QC: Raiza. / WhiteDMist / Galbia
GP: GatoDelFuego / P Squared
[OVERVIEW]
Lunatone has a unique Rock / Psychic typing, which gives it resistances to types such as Normal and Flying. It also has a great ability in Levitate that gives Lunatone an immunity to Ground-type attacks as well as the ability to dodge Spikes, Toxic Spikes, and Sticky Web. Lunatone carves out a niche in PU as a late-game Rock Polish sweeper that can outspeed threats and some Choice Scarf users such as Rotom-F and Sawsbuck. However, its typing also comes with weaknesses to common types such as Water, Grass, and Dark, leaving it susceptible to priority moves such as Aqua Jet and Sucker Punch and making it harder for Lunatone to set up. It also has a good variety of coverage and support moves at its disposal, although it doesn't have a powerful Rock-type STAB attack and needs a lot of team support to effectively sweep, as Lunatone doesn't hit hard even with Life Orb. It is also outclassed by other Rock-types in the metagame such as Barbaracle and Carracosta. Its mediocre bulk means that any strong attack will put a dent in Lunatone's chances to sweep.
[SET]
name: Rock Polish
move 1: Rock Polish
move 2: Psychic
move 3: Ancient Power
move 4: Earth Power / Baton Pass
item: Life Orb
ability: Levitate
nature: Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Rock Polish doubles Lunatone's Speed, allowing it to outspeed threats such as Choice Scarf Sawsbuck after a boost. Psychic is Lunatone's strongest STAB move, hitting Poison- and Fighting-types such as Roselia and Poliwrath for great damage. Ancient Power is Lunatone's Rock-type STAB attack, allowing it to hit Fire-, Flying-, and Ice-types such as Rapidash, Dodrio, and Rotom-F super effectively. Earth Power nails Steel-types such as Probopass and Pawniard, which resist Lunatone's dual STAB moves. Baton Pass is an option in the last moveslot, as it enables Lunatone to pivot out of a check or counter into an appropriate teammate while also possibly passing along a Speed boost and bypassing Sucker Punch in the process.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack investment along with a Modest nature allows for maximum damage output. Maximum Speed investment allows Lunatone to outspeed everything up to Choice Scarf Sawsbuck after a Rock Polish boost. Levitate is Lunatone's only ability, providing an immunity to Ground-type attacks as well as Spikes, Toxic Spikes, and Sticky Web. Life Orb is the preferred item on Lunatone, boosting the power of all of its attacks at the cost of some health.
Usage Tips
========
It is best to use Lunatone mid- or late-game when its checks and counters are eliminated or weak enough for Lunatone to take out on its own. Set up Rock Polish on Flying- and Fire-types that Lunatone can force out such as Togetic and Ninetales. Lunatone must also be wary of Pursuit trappers such as Pawniard and Dusknoir as they can deal significant damage to Lunatone. Keep Lunatone as healthy as possible when it attempts to sweep, as poison wears Lunatone down over time, and paralysis puts a damper on its Speed. Avoid attempting to set up in the face of strong physical wallbreakers, as Lunatone doesn't have good Defense. Switch in Lunatone off of a slow Volt Switch, U-turn, or Baton Pass or after a teammate has fainted.
Team Options
========
If Lunatone isn't running Earth Power, Pokemon such as Poliwrath, Torterra, and Magnet Pull Probopass can trap and eliminate Steel-types for Lunatone while also providing Stealth Rock support. Entry hazard support from Pokemon such as Whirlipede, Roselia, and Stunfisk allows Lunatone to get 2HKOs and OHKOs on Regice and Ninetales, respectively, with Ancient Power. Wallbreakers such as Simipour and Chatot can wear down bulkier threats for Lunatone, making it easier for it to come in and clean up. Lunatone also appreciates Memento and Encore support from Pokemon such as Jumpluff to allow Lunatone to set up Rock Polish easier. As Lunatone is frail and easily worn down, Healing Wish support from Mr. Mime can be useful to revive a weakened Lunatone, giving it a second chance to sweep.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A specially defensive set is viable, as Lunatone has access to a plethora of support moves at its disposal including Stealth Rock, Moonlight, and Toxic. Lunatone also has access to other coverage moves including Ice Beam, Shadow Ball, Moonblast, and Signal Beam, but it would prefer not to give up any of the listed options. Cosmic Power along with Baton Pass is an option to pass Defense boosts to a teammate over a Speed boost. Calm Mind boosts Lunatone's Special Attack and Special Defense and can be used in conjunction with Baton Pass and Future Sight. A set with Trick Room, Stealth Rock, Explosion, and Magic Coat with a Relaxed nature and a spread of 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD can be used as a suicide Trick Room lead, but this is better done by Carbink which has better typing and defenses.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Dark-types such as Mightyena and Zweilous are immune to Psychic and can take an Ancient Power and OHKO with Crunch. Pawniard can trap Lunatone with Pursuit and OHKO it.
**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Pokemon such as Lickilicky and Grumpig can take two hits from Lunatone and either retaliate with Knock Off or cripple it with status.
**Steel-types**: If Lunatone is not running Earth Power, Steel-types such as Klang and Probopass resist both of Lunatone's attacks and threaten it with Gear Grind and Flash Cannon, respectively.
**Status**: Toxic wears down Lunatone over the course of a match, whereas paralysis cripples it so slower Pokemon can outspeed and possibly KO it. While Lunatone does not mind being burned, the residual damage wears it down nonetheless, limiting how long Lunatone can last.
**Physical Attackers**: Lunatone has low Defense, so strong physical attackers that can take a hit such as Ursaring, Torterra, and Barbaracle can easily threaten Lunatone.
**Residual Damage**: Lunatone's reliance on Life Orb for maximum damage output combined with Lunatone's susceptibility to priority attacks such as Mightyena's and Pawniard's Sucker Punch and Basculin's and Carracosta's Aqua Jet will cut into its longevity. If these attacks don't KO Lunatone, they certainly will put it in range to be KOed next turn.
GP: GatoDelFuego / P Squared
[OVERVIEW]
Lunatone has a unique Rock / Psychic typing, which gives it resistances to types such as Normal and Flying. It also has a great ability in Levitate that gives Lunatone an immunity to Ground-type attacks as well as the ability to dodge Spikes, Toxic Spikes, and Sticky Web. Lunatone carves out a niche in PU as a late-game Rock Polish sweeper that can outspeed threats and some Choice Scarf users such as Rotom-F and Sawsbuck. However, its typing also comes with weaknesses to common types such as Water, Grass, and Dark, leaving it susceptible to priority moves such as Aqua Jet and Sucker Punch and making it harder for Lunatone to set up. It also has a good variety of coverage and support moves at its disposal, although it doesn't have a powerful Rock-type STAB attack and needs a lot of team support to effectively sweep, as Lunatone doesn't hit hard even with Life Orb. It is also outclassed by other Rock-types in the metagame such as Barbaracle and Carracosta. Its mediocre bulk means that any strong attack will put a dent in Lunatone's chances to sweep.
[SET]
name: Rock Polish
move 1: Rock Polish
move 2: Psychic
move 3: Ancient Power
move 4: Earth Power / Baton Pass
item: Life Orb
ability: Levitate
nature: Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Rock Polish doubles Lunatone's Speed, allowing it to outspeed threats such as Choice Scarf Sawsbuck after a boost. Psychic is Lunatone's strongest STAB move, hitting Poison- and Fighting-types such as Roselia and Poliwrath for great damage. Ancient Power is Lunatone's Rock-type STAB attack, allowing it to hit Fire-, Flying-, and Ice-types such as Rapidash, Dodrio, and Rotom-F super effectively. Earth Power nails Steel-types such as Probopass and Pawniard, which resist Lunatone's dual STAB moves. Baton Pass is an option in the last moveslot, as it enables Lunatone to pivot out of a check or counter into an appropriate teammate while also possibly passing along a Speed boost and bypassing Sucker Punch in the process.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack investment along with a Modest nature allows for maximum damage output. Maximum Speed investment allows Lunatone to outspeed everything up to Choice Scarf Sawsbuck after a Rock Polish boost. Levitate is Lunatone's only ability, providing an immunity to Ground-type attacks as well as Spikes, Toxic Spikes, and Sticky Web. Life Orb is the preferred item on Lunatone, boosting the power of all of its attacks at the cost of some health.
Usage Tips
========
It is best to use Lunatone mid- or late-game when its checks and counters are eliminated or weak enough for Lunatone to take out on its own. Set up Rock Polish on Flying- and Fire-types that Lunatone can force out such as Togetic and Ninetales. Lunatone must also be wary of Pursuit trappers such as Pawniard and Dusknoir as they can deal significant damage to Lunatone. Keep Lunatone as healthy as possible when it attempts to sweep, as poison wears Lunatone down over time, and paralysis puts a damper on its Speed. Avoid attempting to set up in the face of strong physical wallbreakers, as Lunatone doesn't have good Defense. Switch in Lunatone off of a slow Volt Switch, U-turn, or Baton Pass or after a teammate has fainted.
Team Options
========
If Lunatone isn't running Earth Power, Pokemon such as Poliwrath, Torterra, and Magnet Pull Probopass can trap and eliminate Steel-types for Lunatone while also providing Stealth Rock support. Entry hazard support from Pokemon such as Whirlipede, Roselia, and Stunfisk allows Lunatone to get 2HKOs and OHKOs on Regice and Ninetales, respectively, with Ancient Power. Wallbreakers such as Simipour and Chatot can wear down bulkier threats for Lunatone, making it easier for it to come in and clean up. Lunatone also appreciates Memento and Encore support from Pokemon such as Jumpluff to allow Lunatone to set up Rock Polish easier. As Lunatone is frail and easily worn down, Healing Wish support from Mr. Mime can be useful to revive a weakened Lunatone, giving it a second chance to sweep.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A specially defensive set is viable, as Lunatone has access to a plethora of support moves at its disposal including Stealth Rock, Moonlight, and Toxic. Lunatone also has access to other coverage moves including Ice Beam, Shadow Ball, Moonblast, and Signal Beam, but it would prefer not to give up any of the listed options. Cosmic Power along with Baton Pass is an option to pass Defense boosts to a teammate over a Speed boost. Calm Mind boosts Lunatone's Special Attack and Special Defense and can be used in conjunction with Baton Pass and Future Sight. A set with Trick Room, Stealth Rock, Explosion, and Magic Coat with a Relaxed nature and a spread of 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD can be used as a suicide Trick Room lead, but this is better done by Carbink which has better typing and defenses.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Dark-types such as Mightyena and Zweilous are immune to Psychic and can take an Ancient Power and OHKO with Crunch. Pawniard can trap Lunatone with Pursuit and OHKO it.
**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Pokemon such as Lickilicky and Grumpig can take two hits from Lunatone and either retaliate with Knock Off or cripple it with status.
**Steel-types**: If Lunatone is not running Earth Power, Steel-types such as Klang and Probopass resist both of Lunatone's attacks and threaten it with Gear Grind and Flash Cannon, respectively.
**Status**: Toxic wears down Lunatone over the course of a match, whereas paralysis cripples it so slower Pokemon can outspeed and possibly KO it. While Lunatone does not mind being burned, the residual damage wears it down nonetheless, limiting how long Lunatone can last.
**Physical Attackers**: Lunatone has low Defense, so strong physical attackers that can take a hit such as Ursaring, Torterra, and Barbaracle can easily threaten Lunatone.
**Residual Damage**: Lunatone's reliance on Life Orb for maximum damage output combined with Lunatone's susceptibility to priority attacks such as Mightyena's and Pawniard's Sucker Punch and Basculin's and Carracosta's Aqua Jet will cut into its longevity. If these attacks don't KO Lunatone, they certainly will put it in range to be KOed next turn.
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