https://www.smogon.com/dex/rs/pokemon/noctowl/
[Overview]
Noctowl has the best special bulk in NU after Shuckle, beating out similar special walls such as Dewgong, Kecleon, Swalot, and Flareon in sheer bulk. Unfortunately, its typing betrays this bulk by giving it weaknesses to both Electric- and Ice-type moves, and a lack of reliable recovery means Noctowl has a hard time lasting throughout the match despite its immunity to Spikes. While it makes possibly the best Sunny Day sweeper counter available due to its resistance to Grass, access to STAB Flying-type moves, and an immunity to Sleep Powder thanks to Insomnia, countering them is not unique to Noctowl, and other special walls feature many other perks that Noctowl lacks, particularly an offensive presence and longevity.
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Hidden Power Flying
move 2: Toxic / Hypnosis
move 3: Whirlwind
move 4: Protect / Reflect
item: Leftovers
ability: Insomnia
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
- With maximum special bulk Noctowl can be a tough nut to crack, even Haunter can only 3HKO with Thunderbolt, Huntail can only 4HKO with Ice Beam, and defensive Dewgong is only doing 27.9 - 33.1% with its own STAB Ice Beam. Noctowl isn't going to be doing much in return though, HP Flying is pretty weak when not super effective
- Toxic and Protect pair naturally well and make use of Noctowl's defensive nature.
- Hypnosis helps Noctowl stand out a bit from the pack as Bellossom and Chimecho are the only other popular defensive choices with a sleep move
- Phazing moves are tough to come by and Noctowl is one of the better users of Whirlwind
- Reflect allows Noctowl to support the team and take on Hitmonchan a bit
[ADDITIONAL SET COMMENTS]
- Max SpD is needed to make the most of Noctowl's huge special bulk. Defense investment can be run but Noctowl's physical bulk is just too poor to really make a difference anywhere
- RestTalk with Keen Eye definitely an option but removes one of Noctowl's main niches in Insomnia
- Calm and Psychic can be run over Careful and HP Flying, but HP Flying is better for the Grass-types and Hitmonchan, the main targets for Noctowl's moves
- Feather Dance can be run over Reflect if wanted but Reflect is more reliable overall
- Needs a physically defensive teammate to form a defensive core. Mawile in particular makes a stellar partner as it resists Rock and appreciates Noctow's immunity to Ground. Another teammate to take on Electric-types is wanted as well, Whiscash making another great partner as Noctowl has no problem taking on the multitude of Grass-type attacks in the tier
- Works best on Spikes balance teams to make the most of Whirlwind and its lack of offensive presence
[Other Options]
- Nightmare
- Rain Dance, Sunny Day, Thief
[Checks and Counters]
- Mawile, Metang, Lairon
- Rock-types, Relicanth, Sudowoodo
- Physically offensive mons not locked into Earthquake
- Plusle
- Offensive Dewgong, Glalie