QC Soulgazer / Kiyo / Montsegur
GP P Squared (Lord Alphose) / frenzyplant
Taken over from furaiz
Overview
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+Outspeeds the entire unboosted tier with Speed Boost
+STAB moves hit many fast and frail Pokémon
-Frail defences
-Many weaknesses, including a 4x weakness to Stealth Rock
-Lack of boosting moves means Yanma cannot get past most bulky Pokemon
-Heavily reliant on OHKOing opponents before they can strike back
-Requires a lot of support to be effective
Life Orb
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name: Life Orb
move 1: Bug Buzz
move 2: Air Slash
move 3: Giga Drain / Hidden Power Ground
move 4: Protect
ability: Speed Boost
item: Life Orb
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
nature: Modest
Moves
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Set Details
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Usage Tips
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Other Options
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Checks & Counters
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**Bulky Pokemon**: Bulky Pokemon such as Assault Vest Hariyama, Audino and Lickilicky. Anything that Yanma cannot 2HKO on the switch threatens it. Yanma is unable to beat most bulky Pokemon, and due to its frailty, these walls can even 2HKO or OHKO back.
**Priority Moves**: Priority users can check Yanma, though none in the tier is capable of OHKOing unboosted without prior damage dealt to Yanma. Best checks include Sucker Punch Pawniard and Kangaskhan as well as Quick Attack Toxic Boost Zangoose which can all tank a hit from relatively high health if not able to OHKO with priority. They are likely also able to force Yanma out entirely. Aqua Jet users like Feraligatr and Kabutops can check, but need to be careful of Giga Drain if they fail to KO.
**Stealth Rock**: Pokemon which can set up Stealth Rock such as Archeops, Probopass and Crusles. Stealth Rock is pretty much a hard counter as Yanma can only switch in once to it, and most probably will die from 50% health against unresisted attacks afterwards.
**Status**: Paralysis ruins Yanma's Speed stat which it relies on a great deal due to its poor defensive stats, trying to hit Pokemon hard and quickly by outspeeding them. Burn and poison wear Yanma down, making its life span even shorter to the point where it can easily be revenge killed with priority.
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+Outspeeds the entire unboosted tier with Speed Boost
+STAB moves hit many fast and frail Pokémon
-Frail defences
-Many weaknesses, including a 4x weakness to Stealth Rock
-Lack of boosting moves means Yanma cannot get past most bulky Pokemon
-Heavily reliant on OHKOing opponents before they can strike back
-Requires a lot of support to be effective
Life Orb
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name: Life Orb
move 1: Bug Buzz
move 2: Air Slash
move 3: Giga Drain / Hidden Power Ground
move 4: Protect
ability: Speed Boost
item: Life Orb
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
nature: Modest
Moves
========
- Air Slash is a STAB move that hits Pokemon that don’t resist it for solid damage. Can cause flinching, but can't be relied on to do so.
- Bug Buzz is a STAB move that hits Pokemon that don’t resist it for solid damage. It can also hit through Substitutes in the event they attempt to set up through Yanma's Protect.
- Giga Drain offers coverage, hitting many Pokemon for good damage and some that would otherwise be capable of switching into Yanma’s STAB's and fire back with OHKO moves. It also increases Yanma's longevity by helping to deal with Life Orb recoil.
- Hidden Power Ground allows Yanma to hit Steel-type Pokemon such as Klang and Steelix but at the cost of not being able to OHKO Seismitoad and Rhydon due to lack of Giga Drain.
- Protect can be used to guarantee you outspeed the whole unboosted tier, and to scout moves during sweeps.
Set Details
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- A Modest natured 252 Special Attack EV Yanma takes advantage of a decent base 75 SpA, allowing it to dent the majority of the tier with powerful stabs in the form of Air Slash and Bug Buzz. Modest is important for Yanma's special attack power, as Speed Boost handles Yanma's speed allowing it to go first in the majority of cases.
- 252 EVs in speed allow Yanma to reach a speed of 289, outspeeding the majority of sweepers in the tier. After one Speed Boost this hits 433, outspeeding Accelgor and making it the second fastest Pokémon in the tier after Ninjask.
- The remaining 4 EVs go into defence rather than HP, because it would make Yanma's HP divisible by 2, only allowing 2 Stealth Rock switch-ins at most even without LO recoil.
- Life Orb is the item of choice for a Modest Yanma, as it requires a versatile moveset while still having boosted power moves.
- Speed Boost is Yanma's niche ability, and the sole reason for using Yanma in the first place.
Usage Tips
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- Only put Yanma in as a free switch in, as its frail defenses mean that it is unlikely to survive multiple blows.
- Stealth Rocks cripple Yanma meaning a rock-free field is necessary.
- Yanma is best used as a late game sweeper where it can pick off a weakened offensive team, assuming powerful priority users have been eliminated. It is also possible to use Yanma as an early game attacker, where it can heavily dent or even KO offensive sweepers, before you bring in a setup sweeper, or Late game sweeper.
- When trying to late-game sweep, Yanma needs to watch out for Special Defensive Pokemon such as Lickilicky and Audino which can take hits when not worn down enough and Wish the damage away while hurting Yanma hard.
- Psychic-type Pokemon such as Mesprit and Uxie don't want to stay in against Yanma, not wanting to get hit by Bug Buzz, so they switch, giving it a free turn to get the Speed Boost
- Yanma can 2HKO threats such as Pyroar, Steelix with Hidden Power Ground after Stealth Rock damage and has a chance to 2HKO Rotom after Stealth Rock damage with Giga Drain.
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- Yanma appreciates spinners that can keep the field clear of Rocks. These include Cryogonal and Sandslash, and even Kabutops. Cryogonal can come in on special ice and electric moves that would KO Yanma. Kabutops can come in on fire moves aimed at Yanma, and proceed to threaten Fire-Types with Aqua Jet. Sandslash can also take electric moves aimed at Yanma including the crippling Thunder Wave, giving it a free switch in.
- Defog users help too by removing entry hazards such as Pelipper and Swanna however it's from both sides and their Flying typing becomes an issue on making two Pokemon weak to Electric- and Rock-type attacks.
- Defensive Xatu synergises well with Yanma, as if Yanma is up against a Stealth Rock user it can't OHKO, Xatu can switch in and bounce the rocks back as well as being able to U-turn out to maintain momentum. It also returns all status moves that Yanma lures, like Thunder Wave.
- Thick Fat users like Grumpig and Miltank can also come in on Fire and Ice moves that Yanma lures. They are both capable of using Heal Bell to remove crippling statuses, or absorb status moves themselves. Sandslash can take physical rock moves that Grumpig and Miltank’s defenses would otherwise prefer not to.
- Yanma's main job is to threaten offensive sweepers, which Bulkier/Slower sweepers on your team would appreciate. Examples include Feraligatr, Golurk and Granbull.
- Works well with wallbreakers such as Magmortar which can switch into fire moves and hit back extremely hard.
- Slow Volt Switch, U-turn or Baton Pass users such as Lanturn allow Yanma to get a free switch in without a Pokemon having to faint on the team. Nasty Plot + Baton Pass Togetic can set up to give Yanma a boost in Special Attack and a free switch with its slow Baton Pass.
Other Options
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- HP Ground has a honorable mention here for use against physically defensive Steelix, where it would have a 96.9% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery.
- Yanma's access to Substitute can allow it to shrug of incoming status moves from non-Prankster Pokemon and status back with a Toxic, without fear of being KOed. However, Substitute costs Yanma a significant amount of health that it often cannot afford to lose, and is very easily broken.
- Yanma has access to Tailwind which can be used as a final effort to help the team before Yanma faints. This tends to be a sacrificial move, as Yanma is extremely unlikely to pull it off without being KOed. It is useful for slower sweepers on your team that require some setup. There are better users of Tailwind, such as Prankster Murkrow, which guarantees it, even through priority moves, and other Pokemon such as bulky Altaria which can safely set it up and survive handily.
- Access to U-Turn can allow it to switch in counters, but is best left to other users of the move, as Yanma's physical attack is lackluster and will not be doing any significant damage.
- Hypnosis is a useful option for Yanma, either to shut down a switch in, or purely to outspeed a counter with Protect+Speed Boost and shut them down safely. It is also useful against Pokemon that normally wall Yanma's moves, allowing free turns to rack up extra damage or to get a KO that would normally be out of reach. This also allows you to safely switch in another Pokemon if desired.
Checks & Counters
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**Bulky Pokemon**: Bulky Pokemon such as Assault Vest Hariyama, Audino and Lickilicky. Anything that Yanma cannot 2HKO on the switch threatens it. Yanma is unable to beat most bulky Pokemon, and due to its frailty, these walls can even 2HKO or OHKO back.
**Priority Moves**: Priority users can check Yanma, though none in the tier is capable of OHKOing unboosted without prior damage dealt to Yanma. Best checks include Sucker Punch Pawniard and Kangaskhan as well as Quick Attack Toxic Boost Zangoose which can all tank a hit from relatively high health if not able to OHKO with priority. They are likely also able to force Yanma out entirely. Aqua Jet users like Feraligatr and Kabutops can check, but need to be careful of Giga Drain if they fail to KO.
**Stealth Rock**: Pokemon which can set up Stealth Rock such as Archeops, Probopass and Crusles. Stealth Rock is pretty much a hard counter as Yanma can only switch in once to it, and most probably will die from 50% health against unresisted attacks afterwards.
**Status**: Paralysis ruins Yanma's Speed stat which it relies on a great deal due to its poor defensive stats, trying to hit Pokemon hard and quickly by outspeeding them. Burn and poison wear Yanma down, making its life span even shorter to the point where it can easily be revenge killed with priority.
Overview
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Yanma is an effective revenge killer and late-game sweeper, being able to outspeed the entire unboosted tier after a Speed boost. Its STAB moves allow it to hit many fast and frail Pokemon. However, it has loads of weaknesses, is 4x weak to Stealth Rock, and is quite frail. Yanma requires a lot of support to be effective and is reliant on OHKOing opponents so they can't strike back. Due to its lack of boosting moves, Yanma can't get past most bulky Pokemon.
Life Orb
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name: Life Orb
move 1: Bug Buzz
move 2: Air Slash
move 3: Giga Drain / Hidden Power Ground
move 4: Protect
ability: Speed Boost
item: Life Orb
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
nature: Modest
Moves
========
Air Slash is a STAB move that hits Pokemon that don't resist it for solid damage; it also has a chance to flinch, though said chance isn't very reliable. Bug Buzz is another STAB move and can hit through Substitute, which is useful if the foe sets it up while when Yanma goes for Protect. Giga Drain is a great coverage move, hitting many Pokemon which resist Air Slash and Bug Buzz for good damage; it also increases Yanma's longevity by restoring its HP. Hidden Power Ground allows Yanma to hit Steel-type Pokemon such as Klinklang and Steelix at the cost of not being able to OHKO Seismitoad and Rhydon. Protect is used to scout moves during sweeps and guarantee Yanma gets a Speed boost so that it can outspeed the whole unboosted tier.
Set Details
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A Modest nature and 252 Special Attack EVs allow Yanma to take advantage of its decent base 75 Special Attack. Yanma prefers the Special Attack boost from a Modest nature, as maximum Speed EVs and Speed Boost take care of its Speed. After one Speed Boost, it hits 443 Speed, outspeeding Accelgor and making it the second fastest Pokemon in the tier after Ninjask. The remaining 4 EVs go into Defense rather than HP to prevent Yanma from only being able to switch into Stealth Rock twice. Life Orb lets Yanma avoid being locked into one move, which is helpful for its versatile moveset when sweeping. Speed Boost is the sole reason for using Yanma, as it increases Yanma's Speed by one stage at the end of every turn.
Usage Tips
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Yanma should only come in as a free switch-in, as it has frail defenses and can't take multiple hits. Stealth Rock cripples Yanma terribly, meaning a rock-free field is necessary. Yanma is best used as a late-game sweeper because it can pick off a weakened offensive team if powerful priority users have been taken out. It's also possible to use Yanma as an early-game attacker to heavily dent or even KO opposing sweepers before a late-game or setup sweeper is brought in. When trying to late-game sweep, Yanma needs to avoid specially defensive Pokemon such as Lickilicky and Audino, which can take hits when healthy, Wish the damage away, and hit Yanma hard. Psychic-type Pokemon such as Mesprit and Uxie are forced out by Yanma, not wanting to get hit by Bug Buzz, giving it a free turn to get a Speed boost. Yanma can 2HKO threats such as Pyroar and Steelix with Hidden Power Ground after Stealth Rock damage and has a chance to 2HKO Rotom after Stealth Rock damage with Giga Drain.
Team Options
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Yanma appreciates Rapid Spin users such as Cryogonal, Sandslash, and Kabutops because they can keep the field clear of Stealth Rock. Cryogonal can also switch into special Ice- and Electric-type attacks that would OHKO Yanma. Kabutops can come in on Fire-types and threaten them out with Aqua Jet. Sandslash can take Electric- and Rock-type attacks due to its Ground typing. Defog users such as Pelipper and Swanna can assist by removing entry hazards; however, they share weaknesses with Yanma and will remove your own hazards as well. Defensive Xatu synergizes well with Yanma, as it can bounce back Stealth Rock with its ability Magic Bounce and gain momentum with U-turn; it also reflects all status moves that Yanma lures, such as Thunder Wave.
Thick Fat users such as Grumpig and Miltank can switch into Fire- and Ice-type attacks, which Yanma is weak to. Both Pokemon are capable of using Heal Bell to remove crippling statuses and can absorb status moves themselves. Yanma's main job is to threaten opposing sweepers, a job bulkier and slower sweepers on your team, such as Feraligatr, Golurk, and Granbull, appreciate. Yanma works well with wallbreakers such as Magmortar, which can switch into Fire-type attacks and hit back extremely hard. A slow Volt Switch, U-turn, or Baton Pass user such as Lanturn allows Yanma to get a free switch-in without having to sacrifice a teammate. Nasty Plot + Baton Pass Togetic can set up to give Yanma a boost in Special Attack and a free switch-in with its slow Baton Pass.
Other Options
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Yanma can use Substitute to protect itself from incoming status moves from non-Prankster Pokemon without fear of being OHKOed. However, Substitute causes Yanma to lose a significant amount of health, which it often can't afford because it is easily worn down. Yanma has access to Tailwind, which can be used as a final effort to support the team before Yanma faints. This tends to be a sacrificial move,though, as Yanma is extremely unlikely to pull it off without being OHKOed. U-turn can allow Yanma to switch in counters against Pokemon it struggles with, but it is best left to other users, as Yanma's physical attack is lackluster, so U-turn will not be doing much damage. Hypnosis is a useful option for Yanma, either to shut down a switch-in or to let it outspeed a counter with Protect + Speed Boost and shut them down safely. Hypnosis also allows Yanma to rack up damage against opponents with its attacks; however, its poor accuracy makes it unreliable.
Checks & Counters
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**Bulky Pokemon**: Bulky Pokemon such as Assault Vest Hariyama, Audino, and Lickilicky can take hits that Yanma fires off and hit Yanma hard. Anything that Yanma cannot 2HKO on the switch threatens it; Yanma is unable to beat most bulky Pokemon, and due to its frailty, these walls can even 2HKO or OHKO back.
**Priority Moves**: Priority users can check Yanma, though no priority user in the tier is capable of OHKOing Yanma unboosted without prior damage. The best checks to Yanma include Sucker Punch Pawniard and Kangaskhan, as well as Quick Attack Toxic Boost Zangoose, all of which can tank a hit from relatively high health if they are not able to OHKO with priority. Aqua Jet users such as Feraligatr and Kabutops can check Yanma, but they need to be careful of Giga Drain if they fail to KO it.
**Stealth Rock**: Pokemon that can set up Stealth Rock, such as Archeops, Probopass and Crustle, are all problems for Yanma. Stealth Rock is pretty much a hard counter to Yanma, as Yanma can only switch into it twice and will most likely be KOed by unresisted attacks afterwards.
**Status**: Paralysis ruins Yanma's Speed stat, which it is heavily reliant on due to its poor defensive stats. Burn and poison wear Yanma down, shortening its lifespan to the point where it can easily be revenge killed by priority attacks.
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