[OVERVIEW]
Jellicent provides useful defensive support for teams due to its multitude of resistances, solid bulk, and colorful assortment of utility moves. Its good defenses, in tandem with its Water / Ghost typing allow Jellicent to check Fighting-, Steel-, and Ice-type threats such as Passimian, Steelix, Klinklang, and Choice-locked Vanilluxe. Options like Taunt, Scald, and Will-O-Wisp allow Jellicent to cripple Pokemon such as Slowbro, Steelix, and Medicham while also functioning as a stallbreaker, shutting down Pokemon that are reliant on status like Pyukumuku and Quagsire. Furthermore, access to reliable recovery allows Jellicent to operate well independently, capable of checking the aforementioned Pokemon multiple times throughout a match. Jellicent's Water-type STAB move in Scald and access to Taunt also allow it to check common, slow users of Stealth Rock such as Diancie, Rhydon, and Ferroseed.
Unfortunately for Jellicent, its typing leaves it with weaknesses to Electric-, Grass-, and Ghost-type attacks from common metagame threats such as Heliolisk, Sceptile, and Rotom. Powerful Dark-types such as Incineroar and Guzzlord can also heavily pressure Jellicent if its Colbur Berry is used up, and the likes of Sneasel and Absol can trap Jellicent with Pursuit if it tries to switch out. Jellicent's poor speed and lack of power can often let in faster Pokemon like Vivillon and Mismagius, as well as faster Taunt users such as Golbat and Comfey, which can shut down Jellicent's utility options. Susceptibility to Toxic from Pokemon that can outspeed Jellicent like Miltank and Silvally-Steel cripple it, limiting its ability to check Pokemon like Braviary and Type: Null if afflicted with status. Jellicent heavily competes with Slowbro for a teamslot, as Slowbro sports higher versatility and Regenerator to continually recover health to function far better as a pivot. Jellicent also competes with Vaporeon, as its access to Heal Bell and Wish allows it to adequately support itself alongside its teammates. Furthermore, other users of Taunt like Vanilluxe and Comfey possess higher speed and more offensive prowess, making it easier for these Pokemon to check bulky walls.
[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Taunt
move 2: Will-O-Wisp
move 3: Scald / Hex
move 4: Recover
item: Colbur Berry
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 212 Def / 44 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Taunt cripples walls such as Slowbro and Pyukumuku by cutting off their access to Toxic and recovery and also prevents Stealth Rock users like Steelix and Diancie from setting up entry hazards. Will-O-Wisp targets physical attackers such as Sneasel, Passimian, and Decidueye, cutting their attacking power in half. Scald is a highly spammable STAB move that offers a 30% chance to burn targets and deals consistent damage to threats such as Incineroar and Houndoom. In general, the residual damage provided by burns aids in making Jellicent slightly less passive. Hex can be used instead if Jellicent has teammates to take on Dark-types, as it puts more pressure on Pokemon like Assault Vest Slowbro, Dhelmise, Slowking, and Blastoise and synergizes with Will-O-Wisp. Recover heals off damage taken, allowing Jellicent to check Pokemon like Passimian several times in a match. One can opt to run both Scald and Hex on the same moveset for consistent offensive pressure, but this is somewhat reliant on Scald inflicting burns, which is not something to count on in a pinch.
Set Details
========
44 Speed EVs enable Jellicent to outpace Vaporeon, letting it use Taunt before Vaporeon can use Heal Bell or Wish. Alternatively, 148 Speed EVs make Jellicent fast enough to Taunt or burn specially defensive Malamar and Blastoise before they can use Knock Off or Toxic, respectively; in the case of Blastoise, this also allows Jellicent to function as a spinblocker. Be aware of its decreased Defense, however, as it won't be able to stomach hits as easily. For instance, Incineroar can OHKO Jellicent with Malicious Moonsault after Stealth Rock damage. The rest of the EVs are invested into HP and Defense to allow Jellicent to best check physical attackers such as Braviary and Hariyama. Colbur Berry allows Jellicent to temporarily check powerful Dark-types such as Sneasel and Scrafty, in addition to sponging Knock Off or Pursuit. Being able to stomach Sneasel's Knock Off and burn it in return notably allows Jellicent to beat it in a one-on-one scenario. Water Absorb enhances Jellicent's role as a bulky Water-type, granting it an immunity to Water-type moves like Liquidation and Scald from Pokemon such Samurott and Slowbro, healing itself when hit with one of these moves. Subsequently, Water Absorb makes Jellicent immune to Scald's burn chance.
Usage Tips
========
Switch Jellicent into physical attackers such as Passimian and Samurott in order to threaten them with Will-O-Wisp or Scald burns. Additionally, Taunt can prevent the likes of Steelix and Rhydon from using Stealth Rock. Other passive Pokemon like Slowbro and Vaporeon are shut down by Taunt as well, but be wary of being hit with Toxic on the switch. Jellicent can occasionally pivot directly into these Pokemon as well, but be cautious if entry hazards are on the field; multiple hazards can force Jellicent to use Recover while Toxic Spikes cripples Jellicent with poison. Avoid status moves if possible, as being poisoned or burned makes it harder for Jellicent to stallbreak due to it needing to use Recover much more often. Jellicent's typing can be a useful asset against slower defensive Pokemon such as Diancie and Blastoise; Jellicent threatens both with Taunt and is able to spinblock against Blastoise. Reserve Taunt for slower targets or predicted switch-ins, as Jellicent won't be able to stop faster setup Pokemon in time and generally has limited use if it can't successfully utilize Taunt in one-on-one situations. Similarly, exercise caution when using Will-O-Wisp against teams with Houndoom or Xatu.
Team Options
========
Clerics like Mega Audino and Diancie facilitate Jellicent's role as a stallbreaker, healing any status move inflicted onto it; they are also excellent switch-ins to powerful Dark-types such as Incineroar and Guzzlord as well as special attacks in general from Pokemon like Vanilluxe and Heliolisk. Poison-types such as Garbodor and Vileplume can switch into powerful Grass-type moves while being able to absorb Toxic Spikes. Ground-types like Steelix and Torterra serve as checks to Electric-types such as Heliolisk and Rotom, which will try to pivot out of Jellicent with Volt Switch. They also provide support through Stealth Rock. Dragon-types such as Druddigon and Guzzlord can use their typing and immense bulk to check offensive Grass- and Electric-types that can break through Jellicent like Decidueye and Heliolisk. Jellicent offers fantastic offensive and defensive synergy with Dark-types like Incineroar, Sneasel, and Guzzlord, which can threaten out offensive Ghost-types like Rotom and Mismagius that can deal high damage to Jellicent. The likes of Sneasel and Houndoom can utilize Pursuit to trap and eliminate the aforementioned Ghost-types. In return, Jellicent can cripple Fighting-types such as Passimian and Medicham with Will-O-Wisp. Offensive threats like Scrafty, Klinklang, and Sceptile work well with Jellicent on more balance-oriented teams, benefitting from Jellicent's ability to cripple threats to secure opportunities to set up or attack. Wallbreakers appreciate Jellicent's ability to sponge attacks and weaken powerful physical threats. Vanilluxe welcomes Jellicent's resistances to Fire- and Fighting-type attacks, whereas Diancie can power through troubling Dark-types. In return, Jellicent can naturally threaten Steel- and Ground-types such as Steelix and Rhydon, and switch into moves such as Passimian's Iron Head.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Leftovers gives Jellicent passive recovery, but this makes it vulnerable to Knock Off and will make dealing with Pokemon like Sneasel much more troublesome, especially given its vulnerability to being Pursuit trapped without the aid of Colbur Berry. Waterium Z or Ghostium Z can be used to dent checks, weaken Knock Off damage, and grant Jellicent an immunity to Trick. However, using up a Z-Crystal is a considerable opportunity cost, thus limiting its use to balance- or stall-oriented teams. Other support moves like Toxic and Magic Coat can be used; Jellicent can bounce back status moves, entry hazards, and Taunt from faster Taunt users, while Toxic permanently cripples bulky walls like Slowbro. However, the combination of Taunt and Will-O-Wisp is often enough to cripple said walls, and Jellicent often has trouble finding room for these moves. A Choice Specs set can utilize Jellicent's large offensive movepool, consisting of options like Water Spout, Ice Beam, and Sludge Bomb to deal high damage to threats like Guzzlord and Whimsicott as well as Trick to cripple walls. Unfortunately, such a set is mostly dependent on surprise factor, as Jellicent faces immense competition from other specially offensive wallbreakers like Guzzlord and Vanilluxe. Jellicent can set up Trick Room for slow teammates, but this is usually outdone by the likes of Slowking and Aromatisse due to the offensive presence they offer with Nasty Plot.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Electric-types**: Pokemon like Rotom, Heliolisk, and Vikavolt threaten to deal heavy damage to Jellicent while also being able to utilize Volt Switch to generate momentum on a forced switch. Heliolisk is especially threatening to Jellicent, as it boasts an immunity to both of its STAB moves.
**Grass-types**: Sceptile, Whimsicott, and Dhelmise all hit Jellicent hard with their super effective STAB moves. The likes of Decidueye and Torterra can potentially use Jellicent as setup fodder, though they must be wary of being burned.
**Dark-types**: While Colbur Berry can ease pressure against Dark-types, Pokemon like Guzzlord and Incineroar can threaten to deal serious damage to Jellicent if its item is removed or used up, though Incineroar must fear taking unwanted damage from Scald. Many Dark-types like Houndoom, Malamar, and Scrafty can pivot into Will-O-Wisp thanks to their respective abilities to take advantage or circumvent the move.
**Status**: Taunt can't prevent faster Toxic users like Garbodor and Miltank from crippling Jellicent by forcing it to use Recover much more often, limiting its chances to perform as a check to certain Pokemon. Additionally, Garbodor can set up Toxic Spikes, weakening Jellicent if it tries switching in while the entry hazard on the field. Jellicent must also be cautious of switching in directly into passive Pokemon like Slowbro and Steelix, as they will often carry Toxic.
**Taunt Users**: Golbat and Comfey outspeed Jellicent and strip it of both Recovery and its own Taunt, making it easy to wear down in the long run.
**Strong Special Attackers**: Jellicent lacks the investment to properly check specially offensive threats like Vanilluxe, Guzzlord, and Diancie.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[tondas, 442732]]
- Quality checked by: [[banks, 379208], [Earth, 231788], [kay, 240237]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Fireflame749, 231746], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
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