In my experience, Murkrow has the potential to check many of the NU players because of the bulk it gains in Eviolite, good recovery in Roost, and an excellent ability in Prankster. It's a decent lead Pokemon, despite its access to hazards. It gets a lot of good disruption moves, like Confuse Ray, Thunder Wave, Whirlwind, and Taunt, and a solid support moveset in Tailwind, Defog, and Perish Song. It's weak to some powerful threats in NU, but none that are common as leads. The two which are the worst for Murkrow, in my experience, are Aurorus and Sheer Force Mawile. Gurdurr and Metang both destroy Aurorus, and have their own weaknesses which are completely resisted by Murkrow (Psychic and Ground, respectively). Mawile's biggest counter is Magmortar, but Pyroar and Ferroseed do just as well against it (with the latter only working if the Mawile isn't running Fire Fang). The best NU leads are Claydol, Masquerain, Torkoal, and Stealth Rock Carracosta. Murkrow is capable of completely disabling Masquerain and crippling Torkoal's utility. It will also force out defensive Claydol, though the offensive variant will use Ice Beam to deal hefty damage. Carracosta isn't the best opponent for Murkrow due to its access to a STAB Stone Edge, but preventing Rocks can be very important.
With this overview out of the way, I'd like to propose three sets for Murkrow.
1. Lead Troll Murkrow:
-Defog/Roost Eviolite
-Taunt/Roost Calm
-Thunder Wave 252 HP/252 Sp.d/4 Def.
-Foul Play
This set should revolve around generally weakening opposing Pokemon to clear the way for your bulky attackers and sweepers. It works well against hyper offense, but not so much against straight bulky offense. It's very good at destroying physical setup by the likes of Zangoose, Samurott, Ursaring, and other sweepers who think they can set up all over you.
2. Support Murkrow:
-Tailwind
-Defog
-Foul Play
-Roost
This set is good for setting up with powerful sweepers of mediocre speed. Rampardos immediately comes to mind, but I found that Specs Aurorus works much, much better. Once again, it can punish setup attempts by physical attackers. This uses the same EV spread as above.
3. Surprise!
-Perish Song
-Roost
-Mean Look
-Foul Play
One look at this set should tell you exactly what it does. Murkrow's bulk is passable, especially by NU standards, so it can relatively easily trap a threat in its gaze and sing it to death. And, if you happen to be so blessed that they try to set up and knock you out to escape the Perish Song, you can score a free kill before being forced to switch. One does need to be wary of Ghost types' inherent ability to escape from these traps, but not so much, as Foul Play is a good check to Golurk, Gourgeist, and Dusknoir. And again, it uses the same EV spread. It works well.
With this overview out of the way, I'd like to propose three sets for Murkrow.
1. Lead Troll Murkrow:
-Defog/Roost Eviolite
-Taunt/Roost Calm
-Thunder Wave 252 HP/252 Sp.d/4 Def.
-Foul Play
This set should revolve around generally weakening opposing Pokemon to clear the way for your bulky attackers and sweepers. It works well against hyper offense, but not so much against straight bulky offense. It's very good at destroying physical setup by the likes of Zangoose, Samurott, Ursaring, and other sweepers who think they can set up all over you.
2. Support Murkrow:
-Tailwind
-Defog
-Foul Play
-Roost
This set is good for setting up with powerful sweepers of mediocre speed. Rampardos immediately comes to mind, but I found that Specs Aurorus works much, much better. Once again, it can punish setup attempts by physical attackers. This uses the same EV spread as above.
3. Surprise!
-Perish Song
-Roost
-Mean Look
-Foul Play
One look at this set should tell you exactly what it does. Murkrow's bulk is passable, especially by NU standards, so it can relatively easily trap a threat in its gaze and sing it to death. And, if you happen to be so blessed that they try to set up and knock you out to escape the Perish Song, you can score a free kill before being forced to switch. One does need to be wary of Ghost types' inherent ability to escape from these traps, but not so much, as Foul Play is a good check to Golurk, Gourgeist, and Dusknoir. And again, it uses the same EV spread. It works well.
