[OVERVIEW]
<p>Stuck in a tier rampant with Psychic-type Pokemon, Grumpig struggles to make an impact on any serious competitive team, as most of the jobs doable with Grumpig are outclassed by its brethren who boast reliable recovery moves and/or workable defenses. However, the additional resistances granted by its Thick Fat ability allow it to patch up holes in teams and the new found access to Heal Bell coupled with Whirlwind in BW2 grant Grumpig a solid niche over its competition as a specially defensive cleric. While this niche is not enough for Grumpig to land on most teams, it does wield the ability to check one of the greatest threats of the NU metagame: Jynx. Resisting both ofits STABs and Focus Blast coverage is a rare treat only Grumpig can claim, and the frustration Jynx causes to most teams could possibly give Grumpig the limelight it has never seen.</p>
[SET]
name: Utility Support
move 1: Heal Bell
move 2: Psyshock / Psychic
move 3: Whirlwind
move 4: Thunder Wave / Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Thick Fat
nature: Calm
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
ivs: 0 Atk
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Fitting best on bulky teams with hazards, Grumpig's sole job is to support the team with Heal Bell, phase with Whirlwind, and paralyze or poison as much as possible to aid its team members. Its high base Speed for a wall comes in handy, as it outpaces the majority of walls in the tier. Psyshock is the most practical attack as it breaks Jynx's Substitute, but Psychic can be used instead for the higher Base Power. Whirlwind works well at preventing Pokemon from setting up on Grumpig, as well as racking up entry hazard damage. Grumpig's resistances from Thick Fat and its impressive special bulk provide it with many chances to use Heal Bell, allowing teammates to use the unorthodox recovery move Rest as well as removing fatal status conditions.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EVs are standard, as they maximize Grumpig's special bulk. But, they can be taken from Special Defense and added to Special Attack to suit the damaging needs. The 0 Attack IVs are to minimalize confusion and Foul Play damage. If stall teams cause problems, Taunt can be used in the last moveslot so opposing Pokemon do not ruin Grumpig's supporting antics. If not, a Taunting teammate is encouraged. Focus Blast can also be used in place of Thunder Wave/Toxic to surprise clerics such as Lickilicky or Audino. Wish support is nice for Grumpig as it cannot safely recover itself. Alomomola is a good partner as it can patch Grumpig's bad Defense, or Lickilicky or Audino can be used as a Special Defense core, as their types compliment each other well. Regirock, Carracosta, and Miltank are some great NU sStealth Rock users to compliment Grumpig's phazing because of their physical bulk that Grumpig lacks. Miltank deserves a special mention as Grumpig can take most Fighting-type attacks headed towards Miltank, and Miltank can take the Ghost-type attacks headed towards Grumpig. Miltank also can take the cleric role, allowing Grumpig to use a different move. Offensive partners that work well with Grumpig are those that can take out the physical Dark-, Bug-, and Ghost-type Pokemon that all threaten Grumpig. Golem is a great example because it can beat the popular Skuntank as well as most Bug-type Pokemon and can Sucker Punch the ever-present Golurk for hefty damage. Grumpig also patches up Golem's terrible Special Defense. Lastly, Rapid Spin blockers like Misdreavus are needed to keep hazards on the field to ensure Grumpig’s phazing has a purpose; just make sure the team covers their shared Dark and Ghost weaknesses.</p>
[OTHER OPTIONS]
<p>As mentioned above, most of the jobs Grumpig can do are primarily outclassed by other Psychic-type Pokemon. A Calm Mind set is viable, but Musharna and Gardevoir are better due to the former's defenses and the latter's offenses. Musharna also handles the dual screens role better, as it has access to Moonlight and better bulk. Trick can be used, but Grumpig's Choice Scarf set misses out on the base 95 Speed tier and the Choice Specs set is not strong enough, both of which are still outclassed by Gardevoir. Grumpig can also set up weather, but Prankster Pokemon or set up sweepers are more reliable. Magic Coat is a fun, situational move that surprises notorious status inducers, bit it is not worth it overall. Lastly, it can run a set of Rest / Sleep Talk / Psyshock / Heal Bell for self-recovery, but Grumpig loses its utility as a phazer and as a status inducer.</p>
[CHECKS AND COUNTERS]
<p>Most physical attackers can out-speed and crush Grumpig, such as Skuntank, Scolipede, Golurk, Pinsir, and Swellow. Primeape deserves a special mention as a super-effective U-Turn will scare Grumpig out and harshly lose momentum for the team. Nevertheless, all of these Pokemon risk being hit by a Thunder Wave on the switch in or being blown right back out with Whirlwind. Ground-type Pokemon in general are great checks as they can come in on a Thunder Wave and set up or attack. Any Taunt Pokemon typically forces Grumpig out, and Pokemon with Pursuit will be having pork for dinner. Skuntank is a prime example of both of those scenarios. Misdreavus is also a good check as it can Taunt Grumpig or smack it with a super effective Foul Play or Shadow Ball. Lastly, Rapid Spinners ruin Grumpig's phasing antics, and Clerics spoil Grumpig's status shenanigans; for example: Lickilicky can remove its statuses and wear it down with Body Slam.</p>
[OVERVIEW]
- Rather situational cleric, fitting best on bulky teams with hazards.
- Has to compete against other clerics for a spot on a team, but its awesome resistances (thanks to Thick Fat) differentiate it from the bunch.
- BW2 made Heal Bell+Whirlwind legal giving it a niche over Musharna as a bulky psychic cleric.
- Great Jynx check, who is a prominent threat in this metagame.
- Weak physical defenses and no recovery outside of rest.
- Needs much support to do its job, but it can easily patch some holes in a team’s defenses.
[SET]
name: Utility Support
move 1: Heal Bell
move 2: Psyshock / Psychic
move 3: Whirlwind
move 4: Thunder Wave / Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Thick Fat
nature: Calm
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
ivs: 0 Att
[SET COMMENTS]
- Should only be used on bulky teams with hazards.
- Thick Fat allows Grumpig to wall certain Pokemon most walls cannot, such as Jynx and Combusken.
- User will spend most time paralyzing everything in Grumpig’s way, allowing team mates to set up easier and phasers to get a few free phases. Toxic can be used instead if opposing stall teams give trouble or another Pokemon offers paralysis support.
- Whirlwind ensures no Pokemon can set up on it, and racks up hazard damage, differentiating the pig from the likes of Miltank who has similar resistances thanks to Thick Fat.
- Psyshock is the most practical attack as it can break Jynx's Substitutes, but Psychic offers slightly more power for most situations.
- Heal Bell elongates the team survival and allows Pokemon with no other reliable recovery to use rest.
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
- EVs maximize special bulk, but it is possible to add more SpA EVs to suit the damaging needs.
- Taunt can be used in place of whirlwind if stall causes problems.
- 0 IVs in attack for less confusion and Misdreavus' Foul Play damage (Don't stay in on Liepard).
- Likes Wish support for longevity and hazard support for phasing benefits. Alomomola can take physical attacks aimed toward Grumpig brilliantly, or Lickilicky/Audino can work as their typing compliments Grumpig's well
- Opposing clerics can ruin all of Grumpig’s paralyzation antics, so teammates with taunt are nice.
- Roselia and Scolipede are some great NU spikers to compliment Grumpig's phasing.
- Regirock, Carracosta, and Miltank are some great NU stealth rockers to compliment Grumpig, because of their physical bulk that Grumpig lacks. Miltank deserves a special mention as Grumpig can take some fighting attacks headed towards Miltank, and Miltank can take the ghost attacks headed towards Grumpig. Miltank, also, can take the cleric role, allowing Grumpig to use another move.
- Spin blockers like Misdreavus are needed to keep hazards on the field ensuring Grumpig’s phasing has a purpose, just make sure the team covers their dark/ghost weaknesses.
- Offensive partners that work well with Grumpig are those that can take out the physical darks (ex:Skuntank), bugs (ex:Scolipede), and ghosts (ex:Golurk) that all threaten Grumpig out. Golem is a great example because it can beat Skuntank (the current most common dark type in NU) as well as most bugs (must be careful of Scolipede's Aqua Tail) and can Sucker Punch Golurk for around 60% damage. Grumpig patches up Golem's terrible Special Defense as well.
[OTHER OPTIONS]
- Can run a Calm Mind set, but is outclassed by Gardevoir and Musharna due to their greater offenses (Gardevoir) and defenses (Musharna).
- Can run a Trick set, but it misses out on the current Choice Scarf speed tier of base 95 and its special attack with Choice Specs usually isn’t good enough.
- Can run a Dual Screens set, but Musharna’s better overall bulk and access to Moonlight outclasses Grumpig.
- Can set up weather, but outclassed by Prankster Pokemon.
- Can use a decent RestTalk whirlwind set, but is outclasses by Munchlax who has superior special defenses and similar resistances.
- Magic Coat is a fun, situational move that surprises notorious status inducers, because reflecting Jynx's Lovely Kiss back on her is hilarious.
- Can run a set of Rest / Sleep Talk / Psyshock / Heal Bell for self-recovery, but Grumpig loses its utility as a phaser and as a status inducer.
[CHECKS AND COUNTERS]
- Most physical attackers can out speed and crush Grumpig, such as Skuntank, Scolipede, Golurk, Pinsir, and Swellow. Primeape deserves a special mention as super-effective U-Turns scare Grumpig out and harshly lose momentum for the team. Nevertheless, all of these Pokemon risk being hit by a Thunder Wave on the switch in or being blown right back out with Whirlwind.
- Ground-Type Pokemon are great checks as they can come in on a Thunder Wave and set up/attack.
- Any Taunt Pokemon forces Grumpig out, and Pokemon with Pursuit eat pork for dinner. Skuntank is a prime example of both of those scenarios.
- Rapid Spinners ruin Grumpig's phasing antics, and Clerics spoil Grumpig's status shenanigans.