[OVERVIEW]
Clefable finds a solid niche in STABmons thanks to its combination of its Normal-typing—which grants it access to many powerful tools such as Slash, Explosion, and Recover—good Special bulk, a passable base 70 Attack, and Thunder Wave, which is far more consistent than the unreliable Glare which most other Normal-types are stuck with. Clefable's better Special bulk compared to its fellow Normal-type physical attackers notably lets it avoid being 2HKOed by Exeggutor's Razor Leaf, Alakazam's Psychic, Zapdos's Thunderbolt, and Jynx's Blizzard, which allows it to be much more threatening to these Pokemon.
However, Clefable is marred by a few detrimental traits that prevent it from being a top tier threat. For starters, it's a free entry for Ghost-types as it's unable to threaten damage on them unless it resorts to dropping a vital tool such as Recover for the likes of Psychic. It's also lacking in offensive power for STABmons standards, as its Slash and Explosion are far weaker than that of its fellow Normal-types, missing out on many key KO ranges, such as Explosion failing to OHKO a full HP Tauros. Clefable is also noticeably physically frailer than Tauros, Kangaskhan, and Snorlax. For example, Tauros's Slash has a 41.5% chance to 2HKO it, while Tauros's Slash rarely 2HKOes opposing Tauros and never 2HKOes Kangaskhan or Snorlax. This forces Clefable to use Explosion earlier and in tandem with its lower Attack, makes Clefable overall less effective at being offensively pressuring compared to its fellow Normal-types. Clefable is also slower than Tauros and Kangaskhan, which can leave it overwhelmed.
[SET]
name: Bulky Attacker
move 1: Slash
move 2: Explosion
move 3: Thunder Wave
move 4: Recover
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Slash is Clefable's most powerful spammable STAB move, 3HKOing many prominent foes such as Tauros, Kangaskhan, Starmie, Exeggutor, and Zapdos; it also 2HKOes many frailer foes, such as Jolteon and Alakazam, and has a 44.8% chance to 2HKO Dodrio. Explosion is Clefable's most powerful attack and enables it to trade with a large majority of the tier, OHKOing or doing heavy damage to all threats aside from Rock- and Ghost-types. Thunder Wave is an extremely versatile tool for Clefable, allowing it to spread paralysis across the opposing team and cripple many faster foes. Clefable is far more reliable at spreading paralysis than its fellow Normal-types, as it does not have to rely on the inaccurate Glare to do so. It also works in tandem with Recover to allow Clefable to fish for full paralysis against Pokemon that cannot threaten paralysis in return. Recover lets Clefable increase its longevity by being able to heal off stray hits, as well as let it take on other Recover users.
Clefable is best used in the early- to mid-game to be able to spread paralysis and fire off strong attacks to clear the way for its stronger teammates. Clefable gets the most value being used on teams with other Explosion users, such as Tauros, Kangaskhan, and Exeggutor, as it can work in tandem with these Pokemon to trade down against the opposing team to remove vital threats to enable strong late-game sweepers such as Starmie and Zapdos. Another reason Explosion users make good partners to Clefable is that Clefable's best opportunity to hit the field is after something has been exploded on, as it cannot safely switch into other Normal-type's Slash. Pokemon that do well into Gengar, such as Alakazam, Earthquake Tauros, and Psychic Exeggutor also make good teammates to Clefable, as Gengar is a major thorn in Clefable's side. Clefable will very often become paralyzed when attempting to do anything to make progress, meaning it can not be truly long lasting if it wants to make singificant progress. However, trading paralysis and exploding on something such as a Tauros or Starmie is usually favorable for Clefable, although once it's paralyzed its Explosion becomes quite predictable.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Recover can be foregone in place of other moves as Clefable can still get value out of spreading paralysis and using Explosion to trade with something without recovery. Psychic can be used as it 3HKOes Gengar 41.7% of the time. However, it's damage output vs everything else is meager. Sing allows Clefable to threaten to put to sleep foes such as Snorlax, Exeggutor, and Gengar, however, it's incredibly unreliable and Clefable is usually better off using Thunder Wave or attacking. Counter can be used to catch opoosing Normal-types off guard, with a countered Slash always OHKOing Tauros, doing 84% minimum to Kanaskhan, and 74% minimum to Snorlax. Super Fang can be used as it does more damage than Slash to many full HP Pokemon, it also hits hits Rock- and Ghost-types.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ghost-types**: Standard Clefable is completely unable to touch Gengar or the rare Haunter, giving them free entry to blast off strong attacks or use Hypnosis. However, they both despise paralysis, meaning they have to be wary of switching into Thunder Wave. They also have to be wary of Clefable carrying Psychic.
**Paralysis**: If Clefable becomes paralyzed by the likes of Tauros, Kangaskhan, or Starmie, it finds it much harder to reliably recover off damage, as its Speed is mediocre and it faces 3- and 2HKOes from most attacks, meaning it cannot afford to blunder any turns to full paralysis. However, these Pokemon will also be paralyzed in paralyzing Clefable, which puts them in a bad spot as well. Clefable can also still choose to use Explosion to trade or do heavy damage to a foe, although this Explosion is quite telegraphed and predictable.
**Starmie**: Starmie outspeeds Clefable and 2HKOes it with Crabhammer while only being 3HKOed in return by Slash. However, Starmie hates paralysis and is easily revenge killed if Clefable explodes on it.
**Explosion Users**: Other Explosion users can easily force a trade with Clefable if needed, or leave it easily revenge killed.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/notverycake.625260/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gastlies.540559/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gangsta-spongebob.535530/
Grammar checked by:
Last edited:
