Stealth Rock
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name: Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Moonblast
move 3: Fire Blast
move 4: Soft-Boiled
ability: Magic Guard
item: Leftovers
evs: 252 HP / 160 Def / 96 SpD
nature: Calm
Moves
========
Stealth Rock is a great move on Clefable, as it can get rid of most Defoggers and Rapid Spin users with the combination of Moonblast and Fire Blast; Clefable also has naturally good bulk and a great defensive typing, allowing it to switch into most entry hazard removers, force them out, and set up Stealth Rock again. Moonblast is a STAB move that deals decent amounts of damage. Fire Blast is a great move on Clefable, as it can OHKO Mega Scizor after Stealth Rock; it also 2HKOes Ferrothorn even if Leech Seed has been planted. Skarmory is also 2HKOed by Fire Blast and is thus prevented from being able to Defog against Clefable, which is very important. Flamethrower is an option over Fire Blast due to its higher accuracy and PP, but the loss in power is very noticeable, and it won't be able to do the things stated above. Soft-Boiled provides reliable recovery, which is great for Clefable as it can't be worn down by status and can tank most hits. Thunder Wave is also an option over Fire Blast to cripple faster threats such as Choice Scarf users, but it is not usually worth the spot as Fire Blast lets Clefable beat most Steel-type hazard removers.
Set Details
========
With a Calm nature and the given EVs, Clefable can avoid the 2HKO from Thundurus's Thunderbolt and usually avoid the 2HKO from Latios's Psyshock and Greninja's Hydro Pump. The Defense EVs also help Clefable avoid the 2HKO from Mega Gyarados's Waterfall after Leftovers recovery. This is why Leftovers is important, as with it, Clefable can survive attacks that would otherwise 2HKO it and heal with Soft-Boiled after being hit twice.
Magic Guard is the chosen ability for two main reasons. Firstly, it allows Clefable to switch in many times and avoid taking damage from entry hazards. Secondly, it prevents Clefable from being worn down by status, which tends to be very useful as opponents will have to rely on using direct attacks to damage Clefable; a difficult task due to Clefable's high defenses.
Usage Tips
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Clefable doesn't necessarily have to be used as a lead. Clefable has the bulk, ability, and defensive typing to pivot in whenever possible and set up Stealth Rock, granted that it isn't on a super effective hit. As Clefable also beats every entry hazard remover other than Excadrill one-on-one, it can force them to switch out, giving itself a turn to set up Stealth Rock. Clefable doesn't only force switches against hazard removers, however. Clefable can force switches against Pokemon such as Conkeldurr and Choice-locked Dragon-types as well, and then set up Stealth Rock on the switch. If Stealth Rock is already up, Clefable can still take advantage of a predicted switch and heal up with Soft-Boiled. Because of Magic Guard, Clefable can also switch into Toxic, Will-O-Wisp, Lava Plume, and Scald, as it will not take poison or burn damage and would rather not be paralyzed or put to sleep.
Team Options
========
Clefable fits well on most teams due to its good defensive typing and good bulk. However, most teams weak to Fighting- and Dragon-type Pokemon that don't already have a Stealth Rock setter especially appreciate Clefable as a team member. Slower Dragon-types such as Dragonite and Kyurem-B appreciate Clefable as a teammate as it can pivot into Dragon-type moves. Skarmory is a great partner as it beats Excadrill, the only entry hazard remover Clefable can't beat, as well as Pinsir and Azumarill, which would otherwise take Clefable down offensively. Rotom-W gets rid of Talonflame, which 2HKOes Clefable with Brave Bird. Tyranitar, Choice Scarf Terrakion, Choice Scarf Garchomp, Quagsire, and Slowbro are all great partners as they get rid of Mega Charizard X, which uses Clefable as setup fodder. Specially defensive Gliscor can come in on Heatran, which walls Clefable, and OHKO it with Earthquake. Lastly, Mega Gyarados is also a good partner to lure in Ferrothorn, which is hit hard by Clefable's Fire Blast.
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name: Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Moonblast
move 3: Fire Blast
move 4: Soft-Boiled
ability: Magic Guard
item: Leftovers
evs: 252 HP / 160 Def / 96 SpD
nature: Calm
Moves
========
Stealth Rock is a great move on Clefable, as it can get rid of most Defoggers and Rapid Spin users with the combination of Moonblast and Fire Blast; Clefable also has naturally good bulk and a great defensive typing, allowing it to switch into most entry hazard removers, force them out, and set up Stealth Rock again. Moonblast is a STAB move that deals decent amounts of damage. Fire Blast is a great move on Clefable, as it can OHKO Mega Scizor after Stealth Rock; it also 2HKOes Ferrothorn even if Leech Seed has been planted. Skarmory is also 2HKOed by Fire Blast and is thus prevented from being able to Defog against Clefable, which is very important. Flamethrower is an option over Fire Blast due to its higher accuracy and PP, but the loss in power is very noticeable, and it won't be able to do the things stated above. Soft-Boiled provides reliable recovery, which is great for Clefable as it can't be worn down by status and can tank most hits. Thunder Wave is also an option over Fire Blast to cripple faster threats such as Choice Scarf users, but it is not usually worth the spot as Fire Blast lets Clefable beat most Steel-type hazard removers.
Set Details
========
With a Calm nature and the given EVs, Clefable can avoid the 2HKO from Thundurus's Thunderbolt and usually avoid the 2HKO from Latios's Psyshock and Greninja's Hydro Pump. The Defense EVs also help Clefable avoid the 2HKO from Mega Gyarados's Waterfall after Leftovers recovery. This is why Leftovers is important, as with it, Clefable can survive attacks that would otherwise 2HKO it and heal with Soft-Boiled after being hit twice.
Magic Guard is the chosen ability for two main reasons. Firstly, it allows Clefable to switch in many times and avoid taking damage from entry hazards. Secondly, it prevents Clefable from being worn down by status, which tends to be very useful as opponents will have to rely on using direct attacks to damage Clefable; a difficult task due to Clefable's high defenses.
Usage Tips
========
Clefable doesn't necessarily have to be used as a lead. Clefable has the bulk, ability, and defensive typing to pivot in whenever possible and set up Stealth Rock, granted that it isn't on a super effective hit. As Clefable also beats every entry hazard remover other than Excadrill one-on-one, it can force them to switch out, giving itself a turn to set up Stealth Rock. Clefable doesn't only force switches against hazard removers, however. Clefable can force switches against Pokemon such as Conkeldurr and Choice-locked Dragon-types as well, and then set up Stealth Rock on the switch. If Stealth Rock is already up, Clefable can still take advantage of a predicted switch and heal up with Soft-Boiled. Because of Magic Guard, Clefable can also switch into Toxic, Will-O-Wisp, Lava Plume, and Scald, as it will not take poison or burn damage and would rather not be paralyzed or put to sleep.
Team Options
========
Clefable fits well on most teams due to its good defensive typing and good bulk. However, most teams weak to Fighting- and Dragon-type Pokemon that don't already have a Stealth Rock setter especially appreciate Clefable as a team member. Slower Dragon-types such as Dragonite and Kyurem-B appreciate Clefable as a teammate as it can pivot into Dragon-type moves. Skarmory is a great partner as it beats Excadrill, the only entry hazard remover Clefable can't beat, as well as Pinsir and Azumarill, which would otherwise take Clefable down offensively. Rotom-W gets rid of Talonflame, which 2HKOes Clefable with Brave Bird. Tyranitar, Choice Scarf Terrakion, Choice Scarf Garchomp, Quagsire, and Slowbro are all great partners as they get rid of Mega Charizard X, which uses Clefable as setup fodder. Specially defensive Gliscor can come in on Heatran, which walls Clefable, and OHKO it with Earthquake. Lastly, Mega Gyarados is also a good partner to lure in Ferrothorn, which is hit hard by Clefable's Fire Blast.
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