Mienshao (Analysis)

[Overview]

<p>In what seems to be a metagame infested with either faster or bulkier choices for a Fighting-type Pokemon, Mienshao is actually a very privileged creature. Unlike most of its rivals, the mythological weasel didn’t miss out on one of the best Fighting-type moves to complement its high base 125 Attack stat: Hi Jump Kick. Added to the mix are respectable Special Attack and Speed stats, which prevent Mienshao from being walled or revenge killed by many common threats. Above all else, its Mienshao's ability, Regenerator, which restores 33% of its Mienshao’s health when switching out, goes a long way in preventing it from going down too soon. Regenerator also allows Mienshao to be one of the most effective users of Life Orb, with its attacking sets capable of scouting efficiently and breaking down everyday walls.</p>

<p>Mienshao isn’t without its issues, however. Along with the many classic Fighting-types, Mienshao has much competition with the members of the new legendary trio, all of whom sport a unique dual typing, and roughly more Speed and bulk. Moreover, Mienshao is fairly predictable with its attacking sets, where Ghost-type Pokemon can easily exploiting Hi Jump Kick’s deadly side effect. Mienshao’s generally poor typing and frailty certainly don’t help when attempting to switch in and attack. Fortunately, Mienshao still has the tools to differentiate itself from other Fighting-types and avoid counters. With all these factors in consideration, anybody using Mienshao who considers Mienshao for a teamslot should play to its strengths, ensuring that it’s not an outclassed in its role Pokemon.</p>

[Set]
name: All-Out Attacker
move 1: Hi Jump Kick
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Fake Out / Stone Edge
item: Life Orb
nature: Naive
ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe

[Set Comments]

<p>Mienshao is frankly one of the best offensive users of Life Orb, due to its ability to instantly heal off residual damage and Life Orb recoil with Regenerator. Unlike other Life Orb users, most of which require Wish support or a moveslot for a recovery move, Mienshao instantly recovers 33% of its health, which is nearly enough to cover about three turns of Life Orb recoil. This also gives Mienshao enough flexibility to hit and run multiple times while escaping from bad situations. In an environment filled with so many Steel-, Rock-, and Dark-types, Mienshao can strongly respond against today's offensive and defensive teams.</p>

<p>Mienshao's incredibly powerful STAB Hi Jump Kick, in combination paired with 125 base Attack and a Life Orb attached, is able to cleanly decimate the numerous Steel-, Rock-, and Dark-types in OU, in addition to OHKOing and or 2HKOing most non-resistant foes. Hi Jump Kick must be used prudently, when having identified Protect users and Ghost-type Pokemon, as both can activate Hi Jump Kick's nasty recoil effect. This is where U-turn comes in; it grants Mienshao the ability to scout its counters while dealing decent damage after Life Orb. This is a particularly good strategy against Psychic-type Pokemon such as Latios, all of whom will attempt to sponge Hi Jump Kick only to have a chunk of their health cleaved. While Hidden Power Ice may seem strange on such a physically oriented set, Mienshao, with its base 90 Special Attack, is one of the few good physical attackers capable of using it effectively with a base 90 Special Attack. With Hidden Power Ice, a Naive nature, and Stealth Rock damage, Mienshao it easily OHKOs Gliscor and Landuros, a feat few Fighting-types can achieve like Terrakion could do.</p>

<p>The last moveslot is given to either Fake Out or Stone Edge. Priority Fake Out is essentially free damage unless met with a Ghost-type Pokemon, and it also gives Mienshao a way of picking off faster opponents while abusing Regenerator when switching out of their attacks. The combination of Fake Out and U-turn is also an overall an effective attacking and scouting method. Stone Edge completes Mienshao's overall coverage alongside Hi Jump Kick, dealing major damage to the numerous Flying-types that constantly switch in expecting Hi Jump Kick into the aforementioned move. Otherwise However, Mienshao will simply be using Hi Jump Kick or U-turn most of the time.</p>

[Additional Comments]

<p>The given EVs and nature allow Mienshao to maximize its Mienshao's offensive power while letting it managing Speed tie with opposing Mienshao and Zoroark, ahead of additionally keeping a steady step over Garchomp and the other Pokemon with base 100 Speed. A Naive nature is used because physical priority moves aimed at Mienshao are more common than special ones. Alternatively, if OHKOing Gliscor without Stealth Rock is a priority (Gliscor can use Protect to scout Hidden Power Ice and gain Toxic Heal recovery), 96 EVs can be invested into Special Attack from Attack. While the Attack decrease may seem disappointing, keep in mind that Mienshao will still be around as powerful as Swords Dance Lucario with with this spread of 160 Atk / 96 SpA / 252 Spe, Mienshao is essentially a faster version of Swords Dance Lucario with very similar damage output.</p>

<p>Mienshao will struggle dealing damage to almost any nearly all Ghost-type Pokemon, most of whom are immune or resistant to Mienshao's attacks. While Gengar outspeeds and OHKOes with a swift Shadow Ball, defensive Ghost-type Pokemon such as Jellicent, Dusknoir, and Dusclops can switch multiple times into Hi Jump Kick and activate its recoil. Additionally, Pokemon that outrun Mienshao are steady checks, particularly fast Psychic-types including Latios and Espeon. Mienshao can bypass all these foes, however, by using U-turn and switching to a more appropriate teammate to escape these threats and switch to certain teammates. Dark-type Pokemon, such as Tyranitar, Bisharp, and Zoroark, can easily check Mienshao's Psychic- and Ghost-type counters with a strong Dark-type move, or with a smart Pursuit by using a smartly planned Pursuit or a stronger Dark-type STAB move of their own. Zoroark particularly is one colorful teammate, as it can use its ability, Illusion, to disguise itself and instantly eliminate its teammates' original checks and counters with its powerful sets. Mienshao's problem Pokemon can be easily identified and scouted with Team Preview.</p>

<p>Additionally, with some entry hazards on the opponent's side of the field, Mienshao can eventually pick off the remaining foes when the damage continually builds up. Since Mienshao can use U-turn to escape counters, a Pokemon that can generally tank powerful attacks and set up hazards are pretty much necessary. Bronzong and Metagross both can easily set up Stealth Rock while taking many common hits with their typing and good defenses. Ferrothorn also does an efficient job in this apartment, having the benefit of both Stealth Rock and Spikes and many resistances to handily support Mienshao. As a word of note, a few layers of Spikes and Stealth Rock will enable Mienshao to 2HKO many physical walls, such as Hippowdon and Skarmory.</p>

[Set]
name: Choice
move 1: Hi Jump Kick
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Stone Edge
move 4: Hidden Power Ice
item: Choice Scarf / Choice Band
nature: Naive
ability: Regenerator
evs: 252 Atk / 24 SpA / 232 Spe

[Set Comments]

<p>Mienshao, residing in the an excellent base 105 Speed tier of base 105 Pokemon, is a remarkable candidate for a Choice Scarf. With a Choice Scarf, Mienshao is able to outspeed and OHKO every Quiver Dance and Dragon Dance user with a +1 boost. Outside of the revenge killing role, it also becomes a valuable scout and attacker, capable of dishing out heavy damage with a powerful STAB Hi Jump Kick while exploring the opposing team with U-Turn. Furthermore, Mienshao is resistant to both Pursuit and Stealth Rock, meaning that while it can’t switch into too many powerful attacks, it has easy access to the battlefield. Mienshao can even take advantage of its ability, Regenerator, to heal off damage done to it when switching out, keeping it relatively healthy for the rest of the match. Alternatively, Mienshao can utilize a Choice Band to hit hard right off the bat, 2HKOing even the most hardened physical walls in OU while still being an efficient scout.</p>

<p>Hi Jump Kick, as always, is a fairly abusable phenomenal STAB move that greatly damages anything not resistant to it. If the opposing team's Ghost-type Pokemon are removed (which can be done fairly easily with Team Preview), Mienshao is free to let loose its powerful Hi Jump Kick. U-Turn is the second most important move on this set, granting Mienshao the ability to scout the opposing team and deal some damage in the process. Stone Edge, which completes this set's coverage, OHKOes some of Mienshao's main targets, including Volcarona, Salamence, and Dragonite (with Stealth Rock damage). Finally, the last slot is given to Hidden Power Ice; while this move may seem too overspecific for use on a Choice set on a choiced set, it ensures that Mienshao OHKOes Gliscor with Stealth Rock damage, who otherwise walls the entire set with its high Defense. Hidden Power Ice is also Mienshao's most reliable option against Garchomp and Landorus, when a miss with Hi Jump Kick may prove fatal. Alternatively, Fake Out can be used as a hit-and-run move over Hidden Power Ice if all of these Pokemon do not pose a significant threat. Mienshao must obviously switch out after using Fake Out.</p>

[Additional Comments]

<p>The EV spread is simple; the Speed EVs allow Mienshao to outrun Choice Scarf Garchomp, possibly beating an Outrage-locked one with Hidden Power Ice. Maximum The Attack investment maximizes Mienshao's physical power, and the remaining EVs are put into Special Attack for Hidden Power Ice. A Naive nature is also required to put at least some power into Hidden Power Ice.</p>

<p>Entry hazards are undeniably valuable when using Choice Mienshao, as it can force many switches when scouting the opposing team. Entry hazards also wear down opposing Pokemon into KO range for Mienshao and its teammates. Ferrothorn, Metagross, and Balloon Heatran can easily lay down their respective entry hazards while complementing Mienshao defensively.</p>

<p>Because STAB Hi Jump Kick is the main move on this set, all Ghost-types must be eliminated to avoid this move's recoil. Tyranitar, Bisharp, and Scizor come to mind as good Ghost-type checks, and equipped with a Choice Band or Choice Scarf, they all ensure that both Psychic- and Ghost-types will not escape unscathed. These Pokemon also complement Mienshao defensively so it can switch out with some insurance. Choice Mienshao also pairs particularly well with choiced Dragon-type wallbreakers, especially Garchomp, Latios, and Haxorus. While Mienshao checks the numerous Steel-types waiting to switch into an Outrage or Draco Meteor, these Pokemon can punch through teams with their own respective moves. The bottom line is that since Mienshao can get some sweepers in safely with U-turn, they should be able to take assaults aimed at Mienshao and retaliate with their own powerful attack.</p>

[Set]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Hi Jump Kick
move 3: Stone Edge
move 4: Hidden Power Ice / Baton Pass
item: Life Orb
nature: Naive / Jolly
ability: Regenerator
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[Set Comments]

<p>Mienshao may also opt to utilize a set based around Swords Dance. While similar offensive sets are the "glue" of a team, this set aims to swiftly sweep the opposing team after a boost. Although Mienshao’s typing and defenses may often prevent a successful sweep, once it gets going, it’s relatively hard to stop Mienshao from destroying both offensive and defensive teams. With at least one Swords Dance under its belt, Mienshao can OHKO or 2HKO most of the game, having a higher damage output than even the infamous Adamant Swords Dance Lucario. Additionally, Mienshao can still operate without a Swords Dance boost, capable of dishing out damage just as hard as the All-Out Attacker .</p>

<p>Hi Jump Kick is a staple; after a Swords Dance boost, it can potentially OHKO several of the most important, common walls in OU, particularly Skarmory, Suicune, Jirachi, and specially defensive Hippowdon. Stone Edge completes the set’s coverage by hitting the types that are resistant or immune to Hi Jump Kick, with the only exceptions being Golurk and Claydol. Finally, the last slot is reserved for either an attacking or support option. Hidden Power Ice is a reliable weapon against Gliscor and Landorus, both of whom can survive a boosted Stone Edge and retaliate with Earthquake. Because Gliscor in particular is such a significant defensive threat, this set with Hidden Power Ice does an excellent job of luring in and defeating it. On the other hand, with Mienshao’s blazing Speed and ability to threaten the opposing team by using its own attacks, it can easily execute utilize Baton Pass. This allows it Baton Pass can be utilized to pass boosts to another physical attacker while escaping dangerous situations — (dash) , and is especially helpful when Mienshao is inflicted with a random status.</p>

[Additional Comments]

<p>In any case, maximum EV investment in Speed and Attack, along with a positive Speed-boosting nature, is always necessary to avoid being revenge killed easily and to exploit Mienshao’s already high Attack. When using Hidden Power Ice, Mienshao should be using a Naive nature to give it some power. If Baton Pass is used, a Jolly nature with the remaining EVs in HP is always the best choice since Mienshao is no longer using special attacks.</p>

<p>Due to Mienshao's As Mienshao has access to Swords Dance and Baton Pass, there are fewer counters to this set than to many similar sets than that of similar sets. After a Swords Dance boost, Mienshao essentially OHKOes most of the walls that previously survived its unboosted attacks, like Jirachi and Skarmory. However, Mienshao is still kept in check by Pokemon that outpace it, as well as certain tanks and Ghost-type Pokemon. Even with a boosted Stone Edge, Cresselia, Reuniclus, and most Ghost-type Pokemon such as Jellicent aren't particularly threatened and can retaliate with either Psychic or a status move. Naturally, it would be best to eliminate faster Pokemon and priority users as well, all of which can be identified by Team Preview.</p>

<p>Since Mienshao is relatively frail and should be used as a late-game sweeper, it requires little defensive synergy. Spikes and Stealth Rock support ensures targets are gradually worn down to KO range, especially Sturdy Skarmory who could survive a boosted Hi Jump Kick at full health and lash out back with Brave Bird. Some layers of Spikes also ensure an OHKO on physically defensive Hippowdon, who also originally survives Hi Jump Kick with some health to spare. Particularly, Metagross and Ferrothorn are bulky enough to withstand many attacks in addition to having a good offensive presence and access to Stealth Rock (and Spikes in the case of for Ferrothorn). A Pursuit user such as Tyranitar, Bisharp, Scizor, or and, once again, Metagross, easily eliminates Psychic- and Ghost-type foes such as Latios, Gengar, and Espeon, all of whom outrun and OHKO Mienshao. Alternatively, offensive wallbreakers, (space) such as Kingdra, Latios, Reuniclus, and Dragonite, are generally good teammates to break through the opposing defenses and pave the way for Mienshao's sweep. As far as Baton Pass recipients go, it is best to pack a physically-inclined teammate that than can absorb a predicted Will-O-Wisp or Thunder Wave with an immunity or a Lum Berry or inherent immunity is the best to keep up the offensive momentum. Recipients of mention include but are not limited to Garchomp, Mamoswime, Scizor, and a cleverly disguised Zoroark.</p>

[Optional Changes]

<p>For a Fighting-type, Mienshao does have a surprisingly versatile movepool to experiment with. Mienshao has access to Reversal, which can be somewhat viable with Regeneration and a Salac Berry (unreleased iirc). However, such a set requires the already frail Mienshao to take some heavy damage, which isn't helped by priority moves, entry hazards, sandstorm, and hail. Mienshao can also utilize a combination of Acrobatics and Flight Jewel, giving in which Acrobatics has surprisingly good coverage with Hi Jump Kick. The lack of a Life Orb boost decreases the power of Mienshao's other moves, though. Mienshao's other notable physical moves are Poison Jab, Drain Punch, Aerial Ace, and Payback, but all of them are redundant generally unneeded or repetitive in Mienshao's main sets.</p>

<p>Mienshao can also use Substitute on a Baton Pass set to ease prediction against threats and provide its teammates protection. This actually can be viable since Mienshao can recover lost health with Regeneration, but it generally benefits more from a Swords Dance boost. Speaking of boosting moves, Mienshao is able has enough to scavenge scramble together an offensive Calm Mind set. However, such a set is usually outclassed by Mienshao's physical sets or other notable Calm Mind users, such as Jirachi and Virizion.</p>

[Checks and Counters]

<p>Any type of status seriously cripples Mienshao in some way. While a burn makes a non-Baton Pass Mienshao essentially useless, paralysis downgrades its high Speed efficiently. Jirachi, Cresselia, Jellicent, Dusknoir, and Dusclops, due to their affinity for easily able to take Mienshao's common attacks, do an especially good job at of crippling Mienshao or its switch in.</p>

<p>It is difficult to directly counter Mienshao due to its ability to abuse Regenerator, U-Turn, and Baton Pass. One of Mienshao's main problems is its inability to deal with common Ghost-type Pokemon, which can easily switch into Hi Jump Kick causing Mienshao to lose 50% of its health. While Gengar can easily outspeed and OHKO Mienshao with Shadow Ball, Ghost-type tanks such as Golurk, Dusknoir, and Jellicent easily sponge Mienshao's attacks, even boosted Stone Edge, and can cripple it with Will-O-Wisp. Taking into account that Ghost-types are immune to Hi Jump Kick and force Mienshao to lose 50% of its health, they have plenty of opportunities to switch into Mienshao's highly abused Hi Jump Kick. Outside of Ghost-type Pokemon, since Mienshao's defensive stats are so meager, it has to beware of bulky Pokemon that can survive at least one move and retaliate with a decently powered move. Reuniclus is a common example of this, as it sponges every one of Mienshao's commonly used moves except for U-Turn, which it can easily recover off. Pokemon that can somehow exploit Mienshao's Speed, especially Latios, Espeon, Gengar, priority users, and Choice Scarf users, can take advantage of Mienshao's frailty as well.<p>

[Dream World]

<p>Mienshao receives Reckless as its Dream World ability, which increases the power of all its recoil moves by 20%. Unfortunately, the only moves to which this ability applies to are Jump Kick and Hi Jump Kick, limiting its usefulness. Regenerator is the better choice as a small power increase to one move is hardly enough to replace an ability that heals 33% of Mienshao’s full health upon switching out of the battlefield.</p>

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