[OVERVIEW]
Masquerain belongs to a multitude of Bug / Flying type Pokemon that have been released over the years; however, it only really stands out due to the coveted combination of Quiver Dance and Baton Pass. Masquerain's access to Quiver Dance gives it a slight niche over NastyPass Togetic thanks to its ability to pass a Speed boost to its teammates, and its access to Intimidate and 4x resistance to Fighting- and Grass-type moves allow it to find switch in and setup opportunities. However, weaknesses to Ice- and Flying-type moves as well as a 4x weakness to Stealth Rock make Masquerain hard to fit in on a team, as it doesn't synergize well with many Pokemon. Additionally, its stats are pretty mediocre, with only a base 80 Special Attack and a low base 60 Speed. Luckily, both are mitigated by Quiver Dance, though Masquerain still finds difficulty setting up and can't sweep on its own. As such, Masquerain is only viable in passing Quiver Dance to its teammates, as it is outclassed in other roles such as a Sticky Web setter by other Bug-types such as Kricketune and Leavanny, making it very one-dimensional and predictable in what it does.
[SET]
name: QuiverPass
move 1: Quiver Dance
move 2: Baton Pass
move 3: Air Slash / Bug Buzz
move 4: Roost
item: Leftovers / Focus Sash
ability: Intimidate
nature: Timid
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Quiver Dance's boosts are fundamental for the receiver, as they can turn it into a threatening sweeper. Masquerain also benefits from them itself, as they give some sting to its STAB moves and some cushion against special attacks. Baton Pass allows Masquerain to pass the boosts obtained from Quiver Dance. The move itself also serves as a way for Masquerain to pivot out of danger, and combined with Masquerain's low initial Speed it can also give a free switch to a teammate of choice, giving it utility outside of just passing Quiver Dance boosts. Air Slash and Bug Buzz are interchangeable and may be chosen depending on what is the most desired coverage option. Air Slash covers Fighting- and Grass-types, provides better neutral coverage, and has that nasty flinch chance. Bug Buzz, on the other hand, hits Psychic- and Dark-types while also having more power than Air Slash. They also prevent Masquerain from being completely Taunt fodder and can help if Masquerain is left as a last Pokemon. Roost allows Masquerain to mitigate Stealth Rock damage and potentially have more chances to set up and pass boosts. Hydro Pump can be used over Roost, as the latter can be underwhelming because Masquerain can't afford to use it most of the time, and allows it to hit Pokemon such as Golem, Simisear, Aurorus, and Armaldo harder.
Set Details
========
Intimidate allows Masquerain to cushion physical hits and find more setup opportunities on physical attackers. The item of choice is dependent on how Masquerain is played. If playing Masquerain in a conservative way, Leftovers would be optimal in tandem with Roost in order to allow more chances of setting up. Otherwise, Focus Sash can allow Masquerain to survive a strong hit and find clutch setup opportunities. 248 HP EVs give Masquerain all-around bulk while allowing it to switch into Stealth Rock two times. Maximum Speed investment allows Masquerain to outspeed Pokemon such as Raichu, Jumpluff, and even +2 Jolly Carracosta after just one Speed boost. Timid allows Masquerain to outspeed Pokemon such as Adamant Barbaracle and Torterra.
Usage Tips
========
Switch in Masquerain via a slow U-turn or Volt Switch and take advantage of its key resistances in order to effectively set up on a target. Masquerain should set up Quiver Dance late-game, when foes have been weakened enough to allow a teammate's sweep. Masquerain can mainly set up on weak attackers such as Pelipper or on Pokemon it forces out such as Tangela, Poliwrath, and Grumpig. Even with Roost, Masquerain will most likely only have one chance of setting up due to its relative frailty and inability to consistently buy free turns. In the event that passing is just not possible, Masquerain can just take the role of an Intimidate pivot or serve as death fodder to weaken the attack of a threatening foe and bring a healthy revenge killer.
Team Options
========
Due to Masquerain's massive Stealth Rock weakness, Rapid Spinners and Defoggers such as Armaldo, Togetic, and Pelipper are appreciated teammates in order to give Masquerain more setup chances and durability. Anti-leads such as mixed Rampardos, Taunt Barbaracle, and Misdreavus can also prevent entry hazard setters from setting up Stealth Rock. Meowstic-M can provide Reflect and Light Screen support to Masquerain, making it easier to find setup opportunities and pass Quiver Dance boosts. Memento users such as Jumpluff also allow Masquerain to set up Quiver Dance more easily by weakening foes' attacking stats. Recipients play a big role in how Masquerain contributes to its teams, and as such choosing appropriate candidates is required for its success. Pokemon such as Chatot, Rotom-F, and Kadabra are examples of Pokemon that can capitalize on the boosts Masquerain accumulates and sweep opposing teams. Some of these have bad defensive synergy with Masquerain, hindering switches, but they can otherwise prove to be lethal. Fighting-types such as Poliwrath and Machoke can be of great help when dealing with Rock- and Ice-types such as Golem and Piloswine, respectively. Ground-types such as Piloswine and Stunfisk can set up Stealth Rock, supporting Masquerain and its teammates, and protect it from Electric-types such as Zebstrika and Raichu, though they have to be wary about coverage moves. Water-types such as Poliwrath, Floatzel, and Simipour can check and easily KO Fire-types such as Heatmor, Ninetales, and Rapidash and Rock-types such as Golem and Barbaracle, which trouble Masquerain. Rapidash can also deal with most Fire-types, such as the aforementioned Ninetales, and can provide Will-O-Wisp support to further wear down foes and give more setup opportunities to Masquerain against physical attackers.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Focus Sash + Sticky Web set could be utilized as an alternative way to support teammates, but it is outclassed by the likes of Kricketune and Leavanny. An offensive Quiver Dance with full investment in Special Attack and coverage moves such as Hydro Pump and Ice Beam allows Masquerain to be more threatening itself, but it loses a recovery move and finds even fewer chances to set up. Tailwind can be used to provide a Speed boost to teammates at the cost of losing Roost. Scald could be a good option as a non-STAB move that may give Masquerain even more chances to set up if it manages to cripple an opposing physical attacker with a burn. Substitute can be used over Roost to safely set up a Quiver Dance or Baton Pass a Substitute to a teammate at the cost of its recovery. Substitute can also be used to not get phazed by Circle Throw Poliwrath.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Rock-types**: Rock-types such as Golem, Barbaracle, and Carracosta can KO Masquerain swiftly with their STAB moves, though they have to beware Hydro Pump. Masquerain also gets heavily damaged by Stealth Rock.
**Taunt Users**: Taunt users such as Misdreavus, Grumpig, and Barbaracle can block Masquerain's attempt to set up Quiver Dance, effectively shutting it down. Most of them can also swiftly KO Masquerain or tank its attacks.
**Faster Pokemon**: Virtually anything faster than Masquerain can completely destroy it before it even moves. Piloswine, which carries Ice Shard, Fire-types such as Simisear and Rapidash, and Flying-types such as Dodrio and Ninjask are capable of doing this. Choice Scarf users such as Raichu and Rotom-F can outspeed Masquerain and shut it down with their powerful STAB moves. Others such as Floatzel and Zebstrika can outpace Masquerain even without a Speed boost and KO it with ease.
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