[OVERVIEW]
Poison
========
Nihilego is a powerful revenge killer and sweeper available to Poison teams thanks to its solid Speed, expansive movepool, and solid Special Attack. Nihilego's already high Special Attack stat can be amplified to greater levels thanks to Beast Boost, as it becomes harder to stop with each KO it gets. Its unique speed tier allows it to outspeed and KO foes such as Garchomp, Landorus, and Victini. Nihilego's ability to use Stealth Rock is critical for chipping away at opposing pokemon, as it can reliably pick up extra KOs and gain more boost from Beast Boost as a result. It also compresses the role of a Stealth Rock setter well, as it can force many powerful threats such as Kyurem-B out. However, Nihilego's terrible defensive typing makes it susceptible to Ground-, Psychic-, Steel-, and Water-types such as Hippowdon, Mega Gallade, Jirachi, and Mega Swampert. Its Rock- and Poison-type STAB move combination also is rather poor against a majority of foes, including Heatran, Jirachi, Gastrodon Nihilego also must constantly run coverage moves such as Hidden Power Ice and Thunderbolt in order to check foes such as Gliscor and Toxapex. Additionally, while it has very good special bulk, Nihilego's horrendous physical bulk leaves it susceptible to many physical attackers and priority users such as Azumarill, Bisharp, Breloom, and Scizor.
[SET]
name: Revenge Killer
move 1: Power Gem
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Stealth Rock / Sludge Wave
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Beast Boost
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Power Gem allows Nihilego to heavily threaten Bug-, Fire-, Flying-, and Ice-types such as Volcarona, Zapdos, and Kyurem-B. Thunderbolt is another coverage move that targets Water-types such as Keldeo and Toxapex, while also targeting Flying-types such as Celesteela that take neutral damage from Power Gem and Hidden Power Ice. Hidden Power Ice is used as coverage against Dragon- and Ground-types such as Garchomp, Gliscor, and Landorus. Stealth Rock can be compressed onto Nihilego to allow its teammate in Nidoking to utilize an extra coverage move such as Thunderbolt. Sludge Wave is used to check Fairy-types such as Clefable and Tapu Koko, and also comes with the benefit of potentially poisoning the foe.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed Investment with a Timid nature and a Choice Scarf makes Nihilego as fast as possible. Maximum Special Attack investment maximizes Nihilego's power, which is important when considering that Beast Boost amplifies its Special Attack every time it nets a KO.
Usage Tips
========
This set makes Nihilego a potent revenge killer, so try to bring it in against weakened foes. Withh Beast Boost amplifying its Special Attack, it becomes harder to switch into defensively upon netting. Nihilego can also act as a late-game sweeper if the foes have been sufficiently weakened. Nihilego can be used to deter certain setup sweepers such as Mega Gallade and Volcarona by switching into them on predicted setup moves. However, Nihilego shouldn't do this frivolously, and it should never be immediately switched into physical moves, as its low physical bulk leaves it to be KOed by foes on the spot. Nihilego should avoid paralysis, as a halved Speed stat will prevent it from performing its roles as a revenge killer and late-game sweeper. It's important to know when to utilize Stealth Rock. Nihilego should attempt to get Stealth Rock up against foes that it can threaten to KO, such as Kyurem-B and Mega Aerodactyl, as it forces them out. However, Nihilego is forced to immediately switch out after setting it up, as being locked into Stealth Rock renders Nihilego useless and can allow foes such as Jirachi, Kommo-o, and Mega Latias to set up and potentially sweep. Nihilego is also critical in the fight against Flying teams; while there are a few Flying-types that can switch into its attacks, none of them can revenge kill it when it's equipped with its Choice Scarf.
Team Options
========
Mega Venusaur is a key teammate for Nihilego, as its typing provides a useful Ground-type neutrality and Water-type resistance for Pokemon that Nihilego struggles against. Additionally, Mega Venusaur can also utilize Leech Seed against utility foes such as Chansey and switch into Nihilego to provide it with passive recovery. Toxapex pairs up nicely with Nihilego, as its incredible defenses, typing, and recovery are vital against many foes such as Greninja and Mega Scizor. Additionally, Nihilego benefits from Toxapex, as it can use Scald to burn physical attackers looking to capitalize on Nihilego's poor physical bulk. Nidoking has a strong combination of Sheer Force and a Life Orb that can sufficiently threaten foes Nihilego wouldn't be able to, such as Celesteela and Ferrothorn. Crobat provides solid utility for Nihilego by utilizing Defog to remove entry hazards and Taunt to prevent recovery from foes such as Porygon2 and Hippowdon. Thanks to its Flying typing, Crobat can circumvent Nihilego's weakness to Ground-type moves by acting as a Ground-immune Pokemon. Alolan Muk assists Nihilego as a Psychic-immune Pokemon, being able to threaten foes such as Latios and Mega Latias by Pursuit trapping them. Additionally, its Knock Off is beneficial for removing Eviolite from Chansey and Porygon2, enabling Nihilego to threaten these foes more effectively. SubToxic Salazzle also benefits Nihilego, as its ability in Corrosion means that it can Poison problematic Poison- and Steel-types such as Toxapex and Celesteela, foes that Nihilego cannot effectively KO unless they're relatively weakened.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Poison
--------
Grass Knot allows Nihilego to hit Ground-types such as Hippowdon and Mega Swampert that it tends to lure in, dealing incredible damage to them. However, Grass Knot isn't useful in any other matchup, as its mechanics constantly alter the move's power. An Air Balloon can be utilized over a Choice Scarf to circumvent Nihilego's weakness to Ground-type attacks. However, Nihilego must avoid being damaged to do so, which is rather difficult to do. Additionally, the lack of a Choice Scarf means that foes such as Choice Scarf Landorus-T can outspeed and revenge kill it. Nihilego can also utilize a Z-Crystal; most notably, it can utilize Electrium Z to lure and KO defensive countermeasures such as Celesteela and Toxapex.
Checks and Counters
===================
Poison
--------
**Steel-types**: Nihilego can hardly do anything against Steel-types such as Ferrothorn and Jirachi, as they resist its Rock-type STAB moves and are immune to Poison.
**Ground-types**: Ground-types such as Hippowdon and Gastrodon resist both of Nihilego's STAB moves and can OHKO it in return with a Ground-type move. However, certain Ground-types such as Gliscor and Landorus must be wary of Hidden Power Ice.
**Other Super Effective Coverage**: Foes with coverage for Nihilego's typing, such as Mega Diancie, Heatran, and Hydreigon, can threaten to deal massive damage or KO Nihilego.
**Specially Defensive Walls**: Specially defensive walls such as Snorlax and Chansey can comfortably handle Nihilego's Special Attacks, regardless of whether its Special Attack is boosted or not.
**Physical Attackers**: Nihilego's terrible physical bulk leaves it susceptible to many weak physical attacks. Additionally, it's susceptible to Pursuit trappers such as Alolan Muk and Metagross.
**Paralysis**: Paralysis is detrimental for Nihilego, as a halved Speed stat means that it can't effectively perform its role of being a revenge killer.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Havens, 391540]]
- Poison analysis by: [[Havens, 391540]
- Quality checked by: [[Decem, 362454], [maroon, 305839], [Moosical, 215618]]
- Grammar checked by: [[<username1>, <userid1>], [<username2>, <username2>]]
Poison
========
Nihilego is a powerful revenge killer and sweeper available to Poison teams thanks to its solid Speed, expansive movepool, and solid Special Attack. Nihilego's already high Special Attack stat can be amplified to greater levels thanks to Beast Boost, as it becomes harder to stop with each KO it gets. Its unique speed tier allows it to outspeed and KO foes such as Garchomp, Landorus, and Victini. Nihilego's ability to use Stealth Rock is critical for chipping away at opposing pokemon, as it can reliably pick up extra KOs and gain more boost from Beast Boost as a result. It also compresses the role of a Stealth Rock setter well, as it can force many powerful threats such as Kyurem-B out. However, Nihilego's terrible defensive typing makes it susceptible to Ground-, Psychic-, Steel-, and Water-types such as Hippowdon, Mega Gallade, Jirachi, and Mega Swampert. Its Rock- and Poison-type STAB move combination also is rather poor against a majority of foes, including Heatran, Jirachi, Gastrodon Nihilego also must constantly run coverage moves such as Hidden Power Ice and Thunderbolt in order to check foes such as Gliscor and Toxapex. Additionally, while it has very good special bulk, Nihilego's horrendous physical bulk leaves it susceptible to many physical attackers and priority users such as Azumarill, Bisharp, Breloom, and Scizor.
[SET]
name: Revenge Killer
move 1: Power Gem
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Stealth Rock / Sludge Wave
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Beast Boost
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Power Gem allows Nihilego to heavily threaten Bug-, Fire-, Flying-, and Ice-types such as Volcarona, Zapdos, and Kyurem-B. Thunderbolt is another coverage move that targets Water-types such as Keldeo and Toxapex, while also targeting Flying-types such as Celesteela that take neutral damage from Power Gem and Hidden Power Ice. Hidden Power Ice is used as coverage against Dragon- and Ground-types such as Garchomp, Gliscor, and Landorus. Stealth Rock can be compressed onto Nihilego to allow its teammate in Nidoking to utilize an extra coverage move such as Thunderbolt. Sludge Wave is used to check Fairy-types such as Clefable and Tapu Koko, and also comes with the benefit of potentially poisoning the foe.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed Investment with a Timid nature and a Choice Scarf makes Nihilego as fast as possible. Maximum Special Attack investment maximizes Nihilego's power, which is important when considering that Beast Boost amplifies its Special Attack every time it nets a KO.
Usage Tips
========
This set makes Nihilego a potent revenge killer, so try to bring it in against weakened foes. Withh Beast Boost amplifying its Special Attack, it becomes harder to switch into defensively upon netting. Nihilego can also act as a late-game sweeper if the foes have been sufficiently weakened. Nihilego can be used to deter certain setup sweepers such as Mega Gallade and Volcarona by switching into them on predicted setup moves. However, Nihilego shouldn't do this frivolously, and it should never be immediately switched into physical moves, as its low physical bulk leaves it to be KOed by foes on the spot. Nihilego should avoid paralysis, as a halved Speed stat will prevent it from performing its roles as a revenge killer and late-game sweeper. It's important to know when to utilize Stealth Rock. Nihilego should attempt to get Stealth Rock up against foes that it can threaten to KO, such as Kyurem-B and Mega Aerodactyl, as it forces them out. However, Nihilego is forced to immediately switch out after setting it up, as being locked into Stealth Rock renders Nihilego useless and can allow foes such as Jirachi, Kommo-o, and Mega Latias to set up and potentially sweep. Nihilego is also critical in the fight against Flying teams; while there are a few Flying-types that can switch into its attacks, none of them can revenge kill it when it's equipped with its Choice Scarf.
Team Options
========
Mega Venusaur is a key teammate for Nihilego, as its typing provides a useful Ground-type neutrality and Water-type resistance for Pokemon that Nihilego struggles against. Additionally, Mega Venusaur can also utilize Leech Seed against utility foes such as Chansey and switch into Nihilego to provide it with passive recovery. Toxapex pairs up nicely with Nihilego, as its incredible defenses, typing, and recovery are vital against many foes such as Greninja and Mega Scizor. Additionally, Nihilego benefits from Toxapex, as it can use Scald to burn physical attackers looking to capitalize on Nihilego's poor physical bulk. Nidoking has a strong combination of Sheer Force and a Life Orb that can sufficiently threaten foes Nihilego wouldn't be able to, such as Celesteela and Ferrothorn. Crobat provides solid utility for Nihilego by utilizing Defog to remove entry hazards and Taunt to prevent recovery from foes such as Porygon2 and Hippowdon. Thanks to its Flying typing, Crobat can circumvent Nihilego's weakness to Ground-type moves by acting as a Ground-immune Pokemon. Alolan Muk assists Nihilego as a Psychic-immune Pokemon, being able to threaten foes such as Latios and Mega Latias by Pursuit trapping them. Additionally, its Knock Off is beneficial for removing Eviolite from Chansey and Porygon2, enabling Nihilego to threaten these foes more effectively. SubToxic Salazzle also benefits Nihilego, as its ability in Corrosion means that it can Poison problematic Poison- and Steel-types such as Toxapex and Celesteela, foes that Nihilego cannot effectively KO unless they're relatively weakened.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Poison
--------
Grass Knot allows Nihilego to hit Ground-types such as Hippowdon and Mega Swampert that it tends to lure in, dealing incredible damage to them. However, Grass Knot isn't useful in any other matchup, as its mechanics constantly alter the move's power. An Air Balloon can be utilized over a Choice Scarf to circumvent Nihilego's weakness to Ground-type attacks. However, Nihilego must avoid being damaged to do so, which is rather difficult to do. Additionally, the lack of a Choice Scarf means that foes such as Choice Scarf Landorus-T can outspeed and revenge kill it. Nihilego can also utilize a Z-Crystal; most notably, it can utilize Electrium Z to lure and KO defensive countermeasures such as Celesteela and Toxapex.
Checks and Counters
===================
Poison
--------
**Steel-types**: Nihilego can hardly do anything against Steel-types such as Ferrothorn and Jirachi, as they resist its Rock-type STAB moves and are immune to Poison.
**Ground-types**: Ground-types such as Hippowdon and Gastrodon resist both of Nihilego's STAB moves and can OHKO it in return with a Ground-type move. However, certain Ground-types such as Gliscor and Landorus must be wary of Hidden Power Ice.
**Other Super Effective Coverage**: Foes with coverage for Nihilego's typing, such as Mega Diancie, Heatran, and Hydreigon, can threaten to deal massive damage or KO Nihilego.
**Specially Defensive Walls**: Specially defensive walls such as Snorlax and Chansey can comfortably handle Nihilego's Special Attacks, regardless of whether its Special Attack is boosted or not.
**Physical Attackers**: Nihilego's terrible physical bulk leaves it susceptible to many weak physical attacks. Additionally, it's susceptible to Pursuit trappers such as Alolan Muk and Metagross.
**Paralysis**: Paralysis is detrimental for Nihilego, as a halved Speed stat means that it can't effectively perform its role of being a revenge killer.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Havens, 391540]]
- Poison analysis by: [[Havens, 391540]
- Quality checked by: [[Decem, 362454], [maroon, 305839], [Moosical, 215618]]
- Grammar checked by: [[<username1>, <userid1>], [<username2>, <username2>]]
Last edited:
