[OVERVIEW]
With Intimidate and a good defensive typing, Qwilfish can check several physical threats in UU, such as Mienshao, Heracross, and Entei. Qwilfish has access to a plethora of utility moves, including Spikes, Toxic Spikes, Taunt, Thunder Wave, Scald, Destiny Bond, and Explosion, in addition to semi-reliable recovery in Pain Split. Not only does Qwilfish have the tools for a defensive utility set, but it can also pull off an offensive Swift Swim set on dedicated rain teams as a wallbreaker with Swords Dance, Explosion, and Destiny Bond, as well as work as a Toxic Spikes absorber. Qwilfish is relatively fast for both a defensive Pokemon and a Swift Swim user. However, its terrible special bulk leaves it very vulnerable to most special attackers. Qwilfish is also rather prone to being worn down easily, especially considering many of the Pokemon it checks carry Knock Off or U-turn. In addition, Qwilfish's defensive set suffers from four-moveslot syndrome.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Spikes / Toxic Spikes
move 2: Waterfall / Scald
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Thunder Wave / Pain Split
item: Black Sludge
ability: Intimidate
nature: Impish / Bold
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Qwilfish can set up either Spikes or Toxic Spikes, punishing switches and racking up residual damage, and can easily take advantage of its bulk and typing to do so against opposing Fighting-, Fire-, and Fairy-types. Waterfall prevents Qwilfish from becoming Taunt fodder and is decently powerful backed by a STAB boost and Qwilfish's base 95 Attack. Scald can be used over Waterfall for its chance to burn as well as its consistent damage if Qwilfish is burned; however, Qwilfish's pitiful base 55 Special Attack means that Scald is significantly weaker than Waterfall, and Scald can also cause an unwanted burn on Guts Heracross. Taunt prevents slower Defog users such as Empoleon from removing Qwilfish's entry hazards, stops walls such as Suicune and Florges from recovering their health, and prevents setup from the likes of Snorlax and Feraligatr. Pain Split is Qwilfish's best form of recovery and allows it to stay healthy enough to repeatedly switch into physical attackers and Fairy-types. Alternatively, Thunder Wave can be used to cripple certain switch-ins and is especially useful against faster Defog users, such as Salamence and Crobat.
Set Details
========
The given EVs and nature maximize Qwilfish's physical bulk to allow it to easily switch into Pokemon such as Mienshao, Mega Beedrill, and Infernape. An Impish nature should be used with Waterfall, while a Bold nature should be used with Scald. Intimidate further augments Qwilfish's physical bulk. Black Sludge provides Qwilfish with passive recovery and deters Choice item users from using Trick.
Usage Tips
========
Switch into physical Fire- and Fighting-type attackers as well as Fairy-types and take advantage of Qwilfish's ability to wall these Pokemon by setting up entry hazards early in the game. Wear down opposing Defog and Rapid Spin users with Thunder Wave and Waterfall or Scald.
Team Options
========
Qwilfish should be paired with special walls to take the special attacks directed at Qwilfish. Florges and Umbreon fulfill this role while also helping Qwilfish stay healthy with Wish support, and both appreciate Qwilfish's ability to take on powerful physical attackers such as Entei. Porygon2 can also handle Pokemon that threaten Qwilfish, such as Azelf and Heliolisk, while Qwilfish can check the Fighting-types that give Porygon2 trouble; Snorlax offers similar synergy and can also rack up Spikes damage with Whirlwind. Krookodile has great synergy with Qwilfish, as it can check Electric- and Psychic-types, provide Stealth Rock support to aid in wearing down foes, and threaten common Defog users such as Crobat and Empoleon. Wallbreakers such as Choice Specs Kyurem and Swords Dance Heracross have an easier time KOing defensive targets with Spikes support. Cleaners such as Mega Sharpedo, Lucario, and Slurpuff can all make use of Qwilfish's Spikes.
[SET]
name: Swift Swim
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Poison Jab
move 4: Explosion
item: Life Orb
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance turns Qwilfish into a powerful wallbreaker, allowing it to do major damage to defensive Pokemon such as Mega Aggron, Forretress, and Suicune. Waterfall and Poison Jab are Qwilfish's most powerful and reliable STAB attacks. Waterfall additionally benefits from a boost in the rain, while Poison Jab hits many common threats to rain teams, such as Chesnaught, Hydreigon, and Mega Abomasnow. Explosion serves as a last-ditch effort to do major damage to opposing walls and also allows Qwilfish's teammates to come onto the field for free. For example, at +2, Qwilfish OHKOes Suicune with Explosion.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread enables Qwilfish to hit as hard and as fast as possible. An Adamant nature is used for the extra power, as a Jolly nature does not allow Qwilfish to outspeed anything significant in the rain. Life Orb is the preferred item to further boost Qwilfish's power, while Swift Swim doubles Qwilfish's Speed in the rain.
Usage Tips
========
Bring in Qwilfish under rain early in the game to muscle through physical walls. Use Explosion when Qwilfish is about to faint to safely bring in another rain abuser, such as Mega Swampert, or a rain setter. However, preserve Qwilfish against opposing teams with Toxic Spikes setters, as Qwilfish's teammates will appreciate having them absorbed later in the game.
Team Options
========
Reliable manual rain setters are necessary to activate Qwilfish's Swift Swim. Bronzong and Tornadus are both excellent setters of rain and can bring in Qwilfish with Explosion and U-turn, respectively. Other Swift Swim abusers, such as Kingdra and Mega Swampert, can make good use of Qwilfish's ability to put holes in defensive cores and can safely clean up afterwards. Entry hazard support helps Qwilfish net KOs on Pokemon such as Mega Aggron.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A suicide lead set with Focus Sash, maximum Speed, and Explosion is plausible, but Qwilfish is too slow to reliably perform its job against opposing leads such as Froslass, Azelf, and Aerodactyl. Qwilfish can use Aqua Jet to pick off frail and weakened foes outside of the rain, but it is too weak and comes with the cost of not using one of its other moves. Qwilfish also has access to Destiny Bond to bring down a foe with it, which is useful against Pokemon that it cannot KO with Explosion. Icy Wind is an option to punish Salamence's attempts to set up on Qwilfish and allow Qwilfish's teammates to more easily deal with other boosting sweepers.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Strong Special Attackers**: Due to Qwilfish's horrible special bulk, Pokemon such as Chandelure and Nidoqueen can easily threaten to KO it. Mega Blastoise can OHKO Qwilfish and Rapid Spin its entry hazards away. Shaymin and Roserade can also OHKO Qwilfish and do not fear Waterfall, Scald, or Thunder Wave thanks to their typings and Natural Cure, while the latter can absorb Qwilfish's Toxic Spikes.
**Electric-types**: Heliolisk, Rotom-C, and Mega Ampharos are all immune to Thunder Wave and can easily OHKO Qwilfish.
**Strong Priority Attacks**: Qwilfish's Swift Swim set is vulnerable to being revenge killed by powerful priority attacks such as Entei's Extreme Speed and Honchkrow's Sucker Punch.
**Some Bulky Water-types** Seismitoad and Jellicent can give Qwilfish some trouble, as both are immune to Waterfall and resist Poison Jab. The former is immune to Thunder Wave and can threaten Qwilfish with Earthquake or Earth Power, while the latter is immune to Explosion.
With Intimidate and a good defensive typing, Qwilfish can check several physical threats in UU, such as Mienshao, Heracross, and Entei. Qwilfish has access to a plethora of utility moves, including Spikes, Toxic Spikes, Taunt, Thunder Wave, Scald, Destiny Bond, and Explosion, in addition to semi-reliable recovery in Pain Split. Not only does Qwilfish have the tools for a defensive utility set, but it can also pull off an offensive Swift Swim set on dedicated rain teams as a wallbreaker with Swords Dance, Explosion, and Destiny Bond, as well as work as a Toxic Spikes absorber. Qwilfish is relatively fast for both a defensive Pokemon and a Swift Swim user. However, its terrible special bulk leaves it very vulnerable to most special attackers. Qwilfish is also rather prone to being worn down easily, especially considering many of the Pokemon it checks carry Knock Off or U-turn. In addition, Qwilfish's defensive set suffers from four-moveslot syndrome.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Spikes / Toxic Spikes
move 2: Waterfall / Scald
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Thunder Wave / Pain Split
item: Black Sludge
ability: Intimidate
nature: Impish / Bold
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Qwilfish can set up either Spikes or Toxic Spikes, punishing switches and racking up residual damage, and can easily take advantage of its bulk and typing to do so against opposing Fighting-, Fire-, and Fairy-types. Waterfall prevents Qwilfish from becoming Taunt fodder and is decently powerful backed by a STAB boost and Qwilfish's base 95 Attack. Scald can be used over Waterfall for its chance to burn as well as its consistent damage if Qwilfish is burned; however, Qwilfish's pitiful base 55 Special Attack means that Scald is significantly weaker than Waterfall, and Scald can also cause an unwanted burn on Guts Heracross. Taunt prevents slower Defog users such as Empoleon from removing Qwilfish's entry hazards, stops walls such as Suicune and Florges from recovering their health, and prevents setup from the likes of Snorlax and Feraligatr. Pain Split is Qwilfish's best form of recovery and allows it to stay healthy enough to repeatedly switch into physical attackers and Fairy-types. Alternatively, Thunder Wave can be used to cripple certain switch-ins and is especially useful against faster Defog users, such as Salamence and Crobat.
Set Details
========
The given EVs and nature maximize Qwilfish's physical bulk to allow it to easily switch into Pokemon such as Mienshao, Mega Beedrill, and Infernape. An Impish nature should be used with Waterfall, while a Bold nature should be used with Scald. Intimidate further augments Qwilfish's physical bulk. Black Sludge provides Qwilfish with passive recovery and deters Choice item users from using Trick.
Usage Tips
========
Switch into physical Fire- and Fighting-type attackers as well as Fairy-types and take advantage of Qwilfish's ability to wall these Pokemon by setting up entry hazards early in the game. Wear down opposing Defog and Rapid Spin users with Thunder Wave and Waterfall or Scald.
Team Options
========
Qwilfish should be paired with special walls to take the special attacks directed at Qwilfish. Florges and Umbreon fulfill this role while also helping Qwilfish stay healthy with Wish support, and both appreciate Qwilfish's ability to take on powerful physical attackers such as Entei. Porygon2 can also handle Pokemon that threaten Qwilfish, such as Azelf and Heliolisk, while Qwilfish can check the Fighting-types that give Porygon2 trouble; Snorlax offers similar synergy and can also rack up Spikes damage with Whirlwind. Krookodile has great synergy with Qwilfish, as it can check Electric- and Psychic-types, provide Stealth Rock support to aid in wearing down foes, and threaten common Defog users such as Crobat and Empoleon. Wallbreakers such as Choice Specs Kyurem and Swords Dance Heracross have an easier time KOing defensive targets with Spikes support. Cleaners such as Mega Sharpedo, Lucario, and Slurpuff can all make use of Qwilfish's Spikes.
[SET]
name: Swift Swim
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Poison Jab
move 4: Explosion
item: Life Orb
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance turns Qwilfish into a powerful wallbreaker, allowing it to do major damage to defensive Pokemon such as Mega Aggron, Forretress, and Suicune. Waterfall and Poison Jab are Qwilfish's most powerful and reliable STAB attacks. Waterfall additionally benefits from a boost in the rain, while Poison Jab hits many common threats to rain teams, such as Chesnaught, Hydreigon, and Mega Abomasnow. Explosion serves as a last-ditch effort to do major damage to opposing walls and also allows Qwilfish's teammates to come onto the field for free. For example, at +2, Qwilfish OHKOes Suicune with Explosion.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread enables Qwilfish to hit as hard and as fast as possible. An Adamant nature is used for the extra power, as a Jolly nature does not allow Qwilfish to outspeed anything significant in the rain. Life Orb is the preferred item to further boost Qwilfish's power, while Swift Swim doubles Qwilfish's Speed in the rain.
Usage Tips
========
Bring in Qwilfish under rain early in the game to muscle through physical walls. Use Explosion when Qwilfish is about to faint to safely bring in another rain abuser, such as Mega Swampert, or a rain setter. However, preserve Qwilfish against opposing teams with Toxic Spikes setters, as Qwilfish's teammates will appreciate having them absorbed later in the game.
Team Options
========
Reliable manual rain setters are necessary to activate Qwilfish's Swift Swim. Bronzong and Tornadus are both excellent setters of rain and can bring in Qwilfish with Explosion and U-turn, respectively. Other Swift Swim abusers, such as Kingdra and Mega Swampert, can make good use of Qwilfish's ability to put holes in defensive cores and can safely clean up afterwards. Entry hazard support helps Qwilfish net KOs on Pokemon such as Mega Aggron.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A suicide lead set with Focus Sash, maximum Speed, and Explosion is plausible, but Qwilfish is too slow to reliably perform its job against opposing leads such as Froslass, Azelf, and Aerodactyl. Qwilfish can use Aqua Jet to pick off frail and weakened foes outside of the rain, but it is too weak and comes with the cost of not using one of its other moves. Qwilfish also has access to Destiny Bond to bring down a foe with it, which is useful against Pokemon that it cannot KO with Explosion. Icy Wind is an option to punish Salamence's attempts to set up on Qwilfish and allow Qwilfish's teammates to more easily deal with other boosting sweepers.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Strong Special Attackers**: Due to Qwilfish's horrible special bulk, Pokemon such as Chandelure and Nidoqueen can easily threaten to KO it. Mega Blastoise can OHKO Qwilfish and Rapid Spin its entry hazards away. Shaymin and Roserade can also OHKO Qwilfish and do not fear Waterfall, Scald, or Thunder Wave thanks to their typings and Natural Cure, while the latter can absorb Qwilfish's Toxic Spikes.
**Electric-types**: Heliolisk, Rotom-C, and Mega Ampharos are all immune to Thunder Wave and can easily OHKO Qwilfish.
**Strong Priority Attacks**: Qwilfish's Swift Swim set is vulnerable to being revenge killed by powerful priority attacks such as Entei's Extreme Speed and Honchkrow's Sucker Punch.
**Some Bulky Water-types** Seismitoad and Jellicent can give Qwilfish some trouble, as both are immune to Waterfall and resist Poison Jab. The former is immune to Thunder Wave and can threaten Qwilfish with Earthquake or Earth Power, while the latter is immune to Explosion.
Last edited:
