[OVERVIEW]
While Clefable has an underrated presence in the GSC OU metagame, it is no doubt that it can function efficiently. Clefable has the ability to use its amazing bulk and movepool to support its teammates, making it to be a jack of all trades. Its movepool allows it to hit a large portion of Pokemon, in tandem with reliable recovery in Moonlight making it quite difficult to wear down. Its defensive and offensive utility alike lets it pave a path for it's teammates, distinguishing itself from the rest of the metagame. Despite Clefable being overshadowed by other Normal types, there is certainly a spot for it on a serious team as a supporting Pokemon.
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Moonlight
move 2: Ice Beam / Psychic
move 3: Fire Blast
move 4: Return
item: Leftovers
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Clefable's expansive movepool lets it cover a myriad of Pokemon. The utility it provides helps defensive and offensive teams, wide coverage allows it to shut down Pokemon that often threaten it, and enable a number of its preferred partners by disposing of their switch ins. Ice Beam punishes the likes of Nidoking, Marowak and Zapdos, while Fire Blast dispatches Skarmory, Forretress and Steelix. Return is Clefable's primary STAB attack to take advantage of, paired with great coverage and hitting frail targets. Moonlight is Clefable's most reliable recovery, increasing the longevity of it by a mile. Psychic can be invested into the set to hit Gengar, but is often hard to replace with Ice Beam due to reliability against targets like Golem.
Team Options
========
Clefable's reaction to defensive teams and using its utility to let a Pokemon sweep late-game is what those types of playstyles appreciate. Partners like Exeggutor, Gengar, and Cloyster are great partners for Clefable and improves its offensive and defensive prowess in the face of the metagame; Explosion users help pave the way for Clefable and Rapid Spin allows it to constantly generate switch-ins. Pokemon that have the ability to phaze Curse users out pair incredibly well with Clefable, examples being Skarmory, Suicune and Tyranitar. Clefable often has more issues with Fighting type Pokemon when its other teammates are swapped in too early; Zapdos and Starmie prove to help it gain offensive momentum constantly throughout the game.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Frankly, Clefable's usual moves are difficult to replace. Removal of opposing Pokemon will greatly benefit it in order to fit in support options. Encore locks RestTalk users and Curse/Belly Drum Pokemon, enabling Clefable's partners to use a time frame of setting up. Shadow Ball can be used to hit Gengar and Misdreavus, but this choice is often overshadowed by Return. Belly Drum is an aggresively fast-paced option for sweeping if Clefable's checks have been worn down late-game, and lets it take advantage of its bulk. Clefable can run Sing + Nightmare, but this is luck reliant and often unreliable in terms of consistency. Lastly, Clefable can also run Thunder. It's great at shutting down Suicune, Cloyster, and other bulky waters that don't mind the attacks thrown at it. This costs losing Ice Beam to consistently check Ground Pokemon, but it's not hard to replace.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fighting-types**: Fighting-type Pokemon can threaten Clefable out with their respective moves. Pokemon like Machamp don't mind Psychic and is able to 2HKO it with Cross Chop. On the other hand, Heracross can boost with Curse and retaliate with Megahorn, but gets damaged heavily in the process.
**Phazers**: Belly Drum Clefable is easily stopped in its tracks by phazers like Skarmory, Tyranitar and Suicune. Not only does Clefable lose its sweeping potential, but its performance is heavily hindered due to losing health.
**Explosion Users**: Despite Clefable's decent bulk, Explosion users can dent it heavily without a problem. However, with prominent Explosion users like Exeggutor, it'll have to keep watch of Fire Blast.
[CREDITS]
- Written by:
- Quality checked by:
- Grammar checked by:
While Clefable has an underrated presence in the GSC OU metagame, it is no doubt that it can function efficiently. Clefable has the ability to use its amazing bulk and movepool to support its teammates, making it to be a jack of all trades. Its movepool allows it to hit a large portion of Pokemon, in tandem with reliable recovery in Moonlight making it quite difficult to wear down. Its defensive and offensive utility alike lets it pave a path for it's teammates, distinguishing itself from the rest of the metagame. Despite Clefable being overshadowed by other Normal types, there is certainly a spot for it on a serious team as a supporting Pokemon.
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Moonlight
move 2: Ice Beam / Psychic
move 3: Fire Blast
move 4: Return
item: Leftovers
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Clefable's expansive movepool lets it cover a myriad of Pokemon. The utility it provides helps defensive and offensive teams, wide coverage allows it to shut down Pokemon that often threaten it, and enable a number of its preferred partners by disposing of their switch ins. Ice Beam punishes the likes of Nidoking, Marowak and Zapdos, while Fire Blast dispatches Skarmory, Forretress and Steelix. Return is Clefable's primary STAB attack to take advantage of, paired with great coverage and hitting frail targets. Moonlight is Clefable's most reliable recovery, increasing the longevity of it by a mile. Psychic can be invested into the set to hit Gengar, but is often hard to replace with Ice Beam due to reliability against targets like Golem.
Team Options
========
Clefable's reaction to defensive teams and using its utility to let a Pokemon sweep late-game is what those types of playstyles appreciate. Partners like Exeggutor, Gengar, and Cloyster are great partners for Clefable and improves its offensive and defensive prowess in the face of the metagame; Explosion users help pave the way for Clefable and Rapid Spin allows it to constantly generate switch-ins. Pokemon that have the ability to phaze Curse users out pair incredibly well with Clefable, examples being Skarmory, Suicune and Tyranitar. Clefable often has more issues with Fighting type Pokemon when its other teammates are swapped in too early; Zapdos and Starmie prove to help it gain offensive momentum constantly throughout the game.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Frankly, Clefable's usual moves are difficult to replace. Removal of opposing Pokemon will greatly benefit it in order to fit in support options. Encore locks RestTalk users and Curse/Belly Drum Pokemon, enabling Clefable's partners to use a time frame of setting up. Shadow Ball can be used to hit Gengar and Misdreavus, but this choice is often overshadowed by Return. Belly Drum is an aggresively fast-paced option for sweeping if Clefable's checks have been worn down late-game, and lets it take advantage of its bulk. Clefable can run Sing + Nightmare, but this is luck reliant and often unreliable in terms of consistency. Lastly, Clefable can also run Thunder. It's great at shutting down Suicune, Cloyster, and other bulky waters that don't mind the attacks thrown at it. This costs losing Ice Beam to consistently check Ground Pokemon, but it's not hard to replace.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fighting-types**: Fighting-type Pokemon can threaten Clefable out with their respective moves. Pokemon like Machamp don't mind Psychic and is able to 2HKO it with Cross Chop. On the other hand, Heracross can boost with Curse and retaliate with Megahorn, but gets damaged heavily in the process.
**Phazers**: Belly Drum Clefable is easily stopped in its tracks by phazers like Skarmory, Tyranitar and Suicune. Not only does Clefable lose its sweeping potential, but its performance is heavily hindered due to losing health.
**Explosion Users**: Despite Clefable's decent bulk, Explosion users can dent it heavily without a problem. However, with prominent Explosion users like Exeggutor, it'll have to keep watch of Fire Blast.
[CREDITS]
- Written by:
- Quality checked by:
- Grammar checked by:
Last edited:
