Rei
Solace
[OVERVIEW]
Galarian Ponyta is a good special attacker because of its Psychic typing and good coverage options such as Mystical Fire and Dazzling Gleam, allowing it to threaten Mareanie, Ferroseed, and Vullaby, and a good Speed stat allows it to outspeed Galarian Farfetch'd and Speed tie with Wingull. It can also use Calm Mind to boost its Special Attack stat and turn into a dangerous sweeper, while a set with Life Orb and three attacks makes it a threatening special attacker right off the bat that takes care of common threats to it such as Vullaby after Stealth Rock damage. However, Galarian Ponyta struggles with taking physical attacks because of its low Defense stat and is weak to Knock Off users that can take an attack from it, such as Corphish, Krabby, and Vullaby. Galarian Ponyta has additional problems with Diglett and Trapinch trapping and OHKOing it due to its low Defense stat. It also struggles with Pawniard, as Sucker Punch OHKOes it.
[SET]
name: Special Attacker
move 1: Calm Mind / Dazzling Gleam
move 2: Morning Sun / Protect
move 3: Psychic
move 4: Mystical Fire
item: Eviolite / Life Orb
ability: Pastel Veil
nature: Timid
evs: 236 SpA / 76 SpD / 196 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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Calm Mind allows Galarian Ponyta to be a fearsome mid- to late-game sweeper once its checks like Diglett and Pawniard are gone. Dazzling Gleam enables Galarian Ponyta to hit its checks such as Vullaby super effectively. Morning Sun allows Galarian Ponyta to keep itself healthy while setting up with Calm Mind. Protect is mainly used to avoid getting OHKOed by Trapinch's First Impression, but it can also serve as a way to play mind games with Sucker Punch users such as Pawniard. Psychic allows Galarian Ponyta to do major damage to Mareanie and Galarian Farfetch'd. Mystical Fire makes Galarian Ponyta able to OHKO Steel-types such as Ferroseed as well as 2HKO Pawniard, though it will raise Pawniard's Attack stat if it survives the attack.
Set Details
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Pastel Veil is used to avoid getting poisoned by Toxic Spikes and Sludge Bomb from Oddish and Mareanie. Running 196 Speed EVs and a Timid nature allows Galarian Ponyta to Speed tie with Wingull and outspeed Pokemon such as Onix and Galarian Farfetch'd. Life Orb can be used over Eviolite to net OHKOs on Vullaby and Trapinch after Stealth Rock damage; however, Eviolite is the preferred item so Galarian Ponyta can set up with Calm Mind more easily and take an attack from Wingull, which it could not do with Life Orb.
Usage Tips
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Make sure that Diglett and Trapinch are KOed before trying to sweep, as these two can trap Galarian Ponyta and OHKO it with Earthquake or, in the latter's case, First Impression if Galarian Ponyta is not running Protect. Use Protect to avoid being OHKOed by Trapinch's First Impression and play mind games with Pawniard's Sucker Punch. Galarian Ponyta should try to set up mid- to late-game to sweep once threats such as Pawniard, Frillish, and Vullaby are gone. It can also set up on Pokemon that do not threaten it like Mareanie and Oddish. Be careful around priority users such as Pawniard and Corphish, as these will either heavily chip or OHKO Galarian Ponyta. Avoid taking physical attacks from Pokemon such as Onix due to Galarian Ponyta's poor Defense stat.
Team Options
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Galarian Ponyta struggles with Munchlax, which is able to tank its attacks while taking care of it with Double-Edge, so Fighting-types like Timburr and Galarian Farfetch'd are good partners. Stealth Rock and Spikes setters like Onix and Ferroseed can set down entry hazards for Galarian Ponyta to make it easier to sweep late-game. Galarian Ponyta also appreciates having Stealth Rock up to help wear down Vullaby. Mudbray can also be used for its ability to take care of Pawniard and Onix while also setting up Stealth Rock. Galarian Ponyta struggles against Pawniard and Vullaby, so Pokemon such as Trapinch and Spritzee make great partners, as Trapinch can take care of Pawniard, while Spritzee can take care of Vullaby. Galarian Ponyta also struggles against Frillish, so having a Dark-type such as Pawniard is great to take care of it. Finally, Galarian Ponyta loves Sticky Web support from Dewpider to make it easier to set up and outpace Pokemon that it usually cannot such as Diglett.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
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A mixed set with Double Kick, Psychic, Mystical Fire / Dazzling Gleam, and Protect allows Galarian Ponyta to OHKO Pawniard and put a major dent in Munchlax with Double Kick; however, Galarian Ponyta will have to give up either the ability to hit Steel-types or Vullaby super effectively. A physical set with Play Rough, Wild Charge / Protect / Morning Sun, Low Kick, and Zen Headbutt can be used to do major damage to Munchlax and hit Water-types such as Krabby and Corphish super effectively. However, Galarian Ponyta attacks would hit less hard, and Play Rough would activate Vullaby's Weak Armor, which forces Galarian Ponyta out.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Pawniard and Vullaby are able to threaten Galarian Ponyta with Sucker Punch or Knock Off and outspeed it if they're using a Choice Scarf. However, Pawniard and Vullaby will have to scout what moves it is running, as Mystical Fire and Dazzling Gleam can take care of them.
**Ghost-types**: Frillish gives Galarian Ponyta a problem because of its bulk, allowing it to take attacks from Galarian Ponyta and use Will-O-Wisp + Hex to take care of it.
**Arena Trap**: Arena Trap users like Diglett and Trapinch give Galarian Ponyta trouble, as they can take care of it with Sucker Punch, Earthquake, or First Impression.
**Munchlax**: Munchlax is able to tank any of Galarian Ponyta's attacks and take care of it with Double-Edge.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Yami, 393488]]
- Quality checked by: [[Merritt, 213064], [KSG, 32350], [tazz, 240933], [Nineage, 195129], [Stoward, 420389]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Estronic, 240732], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
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