[OVERVIEW]
Corviknight makes a fantastic pivot in the metagame thanks to its great typing, excellent defenses, and wide array of utility options. Its access to Defog and Pressure allows it to beat several of the tier's Stealth Rock setters, like Landorus-T, Clefable, and Mega Metagross. Pressure also lets it annoy more passive Pokemon like Toxapex and Tapu Fini. Body Press and U-turn ensure that Corviknight is not overly passive, notably enabling it to escape Magnezone with U-turn. In addition, U-turn coupled with Corviknight's ability to check several attackers, such as Kartana, Landorus-T, and Excadrill, makes it a wonderful defensive pivot. Unfortunately, Corviknight's typing also means it is taken advantage of by several of the tier's wallbreakers, such as Heatran, Zygarde, and Rotom-H. Its relative passivity outside of U-turn and Body Press also means it can be taken advantage of very easily by Pokemon like Aegislash and Zapdos. Lastly, Corviknight cannot fit all of its utility moves, such as Body Press, U-turn, Defog, Taunt, and Brave Bird, into one set, with severe consequences for forgoing each one.
[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Body Press
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Defog
move 4: Roost
item: Leftovers / Rocky Helmet
ability: Pressure
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 208 Def / 48 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
========
Body Press chips several of the threats Corviknight intends to check, such as Mega Metagross, Mega Lopunny, and Galarian Darmanitan not locked into Flare Blitz. It also allows Corviknight to fend off several entry hazard setters, such as Ferrothorn, Excadrill, and Mega Tyranitar. U-turn allows Corviknight to escape unfavorable situations, such as being trapped by Magnezone. Because of its low Speed and ability to force prominent wallbreakers like Kartana and Landorus-T out, Corviknight makes a great defensive pivot for teams. Defog removes entry hazards for Corviknight's team, which in conjunction with U-turn can bring Corviknight's teammates in unscathed. Lastly, Roost keeps Corviknight healthy, letting it take on the aforementioned threats better. 208 Defense EVs and an Impish nature let Corviknight survive two Thunder Punches from Mega Metagross after Stealth Rock damage. This lets it effectively remove its Stealth Rock or chip it down with Body Press or Rocky Helmet. Leftovers provides passive recovery in case Corviknight is caught by Leech Seed or suffers a burn. Alternatively, Rocky Helmet can be used to chip the physical attackers and U-turn users that Corviknight switches into. Pressure is the preferred ability to effectively PP stall Stealth Rock or Spikes from the likes of Mega Metagross, Ferrothorn, and Mega Tyranitar and halve the PP of moves like Stone Edge from Landorus-T, which could receive more opportunities to break Corviknight otherwise.
Usage Tips
========
Switch Corviknight into Pokemon that it walls, like Mega Metagross, Kartana, and Landorus-T. However, be wary of stray coverage moves that may severely dent or outright KO it such as +2 Continental Crush from Landorus-T, +2 All-Out Pummeling from Kartana, and, if Corviknight is chipped, Thunder Punch from Mega Metagross. Once Corviknight is on the field and you do not need to keep it healthy or to remove entry hazards, U-turn is often the best play to make. Body Press can be used to chip at Corviknight's switch-ins, but it often better to send a stronger wallbreaker, like Mega Medicham or Galarian Darmanitan, in via U-turn. Weigh the benefits of not attacking or pivoting out if entry hazards are on the field or if Corviknight has taken substantial damage. Depending on the situation, it may be better to use Defog or Roost later when the opponent's Corviknight check is not in
Team Options
========
Corviknight fits on a variety of builds thanks to its typing and ability to pivot and use Defog, but it primarily finds a slot on balance and bulky offense teams. Defensive Water-types like Slowbro, Tapu Fini, and Gastrodon appreciate Corviknight's Defog support so entry hazards do not unnecessarily chip them. In return, they can take on Fire-types for Corviknight. Tapu Fini, in particular, appreciates having a free moveslot thanks to Corviknight running Defog, while Gastrodon has perfect defensive synergy with Corviknight. In a similar vein, Corviknight forms strong defensive cores with Grass-types like Tangrowth, Ferrothorn, and Amoonguss, as they can soak up the Electric-type moves aimed at it, in addition to swallowing hits from special attackers. In return, Corviknight can manage Pokemon like Mega Metagross, Normalium Z Kartana, and Tornadus-T for them. Pokemon like Landorus-T, Rotom-W, and Galarian Darmanitan form strong VoltTurn cores with Corviknight, bringing their teammates in safely. Rotom-W, in particular, has good synergy with it, often using Corviknight switch-ins such as Heatran to come in for free. Heatran and Toxapex appreciate Corviknight's Ground immunity, with Heatran having the freedom to use an offensive set thanks to Corviknight taking up defensive duties. Strong wallbreakers like Mega Medicham, Dracovish, and Choice Band Galarian Darmanitan appreciate Corviknight's ability to bring them in for free via U-turn and its Defog support, which increases their overall longevity.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Brave Bird is an alternative to Body Press that strengthens Corviknight's matchup against Stealth Rock Landorus-T, Mega Medicham, and Mega Alakazam, but Body Press's myriad of perks leave it the preferred option overall. Iron Defense can be used alongside Body Press to do more damage to Pokemon like Rotom-W and Ferrothorn that don't mind Corviknight's attacks, but it often cannot find room for the move. Shed Shell can be used to escape Magnezone at any time, but giving up the ability to chip physical attackers or combat passive damage is often not worth it. Taunt is an option to shut down passive Pokemon like Toxapex and Ferrothorn, generating free turns as the opponent is forced to switch. However, Corviknight is rarely capable of taking advantage of these turns and struggles to fit the move. Lastly, a set of Bulk Up / Brave Bird / Roost / Substitute or Taunt allows Corviknight to become a wincon. However, this set forgoes most of the utility the Defog set provides and faces competition from other wincons like Zygarde.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-types**: Heatran, Rotom-H, and Volcarona can come in on Corviknight and OHKO it with relative ease. Heatran can set up Stealth Rock, while Volcarona and Rotom-H can use it as setup fodder. However, Heatran must be wary of Body Press, and Volcarona takes a good amount of damage from Brave Bird.
**Magnezone**: Magnezone traps Corviknight lacking Shed Shell, eliminating it entirely. However, Corviknight has ways to pivot around a Magnezone that hasn't been given a free switch, such as U-turn and Body Press.
**Other Electric-types**: Rotom-W and Zapdos take minimal damage from Corviknight's attacks and retaliate with powerful STAB attacks. They can proceed to use Volt Switch to pivot out or Discharge to fish for a paralysis.
**Aegislash**: Aegislash does not fear Corviknight whatsoever, as it's immune to Body Press and its Substitute is not broken by U-turn or Brave Bird. Aegislash can simply use Toxic or attack the Pokemon that Corviknight pivots out to, cutting into their longevity.
**Strong Special Attackers**: Pokemon like Ash-Greninja, Mega Blastoise, and Choice Specs Dragapult can easily overcome Corviknight's uninvested Special Defense and proceed to set up or throw out a powerful attack.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Solaros & Lunaris, 471780]]
- Quality checked by: [[SputnikGT, 475916], [Guardsweeper, 360582], [Funbot28, 255984]]
- Grammar checked by: [[bigtalk, 466663], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
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