QC: Raiza / TONE114 / galbia
GP: The Dutch Plumberjack / P Squared
[OVERVIEW]
Despite being outclassed by Clefairy due to the latter's access to Magic Guard and Knock Off and better typing and bulk, Dunsparce's access to Stealth Rock along with Roost allows it to provide Stealth Rock support for teams and survive throughout battles. Unlike Clefairy, Dunsparce is less susceptible to Knock Off and and can afford to use Magic Coat to prevent it from being Taunt fodder; however, when running Magic Coat, Dunsparce loses Glare, which is one of its main niches over Clefairy, whereas if Dunsparce isn't using Magic Coat, it becomes Taunt bait and unable to set up Stealth Rock, cripple its foes with Glare, or recover with Roost. It is able to cripple its foes, Ground-types included, with Glare or Body Slam, and along with Serene Grace and Headbutt, the foe will only have a 30% chance to attack. It only has one weakness, to Fighting-type moves, and is able to check top-tier threats such as Zebstrika and Ninetales. On the downside, it can't hit for much damage and is very slow, meaning it can be easily exploited by faster, stronger Pokemon, such as Stoutland and Poliwrath, even though they risk being paralyzed.
[SET]
name: Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Body Slam / Headbutt
move 3: Magic Coat / Glare
move 4: Roost
item: Leftovers
ability: Serene Grace
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock is a helpful asset for any team, as it can rack up damage on foes every time they switch and break Focus Sash and Sturdy. Body Slam, which should be used with Magic Coat, allows Dunsparce to spread paralysis with the help of Serene Grace while dealing decent damage. Alternatively, Headbutt allows Dunsparce to deal decent damage to neutral targets and has a high chance to make the foe flinch along with Serene Grace, but it isn't the best option because Dunsparce is slow and needs the chance of paralysis that Body Slam gives. Magic Coat allows Dunsparce to prevent the use of entry hazards, status moves, and Taunt. Alternatively, Glare can be used to cripple foes and allow Dunsparce the chance to use Roost as well as paraflinch its foes. Roost gives Dunsparce reliable recovery, which allows it to survive throughout games.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP and Special Defense investment along with a Careful nature maximizes Dunsparce's special bulk, allowing it to take on Pokemon such as Zebstrika and Kadabra. Leftovers gives Dunsparce passive recovery, which allows it to survive for longer periods of time. Serene Grace raises Headbutt's flinch rate and allows Dunsparce to paraflinch its foes with Glare and Headbutt.
Usage Tips
========
Dunsparce is often used as a lead to set up Stealth Rock early in the game, but it can also be spared until later in the game to take hits and set up Stealth Rock. Dunsparce can be switched into some special attacks, but it has trouble taking on strong special attackers with prior damage, so it should use Roost when it is low on health. Don't switch Dunsparce into strong physical attackers, as it has poor Defense. Dunsparce should most often use Glare to cripple its foes and proceed to use Headbutt continuously in order to paraflinch the foe, only giving it a 30% chance to attack. Dunsparce can be used to pivot into special attackers such as Zebstrika and set up Stealth Rock or paralyze a switch-in with Glare.
Team Options
========
Dunsparce fits best on balanced teams for its ability to take on special attacks well and provide Stealth Rock. Spinblockers such as Misdreavus and Gourgeist-XL can prevent foes from removing Dunsparce's Stealth Rock. Similarly, Defiant users such as Pawniard can discourage the use of Defog in order to keep Stealth Rock on the field. Pokemon that resist Fighting-type moves, such as Clefairy, Pelipper, and Togetic, make for good partners for Dunsparce, as they are able to take on the only type that Dunsparce is weak to. Pokemon such as Roselia and Venipede are able to provide Spikes and Toxic Spikes support, which causes the foe to take more damage upon switching in. Slower Pokemon such as Machoke and Torterra appreciate Dunsparce's paralysis support from Glare, as they are able to take advantage of the foe's lowered Speed. Dunsparce appreciates Pokemon such as Pawniard and Scrappy Stoutland, which can take on Ghost-types, as Dunsparce is unable to touch them. Clerics such as Lickilicky and Grumpig are helpful to Dunsparce to make sure it stays healthy and avoids status from moves such as Will-O-Wisp and Toxic, which can cause Dunsparce to be easily worn down.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Dunsparce can make use of a Coil sweeping set, which takes advantage of its special bulk, but it misses out on Stealth Rock. Zen Headbutt can be used to beat Fighting-types, but then Dunsparce misses out on an important utility move. Dunsparce can also make use of Earthquake to hit Steel- and Rock-types, which resist Headbutt. Bite can be used to hit Ghost-types and has a flinch chance that is boosted by Serene Grace.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ghost-types**: Dunsparce can't touch Ghost-types such as Misdreavus and Gourgeist-XL, and the former can cripple it with Will-O-Wisp and prevent it from recovering with Taunt or use it to set up Nasty Plots, while the latter can cripple it with Will-O-Wisp and deal damage to it with Foul Play.
**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types such as Machoke and Poliwrath can take multiple hits from Dunsparce and KO it with super effective STAB attacks, although the former can receive a Guts boost from Glare.
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Pawniard and Probopass resist Headbutt and are able to deal good damage to Dunsparce; the former can take advantage of it by setting up Swords Dance, and the latter can set up Stealth Rock against it.
**Rock-types**: Rock-types such as Barbaracle and Carracosta can take multiple hits from Dunsparce and both of the two can set up a Shell Smash on it, though they don't appreciate Glare; however, if Barbaracle carries Taunt, it can prevent Dunsparce from setting up Stealth Rock or using Glare.
**Status**: Will-O-Wisp halves Dunsparce's Attack, while Toxic wears down Dunsparce and puts it on a timer, forcing it to switch out.
**Physical Attackers**: Dunsparce has poor Defense and is easily taken out by most strong physical attackers such as Rapidash, Torterra, and Ursaring; Torterra can also take advantage of it by setting up Stealth Rock or Rock Polish, while Ursaring's Quick Feet ignores the Speed drop from Dunsparce's paralysis.
GP: The Dutch Plumberjack / P Squared
[OVERVIEW]
Despite being outclassed by Clefairy due to the latter's access to Magic Guard and Knock Off and better typing and bulk, Dunsparce's access to Stealth Rock along with Roost allows it to provide Stealth Rock support for teams and survive throughout battles. Unlike Clefairy, Dunsparce is less susceptible to Knock Off and and can afford to use Magic Coat to prevent it from being Taunt fodder; however, when running Magic Coat, Dunsparce loses Glare, which is one of its main niches over Clefairy, whereas if Dunsparce isn't using Magic Coat, it becomes Taunt bait and unable to set up Stealth Rock, cripple its foes with Glare, or recover with Roost. It is able to cripple its foes, Ground-types included, with Glare or Body Slam, and along with Serene Grace and Headbutt, the foe will only have a 30% chance to attack. It only has one weakness, to Fighting-type moves, and is able to check top-tier threats such as Zebstrika and Ninetales. On the downside, it can't hit for much damage and is very slow, meaning it can be easily exploited by faster, stronger Pokemon, such as Stoutland and Poliwrath, even though they risk being paralyzed.
[SET]
name: Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Body Slam / Headbutt
move 3: Magic Coat / Glare
move 4: Roost
item: Leftovers
ability: Serene Grace
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock is a helpful asset for any team, as it can rack up damage on foes every time they switch and break Focus Sash and Sturdy. Body Slam, which should be used with Magic Coat, allows Dunsparce to spread paralysis with the help of Serene Grace while dealing decent damage. Alternatively, Headbutt allows Dunsparce to deal decent damage to neutral targets and has a high chance to make the foe flinch along with Serene Grace, but it isn't the best option because Dunsparce is slow and needs the chance of paralysis that Body Slam gives. Magic Coat allows Dunsparce to prevent the use of entry hazards, status moves, and Taunt. Alternatively, Glare can be used to cripple foes and allow Dunsparce the chance to use Roost as well as paraflinch its foes. Roost gives Dunsparce reliable recovery, which allows it to survive throughout games.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP and Special Defense investment along with a Careful nature maximizes Dunsparce's special bulk, allowing it to take on Pokemon such as Zebstrika and Kadabra. Leftovers gives Dunsparce passive recovery, which allows it to survive for longer periods of time. Serene Grace raises Headbutt's flinch rate and allows Dunsparce to paraflinch its foes with Glare and Headbutt.
Usage Tips
========
Dunsparce is often used as a lead to set up Stealth Rock early in the game, but it can also be spared until later in the game to take hits and set up Stealth Rock. Dunsparce can be switched into some special attacks, but it has trouble taking on strong special attackers with prior damage, so it should use Roost when it is low on health. Don't switch Dunsparce into strong physical attackers, as it has poor Defense. Dunsparce should most often use Glare to cripple its foes and proceed to use Headbutt continuously in order to paraflinch the foe, only giving it a 30% chance to attack. Dunsparce can be used to pivot into special attackers such as Zebstrika and set up Stealth Rock or paralyze a switch-in with Glare.
Team Options
========
Dunsparce fits best on balanced teams for its ability to take on special attacks well and provide Stealth Rock. Spinblockers such as Misdreavus and Gourgeist-XL can prevent foes from removing Dunsparce's Stealth Rock. Similarly, Defiant users such as Pawniard can discourage the use of Defog in order to keep Stealth Rock on the field. Pokemon that resist Fighting-type moves, such as Clefairy, Pelipper, and Togetic, make for good partners for Dunsparce, as they are able to take on the only type that Dunsparce is weak to. Pokemon such as Roselia and Venipede are able to provide Spikes and Toxic Spikes support, which causes the foe to take more damage upon switching in. Slower Pokemon such as Machoke and Torterra appreciate Dunsparce's paralysis support from Glare, as they are able to take advantage of the foe's lowered Speed. Dunsparce appreciates Pokemon such as Pawniard and Scrappy Stoutland, which can take on Ghost-types, as Dunsparce is unable to touch them. Clerics such as Lickilicky and Grumpig are helpful to Dunsparce to make sure it stays healthy and avoids status from moves such as Will-O-Wisp and Toxic, which can cause Dunsparce to be easily worn down.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Dunsparce can make use of a Coil sweeping set, which takes advantage of its special bulk, but it misses out on Stealth Rock. Zen Headbutt can be used to beat Fighting-types, but then Dunsparce misses out on an important utility move. Dunsparce can also make use of Earthquake to hit Steel- and Rock-types, which resist Headbutt. Bite can be used to hit Ghost-types and has a flinch chance that is boosted by Serene Grace.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ghost-types**: Dunsparce can't touch Ghost-types such as Misdreavus and Gourgeist-XL, and the former can cripple it with Will-O-Wisp and prevent it from recovering with Taunt or use it to set up Nasty Plots, while the latter can cripple it with Will-O-Wisp and deal damage to it with Foul Play.
**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types such as Machoke and Poliwrath can take multiple hits from Dunsparce and KO it with super effective STAB attacks, although the former can receive a Guts boost from Glare.
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Pawniard and Probopass resist Headbutt and are able to deal good damage to Dunsparce; the former can take advantage of it by setting up Swords Dance, and the latter can set up Stealth Rock against it.
**Rock-types**: Rock-types such as Barbaracle and Carracosta can take multiple hits from Dunsparce and both of the two can set up a Shell Smash on it, though they don't appreciate Glare; however, if Barbaracle carries Taunt, it can prevent Dunsparce from setting up Stealth Rock or using Glare.
**Status**: Will-O-Wisp halves Dunsparce's Attack, while Toxic wears down Dunsparce and puts it on a timer, forcing it to switch out.
**Physical Attackers**: Dunsparce has poor Defense and is easily taken out by most strong physical attackers such as Rapidash, Torterra, and Ursaring; Torterra can also take advantage of it by setting up Stealth Rock or Rock Polish, while Ursaring's Quick Feet ignores the Speed drop from Dunsparce's paralysis.
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