Amane Misa
Bring Them Home Now!
QC Checks: Cynde / Astolfo / Pak
GP Checks: marthaa / The Dutch Plumberjack
[OVERVIEW]
Respectable bulk, Magic Guard, and Recover make Reuniclus one of the hardest Calm Mind users in the tier to break. Access to a strong STAB Psyshock grants Reuniclus the ability to win most Calm Mind wars and beat specially defensive walls such as Blissey easily; access to Focus Blast lets it take on common Dark-type switch-ins, such as Hydreigon and Krookodile, and Shadow Ball allows it to catch common Psychic- and Ghost-type switch-ins, such as Latias, which may try to use Trick on it, and Chandelure. A low Speed stat, high base Special Attack stat, unresisted coverage, and access to Trick Room also allow Reuniclus to function not only as a great Trick Room wallbreaker but also as a great supportive Pokemon to Trick Room-based teams. However, said Speed stat means that under normal circumstances, Reuniclus will have to almost always take a hit or be shut down by either Taunt or Trick before boosting or attacking, leaving it vulnerable to strong wallbreakers, such as Choice Specs Hydreigon and Choice Specs Chandelure, and Taunt or Trick users, such as Krookodile and Latias. Furthermore, despite its respectable bulk, Reuniclus possesses only two resistances and has common weaknesses in Dark and Bug. As a result, Reuniclus is deterred by the presence of Pokemon like Alolan Muk and Scizor.
[SET]
name: Defensive Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Psyshock
move 3: Focus Blast / Shadow Ball
move 4: Recover
item: Leftovers
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Calm Mind boosts Reuniclus's Special Attack and Special Defense, amplifying its offensive presence while also making it difficult for the foe to revenge kill it. Psyshock is Reuniclus's main STAB attack, which allows it to not only win most Calm Mind wars against Pokemon such as Sylveon and non-Roar Suicune but also break special walls, such as Blissey, more easily. Focus Blast is Reuniclus's best way of breaking through Dark-types, such as Krookodile and Hydreigon, and Steel-types, such as Mega Aggron and Mega Steelix, which may threaten it with Roar. Alternatively, Shadow Ball grants Reuniclus a way of hitting Psychic- and Ghost-types on the switch, such as Chandelure and Latias. Recover is reliable and instant recovery, which helps Reuniclus remain healthy for long periods of time.
Set Details
========
248 HP and 252 Defense EVs maximize Reuniclus's physical bulk, as Reuniclus is almost always going to have to take a hit before moving. 8 Speed EVs allow Reuniclus to outpace uninvested Amoonguss and Slowbro and potentially hit the former before it resets Reuniclus's boosts with Clear Smog and win a Calm Mind war against the latter. Leftovers provides Reuniclus with passive recovery, which helps its longevity. Alternatively, 44 Speed EVs could be used in conjunction with Shadow Ball to outspeed uninvested Doublade. Fightinium Z could be used with such a spread, as this also allows Reuniclus to outspeed uninvested Quagsire and gives it a chance to beat it after some chip damage. It also allows Reuniclus to grab some initial damage on Scizor, take less damage from Knock Off, and be immune to Trick. Magic Guard blocks passive damage caused by Toxic, Leech Seed, and entry hazards, giving Reuniclus better chances at sweeping.
Usage Tips
========
Avoid setting up with Reuniclus until late-game; wait until Reuniclus's checks are weakened enough. If carrying Focus Blast, Reuniclus is best used early- and mid-game to lure certain Dark-type Pokemon, such as Hydreigon and Krookodile. Set up with Reuniclus on passive Pokemon, such as Blissey and Seismitoad, attackers and pivots that Reuniclus isn't 2HKOed by, such as Mega Aerodactyl, and Choice-locked Pokemon, such as Infernape and Latias. Be wary of Trick users, such as Latias, as they may shut down Reuniclus by giving it a Choice item.
Team Options
========
Magneton makes for a great partner thanks to its ability to trap troublesome Steel-types like Scizor. Toxic Spikes setters, such as Tentacruel and Nidoqueen, help Reuniclus by wearing down opposing Dark-types, opposing Calm Mind users, and opposing Unaware users. Fighting-type Pokemon, such as Cobalion and Infernape, make great partners for their ability to reliably check Dark-types for Reuniclus. Pokemon such as Mega Aerodactyl and Gliscor check Bug-type Pokemon and thus make for great partners with Reuniclus. Fairy-type Pokemon, such as Mega Altaria and Primarina, work well with Reuniclus because they beat Dark-types that prevent Reuniclus from sweeping. Mega Altaria specifically lures some of Reuniclus's checks, Scizor and Alolan Muk, and is able to hit them with Fire Blast or Earthquake. If Reuniclus is running Focus Blast, Pursuit trappers, such as Alolan Muk and Krookodile, make great partners because they can trap troublesome Pokemon, such as Chandelure and Latias. Teammates holding Rocky Helmet, such as Hippowdon and Alomomola, make for great partners because they punish U-turn users, such as Scizor and Infernape, which threaten Reuniclus with a super effective hit.
[SET]
name: Offensive Trick Room
move 1: Psychic / Psyshock
move 2: Shadow Ball
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Trick Room
item: Life Orb
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Quiet
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Psychic is Reuniclus's main STAB move that hits hard most Pokemon that do not resist Psychic-type moves hard, such as Mega Altaria and Gliscor. Alternatively, Psyshock hits specially bulky walls, such as Blissey, harder. Shadow Ball lets Reuniclus hit Pokemon like Latias and Celebi for super effective damage. Focus Blast lets Reuniclus hit Steel-types, such as Empoleon and Mega Aggron, super effectively. Alternatively, Hidden Power Fire can be used to hit Scizor and Klefki for super effective damage, but the drop in power and loss of option to hit Empoleon super effectively is crucial. Trick Room takes advantage of Reuniclus's low Speed, drastically helping its matchup against offensive teams. Trick Room enhances Reuniclus's matchup against offensive teams by making it a fearsome wallbreaker that is usually the fastest on the field.
Set Details
========
The EV spread focuses on maximizing bulk and power simultaneously. A Quiet nature with 0 Speed IVs makes sure Reuniclus outspeeds Amoonguss and Gyro Ball Doublade while Trick Room is active. Magic Guard ignores recoil from Life Orb and makes Reuniclus immune to residual damage caused by entry hazards, Toxic, and Leech Seed.
Usage Tips
========
Usually, send out Reuniclus late-game when all its checks and counters are weakened. Despite its good bulk, it will most likely only get one chance to set up Trick Room against offensive teams. This is why, as it is sent out, it should set up Trick Room as soon as it enters the field. Reuniclus should be setting up Trick Room on Fighting-type Pokemon, such as Cobalion, and passive Pokemon, such as Alomomola and Quagsire.
Team Options
========
Entry hazard support is really beneficial for Reuniclus because, after Stealth Rock and one layer of Spikes, it usually 2HKOes Blissey with Focus Blast. Hence, hazard support from the likes of Klefki and Gliscor is appreciated. Fairy-type Pokemon, such as Sylveon and Mega Altaria, make for good partners because they cover up Reuniclus's weakness to Dark and Bug. While not necessary, Pokemon that can take advantage of Trick Room, such as Crawdaunt and Mega Abomasnow, make good partners. Pivots, such as Mega Manectric and Scizor, can bring in Reuniclus safely with a Volt Switch or a U-turn.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Toxic, in conjunction with Poisonium Z, boosts Reuniclus's Defense by one stage, which helps it set up on Pokemon such as Mamoswine and Azumarill, reduces Knock Off's Base Power against it, and allows it to win against Unaware walls that might try to stall it out. However, this leaves Reuniclus with no option to hit Dark-type Pokemon, which is detrimental. Signal Beam hits Dark- and Psychic-types, such as Hydreigon and Latias, in one slot but leaves Reuniclus walled by Steel-type Pokemon, such as Doublade and Scizor. Future Sight, in conjunction with Regenerator, makes Reuniclus a niche hit-and-run Pokemon that pairs really well with Fighting-type wallbreakers, such as Terrakion and Mienshao. Energy Ball allows Reuniclus to hit Quagsire and Krookodile for super effective damage. Knock Off and Thunder Wave allow Reuniclus to cripple common switch-ins, such as Hydreigon and Latias. Those two shouldn't be used on the same set, though. Acid Armor allows Reuniclus to boost its Defense alongside its Special Defense, making it even harder to break, although this comes at the cost of an important coverage move.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Dark-type Pokemon, such as Krookodile and Hydreigon, are immune to Reuniclus' STAB move and threaten it out with a powerful Dark-type attack. Alolan Muk deserves a special mention because it can switch in on any of Reuniclus's moves and potentially Pursuit trap it.
**Bug-types**: Bug-type Pokemon, such as Scizor and Mega Beedrill, threaten Reuniclus with a potential U-turn, forcing it out while also keeping momentum. Both can potentially Pursuit trap Reuniclus as well.
**Ghost-types**: Ghost-types, such as Chandelure, Doublade, and Hoopa scare out Reuniclus with a powerful STAB move. However, they can't switch into Reuniclus comfortably, as it might carry Shadow Ball.
**Unaware Walls**: Unaware walls, such as Quagsire and Pyukumuku, can reliably stall Reuniclus out of PP. Pyukumuku, with the combination of Gastro Acid and Toxic, removes Reuniclus's ability, Magic Guard, and reliably Toxic stalls it. However, both find it hard switching into Life Orb-boosted Psychic.
**Special Walls**: Special walls, such as Blissey and Mandibuzz, can reliably take on Reuniclus. The former takes any hit and threatens back with Seismic Toss, and the latter shuts down Reuniclus with Taunt and wears it down with either Knock Off or Foul Play. The former, however, is used as setup fodder by Calm Mind Reuniclus.
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