Taken over from Amitghosh
QC: 3/3 (HeaLnDeaL, sparktrain, HeaLnDeaL)
GP: 1/2 (kt3 + The Dutch Plumberjack, P Squared)
[OVERVIEW]
Syclant is a versatile mixed attacker thanks to its respectable base 116 Attack, base 114 Special Attack, and great base 121 Speed tier, which leaves it outsped only by Stratagem, some speedy Mega Evolutions, and a few others. Syclant's Mountaineer is a unique ability that renders it immune to Rock-type damage when switching in, which grants Syclant a greatly appreciated immunity to Stealth Rock. Overall, Syclant is able to function as an effective revenge killer, and its access to different boosting moves creates a bit of a guessing game for the opponent. However, Syclant suffers from a poor defensive typing and is quite frail and taken out by many forms of priority. It struggles to defeat many dedicated walls and is often stretched thin when trying to set up. Overall, Syclant's offensive prowess is notable not for its sheer power but for its great speed and versatility.
[SET]
name: Life Orb
move 1: Ice Beam
move 2: Bug Buzz / U-turn
move 3: Earthquake / Earth Power
move 4: Superpower / Spikes
item: Life Orb
ability: Mountaineer
nature: Naive
evs: 12 Atk / 244 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=====
Ice Beam is Syclant's most reliable offensive option, as it hits common Pokemon such as Cyclohm and Tomohawk for massive damage. Bug Buzz is Syclant's strongest Bug-type STAB move, and its ability to hit through Substitute is extremely useful. It also provides decent coverage against common CAP Pokemon such as Aurumoth. U-turn is a safe scouting move that can deal sufficient damage thanks to STAB. Earthquake and Earth Power are both coverage moves and do a good amount of damage to Heatran, Mollux, and other Fire-types. Earthquake is often better for use against specially defensive Mollux and Heatran, though Earth Power can hit Plasmanta harder. Superpower is great to use against Tyranitar and Chansey, while Spikes punishes the opponent for switching.
Set Details
=====
The EVs provide maximum Speed and enough Attack to 2HKO Chansey with Superpower, with the rest in Special Attack. Life Orb gives Syclant a bit of extra power, which compensates for its mediocre offensive stats. Mountaineer is Syclant's best ability in conjunction with scouting and switching via U-turn, as it makes Syclant immune to Stealth Rock. A Naive nature is run to preserve Syclant's offensive stats while allowing it to outspeed Pokemon like Cawmodore, which can outspeed and KO neutral-natured Syclant.
Usage Tips
=====
This set functions best after Pokemon with priority are removed. Due to Syclant's bad defenses, you should never send it out on a hit if it isn't resisted; it should usually be brought in to revenge kill or by a slow U-turn or Volt Switch.
Team Options
=====
Any bulky Pokemon that resists common priority attacks, such as Cyclohm, can be a very good teammate for Syclant. Pokemon that benefit from Syclant's ability to defeat the likes of Dragon-, Dark-, and Psychic-types, such as Mollux and Plasmanta, are good teammates. Pokemon with Heal Bell such as Cyclohm and Sylveon can provide support in case Syclant is crippled by paralysis. Pokemon that resist the Fire- and Rock-type moves that target Syclant, such as Colossoil and Arghonaut, make for good partners as well. Lastly, slow U-turn users such as Colossoil, Mega Scizor, and Rotom-W are also appreciated as partners, as they can allow Syclant to switch in safely.
[SET]
name: Mixed Focus Sash
move 1: Ice Beam
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Ice Shard / Spikes
move 4: Earthquake / Earth Power
item: Focus Sash
ability: Mountaineer
nature: Naive
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=====
Ice Beam is Syclant's reliable Ice-type STAB move, and U-turn gives nice momentum against Chansey and other formidable forces. Ice Shard and Spikes can be used to play around Sucker Punch Colossoil; Ice Shard is a useful priority move that makes revenge killing even easier and can target threats such as Landorus-T and even net damage against Prankster Tomohawk before it uses Roost, while Spikes can specifically be used to set up an entry hazard when Syclant has been knocked down to its Focus Sash and can't do much more. Earthquake and Earth Power are Syclant's best coverage moves and can hit many Fire- and Electric-types; Earthquake hits the more specially defensive Mollux and Heatran, whereas Earth Power is usually better against Plasmanta.
Set Details
=====
Focus Sash is used for surviving strong hits with 1 HP, while Mountaineer is for the extremely useful immunity to Stealth Rock. Syclant's EVs maximize Special Attack and Speed in order to maximize its capabilities as a revenge killer. An alternate EV spread of 88 Atk / 158 SpA / 252 Spe can be used in order to OHKO Heatran with Earthquake after Stealth Rock damage. A Naive nature is used for outspeeding Pokemon like Cawmodore, which would otherwise easily KO Syclant, with the added benefit of not compromising either of Syclant's offensive stats.
Usage Tips
=====
Due to its bad defenses, Syclant should not be switched in against an unresisted hit and should only be brought in via a slow U-turn or Volt Switch or to revenge kill. This set can act as an emergency check to a setup sweeper, being able to always survive with 1 HP and retaliate unless there are Spikes on the field or Syclant has taken prior damage. As a result, preserving Syclant's Focus Sash is extremely valuable. If running Spikes, this set also proves sufficient as a suicide lead.
Team Options
=====
As U-turn can gain good momentum against Chansey, Syclant pairs well with Gothitelle, which can trap Chansey and cripple it with Trick or damage it. Syclant greatly appreciates support from spinners or Defoggers, such as Tomohawk, Kitsunoh, Colossoil, Zapdos, and Skarmory, as they can remove Spikes, which would break Syclant's Focus Sash. Cyclohm and Chansey can take attacks from speedy threats such as Talonflame and Stratagem. Syclant's ability to defeat Psychic- and Dragon-types is in turn appreciated by Pokemon such as Mollux. Slow U-turn or Volt Switch users such as Mega Scizor and Rotom-W are greatly appreciated as well.
[SET]
name: Tail Glow
move 1: Tail Glow
move 2: Bug Buzz
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Earth Power
item: Focus Sash / Babiri Berry
ability: Mountaineer
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=====
Tail Glow gives Sylcant a massive Special Attack boost, which quickly turns it into a specially offensive powerhouse. Bug Buzz is the most powerful Bug-type move Syclant learns, and it's notable for hitting through Substitute as well. Ice Beam is Syclant's reliable Ice-type STAB move that provides good neutral coverage with Earth Power, as well as heavily damaging Pokemon such as Tomohawk and Cyclohm. Earth Power is Syclant's coverage move to deal with Pokemon like Heatran and Mollux, which would otherwise wall it.
Set Details
=====
Focus Sash gives Syclant more setup opportunities, whereas Babiri Berry is only notable for making sure that Cawmodore doesn't come in and KO Syclant with Bullet Punch after it has set up. Mountaineer is used for the extremely handy immunity to Stealth Rock to preserve Focus Sash, and the EV spread maximizes Special Attack and Speed. A Timid nature allows Syclant to outspeed Cawmodore and base 120 Speed Pokemon, such as Alakazam.
Usage Tips
=====
Before sending out Syclant, be sure to eliminate any Pokemon that may have a priority move or a paralyzing move, as both can cripple Syclant and stop its sweep. Syclant proves efficient as a wallbreaker with this set, and it can 2HKO Chansey after two Tail Glows. This set can also act as an emergency check to an opposing setup sweeper, allowing Syclant to survive with 1 HP thanks to Focus Sash and retaliate.
Team Options
=====
A good partner for Syclant is any Pokemon that can handle common priority moves such as Bullet Punch, Aqua Jet, and Talonflame's Brave Bird; in this regard, Cyclohm makes for a great partner. Cyclohm and other Heal Bell users can help rid Syclant of crippling status, and Wish passers can restore Syclant to full HP in order to keep Focus Sash useful. Spinners or Defoggers such Colossoil and Skarmory can get rid of Spikes and are also great partners. Gothitelle is also useful, as it can cripple special walls such as Chansey by Tricking them its Choice item.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
========
Ice Punch may be considered as a replacement for Ice Shard on the mixed sets, but the fact that it leaves Syclant without priority is pretty detrimental. Focus Blast may be considered instead of Earth Power, as it has high power along with the ability to hit threats such as Stratagem. Compound Eyes is not as useful as Mountaineer in most situations, but it at least boosts the accuracy of more powerful moves like Blizzard. A Swords Dance set is usable to power up Syclant's physical attacks, but it is generally outclassed by the other sets. Choice Band is also somewhat viable, as it makes U-turn quite powerful, but it can hinder Syclant's unpredictability. Hidden Power Fire may be used to damage Scizor on the switch, which is useful, but Syclant generally won't want to stay in against most Steel-types to start with.
Checks and Counters
========
**Priority**: Most powerful priority moves, such as Talonflame's Brave Bird and Scizor's Bullet Punch, can easily defeat Syclant if its Focus Sash is broken or seriously maim it otherwise.
**Paralysis**: Paralysis ruins Syclant's Speed, allowing many slower threats to outspeed and KO it easily.
**Arghonaut**: Arghonaut can wall Syclant thanks to resistances to its STAB types. This in turn gives Arghonaut precious time to set up.
**Faster Sweepers**: Stratagem and other faster Pokemon, including Choice Scarf Pokemon, can KO Syclant by outspeeding it and taking advantage of its thin defenses.
**Special Walls**: Special walls such as Chansey and Sylveon tank most of Syclant's moves and can proceed to stall or damage it. However, Chansey needs to watch out for Superpower variants, and Tail Glow can let Syclant overpower most special roadblocks.
**Bulky Attackers**: Kyurem-B, Keldeo, Azumarill, and similar attackers can survive a hit from Syclant and KO back. However, Kyurem-B needs to watch out for Superpower variants.
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