[SET]
Glass Cannon (Annihilape) @ Safety Goggles / Focus Sash
Ability: Defiant
Level: 50
Tera Type: Stellar / Water / Grass
EVs: 100 HP / 156 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Final Gambit
- Close Combat
- Rage Fist / Shadow Claw
- Taunt / Coaching
[SET COMMENTS]
- Annihilape uses its high base HP paired with its move Final Gambit to damage trade and eliminate important bulky meta threats, such as Porygon2, Archaludon, and Volcarona. Final Gambit and Taunt make Annihilape one of the most effective counters to Trick Room in the metagame, and the combination of Defiant, the Ghost typing, and a STAB boosted Close Combat make Annihilape an amazing counter against Incineroar.
- Final Gambit is the most important move in Annihilape's kit, being able to immediately remove bulky supportive and offensive threats. Close Combat allows Annihilape to threaten Inciniroar, Ursaluna, and Kingambit without knocking itself out. Shadow Claw can be used for more immediate Ghost-type offense against Gholdengo and other Annihilape, while Rage Fist can stack up to become a huge threat able to remove opponents in one hit. Taunt is a great counter to Trick Room setters like Indeedee-F, Porygon2 and Farigiraf, as well as checking Amoonguss, while Coaching can be used to boost teamates like Sneasler or Dragonite.
- Safety Goggles makes it easier for Annihilape to remove Pokemon like Porygon2 or Incineroar who are being supported by Amoonguss, ignoring its Spore and Rage Powder. The Focus Sash makes it easier for Annihilape to trade damage with Gholdengo, Ursaluna-Bloodmoon, and opposing Annihilape, tanking a hit and gaining a Rage Fist stack.
- Tera Water is a solid defensive Tera Type to help Annihilape take on Gholdengo, Pelipper, and Basulegion better, removing weaknesses and gaining resistances to the Water-type moves commonly seen on rain teams. Tera Stellar is used to give Annihilape a damage boost that is necessary for Close Combat to OHKO bulky Ursaluna-Bloodmoon, and letting it OHKO some setup Gholdengo with Rage Fist after a Rage Fist stack or a Defiant boost. Tera Grass is used only on Focus Sash sets, serving a similar purpose to Safety Goggles by giving Annihilape an immunity to Amoonguss's Spore and Rage Powder.
- The 100 HP EVs allow Annihilape to OHKO Volcarona, Porygon2, and some Rillaboom. It is able to outspeed Rillaboom, Gholdengo, and Archaludon. The EVs in Atk allow Annihilape to OHKO all Incineroar with Close Combat after a Defiant boost, and OHKO Basculegion with a Rage Fist after one stack.
- The immediate value of the glass cannon set is amazing to support its partners and threaten immediate knockouts, although it lacks the ability to completely run through opponents that setup Annihilape has. This set also lacks the bulk and support to survive long, so it struggles more against faster threats like Basculegion and Tera Flying Sneasler.
[SET]
Fast Setup Sweeper (Annihilape) @ Leftovers / Sitrus Berry
Ability: Defiant
Level: 50
Tera Type: Fire / Water
EVs: 180 HP / 68 Atk / 4 Def / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Protect
- Bulk Up
- Rage Fist
- Drain Punch
[SET COMMENTS]
- This set allows Annihilape to boost its stats with Bulk Up while getting Rage Fist stacks, giving it the power it needs to sweep through teams. It's Ghost typing and Defiant ability help Annihilape to roll over teams unchecked as it can't be slowed down by Fake Out or Intimidate. It has a very strong matchup against many slower teams that try to pivot Rillaboom and Incineroar.
- Rage Fist easily reaches 250 BP, giving it an incredible option to OHKO almost any Pokemon that doesn't resist Ghost. Drain Punch hits Pokemon that resist Rage Fist like Incineroar and Ursaluna-Bloodmoon for big damage, while giving Annihilape significant HP recovery, making it extremely difficult to knock out. Bulk Up gives Annihilape an Attack boost that is critical for knocking Ammonguss out with Rage Fist, while also increasing Annihilape's physical bulk enough to let it survive Last Respects from Basculegion. Protect allows Annihilape to stall a turn to get more healing from Leftovers and Grassy Terrain.
- Leftovers is more useful in matchups where Annihilape wants to sit on the field the whole game and recover consistently, while Sitrus Berry allows Annihilape to trade damage more aggressively against Pokemon like Ursaluna-Bloodmoon and Annihilape.
- Tera Water gives Annihilape a better matchup into teams centered around Rain or Sun, giving it crucial resistances to Basculegion's Wave Crash and Charizard's Heat Wave as well as removing its weaknesses to Pelipper's Hurricane and Basculegion's Last Respects. Tera Fire makes it easier for Annihilape to beat balance teams, giving it better matchups into Rillaboom, Volcarona, Gholdengo, and Ninetales-Alola, while also making it immune to burns from Incineroar's Will-o'-Wisp and Volcarona and Magmar's Flame Body.
- 180 HP optimizes the amount of healing that Annihilape gets from Leftovers and Grassy Terrain, while giving it enough bulk to survive key threats like Sneasler's Acrobatics and Ursaluna-Bloodmoon's Blood Moon with Friend Guard from Maushold active. The Attack EVs allow Annihilape to OHKO Tyranitar with Drain Punch, as well as giving it a good chance to OHKO most Rillaboom with Rage Fist after a Beat Up stack. Max Speed allows Annihilape to run over slower balance teams, letting it outspeed Gholdengo, Rillaboom, and Volcarona in order to OHKO them.
- Although this set lacks the flexibility of glass cannon Annihilape, it has the ability to destroy opponents with proper support. This set is more reliant on its partners supporting it, and without proper support, it can be a very lackluster attacker.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Teambuilding
============
- Glass cannon sets are typically paired with other strong physical attackers like Dragonite and Rillaboom who struggle against Incineroar and appreciate Coaching support. It also pairs well with balance and hyper offence teams that struggle against Trick Room. Setup Annihilape is usually found on dedicated setup teams, paired with Maushold, Rillaboom, and Incineroar who allow it to reach its maximum potential.
- Maushold's Beat Up immediately gives Annihilape four Rage Fist stacks, boosting it up to 250 BP. It also provides important support with Friend Guard, making Annihilape almost unkillable, and using Follow Me to redirect attacks, especially Gholdengo's Shadow Ball and Basculegion's last Respects. Rillaboom's Grassy Surge gives Annihilape valuable healing and Fake Out support, while also threatening Basculegion and Ursaluna-Bloodmoon with its powerful Grass STABs. Tailwind from Dragonite or Whimsicott allow Annihilape to outspeed and OHKO key threats like Dragapult and Swift Swim Basculegion.
- Setup Annihilape struggles a lot against redirection from Pokemon like Electabuzz, Maushold, and Indeedee-F, so it is often paired with Taunt users like Maushold, as well as strong spread attackers like Gholdengo and Ursaluna-Bloodmoon. It also has problems with Grassy Seed Sneasler, which can survive its Rage Fist and threaten it and its partners with the combination of Acrobatics and Close Combat. Gholdengo uses its defensive typing to completely counter Sneasler, while Incineroar can slow it down with Fake Out and Intimidate. Because glass cannon Annihilape is so frail, it loses to fast Pokemon like Choice Scarf Indeedee-M and Basculegion. Rillaboom helps with these matchups as it removes Indeedee-M's Psychic Terrain and walls it with its Assault Vest, and it threatens Basculegion with Grassy Glide.
Strategy Comments
============
- Annihilape can function as both a powerful setup sweeper or a supportive glass cannon. Setup sweeper sets are reliant on its team to help it boost its power to absurd levels, otherwise it just won't be able to do enough damage. Glass cannon sets are able to quickly remove key threats that pressure its teammates, while also being able to boost allies' stats and stop annoying disruptive Pokemon.
- A setup Basculegion should almost always be led with Maushold, and the primary focus should be setting up a few Bulk Ups and getting a Beat Up onto Annihilape with Maushold. From there, the support of Follow Me from Maushold and Fake Out from Incineroar and Rillaboom allow Annihilape to sweep through teams with its powerful Rage Fist. The glass cannon set can be used more flexibly when you want to stop opposing Trick Room, shut down Amoonguss, or remove a key threat to your team. It works well as both a lead and backup option and is able to provide value in most matchups.
- Fast attackers heavily threaten Annihilape, especially the glass cannon set. Strong attackers with super effective moves can immediately do a huge chunk of Annihilape's HP, significantly weakening its Final Gambit and making it much harder for it to set up and get going. Support from Fake Out, Follow Me, and Tailwind can help Annihilape to either set itself up or outspeed and KO threats. Setup Annihilape can also occasionally struggle against opposing set up Pokemon like Kommo-o and Corviknight, which Taunt Maushold and Haze Dragonite can help against. Taunt from Maushold can also be used to prevent Taunt or Haze from opponents.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/r0gue_vgc.696399/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user3.102/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.103/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user5.104/
Glass Cannon (Annihilape) @ Safety Goggles / Focus Sash
Ability: Defiant
Level: 50
Tera Type: Stellar / Water / Grass
EVs: 100 HP / 156 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Final Gambit
- Close Combat
- Rage Fist / Shadow Claw
- Taunt / Coaching
[SET COMMENTS]
- Annihilape uses its high base HP paired with its move Final Gambit to damage trade and eliminate important bulky meta threats, such as Porygon2, Archaludon, and Volcarona. Final Gambit and Taunt make Annihilape one of the most effective counters to Trick Room in the metagame, and the combination of Defiant, the Ghost typing, and a STAB boosted Close Combat make Annihilape an amazing counter against Incineroar.
- Final Gambit is the most important move in Annihilape's kit, being able to immediately remove bulky supportive and offensive threats. Close Combat allows Annihilape to threaten Inciniroar, Ursaluna, and Kingambit without knocking itself out. Shadow Claw can be used for more immediate Ghost-type offense against Gholdengo and other Annihilape, while Rage Fist can stack up to become a huge threat able to remove opponents in one hit. Taunt is a great counter to Trick Room setters like Indeedee-F, Porygon2 and Farigiraf, as well as checking Amoonguss, while Coaching can be used to boost teamates like Sneasler or Dragonite.
- Safety Goggles makes it easier for Annihilape to remove Pokemon like Porygon2 or Incineroar who are being supported by Amoonguss, ignoring its Spore and Rage Powder. The Focus Sash makes it easier for Annihilape to trade damage with Gholdengo, Ursaluna-Bloodmoon, and opposing Annihilape, tanking a hit and gaining a Rage Fist stack.
- Tera Water is a solid defensive Tera Type to help Annihilape take on Gholdengo, Pelipper, and Basulegion better, removing weaknesses and gaining resistances to the Water-type moves commonly seen on rain teams. Tera Stellar is used to give Annihilape a damage boost that is necessary for Close Combat to OHKO bulky Ursaluna-Bloodmoon, and letting it OHKO some setup Gholdengo with Rage Fist after a Rage Fist stack or a Defiant boost. Tera Grass is used only on Focus Sash sets, serving a similar purpose to Safety Goggles by giving Annihilape an immunity to Amoonguss's Spore and Rage Powder.
- The 100 HP EVs allow Annihilape to OHKO Volcarona, Porygon2, and some Rillaboom. It is able to outspeed Rillaboom, Gholdengo, and Archaludon. The EVs in Atk allow Annihilape to OHKO all Incineroar with Close Combat after a Defiant boost, and OHKO Basculegion with a Rage Fist after one stack.
- The immediate value of the glass cannon set is amazing to support its partners and threaten immediate knockouts, although it lacks the ability to completely run through opponents that setup Annihilape has. This set also lacks the bulk and support to survive long, so it struggles more against faster threats like Basculegion and Tera Flying Sneasler.
[SET]
Fast Setup Sweeper (Annihilape) @ Leftovers / Sitrus Berry
Ability: Defiant
Level: 50
Tera Type: Fire / Water
EVs: 180 HP / 68 Atk / 4 Def / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Protect
- Bulk Up
- Rage Fist
- Drain Punch
[SET COMMENTS]
- This set allows Annihilape to boost its stats with Bulk Up while getting Rage Fist stacks, giving it the power it needs to sweep through teams. It's Ghost typing and Defiant ability help Annihilape to roll over teams unchecked as it can't be slowed down by Fake Out or Intimidate. It has a very strong matchup against many slower teams that try to pivot Rillaboom and Incineroar.
- Rage Fist easily reaches 250 BP, giving it an incredible option to OHKO almost any Pokemon that doesn't resist Ghost. Drain Punch hits Pokemon that resist Rage Fist like Incineroar and Ursaluna-Bloodmoon for big damage, while giving Annihilape significant HP recovery, making it extremely difficult to knock out. Bulk Up gives Annihilape an Attack boost that is critical for knocking Ammonguss out with Rage Fist, while also increasing Annihilape's physical bulk enough to let it survive Last Respects from Basculegion. Protect allows Annihilape to stall a turn to get more healing from Leftovers and Grassy Terrain.
- Leftovers is more useful in matchups where Annihilape wants to sit on the field the whole game and recover consistently, while Sitrus Berry allows Annihilape to trade damage more aggressively against Pokemon like Ursaluna-Bloodmoon and Annihilape.
- Tera Water gives Annihilape a better matchup into teams centered around Rain or Sun, giving it crucial resistances to Basculegion's Wave Crash and Charizard's Heat Wave as well as removing its weaknesses to Pelipper's Hurricane and Basculegion's Last Respects. Tera Fire makes it easier for Annihilape to beat balance teams, giving it better matchups into Rillaboom, Volcarona, Gholdengo, and Ninetales-Alola, while also making it immune to burns from Incineroar's Will-o'-Wisp and Volcarona and Magmar's Flame Body.
- 180 HP optimizes the amount of healing that Annihilape gets from Leftovers and Grassy Terrain, while giving it enough bulk to survive key threats like Sneasler's Acrobatics and Ursaluna-Bloodmoon's Blood Moon with Friend Guard from Maushold active. The Attack EVs allow Annihilape to OHKO Tyranitar with Drain Punch, as well as giving it a good chance to OHKO most Rillaboom with Rage Fist after a Beat Up stack. Max Speed allows Annihilape to run over slower balance teams, letting it outspeed Gholdengo, Rillaboom, and Volcarona in order to OHKO them.
- Although this set lacks the flexibility of glass cannon Annihilape, it has the ability to destroy opponents with proper support. This set is more reliant on its partners supporting it, and without proper support, it can be a very lackluster attacker.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Teambuilding
============
- Glass cannon sets are typically paired with other strong physical attackers like Dragonite and Rillaboom who struggle against Incineroar and appreciate Coaching support. It also pairs well with balance and hyper offence teams that struggle against Trick Room. Setup Annihilape is usually found on dedicated setup teams, paired with Maushold, Rillaboom, and Incineroar who allow it to reach its maximum potential.
- Maushold's Beat Up immediately gives Annihilape four Rage Fist stacks, boosting it up to 250 BP. It also provides important support with Friend Guard, making Annihilape almost unkillable, and using Follow Me to redirect attacks, especially Gholdengo's Shadow Ball and Basculegion's last Respects. Rillaboom's Grassy Surge gives Annihilape valuable healing and Fake Out support, while also threatening Basculegion and Ursaluna-Bloodmoon with its powerful Grass STABs. Tailwind from Dragonite or Whimsicott allow Annihilape to outspeed and OHKO key threats like Dragapult and Swift Swim Basculegion.
- Setup Annihilape struggles a lot against redirection from Pokemon like Electabuzz, Maushold, and Indeedee-F, so it is often paired with Taunt users like Maushold, as well as strong spread attackers like Gholdengo and Ursaluna-Bloodmoon. It also has problems with Grassy Seed Sneasler, which can survive its Rage Fist and threaten it and its partners with the combination of Acrobatics and Close Combat. Gholdengo uses its defensive typing to completely counter Sneasler, while Incineroar can slow it down with Fake Out and Intimidate. Because glass cannon Annihilape is so frail, it loses to fast Pokemon like Choice Scarf Indeedee-M and Basculegion. Rillaboom helps with these matchups as it removes Indeedee-M's Psychic Terrain and walls it with its Assault Vest, and it threatens Basculegion with Grassy Glide.
Strategy Comments
============
- Annihilape can function as both a powerful setup sweeper or a supportive glass cannon. Setup sweeper sets are reliant on its team to help it boost its power to absurd levels, otherwise it just won't be able to do enough damage. Glass cannon sets are able to quickly remove key threats that pressure its teammates, while also being able to boost allies' stats and stop annoying disruptive Pokemon.
- A setup Basculegion should almost always be led with Maushold, and the primary focus should be setting up a few Bulk Ups and getting a Beat Up onto Annihilape with Maushold. From there, the support of Follow Me from Maushold and Fake Out from Incineroar and Rillaboom allow Annihilape to sweep through teams with its powerful Rage Fist. The glass cannon set can be used more flexibly when you want to stop opposing Trick Room, shut down Amoonguss, or remove a key threat to your team. It works well as both a lead and backup option and is able to provide value in most matchups.
- Fast attackers heavily threaten Annihilape, especially the glass cannon set. Strong attackers with super effective moves can immediately do a huge chunk of Annihilape's HP, significantly weakening its Final Gambit and making it much harder for it to set up and get going. Support from Fake Out, Follow Me, and Tailwind can help Annihilape to either set itself up or outspeed and KO threats. Setup Annihilape can also occasionally struggle against opposing set up Pokemon like Kommo-o and Corviknight, which Taunt Maushold and Haze Dragonite can help against. Taunt from Maushold can also be used to prevent Taunt or Haze from opponents.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/r0gue_vgc.696399/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user3.102/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.103/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user5.104/
Last edited:
