Urshifu-Rapid-Strike @ Protective Pads
Ability: Unseen Fist
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Surging Strikes
- Close Combat
- U-turn
- Taunt / Ice Punch
Recently, Urshifu-R has made a bold fashion statement of ditching its bands for pads! One way of limiting Urshifu-R's offensive pressure is by punishing the use of its most common attacks, especially Surging Strikes, with crippling contact effects. This is evident from Toxapex and Slowbro, its most reliable counters, often running Rocky Helmet, with other foes like Rough Skin Garchomp, Rocky Helmet Buzzwole, and Static Zapdos potentially causing issues as well. Protective Pads allows Urshifu-R to flip the script completely, letting it fire off attacks without repercussion to unrelentingly wallbreak and pivot throughout the game. Moreover, because it is not locked into a move, Urshifu-R can freely U-turn out of its switch-ins and punish the infamous defensive core of Landorus-T + Ferrothorn more easily, even ignoring the latter's Iron Barbs. Taunt denies Slowbro's and Toxapex's recovery attempts, while Ice Punch can be used to significantly damage Dragonite. Swords Dance Weavile is a potent late-game cleaner that enjoys Urshifu-R overwhelming their shared checks in Toxapex and Tapu Fini, which is made easier with Weavile removing their recovery items.
Observe Protective Pads Urshifu-R taking the stage at the World Cup of Pokemon 2022! https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/smogtours-gen8ou-629590
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