Misdreavus
[Overview]
<p>At first glance, Misdreavus looks like a rather strange choice, even for RU. Boasting inferior stats to the other Ghost-types in the tier, Misdreavus seems like it would be easily outclassed. However, this little prankster has quite a few things that differentiate itself from similar Pokemon. For example, thanks to Eviolite, Misdreavus becomes one of the bulkiest spinblockers available in the tier. In addition, Misdreavus has a variety of support options available, along with a solid offensive movepool. Finally, Misdreavus has the unique ability to beat almost all of the common Rapid Spin users in RU, a feat which most other RU Ghost-types cannot boast.</p>
[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Taunt / Substitute
move 3: Shadow Ball
move 4: Hidden Power Fighting
item: Eviolite
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Misdreavus has several advantages over its fellow Calm Minders, and in general, is quite an effective Pokemon. It’s also able to block Rapid Spin while still providing some offensive presence, and unlike many of the other bulky Ghost-types in the tier, it can use Taunt to prevent opposing Pokemon from setting up against it, and finally, it is capable of cleaning up weakened teams late-game with remarkable ease.</p>
<p>Calm Mind allows Misdreavus to boost its already respectable Special Attack and Special Defense. The next moveslot is best used by either Taunt or Substitute, both of which block status and Trick. However, each has their own advantages; Taunt allows Misdreavus to block Encore and prevent Pokemon from setting up against it, while Substitute lets Misdreavus scout switch-ins more easily. Shadow Ball serves as the obligatory STAB, while Hidden Power Fighting rounds off Misdreavus’s moveset, having perfect neutral type coverage along with Shadow Ball.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Pain Split can be used over Taunt or Substitute, but in general, Misdreavus needs to block status. Will-O-Wisp can be used to cripple physical switch-ins, but otherwise, isn’t particularly useful. Continuing on, Calm Mind Misdreavus should only use max HP and Defense—it doesn’t particularly need Speed for anything, and since Calm Mind is already boosting its Special Attack and Special Defense, investing in them is unnecessary. However, if it is important for Misdreavus to outspeed most Aggron and Honchkrow, an alternate spread of 252 HP / 112 Def / 144 Spe can be used.</p>
<p>In general, Misdreavus appreciates teammates who can set up on the Dark-type attacks aimed at Misdreavus. Bulky Fighting-types are highly effective at this, so Pokemon such as Throh, Poliwrath, and Hitmonchan all make effective partners for Misdreavus. In addition, Pokemon that can eliminate faster Ghost-types also pair nicely with Misdreavus, since it has trouble against Rotom and Haunter. Krookodile is an excellent choice for this, offering a Dark-type resist as well as the ability to get rid of Pokemon that trouble Misdreavus with Pursuit. Misdreavus also appreciates Spikes and Toxic Spikes support, which allow it to break through most walls with ease, as well as allow it to make use of its spinblocking ability.</p>
[SET]
name: Support
move 1: Shadow Ball
move 2: Pain Split
move 3: Will-O-Wisp
move 4: Taunt / Heal Bell / Thunder Wave
item: Eviolite
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Misdreavus has remarkably solid bulk with Eviolite, as well as the ability to beat almost every single Rapid Spinner in RU. This, in combination with its excellent support movepool, makes Misdreavus an excellent choice for team support. Shadow Ball offers Misdreavus a solid STAB option, as well as preventing it from being useless, should it be affected by Taunt. Pain Split allows Misdreavus to heal against Pokemon that are capable of heavily damaging it, and it is also extremely helpful, as residual damage adds up quickly. Will-O-Wisp is an incredibly useful move for Misdreavus, as it cripples nearly all of its common switch-ins, and stops Krookodile and other Pursuit users from switching in with impunity. Finally, Taunt, Heal Bell, or Thunder Wave can be used in the last moveslot. Taunt is the best option, as it lets Misdreavus prevent setup, as well as whittle down most walls with Taunt and Will-O-Wisp, while Heal Bell offers a status buffer for your team and Thunder Wave cripples some common switch-ins, though in general, Thunder Wave interferes with Will-O-Wisp a bit too much to be effective.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Perish Song is an interesting option for Misdreavus, who often fits onto more stall-based teams which make excellent use of the Perish Song support. Toxic is another choice for the last moveslot, though Misdreavus has many better options available. Continuing on, Misdreavus’s EVs are fairly basic, with max HP and Defense to take physical hits better, such as Waterfall from Kabutops and the elemental punches from Hitmonchan, who Misdreavus is often switching into to spinblock. However, a slightly faster spread of 252 HP / 112 Def / 144 Spe is also viable, to outrun and burn most Honchkrow as well as other neutral base 70s. Finally, a third spread of 252 HP / 96 Def / 160 SpD, with a Calm nature, allows Misdreavus to handle offensive Rapid Spin Cryogonal, not being 2HKOd by anything it uses.</p>
<p>This Misdreavus should almost always be used with hazard support, since its main asset is its ability to spinblock. This makes teammates like Omastar and Roselia effective for their ability to set hazards. In addition, Misdreavus partners well with bulky Fighting-types, who can handle the many Dark-type attacks aimed at it.</p>
[SET]
name: Perish Trapper
move 1: Perish Song
move 2: Mean Look
move 3: Protect
move 4: Shadow Ball / Taunt
item: Eviolite
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 204 Def / 52 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Back from the days of ADV comes Perish Song Misdreavus! However, this generation has given it a huge boon in Eviolite, allowing it to take hits with ease, while abusing its unique combination of Perish Song and Mean Look in order to trap and KO Pokemon. In addition, Misdreavus is one of the few Pokemon in RU with this unique combination, and it pulls it off pretty well.</p>
<p>Perish Song and Mean Look form the crux of the set. Perish Song sets a timer on the opponent’s Pokemon that doesn’t end until it either dies or switches out, while Mean Look prevents the opponent from switching. This allows Misdreavus to essentially get a free KO. Protect pairs well with Perish Song and Mean Look, as it spares Misdreavus from taking damage for a turn in order to stall out Perish Song turns. Finally, either Shadow Ball or Taunt can be used in the last moveslot. Shadow Ball allows Misdreavus to deal some damage if necessary, while Taunt can protect Misdreavus from status; both prevent Misdreavus from becoming Taunt bait.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Misdreavus has a couple of other options available to it that are viable with this set. Destiny Bond can let Misdreavus KO something if it can’t pull off the Perish Song and Mean Look combination, while Pain Split allows it to heal up some HP. However, in general, neither are as effective as Shadow Ball nor Taunt. Continuing on, the listed EVs allow Misdreavus to outspeed positive speed base 50s as well as neutral base 60s, most notably Aggron and Clefable. This is extremely useful for handling Pokemon that utilize Substitute, as Mean Look doesn’t hit through it.</p>
<p>This variant of Misdreavus is pretty difficult to fit onto most teams. However, it does find its spot on the teams that need a spinblocker or a specific Pokemon removed in order to sweep. Thus, it fits well on both Spikes offense and some full stall teams. However, it’s a rather gimmicky option in general, and requires lots of team support for it to be effective.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Misdreavus has a myriad of support options available to it. Memento is a solid choice, letting Misdreavus provide setup opportunities for most Pokemon, but in general, it simply isn’t that effective, as in most cases, Misdreavus needs to survive until late in the game to spinblock. Rain Dance and Sunny Day are also options; however, Misdreavus has to forgo its Eviolite in order to use a Damp Rock or Heat Rock, which significantly decreases its bulk. Finally, Misdreavus can use Torment, thanks to its interesting resistances and immunities; however, many Pokemon have multiple moves capable of breaking its Substitutes, so it’s not the greatest option.</p>
<p>Offensively, Misdreavus also has some solid choices in Nasty Plot and some physical moves, such as Sucker Punch and Shadow Sneak. However, Nasty Plot is difficult to pull off, due to Misdreavus’s low speed and relatively bad physical bulk, especially when uninvested, and physical sets are generally outclassed by Dusknoir, who has a significantly higher Attack stat.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Most Dark-types are easily capable of breaking through Misdreavus, as all they really have to watch out for are Hidden Power Fighting and Will-O-Wisp. Drapion and Skuntank specifically are excellent options for countering Misdreavus, as neither of them are particularly worried about Hidden Power Fighting. Strong physical attackers, such as Choice Band Entei and Feraligatr, can break through it as well, although some of them have to be careful of Will-O-Wisp. In a similar vein, strong special attackers, such as Porygon-Z and Typhlosion, can also break through Misdreavus, although they won’t be able to after a few Calm Mind boosts. Guts abusers, such as Hariyama and Swellow, can switch in on Will-O-Wisp pretty easily, and aren’t hurt too badly by most of Misdreavus's other attacks. Finally, Trick and Knock off can remove Misdreavus's precious Eviolite, which makes it much easier to handle.</p>
