Pak
vortex
[OVERVIEW]
Klefki's vast support movepool with access to moves such as Spikes, Thunder Wave, dual screens, and Fairy Lock in tandem with its Prankster ability allows it to reliably set up entry hazards and shut down fast Pokemon such as Mega Aerodactyl and Mega Sharpedo. It also has a great defensive typing in Steel / Fairy with only two weaknesses, matching up well against common Pokemon such as Hydreigon, Sylveon, and Crobat. Given its unique utility, Klefki is best used on offense or balance teams to lay entry hazards and provide a catch-all check to faster threats. Klefki also finds itself incredibly flexible with moveslots, as they can be tailored to fit the team's needs. However, Klefki possesses incredibly mediocre stats across the board, largely forcing it to rely on its typing to stomach hits and leaving it more passive than it would prefer if it's not running the ideal moveset to deal with a given Pokemon.
[SET]
name: Support
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Thunder Wave
move 3: Dazzling Gleam / Flash Cannon / Toxic
move 4: Toxic / Magnet Rise / Heal Block
item: Leftovers
ability: Prankster
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Spikes damage grounded opposing Pokemon in order to help pave the way for cleaners in the back. Thunder Wave provides a nice form of speed control and is especially useful against offensive Pokemon to essentially neuter them as threats. Dazzling Gleam is one of Klefki's main STAB moves and allows it to hit huge threats such as Hydreigon, Conkeldurr, Mega Sceptile, and Krookodile for super effective damage. Flash Cannon is the other STAB option and works best when paired with Heal Block, notably allowing it to beat Wish Sylveon one-on-one. Toxic is another useful option, letting Klefki act as a solid answer to bulky Pokemon such as Mandibuzz, Cresselia, and Slowking. Magnet Rise allows Klefki to avoid heavy damage from powerful Ground-types such as Krookodile, Nidoqueen, and Mamoswine and proceed to set up Spikes. Heal Block pairs nicely with Toxic and prevents Pokemon such as Sylveon, Snorlax, and Conkeldurr from using their respective recovery moves.
Set Details
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Maximum HP and Special Defense investment with a Calm nature maximizes Klefki's special bulk and gives it the best possible matchup against special attackers such as Mega Sceptile and Hydreigon. Leftovers provides Klefki with a solid form of passive recovery from turn to turn. Prankster gives all of Klefki's non-damaging moves priority, letting it get up layers of Spikes more reliably and paralyze faster Pokemon with Thunder Wave.
Usage Tips
========
Klefki should set up Spikes early-game in order to whittle down grounded foes throughout the course of a match. Thunder Wave should be used to cripple fast threats and provide speed control for slower threats in the back. Toxic should be used to cripple bulky Pokemon such as Cresselia and Mandibuzz, severely limiting their longevity. Klefki should use Magnet Rise against Ground-types to essentially wall them and set up more layers of Spikes.
Team Options
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Klefki fits best on bulky offense and balance teams that need a catch-all check to fast threats and appreciate its ability to stack entry hazards. Klefki prefers Rapid Spin support as opposed to Defog in order to keep as many entry hazards on the opponent's side as possible; Tentacruel is a solid example. Klefki also pairs nicely with offensive Pokemon that appreciate Spikes support such as Mega Aerodactyl, Mega Sharpedo, Mega Beedrill, Mega Sceptile, and Entei. Defensive Swampert and the aforementioned Tentacruel check some of the offensive Fire- and Steel-types that threaten Klefki and can set up their respective hazards alongside Klefki's Spikes. Roar Suicune also checks many of the Fire- and Steel-types that threaten Klefki and can phaze them to rack up residual damage on the opposing team. Especially if it's not running Magnet Rise, Klefki needs partners that can switch into powerful Ground-types like Krookodile and Nidoking, such as Mandibuzz and Hydreigon. Relatively slow wallbreakers such as Nidoqueen and Choice Specs Chandelure appreciate the speed control provided by Klefki's Thunder Wave. Pokemon that can block Rapid Spin and threaten the common users in Forretress and Tentacruel such as Chandelure, Hoopa, and Jellicent also pair brilliantly with Klefki.
[SET]
name: Screens
move 1: Light Screen
move 2: Reflect
move 3: Spikes
move 4: Fairy Lock
item: Light Clay
ability: Prankster
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Light Screen and Reflect temporarily reduce all damage done to the user's team, giving sweepers in the back more opportunities to set up or attack. Spikes racks up damage on grounded foes, wearing them down for a potential sweep late-game. Fairy Lock prevents the target from switching for one turn, allowing an appropriate sweeper to set up in a favorable matchup behind screens after Klefki is KOed.
Set Details
========
The HP and Special Defense investment with a Calm nature allows Klefki to take hits as well as possible and aids it in setting up screens and entry hazards. Light Clay increases the duration of Light Screen and Reflect from five turns to eight, giving sweepers a larger window to set up or attack. Prankster gives priority to all of Klefki's non-damaging moves, letting it set up screens and entry hazards on faster Pokemon much more easily.
Usage Tips
========
This Klefki set should be used exclusively on hyper offense teams that appreciate screens and Spikes support. Klefki should set up screens early in the game in order for its teammates to take as little damage as possible as they either set up or exert offensive pressure. After setting up screens, Klefki should set up as many entry hazards as possible to whittle down opposing walls for offensive partners. Fairy Lock should only be used when the user expects Klefki to be KOed so that a teammate can take advantage of the trapped foe.
Team Options
========
Sweepers that appreciate screens support such as Belly Drum Slurpuff, Dragon Dance Haxorus, Nasty Plot Celebi, and Dragon Dance Gyarados make for good partners, as they have a much easier time setting up. Klefki also pairs well with Pokemon such as Mega Aerodactyl and Taunt Krookodile that threaten and pressure common Defog users such as Crobat and Mandibuzz.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Klefki makes for a solid weather setter when holding the corresponding item to increase the condition's duration thanks to its Prankster ability. Foul Play is an option as an attack on the support set, but a STAB move or Toxic is generally preferred.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Rapid Spin users**: Common Rapid Spin users such as Forretress and Tentacruel do not fear Klefki and can proceed to remove entry hazards and set their own.
**Fire-types**: Offensive Fire-types such as Entei, Chandelure, and Infernape all threaten Klefki out but must be wary of Thunder Wave.
**Steel-types**: Metagross, Doublade, and Mega Aggron have little fear of Klefki and can perform their respective roles in front of it.
**Espeon**: Espeon, specifically Calm Mind variants, can reflect Klefki's Spikes with Magic Bounce and set up in front of it.
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