Quality Control: QC1 / QC2 / QC3
Grammar & Prose: GP1 / GP2
[OVERVIEW]
Pros
[SET]
name: Offensive Pivot
move 1: Moonblast
move 2: Focus Blast / Aura Sphere
move 3: Sludge Bomb
move 4: Parting Shot
item: Life Orb / Fightinium Z / Darkinium Z
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
- Moonblast is Kerfluffle's main STAB option and is its most reliable attack, with a Life Orb equipped it OHKOs Tomohawk, Cyclohm and Flame Orb Colossoil and 2HKOs standard AV Colossoil, which are key Pokemon in the CAP metagame.
- Focus Blast is Kerf's most powerful attacking option, and 2HKOs and OHKOs most of the Steel types that resist Moonblast, though it is rather inaccurate. Aura Sphere can be used for its perfect accuracy, but it comes at the cost of a significant decrease in damage output, such as failing to OHKO Ferrothorn, Mega Mawile and Utility Heatran and failing to 2HKO Celesteela, Pyroak and TR Magearna.
- Sludge Bomb allows it to threaten fairy types like Jumbao, Tapu Lele and Clefable that would otherwise like to switch in on Kerfluffle. Sludge Wave my be marginally more powerful, but the increased poison type chance Sludge Bomb offers generally outweighs it.
- Parting Shot is main defining feature of Kerfluffle's set. It allows it to gain and preserve momentum while weakening opposing Pokemon so its teammate has an easier time switching in.
Set Details
========
- 252 Speed EVs and a Timid nature allows it to outrun a majority of the unboosted metagame, notably outpacing Mega Crucibelle to pivot out.
- 252 SpA EVs allow Kerfluffle to hit as hard as possible
- Natural Cure is a handy way of curing Kerfluffle of status, as its usually clicking Parting Shot for the majority of the battle
- Life Orb gives Kerfluffle a nice boost in power in all of its attacks, and is its most consistent item option. Its HP stat also hits a Life Orb number to minimize recoil.
- Fightinium Z can give Kerfluffle a one time perfectly accurate nuke to punch a big hole in common special walls like Chansey and SpD Pyroak
- Darkinium Z turns Kerf's Parting Shot into a pseudo Healing Wish, providing valuable utility for weakened sweepers once Kerfluffle has done its job. Notably Z-Parting Shot does not cause Kerfluffle to faint, meaning it still can be utilized after using Z-Parting Shot.
Usage Tips
========
- Kerfluffle should be used early game to gain momentum via Parting Shot.
- Kerfluffle can come on weak resisted attacks like U-Turn, and if carrying a Z-Crystal, Knock Off from Pokemon such as Syclant, Malaconda, Tangrowth and AV Colossoil.
- Utilize the Z-Move effectively, using Z-Parting Shot late game when a sweeper is worn down, while using All Out Pummeling mid game to punch holes within the enemy team to make it easier for partners late game.
- Prediction is key when using Kerfluffle, in order to maximize its potential. If a Poison type or special wall is on the opposing team, such as Toxapex or Magearna, Parting Shot should be used to gain momentum. If none of these Pokemon are on the team, feel free to click Moonblast and chip the opposing team, and Focus Blast if Steel types are prone to switch in.
Team Options
========
- U-Turn and Volt Switch users like Krilowatt, Mega Crucibelle, Mega Scizor and Landorus-T can form fantastic VoltTurn cores with Kerfluffle, wearing down each others checks.
- Pokemon that can handle Poison types for Kerfluffle such as Mega Crucibelle and Mollux are mandatory, as they completely wall Kerfluffle. Landorus-T, Colossoil, Ferrothorn (if lacking Low Kick), Choice Scarf Kartana and Mega Latios are great examples.
- Hazard control Pokemon are great partners for Kerfluffle, as it not only forces many switches, which hazards punish, but due to pivoting around, tends to get easily chipped if hazards are on its side of the field. Stealth Rock setters that pair well include SR Tomohawk, Landorus-T and Mega Crucibelle, Spikes setters like Ash-Greninja, Ferrothorn and Arghonaut and hazard removers like Defog Zapdos, Assault Vest Colossoil, Choice Scarf Landorus and Defog Kartana are great examples.
- Sweepers that generally appreciate the reduced damage like Kartana, Ash-Greninja, Choice Scarf Volkraken and Zygarde also are good partners for Kerf.
- Sweepers that appreciate the support Z-Parting Shot brings to the table, such as Cawmodore, Naviathan and Mega Crucibelle are notable teammates for Kerfluffle.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
- Kerfluffle can opt to run Choice Specs for more immediate power, but it doesn't grant Kerfluffle any notable OHKOs and 2HKOs that Life Orb already provides and generally prefers the flexibility of Life Orb and Z-Crystals.
- Hidden Power Ground can be used instead of Sludge Bomb to nail Poison type switch ins like Toxapex and Mega Crucibelle, but Kerfluffle will most likely be clicking Parting Shot in the presence of them, and likes the ability to check opposing Fairy types more.
- A Taunt + Two Attack set can be used to ease its matchup against bulky walls by preventing their recovery options, and Kerfluffle can then proceed to use Parting Shot on later turns.
- Energy Ball is a niche option to hit Gastrodon for massive damage, but doesn't hit anything else for notable damage.
- Z-Hold Hands can turn Kerfluffle into a one time bulky sweeper thanks to boosting all stats by+1, but the ease at which these stat boosts can be removed in the metagame thanks to the ubiquitous presence of Haze Tomohawk, which thanks to Prankster removes its boosts before it can retaliate, combined with the one and done nature of the set makes it less than desirable.
- Finally, Kerf can operate as a WishPasser thanks to its good HP stat in combination with its high speed and Parting Shot, but it misses the coverage that three attacks bring, especially if it is a mono attacking set, due the popularity of Steel types. This set also faces competition from Clefable and Jumbao, which provide utility and much better bulk respectively.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Poison Types** Poison types such as Mollux, Toxapex, Plasmanta and Mega Crucibelle resist one or both of Kerfluffle's STABs and its most common coverage move, while being able to it for super effective damage. They should scout for Hidden Power Ground however.
**Steel types neutral to Fighting** Steel types such as Celesteela, AV Magearna, Kitsunoh, Mega Scizor and Jirachi can all stomach a Focus Blast and hit back hard with their super effective STAB. Mega Scizor is notable in that its Bullet Punch can KO Kerf before it can retaliate or pivot out.
**Faster Threats** Naturally faster Pokemon such as Protean Greninja, Tapu Koko, Ash-Greninja, Syclant, Tornadus-Therian and common Choice Scarfers like Volkraken, Tapu Lele and Jumbao can outspeed and threaten to KO Kerfluffle with their powerful or super effective attacks. They cannot reliably switch in however, due to fear of taking considerable damage (or an outright KO) from Kerfluffle's coverage and none like the power reduction of Parting Shot.
**Special Walls** Toxapex, Chansey, SpD Pyroak and other special walls can shrug off the damage from Kerf and proceed to stall it out. They also generally do not care much about the damage reduction of Parting Shot. They must be wary of the stray Taunt however.
**Fire Types** Fire types such as Pyroak, Mega Charizard Y, Volcarona, Victini and Mollux resist its Fairy STAB can hit back hard with their own powerful attacks. Important to note that most of these Fire types are also resistant to Kerfluffle's Fighting STAB as well. Pyroak should however be careful of Sludge Bomb.
Grammar & Prose: GP1 / GP2
[OVERVIEW]
Pros
- Fast offensive pivot with unique utilization of Parting Shot
- Solid offensive coverage with STABs, and with the addition of Sludge Bomb, which sets it apart from other special attacking Fairy types.
- Decent bulk, combined with an ok defensive typing grants it plentiful switch ins on resisted hits.
- Natural Cure in combination with Parting Shot pivoting allows it to be a great status absorber for teams.
- Faces stiff competition as both an offensive pivot and as a Fairy type special attacker from both Tapu Koko, Tapu Lele and Jumbao, with a much higher speed tier, higher damage output and great bulk respectively.
- Hard walled by the multitude of viable Poison types that are plentiful in CAP
- Lack of set up makes it hard for Kerfluffle to bust past special walls
- While it does have a great speed tier, it is still outpaced by CAP staples such as Syclant, Tornadus-T and Greninja, which in the latter's case, it would much rather outspeed and check it.
[SET]
name: Offensive Pivot
move 1: Moonblast
move 2: Focus Blast / Aura Sphere
move 3: Sludge Bomb
move 4: Parting Shot
item: Life Orb / Fightinium Z / Darkinium Z
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
- Moonblast is Kerfluffle's main STAB option and is its most reliable attack, with a Life Orb equipped it OHKOs Tomohawk, Cyclohm and Flame Orb Colossoil and 2HKOs standard AV Colossoil, which are key Pokemon in the CAP metagame.
- Focus Blast is Kerf's most powerful attacking option, and 2HKOs and OHKOs most of the Steel types that resist Moonblast, though it is rather inaccurate. Aura Sphere can be used for its perfect accuracy, but it comes at the cost of a significant decrease in damage output, such as failing to OHKO Ferrothorn, Mega Mawile and Utility Heatran and failing to 2HKO Celesteela, Pyroak and TR Magearna.
- Sludge Bomb allows it to threaten fairy types like Jumbao, Tapu Lele and Clefable that would otherwise like to switch in on Kerfluffle. Sludge Wave my be marginally more powerful, but the increased poison type chance Sludge Bomb offers generally outweighs it.
- Parting Shot is main defining feature of Kerfluffle's set. It allows it to gain and preserve momentum while weakening opposing Pokemon so its teammate has an easier time switching in.
Set Details
========
- 252 Speed EVs and a Timid nature allows it to outrun a majority of the unboosted metagame, notably outpacing Mega Crucibelle to pivot out.
- 252 SpA EVs allow Kerfluffle to hit as hard as possible
- Natural Cure is a handy way of curing Kerfluffle of status, as its usually clicking Parting Shot for the majority of the battle
- Life Orb gives Kerfluffle a nice boost in power in all of its attacks, and is its most consistent item option. Its HP stat also hits a Life Orb number to minimize recoil.
- Fightinium Z can give Kerfluffle a one time perfectly accurate nuke to punch a big hole in common special walls like Chansey and SpD Pyroak
- Darkinium Z turns Kerf's Parting Shot into a pseudo Healing Wish, providing valuable utility for weakened sweepers once Kerfluffle has done its job. Notably Z-Parting Shot does not cause Kerfluffle to faint, meaning it still can be utilized after using Z-Parting Shot.
Usage Tips
========
- Kerfluffle should be used early game to gain momentum via Parting Shot.
- Kerfluffle can come on weak resisted attacks like U-Turn, and if carrying a Z-Crystal, Knock Off from Pokemon such as Syclant, Malaconda, Tangrowth and AV Colossoil.
- Utilize the Z-Move effectively, using Z-Parting Shot late game when a sweeper is worn down, while using All Out Pummeling mid game to punch holes within the enemy team to make it easier for partners late game.
- Prediction is key when using Kerfluffle, in order to maximize its potential. If a Poison type or special wall is on the opposing team, such as Toxapex or Magearna, Parting Shot should be used to gain momentum. If none of these Pokemon are on the team, feel free to click Moonblast and chip the opposing team, and Focus Blast if Steel types are prone to switch in.
Team Options
========
- U-Turn and Volt Switch users like Krilowatt, Mega Crucibelle, Mega Scizor and Landorus-T can form fantastic VoltTurn cores with Kerfluffle, wearing down each others checks.
- Pokemon that can handle Poison types for Kerfluffle such as Mega Crucibelle and Mollux are mandatory, as they completely wall Kerfluffle. Landorus-T, Colossoil, Ferrothorn (if lacking Low Kick), Choice Scarf Kartana and Mega Latios are great examples.
- Hazard control Pokemon are great partners for Kerfluffle, as it not only forces many switches, which hazards punish, but due to pivoting around, tends to get easily chipped if hazards are on its side of the field. Stealth Rock setters that pair well include SR Tomohawk, Landorus-T and Mega Crucibelle, Spikes setters like Ash-Greninja, Ferrothorn and Arghonaut and hazard removers like Defog Zapdos, Assault Vest Colossoil, Choice Scarf Landorus and Defog Kartana are great examples.
- Sweepers that generally appreciate the reduced damage like Kartana, Ash-Greninja, Choice Scarf Volkraken and Zygarde also are good partners for Kerf.
- Sweepers that appreciate the support Z-Parting Shot brings to the table, such as Cawmodore, Naviathan and Mega Crucibelle are notable teammates for Kerfluffle.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
- Kerfluffle can opt to run Choice Specs for more immediate power, but it doesn't grant Kerfluffle any notable OHKOs and 2HKOs that Life Orb already provides and generally prefers the flexibility of Life Orb and Z-Crystals.
- Hidden Power Ground can be used instead of Sludge Bomb to nail Poison type switch ins like Toxapex and Mega Crucibelle, but Kerfluffle will most likely be clicking Parting Shot in the presence of them, and likes the ability to check opposing Fairy types more.
- A Taunt + Two Attack set can be used to ease its matchup against bulky walls by preventing their recovery options, and Kerfluffle can then proceed to use Parting Shot on later turns.
- Energy Ball is a niche option to hit Gastrodon for massive damage, but doesn't hit anything else for notable damage.
- Z-Hold Hands can turn Kerfluffle into a one time bulky sweeper thanks to boosting all stats by+1, but the ease at which these stat boosts can be removed in the metagame thanks to the ubiquitous presence of Haze Tomohawk, which thanks to Prankster removes its boosts before it can retaliate, combined with the one and done nature of the set makes it less than desirable.
- Finally, Kerf can operate as a WishPasser thanks to its good HP stat in combination with its high speed and Parting Shot, but it misses the coverage that three attacks bring, especially if it is a mono attacking set, due the popularity of Steel types. This set also faces competition from Clefable and Jumbao, which provide utility and much better bulk respectively.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Poison Types** Poison types such as Mollux, Toxapex, Plasmanta and Mega Crucibelle resist one or both of Kerfluffle's STABs and its most common coverage move, while being able to it for super effective damage. They should scout for Hidden Power Ground however.
**Steel types neutral to Fighting** Steel types such as Celesteela, AV Magearna, Kitsunoh, Mega Scizor and Jirachi can all stomach a Focus Blast and hit back hard with their super effective STAB. Mega Scizor is notable in that its Bullet Punch can KO Kerf before it can retaliate or pivot out.
**Faster Threats** Naturally faster Pokemon such as Protean Greninja, Tapu Koko, Ash-Greninja, Syclant, Tornadus-Therian and common Choice Scarfers like Volkraken, Tapu Lele and Jumbao can outspeed and threaten to KO Kerfluffle with their powerful or super effective attacks. They cannot reliably switch in however, due to fear of taking considerable damage (or an outright KO) from Kerfluffle's coverage and none like the power reduction of Parting Shot.
**Special Walls** Toxapex, Chansey, SpD Pyroak and other special walls can shrug off the damage from Kerf and proceed to stall it out. They also generally do not care much about the damage reduction of Parting Shot. They must be wary of the stray Taunt however.
**Fire Types** Fire types such as Pyroak, Mega Charizard Y, Volcarona, Victini and Mollux resist its Fairy STAB can hit back hard with their own powerful attacks. Important to note that most of these Fire types are also resistant to Kerfluffle's Fighting STAB as well. Pyroak should however be careful of Sludge Bomb.
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