Sinnoh Sunlight
Banned deucer.
[OVERVIEW]
Marshadow separates itself from other common picks by having unresisted STAB's, combined with reliable and strong hitting STAB options. It has a great speed tier that allows it to outpace Mega Rayquaza and any variant of Arceus. Marshadow's Fighting type, immunity to Extreme Speed, and its ability to steal stat boosts allow it to revenge kill Swords Dance Arceus Forms, and check Calm Mind sweepers. It also has access to a fantastic ability in Technician, allowing it to boost the power of moves such as Rock Tomb, Shadow Sneak, Hidden Power Ice, and Pursuit. Marshadow also gets access to a 195 BP STAB Z-move, allowing it to break through archetypes such as stall and balance. Spectral Thief is an amazing STAB move, due to the prevalence of boosting moves in the metagame. This allows Marshadow to be a great weapon against Hyper Offense. Because Marshadow gets a great priority move in Shaodw Sneak, it allows it to threaten faster pokemon such as Ultra Necrozma and Mega Gengar. It also gets Bulk Up, which allows it to be a frighteningly powerful wallbreaker after a boost. Marshadow has a decent attack stat, but struggles to break defensive walls it can't hit super effectively. Marshadow suffers from having poor defensive utility, meaning it can't switch in to many of the pokemon it checks. It also is weak to common threats, such as Arceus Fairy and Yveltal, both of which threaten it out with their respective STAB options. Because of its middling attack stat, it can be walled by pokemon such as Arceus Poison, Primal Groudon, Arceus Ground, Arceus Water, and Zygarde.
[SET]
name: Life Orb Attacker
move 1: Spectral Thief
move 2: Shadow Sneak
move 3: Close Combat
move 4: Rock Tomb / Hidden Power Ice / Pursuit
item: Life Orb
ability: Technician
nature: Jolly / Hasty
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Spectral Thief is Marshadow's quintessential STAB move, giving it good coverage, allowing it to steal boosts, and it goes through Substitute. Shadow Sneak is a good priority option boosted by Technician, giving it effectively 90 BP. Close Combat is Marshadow's hardest hitting STAB option, and with Life Orb, allows Marshadow to OHKO many pokemon that are weak to it. Rock Tomb is boosted to 90 BP with Technician, making it hit very hard, while also allowing marshadow to hit pokemon like Ho-oh and scarf Yveltal on the switch. Rock Tomb also allows for speed control, which can aid slower sweepers on the team. Hidden Power Ice can be used to KO Zygarde after little chip, however, it doesn't have much more utility than that. Pursuit can also be used to trap mons such as mega gengar, Deoxys, and weakened opponents, though it needs the opponent to switch for it to be effective.
Set Details
========
Life Orb is used to boost Marshadow's power, allowing it to OHKO pokemon such as Arceus forms weak to its STABs, which it can't do otherwise. Ev's in attack and speed allow Marshadow to hit as hard as possible without sacrificing its crucial speed tier. A Jolly nature is used if lacking Hidden Power Ice, However Hasty is used if running it, as to not weaken the attack.
Usage Tips
========
Marshadow must be played with caution. Overpredictions can often cost games due to how valuable Marshadow is to most teams. Players should be hesitant to switch Marshadow into pokemon, due to its frailty. Playing cautiously for the start of the game allows you to scout sets to better prepare you to beat the opposing team. Do not use a coverage move if the pokemon it beats are already covered by the majority of your team. There is no need to waste a move slot for additional coverage against a pokemon that isn't a threat to your team. Additionally, revealing a coverage move at the start of the game can defeat the purpose of it, as said pokemon will be more cautious around Marshadow. Scouting a team is essential for Marshadow to function. Forcing Dusk Mane to Ultra Burst, the opponent to reveal steelceus or darkceus all benefit Marshadow, since you know to keep it alive for these threats. Looking for scarf on Mega Rayquaza, and Chople Berry on Normalceus are also very important, as not switching can lead to you losing Marshadow early. Marshadow struggles to break bulkier opponents, so wait to play it until those foes are weakened down enough.
Team Options
========
Arceus Fairy is a good option for Marshadow, checking threats to it such as Yveltal, Mega Rayquaza, and opposing Marshadows. Arceus' access to Defog also helps, as Marshadow is greatly hindered by Sticky Web. Zygarde Complete is another good team member, as it assists in checking Physical Set up sweepers, whether by Coil or Haze. This helps alleviate pressure on Marshadow from pokemon such as Chople Berry Ekiller. Not only that, but Zygarde checks Arceus Poison, Primal Groudon, and Mega Rayquaza. Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre are also good options as both threaten support Arceus forms. Groudon can do this either with toxic or a special set, and Kyogre's monstrously high Special Attack allow it to easily 2HKO every viable support Arceus form. Additionally, Groudon gets access to Stealth Rocks, which aids Marshadow by providing guaranteed chip. Specially Defensive Necrozma Dusk Mane beats any variant of Arceus Fairy, Marshadow's biggest boon, while also spreading status, setting Rocks, and having access to reliable recovery. Mega Gengar can trap support Arceus forms that trouble Marshadow, including fairceus and poisonceus. Mega Rayquaza can deal extensive damage to supportceus on switchins, which can pave the way for Marshadow to break the team.
[SET]
name: Set-Up Wallbreaker
move 1: Spectral Thief
move 2: Bulk Up
move 3: Shadow Sneak / Substitute
move 4: Close Combat
item: Marshadium Z
ability: Technician
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Bulk Up is an absolute necessity on Z-move Marshadows. Boosting by one stage allows Marshadow to OHKO many walls with a little bit of prior damage. Spectral Thief and Close Combat are obligatory STAB moves that hit very hard. Shadow Sneak is a good priority option that hits hard, however without chip it cannot kill Ultra Necrozma without a boost. Substitute is another option that allows Marshadow to dodge Will-o-Wisp, one of its biggest boons while setting up. It also turns Arceus Poison; one of Marshadow's most reliable checks, into set-up fodder.
Set Details
========
Marshadow's Marshadium Z gives it access to Soul Stealing Seven Star Strike, off of Spectral Thief. This allows it to break through many threats that it could not before, including Mega Rayquaza, Arceus Fairy, and Primal Kyogre. Jolly nature is preferred on this set as it boosts the speed of Marshadow while not lowering any important stats of Marshadow.
Usage Tips
========
Marshadow greatly appreciates entry hazards, as it relies on weakening down checks to properly operate. Avoid boosting until said checks are worn down enough to be put in range. This allows you to properly break the team, instead of the opponent already knowing what set you are. Play cautiously with your Z move, as it is Marshadow's biggest weapon. The opponent will often try and switchin weakened pokemon to sack to get in their check to Marshadow. Marshadium Z can be a threat versus stall if it's played carefully and sets up at the right time.
Team Options
========
Marshadow appreciates Spikes and Rocks support, as it can get the chip it needs on threats to it. Mega Rayquaza is a good partner for Marshadow, breaking scarf Yveltal, Primal Groudon, Primal Kyogre, and Zygarde Complete, depending on the set. Eliminating these Pokemon assist in a sweep. Arceus Steel is a good offensive option, as it switches into both Yveltal and Arceus Fairy, and threatens many teams due to the lack of reliable checks to it. Gothitelle is a good partner, as it traps support Arceus forms and renders them useless to stopping Marshadow. It also allows you to hard switch into Marshadow when the trapped pokemon has been PP stalled, and get free set up.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Marshadow can also run a sash set with Endeavor, however this is completely unreliable due to Entry Hazards and it being incredibly weak, and unable to break through many common pokemon. A Scarf set with Pursuit is a niche option to guarantee revenge kill Deoxys and often kill Mega Gengar. It can also surprise faster pokemon and steal their boosts, such as Dragon Dance Mega Rayquaza, and Swords Dance Ultra Necrozma. However this set lacks power and can be easily switched into. Substitute Swagger with Leftovers can be used to force switch outs, however this set needs entry hazards to properly function, and it can be hard to initially set up. It also heavily relies on RNG, making it rather unreliable
Checks and Counters
===================
**Support Arceus Forms**: Support Arceus forms aren't 2HKO'ed by any of Marshadow's attacks, and can retaliate with Judgment's that put Marshadow under half, or status it with Thunder Wave or Will-o-Wisp, halving one of Marshadow's most important stats. Arceus Fairy and Arceus Poison are particularly dangerous, as they resist Close Combat and can either kill it with Judgment, or Wisp it, however, they still have to be wary of getting broken through by Marshadium Z.
**Choice Scarf Users**: The three most common Scarf user, Yveltal, Xerneas, and Mega Rayquaza, all threaten Marshadow out with their STAB's and can take most hits from it. They aren't bothered by priority and can additionally switchin to an attack if need be.
**Zygarde-Complete**: Zygod can beat every Marshadow set besides HP Ice variants, due to its immense physical bulk, and access to crippling moves, such as Dragon Tail and Glare. Zygarde still needs to scout for HP Ice, however, as it reliably OHKO's with some prior chip.
**Flying Types**: Pokemon such as Ho-oh, Arceus Flying, and Yveltal can all take a Spectral Thief quite comfortably, and Yveltal can eat a Close Combat. Marshadow can circumvent this by carrying Rock Tomb, however this fails to OHKO all but Ho-oh, and is then killed by their STAB.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[,Sinnoh Sunlight,467940 ]]
- Quality checked by: [[Pigeons, 253393 ], [,Megazard, 202117 ], [, ]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]
Marshadow separates itself from other common picks by having unresisted STAB's, combined with reliable and strong hitting STAB options. It has a great speed tier that allows it to outpace Mega Rayquaza and any variant of Arceus. Marshadow's Fighting type, immunity to Extreme Speed, and its ability to steal stat boosts allow it to revenge kill Swords Dance Arceus Forms, and check Calm Mind sweepers. It also has access to a fantastic ability in Technician, allowing it to boost the power of moves such as Rock Tomb, Shadow Sneak, Hidden Power Ice, and Pursuit. Marshadow also gets access to a 195 BP STAB Z-move, allowing it to break through archetypes such as stall and balance. Spectral Thief is an amazing STAB move, due to the prevalence of boosting moves in the metagame. This allows Marshadow to be a great weapon against Hyper Offense. Because Marshadow gets a great priority move in Shaodw Sneak, it allows it to threaten faster pokemon such as Ultra Necrozma and Mega Gengar. It also gets Bulk Up, which allows it to be a frighteningly powerful wallbreaker after a boost. Marshadow has a decent attack stat, but struggles to break defensive walls it can't hit super effectively. Marshadow suffers from having poor defensive utility, meaning it can't switch in to many of the pokemon it checks. It also is weak to common threats, such as Arceus Fairy and Yveltal, both of which threaten it out with their respective STAB options. Because of its middling attack stat, it can be walled by pokemon such as Arceus Poison, Primal Groudon, Arceus Ground, Arceus Water, and Zygarde.
[SET]
name: Life Orb Attacker
move 1: Spectral Thief
move 2: Shadow Sneak
move 3: Close Combat
move 4: Rock Tomb / Hidden Power Ice / Pursuit
item: Life Orb
ability: Technician
nature: Jolly / Hasty
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Spectral Thief is Marshadow's quintessential STAB move, giving it good coverage, allowing it to steal boosts, and it goes through Substitute. Shadow Sneak is a good priority option boosted by Technician, giving it effectively 90 BP. Close Combat is Marshadow's hardest hitting STAB option, and with Life Orb, allows Marshadow to OHKO many pokemon that are weak to it. Rock Tomb is boosted to 90 BP with Technician, making it hit very hard, while also allowing marshadow to hit pokemon like Ho-oh and scarf Yveltal on the switch. Rock Tomb also allows for speed control, which can aid slower sweepers on the team. Hidden Power Ice can be used to KO Zygarde after little chip, however, it doesn't have much more utility than that. Pursuit can also be used to trap mons such as mega gengar, Deoxys, and weakened opponents, though it needs the opponent to switch for it to be effective.
Set Details
========
Life Orb is used to boost Marshadow's power, allowing it to OHKO pokemon such as Arceus forms weak to its STABs, which it can't do otherwise. Ev's in attack and speed allow Marshadow to hit as hard as possible without sacrificing its crucial speed tier. A Jolly nature is used if lacking Hidden Power Ice, However Hasty is used if running it, as to not weaken the attack.
Usage Tips
========
Marshadow must be played with caution. Overpredictions can often cost games due to how valuable Marshadow is to most teams. Players should be hesitant to switch Marshadow into pokemon, due to its frailty. Playing cautiously for the start of the game allows you to scout sets to better prepare you to beat the opposing team. Do not use a coverage move if the pokemon it beats are already covered by the majority of your team. There is no need to waste a move slot for additional coverage against a pokemon that isn't a threat to your team. Additionally, revealing a coverage move at the start of the game can defeat the purpose of it, as said pokemon will be more cautious around Marshadow. Scouting a team is essential for Marshadow to function. Forcing Dusk Mane to Ultra Burst, the opponent to reveal steelceus or darkceus all benefit Marshadow, since you know to keep it alive for these threats. Looking for scarf on Mega Rayquaza, and Chople Berry on Normalceus are also very important, as not switching can lead to you losing Marshadow early. Marshadow struggles to break bulkier opponents, so wait to play it until those foes are weakened down enough.
Team Options
========
Arceus Fairy is a good option for Marshadow, checking threats to it such as Yveltal, Mega Rayquaza, and opposing Marshadows. Arceus' access to Defog also helps, as Marshadow is greatly hindered by Sticky Web. Zygarde Complete is another good team member, as it assists in checking Physical Set up sweepers, whether by Coil or Haze. This helps alleviate pressure on Marshadow from pokemon such as Chople Berry Ekiller. Not only that, but Zygarde checks Arceus Poison, Primal Groudon, and Mega Rayquaza. Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre are also good options as both threaten support Arceus forms. Groudon can do this either with toxic or a special set, and Kyogre's monstrously high Special Attack allow it to easily 2HKO every viable support Arceus form. Additionally, Groudon gets access to Stealth Rocks, which aids Marshadow by providing guaranteed chip. Specially Defensive Necrozma Dusk Mane beats any variant of Arceus Fairy, Marshadow's biggest boon, while also spreading status, setting Rocks, and having access to reliable recovery. Mega Gengar can trap support Arceus forms that trouble Marshadow, including fairceus and poisonceus. Mega Rayquaza can deal extensive damage to supportceus on switchins, which can pave the way for Marshadow to break the team.
[SET]
name: Set-Up Wallbreaker
move 1: Spectral Thief
move 2: Bulk Up
move 3: Shadow Sneak / Substitute
move 4: Close Combat
item: Marshadium Z
ability: Technician
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Bulk Up is an absolute necessity on Z-move Marshadows. Boosting by one stage allows Marshadow to OHKO many walls with a little bit of prior damage. Spectral Thief and Close Combat are obligatory STAB moves that hit very hard. Shadow Sneak is a good priority option that hits hard, however without chip it cannot kill Ultra Necrozma without a boost. Substitute is another option that allows Marshadow to dodge Will-o-Wisp, one of its biggest boons while setting up. It also turns Arceus Poison; one of Marshadow's most reliable checks, into set-up fodder.
Set Details
========
Marshadow's Marshadium Z gives it access to Soul Stealing Seven Star Strike, off of Spectral Thief. This allows it to break through many threats that it could not before, including Mega Rayquaza, Arceus Fairy, and Primal Kyogre. Jolly nature is preferred on this set as it boosts the speed of Marshadow while not lowering any important stats of Marshadow.
Usage Tips
========
Marshadow greatly appreciates entry hazards, as it relies on weakening down checks to properly operate. Avoid boosting until said checks are worn down enough to be put in range. This allows you to properly break the team, instead of the opponent already knowing what set you are. Play cautiously with your Z move, as it is Marshadow's biggest weapon. The opponent will often try and switchin weakened pokemon to sack to get in their check to Marshadow. Marshadium Z can be a threat versus stall if it's played carefully and sets up at the right time.
Team Options
========
Marshadow appreciates Spikes and Rocks support, as it can get the chip it needs on threats to it. Mega Rayquaza is a good partner for Marshadow, breaking scarf Yveltal, Primal Groudon, Primal Kyogre, and Zygarde Complete, depending on the set. Eliminating these Pokemon assist in a sweep. Arceus Steel is a good offensive option, as it switches into both Yveltal and Arceus Fairy, and threatens many teams due to the lack of reliable checks to it. Gothitelle is a good partner, as it traps support Arceus forms and renders them useless to stopping Marshadow. It also allows you to hard switch into Marshadow when the trapped pokemon has been PP stalled, and get free set up.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Marshadow can also run a sash set with Endeavor, however this is completely unreliable due to Entry Hazards and it being incredibly weak, and unable to break through many common pokemon. A Scarf set with Pursuit is a niche option to guarantee revenge kill Deoxys and often kill Mega Gengar. It can also surprise faster pokemon and steal their boosts, such as Dragon Dance Mega Rayquaza, and Swords Dance Ultra Necrozma. However this set lacks power and can be easily switched into. Substitute Swagger with Leftovers can be used to force switch outs, however this set needs entry hazards to properly function, and it can be hard to initially set up. It also heavily relies on RNG, making it rather unreliable
Checks and Counters
===================
**Support Arceus Forms**: Support Arceus forms aren't 2HKO'ed by any of Marshadow's attacks, and can retaliate with Judgment's that put Marshadow under half, or status it with Thunder Wave or Will-o-Wisp, halving one of Marshadow's most important stats. Arceus Fairy and Arceus Poison are particularly dangerous, as they resist Close Combat and can either kill it with Judgment, or Wisp it, however, they still have to be wary of getting broken through by Marshadium Z.
**Choice Scarf Users**: The three most common Scarf user, Yveltal, Xerneas, and Mega Rayquaza, all threaten Marshadow out with their STAB's and can take most hits from it. They aren't bothered by priority and can additionally switchin to an attack if need be.
**Zygarde-Complete**: Zygod can beat every Marshadow set besides HP Ice variants, due to its immense physical bulk, and access to crippling moves, such as Dragon Tail and Glare. Zygarde still needs to scout for HP Ice, however, as it reliably OHKO's with some prior chip.
**Flying Types**: Pokemon such as Ho-oh, Arceus Flying, and Yveltal can all take a Spectral Thief quite comfortably, and Yveltal can eat a Close Combat. Marshadow can circumvent this by carrying Rock Tomb, however this fails to OHKO all but Ho-oh, and is then killed by their STAB.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[,Sinnoh Sunlight,467940 ]]
- Quality checked by: [[Pigeons, 253393 ], [,Megazard, 202117 ], [, ]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]
Last edited: