I'm rusty as fuck at AG so this is probably gonna turn out bad
QC 3/3: Megazard | Joshz | Zangooser
GP 2/2: Winry | Snobalt
[OVERVIEW]
Klefki is one of the most metagame-defining Pokemon in Anything Goes. Prankster, coupled with a huge support movepool and an amazing defensive typing, allows Klefki to check threats like Xerneas, Darkrai, and Mewtwo. Because of Prankster, Klefki is easily able to get around powerful attackers such as Primal Groudon and Mega Rayquaza because of how effectively it utilizes moves like Double Team, Swagger, and Thunder Wave that make Klefki a very annoying Pokemon to take down when used together. Even though Klefki has answers to Magic Bounce users such as Mega Diancie and Mega Sableye in Flash Cannon and Dazzling Gleam, respectively, it suffers from four-moveslot syndrome because it has to sacrifice important moveslots to beat them. Because Klefki cannot run everything it wants to, it struggles to handle common switch-ins such as Ground Arceus and Primal Groudon. Klefki also has no offensive presence in the Anything Goes metagame because its offensive stats are extremely low, leaving it vulnerable to Taunt. Nonetheless, Klefki is still considered one of the best and most dominant Pokemon in Anything Goes and must be taken into account when building any serious team.
[SET]
name: SwagPlay
move 1: Swagger
move 2: Substitute
move 3: Foul Play
move 4: Thunder Wave / Double Team
item: Leftovers
ability: Prankster
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swagger turns Klefki into an extremely annoying Pokemon, having a 50% chance to create a free turn while also increasing the damage the foe takes from Foul Play. Substitute allows Klefki to capitalize on the free turns created by Swagger and makes Klefki harder to take down, as it also allows Klefki to avoid status moves such as Thunder Wave and Dark Void. Foul Play deals more damage after the foe has had their Attack boosted by Swagger, but this is noticeably less effective on special attackers such as Primal Kyogre. Thunder Wave creates even more opportunities for a free turn and slows down faster Pokemon such as Mewtwo and +2 Xerneas. Double Team adds onto this further, giving Klefki a chance to avoid threatening moves such as Precipice Blades, Earthquake, and Fire Blast and thus making it even harder to deal with. Magnet Rise can be used to set up against Ground Arceus and Primal Groudon lacking Fire-type moves. Flash Cannon can also be used to hit Mega Diancie, which can otherwise wall Klefki with ease.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Defense investment allows Klefki to consistently switch into special attackers such as Xerneas, Fairy Arceus, Darkrai, and special attacking Ghost Arceus. Leftovers provides Klefki with passive recovery and prevents it from being worn down easily. Prankster makes Klefki very threatening, granting priority to Swagger and Thunder Wave. Klefki can also run a physically defensive set, but it checks less important threats at the cost of a better matchup against the likes of Normal Arceus.
Usage Tips
========
Use Swagger as much as possible and create as many opportunities for free turns that can be used to set up Substitutes and spread paralysis with Thunder Wave. Once Klefki is behind a Substitute, it is usually safe to use Foul Play to weaken the opposing Pokemon after its Attack has been boosted by Swagger. Flash Cannon should be used to OHKO Mega Diancie before spamming Swagger, as Magic Bounce can shut down Klefki. Paralysis should be spread as much as possible with Thunder Wave, but be wary of opposing Ground-type switch-ins.
Team Options
========
Setup sweepers such as Xerneas, Arceus, Primal Groudon, and Mega Rayquaza all appreciate Klefki's ability to weaken the opposing team and create opportunities to sweep late-game. Other Pokemon like Substitute Darkrai also appreciate the potential free turns created by Swagger and Thunder Wave. Strong wallbreakers that lack Speed such as Primal Kyogre can take advantage of paralysis slowing down the opposing team. Fairy-types such as Xerneas, Mega Diancie, and Fairy Arceus can threaten Mega Sableye, which completely walls Klefki, while Steel-types such as Steel Arceus and Aegislash can threaten Mega Diancie if Klefki lacks Flash Cannon. Primal Kyogre, Ground Arceus, and Lugia can help in walling Primal Groudon, which walls Klefki completely unless it gets unlucky. Klefki can also be paired with other Klefki in order to wear down their checks and counters with ease. Choice Scarf Ditto also appreciates Klefki boosting the foe's Attack so that it can switch in and potentially sweep with a boosted copy of the opponent's Pokemon.
[SET]
name: Spikes
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Magnet Rise / Thunder Wave
move 3: Swagger
move 4: Foul Play
item: Leftovers
ability: Prankster
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Spikes quickly wears down the opposing team and helps Klefki's teammates net OHKOs and 2HKOs more easily. Magnet Rise allows Klefki to avoid Ground-type attacks from the likes of Normal Arceus and Mega Rayquaza. Thunder Wave cripples Pokemon capable of using Defog such as Arceus formes, Latias, and Latios. Swagger is capable of creating free turns and has great synergy with Spikes, as it can force switches, and the free turns that Swagger creates allow for more opportunities to set up Spikes. Foul Play takes advantage of Swagger boosting the foe's Attack.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP and Special Defense investment allows Klefki to switch into the likes of Xerneas, Darkrai, Latias, and Latios easily. Prankster provides +1 priority to Spikes and Magnet Rise, allowing Klefki to avoid Ground-type moves from the likes of Ground Arceus, Mega Rayquaza, and Primal Groudon. Leftovers gives Klefki passive recovery that lets it stay on the field for longer and allows it to check threats such as Xerneas more reliably.
Usage Tips
========
Spikes should be used when Klefki has free opportunities to set it up; however, watch out for Magic Bounce users such as Mega Sableye and Mega Diancie because they can switch into the move and use it against Klefki. Use Thunder Wave to cripple setup sweepers and opposing users of Defog and the less common Rapid Spin. Magnet Rise should be used against Pokemon that have access to Ground-type moves that can easily OHKO or 2HKO Klefki, but be wary of Pokemon like Mega Rayquaza and Primal Groudon that often run Fire-type coverage moves. Swagger should be used on predicted Ground-type switch-ins in order to create more opportunities to use Spikes. Foul Play should be used after Swagger in order to maximize Klefki's damage output.
Team Options
========
Primal Groudon is capable of forming an entry hazard-stacking core with Klefki, utilizing Stealth Rock and Roar in order to deal more chip damage to the opponent's Pokemon. Sweepers such as Mega Rayquaza, Darkrai, Rock Polish Primal Groudon, and Xerneas appreciate Spikes support in order to net OHKOs and 2HKOs more easily. Darkrai threatens common Defoggers such as certain Arceus formes, Giratina-O, Latios, and Latias. Pokemon like Ground Arceus, Primal Kyogre, Landorus, Yveltal, and Latios are good teammates for their ability to check and weaken Primal Groudon, giving Klefki more freedom to spread paralysis. Ho-Oh checks such as Rock Arceus, Primal Groudon, Water Arceus, and Primal Kyogre are also good options, as Ho-Oh is also a very annoying Pokemon for Klefki to face. Ground Arceus and Primal Kyogre are good teammates too for their ability to check Mega Diancie while Steel-types are capable of checking Mega Diancie and Fairy-types can handle Mega Sableye.
[SET]
name: Dual Screens
move 1: Reflect
move 2: Light Screen
move 3: Swagger
move 4: Foul Play
item: Light Clay
ability: Prankster
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Klefki's ability to set up Light Screen and Reflect with +1 priority makes it a very effective dual screens setter, providing easier setup opportunities for Klefki's teammates and allowing them to take very powerful hits more easily. Swagger wears down powerful Pokemon such as Primal Groudon, and Foul Play is a great follow-up option to deal more damage. Thunder Wave can also be used to provide even more support for the team by crippling offensive threats.
Set Details
========
Prankster ensures that Klefki can set up dual screens easily, only being outprioritized by Extreme Speed, which Klefki resists. Maximum HP investment along with maximum Special Defense investment allows Klefki to switch into and set up against the likes of Xerneas and Darkrai. Light Clay allows Klefki's screens to stay up for longer.
Usage Tips
========
Klefki should switch into Pokemon like Latios, Darkrai, Xerneas, and Fairy Arceus and set up the appropriate screen to survive a hit from them with ease. Setting up Light Screen and Reflect as soon as possible provides early setup opportunities for Klefki's teammates. This set also functions as an anti-lead, potentially stopping the opposing lead with Swagger. Ensure that opposing Ditto are removed before bringing in your setup sweepers.
Team Options
========
Setup sweepers such as Normal Arceus, Ground Arceus, Mega Rayquaza, Fairy Arceus, Xerneas, Darkrai, and Primal Groudon appreciate the extra bulk provided by Klefki's screens that makes it a lot easier for them to set up. Pokemon like Primal Groudon can also switch into threats such as Mega Rayquaza and Xerneas more effectively.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Fairy Lock can be used to trap certain threatening Pokemon such as Primal Groudon; however, Klefki needs to sacrifice itself for Fairy Lock to work to its full effect. Magic Coat can help against opposing Klefki, Taunt users, Stealth Rock setters, and opposing Spikes setters. Switcheroo with a Choice item can cripple non-Mega Pokemon and Pokemon that aren't Arceus formes, but it is very situational, and Klefki can find itself in matchups where it cannot remove its item. Mental Herb allows Klefki to avoid Taunt once and thus provides it with an opportunity to use Swagger or Spikes. Dazzling Gleam with 88 Special Attack EVs allows Klefki to 2HKO 248 HP / 8 SpD Mega Sableye. Play Rough can be used to deal more damage to Calm Mind sweepers and Xerneas. Flash Cannon is capable of OHKOing Mega Diancie, which walls Klefki easily, while Sleep Talk can be used to make Klefki a more effective Darkrai check. Finally, Safeguard can be used to avoid status conditions from the likes of Darkrai and Mega Sableye. Safeguard also heavily benefits teammates that are easily outsped and shut down by Darkrai and helps sweepers set up more easily.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Magic Bounce and Magic Coat**: If Klefki lacks Dazzling Gleam or Flash Cannon, Mega Sableye and Mega Diancie, respectively, are huge threats for their ability to bounce back entry hazards and status moves. Pokemon with access to Magic Coat such as Arceus formes can run the move in order to better handle Klefki as well.
**Fire-type Coverage Moves**: Because Klefki has no way to avoid damage from Fire-type moves, Pokemon like Overheat Arceus, V-create Mega Rayquaza, and Lava Plume Primal Groudon heavily pressure it.
**Ground-types**: If Klefki lacks Magnet Rise, Ground-types such as Primal Groudon, Landorus, and Ground Arceus are big threats because they are capable of OHKOing Klefki and are immune to Thunder Wave.
**Special Attackers**: Primal Kyogre doesn't care about Swagger as much as physical attackers do, can run a RestTalk set effectively for decent recovery, is capable of phazing evasion-boosting Klefki sets, and can deal heavy damage to Klefki with its Water-type STAB move. RestTalk or Aromatherapy Xerneas can also pick off Klefki and are capable of healing off paralysis from Thunder Wave.
QC 3/3: Megazard | Joshz | Zangooser
GP 2/2: Winry | Snobalt
[OVERVIEW]
Klefki is one of the most metagame-defining Pokemon in Anything Goes. Prankster, coupled with a huge support movepool and an amazing defensive typing, allows Klefki to check threats like Xerneas, Darkrai, and Mewtwo. Because of Prankster, Klefki is easily able to get around powerful attackers such as Primal Groudon and Mega Rayquaza because of how effectively it utilizes moves like Double Team, Swagger, and Thunder Wave that make Klefki a very annoying Pokemon to take down when used together. Even though Klefki has answers to Magic Bounce users such as Mega Diancie and Mega Sableye in Flash Cannon and Dazzling Gleam, respectively, it suffers from four-moveslot syndrome because it has to sacrifice important moveslots to beat them. Because Klefki cannot run everything it wants to, it struggles to handle common switch-ins such as Ground Arceus and Primal Groudon. Klefki also has no offensive presence in the Anything Goes metagame because its offensive stats are extremely low, leaving it vulnerable to Taunt. Nonetheless, Klefki is still considered one of the best and most dominant Pokemon in Anything Goes and must be taken into account when building any serious team.
[SET]
name: SwagPlay
move 1: Swagger
move 2: Substitute
move 3: Foul Play
move 4: Thunder Wave / Double Team
item: Leftovers
ability: Prankster
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swagger turns Klefki into an extremely annoying Pokemon, having a 50% chance to create a free turn while also increasing the damage the foe takes from Foul Play. Substitute allows Klefki to capitalize on the free turns created by Swagger and makes Klefki harder to take down, as it also allows Klefki to avoid status moves such as Thunder Wave and Dark Void. Foul Play deals more damage after the foe has had their Attack boosted by Swagger, but this is noticeably less effective on special attackers such as Primal Kyogre. Thunder Wave creates even more opportunities for a free turn and slows down faster Pokemon such as Mewtwo and +2 Xerneas. Double Team adds onto this further, giving Klefki a chance to avoid threatening moves such as Precipice Blades, Earthquake, and Fire Blast and thus making it even harder to deal with. Magnet Rise can be used to set up against Ground Arceus and Primal Groudon lacking Fire-type moves. Flash Cannon can also be used to hit Mega Diancie, which can otherwise wall Klefki with ease.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Defense investment allows Klefki to consistently switch into special attackers such as Xerneas, Fairy Arceus, Darkrai, and special attacking Ghost Arceus. Leftovers provides Klefki with passive recovery and prevents it from being worn down easily. Prankster makes Klefki very threatening, granting priority to Swagger and Thunder Wave. Klefki can also run a physically defensive set, but it checks less important threats at the cost of a better matchup against the likes of Normal Arceus.
Usage Tips
========
Use Swagger as much as possible and create as many opportunities for free turns that can be used to set up Substitutes and spread paralysis with Thunder Wave. Once Klefki is behind a Substitute, it is usually safe to use Foul Play to weaken the opposing Pokemon after its Attack has been boosted by Swagger. Flash Cannon should be used to OHKO Mega Diancie before spamming Swagger, as Magic Bounce can shut down Klefki. Paralysis should be spread as much as possible with Thunder Wave, but be wary of opposing Ground-type switch-ins.
Team Options
========
Setup sweepers such as Xerneas, Arceus, Primal Groudon, and Mega Rayquaza all appreciate Klefki's ability to weaken the opposing team and create opportunities to sweep late-game. Other Pokemon like Substitute Darkrai also appreciate the potential free turns created by Swagger and Thunder Wave. Strong wallbreakers that lack Speed such as Primal Kyogre can take advantage of paralysis slowing down the opposing team. Fairy-types such as Xerneas, Mega Diancie, and Fairy Arceus can threaten Mega Sableye, which completely walls Klefki, while Steel-types such as Steel Arceus and Aegislash can threaten Mega Diancie if Klefki lacks Flash Cannon. Primal Kyogre, Ground Arceus, and Lugia can help in walling Primal Groudon, which walls Klefki completely unless it gets unlucky. Klefki can also be paired with other Klefki in order to wear down their checks and counters with ease. Choice Scarf Ditto also appreciates Klefki boosting the foe's Attack so that it can switch in and potentially sweep with a boosted copy of the opponent's Pokemon.
[SET]
name: Spikes
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Magnet Rise / Thunder Wave
move 3: Swagger
move 4: Foul Play
item: Leftovers
ability: Prankster
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Spikes quickly wears down the opposing team and helps Klefki's teammates net OHKOs and 2HKOs more easily. Magnet Rise allows Klefki to avoid Ground-type attacks from the likes of Normal Arceus and Mega Rayquaza. Thunder Wave cripples Pokemon capable of using Defog such as Arceus formes, Latias, and Latios. Swagger is capable of creating free turns and has great synergy with Spikes, as it can force switches, and the free turns that Swagger creates allow for more opportunities to set up Spikes. Foul Play takes advantage of Swagger boosting the foe's Attack.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP and Special Defense investment allows Klefki to switch into the likes of Xerneas, Darkrai, Latias, and Latios easily. Prankster provides +1 priority to Spikes and Magnet Rise, allowing Klefki to avoid Ground-type moves from the likes of Ground Arceus, Mega Rayquaza, and Primal Groudon. Leftovers gives Klefki passive recovery that lets it stay on the field for longer and allows it to check threats such as Xerneas more reliably.
Usage Tips
========
Spikes should be used when Klefki has free opportunities to set it up; however, watch out for Magic Bounce users such as Mega Sableye and Mega Diancie because they can switch into the move and use it against Klefki. Use Thunder Wave to cripple setup sweepers and opposing users of Defog and the less common Rapid Spin. Magnet Rise should be used against Pokemon that have access to Ground-type moves that can easily OHKO or 2HKO Klefki, but be wary of Pokemon like Mega Rayquaza and Primal Groudon that often run Fire-type coverage moves. Swagger should be used on predicted Ground-type switch-ins in order to create more opportunities to use Spikes. Foul Play should be used after Swagger in order to maximize Klefki's damage output.
Team Options
========
Primal Groudon is capable of forming an entry hazard-stacking core with Klefki, utilizing Stealth Rock and Roar in order to deal more chip damage to the opponent's Pokemon. Sweepers such as Mega Rayquaza, Darkrai, Rock Polish Primal Groudon, and Xerneas appreciate Spikes support in order to net OHKOs and 2HKOs more easily. Darkrai threatens common Defoggers such as certain Arceus formes, Giratina-O, Latios, and Latias. Pokemon like Ground Arceus, Primal Kyogre, Landorus, Yveltal, and Latios are good teammates for their ability to check and weaken Primal Groudon, giving Klefki more freedom to spread paralysis. Ho-Oh checks such as Rock Arceus, Primal Groudon, Water Arceus, and Primal Kyogre are also good options, as Ho-Oh is also a very annoying Pokemon for Klefki to face. Ground Arceus and Primal Kyogre are good teammates too for their ability to check Mega Diancie while Steel-types are capable of checking Mega Diancie and Fairy-types can handle Mega Sableye.
[SET]
name: Dual Screens
move 1: Reflect
move 2: Light Screen
move 3: Swagger
move 4: Foul Play
item: Light Clay
ability: Prankster
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Klefki's ability to set up Light Screen and Reflect with +1 priority makes it a very effective dual screens setter, providing easier setup opportunities for Klefki's teammates and allowing them to take very powerful hits more easily. Swagger wears down powerful Pokemon such as Primal Groudon, and Foul Play is a great follow-up option to deal more damage. Thunder Wave can also be used to provide even more support for the team by crippling offensive threats.
Set Details
========
Prankster ensures that Klefki can set up dual screens easily, only being outprioritized by Extreme Speed, which Klefki resists. Maximum HP investment along with maximum Special Defense investment allows Klefki to switch into and set up against the likes of Xerneas and Darkrai. Light Clay allows Klefki's screens to stay up for longer.
Usage Tips
========
Klefki should switch into Pokemon like Latios, Darkrai, Xerneas, and Fairy Arceus and set up the appropriate screen to survive a hit from them with ease. Setting up Light Screen and Reflect as soon as possible provides early setup opportunities for Klefki's teammates. This set also functions as an anti-lead, potentially stopping the opposing lead with Swagger. Ensure that opposing Ditto are removed before bringing in your setup sweepers.
Team Options
========
Setup sweepers such as Normal Arceus, Ground Arceus, Mega Rayquaza, Fairy Arceus, Xerneas, Darkrai, and Primal Groudon appreciate the extra bulk provided by Klefki's screens that makes it a lot easier for them to set up. Pokemon like Primal Groudon can also switch into threats such as Mega Rayquaza and Xerneas more effectively.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Fairy Lock can be used to trap certain threatening Pokemon such as Primal Groudon; however, Klefki needs to sacrifice itself for Fairy Lock to work to its full effect. Magic Coat can help against opposing Klefki, Taunt users, Stealth Rock setters, and opposing Spikes setters. Switcheroo with a Choice item can cripple non-Mega Pokemon and Pokemon that aren't Arceus formes, but it is very situational, and Klefki can find itself in matchups where it cannot remove its item. Mental Herb allows Klefki to avoid Taunt once and thus provides it with an opportunity to use Swagger or Spikes. Dazzling Gleam with 88 Special Attack EVs allows Klefki to 2HKO 248 HP / 8 SpD Mega Sableye. Play Rough can be used to deal more damage to Calm Mind sweepers and Xerneas. Flash Cannon is capable of OHKOing Mega Diancie, which walls Klefki easily, while Sleep Talk can be used to make Klefki a more effective Darkrai check. Finally, Safeguard can be used to avoid status conditions from the likes of Darkrai and Mega Sableye. Safeguard also heavily benefits teammates that are easily outsped and shut down by Darkrai and helps sweepers set up more easily.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Magic Bounce and Magic Coat**: If Klefki lacks Dazzling Gleam or Flash Cannon, Mega Sableye and Mega Diancie, respectively, are huge threats for their ability to bounce back entry hazards and status moves. Pokemon with access to Magic Coat such as Arceus formes can run the move in order to better handle Klefki as well.
**Fire-type Coverage Moves**: Because Klefki has no way to avoid damage from Fire-type moves, Pokemon like Overheat Arceus, V-create Mega Rayquaza, and Lava Plume Primal Groudon heavily pressure it.
**Ground-types**: If Klefki lacks Magnet Rise, Ground-types such as Primal Groudon, Landorus, and Ground Arceus are big threats because they are capable of OHKOing Klefki and are immune to Thunder Wave.
**Special Attackers**: Primal Kyogre doesn't care about Swagger as much as physical attackers do, can run a RestTalk set effectively for decent recovery, is capable of phazing evasion-boosting Klefki sets, and can deal heavy damage to Klefki with its Water-type STAB move. RestTalk or Aromatherapy Xerneas can also pick off Klefki and are capable of healing off paralysis from Thunder Wave.
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