Copyediting Barraskewda [GP 0/2]

hammer798

hammer798

is a Contributor to Smogon
[OVERVIEW]

Barraskewda thrives in NU as a powerful physical attacker that is also the fastest unboosted Pokemon in the tier, which allows it to act as both a fast, supportive pivot or a speedy wallbreaker. Its high base Attack allows Barraskewda to consistently deal damage with its STAB attacks, and with access to Close Combat and Psychic Fangs it can even break through Water-immunes like Vaporeon and Toxicroak. In addition, it's Speed allows it to revenge kill fast opponents such as Kilowattrel, Raikou, and non-Choice Scarf Munkidori. However, Barraskewda can at times rely on prediction, as it requires a Choice Band for certain 2HKOs, such as Tera Fighting Close Combat on Vaporeon and Bellibolt. It can also struggle to run all the moves it needs, generally needing to drop a coverage or STAB move no matter what role it wants to fill. Further, Barraskewda has next to no bulk, and is vulnerable to priority from foes such as Breloom, Flygon, and Decidueye. NU also features several Pokemon that resist Barraskewda's attacks or force it to Tera to secure a KO, such as Amoonguss and Water-immunes like Vaporeon and Toxicroak.

[SET]
name: All-out Attacker
move 1: Flip Turn
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Liquidation / Aqua Jet / Ice Fang
move 4: Psychic Fangs / Aqua Jet / Poison Jab
item: Heavy-Duty Boots / Choice Band / Mystic Water
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 88 HP / 252 Atk / 168 Spe or 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
tera type: Fighting / Water

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====

Flip Turn allows Barraskewda to freely pivot and keep up momentum against foes like Tsareena and Amoonguss. Close Combat with Choice Band and Tera Fighting 2HKOes checks like Vaporeon and Toxicroak. Liquidation is Barraskewda's most spammable STAB move, dealing immense damage to any foe that doesn't resist it. Alternatively, Aqua Jet can revenge kill faster Pokemon like Choice Scarf Munkidori and Dragon Dance Flygon. Ice Fang is an additional option that lets Barraskewda hit Dragon- and Grass-types such as Altaria, Breloom, and Tsareena. Choice Band Psychic Fangs allows it to 2HKO Amoonguss, which otherwise walls Barraskewda, while OHKOing Toxicroak. Poison Jab can also be used to hit Fairy- and Grass-types such as Sylveon, Scream Tail, and Tsareena super effectively. Heavy-Duty Boots can provide Basculegion some additional survivability on teams that don't control hazards well, as well as allow it to act more freely as a pivot and as speed control. Choice Band, as mentioned before, makes several damage rolls possible, and generally support Barraskewda's role as a wallbreaker. Mystic Water prevents Barraskewda from being Choice-locked while maintaining some power, but makes the previously mentioned 2HKOs impossible. 168 Speed EVs and a Jolly nature allow Barraskewda to outpace the entire unboosted metagame, including Kilowattrel, Inteleon, and Munkidori. This allows the rest of the EVs to be poured into Barraskewda's HP to aid its role as a supportive but offensive pivot. However, a more offensive spread with maximum Attack and Speed is preferred on wallbreaking Choice Band or Mystic Water sets. On these sets, Adamant can be used for the improved wallbreaking it offers, but Jolly ensures Barraskewda can still outspeed all foes. Tera Water is a viable alternative to Tera Fighting, OHKOing Flygon and 2HKOing Swampert with Liquidation.

Barraskewda, particularly on Choice Band sets, requires teammates that can switch into Water-immunes like Vaporeon and Toxicroak. Thus, it partners well with teammates like Poison Heal Breloom, Toxicroak, and Galarian Slowbro. Pivoting sets with Heavy-Duty Boots lure in psychical walls like Bellibolt and Amoonguss, and thus pair well with special wallbreakers like Chandelure and Toxtricity. Steel-types such as Bronzong and Copperajah also work as switchins to checks like Amoonguss and Bellibolt and provide Stealth Rock support. Teammates that can help overload these physical walls, such as Flygon, Flamigo, and Rhyperior, further support Barraskewda's ability to break through. Hazard setters such as the previously mentioned Steel- and Ground-types, as well as others like Gligar, Uxie, and Diancie, help Barraskewda break down foes who would otherwise switch in on it such as Galarian Slowbro, Vaporeon, and Amoonguss. Barraskewda also performs extremely well on rain teams, accompanied by setters like Klefki and Tornadus, as well as by other breakers like Basculegion-M, Kilowattrel, and Kingdra.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====

Barraskewda can use Throat Chop to hit Basculegeion-M as well as Galarian Slowbro, and it helps against sound move users like Bronzong and Toxtricity. Tera Poison can be used to boost the power of Poison Jab as well, OHKOing physically defensive Sylveon after Stealth Rock chip damage.

Checks and Counters
====

**Water-immunes**: Vaporeon and Toxicroak wall Barraskewda's STAB options and restore HP while doing so. Barraskewda is forced to Tera to 2HKO with Close Combat, and is completely walled if Vaporeon has a relevant Tera. Toxicroak, however, must be very cautious of Psychic Fangs.

**Grass-types**: Foes like Tsareena, Breloom, and Amoonguss can all resist Barraskewda's Water-type attacks and restore HP in order to do so multiple times while Breloom can use it as setup fodder. However, all of them are vulnerable to its coverage moves (add period here)

**Revenge-killing**: Barraskewda's nonexistent bulk makes it vulnerable to being revenge killed by essentially any Choice Scarf user, such as Flygon, Munkidori, and Chandelure. Further, priority can also easily finish it off, such as Toxicroak's Sucker Punch, Flygon's First Impression, and Decidueye's Shadow Sneak.

[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/hammer798.641404/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/pika134.609709/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rabia.336073/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/powerofmemes.583607/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user5.104/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user6.105/
 
Last edited:
Good work QC 1/2
Add Remove Comment
[OVERVIEW]

Barraskewda thrives in NU as a powerful physical attacker that is also the fastest unboosted Pokemon in the tier. Its high base Attack allows Barraskewda it to consistently deal damage with its STAB attacks Liquidation and Flip Turn, and with access to Close Combat and Psychic Fangs it can even break through Water-immunes like Vaporeon and Toxicroak. (Add how it can easily revenge killed non scarf Flygon and Munkidori.) (mentioned how choice band can potentially 2HKO foes like Galarian Slowbro and Overqwil with hazards.) However, Barraskewda can at times rely on prediction, as it requires a Choice Band for certain 2HKOs, such as Tera Fighting Close Combat on Vaporeon and Bellibolt. Further, Barraskewda has next to no bulk, and is vulnerable to priority from foes such as Breloom, Flygon, and Decidueye. NU also features several Pokemon that resist Barraskewda's attacks or force it to Tera to secure a KO, such as Amoonguss and Water-immunes like Vaporeon and Toxicroak, Amoonguss, and Brambleghast.

(Mentioned how it struggles to run all of moves to threaten foes like Amoonguss and Basculegion-M.)

[SET]
name: All Out Attacker
move 1: Liquidation
move 2: Flip Turn Close Combat (just changing the order where the moves are located)
move 3: Aqua Jet Flip Turn
move 4: Psychic Fangs Close Combat / Aqua Jet Psychic Fangs / Crunch
item: Heavy-Duty Boots / Choice Band / Mystic Water
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
tera type: Fighting / Water

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====

Close Combat is the coverage of choice for Barraskewda, with Tera Fighting allowing it to 2HKO checks like Vaporeon and Toxicroak. Flip Turn allows Barraskewda to freely pivot and doing solid chip damage against foes like Tsareena and Rhyperior. However, Choice Band Psychic Fangs lets it threaten 2HKOs Amoonguss, which otherwise walls Barraskewda. Alternatively, Aqua Jet can revenge killed faster Pokemon like Choice Scarf Munkidori and Dragon Dance Flygon while Crunch can be used to hit foes such as Galarian Slowbro and Basculegion-M. (Mentioned both boots and band here.) Mystic Water prevents Barraskewda from being Choice-locked while maintaining some power, but makes the previously mentioned 2HKOs impossible. Tera Water is a viable alternative to Tera Fighting, OHKOing Flygon and 2HKOing Swampert with Liquidation.

(Mentioned the benefits of both jolly and adamant nature.)

Barraskewda, particularly on Choice Band sets, requires teammates that can switch into Water-immunes like Vaporeon and Toxicroak. Thus As a result, it partners good with Pokemon like Assault Vest Hariyama, opposing Toxicroak itself, and Galarian Slowbro to check them. are all good partners for it. Steel-types such as Bronzong and or Copperajah also work as switchins to checks like Amoonguss and Bellibolt. Teammates that can help overload these physical walls, such as Flygon, Chandelure Overqwil, or Rhyperior, further support Barraskewda's ability to break through foes like Bellibolt and Amoonguss. Hazard setters such as the previously mentioned Steel- and Ground-types, as well as others like Gligar, Uxie, and Diancie, help Barraskewda break down foes who would otherwise switch in on it such as Galarian Slowbro, Vaporeon, and Amoonguss. Hazard removal such as Tsareena and Altaria are also helpful to maintain Barraskewda's already minimal bulk. Barraskewda also performs extremely well on rain teams, accompanied by setters like Klefki and Tornadus, as well as by other breakers like Basculegion-M, Kilowattrel, and Kingdra.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====

Barraskewda can choose to run Heavy-Duty Boots over any boosting item in order to increase its longevity and flexibility, but at the cost of a great deal of power. (putting this into the main set) It also has a wide variety of other coverage options to target specific foes, such as Throat Chop for Bronzong, Poison Jab for Sylveon, and Ice Fang for Flygon and Gligar. However, using any of these options usually means dropping Aqua Jet or other coverage. (I would recommend to rewrite the throat chop section into its own sentence since it can shut down both Toxtricity and Sylveon, but prefers crunch defensive drop change.)

(Also add a mention for Life Orb.)

Checks and Counters
====

**Water-immunes**: Vaporeon and Toxicroak wall Barraskewda's STAB options and restore HP while doing so. Barraskewda is forced to Tera to 2HKO with its coverage moves, and is completely walled if Vaporeon has a Tera that resists Close Combat. (Mentioned how vapo needs to be worried about Tera close combat and Toxicroak being destroyed by psychic fangs)

**Grass-types**: Foes like Tsareena, Breloom, and Amoonguss can all resist Barraskewda's Water-type attacks and restore HP in order to do so multiple times while Breloom can used it as free setup fodder. However, all of them but can be vulnerable to its coverage moves, although Amoonguss requires Barraskewda to run Psychic Fangs in order to break it.

**Revenge-killing**: Barraskewda's nonexistent bulk makes it vulnerable to being revenge killed by essentially any Choice Scarf user, such as Flygon, Munkidori, and or Chandelure. Further, priority can also easily finish it off, such as Toxicroak's Sucker Punch, Flygon's First Impression, and Decidueye's Shadow Sneak.

[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/hammer798.641404/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/pika134.609709/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.103/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user5.104/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user6.105/
 
Last edited:
[OVERVIEW]

Barraskewda thrives in NU as a powerful physical attacker that is also the fastest unboosted Pokemon in the tier. Its high base Attack allows Barraskewda to consistently deal damage with its STAB attacks, and with access to Close Combat and Psychic Fangs it can even break through Water-immunes like Vaporeon and Toxicroak. In addition, it's Speed allows it to revenge kill fast opponents such as Kilowattrel, Raikou, and non-Choice Scarf Munkidori. However, Barraskewda can at times rely on prediction, as it requires a Choice Band for certain 2HKOs, such as Tera Fighting Close Combat on Vaporeon and Bellibolt. It can also struggle to run all the moves it needs, generally needing to drop one of Close Combat, Psychic Fangs, and Aqua Jet. Further, Barraskewda has next to no bulk, and is vulnerable to priority from foes such as Breloom, Flygon, and Decidueye. NU also features several Pokemon that resist Barraskewda's attacks or force it to Tera to secure a KO, such as Amoonguss and Water-immunes like Vaporeon and Toxicroak.

[SET]
name: All Out Attacker
move 1: Liquidation
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Flip Turn
move 4: Psychic Fangs / Aqua Jet / Crunch
item: Choice Band / Mystic Water / Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
tera type: Fighting / Water

I think Boots should be above Mystic Water at a minimum. I don't really see Mystic Water used ever really and probably would remove it entirely. Maybe slash Adamant too? I see it used a lot and you only lose out on Kilowattrel and Speed ties with opposing Barraskewda. iirc it improves the CC calcs against Vaporeon a notable bit

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====

Close Combat is the coverage of choice for Barraskewda, with Choice Band and Tera Fighting allowing it to 2HKO 2HKOes checks like Vaporeon and Toxicroak. (fluff removal) Flip Turn allows Barraskewda to freely pivot and doing solid chip damage against foes like Tsareena and Rhyperior. The "chip damage" is really insignificant, and including Rhyperior here is just weird because it's never switching into you and likely not staying in either because CB Liquidation OHKOes you. I'd change it to "freely pivot and keep up momentum against foes like" and replace Rhyperior with another Pokemon, maybe Amoonguss or Altaria Choice Band Psychic Fangs allows it to 2HKO Amoonguss, which otherwise walls Barraskewda, while OHKOing Toxicroak. Alternatively, Aqua Jet can revenge kill faster Pokemon like Choice Scarf Munkidori and Dragon Dance Flygon while Crunch can be used to hit foes such as Galarian Slowbro I think Decidueye is a better mention here given Galarian Slowbro just switches and gets it back and Basculegion-M. Mystic Water prevents Barraskewda from being Choice-locked while maintaining some power, but makes the previously mentioned 2HKOs impossible. Heavy-Duty Boots can provide Basculegion some additional survivability on teams that don't control hazards well. Tera Water is a viable alternative to Tera Fighting, OHKOing Flygon and 2HKOing Swampert with Liquidation. With CB only for Swampert, so make sure to clarify this.

Barraskewda, particularly on Choice Band sets, requires teammates that can switch into Water-immunes like Vaporeon and Toxicroak. Thus, it partners well with teammates like Assault Vest Hariyama, Toxicroak, and Galarian Slowbro. Steel-types such as Bronzong and Copperajah also work as switchins to checks like Amoonguss and Bellibolt and provide Stealth Rock support. Teammates that can help overload these physical walls, such as Flygon, Swords Dance Overqwil (I really don't know what blud is doing here :sob: do you mean Spikes support? SD? regardless, you mention hazards later, and SD Overqwil + Barraskewda is likely only on rain ever (also covered later). I think just replace this mention), and Rhyperior, further support Barraskewda's ability to break through. Hazard setters such as the previously mentioned Steel- and Ground-types, as well as others like Gligar, Uxie, and Diancie, help Barraskewda break down foes who would otherwise switch in on it such as Galarian Slowbro, Vaporeon, and Amoonguss. Hazard removal such as Tsareena and Altaria are also helpful to maintain Barraskewda's already minimal bulk. (this is just very vague, so if you want to keep this point then be more specific imo) Barraskewda also performs extremely well on rain teams, accompanied by setters like Klefki and Tornadus, as well as by other breakers like Basculegion-M, Kilowattrel, and Kingdra.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====

Barraskewda has a wide variety of other coverage options to target specific foes, such as Throat Chop for Bronzong and Toxtricity, Poison Jab for Sylveon, and Ice Fang for Flygon and Gligar (hitting all Grass-types super effectively at once sounds a lot more relevant than... two Pokemon taking 10 trillion from Liquidation). However, using any of these options usually means dropping Aqua Jet or other coverage. Life Orb can also be used for additional damage while maintaining flexibility, but makes Barraskewda's limited survivability even worse.

Checks and Counters
====

**Water-immunes**: Vaporeon and Toxicroak wall Barraskewda's STAB options and restore HP while doing so. Barraskewda is forced to Tera to 2HKO with Close Combat, and is completely walled if Vaporeon has a relevant Tera. Toxicroak, however, must be very cautious of Psychic Fangs.

**Grass-types**: Foes like Tsareena, Breloom, and Amoonguss can all resist Barraskewda's Water-type attacks and restore HP in order to do so multiple times while Breloom can use it as setup fodder. However, all of them but can be are vulnerable to its coverage moves, although Amoonguss requires Barraskewda to run Psychic Fangs in order to break it (no reason to include this. "coverage moves" is broad and encompasses any of them listed on the set).

**Revenge-killing**: Barraskewda's nonexistent bulk makes it vulnerable to being revenge killed by essentially any Choice Scarf user, such as Flygon, Munkidori, and Chandelure. Further, priority can also easily finish it off, such as Toxicroak's Sucker Punch, Flygon's First Impression, and Decidueye's Shadow Sneak.

[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/hammer798.641404/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/pika134.609709/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.103/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user5.104/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user6.105/
qc 2/2 when implemented
 
add remove comment
[OVERVIEW]

Barraskewda thrives in NU as a powerful physical attacker that is also the fastest unboosted Pokemon in the tier, (AC) which allows it to act as both a fast, supportive pivot or a speedy wallbreaker. Its high base Attack allows Barraskewda to consistently deal damage with its STAB attacks, and with access to Close Combat and Psychic Fangs it can even break through Water-immunes like Vaporeon and Toxicroak. In addition, it's Speed allows it to revenge kill fast opponents such as Kilowattrel, Raikou, and non-Choice Scarf Munkidori. However, Barraskewda can at times rely on prediction, as it requires a Choice Band for certain 2HKOs, such as Tera Fighting Close Combat on Vaporeon and Bellibolt. It can also struggle to run all the moves it needs, generally needing to drop a coverage or STAB move no matter what role it wants to fill. one of Close Combat, Psychic Fangs, and Aqua Jet. Further, Barraskewda has next to no bulk, and is vulnerable to priority from foes such as Breloom, Flygon, and Decidueye. NU also features several Pokemon that resist Barraskewda's attacks or force it to Tera to secure a KO, such as Amoonguss and Water-immunes like Vaporeon and Toxicroak.

[SET]
name: All Out All-out Attacker
move 1: Liquidation Flip Turn
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Flip Turn Liquidation / Aqua Jet / Ice Fang
move 4: Psychic Fangs / Aqua Jet / Crunch Poison Jab
item: Heavy-Duty Boots / Choice Band / Mystic Water / Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 88 HP / 252 Atk / 168 Spe or 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
tera type: Fighting / Water

(In both my building and seeing other teams, I think Heavy-Duty Boots pivot sets are way more slappable on teams and therefore more common compared to Choice Band Barraskewda. Additionally, I reordered the sets to be aligned with this: Flip Turn & Close Combat are on all Barraskewda sets while moves like Aqua Jet, Psychic Fangs, Close Combat, Ice Fang, and even Liquidation are dependent on the team and item.)

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====

Flip Turn allows Barraskewda to freely pivot and keep up momentum against foes like Tsareena and Amoonguss. Close Combat with Choice Band and Tera Fighting 2HKOes checks like Vaporeon and Toxicroak. Flip Turn allows Barraskewda to freely pivot and doing solid chip damage against foes like Tsareena and Rhyperior. (explain Liquidation: basic, spammable water STAB / vs Aqua Jet: [just move that Aqua Jet sentence here and delete it from where it is right now and remove the Crunch clause] / vs Ice Fang: hit Dragon- and Grass-types like Flygon, Altaria, Tsareena, etc.) Choice Band Psychic Fangs allows it to 2HKO Amoonguss, which otherwise walls Barraskewda, while OHKOing Toxicroak. Alternatively, Aqua Jet can revenge kill faster Pokemon like Choice Scarf Munkidori and Dragon Dance Flygon (move to where comments say earlier) while Crunch can be used to hit foes such as Galarian Slowbro and Basculegion-M. (mention Poison Jab: hit all grass mons super effectively. also, move boots line here and simply say it can pivot more freely and act as a team's speed control / vs Choice Band: which lets Barraskewda be a breaker rather than a supportive pivot) Mystic Water prevents Barraskewda from being Choice-locked while maintaining some power, but makes the previously mentioned 2HKOs impossible. Heavy-Duty Boots can provide Basculegion some additional survivability on teams that don't control hazards well. 168 Speed EVs and a Jolly nature allow Barraskewda to outpace the entire unboosted metagame, including Kilowattrel, Inteleon, and Munkidori. This allows the rest of the EVs to be poured into Barraskewda's HP to aid its role as a supportive but offensive pivot along with its Heavy-Duty Boots. However, a more offensive spread with maximum Attack and Speed is preferred on a Choice Band or Mystic Water set that has the goal of being a wallbreaker. On these sets, Adamant is usually preferred as well for the improved wallbreaking it offers, but Jolly can still be run to ensure Barraskewda outspeeds all foes. (reword as you wish but keep main ideas) Tera Water is a viable alternative to Tera Fighting, OHKOing Flygon and 2HKOing Swampert with Liquidation.

Barraskewda, particularly on Choice Band sets, requires teammates that can switch into Water-immunes like Vaporeon and Toxicroak. Thus, it partners well with teammates like Poison Heal Breloom Assault Vest Hariyama, Toxicroak, and Galarian Slowbro. (since pivot support Skewda is now a set, mention how it draws in physical walls and that special wallbreakers like Chandelure and Toxtricity would pair well with it) Steel-types such as Bronzong and Copperajah also work as switchins to checks like Amoonguss and Bellibolt and provide Stealth Rock support. Teammates that can help overload these physical walls, such as Flygon, Flamigo, and Rhyperior, further support Barraskewda's ability to break through. Hazard setters such as the previously mentioned Steel- and Ground-types, as well as others like Gligar, Uxie, and Diancie, help Barraskewda break down foes who would otherwise switch in on it such as Galarian Slowbro, Vaporeon, and Amoonguss. Barraskewda also performs extremely well on rain teams, accompanied by setters like Klefki and Tornadus, as well as by other breakers like Basculegion-M, Kilowattrel, and Kingdra.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====

Barraskewda has a wide variety of other coverage options to target specific foes, such as Throat Chop for to hit Basculegeion-M as well as Galarian Slowbro, and it helps against sound move users like Bronzong and Toxtricity, Poison Jab for Sylveon, and Ice Fang for Flygon and Gligar. However, using any of these options usually means dropping Aqua Jet or other coverage. Life Orb can also be used for additional damage while maintaining flexibility, but makes Barraskewda's limited survivability even worse. (Painting using other coverage as a downside isn't really fair, since 4mss is just a Barraskewda thing) + (add a line on Tera Poison boosting Poison Jab, mention rolls if possible, and the Grass / Fight resistance you get.)

Checks and Counters
====

**Water-immunes**: Vaporeon and Toxicroak wall Barraskewda's STAB options and restore HP while doing so. Barraskewda is forced to Tera to 2HKO with Close Combat, and is completely walled if Vaporeon has a relevant Tera. Toxicroak, however, must be very cautious of Psychic Fangs.

**Grass-types**: Foes like Tsareena, Breloom, and Amoonguss can all resist Barraskewda's Water-type attacks and restore HP in order to do so multiple times while Breloom can use it as setup fodder. However, all of them are vulnerable to its coverage moves (add period here)

**Revenge-killing**: Barraskewda's nonexistent bulk makes it vulnerable to being revenge killed by essentially any Choice Scarf user, such as Flygon, Munkidori, and Chandelure. Further, priority can also easily finish it off, such as Toxicroak's Sucker Punch, Flygon's First Impression, and Decidueye's Shadow Sneak.

[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/hammer798.641404/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/pika134.609709/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.103/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user5.104/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user6.105/
qc 3/2 and ready for gp when finished
 
PowerOfMemes said:
add remove comment
[OVERVIEW]

Barraskewda thrives in NU as a powerful physical attacker that is also the fastest unboosted Pokemon in the tier, (AC) which allows it to act as both a fast, supportive pivot or a speedy wallbreaker. Its high base Attack allows Barraskewda to consistently deal damage with its STAB attacks, and with access to Close Combat and Psychic Fangs it can even break through Water-immunes like Vaporeon and Toxicroak. In addition, it's Speed allows it to revenge kill fast opponents such as Kilowattrel, Raikou, and non-Choice Scarf Munkidori. However, Barraskewda can at times rely on prediction, as it requires a Choice Band for certain 2HKOs, such as Tera Fighting Close Combat on Vaporeon and Bellibolt. It can also struggle to run all the moves it needs, generally needing to drop a coverage or STAB move no matter what role it wants to fill. one of Close Combat, Psychic Fangs, and Aqua Jet. Further, Barraskewda has next to no bulk, and is vulnerable to priority from foes such as Breloom, Flygon, and Decidueye. NU also features several Pokemon that resist Barraskewda's attacks or force it to Tera to secure a KO, such as Amoonguss and Water-immunes like Vaporeon and Toxicroak.

[SET]
name: All Out All-out Attacker
move 1: Liquidation Flip Turn
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Flip Turn Liquidation / Aqua Jet / Ice Fang
move 4: Psychic Fangs / Aqua Jet / Crunch Poison Jab
item: Heavy-Duty Boots / Choice Band / Mystic Water / Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 88 HP / 252 Atk / 168 Spe or 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
tera type: Fighting / Water

(In both my building and seeing other teams, I think Heavy-Duty Boots pivot sets are way more slappable on teams and therefore more common compared to Choice Band Barraskewda. Additionally, I reordered the sets to be aligned with this: Flip Turn & Close Combat are on all Barraskewda sets while moves like Aqua Jet, Psychic Fangs, Close Combat, Ice Fang, and even Liquidation are dependent on the team and item.)

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====

Flip Turn allows Barraskewda to freely pivot and keep up momentum against foes like Tsareena and Amoonguss. Close Combat with Choice Band and Tera Fighting 2HKOes checks like Vaporeon and Toxicroak. Flip Turn allows Barraskewda to freely pivot and doing solid chip damage against foes like Tsareena and Rhyperior. (explain Liquidation: basic, spammable water STAB / vs Aqua Jet: [just move that Aqua Jet sentence here and delete it from where it is right now and remove the Crunch clause] / vs Ice Fang: hit Dragon- and Grass-types like Flygon, Altaria, Tsareena, etc.) Choice Band Psychic Fangs allows it to 2HKO Amoonguss, which otherwise walls Barraskewda, while OHKOing Toxicroak. Alternatively, Aqua Jet can revenge kill faster Pokemon like Choice Scarf Munkidori and Dragon Dance Flygon (move to where comments say earlier) while Crunch can be used to hit foes such as Galarian Slowbro and Basculegion-M. (mention Poison Jab: hit all grass mons super effectively. also, move boots line here and simply say it can pivot more freely and act as a team's speed control / vs Choice Band: which lets Barraskewda be a breaker rather than a supportive pivot) Mystic Water prevents Barraskewda from being Choice-locked while maintaining some power, but makes the previously mentioned 2HKOs impossible. Heavy-Duty Boots can provide Basculegion some additional survivability on teams that don't control hazards well. 168 Speed EVs and a Jolly nature allow Barraskewda to outpace the entire unboosted metagame, including Kilowattrel, Inteleon, and Munkidori. This allows the rest of the EVs to be poured into Barraskewda's HP to aid its role as a supportive but offensive pivot along with its Heavy-Duty Boots. However, a more offensive spread with maximum Attack and Speed is preferred on a Choice Band or Mystic Water set that has the goal of being a wallbreaker. On these sets, Adamant is usually preferred as well for the improved wallbreaking it offers, but Jolly can still be run to ensure Barraskewda outspeeds all foes. (reword as you wish but keep main ideas) Tera Water is a viable alternative to Tera Fighting, OHKOing Flygon and 2HKOing Swampert with Liquidation.

Barraskewda, particularly on Choice Band sets, requires teammates that can switch into Water-immunes like Vaporeon and Toxicroak. Thus, it partners well with teammates like Poison Heal Breloom Assault Vest Hariyama, Toxicroak, and Galarian Slowbro. (since pivot support Skewda is now a set, mention how it draws in physical walls and that special wallbreakers like Chandelure and Toxtricity would pair well with it) Steel-types such as Bronzong and Copperajah also work as switchins to checks like Amoonguss and Bellibolt and provide Stealth Rock support. Teammates that can help overload these physical walls, such as Flygon, Flamigo, and Rhyperior, further support Barraskewda's ability to break through. Hazard setters such as the previously mentioned Steel- and Ground-types, as well as others like Gligar, Uxie, and Diancie, help Barraskewda break down foes who would otherwise switch in on it such as Galarian Slowbro, Vaporeon, and Amoonguss. Barraskewda also performs extremely well on rain teams, accompanied by setters like Klefki and Tornadus, as well as by other breakers like Basculegion-M, Kilowattrel, and Kingdra.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====

Barraskewda has a wide variety of other coverage options to target specific foes, such as Throat Chop for to hit Basculegeion-M as well as Galarian Slowbro, and it helps against sound move users like Bronzong and Toxtricity, Poison Jab for Sylveon, and Ice Fang for Flygon and Gligar. However, using any of these options usually means dropping Aqua Jet or other coverage. Life Orb can also be used for additional damage while maintaining flexibility, but makes Barraskewda's limited survivability even worse. (Painting using other coverage as a downside isn't really fair, since 4mss is just a Barraskewda thing) + (add a line on Tera Poison boosting Poison Jab, mention rolls if possible, and the Grass / Fight resistance you get.)

Checks and Counters
====

**Water-immunes**: Vaporeon and Toxicroak wall Barraskewda's STAB options and restore HP while doing so. Barraskewda is forced to Tera to 2HKO with Close Combat, and is completely walled if Vaporeon has a relevant Tera. Toxicroak, however, must be very cautious of Psychic Fangs.

**Grass-types**: Foes like Tsareena, Breloom, and Amoonguss can all resist Barraskewda's Water-type attacks and restore HP in order to do so multiple times while Breloom can use it as setup fodder. However, all of them are vulnerable to its coverage moves (add period here)

**Revenge-killing**: Barraskewda's nonexistent bulk makes it vulnerable to being revenge killed by essentially any Choice Scarf user, such as Flygon, Munkidori, and Chandelure. Further, priority can also easily finish it off, such as Toxicroak's Sucker Punch, Flygon's First Impression, and Decidueye's Shadow Sneak.

[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/hammer798.641404/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/pika134.609709/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.103/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user5.104/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user6.105/
qc 3/2 and ready for gp when finished
Click to expand...
implemented and ready for GP Team
 
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