[OVERVIEW]
Manaphy is one of the most fearsome wallbreakers available to Water teams thanks to Tail Glow, which allows it to boost its Special Attack by three stages in a turn, letting it break through most defensive cores with ease. Furthermore, Manaphy can boost its Speed stat through Z-Rain Dance, letting it take on faster Pokemon much more easily and become an effective late-game cleaner. Excellent natural bulk makes it easy for Manaphy to set up the aforementioned moves as well. Manaphy's exceptional wallbreaking capability makes it very easy to fit on Water teams, performing its job well in almost every team archetype. Moreover, Manaphy has access to great coverage moves such as Psychic, Ice Beam, and Energy Ball along with a strong STAB move in Surf. At the same time, however, it suffers from four-moveslot syndrome, finding it impossible to fit in all of its coverage moves along with Tail Glow, Rain Dance, and an obligatory Water-type move. Without a Tail Glow up, Manaphy's average Special Attack prevents it from dealing much damage and forces it to set up before it performs a sweep. Manaphy's Speed tier isn't amazing either, getting outsped by common Choice Scarf users and revenge killers before it sets up a Z-Rain Dance.
[SET]
name: Waterium Z
move 1: Tail Glow
move 2: Rain Dance
move 3: Surf
move 4: Psychic
item: Waterium Z
ability: Hydration
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Tail Glow lets Manaphy increase its Special Attack and become a fearsome wallbreaker able to break through walls that Water teams may have trouble against. Rain Dance summons rain and boosts the power of Water-type moves while also activating Hydration. However, its main purpose in this set lies in Z-Rain Dance, boosting Manaphy's Speed and letting it outspeed revenge killers it otherwise gets outsped by, such as Mega Alakazam. Surf is Manaphy's most reliable Water-type STAB move with a decent damage output. Psychic is Manaphy's most important coverage option, allowing it to hit Mega Venusaur and Toxapex, which otherwise completely wall Manaphy. Hitting Mega Venusaur is particularly important, as it poses a huge threat to Water teams. Ice Beam can alternatively be used, being able to hit Dragon- and Grass-type Pokemon for super effective damage, which take little damage from Surf. This leaves Manaphy unable to break through Toxapex, however. Energy Ball can be run as a coverage move to beat bulky Water-type Pokemon such as Slowbro and opposing Manaphy. As is the case with Ice Beam sets, though, Energy Ball Manaphy finds itself powerless against a Toxapex, which can proceed to remove the stat boosts with Haze, while also being unable to break through Dragon-types.
Set Details
========
The set revolves around Waterium Z, letting Manaphy get a raise in Speed when it uses Z-Rain Dance. Waterium Z can also be used to fire off a Hydro Vortex instead if the Speed boost is unneeded. Hydration is Manaphy's only ability and works well in tandem with Rain Dance, letting it set up on status users like Chansey and Mega Sableye easily. Maximum Special Attack and Speed EVs are self-explanatory; on an offensive set like this, maximizing Manaphy's offensive stats is crucial. A Timid nature lets it Speed tie with the crowded base 100 Speed tier, as well as with Choice Scarf Victini after a Z-Rain Dance. Finally, 4 EVs in Special Defense raise Download users like Porygon-Z's Attack instead of Special Attack.
Usage Tips
========
Try to set up on Pokemon that use status as their main way of wearing down the foe such as Sableye, as Hydration heals whatever status Manaphy is inflicted by in rain. Manaphy doesn't always need to go for Z-Rain Dance; it can fire off a Hydro Vortex instead to deal massive amounts of damage and can be used to wallbreak early-game to make it easier for cleaners like Greninja to clean up. This is generally useful against bulkier teams, where the Speed boost is unnecessary. Rain Dance can also be used to boost the power of Hydro Vortex when Manaphy doesn't the need the Speed boost. In rain, even Mega Venusaur gets OHKOed by a Hydro Vortex after a Tail Glow boost. Thanks to its access to means of raising both its Special Attack and Speed, Manaphy can be used as a wallbreaker or a late-game sweeper depending on the matchup. Manaphy usually needs as much health as possible to guarantee it gets off a Tail Glow or Z-Rain Dance and hates getting worn down. It is thus unwise to directly switch Manaphy in on offensive threats, and it shouldn't be brought in on entry hazards either. Generally, Tail Glow should be used before Z-Rain Dance to allow Manaphy to take on phazers that may switch in. Due to the fact that Z-Crystals cannot get Knocked Off, setting up on Pokemon that use Knock Off as their main STAB or coverage move for Water-types such as Bisharp is a good idea. In certain cases, Manaphy can even switch in on Knock Off, but it is generally unwise to do so to avoid taking unnecessary damage. Z-Rain Dance can only be used once per game, so don't use it unnecessarily if there's still a Pokemon present that can force Manaphy out in the opposing team. Similarly, watch out for Pokemon that can phaze Manaphy or can use Haze.
Team Options
========
Manaphy's wallbreaking potential makes it a great Pokemon to use on any team archetype. It can be used on rain teams effectively, being able to both set up Rain Dance and take advantage of it through Hydration, while balance teams appreciate Manaphy's wallbreaking and sweeping capabilities. Physical wallbreakers like Mega Sharpedo and Azumarill form excellent offensive cores with Manaphy by being able to take out each other's checks easily. Pokemon that can deal with Dragon-types, such as Azumarill and Tapu Fini, make an excellent core. Tapu Fini can also completely shut down stall in tandem with Manaphy. Swift Swim users such as Kingdra and Seismitoad love Manaphy's ability to set up rain and break through special walls like Chansey, making it easier for them to clean up. Stealth Rock support can make wallbreaking and sweeping much easier for Manaphy, being able to break Focus Sashes and Sturdy while also providing chip damage. Notable Stealth Rock users are Empoleon and Swampert. Entry hazard removal is also greatly appreciated by Manaphy because it needs as much HP as possible to set up. Empoleon and Mantine are two of the best Defog users available to Water teams. Being a Water-type, Manaphy suffers from weaknesses to Electric- and Grass-type moves. Pokemon with a neutrality to Grass-type moves such as Mantine, Empoleon, and Toxapex or an immunity to Electric-type moves such as Swampert and Lanturn are important for Manaphy. Thanks to Hydration and Rain Dance, Manaphy is a great status absorber and can switch in on most status users with ease. This greatly helps physical attackers like Mega Sharpedo and Gyarados, as they fear Will-O-Wisp, and defensive Pokemon like Mega Slowbro that hate Toxic.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Scald can be used instead of Surf in an attempt to get a burn on the foe. However, Surf's superior damage output and stronger Hydro Vortex make it the better choice, as this set heavily relies on dishing out enough damage to KO the foe before it deals enough damage to prevent Manaphy from sweeping safely. A Tail Glow set without Waterium Z and Rain Dance can also be used, freeing up the item slot for slight recovery in the form of Leftovers and a moveslot for another coverage move such as Ice Beam. This allows other Pokemon such as Gyarados to run Z-Moves, but Manaphy loses out on the Speed boost, letting it get outsped by countless revenge killers and wallbreakers.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types**: Grass-type Pokemon can easily KO Manaphy with their STAB moves. Although Ice Beam does threaten most of them, Grass teams have two extremely reliable switch-ins in Ferrothorn and Mega Venusaur that can beat Manaphy while also regaining their health back.
**Electric-types**: Fast Electric-type Pokemon like Tapu Koko and Alolan Raichu can very easily KO Manaphy with their STAB moves. If Electric Terrain is present, Alolan Raichu manages to outspeed Manaphy even at +1 Speed.
**Phazers and Haze Users**: Phazers and Haze users can negate Manaphy's boosts and prevent it from getting a Speed boost, as Z-Rain Dance can only be used once. Some notable phazers and Haze users are Empoleon and Mantine.
**Bulky Water-types**: Bulky Water-type Pokemon like Slowbro can take any of Manaphy's moves besides Energy Ball easily.
**Dragon-types**: Dragon-type Pokemon such as Latios can take any move Manaphy chooses to go for besides Ice Beam very well and hit back with their STAB moves. Kyurem-B can even take Ice Beam decently well and KO Manaphy with Fusion Bolt.
**Revenge Killers**: Faster revenge killers, such as Alolan Raichu in Electric Terrain and Choice Scarf Terrakion, can revenge kill a +1 Manaphy after a bit of prior damage.
Manaphy is one of the most fearsome wallbreakers available to Water teams thanks to Tail Glow, which allows it to boost its Special Attack by three stages in a turn, letting it break through most defensive cores with ease. Furthermore, Manaphy can boost its Speed stat through Z-Rain Dance, letting it take on faster Pokemon much more easily and become an effective late-game cleaner. Excellent natural bulk makes it easy for Manaphy to set up the aforementioned moves as well. Manaphy's exceptional wallbreaking capability makes it very easy to fit on Water teams, performing its job well in almost every team archetype. Moreover, Manaphy has access to great coverage moves such as Psychic, Ice Beam, and Energy Ball along with a strong STAB move in Surf. At the same time, however, it suffers from four-moveslot syndrome, finding it impossible to fit in all of its coverage moves along with Tail Glow, Rain Dance, and an obligatory Water-type move. Without a Tail Glow up, Manaphy's average Special Attack prevents it from dealing much damage and forces it to set up before it performs a sweep. Manaphy's Speed tier isn't amazing either, getting outsped by common Choice Scarf users and revenge killers before it sets up a Z-Rain Dance.
[SET]
name: Waterium Z
move 1: Tail Glow
move 2: Rain Dance
move 3: Surf
move 4: Psychic
item: Waterium Z
ability: Hydration
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Tail Glow lets Manaphy increase its Special Attack and become a fearsome wallbreaker able to break through walls that Water teams may have trouble against. Rain Dance summons rain and boosts the power of Water-type moves while also activating Hydration. However, its main purpose in this set lies in Z-Rain Dance, boosting Manaphy's Speed and letting it outspeed revenge killers it otherwise gets outsped by, such as Mega Alakazam. Surf is Manaphy's most reliable Water-type STAB move with a decent damage output. Psychic is Manaphy's most important coverage option, allowing it to hit Mega Venusaur and Toxapex, which otherwise completely wall Manaphy. Hitting Mega Venusaur is particularly important, as it poses a huge threat to Water teams. Ice Beam can alternatively be used, being able to hit Dragon- and Grass-type Pokemon for super effective damage, which take little damage from Surf. This leaves Manaphy unable to break through Toxapex, however. Energy Ball can be run as a coverage move to beat bulky Water-type Pokemon such as Slowbro and opposing Manaphy. As is the case with Ice Beam sets, though, Energy Ball Manaphy finds itself powerless against a Toxapex, which can proceed to remove the stat boosts with Haze, while also being unable to break through Dragon-types.
Set Details
========
The set revolves around Waterium Z, letting Manaphy get a raise in Speed when it uses Z-Rain Dance. Waterium Z can also be used to fire off a Hydro Vortex instead if the Speed boost is unneeded. Hydration is Manaphy's only ability and works well in tandem with Rain Dance, letting it set up on status users like Chansey and Mega Sableye easily. Maximum Special Attack and Speed EVs are self-explanatory; on an offensive set like this, maximizing Manaphy's offensive stats is crucial. A Timid nature lets it Speed tie with the crowded base 100 Speed tier, as well as with Choice Scarf Victini after a Z-Rain Dance. Finally, 4 EVs in Special Defense raise Download users like Porygon-Z's Attack instead of Special Attack.
Usage Tips
========
Try to set up on Pokemon that use status as their main way of wearing down the foe such as Sableye, as Hydration heals whatever status Manaphy is inflicted by in rain. Manaphy doesn't always need to go for Z-Rain Dance; it can fire off a Hydro Vortex instead to deal massive amounts of damage and can be used to wallbreak early-game to make it easier for cleaners like Greninja to clean up. This is generally useful against bulkier teams, where the Speed boost is unnecessary. Rain Dance can also be used to boost the power of Hydro Vortex when Manaphy doesn't the need the Speed boost. In rain, even Mega Venusaur gets OHKOed by a Hydro Vortex after a Tail Glow boost. Thanks to its access to means of raising both its Special Attack and Speed, Manaphy can be used as a wallbreaker or a late-game sweeper depending on the matchup. Manaphy usually needs as much health as possible to guarantee it gets off a Tail Glow or Z-Rain Dance and hates getting worn down. It is thus unwise to directly switch Manaphy in on offensive threats, and it shouldn't be brought in on entry hazards either. Generally, Tail Glow should be used before Z-Rain Dance to allow Manaphy to take on phazers that may switch in. Due to the fact that Z-Crystals cannot get Knocked Off, setting up on Pokemon that use Knock Off as their main STAB or coverage move for Water-types such as Bisharp is a good idea. In certain cases, Manaphy can even switch in on Knock Off, but it is generally unwise to do so to avoid taking unnecessary damage. Z-Rain Dance can only be used once per game, so don't use it unnecessarily if there's still a Pokemon present that can force Manaphy out in the opposing team. Similarly, watch out for Pokemon that can phaze Manaphy or can use Haze.
Team Options
========
Manaphy's wallbreaking potential makes it a great Pokemon to use on any team archetype. It can be used on rain teams effectively, being able to both set up Rain Dance and take advantage of it through Hydration, while balance teams appreciate Manaphy's wallbreaking and sweeping capabilities. Physical wallbreakers like Mega Sharpedo and Azumarill form excellent offensive cores with Manaphy by being able to take out each other's checks easily. Pokemon that can deal with Dragon-types, such as Azumarill and Tapu Fini, make an excellent core. Tapu Fini can also completely shut down stall in tandem with Manaphy. Swift Swim users such as Kingdra and Seismitoad love Manaphy's ability to set up rain and break through special walls like Chansey, making it easier for them to clean up. Stealth Rock support can make wallbreaking and sweeping much easier for Manaphy, being able to break Focus Sashes and Sturdy while also providing chip damage. Notable Stealth Rock users are Empoleon and Swampert. Entry hazard removal is also greatly appreciated by Manaphy because it needs as much HP as possible to set up. Empoleon and Mantine are two of the best Defog users available to Water teams. Being a Water-type, Manaphy suffers from weaknesses to Electric- and Grass-type moves. Pokemon with a neutrality to Grass-type moves such as Mantine, Empoleon, and Toxapex or an immunity to Electric-type moves such as Swampert and Lanturn are important for Manaphy. Thanks to Hydration and Rain Dance, Manaphy is a great status absorber and can switch in on most status users with ease. This greatly helps physical attackers like Mega Sharpedo and Gyarados, as they fear Will-O-Wisp, and defensive Pokemon like Mega Slowbro that hate Toxic.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Scald can be used instead of Surf in an attempt to get a burn on the foe. However, Surf's superior damage output and stronger Hydro Vortex make it the better choice, as this set heavily relies on dishing out enough damage to KO the foe before it deals enough damage to prevent Manaphy from sweeping safely. A Tail Glow set without Waterium Z and Rain Dance can also be used, freeing up the item slot for slight recovery in the form of Leftovers and a moveslot for another coverage move such as Ice Beam. This allows other Pokemon such as Gyarados to run Z-Moves, but Manaphy loses out on the Speed boost, letting it get outsped by countless revenge killers and wallbreakers.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types**: Grass-type Pokemon can easily KO Manaphy with their STAB moves. Although Ice Beam does threaten most of them, Grass teams have two extremely reliable switch-ins in Ferrothorn and Mega Venusaur that can beat Manaphy while also regaining their health back.
**Electric-types**: Fast Electric-type Pokemon like Tapu Koko and Alolan Raichu can very easily KO Manaphy with their STAB moves. If Electric Terrain is present, Alolan Raichu manages to outspeed Manaphy even at +1 Speed.
**Phazers and Haze Users**: Phazers and Haze users can negate Manaphy's boosts and prevent it from getting a Speed boost, as Z-Rain Dance can only be used once. Some notable phazers and Haze users are Empoleon and Mantine.
**Bulky Water-types**: Bulky Water-type Pokemon like Slowbro can take any of Manaphy's moves besides Energy Ball easily.
**Dragon-types**: Dragon-type Pokemon such as Latios can take any move Manaphy chooses to go for besides Ice Beam very well and hit back with their STAB moves. Kyurem-B can even take Ice Beam decently well and KO Manaphy with Fusion Bolt.
**Revenge Killers**: Faster revenge killers, such as Alolan Raichu in Electric Terrain and Choice Scarf Terrakion, can revenge kill a +1 Manaphy after a bit of prior damage.
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