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[OVERVIEW]
While Manaphy is uniquely capable of boosting its Special Attack to the moon and back with Tail Glow, it still faces heavy competition for a team slot as an offensive Water-type from the likes of Azumarill and Keldeo, both of which sport useful secondary typings that allow them to eliminate a wider range of threats. They also have immediate power and access to priority attacks for the former and more Speed for the latter. Furthermore, Manaphy requires dedicated redirection support in order to maximize its potential as a setup sweeper, as well as hail support to be as powerful as possible by spamming Blizzard. Manaphy does, however, set itself apart from other Water-types with its sheer power when using Tail Glow and its ability to beat Grass-types such as Amoonguss.
[SET]
name: Powerhouse of the Team
move 1: Scald
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Tail Glow
move 4: Protect
item: Safety Goggles / Sitrus Berry
ability: Hydration
nature: Modest / Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Scald, while being Manaphy's strongest STAB option, also has an added burn chance that discourages physically offensive bulky Pokemon such as Ferrothorn from switching into Manaphy. Ice Beam is for useful coverage that sets Manaphy apart from Azumarill and Keldeo, which don't beat Grass- and Dragon-types. If Manaphy is being used with Abomasnow, Blizzard is a great option over Ice Beam for powerful spread coverage. Tail Glow quickly makes Manaphy very powerful by boosting its Special Attack by +3 in just one turn. Protect should be used to take a turn to allow one of Manaphy's allies to eliminate a faster threat that would prove fatal to it, as well as to stall out opposing field conditions such as Tailwind and Trick Room.
Set Details
========
Modest Manaphy with maximum Special Attack EVs OHKOes Mega Kangaskhan with a +3 Scald after burn damage and OHKOes Amoonguss with +3 Ice Beam, as well as Speed tying with other base 100 Speed Pokemon such as Mega Kangaskhan. Timid can also be used in order to attack as fast as possible while also outspeeding Adamant Mega Kangaskhan. Safety Goggles can be used to hit foes with Scald without having to worry about Amoonguss's Rage Powder or Spore and to avoid residual damage when Manaphy is used on hail teams. Sitrus Berry can also be used to make Manaphy survive longer with its immediate recovery.
Usage Tips
========
Generally, Manaphy wants to set up once it's on the field, as it poses zero threat when not boosted. However, sometimes it is vital to remove a certain attacker before letting Manaphy set up. That being said, when using Tail Glow, Manaphy should usually be supported by a teammate's Fake Out or Follow Me. Longevity is key with Manaphy; use Protect when against a faster Pokemon that threatens Manaphy, such as Thundurus, to allow an ally to beat the threat in that turn. Manaphy functions well as a late-game sweeper, so it's usually a good idea to eliminate the fast Pokemon that threaten Manaphy before setting up with it.
Team Options
========
Redirection in the form of Follow Me or Rage Powder is vital in order to use Manaphy successfully. Pokemon such as Jirachi, Clefairy, Togekiss, and Amoonguss do this well. However, Manaphy should use Safety Goggles when paired with Amoonguss; its inability to redirect moves from other Grass-types hinders Manaphy and Safety Goggles grants it an immunity to an opposing Spore. Fake Out users such as Mega Kangaskhan and Infernape also provide more opportunities to set up. Pokemon that beat Water-types that wall Manaphy, such as Thundurus, Mega Venusaur, and Serperior, are also great partners. Dragon-types, such as Latios, Hydreigon, and Kyurem-B are good partners to Manaphy for their ability to beat some opposing Electric- and Water-types such as Thundurus and Rotom-W. They also benefit from Manaphy's ability to threaten Mega Diancie. Tailwind users, such as Talonflame, Latios, and Togekiss, make Manaphy a significantly more threatening sweeper by enabling it to outspeed Pokemon that would normally be faster than it and OHKO it, such as Virizion, Serperior, and Thundurus. Speed control can also be supplied by Thunder Wave users such as Thundurus and Jirachi. Regular or Mega Abomasnow can also be used with Manaphy to enable it to use Blizzard over Ice Beam, giving Manaphy threatening spread coverage. Abomasnow also has good offensive synergy with Manaphy, as it can threaten opposing Grass- and Water-types with its STAB attacks.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Wacan or Rindo Berry can be used to allow Manaphy to withstand an Electric- or Grass-type attack, respectively, in order to lure and get rid of one of its checks. It can also use Energy Ball, which enables it to beat other Water-types. However, doing so leaves Manaphy with a greater weakness to opposing Grass- and Dragon-types.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-type Pokemon**: Grass-types, such as Serperior, Chlorophyll Venusaur, and Virizion, inflict massive damage on Manaphy with their super effective STAB moves. Some bulky Grass-types, namely Mega Venusaur and Ferrothorn, can survive a boosted attack or two and then do heavy damage back to Manaphy.
**Electric-type Pokemon**: Electric-types, such as Thundurus and Rotom-W, can OHKO or do big damage to Manaphy with their STAB moves, but Thundurus can't switch in easily.
**Opposing Weather**: Sun weakens Manaphy's only STAB attack by a considerable degree and reduces Blizzard's accuracy, subsequently rendering it less of a threat. Mega Charizard Y also has a chance to OHKO Manaphy with Solar Beam.
**Faster Pokemon**: As Manaphy is rather slow for a setup sweeper, it's not difficult for faster Pokemon such as Keldeo, Mega Metagross, and Latios to double target it or wear it down.
**Taunt**: Taunt from the likes of Thundurus and Sableye can prevent Manaphy from setting up with Tail Glow, incapacitating it.
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