Moo
Professor
QC: 2/2 (FireBurn,Trickroom) GP: 2/2 (Fizz, Oglemi)
Manaphy
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[Overview]
<p>Manaphy can often be overlooked because of the competition it faces from other Water-type Pokemon in the Uber tier. Kyogre and Palkia, as well as Swift Swim users such as Kingdra, have superior offensive stats and movepools, and Manaphy is 100% reliant on rain support. It might seem like there are no advantages to using Manaphy.</p>
<p>Manaphy does have its merits, however. Hydration, with rain support, makes Manaphy immune to status moves, and allows for instant recovery when combined with Rest. This is something that no other Pokemon in the Uber tier can match. It also has access to boosting moves such as Tail Glow and Calm Mind, the former boosting its Special Attack stat +3 in one turn, making it a deadly sweeper. Manaphy is also significantly bulkier than Swift Swim users such as Kingdra, Ludicolo, and Kabutops, and its Speed stat allows it to outspeed such Pokemon as Kyogre, Groudon, Reshiram, Zekrom, and Rayquaza, and tie with Palkia and Salamence.</p>
[SET]
name: Tail Glow Sweeper
move 1: Tail Glow
move 2: Rest
move 3: Surf
move 4: Ice Beam / Grass Knot
item: Leftovers / Life Orb
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>As an offensive attacker, this is Manaphy's most efficient set. Tail Glow allows Manaphy to boost its Special Attack +3 in one turn, which is something that not many Pokemon can boast. Combine that with rain support, status immunity, and instant recovery due to Rest and Hydration, and Manaphy makes a great sweeper.</p>
<p>Surf is Manaphy's primary attack, having STAB and an additional boost from rain. After a Tail Glow boost, it does massive damage to most Pokemon, and considerable damage to most who resist it. Only a select few Pokemon can sponge Manaphy's +3 surf: Blissey, Kyogre, Palkia, and Kingdra. Ice Beam is Manaphy's secondary attack and hits Dragon-type Pokemon such as Latios, Latias, and Giratina, who are resistant to Surf, for super effective damage. Groudon is also OHKOed by Ice Beam, which is actually relevant because, in bringing sun into play, Groudon weakens the power of Surf.</p>
<p>The EVs are straightforward. Manaphy's Special Attack is maximized, allowing it to hit as hard as possible. Its Speed is also maximized with a Timid nature, which allows it to outspeed Pokemon under base 100 Speed (Kyogre, Groudon, Reshiram and Zekrom), and tie with Pokemon that have base 100 Speed (Palkia and Salamence). Leftovers are used to allow some recovery every turn, which can ease setting up, and in some cases, can prevent Manaphy from being KOed, and thus allow it to use Rest. The extra power from Life Orb is not necessary because +3 is already extremely powerful.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>While Ice Beam is the primary option, the choice between it and Grass Knot should be given serious consideration. Grass Knot can OHKO Kyogre, which can take Surf and Ice Beam with ease and OHKO Manaphy back with Thunder. Grass Knot also 2HKOes Palkia after Stealth Rock damage. (space) A Life Orb can be used over Leftovers for increased damage output, while Rest can recover the recoil damage.</p>
<p>Assuming Manaphy does not have Grass Knot, Kyogre and Palkia can come in and KO it with Thunder while Manaphy cannot severely damage either one in return. Choice Scarf Zekrom can outspeed and OHKO Manaphy with Lightning Strike. Due to this, Dugtrio makes a fantastic partner for Manaphy, because it can trap Choice-locked Pokemon and easily set up Hone Claws until its Attack stat is maxed out. Groudon is OHKOed by a boosted Ice Beam after residual damage, but it gets rid of rain and the sun will weaken Surf, hindering Manaphy. Faster Grass-type Pokemon such as Shaymin-S and Virizion can switch in on a resisted Surf and OHKO Manaphy with STAB Grass-type attacks. Choice Scarf Dialga resists Grass-type attacks 4x, and can outspeed and OHKO or 2HKO Shaymin-S and Virizion respectively after Stealth Rock damage. Kyogre is required for this set to be efficient, as the rain it provides allows Manaphy to function without worry of status and instantly heal itself with Rest.</p>
<p>A bulkier spread is also an option. This allows Manaphy to take hits easier at the cost of a lower damage output.</p>
[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Rest
move 3: Scald
move 4: Ice Beam / Grass Knot
item: Leftovers
ability: Hydration
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set takes a more defensive approach to sweeping, increasing Manaphy's Special Defense as well as its Special Attack, but at a slower rate than Tail Glow. HP is maximized in order to take hits as efficiently as possible, while max Speed with a Timid nature allows Manaphy to outpace Pokemon with base 90 Speed such as Rayquaza, Kyogre, and Groudon, and speed tie with unscarfed base 100 Pokemon, such as Palkia and Salamence. The extra bulk allows Manaphy to take damage and set up multiple Calm Minds as it uses Rest in the rain to recover any health lost. Scald is used in the place of Surf, as it sacrifices only a small amount of power for a 30% chance to burn the opposing Pokemon, which is more suited to a slower sweeping style. Ice Beam is Manaphy's secondary attack and hits common Dragon-type Pokemon for super effective damage.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Again, the choice between Ice Beam and Grass Knot is an important one, as Grass Knot allows Manaphy to dent Kyogre, who otherwise walls it. Groudon adds sunlight to the field, which is counterproductive for Manaphy, but it takes huge damage from a boosted Ice Beam. Virizion outspeeds Manaphy and deals massive damage to it with Leaf Blade. Shaymin-S OHKOes Manaphy with Seed Flare if it does not have any Calm Minds. If it does, Shaymin-S can simply flinch it with Air Slash until it is in Seed Flare's KO range. Dialga can switch into Grass-type attacks with its 4x resistance and can dispose of the aforementioned Grass-type Pokemon wit</p>
<p>Kyogre is necessary, as it brings rain into play, which Manaphy benefits from. The rain it provides allows Manaphy to function without worry of status, gives it instant recovery, and Scald also gains a boost in power. Dugtrio makes an excellent partner, as it can switch in against Choiced Pokemon using powerful Electric-type attacks aimed at Manaphy. From there it can use Hone Claws to boost its attack +6, and become a devastating sweeper when combined with its great Speed stat. Wobbufet can trap and eliminate Manaphy's counters thanks to Shadow Tag, and also give Manaphy an opportunity to set up with Encore.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Manaphy can competently run a Toxic stall set due to the benefits Hydration provides. An EV spread of 252 HP / 252 Spe / 4 SpA is optimal with a moveset of Toxic, Scald, Rest, and Ice Beam.</p>
<p>Manaphy has a few other moves in its movepool that are viable. Heart Swap can exchange stat boosts with the opponent's Pokemon, but shouldn't be used on a stat boosting set. Energy Ball hits opposing Manaphy for more damage, but otherwise is outclassed by Grass Knot. Manaphy can also make use of Reflect and Light Screen, and take on the role of a supporter, which is useful because of the offensive nature of the Uber tier. Manaphy can run an effective Choice Specs set, due to its decent movepool and ability to scout with U-turn. It is also immune to status moves, which gives it ample opportunity to switch in on Pokemon that carry them. It is, however, very outclassed by Kyogre as a Choice Specs user in Ubers.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Choice Scarf users such as Kyogre, Palkia, and Zekrom can OHKO Tail Glow variants of Manaphy, the latter being capable of OHKOing Calm Mind variants as well. Kyogre has a monstrous base 140 Special Defense stat, and is resistant to Manaphy's common attacks, Surf / Scald and Ice Beam. Unless Manaphy is running Grass Knot, Kyogre walls it. Groudon gets rid of rain support, which severely hinders Manaphy, but is OHKOed by a boosted Ice Beam. Virizion and Shaymin-S can come in and use their respective Grass-type STAB attacks to KO Manaphy.</p>
Manaphy
--------
[Overview]
<p>Manaphy can often be overlooked because of the competition it faces from other Water-type Pokemon in the Uber tier. Kyogre and Palkia, as well as Swift Swim users such as Kingdra, have superior offensive stats and movepools, and Manaphy is 100% reliant on rain support. It might seem like there are no advantages to using Manaphy.</p>
<p>Manaphy does have its merits, however. Hydration, with rain support, makes Manaphy immune to status moves, and allows for instant recovery when combined with Rest. This is something that no other Pokemon in the Uber tier can match. It also has access to boosting moves such as Tail Glow and Calm Mind, the former boosting its Special Attack stat +3 in one turn, making it a deadly sweeper. Manaphy is also significantly bulkier than Swift Swim users such as Kingdra, Ludicolo, and Kabutops, and its Speed stat allows it to outspeed such Pokemon as Kyogre, Groudon, Reshiram, Zekrom, and Rayquaza, and tie with Palkia and Salamence.</p>
[SET]
name: Tail Glow Sweeper
move 1: Tail Glow
move 2: Rest
move 3: Surf
move 4: Ice Beam / Grass Knot
item: Leftovers / Life Orb
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>As an offensive attacker, this is Manaphy's most efficient set. Tail Glow allows Manaphy to boost its Special Attack +3 in one turn, which is something that not many Pokemon can boast. Combine that with rain support, status immunity, and instant recovery due to Rest and Hydration, and Manaphy makes a great sweeper.</p>
<p>Surf is Manaphy's primary attack, having STAB and an additional boost from rain. After a Tail Glow boost, it does massive damage to most Pokemon, and considerable damage to most who resist it. Only a select few Pokemon can sponge Manaphy's +3 surf: Blissey, Kyogre, Palkia, and Kingdra. Ice Beam is Manaphy's secondary attack and hits Dragon-type Pokemon such as Latios, Latias, and Giratina, who are resistant to Surf, for super effective damage. Groudon is also OHKOed by Ice Beam, which is actually relevant because, in bringing sun into play, Groudon weakens the power of Surf.</p>
<p>The EVs are straightforward. Manaphy's Special Attack is maximized, allowing it to hit as hard as possible. Its Speed is also maximized with a Timid nature, which allows it to outspeed Pokemon under base 100 Speed (Kyogre, Groudon, Reshiram and Zekrom), and tie with Pokemon that have base 100 Speed (Palkia and Salamence). Leftovers are used to allow some recovery every turn, which can ease setting up, and in some cases, can prevent Manaphy from being KOed, and thus allow it to use Rest. The extra power from Life Orb is not necessary because +3 is already extremely powerful.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>While Ice Beam is the primary option, the choice between it and Grass Knot should be given serious consideration. Grass Knot can OHKO Kyogre, which can take Surf and Ice Beam with ease and OHKO Manaphy back with Thunder. Grass Knot also 2HKOes Palkia after Stealth Rock damage. (space) A Life Orb can be used over Leftovers for increased damage output, while Rest can recover the recoil damage.</p>
<p>Assuming Manaphy does not have Grass Knot, Kyogre and Palkia can come in and KO it with Thunder while Manaphy cannot severely damage either one in return. Choice Scarf Zekrom can outspeed and OHKO Manaphy with Lightning Strike. Due to this, Dugtrio makes a fantastic partner for Manaphy, because it can trap Choice-locked Pokemon and easily set up Hone Claws until its Attack stat is maxed out. Groudon is OHKOed by a boosted Ice Beam after residual damage, but it gets rid of rain and the sun will weaken Surf, hindering Manaphy. Faster Grass-type Pokemon such as Shaymin-S and Virizion can switch in on a resisted Surf and OHKO Manaphy with STAB Grass-type attacks. Choice Scarf Dialga resists Grass-type attacks 4x, and can outspeed and OHKO or 2HKO Shaymin-S and Virizion respectively after Stealth Rock damage. Kyogre is required for this set to be efficient, as the rain it provides allows Manaphy to function without worry of status and instantly heal itself with Rest.</p>
<p>A bulkier spread is also an option. This allows Manaphy to take hits easier at the cost of a lower damage output.</p>
[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Rest
move 3: Scald
move 4: Ice Beam / Grass Knot
item: Leftovers
ability: Hydration
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set takes a more defensive approach to sweeping, increasing Manaphy's Special Defense as well as its Special Attack, but at a slower rate than Tail Glow. HP is maximized in order to take hits as efficiently as possible, while max Speed with a Timid nature allows Manaphy to outpace Pokemon with base 90 Speed such as Rayquaza, Kyogre, and Groudon, and speed tie with unscarfed base 100 Pokemon, such as Palkia and Salamence. The extra bulk allows Manaphy to take damage and set up multiple Calm Minds as it uses Rest in the rain to recover any health lost. Scald is used in the place of Surf, as it sacrifices only a small amount of power for a 30% chance to burn the opposing Pokemon, which is more suited to a slower sweeping style. Ice Beam is Manaphy's secondary attack and hits common Dragon-type Pokemon for super effective damage.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Again, the choice between Ice Beam and Grass Knot is an important one, as Grass Knot allows Manaphy to dent Kyogre, who otherwise walls it. Groudon adds sunlight to the field, which is counterproductive for Manaphy, but it takes huge damage from a boosted Ice Beam. Virizion outspeeds Manaphy and deals massive damage to it with Leaf Blade. Shaymin-S OHKOes Manaphy with Seed Flare if it does not have any Calm Minds. If it does, Shaymin-S can simply flinch it with Air Slash until it is in Seed Flare's KO range. Dialga can switch into Grass-type attacks with its 4x resistance and can dispose of the aforementioned Grass-type Pokemon wit</p>
<p>Kyogre is necessary, as it brings rain into play, which Manaphy benefits from. The rain it provides allows Manaphy to function without worry of status, gives it instant recovery, and Scald also gains a boost in power. Dugtrio makes an excellent partner, as it can switch in against Choiced Pokemon using powerful Electric-type attacks aimed at Manaphy. From there it can use Hone Claws to boost its attack +6, and become a devastating sweeper when combined with its great Speed stat. Wobbufet can trap and eliminate Manaphy's counters thanks to Shadow Tag, and also give Manaphy an opportunity to set up with Encore.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Manaphy can competently run a Toxic stall set due to the benefits Hydration provides. An EV spread of 252 HP / 252 Spe / 4 SpA is optimal with a moveset of Toxic, Scald, Rest, and Ice Beam.</p>
<p>Manaphy has a few other moves in its movepool that are viable. Heart Swap can exchange stat boosts with the opponent's Pokemon, but shouldn't be used on a stat boosting set. Energy Ball hits opposing Manaphy for more damage, but otherwise is outclassed by Grass Knot. Manaphy can also make use of Reflect and Light Screen, and take on the role of a supporter, which is useful because of the offensive nature of the Uber tier. Manaphy can run an effective Choice Specs set, due to its decent movepool and ability to scout with U-turn. It is also immune to status moves, which gives it ample opportunity to switch in on Pokemon that carry them. It is, however, very outclassed by Kyogre as a Choice Specs user in Ubers.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Choice Scarf users such as Kyogre, Palkia, and Zekrom can OHKO Tail Glow variants of Manaphy, the latter being capable of OHKOing Calm Mind variants as well. Kyogre has a monstrous base 140 Special Defense stat, and is resistant to Manaphy's common attacks, Surf / Scald and Ice Beam. Unless Manaphy is running Grass Knot, Kyogre walls it. Groudon gets rid of rain support, which severely hinders Manaphy, but is OHKOed by a boosted Ice Beam. Virizion and Shaymin-S can come in and use their respective Grass-type STAB attacks to KO Manaphy.</p>