[OVERVIEW]
Pyukumuku fills a unique niche in the OU tier thanks to Unaware, which allows it to wall a number of prominent setup sweepers such as Mega Charizard X and Volcarona. Pyukumuku is also the bulkiest recipient of this ability, allowing it to wall threats that other Unaware users such as Quagsire and Clefable cannot, including Z-Move users such as Landorus-T and Manaphy. However, Pyukumuku learns only two attacking moves in Counter and Bide, which leaves it incredibly passive, crippled by Taunt, and a momentum drain. While Pyukumuku can offset this momentum drain through the use of Baton Pass, unrecovered hits can leave it weakened to the point where it is unable to continue to check threats. In addition, certain offensive Pokemon such as Tapu Bulu and Hoopa-U have enough unboosted power to break through Pyukumuku regardless of Unaware.
[SET]
name: Unaware Pivot
move 1: Recover
move 2: Toxic
move 3: Curse
move 4: Baton Pass
item: Leftovers
ability: Unaware
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 228 Def / 28 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Recover allows Pyukumuku to recover its health, enabling it to repeatedly check threatening Pokemon throughout the course of a match. Toxic lets Pyukumuku wear down the Pokemon it checks as well as any non-immune switch-ins. Curse allows Pyukumuku to take stronger hits, reducing the possibility of a flinch breaking past it. Finally, Baton Pass allows Pyukumuku to pivot, regaining momentum and potentially passing Curse boosts to its teammates that can use them to check Pokemon they would otherwise be unable to or to give them the bulk they need to become extremely threatening setup sweepers.
Set Details
========
Unaware is used over Innards Out to allow Pyukumuku to check multiple setup sweepers throughout a match. 252 HP EVs and 28 Special Defense EVs allow Pyukumuku to avoid a 2HKO from Modest Manaphy's Energy Ball and Volcarona's Giga Drain after damage from Stealth Rock. 228 Defense EVs along with a Bold nature let Pyukumuku wall Mega Charizard X, Landorus-T, and Alolan Marowak. Leftovers is required to avoid 2HKOs from many of these Pokemon, such as Volcarona.
Usage Tips
========
Most of the time, Pyukumuku can be directly switched into the Pokemon it walls. However, if your team is weak to an opposing Pokemon that forces out Pyukumuku, such as Tapu Koko, it may be wise to scout for a possible double switch. In general, Pyukumuku needs to be healthy to check opposing sweepers. Recover should be used over Baton Pass if Pyukumuku could be 2HKOed the next time a threatening Pokemon comes in. Preventing or removing entry hazards on your side of the field allows Pyukumuku to avoid 2HKOs, letting it directly switch into threats more freely. If you expect the opposing Pokemon to switch out into a Toxic-immune Pokemon, and Pyukumuku is healthy enough to continue checking setup sweepers, use Baton Pass to regain momentum. Passing Curse boosts can allow Pyukumuku's teammates to check Pokemon they would normally be unable to; for example, with a Curse boost, Skarmory can freely use Whirlwind versus Swords Dance All-Out Pummeling Tapu Bulu and Kartana. In addition, Curse boosts could be passed to a Pokemon such as Calm Mind Mega Sableye, creating a difficult-to-stop defensive sweeper.
Team Options
========
Pyukumuku fits best on stall teams threatened by sweepers that can beat other Unaware users. These include threats such as Mega Charizard X, Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Manaphy. Mega Sableye is a good partner for Pyukumuku, as it is able to prevent entry hazards and reflect status conditions. In addition, Calm Mind variants appreciate Pyukumuku's Curse boosts. Skarmory and Zapdos are other good partners, as they are able to switch into Grass-types and use Defog. Dugtrio makes a great partner, since it is able to freely come in on the Steel- and Poison-types Pyukumuku lures in via Baton Pass, trapping and removing them. Hidden Power Ice Amoonguss is another possible option, as it is able to come in on Electric- and Grass-types and handle Substitute + Toxic variants of Zygarde. Finally, Chansey and Blissey can switch in on status moves and special Electric- and Grass-type attacks aimed at Pyukumuku, whose Curse boosts also support Calm Mind variants of Blissey, making it a difficult Pokemon to stop.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Counter could be used to KO physical threats more quickly, reducing the risk of fainting to a flinch or critical hit. It also allows Pyukumuku to damage physical Steel- and Poison-types such as Mega Metagross, Mega Mawile, and Alolan Muk. However, after using Counter, Pyukumuku will likely be too weakened to continue checking Pokemon. Soak could be used both to remove STAB and to make Steel- and Poison-type Pokemon susceptible to Toxic. However, the foe can simply reset this by switching out or use the free turn from the use of Soak to set up entry hazards or attack. Memento is an option for more offensively inclined teams, but Pyukumuku is most effective on the stall teams that support it.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass- and Electric-types**: Pokemon such as Tapu Bulu and Tapu Koko are able to OHKO or otherwise force out Pyukumuku. Swords Dance All-Out Pummeling Tapu Bulu in particular can also break through Pyukumuku's common teammates, such as Skarmory.
**Steel- and Poison-types**: Steel- and Poison-type Pokemon are immune to Toxic, forcing Pyukumuku out.
**Substitute**: Pokemon that set up behind a Substitute such as Zygarde and Gyarados are very problematic, as they become immune to Toxic and can eventually PP stall Recover.
**Mega Gyarados**: Mega Gyarados has Mold Breaker, allowing its boosts to bypass Unaware. Substitute and Taunt variants nullify Pyukumuku completely and can use it as setup fodder.
**Taunt**: Taunt completely shuts down Pyukumuku, as the only attacking moves it learns are Counter and Bide.
**Status Users**: If Pyukumuku is affected by burn, poison, or Toxic, it can be 2HKOed by the Pokemon it should check. Mega Sableye is particularly notable, as it can switch in on Pyukumuku's Toxic and Magic Bounce it back or simply use Will-O-Wisp.
**Knock Off**: If Leftovers is removed from Pyukumuku, it could be 2HKOed by the Pokemon it should check, such as Alolan Marowak.
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