This is my first post to the Smogon Community. Yay. I write reviews for Ninbuzz but not recently as my hard drive decided to die and even this is through a lent computer but I should be able to check updates through my Wii Internet Channel. Well Enjoy.
Musharna
[STATS:]
HP: 116
Atk: 56
Def: 85
Sp Atk: 107
Sp Def: 95
Spd: 29
[ABILITIES:]
Forewarn: Reveals the opponents' strongest move upon entering battle.
Synchronise: Copies burns, paralysis, and poison received onto the Pokémon that inflicted them.
Dream Ability: Telepathy: Protects against friendly Pokémon's damaging moves.
[OVERVIEW]
<p> Musharna suffers from "being born in the wrong time period" syndrome since in 4th gen it could compete with Cresselia in BL but due to Reninculus taking the top spot for Trick Room teams leaving the drowsing Pokémon to fall behind as Hypno and Slowbro did before it in Gen I. With some excellent base stats and access to Trick Room and a low speed to make use of it, dual screens, Baton Pass, Calm Mind and access to Yawn and Hypnosis it can make its cousin Hypno look as helpful as a Magikarp. Gifted with these traits it can become a versatile support Pokémon on any team. However be warned as Musharna is practically a weaker Cresselia but has higher offensive stats, Baton Pass and access to sleep inducing moves.<p>
[SET]
Name: Standard
Ability: Synchronise
Move 1: Psychic
Move 2: Hypnosis / Yawn / Toxic
Move 3: Moonlight / Rest
Move 4: Reflect / Sleep Talk
Nature: Calm
Item: Leftovers
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpDef / 4 Def
Musharna
[STATS:]
HP: 116
Atk: 56
Def: 85
Sp Atk: 107
Sp Def: 95
Spd: 29
[ABILITIES:]
Forewarn: Reveals the opponents' strongest move upon entering battle.
Synchronise: Copies burns, paralysis, and poison received onto the Pokémon that inflicted them.
Dream Ability: Telepathy: Protects against friendly Pokémon's damaging moves.
[OVERVIEW]
<p> Musharna suffers from "being born in the wrong time period" syndrome since in 4th gen it could compete with Cresselia in BL but due to Reninculus taking the top spot for Trick Room teams leaving the drowsing Pokémon to fall behind as Hypno and Slowbro did before it in Gen I. With some excellent base stats and access to Trick Room and a low speed to make use of it, dual screens, Baton Pass, Calm Mind and access to Yawn and Hypnosis it can make its cousin Hypno look as helpful as a Magikarp. Gifted with these traits it can become a versatile support Pokémon on any team. However be warned as Musharna is practically a weaker Cresselia but has higher offensive stats, Baton Pass and access to sleep inducing moves.<p>
[SET]
Name: Standard
Ability: Synchronise
Move 1: Psychic
Move 2: Hypnosis / Yawn / Toxic
Move 3: Moonlight / Rest
Move 4: Reflect / Sleep Talk
Nature: Calm
Item: Leftovers
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpDef / 4 Def
<p> A nice well-rounded set appropriate for Musharna. Psychic is your main STAB move coming off a nice base 107 SpAtk so it will deal a lot of damage to anything that doesn't resist it with minimum investment. The choice of Hypnosis and Yawn depends on whether you want to cause your opponent to switch out or safely put your opponent to sleep and let your other team mates come in. If running Hypnosis try to ignore using Rest as your opponent may say in if they are a Dark-type whereas Yawn can scare them away. Moonlight is Musharna's only form of recovery outside of Rest and with Abomasnow and Eviolite Hippopotas running rampant is mainly recommended if you have a Sunny Day Team to get 2/3 of your Max HP per use otherwise Rest can status absorb and heal more in neutral weather. For the last moveslot chose Reflect if you want more team support and allows Musharna to survive some Dark-type moves and gives good team support but use Sleep Talk if you're planning to use Rest to allow phazing with Yawn. Toxic can wear down walls or most Dark-types. The EV's and Nature give an amazing amount of bulk making it a strong special wall but a physically defensive spread of 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpDef my be used for physically tanking but it leaves you ore susceptible to Pokémon such as Mismagius.
Psyshock may be used instead of Psychic but the power of Psychic is far superior. Magic Coat may be used to reflect status as well but requires good predictions. Light Screen can be used in the last slot but Reflect helps it wall physical hits better. Thunder Wave can be used in the 2nd slot for more team support but it will not help Musharna as well as toxic or the Sleep inducing moves. Forewarn may be used but does not help as much as Synchronise especially if Moonlight is being used.
Musharna will attract many powerful Bug and Dark types as their STAB moves can easily penetrate Musharna's defences. To name a few Absol, Physical Sharpedo, Heracross (but should be wary of Psychic) and Drapion. Registeel makes a great partner as its resistances to those Pokémon are easily noticeable and Musharna can take the Fighting type moves aimed at Registeel but must watch out for the Close Combat and Superpower from Heracross and Absol. Gligar and Zapdos can easily counter Heracross and hit back hard with Heat Wave and Stone Edge but must be heavily EV'd defensively to deal with Absol but in turn Musharna can take the Ice and Rock type moves aimed at the two but watch out for Heracross's Stone Edge if using Zapdos. <p>
Psyshock may be used instead of Psychic but the power of Psychic is far superior. Magic Coat may be used to reflect status as well but requires good predictions. Light Screen can be used in the last slot but Reflect helps it wall physical hits better. Thunder Wave can be used in the 2nd slot for more team support but it will not help Musharna as well as toxic or the Sleep inducing moves. Forewarn may be used but does not help as much as Synchronise especially if Moonlight is being used.
Musharna will attract many powerful Bug and Dark types as their STAB moves can easily penetrate Musharna's defences. To name a few Absol, Physical Sharpedo, Heracross (but should be wary of Psychic) and Drapion. Registeel makes a great partner as its resistances to those Pokémon are easily noticeable and Musharna can take the Fighting type moves aimed at Registeel but must watch out for the Close Combat and Superpower from Heracross and Absol. Gligar and Zapdos can easily counter Heracross and hit back hard with Heat Wave and Stone Edge but must be heavily EV'd defensively to deal with Absol but in turn Musharna can take the Ice and Rock type moves aimed at the two but watch out for Heracross's Stone Edge if using Zapdos. <p>
[SET]
Ability: Synchronise
Move 1: Trick Room
Move 2: Psychic
Move 3: Toxic / Yawn / Hypnosis
Move 4: Reflect / Shadow Ball / Moonlight / Rest
Nature : Sassy
Item: Leftovers
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpDef / 4 Def
IVs: 0 Spd
<p> The same as the previous set but with Trick Room and lower speed. Toxic is recommended to take down walls as your sweepers can easily deal with the sweepers of your opposing team. Shadow Ball can be used in the last slot to deal with Psychic types that will try to wall you.
Same as previous set. Thunder Wave is not recommended due to Trick Room.
Pokémon that resist the Bug, Dark and Ghost weaknesses of Musharna and have low speed such as Spiritomb or Steelix. <p>
Same as previous set. Thunder Wave is not recommended due to Trick Room.
Pokémon that resist the Bug, Dark and Ghost weaknesses of Musharna and have low speed such as Spiritomb or Steelix. <p>
[SET]
Name: Bulky Calm Mind
Ability: Synchronise
Move 1: Calm Mind
Move 2: Psychic / Stored Power
Move 3: Rest / Moonlight
Move 4: Sleep Talk / Shadow Ball / Yawn / Toxic / Baton Pass
Nature: Bold
Item: Leftovers
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpAtk
<p> As with Cresselia, Musharna has access to Calm Mind but can use its higher offensive stats and its other support moves to give it a unique selling point. RestTalk can be used to make it function similar to Suicune but Water is a significantly better type than Psychic. Stored Power is new to this generation and after 2 Calm Mind boosts it is more powerful than Psychic and with Musharna's bulk it is pretty tempting. Shadow Ball can be used for coverage, Yawn helps set up but Hypnosis can be used however due to the new sleep mechanics a dark-type Pokémon can easily just burn off the Sleep turns. Toxic can stop walls and Baton Pass can give the boosts to a Pokémon such as Espeon who finds it hard to get many boosts up whereas Musharna's bulk can get a lot of boosts but not enough Speed to sweep. The EV's maximise defensive bulk so it can be used as a physical wall stopping Pokémon like Gigalith while boosting up.
Psyshock can be used in the last slot but dark-types will wall you. Thunder Wave can be used again to stop sweepers but sleep is better. A Hidden Power can be used in the last slot but there are so many options that it is best to see what your team needs e.g Grass for Gastrodon, Ice for Gligar or Rock for Scyther etc.
Physical Sweepers help stop special walls from walling you e.g. Gigalith or Rhyperior who's weakness to Fighting can be resisted by Musharna. Fro Baton Pass partners, Special Spiritomb and Sharpedo can make good use off the Calm Mind boosts also Espeon and Alakazam. Although there is bad type synergy they have the Speed to sweep and lack the efficiency of Musharna due to less bulk and are able to run more coverage moves. <p>
Psyshock can be used in the last slot but dark-types will wall you. Thunder Wave can be used again to stop sweepers but sleep is better. A Hidden Power can be used in the last slot but there are so many options that it is best to see what your team needs e.g Grass for Gastrodon, Ice for Gligar or Rock for Scyther etc.
Physical Sweepers help stop special walls from walling you e.g. Gigalith or Rhyperior who's weakness to Fighting can be resisted by Musharna. Fro Baton Pass partners, Special Spiritomb and Sharpedo can make good use off the Calm Mind boosts also Espeon and Alakazam. Although there is bad type synergy they have the Speed to sweep and lack the efficiency of Musharna due to less bulk and are able to run more coverage moves. <p>
[SET]
Name: Offensive CM
Ability: Synchronise
Move 1: Calm Mind
Move 2: Psychic / Stored Power
Move 3: Shadow Ball / Hidden Power / Hypnosis / Baton Pass / Energy Ball / Charge Beam
Move 4: Shadow Ball / Hidden Power / Hypnosis / Baton Pass / Energy Ball / Charge Beam
Nature: Modest
Item: Leftovers / Life Orb
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpAtk / 4 Def
<p> Similarly to the Bulky CM set is the Offensive CM set. But with a Modest nature and Max SpAtk for maximum damage. Life Orb can be used for damage as well but Leftovers is useful for helping with bulk. Stored Power may be less useful as there is less bulk invested but with Hypnosis many Calm Minds can be used. Hypnosis is used to help set-up on other Pokémon since Yawn was better on the previous set due to limited moves, Hypnosis is better due to the more coverage moves available. Baton Pass can be used again on this set but with less bulk it is harder to pass a lot of Calm Minds. No speed investment as Musharna won't be out speeding anyone. The choice of Hidden Power depends on your team. Energy Ball and Charge Beam have their perks. Energy Ball is a great alternative to HP Grass while Charge Beam helps boost SpAtk. For Hidden Power choices, Rock hits Musharna's counters for neutral damage, Fire hits Steels that will wall you and Ice will take out Altaria however you can only run 1 Hidden Power so choose wisely.
Thunder Wave can be used but sleep is a more effective status condition. Expert Belt may be used to get more damage without the recoil.
Same as last set. However the lower bulk of this set will mean less boosts passed. <p>
Thunder Wave can be used but sleep is a more effective status condition. Expert Belt may be used to get more damage without the recoil.
Same as last set. However the lower bulk of this set will mean less boosts passed. <p>
[SET]
Name: Sub CM
Ability: Synchronise
Move 1: Substitute
Move 2: Calm Mind
Move 3: Psychic / Stored Power
Move 4: Moonlight / Shadow Ball / Yawn / Baton Pass / Toxic
Nature: Modest
Item: Leftovers / Life Orb
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpAtk / 4 Def
<p> A combination of the Bulky and Offensive Calm Mind but with Substitute. Musharna's high HP and bulk allow it to get very sturdy substitutes which it can pass onto along with boosts to weak special sweepers. Moonlight, Yawn and Toxic come from the bulky set and help wear down walls and sweepers, Musharna can wall Pokémon like Dusclops with over 101 HP subs.
Screens can be used as well as Thunder Wave but with limited space and better moves there is no point. A more bulky set-up taking EV's from SpAtk and moving them into Musharna's defences how you see fit allow bulky substitutes and you can get more boosts by walling different Pokémon from different defensive investments.
Same as Bulky and Offensive CM sets. <p>
Screens can be used as well as Thunder Wave but with limited space and better moves there is no point. A more bulky set-up taking EV's from SpAtk and moving them into Musharna's defences how you see fit allow bulky substitutes and you can get more boosts by walling different Pokémon from different defensive investments.
Same as Bulky and Offensive CM sets. <p>
[SET]
Name: Dual Screens
Ability: Synchronise
Move 1: Reflect
Move 2: Light Screen
Move 3: Yawn
Move 4: Psychic
Nature: Bold / Calm
Item: Light Clay
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def or 252 SpDef / 4 Def or 4 SpDef
<p> Very similar to Uxie in Gen 4 but with no U-Turn. The choice between physical or special defensive investment can depend on the team Musharna is in but it can do both very well whether Musharna's resisting physical Fighting types or non-STAB special Ghost or Dark moves.
Psyshock can be used in the 4th slot as well as Shadow Ball but the STAB Psychic is best. Hypnosis, T-Wave and Toxic can also be used instead of Yawn but Yawn could get both screens up. Leftovers can be used but Light Clay is generally better for a screener.
Frail sweepers appreciate the screens and Walls like Registeel form great defensive synergy. <p>
Psyshock can be used in the 4th slot as well as Shadow Ball but the STAB Psychic is best. Hypnosis, T-Wave and Toxic can also be used instead of Yawn but Yawn could get both screens up. Leftovers can be used but Light Clay is generally better for a screener.
Frail sweepers appreciate the screens and Walls like Registeel form great defensive synergy. <p>
[SET]
Name: Baton Pass
Ability: Synchronise
Move 1: Baton Pass
Move 2: Calm Mind / Curse
Move 3: Substitute / Hypnosis / Psychic / Zen Headbutt / Stored Power / Gyro Ball
Move 4: Substitute / Hypnosis / Psychic / Zen Headbutt / Stored Power / Gyro Ball
Nature: Bold / Calm
Item: Leftovers
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def or 252 SpDef / 4 Atk or 4 SpAtk
<p> This is a pure baton pass set which Musharna pulls off very well due to its bulk. The choice of defensive investment depends on whether CM or Curse is used. Max Def for CM and vice versa for Curse. Musharna's high HP means large subs can be passed. You're probably thinking, Curse? Why Curse? Well it is a little cliché but it increases your defences making Pokémon like Absol feel as sharp as a spoon and Musharna can pass the boosts to Pokémon like Regirock or Registeel who have great synergy. Hypnosis lets more boosts be accumulated. Psychic and Zen Headbutt stop you from being stopped by Taunt while Gyro Ball is just really effective with Curse.
Blah T-Wave Blah you know why. Yawn isn't recommended as you want to set up on your opponent but if he or she wants you to set-up on their Drapion or Absol, go ahead especially with Curse. Toxic could be used but you are better off passing the boosts rather than walling your opponent.
For passing Curses go with Pokémon like Regirock/steel / Steelix and Spiritomb and with Calm Mind, Espeon, Alakazam or Clefable. <p>
Blah T-Wave Blah you know why. Yawn isn't recommended as you want to set up on your opponent but if he or she wants you to set-up on their Drapion or Absol, go ahead especially with Curse. Toxic could be used but you are better off passing the boosts rather than walling your opponent.
For passing Curses go with Pokémon like Regirock/steel / Steelix and Spiritomb and with Calm Mind, Espeon, Alakazam or Clefable. <p>
[SET]
Name: Choice Specs
Ability: Synchronise
Move 1: Psychic / Psyshock
Move 2: Shadow Ball / Energy Ball / Charge Beam / Hidden Power
Move 3: Shadow Ball / Energy Ball / Charge Beam / Hidden Power
Move 4: Shadow Ball / Energy Ball / Charge Beam / Hidden Power
Nature: Modest
Item: Choice Specs
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpAtk / 4 SpDef
<p> Not as gimmicky as it seems, Musharna's natural bulk as high special attack stat make it really good for a Specs set. Psyshock can be used to stop special walls and the other moves are coverage moves.
All useful moves are listed here. Both Psychic and Psyshock can be run but the loss of coverage moves could hinder you. Hidden Power Rock overall is the best Hidden Power as it hits all Bug, Ghost and Dark types that will switch in but other Hidden powers can be used.
Walls like Registeel and Regirock have good defensive synergy with Musharna. <p>
All useful moves are listed here. Both Psychic and Psyshock can be run but the loss of coverage moves could hinder you. Hidden Power Rock overall is the best Hidden Power as it hits all Bug, Ghost and Dark types that will switch in but other Hidden powers can be used.
Walls like Registeel and Regirock have good defensive synergy with Musharna. <p>
[SET]
Name: Cursharna
Ability: Synchronise
Move 1: Curse
Move 2: Zen Headbutt
Move 3: Psychic / Gyro Ball / Rock Slide / Return / Sleep Talk / Toxic / Hypnosis / Yawn
Move 4: Rest / Moonlight / Baton Pass
Nature: Careful / Sassy
Item: Leftovers
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpDef / 4 Atk
<p> This is the gimmick set of the analysis. Zen Headbutt and Psychic are there to stop walls and Psychic can mis-lead the opponent. Rest Talk can be used but is walled by dark types. Rock Slide hits a lot of Musharna's counters and Gyro Ball dominates frail Pokémon like Azelf. Return however is the strongest of the coverage moves. Any of Toxic, Hypnosis or Yawn may be used to deal with counters or walls as you see fit. Sassy should be used if a special move is used or Gyro Ball.
No T-Wave here as it is practically useless. Light Screen could be used but there are better moves.
Pokémon that can receive the Curses like Regirock and special Pokémon like Suicune to stop walls. <p>
No T-Wave here as it is practically useless. Light Screen could be used but there are better moves.
Pokémon that can receive the Curses like Regirock and special Pokémon like Suicune to stop walls. <p>
[OTHER OPTIONS]
<p> Musharna can support Rain Dance Teams with Rain Dance and can fit in the last slot on the Standard set. Dream Eater can be used to restore energy but is reliant on Sleep and since your opponent will always be faster than you they could wake up and leave you wasting a turn. Magic Coat can send status conditions and hazards onto your opponent's side but require prediction. Barrier can be used on baton Pass but is generally inferior. Hidden Power Rock is the best Hidden Power if you want to use it over Shadow Ball but other Hidden Power can support your team or make use of weather. Psych Up can copy stat changes from Pokémon like Suicune. Musharna's other abilities : Forewarn and Telepathy are generally inferior to Synchronise as it can pass status which is useful on choice sets when inflicting status is not possible. Telepathy is only useful in Double and Triple battles and Forewarn can tell you useful moves your opponent has but is generally useless.<p>
[CHECKS AND COUNTERS]
<p> Heracross, Escaliver and Sharpedo can hit hard with their STAB attacks with Pokémon like Drapion walling Musharna if it lacks a coverage move. Registeel makes a good walling partner as they both resist or are neutral to every type but Close Combat from Heracross and Superpower from Absol can ruin the synergy. Zapdos and Gligar can wall Heracross and Absol with defensive investment but be wary of Stone Edge. <p>
