[OVERVIEW]
- Mismagius is the most prominent offensive Ghost-type due to its blazing speed and access to a great boosting move in Nasty Plot, allowing it to have a good matchup versus both bulky and offensive teams.
- A nice defensive typing and ability allow Mismagius to freely set up on common Pokemon such as Nidoqueen, Gligar, Curselax, and non-Shadow Claw Bewear. Additionally, Levitate provides a good matchup against spikestack and Sticky Webs teams due to the immunity to entry hazards.
- It has an excellent matchup against stall teams, being able to set up on almost every Pokemon commonly ran on these type of teams, with the exception of Umbreon and Mandibuzz.
- Mismagius is the only Ghost-type in the tier capable of dealing with Rapid Spin users, notably Mega Blastoise, such as Tsareena, Forretress, and Donphan, although it must be wary of switching into potential Dark-type coverage.
- Similarly, Mismagius also possesses a wide array of disruptive moves in Taunt, and Memento, which, by virtue of preventing Defog, make it possibly the best Pokemon at keeping entry hazards on the opposing side of the field intact.
- However, Mismagius is not powerful by any means, and it almost entirely relies on a +2 Never-Ending-Nightmare to wallbreak.
- Mismagius inconvenient defensive stat spread clashes with its typing, as its low physical bulk means it is often 2hkod by decently powerful attacks- This means it is forced to set up on Ground-, Fighting-, and Normal-types that cannot hit it super-effectively. Meanwhile, although its Special Defense is decent, it has few notable resistances.
- A vulnerability to common priority in the tier such as Sucker Punch and Shadow Sneak from the likes of Toxicroak and Doublade, limits its sweeping potential.
- Being weak to Dark-types means Mismagius is prone to being Pursuit trapped from several common Pokemon like Drapion, Sneasel, and Aerodactyl.
[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Shadow Ball
move 3: Thunderbolt
move 4: Taunt
item: Ghostium Z / Electrium Z / Colbur Berry
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 8 Def / 248 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
- Nasty Plot doubles Mismagius's Special Attack, making it a powerful offensive threat.
- Shadow Ball serves as Mismagius's STAB move and its amazing neutral coverage makes it very spammable.
- Thunderbolt hits a large portion of the RU metagame, notably Pokemon like Mandibuzz, Milotic, Mega Blastoise, Moltres, and Barbaracle.
- Taunt blocks most defensive counterplay to Mismagius, such as recovery and status, as well as preventing Defog from removing hazards.
- Dazzling Gleam is a serviceable coverage option over Thunderbolt, and it provides better coverage against Dark-types that can check it at +2, such as Pangoro and Umbreon, while still hitting Mandibuzz hard. It also damages Chesnaught, which is able to avoid damage from Shadow Ball due to Bulletproof.
- Mystical Fire provides decent coverage alongside Shadow Ball, hitting Pokemon like Escavalier, as well as allowing Mismagius to beat Porygon2 because of the artificial Special Defense boost and Taunt.
- Memento lets Mismagius help ease the set up of a sweeper like Linoone, Barbaracle, and Dragon Dance Zygarde-10%, as well as preventing Defog for one turn at the cost of Mismagius's life.
Set Details
========
- Mismagius's EV spread and nature maximize its Speed and Special Attack, while 8 Def EVs and a Z-Crystal allow it to live Donphan's Knock Off if it has taken no prior damage.
- Ghostium Z provides Mismagius a powerful 160 Base Power Ghost-type move, which can let it overpower even the bulkiest of walls such as Registeel and Gligar after a Nasty Plot.
- Electrium Z can lure in common answers to Mismagius such as Mandibuzz and eliminate them. It also KOes Pokemon like Moltres and Mega Blastoise from full, solidifying its role as a spinblocker and Defog preventer.
- A Colbur Berry can be used instead if your team is already using a Z-Move user, and it improves Mismagius's survivability by letting it lure Dark-types and avoid pursuit. It also means it has an easier time switching into Mega Blastoise's Dark Pulse. Additionally, all three item choices lower the damage output of opposing Knock Offs.
Usage Tips
========
- Be wary of recklessly switching into spinners like Mega Blastoise and Tsareena, as the opponent might realize this and use Dark Pulse or Knock Off, heavily damaging Mismagius. However, Colbur Berry variants can switch in more safely than Z-Move variants.
- Try and avoid passive Pokemon getting off a Toxic or Thunder Wave on Mismagius, as both heavily cripple it by limiting its logevity or Speed. For this reason, it is better to Taunt passive Pokemon like Registeel and Porygon2 before attempting to set up.
- Despite its lacking defenses, Mismagius is able to find numerous setup opportunities in weaker defensive pokemon like Florges and Registeel, and slower Ghost- or Psychic-types such as Cresselia, non-Choice Scarf Gardevoir, Hoopa, and Slowbro. Be aware that these Pokemon might realize Mismagius will set up and attack, heavily damaging Mismagius. Additionally, Mismagius is able to set up on Choice locked or weaker Ground- Fighting- and Normal-type Pokemon, such as Nidoqueen, Bewear, and Curselax.
- Don't be afraid of using Never-Ending-Nightmare prematurely, as Mismagius doesnt have good longevity an as such will rarely get multiple chances to set up Nasty Plot. At worst you can still rack up entry hazard damage on opposing Pokemon.
Team Options
========
- Mimsagius generally fits on offensive teams that appreciate its ability to keep hazards intact and disrupt the opposing team with Taunt while maintaining a strong offensive presence.
- Entry hazard setters such as Nidoqueen, Roserade, and Dragalge appreciate Mismagius's breaking power forcing many switches and ability to prevent Rapid Spin and Defog.
- Pokemon that can take advantage of Pursuit trappers such as Barbaracle and Linoone can make the opponent think twice before attempting to trap and eliminate Mismagius.
- Fighting-types such as Virizion and Bewear are able to beat Dark- and Normal-types that Mismagius struggles with breaking through, and they bait in the Psychic- and Poison-types that Mismagius preys upon.
- Late game cleaners like Dragon Dance Zygarde-10%, Speed Boost Yanmega, Linoone and Klinklang love being able to keep Spikes up because they wear down common answers to them.
- Diancie is able to switch into Dark-types and Choice Band Snorlax, as well as setting up Stealth Rock. Additionally, it can bait in Earthquakes from the likes of Bewear and Choice Band Snorlax for Mismagius to switch in on.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
- Destiny Bond can let Mismagius lure in usual answers to it by letting them take its own life. This can help other offensive teammates sweep if a Pokemon that walls them is eliminated: for example, if Mismagius uses Destiny Bond on a Mandibuzz, then Pokemon such as Roserade and Decidueye can put significant pressure on the opposing team.
- The combination of Hex and Will-O-Wisp can be used as it can cripple the physical attackers Mismagius often struggles against and escape certain Pursuit users. However, it is too dependent on the opponent being statused to inflict any significant damage.
- A Choice Specs set can be used instead for more immediate breaking power, but it competes too much with Hoopa even despite the Speed advantage and is still too weak to be particularly notable.
- Darkinium Z can be used with Dark Pulse to lure in and dispose of Meloetta specifically. However, this is the only target it hits, and Dark-type coverage heavily overlaps with Mismagius's Ghost-type STAB moves, limiting its usefulness.
- Mismagius has an extensive support movepool, including several utility moves like Thunder Wave, Heal Bell, Mean Look + Perish Song, Calm Mind, and Pain Split but its awkward defensive stats generally make these options lackluster.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Pursuit**: Pursuit from faster threats like Sneasel and Aerodactyl can KO Mismagius prematurely if not carrying a Colbur Berry. Other trappers such as Honchkrow and Doublade can force mind games with Mismagius fearing both their super-effective priority and pursuit. Bulkier Pursuit users such as Snorlax and Drapion are able to comfortably switch into Mismagius and dispose of it. However, Drapion should be wary of +2 Gigavolt Havoc. Escavalier can also attempt to trap Mismagius, but only if Mismagius has wasted its Z-Move already. It should be wary of the occasional Mystical Fire as well.
**Dark-types**: Due to their resistance to Ghost-type moves, Dark-types like Sneasel, Drapion, and Honchkrow are able to switch into Mismagius with ease and threaten it with moves such as Knock Off, Sucker Punch, and Pursuit. Defensive Dark-types like Mandibuzz, and Umbreon are able to threaten Mismagius as well, though Mandibuzz must be wary of Gigavolt Havoc variants.
**Normal-types**: Any Snorlax set that runs a move that Mismagius isn't immune to can easily switch into it and threaten to Pursuit trap or set up on it. Meloetta can also set up with ease on Mismagius and outdamage it with its own Shadow Ball. Porygon2 can beat almost any Mismagius as it takes very little from Thunderbolt, but must be wary of Mystical Fire, as it can end up overwhelming it when coupled with Taunt.
**Faster Attackers**: Mismagius's paper-thin defenses mean it is vulnerable to almost any faster Pokemon in the tier, such as Aerodactyl, Noivern, and Virizion. Physical Choice Scarf users like Tyrantrum are also able to quickly take it out. However, it has enough bulk to sustain some hits from some special attackers like Noivern and retaliate with Never-Ending-Nightmare, though if it has wasted its Z-Move already it will likely lose the exchange.
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