[SET]
name: Tinted Lens Pivot
move 1: Close Combat
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: U-turn
move 4: High Jump Kick / Poison Jab
item: Choice Band / Choice Scarf
ability: Tinted Lens
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Mienshao's niche lies in its solid Speed tier, powerful STAB option in Close Combat, and useful utility options like Knock Off and U-turn. Knock Off removes items from switch-ins like Toxapex and Intimidate Corviknight, notably ensuring that Mienshao doesn't take additional Rocky Helmet chip damage. U-turn pivots Mienshao out of counters it cannot wear down by itself, like Dauntless Shield Kommo-o and Hippodown, into a partner that can take advantage of them, which distinguishes it from other powerful wallbreakers like Terrakion and Heracross. High Jump Kick supplements Close Combat's meager eight PP, but it's risky to use when opponents have Ghost-types like Dhelmise. Poison Jab lets Mienshao fish for poison on Pokemon like Kommo-o and Hippodown, as well as revenge killing non-Triage Tapu Lele consistently. A Choice Band is recommended to make Mienshao a decently flexible wallbreaker, with Close Combat becoming hard to switch into, specifically 2HKOing all Tapu Fini and Zapdos. However, Mienshao can use a Choice Scarf to revenge kill important and fast threats like Tapu Koko and Barraskewda.
Mienshao often struggles with physically defensive Pokemon like Toxapex and Mew, so it appreciates partners that can take advantage of them like Tapu Koko and Chandelure; in return, Mienshao forces out special walls like Blissey and Silvally-Dragon, or it removes their items with Knock Off and makes it easier for its partners to break through them. Choice Band Mienshao is flexible and can fit on offensive cores featuring Pokemon like Cinderace and Tapu Lele, which can wear down Mienshao's checks like Hippodown. For Cinderace, Hippowdon is a shared check, so it and Mienshao can rack up damage together, while Tapu Lele can outright break past Hippowdon. Choice Scarf Mienshao hits a very important Speed tier that's hard to beat, and balance teams heavily appreciate it forcing out fast threats like Talonflame and Choice Scarf Genesect. Mienshao often wants both entry hazard setters and removers. Ferrothorn and Chansey are solid setters and switch into foes that force out Mienshao, like Azelf and Inteleon. Good Defoggers like Mandibuzz and Corviknight can additionally form a pivot core with Mienshao.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Swords Dance set stands out from similar sweepers thanks to Mienshao's wide variety of coverage options and powerful STAB move; however, this set lacks immediate power and is forced out by the same Pokemon that the Choice Band set is forced out by, such as Terrakion.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Physical walls like Prankster Toxapex and Dauntless Shield Skarmory stonewall Mienshao with their reliable recovery, and they force it out in various ways. They also often run Rocky Helmet, which forces Mienshao to use Knock Off first or else risk chip damage racking up.
**Ghost-type Pokemon**: Pokemon like Dhelmise and Chandelure can exploit Mienshao being locked into Close Combat to set up a Swords Dance or a Substitute, respectively. However, neither of them can come in safely.
**Faster Pokemon**: Choice Band Mienshao is pressured by a myriad of Pokemon, including Terrakion, Tapu Koko, Azelf, Cinderace, and Zygarde-10%. Choice Scarf sets also fail to outspeed Choice Scarf Azelf, Choice Scarf Latios, and +2 Genesect.
**Priority**: Mienshao is frail and will falter to most forms on priority. against most priority moves. Triage users such as Tapu Lele can cleanly OHKO Mienshao, while Grassy Surge users like Zarude can do the same with Grassy Glide.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Heracross2.0, 414072]]
- Quality checked by: [[UT, 523866], [Osake, 524664]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429]]
Last edited:
