QC Check: Delta 2777, PK Gaming, Seven Deadly Sins
GP Checks: comatthew6, Omicron
[SET]
name: Sunny Day
move 1: Sunny Day
move 2: SolarBeam
move 3: Fire Blast / Flamethrower
move 4: Will-O-Wisp / Toxic / Protect
item: Leftovers / Life Orb
ability: Drought
nature: Modest
evs: 128 HP / 252 SpA / 20 SpD / 108 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>At first glance, Sunny Day on Drought Ninetales seems completely redundant. I mean, why would you use Sunny Day on a Pokemon that can already summon permanent sunlight just by switching in? What appears to be a useless gimmick on the surface actually conceals an innovation that shook up the metagame, for this simple, yet deceptive move, can turn the tides of a weather war. While Ninetales normally has no business staying in on either Tyranitar or Politoed, a well-timed Sunny Day can actually force them out! Not only is the opponent's attempt to change the weather negated, but SolarBeam no longer has a charge-up period. Should the opponent be foolish enough to keep their weather inducer in, their cold-blooded creature will be instantly vaporized by a super effective SolarBeam. With sufficient entry hazard support, Ninetales can back the opposing weather inducer into a tight corner. Either stay in and eat a SolarBeam, or switch out and take massive damage. With status, Stealth Rock, and Spikes damage racking up, the Ninetales user could easily win the weather war without invoking specialized Pokemon such as Dugtrio. Sunny Day Ninetales is, without a doubt, a huge asset to any sun team.</p>
<p>Sunny Day Ninetales has more offensive presence than the standard Defensive variant, but isn't a ticking time bomb like the Nasty Plot variant either. This goes a long way when engaged in a weather war. Moreover, many sun sweepers such as Venusaur and Sawsbuck absolutely need sun to function, and Sunny Day Ninetales ensures that sun is up for a majority of the match. In most instances, Tyranitar and Politoed tend to dominate the weather war, as they have decisive stat and typing advantages. However, Ninetales can easily reverse this situation, as a well predicted Sunny Day can intstantly shift the momentum of the match. While this set is, without a doubt, the best option for weather wars, it is a liability against opposing sun and non-weather teams. However, the possibility of turning the tides of a weather war makes this risk well worth it.</p>
<p>Because this set is so effective at maintaining weather control, Fire Blast is an appealing option to deal massive damage. If Fire Blast's accuracy issues are unappealing, Flamethrower can be used instead. Will-O-Wisp is the preferred move in the last slot, as it can cripple powerful physical attackers that would otherwise threaten it. This is especially important for dealing with Choice Scarf Tyranitar, who doesn't mind sandstorm being negated and can play mind games with Ninetales with Stone Edge and Pursuit. If Ninetales can hand Choice Scarf Tyranitar a burn on the switch-in, it can safely switch out without taking too much damage from Pursuit. Ninetales's Will-O-Wisp also builds up passive damage on opposing weather inducers so Ninetales can go for the inevitable KO with SolarBeam. Similarly, Toxic can be used to wear down opposing weather inducers more quickly, although this leaves Ninetales more vulnerable to Choice Scarf Tyranitar. Finally, Protect can be used to build up Leftovers recovery, as well as scout the opponent's moves. The latter point is especially important when dealing with Choiced variants of Tyranitar.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The given Speed EVs allow Ninetales to outspeed all non-Scarfed variants of Politoed and Tyranitar, and proceed to fire off a deadly SolarBeam. A Modest nature and maximum Special Attack investment give Fire Blast, and more importantly, SolarBeam, some much needed power. The HP EVs give Ninetales an HP stat of 319, which is exactly one away from being divisible by 16. Although this means Ninetales misses out on a Leftovers number, it also means Ninetales takes minimum damage from entry hazards, damaging weather, poison, Leech Seed, and maybe even Life Orb recoil. Considering how vulnerable Ninetales is to passive damage, as well as how important Ninetales is to a sun team, one must take as many precautions as possible to minimize passive damage. The remaining EVs are dumped into Special Defense, so Ninetales has an easier time taking sun nerfed water attacks. Alternatively, a Specially Defensive spread, with 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD EVs and a Calm nature, can be used for maximum special bulk. Unfortunately, the power of SolarBeam, which is the main draw of this set, is significantly gimped.</p>
<p>Leftovers is the preferred item to give Ninetales maximal survivability; because this set is so effective for weather wars, it would be in one's best interest to keep Ninetales alive. However, the HP stat is also perfect for using a Life Orb. 319 is exactly one away from being divisible by 10, meaning Ninetales also takes minimum Life Orb recoil. Life Orb allows Ninetales to KO more healthy Tyranitar or Politoed, although Ninetales's lifespan is greatly shortened.</p>
<p>Heat Rock can be used to increase the length of Sunny Day. However, this is inadvisable and inefficient. The main point of Sunny Day is to force out the opposing weather inducer, as it really is a one-turn utility move. Ninetales can simply get up permanent sun later by switching in, and the loss of Leftovers or Life Orb normally isn't worth the 3 extra turns of sun. Alternatively, a ChestoRest set can be used with Rest filling the last moveslot. Rest, in conjunction with Chesto Berry, gives Ninetales a one-time recovery from all damage and status. However, losing out on a useful support move, such as Will-O-Wisp, Toxic, or Protect could hurt in the long run. If Sunny Day Ninetales has significant entry hazard support, Roar can be used in the last slot to phaze out troublesome switch-ins, such as Tyranitar and Heatran. However, Sunny Day is generally enough to serve as a pphazing move. In most cases, Ninetales will only be concerned with weather inducer switch-ins, and because Roar cannot cancel out the weather change, it is usually an inferior option. Hidden Power Ground can be used to hit Heatran, whereas Hidden Power Ice can be used to hit Dragons, since both wall standard Sunny Day Ninetales cold. Unfortunately, Ninetales would miss out on some very useful support moves.</p>
<p>Rapid Spin or Magic Bounce support is an absolute necessity to alleviate Ninetales's vulnerability to all forms of entry hazards, especially its Stealth Rock weakness. Rapid Spin support is preferred, as Magic Bounce is largely dependent on prediction. Wish support is also highly recommended to ensure Ninetales doesn't eventually succumb to entry hazard or status damage. If opting to run a Life Orb, Wish support is not optional. Ninetales gets worn down very quickly due to Life Orb recoil and a lack of recovery, which could jeopardize its ability to win a weather war. Xatu, while uncommon, is an excellent teammate for the sunlight Kyuubi. It is immune to Ground-type attacks aimed at Ninetales, and can provide both Wish and Magic Bounce support. Latias and Jirachi are also excellent options, since both provide useful Wish support; the former can temporarily check rain teams should one fail to predict a Politoed switch-in, while the latter can take Rock-type moves aimed at Ninetales and other common sun abusers. Be aware that Jirachi will easily fall to a sun-boosted Fire-type move, so you may want Flash Fire support as well.</p>
<p>As alluded to earlier, Ninetales greatly appreciates entry hazard support, especially Spikes. This helps wear down opposing weather summoners until Ninetales can go for the KO with SolarBeam. Toxic Spikes support is useful for the same reason, and can potentially open up a moveslot for Protect, Rest, Roar, or a coverage move. The game's premier hazard master, Forretress, is an especially great teammate; it can utilize every entry hazard in the game, as well as Rapid Spin. Unlike most Steel-types, Forretress doesn't mind the sunlight, as it was never going to survive a Fire move anyways. Rock and Ground resists are also helpful. Both Claydol and Donphan can provide Stealth Rock and Rapid Spin support, as well as a plethora of useful resistances. Finally, a cleric can prove useful for healing status effects, especially if Ninetales is running ChestoRest. The pink blob duo, Chansey and Blissey, can either act as clerics or pass massive Wishes, while at the same time, checking Pokemon that threaten Ninetales, such as Latias and Latios. Chansey, Blissey, Heatran, and Chandelure all wall this set all day long. Choice Scarf Tyranitar can also prove problematic, as it can OHKO Ninetales with Stone Edge before Ninetales can respond with SolarBeam. Dugtrio, while somewhat redundant due to the Ninetales's ability to single-handedly win a weather war, can trap and eliminate all the aforementioned threats.</p>
GP Checks: comatthew6, Omicron
[SET]
name: Sunny Day
move 1: Sunny Day
move 2: SolarBeam
move 3: Fire Blast / Flamethrower
move 4: Will-O-Wisp / Toxic / Protect
item: Leftovers / Life Orb
ability: Drought
nature: Modest
evs: 128 HP / 252 SpA / 20 SpD / 108 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>At first glance, Sunny Day on Drought Ninetales seems completely redundant. I mean, why would you use Sunny Day on a Pokemon that can already summon permanent sunlight just by switching in? What appears to be a useless gimmick on the surface actually conceals an innovation that shook up the metagame, for this simple, yet deceptive move, can turn the tides of a weather war. While Ninetales normally has no business staying in on either Tyranitar or Politoed, a well-timed Sunny Day can actually force them out! Not only is the opponent's attempt to change the weather negated, but SolarBeam no longer has a charge-up period. Should the opponent be foolish enough to keep their weather inducer in, their cold-blooded creature will be instantly vaporized by a super effective SolarBeam. With sufficient entry hazard support, Ninetales can back the opposing weather inducer into a tight corner. Either stay in and eat a SolarBeam, or switch out and take massive damage. With status, Stealth Rock, and Spikes damage racking up, the Ninetales user could easily win the weather war without invoking specialized Pokemon such as Dugtrio. Sunny Day Ninetales is, without a doubt, a huge asset to any sun team.</p>
<p>Sunny Day Ninetales has more offensive presence than the standard Defensive variant, but isn't a ticking time bomb like the Nasty Plot variant either. This goes a long way when engaged in a weather war. Moreover, many sun sweepers such as Venusaur and Sawsbuck absolutely need sun to function, and Sunny Day Ninetales ensures that sun is up for a majority of the match. In most instances, Tyranitar and Politoed tend to dominate the weather war, as they have decisive stat and typing advantages. However, Ninetales can easily reverse this situation, as a well predicted Sunny Day can intstantly shift the momentum of the match. While this set is, without a doubt, the best option for weather wars, it is a liability against opposing sun and non-weather teams. However, the possibility of turning the tides of a weather war makes this risk well worth it.</p>
<p>Because this set is so effective at maintaining weather control, Fire Blast is an appealing option to deal massive damage. If Fire Blast's accuracy issues are unappealing, Flamethrower can be used instead. Will-O-Wisp is the preferred move in the last slot, as it can cripple powerful physical attackers that would otherwise threaten it. This is especially important for dealing with Choice Scarf Tyranitar, who doesn't mind sandstorm being negated and can play mind games with Ninetales with Stone Edge and Pursuit. If Ninetales can hand Choice Scarf Tyranitar a burn on the switch-in, it can safely switch out without taking too much damage from Pursuit. Ninetales's Will-O-Wisp also builds up passive damage on opposing weather inducers so Ninetales can go for the inevitable KO with SolarBeam. Similarly, Toxic can be used to wear down opposing weather inducers more quickly, although this leaves Ninetales more vulnerable to Choice Scarf Tyranitar. Finally, Protect can be used to build up Leftovers recovery, as well as scout the opponent's moves. The latter point is especially important when dealing with Choiced variants of Tyranitar.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The given Speed EVs allow Ninetales to outspeed all non-Scarfed variants of Politoed and Tyranitar, and proceed to fire off a deadly SolarBeam. A Modest nature and maximum Special Attack investment give Fire Blast, and more importantly, SolarBeam, some much needed power. The HP EVs give Ninetales an HP stat of 319, which is exactly one away from being divisible by 16. Although this means Ninetales misses out on a Leftovers number, it also means Ninetales takes minimum damage from entry hazards, damaging weather, poison, Leech Seed, and maybe even Life Orb recoil. Considering how vulnerable Ninetales is to passive damage, as well as how important Ninetales is to a sun team, one must take as many precautions as possible to minimize passive damage. The remaining EVs are dumped into Special Defense, so Ninetales has an easier time taking sun nerfed water attacks. Alternatively, a Specially Defensive spread, with 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD EVs and a Calm nature, can be used for maximum special bulk. Unfortunately, the power of SolarBeam, which is the main draw of this set, is significantly gimped.</p>
<p>Leftovers is the preferred item to give Ninetales maximal survivability; because this set is so effective for weather wars, it would be in one's best interest to keep Ninetales alive. However, the HP stat is also perfect for using a Life Orb. 319 is exactly one away from being divisible by 10, meaning Ninetales also takes minimum Life Orb recoil. Life Orb allows Ninetales to KO more healthy Tyranitar or Politoed, although Ninetales's lifespan is greatly shortened.</p>
<p>Heat Rock can be used to increase the length of Sunny Day. However, this is inadvisable and inefficient. The main point of Sunny Day is to force out the opposing weather inducer, as it really is a one-turn utility move. Ninetales can simply get up permanent sun later by switching in, and the loss of Leftovers or Life Orb normally isn't worth the 3 extra turns of sun. Alternatively, a ChestoRest set can be used with Rest filling the last moveslot. Rest, in conjunction with Chesto Berry, gives Ninetales a one-time recovery from all damage and status. However, losing out on a useful support move, such as Will-O-Wisp, Toxic, or Protect could hurt in the long run. If Sunny Day Ninetales has significant entry hazard support, Roar can be used in the last slot to phaze out troublesome switch-ins, such as Tyranitar and Heatran. However, Sunny Day is generally enough to serve as a pphazing move. In most cases, Ninetales will only be concerned with weather inducer switch-ins, and because Roar cannot cancel out the weather change, it is usually an inferior option. Hidden Power Ground can be used to hit Heatran, whereas Hidden Power Ice can be used to hit Dragons, since both wall standard Sunny Day Ninetales cold. Unfortunately, Ninetales would miss out on some very useful support moves.</p>
<p>Rapid Spin or Magic Bounce support is an absolute necessity to alleviate Ninetales's vulnerability to all forms of entry hazards, especially its Stealth Rock weakness. Rapid Spin support is preferred, as Magic Bounce is largely dependent on prediction. Wish support is also highly recommended to ensure Ninetales doesn't eventually succumb to entry hazard or status damage. If opting to run a Life Orb, Wish support is not optional. Ninetales gets worn down very quickly due to Life Orb recoil and a lack of recovery, which could jeopardize its ability to win a weather war. Xatu, while uncommon, is an excellent teammate for the sunlight Kyuubi. It is immune to Ground-type attacks aimed at Ninetales, and can provide both Wish and Magic Bounce support. Latias and Jirachi are also excellent options, since both provide useful Wish support; the former can temporarily check rain teams should one fail to predict a Politoed switch-in, while the latter can take Rock-type moves aimed at Ninetales and other common sun abusers. Be aware that Jirachi will easily fall to a sun-boosted Fire-type move, so you may want Flash Fire support as well.</p>
<p>As alluded to earlier, Ninetales greatly appreciates entry hazard support, especially Spikes. This helps wear down opposing weather summoners until Ninetales can go for the KO with SolarBeam. Toxic Spikes support is useful for the same reason, and can potentially open up a moveslot for Protect, Rest, Roar, or a coverage move. The game's premier hazard master, Forretress, is an especially great teammate; it can utilize every entry hazard in the game, as well as Rapid Spin. Unlike most Steel-types, Forretress doesn't mind the sunlight, as it was never going to survive a Fire move anyways. Rock and Ground resists are also helpful. Both Claydol and Donphan can provide Stealth Rock and Rapid Spin support, as well as a plethora of useful resistances. Finally, a cleric can prove useful for healing status effects, especially if Ninetales is running ChestoRest. The pink blob duo, Chansey and Blissey, can either act as clerics or pass massive Wishes, while at the same time, checking Pokemon that threaten Ninetales, such as Latias and Latios. Chansey, Blissey, Heatran, and Chandelure all wall this set all day long. Choice Scarf Tyranitar can also prove problematic, as it can OHKO Ninetales with Stone Edge before Ninetales can respond with SolarBeam. Dugtrio, while somewhat redundant due to the Ninetales's ability to single-handedly win a weather war, can trap and eliminate all the aforementioned threats.</p>
