this is my first analysis, please have mercy on me ;w;
[OVERVIEW]
Lickilicky is outclassed by Audino as a WishPasser, as Regenerator grants Audino more longevity; by Bouffalant and Ursaring as a wallbreaker, as they boast a much higher Attack stat; and by other Normal-types in general. However, Lickilicky holds its notch above Bouffalant thanks to its access to Knock Off, allowing it to hit Ghost-types that would otherwise wall it. Lickilicky also has great bulk, meaning it can take hits rather well to effectively set up Swords Dance and boost its Attack to frightening levels. On the other hand, Lickilicky's typing gives it no notable resistances, meaning it can be worn down very easily by repeated attacks, and this problem is exacerbated by its lack of direct and reliable recovery. Lickilicky is also very prone to being revenge killed, as it is very slow and thus outsped by many other Pokemon.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Return
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Earthquake
item: Lum Berry / Leftovers
ability: Oblivious
nature: Adamant
evs: 168 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def / 84 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance doubles Lickilicky's Attack, allowing it to net KOs that it would be unable to get prior to any boosts. Return is Lickilicky's only STAB move and does a great amount of damage to anything that doesn't resist it, especially after a boost. Knock Off notably hits Gourgeist-XL, a nuisance for most Normal-types to deal with, and it also provides utility in removing items; for example, it can remove the Eviolite from Misdreavus, allowing Lickilicky or a partner to easily take it out. Earthquake hits Rock- and Steel-types such as Probopass and Pawniard, which resist Return and can usually shrug off any damage from an unboosted Knock Off. Body Slam can be used instead of Return if you favor the chance to paralyze the foe over a higher damage output.
Set Details
========
A Lum Berry is used so that Lickilicky is not crippled by status moves such as Gourgeist-XL's and Misdreavus's Will-O-Wisp, allowing it to take them on much better. Maximum Attack EVs and an Adamant nature allow Lickilicky to hit as hard as possible, while 84 Speed EVs allow it to outspeed uninvested base 60s, namely Vullaby. The remaining EVs are invested in Defense and HP to improve Lickilicky's already good bulk.
Usage Tips
========
Lickilicky should be used early-game so that it can deal as much damage as possible before it faints, allowing its teammates to clean late-game. In order to retain as much health as possible, bring Lickilicky in after a teammate has fainted or through a slow momentum-gaining move. This way, it is able to stay healthy and set up Swords Dance a bit more easily. Lickilicky should be using Return and Knock Off most of the time, as the former has good neutral coverage and the latter cripples Eviolite users such as Vullaby and Misdreavus.
Team Options
========
Lickilicky appreciates having a teammate that can deal with Fighting-types. Pokemon that provide this support include Mr. Mime, Altaria, and Clefairy. Revenge killers such as Ninjask and Chatot, as well as Pokemon such as Floatzel, Pawniard, and Ursaring, appreciate Lickilicky's ability to wallbreak, as it makes it easier for them to achieve KOs. Furthermore, Pokemon that can set their own hazards, such as Golem and Clefairy, are also useful partners, as they make gaining KOs easier for Lickilicky. Roselia and Quilladin also provide Spikes support. Slow Volt Switch or U-turn support from Pokemon such as Vullaby is appreciated, as Lickilicky does not like getting worn down quickly, and these Pokemon can safely get it in. Pokemon that are able to effectively spread paralysis, such as Grumpig and Stunfisk, can slow down the foe, making revenge killing Lickilicky much harder. Furthermore, Stunfisk and Grumpig can switch into Monferno for Lickilicky and KO it with their respective STAB moves.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Lickilicky can run a specially defensive set with Wish, but this is outclassed by Audino, which simply performs the role of a defensive Pokemon much better thanks to its ability Regenerator. Choice Band can be used to allow Lickilicky to hit harder, but Lickilicky loses the freedom it has with the other items and is left more vulnerable to revenge killing when locked into a move. Furthermore, Stoutland can run the item better thanks to its higher Speed. Power Whip can be used to hit Golem and Relicanth super effectively, but Earthquake already hits these Pokemon as well as Probopass and Pawniard. A Chople Berry + Counter + Own Tempo set can be used to take on No Guard Machoke more effectively, but this is a rather unorthodox method of dealing with it, as well as other attackers with Fighting-type coverage moves. Hammer Arm can be used to hit Probopass and Pawniard super effectively, but the Speed drop is rather undesirable, as Lickilicky is already very slow and needs to maintain its Speed so that it can outspeed Vullaby. A set consisting of Curse / Sleep Talk / Rest / Return can be used to counter stall better and utilize Lickilicky's bulk well, as well as making Lickilicky a threatening attacker. While Munchlax is blessed with Eviolite and Thick Fat to help it run this set better, Lickilicky would not have to rely on its item for its physical bulk and can run other items unlike Munchlax, which is crippled once its Eviolite has been removed. Explosion can be used as a last resort when Lickilicky has done its job. Substitute can take the place of Lum Berry in order to allow Lickilicky to easily set up Swords Dance and dodge status. However, forgoing a coverage move causes Lickilicky to be walled by either Steel-, Rock-, or Ghost-types.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fighting-types**: Machoke and Monferno are very threatening, as they carry super effective Fighting-type coverage in Dynamic Punch and Close Combat, the former of which OHKOes Lickilicky, while the latter needs to be boosted in order to OHKO it. However, both take quite a bit of damage from a +2 Return, and Monferno doesn't like switching into Earthquake.
**Strong Physical Attackers**: Strong physical attackers such as Stoutland, Dodrio, and Ursaring are able to severely weaken or revenge kill Lickilicky due to their better Speed and high Attack stats.
**Residual Damage**: Lickilicky is vulnerable to status inflictions once Lum Berry has been used up, meaning Will-O-Wisp users like Gourgeist-XL can prove difficult to deal with. Additionally, Lickilicky can be worn down over time by entry hazards, which can make it harder for it to set up with Swords Dance and at the same time make it easier to be revenge killed.
**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Due to their high Defense, Pokemon such as Vullaby and Gourgeist-XL take very little damage from Lickilicky's moves and deal heavy damage with Foul Play.
[OVERVIEW]
Lickilicky is outclassed by Audino as a WishPasser, as Regenerator grants Audino more longevity; by Bouffalant and Ursaring as a wallbreaker, as they boast a much higher Attack stat; and by other Normal-types in general. However, Lickilicky holds its notch above Bouffalant thanks to its access to Knock Off, allowing it to hit Ghost-types that would otherwise wall it. Lickilicky also has great bulk, meaning it can take hits rather well to effectively set up Swords Dance and boost its Attack to frightening levels. On the other hand, Lickilicky's typing gives it no notable resistances, meaning it can be worn down very easily by repeated attacks, and this problem is exacerbated by its lack of direct and reliable recovery. Lickilicky is also very prone to being revenge killed, as it is very slow and thus outsped by many other Pokemon.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Return
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Earthquake
item: Lum Berry / Leftovers
ability: Oblivious
nature: Adamant
evs: 168 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def / 84 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance doubles Lickilicky's Attack, allowing it to net KOs that it would be unable to get prior to any boosts. Return is Lickilicky's only STAB move and does a great amount of damage to anything that doesn't resist it, especially after a boost. Knock Off notably hits Gourgeist-XL, a nuisance for most Normal-types to deal with, and it also provides utility in removing items; for example, it can remove the Eviolite from Misdreavus, allowing Lickilicky or a partner to easily take it out. Earthquake hits Rock- and Steel-types such as Probopass and Pawniard, which resist Return and can usually shrug off any damage from an unboosted Knock Off. Body Slam can be used instead of Return if you favor the chance to paralyze the foe over a higher damage output.
Set Details
========
A Lum Berry is used so that Lickilicky is not crippled by status moves such as Gourgeist-XL's and Misdreavus's Will-O-Wisp, allowing it to take them on much better. Maximum Attack EVs and an Adamant nature allow Lickilicky to hit as hard as possible, while 84 Speed EVs allow it to outspeed uninvested base 60s, namely Vullaby. The remaining EVs are invested in Defense and HP to improve Lickilicky's already good bulk.
Usage Tips
========
Lickilicky should be used early-game so that it can deal as much damage as possible before it faints, allowing its teammates to clean late-game. In order to retain as much health as possible, bring Lickilicky in after a teammate has fainted or through a slow momentum-gaining move. This way, it is able to stay healthy and set up Swords Dance a bit more easily. Lickilicky should be using Return and Knock Off most of the time, as the former has good neutral coverage and the latter cripples Eviolite users such as Vullaby and Misdreavus.
Team Options
========
Lickilicky appreciates having a teammate that can deal with Fighting-types. Pokemon that provide this support include Mr. Mime, Altaria, and Clefairy. Revenge killers such as Ninjask and Chatot, as well as Pokemon such as Floatzel, Pawniard, and Ursaring, appreciate Lickilicky's ability to wallbreak, as it makes it easier for them to achieve KOs. Furthermore, Pokemon that can set their own hazards, such as Golem and Clefairy, are also useful partners, as they make gaining KOs easier for Lickilicky. Roselia and Quilladin also provide Spikes support. Slow Volt Switch or U-turn support from Pokemon such as Vullaby is appreciated, as Lickilicky does not like getting worn down quickly, and these Pokemon can safely get it in. Pokemon that are able to effectively spread paralysis, such as Grumpig and Stunfisk, can slow down the foe, making revenge killing Lickilicky much harder. Furthermore, Stunfisk and Grumpig can switch into Monferno for Lickilicky and KO it with their respective STAB moves.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Lickilicky can run a specially defensive set with Wish, but this is outclassed by Audino, which simply performs the role of a defensive Pokemon much better thanks to its ability Regenerator. Choice Band can be used to allow Lickilicky to hit harder, but Lickilicky loses the freedom it has with the other items and is left more vulnerable to revenge killing when locked into a move. Furthermore, Stoutland can run the item better thanks to its higher Speed. Power Whip can be used to hit Golem and Relicanth super effectively, but Earthquake already hits these Pokemon as well as Probopass and Pawniard. A Chople Berry + Counter + Own Tempo set can be used to take on No Guard Machoke more effectively, but this is a rather unorthodox method of dealing with it, as well as other attackers with Fighting-type coverage moves. Hammer Arm can be used to hit Probopass and Pawniard super effectively, but the Speed drop is rather undesirable, as Lickilicky is already very slow and needs to maintain its Speed so that it can outspeed Vullaby. A set consisting of Curse / Sleep Talk / Rest / Return can be used to counter stall better and utilize Lickilicky's bulk well, as well as making Lickilicky a threatening attacker. While Munchlax is blessed with Eviolite and Thick Fat to help it run this set better, Lickilicky would not have to rely on its item for its physical bulk and can run other items unlike Munchlax, which is crippled once its Eviolite has been removed. Explosion can be used as a last resort when Lickilicky has done its job. Substitute can take the place of Lum Berry in order to allow Lickilicky to easily set up Swords Dance and dodge status. However, forgoing a coverage move causes Lickilicky to be walled by either Steel-, Rock-, or Ghost-types.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fighting-types**: Machoke and Monferno are very threatening, as they carry super effective Fighting-type coverage in Dynamic Punch and Close Combat, the former of which OHKOes Lickilicky, while the latter needs to be boosted in order to OHKO it. However, both take quite a bit of damage from a +2 Return, and Monferno doesn't like switching into Earthquake.
**Strong Physical Attackers**: Strong physical attackers such as Stoutland, Dodrio, and Ursaring are able to severely weaken or revenge kill Lickilicky due to their better Speed and high Attack stats.
**Residual Damage**: Lickilicky is vulnerable to status inflictions once Lum Berry has been used up, meaning Will-O-Wisp users like Gourgeist-XL can prove difficult to deal with. Additionally, Lickilicky can be worn down over time by entry hazards, which can make it harder for it to set up with Swords Dance and at the same time make it easier to be revenge killed.
**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Due to their high Defense, Pokemon such as Vullaby and Gourgeist-XL take very little damage from Lickilicky's moves and deal heavy damage with Foul Play.
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