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Shiftry (Analysis)
- Thread starter Don Honchkrorleone
- Start date
Just glancing through, double check your Dream World section. You mentioned the English translation of Pickpocket once, then stated "Wicked Thief" shortly after. Minor flaws, blah blah blah...
-Zane
Athenodoros
Official Smogon Know-It-All
GPing. I'll change the DW section.
EDIT: God damn, my browser did something weird and closed itself. I'm starting from scratch, so it'll take a bit longer.
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Also, remove all mention of the word "Tengu". I have no idea what you are talking about, which means others won't too.
EDIT: God damn, my browser did something weird and closed itself. I'm starting from scratch, so it'll take a bit longer.
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There we go.Finally ready to GP checks! Hallelujah!
QC checks: (Iconic) (Bloo) (PK Gaming)
GP Checks: (Needing two)
--------------------------------------------
Shiftry
[Overview]
<p>After spending two generations in the shadow of most Grass-types in the game, it seems that Shiftry will finally have a chance to fight with the big boys in OU. That's because of Dream World's generous gift to not Shiftry, but Ninetales: Drought, which sets up eternal Sunny Day when entering in the field, putting Shiftry's Speed at minimum 518 under the sun speed until the weather is changed. Shiftry's movepool, unlike most others Chlorophyll abusers, is excellent ion both the physical and special sides when coupled with solid 100 / 90 offensive stats that, although not the best, with andNasty Plot, Swords Dance and Growth, enabling heim to can destroy entire teams. However, even with his great Speed under the sun, miserable 90 / 60 / 60 defenses, and even with his great Speed under the sun, mean that Shiftry is massacred by priority moves such as Mach Punch, Ice Shard and Vacuum Wave.</p>
[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Grass Knot / Giga Drain
move 3: Dark Pulse
move 4: Hidden Power Fire / Focus Blast
item: Life Orb
ability: Chlorophyll
nature: Modest / Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Nasty Plot boosts Shiftry's acceptable Special Attack to great levels, putting them it at 612 (Modest) or 558 (Timid) after a single Nasty Plot, and with sun support provided by Ninetales, Nasty Plot Shiftry can be a menace. Either Grass Knot or Giga Drain is a good option as the a Grass STAB move. Grass Knot murders heavyweights in the OU metagame that are weak to Grass such as Hippowdon and Tyranitar, while Giga Drain is stronger against lighter things such as Politoed and Vaporeon, aside as well as being a way to recover the HP loss from Life Orb. Dark Pulse is an useful STAB to have, being super effective against Chandelure and Gengar. Dark Pulse also has a nifty 20% chance of flinching, working nice well with his 518 (Modest) or 568 (Timid) Speed thanks to Chlorophyll. The last move is for coverage. Hidden Power Fire is boosted by sun and is excellent against Scizor, Ferrothorn, Heracross and Forretress, while Focus Blast adds nearly perfect coverage with both Dark and Grass, and is a stronger hit in Heatran, Houndoom, Hydreigon, and other Pokemon that resists the Grass + Dark combo.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Some other options can go in the last slot. Extrasensory destroys lots of Fighting- and Poison-types that try to end up your sweep. Hidden Power Rock is a stronger hit ion Volcanora, Charizard, and Zapdos. Icy Wind or Hidden Power Ice manhandle Dragons and oppositeing Grasses-types. Finally, Explosion, while not as good as it was before in previous generations, still takes out some special walls at the cost of Shiftry's own life. The EVs spread here are is simple, designed for a standard special sweeper. The choice of the nature is also crucial because Shiftry's Special Attack is bit quite low. Modest is preferred since not many things outspeed you under the Sun anyway, but Timid is an option if you want to Speed tie with things like Scarf Latios or Jolly Kabutops if the Sun is gone.</p>
<p>Since this set needs Don't use Bold here Sun support to work, Ninetales is almost an obligation, bringing eternal sun to the field. Depending on the last move, this set has different counters. If Focus Blast is chosen, then Scizor, Jirachi, and Metagross are an issue. If Hidden Power Fire is chosen, then Hydreygon, Tyranitar, and Houndoom scare Shiftry off. Blaziken of and Infernape are both good partners to this Shiftry because they can use either a STAB Fighting or a STAB Fire move against the aforementioned threats. They also can beat special walls such as Blissey and Evolution Stone Chansey with Hi Jump Kick and Close Combat, respectively. Priority users with a powerful move that Shiftry doesn't resist such as Mach Punch, Vacuum Wave, ExtremeSpeed, Bullet Punch, and Ice Shard also destroy the Tengu huh?. Chandelure either resists or is immune to all these moves and is strong enough to KO most of theseir users. It's also interesting to note that Chandelure resists all Shiftry's weakness barring except Flying, while Shiftry resists all Shandera's weakness barring except Rock.</p>
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Seed Bomb
move 3: Faint Attack / Sucker Punch
move 4: Low Kick / Nature Power
item: Life Orb
ability: Chlorophyll
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>With access to Nasty Plot and a diverse special movepool, some people often forget that Shiftry's has 100 base Attack stat (which is actually higher than his Special Attack), Swords Dance and a considerably smaller physical movepool considerably smaller than special, but that still can do enough damage with an Attack coming from 656 (Adamant) or 598 (Jolly) after one Swords Dance. Seed Bomb is his main STAB move with reliable power, PP, and accuracy. For Shiftry's secondary STAB move, although it may sound odd at first, Faint Attack is not a bad move and is not outclassed by Sucker Punch. In fact Faint Attack is a 60 base-power STAB Dark move that never misses no matter if the opponent has +6 evasion and BrightPowder, and an unboosted hit from Faint Attack can KO most Gengar and Chandelure almost all times if Shiftry is running an Adamant Nature. Sucker Punch has more power and always hits faster Clorophyl users and faster Choice Scarfers first. It's also a good move if the sun is gone. Low Kick grants a near perfect coverage between with Grass and/ Dark, / Fighting only resisted by Toxicroak and Heracross., and is also a good move against Hydreigon, Heatran, and Houndoom. However, Nature Power in Wi-Fi becomes a 20 PP Earthquake, which is useful for dealing with Toxicroak and damaging Heatran, Blaziken, Metagross and Jirachi harder more (watch out for Air Balloon users, though).</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Like in the previous set, max Speed with max Attack are is the basic EVs spread for a sweeper. The remaining EVs go to HP. The choose choice of the nature is also significant, since Adamant nature allows Shiftry to KO things that it can't with a Jolly nature. Sun support is also needed, meaning that you have run Shiftry with Ninetales again. Like the Nasty Plot set, super effective priority will destroy this Shiftry. Chandelure makes again an effective counter because the chandelier can takes most of the priority attacks that hurt Shiftry a lot, while it also can dent most physical walls such as Ferrothorn and Skarmory. Shiftry can also take the priority moves that Chandelure hates.: (Another quick note: Chandelure and Shiftry together resists all priority moves. Chandelure resists or is immune to ExtremeSpeed, Quick Attack, Mach Punch, Vacuum Wave, Bullet Punch and Ice Shard while Shiftry resists Aqua Jet, Sucker Punch and Shadow Sneak). Chandelure can also destroy the Steel Pokemon that doesn't don't take too much from Low Kick that walls Shiftry.</p>
[SET]
name: Mixtry
move 1: Growth
move 2: Dark Pulse
move 3: Grass Knot / Giga Drain
move 4: Low Kick / Nature Power
Item: Life Orb
Ability: Chlorophyll
Nature: Rash
Evs: 56 Atk / 200 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Growth now raises both Attack and Special Attack by one level in no weather, and by two in sun, and Shiftry has good offensive stats to work with for a mixed set. Dark Pulse is Shiftry's main STAB move and, as said above, is very useful with its good flinch rate. The choice of Grass Knot versus Gigsa Drain is a matter of situational potential sheer power that varies or consistent power and recovery. Low Kick is the best option for the fourth slot for coverage and a to hit in two of the main weather changers that may end Shiftry's sweep (Abomasnow and Tyranitar, although the latter won't enjoy boosted Grass moves anway), while Nature Power dents with most pokemon that doesn't don't take enough from Low Kick.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>If you're really worried about faster Scarf users and opposite weather changers, then Sucker Punch can replace Dark Pulse. A Rash nature is recommend in this set since you are going to use mostly your Special Attack more than your Attack. 56 Atk EVs let's you OHKO Tyranitar unboosted and 2HKO Heatran, Hydreigon, and most Blissey while boosted (+2). 200 in SpA lets Shiftry OHKO most Ghosts and Psychics with Dark Pulse and 2HKO Politoed if at +2 (OHKO isf it has switched into Stealth Rock). Obviously, sun support is needed, so Ninetales is again necessary.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Leaf Storm
move 2: Dark Pulse
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Hidden Power Fire / Hidden Power Ground
Item: Choice Specs
Ability: Chlorophyll
Nature: Modest / Timid
Evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Most people expect Shiftry to be a sweeper, and this set proves that the tengu huh? can be an all-out attacker with a good Special Attack, incredible Speed under the sun and a good overall special movepool. Leaf Storm is insanely powerful and can 1-2HKO most of things that doesn't resist it and that's are not named Blissey or Eviolite Chansey. Dark Pulse is strong and and is a reliable STAB move that murders Ghosts and Psychics. Focus Blast rounds the coverage nicely and hits most of the Pokemon that resists the previous moves hard, assuming it hits. Hidden Power Fire is boosted by Sun and is Shiftry's best bet against Scizor, Forretress and Nattorei, while Hidden Power Ground hits Heatran and a lot of other Fire- and Steel-types harder than any other move.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Standard EVs for a special sweeper with the remainig 4 into the HP to allow more switches, since it will be Choice-locked. There are many options for the last slot. Hidden Power Rock also hits most Fire-type Pokemon for super effective damage, while also damagesing Thundurus, Salamence, and Zapdos harder more; Extrasensory murders that those pesky Fighting-type Pokemon that want to stop your clean sweep (as well as hits Poisons-types too, but mainly Amoonguss, Roserade and Venusaur, since most of the Poison Pokemon in OU is are hit stronger by Leaf Storm or Dark Pulse.), and Hidden Power Ice / Icy Wind grabs some OHKOs ion Dragons such as Haxorus, Garchomp, and Salamence.</p>
<p>All moves that Shiftry will be locked into have some downgrades downsides. Sap Sipper users will love to switch into Leaf Storm, Justice Heart users will like to switch into Dark Pulse, Ghosts may switch into Focus Blast, and a lot of other Pokemon will love to switch in the last move. That This will make Shiftry switch more than often, thus needing necessitating Rapid Spin support. Entry hazards are nearly a must in with this set because they help Shiftry to score some extra KOs. Donphan can use Stealth Rock, while also being able to Rapid Spin. Hitmontop, while can't unable to learn any entry hazards, severely manhandles Blissey and Eviolite Chansey. Speaking onf them, they wall this set pretty cold completely, so strong physical attackers, such as Darmanitan and Blaziken, can must destroy them.</p>
<p>Ninetales has been mentioned many times, and for a good reason: her ability to set up infinite sun really helps Shiftry. Chandelure works well with Sun sun support, and is Shiftry's best partner both offensively and defensively; while Chandelure takes the Bug-, Fire-, Ice-, Fighting- and Poison-type moves aimed at Shiftry, the tengu huh? takes the Water-, Ground-, Dark- and Ghost- moves that Chandelure hates. Shiftry will mostly like to be specially based, so a strong Fighting-type works excellently with him because they can kill the standard special sponges: Blissey and Evolution Stone Chansey. Conkledurr has a very powerful Mach Punch and Drain Punch to deal with them. Shiftry can also kill Ghosts and Psychics with Dark Pulse, thus helping with Conkeldurr's job. Shiftry doesn't have the power of killing foes at all times, making entry hazards necessary. Donphan can set up Stealth Rock reliably, and can use Earthquake to kill Fire Pokemon that try to kill Shiftry. I believe this was mentioned above.</p>
[Optional changes] <p>Synthesis recovers Shiftry's health by 2/3 in Sun, but Shiftry is quite frail for that to be effective. Energy Ball is an option over Grass Knot and Giga Drain in all special sets. SolarBeam can be used in all special sets bar Choice Specs, but if the weather changes Shiftry will be locked in it, and all the weather changers have super effective moves against the tengu huh?. Foul Play may sound as as like a powerful move at first, but only if Shiftry isn't boosting his Attack, as it becomes more powerful if the foe's Attack is higher than Shiftry's one. Brick Break is an alternative over Low Kick. Extrasensory hits Fighting-types and Poison-Types super effectively. Choice Band is viable with Seed Bomb / Faint Attack or Sucker Punch / Low Kick / Rock Slide or Nature Power. Explosion got nerfed, so never use it You mentioned that it was a possiblity above. I'd take it out ofthe options in the above set. X-Scissor helps against some opposite Grasses, but has little use outside that. Fake Out is useful on a lead set. Shiftry can SubSeed, but is outclassed by Whimsicott.</p>
[Counters]
<p>Choice Scarf Abomasnow can come in to switch the weather to hail, outspeeds Shiftry with a Choice Scarf and then sends Shiftry to the Hades with a STAB Blizzard or Ice Shard. Abomasnow must be careful of Low Kick, Hidden Power Fire and Focus Blast, however. Toxicroak and Heracross both resist Shiftry's main attacks (Grass, Dark and Fighting), only fearing Hidden Power Fire and Extrasensory. Toxicroak is more threatening because he can use Vacuum Wave, but the poison dart frog must be wary of Nature Power. Special sets are stopped cold by Blissey and Eviolite Chansey, while physical sets can't pass through Skarmory. Ninjask outspeeds Shiftry if +1 Speed even if Shiftry's Chlorophyll is activated and can KO the tengu huh with a Bug move. Shiftry's good Speed in the sun is negated by priority moves (against three of which Shiftry is weak against three: Mach Punch, Vacuum Wave and Ice Shard). Conkeldurr, Breloom, Lucario, Infernape, Weavile, and Mamoswine all have strong priority moves. Virizion walls anything Shiftry has bar Hidden Power Fire, can get a free Attack boost from Justifiedce Heart and can set up Calm Mind, Swords Dance, or even Dual Screens. Hydreigon can counter all kinds of Shiftry that lacks a Fighting move because of his moderate bulk and impressive resistances. If the sun is gone, then Shiftry is very easy to counter, but in the sun, it's very hard.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Shiftry gets Pickpocket from Dream World, which is a pretty gimmick ability. Chlorophyll is better, and Wicked Trick Pickpocket cannot be ussed with Dark Pulse, Sucker Punch, Low Kick, and Seed Bomb.</p>
Also, remove all mention of the word "Tengu". I have no idea what you are talking about, which means others won't too.
GP CHECK 2/2
Additions in Bold
Deletions in Red
Additions in Bold
Deletions in Red
[Overview]
<p>After spending two generations in the shadow of most Grass-types in the game, it seems that Shiftry will finally have a chance to fight with the big boys in OU. That's because of Dream World's generous gift to not Shiftry, but Ninetales: Drought, which sets up eternal Sunny Day when entering in the field, putting Shiftry's Speed at minimum 518 until the weather is changed. Shiftry's movepool, unlike most others Chlorophyll abusers, is excellent on both the physical and special sides coupled with solid 100 / 90 offensive stats and with Nasty Plot, Swords Dance and Growth, enabling him to destroy entire teams. However, even with his great Speed under the sun, miserable 90 / 60 / 60 defenses mean that Shiftry is massacred by priority moves such as Mach Punch, Ice Shard and Vacuum Wave.</p>
[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Grass Knot / Giga Drain
move 3: Dark Pulse
move 4: Hidden Power Fire / Focus Blast
item: Life Orb
ability: Chlorophyll
nature: Modest / Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Nasty Plot boosts Shiftry's acceptable Special Attack to great levels, putting it at 612 (Modest) or 558 (Timid) after a single Nasty Plot, and with sun support provided by Ninetales, Nasty Plot Shiftry can be a menace. Either Grass Knot or Giga Drain is a good option as a Grass STAB move. Grass Knot murders heavyweights in the OU metagame that are weak to Grass such as Hippowdon and Tyranitar, while Giga Drain is stronger against lighter things such as Politoed and Vaporeon and is, as well as being a way to recover the HP loss from Life Orb. Dark Pulse is a an useful STAB to have, being super effective against Chandelure and Gengar. Dark Pulse also has a nifty 20% chance of flinching, working well with his 518 (Modest) or 568 (Timid) Speed thanks to Chlorophyll. The last move is for coverage. Hidden Power Fire is boosted by sun and is excellent against Scizor, Ferrothorn, Heracross and Forretress, while Focus Blast adds nearly perfect coverage with both Dark and Grass, and is a stronger hit in Heatran, Houndoom, Hydreigon and other Pokemon that resists the Grass + Dark combo.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Some other options can go in the last slot. Extrasensory destroys lots of Fighting- and Poison-types that try to end your sweep. Hidden Power Rock is a stronger hit on Volcanora, Charizard, and Zapdos. Finally, Icy Wind or Hidden Power Ice manhandle Dragons and opposing Grass-types. The EV spread here is simple, designed for a standard special sweeper. The choice of the nature is also crucial because Shiftry's Special Attack is quite low. Modest is preferred since not many things outspeed you under the sun Sun anyway, but Timid is an option if you want to Speed tie with things like Scarf Latios or Jolly Kabutops if the sun Sun is gone.</p>
<p>Since this set needs sun Sun support to work, Ninetales is almost an obligatory partner obligation, bringing eternal sun to the field. Depending on the last move, this set has different counters. If Focus Blast is chosen, then Scizor, Jirachi, and Metagross are an issue. If Hidden Power Fire is chosen, then Hydreygon, Tyranitar, and Houndoom scare Shiftry off. Blaziken !!!!!!! and Infernape are both good partners to this Shiftry because they can use either a STAB Fighting or Fire move against the aforementioned threats. They also can beat special walls such as Blissey and Evolution Stone Chansey with Hi Jump Kick and Close Combat, respectively. Priority users with a powerful move that Shiftry doesn't resist such as Mach Punch, Vacuum Wave, ExtremeSpeed, Bullet Punch, and Ice Shard also destroy Shiftry. Chandelure either resists or is immune to all these moves and is strong enough to KO most of their users. It's also interesting to note that Chandelure resists all Shiftry's weakness except Flying, while Shiftry resists all Shandera's weakness except Rock.</p>
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Seed Bomb
move 3: Faint Attack / Sucker Punch
move 4: Low Kick / Nature Power
item: Life Orb
ability: Chlorophyll
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>With access to Nasty Plot and a diverse special movepool, some people often forget that Shiftry has a Shiftry's 100 base Attack stat (which is actually higher than his Special Attack), Swords Dance, and a physical movepool considerably smaller than special, but that still can do enough damage coming from 656 (Adamant) or 598 (Jolly) after one Swords Dance. Seed Bomb is his main STAB move with reliable power, PP, and accuracy. For Shiftry's secondary STAB move, although may sound odd at first, Faint Attack is not a bad move and is not outclassed by Sucker Punch. In fact Faint, Attack is a 60 base-power STAB Dark move that never misses no matter if the opponent has +6 evasion and BrightPowder, and an unboosted hit from Faint Attack can KO most Gengar and Chandelure if Shiftry is running an Adamant Nature. Sucker Punch has more power and always hits faster Clorophyl users and faster Choice Scarf-usersers first. It's also a good move if the sun is gone. Low Kick grants near perfect coverage with Grass and Dark, only resisted by Toxicroak and Heracross, and is also a good move against Hydreigon, Heatran and Houndoom. Nature Power in Wi-Fi becomes a 20 PP Earthquake, which is useful for dealing with Toxicroak and damaging Heatran, Blaziken, Metagross and Jirachi more (watch out for Air Balloon users, though).</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Like in the previous set, max Speed with max Attack is the basic EV spread for a sweeper. The remaining EVs go to HP. The choice of the nature is also significant, since Adamant nature allows Shiftry to KO things that it can't with a Jolly nature. Sun support is also needed, meaning that you have run Shiftry with Ninetales again. Like the Nasty Plot set, super effective priority will destroy this Shiftry. Chandelure makes again an a, effective counter because the chandelier can takes most of the priority attacks that hurt Shiftry a lot, while it also can dent most physical walls such as Ferrothorn and Skarmory. Shiftry can also take the priority moves that Chandelure hates. (Chandelure and Shiftry together resists all priority moves). Chandelure can also destroy the Steel-type Pokemon that don't take too much from Low Kick that wall Shiftry.</p>
[SET]
name: Growth
move 1: Growth
move 2: Dark Pulse
move 3: Grass Knot / Giga Drain
move 4: Low Kick / Nature Power
item: Life Orb
ability: Chlorophyll
nature: Rash
evs: 56 Atk / 200 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Growth now raises both Attack and Special Attack by one level in no weather, and by two in sun, and Shiftry has good offensive stats to work for mixed set. Dark Pulse is Shiftry's main STAB move and, as said above, is very useful with its good flinch rate. The choice of Grass Knot versus Giga Drain is a matter of potential sheer power that varies or consistent power and recovery. Low Kick is the best option for the fourth slot for coverage and to hit two of the main weather changers that may end Shiftry's sweep (Abomasnow and Tyranitar, although the latter won't enjoy boosted Grass-type moves anyway), while Nature Power dents with most Pokemon that don't take enough from Low Kick.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>If you're really worried about faster Scarf users and opposite weather changers, then Sucker Punch can replace Dark Pulse. A Rash nature is recommend in this set since you are going to use your Special Attack than your Attack. 56 EVs in Attack lets let's you OHKO Tyranitar unboosted and 2HKO Heatran, Hydreigon, and most Blissey while boosted (+2). 200 EVs in Special Attack lets Shiftry OHKO most Ghosts and Psychics with Dark Pulse and 2HKO Politoed at if +2 (or OHKO if it has switched into Stealth Rock). Obviously, sun support is needed, so Ninetales is again necessary.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Leaf Storm
move 2: Dark Pulse
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Hidden Power Fire / Hidden Power Ground
item: Choice Specs
ability: Chlorophyll
nature: Modest / Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Most people expect Shiftry to be a setup sweeper, and this set proves that he can be an all-out attacker with good Special Attack, incredible Speed under the sun and a good overal special movepool. Leaf Storm is insanely powerful and can 1-2HKO most of things that don't resist it and that are not named Blissey or Chansey. Dark Pulse is a strong and reliable STAB move that murders Ghosts and Psychics. Focus Blast rounds the coverage nicely and hits most of the Pokemon that resists the previous moves hard assuming it hits. Hidden Power Fire is boosted by Sun and is Shiftry's best bet against Scizor, Forretress and Ferrothorn, while Hidden Power Ground hits Heatran and a lot of other Fire- and Steel-types harder than any other move.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The spread here includes the standard Standard EVs for a special sweeper, with the remainig 4 into HP to allow more switches since it wil be Choice-locked. There are many options for the last slot. Hidden Power Rock[space]hits most Fire-type Pokemon for super effective damage, while also damaging Thundurus, Salamence, and Zapdos more; Extrasensory murders those pesky Fighting-type Pokemon that want to stop your sweep (as well as Poison-types too, but mainly Amoonguss, Roserade and Venusaur, since most of the Poison Pokemon in OU are hit stronger by Leaf Storm or Dark Pulse); and Hidden Power Ice / Icy Wind grabs some OHKOs in Dragons such as Haxorus, Garchomp, and Salamence.</p>
<p>All moves that Shiftry will be locked into have some downsides. Sap Sipper users will love to switch into Leaf Storm, Justice Heart users will like to switch into Dark Pulse, Ghost-types may switch into Focus Blast, and a lot of other Pokemon will love to switch in the last move. This will make Shiftry switch more than often, necessitating Rapid Spin support. Entry hazards are nearly a must with this set because they help Shiftry to score extra important KOs. Donphan can use Stealth Rock, while also being able to Rapid Spin. Hitmontop, while unable to learn any entry hazard, severely manhandle Blissey and Chansey. Speaking of them, they wall this set completely, so strong physical attackers, such as Darmanitan and Blaziken, must destroy them.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Synthesis recovers Shiftry's health by 2/3 in Sun, but Shiftry is too frail for that to be effective. Energy Ball is an option over Grass Knot and Giga Drain in all special sets. SolarBeam can be used in all special sets bar Choice Specs, but if the weather changes Shiftry will be locked in it, and all the weather changers have super effective moves against him. Foul Play may sound like a powerful move at first, but only if Shiftry isn't boosting his Attack, as it becomes more powerful if the foe's Attack is higher than Shiftry's. Brick Break is an alternative over Low Kick. Extrasensory hits Fighting-types and Poison-Types super effectively. Choice Band is viable with Seed Bomb / Faint Attack or Sucker Punch / Low Kick / Rock Slide or Nature Power. Explosion got nerfed, so never use it. X-Scissor helps against some opposite Grasses, but has little use outside that. Fake Out is useful on a lead set. Shiftry can SubSeed, but is outclassed by Whimsicott.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Choice Scarf Abomasnow can come in to switch the weather to hail, outspeeds Shiftry with a Choice Scarf and then send Shiftry to Hades with a STAB Blizzard or Ice Shard. Abomasnow must be careful of Low Kick, Hidden Power Fire and Focus Blast, however. Toxicroak and Heracross both resist Shiftry's main attacks (Grass, Dark and Fighting), only fearing Hidden Power Fire and Extrasensory. Toxicroak is more threatening because he can use Vacuum Wave, but the poison dart frog must be wary of Nature Power. Special sets are stopped cold by Blissey and Chansey, while physical sets can't pass through Skarmory. Ninjask outspeeds Shiftry if +1 Speed even if Shiftry's Chlorophyll is activated and can KO him with a Bug-type move. Shiftry's good Speed in the sun is negated by priority moves (against three of which Shiftry is weak: Mach Punch, Vacuum Wave and Ice Shard). Conkeldurr, Breloom, Lucario, Infernape, Weavile and Mamoswine all have strong priority moves. Virizion walls anything Shiftry has bar Hidden Power Fire, can get a free Attack boost from Justice Heart and can set up Calm Mind, Swords Dance, or even Dual Screens. Hydreigon can counter all kinds of Shiftry that lacks a Fighting move because of his moderate bulk and impressive resistances. If the sun is gone, then Shiftry is very easy to counter, but in the sun, it's very hard.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Shiftry gets Pickpocket from Dream World, which is a pretty gimmick ability. Chlorophyll is better, and Pickpocket cannot be used with Dark Pulse, Sucker Punch, Low Kick and Seed Bomb, so it's not worth it anyway.</p>
<p>After spending two generations in the shadow of most Grass-types in the game, it seems that Shiftry will finally have a chance to fight with the big boys in OU. That's because of Dream World's generous gift to not Shiftry, but Ninetales: Drought, which sets up eternal Sunny Day when entering in the field, putting Shiftry's Speed at minimum 518 until the weather is changed. Shiftry's movepool, unlike most others Chlorophyll abusers, is excellent on both the physical and special sides coupled with solid 100 / 90 offensive stats and with Nasty Plot, Swords Dance and Growth, enabling him to destroy entire teams. However, even with his great Speed under the sun, miserable 90 / 60 / 60 defenses mean that Shiftry is massacred by priority moves such as Mach Punch, Ice Shard and Vacuum Wave.</p>
[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Grass Knot / Giga Drain
move 3: Dark Pulse
move 4: Hidden Power Fire / Focus Blast
item: Life Orb
ability: Chlorophyll
nature: Modest / Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Nasty Plot boosts Shiftry's acceptable Special Attack to great levels, putting it at 612 (Modest) or 558 (Timid) after a single Nasty Plot, and with sun support provided by Ninetales, Nasty Plot Shiftry can be a menace. Either Grass Knot or Giga Drain is a good option as a Grass STAB move. Grass Knot murders heavyweights in the OU metagame that are weak to Grass such as Hippowdon and Tyranitar, while Giga Drain is stronger against lighter things such as Politoed and Vaporeon and is, as well as being a way to recover the HP loss from Life Orb. Dark Pulse is a an useful STAB to have, being super effective against Chandelure and Gengar. Dark Pulse also has a nifty 20% chance of flinching, working well with his 518 (Modest) or 568 (Timid) Speed thanks to Chlorophyll. The last move is for coverage. Hidden Power Fire is boosted by sun and is excellent against Scizor, Ferrothorn, Heracross and Forretress, while Focus Blast adds nearly perfect coverage with both Dark and Grass, and is a stronger hit in Heatran, Houndoom, Hydreigon and other Pokemon that resists the Grass + Dark combo.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Some other options can go in the last slot. Extrasensory destroys lots of Fighting- and Poison-types that try to end your sweep. Hidden Power Rock is a stronger hit on Volcanora, Charizard, and Zapdos. Finally, Icy Wind or Hidden Power Ice manhandle Dragons and opposing Grass-types. The EV spread here is simple, designed for a standard special sweeper. The choice of the nature is also crucial because Shiftry's Special Attack is quite low. Modest is preferred since not many things outspeed you under the sun Sun anyway, but Timid is an option if you want to Speed tie with things like Scarf Latios or Jolly Kabutops if the sun Sun is gone.</p>
<p>Since this set needs sun Sun support to work, Ninetales is almost an obligatory partner obligation, bringing eternal sun to the field. Depending on the last move, this set has different counters. If Focus Blast is chosen, then Scizor, Jirachi, and Metagross are an issue. If Hidden Power Fire is chosen, then Hydreygon, Tyranitar, and Houndoom scare Shiftry off. Blaziken !!!!!!! and Infernape are both good partners to this Shiftry because they can use either a STAB Fighting or Fire move against the aforementioned threats. They also can beat special walls such as Blissey and Evolution Stone Chansey with Hi Jump Kick and Close Combat, respectively. Priority users with a powerful move that Shiftry doesn't resist such as Mach Punch, Vacuum Wave, ExtremeSpeed, Bullet Punch, and Ice Shard also destroy Shiftry. Chandelure either resists or is immune to all these moves and is strong enough to KO most of their users. It's also interesting to note that Chandelure resists all Shiftry's weakness except Flying, while Shiftry resists all Shandera's weakness except Rock.</p>
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Seed Bomb
move 3: Faint Attack / Sucker Punch
move 4: Low Kick / Nature Power
item: Life Orb
ability: Chlorophyll
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>With access to Nasty Plot and a diverse special movepool, some people often forget that Shiftry has a Shiftry's 100 base Attack stat (which is actually higher than his Special Attack), Swords Dance, and a physical movepool considerably smaller than special, but that still can do enough damage coming from 656 (Adamant) or 598 (Jolly) after one Swords Dance. Seed Bomb is his main STAB move with reliable power, PP, and accuracy. For Shiftry's secondary STAB move, although may sound odd at first, Faint Attack is not a bad move and is not outclassed by Sucker Punch. In fact Faint, Attack is a 60 base-power STAB Dark move that never misses no matter if the opponent has +6 evasion and BrightPowder, and an unboosted hit from Faint Attack can KO most Gengar and Chandelure if Shiftry is running an Adamant Nature. Sucker Punch has more power and always hits faster Clorophyl users and faster Choice Scarf-usersers first. It's also a good move if the sun is gone. Low Kick grants near perfect coverage with Grass and Dark, only resisted by Toxicroak and Heracross, and is also a good move against Hydreigon, Heatran and Houndoom. Nature Power in Wi-Fi becomes a 20 PP Earthquake, which is useful for dealing with Toxicroak and damaging Heatran, Blaziken, Metagross and Jirachi more (watch out for Air Balloon users, though).</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Like in the previous set, max Speed with max Attack is the basic EV spread for a sweeper. The remaining EVs go to HP. The choice of the nature is also significant, since Adamant nature allows Shiftry to KO things that it can't with a Jolly nature. Sun support is also needed, meaning that you have run Shiftry with Ninetales again. Like the Nasty Plot set, super effective priority will destroy this Shiftry. Chandelure makes again an a, effective counter because the chandelier can takes most of the priority attacks that hurt Shiftry a lot, while it also can dent most physical walls such as Ferrothorn and Skarmory. Shiftry can also take the priority moves that Chandelure hates. (Chandelure and Shiftry together resists all priority moves). Chandelure can also destroy the Steel-type Pokemon that don't take too much from Low Kick that wall Shiftry.</p>
[SET]
name: Growth
move 1: Growth
move 2: Dark Pulse
move 3: Grass Knot / Giga Drain
move 4: Low Kick / Nature Power
item: Life Orb
ability: Chlorophyll
nature: Rash
evs: 56 Atk / 200 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Growth now raises both Attack and Special Attack by one level in no weather, and by two in sun, and Shiftry has good offensive stats to work for mixed set. Dark Pulse is Shiftry's main STAB move and, as said above, is very useful with its good flinch rate. The choice of Grass Knot versus Giga Drain is a matter of potential sheer power that varies or consistent power and recovery. Low Kick is the best option for the fourth slot for coverage and to hit two of the main weather changers that may end Shiftry's sweep (Abomasnow and Tyranitar, although the latter won't enjoy boosted Grass-type moves anyway), while Nature Power dents with most Pokemon that don't take enough from Low Kick.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>If you're really worried about faster Scarf users and opposite weather changers, then Sucker Punch can replace Dark Pulse. A Rash nature is recommend in this set since you are going to use your Special Attack than your Attack. 56 EVs in Attack lets let's you OHKO Tyranitar unboosted and 2HKO Heatran, Hydreigon, and most Blissey while boosted (+2). 200 EVs in Special Attack lets Shiftry OHKO most Ghosts and Psychics with Dark Pulse and 2HKO Politoed at if +2 (or OHKO if it has switched into Stealth Rock). Obviously, sun support is needed, so Ninetales is again necessary.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Leaf Storm
move 2: Dark Pulse
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Hidden Power Fire / Hidden Power Ground
item: Choice Specs
ability: Chlorophyll
nature: Modest / Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Most people expect Shiftry to be a setup sweeper, and this set proves that he can be an all-out attacker with good Special Attack, incredible Speed under the sun and a good overal special movepool. Leaf Storm is insanely powerful and can 1-2HKO most of things that don't resist it and that are not named Blissey or Chansey. Dark Pulse is a strong and reliable STAB move that murders Ghosts and Psychics. Focus Blast rounds the coverage nicely and hits most of the Pokemon that resists the previous moves hard assuming it hits. Hidden Power Fire is boosted by Sun and is Shiftry's best bet against Scizor, Forretress and Ferrothorn, while Hidden Power Ground hits Heatran and a lot of other Fire- and Steel-types harder than any other move.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The spread here includes the standard Standard EVs for a special sweeper, with the remainig 4 into HP to allow more switches since it wil be Choice-locked. There are many options for the last slot. Hidden Power Rock[space]hits most Fire-type Pokemon for super effective damage, while also damaging Thundurus, Salamence, and Zapdos more; Extrasensory murders those pesky Fighting-type Pokemon that want to stop your sweep (as well as Poison-types too, but mainly Amoonguss, Roserade and Venusaur, since most of the Poison Pokemon in OU are hit stronger by Leaf Storm or Dark Pulse); and Hidden Power Ice / Icy Wind grabs some OHKOs in Dragons such as Haxorus, Garchomp, and Salamence.</p>
<p>All moves that Shiftry will be locked into have some downsides. Sap Sipper users will love to switch into Leaf Storm, Justice Heart users will like to switch into Dark Pulse, Ghost-types may switch into Focus Blast, and a lot of other Pokemon will love to switch in the last move. This will make Shiftry switch more than often, necessitating Rapid Spin support. Entry hazards are nearly a must with this set because they help Shiftry to score extra important KOs. Donphan can use Stealth Rock, while also being able to Rapid Spin. Hitmontop, while unable to learn any entry hazard, severely manhandle Blissey and Chansey. Speaking of them, they wall this set completely, so strong physical attackers, such as Darmanitan and Blaziken, must destroy them.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Synthesis recovers Shiftry's health by 2/3 in Sun, but Shiftry is too frail for that to be effective. Energy Ball is an option over Grass Knot and Giga Drain in all special sets. SolarBeam can be used in all special sets bar Choice Specs, but if the weather changes Shiftry will be locked in it, and all the weather changers have super effective moves against him. Foul Play may sound like a powerful move at first, but only if Shiftry isn't boosting his Attack, as it becomes more powerful if the foe's Attack is higher than Shiftry's. Brick Break is an alternative over Low Kick. Extrasensory hits Fighting-types and Poison-Types super effectively. Choice Band is viable with Seed Bomb / Faint Attack or Sucker Punch / Low Kick / Rock Slide or Nature Power. Explosion got nerfed, so never use it. X-Scissor helps against some opposite Grasses, but has little use outside that. Fake Out is useful on a lead set. Shiftry can SubSeed, but is outclassed by Whimsicott.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Choice Scarf Abomasnow can come in to switch the weather to hail, outspeeds Shiftry with a Choice Scarf and then send Shiftry to Hades with a STAB Blizzard or Ice Shard. Abomasnow must be careful of Low Kick, Hidden Power Fire and Focus Blast, however. Toxicroak and Heracross both resist Shiftry's main attacks (Grass, Dark and Fighting), only fearing Hidden Power Fire and Extrasensory. Toxicroak is more threatening because he can use Vacuum Wave, but the poison dart frog must be wary of Nature Power. Special sets are stopped cold by Blissey and Chansey, while physical sets can't pass through Skarmory. Ninjask outspeeds Shiftry if +1 Speed even if Shiftry's Chlorophyll is activated and can KO him with a Bug-type move. Shiftry's good Speed in the sun is negated by priority moves (against three of which Shiftry is weak: Mach Punch, Vacuum Wave and Ice Shard). Conkeldurr, Breloom, Lucario, Infernape, Weavile and Mamoswine all have strong priority moves. Virizion walls anything Shiftry has bar Hidden Power Fire, can get a free Attack boost from Justice Heart and can set up Calm Mind, Swords Dance, or even Dual Screens. Hydreigon can counter all kinds of Shiftry that lacks a Fighting move because of his moderate bulk and impressive resistances. If the sun is gone, then Shiftry is very easy to counter, but in the sun, it's very hard.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Shiftry gets Pickpocket from Dream World, which is a pretty gimmick ability. Chlorophyll is better, and Pickpocket cannot be used with Dark Pulse, Sucker Punch, Low Kick and Seed Bomb, so it's not worth it anyway.</p>
After a lot of time, Shiftry is finally Done! Thank you GP guys!
Why not use Growth on both the Physical and Special sets? You can bluff a Physical, Special and Mixed set unlike using Nasty Plot or Swords Dance per se.
Because Growth is too much reliant on weather. Shiftry needs instant boosts because it's too frail and it is +1 if there's anything bar sun.
But since you are always pairing it up with Ninetales anyways, the bluff should be worth it and besides, without the sun, you wouldn't want to keep Shiftry in battle. And most weather changes are often weak to one of it's STAB moves (Hippowdon, Tyranitar, Politoed) and thus they wouldn't want to stay in on Shiftry anyways.
I see your point. I'll mention in AC, even though I experimented it...
please remove any garchomp mentions
in the event that we have another viable set, what should we do? In gen 4 we were allowed to post a thread just for that set, is that still viable here?
post it in this thread and contact a quality control member to get it looked over first
okay
Name: Choice Band / Anti-Weather lead
Shiftry @ Choice Band
Chlorophyll
Adamant Nature
4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spe
- Nature Power
- Low Kick
- Seed Bomb
- Sucker Punch
points
- OHKOs and outspeeds all 3 common weather starters, thanks to Chlorophyll for Ninetales. Scarf Politoed cannot OHKO without a crit, and scarf Tyranitar needs Fire Blast to OHKO, as Fire Punch does not have the power.
- Retains value in revenge killing with STAB Sucker Punch out of the sun
- Can 2HKO Blissey and OHKO Heatran, two very troublesome pokes for sun teams.
- 2HKOs both Hippowdon and Abomasnow, although Abomasnow can OHKO back.
this might not deserve a set because it can only switch in on Psychic moves, weak resistances, and water in the sun (and even then, scald can burn it). It is quite an effective lead though, being able to beat the 3 most common leads this metagame ("lead" doesn't really exist with team preview, but most people lead with their weather starter)
Name: Choice Band / Anti-Weather lead
Shiftry @ Choice Band
Chlorophyll
Adamant Nature
4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spe
- Nature Power
- Low Kick
- Seed Bomb
- Sucker Punch
points
- OHKOs and outspeeds all 3 common weather starters, thanks to Chlorophyll for Ninetales. Scarf Politoed cannot OHKO without a crit, and scarf Tyranitar needs Fire Blast to OHKO, as Fire Punch does not have the power.
- Retains value in revenge killing with STAB Sucker Punch out of the sun
- Can 2HKO Blissey and OHKO Heatran, two very troublesome pokes for sun teams.
- 2HKOs both Hippowdon and Abomasnow, although Abomasnow can OHKO back.
this might not deserve a set because it can only switch in on Psychic moves, weak resistances, and water in the sun (and even then, scald can burn it). It is quite an effective lead though, being able to beat the 3 most common leads this metagame ("lead" doesn't really exist with team preview, but most people lead with their weather starter)