[OVERVIEW]
Mawile has a great typing that allows it to check popular Normal- and Grass-types such as Stoutland, Roselia, and Cacturne. Great offensive prowess with Sheer Force-boosted attacks further augmented by Life Orb and the option of going mixed make it a great wallbreaker capable of destroying common defensive cores. Despite mainly being a wallbreaker, it can also sweep offensive teams with Swords Dance-boosted Sucker Punches if given a setup opportunity. Mawile can also pull off a defensive set to check common physical attackers and provide Stealth Rock, though unfortunately, bad natural bulk prevents Mawile from making full use of its great typing because most specially offensive Pokemon such as Mr. Mime will still 2HKO it. It is also overreliant on Sucker Punch against faster Pokemon, which can be exploited with moves such as Substitute and Will-O-Wisp and also makes it not very hard to revenge kill by faster Pokemon that can take one hit.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Play Rough
move 2: Iron Head
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Swords Dance
item: Life Orb
ability: Sheer Force
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Play Rough is a hard-hitting STAB attack that hits Dragon- and Dark-types such as Altaria and Cacturne for super effective damage as well as the odd Fighting-type. Iron Head is the secondary STAB attack to hit Fairy-types such as Clefairy and Rock-types such as Golem for super effective damage. Despite not getting a Sheer Force-boost, Sucker Punch is a strong priority move that can pick off weakened faster Pokemon. Swords Dance allows Mawile to OHKO most Pokemon after a boost and also opens up the possibility of a sweep with Sucker Punch.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread with an Adamant nature maximizes Mawile's wallbreaking potential by focusing on Attack and Speed to outrun and 2HKO most defensive Pokemon. Life Orb works great with Sheer Force, as the ability also prevents Life Orb recoil for moves with secondary effects, and the extra damage output helps a lot.
Usage Tips
========
Don't be afraid to just attack even if the opponent has a switch-in for Mawile; even Mawile's best switch-ins often can't consistently defeat it and do not like getting worn down. Watch out with Sucker Punch, as it can be exploited by moves such as Will-O-Wisp from Rapidash and Substitute from Ninetales. Mawile is best used early- or mid-game to break down walls so other Pokemon or sometimes itself can sweep. However, Swords Dance makes Mawile a threatening sweeper in the late-game as well. Avoid switching Mawile into strong attacks because it does not take hits very well. Instead, try to switch it in safely by use of moves such as Volt Switch, U-turn, and Baton Pass and double switches. Set up Swords Dance on Pokemon that Mawile scares away, such as Stoutland and Cacturne, or passive Pokemon such as Audino and Clefairy that cannot truly threaten Mawile.
Team Options
========
Cleaners such as Choice Scarf Mr. Mime and Zebstrika appreciate Mawile wearing down Pokemon such as Metang and Stunfisk for them. Fire-types such as Rapidash and Ninetales are the most common Mawile checks, so Pokemon that can take them on, such as Prinplup and Grumpig, are great teammates. Prinplup, Gabite, and various other Steel-type checks are also good teammates because this Mawile set has no reliable way to hit them for effective damage. Because of Mawile's frailty, users of U-turn, Volt Switch, and Baton Pass such as Ninjask, Rotom-F, and Floatzel are great teammates to get Mawile in safely. Pokemon that appreciate Mawile pressuring Pokemon such as Roselia and Altaria, examples being Floatzel and Monferno, are good teammates as well. Memento users such as Misdreavus and Jumpluff can provide Mawile the setup opportunity it needs to sweep.
[SET]
name: All-out Attacker
move 1: Play Rough
move 2: Iron Head
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Fire Blast
item: Life Orb
ability: Sheer Force
nature: Naughty
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Play Rough is the main STAB attack, hitting Pokemon such as Cacturne for super effective damage. Iron Head is the secondary STAB attack to hit Pokemon such as Roselia and Golem. Sucker Punch is helpful against faster Pokemon and can clean up late-game. Fire Blast hits Steel- and Grass-types such as Metang and Gourgeist-XL for super effective damage. Knock Off is an option if you want to hit Fire-types such as Ninetales and Rapidash very hard while still hitting Gourgeist-XL and Metang for decent damage. Stealth Rock can also be used because Mawile actually does a good job at scaring out some entry hazard removers such as Vullaby and Cryogonal.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread with a Naughty nature maximizes Mawile's wallbreaking potential by focusing on Attack and Speed to outrun and 2HKO most defensive Pokemon. Life Orb works great with Sheer Force, as the ability also prevents Life Orb recoil for moves with secondary effects, and the extra damage output helps a lot. Use an Adamant nature if not using Fire Blast.
Usage Tips
========
This set is meant to use its great power and coverage moves to break down common defensive cores. Don't be afraid to just attack even if the opponent has a switch-in for Mawile, since even Mawile's best switch-ins often can't consistently defeat it and do not like getting worn down. Watch out with Sucker Punch, as it can be exploited by moves such as Will-O-Wisp from Rapidash and Substitute from Ninetales. Mawile is best used early- or mid-game to break down walls so other Pokemon or sometimes itself can sweep. However, in some situations it can also function as a late-game cleaner with Sucker Punch. Try to avoid directly switching Mawile into even resisted attacks because its mediocre bulk means it will often get 2HKOed on the switch in. Instead, moves such as U-turn, Volt Switch, and Baton Pass, as well as double switches, are great ways to get Mawile safely onto the battlefield.
Team Options
========
Cleaners such as Choice Scarf Mr. Mime and Sawsbuck appreciate Mawile breaking down Pokemon such as Metang and Gourgeist-XL for them. Fire-types such as Rapidash and Monferno are the most common Mawile checks, so Pokemon that can take them on, such as Prinplup and Grumpig, are great teammates. Prinplup and other Steel-type checks such as Stunfisk are also good teammates because despite Fire Blast 2HKOing most Steel-types on the switch in, they can still threaten Mawile out if given a free switch in. Because of Mawile's frailty, users of U-turn, Volt Switch, and Baton Pass such as Ninjask, Zebstrika, and Floatzel are great teammates to get Mawile in safely. Pokemon that appreciate Mawile pressuring Pokemon such as Roselia, examples being Floatzel and Zebstrika, are good teammates as well.
[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Play Rough
move 2: Stealth Rock
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Intimidate
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Play Rough is the STAB move of choice because it hits more Pokemon for neutral damage than Iron Head. Mawile is a good setter of Stealth Rock because it scares some entry hazard removers such as Cryogonal and Vullaby away. Knock Off and Toxic are both moves for Mawile to cripple Pokemon that resist Play Rough such as Rapidash and Metang. Iron Head could be considered if your team desperately needs more counterplay against bulky Fairy-types such as Clefairy. The combination of Swords Dance and Baton Pass can be used over Knock Off and Toxic to provide Attack boosts to teammates and gain momentum.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread with an Impish nature and Intimidate maximizes Mawile's physically defensive capabilities, allowing it to take on Pokemon such as Stoutland and Dodrio. Leftovers is used because Mawile lacks reliable recovery moves and it needs the longevity to consistently defeat what it needs to.
Usage Tips
========
This Mawile set is meant to be used as a defensive wall and slow pivot that can defeat Normal-types such as Stoutland and Dodrio as well as Cacturne. If you have already set up Stealth Rock, it's often best to just use Baton Pass after switching into a Pokemon, because they will often go to a Mawile check such as Rapidash and keeping up the momentum would be preferred. You can often safely pass Swords Dance boosts to teammates by bluffing an offensive set, using Swords Dance as they switch to a check such as Stunfisk, and then using Baton Pass. Although this set's physical bulk is more than decent, its special bulk is still mediocre, so don't let Mawile's typing fool you; special attackers such as Grumpig and Mr. Mime will still 2HKO Mawile a lot of the time.
Team Options
========
This Mawile set really appreciates Wish support from Audino due to its lack of reliable recovery. Fire-type checks such as Lumineon, Grumpig, and Swanna are good teammates because Mawile has no way to threaten them. Steel-type checks such as Rapidash and Lumineon also pair well with Mawile for the same reason. Pokemon that appreciate getting Swords Dance boosts passed to them, such as Rapidash and Kingler, are also good teammates. This Mawile set can be used on balance and stall teams looking for a Stealth Rock user and a counter for Normal-types such as Stoutland and Dodrio.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Choice Band sets with Knock Off are amazingly strong but are generally not worth it because the need for prediction becomes bigger and they make Sucker Punch virtually unusable. Baton Pass can also be used on offensive sets but is generally not worth the moveslot. Rock Slide could work to catch Fire-types off guard but is generally not as good as the other coverage moves Mawile would use. Super Fang can be used on the defensive set as a way to cripple whatever Pokemon the opponent decides to switch into it.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-types**: Fire-types such as Rapidash and Ninetales can switch in on any move Mawile usually carries and force it out with their STAB moves, burn it with Will-O-Wisp, or set up on it with Nasty Plot. Monferno cannot switch in on Play Rough but can scare Mawile out and steal momentum with U-turn or set up with Swords Dance.
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Klang and Metang fear Fire Blast but can often take a hit and deal good damage back or take advantage of Mawile by setting up Shift Gear or Stealth Rock, and they also defeat any set without Fire Blast. Probopass stands out here because it can also trap Mawile with Magnet Pull.
**Ground-types**: Ground-types such as Stunfisk can switch in a few times and scare Mawile out with their STAB moves or set up Stealth Rock. Other Ground-types such as Gabite cannot safely switch into Mawile but can force it out if given a free switch in.
**Physical Walls**: Physical walls such as Gourgeist-XL and Relicanth are bulky enough to switch into Mawile most of the time and burn it with Will-O-Wisp or set up Stealth Rock.
**Faster Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon that can take a Sucker Punch such as Floatzel and Altaria can also revenge kill Mawile but lack the ability to switch into it.
Mawile has a great typing that allows it to check popular Normal- and Grass-types such as Stoutland, Roselia, and Cacturne. Great offensive prowess with Sheer Force-boosted attacks further augmented by Life Orb and the option of going mixed make it a great wallbreaker capable of destroying common defensive cores. Despite mainly being a wallbreaker, it can also sweep offensive teams with Swords Dance-boosted Sucker Punches if given a setup opportunity. Mawile can also pull off a defensive set to check common physical attackers and provide Stealth Rock, though unfortunately, bad natural bulk prevents Mawile from making full use of its great typing because most specially offensive Pokemon such as Mr. Mime will still 2HKO it. It is also overreliant on Sucker Punch against faster Pokemon, which can be exploited with moves such as Substitute and Will-O-Wisp and also makes it not very hard to revenge kill by faster Pokemon that can take one hit.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Play Rough
move 2: Iron Head
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Swords Dance
item: Life Orb
ability: Sheer Force
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Play Rough is a hard-hitting STAB attack that hits Dragon- and Dark-types such as Altaria and Cacturne for super effective damage as well as the odd Fighting-type. Iron Head is the secondary STAB attack to hit Fairy-types such as Clefairy and Rock-types such as Golem for super effective damage. Despite not getting a Sheer Force-boost, Sucker Punch is a strong priority move that can pick off weakened faster Pokemon. Swords Dance allows Mawile to OHKO most Pokemon after a boost and also opens up the possibility of a sweep with Sucker Punch.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread with an Adamant nature maximizes Mawile's wallbreaking potential by focusing on Attack and Speed to outrun and 2HKO most defensive Pokemon. Life Orb works great with Sheer Force, as the ability also prevents Life Orb recoil for moves with secondary effects, and the extra damage output helps a lot.
Usage Tips
========
Don't be afraid to just attack even if the opponent has a switch-in for Mawile; even Mawile's best switch-ins often can't consistently defeat it and do not like getting worn down. Watch out with Sucker Punch, as it can be exploited by moves such as Will-O-Wisp from Rapidash and Substitute from Ninetales. Mawile is best used early- or mid-game to break down walls so other Pokemon or sometimes itself can sweep. However, Swords Dance makes Mawile a threatening sweeper in the late-game as well. Avoid switching Mawile into strong attacks because it does not take hits very well. Instead, try to switch it in safely by use of moves such as Volt Switch, U-turn, and Baton Pass and double switches. Set up Swords Dance on Pokemon that Mawile scares away, such as Stoutland and Cacturne, or passive Pokemon such as Audino and Clefairy that cannot truly threaten Mawile.
Team Options
========
Cleaners such as Choice Scarf Mr. Mime and Zebstrika appreciate Mawile wearing down Pokemon such as Metang and Stunfisk for them. Fire-types such as Rapidash and Ninetales are the most common Mawile checks, so Pokemon that can take them on, such as Prinplup and Grumpig, are great teammates. Prinplup, Gabite, and various other Steel-type checks are also good teammates because this Mawile set has no reliable way to hit them for effective damage. Because of Mawile's frailty, users of U-turn, Volt Switch, and Baton Pass such as Ninjask, Rotom-F, and Floatzel are great teammates to get Mawile in safely. Pokemon that appreciate Mawile pressuring Pokemon such as Roselia and Altaria, examples being Floatzel and Monferno, are good teammates as well. Memento users such as Misdreavus and Jumpluff can provide Mawile the setup opportunity it needs to sweep.
[SET]
name: All-out Attacker
move 1: Play Rough
move 2: Iron Head
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Fire Blast
item: Life Orb
ability: Sheer Force
nature: Naughty
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Play Rough is the main STAB attack, hitting Pokemon such as Cacturne for super effective damage. Iron Head is the secondary STAB attack to hit Pokemon such as Roselia and Golem. Sucker Punch is helpful against faster Pokemon and can clean up late-game. Fire Blast hits Steel- and Grass-types such as Metang and Gourgeist-XL for super effective damage. Knock Off is an option if you want to hit Fire-types such as Ninetales and Rapidash very hard while still hitting Gourgeist-XL and Metang for decent damage. Stealth Rock can also be used because Mawile actually does a good job at scaring out some entry hazard removers such as Vullaby and Cryogonal.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread with a Naughty nature maximizes Mawile's wallbreaking potential by focusing on Attack and Speed to outrun and 2HKO most defensive Pokemon. Life Orb works great with Sheer Force, as the ability also prevents Life Orb recoil for moves with secondary effects, and the extra damage output helps a lot. Use an Adamant nature if not using Fire Blast.
Usage Tips
========
This set is meant to use its great power and coverage moves to break down common defensive cores. Don't be afraid to just attack even if the opponent has a switch-in for Mawile, since even Mawile's best switch-ins often can't consistently defeat it and do not like getting worn down. Watch out with Sucker Punch, as it can be exploited by moves such as Will-O-Wisp from Rapidash and Substitute from Ninetales. Mawile is best used early- or mid-game to break down walls so other Pokemon or sometimes itself can sweep. However, in some situations it can also function as a late-game cleaner with Sucker Punch. Try to avoid directly switching Mawile into even resisted attacks because its mediocre bulk means it will often get 2HKOed on the switch in. Instead, moves such as U-turn, Volt Switch, and Baton Pass, as well as double switches, are great ways to get Mawile safely onto the battlefield.
Team Options
========
Cleaners such as Choice Scarf Mr. Mime and Sawsbuck appreciate Mawile breaking down Pokemon such as Metang and Gourgeist-XL for them. Fire-types such as Rapidash and Monferno are the most common Mawile checks, so Pokemon that can take them on, such as Prinplup and Grumpig, are great teammates. Prinplup and other Steel-type checks such as Stunfisk are also good teammates because despite Fire Blast 2HKOing most Steel-types on the switch in, they can still threaten Mawile out if given a free switch in. Because of Mawile's frailty, users of U-turn, Volt Switch, and Baton Pass such as Ninjask, Zebstrika, and Floatzel are great teammates to get Mawile in safely. Pokemon that appreciate Mawile pressuring Pokemon such as Roselia, examples being Floatzel and Zebstrika, are good teammates as well.
[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Play Rough
move 2: Stealth Rock
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Intimidate
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Play Rough is the STAB move of choice because it hits more Pokemon for neutral damage than Iron Head. Mawile is a good setter of Stealth Rock because it scares some entry hazard removers such as Cryogonal and Vullaby away. Knock Off and Toxic are both moves for Mawile to cripple Pokemon that resist Play Rough such as Rapidash and Metang. Iron Head could be considered if your team desperately needs more counterplay against bulky Fairy-types such as Clefairy. The combination of Swords Dance and Baton Pass can be used over Knock Off and Toxic to provide Attack boosts to teammates and gain momentum.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread with an Impish nature and Intimidate maximizes Mawile's physically defensive capabilities, allowing it to take on Pokemon such as Stoutland and Dodrio. Leftovers is used because Mawile lacks reliable recovery moves and it needs the longevity to consistently defeat what it needs to.
Usage Tips
========
This Mawile set is meant to be used as a defensive wall and slow pivot that can defeat Normal-types such as Stoutland and Dodrio as well as Cacturne. If you have already set up Stealth Rock, it's often best to just use Baton Pass after switching into a Pokemon, because they will often go to a Mawile check such as Rapidash and keeping up the momentum would be preferred. You can often safely pass Swords Dance boosts to teammates by bluffing an offensive set, using Swords Dance as they switch to a check such as Stunfisk, and then using Baton Pass. Although this set's physical bulk is more than decent, its special bulk is still mediocre, so don't let Mawile's typing fool you; special attackers such as Grumpig and Mr. Mime will still 2HKO Mawile a lot of the time.
Team Options
========
This Mawile set really appreciates Wish support from Audino due to its lack of reliable recovery. Fire-type checks such as Lumineon, Grumpig, and Swanna are good teammates because Mawile has no way to threaten them. Steel-type checks such as Rapidash and Lumineon also pair well with Mawile for the same reason. Pokemon that appreciate getting Swords Dance boosts passed to them, such as Rapidash and Kingler, are also good teammates. This Mawile set can be used on balance and stall teams looking for a Stealth Rock user and a counter for Normal-types such as Stoutland and Dodrio.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Choice Band sets with Knock Off are amazingly strong but are generally not worth it because the need for prediction becomes bigger and they make Sucker Punch virtually unusable. Baton Pass can also be used on offensive sets but is generally not worth the moveslot. Rock Slide could work to catch Fire-types off guard but is generally not as good as the other coverage moves Mawile would use. Super Fang can be used on the defensive set as a way to cripple whatever Pokemon the opponent decides to switch into it.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-types**: Fire-types such as Rapidash and Ninetales can switch in on any move Mawile usually carries and force it out with their STAB moves, burn it with Will-O-Wisp, or set up on it with Nasty Plot. Monferno cannot switch in on Play Rough but can scare Mawile out and steal momentum with U-turn or set up with Swords Dance.
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Klang and Metang fear Fire Blast but can often take a hit and deal good damage back or take advantage of Mawile by setting up Shift Gear or Stealth Rock, and they also defeat any set without Fire Blast. Probopass stands out here because it can also trap Mawile with Magnet Pull.
**Ground-types**: Ground-types such as Stunfisk can switch in a few times and scare Mawile out with their STAB moves or set up Stealth Rock. Other Ground-types such as Gabite cannot safely switch into Mawile but can force it out if given a free switch in.
**Physical Walls**: Physical walls such as Gourgeist-XL and Relicanth are bulky enough to switch into Mawile most of the time and burn it with Will-O-Wisp or set up Stealth Rock.
**Faster Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon that can take a Sucker Punch such as Floatzel and Altaria can also revenge kill Mawile but lack the ability to switch into it.
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