[Overview]
<p>Stuck in a tier where Psychic-type Pokemon run rampant, Grumpig struggles to make an impact, as most of its roles are better done by Psychic-types that boast reliable recovery moves and/or workable defenses. However, the additional resistances granted by its Thick Fat ability allow it to patch up holes in teams, and the new found access to Heal Bell coupled with Whirlwind grant it a solid niche over its competition as a specially defensive cleric. While this niche is not enough for Grumpig to find a spot on most teams, it does wield the ability to check one of the biggest threats in the NU metagame: Jynx. Resisting both of its STABs and Focus Blast coverage is a rare talent that Grumpig possesses. The frustration Jynx causes to most teams could possibly give Grumpig the limelight it has never seen.</p>
[SET]
name: Utility Support
move 1: Heal Bell
move 2: Psyshock / Psychic
move 3: Whirlwind
move 4: Thunder Wave / Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Thick Fat
nature: Calm
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
ivs: 0 Atk
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Fitting best on bulky teams with entry hazards, Grumpig's job is to support its team with Heal Bell, phaze with Whirlwind, and paralyze or poison as much as possible to aid its team members. Its high base Speed for a wall comes in handy, as it outpaces the majority of defensive Pokemon in the tier. Psyshock is overall the most useful attack, as it breaks Jynx's Substitute, but Psychic can be used instead for its higher Base Power. Whirlwind works well at preventing Pokemon from setting up on Grumpig, as well as racking up entry hazard damage. Grumpig's resistances from Thick Fat and impressive special bulk provide it with many chances to use Heal Bell, removing fatal status conditions, as well as allowing teammates to use Rest as a recovery move.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The 0 Attack IVs are to minimize confusion and Foul Play damage. If stall teams cause problems, Taunt can be used in the last moveslot so opposing Pokemon do not ruin Grumpig's supporting capabilities. If you would rather not use one of Grumpig's moveslots, Taunt users such as Liepard or Serperior are encouraged as partners. Focus Blast can also be used in place of Thunder Wave and Toxic to surprise clerics such as Lickilicky and Audino. Wish support is nice for Grumpig as it cannot reliably recover itself. Alomomola is a good partner as it can patch Grumpig's lackluster Defense, or Lickilicky or Audino can be used to form a Special Defense core, as they have good typing synergy with Grumpig. Regirock, Carracosta, and Miltank are some great Stealth Rock users to complement Grumpig's phazing because of their physical bulk. Miltank deserves a special mention as Grumpig can take most Fighting-type attacks headed towards it, and Miltank can take the Ghost-type attacks aimed at Grumpig. Miltank also can fill the cleric role, allowing Grumpig to use a different move in its first slot. Offensive partners that work well with Grumpig are those that can take out the physical Dark-, Bug-, and Ghost-type Pokemon that threaten it. Golem is a great example because it can beat the popular Skuntank as well as most Bug-type Pokemon, and can Sucker Punch the ever-present Golurk for hefty damage. In return Grumpig patches up Golem's terrible Special Defense. Lastly, spinblockers such as Misdreavus are needed to keep hazards on the field to ensure Grumpig's phazing has a purpose; just make sure the team covers their shared Dark and Ghost weaknesses.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>A Calm Mind set is viable, but Musharna and Gardevoir are better choices for this due to the former's defenses and the latter's offenses. Musharna also handles the dual screens role better, as it has access to Moonlight and better bulk. Trick can be used, but Grumpig's Choice Scarf set misses out on the base 95 Speed tier, and the Choice Specs set is not strong enough; additionally both sets are better done by Gardevoir. Grumpig can also set up weather, but Prankster Pokemon and setup sweepers are more reliable. Magic Coat is a fun, situational move that surprises well known status inducers, but it is generally not worth it. Lastly, Grumpig can run a set of Rest / Sleep Talk / Psyshock / Heal Bell for self-recovery, but it loses its utility as a phazer and as a status inducer.</p>
[Checks and cCounters]
<p>Most physical attackers including Skuntank, Scolipede, Golurk, Pinsir, and Swellow outspeed and crush Grumpig. Primeape deserves a special mention as a super effective U-turn will scare Grumpig out and force its team to lose significant momentum. Nevertheless, all of these Pokemon risk being hit by a Thunder Wave on the switch, or being blown right back out with Whirlwind. Ground-type Pokemon in general are great checks as they can come in on a Thunder Wave and set up or attack. Any Taunt user typically forces Grumpig out, and Pokemon with Pursuit will be having pork for dinner; Skuntank is a prime example of both of these. Misdreavus is also a good check, as it can Taunt Grumpig or smack it with a super effective Foul Play or Shadow Ball. Lastly, Rapid Spin users ruin Grumpig's phazing antics, and clerics spoil Grumpig's status shenanigans; for example, Lickilicky can remove its statuses and wear Grumpig down with Body Slam.</p>
[OVERVIEW]
- Rather situational cleric, fitting best on bulky teams with hazards.
- Has to compete against other clerics for a spot on a team, but its awesome resistances (thanks to Thick Fat) differentiate it from the bunch.
- BW2 made Heal Bell+Whirlwind legal giving it a niche over Musharna as a bulky psychic cleric.
- Great Jynx check, who is a prominent threat in this metagame.
- Weak physical defenses and no recovery outside of rest.
- Needs much support to do its job, but it can easily patch some holes in a team’s defenses.
name: Utility Support
move 1: Heal Bell
move 2: Psyshock / Psychic
move 3: Whirlwind
move 4: Thunder Wave / Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Thick Fat
nature: Calm
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
ivs: 0 Att
[SET COMMENTS]
- Should only be used on bulky teams with hazards.
- Thick Fat allows Grumpig to wall certain Pokemon most walls cannot, such as Jynx and Combusken.
- User will spend most time paralyzing everything in Grumpig’s way, allowing team mates to set up easier and phasers to get a few free phases. Toxic can be used instead if opposing stall teams give trouble or another Pokemon offers paralysis support.
- Whirlwind ensures no Pokemon can set up on it, and racks up hazard damage, differentiating the pig from the likes of Miltank who has similar resistances thanks to Thick Fat.
- Psyshock is the most practical attack as it can break Jynx's Substitutes, but Psychic offers slightly more power for most situations.
- Heal Bell elongates the team survival and allows Pokemon with no other reliable recovery to use rest.
- EVs maximize special bulk, but it is possible to add more SpA EVs to suit the damaging needs.
- Taunt can be used in place of whirlwind if stall causes problems.
- 0 IVs in attack for less confusion and Misdreavus' Foul Play damage (Don't stay in on Liepard).
- Likes Wish support for longevity and hazard support for phasing benefits. Alomomola can take physical attacks aimed toward Grumpig brilliantly, or Lickilicky/Audino can work as their typing compliments Grumpig's well
- Opposing clerics can ruin all of Grumpig’s paralyzation antics, so teammates with taunt are nice.
- Roselia and Scolipede are some great NU spikers to compliment Grumpig's phasing.
- Regirock, Carracosta, and Miltank are some great NU stealth rockers to compliment Grumpig, because of their physical bulk that Grumpig lacks. Miltank deserves a special mention as Grumpig can take some fighting attacks headed towards Miltank, and Miltank can take the ghost attacks headed towards Grumpig. Miltank, also, can take the cleric role, allowing Grumpig to use another move.
- Spin blockers like Misdreavus are needed to keep hazards on the field ensuring Grumpig’s phasing has a purpose, just make sure the team covers their dark/ghost weaknesses.
- Offensive partners that work well with Grumpig are those that can take out the physical darks (ex:Skuntank), bugs (ex:Scolipede), and ghosts (ex:Golurk) that all threaten Grumpig out. Golem is a great example because it can beat Skuntank (the current most common dark type in NU) as well as most bugs (must be careful of Scolipede's Aqua Tail) and can Sucker Punch Golurk for around 60% damage. Grumpig patches up Golem's terrible Special Defense as well.
- Can run a Calm Mind set, but is outclassed by Gardevoir and Musharna due to their greater offenses (Gardevoir) and defenses (Musharna).
- Can run a Trick set, but it misses out on the current Choice Scarf speed tier of base 95 and its special attack with Choice Specs usually isn’t good enough.
- Can run a Dual Screens set, but Musharna’s better overall bulk and access to Moonlight outclasses Grumpig.
- Can set up weather, but outclassed by Prankster Pokemon.
- Can use a decent RestTalk whirlwind set, but is outclasses by Munchlax who has superior special defenses and similar resistances.
- Magic Coat is a fun, situational move that surprises notorious status inducers, because reflecting Jynx's Lovely Kiss back on her is hilarious.
- Can run a set of Rest / Sleep Talk / Psyshock / Heal Bell for self-recovery, but Grumpig loses its utility as a phaser and as a status inducer.
- Most physical attackers can out speed and crush Grumpig, such as Skuntank, Scolipede, Golurk, Pinsir, and Swellow. Primeape deserves a special mention as super-effective U-Turns scare Grumpig out and harshly lose momentum for the team. Nevertheless, all of these Pokemon risk being hit by a Thunder Wave on the switch in or being blown right back out with Whirlwind.
- Ground-Type Pokemon are great checks as they can come in on a Thunder Wave and set up/attack.
- Any Taunt Pokemon forces Grumpig out, and Pokemon with Pursuit eat pork for dinner. Skuntank is a prime example of both of those scenarios.
- Rapid Spinners ruin Grumpig's phasing antics, and Clerics spoil Grumpig's status shenanigans.
