[overview]
**Draft Order**: Round 7 onwards
**Price Range**: 2-3 points
**Overview**: Flutter Mane is banned. Mismagius is too expensive. Luckily, Misdreavus is here to spinblock at an affordable price. Although its stats are mediocre at best, it can just barely hold its own when fighting some of the strongest Rapid Spin users. Coupled with its solid utility movepool, key resistances with Levitate, and decent coverage selection, Misdreavus brings decent value to the end of drafts despite its shortcomings.
[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Utility**: Misdreavus usually functions as a defensive piece with Eviolite. Many attackers fear its status conditions that it can spread, and the more passive foes can be Taunted. Hex can deal solid damage after a status condition has been inflicted, and Pain Split can keep it healthy. If played right, it can be used to block Rapid Spin from Pokemon like Great Tusk and Donphan.
**Bulky Setup**: Misdreavus can attempt to set up with Calm Mind and restore its HP with Draining Kiss, though its base stats make this a difficult task in most matchups. It can also use Nasty Plot to act as a wallbreaker against slower foes.
Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Hex, Shadow Ball
**Setup Moves**: Calm Mind, Nasty Plot
**Utility Moves**: Will-O-Wisp, Thunder Wave, Trick, Memento, Pain Split, Taunt, Destiny Bond, Night Shade, Foul Play
**Coverage**: Dazzling Gleam, Draining Kiss, Thunderbolt, Thunder, Psychic, Psyshock, Psychic Noise, Stored Power, Power Gem, Energy Ball, Grass Knot, Burning Jealousy, Icy Wind, Dark Pulse
Niche Moves
========
**Thief**: If Misdreavus is expected to get hit by Knock Off, it can use Thief to steal a foe's item afterwards.
**Curse / Perish Song**: Curse and Perish Song both shut down bulky setup sweepers by putting them on a timer.
**Trick Room**: Trick Room can be used with Memento to prepare a slow teammate like Kingambit for a sweep.
**Mean Look**: Mean Look is used to trap extremely passive Pokemon and remove them with Perish Song.
**Shadow Sneak / Sucker Punch**: Priority moves from a Misdreavus do not deal significant damage, but they can be used as insurance against sweepers using Endure or a Focus Sash.
Common Items
========
**Eviolite**: Misdreavus greatly appreciates extra bulk on most sets due to its low base stats.
**Choice Scarf**: Utility sets with Trick usually have Choice Scarf as a disruptive item. It also allows Misdreavus to act as a revenge killer in niche situations.
Niche Items
========
**Custap Berry**: Custap Berry can be used with Endure to force an opposing setup sweeper to either tank a status move or switch out and abandon its boosts. A few options for the second turn include Thunder Wave, Will-O-Wisp, Destiny Bond, and Memento.
**Colbur Berry**: Colbur Berry allows Misdreavus to take less damage from Knock Off from foes like Donphan, potentially allowing it to avoid a 2HKO when switching in.
**Focus Sash**: Focus Sash Misdreavus can be used as a lead to land a status condition or set Trick Room without fear of being OHKOed.
Tera
========
Misdreavus is generally not worth making a Tera Captain due to its low stats and the large list of better options. If it does become one, it can take after Flutter Mane and run Tera Fairy for a near-unresisted STAB type combination or run Tera types like Tera Fighting and Ground to hit additional foes super effectively. It can also use defensive Tera types to give it a better chance of setting up with Calm Mind. Tera Electric, Poison, and Steel provide it with immunities to some status conditions and synergize with Levitate, leaving it with few weaknesses.
Draft Strategy
========
Misdreavus is taken near the end of a draft to support entry hazard stacking and provide a resistance to Fighting and Ground. It should not be planned around from the start of a draft, but it can provide valuable support to its teammates.
**Entry Hazards**: Misdreavus works quite well as a cheap spinblocker, though it relies on teammates for this to be a valuable trait. Dedicated entry hazard setters like Hisuian Samurott and Ting-Lu may appreciate a stronger spinblocker, but attackers with entry hazards as an option like Garchomp and Meowscarada can team up with Misdreavus to form hazard-stacking builds for specific matchups.
**Ghost- and Dark-resistant Pokemon**: Misdreavus has fairly limited options for threatening foes, so it appreciates having teammates that can handle its weaknesses for it when it has to switch out.
Checks and Counters
========
**Knock Off**: Even a weak Knock Off removes Eviolite, which significantly reduces Misdreavus's bulk. Stronger users can easily threaten 2HKOs.
**Taunt**: Most of Misdreavus's value comes from its status moves, making Taunt a major threat to its viability. It also usually can't afford to use a Mental Herb due to its reliance on Eviolite.
**Wallbreakers**: Misdreavus's bulk is serviceable but not amazing. Its Defense in particular is quite low and requires serious investment to become usable, leaving it weak in other areas. It can't handle many stronger attackers, especially those with super effective STAB moves or a damage-boosting item.
**Status-immune Pokemon**: Pokemon with immunities to Will-O-Wisp and Thunder Wave or abilities like Guts have much less to fear from Misdreavus thanks to its low stats.
[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/scionicle.599989/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/jscurf.608304/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/techno.527276/
**Draft Order**: Round 7 onwards
**Price Range**: 2-3 points
**Overview**: Flutter Mane is banned. Mismagius is too expensive. Luckily, Misdreavus is here to spinblock at an affordable price. Although its stats are mediocre at best, it can just barely hold its own when fighting some of the strongest Rapid Spin users. Coupled with its solid utility movepool, key resistances with Levitate, and decent coverage selection, Misdreavus brings decent value to the end of drafts despite its shortcomings.
[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Utility**: Misdreavus usually functions as a defensive piece with Eviolite. Many attackers fear its status conditions that it can spread, and the more passive foes can be Taunted. Hex can deal solid damage after a status condition has been inflicted, and Pain Split can keep it healthy. If played right, it can be used to block Rapid Spin from Pokemon like Great Tusk and Donphan.
**Bulky Setup**: Misdreavus can attempt to set up with Calm Mind and restore its HP with Draining Kiss, though its base stats make this a difficult task in most matchups. It can also use Nasty Plot to act as a wallbreaker against slower foes.
Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Hex, Shadow Ball
**Setup Moves**: Calm Mind, Nasty Plot
**Utility Moves**: Will-O-Wisp, Thunder Wave, Trick, Memento, Pain Split, Taunt, Destiny Bond, Night Shade, Foul Play
**Coverage**: Dazzling Gleam, Draining Kiss, Thunderbolt, Thunder, Psychic, Psyshock, Psychic Noise, Stored Power, Power Gem, Energy Ball, Grass Knot, Burning Jealousy, Icy Wind, Dark Pulse
Niche Moves
========
**Thief**: If Misdreavus is expected to get hit by Knock Off, it can use Thief to steal a foe's item afterwards.
**Curse / Perish Song**: Curse and Perish Song both shut down bulky setup sweepers by putting them on a timer.
**Trick Room**: Trick Room can be used with Memento to prepare a slow teammate like Kingambit for a sweep.
**Mean Look**: Mean Look is used to trap extremely passive Pokemon and remove them with Perish Song.
**Shadow Sneak / Sucker Punch**: Priority moves from a Misdreavus do not deal significant damage, but they can be used as insurance against sweepers using Endure or a Focus Sash.
Common Items
========
**Eviolite**: Misdreavus greatly appreciates extra bulk on most sets due to its low base stats.
**Choice Scarf**: Utility sets with Trick usually have Choice Scarf as a disruptive item. It also allows Misdreavus to act as a revenge killer in niche situations.
Niche Items
========
**Custap Berry**: Custap Berry can be used with Endure to force an opposing setup sweeper to either tank a status move or switch out and abandon its boosts. A few options for the second turn include Thunder Wave, Will-O-Wisp, Destiny Bond, and Memento.
**Colbur Berry**: Colbur Berry allows Misdreavus to take less damage from Knock Off from foes like Donphan, potentially allowing it to avoid a 2HKO when switching in.
**Focus Sash**: Focus Sash Misdreavus can be used as a lead to land a status condition or set Trick Room without fear of being OHKOed.
Tera
========
Misdreavus is generally not worth making a Tera Captain due to its low stats and the large list of better options. If it does become one, it can take after Flutter Mane and run Tera Fairy for a near-unresisted STAB type combination or run Tera types like Tera Fighting and Ground to hit additional foes super effectively. It can also use defensive Tera types to give it a better chance of setting up with Calm Mind. Tera Electric, Poison, and Steel provide it with immunities to some status conditions and synergize with Levitate, leaving it with few weaknesses.
Draft Strategy
========
Misdreavus is taken near the end of a draft to support entry hazard stacking and provide a resistance to Fighting and Ground. It should not be planned around from the start of a draft, but it can provide valuable support to its teammates.
**Entry Hazards**: Misdreavus works quite well as a cheap spinblocker, though it relies on teammates for this to be a valuable trait. Dedicated entry hazard setters like Hisuian Samurott and Ting-Lu may appreciate a stronger spinblocker, but attackers with entry hazards as an option like Garchomp and Meowscarada can team up with Misdreavus to form hazard-stacking builds for specific matchups.
**Ghost- and Dark-resistant Pokemon**: Misdreavus has fairly limited options for threatening foes, so it appreciates having teammates that can handle its weaknesses for it when it has to switch out.
Checks and Counters
========
**Knock Off**: Even a weak Knock Off removes Eviolite, which significantly reduces Misdreavus's bulk. Stronger users can easily threaten 2HKOs.
**Taunt**: Most of Misdreavus's value comes from its status moves, making Taunt a major threat to its viability. It also usually can't afford to use a Mental Herb due to its reliance on Eviolite.
**Wallbreakers**: Misdreavus's bulk is serviceable but not amazing. Its Defense in particular is quite low and requires serious investment to become usable, leaving it weak in other areas. It can't handle many stronger attackers, especially those with super effective STAB moves or a damage-boosting item.
**Status-immune Pokemon**: Pokemon with immunities to Will-O-Wisp and Thunder Wave or abilities like Guts have much less to fear from Misdreavus thanks to its low stats.
[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/scionicle.599989/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/jscurf.608304/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/techno.527276/
Last edited:
