uploaded -zard
QC: megazard / allstar / tone
GP: marthaa / eien
[OVERVIEW]
Murkrow is one of few Pokemon with a strong Flying-type STAB move in Brave Bird, allowing it to be an effective attacker in the metagame. Murkrow works best as a late-game cleaner, supported by its solid offensive typing, STAB-boosted Sucker Punch, and Mirror Move. It carves a niche above other potential Mirror Move users, such as Fearow, due to its access to Prankster, which gives priority to the attack. Unfortunately, it is very frail, which is made even more detrimental because it is not as fast as other offensive Pokemon. Also, due to Brave Bird recoil and its weakness to Stealth Rock, Murkrow tends to get worn down quickly, which could hold it back from sweeping. Moreover, Murkrow struggles against Steel- and Rock-types, such as Aggron and Regirock, as well as other physically defensive walls, such as Musharna and Miltank, due to its average base Attack stat. Additionally, Pokemon such as Shiftry have access to more reliable Dark-type STAB moves such as Knock Off, while Murkrow has to rely on Sucker Punch.
[SET]
name: Z-Mirror Move
move 1: Mirror Move
move 2: Brave Bird
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Pursuit / Protect
item: Flyinium Z
ability: Prankster
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Mirror Move paired with Flyinium Z gives a +2 boost to Murkrow's Attack and uses the foe's last move as a Z-Move. It also has priority due to Prankster. Brave Bird is Murkrow's strongest Flying-type attack, although the recoil does wear it down quickly. Sucker Punch is Murkrow's best Dark-type STAB move and offers additional priority, although it can be inconsistent if the foe is not using attacking moves. Pursuit can be used to effectively trap and revenge kill opposing Pokemon, acting as a weaker but more reliable Dark-type STAB move. Alternatively, Protect allows Murkrow to scout an opposing move before using Mirror Move, which can be very beneficial in many circumstances.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack and Speed EVs with a Jolly nature allow Murkrow to be the most effective attacker that it can be. Prankster gives priority to Mirror Move, which gives Murkrow its niche. Flyinium Z allows Murkrow to use either Z-Mirror Move or Supersonic Skystrike in order to clean late-game.
Usage Tips
========
Mirror Move copies the foe's last move, so be aware of the move's typing before using it and make sure it will do enough damage to KO them. Z-Mirror Move will not copy an attack if the foe switches out or last used a Z-Move or status move, but it still gives the Attack boost. Use Murkrow primarily as a cleaner late-game after opposing walls and threats have been removed or weakened. However, Murkrow can be used as a revenge killer due to its access to priority moves and potential to run Pursuit. The caveat with this is that Murkrow can get chipped very quickly due to recoil from Brave Bird and residual damage such as from Stealth Rock. It is also recommended to be aware of priority users such as Lycanroc and Hitmonchan, as they can do a lot of damage to Murkrow by being faster or resisting Sucker Punch, respectively. Do not switch Murkrow into an attack unless you are sure the opponent has no moves that can hit it, as even defensive Pokemon can OHKO or 2HKO it.
Team Options
========
Physical wallbreakers such as Passimian and Kangaskhan can weaken Pokemon such as Regirock so Murkrow can clean late-game. Similarly, answers to Rock- and Steel-types, such as Hitmonchan, Carracosta, and Primeape, are essential, since Murkrow cannot break through them on its own. Bulky answers to priority users such as Mesprit and Palossand pair well with Murkrow because it is so frail. Mesprit and Palossand, among others, can also support Murkrow through the use of entry hazards, giving it an easier time cleaning late-game. Healing Wish users such as Mesprit and Lilligant are beneficial for Murkrow because it tends to get weakened fairly quickly. Murkrow appreciates slow momentum, such as Lanturn or Eelektross's Volt Switch, as it is too frail to switch into attacks. Furthermore, Lanturn and Eelektross can check Rock-types through Scald and Giga Drain, respectively, and Eelektross can also check Ferroseed by using Flamethrower. Stealth Rock removers, such as Hitmonchan and Skuntank, are essential, as they prevent Murkrow from taking Stealth Rock damage upon switching in.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Heat Wave is an option to hit Steel-types such as Ferroseed, although it is generally not as useful as the other moves. Thunder Wave is also an option in the last slot, paired with Prankster, which can be used as protection against opposing sweepers. The main downside is the loss of Protect or Pursuit, two more useful moves in the long run. A Life Orb set can be run, but the main appeal to Murkrow is its Z-Mirror Move set. Life Orb recoil also makes Murkrow much easier to revenge kill, as it piles up residual damage. Roost is an option in the last slot, but Murkrow is often too frail to find any use for it. A Calm Mind set with Dark Pulse can be run, although it's usually too frail to set up and is outclassed by other special attackers such as Oricorio-G.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Rock-types**: Physically defensive Rock-types such as Regirock and Carracosta do not mind any hit that Murkrow can dish out, and they can either set up Stealth Rock freely or use a Rock-type move to OHKO Murkrow. Lycanroc can outpace and OHKO Murkrow with Accelerock, and while Archeops can do the same with Acrobatics, it has to be wary of a +2 Sucker Punch putting it into Defeatist.
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Togedemaru, Aggron, and Ferroseed are very threatening to Murkrow, as they can take any one of its attacks and OHKO it in return.
**Dark-types**: Dark-types such as Liepard are immune to Prankster moves including Murkrow's Mirror Move, so they can play around it much more easily. However, they cannot switch in safely against a STAB Brave Bird.
**Revenge Killers**: Revenge killers such as Kangaskhan and Hitmonchan can weaken Murkrow quickly with their priority moves.
**Residual Damage**: Due to its weakness to Stealth Rock, its frailty, and its common use of Brave Bird, Murkrow tends to get weakened quickly due to residual damage.
QC: megazard / allstar / tone
GP: marthaa / eien
[OVERVIEW]
Murkrow is one of few Pokemon with a strong Flying-type STAB move in Brave Bird, allowing it to be an effective attacker in the metagame. Murkrow works best as a late-game cleaner, supported by its solid offensive typing, STAB-boosted Sucker Punch, and Mirror Move. It carves a niche above other potential Mirror Move users, such as Fearow, due to its access to Prankster, which gives priority to the attack. Unfortunately, it is very frail, which is made even more detrimental because it is not as fast as other offensive Pokemon. Also, due to Brave Bird recoil and its weakness to Stealth Rock, Murkrow tends to get worn down quickly, which could hold it back from sweeping. Moreover, Murkrow struggles against Steel- and Rock-types, such as Aggron and Regirock, as well as other physically defensive walls, such as Musharna and Miltank, due to its average base Attack stat. Additionally, Pokemon such as Shiftry have access to more reliable Dark-type STAB moves such as Knock Off, while Murkrow has to rely on Sucker Punch.
[SET]
name: Z-Mirror Move
move 1: Mirror Move
move 2: Brave Bird
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Pursuit / Protect
item: Flyinium Z
ability: Prankster
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Mirror Move paired with Flyinium Z gives a +2 boost to Murkrow's Attack and uses the foe's last move as a Z-Move. It also has priority due to Prankster. Brave Bird is Murkrow's strongest Flying-type attack, although the recoil does wear it down quickly. Sucker Punch is Murkrow's best Dark-type STAB move and offers additional priority, although it can be inconsistent if the foe is not using attacking moves. Pursuit can be used to effectively trap and revenge kill opposing Pokemon, acting as a weaker but more reliable Dark-type STAB move. Alternatively, Protect allows Murkrow to scout an opposing move before using Mirror Move, which can be very beneficial in many circumstances.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack and Speed EVs with a Jolly nature allow Murkrow to be the most effective attacker that it can be. Prankster gives priority to Mirror Move, which gives Murkrow its niche. Flyinium Z allows Murkrow to use either Z-Mirror Move or Supersonic Skystrike in order to clean late-game.
Usage Tips
========
Mirror Move copies the foe's last move, so be aware of the move's typing before using it and make sure it will do enough damage to KO them. Z-Mirror Move will not copy an attack if the foe switches out or last used a Z-Move or status move, but it still gives the Attack boost. Use Murkrow primarily as a cleaner late-game after opposing walls and threats have been removed or weakened. However, Murkrow can be used as a revenge killer due to its access to priority moves and potential to run Pursuit. The caveat with this is that Murkrow can get chipped very quickly due to recoil from Brave Bird and residual damage such as from Stealth Rock. It is also recommended to be aware of priority users such as Lycanroc and Hitmonchan, as they can do a lot of damage to Murkrow by being faster or resisting Sucker Punch, respectively. Do not switch Murkrow into an attack unless you are sure the opponent has no moves that can hit it, as even defensive Pokemon can OHKO or 2HKO it.
Team Options
========
Physical wallbreakers such as Passimian and Kangaskhan can weaken Pokemon such as Regirock so Murkrow can clean late-game. Similarly, answers to Rock- and Steel-types, such as Hitmonchan, Carracosta, and Primeape, are essential, since Murkrow cannot break through them on its own. Bulky answers to priority users such as Mesprit and Palossand pair well with Murkrow because it is so frail. Mesprit and Palossand, among others, can also support Murkrow through the use of entry hazards, giving it an easier time cleaning late-game. Healing Wish users such as Mesprit and Lilligant are beneficial for Murkrow because it tends to get weakened fairly quickly. Murkrow appreciates slow momentum, such as Lanturn or Eelektross's Volt Switch, as it is too frail to switch into attacks. Furthermore, Lanturn and Eelektross can check Rock-types through Scald and Giga Drain, respectively, and Eelektross can also check Ferroseed by using Flamethrower. Stealth Rock removers, such as Hitmonchan and Skuntank, are essential, as they prevent Murkrow from taking Stealth Rock damage upon switching in.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Heat Wave is an option to hit Steel-types such as Ferroseed, although it is generally not as useful as the other moves. Thunder Wave is also an option in the last slot, paired with Prankster, which can be used as protection against opposing sweepers. The main downside is the loss of Protect or Pursuit, two more useful moves in the long run. A Life Orb set can be run, but the main appeal to Murkrow is its Z-Mirror Move set. Life Orb recoil also makes Murkrow much easier to revenge kill, as it piles up residual damage. Roost is an option in the last slot, but Murkrow is often too frail to find any use for it. A Calm Mind set with Dark Pulse can be run, although it's usually too frail to set up and is outclassed by other special attackers such as Oricorio-G.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Rock-types**: Physically defensive Rock-types such as Regirock and Carracosta do not mind any hit that Murkrow can dish out, and they can either set up Stealth Rock freely or use a Rock-type move to OHKO Murkrow. Lycanroc can outpace and OHKO Murkrow with Accelerock, and while Archeops can do the same with Acrobatics, it has to be wary of a +2 Sucker Punch putting it into Defeatist.
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Togedemaru, Aggron, and Ferroseed are very threatening to Murkrow, as they can take any one of its attacks and OHKO it in return.
**Dark-types**: Dark-types such as Liepard are immune to Prankster moves including Murkrow's Mirror Move, so they can play around it much more easily. However, they cannot switch in safely against a STAB Brave Bird.
**Revenge Killers**: Revenge killers such as Kangaskhan and Hitmonchan can weaken Murkrow quickly with their priority moves.
**Residual Damage**: Due to its weakness to Stealth Rock, its frailty, and its common use of Brave Bird, Murkrow tends to get weakened quickly due to residual damage.
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