Malfunction
nice desu ne
[SET]
name: Substitute
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Nasty Plot
move 3: Shadow Ball
move 4: Focus Blast / Dazzling Gleam
item: Black Sludge / Life Orb
ability: Cursed Body
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Gengar acts as a great wall breaker, capable of taking advantage of common Fairy-type Pokemon like Clefable and overwhelming defensive threats like Toxapex, Corviknight, and Hippowdon. Substitute is used to ease decisions and avoid getting paralyzed by Blissey and Amoonguss and help prevent Gengar from being revenge killed by common priority users such as Urshifu and Rillaboom. Focus Blast is the recommended move for the fourth slot as it allows Gengar to 2HKO Blissey and Mandibuzz after a Nasty Plot boost. Alternatively, Dazzling Gleam can be used for a more accurate attack against Mandibuzz and Urshifu.
A Timid nature is used to maximize Gengar's speed and ensure it outspeeds Urshifu, Volcarona, and Hydreigon, and base 100 Pokemon like Jirachi. While Black Sludge is the preferred item of choice, as Gengar is prone to chip damage, Life Orb is notable for allowing Gengar to OHKO Hippowdon and Mandibuzz after a Nasty Plot boost.
Gengar fits best on bulky offensive and balance teams that can take advantage of Clefable and common defensive threats. As it's prone to being chipped down, it appreciates Wish support from Clefable and Blissey. Teleport Clefable, in particular, can also be used to bring in Gengar safely. U-turn and Volt Switch support from the likes of Corviknight, Rotom-h, and Hydreigon can also help get Gengar in safely. Nasty Plot Rotom-h can be used alongside Gengar to form a potent wall-breaking core.
[SET]
name: Hex
move 1: Hex
move 2: Will-O-Wisp
move 3: Sludge Bomb
move 4: Substitute
item: Black Sludge
ability: Cursed Body
nature: Timid
evs: 96 HP / 72 SpA / 88 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Gengar makes for a great user of Hex as it commonly forces switches thanks to its great offensive typing. Its ability to take advantage of common Fairy-type Pokemon like Clefable gives it ample opportunities to inflict status on the opponent's Pokemon. Hex can then be used to inflict massive amounts of damage, transforming Gengar into a potent wall breaker or a late-game cleaner. Will-O-Wisp is used to burn common switch-ins to Gengar like Toxapex and Ferrothorn, threatening them with Hex. Sludge bomb is used here over Sludge Wave for the slightly better chance to poison the opponent since Hex already hits Bulletproof Kommo-o. Substitute is used in the fourth slot to ease prediction and can threaten passive defensive switch-ins like Toxapex and Corviknight that usually don't carry more than one attack to hit Gengar with, and punishes Clefable very significantly. It also limits offensive counterplay a lot, as Pokemon like Zeraora and Choice Scarf Urshifu cannot reliably deal with Gengar behind a Substitute.
A Timid nature is used to ensure Gengar outspeeds Urshifu and Pokemon with base 100 Speed. The given EV spread ensures Gengar's Substitute is never broken by Toxapex's Scald.
To maximize its potential, this set should be used on teams that can help Gengar capitalize on status-inflected Pokemon. Pokemon like Clefable and Togekiss can spread paralysis and have good synergy with Gengar, providing Wish support to Gengar in Clefable's case. As Blissey walls this set, strong physical attackers that can take advantage of it, such as Rillaboom and Urshifu, make for great teammates. Defensive Pokemon like Ferrothorn and Toxapex help spread status and can spam Knock Off on opposing defensive Pokemon, allowing you to slowly chip at them. Spikes support from Ferrothorn and Skarmory is notably appreciated, as Substitute Gengar can force switches and chip away on the opponent, making it overwhelming to deal with in the long-term.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Malfunction, 15693]]
- Quality checked by: [[Jordy, 395754], [username2, userid2]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1]]
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