[OVERVIEW]
* By virtue of its ability Wonder Guard, Shedinja can completely wall many common threats. These include Pokemon such as Mega Metagross, Pheromosa, Buzzwole, and Keldeo. Pokemon lacking coverage to hit Shedinja, such as Tapu Koko without Brave Bird or Toxapex without Toxic, are also fully walled.
* Shedinja lacks the ability to deal much damage to the Pokemon it counters, often relying on passive damage such as Will-O-Wisp.
* Shedinja's base 1 HP results in it fainting to any form of damage, passive or otherwise. It will be OHKOed by entry hazards, weather, status, or a direct hit. Thus, it requires extensive team support to be effective.
[SET]
name: Wonderwall
move 1: Baton Pass
move 2: Protect
move 3: Shadow Sneak
move 4: Will-O-Wisp
item: Focus Sash
ability: Wonder Guard
nature: Lonely
evs: 252 Atk / 156 Spe
ivs: 0 Def / 0 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Baton Pass allows Shedinja to pivot out of Pokemon it counters, gaining momentum. When paired with a trapper such as Dugtrio, it can also allow it to PP stall Pokemon immune to passive damage, such as Clefable.
* Protect allows you to scout for coverage moves that could OHKO Shedinja and can let it scout Choice-locked Pokemon.
* Shadow Sneak gives Shedinja a STAB priority move to finish weakened foes.
* Will-O-Wisp cripples physical attackers to support Shedinja's team, and it provides passive damage on Pokemon immune to Toxic to further support the stall teams Shedinja typically is used on.
Set Details
========
* Focus Sash is used to allow Shedinja to survive an unexpected coverage move or to escape a Pursuit trapper one time. It can also be used to get a Will-O-Wisp off on a very threatening Pokemon.
* Shedinja is a rare Pokemon in that it does not want to run full EV investment due to its HP stat of 1. Maximum Attack is used to ensure Shadow Sneak hits as hard as possible.
* A Lonely nature with 0 Defense and 0 Special Defense IVs causes Transformed Pokemon such as Ditto to be as defensively weak as possible. This does not harm Shedinja, as its HP stat of 1 cannot be increased through investment.
* 156 Speed EVs are run to underspeed Clefable by 1 point while still being faster than most walls. This allows Shedinja to use Baton Pass on these walls, scouting for switches, while also being able to PP stall Clefable by using Baton Pass to switch into a trapper such as Dugtrio.
* Shedinja's Speed should be set to make it 1 point slower than the slowest threat your team is only able to check. This way, you can absorb a hit with Shedinja's Wonder Guard and Baton Pass into your check, keeping your check healthy.
Usage Tips
========
* Switch Shedinja into Pokemon that cannot damage it.
* Use Protect to scout for coverage moves. Beware of switching Shedinja directly into Pokemon that may carry coverage that can hit it, such as Brave Bird Tapu Koko.
* Be wary of Pursuit trappers and Pokemon that summon sand and hail. Eliminate these Pokemon early to ease prediction with Shedinja.
* Use Will-O-Wisp to cripple switch-ins. Do not use Will-O-Wisp on Pokemon with recovery if you could possibly Toxic them with Shedinja's teammates.
Team Options
========
* Due to Shedinja's enormous weakness to entry hazards, heavy hazard removal is necessary. Mega Sableye can reflect hazards with Magic Bounce, and a Defog user such as Zapdos, Skarmory, Mandibuzz, or Mantine can remove hazards that get by Mega Sableye.
* Pokemon that can absorb damaging status such as Chansey or Magic Guard Clefable are necessary.
* Pokemon with Unaware such as Clefable and Quagsire can be helpful to prevent Pokemon from setting up on a forced out Shedinja.
* Dugtrio is a very good partner. It eliminates Tyranitar and Chansey, can be used in conjunction with Shedinja to PP stall Pokemon such as Clefable, and can also be used to eliminate other Pursuit trappers and weather setters with a bit of prior damage. Dugtrio is also able to eliminate most Mold Breaker and Teravolt Pokemon, such as Excadrill and Kyurem-B.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Secret Power could be used over Shadow Sneak, as it is the only non-contact physical move Shedinja learns. This allows Shedinja to attack without fearing Rough Skin or Iron Barbs, but the priority from Shadow Sneak is often appreciated. X-Scissor is another option if increased power is desired.
* Lum Berry could be used over Focus Sash to aid in scouting for Toxic on Pokemon such as Keldeo, but it is typically outclassed by Focus Sash's ability to escape Pursuit trappers.
* Safety Goggles can be used to avoid damage from weather. This can be nice versus difficult-to-trap weather setters, such as Hippowdon, but it weakens Shedinja versus unexpected coverage moves and Pursuit trappers.
* Toxic could be used over or in conjunction with Will-O-Wisp to wear down Pokemon with recovery moves, Leftovers recovery, or an immunity to burn.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Entry Hazards**: Stealth Rock and Spikes are able to OHKO Shedinja as it switches in. Toxic Spikes will OHKO Shedinja at the end of the turn if it is not already inflicted with a non-damaging status such as sleep or paralysis.
**Sand and Hail Setters**: Pokemon such as Tyranitar, Alolan Ninetales, and Hippowdon can summon damaging weather. If Shedinja is not using Safety Goggles, sand or hail will prevent it from switching in for 4 to 7 turns. Hippowdon is an important sand setter to mention, as it can be difficult to trap with Dugtrio, one of Shedinja's most common teammates.
**Pursuit Trappers**: Pursuit trappers such as Tyranitar and Bisharp are a big threat to Shedinja. Shedinja can only escape Pursuit a single time if its Focus Sash is intact. Otherwise, it will be trapped and OHKOed.
**Toxic, Will-O-Wisp, and Leech Seed Users**: Damaging status conditions will OHKO Shedinja unless it switches out on the turn it is statused with Baton Pass. Curing Shedinja with cleric support is then required before it can switch in again.
**Mold Breaker and Teravolt**: Mold Breaker Excadrill, Mega Gyarados, and Kyurem-B can all bypass Wonder Guard and OHKO Shedinja with any move thanks to their abilities. Mold Breaker Excadrill is of special note, as it can set up Stealth Rock through Magic Bounce, further limiting Shedinja. However, none of these Pokemon appreciate being burned with Will-O-Wisp.
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