[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Soft-Boiled
move 2: Moonblast
move 3: Thunder Wave / Stealth Rock
move 4: Knock Off / Healing Wish
item: Eviolite
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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Soft-Boiled is Clefairy's main form of reliable recovery; however, it doesn't allow Clefairy to fully support its teammates like Wish does. Moonblast is Clefairy's main STAB move and only offensive tool, and it is useful to hit Fighting- and Dragon-types hard, even without Special Attack investment. However, Clefairy will prefer to spam a utility move rather than directly attack most of the time. Thunder Wave can cripple fast threats, such as Ninetales and Simipour, and support slower teammates. Stealth Rock is useful to passively damage the enemy's team every time a foe switches in, making it easier for teammates to get KOs. Knock Off provides even more utility, as it allows Clefairy to cripple Pokemon that rely on their items, especially bulky Eviolite users that usually switch in on Clefairy, such as Misdreavus, Tangela, and Roselia. Healing Wish lets Clefairy fully heal a wounded teammate, potentially giving them a second shot at sweeping
Set Details
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Maximum HP and Special Defensive investment with a Calm nature allows Clefairy to be as durable as possible to tank hits even from strong and common special attackers such as Simipour and Ninetales without much trouble. 4 Defense EVs make Clefairy a bit bulkier physically. Eviolite provides Clefairy with a great source of bulk, allowing it to be a specially defensive wall, but it also makes Clefairy rely on its item. Magic Guard prevents Clefairy from taking residual damage from status and entry hazards, which is greatly appreciated, especially when it has to switch in multiple times.
Usage Tips
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Try to set up Stealth Rock as soon as possible to rack up as much residual damage as possible on foes. Clefairy isn't supposed to switch in on strong physical attackers, such as Carracosta and Ursaring, as its physical bulk isn't that good, even with the boost that Eviolite gives. Clefairy should pivot in on weak attackers or specially based ones, such as Poliwrath and Zebstrika, as they deal little damage to it, and make use of free turns by using utility moves such as Thunder Wave to cripple foes. Be wary to Knock Off users, such as Pawniard, Machoke, and Simipour, as they can remove Clefairy's Eviolite, reducing its bulk and limiting its opportunities to switch in. Clefairy has to stay healthy throughout the match to keep pivoting in on strong special attackers, such as Simipour and Aurorus, so it should use Soft-Boiled often. Be careful when using Healing Wish, as it should only be used in specific situations, such as when a useful teammate is weakened, because Clefairy should still be needed throughout the majority of the match. Thunder Wave shouldn't be spammed when against a Pokemon immune to Electric-type moves, such as Golem or Rotom-F, as most of them can deal with Clefairy fairly well.
Team Options
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Clefairy fits best on stall and balanced teams, as it is a good special wall with access to decent coverage and utility moves, which allows it to support teammates effectively, but it is too passive to work well on offensively oriented teams. Misdreavus fits well on defensively oriented teams, as it blocks Rapid Spin and threatens strong physical attackers with Will-O-Wisp and Foul Play. Poliwrath synergizes well with Clefairy, as it is able to check Fire- and Steel-types, which wall Clefairy, and it tanks Knock Off with ease. Because Clefairy struggles with physical attackers, physical walls such as Pelipper and Carracosta are good partners, thanks to their high Defense and access to Scald. Setup sweepers such as Simipour and Ursaring and slow, but strong, attackers such as Marowak and Heatmor appreciate Clefairy's ability to cripple revenge killers with Thunder Wave, set up Stealth Rock to make KOing walls easier, and use Healing Wish to give them a second chance to sweep.
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