Switch users such as Eelektross is ideal. Eelektross is especially good because it can pressure Huntail's checks such as Ferroseed, Gastrodon, and the plethora of Choice Scarf Electric-types that revenge kill Huntail. Mesprit is a good partner for Huntail as well because it has access to Stealth Rock and Healing Wish. Additionally, Huntail hates all sort of entry hazards, so Pokemon like Skuntank and Hitmonchan are appreciated. Skuntank, in particular, can absorb Toxic Spikes and opt to lure Huntail's checks with Fire Blast and take them out. making it easier for Huntail to set up. Finally, Fire-types, such as Pyroar and Magmortar, are especially helpful teammates because they can switch into Grass-types like Lurantis and Ferroseed.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Hidden Power Fire can be used to OHKO Ferroseed after a +2 Special Attack boost, while Hidden Power Grass can be used to OHKO Gastrodon after the boost; however, finding slots for both of these moves can be hard, and not running Ice Beam means Pokemon like Drampa become annoying to deal with. While unorthodox, Coil may sound appealing because it boosts Huntail's Attack, Defense, and accuracy by 1, allowing it to pick up KOs and take hits more comfortably; however, it isn't worth running because Shell Smash's are superior overall. Waterium Z is a final alternative that can be used for the immediate boost in power, but White Herb is preferred so priority users can't revenge kill Huntail as easily.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Water-type Pokemon**: Water-types such as Gastrodon and Poliwrath resist Huntail's STAB attacks. Gastrodon can wear Huntail down with Earth Power, while Lanturn can take +2 Sucker Punch and get off big damage with Volt Switch.
**Grass-type Pokemon**: Grass-types such as Lurantis and Abomasnow are big threats to Huntail. Lurantis sports excellent bulk, resists Huntail's Water-type attacks, tanks Ice Beam even at +2, and threatens back with Grass-type attacks. Abomasnow is also able to tank +2 Ice Beam. Ferroseed is especially annoying for Huntail with a combination of Thunder Wave, Leech Seed, and Toxic.
**Choice Scarf users**: Due to Huntail's mediocre Speed stat, it is outsped even at +2 by common Choice Scarf users such as Primeape.
**Priority**: Priority attacks, such as Hitmonchan's Mach Punch and Absol's Sucker Punch, are threatening to Huntail, as its mediocre bulk prevents it from tanking these attacks if it is low on health. Kangaskhan has a special mention because it has dual priority, though Huntail can potentially play around it with Shell Smash.
[OVERVIEW]
Huntail faces competition from other Shell Smash users in PU; Gorebyss has access to stronger Special Attack and STAB moves, and Carracosta has better bulk with access to a reliable priority attack in Aqua Jet. However, Huntail's primary niche that sets it apart from the aforementioned Shell Smash users is access to Sucker Punch, which allows it to pick off faster Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Manectric. Additionally, Huntail outshines its fellow Water-types in terms of having a higher base Speed stat than Carracosta, an immunity to being burned, meaning Pokemon such as Weezing from crippling with Will-O-Wisp, and finally the ability to run mixed sets with Ice Beam, which can lure in bulky Grass-types such as Tangela and take them out. On the downside, finding setup opportunities with Huntail is difficult because it has mediocre bulk and doesn't have access to Solid Rock. Additionally, being susceptible to all form of entry hazards means that Huntail has to be preserved for late-game, since it gets worn down easily, making setup opportunities even more difficult. Also, unfortunately, even after a +2 Speed boost from Shell Smash, Huntail is easily revenge killed by faster foes such as Choice Scarf Primeape and Rotom-F, which take a +2 Sucker Punch. Furthermore, despite having Ice Beam, Huntail struggles at breaking through other Grass-type Pokemon like Ferroseed and Abomasnow. Huntail also has trouble getting past bulky Water-types, like Gastrodon, which can wall it and thus prevent a sweep. Lastly, with Kangaskhan, Skuntank, and Hitmonchan being so prevalent, vulnerability to priority is also an issue for Huntail.
[SET]
name: Shell Smash
move 1: Shell Smash
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Ice Beam
item: White Herb
ability: Water Veil
nature: Naughty
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Shell Smash allows Huntail to outspeed most of the unboosted metagame and potentially sweep teams late-game. Waterfall is Huntail's STAB move that provides a powerful yet reliable option for sweeping through the opponent's team after a Shell Smash boost. Sucker Punch allows Huntail to pick off weakened Choice Scarf users, which is important because Huntail is very slow. Ice Beam helps Huntail break through Altaria and Grass-types such as Tangela, Lilligant, and Gourgeist-XL.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack and Speed investment alongside a Naughty nature is used to avoid lowering power when using Ice Beam and lets Huntail be as strong and fast as possible. White Herb allows Huntail to preserve its defenses after a Shell Smash, making it less susceptible to priority attackers such as Hitmonchan. Water Veil ensures that Huntail does not get burned by Pokemon like Weezing.
Usage Tips
========
Ideally, Huntail should be saved for late-game when Pokemon such as Gastrodon and Ferroseed are weakened enough for it to effectively sweep through the rest of the team. Huntail finds decent setup opportunities against defensive and passive Pokemon such as Weezing, so make sure to take advantage of that by using them as setup fodder. Additionally, try to remove any entry hazards such as Toxic Spikes before attempting to set up, as they cripple Huntail. Furthermore, Huntail should avoid setting up if Choice Scarf users such as Swanna and Manectric are at full HP because they are faster than Huntail after +2 and Huntail can't score OHKOs with Sucker Punch without prior damage; however, Huntail can be used to punch holes early-game against more offensively oriented teams if standard checks are not present.
Team Options
========
Huntail appreciates Memento support from Pokemon such as Jumpluff to make it easier for Huntail to set up with Shell Smash. Jumpluff is also a good partner for Huntail because it chips away at bulky Grass-types such as Ferroseed with Acrobatics. Huntail pairs well with wallbreakers such as Kangaskhan and Archeops that can punch holes through the opposing team and remove Huntails's defensive answers so it has an easier time sweeping. In return, Huntail is able to severely weaken the former's checks such as Regirock. Huntail is frail, so being brought safely into the match from Volt Switch users such as Eelektross is ideal. Eelektross is especially good because it can pressure Huntail's checks such as Ferroseed, Gastrodon, and the plethora of Choice Scarf Electric-types that revenge kill Huntail. Mesprit is a good partner for Huntail as well because it has access to Stealth Rock and Healing Wish. Additionally, Huntail hates all sort of entry hazards, so Pokemon like Skuntank and Hitmonchan are appreciated. Skuntank, in particular, can absorb Toxic Spikes and opt to lure Huntail's checks with Fire Blast and take them out. making it easier for Huntail to set up. Finally, Fire-types, such as Pyroar and Magmortar, are especially helpful teammates because they can switch into Grass-types like Lurantis and Ferroseed.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Hidden Power Fire can be used to OHKO Ferroseed after a +2 Special Attack boost, while Hidden Power Grass can be used to OHKO Gastrodon after the boost; however, finding slots for both of these moves can be hard, and not running Ice Beam means Pokemon like Drampa become annoying to deal with. While unorthodox, Coil may sound appealing because it boosts Huntail's Attack, Defense, and accuracy by 1, allowing it to pick up KOs and take hits more comfortably; however, it isn't worth running because Shell Smash's are superior overall. Waterium Z is a final alternative that can be used for the immediate boost in power, but White Herb is preferred so priority users can't revenge kill Huntail as easily.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Water-type Pokemon**: Water-types such as Gastrodon and Poliwrath resist Huntail's STAB attacks. Gastrodon can wear Huntail down with Earth Power, while Lanturn can take +2 Sucker Punch and get off big damage with Volt Switch.
**Grass-type Pokemon**: Grass-types such as Lurantis and Abomasnow are big threats to Huntail. Lurantis sports excellent bulk, resists Huntail's Water-type attacks, tanks Ice Beam even at +2, and threatens back with Grass-type attacks. Abomasnow is also able to tank +2 Ice Beam. Ferroseed is especially annoying for Huntail with a combination of Thunder Wave, Leech Seed, and Toxic.
**Choice Scarf users**: Due to Huntail's mediocre Speed stat, it is outsped even at +2 by common Choice Scarf users such as Primeape.
**Priority**: Priority attacks, such as Hitmonchan's Mach Punch and Absol's Sucker Punch, are threatening to Huntail, as its mediocre bulk prevents it from tanking these attacks if it is low on health. Kangaskhan has a special mention because it has dual priority, though Huntail can potentially play around it with Shell Smash.
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