Stunfisk [QC 3/3] (GP 2/2)

[OVERVIEW]

<p>With defensive stats that are average by Ubers standards and downright awful Speed, one might question what niche Stunfisk has in the treacherous Ubers tier. Fear not, as Stunfisk has some tricks up its sleeve in its ability to check dangerous Calm Mind Arceus formes, spread status, and be an anti-lead against Focus Sash Deoxys-A. It also has access to Stealth Rock, which it sets fairly reliably in sand, due to Sand Veil and its respectable bulk. Unfortunately, Stunfisk has four weaknesses and lacks reliable recovery, meaning that it cannot come in repeatedly and must be played cautiously. It also lacks significant offensive presence by Ubers standards.<p>

[SET]
name: Support
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Toxic
move 3: Thunder / Discharge
move 4: Protect / Yawn / Earth Power
item: Leftovers
ability: Sand Veil
nature: Calm
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>Stunfisk functions as a solid supporting option on sand teams due to its access to Stealth Rock, solid bulk, and ability to spread status around the opponent's team. Stunfisk has a surprisingly easy time setting up Stealth Rock on a variety of Pokemon, including Dialga, Ho-Oh outside of sun, Jirachi, and most support Arceus formes. It also opens up a moveslot for either Tyranitar or Hippowdon. Toxic allows Stunfisk to cripple enemy sweepers, such as Calm Mind Ghost Arceus. With Protect, sand support, and Sand Veil, Stunfisk does a terrific job of stalling out threats that dare to stay in on the flounder. Thunder is the preferred main attacking option due to its high Base Power and 30% paralysis rate. It also prevents Kyogre from safely switching in, as Thunder 2HKOes offensive variants. However, Discharge is a viable option that carries the same paralysis rate if Thunder's accuracy is off-putting.</p>

<p>Though Protect works well on Stunfisk to scout and rack up residual damage on the foe, there are other options to use in Stunfisk's last slot. Yawn can force switches and cripple a Pokemon for the duration of the match, should your opponent lack a sleep absorber. Yawn works particularly well with Spikes support. Earth Power is another quality option, as it hits Steel-types such as Dialga and Jirachi for good damage, though bulky variants avoid the 2HKO. It also discourages Excadrill lacking Air Balloon from freely switching in, which would otherwise counter Stunfisk. Sand Veil is the preferred ability over Static, as it can buy Stunfisk free turns. Due to Stunfisk's bulk, there is a high probably that Sand Veil will activate at least once, so long as sand is up. Sand Veil also synergizes well with Toxic.</p>

[ADDITIONAL SET COMMENTS]

<p>The EV spread maximizes Stunfisk's already solid special bulk. To illustrate just how solid its bulk is, Stunfisk survives Kyurem-W's Life Orb-boosted Ice Beam at full health. Stunfisk avoids a 2HKO from any combination of moves used by Focus Sash Deoxys-A leads. Because of this bulk and its access to Yawn, Stunfisk is one of the few Pokemon that actually has an advantage in lead situations against the alien. Though Stunfisk's Special Attack stat is uninvested, it hits hard enough with Thunder to break the Substitutes of Ho-Oh, Mewtwo, and Darkrai, preventing them from using Stunfisk as setup fodder.</p>

<p>Stunfisk needs the sand to be up in order to function optimally, as it activates Sand Veil; furthermore, its Ground typing prevents it from taking Sandstorm damage. Tyranitar and Hippowdon both have access to Sand Stream and therefore make good teammates. Tyranitar deserves a special mention because it can take advantage of Stunfisk's access to Stealth Rock by running a dangerous Choice Band set, enabling it to be an anti-lead against entry hazard setters that Stunfisk deals poorly with, such as Deoxys-S and Dialga. Due to its conspicuous Electric / Ground typing, Stunfisk cannot take on any opposing weather setter reliably. Lustrous Orb Palkia makes a good teammate because it can beat Groudon, Kyogre, and Abomasnow one-on-one. Palkia can also roast some common Spikes stackers that can easily set up entry hazards on Stunfisk, such as Ferrothorn and Forretress. In return, Palkia appreciates Stunfisk’s ability to check Calm Mind Arceus formes, which Palkia often struggles with unless it carries Dragon Tail. Grass Arceus can also easily check weather starters barring Abomasnow, while Stunfisk can deal with Flying-type Pokemon that Grass Arceus loses to, such as Tornadus-T.</p>

<p>When using Stunfisk in Ubers, make sure that the role it serves to your team isn't done better by Blissey or Chansey. Both of the pink blobs have a massive advantage over the flounder in the Special Defense department and provide cleric and Wish support for their teammates. However, Stunfisk can destroy Skarmory with Thunder, whereas the blobs are Spikes bait for the steel bird. Stunfisk also avoids passive damage from sand, and its lack of a weakness to Fighting allows it to perform better against Deoxys-A. Finally, setup sweepers that lack Lum Berry or Sleep Talk cannot freely set up on Stunfisk, as it has access to Yawn, a move the blobs would love to have in their arsenal. Also, make sure that you have countermeasures to entry hazards, as Stunfisk cannot handle many of the Spikes stackers found in Ubers. Xatu deals with common Spikes users due to Magic Bounce, a typing that allows it to deal with Ferrothorn's Power Whip and support Groudon's Earthquake, and Heat Wave. If it lacks Earth Power, Stunfisk allows Excadrill to freely switch in and either use Rapid Spin or set up a Swords Dance. Physically defensive variants of both Giratina and Giratina-O pair well with Stunfisk, as they can switch into Excadrill to block its Rapid Spin attempts and proceed to phaze it, even after taking a Swords Dance-boosted hit.</p>

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]

Other Options
============

<p>Stunfisk's other options are sparse. Scald is the only way Stunfisk can touch Air Balloon Excadrill, and it can burn overeager Spikes users that attempt to set up on Stunfisk. However, it is very weak and rarely worth a moveslot. Thunderbolt is usable over Discharge or Thunder due to its intermediate power and 100% accuracy, but the drop in paralysis rate generally makes it outclassed. Hidden Power Ice is a gimmicky way to 2HKO Gliscor, Landorus-T, and Rayquaza, but it has little use outside of that. Thunder Wave can spread paralysis, but Toxic is generally superior to put Calm Mind sweepers on a timer. Earthquake can get a harder hit on the likes of specially defensive Heatran, Tentacruel, Tyranitar, and Calm Mind Rock and Steel Arceus than Earth Power can, though Stunfisk has a pitiful base 66 Attack stat. Finally, Static is an excellent ability that can punish Genesect that spam Iron Head with paralysis. In general, though, Sand Veil is too good to pass up and is one of Stunfisk's main perks in Ubers.</p>

Checks and Counters
============

<p>Stunfisk's checks and counters can be broken down into two categories: Pokemon that can threaten to OHKO it, and Pokemon that can set up entry hazards all over it and do not care about Stunfisk's weak attacks. Kyogre is the most obvious one, as offensive variants easily OHKO Stunfisk with a rain-boosted Water-type move of choice. However, Kyogre cannot safely switch in on a Thunder. Attack-invested Groudon easily OHKOes Stunfisk with Earthquake and has an immunity to Thunder. Air Balloon Excadrill fears nothing from Stunfisk except the rare Scald and can proceed to set up or attack with Earthquake. Palkia 2HKOes Stunfisk with Surf or Hydro Pump, while Choice Specs Shaymin-S OHKOes with Seed Flare. However, neither like Thunder's paralysis rate, and both of them are susceptible to Toxic, so they cannot always switch in safely. Bulky Substitute users such as Giratina-O can set up a Substitute and wall Stunfisk if they can get in for free. Calm Mind + Refresh Arceus can easily set up on Stunfisk, as it doesn't need to worry about Stunfisk's status.</p>

<p>There are plenty of defensive checks to Stunfisk as well. Chansey and Blissey fear nothing from Stunfisk and can cripple it with Toxic. They can also easily set up Stealth Rock and support their teammates with Aromatherapy or Wish. At the very least, Stunfisk can set up Stealth Rock on them just as easily. Ferrothorn, Careful Forretress, and Taunt Deoxys-D wall Stunfisk while setting up Spikes. Landorus-T, Hippowdon, and Gliscor only fear the rare Hidden Power Ice from Stunfisk and threaten to set up Stealth Rock or attack with a super effective STAB Earthquake.</p>

[Overview]

  • Excellent special bulk and unique typing make it a solid SR setter and check to CM Arceus formes
  • Flying resist isn't that helpful vs Ho-Oh, but easily checks the likes of Tornadus-T, Arceus-Flying, and other niche Flying types
  • Two good abilities: Sand Veil can hax out Arceus formes and Darkrai whereas Static can punish Genesect's U-turn spam
  • Yawn variants are a decent anti-lead to Deoxys-A (TTar partner can beat Deoxys-S)
  • Complete fodder to all Ground-types unless it uses Toxic on the switch
  • Hazard bait for specially defensive Forretress and Ferrothorn
  • Kyogre, Palkia are obviously threats
  • Outclassed by Arceus-Ground, although this means little if your team wants a different Arceus forme
  • Has the bulk and typing to be useful and check shit for Sand teams, but needs support

[SET]

name: Support
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Toxic
move 3: Thunder / Discharge
move 4: Protect /Yawn / Earth Power
item: Leftovers
ability: Sand Veil
nature: Calm
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]

  • Good Special bulk allows Stunfisk to take hits while it is busy setting Stealth Rock and annoying the opponent's team.
  • All of Stunfisk's attacks can break Substitutes set up by Darkrai and Mewtwo.
  • Discharge is a reliable STAB move with a nice 30% paralysis rate, but Thunder's increased power often make it a better choice in Ubers.
  • Toxic+Protect gives it an excellent chance to beat most CM Arceus forms 1-1, so long they lack Refresh or Substitute; can also beat Darkrai after it has slept something.
  • Yawn can force switches, and is deadly with Spikes support.
  • Yawn and Protect can be used on the same set to ensure Stunfisk is not hit by an attack the turn before Yawn activates. However, you lose out on either Toxic or an Electric STAB move, both of which Stunfisk wants.
  • Sand Veil is preferred over Static to cause misses, opening up free turns for residual poison and sand damage.
  • Earth Power is a solid option that 2HKO's Excadrill who otherwise could freely switch in; it also hits Dialga fairly hard.
  • Lack of reliable recovery impacts its ability to check stuff repeatedly.

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

  • Beats most Deoxys-A 1-1, and can anti-lead against it.
  • Sand is pivotal to activate Sand Veil and increase Stunfisk's chances of successfully checking CM Arceus.
  • Despises Kyogre and Groudon, though it can cripple them on the switch.
  • Palkia makes a good teammate because it can beat opposing weather setters; Grass Arceus resists three of Stunfisk's four weaknesses and can also beat weather setters.
  • Giratina can spinblock Stunfisk's Stealth Rock while checking and burning the likes of Groudon and Excadrill.
  • Physical bulk isn't great but it survives Rayquaza's Life Orb-boosted Outrage at full health.
  • Stunfisk is largely outclassed by Chansey and Blissey, but Sand Veil, lack of a weakness to fighting moves such as Deoxys-A's Superpower, and increased offensive presence give Stunfisk some small advantages over them.
  • Spikes bait for Ferrothorn, Careful Forretress, and Deoxys-D.
  • Because of this, Xatu makes a goo teammate as it can wall common Spikes setters.

[Other Options]

  • Thunderbolt always breaks Mewtwo's substitute, but is generally outclassed by Thunder due to decreased power and paralysis rate.
  • Scald provides an alternative way to hit Excadrill and other Ground-types with a nice burn rate, but is very weak.
  • Static can be used to potentially paralyze pokemon such as Genesect, making it pay for spamming U-Turn/Iron Head.
  • Stunfisk does not have many quality options that will be of much use in Ubers.

[Checks and Counters]

  • Kyogre, especially RestTalk variants.
  • Calm Mind Arceus forms with Refresh.
  • Air Balloon Excadrill (any Excadrill if it lacks Earth Power)
  • Groudon
  • Hippowdon
  • Ferrothorn / Forretress
  • Chansey / Blissey
  • Most bulky Substitute users not weak to Stunfisk's STAB moves, such as Giratina-O.
  • Shaymin-S, especially Choice Specs.
  • Palkia 2HKOes
  • Toxic
 
Last edited:
QC 3/3

Stunfisk - it checks Dialga, can set up rocks, and is bulky enough to tank Judgments and a Psycho Boost from Deoxys-A. Thunder lets it actually do immediate damage to Kyogre switch ins. Sand Veil is a great bonus to have. Every one knows Dialga is such an annoying ass in BW, and Stunfisk can Earth Power it for 2-3HKO.

Agree with shrang, good enough for approval.
 

Weebl

Hey!
is a Contributor Alumnusis a Smogon Media Contributor Alumnus
Here you go.
[Overview]

<p>With average defensive stats that are average by Ubers standards and downright awful Speed, one might question what niche Stunfisk has in the treacherous Ubers tier. Fear not, as Stunfisk has some tricks up its sleeve in its ability to check dangerous Calm Mind Arceus formes, spread status, and be an anti-lead against Focus Sash Deoxys-A. It also has access to Stealth Rock, which it sets fairly reliably in sand, (AC) due to Sand Veil and its respectable bulk. Unfortunately, Stunfisk has four weaknesses and it lacks reliable recovery, meaning that it Stunfisk cannot come in repeatedly and must be played cautiously. It also lacks significant offensive presence by Ubers standards. Play Stunfisk to its strengths and provide it proper team support, and it will become a productive member of your team.<p>

[SET]
name: Support
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Toxic
move 3: Thunder / Discharge
move 4: Protect / Yawn / Earth Power
item: Leftovers
ability: Sand Veil
nature: Calm
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD

[Set Comments]

<p>Stunfisk functions as a solid supporting option on sand teams due to its access to Stealth Rock, solid bulk, and ability to spread status around the opponent'(add apostrophe)s team. Stealth Rock is a great move on Stunfisk as it has a surprisingly easy time setting it up Stealth Rock on a variety of Pokemon, including Dialga, Ho-Oh outside of sand, Jirachi, and most support Arceus formes. It also opens up a moveslot for either Tyranitar or Hippowdon. Toxic allows Stunfisk to cripple enemy sweepers, such as Calm Mind Ghost Arceus-Ghost. With Protect, sand support, and Sand Veil, Stunfisk does a terrific job of stalling out threats that dare to stay in on the flounder. Thunder is the preferred main attacking option due to its high base power and 30% paralysis rate. It also prevents Kyogre from safely switching in, as Thunder 2HKOes offensive variants. However, Discharge is a viable option that carries the same paralysis rate if Thunder’s accuracy is off-putting.</p>

<p>Though Protect works well on Stunfisk to scout and rack up residual damage on the opponent foe, there are it does have other options to use in its Stunfisk's last slot. Yawn can force switches and potentially cripple a Pokemon for the duration of the match, (AC) should your opponent lack a sleep absorber. Yawn works particularly well with Spikes support. Earth Power is another quality option, (AC) as it hits Steel-types such as Dialga and Jirachi for good damage, though bulky variants avoid the 2HKO. It also discourages Excadrill lacking Air Balloon from freely switching in, which would otherwise counter Stunfisk. Sand Veil is the preferred ability over Static, as it can buy Stunfisk free turns. Due to Stunfisk’s bulk, there is a high probably that Sand Veil will activate at least once, (AC) so long as sand is up. Sand Veil also synergizes well with Toxic.</p>

[Additional Comments]

<p>The EV spread maximizes on Stunfisk’s already solid special bulk. To illustrate just how solid its bulk is, Stunfisk survives a Kyurem-W's Life Orb-boosted Kyurem-W’s Ice Beam at full health. Stunfisk avoids a 2HKO from any combination of moves used by Focus Sash Deoxys-A leads. Because of this bulk and its access to Yawn, Stunfisk is one of the few Pokemon that actually has an advantage in lead situations against the alien. Though Stunfisk’s Special Attack stat is uninvested, it hits hard enough with Thunder to break the Substitutes of Ho-Oh, Mewtwo, and Darkrai, preventing them from using Stunfisk as from becoming setup fodder for them.</p>

<p>Stunfisk needs the sand to be up in order to function optimally, as it activates Sand Veil; furthermore, (AC) its Ground typing prevents it from taking Sandstorm damage while allowing Sand Veil to activate. Tyranitar and Hippowdon both have access to Sand Stream and therefore make good teammates. Tyranitar deserves a special mention because it can take advantage of Stunfisk’s access to Stealth Rock by running a dangerous Choice Band set, enabling it to be an anti-lead against entry hazard setters that Stunfisk deals poorly with, such as Deoxys-S and Dialga. Due to its auspicious Electric / Ground typing, Stunfisk cannot take on any opposing weather setter reliably. Lustrous Orb Palkia makes a good teammate because it beats Groudon, Kyogre, and Abomasnow 1-1 one-on-one. Palkia can also roast some common Spikes-(add hyphen)stackers that can easily set up entry hazards on Stunfisk, such as Ferrothorn and Forretress. In return, Palkia appreciates Stunfisk’s ability to check Calm Mind Arceus formes, which Palkia often struggle with unless it carries Dragon Tail. Arceus-Grass Grass Arceus can also easily check weather starters barring Abomasnow, while Stunfisk can deal with Flying-type Pokemon that Grass Arceus loses to, (AC) such as Tornadus-Therian that Arceus-Grass loses to.</p>

<p>When using Stunfisk in Ubers, make sure that the role it serves to your team isn’t outclassed by Blissey or Chansey. Both of the pink blobs have a massive advantage over the flounder in the Special Defense department and provide while providing cleric and Wish support for their teammates. However, Stunfisk can destroy Skarmory with Thunder, (AC) whereas the blobs are Spikes-bait for the steel bird. Stunfisk also avoids passive damage from sand, (AC) and its lack of a fighting weakness to Fighting allows it to perform better vs. against Deoxys-A. Finally, Stunfisk’s setup sweepers that lack Lum Berry or Sleep Talk cannot freely set up on Stunfisk, which has access to Yawn ensure that it cannot be used for set-up sweepers lacking Lum Berry or Sleep Talk, a move the blobs would love to have in their arsenal. Also, make sure that you have countermeasures to entry hazards, as Stunfisk cannot handle many of the Spikesstackers found in Ubers. Xatu deals with common Spikes users due to Magic Bounce, a typing that allows it to deal with Ferrothorn’s Power Whip and support Groudon’s Earthquake, and Heat Wave. Finally, if it lacks Earth Power, (AC) Stunfisk lacking Earth Power provide allows Excadrill a to freely switch in and to either use Rapid Spin or set up a Swords Dance. Physically defensive variants of both Giratina and Giratina-AO pairs well with Stunfisk, (AC) as it blocks they can switch into Excadrill to block its Excadrill’s Rapid Spin attempts and then proceed to phaze it out, (AC) even after taking a Swords Dance-boosted hit while phasing it out easily even after a Swords Dance.</p>

[Other Options]

<p>Stunfisk’s other options are sparse. Scald is the only way Stunfisk can touch Air Balloon Excadrill, (AC) and it can while potentially burning overeager Spikes users that attempt to set up on Stunfisk. However, it is very weak and rarely worth a moveslot. Thunderbolt is usable over Discharge or Thunder due to its intermediate power and 100% accuracy, but the drop in paralysis rate generally makes it outclassed. Hidden Power Ice is a gimmicky way to 2HKO Gliscor, Landorus-T, and Rayquaza, but has little use outside of that. Thunder Wave can spread paralysis, (AC) but Toxic is generally superior to put Calm Mind sweepers on a timer. Earthquake can get a harder hit on the likes of specially defensive Heatran, Tentacruel, Tyranitar, and Calm Mind Rock and Steel Arceus than Earth Power can, though Stunfisk has a pitiful base 66 Attack stat. Finally, Static is an excellent ability that can punish Genesect that spam Iron Head with paralysis. In general, Sand Veil is too good to pass up and is one of Stunfisk's main perks in Ubers.</p>

[Checks & Counters]

<p>Stunfisk’s checks and counters can be broken down into two categories: Pokemon that can threaten to OHKO it, and Pokemon that can set up entry hazards all over it and do while not caring care about Stunfisk’s weak attacks. Kyogre is the most obvious one, as offensive variants easily OHKO Stunfisk with a rain-boosted Water-type move of choice. However, Kyogre cannot safely switch in on a Thunder. Attack-invested Groudon with Attack investment easily OHKOes Stunfisk with Earthquake and has while carrying an immunity to Thunder. Air Balloon Excadrill fears nothing from Stunfisk except the rare Scald and can proceed to set up or attack with Earthquake. Palkia 2HKOes Stunfisk with Surf or Hydro Pump, while Choice Specs Shaymin-S OHKOes with Seed Flare. However, neither like Thunder’s paralysis rate, (AC) and both of them are susceptible to Toxic, so they are risky to switch in cannot always switch in safely. Bulky Substitute users such as Giratina-O can set up a Substitute and wall Stunfisk if they can get in for free. Calm Mind + Refresh Arceus carrying Refresh can easily set up on Stunfisk, (AC) as since it no longer needs doesn't need to worry about the Stunfisk's status Stunfisk is capable of spreading.</p>

<p>There are plenty of defensive checks to Stunfisk as well. Chansey and Blissey fear nothing from Stunfisk and can cripple it with Toxic. They can also easily set up Stealth Rock and support their teammates with Aromatherapy or Wish. At the very least, (AC) Stunfisk can set up Stealth Rock on them just as easily at the very least. Ferrothorn, Careful Forretress, and Taunt Deoxys-D carrying Taunt wall Stunfisk while setting up Spikes. Landorus-T, Hippowdown, (AC) and Gliscor fear only nothing except the rare Hidden Power Ice from Stunfisk and threaten while threatening to set up Stealth Rock or attacking with a super effective STAB Earthquake.</p>
GP 1/2

Please replace all of your curly apostrophes (’) with straight ones ('). When you use XHKO as a verb, its XHKOes, not XHKO's. When you use it as a plural noun, it's XHKOs.
 
Last edited:

Lumari

empty spaces
is a Site Content Manageris a Top Social Media Contributoris a Member of Senior Staffis a Community Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Top Smogon Media Contributoris an Administrator Alumnus
TFP Leader
remove
add (Capitalize)

(comments); (AC=add comma; RC=remove comma; SC=semicolon)
[OVERVIEW]

<p>With defensive stats that are average by Ubers standards and downright awful Speed, one might question what niche Stunfisk has in the treacherous Ubers tier. Fear not, as Stunfisk has some tricks up its sleeve in its ability to check dangerous Calm Mind Arceus formes, spread status, and be an anti-lead against Focus Sash Deoxys-A. It also has access to Stealth Rock, which it sets fairly reliably in sand, due to Sand Veil and its respectable bulk. Unfortunately, Stunfisk has four weaknesses and lacks reliable recovery, meaning that it cannot come in repeatedly and must be played cautiously. It also lacks significant offensive presence by Ubers standards. Play Stunfisk to its strengths and provide it proper team support, and it will become a productive member of your team.<p>

[SET]
name: Support
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Toxic
move 3: Thunder / Discharge
move 4: Protect / Yawn / Earth Power
item: Leftovers
ability: Sand Veil
nature: Calm
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>Stunfisk functions as a solid supporting option on sand teams due to its access to Stealth Rock, solid bulk, and ability to spread status around the opponent's team. Stunfisk has a surprisingly easy time setting up Stealth Rock on a variety of Pokemon, including Dialga, Ho-Oh outside of sun, Jirachi, and most support Arceus formes. It also opens up a moveslot for either Tyranitar or Hippowdon. Toxic allows Stunfisk to cripple enemy sweepers, such as Calm Mind Ghost Arceus. With Protect, sand support, and Sand Veil, Stunfisk does a terrific job of stalling out threats that dare to stay in on the flounder. Thunder is the preferred main attacking option due to its high Base Power and 30% paralysis rate. It also prevents Kyogre from safely switching in, as Thunder 2HKOes offensive variants. However, Discharge is a viable option that carries the same paralysis rate if Thunder's accuracy is off-putting.</p>

<p>Though Protect works well on Stunfisk to scout and rack up residual damage on the foe, there are other options to use in Stunfisk's last slot. Yawn can force switches and potentially cripple a Pokemon for the duration of the match, should your opponent lack a sleep absorber. Yawn works particularly well with Spikes support. Earth Power is another quality option, as it hits Steel-types such as Dialga and Jirachi for good damage, though bulky variants avoid the 2HKO. It also discourages Excadrill lacking Air Balloon from freely switching in, which would otherwise counter Stunfisk. Sand Veil is the preferred ability over Static, as it can buy Stunfisk free turns. Due to Stunfisk's bulk, there is a high probably that Sand Veil will activate at least once, so long as sand is up. Sand Veil also synergizes well with Toxic.</p>

[ADDITIONAL SET COMMENTS]

<p>The EV spread maximizes on Stunfisk's already solid special bulk. To illustrate just how solid its bulk is, Stunfisk survives Kyurem-W's Life Orb-boosted Ice Beam at full health. Stunfisk avoids a 2HKO from any combination of moves used by Focus Sash Deoxys-A leads. Because of this bulk and its access to Yawn, Stunfisk is one of the few Pokemon that actually has an advantage in lead situations against the alien. Though Stunfisk's Special Attack stat is uninvested, it hits hard enough with Thunder to break the Substitutes of Ho-Oh, Mewtwo, and Darkrai, preventing them from using Stunfisk as setup fodder.</p>

<p>Stunfisk needs the sand to be up in order to function optimally, as it activates Sand Veil; furthermore, its Ground typing prevents it from taking Sandstorm damage. Tyranitar and Hippowdon both have access to Sand Stream and therefore make good teammates. Tyranitar deserves a special mention because it can take advantage of Stunfisk's access to Stealth Rock by running a dangerous Choice Band set, enabling it to be an anti-lead against entry hazard setters that Stunfisk deals poorly with, such as Deoxys-S and Dialga. Due to its auspicious unfavorable / ill-omened (:p) / conspicuous (take your pick or use another synonym, but auspicious has a strictly positive connotation and therefore isn't appropriate here) Electric / Ground typing, Stunfisk cannot take on any opposing weather setter reliably. Lustrous Orb Palkia makes a good teammate because it can beat Groudon, Kyogre, and Abomasnow one-on-one. Palkia can also roast some common Spikes stackers (remove hyphen) that can easily set up entry hazards on Stunfisk, such as Ferrothorn and Forretress. In return, Palkia appreciates Stunfisk’s ability to check Calm Mind Arceus formes, which Palkia often struggles with unless it carries Dragon Tail. Grass Arceus can also easily check weather starters barring Abomasnow, while Stunfisk can deal with Flying-type Pokemon that Grass Arceus loses to, such as Tornadus-T.</p>

<p>When using Stunfisk in Ubers, make sure that the role it serves to your team isn’t isn't outclassed done better (or 'that it isn't outclassed in the role it serves to your team by Blissey or Chansey) by Blissey or Chansey. Both of the pink blobs have a massive advantage over the flounder in the Special Defense department and provide cleric and Wish support for their teammates. However, Stunfisk can destroy Skarmory with Thunder, whereas the blobs are Spikes bait (remove hyphen) for the steel bird. Stunfisk also avoids passive damage from sand, and its lack of a weakness to Fighting allows it to perform better against Deoxys-A. Finally, setup sweepers that lack Lum Berry or Sleep Talk cannot freely set up on Stunfisk, which as it has access to Yawn, a move the blobs would love to have in their arsenal. Also, make sure that you have countermeasures to entry hazards, as Stunfisk cannot handle many of the Spikes stackers found in Ubers. Xatu deals with common Spikes users due to Magic Bounce, a typing that allows it to deal with Ferrothorn's Power Whip and support Groudon's Earthquake, and Heat Wave. If it lacks Earth Power, Stunfisk allows Excadrill to freely switch in and either use Rapid Spin or set up a Swords Dance. Physically defensive variants of both Giratina and Giratina-O pair well with Stunfisk, as they can switch into Excadrill to block its Rapid Spin attempts and then proceed to phaze it out, (or 'force out', but 'phaze out' is a redundancy error) even after taking a Swords Dance-boosted hit.</p>

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
[Other Options] (remove brackets)
============

<p>Stunfisk's other options are sparse. Scald is the only way Stunfisk can touch Air Balloon Excadrill, and it can potentially burn overeager Spikes users that attempt to set up on Stunfisk. However, it is very weak and rarely worth a moveslot. Thunderbolt is usable over Discharge or Thunder due to its intermediate power and 100% accuracy, but the drop in paralysis rate generally makes it outclassed. Hidden Power Ice is a gimmicky way to 2HKO Gliscor, Landorus-T, and Rayquaza, but it has little use outside of that. Thunder Wave can spread paralysis, but Toxic is generally superior to put Calm Mind sweepers on a timer. Earthquake can get a harder hit on the likes of specially defensive Heatran, Tentacruel, Tyranitar, and Calm Mind Rock and Steel Arceus than Earth Power can, though Stunfisk has a pitiful base 66 Attack stat. Finally, Static is an excellent ability that can punish Genesect that spam Iron Head with paralysis. In general, though, (AC) Sand Veil is too good to pass up and is one of Stunfisk's main perks in Ubers.</p>

[Checks & and Counters] (remove brackets)
============

<p>Stunfisk's checks and counters can be broken down into two categories: Pokemon that can threaten to OHKO it, and Pokemon that can set up entry hazards all over it and do not care about Stunfisk's weak attacks. Kyogre is the most obvious one, as offensive variants easily OHKO Stunfisk with a rain-boosted Water-type move of choice. However, Kyogre cannot safely switch in on a Thunder. Attack-invested Groudon easily OHKOes Stunfisk with Earthquake and has an immunity to Thunder. Air Balloon Excadrill fears nothing from Stunfisk except the rare Scald and can proceed to set up or attack with Earthquake. Palkia 2HKOes Stunfisk with Surf or Hydro Pump, while Choice Specs Shaymin-S OHKOes with Seed Flare. However, neither like Thunder's paralysis rate, and both of them are susceptible to Toxic, so they cannot always switch in safely. Bulky Substitute users such as Giratina-O can set up a Substitute and wall Stunfisk if they can get in for free. Calm Mind + Refresh Arceus can easily set up on Stunfisk, as it doesn't need to worry about Stunfisk's status.</p>

<p>There are plenty of defensive checks to Stunfisk as well. Chansey and Blissey fear nothing from Stunfisk and can cripple it with Toxic. They can also easily set up Stealth Rock and support their teammates with Aromatherapy or Wish. At the very least, Stunfisk can set up Stealth Rock on them just as easily. Ferrothorn, Careful Forretress, and Taunt Deoxys-D wall Stunfisk while setting up Spikes. Landorus-T, Hippowdon, and Gliscor only fear the rare Hidden Power Ice from Stunfisk and threaten to set up Stealth Rock or attack with a super effective STAB Earthquake.</p>



GP 2/2
 
Last edited:

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Users: 1, Guests: 0)

Top