Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
QC: Raiza. / TONE114 / GrimoireGod
GP: The Dutch Plumberjack / ?
[OVERVIEW]
Although Stantler receives heavy competition from other Normal-types such as Stoutland and Ursaring because of its lack of power, bulk, and ability to set up, it is able to hit a wide array of Pokemon with its numerous coverage moves; as such, it is a good Pokemon to use on Normal-type spam teams, as it can lure in and KO checks to common Normal-types such as Stoutland. It also has a good ability in Intimidate, which allows it to better take on physical attackers, as well as priority in Sucker Punch, allowing it to hit Ghost-types for super effective damage and pick off weakened foes or frail Pokemon such as Raichu; especially along with Intimidate, Sucker Punch makes for a great revenge killing tool. On the downside, Stantler is worn down very easily, meaning it has trouble beating bulkier Pokemon that can take its hits. Even though it has Intimidate, it is very frail and can take few hits.
[SET]
name: Wallbreaker
move 1: Double-Edge
move 2: Sucker Punch
move 3: Jump Kick / Earthquake
move 4: Energy Ball / Signal Beam
item: Life Orb
ability: Intimidate
nature: Lonely / Hasty
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Double-Edge can deal a lot of damage to neutral targets, although it inflicts a lot of recoil along with Life Orb. Sucker Punch allows Stantler to deal super effective damage to Ghost-types such as Misdreavus, which are immune to its STAB type, and allows it to pick off weakened foes or frail Pokemon such as Kadabra. Jump Kick deals super effective damage to Steel- and Rock-types such as Pawniard and Probopass, while Earthquake can additionally deal super effective damage to Fire-types but fails to hit Probopass with its Air Balloon intact; on top of that, Earthquake also has 100% accuracy and doesn't inflict recoil if it misses. Energy Ball allows Stantler to 2HKO Carracosta and Barbaracle, while Signal Beam allows it to 2HKO Tangela.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed investment along with a Lonely nature allows Stantler to be fast enough to outspeed Pokemon such as Stoutland and Golduck, while a Hasty nature can be used for more Speed, at the cost of losing power. A Lonely nature is chosen over Adamant to preserve Stantler's Special Attack. Maximum Attack investment along with a Life Orb allows Stantler to hit very hard with its physical attacks, while the last 4 EVs are placed into Special Attack to slightly boost Signal Beam's and Energy Ball's power. Intimidate allows Stantler to take more physical hits, but it is still unable to take them well due to its frailty.
Usage Tips
========
Stantler shouldn't be switched into strong attacks, as it is very frail; instead, it should be switched in via Volt Switch, U-turn, or Baton Pass from Pokemon such as Raichu, Ninjask, and Dodrio. Alternatively, it can be brought in on a double switch or after a Pokemon has fainted. Stantler should be brought in against a slower Pokemon or a Pokemon that can't KO it in order to get off a free hit and wallbreak. It can be used to revenge kill weakened foes with Sucker Punch as well with the help of Intimidate. Double-Edge should be used carefully, as the recoil along with Life Orb can be detrimental. Jump Kick should be used with caution if the opponent has a Ghost-type such as Gourgeist-XL, as a miss causes Stantler to lose half of its health. Stantler can be used to lure in Normal-type spam checks such as Carracosta and Tangela and KO them with Energy Ball and Signal Beam, respectively, allowing other Normal-types to sweep.
Team Options
========
Stantler fits best on offensive and balanced teams for its wallbreaking capabilities. Stantler appreciates Stealth Rock support from Pokemon such as Probopass, as it can help it 2HKO Pokemon such as Pelipper. Probopass is also helpful in trapping Steel-types for Stantler as well as providing a slow Volt Switch to get Stantler in safely. Similarly, Stantler also appreciates Spikes and Toxic Spikes support from Pokemon such as Roselia and Whirlipede. Entry hazard control from Pokemon such as Armaldo and Pelipper is helpful to prevent Stantler from being worn down easily. Mr. Mime and Clefairy are good partners for Stantler, as they resist Fighting-type attacks, which Stantler is weak to, and can provide Healing Wish support for when Stantler is weakened. Setup sweepers such as Carracosta and Ninetales appreciate Stantler's wallbreaking capabilities, as it can weaken threats to the two. Other Normal-types such as Ursaring and Stoutland make for good partners for Stantler, as they can wear down each other's counters for the other to sweep. Ghost-, Psychic-, and Fairy-types such as Misdreavus, Mr. Mime, and Clefairy are good partners for Stantler for their ability to take on Fighting-types. Pursuit trappers such as Pawniard and Krokorok can trap Ghost-types such as Misdreavus and Gourgeist-XL, which can check Stantler and cripple it with Will-O-Wisp.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Stantler can also make use of its other multiple coverage moves such as Thunderbolt for Pelipper, Psychic for Machoke, Wild Charge for specially defensive Pelipper, Zen Headbutt for Roselia, Shadow Ball for Gourgeist-XL, and Megahorn for Torterra. It can also use Sap Sipper to make it a reliable switch-in to Grass-types, but Intimidate is more useful and Sap Sipper is incompatible with Sucker Punch. Calm Mind can be used to turn Stantler into a sweeper, boosting its Special Attack and Special Defense. Work Up can turn Stantler into a threatening mixed sweeper, boosting its Attack and Special Attack. Toxic can be used to cripple bulkier Pokemon such as Piloswine and Lickilicky on the switch, although it makes Stantler lose out on coverage. Thunder Wave can be used on setup sweepers such as Carracosta and Barbaracle, though Stantler again will miss out on a coverage move; it can also be used.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ghost-types**: Ghost-types such as Misdreavus and Gourgeist-XL are immune to Stantler's STAB moves and take little damage from Sucker Punch; they can also severely cripple it with Will-O-Wisp.
**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types such as Poliwrath and Machoke can take any hit from Stantler and retaliate with a super effective STAB move; however, both of the two are 2HKOed, so they can't safely switch in.
**Status**: Will-O-Wisp can severely weaken Stantler's main attacks, except Energy Ball and Signal Beam; Toxic can put it on a timer, forcing it to switch; and Thunder Wave can slow it down a ton.
**Physical Walls**: Physical walls such as Stunfisk and Pelipper can easily take Stantler's attacks and slowly wear it down.
**Residual Damage**: Stantler is easily worn down by the combination of Double-Edge recoil, Life Orb recoil, and entry hazard damage, and it lacks reliable recovery to heal back up; additionally, if Jump Kick misses, Stantler loses 50% of its health.
**Faster Pokemon**: Pokemon that are faster than Stantler, such as Raichu and Floatzel, can OHKO it, although Stantler can KO them with Sucker Punch if they are low on health.
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