[OVERVIEW]
Grumpig's uncommon access to Thick Fat sets it apart from other bulky Psychic-types in the tier by allowing it to switch into threatening Fire- and Ice-type wallbreakers, such as Magmortar, Vanilluxe, and Aurorus. Its useful defensive niche for teams is outlined by its variety of support moves, such as Heal Bell, Thunder Wave, Whirlwind, and Taunt, and its impressive special bulk. Additionally, Grumpig is one of the few Psychic-types in NU with access to Focus Blast, which allows it to fight back against the Steel- and Dark-types that try to switch into its Psychic-type STAB move. However, Grumpig is cursed with a lacking Defense stat, meaning it struggles to effectively check Fighting-types, such as Sawk, Primeape, and Hariyama, like its fellow Psychic-types. Due to a lack of reliable recovery moves, Grumpig is prone to being easily whittled down throughout a match. It also faces stiff competition from other bulky Psychic-types, such as Mesprit and Musharna, which have access to better utility moves and recovery and serve as effective Fighting-type switch-ins because of their superior physical bulk.
[SET]
name: Offensive Stallbreaker
move 1: Psychic / Psyshock
move 2: Focus Blast
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Thunder Wave / Toxic
item: Leftovers / Colbur Berry
ability: Thick Fat
nature: Modest
evs: 252 HP / 168 SpA / 96 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Psychic is Grumpig's strongest STAB move, but Psyshock can be used as an alternative to hit some physically frailer Pokemon, such as Magmortar, Ninetales, and Cryogonal, for more damage. Focus Blast provides great neutral coverage alongside Grumpig's Psychic-type STAB move because it nails Dark- and Steel-types, such as Liepard, Mawile, and Klinklang. Taunt shuts down slower Pokemon that rely on status moves to beat Grumpig, such as defensive Mawile, Mega Audino, Ferroseed, and Regirock, and prevents them from taking advantage of Grumpig. Thunder Wave cripples fast offensive Pokemon, such as Lilligant, Vivillon, and Mismagius. Alternatively, Toxic whittles down bulky Pokemon that Grumpig has trouble with, such as Mesprit, Mega Audino, and Musharna. Signal Beam can be used instead of Focus Blast to hit Malamar and Psychic-types harder while still retaining super-effective coverage for Dark-types. However, without Focus Blast, Grumpig struggles to take down opposing Steel-types.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP investment is preferred to take advantage of Grumpig's great special bulk. Running 96 Speed EVs allows Grumpig to outspeed everything up to Adamant Pawniard. The remaining EVs are invested in Special Attack with a Modest nature to give Grumpig's attacks some more power. Thick Fat sets Grumpig apart from other bulky Psychic-types by providing it with invaluable Fire- and Ice-type resistances. Leftovers provides Grumpig with passive recovery throughout the match. Colbur Berry can weaken a Dark-type's STAB attack for Grumpig to give it the opportunity to retaliate with Focus Blast, Signal Beam, Thunder Wave, or Toxic. Additionally, Fighting-types that commonly carry Knock Off, such as Sawk and Hariyama, cannot OHKO Grumpig if it's holding a Colbur Berry.
Usage Tips
========
Use Thick Fat to switch Grumpig into high-powered Fire- and Ice-type attacks from the likes of Magmortar, Vanilluxe, and Aurorus. However, do not keep Grumpig in against strong physical attackers, such as Archeops and Tauros, because they can KO Grumpig with a little prior damage. Make use of aggressive double switches to prevent Pokemon with Pursuit, such as Liepard and Skuntank, from trapping Grumpig. Grumpig should spread paralysis on opposing offensive teams to slow them down to a pace that it can keep up with, while it can defeat slower, passive Pokemon, such as Mega Audino, Regirock, and Pelipper, by incapacitating them with Taunt and whittling them down with attacks or Toxic damage.
Team Options
========
Offensive Grumpig fits well on balanced teams in need of a stallbreaker with the ability to switch into Fire- and Ice-types. Grass-types, such as Tangela, Vileplume, and Lilligant, appreciate Grumpig's ability to switch into Magmortar and Ice-types. Physically bulky Poison-types, such as Weezing and Garbodor, beat the physical attackers that threaten Grumpig, such as Klinklang, Samurott, and Scyther. Additionally, Grumpig provides these Poison-types with a useful Psychic-type resistance. Ground-types, such as Rhydon and Sandslash, beat Skuntank, one of the safest switch-ins to Grumpig available. Ironically, Skuntank is a great partner for Grumpig as well because it is a safe switch-in to many of the Psychic-types in the tier, such as Musharna, Xatu, and Mesprit.
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Psychic
move 2: Heal Bell
move 3: Thunder Wave / Toxic
move 4: Whirlwind / Taunt
item: Leftovers
ability: Thick Fat
nature: Calm
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Psychic is Grumpig's strongest and most reliable STAB move. Heal Bell removes status conditions from Grumpig and its teammates. Thunder Wave slows down opposing offensive Pokemon that try to take advantage of Grumpig's weak offensive presence. Toxic whittles down bulky foes, such as Gourgeist-XL and Mega Audino. Whirlwind is useful to phaze Pokemon that try to set up on Grumpig, such as Klinklang and Mega Audino. Taunt can prevent slower Pokemon, such as Musharna, Regirock, and Roselia, from setting up entry hazards or healing against Grumpig. Signal Beam can be used to punish Dark-types, such as Malamar and Liepard, that try to switch into Grumpig.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP and Special Defense investment with a Calm nature maximizes Grumpig's special bulk, granting it a variety of safe opportunities to switch in. Thick Fat is Grumpig's defining quality because of the useful Fire- and Ice-type resistances it provides. Leftovers provides Grumpig with invaluable passive recovery.
Usage Tips
========
Because Grumpig fits best on defensive teams that require its unique combination of resistances and utility moves, you should play it safe and not make overly risky decisions that have a chance of incapacitating Grumpig. Grumpig should use its great special bulk and resistances to switch into special wallbreakers, such as Magmortar, Poliwrath, and Aurorus, while letting its teammates handle physical attackers because of its lacking Defense. If Grumpig's teammates have set multiple entry hazards, it can use Whirlwind to phaze foes to quickly whittle them down. If Grumpig or its teammates are afflicted by any detrimental status conditions, it can use Heal Bell to refresh your team's condition.
Team Options
========
Specially defensive Grumpig only fits on passive, defensive teams in need of a reliable Fire-type check that can support the team with Heal Bell. Mega Audino provides Grumpig with Wish support and a handy Dark-type resistance, which especially comes in handy for absorbing Knock Off to preserve Grumpig's precious item. Additionally, Mega Audino appreciates that it doesn't need to run Heal Bell if Grumpig already carries it. Garbodor is a more reliable Fighting-resistant Pokemon and sets up Spikes and Toxic Spikes, which work well with Grumpig's Whirlwind to phaze and whittle down its foes. Defensive Grass-types, such as Gourgeist-XL, Vileplume, and Ferroseed, appreciate Grumpig's Heal Bell and ability to switch into powerful Fire- and Ice-type wallbreakers.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A fully offensive set with maximum Special Attack and Speed investment, a Timid nature, and a moveset consisting of Calm Mind / Psychic / Focus Blast / Grass Knot can be used as a late-game sweeper, but it is mostly outclassed by Mesprit. Grass Knot is an option on the offensive set to deal a lot of damage to Rhydon. Shadow Ball can be used to hit Xatu while retaining coverage against other Psychic-types, albeit at the expense of coverage against Dark-types. A physically defensive set can be used to allow Grumpig to check Fighting-types, such as Sawk and Hariyama, but it faces stiff competition from Mesprit and sacrifices a lot of the utility of the specially defensive set.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Dark-types that carry Knock Off and Pursuit can deal massive damage to Grumpig, although they must be wary of Focus Blast and Signal Beam. However, Malamar cannot be 2HKOed by defensive Grumpig's Signal Beam, so it is especially threatening. Skuntank is probably the hardest Dark-type for Grumpig to deal with because, at worst, it takes neutral damage from Grumpig's common coverage moves and threatens it with Pursuit and Sucker Punch. Additionally, Skuntank commonly carries Lum Berry, meaning it is not as susceptible to Thunder Wave.
**Xatu**: Xatu resists all of Grumpig's common coverage moves and isn't affected by any status moves because of Magic Bounce.
**Physical Attackers**: Grumpig is very physically frail, so it will often lose large chunks of HP against strong physical attackers, such as Archeops, Scyther, and Kangaskhan. However, most of these attackers cannot switch in because of the threat of status or Grumpig's coverage.
Grumpig's uncommon access to Thick Fat sets it apart from other bulky Psychic-types in the tier by allowing it to switch into threatening Fire- and Ice-type wallbreakers, such as Magmortar, Vanilluxe, and Aurorus. Its useful defensive niche for teams is outlined by its variety of support moves, such as Heal Bell, Thunder Wave, Whirlwind, and Taunt, and its impressive special bulk. Additionally, Grumpig is one of the few Psychic-types in NU with access to Focus Blast, which allows it to fight back against the Steel- and Dark-types that try to switch into its Psychic-type STAB move. However, Grumpig is cursed with a lacking Defense stat, meaning it struggles to effectively check Fighting-types, such as Sawk, Primeape, and Hariyama, like its fellow Psychic-types. Due to a lack of reliable recovery moves, Grumpig is prone to being easily whittled down throughout a match. It also faces stiff competition from other bulky Psychic-types, such as Mesprit and Musharna, which have access to better utility moves and recovery and serve as effective Fighting-type switch-ins because of their superior physical bulk.
[SET]
name: Offensive Stallbreaker
move 1: Psychic / Psyshock
move 2: Focus Blast
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Thunder Wave / Toxic
item: Leftovers / Colbur Berry
ability: Thick Fat
nature: Modest
evs: 252 HP / 168 SpA / 96 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Psychic is Grumpig's strongest STAB move, but Psyshock can be used as an alternative to hit some physically frailer Pokemon, such as Magmortar, Ninetales, and Cryogonal, for more damage. Focus Blast provides great neutral coverage alongside Grumpig's Psychic-type STAB move because it nails Dark- and Steel-types, such as Liepard, Mawile, and Klinklang. Taunt shuts down slower Pokemon that rely on status moves to beat Grumpig, such as defensive Mawile, Mega Audino, Ferroseed, and Regirock, and prevents them from taking advantage of Grumpig. Thunder Wave cripples fast offensive Pokemon, such as Lilligant, Vivillon, and Mismagius. Alternatively, Toxic whittles down bulky Pokemon that Grumpig has trouble with, such as Mesprit, Mega Audino, and Musharna. Signal Beam can be used instead of Focus Blast to hit Malamar and Psychic-types harder while still retaining super-effective coverage for Dark-types. However, without Focus Blast, Grumpig struggles to take down opposing Steel-types.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP investment is preferred to take advantage of Grumpig's great special bulk. Running 96 Speed EVs allows Grumpig to outspeed everything up to Adamant Pawniard. The remaining EVs are invested in Special Attack with a Modest nature to give Grumpig's attacks some more power. Thick Fat sets Grumpig apart from other bulky Psychic-types by providing it with invaluable Fire- and Ice-type resistances. Leftovers provides Grumpig with passive recovery throughout the match. Colbur Berry can weaken a Dark-type's STAB attack for Grumpig to give it the opportunity to retaliate with Focus Blast, Signal Beam, Thunder Wave, or Toxic. Additionally, Fighting-types that commonly carry Knock Off, such as Sawk and Hariyama, cannot OHKO Grumpig if it's holding a Colbur Berry.
Usage Tips
========
Use Thick Fat to switch Grumpig into high-powered Fire- and Ice-type attacks from the likes of Magmortar, Vanilluxe, and Aurorus. However, do not keep Grumpig in against strong physical attackers, such as Archeops and Tauros, because they can KO Grumpig with a little prior damage. Make use of aggressive double switches to prevent Pokemon with Pursuit, such as Liepard and Skuntank, from trapping Grumpig. Grumpig should spread paralysis on opposing offensive teams to slow them down to a pace that it can keep up with, while it can defeat slower, passive Pokemon, such as Mega Audino, Regirock, and Pelipper, by incapacitating them with Taunt and whittling them down with attacks or Toxic damage.
Team Options
========
Offensive Grumpig fits well on balanced teams in need of a stallbreaker with the ability to switch into Fire- and Ice-types. Grass-types, such as Tangela, Vileplume, and Lilligant, appreciate Grumpig's ability to switch into Magmortar and Ice-types. Physically bulky Poison-types, such as Weezing and Garbodor, beat the physical attackers that threaten Grumpig, such as Klinklang, Samurott, and Scyther. Additionally, Grumpig provides these Poison-types with a useful Psychic-type resistance. Ground-types, such as Rhydon and Sandslash, beat Skuntank, one of the safest switch-ins to Grumpig available. Ironically, Skuntank is a great partner for Grumpig as well because it is a safe switch-in to many of the Psychic-types in the tier, such as Musharna, Xatu, and Mesprit.
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Psychic
move 2: Heal Bell
move 3: Thunder Wave / Toxic
move 4: Whirlwind / Taunt
item: Leftovers
ability: Thick Fat
nature: Calm
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Psychic is Grumpig's strongest and most reliable STAB move. Heal Bell removes status conditions from Grumpig and its teammates. Thunder Wave slows down opposing offensive Pokemon that try to take advantage of Grumpig's weak offensive presence. Toxic whittles down bulky foes, such as Gourgeist-XL and Mega Audino. Whirlwind is useful to phaze Pokemon that try to set up on Grumpig, such as Klinklang and Mega Audino. Taunt can prevent slower Pokemon, such as Musharna, Regirock, and Roselia, from setting up entry hazards or healing against Grumpig. Signal Beam can be used to punish Dark-types, such as Malamar and Liepard, that try to switch into Grumpig.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP and Special Defense investment with a Calm nature maximizes Grumpig's special bulk, granting it a variety of safe opportunities to switch in. Thick Fat is Grumpig's defining quality because of the useful Fire- and Ice-type resistances it provides. Leftovers provides Grumpig with invaluable passive recovery.
Usage Tips
========
Because Grumpig fits best on defensive teams that require its unique combination of resistances and utility moves, you should play it safe and not make overly risky decisions that have a chance of incapacitating Grumpig. Grumpig should use its great special bulk and resistances to switch into special wallbreakers, such as Magmortar, Poliwrath, and Aurorus, while letting its teammates handle physical attackers because of its lacking Defense. If Grumpig's teammates have set multiple entry hazards, it can use Whirlwind to phaze foes to quickly whittle them down. If Grumpig or its teammates are afflicted by any detrimental status conditions, it can use Heal Bell to refresh your team's condition.
Team Options
========
Specially defensive Grumpig only fits on passive, defensive teams in need of a reliable Fire-type check that can support the team with Heal Bell. Mega Audino provides Grumpig with Wish support and a handy Dark-type resistance, which especially comes in handy for absorbing Knock Off to preserve Grumpig's precious item. Additionally, Mega Audino appreciates that it doesn't need to run Heal Bell if Grumpig already carries it. Garbodor is a more reliable Fighting-resistant Pokemon and sets up Spikes and Toxic Spikes, which work well with Grumpig's Whirlwind to phaze and whittle down its foes. Defensive Grass-types, such as Gourgeist-XL, Vileplume, and Ferroseed, appreciate Grumpig's Heal Bell and ability to switch into powerful Fire- and Ice-type wallbreakers.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A fully offensive set with maximum Special Attack and Speed investment, a Timid nature, and a moveset consisting of Calm Mind / Psychic / Focus Blast / Grass Knot can be used as a late-game sweeper, but it is mostly outclassed by Mesprit. Grass Knot is an option on the offensive set to deal a lot of damage to Rhydon. Shadow Ball can be used to hit Xatu while retaining coverage against other Psychic-types, albeit at the expense of coverage against Dark-types. A physically defensive set can be used to allow Grumpig to check Fighting-types, such as Sawk and Hariyama, but it faces stiff competition from Mesprit and sacrifices a lot of the utility of the specially defensive set.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Dark-types that carry Knock Off and Pursuit can deal massive damage to Grumpig, although they must be wary of Focus Blast and Signal Beam. However, Malamar cannot be 2HKOed by defensive Grumpig's Signal Beam, so it is especially threatening. Skuntank is probably the hardest Dark-type for Grumpig to deal with because, at worst, it takes neutral damage from Grumpig's common coverage moves and threatens it with Pursuit and Sucker Punch. Additionally, Skuntank commonly carries Lum Berry, meaning it is not as susceptible to Thunder Wave.
**Xatu**: Xatu resists all of Grumpig's common coverage moves and isn't affected by any status moves because of Magic Bounce.
**Physical Attackers**: Grumpig is very physically frail, so it will often lose large chunks of HP against strong physical attackers, such as Archeops, Scyther, and Kangaskhan. However, most of these attackers cannot switch in because of the threat of status or Grumpig's coverage.
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