approved by unfixable
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Disclaimer: I've been receiving some complaints lately that Reshiram isn't worthy of an analysis. I know it's certainly outclassed, but I personally think it is worthy of an analysis because it has a few qualities that separates it from Kyurem-White, and other Pokemon. It's your decision.
[OVERVIEW]
- Severely outclassed by Faster and Harder-Hitting Contrary Users such as Mega Mewtwo X and Kyurem-White, and Special Attackers such as Gale Wings Mega Rayquaza and Mega Mewtwo Y.
- Has sweet offensive typing that permits STAB on the highly spammable Draco Meteor and Overheat, both useful on Contrary Sets.
- High Base 150 Special Attack and usable Base 90 Speed makes Reshiram a competent attacker.
- After a Contrary Boost, Reshiram KOs almost the whole meta, but almost every other Contrary User does, also.
- Be it Contrary, Tail Glow Sweeping, or any other set it runs, another Pokemon can do better what Reshiram does, which is it's main flaw.
- Typing leaves it vulnerable defensively to many offensive threats, notably Pixilate, Refridgerate, and Aerialate, which slightly undermines it's decent bulk.
- While on the topic of bulk, while it's defenses aren't bad, they certainly aren't very good. Reshiram often finds itself being knocked out by strong attacks and the combination of Fake Out and ExtremeSpeed.
- Lack of versatility restricts it to only running one set viably, and that is utilizing Contrary in conjunction with a Choice Scarf, making it extremely predictable.
- Has qualities that separates it from Kyurem-White, including superior defensive typing and ability to go physical with STAB V-Create.
- With Adaptability, Reshiram quickly becomes a threatening wallbreaker that can destroy entire teams if given a chance.
[SET]
Name: Contrary
Move 1: Draco Meteor
Move 2: Overheat
Move 3: Leaf Storm/Psycho Boost
Move 4: Volt Switch/Psycho Boost
Item: Choice Scarf
Ability: Contrary
Nature: Timid/Modest
EVs: 252 Sp.Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=====================
- Draco Meteor has STAB and doubles Reshiram's Special Attack stat every time it uses it, quickly demolishing almost the entirety of the metagame at +2.
- The same goes for Overheat, with STAB and Fire Coverage.
- Leaf Storm has Grass Coverage that raises Reshiram's Special Attack, but without STAB many Pokemon can stomach a +2 Leaf Storm and beat a Reshiram locked into the move.
- Volt Switch allows for Reshiram to switch out to a check or counter safely, while also hitting Mega Gyarados and Mega Slowbro for super-effective damage.
- Psycho Boost is Psychic Coverage that helps nail Fighting Types, but generally isn't as needed as the other moves due to it not being very useful elsewhere.
Set Details
======================
- Maximum Investment in Special Attack and Speed allows it to hit as hard and fast as possible.
- Choice Scarf allows Reshiram to sweep with Contrary without worrying about being outsped and KO'd.
- Contrary allows Reshiram to double his Special Attack every time it attacks, quickly making it able to decimate the opponent's whole team if played right.
Usage Tips
======================
- Make sure that your opponent's -ate users are defeated before sending out Reshiram. Reshiram's typing leaves it vulnerable to all -ate users.
- Limit the amounts of time Reshiram is switching in and out unless hazards are not an issue.
- Be careful when using Leaf Storm and Psycho Boost. Because of a lack of STAB, Pokemon can come in and stomach a hit, then proceed to kill Reshiram.
- Try to keep Reshiram away from an opponent's Imposter Chansey, if they have any. If a Reshiram is pitted against another Contrary Reshiram, a speed tie will determine the winner. In addition, if you switch out in this situation, Reshiram will not only deal damage to the switched-in Pokemon, but it will get a free boost, which can prove to be very detrimental.
Team Options
======================
- Unfortunately Reshiram has many checks and counters that can come in on and and force it out or defeat it, and many of them even enjoy the boosts that Reshiram has accumulated. Because of this, teammates that defeat Imposter Chansey, a big threat to Reshiram, and checks to -ate users are greatly appreciated.
- Things that may come to mind are Shell Smash Mega Gengar, Poison Heal Users, Illusion Users, and bulky steel types like Mega Aggron that take on -ate users such as Mega Diancie and Kyurem-Black.
- In addition, wallbreakers that defeat Unaware Walls would also be beneficial to Reshiram, so it wouldn't have to worry about a sweep coming to a halt.
- Hazard Removal is also helpful, as Reshiram is weak to Stealth Rock. Keep in mind though that Reshiram doesn't switch out very often.
[SET]
Name: Wallbreaker
Move 1: Fire Blast/Overheat
Move 2: Dragon Pulse/Draco Meteor
Move 3: Aura Sphere
Move 4: Thunderbolt/V-Create/Outrage/Earthquake
Item: Life Orb
Ability: Adaptability
Nature: Timid/Naive
EVs: 252 Sp.Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
===================
- Fire Blast is self-explanatory, as it is boosted by both a Life Orb and Adaptability, making even resisted Pokemon struggle to avoid 2HKOs.
- Dragon Pulse has a decent Base Power with no drawbacks, which is further boosted by Adaptability. This makes it a highly spammable move capable of 2HKOing many Pokemon and cleaning off weakened Pokemon.
- Overheat almost guarantees a 2HKO on most Pokemon, but comes at the expense of lowering Reshiram's Special Attack, making it easier to wall.
- Aura Sphere is a high-powered Fighting Coverage that never misses.
- Thunderbolt is also for coverage to hit Water Types that may try to switch into a Fire move.
- Reshiram can run some Attack Investment and a Naive Nature to run V-Create, which will raise it's speed and defenses in one turn.
- Outrage can be used for power, and is boosted by Adaptability, should you run some attack investment.
- Earthquake is for coverage.
Set Details
==================
- Maximum investment in offenses allow Reshiram to defeat as many foes as possible with it's Adaptability-boosted attacks.
- Physical Attacks are there because Reshiram has the ability to go Mixed, and take on dedicated special walls.
- Adaptability is there to double the power of Reshiram's STAB moves, quickly making it virtually unwallable.
Usage Tips
==================
- Unlike Contrary Reshiram, Wallbreaking Reshiram can come in on more situations and knock out the opposing Pokemon, which it generally should be able to do. Keep this in mind when using Reshiram.
- Reshiram should come in late-game when all of its checks are defeated, to clean up the late game.
- Wallbreaking Reshiram should avoid -ate users as it will almost always lose to the combination of Fake Out + ExtremeSpeed.
Team Options
============================
- Wallbreaking Reshiram appreciates extremely bulky teammates such as Giratina to help switch out come strong attackers that outspeed it. However, after a few V-Create boosts, it's defense should be high enough to shake off most hits, should you go Mixed.
- Reshiram thrives against slower, defensive teams, so Pokemon that take on offensive threats are greatly appreciated.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====================
- Reshiram can run a set utilizing Tail Glow and Simple to get it to +6 in one turn, but Reshiram is outsped by many things anyway and lacks the priority to compensate for it. Plus, Reshiram doesn't really have the bulk to take strong attacks when it is outsped.
- Reshiram can run a set with Chlorophyll on Sun Teams to remedy it's speed problem and afford to invest in bulk. However, this requires Sun Support to work, and in a tier where Fake Out + ExtremeSpeed run amok, Reshiram can quickly be stopped.
- Quiver Dance Reshiram allows it to sweep, but suffers many of the problems the Contrary Reshiram set does, only with a lack of immediate speed and needing a more specific opportunity to set up.
Checks & Counters
=================
- -Ate Users: Almost any user carrying Pixilate, Refridgerate, or Aerialate can dispatch Reshiram at any time with the combination of Fake Out and ExtremeSpeed. Diancie-Mega is the most noteworthy example as it resists both of Reshiram's STABs. However, even Diancie-Mega will fall to a Modest +2 Overheat, and cannot wall Wallbreaker Reshiram, and it must be noted that no relevant user of an -ate ability can really switch into Reshiram altogether.
- Imposter Chansey: Imposter Chansey can come into Reshiram, and transform into it, copying all stat boosts, and causing a speed tie to determine the winner. If Chansey outspeeds, Reshiram will almost definitely fall, leaving Chansey open to sweep. However, if Reshiram outspeeds, Chansey will fall, and Reshiram can continue sweeping. Fur Coat Chansey checks Reshiram due to its high Special Defense.
- Stat Reversal: Users of Topsy-Turvy and Heart Swap such as Registeel can quickly end Reshiram's sweep by reversing Reshiram's stat changes, crippling it. However, Registeel is hit super-effectively by Overheat, and cannot switch into a boosted Reshiram. Wallbreaker Reshiram also has trouble with Registeel, fearing antics such as Destiny Bond, Parting Shot, Thunder Wave and Spore.
- Unaware Walls: Unaware Walls ignore Reshiram's stat changes, effectively checking it. On the other hand, Reshiram's high Special Attack means that it will still punch holes in an Unaware Wall, so it is important to make sure that these walls aren't still knocked out by Reshiram's attacks.
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