Murkrow
[Overview]
- Rather usless in Generations 2-4, as it was either outclassed or just plain bad.
- Now has access to an amazing ability in Prankster.
- Made even better by the Eviolite, which signifigantly boosts its defenses.
- Typing and Moveset that is very capable of defeating physical threats.
- Needs to fight to not become outclassed by similar pokemon such as Xatu and Sigilyph.
[SET]
name: The Parish Trap
move 1: Perish Song
move 2: Mean Look
move 3: Roost
move 4: FeatherDance / Taunt / Substitute
ability: Prankster
item: Eviolite
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 120 Def / 136 SpD
[Set Comments]
- Very good at disabling and TrapKilling many different opponents.
- Taunt prevents the opposing pokemon from Roaring you or just setting up in general.
- FatherDance mitigates physical threats, making the kill easy
- Works extremely well coming in on a resisted choiced attack, or any pokemon without U-Turn/Volt Switch and the like
[Additional Comments]
- Screens are again, very much appreciated
- When/If running taunt instead of FeatherDance, you can add more to Defense and less to Special Defense.
- Make sure that the opponent does not have U-Turn/Volt Switch/Roar/Whirlwhind etc, because it could ruin the entire surprise and kill any chances of Murkrow landing a kill.
[SET]
name: Pranking
move 1: FeatherDance
move 2: Roost
move 3: Toxic
move 4: Taunt / Haze
ability: Prankster
item: Eviolite
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 120 Def / 136 SpD
[Set Comments]
- Meant to abuse not only Murkrow's ability, Prankster, but also the Eviolite. Prankster means that Murkrow can hit Featherdance/Haze before the opponent has a chance to attack, while also giving advantages with Roost, Mean Look, and Toxic.
- Fantastic at countering physical threats. Feather Dance renders them useless, as they have little to no chance in landing a KO with -2/-4/-6 attack.
- Roost lets Murkrow effectively Toxic stall the opponent.
- Feather Dance and Haze remove the chances of Murkrow being set up on.
- Haze is great for putting Murkrow in on something that has already set up. Taunt allows Murkrow to become a pretty good stall-breaker, making it easy for him to outstall the stallers.
[Additional Comments]
- Screens are always appreciated, as they can very much help murkrow if it hasnt gotten a Feather Dance in yet. Uxie is a great choice, as it is one of the best Screeners in the tier while also having decent synergy with Murkrow. Xatu could also help in setting up screens while also blocking opposing Taunts and Tricks. However, Xatu and Murkrow have rather poor synergy together.
- Having a good special wall is essential to help Murkrow in dealing with Special Sweepers. Chansey is a good choice, and there are plenty of others out there.
- Tauntless Murkrow can not take on Rest Talkers. At all. Period.
- Gastrodon and Murkrow make great partners. Gastrodon can remove Victini, as well as Poison and Steel types with ease. Murkrow can come in on grass types and most of the time, simply use Toxic and keep Roosting. Gastrodon can also take Electic attacks aimed at Murkrow.
- Spike support is amazing for Murkrow, as it makes it a lot easier for him to wear down the opponent.
[Other Options]
- Weather support (Taunt, RD/SD, Twave) could be very effective due to Prankster.
- Also has Whirlwind, Thunder Wave, and Protect, which may prove useful.
- Thanks to Prankster, Rest/Sleep Talk will always go first, although Murkrow probably shouldn’t be attacking anything and it isnt really defensive enough to pull it off without Feather Dance.
- Thunder Wave could also be used for something.
[Checks and Counters]
- Most Special attackers, particularly with Super Effective moves are large threats to Murkrow.
- Victini can come up on a weakened murkrow and V-Create it to death easily.
- Crocune is a huge threat to Murkrow,without taunt, as it can Rest of statuses and be completely oblivios to everything Murkrow can throw out there. Even with Haze, Crocune is always a great counter.
- Other Bulky, Defensive pokemon (Especially Rest Talkers) such as Milotic and Deoxys-D can really throw Murkrow around because of their quick way to eliminate Toxic, Murkrows only damage dealing chance.
- Steel and Poison types also completely wall Murkrow. (However, for all psychical variants, Murkrow can Feather Dance them a few times to make an easy killing for a lot of other pokemon.
I was thinking of making whether support a set but most likely other pokemon can do it better. I will definitely try it out though and see what results I get.
I am accepting all feedback because although I've been playing with Murkrow for a while there could be something I've completely missed.
(Yes I know I spelled Perish wrong in the title. Its a play on words. Perish Trap, The Parent Trap, The Parish Trap)
