[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Rock Slide
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Gunk Shot / Spikes / Waterfall
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Protean
nature: Hasty
evs: 176 Atk / 80 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=========
Rock Slide threatens boosted sweepers like Mega Charizard X and Volcarona. U-turn provides strong wallbreakers like Mega Medicham and Mega Mawile with safe entry and forces out Mega Alakazam and Ash-Greninja, allowing Greninja to chain momentum off of forced switches and mitigate the momentum loss from being Choice-locked. Ice Beam threatens clean OHKOs on the likes of Landorus-T, Gliscor, and Garchomp that otherwise wall Choice Scarf Greninja. Gunk Shot is Greninja's strongest neutral coverage option and smashes Fairy-types like Clefable, Tapu Fini, Tapu Bulu, and Tapu Koko. Greninja can take advantage of Pokemon that it scares out, like the aforementioned Ground-types, to set up Spikes. Finally, Waterfall lets Greninja threaten Ground- and Fire-types like Landorus-T, Gliscor, Heatran, and Victini with one moveslot.
Set Details
========
The given Special Attack investment allows Greninja to OHKO Kartana with Ice Beam, while the rest of its EVs are dumped into Speed and Attack. A Hasty nature is preferred over Naive to enable Greninja to handle Ash-Greninja and Magma Storm Heatran more easily.
Usage Tips
========
Choice Scarf Greninja is best utilized as a fast revenge killer that can threaten unexpected KOs on boosted sweepers like Volcarona and weakened Mega Charizard X. Greninja should use U-turn as much as possible to avoid losing momentum and locking into a move, including against Pokemon that it easily scares out, such as Gliscor. However, this can be risky if the opponent has contact punishers like Ferrothorn, Rocky Helmet users like Skarmory, and especially Zapdos on their team, as Greninja will get punished with chip damage and, in Zapdos's case, paralysis from Static. Greninja should only use Spikes for risky predictions if it struggles to make progress, especially against bulkier teams. It is at its most unpredictable if it is used earlier in the game before its set is revealed, so make the most of its unpredictability early-game with pivot support via Volt Switch and U-turn or aggressive double switches. However, once the opponent figures out that Greninja has a Choice Scarf, it will become easier to play around due to its inability to switch between moves.
Team Options
========
This Greninja set functions best on teams ranging from offense to bulky offense that enjoy its capabilities as a revenge killer and the momentum it provides with a fast U-turn. Strong wallbreakers like Mega Mawile and Mega Medicham love the free entry that it provides with U-turn. Mega Lopunny is a great partner for similar reasons and can put sweepers like Mega Swampert, Mega Charizard X, Gyarados, and Dragonite in KO range for Greninja with Fake Out and Quick Attack. Pivots like Magearna, Tapu Koko, Landorus-T, and Tornadus-T complement Greninja beautifully, as they provide it free entry with Volt Switch and U-turn while continuing to chain momentum. Heatran provides Stealth Rock support and is a solid answer to Steel-types like Ferrothorn, Mega Scizor, Celesteela, and Magearna. Swords Dance variants of Kartana, especially those with Fightinium Z, benefit from Greninja removing Fire-types like Volcarona and Mega Charizard X, and they put heavy pressure on Magearna. Ferrothorn appreciates Greninja stopping the aforementioned Fire-type sweepers from winning on the spot if they nab a free setup opportunity, and it sets up Spikes, pressuring the likes of Magearna and opposing Ferrothorn while allowing Greninja room to run Gunk Shot. Kommo-o appreciates Greninja luring in and removing Mega Alakazam and Tapu Fini with U-turn and Gunk Shot, and the free switches provided allow it opportunities to set up with Dragon Dance or Clangorous Soulblaze. Additionally, Kommo-o pressures and forces chip damage on Toxapex with Taunt, especially with the Spikes support that Greninja provides.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/favmon-garchomp.653095/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/zinnias.569291/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/wisteriapurple.664887/
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Rock Slide
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Gunk Shot / Spikes / Waterfall
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Protean
nature: Hasty
evs: 176 Atk / 80 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=========
Rock Slide threatens boosted sweepers like Mega Charizard X and Volcarona. U-turn provides strong wallbreakers like Mega Medicham and Mega Mawile with safe entry and forces out Mega Alakazam and Ash-Greninja, allowing Greninja to chain momentum off of forced switches and mitigate the momentum loss from being Choice-locked. Ice Beam threatens clean OHKOs on the likes of Landorus-T, Gliscor, and Garchomp that otherwise wall Choice Scarf Greninja. Gunk Shot is Greninja's strongest neutral coverage option and smashes Fairy-types like Clefable, Tapu Fini, Tapu Bulu, and Tapu Koko. Greninja can take advantage of Pokemon that it scares out, like the aforementioned Ground-types, to set up Spikes. Finally, Waterfall lets Greninja threaten Ground- and Fire-types like Landorus-T, Gliscor, Heatran, and Victini with one moveslot.
Set Details
========
The given Special Attack investment allows Greninja to OHKO Kartana with Ice Beam, while the rest of its EVs are dumped into Speed and Attack. A Hasty nature is preferred over Naive to enable Greninja to handle Ash-Greninja and Magma Storm Heatran more easily.
Usage Tips
========
Choice Scarf Greninja is best utilized as a fast revenge killer that can threaten unexpected KOs on boosted sweepers like Volcarona and weakened Mega Charizard X. Greninja should use U-turn as much as possible to avoid losing momentum and locking into a move, including against Pokemon that it easily scares out, such as Gliscor. However, this can be risky if the opponent has contact punishers like Ferrothorn, Rocky Helmet users like Skarmory, and especially Zapdos on their team, as Greninja will get punished with chip damage and, in Zapdos's case, paralysis from Static. Greninja should only use Spikes for risky predictions if it struggles to make progress, especially against bulkier teams. It is at its most unpredictable if it is used earlier in the game before its set is revealed, so make the most of its unpredictability early-game with pivot support via Volt Switch and U-turn or aggressive double switches. However, once the opponent figures out that Greninja has a Choice Scarf, it will become easier to play around due to its inability to switch between moves.
Team Options
========
This Greninja set functions best on teams ranging from offense to bulky offense that enjoy its capabilities as a revenge killer and the momentum it provides with a fast U-turn. Strong wallbreakers like Mega Mawile and Mega Medicham love the free entry that it provides with U-turn. Mega Lopunny is a great partner for similar reasons and can put sweepers like Mega Swampert, Mega Charizard X, Gyarados, and Dragonite in KO range for Greninja with Fake Out and Quick Attack. Pivots like Magearna, Tapu Koko, Landorus-T, and Tornadus-T complement Greninja beautifully, as they provide it free entry with Volt Switch and U-turn while continuing to chain momentum. Heatran provides Stealth Rock support and is a solid answer to Steel-types like Ferrothorn, Mega Scizor, Celesteela, and Magearna. Swords Dance variants of Kartana, especially those with Fightinium Z, benefit from Greninja removing Fire-types like Volcarona and Mega Charizard X, and they put heavy pressure on Magearna. Ferrothorn appreciates Greninja stopping the aforementioned Fire-type sweepers from winning on the spot if they nab a free setup opportunity, and it sets up Spikes, pressuring the likes of Magearna and opposing Ferrothorn while allowing Greninja room to run Gunk Shot. Kommo-o appreciates Greninja luring in and removing Mega Alakazam and Tapu Fini with U-turn and Gunk Shot, and the free switches provided allow it opportunities to set up with Dragon Dance or Clangorous Soulblaze. Additionally, Kommo-o pressures and forces chip damage on Toxapex with Taunt, especially with the Spikes support that Greninja provides.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/favmon-garchomp.653095/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/zinnias.569291/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/wisteriapurple.664887/
Last edited:
