[OVERVIEW]
Kecleon is a good bulky attacker with near-exclusive access to the ability Protean, able to naturally check most of the special attackers in the tier due to its high natural Special Defense further boosted by Assault Vest. Its movepool is absolutely fantastic, featuring countless options like Knock Off, Drain Punch, Fire Blast, Ice Beam, and Fake Out. It also has access to Shadow Sneak and Sucker Punch, which are great priority moves that can help deal with Kecleon's type disadvantages from its natural Normal typing, as well as helping compensate for Kecleon's poor Speed. However, Kecleon suffers from competition from Komala, another bulky Normal-type with a similar movepool but with a better ability and access to different options like U-turn and Rapid Spin. Kecleon, unlike its competitor Komala, is horribly vulnerable to status and crippled by both poison and burn. Kecleon also faces competition from Bouffalant as a bulky Normal-type, but both Bouffalant and Komala can diversify their sets while Kecleon is generally pretty one dimensional. While Kecleon sets itself apart with its access to priority and STAB offensive coverage that allows it to threaten balance while still being able to soak up hits, it has an unfortunately moderate Attack stat that leaves it walled by general physical walls like Altaria and Gourgeist-XL; Ice Beam helps circumvent these issues somewhat, though. Despite its shortcomings, Kecleon is able to set itself apart with Protean and the ability to run mixed sets to help break through some Pokemon that would normally beat it. However, as a bulky attacker, Komala with Comatose is still a better option and generally more suited for the role.
[SET]
name: Bulky Mixed Attacker
move 1: Knock Off
move 2: Drain Punch
move 3: Shadow Sneak
move 4: Ice Beam / Sucker Punch / Fake Out
item: Assault Vest
ability: Protean
nature: Brave
evs: 252 HP / 156 Atk / 100 SpA
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Knock Off is Kecleon's most powerful move in many situations and provides a ton of usefulness, as it is able to remove items, including the popular Eviolite on the non-fully evolved Pokemon, such as Mareanie and Bronzor, that inhabit ZU. Drain Punch has excellent synergy with Knock Off, is able to hit Dark-types like Silvally-Dark, and gives Kecleon some passive recovery. A neutral Drain Punch is more powerful than a neutral Knock Off if the target is not holding an item. Shadow Sneak is a useful priority attack that allows Kecleon to revenge kill weakened foes. It also disrupts Fighting-types like Silvally-Fighting and Monferno due to Protean changing Kecleon into a Ghost-type. Ice Beam allows Kecleon to deal with physically defensive Pokemon like Gabite, Altaria, and Gourgeist-XL, which normally would pose a large issue to it. Sucker Punch can be used as a stronger, albeit less reliable form of priority, while Fake Out can help wear down foes more but is only able to be used on the first turn out.
Set Details
========
100 Special Attack EVs allow Kecleon to 2HKO Gourgeist-XL with Ice Beam and OHKO physically defensive Altaria after Stealth Rock damage, as well as OHKOing most defensive Gabite sets. If you're not using Ice Beam, 96 EVs can be placed into Attack and 4 into another stat, and the nature can be changed to Adamant. The remaining EVs are placed into Attack with a Brave nature to not compromise any bulk or power, and a Brave nature doesn't relevantly impact Kecleon's already mediocre Speed. Assault Vest helps Kecleon eat up most special attacks. Protean is a fantastic ability that changes Kecleon's typing with its moves, which also gives them a STAB boost.
Usage Tips
========
Kecleon should be used as an all-purpose special tank throughout the game, as it is able to switch into Pokemon like Oricorio, Zebstrika, and Choice Scarf Chatot somewhat easily. Kecleon's physical bulk is poor, and taking physical hits should be avoided if at all possible. Knock Off can be freely used early-game, as it is Kecleon's most powerful attack and can remove items. Drain Punch should be used when it hits the foe super effectively or if Kecleon is in need of some recovery. Protean should be utilized to the fullest, such as using Shadow Sneak in front of a Fighting-type so Kecleon will be immune to its super effective attack. Kecleon can also use its speed to its advantage in some cases, such as when facing a Choice-locked Normal-type like Chatot, which Kecleon can use Shadow Sneak on to become immune to its Normal-type attack and then Drain Punch or Knock Off on the next turn as the Normal-type will likely outspeed and Kecleon will retain its immunity. This process can be repeated if necessary. However, Silvally-Fighting runs Shadow Claw, so Kecleon needs to be careful, and Kecleon takes a lot from the relatively uncommon Flare Blitz Monferno. Kecleon's health needs to be preserved if it has many special attackers to check throughout the match, so sending it in recklessly on status and entry hazards is unadvised.
Team Options
========
Kecleon appreciates physical tanks like Altaria, Golem, Crustle, and Gourgeist-XL that can soak up physical attacks for it. Golem and Crustle are particularly useful for their ability to set Stealth Rock, which help wear down foes for Kecleon. In return, Kecleon can tank special attacks for these Pokemon. Special wallbreakers like Beheeyem and Simisear can help break through some of the physical walls that bother Kecleon. Pokemon with Heal Bell, like some Granbull and Altaria sets, can help keep Kecleon healthy despite the fact that it's an unconventional move in ZU. Status absorbers like Mareanie and Altaria are good teammates for the same reason. Kecleon greatly appreciates entry hazard removal from the likes of Swanna, Altaria, and Sandslash, as it is easily worn down and entry hazards only further decreases Kecleon's lifespan and force it to use Drain Punch more often. Golem checks, like Gourgeist-XL and Leafeon, are appreciated because Kecleon dislikes taking damage from offensive variants or a Toxic from defensive ones. Pokemon such as Golem and Monferno that appreciate Kecleon's ability to beat bulky foes like Bronzor and Altaria are good teammates.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Life Orb set can be used for more power, but this is at the cost of significant special bulk and it tends to chip Kecleon down even faster. A specially defensive set with Stealth Rock and Recover can be used; however, this set tends to be extremely passive and often ineffective. This set has the ability to run Color Change as well to help deal with special wallbreakers and offensive rain teams, despite Color Change being generally inferior, as it reduces Kecleon's already mediocre offensive presence. Fire Blast can be run to hit Mawile and Leafeon harder while still hitting Gourgeist-XL, but it is generally inferior coverage to Ice Beam for its ability to hit Pokemon like Altaria and Gabite. Power-Up Punch can boost Kecleon's Attack to help it break its checks more easily and can even let Kecleon sweep unprepared teams. Trick Room can be used to take advantage of Kecleon's low Speed or provide additional team support; however, Kecleon will be losing an already sought-after coverage slot and left vulnerable to attack. 228 Speed EVs with a Hasty nature can be used to outspeed Adamant Golem and Granbull, and with Life Orb Ice Beam and a minimum of 116 Special Attack EVs, it is able to OHKO Golem after Stealth Rock damage and 2HKO the latter. Toxic can be used to help break bulkier teams because of Kecleon's ability to threaten Heal Bell users like Altaria and Lickilicky.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types like Granbull and Mawile have high Defense and take very little from Kecleon's primary damaging moves. Granbull and Mawile also have Intimidate, which reduces Kecleon's power even further. Even Mr. Mime can cause issues, as it runs Psyshock to hit Kecleon's weak Defense stat, though it generally gets destroyed by Shadow Sneak. Trick can also be an issue as well.
**Residual Damage**: Kecleon is easily worn down, and Toxic is particularly devastating, as it severely limits Kecleon's ability to perform its duty of checking special attackers throughout the game. Being burned wears down Kecleon, although not as quickly as Toxic, and will halve Kecleon's Attack and render it useless. Along with status, entry hazards such as Stealth Rock, Spikes, and Toxic Spikes wear Kecleon down and make checking special attackers significantly more difficult.
**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types like Silvally-Fighting and Monferno can break Kecleon with their powerful STAB attacks, but Kecleon can use Shadow Sneak to help circumvent some of these issues.
**Strong Physical Attackers**: Kecleon is threatened by powerful physical attackers like Swords Dance Abomasnow and physical Floatzel variants, which can take advantage of Kecleon's mediocre Defense stat. Golem is extremely threatening as well, as it usually will outspeed Kecleon and deal a lot of damage, with Choice Band Golem able to OHKO Kecleon.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[DurzaOffTopic, 357488]]
- Quality checked by: [[Xayah, 167012], [jklioe, 424692], [5gen, 296755]]
- Grammar checked by: [[fireflame496, 231476], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
Kecleon is a good bulky attacker with near-exclusive access to the ability Protean, able to naturally check most of the special attackers in the tier due to its high natural Special Defense further boosted by Assault Vest. Its movepool is absolutely fantastic, featuring countless options like Knock Off, Drain Punch, Fire Blast, Ice Beam, and Fake Out. It also has access to Shadow Sneak and Sucker Punch, which are great priority moves that can help deal with Kecleon's type disadvantages from its natural Normal typing, as well as helping compensate for Kecleon's poor Speed. However, Kecleon suffers from competition from Komala, another bulky Normal-type with a similar movepool but with a better ability and access to different options like U-turn and Rapid Spin. Kecleon, unlike its competitor Komala, is horribly vulnerable to status and crippled by both poison and burn. Kecleon also faces competition from Bouffalant as a bulky Normal-type, but both Bouffalant and Komala can diversify their sets while Kecleon is generally pretty one dimensional. While Kecleon sets itself apart with its access to priority and STAB offensive coverage that allows it to threaten balance while still being able to soak up hits, it has an unfortunately moderate Attack stat that leaves it walled by general physical walls like Altaria and Gourgeist-XL; Ice Beam helps circumvent these issues somewhat, though. Despite its shortcomings, Kecleon is able to set itself apart with Protean and the ability to run mixed sets to help break through some Pokemon that would normally beat it. However, as a bulky attacker, Komala with Comatose is still a better option and generally more suited for the role.
[SET]
name: Bulky Mixed Attacker
move 1: Knock Off
move 2: Drain Punch
move 3: Shadow Sneak
move 4: Ice Beam / Sucker Punch / Fake Out
item: Assault Vest
ability: Protean
nature: Brave
evs: 252 HP / 156 Atk / 100 SpA
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Knock Off is Kecleon's most powerful move in many situations and provides a ton of usefulness, as it is able to remove items, including the popular Eviolite on the non-fully evolved Pokemon, such as Mareanie and Bronzor, that inhabit ZU. Drain Punch has excellent synergy with Knock Off, is able to hit Dark-types like Silvally-Dark, and gives Kecleon some passive recovery. A neutral Drain Punch is more powerful than a neutral Knock Off if the target is not holding an item. Shadow Sneak is a useful priority attack that allows Kecleon to revenge kill weakened foes. It also disrupts Fighting-types like Silvally-Fighting and Monferno due to Protean changing Kecleon into a Ghost-type. Ice Beam allows Kecleon to deal with physically defensive Pokemon like Gabite, Altaria, and Gourgeist-XL, which normally would pose a large issue to it. Sucker Punch can be used as a stronger, albeit less reliable form of priority, while Fake Out can help wear down foes more but is only able to be used on the first turn out.
Set Details
========
100 Special Attack EVs allow Kecleon to 2HKO Gourgeist-XL with Ice Beam and OHKO physically defensive Altaria after Stealth Rock damage, as well as OHKOing most defensive Gabite sets. If you're not using Ice Beam, 96 EVs can be placed into Attack and 4 into another stat, and the nature can be changed to Adamant. The remaining EVs are placed into Attack with a Brave nature to not compromise any bulk or power, and a Brave nature doesn't relevantly impact Kecleon's already mediocre Speed. Assault Vest helps Kecleon eat up most special attacks. Protean is a fantastic ability that changes Kecleon's typing with its moves, which also gives them a STAB boost.
Usage Tips
========
Kecleon should be used as an all-purpose special tank throughout the game, as it is able to switch into Pokemon like Oricorio, Zebstrika, and Choice Scarf Chatot somewhat easily. Kecleon's physical bulk is poor, and taking physical hits should be avoided if at all possible. Knock Off can be freely used early-game, as it is Kecleon's most powerful attack and can remove items. Drain Punch should be used when it hits the foe super effectively or if Kecleon is in need of some recovery. Protean should be utilized to the fullest, such as using Shadow Sneak in front of a Fighting-type so Kecleon will be immune to its super effective attack. Kecleon can also use its speed to its advantage in some cases, such as when facing a Choice-locked Normal-type like Chatot, which Kecleon can use Shadow Sneak on to become immune to its Normal-type attack and then Drain Punch or Knock Off on the next turn as the Normal-type will likely outspeed and Kecleon will retain its immunity. This process can be repeated if necessary. However, Silvally-Fighting runs Shadow Claw, so Kecleon needs to be careful, and Kecleon takes a lot from the relatively uncommon Flare Blitz Monferno. Kecleon's health needs to be preserved if it has many special attackers to check throughout the match, so sending it in recklessly on status and entry hazards is unadvised.
Team Options
========
Kecleon appreciates physical tanks like Altaria, Golem, Crustle, and Gourgeist-XL that can soak up physical attacks for it. Golem and Crustle are particularly useful for their ability to set Stealth Rock, which help wear down foes for Kecleon. In return, Kecleon can tank special attacks for these Pokemon. Special wallbreakers like Beheeyem and Simisear can help break through some of the physical walls that bother Kecleon. Pokemon with Heal Bell, like some Granbull and Altaria sets, can help keep Kecleon healthy despite the fact that it's an unconventional move in ZU. Status absorbers like Mareanie and Altaria are good teammates for the same reason. Kecleon greatly appreciates entry hazard removal from the likes of Swanna, Altaria, and Sandslash, as it is easily worn down and entry hazards only further decreases Kecleon's lifespan and force it to use Drain Punch more often. Golem checks, like Gourgeist-XL and Leafeon, are appreciated because Kecleon dislikes taking damage from offensive variants or a Toxic from defensive ones. Pokemon such as Golem and Monferno that appreciate Kecleon's ability to beat bulky foes like Bronzor and Altaria are good teammates.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Life Orb set can be used for more power, but this is at the cost of significant special bulk and it tends to chip Kecleon down even faster. A specially defensive set with Stealth Rock and Recover can be used; however, this set tends to be extremely passive and often ineffective. This set has the ability to run Color Change as well to help deal with special wallbreakers and offensive rain teams, despite Color Change being generally inferior, as it reduces Kecleon's already mediocre offensive presence. Fire Blast can be run to hit Mawile and Leafeon harder while still hitting Gourgeist-XL, but it is generally inferior coverage to Ice Beam for its ability to hit Pokemon like Altaria and Gabite. Power-Up Punch can boost Kecleon's Attack to help it break its checks more easily and can even let Kecleon sweep unprepared teams. Trick Room can be used to take advantage of Kecleon's low Speed or provide additional team support; however, Kecleon will be losing an already sought-after coverage slot and left vulnerable to attack. 228 Speed EVs with a Hasty nature can be used to outspeed Adamant Golem and Granbull, and with Life Orb Ice Beam and a minimum of 116 Special Attack EVs, it is able to OHKO Golem after Stealth Rock damage and 2HKO the latter. Toxic can be used to help break bulkier teams because of Kecleon's ability to threaten Heal Bell users like Altaria and Lickilicky.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types like Granbull and Mawile have high Defense and take very little from Kecleon's primary damaging moves. Granbull and Mawile also have Intimidate, which reduces Kecleon's power even further. Even Mr. Mime can cause issues, as it runs Psyshock to hit Kecleon's weak Defense stat, though it generally gets destroyed by Shadow Sneak. Trick can also be an issue as well.
**Residual Damage**: Kecleon is easily worn down, and Toxic is particularly devastating, as it severely limits Kecleon's ability to perform its duty of checking special attackers throughout the game. Being burned wears down Kecleon, although not as quickly as Toxic, and will halve Kecleon's Attack and render it useless. Along with status, entry hazards such as Stealth Rock, Spikes, and Toxic Spikes wear Kecleon down and make checking special attackers significantly more difficult.
**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types like Silvally-Fighting and Monferno can break Kecleon with their powerful STAB attacks, but Kecleon can use Shadow Sneak to help circumvent some of these issues.
**Strong Physical Attackers**: Kecleon is threatened by powerful physical attackers like Swords Dance Abomasnow and physical Floatzel variants, which can take advantage of Kecleon's mediocre Defense stat. Golem is extremely threatening as well, as it usually will outspeed Kecleon and deal a lot of damage, with Choice Band Golem able to OHKO Kecleon.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[DurzaOffTopic, 357488]]
- Quality checked by: [[Xayah, 167012], [jklioe, 424692], [5gen, 296755]]
- Grammar checked by: [[fireflame496, 231476], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
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