[OVERVIEW]
As far as bulky Water-types are concerned, Jellicent deviates far from the norm due to its host of distinguishable characteristics that make it one of the most effective, self-sufficient defensive Pokemon in RU, while being a very potent stallbreaker at the same time. Its unique Water / Ghost typing makes Jellicent the go-to Pokemon for handling the likes of Durant, Mega Glalie, Flygon, Emboar, Mega Steelix, and many more, while also functioning as a suitable spinblocker. Unlike most defensive Pokemon in RU, Jellicent is neither passive nor easily exploitable thanks to its decent Special Attack stat and access to Taunt + Will-O-Wisp, which prevent it from getting statused and set up on, acting as quite the pest for more defensive teams, especially when Jellicent is making use of Hex. In addition to its merits as a defensive Pokemon, the key trait that makes Jellicent dangerous is its ability to easily spread burns and threaten almost all of the Pokemon designated to sponge them. Vulnerability to Knock Off and Pursuit keep Jellicent from being a perfect wall, though. Jellicent's unfortunate weakness to the very common Knock Off means that it has difficulty switching in on certain Fighting-types and can only hope to handle them one-versus-one, whereas its susceptibility to Pursuit may keep it from consistently checking what it needs to.
[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Taunt
move 2: Will-O-Wisp
move 3: Recover
move 4: Scald / Hex
item: Leftovers
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 216 Def / 44 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
The combination of Taunt and Will-O-Wisp allows Jellicent to stallbreak, prevent the spread of status effects and entry hazards, and cripple incoming checks with a burn. Recover makes Jellicent a consistent and support-free wall, as it can take the opportunity to replenish its health when a switch is forced or when a wall or passive Pokemon is subdued with Taunt. The choice of Hex or Scald depends entirely on the makeup of your team. For instance, if one carries additional checks to Fire-types such as Houndoom, Fletchinder, and Emboar, then Hex makes Jellicent much more difficult to deal with; however, if one solely relies on Jellicent to check these Pokemon, then Scald must be used in order to do so and is more often than not the better default option. Utilizing Hex does have one special benefit though: it allows Jellicent to beat one-on-one Pokemon that otherwise have no difficulty switching in on most defensive threats, such as Amoonguss and Sigilyph. Another variation of this set involves dropping Will-O-Wisp and instead going for dual STAB with Scald + Hex, the advantage being that Jellicent gets the best of both worlds in beating Fire-types and destroying statused Pokemon; however, relying on Scald to inflict status isn't always the best approach, especially when Jellicent needs an instantaneous burn to bring down Escavalier, among other threats.
Set Details
========
With 44 Speed EVs, Jellicent outspeeds minimum Speed Alomomola and can then Taunt it before it can hit Jellicent with a Toxic or get a Wish off. Jellicent can also opt for more Speed EVs—84 specifically—in order to outspeed Hitmontop, Taunt it, and prevent it from using Foresight or Toxic; this helps keep entry hazards up on team builds that rely more on Spikes to win games. The rest of the EVs are focused on Defense, as Jellicent works best by checking physical attackers such as Rhyperior, Flygon, Mega Steelix, Fletchinder, and Emboar; however, a specially defensive spread can find use by allowing Jellicent to more easily switch in on Mega Camerupt and Clawitzer and pivot out of more ferocious special attackers such as Exploud. Water Absorb should be the only ability Jellicent uses, as the immunity to Scald burns is crucial for it to function. Colbur Berry compromises Jellicent's passive recovery in exchange for a much better matchup against Knock Off-wielding Fighting-types such as Hitmonlee. In addition, Colbur Berry makes Jellicent much less vulnerable to Pursuit.
Usage Tips
========
Jellicent can switch in on many physical attackers, including Cobalion, Mega Glalie, Durant, Rhyperior, Samurott, Fletchinder, Mega Steelix, and Druddigon, and threaten them with a Scald or Will-O-Wisp. While Jellicent has no trouble switching in on various physical and special attackers, avoid getting Jellicent statused at all costs because it will be forced to Recover more often and have difficulty staying in to stallbreak. Speaking of which, the combination of Taunt + Will-O-Wisp should only be used versus slower targets; against faster teams, it's simply better to attack or anticipate a switch and use Will-O-Wisp. Be wary of using Will-O-Wisp too recklessly with a Houndoom on the opposing team, though.
Team Options
========
Fairy-types such as Aromatisse work well with Jellicent by sponging Knock Offs, whereas Togetic can also provide Defog support to clear Toxic Spikes. Both can also offer cleric support on the off-chance Jellicent does end up getting crippled by Toxic or Will-O-Wisp. Steel-types such as Mega Steelix and Bronzong make for good partners as well due to the fact that they can check Electric-types that bother Jellicent. Mega Steelix can also absorb Knock Offs coming Jellicent's way, while Bronzong sponges Tangrowth and Rotom-C's Grass-type attacks. Both can also provide Stealth Rock support that is useful in chipping away at the opposing team in tandem with Jellicent's ability to spread status. Bulky Dragon-types such as Druddigon and defensive Flygon also make for good partners with their ability to keep Electric-types in line. Druddigon can provide some unique support by spreading paralysis with Glare, which aids Hex variants of Jellicent, while Flygon can clear off entry hazards such as Toxic Spikes.
On balanced teams, offensive partners such as Emboar can check Grass-types and Houndoom for Jellicent, whereas Virizion and Tangrowth have excellent defensive synergy with Jellicent and appreciate its ability to spread burns so that they have an easier time busting through their checks, such as Amoonguss. On more defensive teams, Amoonguss and Roselia make for fantastic partners due to their great synergy, as well as hold the ability to absorb Toxic Spikes and spread around status. Roselia in particular can sponge any status move thanks to Natural Cure and give Jellicent Toxic Spikes support, which is especially effective when Jellicent is using Hex.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Offensive sets on Jellicent are viable options on more specific builds such as Spikes-stacking offense that require a special attacking Ghost-type to keep the momentum up. On those kinds of teams, Jellicent can incorporate Choice Scarf, Choice Specs, or simply a more offensive EV spread. Surprisingly, Jellicent has a wide array of offensive moves it can make use of when employing these sets, including Hydro Pump, Ice Beam, Energy Ball, Dazzling Gleam, and even Trick on Choice sets. Trick Room allows Jellicent to combine the supportive and offensive roles into one, allowing it to set up this type of support for wallbreakers such as Mega Camerupt or make use of Trick Room alongside its decent power and great coverage to sweep itself.
On the main set, Jellicent can incorporate other defensive moves such as Toxic and Magic Coat. Toxic can stall out certain walls at a faster pace; however, Hex + Will-O-Wisp will generally suffice in taking down defensive Pokemon. Magic Coat, on the other hand, can be used over Taunt to render Qwilfish useless and turn the tables on faster Taunt and entry hazard users.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Offensive Grass- and Electric-types**: Special attackers with super effective STAB attacks are the best way to combat Jellicent, as they won't be too hindered by a burn and can take at least one Hex. Examples include Jolteon, Rotom-C, Eelektross, and Tangrowth, which can switch in and out of Jellicent multiple times thanks to Regenerator.
**Bulky Grass-types**: Roselia and Amoonguss can easily come in on Jellicent, fish for poison affliction with Sludge Bomb, and gradually defeat Jellicent with Giga Drain. Roselia can also shrug off burns with Natural Cure. Both may lose to Hex Jellicent under certain circumstances, though.
**Status, Knock Off, and Toxic Spikes**: Jellicent is extremely vulnerable to status, so faster Pokemon with Toxic or Will-O-Wisp can strictly decrease its performance, while random Knock Offs from the likes of Alomomola will force Jellicent to Recover more often and make it easier to pressure and overwhelm. Toxic Spikes is also a great way to constrain Jellicent and overwhelm it, although make sure two layers are up before Jellicent comes in as opposed to just one layer, which will only be a slight bother for it.
**Status-Resilient Attackers**: Shed Skin Scrafty is one of the best ways to take on Jellicent, as it can shrug off any of Jellicent's attacks while being able to rid itself of status nearly every other turn. In a similar vein, Sigilyph also makes a strong check to Jellicent thanks to its Magic Guard ability; however, it will go down to Hex variants. Lastly, Lum Berry users such as Drapion and Virizion can switch into a Scald, even if it burns, at least once and threaten Jellicent with their STAB moves.
**Faster Pursuit Users**: Choice Band Drapion and trapper Houndoom make for good Pokemon that can eliminate Jellicent from the remainder of the match because, unlike other Pursuit trappers, they can attack Jellicent before it can status them. Be wary of Jellicent staying in and recklessly hitting the two Pokemon with a Scald though, as the effects can be devastating for both.
