[OVERVIEW]
Mesprit is NU's most versatile Pokemon thanks to its large movepool and balanced stats all-around that give it good bulk and attacking prowess, allowing it to run a variety of sets. Mesprit also has access to very good support moves in Stealth Rock and the coveted Healing Wish, which allows it to bring a weakened teammate back to full health, giving it another chance to break through the opposing team. Its Psychic typing plus Levitate gives Mesprit useful resistances to Fighting- and Ground-type attacks, giving it many opportunities to switch in. However, the same typing also leaves it vulnerable to Pursuit trappers, most notably Skuntank, which can switch in on almost all of Mesprit's attacks, causing it to be a liability at times. Choice Scarf sets are also easily revenge killed by Sucker Punch users such as Shiftry and Skuntank. Mesprit also has mediocre Speed for an offensive Pokemon, which in some cases leaves it outsped by Pokemon it's supposed to check, such as Sawk. While Mesprit does have a wide movepool, it tends to struggle fitting all of the moves it wants on one set.
[SET]
name: Offensive Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Psychic
move 3: Ice Beam / Signal Beam / Hidden Power Ground
move 4: Healing Wish / Energy Ball
item: Colbur Berry
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock supports Mesprit's teammates, and it makes for a good user of the move due to Levitate giving it a good matchup against Rhydon. Psychic is a reliable STAB move that hits targets such as Gurdurr and Garbodor very hard. Ice Beam most notably hits Xatu, which will attempt to bounce back Stealth Rock, as well as hitting Torterra, Shiftry, Scyther, and Rhydon. Signal Beam primarily hits Malamar, as well as Musharna, Shiftry, and opposing Mesprit. Hidden Power Ground is an alternative mainly for Skuntank, but it hits Mawile, Pawniard, and Klinklang as well. Healing Wish brings an ally back to full HP and cures any status ailments. Energy Ball scores the OHKO on Rhydon and Quagsire and does good damage to both Lanturn and Prinplup. Psyshock is an alternative to Psychic to hit Cryogonal, Assault Vest Hariyama, and Magmortar harder. Thunderbolt is also an option for hitting bulky Water-types such as Prinplup, Pelipper, and Mantine, as well as retaining coverage on Xatu. U-turn is an option over Healing Wish to keep up offensive momentum and potentially let a teammate safely switch in. Hidden Power Fire lets Mesprit mainly hit Ferroseed while also getting damage on other Steel-types.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed EVs plus a Timid nature ensure Mesprit outspeeds as many Pokemon as possible, including Adamant Sawk, and Speed ties with other positive-natured base 80 Speed Pokemon, while maximum Special Attack EVs let it hit as hard as possible. Colbur Berry allows Mesprit to act as a more reliable Fighting-type check as well as avoid being trapped by Pursuit one time, while Life Orb is an alternative for higher damage output, most notably getting a guaranteed OHKO on Malamar with Signal Beam and 2HKOing Skuntank after Stealth Rock with Hidden Power Ground. Levitate is Mesprit's only ability, but it is very useful for providing an immunity to Ground-type moves and all entry hazards bar Stealth Rock. A spread of 92 HP / 252 SpA / 164 Spe with a Timid nature gives Mesprit a little more bulk while still letting it outspeed neutral-natured base 80 Speed Pokemon, while a spread of 56 HP / 252 SpA / 200 Spe with a Timid nature lets it outspeed Adamant Sawk.
Usage Tips
========
This set generally makes for a good lead thanks to its favorable matchup against most Stealth Rock users. If Xatu is on the opposing team, avoid the use of Stealth Rock and instead use Ice Beam or, if not running the move, make a double switch to a Pokemon that threatens it, such as Skuntank or Liepard. If Mesprit is not running Colbur Berry, be cautious when switching into Gurdurr or Sawk, as both deal heavy damage with Knock Off. Try to play carefully with Mesprit when a Pursuit user is on the opposing side, as keeping Mesprit around may be crucial if it is the team's only way to check Fighting-types. Healing Wish should only be used in situations where a teammate needs to stay healthy in order to check a specific threat or if a sweeper has been heavily weakened or crippled by status.
Team Options
========
Setup sweepers such as Swords Dance Samurott, Swords Dance Shiftry, and Rock Polish Rhydon are excellent partners, as all three of them appreciate Stealth Rock support and can be played more recklessly thanks to Healing Wish support. Rhydon in particular pairs well with Mesprit, as it threatens Skuntank and uses it as setup bait, while Mesprit checks Fighting-types including Sawk, Gurdurr, and Poliwrath, all of which can halt Rhydon's attempt to sweep. Dark-types such as Liepard and Skuntank are an issue for Mesprit, especially when it's not using a Colbur Berry, as both are able to Pursuit trap Mesprit; therefore, Sawk and Gurdurr make for excellent partners, as they threaten both of them greatly, while Mesprit's Stealth Rock support discourages one of their best offensive checks in Scyther from switching in. Skuntank also works well for its ability to Pursuit trap Xatu as well as Ghost-types that threaten Mesprit, while in return, Mesprit covers Skuntank's lone weakness to Ground and is able to threaten Fighting-types that give Skuntank issues.
[SET]
name: Life Orb + 3 Attacks
move 1: Psychic / Psyshock
move 2: Signal Beam / Ice Beam
move 3: Hidden Power Ground / Energy Ball
move 4: Healing Wish / Calm Mind
item: Life Orb
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Psychic is Mesprit's most powerful and reliable STAB move, dealing high amounts of damage to Gurdurr and Garbodor. Psyshock is an alternative to hit Cryogonal, Assault Vest Hariyama, and Magmortar harder. Signal Beam has good coverage with Mesprit's Psychic STAB type, hitting targets such as Shiftry, Liepard, Malamar, Exeggutor, and Musharna. Hidden Power Ground hits Skuntank, Pawniard, Klinklang, and Mawile, which otherwise take Mesprit's attacks very well. Ice Beam hits Xatu, Scyther, and Torterra, while still covering Shiftry and Exeggutor. Energy Ball is an alternative to nail Rhydon, Quagsire, Samurott, Prinplup, and Lanturn. Healing Wish allows Mesprit to bring back a heavily damaged teammate. Calm Mind is an option over Healing Wish to make Mesprit hit very hard after a boost, allowing it to act a bulky wincon. Thunderbolt hits Water-types neutral to Grass such as Mantine and Pelipper, as well as retaining coverage against Xatu and Scyther. Hidden Power Fire is also an option to mainly hit Ferroseed harder while retaining coverage against Klinklang and Mawile.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed EVs allow Mesprit to outspeed as many Pokemon as possible, while maximum Special Attack EVs allow it to hit as hard as possible. A Timid nature is generally the better option, as it allows Mesprit to outspeed Adamant Sawk, as well as Speed tie with opposing positive-natured base 80 Speed Pokemon such as Shiftry and Kabutops, but Modest can still be chosen for more power. Life Orb is chosen for the good boost in damage output and allows Mesprit to switch between its moves, which lets it get the most mileage out of its great coverage. Colbur Berry in conjunction with Calm Mind is another option to ensure that Mesprit's sweep is not ended prematurely against a Dark-type. Another variant of this set involving four attacks is also an option if Healing Wish support is not desired, making Mesprit much harder for the opponent safely switch a Pokemon into.
Usage Tips
========
Use powerful Life Orb-boosted attacks early- and mid-game to break down the opponent's bulkier Pokemon. If the opponent has a Pursuit user, use the appropriate coverage move to catch them on the switch. Don't switch in Mesprit haphazardly; rather, bring it in with a slow U-turn or Volt Switch or after a Pokemon has fainted, as Mesprit already gets worn down by Life Orb recoil. Healing Wish should be used when it is absolutely crucial to keep a teammate healthy against a threatening Pokemon on the opposing side or when a sweeper has been significantly weakened. Calm Mind is generally best used against balanced teams where Mesprit needs a bit more power to break through bulkier Pokemon; against offense, it is far more beneficial to attack.
Team Options
========
Sawk and Gurdurr are excellent partners for Mesprit, as both are able to check Dark-types very well, while Mesprit takes down Garbodor and Weezing. Healing Wish support with Sawk in particular can be a deadly combination, as Mesprit can make Sawk's Sturdy active once again upon bringing it back to full health. Combusken is also a decent partner due to its ability to check Dark-types such as Shiftry, Pawniard, and Liepard, but most notably, it is able to pass Speed boosts to Mesprit, making it outspeed many offensive Pokemon. Swords Dance Mawile is a great partner, as it switches into Scyther and uses it as setup bait, while Mesprit breaks down Garbodor and Weezing and can replenish Mawile's HP and rid it of any status ailments with Healing Wish. Other setup sweepers such as Shiftry, Samurott, Lilligant, and Klinklang also greatly benefit from Healing Wish, and all of them appreciate Mesprit's early- and mid-game wallbreaking capabilities, making it easier for them to clean late-game. Mesprit tends to have issues breaking through Mega Audino and Musharna, so Skuntank and Haunter are good partners for their ability to threaten both with their respective STAB moves and prevent them from setting up or healing with Taunt. Skuntank is also able to Pursuit trap other Psychic-types, as well as eliminate faster Ghost-types, including Haunter, Rotom, and Mismagius.
[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Psychic
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Thunder Wave / Healing Wish
item: Leftovers / Colbur Berry
ability: Levitate
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock supports Mesprit's teammates, and Mesprit makes for a decent user of the move due to its ability to set it up against Pokemon it walls. Psychic lets Mesprit deal consistent damage, nailing Fighting- and Poison-types in particular. U-turn lets Mesprit keep up offensive momentum, allowing it to bring in teammates safely. Thunder Wave lets Mesprit cripple fast offensive Pokemon, giving slower teammates the advantage. Healing Wish is an alternative that allows Mesprit to bring a sweeper back to full HP and rid it of status.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP EVs in tandem with 240 Defense EVs and a Bold nature allow Mesprit to take on physical attackers with ease. The remaining EVs go into Speed to let Mesprit outspeed Adamant Mawile and below. Leftovers gives Mesprit passive recovery, allowing it to last a little longer. Colbur Berry is another option to let Mesprit more reliably check Fighting-types while also letting it avoid being Pursuit trapped one time.
Usage Tips
========
Due to its heavy Defense investment, you can use Mesprit as a pivot into physical attackers. Try to set up Stealth Rock as soon as possible, and use it against a Pokemon that cannot do much in return. If Xatu is on the opposing team, anticipate its switch in by using U-turn to maintain offensive momentum and let a teammate take care of it. Thunder Wave is a good move to use against fast offensive Pokemon, aiding slower teammates to run through the opponent's team. Only attack with Psychic when Mesprit absolutely needs to to get damage on Pokemon such as Gurdurr and Garbodor. Healing Wish should generally be used when a vital teammate or setup sweeper has been significantly weakened. It, however, shouldn't be used when there are Pokemon on the opposing team that Mesprit needs to check. If Mesprit is not holding a Colbur Berry, be wary of Pursuit trappers such as Skuntank and Liepard, and be more cautious when switching into Fighting-types, as Mesprit is vulnerable to Knock Off.
Team Options
========
Mesprit pairs incredibly well with setup sweepers such as Mawile, Klinklang, Samurott, and Shiftry due to its ability to bring them in safely with U-turn, give them a second shot at sweeping with Healing Wish, and provide them with Thunder Wave support. Mesprit also switches into Fighting-types such as Sawk and Gurdurr, which Klinklang and Shiftry greatly benefit from. Wallbreakers such as Sawk and Aurorus pair well with this set, as Mesprit can slow down faster Pokemon with Thunder Wave, bring both of them in safely with a slow U-turn, and restore Sawk's Sturdy with Healing Wish. Other U-turn and Volt Switch users such as Scyther, Zebstrika, and Lanturn are good teammates for Mesprit, as together they maintain offensive momentum while the opposing team gets worn down by repeatedly switching into Stealth Rock. More defensive partners such as Mega Audino can keep Mesprit healthy with Wish while also curing any status ailment with Heal Bell, while Mesprit is able to take on problematic Pokemon such as Garbodor. Miltank is also a decent partner, as it appreciates Mesprit's ability to switch into Fighting-types.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Psychic
move 2: Ice Beam / Signal Beam
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Healing Wish
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Levitate
nature: Modest / Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Psychic is Mesprit's most powerful and reliable STAB move and doubles as a decent late-game cleaning tool. Ice Beam is very useful for Mesprit to revenge kill Pokemon such as Archeops, Scyther, and Swellow, as well as hitting Xatu, Torterra, and Rhydon. Signal Beam is an alternative to hit Malamar, Musharna, Jynx, Shiftry, and opposing Mesprit. U-turn is great for retaining offensive momentum, notably letting Mesprit switch out safely on expected switches to a Pursuit user. Healing Wish brings a teammate back to full HP and cures it of status, at the cost of sacrificing Mesprit. Thunderbolt is another option to hit Water-types such as Floatzel, Prinplup, Mantine, and Pelipper, in addition to already hitting Archeops, Scyther, Swellow, and Xatu. Psyshock can be used over Psychic to hit targets such as Cryogonal, Assault Vest Magmortar, and Hariyama much harder. Trick is another option over Healing Wish to cripple a wall, but the utility of Healing Wish makes this inferior most of the time.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack EVs allow Mesprit to hit as hard as possible, while maximum Speed EVs ensure it outspeeds as many Pokemon possible. A Modest nature is generally preferred for more attacking power, but Timid is another option to outspeed Jolly Rock Polish Rhydon and Adamant Choice Scarf Sawk. Choice Scarf boosts Mesprit's Speed significantly, allowing it to outspeed and revenge kill a good majority of the unboosted metagame. Levitate gives Mesprit a Ground immunity, which can allow it to switch in unscathed and makes it less prone to being worn down by entry hazards.
Usage Tips
========
Mesprit should almost always be brought in after a Pokemon has fainted or with a slow U-turn or Volt Switch. Mesprit should also take advantage of Levitate and its typing to pivot into Ground-, Fighting-, and Psychic-type attacks. Early-game, when answers to Mesprit are still around, use U-turn to switch out on their expected switch in to retain offensive momentum. Try to prioritize keeping Mesprit healthy for a Pokemon that it is able to revenge kill. Once Mesprit's checks and counters are weakened, clean up late-game with the appropriate move. Healing Wish should generally be used if an important teammate or setup sweeper has been significantly weakened.
Team Options
========
This set fits well on teams that need a fast Psychic-type to revenge kill faster Fighting-types such as Sawk and Primeape while also keeping up offensive momentum, so partners such as Archeops and Klinklang pair well with it. Both also appreciate Healing Wish support, as it can bring the former out of Defeatist range and gives the latter a second shot at sweeping the opposing team. Sawk is the best partner for Mesprit, as it threatens Dark- and Steel-type Pokemon that resist Mesprit's STAB moves, making it easier for it to clean late-game; weakens the opposing team thanks to its great wallbreaking potential; and, combined with Healing Wish support, can take full advantage of Sturdy. Skuntank is also a good partner due to its ability to threaten both Musharna and Mega Audino, both of which are bulky enough to take repeated hits easily from Mesprit. Entry hazard support is very beneficial for Mesprit, as it allows Mesprit to clean late-game with much more ease. Garbodor is an excellent partner, as it sets up hazards against several of Mesprit's answers such as Scyther and Mega Audino. Setup sweepers including Samurott, Shiftry, and Lilligant pair incredibly well with Mesprit, because all of them appreciate Healing Wish support. Swords Dance Mawile in particular is a great partner, as it switches into Scyther and Skuntank easily, while Mesprit takes care of problematic Pokemon such as Garbodor and Weezing and can give Mawile a second chance at sweeping with Healing Wish.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Choice Specs with Trick could also work, but generally Life Orb is the better item, as Mesprit takes full advantage of its coverage by being able to switch between its moves. Due to Mesprit's surprisingly good physical movepool, it can also run a Choice Band set consisting of Zen Headbutt / Knock Off / Fire Punch / U-turn. Physical Choice Scarf can also be used, but it's more prone to being walled by physical walls and has worse coverage. Future Sight is another option to pressure Fighting- and Poison-type Pokemon while Mesprit is not on the field. Power-Up Punch can also be used on non-Choiced physical sets to boost Mesprit's Attack while letting it switch between its coverage moves. Magic Coat can be used to reflect back opposing entry hazards and prevent Taunt from leads such as Stealth Rock Archeops. A dual screens set can also be used, but generally Meowstic is better in this role thanks to Prankster. Sunny Day or Rain Dance can be used on the defensive set if a bulky weather starter that can provide pivot support is needed.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Pawniard, Skuntank, Shiftry, and Liepard are all good answers to Mesprit, as the former two are able to switch on any move Mesprit has to offer with the exception of Hidden Power Ground, while all of them are capable of revenge killing Mesprit, no matter how fast it is, with Sucker Punch. Skuntank is also able to Pursuit trap Mesprit locked into Psychic.; the same goes for Liepard, which can additionally Encore Mesprit into an unfavorable move and set up Nasty Plot or cripple Choice Scarf variants greatly with Thunder Wave.
**Bug-types**: Scyther outspeeds all non-Choice Scarf Mesprit, threatens it with STAB U-turn, and, with Eviolite, can even use Mesprit as setup bait if it doesn't have Ice Beam or Thunderbolt. Scyther, however, doesn't appreciate being crippled by Thunder Wave. Pinsir naturally outspeeds Mesprit and hits it with STAB X-Scissor, dealing heavy damage.
**Steel-types**: Klinklang is able to switch into most of Mesprit's attacks bar Hidden Power Ground and can use Mesprit to set up Shift Gear freely. Bulkier Steel-types such as Ferroseed, Metang, and Probopass are generally able to take any move Mesprit has and use it to set up Spikes or Stealth Rock or cripple it with Thunder Wave.
**Ghost-types**: Haunter, Mismagius, and Rotom naturally outspeed Mesprit and threaten it with Shadow Ball, though none of these Pokemon can safely switch in. Mismagius also commonly carries Taunt, which prevents Mesprit from setting up Stealth Rock or attempting to heal a teammate with Healing Wish.
**Bulky Pokemon**: Musharna and Mega Audino are capable of taking almost any hit from Mesprit and, as a result, can use Mesprit to set up Calm Mind with ease. However, Musharna does not appreciate taking Life Orb Mesprit's Calm Mind-boosted Signal Beam. Xatu is able to take most moves from Mesprit with the exception of Ice Beam, prevent Stealth Rock from going up with Magic Bounce, and hit Mesprit with Signal Beam. Malamar is bulky enough to use non-Signal Beam Mesprit to boost with Superpower and can threaten it with STAB Knock Off.
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