Abejas
Yo where Ken at
[OVERVIEW]
Scrafty is a great setup sweeper due to the combination of its unique typing, great bulk, and amazing abilities. Said unique typing gives Scrafty great STAB moves, including Knock Off, High Jump Kick, and Drain Punch, which let it handle common Dark-, Ghost-, and Psychic-types such as Incineroar, Rotom, and Slowking . Thanks to its great bulk, Scrafty has an easy time setting up on passive Pokemon and can make teams that depend on common defensive cores, like Steelix + Slowbro and Vaporeon + Silvally-Steel, really struggle. The ability Shed Skin gives Scrafty a way to also set up on Pokemon like Rotom and Slowbro, which rely on spreading status conditions with moves like Will-O-Wisp and Toxic.
However, Scrafty has a really poor Speed tier, making it easy to revenge kill with common Choice Scarf users like Passimian and other fast Pokemon like Whimsicott and Sceptile even after a Dragon Dance boost. It's also extremely susceptible to Fairy-types, like Diancie, Aromatisse, and Comfey, and Pokemon that run Fairy-type coverage moves, such as Mismagius and Delphox.
[SET]
name: Bulk Up
move 1: Bulk Up
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Drain Punch
move 4: Rest
item: Leftovers
ability: Shed Skin
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Bulk Up provides Scrafty with a way to boost its Attack and Defense stats by one stage, making it a threatening setup sweeper. Knock Off is the main STAB move and allows Scrafty to cripple counters, such as Diancie, Passimian and Golbat, by removing their items while also doing decent damage. Having Drain Punch as Scrafty's secondary STAB move gives it a form of recovery while also decently damaging bulky Stealth Rock users like Steelix and Rhydon and smacking Dark-types such as Incineroar and Sneasel. Rest gives Scrafty an additional form of recovery, and the sleep penalty can be cured by Shed Skin.
Set Details
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The investment in HP and Special Defense paired with a Careful nature maximizes Scrafty's special bulk while taking minimal damage from entry hazards. Leftovers gives Scrafty a form of passive recovery throughout the match. Shed Skin is the ability of choice because it provides it a great way to absorb and then cure status like sleep induced by Rest.
Usage Tips
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Scrafty should generally use its Shed Skin and great bulk to switch into passive Pokemon, like Slowbro, Palossand, Vaporeon and Ferroseed, and status-inducing moves. Thanks to its ability, Scrafty can be used as a great status absorber for teams that struggle against Pokemon like Slowbro and Rotom. While it's in play, Scrafty should use Knock Off to cripple its checks and counters like Passimian, Diancie and Whimsicott. Once these checks are weakened, it will have an easier time setting up and pressuring defensive teams. Since it's 4x weak to Fairy, Scrafty should be cautious of Pokemon like Mismagius and Delphox, which can carry Dazzling Gleam, and Fairy-types like Mega Audino and Comfey.
Team Options
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Due to Scrafty's lack of immediate power, Pokemon that provide entry hazard support, such as Garbodor, Ferroseed, Steelix, and Rhydon, make great partners and give Scrafty an easier way to pressure its checks and counters. Garbodor, Ferroseed, and Steelix can also deal with Fairy-type Pokemon such as Whimsicott and Comfey, while Rhydon and Steelix can handle Flying-type Pokemon like Braviary and Scyther. Silvally-Steel also makes a great partner because it can check most Fairy-type Pokemon and creates setup opportunities with Parting Shot. Scrafty appreciates Psychic-type Pokemon such as Slowbro, Slowking and Delphox because they deal with threatening Fighting- and Poison-types like Passimian, Garbodor, and Vileplume. Pokemon like Passimian, Guzzlord, and Roseli Berry Druddigon can run super effective coverage to lure in and KO Fairy-type Pokemon, helping Scrafty remove these Pokemon from the game.
[SET]
name: Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: High Jump Kick
move 4: Drain Punch / Iron Tail
item: Chople Berry / Fightinium Z
ability: Shed Skin / Moxie
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Dragon Dance is Scrafty's main way of setting up, boosting its Attack and Speed stats by one stage. High Jump Kick is the strongest STAB move that Scrafty can use, causing decent damage to most of its checks, including Passimian, Whimsicott, and Diancie. Knock Off is Scrafty's most spammable STAB move and can hit Ghost- and Psychic-types like Decidueye, Mismagius, and Delphox for super effective damage. It also has the ability to remove items and do great damage to a good part of the metagame. Removing items can be very helpful, as it allows Scrafty to cripple Comfey and Golbat. Drain Punch gives Scrafty a more reliable Fighting-type attack that can also provide recovery and increase its longevity. Iron Tail is an option to deal with Fairy-types like Whimsicott, Aromatisse, Diancie, and Comfey, which resist all of Scrafty's STAB moves.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack and Speed EVs with a Jolly nature maximize Scrafty's offensive presence while letting it outspeed base 110 Speed Pokemon after one Dragon Dance boost. Chople Berry allows Scrafty to survive moves like Passimian's Close Combat at full HP. Shed Skin gives Scrafty a chance to cure any status condition that could otherwise cripple it. Fightinium Z can be run alongside Moxie to provide Scrafty with a strong move that can give an Attack boost if it manages to KO the opposing Pokemon.
Usage Tips
========
You should use Knock Off and High Jump Kick early-game to weaken Scrafty's checks and counters. Knock Off should be used to remove items from checks like Comfey and Golbat, while High Jump Kick should be used to weaken checks such as Passimian and Whimsicott. However, High Jump Kick should not be used recklessly, as a Ghost-type like Decidueye, Rotom, or Palossand could switch in. Once the majority of Scrafty's check and counters are weakened, try to set up on Pokemon that can't heavily damage it like Steelix, Cryogonal, and Palossand. However, if Scrafty isn't using Shed Skin, it should worry about status conditions from Scald and Toxic users like Slowbro and Blastoise. If it's paired with Healing Wish support, you can use Scrafty early-game to break defensive cores and weaken the opposing team, then switch it out to be used again if needed. If Scrafty is holding a Chople Berry, it has an easier time setting up even if the opponent has a Fighting-type Pokemon such as Passimian. If you have one Dragon Dance up while facing a Choice Scarf Passimian, set up again because you can outspeed the following turn and do a lot of damage.
Team Options
========
Garbodor, Rhydon, and Ferroseed make great partners for Scrafty because they can provide entry hazard support, making it easier to whittle down Scrafty's check and counters, and are great Fairy- and Flying-type checks. Silvally-Steel can be a great partner, dealing with Fairy-types and providing setup opportunities with Parting Shot. Palossand, Vileplume, and Mesprit all make great teammates thanks to their countering Fighting-types. Mesprit especially makes a great partner since it can provide Healing Wish and Stealth Rock support. This gives you the ability to use Scrafty in a more aggressive way early-game to seriously weaken its counters and sweep later on.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Choice Band provides Scrafty with immediate power, but it can't use its great setup options and can be easily exploited by Ghost- and Psychic-types. Stone Edge and Ice Punch are options on Dragon Dance sets, having the ability to lure in and KO Golbat and Vileplume. Iron Head is a more accurate option over Iron Tail on Dragon Dance sets; however, the drop in power is generally not worth it. Intimidate can give you an easier time when setting up on Pokemon like Incineroar, Steelix, and Rhydon, but it leaves Scrafty more vulnerable to status moves like Toxic and Will-O-Wisp.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-type Pokemon**: Pokemon like Diancie, Mega Audino, Whimsicott, and Comfey take Scrafty's hits and OHKO it back. Comfey's Triage Draining Kiss makes it a particularly great stop to Dragon Dance sets.
**Poison-type Pokemon**: Garbodor resists Scrafty's Fighting-type STAB moves, takes Knock Off, and can punish Scrafty with Rocky Helmet damage, Drain Punch, and setting Spikes. Vileplume can be a pain for Scrafty to deal with because it can easily take Knock Off, resist its Fighting-type moves, and retaliate with Moonblast. Golbat can sponge all of Scrafty's moves and do great damage in return thanks to Brave Bird; however, it has to fear losing its item due to Knock Off.
**Fighting-type Pokemon**: Choice Scarf Passimian is one of Scrafty's most common checks due to its great bulk and Speed tier. Passimian resists Scrafty's Dark-type STAB moves while also taking its Fighting-type STAB moves and OHKOing it in return with Close Combat. Hariyama can also take all of Scrafty's moves and OHKO it with Close Combat. Medicham can punish Bulk Up sets, as it can OHKO Scrafty with High Jump Kick even after two Defense boosts.
**Flying-type Pokemon**: Braviary is a reliable check to Scrafty, being able to take every hit and OHKO it with Brave Bird. Vivillion is also a solid check, resisting Scrafty's Fighting-type moves while absorbing Knock Offs with Flyinium Z and OHKOing it with Supersonic Skystrike.
**Fast Pokemon**: Whimsicott, Sceptile, and common Choice Scarf users such as Passimian and Braviary are solid checks due to having the ability to outspeed and OHKO Scrafty even after a Dragon Dance boost.
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