[OVERVIEW]
Mismagius's high Speed stat lets it outspeed a good part of the tier and Speed tie with Scyther. It also has a respectable Special Attack stat, which can be further increased by Nasty Plot. It has a great support movepool that includes Taunt, Will-O-Wisp, Destiny Bond, and Memento. Its Ghost typing along with Levitate makes it somewhat useful defensively, with three immunities to Normal-, Fighting-, and Ground-type moves. However, Mismagius's subpar Defense means it cannot switch into even neutral physical attacks. It is weak to common Dark- and Ghost-type attacks, such as Pursuit, Knock Off, and Shadow Ball. Furthermore, its mediocre offenses mean that it is quite weak without a boost. Also, though it is quite fast, it still is outsped by common faster Pokemon, such as Liepard, Archeops, and Swellow. It also faces competition from Misdreavus as a stallbreaker and spinblocker due to Misdreavus's higher bulk, which often is more useful than Mismagius's higher Speed.
[SET]
name: Stallbreaker
move 1: Hex
move 2: Will-O-Wisp
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Pain Split / Thunder Wave
item: Colbur Berry / Leftovers
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 80 Def / 176 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hex is used as a STAB move, as it hits Pokemon afflicted with status quite hard. However, Shadow Ball can be used over Hex to OHKO Jynx after Stealth Rock damage, though Hex is generally better. Will-O-Wisp complements Hex by doubling its power, aside from halving the foe's Attack and wearing the foe down. Taunt prevents the opponent from statusing Mismagius, setting up entry hazards, or recovering; it synergizes well with Will-O-Wisp, preventing recovery. Pain Split is Mismagius's only reliable form of recovery, being able to heavily damage foes with high HP stats, such as Skuntank and Audino. Thunder Wave can be used over Pain Split to cripple foes, especially Fire-types, such as Magmortar and Pyroar, which are immune to Will-O-Wisp, on the switch in, lowering their Speed. Destiny Bond is a useful option in some situations, allowing Mismagius to KO the foe by sacrificing itself. Memento can be used when Mismagius is of no use or is about to faint in order to make it easier for a teammate to set up.
Set Details
========
176 Speed EVs and a Timid nature let Mismagius outpace positive-natured Pokemon with base 95 Speed, such as Jynx and Haunter. The remaining EVs are put into HP and Defense to allow Mismagius to take hits better. Levitate makes Mismagius immune to Spikes and Toxic Spikes. A Colbur Berry can be used to make Mismagius a fairly reliable switch-in to Fighting types such as Hariyama and Gurdurr, and it also makes it less vulnerable to Pursuit users, such as Skuntank and Liepard. Leftovers gives Mismagius a form of reliable recovery.
Usage Tips
========
Mismagius can be used early-game to spread burns with Will-O-Wisp or mid-game to hit statused foes hard with Hex. Switch Mismagius into a nonthreatening defensive Pokemon or on an attack it is immune to, such as Weezing and Sawk's Close Combat, respectively. Will-O-Wisp should be used early-game to cripple the opposing team, especially if it lacks Fire-types, as well as to increase the power of Hex. Taunt should be used on defensive Pokemon such as Audino, Musharna, and Quagsire so that they can't recover, boost, or use status moves. Mismagius is an effective spinblocker, so it should be switched in on Rapid Spin users such as Sandslash and Hitmonchan, which are unable to harm Mismagius with their STAB moves, though Mismagius must be wary of their coverage moves. Mismagius can also Taunt Stealth Rock setters that don't really threaten it, such as Crustle.
Team Options
========
Toxic Spikes users, such as Garbodor and Weezing, make for great partners, helping to boost Hex by inflicting status, while Mismagius can spinblock in return. Ground-types, such as Rhydon, Torterra, and Sandslash, can threaten Skuntank, which is extremely threatening to Mismagius. Rhydon can also deal with Fire-types, though it must be wary of common coverage moves, such as Hidden Power Grass. Due to Mismagius's vulnerability to faster offensive Pokemon, such as Archeops, Swellow, and Liepard, Choice Scarf users make for great partners. Choice Scarf Rotom-S is a particularly good teammate, as it can threaten all of the aforementioned Pokemon, and it appreciates Mismagius wearing down the opposing team with Will-O-Wisp and Hex. Hariyama is a useful partner to check Fire-types such as Pyroar and Magmortar, which wall Mismagius, as well as Dark-types such as Shiftry, Pawniard, and Liepard.
[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Shadow Ball
move 3: Dazzling Gleam
move 4: Hidden Power Ground / Destiny Bond
item: Colbur Berry / Life Orb
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Nasty Plot makes Mismagius extremely threatening. Shadow Ball is used as a STAB move due to its reliability. Dazzling Gleam hits Dark-types, such as Liepard and Shiftry, super effectively, while also hitting Fighting-types, such as Gurdurr, Poliwrath, and Hitmonchan, hard, as well as Normal-types, which are immune to Shadow Ball. Hidden Power Ground is primarily used for hitting Skuntank for super effective damage, though it can also hit Pyroar super effectively on the switch in. However, Destiny Bond can be used over Hidden Power Ground to KO a foe in a last-ditch situation; it also allows Mismagius to play mind games with Sucker Punch users. Taunt can be used as well to prevent Quagsire, Weezing, Musharna, and Audino from spreading status, boosting, or recovering. Will-O-Wisp has its niche on this set, as it can ease setup, weakening physical attackers.
Set Details
========
252 EVs in Speed and a Timid nature let Mismagius Speed tie with Scyther and other Mismagius, while 252 Special Attack EVs maximize Mismagius's damage output. Levitate gives Mismagius an immunity to Ground-type moves, Spikes, and Toxic Spikes. Colbur Berry gives Mismagius some decent defensive utility, making it less weak to Dark-type moves, such as Knock Off, Sucker Punch, and Pursuit. Life Orb can also be used to heighten Mismagius's damage output, though it wears Mismagius down faster and makes it more vulnerable to Skuntank; therefore, it is best used with Destiny Bond. Hidden Power Ground works best alongside Colbur Berry, as Mismagius can then survive a hit from Skuntank and retaliate with Hidden Power Ground.
Usage Tips
========
Mismagius can act as a wallbreaker mid-game to pick off sufficently weakened foes or weaken bulky special walls for a teammate. Mismagius should use Nasty Plot to clean up mid- or late-game once its checks are KOed or weakened. Mismagius can set up against bulky Pokemon such as Weezing, Prinplup, and Xatu, burned physical attackers and Fighting-types when holding a Colbur Berry, and Choice-locked Sawk. Although it doesn't run defensive investment, Mismagius can still be used as a soft check to Fighting-types, such as Sawk and Hariyama, when holding a Colbur Berry. It should be switched in against Rapid Spin users that don't immediately threaten Mismagius with their STAB moves, such as Hitmonchan and Sandslash. If the goal is keeping entry hazards up, you should play very aggressively against Rapid Spin users, risking Mismagius being KOed; if it is KOed, you should switch in another teammate that can pressure Rapid Spin users.
Team Options
========
This set fits best on offensive hazard stacking teams that need a spinblocker and a win condition, so Spikes setters such as Cacturne and Garbodor make for excellent partners. If using Destiny Bond, having a partner that shares checks with Mismagius can be great, as Mismagius can lure its counters in; Shiftry is a good partner, as it appreciates Mismagius luring in Skuntank and Pyroar, which are some of its most common checks. Strong wallbreakers, such as Choice Band Sawk and Zangoose, make for great partners, as Mismagius can take advantage of the pressure they put on offensive teams and their ability to weaken defensive Pokemon. Klingklang also makes for a good partner, weakening Mega Audino, while Mismagius can handle Fighting- and Ground-types, which Klinklang is weak to. Ground-types such as Rhydon can threaten Pyroar, Magmortar, and Skuntank, which give Mismagius plenty of trouble. Offensive Carracosta is a useful partner, checking most offensive checks to Mismagius, such as Archeops, Scyther, and Swellow, while still preserving momentum. Skuntank also is a great partner, eliminating Choice Scarf Rotom and Haunter and shutting down Audino for Mismagius.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Thunderbolt hits bulky Water-types such as Mantine and generally provides good neutral coverage with Shadow Ball, but Mantine is already hit quite hard; however, it can be useful, as it hits Scyther harder. Substitute can be used alongside Nasty Plot to prevent Toxic and Thunder Wave users from crippling Mismagius. Substitute helps Mismagius deal with Sucker Punch users, but it wastes a slot that can be used for a coverage move or Destiny Bond. Hidden Power Fighting hits Pawniard and Pyroar super effectively, but running it makes Mismagius unable to deal with Skuntank.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-types**: Fire-types, especially Magmortar and Pyroar, threaten Mismagius if it does not carry Hidden Power Ground. Magmortar is able to comfortably switch into any attack Mismagius uses thanks to Assault Vest, while Pyroar is immune to Mismagius's STAB moves; they are immune to Will-O-Wisp as well.
**Faster Physical Attackers**: Due to its abysmal Defense, Mismagius is incredibly susceptible to strong physical wallbreakers such as Swellow, Archeops, and Tauros, which can threaten Mismagius with a STAB Brave Bird, Acrobatics, and Sheer Force Zen Headbutt, respectively. Swellow, in particular, doesn't fear Will-O-Wisp from the stallbreaker set, due to Guts and its immunity to Ghost-type attacks.
**Mega Audino**: Mega Audino counters Nasty Plot Mismagius thanks to its Ghost-type immunity and excellent bulk, though it struggles against Mismagius's stallbreaker set.
**Dark-types**: Although they must be wary against Dazzling Gleam and Will-O-Wisp, Dark-types, such as Shiftry, Liepard, and Skuntank, still trouble Mismagius, even with a Colbur Berry; for example, Shiftry's Sucker Punch and Liepard's Knock Off OHKO Mismagius after Stealth Rock damage. Furthermore, Skuntank is neutral to Dazzling Gleam, and it can trap Mismagius with Pursuit or play mind games with it with Sucker Punch.
Mismagius's high Speed stat lets it outspeed a good part of the tier and Speed tie with Scyther. It also has a respectable Special Attack stat, which can be further increased by Nasty Plot. It has a great support movepool that includes Taunt, Will-O-Wisp, Destiny Bond, and Memento. Its Ghost typing along with Levitate makes it somewhat useful defensively, with three immunities to Normal-, Fighting-, and Ground-type moves. However, Mismagius's subpar Defense means it cannot switch into even neutral physical attacks. It is weak to common Dark- and Ghost-type attacks, such as Pursuit, Knock Off, and Shadow Ball. Furthermore, its mediocre offenses mean that it is quite weak without a boost. Also, though it is quite fast, it still is outsped by common faster Pokemon, such as Liepard, Archeops, and Swellow. It also faces competition from Misdreavus as a stallbreaker and spinblocker due to Misdreavus's higher bulk, which often is more useful than Mismagius's higher Speed.
[SET]
name: Stallbreaker
move 1: Hex
move 2: Will-O-Wisp
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Pain Split / Thunder Wave
item: Colbur Berry / Leftovers
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 80 Def / 176 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hex is used as a STAB move, as it hits Pokemon afflicted with status quite hard. However, Shadow Ball can be used over Hex to OHKO Jynx after Stealth Rock damage, though Hex is generally better. Will-O-Wisp complements Hex by doubling its power, aside from halving the foe's Attack and wearing the foe down. Taunt prevents the opponent from statusing Mismagius, setting up entry hazards, or recovering; it synergizes well with Will-O-Wisp, preventing recovery. Pain Split is Mismagius's only reliable form of recovery, being able to heavily damage foes with high HP stats, such as Skuntank and Audino. Thunder Wave can be used over Pain Split to cripple foes, especially Fire-types, such as Magmortar and Pyroar, which are immune to Will-O-Wisp, on the switch in, lowering their Speed. Destiny Bond is a useful option in some situations, allowing Mismagius to KO the foe by sacrificing itself. Memento can be used when Mismagius is of no use or is about to faint in order to make it easier for a teammate to set up.
Set Details
========
176 Speed EVs and a Timid nature let Mismagius outpace positive-natured Pokemon with base 95 Speed, such as Jynx and Haunter. The remaining EVs are put into HP and Defense to allow Mismagius to take hits better. Levitate makes Mismagius immune to Spikes and Toxic Spikes. A Colbur Berry can be used to make Mismagius a fairly reliable switch-in to Fighting types such as Hariyama and Gurdurr, and it also makes it less vulnerable to Pursuit users, such as Skuntank and Liepard. Leftovers gives Mismagius a form of reliable recovery.
Usage Tips
========
Mismagius can be used early-game to spread burns with Will-O-Wisp or mid-game to hit statused foes hard with Hex. Switch Mismagius into a nonthreatening defensive Pokemon or on an attack it is immune to, such as Weezing and Sawk's Close Combat, respectively. Will-O-Wisp should be used early-game to cripple the opposing team, especially if it lacks Fire-types, as well as to increase the power of Hex. Taunt should be used on defensive Pokemon such as Audino, Musharna, and Quagsire so that they can't recover, boost, or use status moves. Mismagius is an effective spinblocker, so it should be switched in on Rapid Spin users such as Sandslash and Hitmonchan, which are unable to harm Mismagius with their STAB moves, though Mismagius must be wary of their coverage moves. Mismagius can also Taunt Stealth Rock setters that don't really threaten it, such as Crustle.
Team Options
========
Toxic Spikes users, such as Garbodor and Weezing, make for great partners, helping to boost Hex by inflicting status, while Mismagius can spinblock in return. Ground-types, such as Rhydon, Torterra, and Sandslash, can threaten Skuntank, which is extremely threatening to Mismagius. Rhydon can also deal with Fire-types, though it must be wary of common coverage moves, such as Hidden Power Grass. Due to Mismagius's vulnerability to faster offensive Pokemon, such as Archeops, Swellow, and Liepard, Choice Scarf users make for great partners. Choice Scarf Rotom-S is a particularly good teammate, as it can threaten all of the aforementioned Pokemon, and it appreciates Mismagius wearing down the opposing team with Will-O-Wisp and Hex. Hariyama is a useful partner to check Fire-types such as Pyroar and Magmortar, which wall Mismagius, as well as Dark-types such as Shiftry, Pawniard, and Liepard.
[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Shadow Ball
move 3: Dazzling Gleam
move 4: Hidden Power Ground / Destiny Bond
item: Colbur Berry / Life Orb
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Nasty Plot makes Mismagius extremely threatening. Shadow Ball is used as a STAB move due to its reliability. Dazzling Gleam hits Dark-types, such as Liepard and Shiftry, super effectively, while also hitting Fighting-types, such as Gurdurr, Poliwrath, and Hitmonchan, hard, as well as Normal-types, which are immune to Shadow Ball. Hidden Power Ground is primarily used for hitting Skuntank for super effective damage, though it can also hit Pyroar super effectively on the switch in. However, Destiny Bond can be used over Hidden Power Ground to KO a foe in a last-ditch situation; it also allows Mismagius to play mind games with Sucker Punch users. Taunt can be used as well to prevent Quagsire, Weezing, Musharna, and Audino from spreading status, boosting, or recovering. Will-O-Wisp has its niche on this set, as it can ease setup, weakening physical attackers.
Set Details
========
252 EVs in Speed and a Timid nature let Mismagius Speed tie with Scyther and other Mismagius, while 252 Special Attack EVs maximize Mismagius's damage output. Levitate gives Mismagius an immunity to Ground-type moves, Spikes, and Toxic Spikes. Colbur Berry gives Mismagius some decent defensive utility, making it less weak to Dark-type moves, such as Knock Off, Sucker Punch, and Pursuit. Life Orb can also be used to heighten Mismagius's damage output, though it wears Mismagius down faster and makes it more vulnerable to Skuntank; therefore, it is best used with Destiny Bond. Hidden Power Ground works best alongside Colbur Berry, as Mismagius can then survive a hit from Skuntank and retaliate with Hidden Power Ground.
Usage Tips
========
Mismagius can act as a wallbreaker mid-game to pick off sufficently weakened foes or weaken bulky special walls for a teammate. Mismagius should use Nasty Plot to clean up mid- or late-game once its checks are KOed or weakened. Mismagius can set up against bulky Pokemon such as Weezing, Prinplup, and Xatu, burned physical attackers and Fighting-types when holding a Colbur Berry, and Choice-locked Sawk. Although it doesn't run defensive investment, Mismagius can still be used as a soft check to Fighting-types, such as Sawk and Hariyama, when holding a Colbur Berry. It should be switched in against Rapid Spin users that don't immediately threaten Mismagius with their STAB moves, such as Hitmonchan and Sandslash. If the goal is keeping entry hazards up, you should play very aggressively against Rapid Spin users, risking Mismagius being KOed; if it is KOed, you should switch in another teammate that can pressure Rapid Spin users.
Team Options
========
This set fits best on offensive hazard stacking teams that need a spinblocker and a win condition, so Spikes setters such as Cacturne and Garbodor make for excellent partners. If using Destiny Bond, having a partner that shares checks with Mismagius can be great, as Mismagius can lure its counters in; Shiftry is a good partner, as it appreciates Mismagius luring in Skuntank and Pyroar, which are some of its most common checks. Strong wallbreakers, such as Choice Band Sawk and Zangoose, make for great partners, as Mismagius can take advantage of the pressure they put on offensive teams and their ability to weaken defensive Pokemon. Klingklang also makes for a good partner, weakening Mega Audino, while Mismagius can handle Fighting- and Ground-types, which Klinklang is weak to. Ground-types such as Rhydon can threaten Pyroar, Magmortar, and Skuntank, which give Mismagius plenty of trouble. Offensive Carracosta is a useful partner, checking most offensive checks to Mismagius, such as Archeops, Scyther, and Swellow, while still preserving momentum. Skuntank also is a great partner, eliminating Choice Scarf Rotom and Haunter and shutting down Audino for Mismagius.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Thunderbolt hits bulky Water-types such as Mantine and generally provides good neutral coverage with Shadow Ball, but Mantine is already hit quite hard; however, it can be useful, as it hits Scyther harder. Substitute can be used alongside Nasty Plot to prevent Toxic and Thunder Wave users from crippling Mismagius. Substitute helps Mismagius deal with Sucker Punch users, but it wastes a slot that can be used for a coverage move or Destiny Bond. Hidden Power Fighting hits Pawniard and Pyroar super effectively, but running it makes Mismagius unable to deal with Skuntank.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-types**: Fire-types, especially Magmortar and Pyroar, threaten Mismagius if it does not carry Hidden Power Ground. Magmortar is able to comfortably switch into any attack Mismagius uses thanks to Assault Vest, while Pyroar is immune to Mismagius's STAB moves; they are immune to Will-O-Wisp as well.
**Faster Physical Attackers**: Due to its abysmal Defense, Mismagius is incredibly susceptible to strong physical wallbreakers such as Swellow, Archeops, and Tauros, which can threaten Mismagius with a STAB Brave Bird, Acrobatics, and Sheer Force Zen Headbutt, respectively. Swellow, in particular, doesn't fear Will-O-Wisp from the stallbreaker set, due to Guts and its immunity to Ghost-type attacks.
**Mega Audino**: Mega Audino counters Nasty Plot Mismagius thanks to its Ghost-type immunity and excellent bulk, though it struggles against Mismagius's stallbreaker set.
**Dark-types**: Although they must be wary against Dazzling Gleam and Will-O-Wisp, Dark-types, such as Shiftry, Liepard, and Skuntank, still trouble Mismagius, even with a Colbur Berry; for example, Shiftry's Sucker Punch and Liepard's Knock Off OHKO Mismagius after Stealth Rock damage. Furthermore, Skuntank is neutral to Dazzling Gleam, and it can trap Mismagius with Pursuit or play mind games with it with Sucker Punch.
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