asa
PU Leader
[OVERVIEW]
Shiftry possesses several unique qualities that make it a decent, if niche, Defog user. Its typing and Synthesis allow it to reliably handle offensive threats like Jellicent, Trevenant, and Coil Sandaconda. These traits also let Shiftry easily threaten common entry hazard setters like Gigalith and Sandslash. Shiftry is also good at pressuring foes like Charizard and Doublade, which pester other entry hazard removers, because of its decent offenses and powerful STAB Knock Off. However, Shiftry's defensive typing leaves it vulnerable to many common threats, such as Ribombee and Scrafty. Shiftry is also 4x weak to U-turn, which means it usually must cede momentum to users like Togedemaru and does not reliably check Wishiwashi. To make matters worse, Shiftry sits at an awkward Speed tier, with prevalent threats such as Gallade outrunning it and pressuring it out as a result. Finally, though Shiftry tends to be less passive than other entry hazard removers like Eldegoss and Whimsicott, they are more consistent due to their better defensive profiles and utility movepools.
[SET]
name: Defog
move 1: Defog
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Leaf Storm
move 4: Synthesis
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Pickpocket
nature: Timid
evs: 248 HP / 164 Def / 96 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
By running a defensive set, Shiftry can check foes like Gigalith and offensive Sandslash while comfortably supporting its team throughout the game. Leaf Storm is Shiftry's strongest viable STAB move and doesn't become weaker if Shiftry gets burned. 96 Speed EVs let Shiftry outspeed Timid Jellicent. Pickpocket punishes foes like Audino for removing Shiftry's Heavy-Duty Boots by stealing a foes' item. Clerics such as Ribombee can keep Shiftry healthy in case it gets statused, which is not unlikely given it likes to switch in on defensive Water- and Ground-types. Ribombee also checks Fighting-types like Scrafty and appreciates Shiftry for punishing switch-ins like Charizard with Knock Off. Shiftry should be paired with Pokemon that can exploit the Steel- and Poison-types that it tends to draw in. Doublade and Galarian Articuno are offensive Pokemon that fulfill this role and benefit from Shiftry removing entry hazards for them. Walls like Sandaconda and Wishiwashi also serve this purpose on top of better handling Gigalith. Sandaconda can also run Rocky Helmet to punish the use of U-turn, with Shiftry's typing making it easier to bait the move out.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[asa, 400292]]
- Quality checked by: [[avarice, 346653], [MZ, 202117]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Adeleine, 517429]]
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