[OVERVIEW]
Steel
========
Jirachi is a good offensive option on Steel teams thanks to its good typing, great all-around stats, and access to a great setup move in Z-Happy Hour. This combination of traits allows it to help Steel in important matchups like Poison and Water. Z-Happy Hour also allows Jirachi to function as a great late-game cleaner, boosting all of its stats by one stage and allowing it to shrug off many revenge killers due to its increased defenses. Jirachi's Psychic typing grants it a neutrality to Fighting and gives Steel a reliable answer to threatening Poison-types such as Mega Venusaur and Toxapex thanks to its super effective STAB moves. Additionally, Jirachi's above-average bulk for an offensive Pokemon alongside good coverage options such as Thunderbolt also allows it to threaten more defensive types such as Water and Flying. However, Jirachi finds itself overly dependent on Z-Happy Hour in order to dent teams, as its damage output leaves a lot to be desired when unboosted due to its mediocre offensive stats. In addition to this, Z-Happy Hour can be rather risky and unreliable due to the fact it only works once throughout the game. Jirachi can also be difficult to fit on teams, since it competes for a teamslot with Steel's many other offensive options such as Magnezone and Bisharp.
[SET]
name: Z-Happy Hour (Steel)
move 1: Happy Hour
move 2: Psychic
move 3: Thunderbolt
move 4: Iron Head
item: Normalium Z
ability: Serene Grace
nature: Naive
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Happy Hour, when used with Normalium Z, gives Jirachi a one-time boost to all of its stats, making it very threatening due to its increased offenses and difficulty to revenge kill. Psychic is Jirachi's strongest move and allows it to blow past Poison- and Fighting-types such as Toxapex, Mega Venusaur, and Terrakion. Thunderbolt offers great coverage for Jirachi, allowing it to hit various Water- and Flying-types such as Mantine and Skarmory that would otherwise wall it. Iron Head is a secondary STAB move that is useful for its high flinch chance and ability to break past special walls such as Alolan Muk.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread alongside a Naive nature maximizes Jirachi's Special Attack and Speed without sacrificing its Attack stat or increasing the damage of Alolan Muk's Knock Off, allowing it to become a fearsome mixed sweeper in matchups like Poison. Serene Grace is Jirachi's only ability and doubles the secondary effect chance of all of its attacks, most notably giving Iron Head a 60% flinch chance. Normalium Z is required in order to use Z-Happy Hour and reduces the power of Knock Off, allowing Jirachi to have a better matchup against Alolan Muk and other Dark-types.
Usage Tips
========
This set is generally used late-game, as Jirachi can become a fearsome sweeper once all of its counters and revenge killers have been weakened or KOed. It is imperative to only set up with Z-Happy Hour once its answers are KOed, however, as Jirachi will only have one chance throughout the game to do so. Setting up while a potential check like Infernape is still healthy can waste its one opportunity to sweep. Specifically, Jirachi appreciates Dark-types such as Bisharp being KOed before attempting to sweep, as they prohibit Jirachi from freely using Psychic. In matchups such as Poison and Flying, Jirachi can be crucial in order to deal with important threats like Mega Venusaur and Mantine, so it is important to not play recklessly with Jirachi in these matchups. With this in mind, it is not recommended to set up in front of Haze users such as the aforementioned Toxapex and Mantine, as they can eliminate Jirachi's only setup opportunity and leave it vulnerable for the remainder of the game. Additionally, avoid phazers such as Swampert, as they can also remove Jirachi's boosts. Try to avoid status altogether. Although it is immune to Toxic, Jirachi is still crippled by paralysis and dislikes the chip damage and reduction in Attack from getting burned. Use Jirachi's good typing and bulk to set up against more passive Pokemon such as Mega Venusaur and Slowbro.
Team Options
========
Heatran is a crucial teammate for Jirachi and all Steel teams alike by providing an important Fire immunity and taking on opposing Steel-types and walls such as Ferrothorn thanks to its Fire-type STAB moves and access to Taunt. Entry hazard setters such as Skarmory and Excadrill are greatly appreciated in order to wear down switch-ins for Jirachi. Skarmory provides a Ground immunity and a defensive pivot for the team, while Excadrill is a more offensive setter that retains momentum for Jirachi. Celesteela is a similar Ground-immune option that can threaten more defensive Pokemon with its access to Leech Seed. Pokemon that can remove hazards such as the aforementioned Skarmory and Empoleon are also appreciated, as they can clear off problematic entry hazards such as Sticky Web and Spikes. Excadrill can also support Jirachi as a Choice Scarf user that can threaten many Pokemon that trouble Jirachi such as Chansey, while Jirachi can take out Pokemon such as Skarmory. Ferrothorn is an another hazard setter that can wear down many of Jirachi's checks, such as Porygon2, thanks to its access to Leech Seed. Its Grass typing also allowsit to check various Ground-types such as Hippowdon for Jirachi. Mega Scizor and Bisharp are setup Pokemon that benefit Jirachi thanks to how well they can take advantage of their typings to threaten Dark- and Psychic-types such as Greninja and Mew, which Jirachi normally struggles with. Mega Scizor can also give Jirachi opportunities to come in safely due to U-turn. Cobalion is a decent offensive teammate that can also offer support against various opposing Steel-types with its Fighting-type STAB moves and access to Volt Switch to generate momentum against switch-ins such as Celesteela. Lastly, Klefki provides dual screens support, which can help Jirachi set up on a wider range of Pokemon due to its increased bulk behind screens.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Steel
--------
Jirachi can run a Calm Mind set with Leftovers and Substitute in order to threaten bulkier types like Water and Flying without as much risk, but this allows revenge killers such as Choice Scarf Victini to take advantage of its unboosted Speed and beat it more easily.
Checks and Counters
===================
Steel
--------
**Revenge Killers**: Faster revenge killers that carry super effective coverage such as Choice Scarf Blacephalon can reliably check Jirachi, though they usually require chip damage if Jirachi has boosted already.
**Ground-types**: Jirachi normally lacks the power to break past Ground-types such as Excadrill and Landorus-T, which can KO Jirachi in return.
**Dark-types**: Despite normally taking reduced damage from Knock Off, Jirachi cannot use its main STAB attack against Pokemon such as Dark Pulse Greninja and Hydreigon, both of which can reliably 2HKO it in return.
**Steel-types**: Pokemon such as Mega Scizor and Bisharp resist Jirachi's STAB attacks and can threaten it with their own STAB moves.
**Mixed Walls**: Common defensive Pokemon such as Chansey and Mew can usually check Jirachi by virtue of their bulk and typing.
**Paralysis**: Thunder Wave users such as Klefki can cripple Jirachi by halving its Speed and allowing a plethora of Pokemon to naturally outspeed it, limiting its sweeping capabilities.
**Haze Users and Phazers**: Pokemon that can remove stat boosts pressure Jirachi. Pokemon like Toxapex and Mantine pressure it with Haze, while Pokemon such as Swampert and Skarmory can force it out with Roar and Whirlwind.
Steel
========
Jirachi is a good offensive option on Steel teams thanks to its good typing, great all-around stats, and access to a great setup move in Z-Happy Hour. This combination of traits allows it to help Steel in important matchups like Poison and Water. Z-Happy Hour also allows Jirachi to function as a great late-game cleaner, boosting all of its stats by one stage and allowing it to shrug off many revenge killers due to its increased defenses. Jirachi's Psychic typing grants it a neutrality to Fighting and gives Steel a reliable answer to threatening Poison-types such as Mega Venusaur and Toxapex thanks to its super effective STAB moves. Additionally, Jirachi's above-average bulk for an offensive Pokemon alongside good coverage options such as Thunderbolt also allows it to threaten more defensive types such as Water and Flying. However, Jirachi finds itself overly dependent on Z-Happy Hour in order to dent teams, as its damage output leaves a lot to be desired when unboosted due to its mediocre offensive stats. In addition to this, Z-Happy Hour can be rather risky and unreliable due to the fact it only works once throughout the game. Jirachi can also be difficult to fit on teams, since it competes for a teamslot with Steel's many other offensive options such as Magnezone and Bisharp.
[SET]
name: Z-Happy Hour (Steel)
move 1: Happy Hour
move 2: Psychic
move 3: Thunderbolt
move 4: Iron Head
item: Normalium Z
ability: Serene Grace
nature: Naive
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Happy Hour, when used with Normalium Z, gives Jirachi a one-time boost to all of its stats, making it very threatening due to its increased offenses and difficulty to revenge kill. Psychic is Jirachi's strongest move and allows it to blow past Poison- and Fighting-types such as Toxapex, Mega Venusaur, and Terrakion. Thunderbolt offers great coverage for Jirachi, allowing it to hit various Water- and Flying-types such as Mantine and Skarmory that would otherwise wall it. Iron Head is a secondary STAB move that is useful for its high flinch chance and ability to break past special walls such as Alolan Muk.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread alongside a Naive nature maximizes Jirachi's Special Attack and Speed without sacrificing its Attack stat or increasing the damage of Alolan Muk's Knock Off, allowing it to become a fearsome mixed sweeper in matchups like Poison. Serene Grace is Jirachi's only ability and doubles the secondary effect chance of all of its attacks, most notably giving Iron Head a 60% flinch chance. Normalium Z is required in order to use Z-Happy Hour and reduces the power of Knock Off, allowing Jirachi to have a better matchup against Alolan Muk and other Dark-types.
Usage Tips
========
This set is generally used late-game, as Jirachi can become a fearsome sweeper once all of its counters and revenge killers have been weakened or KOed. It is imperative to only set up with Z-Happy Hour once its answers are KOed, however, as Jirachi will only have one chance throughout the game to do so. Setting up while a potential check like Infernape is still healthy can waste its one opportunity to sweep. Specifically, Jirachi appreciates Dark-types such as Bisharp being KOed before attempting to sweep, as they prohibit Jirachi from freely using Psychic. In matchups such as Poison and Flying, Jirachi can be crucial in order to deal with important threats like Mega Venusaur and Mantine, so it is important to not play recklessly with Jirachi in these matchups. With this in mind, it is not recommended to set up in front of Haze users such as the aforementioned Toxapex and Mantine, as they can eliminate Jirachi's only setup opportunity and leave it vulnerable for the remainder of the game. Additionally, avoid phazers such as Swampert, as they can also remove Jirachi's boosts. Try to avoid status altogether. Although it is immune to Toxic, Jirachi is still crippled by paralysis and dislikes the chip damage and reduction in Attack from getting burned. Use Jirachi's good typing and bulk to set up against more passive Pokemon such as Mega Venusaur and Slowbro.
Team Options
========
Heatran is a crucial teammate for Jirachi and all Steel teams alike by providing an important Fire immunity and taking on opposing Steel-types and walls such as Ferrothorn thanks to its Fire-type STAB moves and access to Taunt. Entry hazard setters such as Skarmory and Excadrill are greatly appreciated in order to wear down switch-ins for Jirachi. Skarmory provides a Ground immunity and a defensive pivot for the team, while Excadrill is a more offensive setter that retains momentum for Jirachi. Celesteela is a similar Ground-immune option that can threaten more defensive Pokemon with its access to Leech Seed. Pokemon that can remove hazards such as the aforementioned Skarmory and Empoleon are also appreciated, as they can clear off problematic entry hazards such as Sticky Web and Spikes. Excadrill can also support Jirachi as a Choice Scarf user that can threaten many Pokemon that trouble Jirachi such as Chansey, while Jirachi can take out Pokemon such as Skarmory. Ferrothorn is an another hazard setter that can wear down many of Jirachi's checks, such as Porygon2, thanks to its access to Leech Seed. Its Grass typing also allowsit to check various Ground-types such as Hippowdon for Jirachi. Mega Scizor and Bisharp are setup Pokemon that benefit Jirachi thanks to how well they can take advantage of their typings to threaten Dark- and Psychic-types such as Greninja and Mew, which Jirachi normally struggles with. Mega Scizor can also give Jirachi opportunities to come in safely due to U-turn. Cobalion is a decent offensive teammate that can also offer support against various opposing Steel-types with its Fighting-type STAB moves and access to Volt Switch to generate momentum against switch-ins such as Celesteela. Lastly, Klefki provides dual screens support, which can help Jirachi set up on a wider range of Pokemon due to its increased bulk behind screens.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Steel
--------
Jirachi can run a Calm Mind set with Leftovers and Substitute in order to threaten bulkier types like Water and Flying without as much risk, but this allows revenge killers such as Choice Scarf Victini to take advantage of its unboosted Speed and beat it more easily.
Checks and Counters
===================
Steel
--------
**Revenge Killers**: Faster revenge killers that carry super effective coverage such as Choice Scarf Blacephalon can reliably check Jirachi, though they usually require chip damage if Jirachi has boosted already.
**Ground-types**: Jirachi normally lacks the power to break past Ground-types such as Excadrill and Landorus-T, which can KO Jirachi in return.
**Dark-types**: Despite normally taking reduced damage from Knock Off, Jirachi cannot use its main STAB attack against Pokemon such as Dark Pulse Greninja and Hydreigon, both of which can reliably 2HKO it in return.
**Steel-types**: Pokemon such as Mega Scizor and Bisharp resist Jirachi's STAB attacks and can threaten it with their own STAB moves.
**Mixed Walls**: Common defensive Pokemon such as Chansey and Mew can usually check Jirachi by virtue of their bulk and typing.
**Paralysis**: Thunder Wave users such as Klefki can cripple Jirachi by halving its Speed and allowing a plethora of Pokemon to naturally outspeed it, limiting its sweeping capabilities.
**Haze Users and Phazers**: Pokemon that can remove stat boosts pressure Jirachi. Pokemon like Toxapex and Mantine pressure it with Haze, while Pokemon such as Swampert and Skarmory can force it out with Roar and Whirlwind.
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