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Monotype Analyses Mega-thread
- Thread starter scpinion
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I've just a few things to say about that:
First, you can add Snarl as offensive move, it's really good to drop the special atk of a special sweeper, Calm Minder, or even against M-Sableye (to win the dual).
Next, I think you've to explain more why M-Sableye is really good in Dark type in the usage tips (Fighting immunity, wall fighting physical Pokemon,...)
[QC]
- For the terrackion set, Id for sure slash iron head after quick attack. Band IH is very helpful for a fairy matchup. Being able to 2hko clefable more reliably and being able to potentially flinch it down is very nice as clefable can be very difficult to kill for rock teams that lack mega aggron. Being able to signifigantly dent klefki is also very nice.
[QC]
- Id give EQ a slash after bullet seed. Especially in a meta where HO steel has been prominent, EQ mega cross can help out with that annoying matchup in the sense that Ada eq 2hkos doublade after rocks (I think). It may seem petty but as a fighting user yourself, you can atest that doublade can become a threat if keldeo gets worn down or you play too aggressively with it and it gets taken out. Being able to take out doub makes that matchup a lot easier and its also probably nice in a ghost matchup as nothing other than doub wants to come in on mega hera on a ghost team.
- For good measures I'd slash jolly after ada and give it a mention as well. Being able to outspeed jolly base 70s after mega and base 80's before mega definitly merits it at least a mention. Ada is for sure preferred on fighting tho.
Apologies in advance for bad grammar, mobile life is rough.
All changes made.
EQ is nice for hitting HO Steel, so I slashed it. Ghost is not quite as true, as Bullet Seed is necessary for Jellicent, a far more potent threat to Fighting.
I mentioned the Jolly base 70/base 80 thing. I also mentioned outspeeding fast Zapdos, which is actually a pretty big deal since Heat Wave chunks out a solid 50 or it can use Toxic.
I'll mark it for GP if it's fine.
this has been gp'ed and is now ready for upload!
gp'ed this, ready for upload. just remember for future analyses: capitalize all move names please and don't abbreviate words like "with" to "w/" and "Thunderbolt" to "TBolt" and you'll be fine :)
Added Checks and Counters to my Clefable post.
GPed everything but Checks and Counters. Adding onto Sobi, use the serial comma please. "A, B, and C" must have a comma before the "and".
GP'ed.
I wonder if my Whimsicott analysis can already move on to GP. I haven't received any reviews so far after asking a couple of times (not sure if people weren't interested or such), but I guess everything is fine.
By the way if there's anything that still needs to be fixed, let me know.
I'll look over it tonight
Ready for GP.
Clefable (Fairy) Overview
The combination of Clefable's decent bulk, good defensive typing in Fairy which is only weak to Steel and Poison, it's abilities and it's movepool make it incredibly versatile and able to fulfill a lot of different roles on the team. It's two abilities are Magic Guard and Unaware. Magic Guard is very nice for absorbing Toxic, Will'O'Wisp, Leech Seed etc. and coming in on hazards without taking any damage and it can even be used as an offensive tank with Life Orb as it Magic Guard prevents the recoil. Unaware on the other hand lets it check set-up sweepers and stop them from sweeping your team. As previously mentioned, Clefable's movepool is wide and there are many options for it. It has access to Stealth Rock which not many other Fairy type Pokemon do. It can be a cleric with access to Wish and Heal Bell, it has nice utility options in Encore, Knock Off and Thunder Wave and it also has very solid coverage in Thunderbolt, Ice Beam, Flamethrower, Moonblast and Calm Mind that can turn it into a very dangerous set-up sweeper that's not so easy do deal with. It's one of the few Pokemon on Fairy that are able to survive an unboosted Bullet Punch from Mega Scizor and access to a Fire move in Flamethrower and Fire Blast and that makes it a very important asset to Fairy.
Clefable (Fairy) Calm Mind
Clefable (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 172 Def / 84 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Moonblast
- Soft-Boiled
- Flamethrower / Stealth Rock / Thunder Wave
#Moves
Moonblast is the strongest Fairy type move Clefable gets. It's STAB, it's consistent and not many Pokemon resist Fairy. Calm Mind boosts Clefable's SpA and SpD which makes it very dangerous after it's done so as it can be very hard to take out. Depending on the match-up the game could already be over if Clefable gets to set-up a few Calm Minds. Thunder Wave is to cripple Pokemon, especially fast threats or set-up sweepers, it does an amazing job of supporting the Calm Mind sweep. Last but not least Soft-Boiled is there for healing up when getting weakened while setting up or using Thunder Wave.
#Set Details
Maximum HP is to make Clefable as bulky as possible as it needs to be able to take hits to fulfill it's many rolls. 84 SpD EVs with a Calm Nature is used to check Kyurem-B, Mega Manectric, Mega Diancie and Thundurus while the rest of the EVs go in Defense so Clefable can take a Bullet Punch from Choice Band Scizor and use Flamethrower if it's running it. Leftovers gives Clefable more longevity but another item that it can run is Babiri Berry so it can get rid of Scizor without relying on rolls or being at full health. An alternative spread of Max HP and Max Defense can be used to make Clefable as bulky as possible as it has Calm Mind to boosts it's Special Defense.
#Usage Tips
Clefable can serve as a defensive pivot as it takes neutral hits pretty easily for the most part, but it can't switch in on very powerful attacks such as Choice Specs Keldeo, Landorus-I, Mega Swampert and other strong wallbreakers as they can all 2HKO Clefable. It can also pivot around on Pokemon that want to spread burns or poison due to it's ability Magic Guard, and those Pokemon are usually easy set-up fodders. Calm Mind should be used on Pokemon who aren't big threats to Clefable such as Sableye, Mew, Rotom etc. It should not be used on physical attackers that 2HKO Clefable as it's only able to boost it's Special Defense. Thunder Wave can be used on any Pokemon whether it's faster than you or not because it's always nice to have that chance to full paralyze the opponent but it's most useful to paralyze threats to Clefable such as Mega Venusaur and Bisharp which can help in beating them despite the disadvantage.
#Team Options
Klefki's ability to set-up Reflect and Light Screen helps support the Clefable sweep a ton. Dual Screens being up combined with Clefable's bulk is gonna allow it to Calm Mind as much as it wants as well as slow down the opponent with Thunder Wave and potentially just win the game right there. Pokemon that stop the Clefable sweep are obviously Pokemon that resist Moonblast. Notably Ferrothorn, Heatran and Empoleon which are very bulky and even a +6 Clefable can't take them on. Azumarill being a very strong physical wallbreaker can take care of Heatran and Empoleon, while Ferrothorn can be weakened by any Fire move such as Hidden Power Fire on Mega Diancie or Sylveon and Fire Blast on Togekiss. Choice Specs Sylveon is another great partner as Gliscor with Taunt shuts down Clefable and it's able to take on most Fairy types with it's high special defense. Babiri Berry Togekiss with Fire Blast is another great option if Clefable isn't running a Babiri Berry set of it's own as it helps vs Mega Scizor and other Steel types.
Clefable Checks and Counters
Doublade as a check on Ghost.
Being part Steel and having decent bulk with Eviolite, Doublade is able to take on Clefable easily unless it's a Flamethrower variant.
Gengar as a check on Ghost.
Gengar is a very hard hitting part Poison type which can take on Clefable even with SpD boosts.
Mega-Scizor as a check on Bug.
Mega Scizor is part Steel and is able to take on Clefable with no problems unless it's carrying a Fire move.
Durant as a check on Bug.
It's not always a safe switch in due to the possibility of Flamethrower, but if it's already inside it's gonna get a kill with Iron Head.
Magnezone as a counter on Electric.
Magnezone's Steel typing and bulk allow it to take on Clefable without any issues as it's also immune to Thunder Wave, a move Clefable often uses to cripple the opponent.
Heatran as a counter on Fire.
Heatran has a x4 resists Clefable's Fairy STAB and is immune to Clefable's other common attack, Flamethrower. That plus it's great Special Defense allow it to counter Clefable even at +6.
Empoleon as a counter on Water.
With amazing Special Defense, Steel typing and access to Roar, there's not much Clefable can do in front of Empoleon.
Bisharp as a check on Dark.
Bisharp's really high Attack stat and Steel typing allow it to OHKO Clefable with Iron Head, however it can't switch in so easily as Moonblast and Flamethrower still do a good amount of damage.
Drapion as a counter on Poison.
It's Poison typing, decent bulk and access to Taunt allow it to be a reliable answer to Clefable on Dark.
Mega Aggron as a counter on Rock.
Mega Aggron's Steel typing and amazing bulk allow it to deal with Clefable easily as it doesn't even fear a Flamethrower due to it's Filter ability.
Jirachi as a counter on Psychic.
Jirachi's great bulk, Steel typing and the high chance to flinch with Iron Head due to it's Serene Grace ability allow it to deal with Clefable quite easily.
Metagross as a counter on Psychic.
The great bulk and Steel typing that Metagross possesses make it a reliable answer to Clefable who can't do much back even with Flamethrower.
Mega-Venusaur as a counter on Grass.
Mega Venusaur's amazing bulk and Poison typing allow it to take on Clefable without too many issues.
Amoongus as a counter on Grass.
With great bulk, the Poison type and access to Spore and Clear Smog, Amoongus deals with Clefable pretty well.
Ferrothorn as a check on Grass.
Being part Steel and having great bulk, Ferrothorn checks Clefable pretty well unless it's carrying Flamethrower.
Cobalion as a check on Fighting.
Cobalion's Steel typing allows it to take neutral damage from Clefable's STAB Moonblast and deal serious damage to it with a STAB Steel type move.
Toxicroak as a check on Fighting.
Toxicroak's Poison typing allows it to take neutral damage from Clefable's Moonblast and take it out with a Poison type move.
This analysis is ready for GP btw, don't know if I mentioned it before.
Could use a QC or two here. Thanks!
Ready for QC!
Reckon this is now ready for GP
[Overview]
Ditto's ability, Imposter, combined with a Choice Scarf, allow it to be an excellent revenge killer that in the monotype metagame can even threaten to sweep unwary opponents. While Ditto often doesn't shine in other tiers, it finds a niche on stallier normal teams in monotype. Although Porygon2, Chansey and Staraptor are capable of defending against many attackers, often a setup sweeper will be able to break through the core and sweep the team. However, Ditto is able to copy an opponent's stat boosts, making it risky to set up too far and often threatening to sweep the opponent if they set up enough to break the defensive core.
Ditto's ability, Imposter, combined with a Choice Scarf, allow it to be an excellent revenge killer that in the monotype metagame can even threaten to sweep unwary opponents. While Ditto often doesn't shine in other tiers, it finds a niche on stallier normal teams in monotype. Although Porygon2, Chansey and Staraptor are capable of defending against many attackers, often a setup sweeper will be able to break through the core and sweep the team. However, Ditto is able to copy an opponent's stat boosts, making it risky to set up too far and often threatening to sweep the opponent if they set up enough to break the defensive core.
[Set]
Ditto @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Imposter
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 1 Atk / 0 Spe
- Transform
-
-
-
#Moves
Transform is Ditto's only move, and is unlikely ever to be used. Its only real use it preventing ditto from running out of PP when sent out against opponents it can't transform into, such as those with a Substitute.
#Set Details
Choice Scarf is required as otherwise Ditto will speed tie with the opponent it imposters, and this risk isn't worth the benefit gained from any other item. 248 HP EVs minimize damage taken from stealth rock, and otherwise maximise Ditto's HP as this is the only stat it doesn't copy from the opponent. IVs should be chosen to give a generally useful Hidden Power, with types such as Ice, Fire, and Ground generally being good options, the IVs given are for HP Ice. The remaining details help Ditto in the unlikely situation that it is sent out at the same time as an opposing ditto. In this case, minimum speed ensures that the opposing ditto will transform, causing yours to be unable to, and giving the opponent only 5pp compared to your 16. Next, Attack is minimised and Defense is maximised so that the opposing ditto's struggle will do as little damage to you as possible. Finally, remaining EVs are placed in Special Defense in the unlikely hope that they might help Ditto live a special attack. Note that Ditto's happiness value can be changed to 0 if opponents are more likely to run Frustration than Return, however there isn't a huge difference in usage between the two.
#Usage Tips
Ditto is best used to revenge kill opposing setup sweepers and wallbreakers, and possibly sweep opposing teams if given the opportunity by the opponent. It can be especially useful against pokemon such as Mega Pinsir, Mega Gallade, Mega Medicham, Heatran, and others that threaten their own teams if impostered. Note that it's very frail, however, so try not to switch it directly into the opponent - instead, either send it in when a pokemon has fainted, or bring it in via a slow u-turn or similar. It's also possible to bring Ditto in on an attack it will be immune to, such as Gengar's Focus Blast or Heatran's Lava Plume, but beware the opponent predicting this and selecting a different attack instead. Note that revenge killing isn't Ditto's only function - it can also scout the opponent's moveset, and can be useful in other places such as switching into a trick from a scarfed opponent, or using moves such as Heal Bell and Defog copied from opposing teams, without fear of these moves being pp stalled. It can also effectively pp stall pokemon like Mega Sableye, which might otherwise threaten the team, due to having 5pp every time it switches in. Also note that it's worth being patient with Ditto - even if it seems like Ditto isn't doing anything and isn't getting any opportunities to take out opponents, it may be preventing opponents from setting up and thus still doing its job.
#Team Options
Ditto is especially good at supporting stall and semi-stall teams, as opponents that would otherwise set up and break the Chansey / Porygon2 / Staraptor core can't do so without risking Ditto hitting them back hard. However, it can still be used on more offensive teams as a revenge killer, capable of reliably taking out most threats not holding a Choice Scarf. Ditto appreciates pokemon that can get it in safely, such as Diggersby or Heliolisk which can scare a pokemon out as they U-turn or Volt Switch to Ditto. In general, however, Ditto doesn't need support in the way other pokemon do as it fits relatively well onto many kinds of team and doesn't need synergy with the other pokemon on the team.
Ditto @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Imposter
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 1 Atk / 0 Spe
- Transform
-
-
-
#Moves
Transform is Ditto's only move, and is unlikely ever to be used. Its only real use it preventing ditto from running out of PP when sent out against opponents it can't transform into, such as those with a Substitute.
#Set Details
Choice Scarf is required as otherwise Ditto will speed tie with the opponent it imposters, and this risk isn't worth the benefit gained from any other item. 248 HP EVs minimize damage taken from stealth rock, and otherwise maximise Ditto's HP as this is the only stat it doesn't copy from the opponent. IVs should be chosen to give a generally useful Hidden Power, with types such as Ice, Fire, and Ground generally being good options, the IVs given are for HP Ice. The remaining details help Ditto in the unlikely situation that it is sent out at the same time as an opposing ditto. In this case, minimum speed ensures that the opposing ditto will transform, causing yours to be unable to, and giving the opponent only 5pp compared to your 16. Next, Attack is minimised and Defense is maximised so that the opposing ditto's struggle will do as little damage to you as possible. Finally, remaining EVs are placed in Special Defense in the unlikely hope that they might help Ditto live a special attack. Note that Ditto's happiness value can be changed to 0 if opponents are more likely to run Frustration than Return, however there isn't a huge difference in usage between the two.
#Usage Tips
Ditto is best used to revenge kill opposing setup sweepers and wallbreakers, and possibly sweep opposing teams if given the opportunity by the opponent. It can be especially useful against pokemon such as Mega Pinsir, Mega Gallade, Mega Medicham, Heatran, and others that threaten their own teams if impostered. Note that it's very frail, however, so try not to switch it directly into the opponent - instead, either send it in when a pokemon has fainted, or bring it in via a slow u-turn or similar. It's also possible to bring Ditto in on an attack it will be immune to, such as Gengar's Focus Blast or Heatran's Lava Plume, but beware the opponent predicting this and selecting a different attack instead. Note that revenge killing isn't Ditto's only function - it can also scout the opponent's moveset, and can be useful in other places such as switching into a trick from a scarfed opponent, or using moves such as Heal Bell and Defog copied from opposing teams, without fear of these moves being pp stalled. It can also effectively pp stall pokemon like Mega Sableye, which might otherwise threaten the team, due to having 5pp every time it switches in. Also note that it's worth being patient with Ditto - even if it seems like Ditto isn't doing anything and isn't getting any opportunities to take out opponents, it may be preventing opponents from setting up and thus still doing its job.
#Team Options
Ditto is especially good at supporting stall and semi-stall teams, as opponents that would otherwise set up and break the Chansey / Porygon2 / Staraptor core can't do so without risking Ditto hitting them back hard. However, it can still be used on more offensive teams as a revenge killer, capable of reliably taking out most threats not holding a Choice Scarf. Ditto appreciates pokemon that can get it in safely, such as Diggersby or Heliolisk which can scare a pokemon out as they U-turn or Volt Switch to Ditto. In general, however, Ditto doesn't need support in the way other pokemon do as it fits relatively well onto many kinds of team and doesn't need synergy with the other pokemon on the team.
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Already added all of Lax's suggestions but I think I'll only feel comfortable moving it to 'ready for GP' after a few more QCs.
Mega Gyarados (Water) Offensive Dragon Dance
Moves:
The Mold Breaker beats Water immunities thing should not be mentioned in here. That should be mentioned in Set Details, as Mold Breaker is its ability.
Taunt does not help you against Dragon Tail users, remove that.
Just take out "non rest/talk" that's not relevant to this set.
You said Ice Fang is an option, but it's not slashed. How come? Give the reason as to why losing Substitute/Taunt for Ice Fang is not worth it (Presumably because the ease of setting up is more valuable).
Set Details:
This is where you mention Mold Breaker. Talk about Mold Breaker because:
1. It breaks Water immunity abilities
2. It lets Taunt go through Magic Bounce
3. It lets Earthquake hit Rotom-W
Also, explain why is it important to be maximum Speed? Talk about it. Gyarados has a great Speed creeping tier, so being maximum Speed takes full advantage of it.
Usage tips:
Where is the "Don't Mega Evolve it until you don't need it for Intimidate or can sweep"? That is a relevant usage and should be explained here. Use a good example such as: "Not Mega Evolving against Fighting teams, for example, is recommended to use Intimidate and its Flying sub-typing."
When do we set up Dragon Dance? You should say that its checks and counters should be sufficiently weakened before going for the sweep. Here's an example: "If Mega Gyarados lacks Taunt, Skarmory should be weakened or taken out before trying to set up."
Gyarados should Mega Evolve as soon as possible against Steel to avoid Intimidate activating Defiant on Bisharp, if you lack strong checks to it.
Talk about how Mega Gyarados should go about setting up in the first place. For example against Psychic, we should be bringing Mega Gyarados in on a free switch into Slowbro to get free setup time. However, Gyarados should need to avoid Gardevoir tracing Intimidate and Mega Gyarados should also avoid Mega Gardevoir's Hyper Voice piercing its Substitute.
These are uses that we know about, but you can never be too explicit.
Team Options:
You mentioned Azumarill very briefly, but it's such an important teammate. Azumarill helps handle Keldeo, which otherwise easily checks Mega Gyarados. It also helps with Kyurem-B, if it Choice-locks into Outrage, which would also otherwise easily check Mega Gyarados.
You should mention Swampert by name, as it packs an Electric immunity and Stealth Rock!
Tentacruel got such a short explanation. Give it more! Toxic Spikes is amazing support for Mega Gyarados, as it severely cripples many walls. Also, Tentacruel can handle Clefable, which is another massive problem for Mega Gyarados.
The Mold Breaker beats Water immunities thing should not be mentioned in here. That should be mentioned in Set Details, as Mold Breaker is its ability.
Taunt does not help you against Dragon Tail users, remove that.
Just take out "non rest/talk" that's not relevant to this set.
You said Ice Fang is an option, but it's not slashed. How come? Give the reason as to why losing Substitute/Taunt for Ice Fang is not worth it (Presumably because the ease of setting up is more valuable).
Set Details:
This is where you mention Mold Breaker. Talk about Mold Breaker because:
1. It breaks Water immunity abilities
2. It lets Taunt go through Magic Bounce
3. It lets Earthquake hit Rotom-W
Also, explain why is it important to be maximum Speed? Talk about it. Gyarados has a great Speed creeping tier, so being maximum Speed takes full advantage of it.
Usage tips:
Where is the "Don't Mega Evolve it until you don't need it for Intimidate or can sweep"? That is a relevant usage and should be explained here. Use a good example such as: "Not Mega Evolving against Fighting teams, for example, is recommended to use Intimidate and its Flying sub-typing."
When do we set up Dragon Dance? You should say that its checks and counters should be sufficiently weakened before going for the sweep. Here's an example: "If Mega Gyarados lacks Taunt, Skarmory should be weakened or taken out before trying to set up."
Gyarados should Mega Evolve as soon as possible against Steel to avoid Intimidate activating Defiant on Bisharp, if you lack strong checks to it.
Talk about how Mega Gyarados should go about setting up in the first place. For example against Psychic, we should be bringing Mega Gyarados in on a free switch into Slowbro to get free setup time. However, Gyarados should need to avoid Gardevoir tracing Intimidate and Mega Gyarados should also avoid Mega Gardevoir's Hyper Voice piercing its Substitute.
These are uses that we know about, but you can never be too explicit.
Team Options:
You mentioned Azumarill very briefly, but it's such an important teammate. Azumarill helps handle Keldeo, which otherwise easily checks Mega Gyarados. It also helps with Kyurem-B, if it Choice-locks into Outrage, which would also otherwise easily check Mega Gyarados.
You should mention Swampert by name, as it packs an Electric immunity and Stealth Rock!
Tentacruel got such a short explanation. Give it more! Toxic Spikes is amazing support for Mega Gyarados, as it severely cripples many walls. Also, Tentacruel can handle Clefable, which is another massive problem for Mega Gyarados.
I also want to make sure you're naming Gyarados correctly. Anywhere you want to talk about Mega Gyarados, it must be called "Mega Gyarados". Anywhere you call it "Gyarados" implies exactly Gyarados. You cannot call Mega Gyarados "Gyarados" or vice-versa. Please make sure this is consistent. Further, this is the Mega Gyarados analysis, not the Gyarados analysis. While it's great to talk about Gyarados's problems, they may or may not be Mega Gyarados's problems. Be careful of the difference.
I'll Like the post after I see changes.
If you could do GP a favor, by the way, 'mons is not okay because it is slang. Replace with Pokemon.
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[QC]
- Not too much here as ditto has a very simple analysis. In team options you talk about supporting semi stall and semi stall normal builds. I would probably get a bit more specific with it and directly mention how it's a godsend for the eviolite core (Chansey + P2) as it takes advantage of pretty much anything that breaks that core. "supporting stall and semi stall" just seems a bit too general for me and it would be good to know for newer players that it really goes well with that core so they can work with it.
Everything else seems fine, it should be ready for GP.
Is this ready for GP?Ready for QC
Dragonite is a powerful physical attacker with strong priority and decent bulk. It has good neutral STAB, and can carry a variety of coverage moves, such as fire punch, earthquake, and superpower. It gets access to dragon dance and Extreme Speed, which makes it very hard to revenge kill. It also has the amazing ability Multiscale, which halves the damage it would take if it is at full HP. However, it has a crippling double weakness to ice, and its speed tier is somewhat subpar. It also hates stealth rock, because it breaks multiscale and makes it harder to set up.[SET]
Dragonite @ Choice Band
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant / Jolly Nature
- Outrage
- Extreme Speed
- Earthquake
- Fire Punch
#Moves
Outrage is a very powerful STAB move that ohkos a lot of things. Extreme Speed is a very powerful priority move that mitigates Dragonite's below-average speed tier. Earthquake hits steel types that would normally be switchins to Dnite, and Fire Punch is for hitting mons like skarmory and mega-scizor, which would normally wall it. Superpower can be used to hit Chansey and Porygon2. Iron Head can also be used to hit fairy types. The coverage moves used should be dependent on your team, and if it struggles against a certain mon.
#Set Details
Maximum Speed with a adamant nature allows it to tie with other adamant base 80s. Multiscale is used because it improves its survivability if stealth rock has been defogged away. An adamant nature can be used to guarantee the OHKO against Chansey and other mons. Jolly can be used alternatively to outspeed Jolly 70's and tie with other Jolly 80's.
#Usage Tips
Choice band outrage hits extremely hard, scoring 2HKOs on Slowbro and Porygon2. Switching into Dnite isn't usually a good idea unless you know they will switch because switching into attacks will ruin your Multiscale. Outrage will ohko or 2hko many walls, so teams without fairies have a tough time dealing with this monster.
#Teammate Options
Common defoggers, like Zapdos and Skarmory, make good partners because they provide support. Landorus-I works well as a partner for Dragonite because it is a powerful special wallbreaker, and they can cover one another's checks. Another good partner would be defensive togekiss, who can spread T-Waves and slow down mons that outspeed and would OHKO Dnite. Toge also provides defog support. Choice Scarf Salamence would be a good partner because they have similar checks and one can wear them down for the other to sweep.
#SET
Dragonite @ Lum Berry
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage / Dragon Claw
- Extreme Speed
- Earthquake / Fire Punch
#Moves
Dragon dance is the main boosting move of this set, boosting Dragonite's speed and attack to a level that allows it to clean late game. Outrage is the main STAB move, with good neutral coverage and a high base power. Alternatively, Dragon Claw could be used instead to avoid the downside of being locked into Outrage. Extreme Speed is a powerful priority move that beats out most other priority. Earthquake hits a myriad of types that could threaten flying, like electric and rock, but Fire Punch can alternatively be used to hit Mega Scizor and Skarmory.
#Set Details
Max attack with an adamant nature allows dragonite to hit extremely hard. Lum berry is the best item for dragonite because it gets rid of burns from Pokemon like Sableye. Lum Berry also cures the confusion from Outrage. Multiscale allows Dnite to turn unsafe opportunities into opportunities for a dragon dance, as it halves damage as long as it is at full health.
#Usage Tips
DDance Dragonite should be used as a mid-to-late game cleaner, when its potential checks are weakened and will be OHKO'd. Dragonite is able to set up on many different mons and types due to having a strong defensive typing. Sending dragonite in while stealth rock is present is always a bad idea, because it limits Dnite's ability to set up by breaking multiscale. Don't overestimate Multiscale, as it can still take serious damage from SE moves, and is likely to be OHKO'd by an ice move.
#Team Options
For flying, the most common defoggers are Skarmory and Zapdos, so pairing it with one (or both) of them allows the hazard removal that dragonite needs to set up. Mega Charizard-Y is another good partner because of its wallbreaking abilities and beats most of the fairies that would otherwise stop Dragonite. Another good partner would be Mega Gyarados, because it provides an ice resist, and shares similar checks to Dragonite so that one can weaken them to allow the other to sweep.
This is well done man. Most of my comments are nit picks or just requesting additional details. Implement and I think we're on to GP!
Overview
- I feel like the overview only describes the offensive support set you wrote an analysis on. It is my understanding it is the most effective set for grass teams, but we at least need to mention the other niches in this section. The goal is to overview how it can be used on Grass teams in general.
- To take the emphasis away from one particular set, you can mention how Prankster meshes well with Whimsicott's wide support movepool, which includes multiple status moves, Encore, Memento, and Tailwind.
- Mention how Grass teams lack the potent setup sweepers (Breloom is the best option?) to take advantage of things like Memento.
- SubSeed is definitely worth a mention in the overview as a way to prey on the more passive builds in the meta.
- Also talk about the speed tier it hits, which lets it threaten all the base 108 and 110 Fighting and Dragon types with Fairy STAB.
- I think Whimsicott gets reasonably good attacking coverage (Psychic, Shadow Ball, Hurricane, Knock Off, and STABs), it just hits like a wet noodle with that SpA stat.
- When discussing Whimsi's SpA it is ok to say it is low relative to other special attackers, but mention that in the context of it requiring a damage-boosting item to be an offensive threat since we're going to feature an offensive support set below the overview.
Analysis
- Reorder the moves; the most important moves should be listed first. I think it should be Moonblast, Encore, Stun Spore, Psychic + slashes.
- I think you can just mention substitute in the moves section w/o slashing it. We'll have a full SubSeed Analysis in the long run.
- You're the expert so take this with a grain of salt, but intuition tell me U-Turn is more valuable than Giga Drain on a Grass team for the second slot in the slashed moveslot.
- In the set details, explicitly state that you should only use Life Orb if you opt to run attacking coverage outside Moonblast (you say it, but it is kinda buried).
- When discussing life orb, mention that LO psychic will OHKO Gengar after rocks or most of the time after a single LO recoil, which makes Whimsi an effective check to a major threat.
- For the EVs, a spread of 48 HP / 252 SpA / 208 Spe Timid is enough to outpace Jolly/Timid base 110. I don't think it is important for Whimsi to speed tie with Raikou or Starmie, so the extra HP investment is worth it. For instance, that HP investment guarantees you live one QA from m-pinsir from full HP, which could let you get off a stun spore or Moonblast on it. If you disagree and think those speed ties are important, at least mention this one in the set details so the reader knows it is an option.
- For usage tips, you mention how this has no switch ins on Dragon, Fighting, and Dark, yet you say to play it cautiously. Those two things conflict in my opinion. I think you should say something like "try to bring Whimsicott in safely as often as possible against <those types> because it has no switch ins."
- Give a couple examples of Pokemon that you should preserve Whimsicott for when you mention using Prankser Stun Spore to check threats. I don't know enough about the nuances of playing grass to tell you what are the 2-3 best examples to put here.
- Mention using U-Turn to maintain moment on pokemon that whimsi threatens out, or that you have encored.
- You need more in the team options section. Things like Ferrothorn or Cradily's hazards ensuring KO's for whimsi vs Dragon, Fighting and Dark and on things like Gengar and M-venu if you run Psychic.
- Explicitly say that Venusaur and Ferrothorn can take the Ice, Fire, Poison, and Steel attacks aimed at Whimsicott.
- Cradily isn't mentioned at all. It should be mentioned as a switch in for Fire attacks and a 'mon to set hazards.
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Implemented. Ready for GP.
[QC]
I also think it would be useful to mention how Ditto is not only effective offensively, but defensively as well. Copying the ability, stats, typing, and moves of the opponent allows it to switch in to various attacks, by either resisting them or being immune to them (most notably when copying a gengar using focus blast). Also ditto can be used as temporary support, by providing heal-bell, rocks, spikes, toxic, and other support moves to weaken the enemy team. Ditto is also an effective way to scout the opponent's moveset, as well as helping in stalling out the opponent because you get 5 pp to use every time you switch in. This can be effective against stockpile mons, curse, and cm setters at times. Also, because of having 2 eviolites on the team, there are times when you will suspect the use of the move trick of switcheroo, and the item being switched is more often than not a choice scarf. So during those crucial times, ditto can come in as a switch, without causing harm to the defensive core.
I think you should also mention some of the best mons that Ditto can copy, Mega Pinsir, Mega Medicham and Mega Gallade (both on fighting), BD Azumarill, and Heatran (take in the lava plume for flash fire and threaten it back with earth power). There may be more but these are the ones that i can remember from the top of my head.
I would love the help. I'll pm you about it next time I see you on PS.
- Status