Noctowl's current analysis probably hasn't been touched since before my join date, although I can't say I blame anyone, as Noctowl is a pretty forgettable NU. Still, the current analysis is horrible and anything would be better than what it has now, plus Noctowl is usable in UU for some specific reasons, so I'll go ahead.
I haven't written an analysis in over a year (mainly updating a NU for practice for future analyses), so bear with me if some things are wrong.
Planned Changes
-Merge both sets into one general purpose set, they're super- similar anyway and it's the best Noctowl can do.
-Write an Overview, Team Options, and Other Options sections.
http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/noctowl
[Overview]
-Reasons why Noctowl isn't so great: Barren movepool, weak offensively, not so great typing, poor physical defense.
-Redeeming qualitites: Great 100/ 97 stats make a decent special wall, Insomnia and phazing. Can be used to counter specific pokemon and can work well when backed with some team support on a stall team leaves it not entirely outclassed, but still struggling to find a niche.
[SET]
name:Special Wall
move1:Whirlwind
move2:Roost
move3:Night Shade
move4:Toxic / Reflect / Psycho Shift
item:Leftovers
ability:Insomnia
nature:Calm
EVs: 252 Hp / 252 SpD / 4 Def
- 100/ 97 are good stats for taking Special hits, so the set it tailored for that use.
-Whirlwind for phazing, Roost for reliable recovery and Night Shade for some steady damage.
-Last slot is pure opinion: Noctowl can use Toxic decently for some extra damage, Reflect cushions Noctowl's poor Defense and can help out the rest of the team, and Psycho Shift throws back status so you aren't easily crippled by Toxic or any other status (except Sleep, obviously).
-Insomnia is pretty unique, and lets it switch into Sleep making it one of the best switches into Venusaur and Venomoth, not being 2KO'd most of the time by either as well.
-Calm and max HP and SpD to take special hits.
-Pairs well with Milotic, since Milotic draws in Venusaur easily and Noctowl can switch in and phaze it away. Likewise, Noctowl is setup bait for Rhyperior and Aggron, who Milotic can take of with relative ease.
-Works best with a spinner, to reduce SR damage.
-Spikes + SR are good to take advantage of the phazing.
[Team Options]
- A spinner is great to to consistently continue to switch in Noctowl. Hitmontop and Donphan works best since they resist Rock.
-Can be a buffer special wall along with Milotic and Chansey, handling some things they struggle against (Venusaur, SubSeeders, Mismagius).
[Optional Changes]
-Hypnosis, Featherdance, Tailwind.
-Light Clay.
-Flame Orb + Psycho Shift is a makeshift WoW, but not a great idea.
-Air Slash or Heat Wave if you want to attack, but they don't do much really.
-Stick to HP and Special Defense, its Defense is unsalvageable.
[Counters]
-Taunt from almost any Pokemon ruins you.
-Any physical attack not named Shadow Claw or Earthquake breaks you.
-Rhyperior and Aggron beat you easily.
-Setting up might be hard because of Whirlwind, but most physical attacks will do you in.
... Almost wrote the whole analysis in the skeleton 0.o
I haven't written an analysis in over a year (mainly updating a NU for practice for future analyses), so bear with me if some things are wrong.
Planned Changes
-Merge both sets into one general purpose set, they're super- similar anyway and it's the best Noctowl can do.
-Write an Overview, Team Options, and Other Options sections.
http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/noctowl
[Overview]
-Reasons why Noctowl isn't so great: Barren movepool, weak offensively, not so great typing, poor physical defense.
-Redeeming qualitites: Great 100/ 97 stats make a decent special wall, Insomnia and phazing. Can be used to counter specific pokemon and can work well when backed with some team support on a stall team leaves it not entirely outclassed, but still struggling to find a niche.
[SET]
name:Special Wall
move1:Whirlwind
move2:Roost
move3:Night Shade
move4:Toxic / Reflect / Psycho Shift
item:Leftovers
ability:Insomnia
nature:Calm
EVs: 252 Hp / 252 SpD / 4 Def
- 100/ 97 are good stats for taking Special hits, so the set it tailored for that use.
-Whirlwind for phazing, Roost for reliable recovery and Night Shade for some steady damage.
-Last slot is pure opinion: Noctowl can use Toxic decently for some extra damage, Reflect cushions Noctowl's poor Defense and can help out the rest of the team, and Psycho Shift throws back status so you aren't easily crippled by Toxic or any other status (except Sleep, obviously).
-Insomnia is pretty unique, and lets it switch into Sleep making it one of the best switches into Venusaur and Venomoth, not being 2KO'd most of the time by either as well.
-Calm and max HP and SpD to take special hits.
-Pairs well with Milotic, since Milotic draws in Venusaur easily and Noctowl can switch in and phaze it away. Likewise, Noctowl is setup bait for Rhyperior and Aggron, who Milotic can take of with relative ease.
-Works best with a spinner, to reduce SR damage.
-Spikes + SR are good to take advantage of the phazing.
[Team Options]
- A spinner is great to to consistently continue to switch in Noctowl. Hitmontop and Donphan works best since they resist Rock.
-Can be a buffer special wall along with Milotic and Chansey, handling some things they struggle against (Venusaur, SubSeeders, Mismagius).
[Optional Changes]
-Hypnosis, Featherdance, Tailwind.
-Light Clay.
-Flame Orb + Psycho Shift is a makeshift WoW, but not a great idea.
-Air Slash or Heat Wave if you want to attack, but they don't do much really.
-Stick to HP and Special Defense, its Defense is unsalvageable.
[Counters]
-Taunt from almost any Pokemon ruins you.
-Any physical attack not named Shadow Claw or Earthquake breaks you.
-Rhyperior and Aggron beat you easily.
-Setting up might be hard because of Whirlwind, but most physical attacks will do you in.
... Almost wrote the whole analysis in the skeleton 0.o
