ScraftyIsTheBest
On to new Horizons!
With Froslass getting the boot a long time ago this thing is really viable.
I'm a Puffer Fish that creates Spikes
[SET]
name: Spikes Lead
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Taunt
move 3: Destiny Bond / Explosion
move 4: Waterfall
item: Focus Sash
ability: Intimidate
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Although Qwilfish is commonly seen as a defensively oriented threat, it can utilize its decent speed and access to useful utility moves to become a fast Spikes lead. While at first glance this set might seem outclassed by other suicide Spikers such as Scolipede, Accelgor, and Smeargle, Qwilfish stands out with its access to useful utility moves such as Taunt and Destiny Bond. Even without any defensive investment, Qwilfish's resistances to the common Fire- and Fighting-type moves and Intimidate still give it some defensive utility. Spikes is the centerpiece of this set, as Qwilfish aims to set up multiple layers of the move for its team. Taunt gives Qwilfish good utility against defensive teams, as well as preventing setup. Destiny Bond allows Qwilfish to take down an opponent once it has completed its job of laying hazards. Explosion, however, also allows Qwilfish to go out with a bang to deal damage, and allows Qwilfish to pseudo-spinblock against Blastoise or Hitmontop. Finally, Waterfall is Qwilfish's best STAB move, and provides it a way to deal some damage if needed.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EV spread maximizes Speed to ensure Qwilfish can set up entry hazards as quickly as possible. A Focus Sash is a very useful item to keep Qwilfish alive so it can set up at least one layer of Spikes. Even though Qwilfish is not going defensive with this set, Intimidate is still a useful ability, and can allow Qwilfish to make good use of its resistances to take hits from common threats such as Darmanitan, Heracross, and Mienshao. Toxic Spikes can be used over Destiny Bond or Explosion if poisoning opponents should prove useful; but with the ubiquity of threats such as Roserade and Nidoqueen, the entry hazard is hard to utilize. An alternate EV spread with maximum Attack can be used in conjunction with Explosion to deal heavy damage. Poison Jab can be used over Waterfall if you want to hit Shaymin and occasionally poison Blastoise and Slowbro; beyond that, however, Poison is a poor offensive type and is generally not worth it. Since Qwilfish lays Spikes and is generally powerless against most spinners, a spinblocker is always appreciated. Cofagrigus and Chandelure are both great picks for spinblockers, and can also take advantage of the Spikes that Qwilfish sets up to deal with opponents more easily. In addition, late-game sweepers such as Heracross, Raikou, Krookodile, and Yanmega can all benefit from the Spikes support Qwilfish provides, as this can allow them to KO opposing targets more easily and continue their sweeps.</p>
I'm a Puffer Fish that creates Spikes
[SET]
name: Spikes Lead
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Taunt
move 3: Destiny Bond / Explosion
move 4: Waterfall
item: Focus Sash
ability: Intimidate
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Although Qwilfish is commonly seen as a defensively oriented threat, it can utilize its decent speed and access to useful utility moves to become a fast Spikes lead. While at first glance this set might seem outclassed by other suicide Spikers such as Scolipede, Accelgor, and Smeargle, Qwilfish stands out with its access to useful utility moves such as Taunt and Destiny Bond. Even without any defensive investment, Qwilfish's resistances to the common Fire- and Fighting-type moves and Intimidate still give it some defensive utility. Spikes is the centerpiece of this set, as Qwilfish aims to set up multiple layers of the move for its team. Taunt gives Qwilfish good utility against defensive teams, as well as preventing setup. Destiny Bond allows Qwilfish to take down an opponent once it has completed its job of laying hazards. Explosion, however, also allows Qwilfish to go out with a bang to deal damage, and allows Qwilfish to pseudo-spinblock against Blastoise or Hitmontop. Finally, Waterfall is Qwilfish's best STAB move, and provides it a way to deal some damage if needed.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EV spread maximizes Speed to ensure Qwilfish can set up entry hazards as quickly as possible. A Focus Sash is a very useful item to keep Qwilfish alive so it can set up at least one layer of Spikes. Even though Qwilfish is not going defensive with this set, Intimidate is still a useful ability, and can allow Qwilfish to make good use of its resistances to take hits from common threats such as Darmanitan, Heracross, and Mienshao. Toxic Spikes can be used over Destiny Bond or Explosion if poisoning opponents should prove useful; but with the ubiquity of threats such as Roserade and Nidoqueen, the entry hazard is hard to utilize. An alternate EV spread with maximum Attack can be used in conjunction with Explosion to deal heavy damage. Poison Jab can be used over Waterfall if you want to hit Shaymin and occasionally poison Blastoise and Slowbro; beyond that, however, Poison is a poor offensive type and is generally not worth it. Since Qwilfish lays Spikes and is generally powerless against most spinners, a spinblocker is always appreciated. Cofagrigus and Chandelure are both great picks for spinblockers, and can also take advantage of the Spikes that Qwilfish sets up to deal with opponents more easily. In addition, late-game sweepers such as Heracross, Raikou, Krookodile, and Yanmega can all benefit from the Spikes support Qwilfish provides, as this can allow them to KO opposing targets more easily and continue their sweeps.</p>
[SET]
name: Spikes Lead
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Taunt
move 3: Destiny Bond / Explosion
move 4: Waterfall
item: Focus Sash
ability: Intimidate
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
name: Spikes Lead
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Taunt
move 3: Destiny Bond / Explosion
move 4: Waterfall
item: Focus Sash
ability: Intimidate
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
- Qwilfish is commonly seen as a defensive Pokemon, but it can go for the fast route and set up fast Spikes in the early game
- Stands out from Scolipede, Accelgor, and Smeargle with its resistances and access to cool utility moves like Taunt and Destiny Bond
- Even though it's a suicide lead, resisting Fighting and Fire still gives it a bit of defensive utility, albeit not as much as the standard defensive set
- This set works best on offense
- Spikes is an obvious move, and within it is Qwilfish's main niche
- Taunt deters setup, and also provides decent insurance against stall
- Destiny Bond is a great move to go for a kill when Qwilfish is about to go down
- Waterfall serves as obligatory STAB; the flinch rate can also come in handy at times
- The Speed and Jolly nature are there so Qwilfish can get Spikes up as quickly as possible
- Focus Sash so Qwilfish can get at least one or two layers of Spikes up
- Even though Qwilfish isn't going defensive, Intimidate is still a good ability and allows it to soften blows from physical attackers, especially with threats like Darmanitan and Heracross being ubiquitous
- 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe is useful with Explosion
- Poison Jab is alright if you're looking to poison Blastoise on occasion, outside of that the move has really bad coverage
- Spinblockers like Cofagrigus or Chandelure are useful in case spinners are around; they also fare decently against Xatu; Cofagrigus also appreciates Spikes to better sweep with OTR
- Sweepers that appreciate Spikes support are welcome; Moxie Heracross/Krookodile, Raikou, Scrafty, etc.
- A way to handle Electric-types, Qwilfish's greatest enemy, is also useful; Rhyperior is a great candidate for that
Qwilfish is a great Spiker, and with Froslass getting the boot, Qwilfish is the closest you can get to a replacement for it. Its great defensive typing, as has been shown, really helps in its ability to set up Spikes well, and its decent Speed is not anything to overlook. Regardless of the fact that there are other suicide leads present like Smeargle, Scolipede, and Accelgor, Qwilfish has access to great utility moves in Destiny Bond and Taunt, which give it the edge.
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