[Overview]
Shinx is the only Pokemon in Little Cup with access to Intimidate and a pivoting move, giving it a niche as a physically defensive pivot. Thanks to Intimidate and its Electric typing, it is also an incredibly reliable counter to Fletchling and other Flying-types. Pure Electric typing is a mixed bag for Shinx; it is only weak to one type, but it only resists three. Shinx's poor base stats and sparse movepool leave it unable to do anything outside of its specific niche, and it faces heavy competition from most other Electric-types. Shinx is additionally hindered by its lack of recovery moves, forcing it to use Berry Juice in order to repeatedly fill its niche.
[SET]
name: Intimidate Pivot
move 1: Wild Charge
move 2: Thief
move 3: Volt Switch
move 4: Toxic / Thunder Wave
ability: Intimidate
item: Berry Juice
evs: 156 HP / 76 Atk / 244 Def / 4 SpD
ivs: 0 Spe
nature: Relaxed
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Wild Charge nets KOs on the Flying-types Shinx counters. Thief allows Shinx to steal a foe's item once its Berry Juice is gone and offers general neutral coverage. Volt Switch is only present for pivoting purposes and is very weak due to negative investment. Toxic cripples bulky switch-ins that don't mind its Electric-type attacks, while Thunder Wave potentially cripples fast switch-ins, though Thunder Wave is generally less useful than Toxic.
Set Details
========
The EVs provided maximize Shinx's HP and Defense in order to take advantage of Intimidate as much as possible. 0 Speed IVs and a negative nature help Shinx function better as a pivot, as it underspeeds a majority of other pivots and thus can switch after the foe. Berry Juice provides Shinx with the recovery it otherwise lacks; Eviolite is somewhat redundant due to Intimidate but also boosts Shinx's Special Defense, though the longevity Berry Juice provides is generally more useful.
Usage Tips
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Shinx's job is to beat physical attackers, specifically Flying-types such as Fletchling. As such, switch it in on Flying-types as often as possible. However, be careful of Pokemon that may carry super effective coverage moves, such as Earthquake Archen. Additionally, you must play incredibly carefully when facing a team that features Diglett, as a Fletchling U-turn into it will spell instant doom for Shinx. Try to use Intimidate as much as possible while being aware of Pawniard, which will gain a Defiant boost in the event of a predicted switch. Finally, remember to make good use of Thief, as it provides Shinx with an opportunity to steal an item to heal itself or an opportunity to gain additional bulk.
Team Options
========
Shinx is completely ineffective against Ground-, Grass-, and Electric-types such as Drilbur and Chinchou, aside from being able to hit them with Toxic. Bulky Grass-types such as Foongus and Eviolite Snover form strong defensive cores with Shinx by beating those Ground-, Grass-, and Electric-types, and Shinx returns the favor by eliminating the Flying-types that hurt them. Because Shinx can remove Flying-types, it pairs well offensively with bulky Fighting-types such as Timburr; these teammates provide insurance against Pawniard should your opponent make a crafty double switch. Finally, anything that values Intimidate support — specifically, setup sweepers — can benefit from Shinx's utility. For example, Snivy is a bit frail physically, and thus enjoys Shinx's support; it also forms a Shinx / Grass-type core like the ones mentioned above.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
If you dislike recoil, you could run Spark over Wild Charge; however, Shinx is incredibly weak and Spark misses out on many important KOs. Thief can also be replaced by Ice or Fire Fang for better attacking coverage. Specifically, Ice Fang helps Shinx not be totally demolished by Diglett, and Fire Fang does good damage against Ferroseed and Snover; however, the damage is so pitiful in other cases that Volt Switching out would almost always be a better option. Replacing Thief would also remove much of Shinx's staying power and utility. If you'd like to mix up the set, Shinx has access to Guts and can thus perform decently as a status absorber, but this set is generally outclassed by Timburr. Finally, Shinx can hit 17 Attack and 14 Speed and has access to a pivoting move; as such, it can somewhat viably run a Choice Scarf set. However, its attacks have low Base Power and shallow coverage, leaving it generally outclassed.
Checks & Counters
===================
**Diglett**: Unlike against most Pokemon, Diglett can easily switch into Shinx; due to Arena Trap, Shinx will be unable to switch out and will be KOed.
**Pokemon Immune to Electric**: Electric immune Pokemon are unaffected by Thunder Wave, Volt Switch, and Wild Charge, making them excellent Shinx counters. Additionally, Ground-types such as Drilbur can OHKO Shinx even through Intimidate.
**Special Attackers**: Special attackers don't mind Intimidate and can thus exploit Shinx's poor Special Defense; this issue is augmented when using Berry Juice Shinx. Magnemite is particularly dangerous due to its Electric resistance and immunity to Toxic.
**Bulky Attackers**: Shinx is easily switched into, and anything with recovery easily deals with it, especially Timburr, which benefits from Thunder Wave and Toxic due to Guts and sets up on Shinx. Shinx also struggles with Porygon and other particularly bulky Pokemon, which don't really mind anything Shinx throws at them.
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