QC: 3/3
GP: 2/2
Overview
########
Clefable rose from the abyss of the lower tiers into OU thanks to its Fairy typing and is a force to be reckoned with in the CAP metagame. Being a Fairy-type is a godsend, as Clefable has useful resistances to Fighting, Dark, and Bug as well as an immunity to Dragon. Its movepool is vast, having access to both useful coverage moves—Fire Blast, Thunderbolt, and Ice Beam—and excellent support moves, such as Soft-Boiled, Heal Bell, and Wish. Clefable also can choose between two excellent abilities: Magic Guard and Unaware. Both abilities permit Clefable to have a wide variety of roles on a team. These traits also allow Clefable to check or counter some of the most common and threatening Pokemon in the metagame, including Colossoil, Cyclohm, Tomohawk, and Cawmodore.
However, none of Clefable's base stats are terribly high, with base 95 Special Attack being its highest stat, so Clefable has issues getting past specially bulky foes without numerous boosts such as Chansey and Mollux. Also, Unaware variants of Clefable are susceptible to all forms of entry hazards, which can hamper its longevity. Clefable suffers from four-moveslot syndrome to an extent, which often forces it to choose between having better coverage and being able to better support its team.
Cleric
########
name: Cleric
move 1: Heal Bell
move 2: Wish / Soft-Boiled
move 3: Protect / Stealth Rock
move 4: Moonblast
ability: Unaware / Magic Guard
item: Leftovers
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
ivs: 0 Atk
nature: Bold
Moves
========
Heal Bell allows Clefable to provide valuable support by curing all status ailments for the entire team. The choice between Wish and Soft-Boiled comes down to whether you want Clefable to better support its team or to have better offensive presence. If team support is more important, Wish allows Clefable to pass on 197 HP Wishes to its team, and Protect allows it to both scout the opponent and to guarantee Wish recovery for itself. Alternately, Clefable can run Soft-Boiled for reliable recovery and Stealth Rock to provide entry hazard support for its team. Moonblast is a reliable STAB move to hit Pokemon like Tomohawk and Colossoil hard.
Set Details
========
Unaware allows Clefable to stand against setup sweepers, while Magic Guard prevents residual damage from sources such as poison and entry hazards, giving Clefable more opportunities to support its team throughout a match. The listed EVs and Bold nature maximize physical bulk, and 0 Attack IVs minimize damage from confusion and Foul Play.
Usage Tips
========
Clefable's main competition as a cleric are Chansey and Sylveon. While Chansey is more bulky overall, it is dependent on Eviolite, has a less useful Normal typing, and has no offensive presence. Sylveon is also a Fairy-type with many of the same moves as well as a potent Pixilate Hyper Voice at its disposal. However, Sylveon lacks Magic Guard, so it is susceptible to all forms of residual damage. As such, Clefable should be used if you want a cleric with offensive presence that can easily switch in multiple times throughout a match.
Unaware Clefable is best switched in against setup sweepers that lack super effective moves or are threatened by Clefable's Fairy-type STAB moves, such as Mega Gallade and Mega Sableye, while Magic Guard Clefable can freely switch into walls with low offensive presence, such as Chansey. From there, Clefable can use the free turn generated by the opponent's switch to heal itself with Soft-Boiled or a Wish followed by Protect, lay down Stealth Rock, prepare a Wish to pass onto an injured teammate, or cure an ally's status with Heal Bell. However, when attempting to use Stealth Rock, one should be cautious that the move is not potentially reflected by the ability of an incoming foe, such as Magic Bounce from Mega Diancie and Mega Sableye or Rebound from Colossoil.
Team Options
========
Most setup sweepers hate being afflicted by status, so they are natural partners for Clefable. In particular, Belly Drum users such as Cawmodore and Azumarill appreciate burn removal and Wish support to allow more opportunities to switch in and set up, increasing their ability to sweep the opponent's team. Pokemon weak to Stealth Rock, such as Aurumoth and Charizard, also particularly like Wish support to negate damage from switching in, allowing them to focus on laying waste to the opposing team.
Calm Mind
########
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Moonblast
move 3: Soft-Boiled
move 4: Flamethrower / Stored Power
ability: Magic Guard
item: Life Orb / Leftovers
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
ivs: 0 Atk
nature: Bold
Moves
========
Calm Mind boosts Clefable's Special Attack and Special Defense, allowing it to simultaneously hit harder and take more special hits. Moonblast is a reliable STAB move that hits the likes of Tomohawk, Colossoil, and Cyclohm. The 30% chance of dropping the foe's Special Attack can be useful against dangerous attackers such as Landorus. Soft-Boiled provides reliable recovery, greatly prolonging Clefable's lifespan.
The choice between Stored Power and Flamethrower comes down to personal preference. Stored Power is capable of becoming quite powerful after several Calm Mind boosts, but it leaves Clefable walled by many Steel-types, such as Mega Scizor and Ferrothorn. Conversely, Flamethrower can OHKO or heavily injure many Steel-types, but it has middling power against neutral targets and renders this set walled by Heatran.
Set Details
========
Magic Guard prevents all forms of residual damage, allowing Clefable to gain the power boost from using a Life Orb without taking recoil damage. Alternately, Clefable can use Leftovers to improve its longevity, allowing it to avoid 2HKOs from attacks such as Colossoil's Earthquake. The listed EVs and Bold nature maximize Clefable's physical bulk, as Calm Mind can increase its Special Defense. The spare 4 EVs go into Special Attack to give Clefable a slight boost in power. The 0 IV in Attack minimizes Foul Play and confusion damage.
Usage Tips
========
This set can be used as a win condition once opposing Pokemon that resist Moonblast and the chosen coverage move are removed. Walls with minimal offensive presence such as Chansey are optimal to switch Clefable into, as Clefable doesn't care about being burned, poisoned, or paralyzed and can easily heal off any damage with Soft-Boiled. From there, Clefable can accumulate boosts and heal itself as needed while firing off boosted attacks to punch holes into the opposing team.
Team Options
========
Clefable appreciates having teammates that can remove opposing Pokemon that could block a sweep. In particular, Excadrill and Landorus can eliminate many of the Steel-, Poison-, and Fire-types that resist Clefable's selected coverage with their Ground-type STAB attack of choice. Entry hazard support is also appreciated, allowing Clefable to bring down bulkier targets with fewer boosts. Conversely, sweepers such as Cawmodore and Aurumoth appreciate having their checks worn down, allowing them to switch in and attempt to sweep.
Cosmic Power
########
name: Cosmic Power
move 1: Cosmic Power
move 2: Toxic
move 3: Moonlight
move 4: Moonblast
ability: Unaware
item: Leftovers
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
ivs: 0 Atk
nature: Bold
Moves
========
Cosmic Power boosts both of Clefable's defenses. Toxic provides most of the damage of this set, being used to cripple and whittle down anything that isn't immune to poison. Due to compatibility issues, Moonlight must be used over Soft-Boiled in order to use Unaware as an ability. Despite its fewer PP, Moonlight will generally provide reliable recovery so long as the relatively uncommon sand, rain, or hail is not in effect. Moonblast prevents this set from becoming Taunt bait and provides a reliable STAB move to whittle down the foe's HP.
Set Details
========
Unaware is the ability that makes Cosmic Power usable, preventing opposing setup sweepers without Mold Breaker from being able to power their way through Clefable after it has accumulated boosts. Leftovers further improves Clefable's recovery, prolonging its longevity. The EVs maximize Clefable's bulk, favoring its weaker Defense stat, while the 0 Attack IV and Bold nature minimize confusion and Foul Play damage.
Usage Tips
========
This set can be used to stall out an opponent's team with Toxic and Moonlight once enough Cosmic Power boosts are accumulated. Its effectiveness is maximized if opposing clerics and Pokemon immune to Poison—Steel-types and Poison-types—are removed before attempting to stall. Thanks to Unaware, Clefable can switch in to any sweeper that it can scare out, such as Mega Gallade, and start boosting.
Team Options
========
Cosmic Power Clefable appreciates teammates that can remove foes immune to Poison. Excadrill and Landorus make for good partners, as their Ground-type attacks can make short work of most Steel-types and Poison-types. Removal of opposing clerics that can cure Toxic and attempt to poison Clefable themselves is also helpful. Gothitelle is an excellent partner, as it can trap an opposing cleric or Toxic user and take them out with the appropriate set.
Other Options
########
Clefable has access to other coverage options, such as Ice Beam and Thunderbolt. The former can maim bulky Ground-types such as Gliscor, Landorus-T, and Hippowdon, but it has poor synergy with Moonblast, allowing Fire- and Steel-types to come in with impunity. The latter can nail the likes of Mega Charizard Y, Gyarados, and Talonflame super effectively, but it leaves Clefable vulnerable to dangerous sweepers such as Excadrill and generally has inferior coverage to Flamethrower. Fire Blast offers more power over Flamethrower, but a setup sweeper like Clefable generally appreciates the reliable accuracy and higher PP of Flamethrower more.
For support moves, another option is Thunder Wave. Paralysis support can be useful both for Clefable itself and for slower teams, crippling threats, such as Aurumoth and Mega Gyarados, that Clefable can't OHKO outright. If another teammate already provides one of the forms of support listed in the Cleric set, the move in question can be replaced by Thunder Wave.
If you wish Clefable to tank special hits more effectively, a Calm nature can be used with the EVs in Defense moved to Special Defense. However, Clefable's only method of boosting its Defense is Cosmic Power, so this change generally does not help Clefable's longevity.
Checks & Counters
########
**Steel-types**: Should Clefable not be carrying Flamethrower, most Steel-types can easily come in on Clefable's attacks. Their immunity to poison also renders Toxic useless. Heatran is perhaps the best Clefable counter in this regard: it is immune to Flamethrower, resists Moonblast and Stored Power, can phaze boosting Clefable with Roar, and can use Toxic to cripple Unaware variants. Mega Scizor can Roost off damage and threaten Clefable with Technician Bullet Punch, while Skarmory can tank any hit thanks to Sturdy and phaze Clefable out with Whirlwind. Ferrothorn resists Moonblast and Stored Power and can either stall out Clefable's recovery moves with Leech Seed or dent it with a super effective Gyro Ball. Cawmodore can stomach anything other than Flamethrower and can deal heavy damage after a Belly Drum with either Acrobatics or Bullet Punch.
**Poison-types and Poison-type Moves**: While most Poison-types are weak to Stored Power, they also carry the distinction of resisting Clefable's STAB moves and being immune to Toxic. Mollux is a standout counter in this regard, laughing at Moonblast and Flamethrower while being able to retaliate with super effective Sludge Waves. Mega Venusaur is another excellent counter, as it can easily tank an unboosted hit, heal off the damage, and either counterattack with Sludge Bomb or stall out Unaware variants with Leech Seed. Landorus carrying Sludge Wave can also heavily injure Clefable, but it will take considerable damage if it switches in, possibly impeding its ability to check other threats.
GP: 2/2
Overview
########
Clefable rose from the abyss of the lower tiers into OU thanks to its Fairy typing and is a force to be reckoned with in the CAP metagame. Being a Fairy-type is a godsend, as Clefable has useful resistances to Fighting, Dark, and Bug as well as an immunity to Dragon. Its movepool is vast, having access to both useful coverage moves—Fire Blast, Thunderbolt, and Ice Beam—and excellent support moves, such as Soft-Boiled, Heal Bell, and Wish. Clefable also can choose between two excellent abilities: Magic Guard and Unaware. Both abilities permit Clefable to have a wide variety of roles on a team. These traits also allow Clefable to check or counter some of the most common and threatening Pokemon in the metagame, including Colossoil, Cyclohm, Tomohawk, and Cawmodore.
However, none of Clefable's base stats are terribly high, with base 95 Special Attack being its highest stat, so Clefable has issues getting past specially bulky foes without numerous boosts such as Chansey and Mollux. Also, Unaware variants of Clefable are susceptible to all forms of entry hazards, which can hamper its longevity. Clefable suffers from four-moveslot syndrome to an extent, which often forces it to choose between having better coverage and being able to better support its team.
Cleric
########
name: Cleric
move 1: Heal Bell
move 2: Wish / Soft-Boiled
move 3: Protect / Stealth Rock
move 4: Moonblast
ability: Unaware / Magic Guard
item: Leftovers
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
ivs: 0 Atk
nature: Bold
Moves
========
Heal Bell allows Clefable to provide valuable support by curing all status ailments for the entire team. The choice between Wish and Soft-Boiled comes down to whether you want Clefable to better support its team or to have better offensive presence. If team support is more important, Wish allows Clefable to pass on 197 HP Wishes to its team, and Protect allows it to both scout the opponent and to guarantee Wish recovery for itself. Alternately, Clefable can run Soft-Boiled for reliable recovery and Stealth Rock to provide entry hazard support for its team. Moonblast is a reliable STAB move to hit Pokemon like Tomohawk and Colossoil hard.
Set Details
========
Unaware allows Clefable to stand against setup sweepers, while Magic Guard prevents residual damage from sources such as poison and entry hazards, giving Clefable more opportunities to support its team throughout a match. The listed EVs and Bold nature maximize physical bulk, and 0 Attack IVs minimize damage from confusion and Foul Play.
Usage Tips
========
Clefable's main competition as a cleric are Chansey and Sylveon. While Chansey is more bulky overall, it is dependent on Eviolite, has a less useful Normal typing, and has no offensive presence. Sylveon is also a Fairy-type with many of the same moves as well as a potent Pixilate Hyper Voice at its disposal. However, Sylveon lacks Magic Guard, so it is susceptible to all forms of residual damage. As such, Clefable should be used if you want a cleric with offensive presence that can easily switch in multiple times throughout a match.
Unaware Clefable is best switched in against setup sweepers that lack super effective moves or are threatened by Clefable's Fairy-type STAB moves, such as Mega Gallade and Mega Sableye, while Magic Guard Clefable can freely switch into walls with low offensive presence, such as Chansey. From there, Clefable can use the free turn generated by the opponent's switch to heal itself with Soft-Boiled or a Wish followed by Protect, lay down Stealth Rock, prepare a Wish to pass onto an injured teammate, or cure an ally's status with Heal Bell. However, when attempting to use Stealth Rock, one should be cautious that the move is not potentially reflected by the ability of an incoming foe, such as Magic Bounce from Mega Diancie and Mega Sableye or Rebound from Colossoil.
Team Options
========
Most setup sweepers hate being afflicted by status, so they are natural partners for Clefable. In particular, Belly Drum users such as Cawmodore and Azumarill appreciate burn removal and Wish support to allow more opportunities to switch in and set up, increasing their ability to sweep the opponent's team. Pokemon weak to Stealth Rock, such as Aurumoth and Charizard, also particularly like Wish support to negate damage from switching in, allowing them to focus on laying waste to the opposing team.
Calm Mind
########
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Moonblast
move 3: Soft-Boiled
move 4: Flamethrower / Stored Power
ability: Magic Guard
item: Life Orb / Leftovers
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
ivs: 0 Atk
nature: Bold
Moves
========
Calm Mind boosts Clefable's Special Attack and Special Defense, allowing it to simultaneously hit harder and take more special hits. Moonblast is a reliable STAB move that hits the likes of Tomohawk, Colossoil, and Cyclohm. The 30% chance of dropping the foe's Special Attack can be useful against dangerous attackers such as Landorus. Soft-Boiled provides reliable recovery, greatly prolonging Clefable's lifespan.
The choice between Stored Power and Flamethrower comes down to personal preference. Stored Power is capable of becoming quite powerful after several Calm Mind boosts, but it leaves Clefable walled by many Steel-types, such as Mega Scizor and Ferrothorn. Conversely, Flamethrower can OHKO or heavily injure many Steel-types, but it has middling power against neutral targets and renders this set walled by Heatran.
Set Details
========
Magic Guard prevents all forms of residual damage, allowing Clefable to gain the power boost from using a Life Orb without taking recoil damage. Alternately, Clefable can use Leftovers to improve its longevity, allowing it to avoid 2HKOs from attacks such as Colossoil's Earthquake. The listed EVs and Bold nature maximize Clefable's physical bulk, as Calm Mind can increase its Special Defense. The spare 4 EVs go into Special Attack to give Clefable a slight boost in power. The 0 IV in Attack minimizes Foul Play and confusion damage.
Usage Tips
========
This set can be used as a win condition once opposing Pokemon that resist Moonblast and the chosen coverage move are removed. Walls with minimal offensive presence such as Chansey are optimal to switch Clefable into, as Clefable doesn't care about being burned, poisoned, or paralyzed and can easily heal off any damage with Soft-Boiled. From there, Clefable can accumulate boosts and heal itself as needed while firing off boosted attacks to punch holes into the opposing team.
Team Options
========
Clefable appreciates having teammates that can remove opposing Pokemon that could block a sweep. In particular, Excadrill and Landorus can eliminate many of the Steel-, Poison-, and Fire-types that resist Clefable's selected coverage with their Ground-type STAB attack of choice. Entry hazard support is also appreciated, allowing Clefable to bring down bulkier targets with fewer boosts. Conversely, sweepers such as Cawmodore and Aurumoth appreciate having their checks worn down, allowing them to switch in and attempt to sweep.
Cosmic Power
########
name: Cosmic Power
move 1: Cosmic Power
move 2: Toxic
move 3: Moonlight
move 4: Moonblast
ability: Unaware
item: Leftovers
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
ivs: 0 Atk
nature: Bold
Moves
========
Cosmic Power boosts both of Clefable's defenses. Toxic provides most of the damage of this set, being used to cripple and whittle down anything that isn't immune to poison. Due to compatibility issues, Moonlight must be used over Soft-Boiled in order to use Unaware as an ability. Despite its fewer PP, Moonlight will generally provide reliable recovery so long as the relatively uncommon sand, rain, or hail is not in effect. Moonblast prevents this set from becoming Taunt bait and provides a reliable STAB move to whittle down the foe's HP.
Set Details
========
Unaware is the ability that makes Cosmic Power usable, preventing opposing setup sweepers without Mold Breaker from being able to power their way through Clefable after it has accumulated boosts. Leftovers further improves Clefable's recovery, prolonging its longevity. The EVs maximize Clefable's bulk, favoring its weaker Defense stat, while the 0 Attack IV and Bold nature minimize confusion and Foul Play damage.
Usage Tips
========
This set can be used to stall out an opponent's team with Toxic and Moonlight once enough Cosmic Power boosts are accumulated. Its effectiveness is maximized if opposing clerics and Pokemon immune to Poison—Steel-types and Poison-types—are removed before attempting to stall. Thanks to Unaware, Clefable can switch in to any sweeper that it can scare out, such as Mega Gallade, and start boosting.
Team Options
========
Cosmic Power Clefable appreciates teammates that can remove foes immune to Poison. Excadrill and Landorus make for good partners, as their Ground-type attacks can make short work of most Steel-types and Poison-types. Removal of opposing clerics that can cure Toxic and attempt to poison Clefable themselves is also helpful. Gothitelle is an excellent partner, as it can trap an opposing cleric or Toxic user and take them out with the appropriate set.
Other Options
########
Clefable has access to other coverage options, such as Ice Beam and Thunderbolt. The former can maim bulky Ground-types such as Gliscor, Landorus-T, and Hippowdon, but it has poor synergy with Moonblast, allowing Fire- and Steel-types to come in with impunity. The latter can nail the likes of Mega Charizard Y, Gyarados, and Talonflame super effectively, but it leaves Clefable vulnerable to dangerous sweepers such as Excadrill and generally has inferior coverage to Flamethrower. Fire Blast offers more power over Flamethrower, but a setup sweeper like Clefable generally appreciates the reliable accuracy and higher PP of Flamethrower more.
For support moves, another option is Thunder Wave. Paralysis support can be useful both for Clefable itself and for slower teams, crippling threats, such as Aurumoth and Mega Gyarados, that Clefable can't OHKO outright. If another teammate already provides one of the forms of support listed in the Cleric set, the move in question can be replaced by Thunder Wave.
If you wish Clefable to tank special hits more effectively, a Calm nature can be used with the EVs in Defense moved to Special Defense. However, Clefable's only method of boosting its Defense is Cosmic Power, so this change generally does not help Clefable's longevity.
Checks & Counters
########
**Steel-types**: Should Clefable not be carrying Flamethrower, most Steel-types can easily come in on Clefable's attacks. Their immunity to poison also renders Toxic useless. Heatran is perhaps the best Clefable counter in this regard: it is immune to Flamethrower, resists Moonblast and Stored Power, can phaze boosting Clefable with Roar, and can use Toxic to cripple Unaware variants. Mega Scizor can Roost off damage and threaten Clefable with Technician Bullet Punch, while Skarmory can tank any hit thanks to Sturdy and phaze Clefable out with Whirlwind. Ferrothorn resists Moonblast and Stored Power and can either stall out Clefable's recovery moves with Leech Seed or dent it with a super effective Gyro Ball. Cawmodore can stomach anything other than Flamethrower and can deal heavy damage after a Belly Drum with either Acrobatics or Bullet Punch.
**Poison-types and Poison-type Moves**: While most Poison-types are weak to Stored Power, they also carry the distinction of resisting Clefable's STAB moves and being immune to Toxic. Mollux is a standout counter in this regard, laughing at Moonblast and Flamethrower while being able to retaliate with super effective Sludge Waves. Mega Venusaur is another excellent counter, as it can easily tank an unboosted hit, heal off the damage, and either counterattack with Sludge Bomb or stall out Unaware variants with Leech Seed. Landorus carrying Sludge Wave can also heavily injure Clefable, but it will take considerable damage if it switches in, possibly impeding its ability to check other threats.
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