Overview
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- Mostly used as a suicide lead for sticky webs
- Gets access to one of the best set up moves in the game (quiver dance)
- Has BP so it can transfer its boosts
- Gets intimidate to weaken physical attackers
- Is scurry
Sticky Web Offense
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name: Sticky Web Offense
move 1: Sticky Web
move 2: Scald
move 3: Bug Buzz
move 4: Quiver Dance
ability: Intimidate
item: Focus Sash
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
nature: Timid/Modest
Moves
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- Sticky web is an excellent support move as it reduces the speed of the opposing grounded Pokemon by 1/3. This move can turn the tide of a game on the first turn, and makes slower Pokemon more viable to use.
- Quiver dance boosts speed, special attack and special defence. This allows Masq to become a threat if you are not KOed after setting up the web.
- Bug buzz offers a good powerful STAB move, which does reasonable damage to other popular leads straight off the bat: 252+ SpA Masquerain Bug Buzz vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Crustle: 148-175 (43 - 50.8%)
- Scald is preferred to air slash as this would leave Masq completely walled by steel types, allowing threats like Klinklang to come in and set up. Scald also is good for killing those keen rapid spinners who come in and try and get the rapid spin kill: +1 252+ SpA Masquerain Scald vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Sandslash: 336-396 (94.9 - 111.8%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO
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The primary objective of this set is to get a Sticky Web up, and in most cases this is as easy as clicking the button. However a fast taunter (such as lead Archeops) will ruin your fun - if Masq gets taunted it is normally better to switch out and try again at a later point in the battle. Xatu can also bounce your web from whence it came, so if the opposing team has one of these rubbery birds you can ease prediction on the first turn by setting up with a Quiver Dance instead of using a web straight away.
Two attacking moves are used on this set in order to do as much damage as possible before Masq faints. Bug Buzz and Scald offer good coverage, only failing to hit dragons neutrally (and since there aren't many commonly used set up sweeper dragons applying pressure is less important here).
Finally, Quiver Dance is used to add more power and speed to your attacks, allowing Masq to deal decent damage to anything that doesn't resist.
Team Options
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Since Masquerain is a lead it doesn't really require much support, but many Pokemon benefit from sticky web.
The main thing you need to worry about is a spinblocker should Cryogonal try and come in and spin while Masq is still active, as Masq will not be able to hit Cryo very hard. Also, lead Archeops w/ Taunt can be a pain - the best bet here is to switch out to something faster or with a multi hit move (Gear Grind, Rock Blast etc) so you can take Archeops down without it Endeavouring you.
Finally, although most Pokemon will be caught in the web, flying types and those with Levitate are immune to the speed reduction (unless gravity is in play) so it is important to have at least one team member with good natural speed or strong priority to counter these threats.
Quiver Pass
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name: Quiver Pass
move 1: Roost
move 2: Bug Buzz
move 3: Baton Pass
move 4: Quiver Dance
ability: Intimidate
item: Focus Sash
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
nature: Bold
Moves
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- Baton Pass allows Masquerain to past the Quiver Dance boost to a Pokemon that might be more suited to attempting a sweep
- Roost gives Masquerain a little more longevity
Usage Tips
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With EVs distributed between HP and Defence, Masquerain actually becomes reasonably bulky on the physical side - especially taking into account Intimidate. This allows Masq to come in on things like choice locked fighting types and weak attackers and start setting up, before passing these boosts on.
Team Options
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Similar to above, with the addition of any special sweepers that could do with a bit of added speed/special bulk. Defog/Rapid Spin support is also vital.
Other Options
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Masquerain gets decent support moves like Haze (should anything try and set up on you) and Defog (but dat 4x rock weakness tho), along with both Sunny Day and Rain Dance. Weather setting moves should only really be used in conjunction with setting webs, as there are better weather setters out there. Stun Spore, Toxic and Tailwind are also options. Energy Ball allows you to hit Seismitoad and Kabutops harder, while Hydro Pump has good BP but poor accuracy. Ice Beam is an excellent choice for the Webs set, as this allows you to apply more pressure to Xatu - you can Quiver Dance on the first turn expecting the switch in and then kill with Ice Beam, allowing you to set up webs freely after that.
Checks & Counters
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The biggest threat to Masquerain is the evil snowflake Cryogonal. As long as Masq isn't too highly boosted, Cryo can come in and either KO with Frost Breath/Freeze Dry or Rapid Spin your web away. As mentioned above, fast taunters such as Archeops stop Masq from both webbing and setting up itself, and Xatu/Magic Coat users can simply bounce the web back onto your side of the field.
Swag Meter
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Masquerain is undoubtedly the swaggiest Pokemon in NU, if not the world. His name gets you a score of 21 in Scrabble, and that's without a triple letter tile. I would encourage everyone to give this terrifying little bug a go.
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