[OVERVIEW]
Tinkatuff is one of NFE's most defining Pokemon. Its natural bulk and defensive typing make it a inherent switch-in to the tier's many offensive powerhouses, such as Servine, Girafarig, and Ivysaur, and it can simultaneously pressure the opposition with its vast array of utility moves. While Tinkatuff might face slight competition from Clefairy for the role of a defensive Fairy-type due to the latter's access to Magic Guard, reliable recovery, and Night Shade, Tinkatuff's additional Steel typing and Speed make it the more consistent option. In addition, it is an excellent Knock Off absorber thanks to Pickpocket stealing opposing Eviolites. Lastly, Tinkatuff can be an adept wallbreaker with its deep coverage movepool and acceptable offensive stats, beating out otherwise standard checks like Gabite and Piloswine. Despite Tinkatuff's excellent defensive capabilities, its lack of reliable recovery makes it very susceptible to being worn down over the course of a game, and its reliance on Knock Off for damage makes it passive and easily pressured by wallbreakers like Piloswine, Gabite, and Pignite. Offensively, Tinkatuff can be lacking if its moves don't hit for super effective damage.
[SET]
Defensive Utility (Tinkatuff) @ Eviolite
Ability: Pickpocket
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD or 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Impish / Careful Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Knock Off
- Thunder Wave
- Encore
[SET COMMENTS]
Tinkatuff separates itself from other Stealth Rock setters with its utility options, discouraging hazard removers like Quaxwell, Wartortle, and Vullaby from clearing its hazards. Knock Off hinders defensive backbones like Quaxwell and Ivysaur, enabling Tinkatuff's teammates to wallbreak more easily. Thunder Wave stops Fire-types like Pignite, Monferno, and Raboot looking to easily force Tinkatuff out. Encore discourages utility moves from slower Pokemon like Piloswine and Clefairy and stymies setup sweepers like Dunsparce and Fraxure. Pickpocket is the preferred ability, stealing Eviolites from other Pokemon upon Tinkatuff's own Eviolite getting removed through opposing Knock Off. Depending on Tinkatuff's bulk investment, it can take on special powerhouses like Frogadier and Pikachu or physical juggernauts like Thwackey and Fraxure.
Tinkatuff is a mainstay for many balanced, bulky, and offensive teams, leveraging its typing, bulk, and utility to tackle a variety of wallbreakers. Wallbreakers like Fraxure, Girafarig, and Piloswine benefit greatly from Tinkatuff's Knock Off and Thunder Wave; Piloswine in particular can tap more into its offensive prowess without needing to run Stealth Rock. These Pokemon also benefit from Tinkatuff being the defensive glue to switch into opposing Girafarig, Grass-types like Servine and Ivysaur, and Vigoroth. Tinkatuff is heavily threatened by Fire- and Ground-types like Raboot and Piloswine; Quaxwell stands out as an excellent partner to stomach their attacks and remove entry hazards with Rapid Spin. Bulky status spreaders like Koffing and Misdreavus similarly pair well with Tinkatuff, with the former racking up additional residual damage with Toxic Spikes and the latter spinblocking opposing Quaxwell and Wartortle. Pivots like Frogadier and Thwackey appreciate both Knock Off support and a reliable switch-in to foes like Hisuian Sliggoo and Thwackey; in return, Frogadier racks up Spikes damage and offensively checks Piloswine and Fire-types, while Thwackey provides passive recovery and mitigates Earthquake damage, and both function as reliable revenge killers. Fire-types like Monferno and Pignite appreciate Thunder Wave and Knock Off support and can threaten out walls like Tinkatuff and Grass-types with their powerful STAB attacks.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/5dots.543866/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/zastra.558636/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sleid.601970/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user5.104/
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Mold Breaker over Pickpocket allows Tinkatuff to bypass Hattrem's and Naclstack's abilities, though these Pokemon struggle in the current metagame, and stealing items from physical attackers is preferred. Air Balloon on the defensive set can be useful for its one-time Ground immunity against foes like Piloswine and Gabite; however, it makes Tinkatuff much more reliant on stealing items via Pickpocket outside of those matchups. Swords Dance sets can surprise bulky walls like Clefairy and Vigoroth, consistently achieving breakthroughs like 2HKOing Hisuian Sliggoo and Vigoroth at +2 after Stealth Rock damage with Play Rough, though Tinkatuff's power is still relatively low compared to setup sweepers like Fraxure and Raboot.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-types**: Fire-types like Pignite, Monferno, and Raboot are some of Tinkatuff's worst matchups; though none of them appreciate getting hit with Thunder Wave, they can take any of its standard attacks with relative ease and fire back with devastating STAB moves, with the latter two taking back momentum with U-turn and the former two providing their own utility with Knock Off.
**Ground-types**: Ground-types like Piloswine and Gabite perform even better against defensive sets, stomaching anything Tinkatuff throws at them and retaliating back with powerful Ground-type coverage. However, they also must be aware of its offensive sets, as they are very vulnerable to the coverage it has, like Steel Beam and Ice Hammer.
**Steel-types**: Hisuian Sliggoo can stomach any of Tinkatuff's attacks with ease and can fire back with powerful Steel-type attacks. Opposing Tinkatuff can jeopardize its role as a wall through their own Knock Off and Thunder Wave.
**Item Disruption**: Removal of Tinkatuff's Eviolite makes it harder for it to check the Pokemon it wants to. Examples of Knock Off users include Vigoroth and Servine, though they don't appreciate losing their items themselves. Trick and Switcheroo users like Girafarig and Frogadier can pass it a Choice item that further neuters its defensive prowess.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/5dots.543866/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/zastra.558636/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sleid.601970/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rose.511181/
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