[SET]
name: Life Orb
move 1: Poltergeist
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Shadow Sneak
move 4: Rock Tomb / Bulk Up
item: Life Orb
ability: Technician
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Marshadow's respectable ability in Technician, good Speed tier, and great movepool allow it to threaten the majority of the metagame, including Necrozma-DM, Ho-Oh, and specially defensive Yveltal. Powerful STAB moves in Poltergeist and Close Combat give Marshadow neutral coverage against the entire metagame. Shadow Sneak revenge kills various faster Pokemon and boosted threats that have been weakened such as Calyrex-S, Swords Dance Rayquaza, and even Zacian-C. In the last slot, Rock Tomb OHKOes Ho-Oh and lowers the foe's Speed. Alternatively, Bulk Up transforms Marshadow into a formidable sweeper; Bulk Up Marshadow significantly damages walls such as Ho-Oh and specially defensive Eternatus and sets up on forced switches or certain walls, such as Necrozma-DM.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
This set is able to fit on a variety of teams, since it does not fear being locked into a move. Zacian-C and Xerneas pair well with each other and appreciate a teammate like Marshadow that can defeat Necrozma-DM. This set is worn down very quickly, so bringing it in carefully, especially with slow pivoting or double switches, is vital. Hazard support such as Stealth Rock or even Toxic Spikes allows Marshadow to meet benchmarks such as KOing untransformed defensive Zygarde at +2. Wallbreakers such as Calyrex-S and Groudon can weaken Marshadow's checks to help it sweep late-game. Bulk Up Marshadow can effectively utilize Dynamax to break through targets that it couldn't otherwise, such as Zygarde-C and Eternatus. As such, offensive partners that don't rely on Dynamax maximize the team's offensive potential. The aforementioned Zacian-C pairs well due to the ability to heavily pressure each other's checks. Eternatus also fits well, as it can remove Zygarde-C, which otherwise walls Marshadow.
[SET]
name: Choice Band Wallbreaker
move 1: Poltergeist
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Shadow Sneak
move 4: Rock Tomb / Spectral Thief / Ice Punch
item: Choice Band
ability: Technician
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Close Combat threatens the Dark-type and Normal-type Pokemon that resist or are immune to Poltergeist, 2HKOing Yveltal and OHKOing Tyranitar and Blissey. Shadow Sneak, boosted by Technician, lets Marshadow revenge kill faster or boosted Pokemon such as Calyrex-S, Mewtwo, weakened Zacian-C, Xerneas, and Zekrom. Technician-boosted Rock Tomb can OHKO Ho-Oh and does hefty damage to defensive Yveltal while also having utility in lowering the foe's Speed. Alternatively, Spectral Thief can be used to check slower sweepers such as Calm Mind Kyogre and is more reliable than Poltergeist. Ice Punch allows Marshadow to heavily dent Zygarde-C, which would otherwise wall it, and also eases prediction by providing a coverage move that can hit both Yveltal and Eternatus. A Jolly nature is preferred to outpace Modest Eternatus and Speed tie with opposing Marshadow but an Adamant nature can be used to increase damage output.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
This set can be paired with Pokemon that appreciate its ability to break through walls like Necrozma-DM, Ho-Oh, and Lunala and revenge kill Pokemon such as unboosted Calyrex-S, Yveltal, Kyogre, and Palkia. Zacian-C pairs very well with this set, as it can pivot into Eternatus, Sucker Punch Yveltal, and Xerneas, and Play Rough variants can lure defensive Zygarde-C for Marshadow lacking Ice Punch. In return, Marshadow can force out and take advantage of Calyrex-S and Necrozma-DM, two of Zacian-C's common checks, and Ice Punch variants can weaken defensive Zygarde-C for Zacian-C lacking Play Rough. Xerneas can also severely punish Dark-types seeking to switch into Marshadow's Ghost-type STAB moves, using them as setup bait and threatening to sweep with Geomancy. Meanwhile, Marshadow receives opportunities to wallbreak by double switching into common Xerneas answers like Necrozma-DM, Chansey, and Ferrothorn while potentially weakening or removing Ho-Oh for Xerneas. Marshadow is rather frail and should avoid switching directly into attacks such as Necrozma-DM's Sunsteel Strike and Yveltal's or Tyranitar's Foul Play, so try to get it in via double switches and slow pivoting. Stealth Rock support allows Marshadow to achieve KOs on Kyogre and offensive Yveltal, although it has to be wary of Sucker Punch from the latter, while Defog prevents entry hazards from wearing down Marshadow as it repeatedly switches in and out over the course of a match. Imposter-proofing Marshadow is fairly straightforward and can be done with Ho-Oh, defensive Yveltal, Zygarde, Groudon, and defensive Xerneas.
Other Options
=============
A Choice Scarf set can revenge kill almost the entire metagame, checking boosted sweepers such as Dragon Dance Zygarde, Zekrom, and Groudon, but is very weak and relies on surprise factor. On the Life Orb set, Spectral Thief can be used over Poltergeist at the cost of power, checking certain setup Pokemon such as Calm Mind Kyogre and Coil Zygarde while also targeting foes behind Substitute.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Zygarde**: Zygarde walls Marshadow lacking Ice Punch, using its gigantic bulk to shrug off Marshadow's attacks with ease and either cripple it with Glare or use Coil if Marshadow lacks Spectral Thief.
**Faster Pokemon**: Pokemon such as Life Orb Eternatus, Choice Scarf users, and Zacian-C all can manage to comfortably outspeed Marshadow and KO it, but they must be wary of Shadow Sneak if they are weakened. Calyrex-S can revenge kill Choice Band Marshadow locked into a move other than Shadow Sneak.
**Flying-types**: Although they must be wary of Marshadow's coverage, Ho-Oh and Yveltal can pivot in and scout Marshadow's item and moves somewhat safely.
**Fairy-types:** Xerneas can threaten to KO Marshadow if healthy. It can comfortably set up on Choice Band Marshadow locked into a move that isn't Ghost-type and threaten to sweep.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[WolfishOne, 512812]]
- Quality checked by: [[Baconeatinassassin, 367227], [Icemaster, 464176]]
- Grammar checked by: [[lotiasite, 302985]], 302985]]
name: Life Orb
move 1: Poltergeist
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Shadow Sneak
move 4: Rock Tomb / Bulk Up
item: Life Orb
ability: Technician
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Marshadow's respectable ability in Technician, good Speed tier, and great movepool allow it to threaten the majority of the metagame, including Necrozma-DM, Ho-Oh, and specially defensive Yveltal. Powerful STAB moves in Poltergeist and Close Combat give Marshadow neutral coverage against the entire metagame. Shadow Sneak revenge kills various faster Pokemon and boosted threats that have been weakened such as Calyrex-S, Swords Dance Rayquaza, and even Zacian-C. In the last slot, Rock Tomb OHKOes Ho-Oh and lowers the foe's Speed. Alternatively, Bulk Up transforms Marshadow into a formidable sweeper; Bulk Up Marshadow significantly damages walls such as Ho-Oh and specially defensive Eternatus and sets up on forced switches or certain walls, such as Necrozma-DM.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
This set is able to fit on a variety of teams, since it does not fear being locked into a move. Zacian-C and Xerneas pair well with each other and appreciate a teammate like Marshadow that can defeat Necrozma-DM. This set is worn down very quickly, so bringing it in carefully, especially with slow pivoting or double switches, is vital. Hazard support such as Stealth Rock or even Toxic Spikes allows Marshadow to meet benchmarks such as KOing untransformed defensive Zygarde at +2. Wallbreakers such as Calyrex-S and Groudon can weaken Marshadow's checks to help it sweep late-game. Bulk Up Marshadow can effectively utilize Dynamax to break through targets that it couldn't otherwise, such as Zygarde-C and Eternatus. As such, offensive partners that don't rely on Dynamax maximize the team's offensive potential. The aforementioned Zacian-C pairs well due to the ability to heavily pressure each other's checks. Eternatus also fits well, as it can remove Zygarde-C, which otherwise walls Marshadow.
[SET]
name: Choice Band Wallbreaker
move 1: Poltergeist
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Shadow Sneak
move 4: Rock Tomb / Spectral Thief / Ice Punch
item: Choice Band
ability: Technician
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Close Combat threatens the Dark-type and Normal-type Pokemon that resist or are immune to Poltergeist, 2HKOing Yveltal and OHKOing Tyranitar and Blissey. Shadow Sneak, boosted by Technician, lets Marshadow revenge kill faster or boosted Pokemon such as Calyrex-S, Mewtwo, weakened Zacian-C, Xerneas, and Zekrom. Technician-boosted Rock Tomb can OHKO Ho-Oh and does hefty damage to defensive Yveltal while also having utility in lowering the foe's Speed. Alternatively, Spectral Thief can be used to check slower sweepers such as Calm Mind Kyogre and is more reliable than Poltergeist. Ice Punch allows Marshadow to heavily dent Zygarde-C, which would otherwise wall it, and also eases prediction by providing a coverage move that can hit both Yveltal and Eternatus. A Jolly nature is preferred to outpace Modest Eternatus and Speed tie with opposing Marshadow but an Adamant nature can be used to increase damage output.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
This set can be paired with Pokemon that appreciate its ability to break through walls like Necrozma-DM, Ho-Oh, and Lunala and revenge kill Pokemon such as unboosted Calyrex-S, Yveltal, Kyogre, and Palkia. Zacian-C pairs very well with this set, as it can pivot into Eternatus, Sucker Punch Yveltal, and Xerneas, and Play Rough variants can lure defensive Zygarde-C for Marshadow lacking Ice Punch. In return, Marshadow can force out and take advantage of Calyrex-S and Necrozma-DM, two of Zacian-C's common checks, and Ice Punch variants can weaken defensive Zygarde-C for Zacian-C lacking Play Rough. Xerneas can also severely punish Dark-types seeking to switch into Marshadow's Ghost-type STAB moves, using them as setup bait and threatening to sweep with Geomancy. Meanwhile, Marshadow receives opportunities to wallbreak by double switching into common Xerneas answers like Necrozma-DM, Chansey, and Ferrothorn while potentially weakening or removing Ho-Oh for Xerneas. Marshadow is rather frail and should avoid switching directly into attacks such as Necrozma-DM's Sunsteel Strike and Yveltal's or Tyranitar's Foul Play, so try to get it in via double switches and slow pivoting. Stealth Rock support allows Marshadow to achieve KOs on Kyogre and offensive Yveltal, although it has to be wary of Sucker Punch from the latter, while Defog prevents entry hazards from wearing down Marshadow as it repeatedly switches in and out over the course of a match. Imposter-proofing Marshadow is fairly straightforward and can be done with Ho-Oh, defensive Yveltal, Zygarde, Groudon, and defensive Xerneas.
Other Options
=============
A Choice Scarf set can revenge kill almost the entire metagame, checking boosted sweepers such as Dragon Dance Zygarde, Zekrom, and Groudon, but is very weak and relies on surprise factor. On the Life Orb set, Spectral Thief can be used over Poltergeist at the cost of power, checking certain setup Pokemon such as Calm Mind Kyogre and Coil Zygarde while also targeting foes behind Substitute.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Zygarde**: Zygarde walls Marshadow lacking Ice Punch, using its gigantic bulk to shrug off Marshadow's attacks with ease and either cripple it with Glare or use Coil if Marshadow lacks Spectral Thief.
**Faster Pokemon**: Pokemon such as Life Orb Eternatus, Choice Scarf users, and Zacian-C all can manage to comfortably outspeed Marshadow and KO it, but they must be wary of Shadow Sneak if they are weakened. Calyrex-S can revenge kill Choice Band Marshadow locked into a move other than Shadow Sneak.
**Flying-types**: Although they must be wary of Marshadow's coverage, Ho-Oh and Yveltal can pivot in and scout Marshadow's item and moves somewhat safely.
**Fairy-types:** Xerneas can threaten to KO Marshadow if healthy. It can comfortably set up on Choice Band Marshadow locked into a move that isn't Ghost-type and threaten to sweep.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[WolfishOne, 512812]]
- Quality checked by: [[Baconeatinassassin, 367227], [Icemaster, 464176]]
- Grammar checked by: [[lotiasite, 302985]], 302985]]
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