Status: Done, awaiting edits and debate.
[Overview]
<h4>Ubers</h4>
<p>Surprisingly, Ninjask performs better in Ubers than in OU, due to the preponderance of Psychic- and Dark-types and the lack of dedicated phazers in the former tier. However, using Ninjask does come with its share of problems: if the opponent sends in Groudon or Lugia, you'll definitely be starting the match off on the wrong foot, so your team should be able to handle them. But otherwise, you'll be surprised at how easy it is to pass to a sweeper and potentially run through an opponent. With some planning, carefulness, and a bit of luck, Ninjask can be a real asset to your support-oriented team.</p>
[SET]
name: Ubers Lead
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Swords Dance / Quick Attack / Protect
move 3: X-Scissor
move 4: Baton Pass
item: Liechi Berry / Leftovers
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Jolly
evs: 226 Atk / 108 Def / 176 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>While Ninjask is often bashed for its alleged uselessness in OU, it finds a unique niche in Ubers as a lead. This bug is able to pass Speed (and maybe even Attack) boosts to sweepers such as Dialga and Rayquaza far more easily than it can in OU for a number of reasons. For one, all Ubers Taunt users, being Psychic- or Dark-type, are 2HKOed by X-Scissor, meaning that Taunting Ninjask is risky. For another, there are only 3 commonly seen phazers in Ubers: Groudon, Latias, and Lugia. Latias is 2HKOed by X-Scissor, and the others are easy to set up on by Taunt users of your own.</p>
<p>The first move you should use is Substitute, unless facing a Deoxys-S or Mew lead; use X-Scissor instead on their expected Taunt. The only move that is up for debate is the move in the second slot. Swords Dance can be used if a switch or a support move is predicted, and it can potentially result in a sweep. Quick Attack may seem gimmicky, but the combination of Substitute, X-Scissor, and Quick Attack lets you kill off standard Deoxys-A leads and still have +1 Attack and +3 Speed (if a Liechi Berry is used) to pass to a sweeper. However, the standard Deoxys-A lead is setup fodder for a Rayquaza or Groudon, so if you have such a Pokemon on your team, Quick Attack may be redundant. Finally, Protect can be used to help you outpace and defeat TrickScarf Darkrai leads by setting up a Substitute, and gain Leftovers recovery.</p>
<p>Liechi Berry guarantees that you will pass at least one Attack boost to a sweeper, while Leftovers is a reliable choice to help you set up more Substitutes and pass off more Speed. The EVs for this set are very carefully chosen. 108 Defense EVs ensures that an Extremespeed from Lead Rayquaza and Deoxys-A max out at 74.90%, meaning that you can put up a Substitute and Baton Pass away +1 Attack and +1 Speed (and give your sweeper a crucial free switch-in), more if you have Protect. 176 Speed lets you outspeed Deoxys-A leads, and 226 Attack EVs ensure that every Taunt user is 2HKOed by X-Scissor.</p>
<p>Ninjask works very well on support-oriented "Baton Pass" teams, which are often filled with Taunt users to cover for Ninjask's weaknesses against Groudon and Lugia. Good support Pokemon to use alongside Ninjask include the blisteringly fast Dual Screen Mewtwo and a Pure Baton Pass Mew, both of whom can work well to set up a sweep later. Deoxys-S remains an excellent choice to set up entry hazards, as does Forretress, who can also Rapid Spin. The primary recipients of Ninjask's boosts should be sweepers capable of running through the Ubers tier, such as Dialga, Rayquaza, and Groudon. Dialga is recommended due to its excellent typing, and Rayquaza due to its fantastic offensive power. Groudon is another solid choice, but is often overshadowed by the former two.</p>
[SET]
name: Focus Sash
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Protect
move 3: X-Scissor
move 4: Baton Pass
item: Focus Sash
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 6 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set takes a risky approach to support the team, but if it is successful, the results can be game-breaking. You can potentially pass +2 Attack and +2 Speed to your recipient, who can then easily sweep the opposition. However, this set is more easily stopped by priority and status than the first set due to the lack of Substitute, so you will need to play carefully, especially if you choose to run this set as a lead.</p>
<p>On Ninjask's first turn in, you should use Swords Dance while the opponent attacks, using Baton Pass afterwards. If you are facing something faster, such as a scarfed Shaymin-S, you should use Protect first to ensure that the opponent doesn't get lucky with a flinch from Air Slash. Then use Swords Dance and pass to a recipient that can handle the attacks being thrown your way. If you anticipate that your opponent has multiple phazers (likely the case on a stall team), avoid using Ninjask until said phazers are neutralized, either by fainting them or using Taunt.</p>
<p>In terms of recipients, the partners for this set mirror those of the first set. However, this set also benefits from a fast Taunt user that forces the opponent to attack, rather than use Taunt, a status move, or a phazing move. Taunt also shuts down Stealth Rock, which breaks your Focus Sash if it is on the field. Therefore, a Deoxys-S lead is a perfect partner for this set, as it has the fastest Taunt in the game. Once it dies, hopefully after setting up entry hazards, Ninjask can enter the field and proceed to Swords Dance and use Baton Pass without fear.</p>
[Team Options]
<h4>Ubers</h4>
<p>Ninjask really despises having to deal with Stealth Rock, so if you use him outside the lead position, consider Forretress or a lead that can reliably preventStealth Rock from being put up or get rid of them, such as Choice Scarf Darkrai, Choice Scarf Shaymin-S, or Rapid Spin Cloyster.</p>
<p>Ninjask will often be seen on teams that use Dual Screens and Baton Pass. Pokemon such as a Dual Screen Mewtwo and a Pure Baton Pass Mew are staples of such teams for their blistering Speed and access to Taunt to shut down stall teams, which often have many phazing moves. In the midgame, a Pokemon such as Deoxys-S or Forretress is a great choice to set up entry hazards, ensuring that another one of your sweepers can finish off the opponent's team. Wobbuffet can be a great teammate due to its ability to help Ninjask get a free turn of setup.</p>
<p>But the most important Pokemon to pair with Ninjask is the recipient itself. As mentioned, Dialga, Rayquaza, and Groudon all work superbly, and the use of a Lum Berry on the former two is recommended to block Thunder Wave attempts by players using a lead Kyogre or the like. Groudon also works well with a Lum Berry in case the opponent has a Physically Defensive Mewtwo with Will-O-Wisp. The receivers mentioned can easily boost their stats in the event that they get such an opportunity. Finally, Palkia is a solid choice for a recipient due to possessing STAB Water- and Dragon-type moves, base 100 Speed, and typing that lets it take Surfs and Water Spouts from Kyogre.</p>
[Optional Changes]
<h4>Ubers</h4>
<p>Other than the aforementioned sets, there is little that Ninjask can do. As a Choice Bander or Life Orb user, it has very poor coverage, relying on Dig to hit Steel-types such as Dialga. You could try a Choice Scarf set, but Ninjask, who is faster than Team Rocket and the speed of light, can't make good use of it.</p>
[Counters]
<h4>Ubers</h4>
<p>Groudon and Lugia stop Ninjask from Baton Passing anything due to Roar or Whirlwind. Giratina also has access to the phazing move, but it rarely carries it. Wobbuffet can force Ninjask to Baton Pass lest it be Encored.</p>
<p>Scizor is a great priority user, but if you have to switch it in, then the Ninjask player has a free Substitute, and can Sub down before passing to Dialga, Palkia, or Groudon, which can be deadly. Other than that, ExtremeSpeed users are a good idea, but lead Ninjasks are EV'd to deal with ExtremeSpeed, so you'll need prior damage on it to succeed.</p>
<p>Trick Room makes Ninjask fairly useless, to say the least, but requires a team built around it to succeed.</p>
<p>Other than that, you can Explode on or attempt to cripple Ninjask's recipient in some way, but this takes prediction, and if you switch, you may have given the Ninjask user a free turn, which is never a good idea. In short, you should seek to apply pressure on Ninjask and deal with the recipient if you don't have any surefire ways to stop the bug.</p>
[Overview]
<h4>Ubers</h4>
<p>Surprisingly, Ninjask performs better in Ubers than in OU, due to the preponderance of Psychic- and Dark-types and the lack of dedicated phazers in the former tier. However, using Ninjask does come with its share of problems: if the opponent sends in Groudon or Lugia, you'll definitely be starting the match off on the wrong foot, so your team should be able to handle them. But otherwise, you'll be surprised at how easy it is to pass to a sweeper and potentially run through an opponent. With some planning, carefulness, and a bit of luck, Ninjask can be a real asset to your support-oriented team.</p>
[SET]
name: Ubers Lead
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Swords Dance / Quick Attack / Protect
move 3: X-Scissor
move 4: Baton Pass
item: Liechi Berry / Leftovers
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Jolly
evs: 226 Atk / 108 Def / 176 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>While Ninjask is often bashed for its alleged uselessness in OU, it finds a unique niche in Ubers as a lead. This bug is able to pass Speed (and maybe even Attack) boosts to sweepers such as Dialga and Rayquaza far more easily than it can in OU for a number of reasons. For one, all Ubers Taunt users, being Psychic- or Dark-type, are 2HKOed by X-Scissor, meaning that Taunting Ninjask is risky. For another, there are only 3 commonly seen phazers in Ubers: Groudon, Latias, and Lugia. Latias is 2HKOed by X-Scissor, and the others are easy to set up on by Taunt users of your own.</p>
<p>The first move you should use is Substitute, unless facing a Deoxys-S or Mew lead; use X-Scissor instead on their expected Taunt. The only move that is up for debate is the move in the second slot. Swords Dance can be used if a switch or a support move is predicted, and it can potentially result in a sweep. Quick Attack may seem gimmicky, but the combination of Substitute, X-Scissor, and Quick Attack lets you kill off standard Deoxys-A leads and still have +1 Attack and +3 Speed (if a Liechi Berry is used) to pass to a sweeper. However, the standard Deoxys-A lead is setup fodder for a Rayquaza or Groudon, so if you have such a Pokemon on your team, Quick Attack may be redundant. Finally, Protect can be used to help you outpace and defeat TrickScarf Darkrai leads by setting up a Substitute, and gain Leftovers recovery.</p>
<p>Liechi Berry guarantees that you will pass at least one Attack boost to a sweeper, while Leftovers is a reliable choice to help you set up more Substitutes and pass off more Speed. The EVs for this set are very carefully chosen. 108 Defense EVs ensures that an Extremespeed from Lead Rayquaza and Deoxys-A max out at 74.90%, meaning that you can put up a Substitute and Baton Pass away +1 Attack and +1 Speed (and give your sweeper a crucial free switch-in), more if you have Protect. 176 Speed lets you outspeed Deoxys-A leads, and 226 Attack EVs ensure that every Taunt user is 2HKOed by X-Scissor.</p>
<p>Ninjask works very well on support-oriented "Baton Pass" teams, which are often filled with Taunt users to cover for Ninjask's weaknesses against Groudon and Lugia. Good support Pokemon to use alongside Ninjask include the blisteringly fast Dual Screen Mewtwo and a Pure Baton Pass Mew, both of whom can work well to set up a sweep later. Deoxys-S remains an excellent choice to set up entry hazards, as does Forretress, who can also Rapid Spin. The primary recipients of Ninjask's boosts should be sweepers capable of running through the Ubers tier, such as Dialga, Rayquaza, and Groudon. Dialga is recommended due to its excellent typing, and Rayquaza due to its fantastic offensive power. Groudon is another solid choice, but is often overshadowed by the former two.</p>
[SET]
name: Focus Sash
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Protect
move 3: X-Scissor
move 4: Baton Pass
item: Focus Sash
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 6 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set takes a risky approach to support the team, but if it is successful, the results can be game-breaking. You can potentially pass +2 Attack and +2 Speed to your recipient, who can then easily sweep the opposition. However, this set is more easily stopped by priority and status than the first set due to the lack of Substitute, so you will need to play carefully, especially if you choose to run this set as a lead.</p>
<p>On Ninjask's first turn in, you should use Swords Dance while the opponent attacks, using Baton Pass afterwards. If you are facing something faster, such as a scarfed Shaymin-S, you should use Protect first to ensure that the opponent doesn't get lucky with a flinch from Air Slash. Then use Swords Dance and pass to a recipient that can handle the attacks being thrown your way. If you anticipate that your opponent has multiple phazers (likely the case on a stall team), avoid using Ninjask until said phazers are neutralized, either by fainting them or using Taunt.</p>
<p>In terms of recipients, the partners for this set mirror those of the first set. However, this set also benefits from a fast Taunt user that forces the opponent to attack, rather than use Taunt, a status move, or a phazing move. Taunt also shuts down Stealth Rock, which breaks your Focus Sash if it is on the field. Therefore, a Deoxys-S lead is a perfect partner for this set, as it has the fastest Taunt in the game. Once it dies, hopefully after setting up entry hazards, Ninjask can enter the field and proceed to Swords Dance and use Baton Pass without fear.</p>
[Team Options]
<h4>Ubers</h4>
<p>Ninjask really despises having to deal with Stealth Rock, so if you use him outside the lead position, consider Forretress or a lead that can reliably preventStealth Rock from being put up or get rid of them, such as Choice Scarf Darkrai, Choice Scarf Shaymin-S, or Rapid Spin Cloyster.</p>
<p>Ninjask will often be seen on teams that use Dual Screens and Baton Pass. Pokemon such as a Dual Screen Mewtwo and a Pure Baton Pass Mew are staples of such teams for their blistering Speed and access to Taunt to shut down stall teams, which often have many phazing moves. In the midgame, a Pokemon such as Deoxys-S or Forretress is a great choice to set up entry hazards, ensuring that another one of your sweepers can finish off the opponent's team. Wobbuffet can be a great teammate due to its ability to help Ninjask get a free turn of setup.</p>
<p>But the most important Pokemon to pair with Ninjask is the recipient itself. As mentioned, Dialga, Rayquaza, and Groudon all work superbly, and the use of a Lum Berry on the former two is recommended to block Thunder Wave attempts by players using a lead Kyogre or the like. Groudon also works well with a Lum Berry in case the opponent has a Physically Defensive Mewtwo with Will-O-Wisp. The receivers mentioned can easily boost their stats in the event that they get such an opportunity. Finally, Palkia is a solid choice for a recipient due to possessing STAB Water- and Dragon-type moves, base 100 Speed, and typing that lets it take Surfs and Water Spouts from Kyogre.</p>
[Optional Changes]
<h4>Ubers</h4>
<p>Other than the aforementioned sets, there is little that Ninjask can do. As a Choice Bander or Life Orb user, it has very poor coverage, relying on Dig to hit Steel-types such as Dialga. You could try a Choice Scarf set, but Ninjask, who is faster than Team Rocket and the speed of light, can't make good use of it.</p>
[Counters]
<h4>Ubers</h4>
<p>Groudon and Lugia stop Ninjask from Baton Passing anything due to Roar or Whirlwind. Giratina also has access to the phazing move, but it rarely carries it. Wobbuffet can force Ninjask to Baton Pass lest it be Encored.</p>
<p>Scizor is a great priority user, but if you have to switch it in, then the Ninjask player has a free Substitute, and can Sub down before passing to Dialga, Palkia, or Groudon, which can be deadly. Other than that, ExtremeSpeed users are a good idea, but lead Ninjasks are EV'd to deal with ExtremeSpeed, so you'll need prior damage on it to succeed.</p>
<p>Trick Room makes Ninjask fairly useless, to say the least, but requires a team built around it to succeed.</p>
<p>Other than that, you can Explode on or attempt to cripple Ninjask's recipient in some way, but this takes prediction, and if you switch, you may have given the Ninjask user a free turn, which is never a good idea. In short, you should seek to apply pressure on Ninjask and deal with the recipient if you don't have any surefire ways to stop the bug.</p>
