[21:53:13] +Silver Scrapes: Put your cat in some armor and make him into a proper meownster hunter.
Overview
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Other than being adorable, Meowstic-M has a very specific niche that makes it viable in the RU metagame: access to Prankster along with Reflect, Light Screen, and Thunder Wave. Thanks to Prankster, all three of those moves get priority. However, despite having the edge over other dual screen users by having priority, Meowstic-M still faces heavy competition from the likes of Cresselia and Uxie, which have access to Lunar Dance and Memento respectively to give free switches to their teammates, and are thus often better choices if priority dual screens isn't something you're interested in. Additionally, Meowstic-M can be exploited easily by a lot of common Pokemon in the RU metagame such as Doublade, Reuniclus, Cresselia, and Drapion. Finally, despite being good at what it does, Meowstic-M's only niche is dual screens, which leaves it to be very predictable.
Dual Screens
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name: Dual Screens
move 1: Reflect
move 2: Light Screen
move 3: Thunder Wave
move 4: Psyshock
ability: Prankster
item: Light Clay
evs: 248 HP / 236 Def / 24 Spe
nature: Timid
Moves
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Reflect halves the damage of physical attacks, and Light Screen halves the damage of special attacks directed at Meowstic-M. Thunder Wave can stop sweepers at their tracks, and gives Meowstic-M some utility outside of just using dual screens. Psyshock is a STAB move that can OHKO Hitmonlee, but Psychic is also an option, although it can't get the OHKO.
Set Details
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Maximum HP investment is used to maximize bulk, with enough Speed to let Meowstic-M outspeed maximum Speed Adamant Hitmonlee and OHKO with Psyshock before it can go for Knock Off. The remaining EVs are put into Defense to be able to live hits such as Assault Vest Escavalier's Megahorn or Knock Off from various Pokemon. Light Clay is used to extend Reflect and Light Screen's duration from 5 to to 8 turns, and Prankster gives priority to all non-attacking moves and is the reason to use Meowstic-M in the first place.
Usage Tips
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Use Meowstic-M on hyper offense teams with Pokemon that appreciate the dual screens it provides; an example would be a Pokemon that relies on setting up to sweep, such as Slurpuff. Thunder Wave should be used as either a last-ditch move or to stop a Pokemon from sweeping. Meowstic-M can also be kept for late-game if a quick Reflect or Light Screen is needed, or to check sweepers with Thunder Wave.
Team Options
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Generally speaking, Pokemon that rely on setting up to sweep make for incredible partners, as they can use the dual screens to safely set up. These can include Belly Drum Slurpuff, Hone Claws Durant, Nasty Plot Houndoom, and Swords Dance Virizion and Cobalion. Something that can deal with Dark- and Steel-types such as Drapion and Escavalier respectively is appreciated; Cobalion makes for a solid check to both of those Pokemon, as well as Rhyperior, which can also use Meowstic-M's screens to set up Rock Polish or Swords Dance. Braviary also makes for a good teammate, seeing as Defog removes dual screens, and Braviary, thanks to Defiant, can get a +2 Attack boost as it switches into Defog.
Other Options
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Meowstic-M has very few viable options outside of its dual screens set. Safeguard can be used for immunity against status for a few turns, but it's generally not a useful move and not worth running over any of Meowstic-M's moveslots. Heal Bell is useful to cure your team of status and has nice priority thanks to Prankster, but there are better users of the move and again, Meowstic-M has no space for it. A set using Sunny Day or Rain Dance with Heat Rock or Damp Rock respectively can be a good addition for weather teams. Torment is a gimmicky option, but it can create opportunities for other Pokemon on your team to come in for free. Finally, Yawn can force switches and possibly put a Pokemon to sleep.
Checks & Counters
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**Almost Anything**: Meowstic-M can't really harm most Pokemon unless they're weak to Psyshock or have really low defenses, so by definition just about anything can take it on, but it will usually be able to set up dual screens, which is the job it's supposed to accomplish. The issue will be dealing with Meowstic-M's teammates after screens are up.
**Defog**: Defog removes dual screens, and two common users of the move, Shiftry and Skuntank, are immune to Psyshock and have Dark STAB moves to scare Meowstic-M out.
**Dark-types**: Dark-types are immune to Psyshock and have super effective STAB moves. Drapion can set up on Meowstic-M and KO it with Knock Off, while Spiritomb, Shiftry, Skuntank, and Houndoom can all switch in directly and threaten Meowstic-M.
**Steel-types**: Steel-types don't take much damage from Psyshock and can capitalize on Meowstic-M by either setting up or simply pressuring it. Registeel and Mega Steelix can set up Stealth Rock or Curse, while Escavalier can threaten to KO with Megahorn. Doublade can set up Swords Dance as well.
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