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[Overview]
- Separates itself from the multitude of outher physical Normal types with its ability Scrappy and vast usable movepool. This means that is can get perfect coverage with just its STAB and a Fighting move.
- Has good bulk with 105/80/80 Defenses enabling it to switch in repeatedly.
- Although its offensive stats (95/40/90) may not look that impressive, Kangaskhan's other properties make up for these shortcomings somewhat and when played well, Kangaskhan is an effective offensive threat in the UU metagame.
[SET]
name: All Out Attacker
move 1: Double Edge / Return
move 2: Low Kick / Drain Punch
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Fake Out
item: Choice Band / Life Orb
ability: Scrappy
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
- Unlike most Normal types, Kangaskhan is free to use a Choice item without fear of Ghost switch-ins, allowing it to spam Normal/Fighting moves all day long.
- Low Kick provides perfect coverage in conjunction with Double Edge / Return.
- Kangaskhan gets Drain Punch via Breeding and Gen 4 TM and is an option on the Life Orb set for regaining lost health, although the lacklustre power means that Low Kick is generally the better choice.
- Sucker Punch often won't get much use as, without STAB, it lacks power. However, it is handy for late-game sweeping and when you need to pick off faster foes.
- Ice Punch allows Kangaskhan to 2HKO Gligar, who would otherwise wall Kangaskhan, after Stealth Rock damage.
- Fake Out is another viable option available to Kangaskhan. Although relatively weak, it provides a last-minute check to a whole slew of UU attackers.
- Standard EV spread is just to maximise speed, hitting 306 and most notably outspeeding the Rotom Formes and Neutral base 100s.
[ADDTIONAL COMMENTS]
- Kangaskhan has a few different options, so you can choose to run different moves to accommodate different threats or needs.
- Double Edge is preferred on the Choice Band set due to the power difference, although if using Life Orb, Return should be used to maximise Kangaskhan's longevity.
- Low Kick tends to hit most UU Steels and walls harder than Hammer Arm, especially Pokemon like Rhyperior, who may otherwise cause you problems.
- Those Pokemon that are lighter wont be able to take an Earthquake. Hammer Arm is only really an option for the Choice Band set, where you will not be staying in for extended periods.
- Choice Band is usually better than Life Orb, because it requires very little support to be effective and can punch huge holes in the opponent's team with a little prediction. Life Orb is better for attempting to sweep or put more pressure on the opponent with the ability to switch moves, though it should be noted that the decrease in longevity is noticeable and it should be used with dedicated team support.
- The last two moveslots are much more open to change if using Choice Band, as being locked into either Sucker Punch or Fake Out can be a liability. That said, they do serve specific roles and having priority allows Kangaskhan to fulfill a role that it otherwise would not be able to.
- Hammer Arm can be used in the second slot on the Choice Band set, though Low Kick generally hits its intended targets harder.
- Kangaskhan also has access to Earthquake and Rock Slide; however the coverage is redundant.
- You will find that when using Kangaskhan, the last two slots can be customised in order to eliminate certain threats. This is helped by Kangaskhan's expansive movepool.
- Kangaskhan has access to the Elemental Punches and Aqua Tail. These can be used to lure and eliminate certain threats that the team may have trouble with. In particular, Fire punch can remove Escavalier, who has the bulk and the typing to take Kangaskhan's hits and KO back, Ice Punch can be used for the rare Gligar, as you would otherwise be walled by it and Aqua Tail can be used in either of the last two slots to help remove Rhyperior.
- Kangaskhan can run Knock Off to ruin Eviolite users, and remove leftovers. While this seems like a great option, Kangaskhan can 2HKO Chansey and Gligar, the most common Eviolite users with a Life Orb boosted Double Edge or Ice Punch respectively and prefers the extra KOes it can gain by using other moves.
- Dugtrio makes an excellent partner for Kangaskhan, with the ability to trap and KO many of UUs Rock and Steel-types. Mixed Victini can also pair well with Kangaskhan, with its good bulk, resistance to Fighting type attacks and ability to take on Rock types and Steel types with Grass Knot/Focus Blast and V-create/Fire Blast respectively.
[SET]
name: Sub-Punch
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Focus Punch
move 3: Return
move 4: Sucker Punch
item: Leftovers
ability: Scrappy
nature:Adamant
evs: 240 HP / 252 Atk / 16 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
- Luckily for her, Kangaskhan was blessed with assets of a good Sub-Puncher: The ability to make 101 Substitutes, perfect coverage between Focus Punch and Return and a priority move in Sucker Punch.
- This set has great potential, as it can 2HKO alot of common UU threats, making it difficult for many Pokemon to take out its Sub without being KOed.
[ADDTIONAL COMMENTS]
- Unfortunately, due to the lack of Attack investment, dedicated Physical walls with reliable recovery can beat Kangaskhan, especially Tangrowth and Slowbro, due to their access to Regenerator and strong STAB attacks.
- EVs allow Kangaskhan to outspeed max speed base 55s and uninvested Rotom.
- In order to increase Kangaskhan's spees, an alternate spread of 212 HP / 120 Atk / 176 Spe with a Jolly nature can be used. This allows it to outspeed the base 80s. Although, this speed tier is no longer as important as it was in 5th Gen, and Kangaskhan will have a more difficult time beating many opponents who can subsequently outspeed him.
- As always Double Edge can be used over Return to hit Kangaskhan's switch-ins harder.
- One can use Expert Belt, or another such item in order to feign Choice Band, in order to lure in and eliminate Steel types with a well-timed Focus Punch, clearing the way for other Pokemon to sweep, although this strategy is unreliable.
[Other Options]
- Kangaskhan now has access to a boosting move! Work-up can be used to boost Kangaskhan's attack. This is probably most effective when put into one of the last two slots on the Physical Attacker set.
- With Kangaskhan's fantastic special movepool, a mixed Work-Up set may seem viable, though her awful Special Attack, and the ability of Tauros to do a similar thing, but much better, makes this a poor choice.
- Support set is possible, with access to Counter, Circle Throw and Knock off, although, due to Kangaskhan's relatively poor (for a defensive Pokemon) bulk and lack of recovery, this is difficult to pull off and best left to other Pokemon.
- Disable is an interesting move, though Kangaskhan does not have the bulk nor the typing needed to pull it off.
- Kangaskhan can run a fairly effective set of Fake Out / Endeavour / Return or Reversal / Sucker Punch, being able to hit Ghosts with Endeavour is this set's major selling point though it is slightly unreliable and can be difficult to pull off. Nonetheless, if you can make it work and give dedicated team support, then it can pay dividends.
- Endure/Reversal is another option that Kangaskhan can use, though until Salac berry is released, it will be alot more difficult to use and should generally be avoided.
- Kangaskhan also gets Wish from a Gen 3 Event. While this may seem like a nice option at first, the inability to abuse Scrappy, and the availability of Lickilicky in the same role makes this a poor choice overall.
[Checks and Counters]
- The Choice Band set is difficult to counter or even check, but can be played around with varying degrees of success.
- Rhyperior can take any of Kangaskhan's attacks and hit back with strong Earthquakes, though it will be unable to take repeaded Low Kicks.
- Most Steel and Rock types can effectively check Kangaskhan, so long as the avoid a CB Low Kick/Hammer Arm.
- Bulky Hitmontop can take on Kangaskhan with Intimidate and Close Combat, but can be worn down over the course of the match, due to the lack of reliable recovery.
- Gligar can counter any Ice-Punchless Kangaskhan nut may need to be wary of Knock Off. Escavalier can check Kangaskhan fairly effectively so long as it lacks Fire Punch and threaten heavy damage with its strong Megahorn.
- Life Orb and Sub-Punch variants are easier to check, and most defensive Pokemon with reliable recovery and a decent STAB can take it on and win 1 on 1. In particular, defensive Arcanine or Zapdos can take on the sub punch set, although both are weak to Stealth Rock and will have difficulty taking repeated LO Double Edges.
- Slowbro can take almost any attack Kangaskhan can throw at it and respond with a Scald or Slack Off repeatedly to stall out Kangaskhan's Life Orb damage.
