[SET]
Defensive Wall (Dusclops) @ Eviolite
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpD / 4 Spe
Calm Nature
- Night Shade
- Will-O-Wisp
- Rest / Pain Split
- Sleep Talk / Thief
[SET COMMENTS]
Dusclops is a defensive staple within the NFE metagame with its great bulk and Ghost-typing to block Rapid Spin from Quaxwell. This is crucial as, in a metagame dominated by hazard stacking, Quaxwell's Rapid Spin is the main way to remove hazards. Will-O-Wisp and Night Shade work together in crippling opposing Pokémon, reducing its general passivity as a wall. Rest and Sleep Talk are preferred as they bring longer longevity but also make Dusclops quite passive by rolling dices on Sleep Talk procs. Pain Split is another option making Dusclops less passive but decreasing its longevity. Thief is also a last good option in order to not only reobtain the Eviolite item but also get rid of the opponent's items. EV spread is optimized to boost special defense bulk as its access to Will-O-Wisp already helps against physical threats.
Dusclops fits in hazard stacking and fat/stall teams which take advantage of its bulk and Ghost-typing. Because the main Dusclops' role is to deterr Rapid Spin, Pokémon that can settle hazards down are its best teammates. Tinkatuff, Piloswine, Glimmet, and Dunsparce can all settle Stealth Rocks down. Glimmet, Quilladin, and Frogadier can settle Spikes down. Besides a Rapid Spin blocker, Dusclops works perfectly as a mixed wall in general immune to Fighting-type moves. Piloswine, who suffers against Monferno and Pignite, benfeits from being coupled with Dusclops. Pokémon, including Monferno, Pignite, and Fraxure, that can take advantage of hazards and that are frail against special attackers like Frogadier and Sliggo-Hisui, can also benfit from being coupled with Dusclops. The main problem of Dusclops is its passivity and its reliance to keep Eviolite. Its passivity problem is even worse against Normal-types that do not mind getting burnt such as Girafarig and Dunsparce special variants. Both can switch-in against Dusclops and set up. Regarding this, Dusclops pairs well with Tinkatuff and Sliggo-Hisui that can switch-in and threaten Girafarig back, and Fighting-types such as Monferno and Pignite that thraten Dunsparce back. Pokémon, including Tinkatuff and Koffing, that can switch-in against Knock Off users are appreciated. Finally, Dusclops is scared of Drakloak which can be annoying with STAB Hex. Again, Tinkatuff and Dunsparce that can switch agains it are good teammates.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
There are no other options.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Knock-Off users**: Dusclops requires to hold Eviolite to really make its bulk shine. This means that Knock-Off users, including Tinkatuff, Monferno, and Thwackey, are always going to be scary.
**Special Normal-types**: Although, they don't necessarily enjoy the burn damage, both Girafarig and Dusparce can switch against Night Shade or even Will-O-Wisp and then set up against Dusclops.
**Drakloak**: While Dusclops has decent special bulk, Drakloak's Ghost-type STAB moves such as Shadow Ball and Hex are scary. The latter can even have a boost due to Dusclops being aslept due to Rest.
**Taunt users**: Taunt users like Servine, Krokorok, Fletchinder, and Fraxure can shut its ability to heal or use Will-O-Wisp down while setting up or threatening it.
[CREDITS] note: this should be for OO, C&C, and overview; sets without those do not need this
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/mirbro.451786/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sleid.601970/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.103/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user5.104/
Last edited:
