Skuntank revamp QC [0/3]

TTK

TTK

Last Train
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[OVERVIEW]
  • Skuntank is an excellent pokemon in the PU metagame, thanks to its unique Poison / Dark typing, access to support moves such as Defog, Taunt and Memento and ability to run a good amount of viable sets and as such, can fit onto a multitude of different teams.
  • With access to Pursuit and Sucker Punch, Skuntank is able to check Psychic- and Ghost- type pokemon like Mesprit and Froslass while being able to revenge kill faster, frailer pokemon like Dodrio.
  • Its Dark typing gives it to useful immunity to Psychic-type moves from the ever common Mesprit and immunity to Prankster from the likes of Sableye.
  • Skuntank is also one of the PU tier's best hazard removers thanks to its Poison typing removing Toxic Spikes and using Defog to remove other hazards. It has good matchups against some of the best hazard setters such as Mesprit and Froslass.
  • Skuntank possesses a decent Speed tier, good Attack stat and good physical and special movepool, enable it to run both a physical and special set, making Skuntank quite the unpredictable offensive Pokemon in the tier.
  • Despite the good role compression Skuntank offers, its stats across the stats range from decent to mediocre, meaning it isn't particularly fantastic when it comes to wallbreaking and can be checked both offensively and defensively.
  • It also faces competition with Sandslash-Alola as a hazard remover as Sandslash-Alola has a better defensive typing and is better at handling physical attackers.
  • However, Skuntank's diverse utility, ability to fit on most teams and great offensive typing in the tier still makes it a great pick for any team.
[SET]
name: Physical Defog
move 1: Defog
move 2: Pursuit
move 3: Sucker Punch / Crunch
move 4: Poison Jab
item: Rocky Helmet / Black Sludge
ability: Aftermath
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
  • Pursuit enables Skuntank is trap weakened opposing Pokemon or Pokemon weak to its Dark-type attacks, like Haunter or Raichu-Alola.
  • Sucker Punch helps Skuntank revenge kill faster threats such as Dodrio and Lycanroc and gives Skuntank priority to threaten faster set-up sweepers like Carracosta and Oricorio-E.
  • Crunch can be run over Sucker Punch for a stronger STAB attack that deals more damage to foes like Jellicent and Mesprit but prevents Skuntank from dealing with faster Pokemon that Sucker Punch allows it to check more reliably.
  • Poison Jab lets Skuntank hit Dark-resistant Pokemon such as Hitmonchan and Guzzlord and allows it to check Grass-type Pokemon like Ludicolo and Lurantis. Poison Jab also enables you to deal with Fairy-types like Silvally-Fairy and Clefairy.
Set Details
========
  • Maximum investment in Attack and Speed allow Skuntank to hit as hard as possible and to be at its maximum potential Speed.
  • An Adamant nature gives Skuntank a stronger Sucker Punch but Jolly lets it outspeed Adamant Kangaskhan and Jolly Absol.
  • Aftermath lets Skuntank deal 25% to any Pokemon that takes it out with a contact attack.
  • Rocky Helmet punishes physical attackers with contact moves like Gurdurr and U-turn Mesprit and works well in conjunction with Aftermath, letting an opposing Pokemon take a good amount of damage if it takes out Skuntank with a contact attack.
  • Black Sludge provides Skuntank with passive recovery and improves its longevity as a hazard remover.
Usage Tips
========
  • Skuntank is a good check against Psychic-type Pokemon such as Jynx and Mesprit and can be brought in against predicted Psychic-type attacks and proceed to Pursuit trap them.
  • Use Sucker Punch to revenge kill faster foes like Simisear and Dodrio but this may force mind games due to the fact that they can use setup moves in Nasty Plot and Swords Dance respectively to outplay Sucker Punch.
  • Skuntank is able to use Defog against foes that are passive, like Clefairy or foes whose STAB Skuntank resist, like Haunter and Roselia and Skuntank is capable of forcing these Pokemon out.
  • An immunity to Prankster guarantees a safe switch-in against Pokemon like Liepard and Sableye to Defog easily.
  • Over the course of the game, if Skuntank is weakened, you can bring it in to get knocked out by physical attackers like Primeape and Stoutland and let them take Aftermath damage in addition to potential Rocky Helmet damage and gain momentum for your teammates.
Team Options
========
  • Mesprit is one notable partner for Skuntank, as it is a Ground immunity and covers Skuntank's only weakness. Skuntank, in addition, covers Mesprit's Ghost and Dark weaknesses and Pursuit traps Ghost-types such as Golurk, Oricorio-G and Jellicent, which give Mesprit trouble. Furthermore, Mesprit can break through common checks to Skuntank such as Gurdurr and Qwilfish and offers Healing Wish support to improve Skuntank's longevity.
  • Skuntank complements well with Primeape, which is able to revenge kill sweepers like Lycanroc. Primeape also possesses a fast U-turn and is able to pivot Skuntank in against Fighting resists like Sableye and Oricorio-G.
  • Wallbreakers like Aurorus and Stoutland appreciate Skuntank being able to remove hazards, particularly Toxic Spikes, which can easily hinder their longevity. Aurorus also breaks through physical walls like Tangela and Mudsdale, giving Skuntank an easier time carrying out its role.
  • Skuntank also works well with Hitmonchan, since Skuntank is able to Pursuit trap Psychic- and Ghost-types like Mesprit and Haunter who resist its STAB. Hitmonchan functions as a special defense pokemon that can take hits from faster special attackers like Manectric and Ludicolo while under rain.

[SET]
name: Special Defog
move 1: Defog
move 2: Dark Pulse
move 3: Acid Spray
move 4: Fire Blast / Taunt / Sucker Punch
item: Rocky Helmet / Black Sludge
ability: Aftermath
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
  • Dark Pulse is Skuntank's most reliable Dark-STAB attack and has a 30% chance to flinch an opposing Pokemon.
  • Acid Spray halves an opponent's Special Defense stat, allowing Skuntank to break through special walls such as Lanturn and Type: Null alongside Dark Pulse.
  • Fire Blast enables Skuntank to OHKO Sandslash-Alola after Stealth Rock and enables it not to get walled and checked by it.
  • Taunt shut downs hazard setters like Regirock and defensive Pokemon like Audino and Articuno, which rely on spreading status.
  • Alternatively, Sucker Punch gives Skuntank priority. However, without Attack investment, it is quite weak but it can reliably deal with really frailer Pokemon like Haunter and Jynx while also being able to take out Raichu-Alola with some prior chip damage.
Set Details
========
  • Maximum investment in Special Attack and Speed allow Skuntank to hit as hard as possible and to be as fast as possible.
  • Timid nature is preferred to outspeed Adamant Kangaskhan, Timid Mesprit and Jolly Kabutops.
  • Modest is another option for nature but you fail to outspeed the aforementioned Pokemon but in return, your attacks deal more damage.
  • Black Sludge is also run on this set to provide passive recovery and improves longevity.
  • Darkinium Z is an alternate option that provides Skuntank with a stronger attack over recovery and deals a significant amount to opposing Pokemon after 1 use of Acid Spray.
Usage Tips
========
  • Skuntank is still able to check Psychic- and Ghost-types like Raichu-Alola and Haunter and these Pokemon likely swap out against Skuntank in fear of Pursuit. Skuntank can use Acid Spray to break the switch in's Special Defense and break through that Pokemon.
  • Skuntank is also able to freely Defog against Ghost-types like Jellicent and Froslass due to the fact that it doesn't mind for the Will-O-Wisp burns they provide and can absorb burns for its teammates.
  • This Skuntank severely struggles against foes such as Assault Vest Hitmonchan, which tanks most of its attacks, even its Z-Move at -2 Special Defense. Skuntank should ensure it should save its Z-Move until these foes are dealt with.
  • Special Skuntank has a better matchup against hazard setters like Aggron and Qwilfish and they struggle against the combination of Acid Spray and Dark Pulse.
Team Options
========
  • Skuntank has trouble breaking through specially bulky Pokemon, even with the use of Acid Spray and Dark Pulse. Assault Vest Hitmonchan especially just shuts down Skuntank. Physical attackers like Stoutland and Aggron break through these specially bulky Pokemon. Skuntank is able take burns from Will-O-Wisp users like Froslass and force it out.
  • Skuntank is suspectible to chip damage over the course of the game and appreciates Healing Wish support from Mesprit. Mesprit also possesses a slow U-turn, a Ground immunity and Stealth Rock and does a good job at keeping Skuntank healthy, especially when Skuntank is not running Black Sludge.
  • Fighting-types like Gurdurr and Primeape appreciate Skuntank being able to deal with physical walls like Jellicent and Tangela while they are able to deal with special walls like Type: Null.
  • Setup sweepers like Omastar and Dodrio also complement well with Skuntank as Skuntank is able to remove Toxic Spikes and is able to Defog away Spikes and Stealth Rock, which reduces the longevity of these setup sweepers. Dodrio is also able to threaten Hitmonchan with its STAB Brave Bird, one of this set's biggest checks and Omastar checks Mudsdale reliably.

[SET]
name: All-out Attacker
move 1: Pursuit
move 2: Sucker Punch / Play Rough
move 3: Crunch
move 4: Poison Jab
item: Choice Band / Black Glasses
ability: Aftermath
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
  • Pursuit enables Skuntank is trap weakened opposing Pokemon or Pokemon weak to its Dark-type attacks, like Haunter or Raichu-Alola.
  • Sucker Punch helps Skuntank revenge kill faster threats such as Dodrio and Lycanroc and gives Skuntank priority to threaten faster set-up sweepers like Carracosta and Oricorio-E.
  • Play Rough is a nice option to OHKO Guzzlord, as Guzzlord is able to take any of your attacks and take you out straight away with a Draco Meteor or Devasting Drake.
  • Crunch is Skuntank's more reliable STAB attack and unlike Sucker Punch, does not fail if the opposing Pokemon uses a status move. It prevents Skuntank from losing to faster Substitute users like Raichu-Alola.
  • Poison Jab lets Skuntank hit Dark-resistant Pokemon such as Gurdurr and Absol for neutral damage and has a 30% chance to poison, crippling switchins to Skuntank like Carracosta.
Set Details
========
  • Maximum investment in Attack and Speed allow Skuntank to have maximum damage output while being as fast as possible.
  • An Adamant nature gives Skuntank alongside Choice Band lets it hit incredibly hard
  • Rocky Helmet punishes physical attackers with contact moves like Gurdurr and U-turn Mesprit and works well in conjunction with Aftermath, letting an opposing Pokemon take a good amount of damage if it takes out Skuntank with a contact attack.
  • Black Sludge provides Skuntank with passive recovery and improves its longevity as a hazard remover.
Usage Tips
========
  • Skuntank can be utilised as a revenge killer with the power of a Choice Band boosted Sucker Punch and is able to pick off faster pokemon like Dodrio and Lycanroc.
  • Skuntank is also used as a Pursuit trapper, trapping Mesprit, Haunter and Jellicent and this can help teammates that struggle against these pokemon.
  • This set is shut down by burns from Will-o-Wisp or Scald so be cautious around pokemon like Froslass and Lanturn. Froslass outspeeds you and will always go for the Will-o-Wisp if it has it however Lanturn cannot switch into Skuntank and you shouldn't switch in Skuntank against a potential Scald.
  • Being locked into a particular move is also detrimental for Skuntank so be careful what move you decide to lock into. Being locked into Sucker Punch lets Omastar or Gurdurr set up for free and Pursuit also invites in the aforementioned pokemon due to its low Base Power.
Team Options
========
  • Mesprit is always a good partner for Skuntank thanks to its Ground immunity, slow U-turn and Healing Wish support to keep Skuntank healthy. Mesprit is also a good Fighting resist, handling Gurdurr and Hitmonchan while Skuntank Pursuit traps Ghost-types like Oricorio-G and Haunter and checks Dark-types like Shiftry.
  • Hitmonchan offers hazard removal in Rapid Spin and helps Skuntank last longer in a game. Hitmonchan is also a specially defensive pokemon that handles faster special attackers like Rotom-F and Simisear, which Skuntank has trouble handling. In return, Skuntank can Pursuit trap Psychic-types like Mesprit and Claydol and also handle the aforementioned who are immune to Hitmonchan's Fighting-STAB.

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Poison Jab
move 2: Crunch
move 3: Pursuit / Foul Play
move 4: Memento / Explosion
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Aftermath
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
  • Pursuit enables Skuntank is trap weakened opposing Pokemon or Pokemon weak to its Dark-type attacks, like Haunter or Raichu-Alola.
  • Sucker Punch helps Skuntank revenge kill faster threats such as Dodrio and Lycanroc and gives Skuntank priority to threaten faster set-up sweepers like Carracosta and Oricorio-E.
  • Play Rough is a nice option to OHKO Guzzlord, as Guzzlord is able to take any of your attacks and take you out straight away with a Draco Meteor or Devasting Drake.
  • Crunch is Skuntank's more reliable STAB attack and unlike Sucker Punch, does not fail if the opposing Pokemon uses a status move. It prevents Skuntank from losing to faster Substitute users like Raichu-Alola.
  • Poison Jab lets Skuntank hit Dark-resistant Pokemon such as Gurdurr and Absol for neutral damage and has a 30% chance to poison, crippling switchins to Skuntank like Carracosta.
Set Details
========
  • Maximum investment in Attack and Speed allow Skuntank to have maximum damage output while being as fast as possible.
  • An Adamant nature gives Skuntank alongside Choice Band lets it hit incredibly hard
  • Aftermath lets Skuntank deal 25% to any Pokemon that takes it out with a contact attack.
  • Rocky Helmet punishes physical attackers with contact moves like Gurdurr and U-turn Mesprit and works well in conjunction with Aftermath, letting an opposing Pokemon take a good amount of damage if it takes out Skuntank with a contact attack.
  • Black Sludge provides Skuntank with passive recovery and improves its longevity as a hazard remover.
Usage Tips
========
  • As a scarfer, this Skuntank set aims to revenge kill weakened pokemon, particularly pokemon that would be faster than Skuntank without a Choice Scarf, like Lycanroc and Froslass.
  • Be aware of what move Skuntank locks itself into. You are able Pursuit trap pokemon like Haunter and Jynx however setup sweepers like Carracosta and Oricorio-E can exploit that and become threats. Poison Jab invites in Steel-types like Aggron and you lose momentum.
  • Memento or Explosion should be used when Skuntank is no longer required and helps make momentum for its teammates like Dodrio and Ludicolo.
Team Options
========
  • Choice Scarf Skuntank appreciates hazards being present to make up for its lackluster damage output. Spike setters like Froslass and Qwilfish pair well with Skuntank since they are able to carry out this task. Skuntank synergizes well with these pokemon as it is able to Pursuit trap Ghost-types for Froslass and Psychic-types for Qwilfish.
  • Fighting-types also appreciate Skuntank being able to Pursuit trap Ghost- and Psychic-type pokemon. Gurdurr, Hitmonchan and Primeape all have an easier time when their threats like Mesprit and Jellicent are dealt with and Skuntank is also able to check Dodrio.
  • In addition, setup sweepers like Omastar and Dodrio appreciate Skuntank's Memento which gives them a free switch and easier time to set up safely.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
  • Z-Hone Claws is another offensive Skuntank set that gives the benefits of an attack boost like Choice Band but without the hindrance of being locked in but you are stuck deciding what move to choose between Crunch, Pursuit and Sucker Punch.
  • Running Memento as a replacement for its other support moves is also a decent option to enable setup sweepers to get in safely. Z-Memento has the added bonus of healing a pokemon to full HP with Darkinium Z.
  • Shuca Berry allows Skuntank to tank at least 1 Ground attack from the likes of Dugtrio-Alola and Colbur Berry Golurk and is reliably able to beat these pokemon.
  • Black Glasses is an additional item that could be run on the Defog sets that boosts the power of Skuntank's Dark-STAB and can pressure pokemon like Sandslash-Alola more easily. However, Rocky Helmet is better for punishing physical contact attackers like Gurdurr and Black Sludge offers Skuntank the longevity it needs to be a more reliable hazard setter.

Checks and Counters
===================

Ground-types: Ground-types like Mudsdale and Quagsire are able to defensive check Skuntank, due to their natural bulk and threaten Skuntank with its only weakness, their STAB attacks. They both struggle to deal reliably with a special set if they switch into an Acid Spray, letting them be broken down by Dark Pulse and especially Black Hole Eclipse. Other Ground-types like Dugtrio-Alola and Golurk check Skuntank offensively. The latter can take a hit and OHKO with Earthquake while the former outspeeds and can outplay with Substitute.

Fighting-types: Fighting-types like Gurdurr and Hitmonchan can take Skuntank's Dark-STAB attacks. Gurdurr walls physical sets while Hitmonchan can handle special sets. Primeape is also a notable threat, being able to come in on a predicted Defog and boost its Attack with Defiant and is able to outspeed Skuntank.

Defensive Walls: Physical Skuntank sets find themselves getting walled from pokemon such as Carracosta and Regirock and take little damage from its attacks. Special sets are walled by Assault Vest Hitmonchan, Type: Null and Assault Vest Eelektross. The latter two can struggle if they switch into an Acid Spray but even after an Acid Spray, the former is still a good check.


[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Toy Time King, <userid1>]]
- Quality checked by: [[<username1>, <userid1>], [<username2>, <userid2>], [<username3>, <userid3>]]
- Grammar checked by: [[<username1>, <userid1>], [<username2>, <userid2>]]
 
Last edited:
I'm going to have to lock and reassign this since it's very clearly plagiarized directly from the current on-site analysis for Skuntank. This goes directly against analysis rules and general plagiarism rules and completely invalidates the point of doing a revamp since 99% of the information is thinly reworded from what we already have. This is also going to come with a writing ban until the infraction wears off, although you can finish Qwilfish since it's already in GP and it looked fine.
 
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