[OVERVIEW]
* As the fastest Pokemon in the Balanced Hackmons metagame besides Deoxys-Speed, Pheromosa is able to hit fast, frail opponents like Mega Mewtwo Y before they hit back.
* Pheromosa's useful typing means it can hit relatively hard with STAB U-turn and threaten common Steel- and Dark-types such as Registeel and Mega Gyarados with its Fighting-type attacks.
* Because of this, Pheromosa forces lots of switches, enabling it to break walls or gain momentum with the proper prediction.
* However, Pheromosa brings almost no defensive utility to the team, and slow pivoting is required to get it in safely. Because of its low bulk, even relatively weak Pokemon like Choice Scarf Mega Gengar can threaten to OHKO it.
* Pheromosa's power is also fairly underwhelming, unless it's hitting with a super effective move. This means that it has difficulty breaking physical walls like Giratina and defensive Dusk Mane Necrozma.
* Pheromosa is held back by its relative lack of moveslots and mediocre STAB coverage, and it is walled by prominent Pokemon no matter what coverage moves it chooses.
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: U-turn
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Ice Hammer / Icicle Spear
move 4: Spectral Thief / Sunsteel Strike / Trick / Dragon Ascent
item: Choice Band
ability: Tough Claws / Dazzling
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* U-turn is used to OHKO slower attackers like Mega Mewtwo Y, Deoxys-A, and Mega Sceptile, and gain momentum on forced switches.
* Close Combat is a powerful, reliable STAB move. It can threaten to OHKO foes weak to it such as Mega Tyranitar, Registeel, and Mega Gyarados.
* Ice Hammer is a surprisingly powerful move, preventing bulky Dragon-types such as Giratina and Zygarde-C from countering Pheromosa without Fur Coat.
* Icicle Spear is notably more inconsistent than Ice Hammer, and it doesn't get boosted by Tough Claws, but its multi-hit nature means it can OHKO threats like Mega Rayquaza, Mega Sceptile, and Deoxys-A, even if they carry a Focus Sash or Substitute. It should only be used on Dazzling sets, as Tough Claws variants fail to check Mega Rayquaza sets carrying priority. Icicle Spear can notably fail to KO Mega Rayquaza if the move doesn't hit enough times, so a secondary check for it is advisable.
* Spectral Thief allows Pheromosa to bypass Aegislash, which would otherwise wall it, and steal stat boosts from slower Pokemon. It also OHKOs Mega Gengar if Tough Claws is used.
* Sunsteel Strike is chosen to prevent Fairy-types such as Xerneas, as well as Sturdy Shedinja, from walling Pheromosa. On Dazzling sets, it can also be used to check Pixilate Mega Diancie.
* Trick makes an opposing Pokemon much easier to take advantage of by locking it into a move. It notably decreases Pheromosa's power, though, preventing it from beating many Pokemon it would otherwise.
* Dragon Ascent OHKOs Mega Beedrill, opposing Imposter users, and Mega Mewtwo X with Tough Claws.
Set Details
========
* A Jolly nature is necessary to outspeed the Pokemon Pheromosa checks, like Mega Mewtwo Y and Mega Sceptile.
* Choice Band boosts Pheromosa's power, helping it break walls and threaten to OHKO offensive threats like Mega Sceptile.
* Tough Claws massively improves Pheromosa's breaking power and helps it beat walls it would otherwise struggle against, like Relaxed Giratina.
* Dazzling helps Pheromosa check priority users like Mega Rayquaza and Mega Diancie, but without a Tough Claws boost it fails to OHKO Mega Mewtwo Y, Mega Gengar, and Zygarde-C.
Usage Tips
========
* Do not hard switch Pheromosa in against even defensive foes, as they will likely pivot out to a check, causing you to lose momentum. Some defensive Pokemon can also hinder Pheromosa's wallbreaking ability with moves like Will-O-Wisp or deal over 50% with strong STAB moves like Giratina's Spectral Thief.
* Try to get Pheromosa in safely against Pokemon it threatens by using slow pivots.
* If Pheromosa is up against a nonthreatening Pokemon such as Registeel and a switch is likely, use the appropriate move, like Ice Hammer against a potential Giratina switchin.
Team Options
========
* Mega Mewtwo Y has excellent synergy with Pheromosa. Nearly every Pokemon that resists Psychic is weak to one of Pheromosa's STAB moves, meaning that Pheromosa can get many opportunities to come in and break walls.
* Slow pivots, like minimum Speed Mega Audino, help in getting Pheromosa into play safely.
* Pokemon that can switch in on -ate or Triage users, like Flash Fire Celesteela, can prevent Pheromosa from getting KO'd by priority moves.
* Eviolite Imposter Chansey is bulky enough to take the majority of strong hits aimed at Pheromosa.
* Options to imposter-proof this set are different depending on the moves chosen. In general, physical walls and resistant Pokemon like Ho-Oh, Red Orb Groudon, and Giratina are good options.
* Prankster users like Giratina can prevent offensive threats like Red Orb Groudon from setting up on Pheromosa and sweeping.
[SET]
name: Poison Heal
move 1: U-turn
move 2: Spore
move 3: Close Combat / Low Kick
move 4: Knock Off
item: Toxic Orb
ability: Poison Heal
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* U-turn deals decent damage thanks to Pheromosa's notable Attack and Bug typing, and pivots in a wallbreaker for free if Pheromosa successfully forces out the foe.
* Spore helps this set exert much more pressure than it otherwise would, because Pokemon that could otherwise withstand its attacks, like RegenVest Yveltal, Mega Mewtwo X, and Mega Mewtwo Y, are hindered immensely by sleep. However, Safety Goggles, which offer an immunity to the move, are common.
* Close Combat deals solid damage to Pokemon that don't resist it, 2HKOing less bulky Pokemon like Primal Kyogre and forcing out Steel-types weak to it like Registeel. It lowers Pheromosa's defenses, however, opening it up to getting OHKO'd by somewhat strong attacks like Primal Kyogre's Revelation Dance and Griseous Orb Giratina's Spectral Thief.
* Low Kick has much more PP than Close Combat and doesn't lower Pheromosa's defenses, and has 120 base power against the numerous heavy Pokemon in Balanced Hackmons. However, it leaves Pheromosa walled by some lighter Pokemon, especially Mega Audino, and fails to threaten Kartana.
* Knock Off provides coverage against Ghost-types like Aegislash, Mega Gengar, and Giratina, and it prevents Safety Goggles users from evading Pheromosa's Spore. Additionally, removing Shedinja's Protective Pads leaves it vulnerable to a teammate's Rocky Helmet. However, it has only a weak 65 power after the foe's item is removed.
Set Details
========
* Pheromosa needs a Jolly nature to reliably revenge kill threatening foes like Mega Mewtwo Y.
* Toxic Orb reliably poisons Pheromosa, activating its ability.
* Poison Heal allows Pheromosa to potentially switch in on nearly any attack from defensive Pokemon: status-inducing moves like Will-O-Wisp and Nuzzle fail to affect it, while strong neutral attacks may do more than 50%, but Pheromosa can put the opposing Pokemon to sleep and gradually recover off the damage over time.
Usage Tips
========
* As with all Poison Heal users, don't let Pheromosa get hit by moves like Knock Off, Trick, Glare, and Spore before its Toxic Orb activates; the easiest way to do this is by slow pivoting it in.
* Unlike other Poison Heal users, though, Pheromosa does best early-game, because it can wreak havoc on the opposing team before they activate their own Toxic Orbs.
* Earlier in the game, click Knock Off often to remove Safety Goggles and Toxic Orb, making more foes vulnerable to Spore later on.
* Two moves from defensive Pokemon are very dangerous for Pheromosa: Core Enforcer is a strong attack on its own, especially when used by Dragon-types like Zygarde-C, but it also suppresses Pheromosa's Poison Heal, doing huge damage and forcing it out. Beak Blast is uncommon, but OHKOs Pheromosa because of its double weakness to the move. Watch out for potential users of these attacks, like Giratina, Dialga, Celesteela, and Yveltal.
* When defensive Safety Goggles users have been hit by Knock Off, Pheromosa can potentially hard switch in on them and threaten to hit them with Spore, disrupting the opponent's momentum.
* If the opponent has a counter to Pheromosa like Magic Bounce Giratina, U-turn on the switch and bring in an appropriate wallbreaker.
* If Pheromosa is healthy, it doesn't mind switching into one or two layers of entry hazards.
* This set imposter-proofs itself once its Toxic Orb has been activated, because it can cripple Imposter users with Spore and Knock Off while recovering off any damage done by the Imposter user while they are asleep.
Team Options
========
* Slower wallbreakers pair extremely well with this set because they can beat the Pokemon that wall Pheromosa, allowing it to pose even more of a threat, while in return Pheromosa can give them free switchins with U-turn. In particular, Pokemon that can threaten bulky Dragon-types, like Choice Specs White Kyurem, Ultra Necrozma, Mega Diancie, and Mega Rayquaza, are good options.
* Checks for opposing Poison Heal users, like Choice Band Kartana, are useful because they can help beat Pokemon that counter Pheromosa, like Xerneas.
* This set appreciates Pokemon that are able to counter Core Enforcer users. RegenVest users like Dialga can do this without losing too much momentum, and they can also potentially switch in on some offensive threats.
* Counters to -ate and Triage users are necessary, because they can beat the slower Pokemon that Pheromosa is often paired with, as well as picking off Pheromosa itself with Extreme Speed. Options include Soundproof users like Mega Audino, Steel-types like Flash Fire Celesteela, and Fur Coat Chansey.
* Rocky Helmet users like Prankster Registeel can prevent Shedinja from putting in work if Pheromosa knocks off its Protective Pads.
* Hazard setters like Stealth Rock Giratina can help Pheromosa chip down opposing Pokemon more easily.
* Pokemon like Groundium Z Zygarde-C and Griseous Orb Giratina can block Trick.
* Flash Fire Steel-types can block V-create, preventing Contrary users from getting a speed boost to outspeed Pheromosa.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* On offensive teams, a Dazzling utility set with moves like Ice Beam, Sunsteel Strike, and Spikes, and usually holding a Focus Sash, is viable as a deterrent to Extreme Speed, but other Dazzling users are much more threatening thanks to their higher power. The set can also only use one STAB move, which limits its offensive utility.
* Pheromosa can utilize its high Speed stat and decent Special Attack to use a Life Orb Sheer Force set. However, it fails to OHKO Mega Mewtwo Y with Bug Buzz, relies on the inaccurate Focus Blast for Fighting-type STAB, and is largely outclassed by Mega Mewtwo Y in this role as well.
* Sets designed to lure in Dragon-types, like Technician, Magic Guard, and Refrigerate, are notable thanks to Pheromosa's high Speed, but outside of that Mega Mewtwo X typically fills this role better.
* A Contrary set has a niche in being able to threaten Imposter with moves such as V-Create, Dragon Ascent, and Sky Plate Judgment. However, it lacks initial power compared to Pokemon like Mega Mewtwo Y.
* Pheromosa can use a Belly Drum set to potentially sweep without relying on Unburden, so it's able to run an ability like Mold Breaker or Dazzling. However, it is generally outclassed by other Belly Drum users because of their higher power and ability to beat Imposter users without risking a speed tie.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Offensive Pokemon**: Pokemon such as Mega Mewtwo X and Red Orb Groudon can take any of Pheromosa's attacks and OHKO it in return. However, they are slowed down by Spore.
**Faster Pokemon**: Pokemon like Choice Scarf Mega Gengar and boosted sweepers such as Contrary V-create Mega Mewtwo Y and Unburden Belly Drum Kartana can easily pick off Pheromosa unless it has a Focus Sash.
**Priority**: Pheromosa's low defenses make it vulnerable to moves such as Triage Mega Rayquaza's Oblivion Wing and Refrigerate Kyurem-B's FakeSpeed. However, these Pokemon are checked by Dazzling variants.
**Physical Walls**: Fur Coat users like Yveltal and Dusk Mane Necrozma can avoid the 2HKO from any of the Choice Band set's attacks. Less bulky Pokemon like Zygarde-C and Giratina can never be defeated by the Poison Heal set alone.
**Focus Sash Users**: Although they must be careful of Spore, Pokemon like Magic Guard Mega Diancie can easily check Pheromosa, unless it holds a Focus Sash itself.
**Sturdy Shedinja**: Although Spore, Trick, and Knock Off hinder it, Sturdy Shedinja walls and KOs any Pheromosa variant lacking Sunsteel Strike.
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