Credit to Stinson for writing the analysis.
QC checks: Corkscrew / macle / DTC
GP checks: / Electrolyte / GatoDelFuego
Overview
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Despite its mediocre stats, Wingull is still a very potent attacker in LC. Its excellent Speed allows Wingull to Speed tie with important Pokemon such as Misdreavus, and its decent defensive typing gives Wingull resistances to common priority moves such as Mach Punch and Vacuum Wave. Wingull also has a very unique movepool, with gems such as Hurricane, U-turn, and Knock Off.
Unfortunately, Wingull has many flaws that prevent it from being effective in LC. It suffers from a crippling Stealth Rock weakness, limiting the number of times it can switch into the battlefield. Wingull also has terrible defenses, making it hard for Wingull to take powerful attacks such as Pwniard's Knock Off and Misdreavus's Shadow Ball. Finally, Wingull is vulnerable to omnipresent threats in LC, including Chinchou, Magnemite, and Fletchling.
Life Orb
########
name: Life Orb
move 1: Scald
move 2: Hurricane
move 3: Air Slash / Knock Off
move 4: U-Turn
ability: Rain Dish
item: Life Orb
evs: 36 Def / 236 SpA / 236 Spe
IVs: 0 HP
nature: Timid / Naive
Moves
========
Scald is Wingull's primary STAB move due to its decent power, accuracy, and high chance to burn the foe. Hurricane is Wingull's most powerful Flying-type STAB move, but is very unreliable due to its mediocre accuracy. Air Slash can be used as an alternative Flying-type STAB move, as it is very useful when Hurricane's extra power is not needed, such as against frail Fighting- and Grass-types and weakened Pokemon.Another option in this slot is Knock Off, as it can cripple a majority of Wingull's counters, such as Porygon and Chinchou. U-turn allows Wingull to escape from its checks and counters while also grabbing momentum.
Set Details
========
With a Timid nature, Wingull reaches 19 Speed, allowing it to Speed tie with Misdreavus. 0 HP IVs allow Wingull to sustain minimal Life Orb recoil. The choice of nature depends on whether Wingull runs Air Slash or Knock Off. Timid is the recommended nature if using Air Slash, while Naive is recommended if using Knock Off.
Usage Tips
========
Due to Wingull's below-average bulk, it is advised not to switch it in on powerful Pokemon such as Pawniard. Free switches from slow pivots such as Chinchou are generally the safest way to allow Wingull to enter the battlefield. Despite its excellent Base Power, Hurricane is generally not a good move to spam due to its poor accuracy. Due to its high burn chance and accuracy, Scald is usually the safest move to use. If the foe has a potential check or counter to Wingull, it is generally advised to use U-turn.
Team Options
========
Ground lures such as Honedge and Pawniard are good teammates for Wingull, as Wingull can switch in safely on Ground-type moves due to its immunity to them. Drilbur is an excellent partner, as it can remove Stealth Rock with Rapid Spin and has decent defensive synergy with Wingull. Chinchou is also a great teammate, as it can check common counters to Wingull such as opposing Chinchou and Tirtouga. Entry hazard users such as Dwebble are also good teammates.
Other Options
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Roost can be used to allow Wingull to recover from Life Orb recoil, but Wingull's mediocre defenses prevent it from using this move effectively. Rain Dance can be used to increase Hurricane's accuracy and boost the power of Scald, but Wingull will rarely find opportunities to safely use this move due to its terrible bulk. Choice Scarf can be used to allow Wingull to function as a decent revenge killer and pivot. However, Wingull's damage output will decrease significantly if it uses Choice Scarf and Wingull generally dislikes being locked into one move. Hidden Power Ground and Grass can be used to hit Pokemon such as Chinchou and Tirtouga, but those moves have limited uses beyond that due to their low Base Power.
Checks & Counters
########
**Electric-types**: Chinchou is an excellent counter to Wingull, as it does not take much damage from any of Wingull's moves and can either OHKO Wingull with Volt Switch or cripple it with Thunder Wave. Elekid and Magnemite are able to revenge kill Wingull, but both take a massive amount of damage from Scald.
**Water-types**: Bulky Water-types such as Slowpoke and Frillish are able to switch into Scald and deal a massive amount of damage to Wingull with Psychic and Shadow Ball, respectively. However, Frillish and Slowpoke both take heavy damage from Hurricane. Omanyte is also a good check to Wingull, as it resists Hurricane and does not mind being burned by Scald.
**Bulky Eviolite Users**: Porygon and Muchlax are rarely 2HKOed by Hurricane and can deal a massive amount of damage to Wingull with Tri Attack and Body Slam, respectively.
**Priority Users**: Pawniard deals a large amount of damage to Wingull with Sucker Punch. Fletchling also deals massive damage to Wingull with Brave Bird.
QC checks: Corkscrew / macle / DTC
GP checks: / Electrolyte / GatoDelFuego
Overview
########
Despite its mediocre stats, Wingull is still a very potent attacker in LC. Its excellent Speed allows Wingull to Speed tie with important Pokemon such as Misdreavus, and its decent defensive typing gives Wingull resistances to common priority moves such as Mach Punch and Vacuum Wave. Wingull also has a very unique movepool, with gems such as Hurricane, U-turn, and Knock Off.
Unfortunately, Wingull has many flaws that prevent it from being effective in LC. It suffers from a crippling Stealth Rock weakness, limiting the number of times it can switch into the battlefield. Wingull also has terrible defenses, making it hard for Wingull to take powerful attacks such as Pwniard's Knock Off and Misdreavus's Shadow Ball. Finally, Wingull is vulnerable to omnipresent threats in LC, including Chinchou, Magnemite, and Fletchling.
Life Orb
########
name: Life Orb
move 1: Scald
move 2: Hurricane
move 3: Air Slash / Knock Off
move 4: U-Turn
ability: Rain Dish
item: Life Orb
evs: 36 Def / 236 SpA / 236 Spe
IVs: 0 HP
nature: Timid / Naive
Moves
========
Scald is Wingull's primary STAB move due to its decent power, accuracy, and high chance to burn the foe. Hurricane is Wingull's most powerful Flying-type STAB move, but is very unreliable due to its mediocre accuracy. Air Slash can be used as an alternative Flying-type STAB move, as it is very useful when Hurricane's extra power is not needed, such as against frail Fighting- and Grass-types and weakened Pokemon.Another option in this slot is Knock Off, as it can cripple a majority of Wingull's counters, such as Porygon and Chinchou. U-turn allows Wingull to escape from its checks and counters while also grabbing momentum.
Set Details
========
With a Timid nature, Wingull reaches 19 Speed, allowing it to Speed tie with Misdreavus. 0 HP IVs allow Wingull to sustain minimal Life Orb recoil. The choice of nature depends on whether Wingull runs Air Slash or Knock Off. Timid is the recommended nature if using Air Slash, while Naive is recommended if using Knock Off.
Usage Tips
========
Due to Wingull's below-average bulk, it is advised not to switch it in on powerful Pokemon such as Pawniard. Free switches from slow pivots such as Chinchou are generally the safest way to allow Wingull to enter the battlefield. Despite its excellent Base Power, Hurricane is generally not a good move to spam due to its poor accuracy. Due to its high burn chance and accuracy, Scald is usually the safest move to use. If the foe has a potential check or counter to Wingull, it is generally advised to use U-turn.
Team Options
========
Ground lures such as Honedge and Pawniard are good teammates for Wingull, as Wingull can switch in safely on Ground-type moves due to its immunity to them. Drilbur is an excellent partner, as it can remove Stealth Rock with Rapid Spin and has decent defensive synergy with Wingull. Chinchou is also a great teammate, as it can check common counters to Wingull such as opposing Chinchou and Tirtouga. Entry hazard users such as Dwebble are also good teammates.
Other Options
########
Roost can be used to allow Wingull to recover from Life Orb recoil, but Wingull's mediocre defenses prevent it from using this move effectively. Rain Dance can be used to increase Hurricane's accuracy and boost the power of Scald, but Wingull will rarely find opportunities to safely use this move due to its terrible bulk. Choice Scarf can be used to allow Wingull to function as a decent revenge killer and pivot. However, Wingull's damage output will decrease significantly if it uses Choice Scarf and Wingull generally dislikes being locked into one move. Hidden Power Ground and Grass can be used to hit Pokemon such as Chinchou and Tirtouga, but those moves have limited uses beyond that due to their low Base Power.
Checks & Counters
########
**Electric-types**: Chinchou is an excellent counter to Wingull, as it does not take much damage from any of Wingull's moves and can either OHKO Wingull with Volt Switch or cripple it with Thunder Wave. Elekid and Magnemite are able to revenge kill Wingull, but both take a massive amount of damage from Scald.
**Water-types**: Bulky Water-types such as Slowpoke and Frillish are able to switch into Scald and deal a massive amount of damage to Wingull with Psychic and Shadow Ball, respectively. However, Frillish and Slowpoke both take heavy damage from Hurricane. Omanyte is also a good check to Wingull, as it resists Hurricane and does not mind being burned by Scald.
**Bulky Eviolite Users**: Porygon and Muchlax are rarely 2HKOed by Hurricane and can deal a massive amount of damage to Wingull with Tri Attack and Body Slam, respectively.
**Priority Users**: Pawniard deals a large amount of damage to Wingull with Sucker Punch. Fletchling also deals massive damage to Wingull with Brave Bird.
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