Part 1
Disclaimer: most NFE Pokemon are in fact not viable, but I think it's fun to see what niche they might have and how they can be used in the tier. I do not advise anyone to bring most of these sets against good players and expect to win, but rather to have fun exploring sets that you likely would never use otherwise.
In part one of this series, I will discuss several Pokemon who are not fully evolved, but are in a tier higher than NFE. These Pokemon are Corsola-Galar, Doublade, Gurdurr, Ferroseed, Haunter, Piloswine, Rhydon, and Sneasel.
Starting off the list is everyone's favorite dead seaweed. Corsola is currently in the UU tier. Because Corsola is a very viable Pokemon in the monotype format, it has a monotype analysis already written about it that can be found here. To summarize: It can set stealth rock, as well as be a wall to physical attackers thanks to Will-O-Wisp and Strength Sap, with reliable recovery and very good natural bulk. The standard set can be imported here.
Corsola-Galar @ Eviolite
Ability: Cursed Body
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Night Shade
- Will-O-Wisp
- Strength Sap
- Haze
Ability: Cursed Body
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Night Shade
- Will-O-Wisp
- Strength Sap
- Haze
Doublade is currently in the UU tier. It is the un-evolved form of Aegislash, who has found a solid place in Sword and Shield's OU tier. One thing that Doublade can do that Aegislash cannot is to help out ghost teams versus Bisharp. Even while in its shield form, Aegislash is knocked out in one hit by Bisharp unless it is running a Colbur Berry, which would disallow it from using a more useful item such as Weakness Policy, Leftovers, or Band/Specs. Doublade on the other hand can simply run Eviolite and Life Orb knock off will do max 75%, and then Doublade can kill it with an un-boosted Close Combat. The same goes for Weavile and other common knockers. Here is an example set that can do these things:
Doublade @ Eviolite
Ability: No Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Shadow Sneak
- Iron Head
- Close Combat
Ability: No Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Shadow Sneak
- Iron Head
- Close Combat
One of the main things that Gurdurr can do that Conkeldurr cannot is be on the same team as Conkeldurr. Due to the Species Clause in the monotype tier, each team is limited to a maximum of one Conkeldurr. However, what Gurdurr offers to fighting monotype teams is another, albeit slightly weaker, Conkeldurr. A possible spread for this type of Gurdurr can be found here:
Gurdurr @ Flame Orb
Ability: Guts
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Drain Punch
- Mach Punch
- Knock Off
- Facade
Ability: Guts
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Drain Punch
- Mach Punch
- Knock Off
- Facade
Fishious Rend vs. Conkeldurr: 252+ Atk Strong Jaw Dracovish Fishious Rend (170 BP) vs. 68 HP / 0 Def Conkeldurr: 372-438 (101 - 119%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Fishious Rend vs. Gurdurr: 252+ Atk Strong Jaw Dracovish Fishious Rend (170 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Gurdurr: 190-225 (50.8 - 60.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Fishious Rend vs. Gurdurr: 252+ Atk Strong Jaw Dracovish Fishious Rend (170 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Gurdurr: 190-225 (50.8 - 60.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Icicle Crash vs. Conkeldurr: 252 Atk Gorilla Tactics Darmanitan-Galar Icicle Crash vs. 68 HP / 0 Def Conkeldurr: 229-271 (62.2 - 73.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after burn damage
Icicle Crash vs. Gurdurr: 252 Atk Gorilla Tactics Darmanitan-Galar Icicle Crash vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Gurdurr: 118-139 (31.5 - 37.1%) -- 81.3% chance to 3HKO
Icicle Crash vs. Gurdurr: 252 Atk Gorilla Tactics Darmanitan-Galar Icicle Crash vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Gurdurr: 118-139 (31.5 - 37.1%) -- 81.3% chance to 3HKO
Facade vs. Conkeldurr: 252+ Atk Guts Obstagoon Facade (140 BP) vs. 68 HP / 0 Def Conkeldurr: 306-360 (83.1 - 97.8%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock and burn damage
Facade vs. Gurdurr: 252+ Atk Guts Obstagoon Facade (140 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Gurdurr: 157-186 (41.9 - 49.7%) -- 27% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock
Facade vs. Gurdurr: 252+ Atk Guts Obstagoon Facade (140 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Gurdurr: 157-186 (41.9 - 49.7%) -- 27% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock
Gurdurr @ Eviolite
Ability: Guts
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Mach Punch
- Defog
- Knock Off
- Toxic
Ability: Guts
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Mach Punch
- Defog
- Knock Off
- Toxic
Ferroseed does not have very many benefits over Ferrothorn. Similar to Gurdurr, you can opt to run both Ferroseed and Ferrothorn on a grass stall team, where one might set rocks and the other sets spikes. In addition, if you can't decide whether you'd like to run Gyro Ball or Knock Off, running both Pokemon allows you to use both Gyro Ball and Knock Off on your team. Here are some sets you might use on such a team:
Ferroseed @ Eviolite
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Leech Seed
- Protect
- Knock Off
- Stealth Rock
Ferrothorn @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Leech Seed
- Protect
- Spikes
- Gyro Ball
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Leech Seed
- Protect
- Knock Off
- Stealth Rock
Ferrothorn @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Leech Seed
- Protect
- Spikes
- Gyro Ball
The most notable thing that Haunter has the Gengar doesn't is, of course, Levitate. This can be useful for poison type teams, since there are not currently any Poison/Flying Pokemon and the only other ground immunity is Weezing-Galar. If something like Sand Rush Excadrill is locked into earthquake, Haunter can come in freely and use a defensive option such as Will-O-Wisp or Toxic, or it can use Shadow Ball or Energy Ball to catch something else that might try to switch in, such as Quagsire or Seismitoad. If Haunter is offensive, Timid Energy Ball OHKOs physically defensive Quagsire and Seismitoad, and Shadow Ball has a 74.2% chance to 2HKO Sand Rush Excadrill.
An offensive set for Haunter might look something like this:
Haunter @ Choice Specs / Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Shadow Ball
- Energy Ball
- Dazzling Gleam
- Sludge Wave
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Shadow Ball
- Energy Ball
- Dazzling Gleam
- Sludge Wave
Defensively, Haunter has many advantages over Gengar. One example is versus Life Orb Sand Rush Excadrill. A physically defensive Haunter with eviolite takes 45.2 - 53.4% from an Iron Head, and it can then burn Excadrill and Hex it. This allows Haunter to not only burn Excadrill, but do 61.4 - 72.5% with Hex. After Life Orb and Burn damage for two turns, there is a chance to knock out Excadrill. It can also wall Hippowdon, and if burned, does 49.2 - 58% with Hex. Here is an example of a defensive set for Haunter:
Haunter @ Eviolite
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Will-O-Wisp
- Destiny Bond
- Hex
- Pain Split
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Will-O-Wisp
- Destiny Bond
- Hex
- Pain Split
Piloswine is surprisingly good due to its stats' similarities to Mamoswine. It shares the same defensive stats: 80 Def and 60 SpDef, and 100 HP as opposed to Mamoswine's 110. It also has 100 base attack, which, while it isn't the same as Mamoswine's 130, is nothing to write off. The most notable calc that Piloswine has is versus Modest Life Orb Lucario. Here is a comparison between Mamoswine and Piloswine:
Focus Blast vs Mamoswine: 252+ SpA Life Orb Lucario Focus Blast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Mamoswine: 772-907 (213.8 - 251.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Focus Blast vs Piloswine: 252+ SpA Life Orb Lucario Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Eviolite Piloswine: 338-400 (83.6 - 99%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Focus Blast vs Piloswine: 252+ SpA Life Orb Lucario Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Eviolite Piloswine: 338-400 (83.6 - 99%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
In addition to this glorious calc, Piloswine is a very nice setter of stealth rocks for ice. The only other Pokemon that can set rocks is Mamoswine, and that would mean you don't get to have the same offensive presence with Mamoswine that you might otherwise. Having rocks on Piloswine allows Mamoswine to use a Choice Band, and/or run four attacking moves. Here is the set that I used on my teams and for these calcs:
Piloswine @ Eviolite
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Ice Shard
- Stone Edge
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Ice Shard
- Stone Edge
Rhydon has one of the highest attack stats in the game. Sitting at 130, it is only 10 points below Rhyperior's. In addition, it has 105 HP, 120 Defense, 45 Special Defense and 40 Speed. All of these are only 10 points lower then Rhyperior's, with the exception of speed which is the same. Because of how close Rhydon's stats are to Rhyperior's, with an eviolite Rhydon is able to take many more hits than Rhyperior can, even with Solid Rock. Take, for example, this calc against Scarf Excadrill:
Earthquake vs Rhyperior: 252 Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Rhyperior: 270-318 (62.2 - 73.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Earthquake vs Rhydon: 252 Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Rhydon: 192-228 (46.3 - 55%) -- 62.5% chance to 2HKO
Earthquake vs Rhydon: 252 Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Rhydon: 192-228 (46.3 - 55%) -- 62.5% chance to 2HKO
The set I would recommend is this:
Rhydon @ Eviolite
Ability: Reckless
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
Impish Nature
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Swords Dance
- Fire Punch
Ability: Reckless
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
Impish Nature
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Swords Dance
- Fire Punch
Another very niche set that Rhydon can run is one that can beat Melmetal. Adamant choice band Melmetal has a 6.3% chance to OHKO Rhydon if it's 252+ Def and 252 HP, so there's a whopping 93.7% chance that the following set works, if the opposing Melmetal is Adamant Band. If they're not Adamant band, this strategy will always work. If Rhydon lives the Double Iron Bash, and if it doesn't flinch, it can then click Counter and then click Earthquake the next turn to secure the KO. Here is a replay of what this means:
The set used in this replay is this one:
Rhydon @ Eviolite
Ability: Reckless
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
Impish Nature
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Swords Dance
- Counter
Ability: Reckless
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
Impish Nature
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Swords Dance
- Counter
Sneasel is another Pokemon that is basically a mini version of its evolved form. Have you ever been playing mono ice and thought to yourself, "Boy Weavile is so good I wish I could use two of them!" Well boy do I have just the thing for you. Presenting: Sneasel! Sneasel is very similar to Weavile. It can run Swords Dance sets to take advantage of its 95 base attack and access to moves such as icicle crash, knock off and ice shard. A set for that can be imported here:
Sneasel @ Life Orb
Ability: Inner Focus
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Icicle Crash
- Ice Shard
- Knock Off
Ability: Inner Focus
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Icicle Crash
- Ice Shard
- Knock Off
However, Sneasel does have one thing that Weavile doesn't: Inner Focus. Because of this, you can run a niche set to help beat scarf Jirachi. Scarf Jirachi normally 6-0s mono ice without even thinking about it; that is, unless you have this hidden tech for it:
Sneasel @ Focus Sash
Ability: Inner Focus
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Counter
- Ice Shard
- Knock Off
- Icicle Crash
Ability: Inner Focus
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Counter
- Ice Shard
- Knock Off
- Icicle Crash
That concludes part one of the series NFE POKEMON IN MONOTYPE!!
Thank you for reading, and stay tuned for future editions of this series!
Thank you for reading, and stay tuned for future editions of this series!
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