Overview
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Defensive
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name: Defensive
move 1: Will-O-Wisp
move 2: Shadow Ball
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Pain Split
ability: Levitate
item: Eviolite
evs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 Spe
nature: Timid
Moves
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Set Details
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Usage Tips
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Team Options
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Other Options
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Checks & Counters
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- Bulk granted by Eviolite differentiates it from Mismagius
- Amazing movepool with moves such as Will-O-Wisp, Thunder Wave, Taunt, Heal Bell, and Perish Song
- useful typing and ability lets it act as a "pivot" spinblocker for balanced teams
- Taunt+good Speed for a defensive Pokemon
- No recovery outside of Pain Split and Rest
- Knock Off buff means it can't check Fighting types as easily
- Low offensive presence
Defensive
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name: Defensive
move 1: Will-O-Wisp
move 2: Shadow Ball
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Pain Split
ability: Levitate
item: Eviolite
evs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 Spe
nature: Timid
Moves
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- Will-O-Wisp burns Physical attackers making Misdreavus harder to break and its residual damage is useful against the defensive Pokemon Misdreavus can break using the tried and true Wisp+Taunt combination
- Shadow Ball is a decently powerful STAB move that hits most offensive Pokemon that don't resist or are immune to it for decent damage
- Foul Play can be used to do heavy damage to Normal-types like Swellow and Zangoose who Misdreavus can't touch otherwise and it is very useful to beat Bouffalant, an huge threat to most defensive balance and stall teams.
- Taunt stops defensive Pokemon from healing and statusing Misdreavus and is also useful against some entry hazards users like Garbodor, Rhydon, and Roselia
- Pain Split is Misdreavus most reliable recovery move
- Perish Song can stop dangerous setup sweepers such as Xatu if Misdreavus is being used on a stall team.
Set Details
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- Eviolite amplifies Misdreavus' defenses greatly, giving it a niche over Mismagius who is faster and stronger
- 16 Speed EVs with a Timid Nature allow Misdreavus to outspeed max speed Adamant Sandslash, which is quite important as Misdreavus can spinblock against it. This speed investment also allows Misdreavus to outspeed bulkier Feraligatr variants and minimum Speed Xatu
- Misdreavus can also opt to run a faster spread, for example it can outspeed Adamant Slurpuff with 64 Speed EVs
- Rest is put into defense to let Misdreavus check Ground and Fighting types better. As well as the majority of spinblockers, who are physical.
Usage Tips
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- While Misdreavus can't really Spinblock by itself on Kabutops or Cryogonal it can act as a decent pivot switch into Rapid Spin before going into something who can take them out.
- However, Sandslash is beaten quite easily ad Misdreavus outspeeds it and can Burn it or 3HKO with Shadow Ball (2HKO with entry hazards supporto)
- Misdreavus is a decent switch in to a miriad of Physical attackers such as Tauros, slower Feraligatr variants, and Klinklang and on any move not named Knock Off from Zangoose, Sawk, and Gurdurr.
Team Options
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- Audino and Lickilicky for Wish and cleric Support and amazing synergy.
- Entry hazards setters are good partner as Misdreavus is a decent spinblocker, some with decent synergy are Rhydon, Garbodor, Qwilfish, and Roselia.
- Knock Off absorbers like Granbull and Poliwrath can help alleviate Misdreavus' Knock Off weakness
- Checks to offensive Normal-types such as Rhydon and Steelix pair with Misdreavus decently well as they can handle troublesome Zangoose and Swellow who freely switch into Misdreavus and threaten it with Knock Off and Brave Bird respectively. Kangaskhan is also pretty threatening as it can quite easily 2HKO Misdreavus with a tiny bit of prior damage on the switch in, even if it loses 1v1.
- Checks to Fire-types such as Rhydon, Seismitoad, Hariyama, and Dragalge are also very appreciated as they can switch into the Fire-type Pokemon Misdreavus tends to bait in. Hariyama also checks Cryogonal which is a huge problem for Misdreavus
Other Options
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- Heal Bell but Pokemon such as Audino are usually paired with Misdreavus and do that job a lot better
- Thunder Wave
- Nasty Plot and Calm Mind
- Perish Song + Mean Look
- Thunderbolt
- Magic Coat
- Hex
Checks & Counters
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- **Fire-types**: Fire-type Pokemon such as Pyroar and Typhlosion can come in quite easily on most of Misdreavus' moveset and threaten to hit with their powerful STAB moves. Pyroar is immune to any move Misdreavus commonly carries and can do heavy damage with Fire Blast.
- **Knock Off users**: Knock Off users such as Liepard and Sawk can remove Misdreavus' Eviolite and severely hamper its defensive capabilities. Most of them, however, fear Will-O-Wisp on the switch. Gurdurr is the exception as it actually enjoys the Burn thanks to Guts.
- **Normal-types**: Normal-type Pokemon such as Zangoose and Swellow can come in for free on any Misdreavus not using Foul Play and threaten it out with the threat of Knock Off or STAB Brave Bird. Lickilicky is another stellar switch in as it is immune to Taunt and can pass a Wish to a teammate or cure status with Heal Bell.
- **Specially Attackers**: Almost any bulky Pokemon that doesn't fear a Burn too much is a decent check to Misdreavus as it is quite prone to being worn down by repeated attacks without reliable recovery. Cryogonal is a perfect example as it can hit Misdreavus moderately hard with Freeze Dry or Ice Beam while healing off Shadow Ball damage with Recover
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