[OVERVIEW]
First seen in the anime winning almost every single battle with Ash, fans have been wondering how they could get Greninja to transform like that. The wait is over now as it is possible to play as Ash-Greninja in SM and boy it does not dissapoint. With the addition of many glass cannons such as Tapu Koko and Phermosa, Ash-Greninja can check those faster threats with a potentially powerful Water Shuriken. In essence, Ash-Greninja trades the ability to change types and STAB on every move for a slight increase in speed and a Special Attack boost on top of STAB for its Water- and Dark-type moves as well as priority. It also doesn't transform until it KOs something, making it weaker than Protean Greninja until it transforms.
[SET]
name: Stronger Together
move 1: Water Shuriken
move 2: Dark Pulse
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Grass Knot / Extrasensory
item: Life Orb
ability: Battle Bond
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 252 Sp / 4 Def
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Water Shuriken is the main reason to use Ash-Greninja as it gains a boost in the Ash-Greninja form, making it a better (special) Aqua Jet. Priority allows it to KO potentially faster threats such as Tapu Koko, Phermosa, and Xurkitree. Ash-Greninja gains STAB on Dark Pulse and fast speed usually will give it a chance to flinch. Ice Beam nails Dragon- and Grass-Types and Grass Knot hits enemy Greninja hard. Extrasensory can be used on an incoming Mega-Venusaur and any Fighting-types.
Set Details
========
* LO
* Battle Bond
* Timid vs Modest
* 4 Def
Usage Tips
========
Before Greninja transforms, bring it in against a weakened, slower foe (on a free switch, as LO and Greninja's paltry defenses will wear it down quickly). Greninja isn't great until transformed, so try to get it to transform as soon as possible. Like Mega-Evolution, Greninja's transformation doesn't wear off upon switching, so feel free to switch on an unfavorable matchup. Ash-Greninja outspeeds most of the unboosted, unscarved metagame (with a base speed greater than that of even Jolteon) and with a base Sp. Atk of 153, it can sweep entire teams once its checks and counters are removed. Ash-Greninja can also be used to KO weakened Phermosa, Xurkitree, and Tapu Koko with Water Shuriken.
Team Options
========
* Entry Hazards
* Wallbreakers
* Mega-Venusaur
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Physical Set
Checks and Counters
===================
**Tapu Fini**: Describe why the Pokemon is a threat.
**Grass Types**: Describe why the Pokemon is a threat.
**Electric Types**: Describe why the Pokemon is a threat.
**Fairy Types**: Describe why the Pokemon is a threat.
**Toxapex**: Describe why the Pokemon is a threat.
First seen in the anime winning almost every single battle with Ash, fans have been wondering how they could get Greninja to transform like that. The wait is over now as it is possible to play as Ash-Greninja in SM and boy it does not dissapoint. With the addition of many glass cannons such as Tapu Koko and Phermosa, Ash-Greninja can check those faster threats with a potentially powerful Water Shuriken. In essence, Ash-Greninja trades the ability to change types and STAB on every move for a slight increase in speed and a Special Attack boost on top of STAB for its Water- and Dark-type moves as well as priority. It also doesn't transform until it KOs something, making it weaker than Protean Greninja until it transforms.
[SET]
name: Stronger Together
move 1: Water Shuriken
move 2: Dark Pulse
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Grass Knot / Extrasensory
item: Life Orb
ability: Battle Bond
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 252 Sp / 4 Def
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Water Shuriken is the main reason to use Ash-Greninja as it gains a boost in the Ash-Greninja form, making it a better (special) Aqua Jet. Priority allows it to KO potentially faster threats such as Tapu Koko, Phermosa, and Xurkitree. Ash-Greninja gains STAB on Dark Pulse and fast speed usually will give it a chance to flinch. Ice Beam nails Dragon- and Grass-Types and Grass Knot hits enemy Greninja hard. Extrasensory can be used on an incoming Mega-Venusaur and any Fighting-types.
Set Details
========
* LO
* Battle Bond
* Timid vs Modest
* 4 Def
Usage Tips
========
Before Greninja transforms, bring it in against a weakened, slower foe (on a free switch, as LO and Greninja's paltry defenses will wear it down quickly). Greninja isn't great until transformed, so try to get it to transform as soon as possible. Like Mega-Evolution, Greninja's transformation doesn't wear off upon switching, so feel free to switch on an unfavorable matchup. Ash-Greninja outspeeds most of the unboosted, unscarved metagame (with a base speed greater than that of even Jolteon) and with a base Sp. Atk of 153, it can sweep entire teams once its checks and counters are removed. Ash-Greninja can also be used to KO weakened Phermosa, Xurkitree, and Tapu Koko with Water Shuriken.
Team Options
========
* Entry Hazards
* Wallbreakers
* Mega-Venusaur
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Physical Set
Checks and Counters
===================
**Tapu Fini**: Describe why the Pokemon is a threat.
**Grass Types**: Describe why the Pokemon is a threat.
**Electric Types**: Describe why the Pokemon is a threat.
**Fairy Types**: Describe why the Pokemon is a threat.
**Toxapex**: Describe why the Pokemon is a threat.
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