[OVERVIEW]
Qwilfish is one of the best Spikes and Toxic Spikes setters in the tier thanks to its decent physical bulk, great defensive typing, and ability Intimidate letting it set entry hazards more easily and blanket check common attackers such as Hitmonchan and Skuntank. It also has access to several other utility options such as Taunt, Destiny Bond, and Thunder Wave, giving it versatility outside of being an entry hazard setter. Qwilfish can also function as a sweeper on rain teams thanks to Swords Dance, a STAB combination only resisted by other Qwilfish, and the ability to absorb Toxic Spikes, a great annoyance to rain builds. However, it lacks reliable recovery, leaving it susceptible to chip damage from hazards and from repeatedly switching into Pokemon it has to check, such as Kangaskhan. Qwilfish's special bulk is rather awful, leaving it vulnerable to special attackers such as Swanna and Eelektross. Even with a near-unresisted STAB combination, Qwilfish can be passive at times, as Scald is rather weak coming off of its feeble Special Attack, and even its physical moves don't hit too hard without investment. On its Swords Dance set, it lacks immediate power compared to other sweepers such as Kabutops and usually relies on rain or a boost to break through walls such as Mesprit. Regardless, Qwilfish's immense utility, decent Speed, and offensive presence under rain make it a top pick for many teams.
[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Scald / Waterfall
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Toxic Spikes / Destiny Bond / Poison Jab
item: Rocky Helmet / Black Sludge
ability: Intimidate
nature: Timid / Jolly
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Spikes racks up chip damage against foes as they switch in and Qwilfish makes for a great setter of the move thanks to its bulk, Intimidate, and its ability to pressure certain removers such as Hitmonchan and physical Skuntank. Scald lets Qwilfish chip away at foes while also spreading burns, crippling foes such as Skuntank and Aggron. Waterfall doesn't have Scald's burn chance, but it deals more damage, especially to Pokemon such as Aurorus. Its flinch chance is also situationally useful, allowing Qwilfish to potentially survive another turn to attack again. Taunt lets Qwilfish shut down slower foes such as Clefairy, Weezing, and Gourgeist-XL, stopping recovery moves, entry hazards, and attempts at setup. It notably stops Defog attempts from slower Pokemon such as Skuntank. Toxic Spikes poisons or badly poisons grounded enemies as they switch in, making it another effective tool against offensive and defensive archetypes alike. Alternatively, Destiny Bond allows Qwilfish to take down slower foes such as Mesprit. It also synergizes well with Taunt, forcing the foe to attack and making them unable to play around Destiny Bond with status moves. Poison Jab targets Pokemon that resist or are immune to Water that may try to switch in, such as Swanna, Jynx, and Ludicolo. It also has a chance to poison, spreading further chip damage. Thunder Wave offers speed control for Qwilfish and its teammates, crippling Pokemon such as Scyther, Swanna, and Jynx. However, it synergizes poorly with Toxic Spikes and Scald, as it drains momentum if used on an already statused foe, and paralyzed foes can no longer be burned or poisoned. Explosion offers a one-time nuke, stopping Rapid Spin and Defog from slower users such as Skuntank and stopping others such as Silvally-Dragon and Rotom-F from switching in for free. It also generates momentum, a valuable asset to the offensive teams Qwilfish may be on. However, it also means that Qwilfish will no longer be able to set hazards or check foes such as Kangaskhan and should thus be used wisely.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed investment along with a Timid or Jolly nature allows Qwilfish to outspeed enemies such as Skuntank and Adamant Kangaskhan. Timid should be chosen if opting for Scald. Jolly is intended for sets utilizing Liquidation and Poison Jab. Intimidate makes Qwilfish fare better versus physical attackers such as Hitmonchan, and, in conjunction with full investment in HP, makes Qwilfish's matchup against physical attackers such as Aggron considerably good. Rocky Helmet racks up chip against users of contact moves such as Skuntank, making up for its passiveness and potentially opening up opportunities to set entry hazards should the foe switch out to avoid further chip. It also racks up damage against U-turn users such as Scyther. Although situational, it can also prevent hazards from being removed if an opposing Rapid Spin user such as Hitmonchan or Kabutops faints from the recoil upon using the move. Black Sludge is an alternative that alleviates chip damage with passive recovery, mainly from hazards and weak attacks such as Hitmonchan's Drain Punch. It also punishes Trick and Switcheroo users such as Manectric, chipping away at their HP. Due to the increased longevity, this is usually the preferred item for balance or bulkier builds.
Usage Tips
========
Qwilfish should be pivoted into physical attackers early- to mid-game and use the weakened enemy as an opportunity to lay Spikes and Toxic Spikes to spread damage throughout the opposing team. Setting hazards should be its main focus early on. Qwilfish can also switch into more passive foes such as Clefairy, shut them down with Taunt, and use the forced switch as a chance to put down its hazards. Taunt should also be used when predicting slower hazard removers such as Skuntank to use Defog. In addition to setting hazards, Qwilfish can also choose to spread status or chip damage with its attacks. Thunder Wave should be used to catch potential switch-ins such as Oricorio-G off guard. Poison Jab can be used in a similar manner as well to surprise Pokemon that resist Water, such as Lanturn and Lilligant. However, if using Scald, double switching to keep up momentum under certain situations is smart, as it's a very weak move, often inviting Pokemon such as Oricorio-E and Mesprit in for free. Double switching should be reserved for when said foe can wreak havoc on Qwilfish's team, either by sweeping with setup moves such as Calm Mind or by breaking through walls with strong attacks. Be wary of opposing Primeape, as Qwilfish's Intimidate activates its Defiant, giving it potential to tear apart your team. Qwilfish should also be careful around physical setup sweepers such as Lycanroc, as they can KO Qwilfish if they set up as Qwilfish switches in. Since Qwilfish is often tasked with checking a multitude of threats, make sure to keep an eye on its health, sacrificing teammates to get it in if necessary. Double switching into wallbreakers as they come in saves Qwilfish valuable HP in the long run. If Qwilfish has been severely weakened, sacrificing it by switching it into physical attackers is acceptable, as it drops their Attack with Intimidate and possibly racks up Rocky Helmet damage, allowing a teammate to revenge kill or set up on the weakened foe. Qwilfish can also be sent out on a free switch to use Destiny Bond or Explosion. The former can be especially surprising and effective if it has not yet been revealed and is used against a slower foe. Explosion can also be used to block Defog and Rapid Spin from slower foes such as Skuntank while damaging them at the same time. Both can even be used when Qwilfish is still healthy if a foe is particularly dangerous to its team, but doing so effectively throws all of Qwilfish's utility out the window, making it a play only rarely worth considering.
Team Options
========
Stealth Rock setters such as Clefairy, Mesprit, and Golurk further increase chip damage on the opposing team. They also support Qwilfish in other ways, such as dealing with special attackers, restoring HP with Healing Wish, and, in Golurk's case, blocking Rapid Spin. Spinblockers prevent spinners such as Hitmonchan and Kabutops from removing the Spikes and Toxic Spikes laid down by Qwilfish. Oricorio-G and Spiritomb fit the bill, with both also offering a better check to Primeape, which Qwilfish fails to beat reliably because of Defiant. The latter also takes advantage of Spikes by picking off weakened threats with Sucker Punch or trapping them with Pursuit, and both check Mesprit, a Pokemon that Qwilfish detests. Primeape functions similarly, but it deters Defog instead, threatening Defog users such as Swanna and Skuntank that may want to remove Qwilfish's entry hazards. In return, it appreciates Qwilfish's ability to take on Gurdurr and Weezing, as well as the chip damage from Spikes aiding it in cleaning up teams with its Choice Scarf set. Wallbreakers and sweepers such as Lycanroc and Kangaskhan greatly appreciate the Spikes support Qwilfish offers, easing their ability to sweep or pick up KOs with their priority moves. Both appreciate Qwilfish's ability to take on Fighting-types. Special tanks such as Eelektross take on the special attackers that Qwilfish hates, such as Mesprit, Lanturn, and Oricorio-G. Eelektross can also bait in Pokemon such as Clefairy and Hitmonchan and pivot out with Volt Switch, giving Qwilfish a chance to lay down hazards. Eelektross also checks Electric-types such as Lanturn and Rotom-F for Qwilfish, while Qwilfish can take on physical attackers such as Kangaskhan in return. Pokemon that dislike Toxic Spikes such as Lycanroc and Silvally-Fairy greatly appreciate Qwilfish's ability to remove the hazard, as it increases their longevity greatly when sweeping or walling. Lycanroc appreciates Qwilfish's Spikes, too, easing a sweep, whereas Silvally-Fairy offers a secondary check to Fighting-types such as Primeape. Bringing secondary checks to Fighting-types in general is preferred, as Qwilfish can't take on Primeape reliably due to Defiant and can be chipped down by Hitmonchan's Thunder Punch. Scyther does the aforementioned and appreciates Qwilfish's Spikes wearing down checks such as Aggron and Regirock and easing its ability to sweep overall.
[SET]
name: Rain Sweeper
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Waterfall / Liquidation
move 3: Poison Jab
move 4: Explosion
item: Life Orb / Waterium Z
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance boosts Qwilfish's Attack, allowing it to sweep teams and burst through walls such as Mesprit. Waterfall is boosted by STAB and rain and has great coverage, hitting most Pokemon for neutral or super effective damage. After Life Orb, rain, and possibly a Swords Dance boost, Liquidation hits slightly harder than Waterfall, achieving things such as a better chance to OHKO defensive Mesprit at +2 after rain and Life Orb boosts. However, Waterfall's flinch chance can sometimes be more important in crucial scenarios. Poison Jab targets Pokemon that resist Waterfall, such as Tangela, Altaria, and Swanna, and together they achieve near-unresisted coverage. Explosion is stronger than both Poison Jab and a rain-boosted Waterfall and can blast through foes that are not in the range of either attack, such as a healthy Lanturn. It also gathers momentum, allowing you to bring in another Pokemon for free. However, the move KOes Qwilfish as well.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack and Speed make Qwilfish as strong and fast as possible, boosting its ability to wallbreak and sweep, especially under rain. An Adamant nature makes Qwilfish even stronger. Jolly allows Qwilfish to outspeed certain Pokemon outside of rain, such as Skuntank, but the considerable drop in power ultimately makes it a poor option. Life Orb offers a consistent power boost at the cost of recoil. Waterium Z is an option that exchanges Life Orb's steady damage output for a one-time nuke, especially under rain, against walls such as Mesprit, chunking even Pokemon that resist the move such as Lanturn and opposing Qwilfish after a boost.
Usage Tips
========
It is highly preferred that Qwilfish be brought in while rain is up, as it boosts both its Speed thanks to Swift Swim and the power of Waterfall, making it far more threatening than it would be otherwise. Qwilfish should be brought in via a slow U-turn from a Pokemon such as Volbeat or after a teammate has been KOed, as Qwilfish's bulk is unremarkable without Intimidate or any sort of defensive investment. Qwilfish can also switch in on weaker attacks, such as a predicted Mach Punch from Hitmonchan. Thanks to Qwilfish's Poison typing, it can be switched in to absorb Toxic Spikes, so if they are up, switching Qwilfish in once given the opportunity can stop them from getting out of hand. Early-game, Qwilfish can be used as a wallbreaker to pave the road for a late-game sweep for a teammate. Alternatively, if the opponent has defensive answers such as Mesprit or their own Qwilfish, partners such as Ludicolo can be brought out first to weaken the team for Qwilfish later on. Swords Dance should be set up either on passive foes such as Clefairy or on forced switches against Pokemon such as Primeape. However, a Swords Dance boost may not always be necessary, as Qwilfish's STAB attacks hit almost the entire tier for neutral damage, and it hits hard with its decent Attack stat and rain-boosted Waterfalls. This is especially true for offensive teams, which usually possess little bulk. Using Explosion versus bulkier foes such as Lanturn when Qwilfish's health is getting low, or any foe for that matter, nets massive damage and restores the momentum in your favor, giving you the opportunity to get another sweeper such as Ludicolo onto the field for free. As Qwilfish is the fastest relevant rain sweeper, it makes for a good revenge killer against faster threats such as Choice Scarf Togedemaru once it gets a free switch in.
Team Options
========
Since Qwilfish is meant to sweep in rain, rain setters such as Mesprit, Volbeat, and Liepard are essential for this set to work. The former provides Stealth Rock support, aiding against foes such as Lanturn and opposing Mesprit, while the latter two have access to Prankster, allowing them to almost always get rain up. Liepard also weakens Mesprit and Lanturn with Knock Off. All three also provide U-turn support to get Qwilfish onto the field safely. Other rain sweepers such as Ludicolo, Omastar, and Kabutops can weaken teams for Qwilfish to sweep later on, and vice versa, with Qwilfish breaking teams to let the three clean better late-game. Ludicolo can threaten Lanturn and physical walls such as opposing Qwilfish, two Pokemon that Qwilfish dislikes taking on. Qwilfish can take on Poliwrath and Tangela for Kabutops, both of which stop it from sweeping. Both also greatly appreciate Qwilfish's ability to absorb Toxic Spikes, as the poison cuts severely into their longevity, and they appreciate its ability to switch into Mach Punch from Gurdurr and Hitmonchan. Checks to Choice Scarf variants of Aurorus and Abomasnow are important, as those two can replace rain with their hail and clean with Blizzard and Freeze-Dry. Hitmonchan, Assault Vest Crabominable, and Togedemaru make for good picks, with the former also stopping Aurorus's partner in crime, Alolan Sandslash, with Mach Punch. The latter can clean up opposing teams, without relying on rain, once Qwilfish and its teammates have done their work and can also pivot them in safely with U-turn.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Investing fully in Defense instead of Speed makes Qwilfish bulkier; however, the extra Speed is highly preferred to outspeed foes such as Stoutland and Adamant Kangaskhan, allowing Qwilfish to use Spikes, Toxic Spikes, or one last attack before going down. Less Speed also means Qwilfish can't Taunt certain foes such as Skuntank before they use status moves. A more offensive twist on Qwilfish's Spikes set exchanges bulk against foes such as Kangaskhan for more offensive presence against foes such as Hitmonchan and Skuntank, as well as chipping away faster at Pokemon that may switch such as Eelektross. This also takes advantage of its near-unresisted STAB attacks. Waterium Z is the item of choice on such a set, offering a one-time nuke against foes such as Mesprit. Pain Split is Qwilfish's best form of recovery, and it can work decently well thanks to Qwilfish's low base HP, although its main options are usually better due to packing more utility. Aqua Jet may seem appealing on offensive sets, being able to surprise faster foes such as Choice Scarf Aurorus, but it is illegal with Swords Dance, forcing Qwilfish to rely purely on items to boost its power, making it weak. Haze helps against certain sweepers such as Power-Up Punch Kangaskhan, but against the vast majority of sweepers such as Gurdurr and Type: Null, Taunt is already sufficient. Even when using Haze over Taunt, Qwilfish still suffers against Lilligant and Oricorio-G, among others. Using Icium Z alongside Haze heals Qwilfish to 100% HP, but the chip damage from Rocky Helmet and the long-term recovery of Black Sludge are more useful. Sludge Bomb can be used on Qwilfish's Spikes set as a complement to Scald in terms of coverage, in addition to providing a chance to poison. However, it's extraordinarily weak, and Poison is a significantly worse offensive typing than Water.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Electric-types**: Electric-types such as Eelektross, Lanturn, and Alolan Raichu all target Qwilfish on its weaker Special Defense and hit it with their super effective STAB attacks. The former two can grab momentum with Volt Switch or disrupt the team with Toxic, Scald, Knock Off, or their coverage options. Alolan Raichu can set up with Nasty Plot and proceed to sweep. Rotom-F can remove Qwilfish's entry hazards with Defog and outspeeds it. Oricorio-E outspeeds Qwilfish as well and can take advantage of it with Taunt and Calm Mind.
**Psychic-types**: Mesprit, Musharna, and Jynx all hit Qwilfish for super effective damage with their STAB attacks. Mesprit can set up Stealth Rock, grab momentum on the forced switch with U-turn, and take a hit from offensive sets under most circumstances. The three can also set up on Qwilfish with Calm Mind, Substitute, or Nasty Plot, assuming they haven't been Taunted. Jynx is immune to Qwilfish's Water-type attacks, allowing it to set up more easily than the other two if Qwilfish is not using Poison Jab.
**Special Attackers**: Pokemon such as Drampa, Alolan Exeggutor, and Oricorio-G all target Qwilfish on its weaker Special Defense. They also take its attacks comfortably, barring Poison Jab in Alolan Exeggutor's case. However, most special attackers don't fare very well against its Swords Dance set under rain.
**Entry Hazard Removal**: As Qwilfish's main niche is centered around setting Spikes and Toxic Spikes, hazard removers such as Swanna can undo most of its work, in addition to taking its attacks fairly well. Others such as Hitmonchan and physical Skuntank can remove hazards as well but have a bit of a harder time taking on Qwilfish itself due to its Intimidate and good physical bulk. However, the former can carry Thunder Punch to deal some chip damage, and the latter can pose a threat with its alternate specially based set. Silvally-Water and Silvally-Dragon both beat Qwilfish one-on-one and can avoid Taunt when running faster spreads.
**Taunt**: Taunt users such as Froslass and Oricorio-G can stop Qwilfish's ability to use utility options such as Spikes, Thunder Wave, and Destiny Bond. Afterwards, they can set up their own hazards, in Froslass's case, or Calm Mind, in Oricorio-G's case. Other Taunt users such as Weezing can stop Qwilfish as well, but (RC) unless they use Taunt as Qwilfish switches in, they are likely going to be outsped and be Taunted themselves.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Darkinium, 448296]]
- Quality checked by: [[allstarapology, 400292], [jklioe, 424692], [UberSkitty, 355061]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [A Cake Wearing A Hat, 388157]]
Qwilfish is one of the best Spikes and Toxic Spikes setters in the tier thanks to its decent physical bulk, great defensive typing, and ability Intimidate letting it set entry hazards more easily and blanket check common attackers such as Hitmonchan and Skuntank. It also has access to several other utility options such as Taunt, Destiny Bond, and Thunder Wave, giving it versatility outside of being an entry hazard setter. Qwilfish can also function as a sweeper on rain teams thanks to Swords Dance, a STAB combination only resisted by other Qwilfish, and the ability to absorb Toxic Spikes, a great annoyance to rain builds. However, it lacks reliable recovery, leaving it susceptible to chip damage from hazards and from repeatedly switching into Pokemon it has to check, such as Kangaskhan. Qwilfish's special bulk is rather awful, leaving it vulnerable to special attackers such as Swanna and Eelektross. Even with a near-unresisted STAB combination, Qwilfish can be passive at times, as Scald is rather weak coming off of its feeble Special Attack, and even its physical moves don't hit too hard without investment. On its Swords Dance set, it lacks immediate power compared to other sweepers such as Kabutops and usually relies on rain or a boost to break through walls such as Mesprit. Regardless, Qwilfish's immense utility, decent Speed, and offensive presence under rain make it a top pick for many teams.
[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Scald / Waterfall
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Toxic Spikes / Destiny Bond / Poison Jab
item: Rocky Helmet / Black Sludge
ability: Intimidate
nature: Timid / Jolly
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Spikes racks up chip damage against foes as they switch in and Qwilfish makes for a great setter of the move thanks to its bulk, Intimidate, and its ability to pressure certain removers such as Hitmonchan and physical Skuntank. Scald lets Qwilfish chip away at foes while also spreading burns, crippling foes such as Skuntank and Aggron. Waterfall doesn't have Scald's burn chance, but it deals more damage, especially to Pokemon such as Aurorus. Its flinch chance is also situationally useful, allowing Qwilfish to potentially survive another turn to attack again. Taunt lets Qwilfish shut down slower foes such as Clefairy, Weezing, and Gourgeist-XL, stopping recovery moves, entry hazards, and attempts at setup. It notably stops Defog attempts from slower Pokemon such as Skuntank. Toxic Spikes poisons or badly poisons grounded enemies as they switch in, making it another effective tool against offensive and defensive archetypes alike. Alternatively, Destiny Bond allows Qwilfish to take down slower foes such as Mesprit. It also synergizes well with Taunt, forcing the foe to attack and making them unable to play around Destiny Bond with status moves. Poison Jab targets Pokemon that resist or are immune to Water that may try to switch in, such as Swanna, Jynx, and Ludicolo. It also has a chance to poison, spreading further chip damage. Thunder Wave offers speed control for Qwilfish and its teammates, crippling Pokemon such as Scyther, Swanna, and Jynx. However, it synergizes poorly with Toxic Spikes and Scald, as it drains momentum if used on an already statused foe, and paralyzed foes can no longer be burned or poisoned. Explosion offers a one-time nuke, stopping Rapid Spin and Defog from slower users such as Skuntank and stopping others such as Silvally-Dragon and Rotom-F from switching in for free. It also generates momentum, a valuable asset to the offensive teams Qwilfish may be on. However, it also means that Qwilfish will no longer be able to set hazards or check foes such as Kangaskhan and should thus be used wisely.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed investment along with a Timid or Jolly nature allows Qwilfish to outspeed enemies such as Skuntank and Adamant Kangaskhan. Timid should be chosen if opting for Scald. Jolly is intended for sets utilizing Liquidation and Poison Jab. Intimidate makes Qwilfish fare better versus physical attackers such as Hitmonchan, and, in conjunction with full investment in HP, makes Qwilfish's matchup against physical attackers such as Aggron considerably good. Rocky Helmet racks up chip against users of contact moves such as Skuntank, making up for its passiveness and potentially opening up opportunities to set entry hazards should the foe switch out to avoid further chip. It also racks up damage against U-turn users such as Scyther. Although situational, it can also prevent hazards from being removed if an opposing Rapid Spin user such as Hitmonchan or Kabutops faints from the recoil upon using the move. Black Sludge is an alternative that alleviates chip damage with passive recovery, mainly from hazards and weak attacks such as Hitmonchan's Drain Punch. It also punishes Trick and Switcheroo users such as Manectric, chipping away at their HP. Due to the increased longevity, this is usually the preferred item for balance or bulkier builds.
Usage Tips
========
Qwilfish should be pivoted into physical attackers early- to mid-game and use the weakened enemy as an opportunity to lay Spikes and Toxic Spikes to spread damage throughout the opposing team. Setting hazards should be its main focus early on. Qwilfish can also switch into more passive foes such as Clefairy, shut them down with Taunt, and use the forced switch as a chance to put down its hazards. Taunt should also be used when predicting slower hazard removers such as Skuntank to use Defog. In addition to setting hazards, Qwilfish can also choose to spread status or chip damage with its attacks. Thunder Wave should be used to catch potential switch-ins such as Oricorio-G off guard. Poison Jab can be used in a similar manner as well to surprise Pokemon that resist Water, such as Lanturn and Lilligant. However, if using Scald, double switching to keep up momentum under certain situations is smart, as it's a very weak move, often inviting Pokemon such as Oricorio-E and Mesprit in for free. Double switching should be reserved for when said foe can wreak havoc on Qwilfish's team, either by sweeping with setup moves such as Calm Mind or by breaking through walls with strong attacks. Be wary of opposing Primeape, as Qwilfish's Intimidate activates its Defiant, giving it potential to tear apart your team. Qwilfish should also be careful around physical setup sweepers such as Lycanroc, as they can KO Qwilfish if they set up as Qwilfish switches in. Since Qwilfish is often tasked with checking a multitude of threats, make sure to keep an eye on its health, sacrificing teammates to get it in if necessary. Double switching into wallbreakers as they come in saves Qwilfish valuable HP in the long run. If Qwilfish has been severely weakened, sacrificing it by switching it into physical attackers is acceptable, as it drops their Attack with Intimidate and possibly racks up Rocky Helmet damage, allowing a teammate to revenge kill or set up on the weakened foe. Qwilfish can also be sent out on a free switch to use Destiny Bond or Explosion. The former can be especially surprising and effective if it has not yet been revealed and is used against a slower foe. Explosion can also be used to block Defog and Rapid Spin from slower foes such as Skuntank while damaging them at the same time. Both can even be used when Qwilfish is still healthy if a foe is particularly dangerous to its team, but doing so effectively throws all of Qwilfish's utility out the window, making it a play only rarely worth considering.
Team Options
========
Stealth Rock setters such as Clefairy, Mesprit, and Golurk further increase chip damage on the opposing team. They also support Qwilfish in other ways, such as dealing with special attackers, restoring HP with Healing Wish, and, in Golurk's case, blocking Rapid Spin. Spinblockers prevent spinners such as Hitmonchan and Kabutops from removing the Spikes and Toxic Spikes laid down by Qwilfish. Oricorio-G and Spiritomb fit the bill, with both also offering a better check to Primeape, which Qwilfish fails to beat reliably because of Defiant. The latter also takes advantage of Spikes by picking off weakened threats with Sucker Punch or trapping them with Pursuit, and both check Mesprit, a Pokemon that Qwilfish detests. Primeape functions similarly, but it deters Defog instead, threatening Defog users such as Swanna and Skuntank that may want to remove Qwilfish's entry hazards. In return, it appreciates Qwilfish's ability to take on Gurdurr and Weezing, as well as the chip damage from Spikes aiding it in cleaning up teams with its Choice Scarf set. Wallbreakers and sweepers such as Lycanroc and Kangaskhan greatly appreciate the Spikes support Qwilfish offers, easing their ability to sweep or pick up KOs with their priority moves. Both appreciate Qwilfish's ability to take on Fighting-types. Special tanks such as Eelektross take on the special attackers that Qwilfish hates, such as Mesprit, Lanturn, and Oricorio-G. Eelektross can also bait in Pokemon such as Clefairy and Hitmonchan and pivot out with Volt Switch, giving Qwilfish a chance to lay down hazards. Eelektross also checks Electric-types such as Lanturn and Rotom-F for Qwilfish, while Qwilfish can take on physical attackers such as Kangaskhan in return. Pokemon that dislike Toxic Spikes such as Lycanroc and Silvally-Fairy greatly appreciate Qwilfish's ability to remove the hazard, as it increases their longevity greatly when sweeping or walling. Lycanroc appreciates Qwilfish's Spikes, too, easing a sweep, whereas Silvally-Fairy offers a secondary check to Fighting-types such as Primeape. Bringing secondary checks to Fighting-types in general is preferred, as Qwilfish can't take on Primeape reliably due to Defiant and can be chipped down by Hitmonchan's Thunder Punch. Scyther does the aforementioned and appreciates Qwilfish's Spikes wearing down checks such as Aggron and Regirock and easing its ability to sweep overall.
[SET]
name: Rain Sweeper
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Waterfall / Liquidation
move 3: Poison Jab
move 4: Explosion
item: Life Orb / Waterium Z
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance boosts Qwilfish's Attack, allowing it to sweep teams and burst through walls such as Mesprit. Waterfall is boosted by STAB and rain and has great coverage, hitting most Pokemon for neutral or super effective damage. After Life Orb, rain, and possibly a Swords Dance boost, Liquidation hits slightly harder than Waterfall, achieving things such as a better chance to OHKO defensive Mesprit at +2 after rain and Life Orb boosts. However, Waterfall's flinch chance can sometimes be more important in crucial scenarios. Poison Jab targets Pokemon that resist Waterfall, such as Tangela, Altaria, and Swanna, and together they achieve near-unresisted coverage. Explosion is stronger than both Poison Jab and a rain-boosted Waterfall and can blast through foes that are not in the range of either attack, such as a healthy Lanturn. It also gathers momentum, allowing you to bring in another Pokemon for free. However, the move KOes Qwilfish as well.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack and Speed make Qwilfish as strong and fast as possible, boosting its ability to wallbreak and sweep, especially under rain. An Adamant nature makes Qwilfish even stronger. Jolly allows Qwilfish to outspeed certain Pokemon outside of rain, such as Skuntank, but the considerable drop in power ultimately makes it a poor option. Life Orb offers a consistent power boost at the cost of recoil. Waterium Z is an option that exchanges Life Orb's steady damage output for a one-time nuke, especially under rain, against walls such as Mesprit, chunking even Pokemon that resist the move such as Lanturn and opposing Qwilfish after a boost.
Usage Tips
========
It is highly preferred that Qwilfish be brought in while rain is up, as it boosts both its Speed thanks to Swift Swim and the power of Waterfall, making it far more threatening than it would be otherwise. Qwilfish should be brought in via a slow U-turn from a Pokemon such as Volbeat or after a teammate has been KOed, as Qwilfish's bulk is unremarkable without Intimidate or any sort of defensive investment. Qwilfish can also switch in on weaker attacks, such as a predicted Mach Punch from Hitmonchan. Thanks to Qwilfish's Poison typing, it can be switched in to absorb Toxic Spikes, so if they are up, switching Qwilfish in once given the opportunity can stop them from getting out of hand. Early-game, Qwilfish can be used as a wallbreaker to pave the road for a late-game sweep for a teammate. Alternatively, if the opponent has defensive answers such as Mesprit or their own Qwilfish, partners such as Ludicolo can be brought out first to weaken the team for Qwilfish later on. Swords Dance should be set up either on passive foes such as Clefairy or on forced switches against Pokemon such as Primeape. However, a Swords Dance boost may not always be necessary, as Qwilfish's STAB attacks hit almost the entire tier for neutral damage, and it hits hard with its decent Attack stat and rain-boosted Waterfalls. This is especially true for offensive teams, which usually possess little bulk. Using Explosion versus bulkier foes such as Lanturn when Qwilfish's health is getting low, or any foe for that matter, nets massive damage and restores the momentum in your favor, giving you the opportunity to get another sweeper such as Ludicolo onto the field for free. As Qwilfish is the fastest relevant rain sweeper, it makes for a good revenge killer against faster threats such as Choice Scarf Togedemaru once it gets a free switch in.
Team Options
========
Since Qwilfish is meant to sweep in rain, rain setters such as Mesprit, Volbeat, and Liepard are essential for this set to work. The former provides Stealth Rock support, aiding against foes such as Lanturn and opposing Mesprit, while the latter two have access to Prankster, allowing them to almost always get rain up. Liepard also weakens Mesprit and Lanturn with Knock Off. All three also provide U-turn support to get Qwilfish onto the field safely. Other rain sweepers such as Ludicolo, Omastar, and Kabutops can weaken teams for Qwilfish to sweep later on, and vice versa, with Qwilfish breaking teams to let the three clean better late-game. Ludicolo can threaten Lanturn and physical walls such as opposing Qwilfish, two Pokemon that Qwilfish dislikes taking on. Qwilfish can take on Poliwrath and Tangela for Kabutops, both of which stop it from sweeping. Both also greatly appreciate Qwilfish's ability to absorb Toxic Spikes, as the poison cuts severely into their longevity, and they appreciate its ability to switch into Mach Punch from Gurdurr and Hitmonchan. Checks to Choice Scarf variants of Aurorus and Abomasnow are important, as those two can replace rain with their hail and clean with Blizzard and Freeze-Dry. Hitmonchan, Assault Vest Crabominable, and Togedemaru make for good picks, with the former also stopping Aurorus's partner in crime, Alolan Sandslash, with Mach Punch. The latter can clean up opposing teams, without relying on rain, once Qwilfish and its teammates have done their work and can also pivot them in safely with U-turn.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
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Investing fully in Defense instead of Speed makes Qwilfish bulkier; however, the extra Speed is highly preferred to outspeed foes such as Stoutland and Adamant Kangaskhan, allowing Qwilfish to use Spikes, Toxic Spikes, or one last attack before going down. Less Speed also means Qwilfish can't Taunt certain foes such as Skuntank before they use status moves. A more offensive twist on Qwilfish's Spikes set exchanges bulk against foes such as Kangaskhan for more offensive presence against foes such as Hitmonchan and Skuntank, as well as chipping away faster at Pokemon that may switch such as Eelektross. This also takes advantage of its near-unresisted STAB attacks. Waterium Z is the item of choice on such a set, offering a one-time nuke against foes such as Mesprit. Pain Split is Qwilfish's best form of recovery, and it can work decently well thanks to Qwilfish's low base HP, although its main options are usually better due to packing more utility. Aqua Jet may seem appealing on offensive sets, being able to surprise faster foes such as Choice Scarf Aurorus, but it is illegal with Swords Dance, forcing Qwilfish to rely purely on items to boost its power, making it weak. Haze helps against certain sweepers such as Power-Up Punch Kangaskhan, but against the vast majority of sweepers such as Gurdurr and Type: Null, Taunt is already sufficient. Even when using Haze over Taunt, Qwilfish still suffers against Lilligant and Oricorio-G, among others. Using Icium Z alongside Haze heals Qwilfish to 100% HP, but the chip damage from Rocky Helmet and the long-term recovery of Black Sludge are more useful. Sludge Bomb can be used on Qwilfish's Spikes set as a complement to Scald in terms of coverage, in addition to providing a chance to poison. However, it's extraordinarily weak, and Poison is a significantly worse offensive typing than Water.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Electric-types**: Electric-types such as Eelektross, Lanturn, and Alolan Raichu all target Qwilfish on its weaker Special Defense and hit it with their super effective STAB attacks. The former two can grab momentum with Volt Switch or disrupt the team with Toxic, Scald, Knock Off, or their coverage options. Alolan Raichu can set up with Nasty Plot and proceed to sweep. Rotom-F can remove Qwilfish's entry hazards with Defog and outspeeds it. Oricorio-E outspeeds Qwilfish as well and can take advantage of it with Taunt and Calm Mind.
**Psychic-types**: Mesprit, Musharna, and Jynx all hit Qwilfish for super effective damage with their STAB attacks. Mesprit can set up Stealth Rock, grab momentum on the forced switch with U-turn, and take a hit from offensive sets under most circumstances. The three can also set up on Qwilfish with Calm Mind, Substitute, or Nasty Plot, assuming they haven't been Taunted. Jynx is immune to Qwilfish's Water-type attacks, allowing it to set up more easily than the other two if Qwilfish is not using Poison Jab.
**Special Attackers**: Pokemon such as Drampa, Alolan Exeggutor, and Oricorio-G all target Qwilfish on its weaker Special Defense. They also take its attacks comfortably, barring Poison Jab in Alolan Exeggutor's case. However, most special attackers don't fare very well against its Swords Dance set under rain.
**Entry Hazard Removal**: As Qwilfish's main niche is centered around setting Spikes and Toxic Spikes, hazard removers such as Swanna can undo most of its work, in addition to taking its attacks fairly well. Others such as Hitmonchan and physical Skuntank can remove hazards as well but have a bit of a harder time taking on Qwilfish itself due to its Intimidate and good physical bulk. However, the former can carry Thunder Punch to deal some chip damage, and the latter can pose a threat with its alternate specially based set. Silvally-Water and Silvally-Dragon both beat Qwilfish one-on-one and can avoid Taunt when running faster spreads.
**Taunt**: Taunt users such as Froslass and Oricorio-G can stop Qwilfish's ability to use utility options such as Spikes, Thunder Wave, and Destiny Bond. Afterwards, they can set up their own hazards, in Froslass's case, or Calm Mind, in Oricorio-G's case. Other Taunt users such as Weezing can stop Qwilfish as well, but (RC) unless they use Taunt as Qwilfish switches in, they are likely going to be outsped and be Taunted themselves.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Darkinium, 448296]]
- Quality checked by: [[allstarapology, 400292], [jklioe, 424692], [UberSkitty, 355061]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [A Cake Wearing A Hat, 388157]]
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