[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Ice Beam
move 2: Will-O-Wisp
move 3: Toxic
move 4: Roost
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Shadow Shield
nature: Timid
evs: 56 HP / 252 Def / 200 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Lunala is a good defensive Pokemon thanks to its decent bulk, strong ability in Shadow Shield, and reliable recovery in Roost. These traits make it one of the best checks to threats like Zekrom, Groudon, and Zygarde-C. Ice Beam hits these three Pokemon, breaking their Substitutes and eventually forcing them out, while also chipping Yveltal on the switch in. Will-O-Wisp is used to cripple physical attackers such as Zekrom, Groudon, Zygarde-C, Zacian-C, and Necrozma-DM while also potentially crippling non-Snarl specially defensive Yveltal. Toxic is used to put switch-ins that check Lunala such as Yveltal, Xerneas, and Ho-Oh on timers. The given EVs maximize Lunala's physical bulk while also ensuring that it outspeeds unboosted Jolly Zekrom and Groudon.
Lunala best fits on balance teams that appreciate its ability to check Pokemon such as Zekrom, Zygarde-C, and Groudon and use its status moves to wear down the opposing team. Yveltal is an essential partner for Lunala, as it can come in somewhat safely on opposing Yveltal and check Ghost-types that threaten it like Calyrex-S and to an extent Marshadow. Teammates that can keep Yveltal and Tyranitar in check such as Zacian-C, Xerneas, and Groudon are required, with limiting Tyranitar also preserving Lunala's Shadow Shield. Necrozma-DM is great to check Zacian-C, which can break Lunala with Assurance, while also checking Xerneas and providing Stealth Rock support to make it easier for Lunala to wear down Pokemon with status. Eternatus and Ferrothorn serve as great checks to Kyogre, and Eternatus can check some Yveltal sets with Toxic as well as Marshadow. Zacian-C loves Lunala crippling physical attackers that can check it such as Groudon, Necrozma-DM, and Zygarde-C. In return, Zacian-C can deal with troublesome answers to Lunala such as Yveltal, Tyranitar, and Marshadow. Xerneas can pressure Yveltal, Tyranitar, and Marshadow. Groudon is a fearsome setup sweeper that can tear apart common Pokemon on balance teams that Lunala has trouble beating such as Yveltal, Zacian-C, and Blissey. Blissey can serve as a Kyogre, offensive Yveltal, and Xerneas check and can get rid of potential status on Lunala with Aromatherapy, helping it preserve Shadow Shield. Zekrom can use Bolt Strike to get rid of Yveltal, Ho-Oh, and Kyogre while also taking care of Zacian-C and Xerneas after using Dragon Dance once. Ho-Oh is also a decent teammate, as it can sponge attacks from Calyrex-S and threaten Zacian-C and Marshadow, though it needs to be wary of Wild Charge and Rock Tomb, respectively.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Roar is an interesting option over Toxic to force entry hazard damage and phaze setup sweepers such as Reshiram and Xerneas, but it is not worthwhile due to Toxic putting these two Pokemon on a timer, and Pokemon like Ho-Oh and Lugia are better phazers. Hex is an option over Toxic to turn Lunala into a fearsome attacker mid-game, taking advantage of its ability to spread status by heavily chipping statused Pokemon such as Groudon and Necrozma-DM. Defog can be used over Toxic in order to improve Lunala's utility, but at the cost of making it even more passive.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ghost-types**: Offensive Ghost-types such as Calyrex-S and Marshadow are able to beat Lunala reliably due to their powerful attacks OHKOing L it through Shadow Shield. In addition, both Marshadow and Calyrex-S can set up as they force Lunala out, potentially becoming extremely dangerous threats.
**Yveltal**: Specially defensive Yveltal can force Lunala out with Knock Off or Foul Play and pivot into another teammate with U-turn if Lunala decides to switch out, while offensive Yveltal can take care of it with Dark Pulse. However, offensive variants can potentially be 2HKOed by Ice Beam from Lunala, limiting their ability to switch in.
**Tyranitar**: Tyranitar is one of the most fearsome threats to Lunala, being able to tank any hit from it with ease due to its monstrous bulk, while also breaking Shadow Shield with Sand Steam, crippling Lunala should it come back in without being able to use Roost. In addition, Tyranitar isn't crippled by Lunala's status thanks to Rest, allowing it to switch in with impunity.
**Status**: Status, especially Will-O-Wisp or Toxic, prevents Lunala from getting Shadow Shield back and therefore make it unable to switch into Groudon or Zekrom on a setup turn, severely hampering its utility.
**Blissey**: Blissey can tank Lunala's Ice Beam and freely switch into Will-O-Wisp and Toxic from it due to Natural Cure, w and Blissey also threatens it out with Toxic for a free turn to gain momentum with Teleport.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Yami, 393488]]
- Quality checked by: [[Rotten, 491896], [Geysers, 426798]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429] [ , ]]
name: Defensive
move 1: Ice Beam
move 2: Will-O-Wisp
move 3: Toxic
move 4: Roost
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Shadow Shield
nature: Timid
evs: 56 HP / 252 Def / 200 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Lunala is a good defensive Pokemon thanks to its decent bulk, strong ability in Shadow Shield, and reliable recovery in Roost. These traits make it one of the best checks to threats like Zekrom, Groudon, and Zygarde-C. Ice Beam hits these three Pokemon, breaking their Substitutes and eventually forcing them out, while also chipping Yveltal on the switch in. Will-O-Wisp is used to cripple physical attackers such as Zekrom, Groudon, Zygarde-C, Zacian-C, and Necrozma-DM while also potentially crippling non-Snarl specially defensive Yveltal. Toxic is used to put switch-ins that check Lunala such as Yveltal, Xerneas, and Ho-Oh on timers. The given EVs maximize Lunala's physical bulk while also ensuring that it outspeeds unboosted Jolly Zekrom and Groudon.
Lunala best fits on balance teams that appreciate its ability to check Pokemon such as Zekrom, Zygarde-C, and Groudon and use its status moves to wear down the opposing team. Yveltal is an essential partner for Lunala, as it can come in somewhat safely on opposing Yveltal and check Ghost-types that threaten it like Calyrex-S and to an extent Marshadow. Teammates that can keep Yveltal and Tyranitar in check such as Zacian-C, Xerneas, and Groudon are required, with limiting Tyranitar also preserving Lunala's Shadow Shield. Necrozma-DM is great to check Zacian-C, which can break Lunala with Assurance, while also checking Xerneas and providing Stealth Rock support to make it easier for Lunala to wear down Pokemon with status. Eternatus and Ferrothorn serve as great checks to Kyogre, and Eternatus can check some Yveltal sets with Toxic as well as Marshadow. Zacian-C loves Lunala crippling physical attackers that can check it such as Groudon, Necrozma-DM, and Zygarde-C. In return, Zacian-C can deal with troublesome answers to Lunala such as Yveltal, Tyranitar, and Marshadow. Xerneas can pressure Yveltal, Tyranitar, and Marshadow. Groudon is a fearsome setup sweeper that can tear apart common Pokemon on balance teams that Lunala has trouble beating such as Yveltal, Zacian-C, and Blissey. Blissey can serve as a Kyogre, offensive Yveltal, and Xerneas check and can get rid of potential status on Lunala with Aromatherapy, helping it preserve Shadow Shield. Zekrom can use Bolt Strike to get rid of Yveltal, Ho-Oh, and Kyogre while also taking care of Zacian-C and Xerneas after using Dragon Dance once. Ho-Oh is also a decent teammate, as it can sponge attacks from Calyrex-S and threaten Zacian-C and Marshadow, though it needs to be wary of Wild Charge and Rock Tomb, respectively.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Roar is an interesting option over Toxic to force entry hazard damage and phaze setup sweepers such as Reshiram and Xerneas, but it is not worthwhile due to Toxic putting these two Pokemon on a timer, and Pokemon like Ho-Oh and Lugia are better phazers. Hex is an option over Toxic to turn Lunala into a fearsome attacker mid-game, taking advantage of its ability to spread status by heavily chipping statused Pokemon such as Groudon and Necrozma-DM. Defog can be used over Toxic in order to improve Lunala's utility, but at the cost of making it even more passive.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ghost-types**: Offensive Ghost-types such as Calyrex-S and Marshadow are able to beat Lunala reliably due to their powerful attacks OHKOing L it through Shadow Shield. In addition, both Marshadow and Calyrex-S can set up as they force Lunala out, potentially becoming extremely dangerous threats.
**Yveltal**: Specially defensive Yveltal can force Lunala out with Knock Off or Foul Play and pivot into another teammate with U-turn if Lunala decides to switch out, while offensive Yveltal can take care of it with Dark Pulse. However, offensive variants can potentially be 2HKOed by Ice Beam from Lunala, limiting their ability to switch in.
**Tyranitar**: Tyranitar is one of the most fearsome threats to Lunala, being able to tank any hit from it with ease due to its monstrous bulk, while also breaking Shadow Shield with Sand Steam, crippling Lunala should it come back in without being able to use Roost. In addition, Tyranitar isn't crippled by Lunala's status thanks to Rest, allowing it to switch in with impunity.
**Status**: Status, especially Will-O-Wisp or Toxic, prevents Lunala from getting Shadow Shield back and therefore make it unable to switch into Groudon or Zekrom on a setup turn, severely hampering its utility.
**Blissey**: Blissey can tank Lunala's Ice Beam and freely switch into Will-O-Wisp and Toxic from it due to Natural Cure, w and Blissey also threatens it out with Toxic for a free turn to gain momentum with Teleport.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Yami, 393488]]
- Quality checked by: [[Rotten, 491896], [Geysers, 426798]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429] [ , ]]
Last edited:
