qc: Eien / Vid / Zarif
gp: Plumberjack
Dark
========
* Bisharp is an excellent offensive presence on Dark teams, since it is able to break many threatening walls due to its access to Swords Dance and strong STAB attacks in the form of Knock Off and Iron Head.
* Bisharp is able to check many threatening Fairy-types such as Azumarill and Clefable that Dark teams will otherwise struggle with, although most Fairy-types need to chipped at a bit to be put in Iron Head range.
* Bisharp has great dual STAB moves in Knock Off and Iron Head, allowing it to hit most of the meta for at least neutral damage.
* Knock Off allows Bisharp to cripple Pokemon reliant on their item such as Porygon2 and ensures that nothing wants to switch in on Bisharp.
* While Bisharp has a pretty poor Speed stat, that weakness is mitigated by Bisharp having access to a solid priority move in Sucker Punch. Still, though, Bisharp can't do much against faster Pokemon that resist Sucker Punch, such as Tapu Koko.
* Bisharp's access to Defiant means Defog users have to be wary of removing entry hazards.
* Bisharp only increases the weakness of Fighting-types to Dark teams, and it finds itself weak to common offensive types such as Ground and Fire.
* While Bisharp has solid bulk for an offensive Pokemon, it can still find trouble when attempting to set up, although setting up isn't normally a necessity due to Bisharp's great base Attack.
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Iron Head
item: Life Orb / Black Glasses
ability: Defiant
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Swords Dance allows Bisharp to raise its attack by two stages, making it a potent offensive threat after just one boost.
* Knock Off is Bisharp's main STAB attack, which has solid damage output against most of the metagame that does not resist it. It also allows Bisharp to cripple Pokemon that are reliant on items such as Porygon2
* Sucker Punch gives Bisharp strong priority, which allows it to function as a strong revenge killer and get off solid damage on Pokemon that normally outpace it.
* Iron Head is Bisharp's secondary STAB attack, which allows it to hit Fairy-types for excellent damage and get off a stronger hit than Knock Off if the opposing Pokemon has lost its item previously. It also hits hard against opposing Fighting- and Dark-types.
Set Details
========
* Defiant gives Bisharp a free boost whenever its stats are lowered. For example, it allows Bisharp to pivot into Defog users to attempt to receive a free boost. This will also allow you to take advantage of Sticky Web on your side.
* Life Orb is the preferred item on Bisharp to further its damage output, allowing it to net OHKOs it normally wouldn't.
* Black Glasses can also be used to strengthen Bisharp's Dark-type attacks without the drawback of taking residual damage each turn.
* Maximum Attack EVs with an Adamant nature allow Bisharp to maximize its damage output on bulky Pokemon such as Mandibuzz and Celesteela. Jolly can also be used to outpace Pokemon including Adamant Dragonite, Adamant Diggersby, and certain Zapdos variants running fewer than 108 Speed EVs.
Usage Tips
========
* Bisharp can't afford to switch into many attacks such as a Moonblast from a Clefable due to its poor bulk. For this reason, Bisharp should normally attempt to come out against weaker Pokemon such as Porygon2 or Choice-locked foes that it can attempt to capitalize on with a Swords Dance.
* Bisharp has to watch out for Z-Move holders and Mega Evolutions such as Manaphy and Mega Venusaur, respectively, as they take less damage from Knock Off.
* Bisharp can be brought out early- or mid-game to attempt to get off large hits with its STAB attacks or use Swords Dance to attempt and break strong walls such as Celesteela. In general, the early-game tends to be about spamming Knock Offs to remove the items of threats, which in turn allows Bisharp to attempt to sweep later. For this reason, Bisharp's health should still be preserved.
* Bisharp can be a threatening revenge killer with Sucker Punch allowing it to take out threats that otherwise would outspeed it.
* Using Sucker Punch creates many mind games. For example, the opponent may spam a non-attacking move to ensure they won't get hit by Sucker Punch. This is a potential issue due to Sucker Punch only having 8 PP. Bisharp could take advantage of this by setting up a Swords Dance if it is believed they won't go for an attacking move, or it can just fire off an Iron Head or Knock Off.
* Bisharp needs to be played well against Fairy teams to be effective. While it can get off heavy hits, it is threatened by the likes of Tapu Koko, Superpower Tapu Bulu, and strong Fairy STAB moves. Bisharp cannot afford to switch into common Fairy-types, other than Klefki, because they are normally able to either KO Bisharp or get off enough damage to put it in Aqua Jet range from their Azumarill. Bisharp should be brought in against slower Fairy types in Iron Head or Sucker Punch range after a teammate faints.
* Bisharp can use Defiant to capitalize on a foe attempting to remove entry hazards with Defog, although you have to be careful because common Defoggers such as Zapdos and Mandibuzz have ways to beat it, even with the boost.
Team Options
========
* Bisharp pairs well with strong Water-types, including Mega Sharpedo and Greninja, which threaten Ground- and Fire-type Pokemon that Bisharp struggles with, such as Hippowdon, Garchomp, and Heatran. Both of these compensate for Bisharp's low Speed tier as well, hitting faster threats such as Weavile and Entei. They also deal can deal with Fighting-types fairly well, since Greninja has access to Extrasensory while Mega Sharpedo learns Psychic Fangs. Lastly, they are ideal partners because they can usually set up each other for sweeps with each other's wallbreaking potential.
* Tyranitar and Krookodile are good partners because they can set up Stealth Rock, potentially baiting a Defog that Bisharp can make use of. Tyranitar is especially useful, since it helps with Bisharp's Fire-type weakness.
* Mandibuzz pairs well with Bisharp, since it covers Bisharp's Fighting- and Ground-type weaknesses fairly well. It also can provide momentum with U-turn, allowing Bisharp to switch in more easily, and it can remove entry hazards such as Spikes that will limit Bisharp's opportunities to switch in.
* Mega Sableye helps out tremendously with Bisharp's Fighting-type weakness, and it also will keep excessive hazards off the field to ensure Bisharp can come in more often. It also is able to deal with common defensive answers to Bisharp such as Hippowdown and Mandibuzz. Mega Sableye can also spread burns allowing Bisharp to have more setup opportunities.
* Late-game cleaners such as Choice Scarf Krookodile and Hydreigon appreciate Bisharp's wallbreaking abilities.
* Choice Specs Hydreigon can also be used to form a solid wallbreaking core, where they cover each others weaknesses fairly well. Hydreigon also helps out with Bisharp's Fire- and Ground-type weakness.
* Alolan Muk can be used as a solid defensive pivot to beat Fairy-types Bisharp struggles with such as Tapu Koko and Magearna.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Dark
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* Lum Berry can be used to allow Bisharp to set up on status spreaders such as Mega Sableye and Mew that otherwise threaten Bisharp with a burn, although Bisharp generally appreciates the extra damage from Life Orb or Black Glasses more.
* Bisharp can run Pursuit to trap Pokemon such as Latios; however, Bisharp's weak defensive stats mean that it can't switch into many Pokemon to attempt to trap them and it is forced to give up an important slot in its set.
* A lead set with Thunder Wave, Stealth Rock, and Focus Sash could be run, but it is outclassed by both Krookodile and Tyranitar and it takes away from Bisharp's offensive potential.
Checks and Counters
===================
Dark
--------
**Fighting-types**: With Bisharp's already low defensive stats, a 4x weakness to Fighting-type attacks ensures Bisharp will be easily taken out by Pokemon such as Buzzwole and Keldeo. Fighting-types also resist Sucker Punch, allowing them to take out Bisharp with ease.
**Fire-types**: Fire-types such as Mega Charizard X and Y, Infernape, and Torkoal can all take out Bisharp easily, although Bisharp can potentially threaten Fire teams with a strong Sucker Punch.
**Ground-types**: Bisharp is easily walled or OHKOed by Ground-types such as Hippowdon, Garchomp, Landorus, and Gliscor, often leaving it reliant on its Water-type teammates and Mandibuzz.
**Burns**: Burns from Pokemon such as Mega Sableye will seriously gimp Bisharp's offensive capabilities, as they halve Bisharp's attacking power.
**Offensive Dark-types**: Pokemon such as Greninja and Krookodile resist Sucker Punch and can immediately hit Bisharp with a strong STAB attack.
**Offensive Fairy-types**: While Iron Head is great for taking on Fairy-types, Pokemon such as Tapu Koko and Tapu Bulu can outspeed Bisharp and easily OHKO it. Babiri Berry Clefable can also bait Bisharp into using Iron Head so it can OHKO Bisharp in return with Counter.
**Bulky Water-types**: Pokemon such as Alomonola and Toxapex can easily take an attack from Bisharp when it is not set up and threaten with a potential Scald burn. Quagsire especially walls Bisharp due to Unaware, letting it easily take on Bisharp, regardless of it is set up.
**Strong Attackers**: Pokemon such as Thundurus and Kingdra can threaten Bisharp with their strong attacks, although most of these offensive Pokemon tend to take a large amount from Sucker Punch.
**Substitute Users**: Pokemon such as Zapdos and Gyarados can set up a Substitute on Bisharp, causing Sucker Punch to fail.[/hide][/quote]
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