Taken over From col49's Drifblim analysis which can be seen here: http://www.smogon.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3456531
[Overview]
<p>Unlike its Ghost-type brethren, Drifblim's HP stat is a massive base 150, which enables it to set up very durable Substitutes and take a few hits. Drifblim has a relatively exclusive ability in the form of Unburden, which doubles its Speed when a consumable item is used. Drifblim also has a wide movepool to abuse its stats with, having everything from supporting moves, such as the rare Knock Off, to powerful attacks, such as Shadow Ball. On top of all this, Drifblim's Ghost / Flying typing gives it a variety of resistances to abuse when switching in. Sadly, this is where the good news ends. Despite its high HP stat, Drifblim is rather frail, cursed with a weakness to Stealth Rock and pathetic defenses. This means Drifblim is also extremely vulnerable to Pursuit users such as Krookodile. However, have no fear, as even though this haunted balloon has its flaws, it still has enough tricks up it sleeve to have a niche in the RU metagame.</p>
[SET]
name: ChestoRest
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Rest
move 3: Shadow Ball
move 4: Thunderbolt / Baton Pass / Hidden Power Fighting
item: Chesto Berry
ability: Unburden
nature: Modest
evs: 252 Def / 108 SpA / 148 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This is Drifblim's most effective set. It utilizes a combination of resistances, bulk, and Unburden to set up a sweep. Drifblim can easily set up on the many defensive Pokemon in the tier, such as Slowking. Calm Mind is Drifblim's boosting move of choice, capitalizing on its decent bulk and giving it the ability to take special hits better. When Drifblim is in KO range, it can use Rest, activating its Chesto Berry and enabling it to gain a Speed boost from Unburden. Shadow Ball is Drifblim's best STAB attack and is incredibly powerful after a few boosts. Thunderbolt is the main option for the last slot, as it gets excellent coverage alongside Shadow Ball and annihilates opposing Honchkrow attempting to switch in. Baton Pass is also an option in the last slot to pass off the boosts from Calm Mind, but you have to keep in mind that the Unburden boost isn't passable. Hidden Power Fighting is your best option against Steelix and Krookodile. Furthermore, it hits the Normal-types that are immune to Drifblim's main STAB move, and provides perfect coverage in tandem with Shadow Ball.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The Speed EVs allow Drifblim to outpace anything up to Choice Scarf Rotom after an Unburden boost. More Speed can be used to outpace Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Krookodile, but Drifblim has to sacrifice Defense EVs in order to do so. Maximum investment in Defense lets Drifblim take physical hits more easily, and the remaining EVs are invested in Special Attack to provide more offensive power.</p>
<p>Although a boosted Drifblim is very threatening, it may need some support to function to its full potential. Dual screens are a good choice for maximizing Drifblim's bulk, whilst Rapid Spin support extends Drifblim's longevity, allowing it to switch in without having its health cut by 25% each time. An example of a good dual screener is Uxie. With its 75 / 130 / 130 defenses, it can easily get both screens up and do it multiple times in a match. Uxie can also set up Stealth Rock for Drifblim, which Drifblim needs to acheive certain KOes against defensive Pokemon. Hitmonchan makes an excellent partner for Drifblim, Rapid Spinning entry hazards and severely damaging Munchlax and Cryogonal. A counter to Krookodile is recommended, since if Drifblim lacks Hidden Power Fighting, Krookodile serves as a hard counter. On top of all this, Drifblim likes to have Pursuit support on its side, as Ghost-types such as Rotom can easily stop Drifblim.</p>
[SET]
name: SubCM
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Substitute
move 3: Shadow Ball
move 4: Hidden Power Fighting / Thunderbolt
item: Sitrus Berry / Ghost Gem
ability: Unburden
nature: Modest
evs: 12 HP / 96 Def / 252 SpA / 148 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set takes a slightly different approach to Drifblim. The EVs allow you to outrun everything up to boosted base 91 Speed Pokemon after an Unburden boost. Because Substitute protects it from attacks as you set up, more EVs are invested into Special Attack to increase Drifblim's firepower. The defensive EVs balance your defenses as much as possible. Sitrus Berry and Ghost Gem are used over Leftovers to activate Unburden, which is the key to this set's success. Shadow Ball is your main STAB, and hits very hard after a boost. Hidden Power Fighting is the main option to get the jump on Krookodile while letting Drifblim have perfect neutral coverage in combination with Shadow Ball. Thunderbolt is still an option, as it allows Drifblim to hit bulky Water- and Flying-types. This set needs to worry about faster attackers more than the ChestoRest set, as less is invested into Drifblim's defenses.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>If you desire more bulk, you can run a spread of 252 Def / 108 SpA / 148 Spe, but with a combination of Substitute and a Sitrus Berry, it is already very easy to set up Calm Mind. Baton Pass can be used over the respective coverage move to pass the Calm Mind boosts to a teammate that can abuse it, such as Moltres or Accelgor, but you have to keep in mind that the Unburden boost cannot be passed on by Baton Pass. Dual screens are extremely important to this set's success, boosting Drifblim's defenses enough to where it can take multiple hits and set up. Rapid Spin support is possibly more important to this set than it is to any other set, as Drifblim will be lowering its own HP with Substitute and will want to set up as many Calm Minds as possible. Counters to Krookodile, as well as Pursuit users, are also recommended, as the absence of both can pave the way for Drifblim to sweep. Pursuit removes the main Pokemon that threaten Drifblim, such as Rotom and Haunter, and, without Krookodile, Drifblim can sweep safely.</p>
[SET]
name: Baton Pass
move 1: Shadow Ball
move 2: Baton Pass
move 3: Substitute
move 4: Stockpile / Calm Mind
item: Leftovers
ability: Aftermath
nature: Bold
evs: 4 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>With a massive HP stat and good resistances, Drifblim makes an excellent pivot in a Baton Pass chain. The EVs and nature maximize bulk on both sides, as it is inadvisable to maximize your HP stat because of the large difference between the HP and defensive stats of Drifblim. Drifblim's job is to pass durable Substitutes and defensive boosts in the form of Stockpile to a receiver. Stockpile is the main option because it raises both defenses while toughening up Drifblim's Substitutes. Calm Mind is also an option, allowing Drifblim to pull off a sweep itself, but strong physical attacks will still break Drifblim's Substitutes. Shadow Ball prevents Drifblim from being total Taunt bait, and allows you to sweep if Drifblim is using Calm Mind. It is possible to run more Speed on Drifblim, but Drifblim is probably going to be Baton Passed Speed boosts anyway, so it is less important.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Drifblim's resistances really help it pull off a successful pass and help set up a sweep with whatever Pokemon that is receiving the boosts. Immunity to common priority moves, such as Hitmonchan's Mach Punch and Entei's ExtremeSpeed, make Drifblim an excellent part of a Baton Pass chain. Drifblim likes to have things such as Ingrain and Aqua Ring passed to it, as it loves the extra recovery they provide. For Drifblim to function, it needs a successful receiver to take the boosts it has amassed. Pokemon such as Octillery and Cradily are excellent examples of great partners because of Suction Cups, which prevents them from being phazed out. Medicham is also a good partner since it has a monsterous Attack stat and appreciates the defensive boosts Drifblim provides.</p>
[SET]
name: Weather Abuse
move 1: Rain Dance / Sunny Day
move 2: Weather Ball
move 3: Thunder / Shadow Ball
move 4: Acrobatics / Shadow Ball
item: Flying Gem / Water Gem / Fire Gem
ability: Unburden
nature: Hasty
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>With access to Weather Ball, Thunder, and Unburden, Drifblim makes an excellent addition to a weather-based team. Drifblim has access to both Sunny Day and Rain Dance, allowing it to support its team and itself; its massive HP stat makes this even easier. Weather Ball gives Drifblim a Water-type move to use in the rain while also giving it a Fire-type move in the sun, making it an excellent choice for Drifblim to use. In the rain, Thunder hits the bulky Water-types that survive Weather Ball. In the sun, Shadow Ball is the better option, as Thunder has only 50% accuracy in the sun. Acrobatics give Grass-types a nasty surprise, and also activates Unburden to give Drifblim a Speed boost. If using either of the other Gems, Shadow Ball is an option to hit opposing Ghost- and Psychic-types.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>If you feel the need for more power on Acrobatics, an alternate EV spread of 252 Atk / 252 SpA / 4 Spe is an option, but it usually makes Drifblim very slow before an Unburden boost, allowing it to be beaten by common Choice Scarf users, such as Krookodile. A Hasty nature is used over Naive to ensure that Porygon-Z only gets an Attack boost from Download. Although, if not running Acrobatics, Timid is the best option. If you feel you need to hit bulky Water-types while the weather is sunny, Thunderbolt is a viable option over Shadow Ball. As a weather abuser, this set enjoys having teammates that can also abuse weather. In rain, Pokemon such as Ludicolo and Kabutops make excellent teammates. Charizard, Victreebel, and Exeggutor make amazing teammates in the sun.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Drifblim is a very versatile Pokemon, and can do more than what has already been mentioned. For one thing, Drifblim can run a number of gimmick sets utilizing Unburden, such as a Focus Sash lead set. Drifblim can also use a Choice set to good effect, but Rotom is a better performer for this role. Driflbim can use an Acrobatics abuse set to good effect as well, but is better off boosting its stats. Drifblim's offensive power is underwhelming without boosts, so a support set with Will-O-Wisp and Hypnosis can be used, but Cofagrigus and Dusknoir are bulkier and more suited for the role.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Drifblim may have an interesting niche, but there are a few Pokemon that can easily stand up to it. Perhaps the best counter to Drifblim is Scarf Krookodile, outspeeding Drifblim even after an Unburden boost and OHKOing it with Crunch after Stealth Rock damage. Honchkrow comes in a close second, being able to use Sucker Punch to decimate Drifblim, or set up a Substitute if it decides not to attack. Honchkrow needs to be wary of Thunderbolt, however. In fact, Dark-types in general can take on Drifblim lacking Hidden Power Fighting rather easily. Munchlax takes anything Drifblim has to throw at it like a champ and can easily phaze the Baton Pass set. Drifblim is vulnerable to Pokemon that are faster than it before an Unburden boost, and is easily beaten by faster Pokemon with a super effective STAB move. The weather abuse set is very vulnerable to having its weather taken away by Cloud Nine users and Snover. Calm Mind variants are also extremely vulnerable to Haze. However, the most common Hazer, Cofagrigus, is easily taken down by Shadow Ball.</p>
[Overview]
<p>Unlike its Ghost-type brethren, Drifblim's HP stat is a massive base 150, which enables it to set up very durable Substitutes and take a few hits. Drifblim has a relatively exclusive ability in the form of Unburden, which doubles its Speed when a consumable item is used. Drifblim also has a wide movepool to abuse its stats with, having everything from supporting moves, such as the rare Knock Off, to powerful attacks, such as Shadow Ball. On top of all this, Drifblim's Ghost / Flying typing gives it a variety of resistances to abuse when switching in. Sadly, this is where the good news ends. Despite its high HP stat, Drifblim is rather frail, cursed with a weakness to Stealth Rock and pathetic defenses. This means Drifblim is also extremely vulnerable to Pursuit users such as Krookodile. However, have no fear, as even though this haunted balloon has its flaws, it still has enough tricks up it sleeve to have a niche in the RU metagame.</p>
[SET]
name: ChestoRest
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Rest
move 3: Shadow Ball
move 4: Thunderbolt / Baton Pass / Hidden Power Fighting
item: Chesto Berry
ability: Unburden
nature: Modest
evs: 252 Def / 108 SpA / 148 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This is Drifblim's most effective set. It utilizes a combination of resistances, bulk, and Unburden to set up a sweep. Drifblim can easily set up on the many defensive Pokemon in the tier, such as Slowking. Calm Mind is Drifblim's boosting move of choice, capitalizing on its decent bulk and giving it the ability to take special hits better. When Drifblim is in KO range, it can use Rest, activating its Chesto Berry and enabling it to gain a Speed boost from Unburden. Shadow Ball is Drifblim's best STAB attack and is incredibly powerful after a few boosts. Thunderbolt is the main option for the last slot, as it gets excellent coverage alongside Shadow Ball and annihilates opposing Honchkrow attempting to switch in. Baton Pass is also an option in the last slot to pass off the boosts from Calm Mind, but you have to keep in mind that the Unburden boost isn't passable. Hidden Power Fighting is your best option against Steelix and Krookodile. Furthermore, it hits the Normal-types that are immune to Drifblim's main STAB move, and provides perfect coverage in tandem with Shadow Ball.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The Speed EVs allow Drifblim to outpace anything up to Choice Scarf Rotom after an Unburden boost. More Speed can be used to outpace Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Krookodile, but Drifblim has to sacrifice Defense EVs in order to do so. Maximum investment in Defense lets Drifblim take physical hits more easily, and the remaining EVs are invested in Special Attack to provide more offensive power.</p>
<p>Although a boosted Drifblim is very threatening, it may need some support to function to its full potential. Dual screens are a good choice for maximizing Drifblim's bulk, whilst Rapid Spin support extends Drifblim's longevity, allowing it to switch in without having its health cut by 25% each time. An example of a good dual screener is Uxie. With its 75 / 130 / 130 defenses, it can easily get both screens up and do it multiple times in a match. Uxie can also set up Stealth Rock for Drifblim, which Drifblim needs to acheive certain KOes against defensive Pokemon. Hitmonchan makes an excellent partner for Drifblim, Rapid Spinning entry hazards and severely damaging Munchlax and Cryogonal. A counter to Krookodile is recommended, since if Drifblim lacks Hidden Power Fighting, Krookodile serves as a hard counter. On top of all this, Drifblim likes to have Pursuit support on its side, as Ghost-types such as Rotom can easily stop Drifblim.</p>
[SET]
name: SubCM
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Substitute
move 3: Shadow Ball
move 4: Hidden Power Fighting / Thunderbolt
item: Sitrus Berry / Ghost Gem
ability: Unburden
nature: Modest
evs: 12 HP / 96 Def / 252 SpA / 148 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set takes a slightly different approach to Drifblim. The EVs allow you to outrun everything up to boosted base 91 Speed Pokemon after an Unburden boost. Because Substitute protects it from attacks as you set up, more EVs are invested into Special Attack to increase Drifblim's firepower. The defensive EVs balance your defenses as much as possible. Sitrus Berry and Ghost Gem are used over Leftovers to activate Unburden, which is the key to this set's success. Shadow Ball is your main STAB, and hits very hard after a boost. Hidden Power Fighting is the main option to get the jump on Krookodile while letting Drifblim have perfect neutral coverage in combination with Shadow Ball. Thunderbolt is still an option, as it allows Drifblim to hit bulky Water- and Flying-types. This set needs to worry about faster attackers more than the ChestoRest set, as less is invested into Drifblim's defenses.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>If you desire more bulk, you can run a spread of 252 Def / 108 SpA / 148 Spe, but with a combination of Substitute and a Sitrus Berry, it is already very easy to set up Calm Mind. Baton Pass can be used over the respective coverage move to pass the Calm Mind boosts to a teammate that can abuse it, such as Moltres or Accelgor, but you have to keep in mind that the Unburden boost cannot be passed on by Baton Pass. Dual screens are extremely important to this set's success, boosting Drifblim's defenses enough to where it can take multiple hits and set up. Rapid Spin support is possibly more important to this set than it is to any other set, as Drifblim will be lowering its own HP with Substitute and will want to set up as many Calm Minds as possible. Counters to Krookodile, as well as Pursuit users, are also recommended, as the absence of both can pave the way for Drifblim to sweep. Pursuit removes the main Pokemon that threaten Drifblim, such as Rotom and Haunter, and, without Krookodile, Drifblim can sweep safely.</p>
[SET]
name: Baton Pass
move 1: Shadow Ball
move 2: Baton Pass
move 3: Substitute
move 4: Stockpile / Calm Mind
item: Leftovers
ability: Aftermath
nature: Bold
evs: 4 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>With a massive HP stat and good resistances, Drifblim makes an excellent pivot in a Baton Pass chain. The EVs and nature maximize bulk on both sides, as it is inadvisable to maximize your HP stat because of the large difference between the HP and defensive stats of Drifblim. Drifblim's job is to pass durable Substitutes and defensive boosts in the form of Stockpile to a receiver. Stockpile is the main option because it raises both defenses while toughening up Drifblim's Substitutes. Calm Mind is also an option, allowing Drifblim to pull off a sweep itself, but strong physical attacks will still break Drifblim's Substitutes. Shadow Ball prevents Drifblim from being total Taunt bait, and allows you to sweep if Drifblim is using Calm Mind. It is possible to run more Speed on Drifblim, but Drifblim is probably going to be Baton Passed Speed boosts anyway, so it is less important.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Drifblim's resistances really help it pull off a successful pass and help set up a sweep with whatever Pokemon that is receiving the boosts. Immunity to common priority moves, such as Hitmonchan's Mach Punch and Entei's ExtremeSpeed, make Drifblim an excellent part of a Baton Pass chain. Drifblim likes to have things such as Ingrain and Aqua Ring passed to it, as it loves the extra recovery they provide. For Drifblim to function, it needs a successful receiver to take the boosts it has amassed. Pokemon such as Octillery and Cradily are excellent examples of great partners because of Suction Cups, which prevents them from being phazed out. Medicham is also a good partner since it has a monsterous Attack stat and appreciates the defensive boosts Drifblim provides.</p>
[SET]
name: Weather Abuse
move 1: Rain Dance / Sunny Day
move 2: Weather Ball
move 3: Thunder / Shadow Ball
move 4: Acrobatics / Shadow Ball
item: Flying Gem / Water Gem / Fire Gem
ability: Unburden
nature: Hasty
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>With access to Weather Ball, Thunder, and Unburden, Drifblim makes an excellent addition to a weather-based team. Drifblim has access to both Sunny Day and Rain Dance, allowing it to support its team and itself; its massive HP stat makes this even easier. Weather Ball gives Drifblim a Water-type move to use in the rain while also giving it a Fire-type move in the sun, making it an excellent choice for Drifblim to use. In the rain, Thunder hits the bulky Water-types that survive Weather Ball. In the sun, Shadow Ball is the better option, as Thunder has only 50% accuracy in the sun. Acrobatics give Grass-types a nasty surprise, and also activates Unburden to give Drifblim a Speed boost. If using either of the other Gems, Shadow Ball is an option to hit opposing Ghost- and Psychic-types.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>If you feel the need for more power on Acrobatics, an alternate EV spread of 252 Atk / 252 SpA / 4 Spe is an option, but it usually makes Drifblim very slow before an Unburden boost, allowing it to be beaten by common Choice Scarf users, such as Krookodile. A Hasty nature is used over Naive to ensure that Porygon-Z only gets an Attack boost from Download. Although, if not running Acrobatics, Timid is the best option. If you feel you need to hit bulky Water-types while the weather is sunny, Thunderbolt is a viable option over Shadow Ball. As a weather abuser, this set enjoys having teammates that can also abuse weather. In rain, Pokemon such as Ludicolo and Kabutops make excellent teammates. Charizard, Victreebel, and Exeggutor make amazing teammates in the sun.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Drifblim is a very versatile Pokemon, and can do more than what has already been mentioned. For one thing, Drifblim can run a number of gimmick sets utilizing Unburden, such as a Focus Sash lead set. Drifblim can also use a Choice set to good effect, but Rotom is a better performer for this role. Driflbim can use an Acrobatics abuse set to good effect as well, but is better off boosting its stats. Drifblim's offensive power is underwhelming without boosts, so a support set with Will-O-Wisp and Hypnosis can be used, but Cofagrigus and Dusknoir are bulkier and more suited for the role.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Drifblim may have an interesting niche, but there are a few Pokemon that can easily stand up to it. Perhaps the best counter to Drifblim is Scarf Krookodile, outspeeding Drifblim even after an Unburden boost and OHKOing it with Crunch after Stealth Rock damage. Honchkrow comes in a close second, being able to use Sucker Punch to decimate Drifblim, or set up a Substitute if it decides not to attack. Honchkrow needs to be wary of Thunderbolt, however. In fact, Dark-types in general can take on Drifblim lacking Hidden Power Fighting rather easily. Munchlax takes anything Drifblim has to throw at it like a champ and can easily phaze the Baton Pass set. Drifblim is vulnerable to Pokemon that are faster than it before an Unburden boost, and is easily beaten by faster Pokemon with a super effective STAB move. The weather abuse set is very vulnerable to having its weather taken away by Cloud Nine users and Snover. Calm Mind variants are also extremely vulnerable to Haze. However, the most common Hazer, Cofagrigus, is easily taken down by Shadow Ball.</p>
