Stolen from Aaron's Aron
Overview
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Stunky has a great typing that leaves it with a grand total of one weakness: Ground. Additionally, it is the lone Poison-type immune to Psychic thanks to its second typing of Dark, which grants Stunky key resistances to Dark- and Ghost-type moves. Poor abilities limit Stunky's effectiveness, with Aftermath being the only real option. Aftermath activates once, and only when Stunky is KOed by a contact move, thus unfortunately it is very situational. However, Aftermath working in tandem with Stunky's coverage options Play Rough or Fire Blast allows Stunky to trade itself for the opposing Pokemon in a number of cases. Stunky also has mediocre attacking stats, but when coupled with good STAB power and coverage it can be rather effective. Its defenses are also average at best, but this is thankfully mitigated by Stunky's helpful resistances and great Speed, being one of the few Pokemon able to hit 18 Speed. Few Pokémon can outspeed a fully invested Stunky, and the ones that do tend to struggle against it anyway. Its niche is further enlarged by Stunky's typing allowing it to switch into Abra and Gastly without needing to worry about Hidden Power Fighting and remove them thanks to Pursuit. Stunky also has the niche of having access to Defog while not being weak to Rock. However, Defog is incompatible with Play Rough and Stunky has no recovery to heal entry hazard damage.
Bulky Pursuit
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Name: Bulky Pursuit
Move 1: Pursuit
Move 2: Sucker Punch / Defog
Move 3: Fire Blast / Sludge Bomb
Move 4: Defog / Sludge Bomb
Ability: Aftermath
Item: Eviolite
EVs: 12 HP / 92 Atk / 64 Def / 108 SpA / 188 SpD / 4 Spe
Nature: Brave
Moves
========
Pursuit is Stunky's flagship move, giving it the means of punishing and preventing the escape of Ghost-types like Gastly, Pumpkaboo-forms and Drifloon and Psychic-types such as Abra, Gothita and Natu. Even pokemon not weak to Dark feel the effects of Pursuit, as they cannot switch out unscathed, finding themselves weakened. Sucker Punch is a strong STAB move that gives Stunky priority, allowing it to revenge certain set up sweepers such as Omantye and Drilbur. Sucker Punch is unreliable though, as the opponent has to attack for it to work. On this set it is even more useful than the other since it runs less Speed, and thus comes in handy much more often. However Defog is a good option too if your team needs hazard removal, although there are better hazard removers out there due to Stunky's inability to threaten Stealth Rock users and lack of recovery. Stunky can also choose between Fire Blast and Sludge Bomb. Running Fire Blast gifts Stunky the ability to lure Pawniard hoping to nab a boost from Defog namely, but also roasts other Steel types hoping to capitalize on Stunky's merger offenses. Fire Blast would be run over Flamethrower for the 2HKO Eviolite Pawniard, KO on Magnemite after Rocks, hitting Poison neutral Grass-types harder, and injuring Ferroseed greatly, and is generally the better choice. Yet, Sludge Bomb is the best Poison STAB Stunky gets making it rather valuable, but unfortunately forces a mixed set causing it to be disappointingly weak at times. However, Sludge Bomb does get the job does versus Fairy-types and several Grass-types such as Cottonee. In the final slot, Defog is once again an option, but it has its previously mentioned downsides, yet as is Sludge Bomb.
Set Details
========
The EV spread allows for Stunky to always counter Abra, switching into Life Orb Dazzling Gleam after Stealth Rock effectively, and Gastly while having the ability to almost always survive 2 attack from Pawniard and Fletchling. Brave Nature is used for hitting 15 attack which allows Pursuit to always KO Abra and Gastly after Stealth Rock while not hampering Stunky's bulk. The decrease in speed is hardly noticed in most cases as Stunky still outspeeds what it wants to as well. The Special Attack investment allows for scoring the 2HKO on Pawniards with Fire Blast and 2HKOing Eviolite Spritzee with Sludge Bomb.
Usage Tips
========
Be aware of the situation when you bring Stunky into battle, as you don't want it to be taking any extra hits, especially strong ones as its bulk leaves a little to be desired even with an Eviolite. Stunky is also relatively easy to force out and is fairly weak offensively, so make sure anything you want to take out without the use of Pursuit is weak enough to be KOed by its priority or coverage. Stunky's Speed is much lower on this set than the others, so the proper use of Sucker Punch and proper prediction is much more important.
Team Options
========
Stunky has no reliable recovery, so Pokemon that can pass Wish like Spritzee are good partners for Stunky as this allows it to come in and defog away hazards more than once. This allows it to come in and defog away hazards more than once. Stunky's only weakness is Ground-type, so Pokemon such as Drilbur and Hippopotas pose serious threats. Foongus and Pumpkaboo make good teammates because they can deal with these threats safely. Bunnelby and Zigzagoon have their sweep prevented by Ghost-types, and Stunky helps them out by taking out Ghost-types with Pursuit. It can Defog them away for Pokemon like Larvesta and Fletchling.
Fast Utility
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Name: Fast Utility
Move 1: Pursuit
Move 2: Sucker Punch / Play Rough
Move 3: Defog / Memento
Move 4: Taunt / Crunch
Ability: Aftermath
Item: Eviolite
EVs: 172 HP / 12 Atk / 60 Def / 244 Spe
Nature: Jolly
Moves
========
Pursuit enables you to trap Pokemon which would otherwise threaten your team. Notably, Gastly, Gothita and Abra can be trapped and taken out by Stunky's Pursuit while being unable to fight back effectively. Weakened fleeing pokemon should also be aware of Pursuit, as Stunky make finish them off before they can return to their trainer. Sucker Punch is a strong, albeit risky, priority STAB move which allows Stunky to get some extra damage in on faster foes as they attack. Play Rough can be used over Sucker Punch in conjunction with Memento to give Stunky a means of hitting Fighting-type Pokemon which otherwise wall Stunky, but it should be acknowledged that it is slightly weak. Defog is a great choice for Stunky since it provides your team with entry hazard removal, but the amount of times it can use Defog is limited due to its sub-par bulk. Also, Stunky fails to threaten most Stealth Rock users like Archen, Onix, Diglett and Drilbur. Memento is another good option for Stunky, as it removes the threat of Abra with pursuit, and then creates an opportunity for a set up sweeper to punish the opposition. Another utility option Stunky has is Taunt, allowing it to prevent Pokemon from using their status moves, which can really cripple some defensive Pokemon and allow Stunky time to Defog. With a Speed of 18, the fast Taunt can also outspeed Sticky Web setters like Surskit and prevent them from setting up the entry hazard. Crunch is another STAB option, having the same power as Sucker Punch but lacks its priority yet is inherent more consistent.
Set Details
========
Jolly allows Stunky to hit 18 Speed. That gives Stunky the ability to outspeed foes and Defog away hazards or Memento to support a teammate before taking a hit and possibly being KOed. It is especially useful for facing Sticky Web setters so it can outspeed and Taunt them. Aftermath is the prefered ability on Stunky, causing some extra damage to the opponent if Stunky is knocked out by a move that made contact, rather helpful when it does take affect. Stunky really enjoys the added bulk of an Eviolite since it is rather frail without it, and this allows it to trap the Pokemon it needs to much better.
Usage Tips
========
Be careful about when you bring Stunky into the battle; it can't take many hits, even with an Eviolite, so make sure you can trap what you need to when you bring it in. Stunky's attacking stats are not the greatest too, so make sure the opponent is weakened enough to be KOed if you trying to do anything besides just trap them. Take not that this set finds its place on offensive teams, but should still not be played as something to
Team Options
========
A variety of Fighting type pokemon greatly like the support that Stunky brings, with Timburr, Scraggy, and Pancham gaining the most from Stunky's support. Hazard weak pokemon, such as Larvesta and Ponyta, also pair well with Stunky due to Defog, with Ponyta and Larvesta also being able to aid with dealing with Fighting type pokemon and Pawniard who annoy Stunky. Wish passers, such as Spritzee help prolong Stunky's lifespan, allowing it Defog more often, or come in on Ghost and Stychic types more. Switchins to Drilbur are also liked as Stunky teammates; Staryu, Cottonee, and Lileep each being notable for their ability to free up a move slot on Stunky, making a Memento core as well as dealing with Fighting types, and countering Chinchou as well as setting up Rocks, respectively. Bunnelby, and especially Zigzagoon, can sweep much easier with Ghost-types like Gastly out of the way, and they even appreciate Abra's Focus Sash getting broken too. Zigzagoon also appreciates Stunky using Memento, as it gives it an easier time setting up. Memento also aids the likes of Magby, Omanyte, and Rock Polish Archen with their respective set up moves as well. In general, hazard weak pokemon, sweepers, and Psychic weak pokemon all appreciate Stunky's assets as a teammate.
Other Options
########
Explosion can be used since Stunky is relatively fast, and if close to fainting it can go out with a bang, but this is usually rather weak and typically inferior to Memento. Toxic can be used to wear down bulky Pokemon with recovery like Porygon since Stunky can't break through them with its poor offensive stats but you may struggle to find a slot for this. Acid Spray is a unique choice, but it allows for some minor wall breaking especially against the likes of Foongus. Snarl is another cool move that Stunky can abuse, that hits through Subsidies and lowers the foe's Special Attack, though it is weak and even more so situational. Choice Scarf, Life Orb, and Berry Juice can all be considered on faster Stunky, but are all relatively niche. Life Orb allows it to hit harder, but sacrifices bulk for only a small number or KOes while Choice Scarf makes Stunky set up bait after it removes Abra or Gastly. Berry Juice can be used over Eviolite for more longevity, but this can create an issue versus the likes of Gastly if hazards are on the field.
Checks & Counters
########
**Dark-types**: Dark-types are troublesome for Stunky, because while they don't particularly damage it with super-effective moves, they do take very little from Stunky's Dark STABs and tend to be okay with Play Rough's damage.
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types are not always a good check at the start of the battle, but if you manage to figure out Stunky's moveset and find that it lacks Poison STAB in Sludge Bomb then Pokemon like Spritzee or Snubbull can effectively wall Stunky.
**Fighting-types**: Pokemon like Mienfoo and Timburr are good checks to Stunky since they don't mind Stunky's Dark STAB and they can outlast it with Drain Punch.
**Ground-types**: Ground-type is the one weakness that Stunky has, so Pokemon like Drilbur and Diglett can make quick work of it with their STAB Earthquake.
**Grass-types**: The Grass- Poison- dual typing counters any Stunky not running Fire Blast. Foongus especially can freely status and repeatedly switch into Stunky. Ferroseed can wear Stunky down fairly easily with Iron Barbs and Bullet Seed damage, as well as hazard stack or Thunder Wave as it forces Stunky out. Chespin is immune to Sludge Bomb due to Bullet proof and can set up with impunity.
**Pawniard**: While most of the time using Defog would be a great thing, using it as Pawniard switches in could be the start of a sweep against your team. Its Defiant will activate and its Attack will raise by two stages. It does fear Fire Blast though and tends to lose to full health Stunky.
**Walls**: Stunky has subpar attacking stats, so anything with enough bulk, and especially recover, can take hits from Stunky and wear it down. Eventually the walls will KO, without Stunky being able to do much about it.
_
Overview
########
Stunky has a great typing that leaves it with a grand total of one weakness: Ground. Additionally, it is the lone Poison-type immune to Psychic thanks to its second typing of Dark, which grants Stunky key resistances to Dark- and Ghost-type moves. Poor abilities limit Stunky's effectiveness, with Aftermath being the only real option. Aftermath activates once, and only when Stunky is KOed by a contact move, thus unfortunately it is very situational. However, Aftermath working in tandem with Stunky's coverage options Play Rough or Fire Blast allows Stunky to trade itself for the opposing Pokemon in a number of cases. Stunky also has mediocre attacking stats, but when coupled with good STAB power and coverage it can be rather effective. Its defenses are also average at best, but this is thankfully mitigated by Stunky's helpful resistances and great Speed, being one of the few Pokemon able to hit 18 Speed. Few Pokémon can outspeed a fully invested Stunky, and the ones that do tend to struggle against it anyway. Its niche is further enlarged by Stunky's typing allowing it to switch into Abra and Gastly without needing to worry about Hidden Power Fighting and remove them thanks to Pursuit. Stunky also has the niche of having access to Defog while not being weak to Rock. However, Defog is incompatible with Play Rough and Stunky has no recovery to heal entry hazard damage.
Bulky Pursuit
########
Name: Bulky Pursuit
Move 1: Pursuit
Move 2: Sucker Punch / Defog
Move 3: Fire Blast / Sludge Bomb
Move 4: Defog / Sludge Bomb
Ability: Aftermath
Item: Eviolite
EVs: 12 HP / 92 Atk / 64 Def / 108 SpA / 188 SpD / 4 Spe
Nature: Brave
Moves
========
Pursuit is Stunky's flagship move, giving it the means of punishing and preventing the escape of Ghost-types like Gastly, Pumpkaboo-forms and Drifloon and Psychic-types such as Abra, Gothita and Natu. Even pokemon not weak to Dark feel the effects of Pursuit, as they cannot switch out unscathed, finding themselves weakened. Sucker Punch is a strong STAB move that gives Stunky priority, allowing it to revenge certain set up sweepers such as Omantye and Drilbur. Sucker Punch is unreliable though, as the opponent has to attack for it to work. On this set it is even more useful than the other since it runs less Speed, and thus comes in handy much more often. However Defog is a good option too if your team needs hazard removal, although there are better hazard removers out there due to Stunky's inability to threaten Stealth Rock users and lack of recovery. Stunky can also choose between Fire Blast and Sludge Bomb. Running Fire Blast gifts Stunky the ability to lure Pawniard hoping to nab a boost from Defog namely, but also roasts other Steel types hoping to capitalize on Stunky's merger offenses. Fire Blast would be run over Flamethrower for the 2HKO Eviolite Pawniard, KO on Magnemite after Rocks, hitting Poison neutral Grass-types harder, and injuring Ferroseed greatly, and is generally the better choice. Yet, Sludge Bomb is the best Poison STAB Stunky gets making it rather valuable, but unfortunately forces a mixed set causing it to be disappointingly weak at times. However, Sludge Bomb does get the job does versus Fairy-types and several Grass-types such as Cottonee. In the final slot, Defog is once again an option, but it has its previously mentioned downsides, yet as is Sludge Bomb.
Set Details
========
The EV spread allows for Stunky to always counter Abra, switching into Life Orb Dazzling Gleam after Stealth Rock effectively, and Gastly while having the ability to almost always survive 2 attack from Pawniard and Fletchling. Brave Nature is used for hitting 15 attack which allows Pursuit to always KO Abra and Gastly after Stealth Rock while not hampering Stunky's bulk. The decrease in speed is hardly noticed in most cases as Stunky still outspeeds what it wants to as well. The Special Attack investment allows for scoring the 2HKO on Pawniards with Fire Blast and 2HKOing Eviolite Spritzee with Sludge Bomb.
Usage Tips
========
Be aware of the situation when you bring Stunky into battle, as you don't want it to be taking any extra hits, especially strong ones as its bulk leaves a little to be desired even with an Eviolite. Stunky is also relatively easy to force out and is fairly weak offensively, so make sure anything you want to take out without the use of Pursuit is weak enough to be KOed by its priority or coverage. Stunky's Speed is much lower on this set than the others, so the proper use of Sucker Punch and proper prediction is much more important.
Team Options
========
Stunky has no reliable recovery, so Pokemon that can pass Wish like Spritzee are good partners for Stunky as this allows it to come in and defog away hazards more than once. This allows it to come in and defog away hazards more than once. Stunky's only weakness is Ground-type, so Pokemon such as Drilbur and Hippopotas pose serious threats. Foongus and Pumpkaboo make good teammates because they can deal with these threats safely. Bunnelby and Zigzagoon have their sweep prevented by Ghost-types, and Stunky helps them out by taking out Ghost-types with Pursuit. It can Defog them away for Pokemon like Larvesta and Fletchling.
Fast Utility
########
Name: Fast Utility
Move 1: Pursuit
Move 2: Sucker Punch / Play Rough
Move 3: Defog / Memento
Move 4: Taunt / Crunch
Ability: Aftermath
Item: Eviolite
EVs: 172 HP / 12 Atk / 60 Def / 244 Spe
Nature: Jolly
Moves
========
Pursuit enables you to trap Pokemon which would otherwise threaten your team. Notably, Gastly, Gothita and Abra can be trapped and taken out by Stunky's Pursuit while being unable to fight back effectively. Weakened fleeing pokemon should also be aware of Pursuit, as Stunky make finish them off before they can return to their trainer. Sucker Punch is a strong, albeit risky, priority STAB move which allows Stunky to get some extra damage in on faster foes as they attack. Play Rough can be used over Sucker Punch in conjunction with Memento to give Stunky a means of hitting Fighting-type Pokemon which otherwise wall Stunky, but it should be acknowledged that it is slightly weak. Defog is a great choice for Stunky since it provides your team with entry hazard removal, but the amount of times it can use Defog is limited due to its sub-par bulk. Also, Stunky fails to threaten most Stealth Rock users like Archen, Onix, Diglett and Drilbur. Memento is another good option for Stunky, as it removes the threat of Abra with pursuit, and then creates an opportunity for a set up sweeper to punish the opposition. Another utility option Stunky has is Taunt, allowing it to prevent Pokemon from using their status moves, which can really cripple some defensive Pokemon and allow Stunky time to Defog. With a Speed of 18, the fast Taunt can also outspeed Sticky Web setters like Surskit and prevent them from setting up the entry hazard. Crunch is another STAB option, having the same power as Sucker Punch but lacks its priority yet is inherent more consistent.
Set Details
========
Jolly allows Stunky to hit 18 Speed. That gives Stunky the ability to outspeed foes and Defog away hazards or Memento to support a teammate before taking a hit and possibly being KOed. It is especially useful for facing Sticky Web setters so it can outspeed and Taunt them. Aftermath is the prefered ability on Stunky, causing some extra damage to the opponent if Stunky is knocked out by a move that made contact, rather helpful when it does take affect. Stunky really enjoys the added bulk of an Eviolite since it is rather frail without it, and this allows it to trap the Pokemon it needs to much better.
Usage Tips
========
Be careful about when you bring Stunky into the battle; it can't take many hits, even with an Eviolite, so make sure you can trap what you need to when you bring it in. Stunky's attacking stats are not the greatest too, so make sure the opponent is weakened enough to be KOed if you trying to do anything besides just trap them. Take not that this set finds its place on offensive teams, but should still not be played as something to
Team Options
========
A variety of Fighting type pokemon greatly like the support that Stunky brings, with Timburr, Scraggy, and Pancham gaining the most from Stunky's support. Hazard weak pokemon, such as Larvesta and Ponyta, also pair well with Stunky due to Defog, with Ponyta and Larvesta also being able to aid with dealing with Fighting type pokemon and Pawniard who annoy Stunky. Wish passers, such as Spritzee help prolong Stunky's lifespan, allowing it Defog more often, or come in on Ghost and Stychic types more. Switchins to Drilbur are also liked as Stunky teammates; Staryu, Cottonee, and Lileep each being notable for their ability to free up a move slot on Stunky, making a Memento core as well as dealing with Fighting types, and countering Chinchou as well as setting up Rocks, respectively. Bunnelby, and especially Zigzagoon, can sweep much easier with Ghost-types like Gastly out of the way, and they even appreciate Abra's Focus Sash getting broken too. Zigzagoon also appreciates Stunky using Memento, as it gives it an easier time setting up. Memento also aids the likes of Magby, Omanyte, and Rock Polish Archen with their respective set up moves as well. In general, hazard weak pokemon, sweepers, and Psychic weak pokemon all appreciate Stunky's assets as a teammate.
Other Options
########
Explosion can be used since Stunky is relatively fast, and if close to fainting it can go out with a bang, but this is usually rather weak and typically inferior to Memento. Toxic can be used to wear down bulky Pokemon with recovery like Porygon since Stunky can't break through them with its poor offensive stats but you may struggle to find a slot for this. Acid Spray is a unique choice, but it allows for some minor wall breaking especially against the likes of Foongus. Snarl is another cool move that Stunky can abuse, that hits through Subsidies and lowers the foe's Special Attack, though it is weak and even more so situational. Choice Scarf, Life Orb, and Berry Juice can all be considered on faster Stunky, but are all relatively niche. Life Orb allows it to hit harder, but sacrifices bulk for only a small number or KOes while Choice Scarf makes Stunky set up bait after it removes Abra or Gastly. Berry Juice can be used over Eviolite for more longevity, but this can create an issue versus the likes of Gastly if hazards are on the field.
Checks & Counters
########
**Dark-types**: Dark-types are troublesome for Stunky, because while they don't particularly damage it with super-effective moves, they do take very little from Stunky's Dark STABs and tend to be okay with Play Rough's damage.
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types are not always a good check at the start of the battle, but if you manage to figure out Stunky's moveset and find that it lacks Poison STAB in Sludge Bomb then Pokemon like Spritzee or Snubbull can effectively wall Stunky.
**Fighting-types**: Pokemon like Mienfoo and Timburr are good checks to Stunky since they don't mind Stunky's Dark STAB and they can outlast it with Drain Punch.
**Ground-types**: Ground-type is the one weakness that Stunky has, so Pokemon like Drilbur and Diglett can make quick work of it with their STAB Earthquake.
**Grass-types**: The Grass- Poison- dual typing counters any Stunky not running Fire Blast. Foongus especially can freely status and repeatedly switch into Stunky. Ferroseed can wear Stunky down fairly easily with Iron Barbs and Bullet Seed damage, as well as hazard stack or Thunder Wave as it forces Stunky out. Chespin is immune to Sludge Bomb due to Bullet proof and can set up with impunity.
**Pawniard**: While most of the time using Defog would be a great thing, using it as Pawniard switches in could be the start of a sweep against your team. Its Defiant will activate and its Attack will raise by two stages. It does fear Fire Blast though and tends to lose to full health Stunky.
**Walls**: Stunky has subpar attacking stats, so anything with enough bulk, and especially recover, can take hits from Stunky and wear it down. Eventually the walls will KO, without Stunky being able to do much about it.
_
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