[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Moonblast
move 2: Soft-Boiled
move 3: Stealth Rock / Wish / Thunder Wave
move 4: Knock Off
item: Leftovers
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 200 Def / 56 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
===================
Clefable excels at providing a myriad of utility options to teams while acting as a solid defensive Pokemon due to its typing and bulk. Clefable is a great user of Stealth Rock, as it can take advantage of free turns versus passive Pokemon like Blissey, Toxapex, and Tomohawk. If Stealth Rock is covered somewhere else on Clefable's team, Wish can be run to support teammates that are vulnerable to getting chipped by hazards such as Heatran and Melmetal, while Thunder Wave can spread paralysis and cripple offensive switch-ins like Melmetal, Rillaboom, and Heatran. Knock Off is the best option for the final slot, as it can cripple common Moonblast switch-ins such as Equilibra and Heatran. The given EV spread allows Clefable to survive two uses of Freeze-Dry from Choice Specs Kyurem with Leftovers recovery and two uses of Hex from Heavy-Duty Boots Dragapult without its Leftovers, with the rest invested in Defense to better answer threats like Dragonite and Landorus-T. Alternatively, if Dragapult is already checked on a team, Clefable can run maximum investment in HP and Defense in order to check Weavile and Swords Dance Garchomp.
Corviknight and Toxapex are excellent teammates for Clefable, as they can switch in on the physical wallbreakers that Clefable cannot handle such as Rillaboom, Melmetal, and Urshifu-R. Along those lines, Astrolotl, Slowking, and Earthquake Galarian Slowking make great teammates, as they can consistently switch in on Heatran and force it out, though Astrolotl and Slowking must be wary of Toxic. Steel-types such as Equilibra and Scizor can take advantage of Clefable's passivity, so teammates like Arghonaut and Zapdos are appreciated for being able to counter these Pokemon. Ground-types such as Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Equilibra are helpful for weakening Heatran and opposing Equilibra and for pressuring Poison-types such as Toxapex, Galarian Slowking, and Nidoking. Finally, if Clefable is running Thunder Wave, Hex Dragapult is an excellent teammate, capable of punishing the special walls that otherwise answer Clefable such as Toxapex and Heatran.
[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Moonblast
move 3: Soft-Boiled
move 4: Flamethrower / Thunder
item: Life Orb / Leftovers
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 196 Def / 60 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
===================
Due to Clefable's excellent defensive typing and good natural bulk, Clefable's Calm Mind set can quickly turn into an issue for the enemy team, with very little being able to meaningfully pressure it once it starts setting up. The final moveslot depends on the team. Flamethrower is used for hitting Equilibra, Corviknight, and Ferrothorn super effectively, while Thunder is mainly for Toxapex, which can otherwise use Haze, and Heatran. Knock Off can be run over a coverage move to cripple Pokemon like Heatran, Equilibra, and Galarian Slowking for itself and its teammates, though this decreases Clefable's sweeping potential. Similarly, Trick in conjunction with Sticky Barb can be used to further maim one of Clefable's checks, though this lacks the consistency of Knock Off. Life Orb is the preferred item, as it enables Clefable to be a strong late-game sweeper, but Leftovers is an option that allows Clefable to be a more effective wall before it sets up. 60 Speed EVs let Clefable outspeed uninvested Corviknight and slower Pokemon like Equilibra, however, one can put those EVs into Defense instead to be a sturdier defensive pivot.
Clefable appreciates teammates such as Slowking and Garchomp that can take care of Heatran, which otherwise hard walls sets running Flamethrower. It additionally needs teammates that can switch in on Rillaboom's Wood Hammer and Melmetal's Double Iron Bash, which Skarmory, Zapdos, and Tomohawk all do well. Clefable pairs well with Heatran, Scizor, and Corviknight, which can come in on Equilibra's Doom Desire. In return, Clefable is a solid answer to Landorus-T and Zeraora. Heatran deserves special mention for being able to trap and KO Toxapex, which otherwise can Haze stall Clefable if it lacks Thunder. Furthermore, Heatran pairs well with Knock Off Clefable, as it will be able to remove Toxapex's Shed Shell. Pokemon such as Rillaboom and Tornadus-T help Clefable sweep by weakening Galarian Slowking and Heatran with Knock Off. Finally, Clefable should be paired with a special wall like Galarian Slowking or Colossoil to take on special attackers such as Tapu Lele and Nidoking that threaten it before it sets up.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
===================
Clefable can run Unaware over Magic Guard to counter a variety of setup sweepers such as Necturna, Garchomp, Weavile, and Cawmodore. However, it is usually outclassed by Arghonaut, which has phazing and better physical bulk, in this regard. Additionally, the Toxic and entry hazards immunity that Magic Guard provides is usually worth more than running Unaware. On its utility set, Clefable can run Sticky Barb along with Trick to cripple Heatran, Toxapex, Equilibra, and Corviknight. However, Trick lacks the consistency of Knock Off and can sometimes neuter Clefable if it receives an unwanted item, such as an Assault Vest from Galarian Slowking. Encore can be run on the utility set to reduce Clefable's tendency of being setup fodder while allowing it to essentially win against any opposing Calm Mind Clefable.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Kartana, Scizor, Melmetal, Equilibra, and Ferrothorn are all good answers to Clefable, as they take little to no damage from Moonblast and force Clefable out with strong Steel-type STAB moves. None of these Pokemon enjoy switching into Flamethrower, however.
**Fire-types**: Fire-types such as Heatran, Astrolotl, and Volcarona all can come in on Clefable's Moonblast and force it out. Heatran can trap, taunt, and KO Clefable before it gets the chance to setup; Astrolotl can spam Fire Lash until Clefable is forced to switch and is very difficult to wear down; and Volcarona can setup alongside Clefable and beat it one-on-one. However, all of these Pokemon must beware Knock Off.
**Strong Wallbreakers**: Urshifu-R, Swords Dance Garchomp, Tapu Lele, and Rillaboom can overwhelm Clefable and not allow it to switch in due to their immense offensive strength. Rillaboom in particular is a threat, forcing Clefable out with a roll to OHKO with Wood Hammer.
**Poison-types**: Poison-types such as Toxapex, Chromera, and Galarian Slowking take little from any of Clefable's options and can force it out. It should be noted that Galarian Slowking must be wary of Knock Off, and cannot beat Calm Mind Clefable in a one-on-one. Furthermore, Toxapex must be careful of getting hit by Thunder from Calm Mind sets.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[dex, 277988]]
- Quality checked by: [[spoo, 251944], [quziel, 297859]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Rabia, 336073]
name: Utility
move 1: Moonblast
move 2: Soft-Boiled
move 3: Stealth Rock / Wish / Thunder Wave
move 4: Knock Off
item: Leftovers
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 200 Def / 56 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
===================
Clefable excels at providing a myriad of utility options to teams while acting as a solid defensive Pokemon due to its typing and bulk. Clefable is a great user of Stealth Rock, as it can take advantage of free turns versus passive Pokemon like Blissey, Toxapex, and Tomohawk. If Stealth Rock is covered somewhere else on Clefable's team, Wish can be run to support teammates that are vulnerable to getting chipped by hazards such as Heatran and Melmetal, while Thunder Wave can spread paralysis and cripple offensive switch-ins like Melmetal, Rillaboom, and Heatran. Knock Off is the best option for the final slot, as it can cripple common Moonblast switch-ins such as Equilibra and Heatran. The given EV spread allows Clefable to survive two uses of Freeze-Dry from Choice Specs Kyurem with Leftovers recovery and two uses of Hex from Heavy-Duty Boots Dragapult without its Leftovers, with the rest invested in Defense to better answer threats like Dragonite and Landorus-T. Alternatively, if Dragapult is already checked on a team, Clefable can run maximum investment in HP and Defense in order to check Weavile and Swords Dance Garchomp.
Corviknight and Toxapex are excellent teammates for Clefable, as they can switch in on the physical wallbreakers that Clefable cannot handle such as Rillaboom, Melmetal, and Urshifu-R. Along those lines, Astrolotl, Slowking, and Earthquake Galarian Slowking make great teammates, as they can consistently switch in on Heatran and force it out, though Astrolotl and Slowking must be wary of Toxic. Steel-types such as Equilibra and Scizor can take advantage of Clefable's passivity, so teammates like Arghonaut and Zapdos are appreciated for being able to counter these Pokemon. Ground-types such as Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Equilibra are helpful for weakening Heatran and opposing Equilibra and for pressuring Poison-types such as Toxapex, Galarian Slowking, and Nidoking. Finally, if Clefable is running Thunder Wave, Hex Dragapult is an excellent teammate, capable of punishing the special walls that otherwise answer Clefable such as Toxapex and Heatran.
[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Moonblast
move 3: Soft-Boiled
move 4: Flamethrower / Thunder
item: Life Orb / Leftovers
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 196 Def / 60 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
===================
Due to Clefable's excellent defensive typing and good natural bulk, Clefable's Calm Mind set can quickly turn into an issue for the enemy team, with very little being able to meaningfully pressure it once it starts setting up. The final moveslot depends on the team. Flamethrower is used for hitting Equilibra, Corviknight, and Ferrothorn super effectively, while Thunder is mainly for Toxapex, which can otherwise use Haze, and Heatran. Knock Off can be run over a coverage move to cripple Pokemon like Heatran, Equilibra, and Galarian Slowking for itself and its teammates, though this decreases Clefable's sweeping potential. Similarly, Trick in conjunction with Sticky Barb can be used to further maim one of Clefable's checks, though this lacks the consistency of Knock Off. Life Orb is the preferred item, as it enables Clefable to be a strong late-game sweeper, but Leftovers is an option that allows Clefable to be a more effective wall before it sets up. 60 Speed EVs let Clefable outspeed uninvested Corviknight and slower Pokemon like Equilibra, however, one can put those EVs into Defense instead to be a sturdier defensive pivot.
Clefable appreciates teammates such as Slowking and Garchomp that can take care of Heatran, which otherwise hard walls sets running Flamethrower. It additionally needs teammates that can switch in on Rillaboom's Wood Hammer and Melmetal's Double Iron Bash, which Skarmory, Zapdos, and Tomohawk all do well. Clefable pairs well with Heatran, Scizor, and Corviknight, which can come in on Equilibra's Doom Desire. In return, Clefable is a solid answer to Landorus-T and Zeraora. Heatran deserves special mention for being able to trap and KO Toxapex, which otherwise can Haze stall Clefable if it lacks Thunder. Furthermore, Heatran pairs well with Knock Off Clefable, as it will be able to remove Toxapex's Shed Shell. Pokemon such as Rillaboom and Tornadus-T help Clefable sweep by weakening Galarian Slowking and Heatran with Knock Off. Finally, Clefable should be paired with a special wall like Galarian Slowking or Colossoil to take on special attackers such as Tapu Lele and Nidoking that threaten it before it sets up.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
===================
Clefable can run Unaware over Magic Guard to counter a variety of setup sweepers such as Necturna, Garchomp, Weavile, and Cawmodore. However, it is usually outclassed by Arghonaut, which has phazing and better physical bulk, in this regard. Additionally, the Toxic and entry hazards immunity that Magic Guard provides is usually worth more than running Unaware. On its utility set, Clefable can run Sticky Barb along with Trick to cripple Heatran, Toxapex, Equilibra, and Corviknight. However, Trick lacks the consistency of Knock Off and can sometimes neuter Clefable if it receives an unwanted item, such as an Assault Vest from Galarian Slowking. Encore can be run on the utility set to reduce Clefable's tendency of being setup fodder while allowing it to essentially win against any opposing Calm Mind Clefable.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Kartana, Scizor, Melmetal, Equilibra, and Ferrothorn are all good answers to Clefable, as they take little to no damage from Moonblast and force Clefable out with strong Steel-type STAB moves. None of these Pokemon enjoy switching into Flamethrower, however.
**Fire-types**: Fire-types such as Heatran, Astrolotl, and Volcarona all can come in on Clefable's Moonblast and force it out. Heatran can trap, taunt, and KO Clefable before it gets the chance to setup; Astrolotl can spam Fire Lash until Clefable is forced to switch and is very difficult to wear down; and Volcarona can setup alongside Clefable and beat it one-on-one. However, all of these Pokemon must beware Knock Off.
**Strong Wallbreakers**: Urshifu-R, Swords Dance Garchomp, Tapu Lele, and Rillaboom can overwhelm Clefable and not allow it to switch in due to their immense offensive strength. Rillaboom in particular is a threat, forcing Clefable out with a roll to OHKO with Wood Hammer.
**Poison-types**: Poison-types such as Toxapex, Chromera, and Galarian Slowking take little from any of Clefable's options and can force it out. It should be noted that Galarian Slowking must be wary of Knock Off, and cannot beat Calm Mind Clefable in a one-on-one. Furthermore, Toxapex must be careful of getting hit by Thunder from Calm Mind sets.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[dex, 277988]]
- Quality checked by: [[spoo, 251944], [quziel, 297859]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Rabia, 336073]
Last edited:
