QC: Hilomilo / OP / Thunderboy
GP: CryoGyro / TDP
[OVERVIEW]
Klink's access to Shift Gear, which raises Speed by 2 stages and Attack by 1 stage, and Gear Grind, which gives Klink a way to break through Sturdy and Focus Sash and deal good damage, allows it to function as a good late-game sweeper. Its nice bulk backed up by a Steel typing allows it to resist Stealth Rock and nine other types as well as take a lot of attacks, making it easy to set up Shift Gear. However, Klink has a terrible movepool that leaves it walled by many common Pokemon such as Pawniard, Magnemite, and Mudbray. It has common weaknesses in Fighting, Fire, and Ground. In addition, it faces severe competition with other sweepers such as Scraggy, Corphish, and Vullaby and has trouble finding a niche in teams. It’s slow before a Shift Gear boost, leaving it easily hit by Taunt. Even after a Shift Gear, Klink’s subpar Attack doesn't make it particularly powerful, meaning that multiple boosts are required to significantly damage teams.
[SET]
name: Shift Gear
move 1: Shift Gear
move 2: Gear Grind
move 3: Wild Charge
move 4: Return
item: Eviolite
ability: Clear Body
nature: Adamant
evs: 236 Atk / 36 Def / 116 SpD / 116 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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Shift Gear doubles Klink's Speed and raises Attack by 1 stage so that it can start a sweep. Gear Grind is Klink's strongest STAB attack, hits Fairy-, Rock-, and Ice-type Pokemon super effectively, and at +1 OHKOes Spritzee, Cottonee, and Eviolite Snubbull. It's also a two-hit attack, so it can break through Sturdy, Focus Sash, and Substitute users, OHKOing Abra as well as Onix and Dwebble if they've already consumed their Berry Juice. Wild Charge is used to hit Water- and Flying-type Pokemon such as Staryu, Vullaby, and Mareanie super effectively and hit Steel-types the hardest, as they resist both Gear Grind and Return. Return is Klink's best way to hit Pokemon that resist Gear Grind but aren't weak to Wild Charge, such as Chinchou, Larvesta, and Ponyta.
Set Details
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116 Speed EVs are used for Klink to hit 22 Speed after a Shift Gear boost, outspeeding any Pokemon that doesn't have a Choice Scarf or Speed boost. 236 Attack EVs and an Adamant nature maximize Klink's Attack as well as guarantee an OHKO on Spritzee with Gear Grind at +1. The remaining EVs are put into Defense and Special Defense to reach stat numbers that maximize Klink's Eviolite-boosted bulk, making it easier for Klink to set up. Lastly, Clear Body prevents any stat drops from the likes of Sticky Web and Snubbull's Intimidate.
Usage Tips
========
Klink should only start setting up Shift Gear when its counters are weakened or KOed. Knock Off support from teammates removes Eviolite from many Pokemon, which makes it a lot easier for Klink to start sweeping. Beware of setting up against Cottonee, as it can Encore Klink into Shift Gear, as well as Foongus, since it carries Spore. Klink can set up on defensive Pokemon or Pokemon that can't do much damage to it such as Spritzee and Snover.
Team Options
========
Klink appreciates entry hazard support from Dwebble or Ferroseed so that it nets KOs more easily, such as getting the OHKO on non-Eviolite Mienfoo at +1. Knock Off support from Timburr, Pawniard, and Mienfoo removes Eviolites, giving Klink an easier time sweeping. Pumpkaboo-XL, Spritzee, and Vullaby can switch in on the Fighting-types that give Klink some trouble. Grass- and Flying-types such as Cottonee, Snivy, and Rufflet can switch in on Ground-types and KO them. Water- and Rock-types like Staryu, Onix, Tirtouga, and Slowpoke counter Fire-types that threaten Klink, but Onix and Tirtouga have to be wary of Will-O-Wisp. Dewpider resists all three of Klink's weaknesses, while Klink can take care of the Flying- and Rock-type Pokemon Dewpider is weak to. Memento users like Cottonee and Diglett can allow Klink to set up a lot more easily. Diglett makes for an especially good partner because it can trap a lot of Pokemon that Klink has a hard time with, like Pawniard, Magnemite, Chinchou, and Ponyta.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Rock Smash allows Klink to better hit Steel-types, but it's very weak unless boosted several times. If Rock Smash is being used, Fightinium Z can be held to deal a ton of damage to Munchlax and Ferroseed; however, it takes up a Z-Move slot, and the lack of bulk from Eviolite will make it harder to set up Shift Gear. Thunder Wave can be used to cripple opposing threats, but this doesn't fit well on a setup sweeper like Klink. Magnet Rise gives Klink an immunity to Ground-type attacks for five turns, but it loses out on coverage. Volt Switch could be run to gain momentum for your team, but it's weak because of Klink's lower Special Attack and removes any Shift Gear boosts.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-types**: Fire-types such as Ponyta and Larvesta resist Gear Grind and can OHKO with Flare Blitz or weaken Klink by burning with Will-O-Wisp.
**Fighting-types**: Timburr, Scraggy, and Croagunk are bulky enough to take a +1 Gear Grind and can KO Klink using Drain Punch, recovering HP at the same time.
**Ground-types**: Drilbur and Diglett have a good chance of OHKOing Klink but cannot switch in on anything but Wild Charge. Hippopotas doesn't take much damage from Klink's attacks and can set up Stealth Rock or KO with Earthquake. Mudbray can gain two Stamina boosts from Gear Grind and hit back with an Earthquake.
**Steel-types**: Pawniard and Magnemite do not take much damage from any of Klink's attacks and can retaliate with their respective STAB attacks. Ferroseed walls all of Klink's attacks and can set up entry hazards on it.
**Physically Bulky Pokemon**: Munchlax, defensive Chinchou, and Pumpkaboo-XL don't take much damage from any of Klink's attacks; Pumpkaboo-XL and Chinchou can burn Klink with Will-O-Wisp or Scald, while Munchlax can phaze it with Whirlwind. Alternatively, they can KO Klink with their coverage moves.
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