[OVERVIEW]
A solid Speed tier, Regenerator, and moves like Knock Off and U-turn make Mienshao a solid choice for an offensive pivot or wallbreaker. Regenerator means that Mienshao isn't worn down by entry hazards, Rocky Helmet damage, and Life Orb recoil, giving it much more longevity than the average wallbreaker. Its good coverage moves in Poison Jab and Stone Edge can take out many of its would-be checks, such as Hatterene and Salamence. Mienshao is also one of the best Choice Scarf users in the metagame, being able to revenge kill threats like Lycanroc-D and Starmie while also outrunning other Choice Scarf users like Krookodile and Jirachi. However, Mienshao suffers from flaws that depend on the item and coverage moves that it is running. If running Life Orb, Mienshao has a mediorce Speed tier, leaving it easily revenge killed by threats like Keldeo and Thundurus, while running Choice Scarf makes it much harder to score KOs. It struggles with Pokemon like Moltres if not running Stone Edge and Hatterene if not running Poison Jab. Mienshao also has incredibly low HP and defenses, so priority attacks like Lycanroc-D's Accelerock and Azumarill's Aqua Jet easily threaten it. It also does not have good coverage to deal with Amoonguss and Buzzwole, both of which are very prominent in the tier.
[SET]
name: Offensive Pivot
move 1: Close Combat
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Stone Edge / Poison Jab
item: Life Orb
ability: Regenerator
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Knock Off is especially useful for removing items like Heavy-Duty Boots and Rocky Helmet from checks like Salamence and Amoonguss. U-turn lets Mienshao pivot, allowing it to escape checks like Amoonguss and Buzzwole and safely bring in a teammate. Stone Edge KOes Flying-types like Salamence, Moltres, and Noivern. Poison Jab hits Fairy-types such as Primarina, Azumarill, and Tapu Bulu. Life Orb increases Mienshao's damage output, which allows it to perform better against physical walls such as Tangrowth.
Mienshao works best on balance and offense teams as a powerful wallbreaker that can easily cripple its foes with Knock Off, as well as form VoltTurn cores. Late-game sweepers such as Gyarados and Nihilego appreciate Mienshao wearing down their checks such as Salamence and Nidoqueen, allowing them to clean up more easily. Nihilego is an especially good partner because it can set entry hazards, which allow Mienshao to beat checks like Hatterene, Tangrowth, and Galarian Slowbro more easily. Other entry hazard setters like Jirachi and Rhyperior also work well as teammates. Mienshao's is outsped and revenge killed by common threats like Keldeo and Thundurus-T, so faster teammates are appreciated. Choice Scarf Krookodile makes an especially good partner for Mienshao, as their combined power allows them to overwhelm shared checks such as Amoonguss and Togekiss. Lycanroc-D is also a good option because it can check Keldeo and Thundurus-T for Mienshao. Mienshao greatly appreciates Future Sight support from teammates like Reuniclus and Galarian Slowbro, which helps it take out its two biggest checks, Amoonguss and Buzzwole. Electric-types like Regieleki and Rotom-H form a fast VoltTurn core with Mienshao. Rotom-H is a particularly good partner, as it can remove some of Mienshao's biggest checks in Amoonguss, Buzzwole, and Tangrowth. Strong special attackers like Primarina and Azelf greatly appreciate Mienshao taking out Chansey and forming a strong wallbreaking core with them. RestTalk Primarina in particular is amazing as it can check Pokemon like Salamence and Keldeo for Mienshao and be a generally fantastic defensive partner for it to fall back on.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Close Combat
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Stone Edge / Poison Jab
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Regenerator
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS}
With Choice Scarf, Mienshao becomes an excellent revenge killer, outspeeding and taking out foes like Thundurus, Keldeo, +1 Gyarados, and non-Choice Scarf Zarude. Knock Off prevents Aegislash from walling Mienshao and also removes items from checks like Salamence and Togekiss. Stone Edge takes out Flying-types like Salamence and Moltres, while Poison Jab handles Hatterene and Primarina. Regenerator prevents Mienshao being worn down by entry hazards, making it an even more effective pivot.
Choice Scarf Mienshao works best with hard-hitting attackers, as well as other fast pivots that can form a VoltTurn core with it, so it fits best on playstyles like bulky offense. Azelf and Noivern are both especially good partners for Mienshao, as their extremely high Speed tiers ensure a very fast pivoting core that lets them bring each other and their teammates in with ease. Dark-types like Zarude and Galarian Moltres can help deal with Psychic-types such as Reuniclus and Azelf. In return, Mienshao can revenge kill threats like Gyarados and boosted Kommo-o for them. Frail wallbreakers like Lycanroc-D, Mamoswine, and Chandelure appreciate Mienshao bring them in safely. In turn, it appreciates these Pokemon's raw power, which allows them to take on threats Mienshao struggles to break through such as Tangrowth and Nidoqueen. Steel-types like Aegislash and Jirachi are greatly appreciated as partners, as they can deal with Psychic- and Fairy-types like Galarian Slowbro and Primarina.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Assault Vest boosts Mienshao's bulk, synergizes with Regenerator, and lets it pivot decently into Nihilego and Aegislash, but it doesn't boost Speed or damage output. Choice Band can be used to increase Mienshao's firepower, but Life Orb's flexibility is preferred despite the slight power loss. Blaze Kick can be used to deal with Amoonguss and Buzzwole, but it lacks other relevant targets and doesn't do much to Buzzwole anyway. Reckless + High Jump Kick makes Mienshao hit even harder, but the risk of missing is too great, and Mienshao also really needs the recovery from Regenerator.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Primarina, Azumarill, Hatterene, and Tapu Bulu resist all of Mienshao's main attacking moves. However, they do have to scout Mienshao to see if it is running Poison Jab.
**Flying-types**: Pokemon like Salamence and Moltres can easily wall Close Combat, forcing Mienshao to use the unreliable Stone Edge to take them out. Salamence can also cripple Mienshao with Intimidate, making it easier to pivot into. However, these Pokemon are usually very reliant on Heavy-Duty Boots, meaning that Mienshao can easily cripple them with Knock Off.
**Physical Walls**: Pokemon like Tangrowth, Amoonguss, and Buzzwole can all comfortably shrug off Mienshao's attacks, even if it is holding a Life Orb.
**Faster Pokemon and Priority**: Pokemon like Lycanroc-D, Keldeo, and Azelf can outspeed and revenge kill Mienshao; however, they must scout for Choice Scarf first. Pokemon like Lycanroc-D and Azumarill can do the same thing with their priority attacks, but the latter needs a fair amount of chip damage to be able to OHKO Mienshao, and the former can't switch in safely against it.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[StarFalcon555, 540058]]
- Quality checked by: [[Lilburr, 481709], [Monky25, 515132], [Twilight, 344575]]
- Grammar checked by: [[DC, 449990], [Finland, 517429]]
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