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Misdreavus
[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Shadow Ball
move 3: Thunderbolt / Hidden Power Fighting
move 4: Substitute / Taunt
item: Eviolite
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Nasty Plot is the most effective offensive approach that Misdreavus can take that involves spinblocking. It can still beat all of the NU Rapid Spin user one-on-one, but it has the added advantage of being able to come out on top against the usual checks to its defensive sets. Magmortar normally feels safe switching in on Will-O-Wisp, but it is OHKOed by a +2 Shadow Ball after Stealth Rock and some other previous damage. Skuntank takes 56 - 66% from a +2 Thunderbolt, and Swellow can be OHKOed by the same after Stealth Rock damage. This set can reliably set up on Torkoal and Cryogonal, and while it has trouble setting up on Armaldo, it can still beat Armaldo and stop it from using Rapid Spin. This set can effectively set up on and plow through most stall teams, as they often lack a reliable way to deal with it. It does struggle to be effective against some offensive teams, however, unless that team requires Rapid Spin to function.</p>
<p>Nasty Plot is the crux of the set, turning the commonly defensive Misdreavus into a powerful sweeper. Shadow Ball is the most powerful STAB option that Misdreavus has, thus making it a mainstay of the set. There are two options for the coverage move; Thunderbolt, which has decent neutral coverage with Shadow Ball and can also hit Swellow really hard, and Hidden Power Fighting, which gives Misdreavus perfect neutral coverage on top of hitting Lickilicky harder. Hidden Power Fighting also has the advantage of dealing more damage to Cacturne and Sawsbuck, two threats which aren't covered by Shadow Ball and Thunderbolt. The final moveslot is reserved for a support move. Misdreavus hates status of any kind, and with Substitute it can both block status as well as set up on a number of walls in NU that cannot break its Substitutes. For example, even without defensive investment there is a good chance that Torkoal's Lava Plume will not break Misdreavus's Substitute. Trapping Misdreavus with Pursuit is a common tactic to eliminate it, and Substitute can also be used to scout for Pursuit, making Misdreavus much harder to counter. The other option in this last slot is Taunt, which, on top of blocking status, can also prevent phazing attempts from the likes of Altaria and Flareon. However, without Substitute, Misdreavus will lose to Clear Smog Amoonguss; it will also be unable to avoid untimely status from moves such as Scald.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EV spread above uses maximum Speed in order to outspeed all Skuntank variants, which means Misdreavus can safely use Substitute to scout for Pursuit and avoid Sucker Punch. It also Speed ties with other base 85 Speed Pokemon, such as Sawk. An alternative EV spread of 68 HP / 252 SpA / 184 Spe with a Modest nature can also be used, as it ensures that Misdreavus will always outspeed Pokemon with 65 base Speed (Emboar, Glaceon, Flareon) and keep its Substitute intact against Lava Plume from 0 Special Attack EVs Torkoal. However, it lacks the Speed of the first spread, and Misdreavus will not be able to deal with Magmortar and Skuntank as efficiently. Misdreavus has a plethora of support moves available, such as the ever-useful Will-O-Wisp. This can be used in place of Substitute or Taunt in order to cripple Armaldo and Skuntank, two common switchins to Misdreavus. Pain Split is yet another option which can wear down walls such as Lickilicky, but having an immunity to status is crucial for Misdreavus, so Taunt and Substitute are better options in general. This set can go even more offensive if need be, using a Life Orb over Eviolite. In this case, using both Thunderbolt and Hidden Power Fighting should be considered, as the drop in bulk means that the support moves become much less useful.</p>
<p>Entry hazard support—specifically Stealth Rock—is absolutely crucial for this set to work. Misdreavus thrives on setting up while the opponent attempts to pull off a Rapid Spin, and it can only achieve certain important KOs (such as Magmortar) with Stealth Rock support. It should be obvious, then, that Misdreavus makes a good teammate for Pokemon that require entry hazards in order to be effective. A good example would be Swellow, who becomes much more threatening with Spikes up, and also has decent offensive synergy with Misdreavus. With no way of recovering HP outside of the unreliable Pain Split, Misdreavus highly appreciates having Wish support to give it multiple opportunities to set up. Lickilicky and Audino are both great teammates for this reason, as they have great defensive synergy with Misdreavus and can also provide Heal Bell support.</p>
[SET COMMENTS]
-Most offensive approach Misdreavus can take to spinblocking
-The usual defensive Misdreavus checks get beaten by this set. Magmortar gets KO'd by +2 Misdreavus after Stealth Rock and some previous damage. Skuntank takes 56-66% from a +2 Thunderbolt, and Swellow is destroyed by Thunderbolt.
-Can reliably set up on Torkoal and Cryogonal, has trouble setting up on Armaldo but will normally win one on one.
-Shadow Ball is the most powerful STAB move.
-Thunderbolt has decent coverage with Shadow Ball, hitting Dark and Steel types for neutral damage.
-Hidden Power Fighting can be used for perfect neutral coverage, as well as hitting Lickilicky and other Normal types hard. It also 2HKO's Absol after Stealth Rock, which is huge as Absol is one of the best Misdreavus checks. Hidden Power Fighting has the advantage of hitting Cacturne and Sawsbuck, who resist the other two moves.
-Substitute allows you to block status and set up Nasty Plot freely, there is also a good chance for Torkoal's Lava Plume to not break the Substitute. Sub also lets you scout for Pursuit, meaning you will not get trapped as easily.
-Taunt is a useful tool as it stops Flareon and Altaria from phazing you with Roar. Without Substitute however, you will lose to Clear Smog Amoonguss.
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
-Max Speed is used in order to outspeed non scarf Skuntank, allowing you to Substitute and avoid Sucker Punch.
-Also ties with other base 85's, non scarf Sawk etc.
-An alternative spread of 68 HP / 252 SpA / 184 Spe with a Modest nature can also be used. This allows you to outspeed all max speed base 65 Pokemon (e.g. Emboar, Glaceon, Flareon) as well as always keeping your sub intact against 0 SpA Torkoal Lava Plume. (I prefer the fast spread, but maybe thats just me.)
-Will-O-Wisp is another option in the last slot, effectively crippling Skuntank, Armaldo and the like.
-Pain Split can be used to wear down bulky walls like Lickilicky, but status immunity really is huge for Misdreavus.
-This set can set up on and plough through a lot of stall teams, as they often lack a reliable way to deal with it outside of status. Struggles to set up on offensive teams, unless they are running a spinner.
-Hazard support is pretty much essential, as it thrives on setting up on spinners.
-No recovery outside of the generally inferior Pain Split, so Wish support from Audino/Lickilicky is appreciated.
-Misdreavus is best used with teammates that need hazards to stay on the field, such as Swellow and Spikes. Swellow can also switch in on any Ghost attacks aimed at Misdreavus.
-Most offensive approach Misdreavus can take to spinblocking
-The usual defensive Misdreavus checks get beaten by this set. Magmortar gets KO'd by +2 Misdreavus after Stealth Rock and some previous damage. Skuntank takes 56-66% from a +2 Thunderbolt, and Swellow is destroyed by Thunderbolt.
-Can reliably set up on Torkoal and Cryogonal, has trouble setting up on Armaldo but will normally win one on one.
-Shadow Ball is the most powerful STAB move.
-Thunderbolt has decent coverage with Shadow Ball, hitting Dark and Steel types for neutral damage.
-Hidden Power Fighting can be used for perfect neutral coverage, as well as hitting Lickilicky and other Normal types hard. It also 2HKO's Absol after Stealth Rock, which is huge as Absol is one of the best Misdreavus checks. Hidden Power Fighting has the advantage of hitting Cacturne and Sawsbuck, who resist the other two moves.
-Substitute allows you to block status and set up Nasty Plot freely, there is also a good chance for Torkoal's Lava Plume to not break the Substitute. Sub also lets you scout for Pursuit, meaning you will not get trapped as easily.
-Taunt is a useful tool as it stops Flareon and Altaria from phazing you with Roar. Without Substitute however, you will lose to Clear Smog Amoonguss.
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
-Max Speed is used in order to outspeed non scarf Skuntank, allowing you to Substitute and avoid Sucker Punch.
-Also ties with other base 85's, non scarf Sawk etc.
-An alternative spread of 68 HP / 252 SpA / 184 Spe with a Modest nature can also be used. This allows you to outspeed all max speed base 65 Pokemon (e.g. Emboar, Glaceon, Flareon) as well as always keeping your sub intact against 0 SpA Torkoal Lava Plume. (I prefer the fast spread, but maybe thats just me.)
-Will-O-Wisp is another option in the last slot, effectively crippling Skuntank, Armaldo and the like.
-Pain Split can be used to wear down bulky walls like Lickilicky, but status immunity really is huge for Misdreavus.
-This set can set up on and plough through a lot of stall teams, as they often lack a reliable way to deal with it outside of status. Struggles to set up on offensive teams, unless they are running a spinner.
-Hazard support is pretty much essential, as it thrives on setting up on spinners.
-No recovery outside of the generally inferior Pain Split, so Wish support from Audino/Lickilicky is appreciated.
-Misdreavus is best used with teammates that need hazards to stay on the field, such as Swellow and Spikes. Swellow can also switch in on any Ghost attacks aimed at Misdreavus.