Scrafty (QC 2/3)

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Magcargo

Magcargo

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QC Approvals 2/3: Lolkimori, Audiosurfer
GP Approvals 0/2:
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ScraftyIsTheBest

Overview
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The transition to XY was rather beneficial to Scarfty, giving it a variety of tools that help it succeed in the metagame. The buff to Knock Off was incredible for Scrafty, giving it a powerful STAB attack that can cripple the opponent by removing their item. The Assault Vest is another excellent addition to Scrafty's inventory, as it makes it hard to KO when combined with Intimidate. Scrafty still has important tools such as Drain Punch, Fake Out, and Intimidate, making it an excellent supportive threat in the metagame.

While these changes make Scrafty a great Pokemon in Doubles, it still has several notable flaws that limit its viability. Fairy-types such as Togekiss and Gardevoir give it a large amount of trouble, as they not only resist Scrafty's STAB attacks, but are easily able to OHKO it with their own STAB moves.
  • Scrafty is also weak to other common attacking-types such as Fighting and Flying
  • Faces competition from Hitmontop due to its faster Fake Out, as well as access to moves such as Close Combat and Wide Guard
  • Average attack and abysmal Speed stats


Bulky Fake Out
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name: Bulky Fake Out
move 1: Fake Out
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Drain Punch
move 4: Stone Edge / Ice Punch / Detect
ability: Intimidate
item: Assault Vest / Sitrus Berry
evs: 240 HP / 224 Atk / 44 Def
nature: Impish

Moves
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  • Scrafty's excellent offensive typing and movepool allow it to provide its team with excellent utility
  • Fake Out allows Scrafty to prevent one of the opponents Pokemon from doing anything, giving your partner a free turn
  • Knock Off is a powerful STAB attack, which not only hits Ghost- and Psychic-types for super effective damage, but also removes the foe's item, which can be beneficial in most scenarios
  • Drain Punch is Scrafty's secondary STAB attack, hitting Pokemon such as Tyranitar for super effective damage, recovering Scrafty's health and getting great nuetral coverage with Knock Off
  • Stone Edge is used to hit flying type such as Thundurus and Charizard Y for super effective damage
  • Ice Punch can be used over Stone Edge to hit Landorus-T, Salamence, Shaymin-S and Garchomp harder
  • Detect can be used if using a Sitrus Berry, as it allows Scrafty to scout for Fake out and a potential super effective attack

Set Details
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  • Given EV spread allows Scrafty to take a Life Orb-boosted Secret Swords from Keldeo as well as 2 Heat Wave from Charizard Y if using the Assault Vest
  • 248 HP / 196 Atk / 64 SpD should be the main spread if using the Sitrus Berry as it allows Scrafty to survive Modest Charizard Y's Overheat
  • A Brave nature w/ 0 Speed IVs can be used if Scrafty is being used on a Trick Room team
  • Assault Vest is the recommended item, making Scrafty incredibly bulky on both sides of the spectrum
  • Sitrus Berry is also very viable option as it allows Scrafty to recover a large portion of its health from potentially fatal attacks
  • An alternate spread of 252 HP / 180 Atk / 56 Def / 20 SpD could be used, as it allows Scrafty to Avoid a 2HKO from Mega Charizard Y's Heat Wave and Mega Kangaskhan's Double Edge, as well as avoid a OHKO from Mega Kangaskhan's Return f it is at +1
  • Lum Berry is also a viable option to protect Scrafty from status moves
  • 252 HP / 188 Atk / 64 SpD could be used to take a Modest Charizard Y's Heat Wave followed by Air Slash if Scarfty is using the Assault Vest
  • Chople Berry is another decent item that can be used to allow Scrafty to survive powerful attacks such as Hitmontop's Close Combat

Usage Tips
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  • Best used early-game as Scrafty can give free turns to Pokemon like Scizor, Heatran, and Garchomp due to Fake Out + Intimidate
  • Can still work well later in the match as a pivot due to the utility of Fake Out and Intimidate
  • Best to switch out of Will-O-wisp users such as Rotom-W, as Scrafty becomes somewhat useless when burned. Still has a great amount of utility thanks to Knock Off, Fake Out, and Intimidate.
  • Avoid switching into Pokemon with the Defiant ability such as Bisharp and Tornadus
  • Works well against Trick Room teams, as it can beat common Trick Room users with Fake Out and Knock Off
  • Scrafty is best used to cause havoc, as well as support its team, with the combined utility Knock Off, Intimidate, and Fake Out.

Team Options
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  • Aegislash is a great partner, as it resist most of Scrafty's weaknesses and can defeat common Fairy- and Fighting-types
  • Bisharp is able to defeat Fairy-types and can pressure intimidate users with Defiant. It does share a Fighting-type weakness with Scrafty, however
  • Scizor is also a great partner as it can defeat Fairy-types that generally give Scarfty trouble with Bullet Punch and appreciates Scarfty's ability to lure and remove Landorus-T and Charizard Y depending on what coverage move it uses
  • Landorus-T is an alright partner for Scrafty, as it appreciates the free turns provides by Fake Out as well as Scrafty's ability to defeat Psychic-types. Landorus-T also resist Scrafty's Fighting-type weakness and can form a "double Intimidate core with Scrafty.
  • Scrafty works fairly well on Trick Room teams due to its great typing, Intimidate, and Fake Out, making Pokemon such as Cresselia, Aromatisse, and Mawile great partners
  • Rotom-W is also a nice partner, as it can handle Flying-types such as Talonflame, while also checking Fighting-types such as Terrakion and Hitmontop with Will-O-wisp
Other Options
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  • Quick Guard can be used to protect Scrafty from Priority attacks, but forces Scrafty to use Crunch as its main Dark-type STAB move
  • High Jump Kick and Low Kick can be used as more powerful, abeilt less consistant Fighting-type STAB attacks
  • Taunt can be used to stop Trick Room setters such as Dusclops from doing anything
  • Fire Punch for Scizor, Genesect, and Mawile
  • Iron Head / Poison Jab for Fairies
  • Bulk Up and Dragon Dance can be used to allow Sacrfty to function as a setup sweeper
  • Foul Play and super Fang can be used for a more defensive set
  • Zen Headbutt can be used to hit Poison-types such as Venusaur harder


Checks & Counters
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**Attack Control**
  • Both Intimidate and Will-O-Wisp severally hinder Scrafty's preformance in doubles
  • Hitmontop and Mawile are the best Pokemon with Intimidate that can check Scrafty, as they are not weak to any of Scrafty's moves and can retaliate with a powerful Close Combat and Play Rough, respectively
  • Landorus-T and Gyarados are also good checks, although both dislike taking ice Punch and Stone Edge respectively
  • Will-O-Wisp users such as Rotom-W and Sableye are able to completely cripple Scrafty with Will-O-Wisp
**Offensive Typing Advantage**
  • Fairy-types such as Togekiss, Gardevoir, Azumarill, and Mawile resist Scrafty's STAB attacks and are able to easily able to KO Scrafty with their 4x super effective Fairy-type attacks
  • Flying- and Fighting-types such as Talonflame and Terrakion are also good checks, as they can hit Scarfty for super effective damage with their respective STAB moves. Terrakion also benefits from Knock off thanks to its ability. However, both of these Pokemon may lose if Scrafty is able to use Fake Out on them, but that primarily depends on Scrafty's partners that are currently out.
**Bulky Mega Evolutions**
  • Mega evolutions that are not weak to any of Scrafty's moves and are relatively bulky such as Mega Venusaur, Mega Heracross, Mega Scizor, and Mega Pinsir are great checks, as they can switch into Knock Off with little to no repercussion and are able to deal major damage in return.
**Utility Moves**:
  • A Faster Fake Out from Pokemon such as Mega Kangaskhan or Hitmontop can prevent Scrafty from offering Fake Out support.
 
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Scrafty runs Detect>Protect because Imprison.
Also, quick guard could be a 2nd set(I know this is wip, just saying tho), it has almost completely different moves because of legality issues.
 
youngjake93 said:
Also, quick guard could be a 2nd set(I know this is wip, just saying tho), it has almost completely different moves because of legality issues.
Click to expand...
Quick Guard seems more like OO material than deserving an actual set, as it only helps against Breloom and Talonflame. While beating these two is great, it doesn't really seem like it deserves getting rid of Knock Off.
 
An interesting option is to put a slash on protect and add stone edge becuase it adds offensive pressure, plus protect isn't sorely missed because of the extra turn fake out provides
 
Slashed Stone Edge with Ice Punch and Protect.
This is ready for QC checks. The main area of errors in this analysis in my opinion are the Overview, C&C, Team options, and OO, so if QC could offer feedback on those issues, that would be well appreciated.
 
Slash Stone Edge before Ice Punch imo. The ability to hit Zard, Volc, Toge, Thundurus, etc. is more worth it than hitting just Lando and uhhh Amoonguss. If you are insistent about Ice Punch tho, at least put it in the second slash so Detect shares the last slash with the item it pairs with: Lum Berry.

I will check this in detail tomorrow, cause i am tirrred. :p
 
Not certain if Lum Berry is the item of choice after Assault Vest. I personally prefer slashing Sitrus Berry to better tank hits.

Detect > Protect. Imprison does exist. I never heard of Detect running out of PPs.

Mention Leftovers and Chople Berry under Set Comments.

You should suggest a more defensive spread as an alternative to tank certain hits. I suggest 252 HP / 180 Atk / 56 Def / 20 SpD, Adamant Nature @ Sitrus Berry. With this spread, Scrafty can survive the following moves:
  • 2 Heat Waves from Timid Charizard Y in the sun
  • 2 Double-Edges from -1 Adamant Kangaskhan
  • 1 Return from +1 Adamant Kangaskhan
I'd drop Expert Belt to OO, since it's only really useful when its running 4 Atks, in which case Ass Vest is far superior to it.

Under OO, note that Quick Guard cannot be used in tandem with Knock Off. Quick Guard Scrafty must use Crunch :[
Move Chople from OO to Set Details
Remove Substitute and Dragon Dance
Add HJK >:]
Add Taunt
Add Fire Punch; otherwise SD Scizor can set up all over it. It also 2HKOs Mega Mawile (without Intimidate)

Under Checks & Counters, note that Fairy-types resists both of Scrafty's STABs.
 
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i know im not qc, but i think substitute should stay in oo. thanks to scrafty's solid bulk, it can take hits well, and intimidate just helps that further, so setting up a sub wouldnt be hard. also, scrafty is a common target for status, particularly burn and toxic, so sub can get around that well (just need to run enough speed to outspeed rotom-w so you can sub before it uses will-o-wisp).
 
+1 252+ Atk Parental Bond Mega Kangaskhan Return vs. 252 HP / 56 Def Scrafty: 337-397 (100.8 - 118.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Scrafty doesn't live the Return with your new spread Pocket idk if i am missing something tho.

I think it is more important to have the 252 Adamant because it guarantees the 2HKO on mega kanga. The two double edges from -1 Mega kanga is irrelevant because Scrafty recovers HP from the drain punch anyway. I like the 20 SpD EVs tho, so i think the spread should be 236 HP / 252 Atk / 20 SpD.

Edit: OOOO sitrus berry. I still think the 2HKO on Mega Kanga is more impt tho. Wuts the point of EVing to live its attack if Drain Punch does piss damage
 
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Lolkomori said:
+1 252+ Atk Parental Bond Mega Kangaskhan Return vs. 252 HP / 56 Def Scrafty: 337-397 (100.8 - 118.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Scrafty doesn't live the Return with your new spread Pocket idk if i am missing something tho.

I think it is more important to have the 252 Adamant because it guarantees the 2HKO on mega kanga. The two double edges from -1 Mega kanga is irrelevant because Scrafty recovers HP from the drain punch anyway. I like the 20 SpD EVs tho, so i think the spread should be 236 HP / 252 Atk / 20 SpD.
Click to expand...
+1 252+ Atk Mega Kangaskhan Return vs. 252 HP / 56 Def Scrafty: 225-265 (67.3 - 79.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+1 252+ Atk Slow Start Mega Kangaskhan Return vs. 252 HP / 56 Def Scrafty: 112-133 (33.5 - 39.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
The combined damage of these two attacks is not enough to take Scrafty out. Remember, Parental Bond makes Kangaskhan's attacks hit twice and sitrus berry heals your health once your health goes under 50%.
 
Overview:
  • mention that the combination of Intimidate and Assault Vest make great against a giant chunk of the tier, including even some threats with super effective attacks against it.
  • Mention its low-ish Attack stat and how it needs serious investment to do damage.
  • Mention that Hitmontop is competition because of a faster Fake Out, access to Close Combat and Wide Guard.
  • It is also really slow :o
Set:
  • You forgot the nature :p.
Moves:
  • Say Stone Edge hits Charizard-Y and Thundurus. Talonflame scares it out.
Set Details:
  • Take the Leftovers mention out. If Scrafty doesn't have an Assault Vest on, there is no way he is living more than 4 turns, making Sitrus Berry always the better choice.
Usage Tips:
  • Use the term pivot when describing Scrafty, because it is really easy for it to switch in and out in battle.
  • Also mention why it is not completely useless when burned. Intimidate, Fake Out, and Knock Off all still get the job done when it is burned.
Team Options:
  • Add Scizor to the Fairy-type killers because it is badass and Scrafty is a great Zard-Y hunter.
  • Rotom-W is a good partner because it kills Talonberd and can burn the other Fighting- and Flying-types aiming at Scrafty.
Other Options:
  • Say Crunch should only be used with Quick Guard. It should never use it otherwise.
  • Also give more detail on each move. Say HJK and Low Kick are for more offensive sets, Taunt is for Trick Room setters like Ghost-types who are immune to Fake Out, Foul Play and Super Fang could be used on a completely defensive set, etc.
  • Add Dragon Dance cause manly and Rock Slide cause spread.
Checks and Counters:
  • Add bulky mega evolutions such as Venusaur, Pinsir, and Heracross, because they don't lose their item when hit by Knock Off and can switch into most of Scrafty's attacks with little to fear. Heck, even Mega Kanga wins if Scrafty switches in on PuP or Double Edge.
  • Add that Talonflame and Terrakion can only truly counter it if they get a luck switch in. With Intimidate and Fake Out, Scrafty can easily beat them depending on the partners. Also mention how Terrakion loves swiching in on Knock Offs.
  • Most Physical attackers can handle Scrafty as long as they switch into Scrafty, not the other way around.
  • Mention faster Fake Outs from Pokemon such as Hitmontop and Kangaskhan keep it from doing its job.
  • Add Bisharp also (lol just seems weird) because Scrafty cannot switch into it and gets raped by a +1 Brick Break or Iron Head.
Do these Magcargo 2 and I will stamp
 
Made a majority of the changes Lolkomori . However a few minor things.
  • I did not add Rock Slide OO as it is far too weak to be of use in nearly any situation.
  • I did not add Defiant users such as Bisharp and Tornadus as neither really fit into any noticeable Checks and Counters category and the fact that Scrafty has to switch INTO them for them to actually threaten it.
  • I created a special section for Bulky Mega Evolutions.
 
Overview:
  • You call it an offensive threat but it isn't; even with 252+ atk it's really just more of a nuisance that can snipe certain threats, especially with how vulnerable it is to burn and intimidate
Moves:
  • again with the offensive support. No. It is a defensive utility pokemon that can damage key threats and spread disruption.
  • mention skymin under ice punch but to beware of flinches
Usage tips:
  • Stress that the best use of scrafty is causing havoc and softening up the opponent by knocking off and intimidating as many things as possible
Team options:
  • I disagree with aegis being a good scrafty partner because they're both slow. They sound good on paper but in practice it's weak to most strong offense duos. Furthermore aegislash is not too good in general and id like to avoid hyping it.
Other than those small things, my only concern is the spread. For a bulky, tailored pokemon it certainly seems pretty elementary. I'll talk with qc and see what spread we come up with
 
Zach suggested 64+ sDef for CharY Overheats iirc
+sDef is optimal imo regardless for a Pokemon that has 115 sDef and is most likely avest. I noticed a significant difference in longevity in general and rarely missed the power.
 
Pwnemon I implemented a majority of your suggestions. However, a few minor things to make note of:
  • I did not remove Aegislash as a partner. From my experience, Aegislash has generally been a great partner for Scrafty due to its ability to defeat a majority of Scrafty's common counters, apart from Pokemon such as Talonflame. That being said, I will remove the Aegislash mention if you still believe that it is ineffective as a partner.
  • I changed the EV spread to the one that youngjake recommended
  • I changed the first set's name to utility.
 
The current EV description needs to be tailored towards the AV set, not the one with Sitrus Berry, as it is the primary item.

You have two options:
  1. Stick with the spread, but you're missing 4 EVs. Here's a revised spread: 248 HP / 196 Atk / 64 SpD, Careful Nature. Make it relevant to the AV set by stating that it can survive sun-boosted Heat Wave followed by Air Slash from Modest Charizard Y. It can also tank a Flash Fire-, sun-, and Charcoal-boosted Eruption from Heatran's Eruption.
  2. Change the main spread to 240 HP / 224 Atk / 44 Def, Impish Nature as its main spread. The benchmark here is to survive Keldeo's Life Orb Secret Sword. With this benchmark achieved, there are very little special moves that can KO Scrafty with Assault Vest, barring Fairy-type moves. Even with this spread, it tanks 2 Heat Waves from Modest Charizard Y and a Flash Fire- and sun-boosted Eruption from Heatran not holding Charcoal.
  3. Whichever spread you choose, make sure you mention the other under Set Details as an alternative option.
 
Pocket said:
The current EV description needs to be tailored towards the AV set, not the one with Sitrus Berry, as it is the primary item.

You have two options:
  1. Stick with the spread, but you're missing 4 EVs. Here's a revised spread: 248 HP / 196 Atk / 64 SpD, Careful Nature. Make it relevant to the AV set by stating that it can survive sun-boosted Heat Wave followed by Air Slash from Modest Charizard Y. It can also tank a Flash Fire-, sun-, and Charcoal-boosted Eruption from Heatran's Eruption.
  2. Change the main spread to 240 HP / 224 Atk / 44 Def, Impish Nature as its main spread. The benchmark here is to survive Keldeo's Life Orb Secret Sword. With this benchmark achieved, there are very little special moves that can KO Scrafty with Assault Vest, barring Fairy-type moves. Even with this spread, it tanks 2 Heat Waves from Modest Charizard Y and a Flash Fire- and sun-boosted Eruption from Heatran not holding Charcoal.
  3. Whichever spread you choose, make sure you mention the other under Set Details as an alternative option.
Click to expand...
I changed the spread to the second one you listed.
 
Magcargo 2, you list a spread of 252 HP / 188 Atk / 64 SpD toward the end of set details but you dont give an explanation. if you know what it does then explain it but if not then feel free to just get rid of it. Otherwise this is pretty awesome.

QC 2/3
 
Audiosurfer said:
Magcargo 2, you list a spread of 252 HP / 188 Atk / 64 SpD toward the end of set details but you dont give an explanation. if you know what it does then explain it but if not then feel free to just get rid of it. Otherwise this is pretty awesome.

QC 2/3
Click to expand...
Implemented changes. Thanks.
I'll try getting this written soon.
 
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