Cresselia (Gen 4, Psycho Shift OU)

[Senzairu]

Like I said, just including the logs in this way causes a different perspective. It makes you wonder which team member is the problem when really it's supposed to be about the analysis of the Pokemon at hand.

But anyways, the fact is people ask for logs to show the set's effectiveness. Nobody says, "Hey, can you provide me some logs so I can see how ineffective this set is?" So, I provided some logs to show that this set does have merit. I'm not saying it's untouchable or anything of the sort, but given Cresselia's limitations and drawbacks in the OU metagame, I think this is one of the best sets it has to offer.

Um, this set might work now, but once Sleep Clause gets updated, its utility will drop significantly. Basically, after you put a Pokemon to sleep, if you use Sleep Talk again, you will have a 1/3 chance of instantly losing the match.

I see what you're saying, but Rest only lasts two turns. And with the logic you're using, the same could be said about a lot of RestTalk sets.

 

[whistle]

most rest talk sets don't have psycho shift -,-

 

[Senzairu]

most rest talk sets don't have psycho shift -,-

Of course. I get what he's saying, however, after waking up from Rest (which only lasts two turns) you can then use Psycho Shift to continue spreading a Burn status to any of your opponent's Pokemon.

 

[Senzairu]

This analysis is complete. I finished all my nitpicking and added some people's suggestions.

 

[supermarth64]

No it's not. See the new format. And seriously, get some non-cherry picked logs. With non-cherry picked logs, not only can you show how effective a moveset truly is in the common metagame but also what problems it faces. If you got outplayed, then it's your fault for you losing, not the set's. If you got haxed, then that's luck. If the opponent has a better team, that's luck of the draw as you WILL eventually get a team that counters yours. That shouldn't detract from the set's capabilities. I mean, one of my battle logs for Sub + 3 attacks Heracross involved me sacrificing Heracross. Would Machamp have made a difference had I used him? Probably not. But the set's ability should shine in your other logs in a realistic and common manner, not in handpicked logs.

 

[Snorlaxe]

[SET]
name: Psycho Shift (OU)
move 1: Psycho Shift
move 2: Rest
move 3: Sleep Talk
move 4: Psychic / Ice Beam
item: Flame Orb
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 60 SpD / 196 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>Two of Cresselia’s biggest problems have always been her lack of reliable recovery and her Pursuit weakness. This set attempts to remedy both problems while turning Cresselia into a sturdy RestTalker that can pass status afflictions onto the opponent’s Pokemon.</p>

<p>Psycho Shift is the crux of the set and it offers Cresselia a unique move that can be used offensively or defensively depending on the situation at hand. The idea is to switch into something that will likely be forced out in the face of by Cresselia’s powerful defenses. Upon switching into battle, her Flame Orb will activate, allowing Cresselia to use Psycho Shift to inflict a burn status on the opposing Pokémon. This will make it extremely difficult for Pursuit users such as [try and use varied phrases in your writing] Tyranitar and Scizor to KO Cresselia defeat Cresselia the old fashioned way.</p>

<p>Despite the fact that the OU metagame is dominated by physical attackers, your opponent could just as easily switch in a special attacker and try to defeat Cresselia in that way. This is where Rest and Sleep Talk play an important role on this set. While asleep sleeping under the effects of Rest, Cresselia can use Sleep Talk and have a one in three chance of selecting Psycho Shift. If this occurs and Cresselia selects Psycho Shift while asleep, her sleep condition will be transferred to the opponent’s Pokémon, thus waking her and allowing you to switch in a proper counter or send out a set up sweeper.</p>

<p>Cresselia’s fourth and final move isn’t nearly as important as the rest of the set. It does, however, still deserve careful consideration. There are two viable options for the last move: Psychic and Ice Beam. Both of which have their merits, but Psychic is the slightly better choice, offering a reliable STAB move that hits Pokémon like Infernape, Heracross, and Machamp for super effective damage. It’s also worth noting that all of the aforementioned Pokémon have the potential to not worry about receiving a status ailment from Psycho Shift. [redundant sentence, awkwardly worded, take this out] Ice Beam, on the other hand, has good base power and excellent offensive typing that will hit Dragon-types such as Salamence and Flygon for super effective damage.</p>

<p>This particular Cresselia is best used on a defensive or more stall-oriented team, and as such requires adequate team support to function as its best. One of the biggest threats to this set are Pokémon utilizing Taunt. Expert Belt Jirachi makes a great partner to Cresselia, since two of the most notable users of Taunt, Gyarados and Gliscor, will both fall to Thunderbolt and Ice Punch (respectively). This set can also run into problems against Pokémon using Substitute. Heatran gets a special mention since it resists both Psychic and Ice Beam, and is immune to being burned. For these reasons, it can be extremely useful to have a bulky phazer on your team. Suicune and Vaporeon are great Heatran counters and both can utilize Roar to force out Substitute users.</p>

<p>The given EVs are to ensure maximum bulk while outspeeding a few key threats. 252 HP EVs let Cresselia soak up hits from both sides of the spectrum. The 196 Speed EVs along with a Timid nature make Cresselia faster than the standard Taunt wielding Gyarados and Skarmory, but most importantly, Cresselia outspeeds Adamant Lucario by a single point. The remaining EVs are poured into Special Defense to help Cresselia take some weaker special attacks more easily, such as Celebi’s Grass Knot and Vaporeon’s Surf. Alternatively, if the rest of your team is relatively fast or you don’t feel the need to outspeed threats like Taunt Gyarados and Adamant Lucario, then a bulkier EV spread of 252 HP / 108 Def / 148 SpD with a Calm nature can be used. The HP and Defense EVs assure that Cresselia takes little damage from Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Flygon and bulky variants of Gyarados. Without Choice Specs, a Calm nature and 148 Special Defense EVs make it impossible for many powerful special attackers like Heatran, Latias, and Salamence to 2HKO Cresselia, factoring in Stealth Rock and a turn of damage from Flame Orb.</p>

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Good job, I've used this set and can attest to its success ;)

 

[Seven Deadly Sins]

This set is mentioned in OO in the new analysis, and there it shall stay.