Two (and a half) things make Clefable the amazing mon that it is.So I'm new to OU and was wondering what makes Clefable so good. On paper, it seems pretty bad with 95 / 73 / 90 defenses. Sure it can run calm mind and get a free life orb boost thanks to magic guard and it's immune to toxic, but does that really make up for its low stats? I guess it gets access to fire blast as a niche over other fairies, but they have better stats than Clefable. Clefable is also pretty ineffective against Mega Metagross, Magnezone, Mega Venasaur, most fire types, and is completely walled by Heatran. I can see that it definitely has a niche in OU but why does that niche warrant an A+ rank?
1. Typing
2. Ability
2.5. Not bad stats
The fairy type is one of the best defensive types, next to steel. The ability to resist Dark + Fighting coverage provides an amazing utility for a defensive pivot/special wall like Clefable.
Its abilities, Magic Guard/Unaware also contribute to this. The ability to absorb status and set up with Calm Mind is incredibly useful as it gives Clefable an offensive presence as well. The latter ability allows it to wall most setup sweepers, barring mons like Mega Scizor and Mega Gyarados. It also walls the face of stall i.e. Mega Sableye.
Its stats are also better than most people give it credit for. Its Base 95 HP seems okay on paper, but combined with its typing, it turns it into a great wall/pivot. Clefable is also incredibly versatile; it has access to CM/Cosmic Power + Stored Power, Fire Blast, and is one of the only SR users that can set up Stealth Rocks on Mega Sableye (as they usually switch out in fear of Moonblast).