[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Moonblast
move 2: Soft-Boiled / Wish
move 3: Stealth Rock / Protect
move 4: Knock Off / Thunder Wave / Aromatherapy
item: Leftovers
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Clefable’s excellent utility, movepool, and defensive typing allow it to function as a powerful defensive piece. Its excellent pure Fairy typing creates favorable matchups versus Pokemon such as Latios, Meowscarada, Buzzwole, and Iron Hands. Clefable acts as a Toxic immunity thanks to Magic Guard and also possesses a permanent immunity to Stealth Rock, Spikes, and Sandstorm. On offensive teams, Clefable usually fills the role of hazard setter through Stealth Rock. It can use Knock Off to limit the longevity of potential switch-ins such as Aegislash, Celesteela, Galarian Slowking, Iron Treads, and Leftovers variants of Excadrill. Thunder Wave is another useful option, adding the potential to cripple offensive threats such as Cinderace, Iron Moth, Enamorus, and Z-Celebrate Victini. Defensive teams may choose to employ a more passive variant of Clefable using Wish and Protect to provide longevity to Pokemon without access to reliable recovery such as Mega Tyranitar, Excadrill, Celesteela, and Aegislash. Aromatherapy is similarly useful to allow teammates to outlast the opposing team. Additionally, it allows for more aggressive play against Pokemon reliant on status such as Skeledirge and Galarian Slowking, allowing for them to be safely Pursuit trapped by Mega Tyranitar. Clefable’s ability to spread chip damage through utility moves such as Stealth Rock and Knock Off lends it to supporting wallbreakers like Latios, Meowscarada, Galarian Zapdos, and Excadrill. Clefable also pairs well with entry hazard users such as Mega Tyranitar, Hippowdon, Skarmory, Meowscarada, and Sandy Shocks to wear down the opposition, as it can get rid of items from entry hazard removers such as Excadrill, Tapu Fini, Cinderace, and Iron Treads. Clefable struggles with heavy hitters able to trade powerful attacks for the chip damage inflicted by Clefable, such as Iron Moth, Excadrill, and Enamorus. This weakness is mitigated by teammates able to act as revenge killers like Meowscarada, Choice Scarf Tapu Fini, and Mega Aerodactyl. Defensive partners such as Slowbro, Celesteela, Galarian Slowking, Mega Tyranitar, and Blissey can beat Steel, Poison, and Fire-types which often beat Clefable. In return, Clefable can beat Dark- and Fighting-types such as Buzzwole, Iron Hands, Hydreigon, and Meowscarada. Clefable is also a good switch-in to many Knock Off users that might cripple many of its partners, most notably Assault Vest Tangrowth and Chansey.
[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Moonblast
move 3: Flamethrower / Aromatherapy / Thunder / Knock Off
move 4: Soft-Boiled
item: Leftovers / Life Orb
ability: Magic Guard / Unaware
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Calm Mind Clefable is a strong wincon, becoming extremely difficult to threaten once boosted. Magic Guard allows it to set up in the face of defensive Pokemon that would otherwise rely on status moves to threaten it, such as specially oriented Aegislash, Buzzwole, Gastrodon, and Hippowdon. Leftovers is the preferred item to decrease the likelihood of running out of Soft-Boiled PP, but Life Orb can also be used in combination with Magic Guard for a significant increase in damage, helping defeat Pokemon such as specially defensive Celesteela, Taunt Tapu Fini, and Excadrill. Flamethrower is preferred to hit Steel-types such as Aegislash, Excadrill, Iron Treads, Celesteela, and Scizor. Thunder can also be used for passable neutral coverage in addition to the chance to paralyze foes such as Iron Moth, Galarian Slowking, Hisuian Arcanine, and Mega Venusaur. Knock Off offers more permanent damage on Steel-types, removing their items such as Leftovers and Heavy-Duty Boots at the cost of being unable to directly break through them. Aromatherapy is often seen on stall teams in addition to Unaware, allowing Clefable to function as both the team’s cleric and wincon. Clefable naturally checking Fighting-types makes it a good teammate for Pokemon such as Excadrill and Meowscarada. Mega Tyranitar appreciates this while providing Clefable with crucial Pursuit support, trapping Galarian Slowking and Skeledirge. Offensive pivots such as Cinderace, Meowscarada, and Choice Scarf Hydreigon appreciate Clefable taking advantage of the defensive walls they might be unable to break through. Calm Mind Clefable is vulnerable to foes able to immediately threaten it such as Excadrill, Celesteela, Galarian Slowking, and Iron Moth. Steel- and Poison-resistant teammates such as Celesteela, Slowbro, and Mega Aerodactyl can cover for Clefable, giving it more opportunities to set up. Unaware Clefable being pressured by entry hazards means it necessitates strong hazard control options, such as Defog Skarmory, Mega Sableye, and Salamence. A relative lack of bulk and initial power means friendly entry hazards are appreciated from teammates including Skarmory, Chansey, Hippowdon, and Jirachi that can help wear down incoming defensive Pokemon more quickly.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/3moreminutes.545166/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/arishem.546157/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/milak.262594/
name: Utility
move 1: Moonblast
move 2: Soft-Boiled / Wish
move 3: Stealth Rock / Protect
move 4: Knock Off / Thunder Wave / Aromatherapy
item: Leftovers
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Clefable’s excellent utility, movepool, and defensive typing allow it to function as a powerful defensive piece. Its excellent pure Fairy typing creates favorable matchups versus Pokemon such as Latios, Meowscarada, Buzzwole, and Iron Hands. Clefable acts as a Toxic immunity thanks to Magic Guard and also possesses a permanent immunity to Stealth Rock, Spikes, and Sandstorm. On offensive teams, Clefable usually fills the role of hazard setter through Stealth Rock. It can use Knock Off to limit the longevity of potential switch-ins such as Aegislash, Celesteela, Galarian Slowking, Iron Treads, and Leftovers variants of Excadrill. Thunder Wave is another useful option, adding the potential to cripple offensive threats such as Cinderace, Iron Moth, Enamorus, and Z-Celebrate Victini. Defensive teams may choose to employ a more passive variant of Clefable using Wish and Protect to provide longevity to Pokemon without access to reliable recovery such as Mega Tyranitar, Excadrill, Celesteela, and Aegislash. Aromatherapy is similarly useful to allow teammates to outlast the opposing team. Additionally, it allows for more aggressive play against Pokemon reliant on status such as Skeledirge and Galarian Slowking, allowing for them to be safely Pursuit trapped by Mega Tyranitar. Clefable’s ability to spread chip damage through utility moves such as Stealth Rock and Knock Off lends it to supporting wallbreakers like Latios, Meowscarada, Galarian Zapdos, and Excadrill. Clefable also pairs well with entry hazard users such as Mega Tyranitar, Hippowdon, Skarmory, Meowscarada, and Sandy Shocks to wear down the opposition, as it can get rid of items from entry hazard removers such as Excadrill, Tapu Fini, Cinderace, and Iron Treads. Clefable struggles with heavy hitters able to trade powerful attacks for the chip damage inflicted by Clefable, such as Iron Moth, Excadrill, and Enamorus. This weakness is mitigated by teammates able to act as revenge killers like Meowscarada, Choice Scarf Tapu Fini, and Mega Aerodactyl. Defensive partners such as Slowbro, Celesteela, Galarian Slowking, Mega Tyranitar, and Blissey can beat Steel, Poison, and Fire-types which often beat Clefable. In return, Clefable can beat Dark- and Fighting-types such as Buzzwole, Iron Hands, Hydreigon, and Meowscarada. Clefable is also a good switch-in to many Knock Off users that might cripple many of its partners, most notably Assault Vest Tangrowth and Chansey.
[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Moonblast
move 3: Flamethrower / Aromatherapy / Thunder / Knock Off
move 4: Soft-Boiled
item: Leftovers / Life Orb
ability: Magic Guard / Unaware
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Calm Mind Clefable is a strong wincon, becoming extremely difficult to threaten once boosted. Magic Guard allows it to set up in the face of defensive Pokemon that would otherwise rely on status moves to threaten it, such as specially oriented Aegislash, Buzzwole, Gastrodon, and Hippowdon. Leftovers is the preferred item to decrease the likelihood of running out of Soft-Boiled PP, but Life Orb can also be used in combination with Magic Guard for a significant increase in damage, helping defeat Pokemon such as specially defensive Celesteela, Taunt Tapu Fini, and Excadrill. Flamethrower is preferred to hit Steel-types such as Aegislash, Excadrill, Iron Treads, Celesteela, and Scizor. Thunder can also be used for passable neutral coverage in addition to the chance to paralyze foes such as Iron Moth, Galarian Slowking, Hisuian Arcanine, and Mega Venusaur. Knock Off offers more permanent damage on Steel-types, removing their items such as Leftovers and Heavy-Duty Boots at the cost of being unable to directly break through them. Aromatherapy is often seen on stall teams in addition to Unaware, allowing Clefable to function as both the team’s cleric and wincon. Clefable naturally checking Fighting-types makes it a good teammate for Pokemon such as Excadrill and Meowscarada. Mega Tyranitar appreciates this while providing Clefable with crucial Pursuit support, trapping Galarian Slowking and Skeledirge. Offensive pivots such as Cinderace, Meowscarada, and Choice Scarf Hydreigon appreciate Clefable taking advantage of the defensive walls they might be unable to break through. Calm Mind Clefable is vulnerable to foes able to immediately threaten it such as Excadrill, Celesteela, Galarian Slowking, and Iron Moth. Steel- and Poison-resistant teammates such as Celesteela, Slowbro, and Mega Aerodactyl can cover for Clefable, giving it more opportunities to set up. Unaware Clefable being pressured by entry hazards means it necessitates strong hazard control options, such as Defog Skarmory, Mega Sableye, and Salamence. A relative lack of bulk and initial power means friendly entry hazards are appreciated from teammates including Skarmory, Chansey, Hippowdon, and Jirachi that can help wear down incoming defensive Pokemon more quickly.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/3moreminutes.545166/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/arishem.546157/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/milak.262594/
Last edited by a moderator:
