Spectrier is a Ghost Type Pokemon added to the Crown Tundra DLC. With it's 145 Special Attack and 130 Speed, this thing can poke holes through teams very easily with STAB Shadow Ball boosted to Max Phantasm. It has coverage for 3 other types so it is likely that Spectrier has some bad horsecrap moves like Hyper Beam and Uproar since it's a ghost, it would not get all the coverage in the world so it's useful that it doesn't have 4 move syndrome like other mons like Forretress. (which is removed from the game.) Since it has a lousy movepool but a good special attack and speed stat, why won't we address the ability? Grim Neigh, +1 Special Attack boost every time you faint the opposing mon with your moves. Grim Neigh Stands out to me because it can be useful to have this for Spectrier. It is Beast Boost locked to Special Attack. With the Grim Neigh ability and some status moves like Nasty Plot, Agility, Taunt, and Will-O-Wisp, Spectrier can be a Dynamax Sweeper to destroy lots of teams that aren't packing Trick Room or Choice Scarf like Cinderace, Toxapex, Ferrothorn, Porygon-Z, Landorus-T, and so much more. Plop it a Scarf to make it outspeed everything in the game because it is the 5th fastest relevant choice scarf user in BSS only losing to Dragapult, Pheromosa, Regieleki, and Barraskewda. Speaking of these fast mons, These three can pose a threat to Spectrier, however, Dragapult stands out as the easiest out of the three because it can plop on Shadow Ball and Phantom Force and call it a day unless it gets outsped by scarf or tailwind support from Whimsicott. Pheromosa can use Foul Play or Throat Chop to deal with it but it has to remove an excellent move to deal with Spectrier. Finally, Barraskewda is Irrevelant in BSS because it gets checked by Sucker Punch and Kartana which are good to use to deal with Barraskewda. However, Mimikyu is a counter unless dealt with by breaking Disguise and using Psychic Terrain to prevent Shadow Sneak from attacking. However, Sucker Punch is a problem for Spectrier because it has 60 Defense, which is Glass Cannon, yikes. Unless you are using Psychic Terrain to deal with Priority. Galarian Moltres is a true counter because it can run Nasty Plot and use Max Darkness to fend off Spectrier unless you are running Hyper Beam or Uproar on your Spectrier.
With that out of the way, I want to use Spectrier on a BSS team for a multitude of reasons. 1) That ability Grim Neigh can be useful for Sweeping. 2) Despite having a horsecrap movepool, it's coverage is good in fending off threats like Cinderace, Kartana, and Landorus-T. 3) Dynamax can easily help it with its poor bulk + with Screens, it can tank hits quite well. These three reasons are why I want to use Spectrier. Despite being B tier in the Viability Rankings, It can totally become very dangerous once set up correctly because Nasty Plot + Dynamax + Kill = Spectrier Sweep. Here's the team composition I'm going to use in the BSS metagame.
First of all, I want to run a Screen Setter so that my Spectrier can survive hits unless it gets a critical hit from something like Urshifu Wicked Blow. This will also ensure that I can sweep the opposition with ease. Spectrier needs to be in Pristine Condition with Screen Support to actually make use of its sweeper set very well.
These are the 4 mons that are good Screen Setters: Regieleki, Grimmsnarl, Klefki, and Gmax Lapras.
Regieleki can be used to set up screens and can be used as a pivot for Spectrier to set up and sweep if it doesn't deal with Rocks, Spikes, or Toxic Spikes from the opposing team and if it doesn't accumulate over 50% of its HP. It can use Explosion, Thunder Wave, or Electroweb in its last move slot. Electroweb can be a good way to slow down opponents like Dragapult, Thunder Wave is good for crippling status to the opposing team, and Explosion if you want to really pivot out to Spectrier and to deal massive damage in order for Spectrier to finish the mon that has been exploded to get a boost and use Dynamax for the rest of the game.
Grimmsnarl can be used to set up screens and can run Thunder Wave and Trick to cripple the opposition + being immune to psychic types means that it can deal with psychic fangs well and Brick Break for Spectrier makes Grimmsnarl a good option for teams that runs Spectrier.
Klefki can be used to set up screens and can run Thunder Wave and Switcheroo to deal with the same things as Grimmsnarl, but it has Spikes so that Spectrier can easily take mons from 25% with 3 layers of spikes. A layer of spikes is good because it allows Spectrier to get chip damage on the opposing team and can use Shadow Ball to deal with threats that took damage from spikes except for flying types like Galarian Moltres.
Finally, Gmax Lapras can be used as a Gmax if you are not planning to Dynamax Spectrier. However, it is more offensive and not a good screen setter because it can deal with Flying Types such as Galarian Moltres and Landorus-T.
First, let's remove Lapras because Lapras needs to set up Aurora Veil and that will cost the Dynamax Button to do so. I think Lapras doesn't do well with Spectrier because it uses Gmax and it doesn't pivot into anything at all.
Next, let's remove Klefki. Though it can set up Spikes and use Thunder Wave to cripple opposing mons. It's a worse Grimmsnarl and it gets checked by Fire-Types like Cinderace and Blaziken.
This means that Grimmsnarl and Regieleki are good choices for setting up screens for Spectrier and the rest of its teammates. These are the two most used Screen Setters in the metagame currently. Prankster is nice for Grimmsnarl because it allows it to set up Screens and use Thunder Wave and Trick to give crippling status and item while it gets Spirit Break to deal with Dragons like Dragapult and break Mimikyu's Disguise. Regieleki is the fastest thing on the field unless in TR, the slowest thing on the field. It can set up Screens and can use Electroweb and Volt Switch for Electric Coverage. It can also use Explosion to pivot out if there is a ground type meaning that you might run physical investment to make that Explosion hit hard. Finally, Thunder Wave is good to cripple the opposition in the later stages of the game.
If you chose Eleki, you with have Eleki and Spectrier together as your first two mons on the team. You can use Eleki as a pivot for Spectrier for a game-ending sweep. You'll have to be careful about Ground Types like Excadrill, Garchomp, and Landorus-T.
If you chose Grimmsnarl, you with have Grimmsnarl and Spectrier together as your first two mons on the Spectrier team. Both complement each other because Grimmsnarl can cripple choice scarf users with Trick and can slow down opponents with Thunder Wave and Scary Face, though Thunder Wave is preferred over Scary Face and Trick because you need at least 8 turns of screens so that Spectrier can do well. Finally, Taunt can deal with Support Eleki but not Offensive Eleki.
Regieleki @ Light Clay
Ability: Transistor
Level: 50
Serious Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Electroweb
- Volt Switch
With this moveset, you can deal with non-ground type pokemon with Electroweb and Volt Switch. Transistor helps Eleki greatly because it adds power to its STAB Electric moves. The only thing you have to worry about is Lando and Taunt on Grimmsnarl but overall is a good set that Eleki can use.
You can use a multitude of EV spreads to run for Eleki. For Example, 148 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 100 Spe with Timid Nature since it is not running any Physical Attacks however, it makes Porygon2 get an Attack Boost with Foul Play. But for me personally, I run 252 SpA/ 252 Spe/ and 4 SpD with Timid nature to outspeed Modest Screens Eleki.
Grimmsnarl (M) @ Light Clay
Ability: Prankster
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 124 Def / 4 SpA / 124 SpD / 4 Spe
Impish Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Thunder Wave
- Taunt
This is a good moveset to use for Grimmsnarl. Screens for Helping Spectrier out is nice, Thunder Wave for Status, and Taunt for Support Eleki, The problem is that it can get taunted easily but with 4 speed EV's, it can taunt other Grimmsnarl and can do its job quite well. Though it can run 252 HP/ 124 Def/ 128 SPD I chose this EV Spread. Though it is 1 point weaker in Special Defense and it has to roll on a 50/50 on Porygon2's Download boost, it can really help with Spectrier quite well.
Now then, here comes Spectrier, the Second mon to be in this team.
Spectrier can run a Nasty Plot set with Timid Nature and can be a Dynamax sweeper. However, you need to screens set up in order to deal with physical attackers because it has base 60 Defense. 80 Special Defense is also bad because it can still get OHKO'd by Galarian Moltres. However, the moves that it has are solid and it doesn't need to deal with 4 move syndrome. It can run Nasty Plot/Agility, followed by Shadow Ball, Uproar, and Mud Shot. Shadow Ball for STAB, Uproar to deal with Sleep from Spore Amoonguss, and Mud Shot for Speed Drops. Alternatively, it can run Hyper Beam for more damage or Dark Pulse for Flinches. It can also run Taunt and Will-O-Wisp on the Scarf Sets which are now Modest for maximum power for its 3 moves. And Agility can be used in some way shape or fashion to Outspeed the entire metagame, but it needs power on Nasty Plot, so Tailwind Support might be good for your Spectrier to use to Outspeed these 4 mons.
Spectrier @ Life Orb
Ability: Grim Neigh
Level: 50
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot/Agility
- Shadow Ball
- Dark Pulse/Uproar/Hyper Beam
- Mud Shot
Spectrier @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Grim Neigh
Level: 50
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Will-O-Wisp/Taunt/Snarl
- Shadow Ball
- Dark Pulse/Uproar/Hyper Beam
- Mud Shot
Once Spectrier gets Reflect Support from Eleki, it can survive Mimikyu's Shadow Sneak even at +6, making it a great check-in only 8 turns of screens.
+2 252 Atk Life Orb Mimikyu Shadow Sneak vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Dynamax Spectrier through Reflect: 103-122 (29.4 - 34.8%) -- 9.4% chance to 3HKO
+2 252 Atk Life Orb Mimikyu Shadow Sneak vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Spectrier through Reflect: 103-122 (58.8 - 69.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Life Orb Mimikyu Shadow Sneak vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Spectrier through Reflect: 52-62 (29.7 - 35.4%) -- 17.6% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Life Orb Mimikyu Shadow Sneak vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Dynamax Spectrier through Reflect: 52-62 (14.8 - 17.7%) -- possible 6HKO
+6 252 Atk Life Orb Mimikyu Shadow Sneak vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Dynamax Spectrier through Reflect: 207-243 (59.1 - 69.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Next, we need a U-Turn user that can pivot Spectrier in Safely for Dynamax Sweeping. A possible mon to run for the job goes to Landorus-T. Another candidate goes to Whimiscott.
These Two Can Do well in the metagame because they have functions that can help Spectrier and it's Teammates. Landorus-T has Intimidate to reduce physical attacks from physical attackers. It can run Choice Scarf, Sitrus Berry, Iapapa Berry, and Assualt Vest quite well. Meanwhile, Whimsicott can run Prankster Tailwind and Memento to cripple offensive mons like Opposing Spectrier, Glastrier, Cinderace, Rillaboom, and Kartana just to name a few. It also packs U-turn for Pivoting out of Tailwind and would be a fast pivot user that can pair with Grimmsnarl, but will deal with poison and steel weaknesses. Focus Sash is Necessary for Whimsicott so that it can take a hit while setting up Tailwind and use Memento or U-turn to Pivot out to Spectrier or it's teammates.
If you pick Landorus-T, you might run either Offense or TR because it has pretty great bulk and good speed and can tank hits like Ice Beam and Gmax Fireball from Cinderace. If you run a choice scarf, it is a good scarf user as it can use U-turn to pivot out to Spectrier and to give it free turns to use Nasty Plot or Agility. However, Spectrier can't use a choice scarf and would most likely run the Life Orb Nasty Plot Set.
If you pick Whimsicott, you most likely are running Hyper Offense, no joke. Tailwind for mons such as Spectrier and Galarian Moltres, U-turn for pivoting to Spectrier, Memento for Crippling mons, and the last move can be either Charm, Grassy Terrain, or Fake Tears to cripple AV users like Landorus-T and Kartana. You might even see Whimsicott run Leech Seed for Chip Damage so that Spectrier and its teammates take it down. Heck run Light Screen or endeavor to have a backup light screen intact and endeavor for easy 1 HP pickings as a lead so that it can tailwind and let Spectrier in for free for an easy Dynamax Sweep or one of Spectrier teammates like Kartana for assistance.
Whimsicott @ Focus Sash
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Bold Nature/Timid Nature
- Tailwind
- Memento
- U-turn
- Endeavor/Grassy Terrain/Fake Tears/Charm/Leech Seed
This can be used as a Lead Set or a Support set for Whimsicott. Charm Helps soften up the Physical Attack of the many Physical mons in the tier such as Cinderace and Dragapult which makes Spectrier more dangerously wild and difficult. It can charm, then set up a tailwind before it faints. It can also Tailwind then Charm then faint or Tailwind and Memento and Faint. U-Turn can get replaced by Grassy Terrain, Fake Tears, or Leech Seed since it can use Memento for easy pivoting.
Landorus-Therian @ Assault Vest
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 212 HP / 84 Atk / 164 Def / 44 SpD / 4 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Rock Tomb
- U-turn
- Fly
This is the Landorus-Therian set I got from Smogon but I made my own specific EV spread for Landorus-T. However, you can get a different EV Spread from the Smogon Analysis of Landorus-T. Anyway, it can also be used as a good Dynamax Option but it is not that good as Spectrier or Its Teammates.
Landorus-Therian @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Superpower/Fly
- U-turn
This Choice Scarf set is good because of the attack and speed you are getting on Landorus. However, it leaves it weak to Ice Beams so be careful. It can be also used as a Dynamax Option if you don't want to Dynamax Spectrier but you will lose your scarf for 3 turns which can let other mons beat Dmax Lando 1v1. You can either run Superpower or Fly based on preference if you want to gain an attack boost or gain a speed boost when Dynamaxed.
Next, we need a mon that can help with Spectrier + benefits from Screen Support. It is none other than Kartana.
The reason why Kartana is used is that it can help Spectrier by providing offensive pressure to the opposing team. Kartana likes the use of Dual Screen Support to become tanky as possible. AV is a good choice one Kartana because it needs Special Bulk to live with lots of Special Attacks. Sash can be nice as well since it is immune to Sandstorm Chip Damage. It can also be your backup Dynamax Sweeper at any time if Spectrier is used for Wall breaking. Run Both Stab moves + Sacred Sword and Aerial Ace, which is the Standard Set for Kartana. It can remove Steel Stab with Swords Dance if it finds an opportunity against a physical attacker. However, it has to be careful not to go fire on the types that are weak to like fire type physical attackers Like Cinderace and Blaziken, special attackers, or bulky mons like Celesteela. Choice Band can also be used on it but it is prediction reliant like Scarf Spectrier and Scarf Landorus.
Sets for Kartana
Kartana @ Assault Vest
Ability: Beast Boost
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 180 HP / 60 Atk / 20 Def / 244 SpD / 4 Spe
Adamant Nature
IVs: 0 SpA
- Leaf Blade
- Sacred Sword
- Smart Strike
- Aerial Ace
This AV set can be used quite effectively for Kartana. However, it is a waste of a Kartana because of having 4 speed EVs. If you are willing to suggest better spreads for AV Kartana, Please reply below. I'll put them on the thread if you want to run a different spread. If you want to use this, you are going to get outspeed by mons with that breaks Kartana's awful 130 speed. That includes Cinderace, Blaziken, Naganadel, Urshifu, and sometimes even Barraskewda because it can use CB and use Close Combat to Crumple the Paper Sword unless running screens which Kartana can check it.
Kartana @ Focus Sash
Ability: Beast Boost
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Leaf Blade
- Sacred Sword
- Aerial Ace
- Smart Strike
If you are running AV Lando, then this is the perfect Kartana set to use quite effectively. Focus Sash allows it to attack for a second time and can be used as an effective Dynamax Sweeper because it's fast and quite powerful. Sash really helps Kart out because it can still hit for one more brutal assault before fainting. Once Fainted, Spectrier can come in and can Clean/Sweep. Kartana can also be used as a late-game cleaner once the Ghost Horse has done its sweeping goal. It has to be careful about Dragonite though, it can ruin things for Kartana and Lando might help finish it off with Stone Edge.
If you are done with adding the following mons to your team: Regieleki, Spectrier, Grimmsnarl, Whimsicott, Kartana, and Landorus-T you should have your Spectrier Core. Remember that you only need a Screen Setter and a Pivot user. Do not add all of these mons as you need another core to your team (I.E Trick Room + Kartana)
One of these solid team cores for Spectrier teams should look like this:
Regieleki is used as a pivot while setting up screens. A backup pivot would be Landorus-T with U-turn support. If you have AV Kartana, then running Scarf or one of the two berries with U-turn is a nice addition for making Landorus-T a big threat. Finally, once these two have set up screens and pivot into Spectrier, Spectrier can Dynamax for a sweep, or set up Nasty Plot and begin to Dynamax once the threat has been neutralized with a +2 Shadow Ball unless sash which Eleki or Lando can break. Generally, I like Eleki to be fast and dangerous as possible while I keep Lando with Scarf and let one of Spectrier's teammates (I.E Kartana) do some work to weaken the opposition while keeping bulk with AV.
Another Solid team core that Spectrier teams should look like this:
Grimmsnarl is used as a Prankster mon to set up screens early in the game for Spectrier. Whimsicott is used for providing tailwind and to give a memento to offensive mons which helps Spectrier set up at least 1-2 Nasty Plot boosts then Dynamax as a Dynamax Sweeper. However, you can run Whims/Kart/Spectrier because Kart can deal lots of damage to many threats and lead the way to Spectrier as a Dynamax Sweeper at a weakened mon and end games. A good thing about Kartana is that it can run AV because Lando isn't in the core. But if you want to replace Whimsicott for Lando, you can use sash Kartana and it could deal more damage since it is more of a dangerous physical attacker with fully invested speed, but having AV is still nice for it because it can take a special attack with Support from Light Screen.
Now with that out of the way, here are the last two mons that can make teamwork with Spectrier.
Now we need a Slow Mode like Trick Room to have an alternative core style. In that case, I'll bring up 2 options, either Cresslia or Porygon2.
Both can do well in TR and compliment Screen Support From Eleki and Grimmsnarl Respectively. Both can set up TR and can have many things that make them good. Porygon2 is more offensive than Cresslia and can run offensive moves like Discharge and Ice Beam to deal with Threats like Lando-T. Too bad that Cress can't learn Imprison, but it can learn Trick Room and can support its team quite well with Icy Wind, Thunder Wave. and Lunar Dance.
But there is a third option that you can use but it is much rarer and less consistent than these two Trick Room Setters. It can learn and use the combination of Imprison, Trick Room, and Healing Wish. This mon is...
Mespirit!
Though it is an untiered pick in BSS, the combination of having Imprison Trick Room is good for a mon like Mespirit. But however, it doesn't have the bulk of Porygon2 or Cresslia. It can also set up Stealth Rocks and can use U-turn as a Pivot to Spectrier, Kart, and Glastrier. Though it is the slowest pivot user around for this team, it can help its team greatly by its support moves. the only way that you're going to use Mespirit is Trick Room, Healing Wish, and the last two moves might go to Stealth Rock, Imprison, or U-Turn,
Mesprit @ Focus Sash
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Imprison/U-Turn
- Trick Room
- Healing Wish
- Stealth Rock
This is a very niche pick in the grand scheme of things. I gave it Max Defense and Max HP for it to be Physically Bulky, but you can give it 252 Speed and Timid and try to make it a fast mon. This can work on Spectrier teams with Landorus and Whimsicott, but you need to give Mespirit another item like Sitrus Berry because Whimsicott needs to run sash to survive a hit in order to set up tailwind or use memento to cripple mons like Cinderace and Dragapult. Levitate is good for Ground Types that don't have Mold Breaker like Excadrill.
This is still WIP. Now open to any replies. Feedback is necessary for the improvement of the Spectrier teams that might come as a legitimate team style soon. Once it is done, I'll feature a few Spectrier teams in the team bazaar for Showdown only since I don't want to overexert myself on making these teams on physical cartridges. So you might see 1-3 Spectrier teams that I'll make once I find the most consistent teams.