Mienshao
Pocket gave me permission to take over this set.
[SET]
name: Substitute
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Hi Jump Kick
move 3: Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Grass Knot / Baton Pass
item: Life Orb
nature: Naive / Hasty
evs: 252 Atk / 32 SpA / 224 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set, unlike other Mienshao sets, uses its Special Attack to bypass some of its usual counters, such as Gliscor, Slowbro, and Jellicent. Once these threats have been lured in and KOed, other teammates can find opportunities to break through your opponent's core. Substitute shields Mienshao from debilitating status, such as paralysis and burns, that would otherwise cripple the standard offensive set for the entire duration of the match. Substitute eases prediction by scouting your opponent's switch-in as well, which might save Mienshao from potentially using Hi Jump Kick on a Ghost-type and losing 50% of its health. Substitute also shields Mienshao from common priority, such as Scizor's Bullet Punch, and revenge killing attempts from faster Pokemon. Furthermore, Mienshao can pick up a free Substitute against Tyranitar most of the time and turn into a huge threat to VoltTurn teams, as Mienshao can dent them heavily. Thanks to Regenerator, Mienshao does not have to worry about a shortage of HP to use Substitute. Baton Pass can allow one of your other Pokemon to come in unharmed with momentum on your side; however, Mienshao must forgo a coverage move in Grass Knot.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>224 Speed EVs and a Speed-boosting nature allow Mienshao to outpace base 101 Speed Pokemon. 252 Attack EVs power up Mienshao's STAB attack, Hi Jump Kick, to insane levels. The remaining 32 EVs are dumped into Mienshao's Special Attack stat to boost Hidden Power Ice and Grass Knot. An alternative spread of 252 Atk / 80 SpA / 176 Spe with a Speed-boosting nature can be used if you want Mienshao to act as a better lure, as the extra Special Attack investment helps when trying to score OHKOs on Pokemon with Grass Knot and Hidden Power Ice. However, Mienshao does lose out on a bit of Speed. As for moveset changes, Stone Edge can be used over Hidden Power Ice to OHKO Volcarona. However, if it forgoes Hidden Power Ice for Stone Edge, Mienshao will lose to Gliscor.</p>
<p>The best teammates for this set are Pokemon that can deal with Ghost- and Psychic-types, such as and Reuniclus, respectively. Scizor and Tyranitar fill this roll well, as Tyranitar's Dark-type STAB is super effective against both Psychic- and Ghost-types, and Scizor's Bug-type STAB dishes out heavy damage to Psychic-types. In addition, both carry Pursuit in their arsenal, allowing them to trap said threats. Hazards setters are highly appreciated, as their hazards allow Mienshao to seal important OHKOs and 2HKOs on certain Pokemon, such as Skarmory and Hippowdon. Deoxys-D and Azelf are great hazard setters, and they provide good type synergy with Mienshao as well. Spinblockers such as Gengar make great additions to keep those hazards on the field, which ensures that Mienshao does not miss out on any crucial KOs. As for Pokemon that benefit from Mienshao's luring capabilities, double priority Lucario and Terrakion highly appreciate Mienshao's ability to remove their most common counters. In general, any Pokemon that can capitalize on Mienshao's ability to tear holes in teams is a great partner.</p>