[OVERVIEW]
Klinklang is a very fearsome sweeper because of its access to Shift Gear. Its Steel typing gives it a few useful resistances, which, in conjunction with its good natural bulk, allows it to set up on many threatening Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Vanilluxe, Garbodor, Sneasel, and Whimsicott. Unfortunately, Klinklang struggles to do anything to sturdy checks like Steelix, Silvally-Steel, Slowbro, Pyukumuku, and Seismitoad, which can all hard wall Klinklang due to its lack of coverage options. While Klinklang does have a good number of resistances, it's also weak to a lot of common types such as Fire, Fighting, and Ground; however, it can work around the latter and potentially use Ground-types as setup bait with Magnet Rise.
[SET]
name: Shift Gear
move 1: Shift Gear
move 2: Gear Grind
move 3: Return
move 4: Magnet Rise / Substitute / Wild Charge
item: Steelium Z / Electrium Z
ability: Clear Body
nature: Adamant
evs: 88 HP / 252 Atk / 168 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Shift Gear boosts Klinklang's Attack by one stage and its Speed by 2 stages, making it a very fearsome sweeper. Gear Grind is Klinklang's main STAB move, which can threaten Substitute users. Return is able to do a good amount of damage to Pokemon that resist Gear Grind, such as Delphox and Vaporeon, when boosted. Magnet Rise lets Klinklang set up on Ground-types such as Piloswine and, if it isn't carrying Roar or Curse in its arsenal, Steelix. Substitute allows Klinklang to avoid being crippled by status such as burn and paralysis. Wild Charge in conjunction with Electrium Z covers most bulky Water-types that would otherwise wall Klinklang rather comfortably, such as Vaporeon, Slowking, Slowbro, and Jellicent. Toxic can be used if running Steelium Z; it targets Pokemon like Pyukumuku, Slowbro, and Jellicent, which are frequently seen on balance and stall teams, meaning Klinklang can break past these archetypes a lot easier.
Set Details
========
252 Attack EVs and an Adamant nature let Klinklang hit as hard as possible, and 168 Speed EVs allow Klinklang to outspeed Modest Choice Specs Vanilluxe. The remaining 88 EVs are dumped into HP for some extra bulk, which makes it a bit easier to set up Shift Gear. Clear Body makes Klinklang avoid stat drops from Psychic, Parting Shot, and Sticky Web. It is also the only ability with any use because Plus and Minus are useless, since it's rather rare to see any other Pokemon use Plus or Minus. Steelium Z gives Klinklang a very powerful Corkscrew Crash, while Electrium Z in conjunction with Wild Charge targets defensive Water-types that can try to wall Klinklang. Leftovers gives Klinklang a way to recover health and lets it check Vanilluxe and Whimsicott a lot better.
Usage Tips
========
Try to preserve Klinklang for mid- to late-game to pull off a sweep when its checks like Garbodor, Seismitoad, and Steelix are weakened. Early- to mid-game, it is generally a lot wiser to just attack the opponent's check so Klinklang can sweep later. Once Klinklang's checks are significantly weakened, Klinklang can start to set up with Shift Gear. Use a Z-Move if Klinklang has to avoid recoil damage from Pokemon that typically carry Rocky Helmet like Xatu or have an ability that damages the attacking Pokemon like Garbodor's and Skuntank's Aftermath and Druddigon's Rough Skin in order to stay healthy so it can potentially get another setup opportunity and stay out of range from being revenge killed by a priority move. By virtue of Klinklang's typing and natural bulk, it can pivot in on Pokemon like Whimsicott and Sneasel. Use Magnet Rise against Ground-types that will try to use their STAB moves against Klinklang. Substitute should be set up whenever predicting a status move such as Thunder Wave or Will-O-Wisp from Pokemon like Jellicent, Rotom, Druddigon, and Miltank.
Team Options
========
Garbodor can set up Spikes and Toxic Spikes, which force common answers to Klinklang to take a lot of damage,and chip away at Hitmonlee if running Rocky Helmet. Xatu beats Steelix, Seismitoad, Hitmonlee, Ferroseed, and Garbodor and brings in Klinklang with U-turn. In return, Klinklang can set up on Pokemon that can normally answer Xatu such as Sneasel and, if running Magnet Rise, Piloswine. Samurott can easily set up on a lot of common Klinklang answers like Delphox and Emboar and can also heavily pressure Water-types like Slowbro and Seismitoad to stay healthy, and the combination of Klinklang and Samurott can potentially overwhelm the foe. Seismitoad can set up Stealth Rock on almost all of Klinklang's answers while also being a good answer to Emboar, Jellicent, and Hitmonlee. Jellicent is incredibly bulky and able to take on most Fire-, Fighting-, and Ground-types, which are Pokemon that Klinklang generally struggles against. Scyther can easily bring in Klinklang with U-turn while also being a good answer to common Fighting-types. It can also lure in Steelix and Seismitoad and remove their items with Knock Off. In return, Klinklang can beat Ice- and Flying-types for Scyther. Sneasel can Pursuit trap Calm Mind Delphox and remove the items from Seismitoad and Steelix to give Klinklang an easier time breaking past them. Whimsicott can pressure Steel-resistant Pokemon like Slowbro, Seismitoad, and Steelix, and, by virtue of its typing, it can also switch in on Fighting-type attacks for Klinklang.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Iapapa Berry in conjunction with Recycle and Magnet Rise can allow Klinklang to set up on Steelix more comfortably; however, not only does Klinklang normally not have enough moveslots to use this set, but it also prevents Klinklang from using any type of Z-Move. Normalium Z with Return can pressure Fire-types and prevent them from being able to safely come in on Klinklang.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Water-types**: Bulky Water-types like Slowbro, Jellicent, Slowking, Seismitoad, and Pyukumuku can all wall Klinklang with relative ease by virtue of their typing and bulk. However, they have to be wary of the rare Gigavolt Havoc.
**Fire-types**: Common Fire-types such as Emboar, Delphox, and Typhlosion can all take a boosted hit and OHKO Klinklang with their STAB moves; however, they cannot take a boosted Corkscrew Crash.
**Steelix**: Steelix resists both Gear Grind and all of Klinklang's coverage. However, it is setup bait for Kinklang if not running Roar or Curse.
**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Pokemon such as Garbodor, Seismitoad, Vaporeon, Jellicent, and Slowbro can all take Klinklang's attacks with ease, even if it is carrying Wild Charge, due to their very good bulk. Garbodor does, however, have to be carrying Drain Punch because Klinklang can otherwise use it as setup bait.
**Rotom**: Rotom resists Gear Grind and all of Klinklang's coverage. It is also fast enough to cripple Klinklang with Will-O-Wisp before it can set up a Substitute.
**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types such as Emboar, Virizion, Hitmonlee, and Hariyama are all able to KO Klinkang with their respective STAB moves before it sets up and can take a boosted move; however, they have to be wary of Corkscrew Crash. Hitmonlee can easily threaten Klinklang with its STAB Mach Punch.
Klinklang is a very fearsome sweeper because of its access to Shift Gear. Its Steel typing gives it a few useful resistances, which, in conjunction with its good natural bulk, allows it to set up on many threatening Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Vanilluxe, Garbodor, Sneasel, and Whimsicott. Unfortunately, Klinklang struggles to do anything to sturdy checks like Steelix, Silvally-Steel, Slowbro, Pyukumuku, and Seismitoad, which can all hard wall Klinklang due to its lack of coverage options. While Klinklang does have a good number of resistances, it's also weak to a lot of common types such as Fire, Fighting, and Ground; however, it can work around the latter and potentially use Ground-types as setup bait with Magnet Rise.
[SET]
name: Shift Gear
move 1: Shift Gear
move 2: Gear Grind
move 3: Return
move 4: Magnet Rise / Substitute / Wild Charge
item: Steelium Z / Electrium Z
ability: Clear Body
nature: Adamant
evs: 88 HP / 252 Atk / 168 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Shift Gear boosts Klinklang's Attack by one stage and its Speed by 2 stages, making it a very fearsome sweeper. Gear Grind is Klinklang's main STAB move, which can threaten Substitute users. Return is able to do a good amount of damage to Pokemon that resist Gear Grind, such as Delphox and Vaporeon, when boosted. Magnet Rise lets Klinklang set up on Ground-types such as Piloswine and, if it isn't carrying Roar or Curse in its arsenal, Steelix. Substitute allows Klinklang to avoid being crippled by status such as burn and paralysis. Wild Charge in conjunction with Electrium Z covers most bulky Water-types that would otherwise wall Klinklang rather comfortably, such as Vaporeon, Slowking, Slowbro, and Jellicent. Toxic can be used if running Steelium Z; it targets Pokemon like Pyukumuku, Slowbro, and Jellicent, which are frequently seen on balance and stall teams, meaning Klinklang can break past these archetypes a lot easier.
Set Details
========
252 Attack EVs and an Adamant nature let Klinklang hit as hard as possible, and 168 Speed EVs allow Klinklang to outspeed Modest Choice Specs Vanilluxe. The remaining 88 EVs are dumped into HP for some extra bulk, which makes it a bit easier to set up Shift Gear. Clear Body makes Klinklang avoid stat drops from Psychic, Parting Shot, and Sticky Web. It is also the only ability with any use because Plus and Minus are useless, since it's rather rare to see any other Pokemon use Plus or Minus. Steelium Z gives Klinklang a very powerful Corkscrew Crash, while Electrium Z in conjunction with Wild Charge targets defensive Water-types that can try to wall Klinklang. Leftovers gives Klinklang a way to recover health and lets it check Vanilluxe and Whimsicott a lot better.
Usage Tips
========
Try to preserve Klinklang for mid- to late-game to pull off a sweep when its checks like Garbodor, Seismitoad, and Steelix are weakened. Early- to mid-game, it is generally a lot wiser to just attack the opponent's check so Klinklang can sweep later. Once Klinklang's checks are significantly weakened, Klinklang can start to set up with Shift Gear. Use a Z-Move if Klinklang has to avoid recoil damage from Pokemon that typically carry Rocky Helmet like Xatu or have an ability that damages the attacking Pokemon like Garbodor's and Skuntank's Aftermath and Druddigon's Rough Skin in order to stay healthy so it can potentially get another setup opportunity and stay out of range from being revenge killed by a priority move. By virtue of Klinklang's typing and natural bulk, it can pivot in on Pokemon like Whimsicott and Sneasel. Use Magnet Rise against Ground-types that will try to use their STAB moves against Klinklang. Substitute should be set up whenever predicting a status move such as Thunder Wave or Will-O-Wisp from Pokemon like Jellicent, Rotom, Druddigon, and Miltank.
Team Options
========
Garbodor can set up Spikes and Toxic Spikes, which force common answers to Klinklang to take a lot of damage,and chip away at Hitmonlee if running Rocky Helmet. Xatu beats Steelix, Seismitoad, Hitmonlee, Ferroseed, and Garbodor and brings in Klinklang with U-turn. In return, Klinklang can set up on Pokemon that can normally answer Xatu such as Sneasel and, if running Magnet Rise, Piloswine. Samurott can easily set up on a lot of common Klinklang answers like Delphox and Emboar and can also heavily pressure Water-types like Slowbro and Seismitoad to stay healthy, and the combination of Klinklang and Samurott can potentially overwhelm the foe. Seismitoad can set up Stealth Rock on almost all of Klinklang's answers while also being a good answer to Emboar, Jellicent, and Hitmonlee. Jellicent is incredibly bulky and able to take on most Fire-, Fighting-, and Ground-types, which are Pokemon that Klinklang generally struggles against. Scyther can easily bring in Klinklang with U-turn while also being a good answer to common Fighting-types. It can also lure in Steelix and Seismitoad and remove their items with Knock Off. In return, Klinklang can beat Ice- and Flying-types for Scyther. Sneasel can Pursuit trap Calm Mind Delphox and remove the items from Seismitoad and Steelix to give Klinklang an easier time breaking past them. Whimsicott can pressure Steel-resistant Pokemon like Slowbro, Seismitoad, and Steelix, and, by virtue of its typing, it can also switch in on Fighting-type attacks for Klinklang.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Iapapa Berry in conjunction with Recycle and Magnet Rise can allow Klinklang to set up on Steelix more comfortably; however, not only does Klinklang normally not have enough moveslots to use this set, but it also prevents Klinklang from using any type of Z-Move. Normalium Z with Return can pressure Fire-types and prevent them from being able to safely come in on Klinklang.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Water-types**: Bulky Water-types like Slowbro, Jellicent, Slowking, Seismitoad, and Pyukumuku can all wall Klinklang with relative ease by virtue of their typing and bulk. However, they have to be wary of the rare Gigavolt Havoc.
**Fire-types**: Common Fire-types such as Emboar, Delphox, and Typhlosion can all take a boosted hit and OHKO Klinklang with their STAB moves; however, they cannot take a boosted Corkscrew Crash.
**Steelix**: Steelix resists both Gear Grind and all of Klinklang's coverage. However, it is setup bait for Kinklang if not running Roar or Curse.
**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Pokemon such as Garbodor, Seismitoad, Vaporeon, Jellicent, and Slowbro can all take Klinklang's attacks with ease, even if it is carrying Wild Charge, due to their very good bulk. Garbodor does, however, have to be carrying Drain Punch because Klinklang can otherwise use it as setup bait.
**Rotom**: Rotom resists Gear Grind and all of Klinklang's coverage. It is also fast enough to cripple Klinklang with Will-O-Wisp before it can set up a Substitute.
**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types such as Emboar, Virizion, Hitmonlee, and Hariyama are all able to KO Klinkang with their respective STAB moves before it sets up and can take a boosted move; however, they have to be wary of Corkscrew Crash. Hitmonlee can easily threaten Klinklang with its STAB Mach Punch.
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