QC: GrimoireGod / galbia / Anty
GP: The Dutch Plumberjack / Rhythms
[OVERVIEW]
Basculin has a unique niche in the PU metagame with its great ability in Adaptability, which boosts the power of its Water-type moves and makes them hard to switch into. Its access to Adaptability-boosted priority in Aqua Jet allows it to pick off weakened threats such as Ninetales and Zebstrika. It also has access to great coverage moves such as Zen Headbutt and Ice Beam, which can catch its common switch-ins off guard. On the downside, it's very frail, and along with its base 98 Speed, this leaves it easily revenge killed by offensive Pokemon; additionally, it is walled by some bulky Water-types such as defensive Carracosta and Pelipper. It also faces competition from other common Water-types in the tier such as Barbaracle, Carracosta, Simipour, and Huntail because of their ability to set up and sweep.
[SET]
name: All-Out Attacker
move 1: Waterfall
move 2: Zen Headbutt
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Aqua Jet
item: Life Orb
ability: Adaptability
nature: Naive
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Waterfall is Basculin's main STAB attack and is boosted by Adaptability, which allows it to hit neutral targets very hard. Zen Headbutt allows Basculin to take on Pokemon it struggles to beat otherwise, such as Poliwrath and Roselia. Ice Beam allows Basculin to hit Grass- and Dragon-types such as Tangela, Gourgeist-XL, Torterra, and Fraxure. Aqua Jet, which is also boosted by Adaptability, is used to pick off threats such as Ninetales and Raichu once they have been weakened to a low amount of health.
Set Details
========
Basculin utilizes maximum Speed and Attack EVs, as it 2HKOes Grass-types such as Gourgeist-XL and Tangela with uninvested Ice Beam regardless and bulk investment is unnecessary. A Naive nature is used over a Jolly nature so Ice Beam isn't weakened. Another viable option is a Naughty nature, giving Basculin much more power at the cost of some Speed, which prevents it from outspeeding Pokemon such as non-Choice Scarf Mr. Mime. The last of the EVs are placed into Special Attack to minimize passive damage. Life Orb gives a boost to all of Basculin's attacking moves, granting it the chance to OHKO Pokemon, such as Probopass, and letting it freely select different moves at the cost of recoil damage every turn.
Usage Tips
========
Bring Basculin in on a free switch against a Pokemon it outspeeds or a Pokemon with Aqua Jet. Use Basculin to punch holes against balanced and defensive teams alike or to finish off threats in the late-game. Don't leave Basculin in against faster Pokemon that can OHKO it, such as Ninjask and Raichu, unless they have been weakened to the point where they are KOed by Aqua Jet. Basculin is very frail and takes a lot of damage from the weakest of attacks, so don't leave it in against possible priority moves. Don't switch Basculin into strong attacks, as it will usually be 2HKOed even by resisted hits.
Team Options
========
Basculin works well with strong wallbreakers such as Stoutland and Ninetales that can weaken bulkier Pokemon such as Carracosta and Poliwrath for Basculin to clean up. Grass-types such as Tangela and Roselia work well with Basculin; Tangela to check Poliwrath and Carracosta, and Roselia to check Tangela and Poliwrath, as they can take super effective Electric- and Grass-type attacks aimed at it. Slow Volt Switch, Baton Pass, and U-turn users such as Probopass and Pelipper are great partners for Basculin because they allow Basculin a free switch in. Probopass can also trap Pawniard with Magnet Pull and get rid of it so Basculin doesn't have to worry about Pawniard's Sucker Punch. Entry hazard setters such as Roselia and Dwebble work well in conjunction with Basculin to help wear down its checks such as Poliwrath for Basculin to finish off. Carracosta and Barbaracle also make for good partners for Basculin because they can take on each other's checks.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Choice Band set with Superpower over Ice Beam can be used on Basculin for sheer damage, but it is unable to switch moves and is walled by bulky Grass-types. Aqua Tail is an option over Waterfall that allows Basculin to 2HKO some possible switch-ins such as Lickilicky and Misdreavus and has a chance to OHKO Piloswine after Stealth Rock. The downside of this is that it lacks Waterfall's chance to flinch and perfect accuracy. Taunt is a viable option that allows Basculin to prevent walls such as Gourgeist-XL from using status or recovery moves. Hidden Power Electric can be used to KO physical walls such as Pelipper and Carracosta.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Water-types**: Water-types such as Pelipper and Carracosta are able to easily take Basculin's main STAB moves and retaliate. The former can Defog on Basculin while the latter can use Stealth Rock or wear Basculin down with moves such as Knock Off and Toxic.
**Physical Tanks**: Physical tanks such as Avalugg and Furfrou are able to take physical hits from Basculin and retaliate with strong attacks. The former can take advantage of Basculin by using Rapid Spin, and the latter can gain momentum with U-turn.
**Status**: Status ailments such as burn and paralysis can easily cripple Basculin by limiting the damage it gets off with each hit or by slowing it down, rendering it almost useless.
**Electric-types**: Electric-types such as Zebstrika, Raichu, Electabuzz, and Rotom-F are able to outspeed Basculin and easily revenge kill it with Volt Switch or Thunderbolt. If they use Volt Switch, you lose momentum.
**Faster Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon such as Raichu, Simipour, and Furfrou are able to outspeed Basculin and easily take it out because it is so frail, although if they are weakened enough Basculin can knock them out with Aqua Jet.
**Residual Damage**: Residual damage such as Life Orb recoil, entry hazards, and chip damage from weaker attacks and pivoting is able to quickly wear Basculin down, limiting the number of times it is able to attack.
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