[OVERVIEW]
* Milotic’s access to Competitive, reasonable bulk of 95 / 79 / 125 and reliable recovery make it one of the best counters to prevalent Intimidators such as Landorus-Therian and Incineroar
* After one or two Competitive boosts Milotic becomes a prominent offensive threat offering both high STAB damage output and speed control
* Sole Water typing results in only two weaknesses - to Electric and Grass - and four excellent resistances
* Unfortunately, both of Milotic's weaknesses pose significant threats in the current metagame, most notably Tapu Koko and Tapu Bulu, as well as Kartana
* Milotic suffers from sub-optimal Defence however careful EV distribution can allow it to meet significant defensive benchmarks, and it's high base Special Defense stat compliments a bulky build
* Its STAB coverage is resisted by some popular choices, notably Tapu Fini, Tapu Bulu, Ferrothorn and Kartana
* To operate as an effective offensive threat Milotic is reliant on speed control, through it's own Icy Wind or a partner's Tailwind, due to its middling speed
[SET]
name: Bulky Offense
move 1: Scald / Hydro Pump
move 2: Icy Wind / Ice Beam
move 3: Recover
move 4: Protect
item: Wiki Berry
ability: Competitive
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 0 Atk / 156 Def / 92 SpA / 4 SpD / 6 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
* Scald is an accurate and strong STAB attack with the added bonus of a burn chance, particularly useful against physical threats such as Mega Tyrannitar and Mega Metagross. This is Milotic's 'go-to' offensive move
* Some trainers may opt for Hydro Pump over Scald in order to pick up KOs that Milotic would otherwise miss, however the better accuracy of Scald and the burn chance generally make it the favourable option
* Icy Wind is the move of choice for Milotic offering mostly reliable speed control and chip damage. Super Effective coverage against Mega Salamence and Landorus-Therian allow Milotic to provide useful damage output too, particularly after a Competitive boost
* Ice Beam is a sound alternative to Icy Wind offering more damage output and the chance to OHKO opposing Landorus-Therian, however Milotic's lower speed tier means that most of the time Icy Wind is preferable
* Recover allows Milotic to stay on the field longer and potentially preserve Competitive boosts gained earlier. This can be stacked with a Pinch Berry, Grassy Terrain and Intimidate support so that Milotic can either endure through matches or setup win conditions through repeat Icy Wind support
* Protect enables Milotic scout for threats or to limit damage from a Z-move without giving up its boosts - particularly Tapu Koko’s Gigavolt Havok or Tapu Bulu’s Bloom Doom. A staple in VGC, this moves also gives Milotic's partner the opportunity to remove a threat or to punish double-targets. This is particularly relevant in Milotic's case given its access to reliable recovery and its potential threat after Competitive boosts
* The given EV spread augments Milotic's mediocre Defence stat whilst still putting some investment into Special Attack
* 252 HP / 156 Def makes Landorus-Therian's Earthquake into a 4HKO, Tapu Bulu's Horn Leech into a 2HKO at -1 in Terrain and Wood Hammer a 2HKO outside of Terrain, an 87.5% survival chance in Terrain at -2, and Kartana's Leaf Blade into a 2HKO at -1. The 252 HP / 4 SpD allows Milotic to survive Timid Tapu Koko's Thunderbolt in Terrain 100% of the time, and to survive Z-Thunderbolt 62.3% of the time outside of Electric Terrain. Milotic will also always survive Z-Wild Charge outside of Electric Terrain. Other notable Benchmarks include 43.7% chance to survive Psychic-Z from Tapu Lele in Psychic Terrain, and guaranteed survival outside of Terrain
* In practice, 92 SpA enables Milotic to usually 2HKO Assault Vest Incineroar after a Competitive boost, or alternately to 2HKO Incineroar without triggering a Pinch Berry; however outcomes can vary depending on the opposing nature and EV spread. Notably, this EV investment also guarantees a 2HKO with Icy Wind on 4HP Landorus-Therian
* 6 Speed investment allows Milotic to outspeed uninested base 101 Pokémon, and also fully invested base 69 and under; this nominal investment can also be advantageous in mirror matches
* A more basic 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD spread can also be used to maximise Milotic's Defensive bulk, however this is at the expense of further Special Defensive durability and some damage output. This set was piloted with great success by Wolfe Glick to regional victory at Charlottesville in this format
* Calm boosts Milotic's already high Special Defence further helping it to survive even Super Effective hits well. The drop in Attack power does not bother Milotic
* Wiki Berry gives Milotic additional recovery, this is particularly useful if EV'd to survive a specific threat whilst Milotic's partner KOs in return. This very will also confuse Adamant Scizor / Mega Scizor if using Bug Bite
* Other item options include Choice Scarf to surprise outspeed some threats, most notably Assault Vested Landorus-Therian. If running this approach then Ice Beam and maximum Special Attack is generally advisable. Another advantage of Choice Scarf variants is the opportunity to understand opponent item choices based on the order that abilities trigger upon entering the field
* Milotic can pair well with Pokemon which carry the Drizzle ability, as rain boosts Milotic’s primary STAB move. Pelipper deserves a mention in this role as it can both Tailwind and hit Grass-types with Super Effective 100% accurate Hurricanes in the rain
* Given its Defensive stat, Milotic appreciates Intimidate support to lower opposition Attack. Manectric deserves a special mention as it can offer support from both of it's abilities - Lightning Rod to redirect Super Effective Electric attacks - and Intimidate. Access to a fast Volt Switch also enables Manectric to cycle Intimidates. Their synergy is further cemented by Milotic's ability to threaten or outright ward off Landorus-Therian that would otherwise threaten Manectric with STAB Earthquake or Groundium Z
* Incineroar is another good partner as it can both provide Intimidate support, Fake Out to enable an Icy Wind for speed control and also heavily threaten Grass-types
* Tapu Bulu also works well as Grassy Terrain provides additional recovery to Milotic, however the Grassy Terrain can work against you by powering-up opposing Grass-type moves
* Milotic can be used together with the above two Pokémon to form a solid Fire-Grass-Water team core
* If your opponent doesn’t have a reliable answer to Milotic, and especially if they have multiple Intimidators, then Milotic can often hit the field on turn 1, receive a boost and stay in place throughout the match
* Milotic’s access to Competitive, reasonable bulk of 95 / 79 / 125 and reliable recovery make it one of the best counters to prevalent Intimidators such as Landorus-Therian and Incineroar
* After one or two Competitive boosts Milotic becomes a prominent offensive threat offering both high STAB damage output and speed control
* Sole Water typing results in only two weaknesses - to Electric and Grass - and four excellent resistances
* Unfortunately, both of Milotic's weaknesses pose significant threats in the current metagame, most notably Tapu Koko and Tapu Bulu, as well as Kartana
* Milotic suffers from sub-optimal Defence however careful EV distribution can allow it to meet significant defensive benchmarks, and it's high base Special Defense stat compliments a bulky build
* Its STAB coverage is resisted by some popular choices, notably Tapu Fini, Tapu Bulu, Ferrothorn and Kartana
* To operate as an effective offensive threat Milotic is reliant on speed control, through it's own Icy Wind or a partner's Tailwind, due to its middling speed
[SET]
name: Bulky Offense
move 1: Scald / Hydro Pump
move 2: Icy Wind / Ice Beam
move 3: Recover
move 4: Protect
item: Wiki Berry
ability: Competitive
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 0 Atk / 156 Def / 92 SpA / 4 SpD / 6 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
* Scald is an accurate and strong STAB attack with the added bonus of a burn chance, particularly useful against physical threats such as Mega Tyrannitar and Mega Metagross. This is Milotic's 'go-to' offensive move
* Some trainers may opt for Hydro Pump over Scald in order to pick up KOs that Milotic would otherwise miss, however the better accuracy of Scald and the burn chance generally make it the favourable option
* Icy Wind is the move of choice for Milotic offering mostly reliable speed control and chip damage. Super Effective coverage against Mega Salamence and Landorus-Therian allow Milotic to provide useful damage output too, particularly after a Competitive boost
* Ice Beam is a sound alternative to Icy Wind offering more damage output and the chance to OHKO opposing Landorus-Therian, however Milotic's lower speed tier means that most of the time Icy Wind is preferable
* Recover allows Milotic to stay on the field longer and potentially preserve Competitive boosts gained earlier. This can be stacked with a Pinch Berry, Grassy Terrain and Intimidate support so that Milotic can either endure through matches or setup win conditions through repeat Icy Wind support
* Protect enables Milotic scout for threats or to limit damage from a Z-move without giving up its boosts - particularly Tapu Koko’s Gigavolt Havok or Tapu Bulu’s Bloom Doom. A staple in VGC, this moves also gives Milotic's partner the opportunity to remove a threat or to punish double-targets. This is particularly relevant in Milotic's case given its access to reliable recovery and its potential threat after Competitive boosts
* The given EV spread augments Milotic's mediocre Defence stat whilst still putting some investment into Special Attack
* 252 HP / 156 Def makes Landorus-Therian's Earthquake into a 4HKO, Tapu Bulu's Horn Leech into a 2HKO at -1 in Terrain and Wood Hammer a 2HKO outside of Terrain, an 87.5% survival chance in Terrain at -2, and Kartana's Leaf Blade into a 2HKO at -1. The 252 HP / 4 SpD allows Milotic to survive Timid Tapu Koko's Thunderbolt in Terrain 100% of the time, and to survive Z-Thunderbolt 62.3% of the time outside of Electric Terrain. Milotic will also always survive Z-Wild Charge outside of Electric Terrain. Other notable Benchmarks include 43.7% chance to survive Psychic-Z from Tapu Lele in Psychic Terrain, and guaranteed survival outside of Terrain
* In practice, 92 SpA enables Milotic to usually 2HKO Assault Vest Incineroar after a Competitive boost, or alternately to 2HKO Incineroar without triggering a Pinch Berry; however outcomes can vary depending on the opposing nature and EV spread. Notably, this EV investment also guarantees a 2HKO with Icy Wind on 4HP Landorus-Therian
* 6 Speed investment allows Milotic to outspeed uninested base 101 Pokémon, and also fully invested base 69 and under; this nominal investment can also be advantageous in mirror matches
* A more basic 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD spread can also be used to maximise Milotic's Defensive bulk, however this is at the expense of further Special Defensive durability and some damage output. This set was piloted with great success by Wolfe Glick to regional victory at Charlottesville in this format
* Calm boosts Milotic's already high Special Defence further helping it to survive even Super Effective hits well. The drop in Attack power does not bother Milotic
* Wiki Berry gives Milotic additional recovery, this is particularly useful if EV'd to survive a specific threat whilst Milotic's partner KOs in return. This very will also confuse Adamant Scizor / Mega Scizor if using Bug Bite
* Other item options include Choice Scarf to surprise outspeed some threats, most notably Assault Vested Landorus-Therian. If running this approach then Ice Beam and maximum Special Attack is generally advisable. Another advantage of Choice Scarf variants is the opportunity to understand opponent item choices based on the order that abilities trigger upon entering the field
* Milotic can pair well with Pokemon which carry the Drizzle ability, as rain boosts Milotic’s primary STAB move. Pelipper deserves a mention in this role as it can both Tailwind and hit Grass-types with Super Effective 100% accurate Hurricanes in the rain
* Given its Defensive stat, Milotic appreciates Intimidate support to lower opposition Attack. Manectric deserves a special mention as it can offer support from both of it's abilities - Lightning Rod to redirect Super Effective Electric attacks - and Intimidate. Access to a fast Volt Switch also enables Manectric to cycle Intimidates. Their synergy is further cemented by Milotic's ability to threaten or outright ward off Landorus-Therian that would otherwise threaten Manectric with STAB Earthquake or Groundium Z
* Incineroar is another good partner as it can both provide Intimidate support, Fake Out to enable an Icy Wind for speed control and also heavily threaten Grass-types
* Tapu Bulu also works well as Grassy Terrain provides additional recovery to Milotic, however the Grassy Terrain can work against you by powering-up opposing Grass-type moves
* Milotic can be used together with the above two Pokémon to form a solid Fire-Grass-Water team core
* If your opponent doesn’t have a reliable answer to Milotic, and especially if they have multiple Intimidators, then Milotic can often hit the field on turn 1, receive a boost and stay in place throughout the match
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