QC: Raiza / Galbia / Anty
GP: P Squared / Winry
[OVERVIEW]
Despite having access to a solid ability in Tinted Lens and STAB moves in Bug Buzz and Air Slash, Mothim is mediocre in PU. It also has access to Quiver Dance, but it is outclassed by Butterfree in this regard. Mothim can function as a decent Choice Specs user; however, this is also done better by Butterfree due to Butterfree being faster than Mothim, due to its slightly higher Speed stat. Mothim's horrible defenses, bad Bug / Flying typing, and weaknesses to common types such as Ice and Electric as well as its 4x weakness to Stealth Rock make it impossible for Mothim to set up and limit its chances to wallbreak. It's outclassed by other special wallbreakers such as Simipour, which are faster and are not hampered by Stealth Rock, and its below-average Speed means that it can easily be taken out by faster Pokemon such as Stoutland.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Bug Buzz
move 2: Air Slash
move 3: Hidden Power Ground
move 4: U-turn
item: Choice Specs
ability: Tinted Lens
nature: Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Bug Buzz is Mothim's main STAB attack, hitting a good portion of the metagame for respectable damage. Air Slash is Mothim's secondary STAB move, hitting Pokemon such as Roselia and Machoke harder than Bug Buzz. Hidden Power Ground allows Mothim to hit Probopass harder than any of its other moves. U-turn gives Mothim a way to gain momentum by pivoting out of matchups that aren't in its favor and on predicted switches to counters such as Lickilicky.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Special Attack along with a Modest nature allows Mothim to deal out the most damage it can. Maximum investment in Speed gives a boost to Mothim's Speed. A Timid nature can be used to outspeed neutral-natured maximum Speed base 70 Speed Pokemon such as Mightyena, but it generally isn't worth the loss in power. The rest of the EVs are put into Defense rather than HP to allow Mothim to switch into Stealth Rock twice as opposed to once. Choice Specs provides a boost to Mothim's Special Attack at the cost of locking it into a move. Tinted Lens gives a boost to Mothim's attacks if they are not very effective against the foe.
Usage Tips
========
Because Mothim has terrible defenses, low Speed, and a bad typing, it should avoid switching in on attacks; it is best coming in through a slow Volt Switch or U-turn from Pokemon such as Probopass and Pelipper. Mothim is best used as a early- and mid-game wallbreaker, using its moves to punch holes in the opponent's team. Mothim should mainly spam its STAB attacks, as there aren't many Pokemon that resist both, thanks to Tinted Lens. Mothim should avoid using U-turn often if Stealth Rock is up, but U-turn can be used against Pokemon that can withstand its attacks such as Clefairy and Regice. Try to avoid sending in Mothim with entry hazards up, as it is much easier for the foe to pick it off when it is in a weakened state.
Team Options
========
Mothim fits best on offensive teams, as it can't function on any other type of team due to its poor typing and low Speed. Entry hazard removal from Pokemon such as Armaldo, Vibrava, and Pelipper is mandatory, as Stealth Rock easily wears down Mothim. Sticky Web and paralysis support from Pokemon such as Leavanny and Grumpig is greatly appreciated to make up for Mothim's low Speed. If Sticky Web support is used, a Timid nature should be run on Mothim to outspeed Pokemon such as Floatzel and Zebstrika. Mothim also appreciates entry hazard support from Pokemon such as Roselia, Probopass, Piloswine, and Golem, as the residual damage wears down foes, making it easier for Mothim to wallbreak. For example, Stealth Rock support guarantees the OHKO on physically defensive Pelipper and Rapidash and the 2HKO on defensive Misdreavus with Tinted Lens Bug Buzz. Piloswine and Golem in particular make for great partners, as they are immune to Electric-type attacks and can handle opposing Rock-types for Mothim as well. Pokemon such as Raichu and Zebstrika can form a VoltTurn core with Mothim to keep up momentum with their pivoting. Fighting-types such as Poliwrath and Machoke can deal with Rock- and Ice-types for Mothim. Setup sweepers such as Barbaracle and Regice appreciate Mothim's wallbreaking support. Mixed variants of Simipour can take out special walls that Mothim has trouble dealing with, such as Lickilicky and Regice.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Quiver Dance can turn Mothim into a decent special sweeper, but it is outclassed in this role by Butterfree, which has access to Sleep Powder to allow it to set up easier. Life Orb can be used over Choice Specs to allow Mothim to switch moves, but the recoil wears it down fast and makes it easier to revenge kill. Sleep Talk lets Mothim act as a sleep absorber against Pokemon such as Tangela and retaliate with either of its STAB attacks.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Stealth Rock**: Stealth Rock takes half of Mothim's health every time it switches in, making it difficult for it to function. Examples of Pokemon that can set up Stealth Rock and KO Mothim include Golem, Piloswine, Aurorus, and Rampardos.
**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Pokemon with good special bulk such as Lickilicky, Clefairy, and Regice can easily take any of Mothim's attacks and either cripple it with status or outright OHKO it.
**Fire-types**: Fire-types such as Rapidash and Ninetales can easily outspeed and KO Mothim with their respective STAB attacks, but they can't switch in on it, as Tinted Lens Bug Buzz does a lot of damage to them.
**Faster Pokemon**: Mothim has below-average Speed, so faster Pokemon such as Stoutland and Simipour can easily OHKO it, though they cannot switch in safely.
**Priority Users**: Mothim's defenses are very bad, making it easily picked off by priority attacks from the likes of Pawniard and Piloswine.
GP: P Squared / Winry
[OVERVIEW]
Despite having access to a solid ability in Tinted Lens and STAB moves in Bug Buzz and Air Slash, Mothim is mediocre in PU. It also has access to Quiver Dance, but it is outclassed by Butterfree in this regard. Mothim can function as a decent Choice Specs user; however, this is also done better by Butterfree due to Butterfree being faster than Mothim, due to its slightly higher Speed stat. Mothim's horrible defenses, bad Bug / Flying typing, and weaknesses to common types such as Ice and Electric as well as its 4x weakness to Stealth Rock make it impossible for Mothim to set up and limit its chances to wallbreak. It's outclassed by other special wallbreakers such as Simipour, which are faster and are not hampered by Stealth Rock, and its below-average Speed means that it can easily be taken out by faster Pokemon such as Stoutland.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Bug Buzz
move 2: Air Slash
move 3: Hidden Power Ground
move 4: U-turn
item: Choice Specs
ability: Tinted Lens
nature: Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Bug Buzz is Mothim's main STAB attack, hitting a good portion of the metagame for respectable damage. Air Slash is Mothim's secondary STAB move, hitting Pokemon such as Roselia and Machoke harder than Bug Buzz. Hidden Power Ground allows Mothim to hit Probopass harder than any of its other moves. U-turn gives Mothim a way to gain momentum by pivoting out of matchups that aren't in its favor and on predicted switches to counters such as Lickilicky.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Special Attack along with a Modest nature allows Mothim to deal out the most damage it can. Maximum investment in Speed gives a boost to Mothim's Speed. A Timid nature can be used to outspeed neutral-natured maximum Speed base 70 Speed Pokemon such as Mightyena, but it generally isn't worth the loss in power. The rest of the EVs are put into Defense rather than HP to allow Mothim to switch into Stealth Rock twice as opposed to once. Choice Specs provides a boost to Mothim's Special Attack at the cost of locking it into a move. Tinted Lens gives a boost to Mothim's attacks if they are not very effective against the foe.
Usage Tips
========
Because Mothim has terrible defenses, low Speed, and a bad typing, it should avoid switching in on attacks; it is best coming in through a slow Volt Switch or U-turn from Pokemon such as Probopass and Pelipper. Mothim is best used as a early- and mid-game wallbreaker, using its moves to punch holes in the opponent's team. Mothim should mainly spam its STAB attacks, as there aren't many Pokemon that resist both, thanks to Tinted Lens. Mothim should avoid using U-turn often if Stealth Rock is up, but U-turn can be used against Pokemon that can withstand its attacks such as Clefairy and Regice. Try to avoid sending in Mothim with entry hazards up, as it is much easier for the foe to pick it off when it is in a weakened state.
Team Options
========
Mothim fits best on offensive teams, as it can't function on any other type of team due to its poor typing and low Speed. Entry hazard removal from Pokemon such as Armaldo, Vibrava, and Pelipper is mandatory, as Stealth Rock easily wears down Mothim. Sticky Web and paralysis support from Pokemon such as Leavanny and Grumpig is greatly appreciated to make up for Mothim's low Speed. If Sticky Web support is used, a Timid nature should be run on Mothim to outspeed Pokemon such as Floatzel and Zebstrika. Mothim also appreciates entry hazard support from Pokemon such as Roselia, Probopass, Piloswine, and Golem, as the residual damage wears down foes, making it easier for Mothim to wallbreak. For example, Stealth Rock support guarantees the OHKO on physically defensive Pelipper and Rapidash and the 2HKO on defensive Misdreavus with Tinted Lens Bug Buzz. Piloswine and Golem in particular make for great partners, as they are immune to Electric-type attacks and can handle opposing Rock-types for Mothim as well. Pokemon such as Raichu and Zebstrika can form a VoltTurn core with Mothim to keep up momentum with their pivoting. Fighting-types such as Poliwrath and Machoke can deal with Rock- and Ice-types for Mothim. Setup sweepers such as Barbaracle and Regice appreciate Mothim's wallbreaking support. Mixed variants of Simipour can take out special walls that Mothim has trouble dealing with, such as Lickilicky and Regice.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Quiver Dance can turn Mothim into a decent special sweeper, but it is outclassed in this role by Butterfree, which has access to Sleep Powder to allow it to set up easier. Life Orb can be used over Choice Specs to allow Mothim to switch moves, but the recoil wears it down fast and makes it easier to revenge kill. Sleep Talk lets Mothim act as a sleep absorber against Pokemon such as Tangela and retaliate with either of its STAB attacks.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Stealth Rock**: Stealth Rock takes half of Mothim's health every time it switches in, making it difficult for it to function. Examples of Pokemon that can set up Stealth Rock and KO Mothim include Golem, Piloswine, Aurorus, and Rampardos.
**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Pokemon with good special bulk such as Lickilicky, Clefairy, and Regice can easily take any of Mothim's attacks and either cripple it with status or outright OHKO it.
**Fire-types**: Fire-types such as Rapidash and Ninetales can easily outspeed and KO Mothim with their respective STAB attacks, but they can't switch in on it, as Tinted Lens Bug Buzz does a lot of damage to them.
**Faster Pokemon**: Mothim has below-average Speed, so faster Pokemon such as Stoutland and Simipour can easily OHKO it, though they cannot switch in safely.
**Priority Users**: Mothim's defenses are very bad, making it easily picked off by priority attacks from the likes of Pawniard and Piloswine.
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