[OVERVIEW]
Skuntank's incredible Poison / Dark typing gives it a very unique set of resistances that allows it to check many threatening Pokemon including Musharna, Mesprit, Mega Audino, Shiftry, Lilligant, and Haunter. Access to Pursuit lets it trap a myriad of Pokemon, making Skuntank an excellent support Pokemon for offensive teams, and Sucker Punch gives it a way to harass frail offensive Pokemon. Skuntank also has good utility moves in Taunt and Defog, which allow it to shut down defensive Pokemon and clear entry hazards from the field, respectively. Aftermath lets Skuntank also serve as an emergency check to physical attackers, shaving off some of the foe's HP as it goes down. However, Skuntank is threatened by common Ground-type Pokemon such as Rhydon, Torterra, and Quagsire. Average stats overall don't help Skuntank either, as it's left with middling bulk and only decent Attack.
[SET]
name: Utility Attacker
move 1: Sucker Punch
move 2: Pursuit
move 3: Poison Jab
move 4: Taunt
item: Black Sludge / Lum Berry
ability: Aftermath
nature: Adamant
evs: 24 HP / 232 Atk / 108 SpD / 144 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Sucker Punch allows Skuntank to pick off some offensive Pokemon. Pursuit allows Skuntank to trap Psychic- and Ghost-type Pokemon such as Musharna, Mesprit, Haunter, and Mismagius. Poison Jab lets Skuntank reliably damage Grass-types such as Shiftry, Cacturne, and Lilligant, as well as 3HKO Mega Audino. Taunt gives Skuntank a way to shut down defensive Pokemon such as Musharna and Mega Audino, as well prevent slower Pokemon from setting up any entry hazards. Crunch can be used if a reliable Dark-type STAB move is needed to prevent Klinklang from setting up for free and to deal reliable damage to Xatu, Mesprit, and Musharna.
Set Details
========
232 Attack EVs with an Adamant nature allow Skuntank to 3HKO Mega Audino with Poison Jab. 24 HP EVs maximize Black Sludge recovery. 144 Speed EVs allow Skuntank to outspeed neutral-natured base 70 Speed Pokemon such as Ludicolo and Samurott. The rest of the EVs go into Special Defense to let Skuntank better check special attackers such as Lilligant, Cacturne, Mesprit, and Audino. Black Sludge gives Skuntank consistent recovery that allows it to last a bit longer. Lum Berry can also be used to Pursuit trap Ghost-types that use Will-O-Wisp, as well as well avoiding being put to sleep from Lilligant's Sleep Powder. If using a Lum Berry, the 24 HP EVs can be moved into Special Defense instead. Aftermath is chosen to damage physical attackers after they KO Skuntank with a contact move. An alternative EV spread of 24 HP / 232 Atk / 168 SpD / 84 Spe can be used to ensure that Skuntank outslows minimum Speed Xatu, allowing Skuntank to take it down with Pursuit when it uses U-turn, while giving Skuntank more bulk.
Usage Tips
========
Use Skuntank's typing to switch into Pokemon it checks such as Lilligant, Shiftry, Musharna, Mesprit, and Exeggutor. When anticipating an opposing Pokemon's switch, use Pursuit to heavily damage or eliminate it from the match. When using Sucker Punch, be wary of Will-O-Wisp and Substitute users, as they can take advantage of Skuntank by using it as setup fodder. Similarly, while Skuntank switches into both Haunter and Mismagius easily, it must watch out for Will-O-Wisp if it's not holding a Lum Berry. Use Taunt to shut down defensive Pokemon such as Audino and Musharna, as well as prevent Pokemon from using any non-attacking moves, easing prediction with Sucker Punch. Taunt is also useful for shutting down slower entry hazard setters such as Garbodor and Crustle.
Team Options
========
Sawk and Primeape pair incredibly well with Skuntank, as they appreciate the Pursuit support Skuntank provides, allowing them to easily wallbreak. Primape also has access to U-turn, which works great with its ability to lure in Ghost- and Psychic-types for Skuntank to trap. Calm Mind Mesprit pairs well with Skuntank, as Skuntank is able to eliminate both Musharna and Mega Audino, two Pokemon that are bulky enough to stomach Mesprit's boosted attacks, while Mesprit is able to switch into Ground-type attacks aimed at Skuntank due to Levitate. Skuntank also traps faster Ghost-types that threaten Mesprit such as Haunter, Rotom, and Mismagius. Swords Dance Kabutops and Samurott appreciate Skuntank's ability to switch into Lilligant and Shiftry and threaten both with Poison Jab, making it easier for Samurott and Kabutops to clean late-game. Mixed Samurott and Floatzel also threaten problematic Ground-types such as Rhydon and Torterra. Lilligant is a great partner, as it threatens Ground- and Rock-types with its Grass STAB type, while Skuntank shuts down Mega Audino, one of the few Pokemon bulky enough to take Lilligant's attacks after a Quiver Dance.
[SET]
name: Special Attacking Lure
move 1: Dark Pulse / Sludge Bomb
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Hidden Power Grass
move 4: Defog / Sucker Punch
item: Life Orb
ability: Aftermath
nature: Modest / Mild
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Dark Pulse is Skuntank's most reliable Dark-type STAB move, dealing heavy damage to Musharna, Mesprit, and Exeggutor while dealing reliable damage to Garbodor. Alternatively, Sludge Bomb can be used as a reliable Poison-type STAB move to hit Mega Audino and Lilligant. Fire Blast hits many common switch-ins to Skuntank, such as Pawniard, Mawile, Ferroseed, and Vileplume. Hidden Power Grass deals heavy damage to Rhydon, Carracosta, and Quagsire. Defog allows Skuntank to remove all entry hazards from the field, making it act as a team supporter. This set in particular utilizes Defog well because it is able to beat common hazard setters by luring them in and KOing them, making it easier to keep hazards off the field. Alternatively, Sucker Punch gives Skuntank strong priority, allowing it have use against faster offensive Pokemon. Memento is another decent option that weakens a foe, allowing a sweeper to get a free opportunity to set up.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack EVs plus a Modest nature allow Skuntank to hit as hard as possible. If you run Sucker Punch, a Mild nature should be chosen to preserve Skuntank's Attack. Maximum Speed EVs allow Skuntank to outspeed as many Pokemon as possible, most notably Modest Mesprit. Life Orb is chosen for the significant boost in power, which makes up for Skuntank's lacking Special Attack. Black Glasses is another option if the recoil proves to be an issue, but it leaves Skuntank's coverage moves significantly weaker. Aftermath is used to wear down physical attackers if they KO Skuntank with a contact move. Alternatively, an EV spread of 112 HP / 252 SpA / 144 Spe with a Modest nature gives Skuntank more bulk and lets it outspeed up to neutral-natured base 70 Speed Pokemon, such as Ludicolo and Samurott.
Usage Tips
========
This set is designed to lure in conventional answers to Skuntank such as Rhydon, Mawile, and Weezing. It also has a better matchup against entry hazard setters, allowing Skuntank to effectively run Defog and support its teammates. Generally Defog should be used against a Pokemon that cannot do much in return, such as Lilligant or Shiftry. Do not directly switch Skuntank into Stealth Rock users such as Rhydon and Carracosta, as they all have a way to threaten Skuntank. This set has much less longevity and is worn down much faster due to Life Orb, so do not use Skuntank recklessly by switching it into powerful neutral hits.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that appreciate entry hazards being removed, such as Archeops and Swellow, pair well with Skuntank. They also appreciate Skuntank's ability to eliminate Rhydon, a common answer to both Pokemon. Sawk is another good partner, as it prefers to have the field cleared of hazards to preserve Sturdy and reliably eliminate faster Pokemon while Skuntank takes out Psychic-types with Dark Pulse. Mesprit appreciates Skuntank's ability to switch into and check Ghost-types, while in return Mesprit is able threaten Fighting-types such as Sawk and Gurdurr, switch into Ground-type attacks thanks to Levitate, and restore Skuntank's HP with Healing Wish if it has been worn down too much by Life Orb recoil and residual damage. Setup sweepers such as Belly Drum Linoone and Swords Dance Samurott also work well with Skuntank if it runs Memento, allowing them to have a free setup opportunity.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Rocky Helmet is an alternative item to wear down physical attackers such as Klinklang and Swords Dance Shiftry. Explosion softens one of the foe's Pokemon and safely brings another Pokemon onto the battlefield. Roar lets Skuntank phaze special sweepers such as Lilligant, Mesprit, and Musharna, as well as wear down Pokemon in tandem with entry hazards, while Haze eliminates the stat boosts outright. Play Rough gives Skuntank a way to deal more damage to Fighting-types, but doing so forces it to give up either Poison Jab or Sucker Punch, hindering its overall effectiveness. Acid Spray might seem appealing for a special attacking set, but Skuntank is already strapped for moveslots, making it hard to fit on a set.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ground-types**: Rhydon, Torterra, and Sandslash are very threatening Pokemon for Skuntank, as they are physically bulky enough to take hits from Skuntank with ease and can force Skuntank out with Earthquake. Rhydon also takes advantage of Skuntank to freely set up Rock Polish or Swords Dance, but it does fear Life Orb-boosted Hidden Power Grass.
**Fighting-types**: Sawk, Primeape, and Gurdurr resist Skuntank's Dark-type STAB moves and threaten it with their respective STAB moves. Gurdurr in particular is bulky enough to stomach any hit and can even take advantage of Poison Jab, if it activates Guts.
**Physical Attackers**: Skuntank is usually overwhelmed by strong physical attackers due to its middling Defense, so Pokemon such as Archeops, Tauros, Kangaskhan, Kabutops, and Samurott can easily take it on, and the former three are even able to avoid Aftermath damage with Earthquake.
Last edited:
