Qwilfish
It's what you've all been waiting for!!! Or maybe an analysis for a slightly subpar Pokemon?
I've been having a bit of trouble with my computer of late, so I haven't had much chance to test this in the latest metagame. Still, the Rain sweeper set is timeless, even if it now faces a bit more competetion. I'll be testing lots of spiking sets now, including some more offensive versions, but I've put up the set that I was using at the beginning of UU with powerful fire attacks everywhere. Any input would be appreciated.
STATUS: Written and ready for GP.
QC Approved 3/3 (PK Gaming, Chou Toshio, Snunch)
GP Approved 1/2 (Zystral)
[Overview]
<p>Even in UU, Qwilfish is often overlooked due to its poor stats; indeed there is no denying that all of its stats bar Attack and Speed are pretty bad. However, Qwilfish redeems itself in every other area. Its typing, unique in UU with the exception of Tentacool, is undeniably excellent both offensively and defensively; its STAB moves are almost unresisted throughout the tier. It also brings two great abilities in Swift Swim and Intimidate, the former allowing it to act as a fearsome sweeper in rain with phenomenal coverage, and the latter allowing it to run a defensive set using its excellent support movepool, including Spikes, Toxic Spikes, Taunt, Thunder Wave, and Haze. Though there are arguments to suggest that its sets are outclassed, especially the Rain Sweeper set, Qwilfish sets itself apart through unique typing, which, most notably, lets it absorb Toxic Spikes. It is also important to realise that multiple rain sweepers can be used on the same team. Though Qwilfish might generally be less effective than Kingdra and Kabutops, it is still truly fearsome, and can be used alongside them to great effect.</p>
[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Toxic Spikes / Taunt
move 2: Taunt / Spikes
move 3: Waterfall
move 4: Poison Jab / Haze
item: Leftovers
ability: Intimidate
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 212 Def / 44 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Despite its below-average stats, Qwilfish can make use of its excellent typing, ability, and movepool to run an effective support set. With the given investment and Intimidate, Qwilfish can take physical attacks remarkably well, letting it take on almost any physical attacker lacking Earthquake, and use them to set up entry hazards for the team. Qwilfish especially excels at taking Fire- and Fighting-type attacks from powerhouses such as Victini and Heracross. Intimidate's uses extend beyond outright walling, allowing the team to check even the most fearsome physical sweepers through some clever switching. Additionally, Qwilfish brings another dimension of support by removing Toxic Spikes from the field simply by switching in.</p>
<p>Entry hazards are the crux of this set, allowing Qwilfish to use the switches it forces to help the team. Though Spikes may generally be the more effective hazard, it is quite notable that there are many viable Spikes users in UU, whereas Toxic Spikes users are considerably rarer. It is quite possible to use both hazards together on this set; though setting up both fully is unrealistic, Team Preview allows you to decide how to make best use of them. However, Taunt is the primary option, as it prevents slower opponents from Taunting Qwilfish first, prevents opponents from setting up themselves, and prevents the opponent from simply healing off entry hazard damage. It also has great utility against Baton Passers, a dominant force in UU. Waterfall and Poison Jab provide excellent coverage together, letting Qwilfish hit reasonable hard, and Poison Jab also provides a nifty 30% poison rate. Alternatively, you may choose to use Haze, which puts a stop to Baton Passers and threatening set-up sweepers which may get out of hand. However, remember that it is somewhat impractical alongside Intimidate.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>There are a variety of alternative options for this set; it is very flexible and should be adapted to suit the needs of the team. Leftovers is generally the best item, providing consistent recovery, which is at a premium for Qwilfish. Air Balloon, however, is very useful in that it can provide totally free switches, and can help Qwilfish check some Pokemon it otherwise simply could not, such as Mamoswine. As far as moves go, there are also several other options. Qwilfish can use two status moves—Thunder Wave and Toxic— to reasonable effect, though these are not as effective alongside Toxic Spikes. Aqua Jet, despite being weak, can be used over Waterfall to finish off faster, weakened opponents. Also note that you can rearrange the moves given within reason, though it is generally sensible to maintain one entry hazard and one attack. The EVs are also flexible, especially with regard to the Speed investment. The current EVs allow Qwilfish to outrun 0 Spe base 90 Pokemon, including Deoxys-D and Roserade, allowing you to Taunt them before they move. The remaining EVs are dumped into HP and Defense with an Impish nature, maximising Qwilfish's defenses with a heavy physical bias. If not running Taunt, you may wish to use a simple 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe spread.</p>
<p>As Pain Split is unfortunately illegal with Intimidate, Qwilfish has no recovery of its own outside of Leftovers. Therefore it is best to support Qwilfish with Wish, Chansey generally being the best choice not only because of size of its Wishes. When factoring in Intimidate, Qwilfish has physical bulk comparable to that of Slowbro, but its Special Defense is poor. Chansey helps to cover this, while also having its Fighting-type weakness covered by Qwilfish. Finally, Chansey can also be used to set up Stealth Rock, thereby fulfilling all of your hazard needs. In order to prevent your hazards from simply being spun away, you will want to pack a Ghost-type as a spinblocker. Dusclops is the bulkiest Ghost-type available, but you may want to consider a more offensive option alongside Qwilfish, such as Mismagius, which also covers Qwilfish's Ground-type weakness. Finally, you want to bring Pokemon to take advantage of the entry hazards Qwilfish provides. Phazers and hard hitters work especially well with Spikes, Choice Band Flygon being an excellent example thanks to its synergy with Qwilfish. Toxic Spikes is helpful for stallers, as well as Pokemon which have trouble with walls such as Chansey.</p>
[SET]
name: Rain Sweeper
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Poison Jab
move 4: Explosion / Rain Dance
item: Life Orb
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Adamant
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set has certainly diminished slightly in its usefulness since the previous generation, with the nerf to Explosion as well as the rise of Pokemon which resist its STAB. However, it is the rise of competition that has really caused this set to fall into obscurity. Though Kingdra, Kabutops, and Ludicolo have changed little, Omastar, Gorebyss, and Huntail all received Shell Smash, making them generally more potent than Qwilfish after a single boost. Nonetheless, it should be remembered that this set is still extremely scary at +2 in the rain, hitting 824 Attack (factoring in Life Orb) and 538 Speed, letting it easily sweep an unprepared team. Its STAB moves together are almost unresisted, Waterfall being boosted by the rain to preposterous levels, and Explosion destroying anything that dares to stand in its way, nerf or no nerf. Qwilfish certainly also has qualities to separate it from the crowd; Poison Jab lets it destroy pesky Grass-type foes, Explosion lets it remove a troublesome opponent, and its typing lets it absorb Toxic Spikes. It also has better Speed than most Swift Swimmers, tied with Kingdra at base 85. It must also be remembered that generally it is best to use more than one Swift Swimmer, and as such you do not need to worry too much about Qwilfish being outclassed by Kingdra and Kabutops; just use all three!</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>There is some flexibility as to which move to use in the last slot. Given that the power of Explosion has been halved, Destiny Bond can prove more effective, especially if Qwilfish has failed to get a Swords Dance up. Rain Dance can be used instead, though Qwilfish really lacks the bulk required to set it up; Qwilfish will certainly struggle to set up both Swords Dance and Rain Dance, but the move may get the team out of a sticky situation. As far as items go, Life Orb is generally the only one worth using, providing unparalleled power and versatility. Air Balloon deserves mention in that it can help Qwilfish set up easily, and Damp Rock works reasonably well with Rain Dance. The spread on this set is pretty non-negotiable; you can drop the Speed down to outrun certain Choice Scarf users in the rain, but generally the bulk gained is negligible, and certainly not worth as much as a Speed tie with Kingdra. A Jolly nature can be used, letting Qwilfish outrun more Pokemon outside of rain, and certain Baton Pass recipients in it, but the power drop is not worth it.</p>
<p>When it comes to supporting Qwilfish, only one thing really matters, and that is rain. Supporters holding a Damp Rock are ideal, especially those which can take advantage of the rain. Zapdos, for example, can support Qwilfish while covering its Ground-type weakness. Otherwise, you should generally be looking to support Qwilfish with other Swift Swimmers; each can help take out another's counters and open the opponent's team up for a sweep. Most notable in this respect are Kingdra, Kabutops, Ludicolo, Gorebyss, and Omastar. Additionally, it is good to have a Stealth Rock user on the team, as it helps to prevent the opponent from switching continuously to stall out rain, helps Qwilfish achieve certain KOs, and apart from anything else breaks Focus Sashes, which otherwise completely screw Qwilfish over.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Qwilfish has relatively few options that have not been mentioned. Poison Point, Qwilfish's remaining ability, is not especially useful, outclassed on defensive sets by Intimidate. It will allow Qwilfish to use Pain Split for healing, however. Qwilfish can also use Return on the Rain Sweeper set for coverage against Storm Drain Gastrodon and Water Absorb Quagsire, but otherwise this has little use. Flail can provide the same coverage, but much greater power when used with a Focus Sash. However, this strategy is easily ruined by entry hazards and priority moves, and as such is not recommended. Qwilfish does have a reasonable special movepool including Hydro Pump, Ice Beam, and Sludge Bomb, but these are not really useable due to Qwilfish's appalling Special Attack stat. Scald is the only reasonably effective special move, as its secondary effect is extremely useful to the defensive set.</p>
<p>In the past, Qwilfish has used an offensive Spiking set, taking advantage of the switches it forces to set up Spikes or Toxic Spikes. However, Qwilfish's offensive abilities outside of rain have now been overshadowed by more powerful attackers, and are inadequate for getting past UU's walls. Additionally, Qwilfish's defensive abilities have been greatly improved by the addition of Intimidate, and therefore it is best to use a fully defensive set. Nonetheless, it is best to use a spread of 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe and an Adamant or Jolly nature, with Focus Sash or Air Balloon as the item, and similar moves to the defensive set. Aqua Jet and Destiny Bond are much more viable on this set, though.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>When it comes to countering the Utility set, you should look to exploit Qwilfish's abysmal Special Defense and its weakness to Ground-, Electric-, and Psychic-type moves. Any Pokemon able to do this should beat Qwilfish as long as it is not weak to Qwilfish's STAB moves. However, Qwilfish may simply keep switching in and setting up hazards, so you may wish to pack a Rapid Spinner such as Hitmontop.</p>
<p>The Rain Sweeper set, however, is almost impossible to counter when at +2 Attack in the rain. Ideally, you should prevent this situation from ever arising, but sometimes it cannot be avoided, and as such you might have to resort to desperate measures. Remember that rain only lasts a maximum of 8 turns, and that you can stall this out and let Qwilfish succumb to Life Orb recoil. Alternatively, you can switch in your own weather inducer; Abomasnow cannot switch into Poison Jab but can come in on Waterfall, and Hippopotas cannot switch into Waterfall but can switch into Poison Jab. Both, of course, can come in on Swords Dance or after a KO. Choice Scarf Abomasnow gets special mention for its ability to outrun Qwilfish, and can dispatch it with Earthquake. As far as actually countering Qwilfish goes, your options are few. Storm Drain Gastrodon and Water Absorb Quagsire are immune to Water-type moves and resist Poison, but will fall to Explosion, opening up a sweep for another Swift Swimmer. Extremely bulky Pokemon which resist Water, such as Slowbro and Milotic, can also take both Waterfall and Poison Jab, and are thus in a similar boat. Empoleon and Ferroseed resist all three of Qwilfish's moves, but struggle to hit Qwifish in return and as such may ultimately lose. Empoleon can, at least, Roar Qwilfish out, and Ferroseed can use Leech Seed, Protect, and Thunder Wave to cripple Qwilfish completely.</p>
