QC: Hilomilo / Nineage / Corporal Levi
GP: Rakan / Eyan
[OVERVIEW]
Mantyke's access to Rain Dance and Swift Swim as well as an excellent offensive typing allow it to function as a fairly effective late-game cleaner, especially since there are only two Pokemon in Little Cup that resist both of Mantyke's STAB moves—Chinchou and the very uncommon Helioptile. It also has a gargantuan base 120 Special Defense stat, allowing it to set up on certain special attackers like Gastly, unboosted Snivy, and Croagunk. In addition, Mantyke resists common forms of priority in Aqua Jet, Mach Punch, and Vacuum Wave, which would otherwise be able to end its sweep prematurely. However, though Mantyke's Hydro Pump is very powerful when rain-boosted, its Air Slash is quite weak, especially coming off a low base 60 Special Attack stat. In addition, Mantyke's 4x weakness to Electric means it can sometimes get KOed by coverage moves on a Pokemon it can usually set up on, like Thunderbolt Gastly or Wild Charge Ponyta. A weakness to Stealth Rock means that Mantyke struggles to switch in repeatedly. Its pitiful physical bulk only amplifies this, as it can rarely switch into or set up on any physical attacker. Mantyke struggles greatly if rain is not up, as it is quite slow without a Swift Swim boost and Hydro Pump is weak without the boost from rain. In addition, since rain only lasts 4 turns, Mantyke is very limited in the time it has to sweep. Lastly, Mantyke faces a lot of competition from other offensive Water-types such as Shellder, Carvanha, and Omanyte, though its incredible STAB coverage and great Special Defense give it a niche.
[SET]
name: Eye of the Storm (Rain Dance)
move 1: Rain Dance
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Air Slash
move 4: Hidden Power Ground / Hidden Power Grass
item: Life Orb / Eviolite
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Modest
evs: 36 Def / 200 SpA / 36 SpD / 196 Spe
ivs: 9 HP
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Rain Dance doubles Mantyke's Speed stat thanks to Swift Swim and boosts the power of Hydro Pump, allowing it to clean late-game. Hydro Pump is Mantyke's main STAB move, and it is incredibly powerful when boosted by rain and Life Orb, OHKOing Vullaby after Stealth Rock as well as Pawniard. Air Slash is Mantyke's secondary STAB move and provides great neutral coverage along with Hydro Pump, as it hits Grass-types like Snivy and Foongus (both of which are OHKOed after a bit of prior damage if Mantyke is holding a Life Orb) super effectively, while Water-types like Staryu and Shellder (which are 2HKOed with a Life Orb boost) are hit neutrally. In addition, it hits Croagunk, which is immune to Hydro Pump thanks to Dry Skin. The last slot is used to hit Chinchou, which otherwise walls Mantyke; both options here KO it after Air Slash. Hidden Power Ground can be used to also hit Mareanie, which takes any of Mantyke's other moves well, as well as Electric-types like Magnemite so that Mantyke doesn't have to rely on the inaccurate Hydro Pump. Hidden Power Grass hits Water-types like Slowpoke and Clamperl, which are both 2HKOed after a Life Orb boost. However, this coverage overlaps with Air Slash, and Electric-types are more threatening to Mantyke than Water-types, so Hidden Power Ground is usually preferred. Surf is an option over Hydro Pump as a more reliable STAB move, but since Mantyke is already not very powerful, the higher Base Power of Hydro Pump is generally preferred.
Set Details
========
9 HP IVs are used in order to lower Mantyke's HP to 19, allowing it to only take 1 damage from Life Orb recoil. Maximum Special Attack investment with a Life Orb and a Modest nature allows Mantyke to hit many damage benchmarks such as a guaranteed OHKO on defensive Vullaby with Hydro Pump in the rain after Stealth Rock as well as having a good chance to KO Chinchou with Air Slash followed by Hidden Power. Maximum Speed investment is used to outspeed 18 Speed Choice Scarf users like Doduo and Gastly after Rain Dance. A Timid nature can be run to outspeed Pokemon such as Vullaby and Adamant Scraggy before a Swift Swim boost, as well as +2 Vullaby in the rain, but the drop in damage is generally not worth it. The rest of the EVs are put into Defense and Special Defense to raise both by one point each. Eviolite can be used in order to patch up Mantyke's poor Defense and boost its Special Defense to incredible levels, giving it an easier time setting up Rain Dance, though it will miss out on certain KOs. If Eviolite is chosen, an alternative EV spread of 76 HP / 36 Def / 200 SpA / 196 Spe should be used to optimize Mantyke's defenses with Eviolite and raise Mantyke's HP slightly. Berry Juice is another option to give Mantyke more setup opportunities, as it allows Mantyke to recover any HP it lost, including to Stealth Rock, but its pitiful physical bulk means that it will likely go down to any powerful hit. Mantyke should run 31 HP IVs if it doesn't run Life Orb. Swift Swim is the ability of choice in order to get the Speed boost from rain and potentially clean late-game.
Usage Tips
========
Mantyke should be preserved until late-game, where it should look for a setup opportunity in order to clean once its checks like Chinchou and Ferroseed have been weakened or removed. It can potentially set up on certain special attackers like Gastly lacking Thunderbolt and unboosted Snivy, Fighting-types like Timburr lacking the very rare Thunder Punch and Mienfoo, Fire-types like Ponyta lacking Wild Charge, or Water-types like Staryu lacking Thunderbolt. Always make sure to scout for Electric-type coverage possessed by the foe, especially with Pokemon such as Gastly, Ponyta, and Staryu, as it can quickly put an end to Mantyke's sweep or setup opportunity. It is very important that Mantyke has enough turns of rain to clean up. If your opponent's team still has too many Pokemon remaining for Mantyke to clean in its limited time, it is often recommended to weaken them further before attempting a sweep, even if your opponent can't check Mantyke well anymore. Mantyke shouldn't try to sweep until Sucker Punch users like Pawniard have also been eliminated, as they can generally knock it out easily with only minimal prior damage due to Mantyke's pitiful Defense. Even with a boost from rain and Life Orb, Mantyke is not extremely powerful, so it is important that Eviolites from bulky foes like Spritzee and Slowpoke have been removed and that entry hazards have been set up on the opponent's side of the field, since Mantyke relies on them for many of its KOs.
Team Options
========
The most important thing for Mantyke is that Pokemon that can check it, like Chinchou and Ferroseed, are removed or weakened. As such, Diglett is an excellent partner for this, as it can easily eliminate Chinchou if it comes in on a free switch while also being able to eliminate the most common Sucker Punch user in Pawniard. Fire-types like Ponyta also synergize well with Mantyke, as they can threaten or eliminate Ferroseed, while Grass-types like Foongus can threaten and take out Chinchou. Memento support can give Mantyke an easier time setting up, and this can be provided by the aforementioned Diglett as well as Cottonee. Cottonee also functions as a decent check to Water- and Electric-types, most notably Chinchou. Reliable entry hazard control is also very important for Mantyke. On one hand, it needs Stealth Rock away from its side of the field, since it otherwise struggles to switch in. On the other hand, it relies on Stealth Rock being up on the opponent's side to secure important KOs, such as the OHKO on defensive Vullaby. As such, Drilbur and Kabuto are good partners, as they provide both entry hazard support and entry hazard removal. Staryu also functions well as a spinner, while Onix and Ferroseed can reliably get hazards up on the opponent's side. Onix can also use Taunt to prevent its foe from setting up Stealth Rock. Mantyke appreciates another Water-type in order to wear down its checks. The aforementioned Staryu and Kabuto work well to wear down Ferroseed and Chinchou, but Corphish and Carvanha are also good options. Knock Off support from Pokemon like Pawniard, Vullaby, and the aforementioned Corphish is appreciated, as they can allow Mantyke to sweep more easily by removing Eviolites from your opponent's Pokemon.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A defensive set with RestTalk can be used to take advantage of Mantyke's high Special Defense and Water Absorb ability, but it suffers from a weakness to Stealth Rock and a very exploitable weakness to Electric, can be setup bait for many Pokemon, and has to rely on Sleep Talk rolls. Damp Rock is an option to give Mantyke more turns of rain in order to attempt a sweep, but the loss of power from Life Orb or bulk from Eviolite makes it very hard to set up and clean. Scald can be used as a more reliable STAB move that has a chance to burn, but the loss of power means that Mantyke would miss out on many important KOs. Agility is an option over Rain Dance so that Mantyke is not reliant on rain turns, but it misses out on the boost to Hydro Pump that rain provides. Tailwind is another option to boost both Mantyke and its teammates' Speed, but Mantyke is still on a timer to clean, and it also misses out on the boost to Hydro Pump. Mantyke can use both Signal Beam and Ice Beam as coverage options, but the only notable Pokemon Signal Beam hits is Slowpoke, and Ice Beam completely overlaps with Hydro Pump and Air Slash. Lastly, Hidden Power Fire is an option to take out Ferroseed, but it is very weak in the rain, and Mantyke usually prefers the ability to hit Chinchou hard.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Electric-types**: Electric-types such as Chinchou and Magnemite can significantly threaten Mantyke with their 4x super effective STAB moves while resisting Air Slash. While most Electric-types have to fear a powerful Hydro Pump in the rain, Chinchou resists even that and can easily force out Mantyke. It does have to fear being 2HKOed by Hidden Power, however. Magnemite can utilize Sturdy to always prevent Mantyke from sweeping as long as it is at full HP. Choice Scarf Elekid is also notable, as it outspeeds Mantyke even in the rain and can easily OHKO it. Lastly, Helioptile, while extremely rare, resists Air Slash and is immune to Hydro Pump thanks to Dry Skin and can thus stop Mantyke in its tracks if it's not carrying Hidden Power Ground.
**Bulky Water-types**: Pokemon such as Chinchou and Mareanie can take most moves that Mantyke can throw at them and stop its sweep completely. Though they have to be careful of taking a Hidden Power, some Water-types like Mareanie and Slowpoke can significantly wear Mantyke down through recoil and stall out its rain by spamming their recovery move, as they are only barely 2HKOed by Hidden Power.
**Powerful Priority**: While Mantyke resists Aqua Jet, Mach Punch, and Vacuum Wave, other forms of priority such as Pawniard's Sucker Punch and Doduo's Quick Attack can significantly threaten it and potentially stop its sweep.
**Very Specially Bulky Pokemon**: Pokemon like Munchlax and Ferroseed can take any one hit Mantyke hits them with even in rain and threaten a KO with minimal prior damage or cripple Mantyke with a status move like Thunder Wave.
GP: Rakan / Eyan
[OVERVIEW]
Mantyke's access to Rain Dance and Swift Swim as well as an excellent offensive typing allow it to function as a fairly effective late-game cleaner, especially since there are only two Pokemon in Little Cup that resist both of Mantyke's STAB moves—Chinchou and the very uncommon Helioptile. It also has a gargantuan base 120 Special Defense stat, allowing it to set up on certain special attackers like Gastly, unboosted Snivy, and Croagunk. In addition, Mantyke resists common forms of priority in Aqua Jet, Mach Punch, and Vacuum Wave, which would otherwise be able to end its sweep prematurely. However, though Mantyke's Hydro Pump is very powerful when rain-boosted, its Air Slash is quite weak, especially coming off a low base 60 Special Attack stat. In addition, Mantyke's 4x weakness to Electric means it can sometimes get KOed by coverage moves on a Pokemon it can usually set up on, like Thunderbolt Gastly or Wild Charge Ponyta. A weakness to Stealth Rock means that Mantyke struggles to switch in repeatedly. Its pitiful physical bulk only amplifies this, as it can rarely switch into or set up on any physical attacker. Mantyke struggles greatly if rain is not up, as it is quite slow without a Swift Swim boost and Hydro Pump is weak without the boost from rain. In addition, since rain only lasts 4 turns, Mantyke is very limited in the time it has to sweep. Lastly, Mantyke faces a lot of competition from other offensive Water-types such as Shellder, Carvanha, and Omanyte, though its incredible STAB coverage and great Special Defense give it a niche.
[SET]
name: Eye of the Storm (Rain Dance)
move 1: Rain Dance
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Air Slash
move 4: Hidden Power Ground / Hidden Power Grass
item: Life Orb / Eviolite
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Modest
evs: 36 Def / 200 SpA / 36 SpD / 196 Spe
ivs: 9 HP
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Rain Dance doubles Mantyke's Speed stat thanks to Swift Swim and boosts the power of Hydro Pump, allowing it to clean late-game. Hydro Pump is Mantyke's main STAB move, and it is incredibly powerful when boosted by rain and Life Orb, OHKOing Vullaby after Stealth Rock as well as Pawniard. Air Slash is Mantyke's secondary STAB move and provides great neutral coverage along with Hydro Pump, as it hits Grass-types like Snivy and Foongus (both of which are OHKOed after a bit of prior damage if Mantyke is holding a Life Orb) super effectively, while Water-types like Staryu and Shellder (which are 2HKOed with a Life Orb boost) are hit neutrally. In addition, it hits Croagunk, which is immune to Hydro Pump thanks to Dry Skin. The last slot is used to hit Chinchou, which otherwise walls Mantyke; both options here KO it after Air Slash. Hidden Power Ground can be used to also hit Mareanie, which takes any of Mantyke's other moves well, as well as Electric-types like Magnemite so that Mantyke doesn't have to rely on the inaccurate Hydro Pump. Hidden Power Grass hits Water-types like Slowpoke and Clamperl, which are both 2HKOed after a Life Orb boost. However, this coverage overlaps with Air Slash, and Electric-types are more threatening to Mantyke than Water-types, so Hidden Power Ground is usually preferred. Surf is an option over Hydro Pump as a more reliable STAB move, but since Mantyke is already not very powerful, the higher Base Power of Hydro Pump is generally preferred.
Set Details
========
9 HP IVs are used in order to lower Mantyke's HP to 19, allowing it to only take 1 damage from Life Orb recoil. Maximum Special Attack investment with a Life Orb and a Modest nature allows Mantyke to hit many damage benchmarks such as a guaranteed OHKO on defensive Vullaby with Hydro Pump in the rain after Stealth Rock as well as having a good chance to KO Chinchou with Air Slash followed by Hidden Power. Maximum Speed investment is used to outspeed 18 Speed Choice Scarf users like Doduo and Gastly after Rain Dance. A Timid nature can be run to outspeed Pokemon such as Vullaby and Adamant Scraggy before a Swift Swim boost, as well as +2 Vullaby in the rain, but the drop in damage is generally not worth it. The rest of the EVs are put into Defense and Special Defense to raise both by one point each. Eviolite can be used in order to patch up Mantyke's poor Defense and boost its Special Defense to incredible levels, giving it an easier time setting up Rain Dance, though it will miss out on certain KOs. If Eviolite is chosen, an alternative EV spread of 76 HP / 36 Def / 200 SpA / 196 Spe should be used to optimize Mantyke's defenses with Eviolite and raise Mantyke's HP slightly. Berry Juice is another option to give Mantyke more setup opportunities, as it allows Mantyke to recover any HP it lost, including to Stealth Rock, but its pitiful physical bulk means that it will likely go down to any powerful hit. Mantyke should run 31 HP IVs if it doesn't run Life Orb. Swift Swim is the ability of choice in order to get the Speed boost from rain and potentially clean late-game.
Usage Tips
========
Mantyke should be preserved until late-game, where it should look for a setup opportunity in order to clean once its checks like Chinchou and Ferroseed have been weakened or removed. It can potentially set up on certain special attackers like Gastly lacking Thunderbolt and unboosted Snivy, Fighting-types like Timburr lacking the very rare Thunder Punch and Mienfoo, Fire-types like Ponyta lacking Wild Charge, or Water-types like Staryu lacking Thunderbolt. Always make sure to scout for Electric-type coverage possessed by the foe, especially with Pokemon such as Gastly, Ponyta, and Staryu, as it can quickly put an end to Mantyke's sweep or setup opportunity. It is very important that Mantyke has enough turns of rain to clean up. If your opponent's team still has too many Pokemon remaining for Mantyke to clean in its limited time, it is often recommended to weaken them further before attempting a sweep, even if your opponent can't check Mantyke well anymore. Mantyke shouldn't try to sweep until Sucker Punch users like Pawniard have also been eliminated, as they can generally knock it out easily with only minimal prior damage due to Mantyke's pitiful Defense. Even with a boost from rain and Life Orb, Mantyke is not extremely powerful, so it is important that Eviolites from bulky foes like Spritzee and Slowpoke have been removed and that entry hazards have been set up on the opponent's side of the field, since Mantyke relies on them for many of its KOs.
Team Options
========
The most important thing for Mantyke is that Pokemon that can check it, like Chinchou and Ferroseed, are removed or weakened. As such, Diglett is an excellent partner for this, as it can easily eliminate Chinchou if it comes in on a free switch while also being able to eliminate the most common Sucker Punch user in Pawniard. Fire-types like Ponyta also synergize well with Mantyke, as they can threaten or eliminate Ferroseed, while Grass-types like Foongus can threaten and take out Chinchou. Memento support can give Mantyke an easier time setting up, and this can be provided by the aforementioned Diglett as well as Cottonee. Cottonee also functions as a decent check to Water- and Electric-types, most notably Chinchou. Reliable entry hazard control is also very important for Mantyke. On one hand, it needs Stealth Rock away from its side of the field, since it otherwise struggles to switch in. On the other hand, it relies on Stealth Rock being up on the opponent's side to secure important KOs, such as the OHKO on defensive Vullaby. As such, Drilbur and Kabuto are good partners, as they provide both entry hazard support and entry hazard removal. Staryu also functions well as a spinner, while Onix and Ferroseed can reliably get hazards up on the opponent's side. Onix can also use Taunt to prevent its foe from setting up Stealth Rock. Mantyke appreciates another Water-type in order to wear down its checks. The aforementioned Staryu and Kabuto work well to wear down Ferroseed and Chinchou, but Corphish and Carvanha are also good options. Knock Off support from Pokemon like Pawniard, Vullaby, and the aforementioned Corphish is appreciated, as they can allow Mantyke to sweep more easily by removing Eviolites from your opponent's Pokemon.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A defensive set with RestTalk can be used to take advantage of Mantyke's high Special Defense and Water Absorb ability, but it suffers from a weakness to Stealth Rock and a very exploitable weakness to Electric, can be setup bait for many Pokemon, and has to rely on Sleep Talk rolls. Damp Rock is an option to give Mantyke more turns of rain in order to attempt a sweep, but the loss of power from Life Orb or bulk from Eviolite makes it very hard to set up and clean. Scald can be used as a more reliable STAB move that has a chance to burn, but the loss of power means that Mantyke would miss out on many important KOs. Agility is an option over Rain Dance so that Mantyke is not reliant on rain turns, but it misses out on the boost to Hydro Pump that rain provides. Tailwind is another option to boost both Mantyke and its teammates' Speed, but Mantyke is still on a timer to clean, and it also misses out on the boost to Hydro Pump. Mantyke can use both Signal Beam and Ice Beam as coverage options, but the only notable Pokemon Signal Beam hits is Slowpoke, and Ice Beam completely overlaps with Hydro Pump and Air Slash. Lastly, Hidden Power Fire is an option to take out Ferroseed, but it is very weak in the rain, and Mantyke usually prefers the ability to hit Chinchou hard.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Electric-types**: Electric-types such as Chinchou and Magnemite can significantly threaten Mantyke with their 4x super effective STAB moves while resisting Air Slash. While most Electric-types have to fear a powerful Hydro Pump in the rain, Chinchou resists even that and can easily force out Mantyke. It does have to fear being 2HKOed by Hidden Power, however. Magnemite can utilize Sturdy to always prevent Mantyke from sweeping as long as it is at full HP. Choice Scarf Elekid is also notable, as it outspeeds Mantyke even in the rain and can easily OHKO it. Lastly, Helioptile, while extremely rare, resists Air Slash and is immune to Hydro Pump thanks to Dry Skin and can thus stop Mantyke in its tracks if it's not carrying Hidden Power Ground.
**Bulky Water-types**: Pokemon such as Chinchou and Mareanie can take most moves that Mantyke can throw at them and stop its sweep completely. Though they have to be careful of taking a Hidden Power, some Water-types like Mareanie and Slowpoke can significantly wear Mantyke down through recoil and stall out its rain by spamming their recovery move, as they are only barely 2HKOed by Hidden Power.
**Powerful Priority**: While Mantyke resists Aqua Jet, Mach Punch, and Vacuum Wave, other forms of priority such as Pawniard's Sucker Punch and Doduo's Quick Attack can significantly threaten it and potentially stop its sweep.
**Very Specially Bulky Pokemon**: Pokemon like Munchlax and Ferroseed can take any one hit Mantyke hits them with even in rain and threaten a KO with minimal prior damage or cripple Mantyke with a status move like Thunder Wave.
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