Reuniclus (OU Analysis)
Abilities: Overcoat, Magic Guard, Regenerator (DW)
Strategies
Trick Room Setup
Reuniclus: Quiet Nature w/ Life Orb
Stats @ +0: 404 HP, 166 Atk, 200 Def, 383 Sp. Atk, 213 Sp. Def, 58 Speed
Moveset
Move 1: Trick Room
Move 2: Psychic/Psyshock
Move 3: Shadow Ball
Move 4: Focus Blast
Set comments
This is the main set for Reuniclus that allows it to set up Trick Room and have the potential to sweep with nearly perfect neutral coverage. Shadow Ball is to take out other Psychics such as other Reuniclus and Espeon. Psychic is the main STAB move here, while Psyshock can be used alternatively if Blissey gives you the blues. Focus Blast is great for coverage, but that shaky 70% accuracy is risky, so at a 105 Base Power HP Fighting (Counting Life Orb) can be substituted for perfect accuracy, and it can still prove to be deadly against Darks, especially Weavile and Scrafty. With a Base 125 Special Attack Stat, it will be demolishing anything that doesn’t resist these moves. You can opt for Thunder, Energy Ball or even Grass Knot instead of Focus blast if Waters are bugging you. Energy Ball is preferred if you run this alternative for Thunder has that uneasy 70% accuracy and misses can’t be afforded. Another usable move is Flash Cannon, but has redundant coverage if paired with Focus Blast or HP Fighting.
Bulky Support
EV’s: Bold: 252 HP/156 Def/100 Sp. Def Bold or Calm: 252 HP/120 Def/136 Sp. Def
Bold Nature
Stats @ +0: 424 HP, 149 Atk, 246 Def, 285 Sp. Atk, 230 Sp. Def, 96 Speed
Calm Nature
Stats @ +0: 424 HP, 149 Atk, 215 Def, 285 Sp. Atk, 262 Sp. Def, 96 Speed
Moveset
Move 1: Psychic
Move 2: Reflect/LightScreen/Calm Mind/Substitute
Move 3: Reflect/Light Screen/Calm Mind/Recover
Move 4: Thunder Wave/Toxic
Set Comments
This is a good 3 support+1 attack basis, and Reuniclus is versatile and bulky enough to carry out many supporting options from spreading paralysis to toxic stalling to becoming a fearsome special wall with an attack to sweep. After one Calm Mind, Reuniclus’ special stats become 428 and 345 or 393 with Bold and Calm nature respectively, and Reuniclus can become a special or, to an extent, mixed tank. Opting for Dual Screens and Light Clay allow Reuniclus to be able to set up or stall, depending on the moves you choose. Reuniclus has a great variety of support options to choose from, and the psychic Jell-O has the bulk to pull it off effectively. Just remember to use the right moves and Reuniclus will be a great addition to your team. However, be careful of Darks as they can rain on your parade and brush off attacks (for they have immunity), but they can still be crippled by status.
Additional Set Comments
You are able to run Modest Nature on the Trick Room set, but it could be “outslowed” by a variety of pokemon, so 0 Speed IV’s and Quiet Nature are necessary in these sets. Explosion is an option in that set as well but is outclassed by Reuniclus’ vastly superior Special Attack. Confuse Ray can be used in the support set, but Thunder Wave is generally the better option.
Team Options
Conkeldurr, Machamp and Scrafty are all great partners to counter Reuniclus’ Dark Weakness, and Conkeldurr usually packs Mach Punch so Weavile is generally disposed of. A Bug type such as Yanmega or Accelgor aren’t bad partners to hit with Special Attacks, but are relatively frail compared to Conkeldurr. Another useful partner is Scizor, as it not only scares off Dark types with Superpower, but can kill with banded Technician priority moves like Bullet Punch.
Checks and Counters
Even though Reuniclus packs Focus Blast/HP Fighting, Dark Types such as Weavile and Scrafty will pose a problem to him. Either fighting type move could be used, but Focus Blast carries the chance of missing. Also, Gyarados is generally a good counter if Reuniclus doesn’t carry Thunder, and it’s physical prowess can muscle through Reuniclus’ bulk, as does Scizor.
