Molk
Godlike Usmash
[Overview]
<p>Klinklang is a very interesting Pokemon, both aesthetically and competitively. It has an excellent stat boosting move in the form of Shift Gear, along with a powerful signature move in Gear Grind. The former is what really gives Klinklang a solid niche in RU: after just one boost, Klinklang outspeeds the entire tier. Topped off with with excellent stats and typing, Klinklang looks like an excellent Pokemon all round. However, it has one major, crippling flaw: its offensive movepool is dreadfully barren, with a complete absence of coverage options save for Return and Hidden Power. Because of this, Klinklang finds it hard to hit the many Water- and Steel-types in the tier. With the right support though, Klinklang will pull more than its weight.</p>
[SET]
Set: Shift Gear
move 1: Shift Gear
move 2: Gear Grind
move 3: Return
move 4: Substitute / Hidden Power Fire / Hidden Power Ground
nature: Adamant / Naughty
item: Life Orb / Leftovers
evs: 132 Hp / 252 Atk / 124 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>After using its signature move Shift Gear, the listed EV spread allows Klinklang to outspeed even Choice Scarf users with base 100 Speed, making it extremely hard to revenge kill. Gear Grind becomes especially powerful with a Shift Gear boost, 2HKOing most of the RU tier. Substitute allows Klinklang to set up Shift Gear more easily if it can pull one off, and works well with Klinklang's bulk and typing. Behind a Substitute,(comma) Klinklang is even harder to revenge kill,(comma) and priority moves will be rather weak. Hidden power Fire and Ground allow Klinklang to deal with opposing Steel-types more easily;(semi colon) Fire allows you to deal significant damage to Ferroseed, who would wall you otherwise,(comma) while Hidden power Ground completely destroys Magneton. If using either Hidden Power, a Naughty nature is preferred.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>If you feel you do not need the extra Speed, you can maximize your HP for more bulk. If you do this, make sure to use Leftovers as an item, as Klinklang will appreciate the extra recovery provided. Klinklang likes entry hazard support from Pokemon such as Qwilfish and Roselia to score KOes more easily, as even after a Shift Gear it may not be able to get past very bulky threats. Other good choices for entry hazards are Omastar and Crustle, who can set up both Stealth Rock and Spikes. After Stealth Rock damage, Klinklang 2HKOes two of the most physically bulky Pokemon in the tier, Gligar and Tangrowth.</p>
<p>If Klinklang is not running Hidden Power, it is recommended that you use a Pokemon that can easily take down opposing Steel-types for Klinklang. Wynaut, Magneton, and Dugtrio make good choices for this role; Wynaut stands out as it can also help Klinklang set up with Encore. Choice Scarf Krookodile makes a good teammate too, threatening Steel-types and being able to clean up the mess once Klinklang has mowed through the opposing team. Volt Switch can also be used to escape from Magneton and Wynaut, but is usually counterproductive outside of these situations. Klinklang breaks the beaks of Flying-types such as Swellow as well due to its excellent typing, resisting the Normal-, Flying-, and Dark-type moves they usually carry. Pokemon such as Hitmonlee and Gallade enjoy having Fighting-types removed, while also removing Steel-types for Klinklang.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Klinklang doesn't have much it can do outside of Shift Gear. It can use a special boosting set with Charge Beam, but it is badly outclassed in this role. Thunder Wave can be used to cripple an opposing Pokemon before Klinklang goes down, but it usually has better things to do with its time. Finally, Klinklang can also support its team with Trick Room, but it is a bit too fast too abuse Trick Room itself.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>It is easy for Klinklang to steamroll an entire team after setting up, but it still has its fair share of counters. Ferroseed is one of those roadblocks that just make Klinklang crash, taking laughable damage from everything barring Hidden Power Fire; the recoil from Iron Barbs and Life Orb will wear Klinklang down very fast Magneton frequently appears in Klinklang's nightmares as well, trapping and zapping the powerful machine with STAB Thunderbolt. Steelix makes Klinklang look like a set of toys as it laughs at anything Klinklang has to throw at it. Bulky Water-types, especially Quagsire and Alomomola, can take on Klinklang easily, resisting Gear Grind and being able to take a Return; they can then strike back with STAB moves such as Scald and Waterfall and rust out the poor gears. Entei makes a good check too, as it survives one boosted Return and is able to KO Klinklang with Flare Blitz, but it cannot take repeated Returns to the face, especially with entry hazards up.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Klinklang's Hidden Ability is Clear Body. This should be used on all sets if or when it is released. It prevents the stat drops induced by Intimidate. In addition, Plus and Minus are absolutely useless on Klinklang, making Clear Body an obvious choice.</p>