[SET]
name: Defensive Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Moonblast / Thunderbolt
move 3: Thunder / Flamethrower / Thunder Wave / Knock Off / Ice Beam
move 4: Soft-Boiled
item: Leftovers / Life Orb
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=========
Calm Mind raises Clefable's Special Attack and Special Defense, letting it comfortably take on special attackers like Mega Alakazam, Mega Latios, and Mega Latias. Moonblast blows through Fighting-types such as Kommo-o, Hawlucha, and Mega Lopunny. Thunderbolt threatens Water-types, such as Gyarados, Slowbro, and Pelipper, and is a viable option if run alongside Ice Beam, providing a great combination of coverage. Thunder lets Clefable more immediately pressure the likes of Celesteela, Toxapex, and Heatran, while the chance of paralysis helps Clefable win over time, especially against Taunt Heatran. Flamethrower punishes Steel-types that attempt to take Clefable's Moonblast such as Skarmory, Ferrothorn, and Mega Scizor. Thunder Wave is a more consistent option to paralyze checks such as Heatran and immediately punish the likes of Mega Mawile and Volcarona if they attempt to switch into Clefable's Moonblast. Knock Off removes Leftovers from targets such as Heatran, Reuniclus, Slowbro, and opposing Clefable. Ice Beam easily defeats Swords Dance Gliscor and is beneficial for OHKOing Landorus-T and Garchomp in a pinch. Finally, Soft-Boiled lets Clefable stay healthy throughout the game to continue checking Mega Lopunny.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread lets Clefable maximize its physical bulk, allowing it to check physical attackers such as Hawlucha and Mega Lopunny. Leftovers is preferred to provide Clefable with extra longevity in conjunction with Soft-Boiled. Life Orb is an option to boost Clefable's special attacks and place more pressure on its targets without being hindered by recoil damage thanks to Magic Guard. Alternatively, Clefable can run an EV spread of 248 HP / 248 Def / 12 Spe if it is paired with Thunder Wave users such as Ferrothorn to outspeed paralyzed Kyurem-B and Tapu Lele. Clefable can also run an EV spread of 252 HP / 164 Def / 92 SpD with a Calm nature to avoid a 2HKO from Mega Alakazam's Psychic at full HP should Clefable lose its Leftovers. Clefable can also run a Modest nature when utilizing both Thunderbolt and Ice Beam to improve its matchup against Toxapex and Celesteela while still threatening the aforementioned Ground-types. However, not running a Bold nature worsens Clefable's ability to check Mega Medicham.
Usage Tips
========
Clefable functions best as a status absorber and late-game win condition, capable of finishing off weakened teams with attacks boosted by Calm Mind and outlasting them thanks to Magic Guard and entry hazard support provided by its teammates. With Magic Guard, Clefable can come in and set up against status users such as Slowbro and take Toxic and Scald burns, which threaten to wear down its teammates. Thanks to its typing and good bulk, it can defensively check the likes of Mega Lopunny and defensive Landorus-T. It is recommended to keep Clefable healthy to check Pokemon like Hawlucha, Dragon Dance Kommo-o, and Mega Gyarados. If Clefable runs Knock Off, it can use the opportunity to bluff another set before it reveals Calm Mind. With entry hazards up, this also makes it more difficult for checks such as Heatran to come in safely. However, not having Flamethrower means that Clefable needs to be more careful around Steel-types such as Magearna and Mega Scizor. If Clefable uses a Life Orb or loses its Leftovers, it needs to be more intentional with its Soft-Boiled usage, as the lack of Leftovers can force it to burn through its Soft-Boiled PP more quickly to stay healthy. Clefable must avoid trying to set up against Calm Mind Reuniclus and Cresselia since they can threaten Clefable with a boosted Psyshock. Clefable should also generally be wary of its PP usage against opposing balance and stall teams; even though Magic Guard lets it match up well against these teams, they can still win over the course of a longer game by switching around and forcing it to drain PP, eventually leaving it unable to attack.
Team Options
========
This Clefable set shines best on balance teams, which value its defensive niche, its capability as a win condition with Calm Mind, and its ability to handle passive Pokemon thanks to Magic Guard. Ferrothorn, Skarmory, and Protean Greninja are fantastic partners for Clefable since they can set up Spikes to wear down checks such as Heatran and Kartana. Ferrothorn is especially notable because it also wears down Heatran with Leech Seed and can provide Knock Off support, while Greninja has the benefit of sniping Toxapex and Magearna with Tectonic Rage. Bulky Ground-types such as Excadrill, defensive Landorus-T, and Gliscor are also solid partners because they can lay Stealth Rock and threaten Heatran, something that Clefable greatly appreciates. Landorus-T can also bring Clefable in safely with U-turn, while Gliscor can take down Heatran and Toxapex and set up with Swords Dance. Gastrodon is also a great partner because its immunity to Water-type moves works well with Clefable's Dark resistance, enabling them to handle Ash-Greninja as a team effort. Toxapex provides a solid answer to the likes of Mega Charizard Y and Mega Scizor and lays down Toxic Spikes to pressure Pokemon like Tapu Koko and Tapu Lele. Shed Shell variants can also scout for potential trappers like Heatran and Tapu Fini and remove their Leftovers with Knock Off. Heatran provides Stealth Rock support and reliably checks Steel-types like Celesteela and Magearna lacking Focus Blast. Bulky Psychic-types like Mega Latias and Slowbro are good partners since Clefable can safely pivot into Dark-type moves aimed at these teammates. In return, they can handle Pokemon that Clefable struggles to deal with such as Toxapex and Swords Dance Gliscor, especially if Clefable lacks Electric-type coverage for the former and Ice Beam for the latter. Mega Latias also handles the likes of Mega Charizard Y, Manaphy if it packs Thunder, and Swords Dance Landorus-T, while Slowbro provides a solid answer to physical Fire-types such as Mega Charizard X and Victini.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/favmon-garchomp.653095/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/zinnias.569291/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/diyusi.519886/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/queez.229690/
name: Defensive Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Moonblast / Thunderbolt
move 3: Thunder / Flamethrower / Thunder Wave / Knock Off / Ice Beam
move 4: Soft-Boiled
item: Leftovers / Life Orb
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=========
Calm Mind raises Clefable's Special Attack and Special Defense, letting it comfortably take on special attackers like Mega Alakazam, Mega Latios, and Mega Latias. Moonblast blows through Fighting-types such as Kommo-o, Hawlucha, and Mega Lopunny. Thunderbolt threatens Water-types, such as Gyarados, Slowbro, and Pelipper, and is a viable option if run alongside Ice Beam, providing a great combination of coverage. Thunder lets Clefable more immediately pressure the likes of Celesteela, Toxapex, and Heatran, while the chance of paralysis helps Clefable win over time, especially against Taunt Heatran. Flamethrower punishes Steel-types that attempt to take Clefable's Moonblast such as Skarmory, Ferrothorn, and Mega Scizor. Thunder Wave is a more consistent option to paralyze checks such as Heatran and immediately punish the likes of Mega Mawile and Volcarona if they attempt to switch into Clefable's Moonblast. Knock Off removes Leftovers from targets such as Heatran, Reuniclus, Slowbro, and opposing Clefable. Ice Beam easily defeats Swords Dance Gliscor and is beneficial for OHKOing Landorus-T and Garchomp in a pinch. Finally, Soft-Boiled lets Clefable stay healthy throughout the game to continue checking Mega Lopunny.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread lets Clefable maximize its physical bulk, allowing it to check physical attackers such as Hawlucha and Mega Lopunny. Leftovers is preferred to provide Clefable with extra longevity in conjunction with Soft-Boiled. Life Orb is an option to boost Clefable's special attacks and place more pressure on its targets without being hindered by recoil damage thanks to Magic Guard. Alternatively, Clefable can run an EV spread of 248 HP / 248 Def / 12 Spe if it is paired with Thunder Wave users such as Ferrothorn to outspeed paralyzed Kyurem-B and Tapu Lele. Clefable can also run an EV spread of 252 HP / 164 Def / 92 SpD with a Calm nature to avoid a 2HKO from Mega Alakazam's Psychic at full HP should Clefable lose its Leftovers. Clefable can also run a Modest nature when utilizing both Thunderbolt and Ice Beam to improve its matchup against Toxapex and Celesteela while still threatening the aforementioned Ground-types. However, not running a Bold nature worsens Clefable's ability to check Mega Medicham.
Usage Tips
========
Clefable functions best as a status absorber and late-game win condition, capable of finishing off weakened teams with attacks boosted by Calm Mind and outlasting them thanks to Magic Guard and entry hazard support provided by its teammates. With Magic Guard, Clefable can come in and set up against status users such as Slowbro and take Toxic and Scald burns, which threaten to wear down its teammates. Thanks to its typing and good bulk, it can defensively check the likes of Mega Lopunny and defensive Landorus-T. It is recommended to keep Clefable healthy to check Pokemon like Hawlucha, Dragon Dance Kommo-o, and Mega Gyarados. If Clefable runs Knock Off, it can use the opportunity to bluff another set before it reveals Calm Mind. With entry hazards up, this also makes it more difficult for checks such as Heatran to come in safely. However, not having Flamethrower means that Clefable needs to be more careful around Steel-types such as Magearna and Mega Scizor. If Clefable uses a Life Orb or loses its Leftovers, it needs to be more intentional with its Soft-Boiled usage, as the lack of Leftovers can force it to burn through its Soft-Boiled PP more quickly to stay healthy. Clefable must avoid trying to set up against Calm Mind Reuniclus and Cresselia since they can threaten Clefable with a boosted Psyshock. Clefable should also generally be wary of its PP usage against opposing balance and stall teams; even though Magic Guard lets it match up well against these teams, they can still win over the course of a longer game by switching around and forcing it to drain PP, eventually leaving it unable to attack.
Team Options
========
This Clefable set shines best on balance teams, which value its defensive niche, its capability as a win condition with Calm Mind, and its ability to handle passive Pokemon thanks to Magic Guard. Ferrothorn, Skarmory, and Protean Greninja are fantastic partners for Clefable since they can set up Spikes to wear down checks such as Heatran and Kartana. Ferrothorn is especially notable because it also wears down Heatran with Leech Seed and can provide Knock Off support, while Greninja has the benefit of sniping Toxapex and Magearna with Tectonic Rage. Bulky Ground-types such as Excadrill, defensive Landorus-T, and Gliscor are also solid partners because they can lay Stealth Rock and threaten Heatran, something that Clefable greatly appreciates. Landorus-T can also bring Clefable in safely with U-turn, while Gliscor can take down Heatran and Toxapex and set up with Swords Dance. Gastrodon is also a great partner because its immunity to Water-type moves works well with Clefable's Dark resistance, enabling them to handle Ash-Greninja as a team effort. Toxapex provides a solid answer to the likes of Mega Charizard Y and Mega Scizor and lays down Toxic Spikes to pressure Pokemon like Tapu Koko and Tapu Lele. Shed Shell variants can also scout for potential trappers like Heatran and Tapu Fini and remove their Leftovers with Knock Off. Heatran provides Stealth Rock support and reliably checks Steel-types like Celesteela and Magearna lacking Focus Blast. Bulky Psychic-types like Mega Latias and Slowbro are good partners since Clefable can safely pivot into Dark-type moves aimed at these teammates. In return, they can handle Pokemon that Clefable struggles to deal with such as Toxapex and Swords Dance Gliscor, especially if Clefable lacks Electric-type coverage for the former and Ice Beam for the latter. Mega Latias also handles the likes of Mega Charizard Y, Manaphy if it packs Thunder, and Swords Dance Landorus-T, while Slowbro provides a solid answer to physical Fire-types such as Mega Charizard X and Victini.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/favmon-garchomp.653095/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/zinnias.569291/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/diyusi.519886/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/queez.229690/
Last edited:
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