[SET]
name: Shift Gear Sweeper
move 1: Shift Gear
move 2: Gear Grind
move 3: Substitute / Magnet Rise
move 4: Toxic / Wild Charge
item: Leftovers
ability: Clear Body
nature: Adamant
evs: 100 HP / 252 Atk / 156 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Thanks to its great stats, amazing typing, and access to Shift Gear, Klinklang is one of the most terrifying sweepers in ZU. After a boost, its STAB Gear Grind breaks through most defensive Pokemon, including prominent walls like Articuno and Alcremie. Even neutral targets like Altaria, Tangela, and Uxie are used as setup fodder due to Klinklang's Steel typing. Klinklang can use Substitute to block weaker hits and status, but Magnet Rise is an option to avoid Earthquake from Rhydon and Alolan Dugtrio. Toxic cripples the few counters that Klinklang has, including Rapidash, Alolan Persian, Sableye, and Stunfisk. Alternatively, Wild Charge hits Water-types like Qwilfish, Poliwrath, and Cramorant. With 156 Speed EVs, Klinklang outspeeds Choice Scarf Manectric after a Shift Gear boost. The additional EVs are invested in bulk, making it even more difficult for revenge killers like Thwackey and Kangaskhan to pick it off at low health.
Klinklang fits on almost all types of teams, ranging from semi-stall to hyper offense, but is at its best when its counters get crippled over the long run. As a result, Toxic users like Miltank, Altaria, and Clefairy greatly assist Klinklang in wearing down counters like Rapidash and Stunfisk. In return, Klinklang threatens clerics like Alcremie and Articuno. Miltank and Clefairy also provide their own cleric support, healing Klinklang of any status it gets from Flame Body or Static. Klinklang also appreciates Knock Off support, removing crucial items from Rhydon and Tangela, as well as eliminating the chip damage from Rocky Helmet Miltank and Poliwrath. Thwackey, Alolan Persian, and Uxie are all good partners thanks to their ability to use Knock Off against Klinklang's checks. Gurdurr is a particularly good Knock Off partner, as Klinklang counters Gurdurr's biggest checks like Alcremie and Altaria.
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Gear Grind
move 2: Wild Charge
move 3: Volt Switch
move 4: Facade / Toxic
item: Choice Band
ability: Clear Body
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Klinklang's bulk and typing allow it to come in and fire off instantly powerful attacks, making it a versatile wallbreaker and pivot. As a Steel-type with solid bulk, Klinklang can directly switch into passive attacks from the likes of Articuno and Hurricane Altaria; it also comes in on Choice-locked wallbreakers like Thwackey, Froslass, and Gourgeist-S. Choice Band gives it the strength to immediately threaten walls like Alolan Persian, Rhydon, and Spiritomb. Wild Charge punishes bulky Water-types like Poliwrath, Qwilfish, and Pyukumuku, and Volt Switch provides useful pivoting for other switch-ins including Rapidash and Gurdurr. Facade is useful for doing meaningful damage to Stunfisk, especially if it gets afflicted with paralysis or burn. Toxic is also great on Choice Band sets to cripple switch-ins like the aforementioned Rapidash and Stunfisk.
Choice Band sets typically fit on more offensively-inclined teams looking for a physical wallbreaker that can switch into weak attacks. Its plethora of resistances help keep defensive partners like Poliwrath, Alcremie, and Tangela healthy. Those teammates can handle Fire-, Fighting-, and Ice-type attacks for Klinklang in return. Its offensive capabilities are further accentuated by chip damage, so entry hazards from Pokemon like Rhydon and Piloswine are helpful. They make especially useful partners, as they threaten Klinklang's biggest checks like Rapidash and Stunfisk. Spikes support from Qwilfish or Coalossal also helps rack up damage. VoltTurn wallbreakers including Rotom, Thwackey, and the Silvally formes can further add momentum with their pivoting. This constant damage is also helpful for fast cleaners like Galarian Rapidash, Froslass, and Choice Scarf Sawk, who appreciate the wallbreaking ability of Choice Band Klinklang. Although it does have good Speed, Klinklang gets outsped and OHKOed by Pokemon like Alolan Dugtrio and Ninetales, so revenge killers like Froslass and Manectric are essential for supporting Klinklang offensively.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Klinklang can run a Choice Specs set to surprise its checks, as a fully-invested Volt Switch can heavily damage switch-ins like Rapidash and Poliwrath. It also has Power Gem for surprising Rapidash, and Steel Beam as a powerful nuke. Unfortunately, it doesn't have a particularly high Special Attack, leaving it outclassed by other bulky Choice Specs wallbreakers, like Poliwrath and Exeggutor.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Electric-type Pokemon**: Stunfisk can use its typing and bulk to consistently switch into Klinklang. Static also dissuades Klinklang from using Gear Grind. If used carelessly, though, Toxic can cripple it. Other Electric-types like the Rotom formes, Morpeko, Raichu, and Manectric can check Klinklang offensively. The Rotom formes can inflict burn, Morpeko is able to accumulate Speed boosts with its powerful Aura Wheel, and the latter two have higher Speed and super effective coverage.
**Fire-type Pokemon**: Fire-types like Rapidash and Ninetales can switch into Klinklang's Gear Grind and retaliate with a super effective attack, so long as they watch out for Toxic and Wild Charge. Rapidash and Coalossal have the added bonus of potentially burning Klinklang with Flame Body, although the latter is a less consistent switch in.
**Fighting-type Pokemon**: With its weakness to Fighting-types, Klinklang is forced out by threats like Sawk and Throh. Gurdurr can shrug off boosted attacks and fire back with Drain Punch and can even revenge kill a weakend Klinklang with Mach Punch. While it must be wary of Electric moves, defensive Poliwrath easily handles Gear Grind and can stop a sweep with Circle Throw. Choice Specs variants also effortlessly revenge kill it with Vacuum Wave.
**Steel-type Pokemon**: Klinklang has a hard time getting past Steel-types, including opposing Klinklang. Because of its typing, Alolan Dugtrio is able to switch in and KO Klinklang despite its frailty. Galarian Stunfisk, while niche compared to regular Stunfisk, is even more physically bulky and is immune to Toxic.
**Alolan Persian**: Thanks to its high Speed, insane physical bulk, and access to Foul Play, Alolan Persian is able to take a hit and threaten Klinklang. Its lack of recovery means that it can get worn down from repeated hits, though.
**Sableye**: With its access to Foul Play and Prankster Will-O-Wisp, Sableye can frustrate Shift Gear Klinklang. However, its low bulk makes it vulnerable against Choice Band variants.
**Rocky Helmet**: Qwilfish and Miltank, while not great answers, can significantly weaken Klinklang with Rocky Helmet's chip damage. This makes it significantly harder for Klinklang to successfully sweep through a team.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[viet noa, 528055]
- Quality checked by: [[Jett, 226429] , [Tuthur, 369076]]
- Grammar checked by: [[UT, 523866]]
name: Shift Gear Sweeper
move 1: Shift Gear
move 2: Gear Grind
move 3: Substitute / Magnet Rise
move 4: Toxic / Wild Charge
item: Leftovers
ability: Clear Body
nature: Adamant
evs: 100 HP / 252 Atk / 156 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Thanks to its great stats, amazing typing, and access to Shift Gear, Klinklang is one of the most terrifying sweepers in ZU. After a boost, its STAB Gear Grind breaks through most defensive Pokemon, including prominent walls like Articuno and Alcremie. Even neutral targets like Altaria, Tangela, and Uxie are used as setup fodder due to Klinklang's Steel typing. Klinklang can use Substitute to block weaker hits and status, but Magnet Rise is an option to avoid Earthquake from Rhydon and Alolan Dugtrio. Toxic cripples the few counters that Klinklang has, including Rapidash, Alolan Persian, Sableye, and Stunfisk. Alternatively, Wild Charge hits Water-types like Qwilfish, Poliwrath, and Cramorant. With 156 Speed EVs, Klinklang outspeeds Choice Scarf Manectric after a Shift Gear boost. The additional EVs are invested in bulk, making it even more difficult for revenge killers like Thwackey and Kangaskhan to pick it off at low health.
Klinklang fits on almost all types of teams, ranging from semi-stall to hyper offense, but is at its best when its counters get crippled over the long run. As a result, Toxic users like Miltank, Altaria, and Clefairy greatly assist Klinklang in wearing down counters like Rapidash and Stunfisk. In return, Klinklang threatens clerics like Alcremie and Articuno. Miltank and Clefairy also provide their own cleric support, healing Klinklang of any status it gets from Flame Body or Static. Klinklang also appreciates Knock Off support, removing crucial items from Rhydon and Tangela, as well as eliminating the chip damage from Rocky Helmet Miltank and Poliwrath. Thwackey, Alolan Persian, and Uxie are all good partners thanks to their ability to use Knock Off against Klinklang's checks. Gurdurr is a particularly good Knock Off partner, as Klinklang counters Gurdurr's biggest checks like Alcremie and Altaria.
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Gear Grind
move 2: Wild Charge
move 3: Volt Switch
move 4: Facade / Toxic
item: Choice Band
ability: Clear Body
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Klinklang's bulk and typing allow it to come in and fire off instantly powerful attacks, making it a versatile wallbreaker and pivot. As a Steel-type with solid bulk, Klinklang can directly switch into passive attacks from the likes of Articuno and Hurricane Altaria; it also comes in on Choice-locked wallbreakers like Thwackey, Froslass, and Gourgeist-S. Choice Band gives it the strength to immediately threaten walls like Alolan Persian, Rhydon, and Spiritomb. Wild Charge punishes bulky Water-types like Poliwrath, Qwilfish, and Pyukumuku, and Volt Switch provides useful pivoting for other switch-ins including Rapidash and Gurdurr. Facade is useful for doing meaningful damage to Stunfisk, especially if it gets afflicted with paralysis or burn. Toxic is also great on Choice Band sets to cripple switch-ins like the aforementioned Rapidash and Stunfisk.
Choice Band sets typically fit on more offensively-inclined teams looking for a physical wallbreaker that can switch into weak attacks. Its plethora of resistances help keep defensive partners like Poliwrath, Alcremie, and Tangela healthy. Those teammates can handle Fire-, Fighting-, and Ice-type attacks for Klinklang in return. Its offensive capabilities are further accentuated by chip damage, so entry hazards from Pokemon like Rhydon and Piloswine are helpful. They make especially useful partners, as they threaten Klinklang's biggest checks like Rapidash and Stunfisk. Spikes support from Qwilfish or Coalossal also helps rack up damage. VoltTurn wallbreakers including Rotom, Thwackey, and the Silvally formes can further add momentum with their pivoting. This constant damage is also helpful for fast cleaners like Galarian Rapidash, Froslass, and Choice Scarf Sawk, who appreciate the wallbreaking ability of Choice Band Klinklang. Although it does have good Speed, Klinklang gets outsped and OHKOed by Pokemon like Alolan Dugtrio and Ninetales, so revenge killers like Froslass and Manectric are essential for supporting Klinklang offensively.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Klinklang can run a Choice Specs set to surprise its checks, as a fully-invested Volt Switch can heavily damage switch-ins like Rapidash and Poliwrath. It also has Power Gem for surprising Rapidash, and Steel Beam as a powerful nuke. Unfortunately, it doesn't have a particularly high Special Attack, leaving it outclassed by other bulky Choice Specs wallbreakers, like Poliwrath and Exeggutor.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Electric-type Pokemon**: Stunfisk can use its typing and bulk to consistently switch into Klinklang. Static also dissuades Klinklang from using Gear Grind. If used carelessly, though, Toxic can cripple it. Other Electric-types like the Rotom formes, Morpeko, Raichu, and Manectric can check Klinklang offensively. The Rotom formes can inflict burn, Morpeko is able to accumulate Speed boosts with its powerful Aura Wheel, and the latter two have higher Speed and super effective coverage.
**Fire-type Pokemon**: Fire-types like Rapidash and Ninetales can switch into Klinklang's Gear Grind and retaliate with a super effective attack, so long as they watch out for Toxic and Wild Charge. Rapidash and Coalossal have the added bonus of potentially burning Klinklang with Flame Body, although the latter is a less consistent switch in.
**Fighting-type Pokemon**: With its weakness to Fighting-types, Klinklang is forced out by threats like Sawk and Throh. Gurdurr can shrug off boosted attacks and fire back with Drain Punch and can even revenge kill a weakend Klinklang with Mach Punch. While it must be wary of Electric moves, defensive Poliwrath easily handles Gear Grind and can stop a sweep with Circle Throw. Choice Specs variants also effortlessly revenge kill it with Vacuum Wave.
**Steel-type Pokemon**: Klinklang has a hard time getting past Steel-types, including opposing Klinklang. Because of its typing, Alolan Dugtrio is able to switch in and KO Klinklang despite its frailty. Galarian Stunfisk, while niche compared to regular Stunfisk, is even more physically bulky and is immune to Toxic.
**Alolan Persian**: Thanks to its high Speed, insane physical bulk, and access to Foul Play, Alolan Persian is able to take a hit and threaten Klinklang. Its lack of recovery means that it can get worn down from repeated hits, though.
**Sableye**: With its access to Foul Play and Prankster Will-O-Wisp, Sableye can frustrate Shift Gear Klinklang. However, its low bulk makes it vulnerable against Choice Band variants.
**Rocky Helmet**: Qwilfish and Miltank, while not great answers, can significantly weaken Klinklang with Rocky Helmet's chip damage. This makes it significantly harder for Klinklang to successfully sweep through a team.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[viet noa, 528055]
- Quality checked by: [[Jett, 226429] , [Tuthur, 369076]]
- Grammar checked by: [[UT, 523866]]
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