Munchlax
Status: Done!
QC Checks: Nails, Aerrow
GP Checks: Calm Pokemaster, wekhter
[Overview]
<p>Munchlax stands out as a force to be reckoned with in Little Cup thanks to its great HP and Special Defense, the ability to reach 19 Attack, and an incredible movepool which allows it to hit almost any Pokemon for super effective damage. However, it's not all great for Munchlax. The popularity of Fighting-types greatly hurts its viability, meaning it will have to switch out a lot more often and risk having the likes of Scraggy or Timburr setting up. Despite that, Munchlax remains quite the viable choice in Little Cup and is something all teams need an answer for.</p>
[SET]
name: Special Tank
move 1: Return
move 2: Earthquake / Focus Punch
move 3: Fire Punch
move 4: Pursuit
item: Eviolite
ability: Thick Fat
nature: Adamant
evs: 236 Atk / 36 Def / 236 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set combines Munchlax's best traits, making it a hard-hitting special tank. Return is Munchlax's best choice for STAB, as it hits quite hard and has no drawbacks. The second slot has two choices, both for different purposes. Earthquake is the main move, as it is a reliable choice for hitting Steel-types such as Pawniard and Magnemite for super effective damage. Focus Punch will also hit Steel-types super effectively, as well as KO Scraggy attempting to set up on Munchlax. Although it is less reliable overall, the ability to prevent Scraggy from setting up makes it a solid option.</p>
<p>In the third moveslot, Fire Punch hits Bronzor and Ferroseed super effectively while acting as a backup move for other Steel-types. Pursuit is the typical choice in the fourth slot, hitting Ghost-types for super effective damage. It allows a KO on weakened threats in general, as well as Gastly and Abra. This shouldn't be used to try to trap Frillish, however, as it almost always uses Will-O-Wisp, which cripples Munchlax.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Munchlax can run extra bulk in either a Careful nature or extra HP, though this set is more of an attacker and likes the boost there. Make sure to not end up with 32 HP, as that makes Munchlax take more damage from entry hazards and weather.</p>
<p>As for teammates, Pokemon to help face Fighting-types are a huge help. A Ghost-type such as Duskull can handle most Fighting-types, though they can't handle Scraggy. Timburr and Mienfoo can use their super effective Drain Punches to help against Scraggy.</p>
[SET]
name: Rest
move 1: Return
move 2: Fire Punch
move 3: Rest
move 4: Sleep Talk
item: Eviolite
ability: Thick Fat
nature: Careful / Adamant
evs: 236 Atk / 36 Def / 236 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>With Rest and Sleep Talk, Munchlax gains survivability at the cost of reduced coverage. With this, Munchlax becomes more of a special wall, though it still can hit hard enough to be a threat. Return, Rest, and Sleep Talk are the obvious moves on this set, providing a STAB move and recovery. The best coverage move for this set is Fire Punch, hitting Steel-types that resist Normal-type attacks as well while still doing some damage to Ghost-types.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Munchlax can run either a Careful or Adamant nature on this set. With Careful, Munchlax can take hits a bit more easily, but Adamant allows it to hit harder. Both are viable options, and the nature depends on what Munchlax needs to defeat. Running max HP instead of max Attack with a Careful nature is another option, as Munchlax will need to be able to take more attacks here than on the last set.</p>
<p>The previous set's recommended teammates are still useful here, and due to the lesser coverage, other teammates are quite welcome. Frillish resists both Return and Fire Punch, meaning teammates need to pick up the slack. Chinchou is a good option to check Frillish, resisting Scald and having Electric-type attacks. Scraggy can help with Ghost-types in general, which cause problems for this set. Tentacool can set up Toxic Spikes, which this Munchlax likes having to help stall out opponents, making it a solid teammate as well.</p>
[SET]
name: Stockpile + Whirlwind
move 1: Stockpile
move 2: Whirlwind
move 3: Rest
move 4: Sleep Talk
item: Eviolite
ability: Thick Fat
nature: Impish
evs: 236 HP / 196 Def / 76 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This is a pure defensive support set for Munchlax, and despite being completely stopped by Taunt it can stall well with team support. Stockpile means Munchlax can, at best, only be 3HKOed by all but Fighting-type attacks, making it able to safely use Rest and Sleep Talk. Whirlwind lets Munchlax phaze, and lacks its negative priority when used by Sleep Talk. However, Munchlax's low Speed rarely lets it go first anyway.</p>
<p>An Impish nature with maximum HP and Defense are important to raise Munchlax's lower physical bulk to take advantage of the boost that Stockpile provides. With the current EV spread, Munchlax reaches 33 HP, 14 Defense, and 16 Special Defense, giving it incredible mixed bulk even with only one boost. Immunity may be tempting to use to avoid Toxic, but with Rest it is unnecessary, making Thick Fat the better option.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Entry hazards are a necessity on this set, as Munchlax cannot do any damage on its own. Ferroseed is a good choice to set up Spikes and Stealth Rock, while Tentacool can set up Toxic Spikes. Hail can also rack up additional damage, which means that Snover is a good teammate as well. On top of that, Pokemon that can take on Fighting-types and levitating Ghost-types help too, such as the aforementioned Scraggy, Timburr, and Gastly.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Thanks to its gigantic movepool, Munchlax has a mulititude of other options to consider. Seed Bomb and ThunderPunch can both hit Frillish, and the former also KOes Wooper, but both have lackluster coverage and Frillish still wins. SelfDestruct can be used as a suicide move, and gets STAB, but isn't nearly as powerful since it no longer halves the opponent's Defense. Superpower can be used to hit Steel-types and Scraggy, but doesn't KO Scraggy like Focus Punch does and lowers Munchlax's own Attack and Defense. Zen Headbutt hits Fighting-types, which is useful, and also is capable of OHKOing Gastly. Munchlax also has a huge special movepool, but its horrible Special Attack stat makes those moves worthless.</p>
<p>Munchlax has a few other non-attacking options as well. Recycle and Oran Berry can let Munchlax heal repeatedly, which can help against special attackers that try to stay in. Substitute could work with Focus Punch to ease prediction, and the move combination is good against any Scraggy that wants to come in. Counter can get a surprise KO on a Fighting-type, but Munchlax would have trouble doing much else afterward. A Curse + Rest set could raise its Attack and Defense, but Munchlax would either be stuck without a coverage move or without Sleep Talk, meaning it would be easily beaten. Lastly, using Munchlax in Trick Room is a good option with its low Speed and high Attack. In that case, a Life Orb would be a viable item choice instead of Eviolite.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Despite its good stats, many Pokemon can take on Munchlax if it fails to carry the right move. Basically any Fighting-type can give Munchlax problems unless it is running Zen Headbutt, and even then Scraggy is still a good check. It should be noted that Scraggy still has to watch out for a possible Focus Punch, however. Frillish can burn Munchlax, making it an excellent check as well.</p>
<p>The rare Litwick is immune to Normal- and Fire-type attacks, and also gets Will-O-Wisp to burn Munchlax, although it can't take an Earthquake. Rock-types, although rare, also resist Normal and Fire, but take heavy damage from Earthquake unless they are neutral to it courtesy a secondary typing. Lileep makes a good check as long as Munchlax doesn't have Focus Punch. Toxic and burn cripples any set lacking Rest, meaning it is good to deal with the tank set. Lastly, Taunt users easily beat the Stockpile set, forcing it to switch out.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Munchlax gets Gluttony from the Dream World. Even if it was released along with pinch berries, Munchlax would be much too slow to use it, making it a poor option which is completely outclassed by Thick Fat and the added resistances it provides.</p>
Status: Done!
QC Checks: Nails, Aerrow
GP Checks: Calm Pokemaster, wekhter
[Overview]
<p>Munchlax stands out as a force to be reckoned with in Little Cup thanks to its great HP and Special Defense, the ability to reach 19 Attack, and an incredible movepool which allows it to hit almost any Pokemon for super effective damage. However, it's not all great for Munchlax. The popularity of Fighting-types greatly hurts its viability, meaning it will have to switch out a lot more often and risk having the likes of Scraggy or Timburr setting up. Despite that, Munchlax remains quite the viable choice in Little Cup and is something all teams need an answer for.</p>
[SET]
name: Special Tank
move 1: Return
move 2: Earthquake / Focus Punch
move 3: Fire Punch
move 4: Pursuit
item: Eviolite
ability: Thick Fat
nature: Adamant
evs: 236 Atk / 36 Def / 236 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set combines Munchlax's best traits, making it a hard-hitting special tank. Return is Munchlax's best choice for STAB, as it hits quite hard and has no drawbacks. The second slot has two choices, both for different purposes. Earthquake is the main move, as it is a reliable choice for hitting Steel-types such as Pawniard and Magnemite for super effective damage. Focus Punch will also hit Steel-types super effectively, as well as KO Scraggy attempting to set up on Munchlax. Although it is less reliable overall, the ability to prevent Scraggy from setting up makes it a solid option.</p>
<p>In the third moveslot, Fire Punch hits Bronzor and Ferroseed super effectively while acting as a backup move for other Steel-types. Pursuit is the typical choice in the fourth slot, hitting Ghost-types for super effective damage. It allows a KO on weakened threats in general, as well as Gastly and Abra. This shouldn't be used to try to trap Frillish, however, as it almost always uses Will-O-Wisp, which cripples Munchlax.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Munchlax can run extra bulk in either a Careful nature or extra HP, though this set is more of an attacker and likes the boost there. Make sure to not end up with 32 HP, as that makes Munchlax take more damage from entry hazards and weather.</p>
<p>As for teammates, Pokemon to help face Fighting-types are a huge help. A Ghost-type such as Duskull can handle most Fighting-types, though they can't handle Scraggy. Timburr and Mienfoo can use their super effective Drain Punches to help against Scraggy.</p>
[SET]
name: Rest
move 1: Return
move 2: Fire Punch
move 3: Rest
move 4: Sleep Talk
item: Eviolite
ability: Thick Fat
nature: Careful / Adamant
evs: 236 Atk / 36 Def / 236 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>With Rest and Sleep Talk, Munchlax gains survivability at the cost of reduced coverage. With this, Munchlax becomes more of a special wall, though it still can hit hard enough to be a threat. Return, Rest, and Sleep Talk are the obvious moves on this set, providing a STAB move and recovery. The best coverage move for this set is Fire Punch, hitting Steel-types that resist Normal-type attacks as well while still doing some damage to Ghost-types.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Munchlax can run either a Careful or Adamant nature on this set. With Careful, Munchlax can take hits a bit more easily, but Adamant allows it to hit harder. Both are viable options, and the nature depends on what Munchlax needs to defeat. Running max HP instead of max Attack with a Careful nature is another option, as Munchlax will need to be able to take more attacks here than on the last set.</p>
<p>The previous set's recommended teammates are still useful here, and due to the lesser coverage, other teammates are quite welcome. Frillish resists both Return and Fire Punch, meaning teammates need to pick up the slack. Chinchou is a good option to check Frillish, resisting Scald and having Electric-type attacks. Scraggy can help with Ghost-types in general, which cause problems for this set. Tentacool can set up Toxic Spikes, which this Munchlax likes having to help stall out opponents, making it a solid teammate as well.</p>
[SET]
name: Stockpile + Whirlwind
move 1: Stockpile
move 2: Whirlwind
move 3: Rest
move 4: Sleep Talk
item: Eviolite
ability: Thick Fat
nature: Impish
evs: 236 HP / 196 Def / 76 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This is a pure defensive support set for Munchlax, and despite being completely stopped by Taunt it can stall well with team support. Stockpile means Munchlax can, at best, only be 3HKOed by all but Fighting-type attacks, making it able to safely use Rest and Sleep Talk. Whirlwind lets Munchlax phaze, and lacks its negative priority when used by Sleep Talk. However, Munchlax's low Speed rarely lets it go first anyway.</p>
<p>An Impish nature with maximum HP and Defense are important to raise Munchlax's lower physical bulk to take advantage of the boost that Stockpile provides. With the current EV spread, Munchlax reaches 33 HP, 14 Defense, and 16 Special Defense, giving it incredible mixed bulk even with only one boost. Immunity may be tempting to use to avoid Toxic, but with Rest it is unnecessary, making Thick Fat the better option.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Entry hazards are a necessity on this set, as Munchlax cannot do any damage on its own. Ferroseed is a good choice to set up Spikes and Stealth Rock, while Tentacool can set up Toxic Spikes. Hail can also rack up additional damage, which means that Snover is a good teammate as well. On top of that, Pokemon that can take on Fighting-types and levitating Ghost-types help too, such as the aforementioned Scraggy, Timburr, and Gastly.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Thanks to its gigantic movepool, Munchlax has a mulititude of other options to consider. Seed Bomb and ThunderPunch can both hit Frillish, and the former also KOes Wooper, but both have lackluster coverage and Frillish still wins. SelfDestruct can be used as a suicide move, and gets STAB, but isn't nearly as powerful since it no longer halves the opponent's Defense. Superpower can be used to hit Steel-types and Scraggy, but doesn't KO Scraggy like Focus Punch does and lowers Munchlax's own Attack and Defense. Zen Headbutt hits Fighting-types, which is useful, and also is capable of OHKOing Gastly. Munchlax also has a huge special movepool, but its horrible Special Attack stat makes those moves worthless.</p>
<p>Munchlax has a few other non-attacking options as well. Recycle and Oran Berry can let Munchlax heal repeatedly, which can help against special attackers that try to stay in. Substitute could work with Focus Punch to ease prediction, and the move combination is good against any Scraggy that wants to come in. Counter can get a surprise KO on a Fighting-type, but Munchlax would have trouble doing much else afterward. A Curse + Rest set could raise its Attack and Defense, but Munchlax would either be stuck without a coverage move or without Sleep Talk, meaning it would be easily beaten. Lastly, using Munchlax in Trick Room is a good option with its low Speed and high Attack. In that case, a Life Orb would be a viable item choice instead of Eviolite.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Despite its good stats, many Pokemon can take on Munchlax if it fails to carry the right move. Basically any Fighting-type can give Munchlax problems unless it is running Zen Headbutt, and even then Scraggy is still a good check. It should be noted that Scraggy still has to watch out for a possible Focus Punch, however. Frillish can burn Munchlax, making it an excellent check as well.</p>
<p>The rare Litwick is immune to Normal- and Fire-type attacks, and also gets Will-O-Wisp to burn Munchlax, although it can't take an Earthquake. Rock-types, although rare, also resist Normal and Fire, but take heavy damage from Earthquake unless they are neutral to it courtesy a secondary typing. Lileep makes a good check as long as Munchlax doesn't have Focus Punch. Toxic and burn cripples any set lacking Rest, meaning it is good to deal with the tank set. Lastly, Taunt users easily beat the Stockpile set, forcing it to switch out.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Munchlax gets Gluttony from the Dream World. Even if it was released along with pinch berries, Munchlax would be much too slow to use it, making it a poor option which is completely outclassed by Thick Fat and the added resistances it provides.</p>
