[OVERVIEW]
Bisharp is one of UU's most capable sweepers and wallbreakers thanks to its solid offensive typing, access to Swords Dance, and excellent Attack stat. Its access to a powerful STAB Sucker Punch allows it to pick off weakened threats while deterring foes' attempts to revenge kill it, limiting some of its offensive counterplay. Bisharp can also muscle through large portions of the defensive metagame thanks to its powerful STAB moves in Knock Off and Iron Head, as well as its ability to use Black Hole Eclipse to take on some of its would-be defensive checks like Hippowdon and Gligar. Furthermore, its ability Defiant allows it to discourage the use of Defog from common entry hazard removers such as Hydreigon and Empoleon. With its unique set of resistances, Bisharp can also pull off an Assault Vest set capable of tanking hits from and Pursuit trapping prominent special attackers like Latias, Celebi, and Nihilego. However, Bisharp's offensive prowess is slightly held back by its defensive drawbacks, such as its middling overall bulk, which prevents it from checking foes like Hydreigon, Latias, and Togekiss as reliably as it'd like to if not running Assault Vest. This is further compounded by the disadvantages of its typing, which include a huge weakness to the tier's several Fighting-types, like Infernape and Cobalion, and weaknesses to other common types in Fire and Ground. Because of its poor Speed, Bisharp can also tend to overrely on Sucker Punch, which, due to the attack's poor reliability, requires that Bisharp predicts carefully when using it so as not to allow foes like Gengar and Moltres to take advantage of it by using Substitute or restoring health, respectively.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Iron Head
move 4: Sucker Punch
item: Darkinium Z / Dread Plate
ability: Defiant
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Knock Off is Bisharp's most reliable Dark-type STAB attack and has the added benefit of removing foes' items, which can help set Bisharp up to accumulate boosts due to putting some foes, such as Gligar and Moltres, into situations that may require restoring health or switching back out after being hit on the switch. In addition to covering various Dark-resistant foes, Iron Head can be useful for damaging foes that have already had their items removed or can't have their items removed, as well as giving Bisharp the chance to cause slower Pokemon to flinch. Sucker Punch allows Bisharp to circumvent its low Speed to damage threats faster than it like Moltres, Latias, and Zeraora. However, its reliance on the foe using an attack can make it unreliable at times. When Darkinium Z is activated, Sucker Punch turns into a powerful Black Hole Eclipse, capable of breaking past slower defensive threats like Alomomola, Mega Blastoise, and Hippowdon in one hit.
Set Details
========
Darkinium Z is the preferred option for allowing Bisharp to more easily break past some of its would-be defensive answers like Gligar, Mega Steelix, and Mega Aggron. Dread Plate is also an option, however, powering up Bisharp's Dark-type attacks while freeing up its team's Z-Move slot. Life Orb can also be used to power up Iron Head as well, though this cuts into Bisharp's already existing longevity issues, and it uses its Dark-type attacks more frequently anyway. An Adamant nature gives Bisharp more breaking power, while a Jolly nature allows it to outrun Modest Volcanion, Adamant Mamoswine, and Bewear in exchange for less power behind its attacks. Defiant allows Bisharp to keep entry hazards on the foe's side of the field by discouraging Pokemon like Empoleon, Gligar, and Hydreigon from using Defog. It also makes Intimidate users like Mega Manectric and Krookodile wary of switching in to revenge kill Bisharp.
Usage Tips
========
Bisharp is best used as an early- or mid-game wallbreaker in matchups against defensive teams due to its immense power, though it can be used as a late-game cleaner thanks to its powerful STAB priority allowing it to overwhelm several offensive builds after its checks have been weakened. Bisharp can most often find opportunities to set up against Pokemon it forces out of play, such as Latias, Slowbro, Florges, and Celebi. However, since it can't come in on these threats very reliably, it is often best brought in via pivot support or after a teammate has fainted. Knock Off is Bisharp's most spammable STAB attack and should be used liberally early-game due to its ability to adequately chip down several checks and counters. It is also the best Dark-type STAB attack to use against slower or defensive foes due to its better reliability and power than Sucker Punch. Darkinium Z should be activated only with Sucker Punch due to its higher Base Power than Knock Off. Black Hole Eclipse's best use is against defensive threats that could otherwise tank a boosted hit from Bisharp and cripple it, such as Mega Slowbro, Hippowdon, Mega Aggron, and Mega Steelix, though the latter two require a fair amount of chip damage to be KOed. If it wishes to clean up late-game, Pokemon capable of outrunning Bisharp, tanking a boosted Sucker Punch, and KOing it are important to either remove entirely or weaken into range of the attack. Examples include Hydreigon, Togekiss running Flamethrower or Aura Sphere, and Fighting-types like Terrakion and Kommo-o. Bisharp can try using its Defiant ability to switch into a predicted Defog from an entry hazard remover like Hydreigon, Gligar, Empoleon, or Rotom-C. However, all of these Pokemon are capable of damaging Bisharp a fair amount or crippling it if it mispredicts, while other common Defoggers in Moltres and Rotom-H are even riskier to switch into due to their ability to OHKO Bisharp with their super effective STAB attacks, making this a high-risk high-reward tactic.
Team Options
========
Bisharp fits well on all types of offensive teams in need of a wallbreaker or late-game cleaner. It's a particularly good fit on Spikes and Sticky Web-based offenses that utilize entry hazard setters like Klefki, Chesnaught, and Araquanid, thanks to Defiant allowing it to dissuade Defoggers from removing the entry hazards its teammates have set. Furthermore, Klefki and Araquanid can help Bisharp patch up its poor Speed through the use of Thunder Wave and Sticky Web, respectively. Stealth Rock setters like Nihilego and Krookodile also make good partners, since they can help Bisharp more easily power through foes while Bisharp itself can use Defiant to keep up the entry hazards they set. Fighting-types like Kommo-o and Heracross often make great partners, as they can adequately pressure bulky Steel-types that Bisharp tends to struggle with while it can check Psychic-, Ghost-, and Fairy-types for them in return. Late-game cleaners and sweepers, such as Mega Sharpedo and Mega Altaria, appreciate Bisharp's ability to weaken opposing teams for them to finish off more easily if it is being used as an early- or mid-game wallbreaker. If Bisharp would like to sweep itself, it appreciates wallbreakers such as Gengar, Mamoswine, and Nidoking that can weaken teams early for it to more easily power through later on. Sturdy Fighting-type checks are crucial due to Bisharp's vulnerability to most of them, making Primarina, Doublade, and Moltres good options for teammates. Ground-type checks like Togekiss and Celebi and Fire-type checks like Hydreigon and Mega Altaria cover the rest of Bisharp's weaknesses and patch up some of its shakier matchups, such as against Pokemon like Hippowdon and Volcanion. Pivots like Rotom-H and Zeraora can safely bring Bisharp into play, circumventing its frailty. Rotom-H can also switch into most Ground- and Fire-types for Bisharp while spreading status across the opposing team. Latias can make for an excellent teammate, covering Bisharp's Fire-, Fighting-, and Ground-type weaknesses while appreciating its ability to take on Fairy-types and opposing Latias well. If running Healing Wish, it can also give Bisharp multiple chances to set up and wallbreak throughout a match.
[SET]
name: Assault Vest
move 1: Pursuit
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Iron Head
move 4: Sucker Punch
item: Assault Vest
ability: Defiant
nature: Adamant
evs: 188 HP / 236 Atk / 84 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Pursuit punishes several Pokemon that would try switching out of Bisharp, such as Latias, Starmie, and Gengar, trapping and KOing them. Knock Off is Bisharp's STAB move of choice to use against weakened and slower foes, removing the items of otherwise sturdy switch-ins like Gligar, Hippowdon, and Alomomola. Sucker Punch is important for pressuring faster threats that may try revenge killing Bisharp, such as Zeraora, Rotom-C, and Mega Aerodactyl. Its unreliability is important to note, however.
Set Details
========
The given Attack investment with an Adamant nature allows Bisharp to cleanly OHKO Latias with Pursuit as it switches out, while the given Speed investment allows it to outpace uninvested Mega Altaria. The remaining EVs are invested in HP, which, alongside its Assault Vest, give Bisharp the ability to tank a few special hits to trap Pokemon like Latias and Celebi more easily. Defiant gives Bisharp a +2 boost in Attack when any of its stats are lowered, allowing it to take advantage of Sticky Web, Defog, and Intimidate.
Usage Tips
========
This set's main goal in a match is to come in on Pokemon Bisharp can force out, such as Latias and Celebi, in order to trap and remove them from play with Pursuit. When utilizing this set, Bisharp should play a more supportive role for its team due to its lack of Swords Dance and the need to preserve its health in order to reliably trap foes. It is important to note that Bisharp forces several mind games with some of its foes. For example, an opposing Gengar may opt to use Focus Blast under the impression that Bisharp will try using Pursuit instead of Sucker Punch, OHKOing Bisharp. Because of this, Bisharp must be played carefully and must always be on the top of its prediction game throughout the course of a match so as not to compromise its longevity. Moves like Will-O-Wisp and Destiny Bond from the likes of Rotom-H and Froslass are also important to scout for, as they can compromise Bisharp's ability to fulfill its role if Sucker Punch is taken advantage of. It's important to note that due to its typing, Bisharp should be wary of mindlessly switching in on special attackers that have ways of hitting it hard still, such as Chandelure or the aforementioned Gengar, despite holding an Assault Vest. When Bisharp has completed its role or the role of a Pursuit trapper is not needed in a certain matchup, it can still use Knock Off and its generally solid offensive presence to weaken opposing teams some while removing their items. Defiant can be used to discourage foes such as Araquanid and Empoleon from using moves like Sticky Web and Defog, respectively. However, Bisharp must be wary of switching into most foes with these moves, as they can often punish it with powerful attacks or status ailments.
Team Options
========
Most Fighting-types appreciate Bisharp's ability to remove Psychic- and Ghost-types from play alongside its ability to weaken Fairy-types. Examples include Terrakion, Cobalion, and Infernape; the latter particularly appreciates the removal of foes such as Latias and Starmie if running Nasty Plot. Entry hazard setters like Chesnaught, Swampert, and Klefki can help Bisharp circumvent the slight power issues that may come with this set, and in return, it can discourage Defoggers from removing their hazards with Defiant. Reliable Fighting-type checks, like Slowbro, Amoonguss, and Tentacruel, are important partners due to Bisharp's huge vulnerability to them. Ground-type checks like Latias, Celebi, and Tsareena are also consistently useful partners for Bisharp due to its inability to muscle past Ground-types like Swampert with this set. Bisharp's vulnerability to Fire-types makes checks to them, such as Mega Aerodactyl and Suicune, solid options for partners as well. Wallbreakers like Nidoking and Crawdaunt can maintain offensive pressure with the entry hazards Bisharp can keep up well while circumventing its slight lack of wallbreaking prowess.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Steelium Z is an option on the Swords Dance set for allowing Bisharp to break past a few of its otherwise solid defensive checks, such as Chesnaught and Bewear, with a boosted Corkscrew Crash. It can also catch Pokemon like Kommo-o and Heracross on the switch, reliably KOing them or weakening them into range of Sucker Punch. However, it offers worse overall coverage than Darkinium Z, and most of its would-be targets outspeed Bisharp and KO it as is, requiring that it predicts very carefully. A more offensively inclined Pursuit set with fully invested Speed and Attack EVs with a Dread Plate is an option for giving Bisharp both solid breaking and trapping abilities. Heavily offensive teams appreciate this set due to its ability to keep up momentum more reliably than the listed trapping set. However, the decreased bulk will prevent it from reliably taking on most of the threats it attempts trapping. A Stealth Rock set is plausible due to Bisharp's ability to force enough switches to set Stealth Rock often throughout a match. However, Bisharp's hit-or-miss defensive utility makes it a less consistent entry hazard setter than other options, while forfeiting Swords Dance can often compromise its offensive prowess. Low Kick pressures several Pokemon that Bisharp struggles to reliably break past without, such as Cobalion, Mega Steelix, Mega Aggron, and Mega Houndoom, when boosted. It can be put to particularly good use on Sticky Web teams due to Bisharp's ability to outrun Cobalion and Mega Houndoom after their Speed is lowered. Unfortunately, it is often too hard to find room for on a set, must be used on the switch to adequately targets faster than Bisharp, and has a similar boosted damaged output against the aforementioned bulky Steel-types as Black Hole Eclipse.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fighting-types**: Bisharp's nasty 4x weakness to Fighting-type attacks allows most Pokemon of the type to deal with it fairly easily. Cobalion, Lucario, and Infernape all resist Bisharp's STAB combination, allowing them to switch in on an unboosted hit at least once to KO it. The latter two also carry STAB Vacuum Wave as priority on their special sets frequently, allowing them to efficiently pick Bisharp off. Chesnaught and Bewear are also particularly good checks, as with its solid bulk, Chesnaught can repeatedly tank hits while KOing Bisharp and restoring its health with Drain Punch, while Fluffy allows Bewear to tank most hits Bisharp can throw at it quite nicely. While Terrakion, Kommo-o, and Heracross all struggle to come in on Bisharp as reliably, their Sucker Punch resistances allow them to easily revenge kill it with 4x effective STAB attacks once in play.
**Physically Bulky Pokemon**: Hippowdon, Stakataka, Mega Slowbro, and Mega Aggron can all tank at least one hit from Bisharp if it isn't running Darkinium Z, crippling it with status, Earthquake, or possibly Fire Blast in Mega Slowbro's case. Mega Steelix is particularly annoying to deal with, as it can tank a boosted Black Hole Eclipse from full HP while cleanly OHKOing Bisharp with STAB Earthquake. Pokemon with the Unaware ability, like Quagsire and Pyukumuku, are also hard for Bisharp to break past, as they can ignore its stat boosts while hitting it with STAB attacks or stalling it out. Neither appreciates losing Leftovers to Knock Off, however.
**Fire-types**: Although they struggle to deal with Bisharp as reliably when it's boosted, Fire-types like Moltres and Rotom-H can tank at least one hit, outrun Bisharp, and OHKO it with super effective STAB attacks. Infernape and Mega Houndoom are notable in that they both resist Bisharp's STAB combination, allowing them to switch into and revenge kill it even more reliably.
**Fast Dark-resistant Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon resistant to Dark-type attacks can often tank one boosted Sucker Punch and reliably revenge kill Bisharp. Examples include Togekiss running either Flamethrower or Aura Sphere, Mega Altaria, Terrakion, and Kommo-o, though all must be wary of switching in directly.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Hilomilo, 313384]]
- Quality checked by: [[Surgeon, 347604], [vivalospride, 151509], [[Nuked, 382658]]
- Grammar checked by: [[martha, 384270], [A Cake Wearing A Hat, 388157]]
Bisharp is one of UU's most capable sweepers and wallbreakers thanks to its solid offensive typing, access to Swords Dance, and excellent Attack stat. Its access to a powerful STAB Sucker Punch allows it to pick off weakened threats while deterring foes' attempts to revenge kill it, limiting some of its offensive counterplay. Bisharp can also muscle through large portions of the defensive metagame thanks to its powerful STAB moves in Knock Off and Iron Head, as well as its ability to use Black Hole Eclipse to take on some of its would-be defensive checks like Hippowdon and Gligar. Furthermore, its ability Defiant allows it to discourage the use of Defog from common entry hazard removers such as Hydreigon and Empoleon. With its unique set of resistances, Bisharp can also pull off an Assault Vest set capable of tanking hits from and Pursuit trapping prominent special attackers like Latias, Celebi, and Nihilego. However, Bisharp's offensive prowess is slightly held back by its defensive drawbacks, such as its middling overall bulk, which prevents it from checking foes like Hydreigon, Latias, and Togekiss as reliably as it'd like to if not running Assault Vest. This is further compounded by the disadvantages of its typing, which include a huge weakness to the tier's several Fighting-types, like Infernape and Cobalion, and weaknesses to other common types in Fire and Ground. Because of its poor Speed, Bisharp can also tend to overrely on Sucker Punch, which, due to the attack's poor reliability, requires that Bisharp predicts carefully when using it so as not to allow foes like Gengar and Moltres to take advantage of it by using Substitute or restoring health, respectively.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Iron Head
move 4: Sucker Punch
item: Darkinium Z / Dread Plate
ability: Defiant
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Knock Off is Bisharp's most reliable Dark-type STAB attack and has the added benefit of removing foes' items, which can help set Bisharp up to accumulate boosts due to putting some foes, such as Gligar and Moltres, into situations that may require restoring health or switching back out after being hit on the switch. In addition to covering various Dark-resistant foes, Iron Head can be useful for damaging foes that have already had their items removed or can't have their items removed, as well as giving Bisharp the chance to cause slower Pokemon to flinch. Sucker Punch allows Bisharp to circumvent its low Speed to damage threats faster than it like Moltres, Latias, and Zeraora. However, its reliance on the foe using an attack can make it unreliable at times. When Darkinium Z is activated, Sucker Punch turns into a powerful Black Hole Eclipse, capable of breaking past slower defensive threats like Alomomola, Mega Blastoise, and Hippowdon in one hit.
Set Details
========
Darkinium Z is the preferred option for allowing Bisharp to more easily break past some of its would-be defensive answers like Gligar, Mega Steelix, and Mega Aggron. Dread Plate is also an option, however, powering up Bisharp's Dark-type attacks while freeing up its team's Z-Move slot. Life Orb can also be used to power up Iron Head as well, though this cuts into Bisharp's already existing longevity issues, and it uses its Dark-type attacks more frequently anyway. An Adamant nature gives Bisharp more breaking power, while a Jolly nature allows it to outrun Modest Volcanion, Adamant Mamoswine, and Bewear in exchange for less power behind its attacks. Defiant allows Bisharp to keep entry hazards on the foe's side of the field by discouraging Pokemon like Empoleon, Gligar, and Hydreigon from using Defog. It also makes Intimidate users like Mega Manectric and Krookodile wary of switching in to revenge kill Bisharp.
Usage Tips
========
Bisharp is best used as an early- or mid-game wallbreaker in matchups against defensive teams due to its immense power, though it can be used as a late-game cleaner thanks to its powerful STAB priority allowing it to overwhelm several offensive builds after its checks have been weakened. Bisharp can most often find opportunities to set up against Pokemon it forces out of play, such as Latias, Slowbro, Florges, and Celebi. However, since it can't come in on these threats very reliably, it is often best brought in via pivot support or after a teammate has fainted. Knock Off is Bisharp's most spammable STAB attack and should be used liberally early-game due to its ability to adequately chip down several checks and counters. It is also the best Dark-type STAB attack to use against slower or defensive foes due to its better reliability and power than Sucker Punch. Darkinium Z should be activated only with Sucker Punch due to its higher Base Power than Knock Off. Black Hole Eclipse's best use is against defensive threats that could otherwise tank a boosted hit from Bisharp and cripple it, such as Mega Slowbro, Hippowdon, Mega Aggron, and Mega Steelix, though the latter two require a fair amount of chip damage to be KOed. If it wishes to clean up late-game, Pokemon capable of outrunning Bisharp, tanking a boosted Sucker Punch, and KOing it are important to either remove entirely or weaken into range of the attack. Examples include Hydreigon, Togekiss running Flamethrower or Aura Sphere, and Fighting-types like Terrakion and Kommo-o. Bisharp can try using its Defiant ability to switch into a predicted Defog from an entry hazard remover like Hydreigon, Gligar, Empoleon, or Rotom-C. However, all of these Pokemon are capable of damaging Bisharp a fair amount or crippling it if it mispredicts, while other common Defoggers in Moltres and Rotom-H are even riskier to switch into due to their ability to OHKO Bisharp with their super effective STAB attacks, making this a high-risk high-reward tactic.
Team Options
========
Bisharp fits well on all types of offensive teams in need of a wallbreaker or late-game cleaner. It's a particularly good fit on Spikes and Sticky Web-based offenses that utilize entry hazard setters like Klefki, Chesnaught, and Araquanid, thanks to Defiant allowing it to dissuade Defoggers from removing the entry hazards its teammates have set. Furthermore, Klefki and Araquanid can help Bisharp patch up its poor Speed through the use of Thunder Wave and Sticky Web, respectively. Stealth Rock setters like Nihilego and Krookodile also make good partners, since they can help Bisharp more easily power through foes while Bisharp itself can use Defiant to keep up the entry hazards they set. Fighting-types like Kommo-o and Heracross often make great partners, as they can adequately pressure bulky Steel-types that Bisharp tends to struggle with while it can check Psychic-, Ghost-, and Fairy-types for them in return. Late-game cleaners and sweepers, such as Mega Sharpedo and Mega Altaria, appreciate Bisharp's ability to weaken opposing teams for them to finish off more easily if it is being used as an early- or mid-game wallbreaker. If Bisharp would like to sweep itself, it appreciates wallbreakers such as Gengar, Mamoswine, and Nidoking that can weaken teams early for it to more easily power through later on. Sturdy Fighting-type checks are crucial due to Bisharp's vulnerability to most of them, making Primarina, Doublade, and Moltres good options for teammates. Ground-type checks like Togekiss and Celebi and Fire-type checks like Hydreigon and Mega Altaria cover the rest of Bisharp's weaknesses and patch up some of its shakier matchups, such as against Pokemon like Hippowdon and Volcanion. Pivots like Rotom-H and Zeraora can safely bring Bisharp into play, circumventing its frailty. Rotom-H can also switch into most Ground- and Fire-types for Bisharp while spreading status across the opposing team. Latias can make for an excellent teammate, covering Bisharp's Fire-, Fighting-, and Ground-type weaknesses while appreciating its ability to take on Fairy-types and opposing Latias well. If running Healing Wish, it can also give Bisharp multiple chances to set up and wallbreak throughout a match.
[SET]
name: Assault Vest
move 1: Pursuit
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Iron Head
move 4: Sucker Punch
item: Assault Vest
ability: Defiant
nature: Adamant
evs: 188 HP / 236 Atk / 84 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Pursuit punishes several Pokemon that would try switching out of Bisharp, such as Latias, Starmie, and Gengar, trapping and KOing them. Knock Off is Bisharp's STAB move of choice to use against weakened and slower foes, removing the items of otherwise sturdy switch-ins like Gligar, Hippowdon, and Alomomola. Sucker Punch is important for pressuring faster threats that may try revenge killing Bisharp, such as Zeraora, Rotom-C, and Mega Aerodactyl. Its unreliability is important to note, however.
Set Details
========
The given Attack investment with an Adamant nature allows Bisharp to cleanly OHKO Latias with Pursuit as it switches out, while the given Speed investment allows it to outpace uninvested Mega Altaria. The remaining EVs are invested in HP, which, alongside its Assault Vest, give Bisharp the ability to tank a few special hits to trap Pokemon like Latias and Celebi more easily. Defiant gives Bisharp a +2 boost in Attack when any of its stats are lowered, allowing it to take advantage of Sticky Web, Defog, and Intimidate.
Usage Tips
========
This set's main goal in a match is to come in on Pokemon Bisharp can force out, such as Latias and Celebi, in order to trap and remove them from play with Pursuit. When utilizing this set, Bisharp should play a more supportive role for its team due to its lack of Swords Dance and the need to preserve its health in order to reliably trap foes. It is important to note that Bisharp forces several mind games with some of its foes. For example, an opposing Gengar may opt to use Focus Blast under the impression that Bisharp will try using Pursuit instead of Sucker Punch, OHKOing Bisharp. Because of this, Bisharp must be played carefully and must always be on the top of its prediction game throughout the course of a match so as not to compromise its longevity. Moves like Will-O-Wisp and Destiny Bond from the likes of Rotom-H and Froslass are also important to scout for, as they can compromise Bisharp's ability to fulfill its role if Sucker Punch is taken advantage of. It's important to note that due to its typing, Bisharp should be wary of mindlessly switching in on special attackers that have ways of hitting it hard still, such as Chandelure or the aforementioned Gengar, despite holding an Assault Vest. When Bisharp has completed its role or the role of a Pursuit trapper is not needed in a certain matchup, it can still use Knock Off and its generally solid offensive presence to weaken opposing teams some while removing their items. Defiant can be used to discourage foes such as Araquanid and Empoleon from using moves like Sticky Web and Defog, respectively. However, Bisharp must be wary of switching into most foes with these moves, as they can often punish it with powerful attacks or status ailments.
Team Options
========
Most Fighting-types appreciate Bisharp's ability to remove Psychic- and Ghost-types from play alongside its ability to weaken Fairy-types. Examples include Terrakion, Cobalion, and Infernape; the latter particularly appreciates the removal of foes such as Latias and Starmie if running Nasty Plot. Entry hazard setters like Chesnaught, Swampert, and Klefki can help Bisharp circumvent the slight power issues that may come with this set, and in return, it can discourage Defoggers from removing their hazards with Defiant. Reliable Fighting-type checks, like Slowbro, Amoonguss, and Tentacruel, are important partners due to Bisharp's huge vulnerability to them. Ground-type checks like Latias, Celebi, and Tsareena are also consistently useful partners for Bisharp due to its inability to muscle past Ground-types like Swampert with this set. Bisharp's vulnerability to Fire-types makes checks to them, such as Mega Aerodactyl and Suicune, solid options for partners as well. Wallbreakers like Nidoking and Crawdaunt can maintain offensive pressure with the entry hazards Bisharp can keep up well while circumventing its slight lack of wallbreaking prowess.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Steelium Z is an option on the Swords Dance set for allowing Bisharp to break past a few of its otherwise solid defensive checks, such as Chesnaught and Bewear, with a boosted Corkscrew Crash. It can also catch Pokemon like Kommo-o and Heracross on the switch, reliably KOing them or weakening them into range of Sucker Punch. However, it offers worse overall coverage than Darkinium Z, and most of its would-be targets outspeed Bisharp and KO it as is, requiring that it predicts very carefully. A more offensively inclined Pursuit set with fully invested Speed and Attack EVs with a Dread Plate is an option for giving Bisharp both solid breaking and trapping abilities. Heavily offensive teams appreciate this set due to its ability to keep up momentum more reliably than the listed trapping set. However, the decreased bulk will prevent it from reliably taking on most of the threats it attempts trapping. A Stealth Rock set is plausible due to Bisharp's ability to force enough switches to set Stealth Rock often throughout a match. However, Bisharp's hit-or-miss defensive utility makes it a less consistent entry hazard setter than other options, while forfeiting Swords Dance can often compromise its offensive prowess. Low Kick pressures several Pokemon that Bisharp struggles to reliably break past without, such as Cobalion, Mega Steelix, Mega Aggron, and Mega Houndoom, when boosted. It can be put to particularly good use on Sticky Web teams due to Bisharp's ability to outrun Cobalion and Mega Houndoom after their Speed is lowered. Unfortunately, it is often too hard to find room for on a set, must be used on the switch to adequately targets faster than Bisharp, and has a similar boosted damaged output against the aforementioned bulky Steel-types as Black Hole Eclipse.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fighting-types**: Bisharp's nasty 4x weakness to Fighting-type attacks allows most Pokemon of the type to deal with it fairly easily. Cobalion, Lucario, and Infernape all resist Bisharp's STAB combination, allowing them to switch in on an unboosted hit at least once to KO it. The latter two also carry STAB Vacuum Wave as priority on their special sets frequently, allowing them to efficiently pick Bisharp off. Chesnaught and Bewear are also particularly good checks, as with its solid bulk, Chesnaught can repeatedly tank hits while KOing Bisharp and restoring its health with Drain Punch, while Fluffy allows Bewear to tank most hits Bisharp can throw at it quite nicely. While Terrakion, Kommo-o, and Heracross all struggle to come in on Bisharp as reliably, their Sucker Punch resistances allow them to easily revenge kill it with 4x effective STAB attacks once in play.
**Physically Bulky Pokemon**: Hippowdon, Stakataka, Mega Slowbro, and Mega Aggron can all tank at least one hit from Bisharp if it isn't running Darkinium Z, crippling it with status, Earthquake, or possibly Fire Blast in Mega Slowbro's case. Mega Steelix is particularly annoying to deal with, as it can tank a boosted Black Hole Eclipse from full HP while cleanly OHKOing Bisharp with STAB Earthquake. Pokemon with the Unaware ability, like Quagsire and Pyukumuku, are also hard for Bisharp to break past, as they can ignore its stat boosts while hitting it with STAB attacks or stalling it out. Neither appreciates losing Leftovers to Knock Off, however.
**Fire-types**: Although they struggle to deal with Bisharp as reliably when it's boosted, Fire-types like Moltres and Rotom-H can tank at least one hit, outrun Bisharp, and OHKO it with super effective STAB attacks. Infernape and Mega Houndoom are notable in that they both resist Bisharp's STAB combination, allowing them to switch into and revenge kill it even more reliably.
**Fast Dark-resistant Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon resistant to Dark-type attacks can often tank one boosted Sucker Punch and reliably revenge kill Bisharp. Examples include Togekiss running either Flamethrower or Aura Sphere, Mega Altaria, Terrakion, and Kommo-o, though all must be wary of switching in directly.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Hilomilo, 313384]]
- Quality checked by: [[Surgeon, 347604], [vivalospride, 151509], [[Nuked, 382658]]
- Grammar checked by: [[martha, 384270], [A Cake Wearing A Hat, 388157]]
Last edited:
