Got the go-ahead to write a skeleton for this. Will implement all of Polop's changes later today & talk this over on IRC when I get a chance!
[Overview]
<p>With average defensive stats by Ubers standards and downright awful Speed, one might question what niche Stunfisk has in the treacherous Ubers tier. Fear not, as Stunfisk has some tricks up its sleeve in its ability to check dangerous Calm Mind Arceus forms, spread status, and anti-lead against Focus Sash Deoxys-A. It also has access to Stealth Rock, which it sets fairly reliably in Sand due to Sand Veil and its respectable bulk. Unfortunately, Stunfisk has four weaknesses and it lacks reliable recovery, meaning that Stunfisk cannot come in repeatedly and must be played cautiously. It also lacks significant offensive presence by Ubers standards. Play Stunfisk to its strengths and provide it proper team support, and it will become a productive member of your team.<p>
[SET]
name: Support
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Toxic
move 3: Thunder / Discharge
move 4: Protect / Yawn / Earth Power
item: Leftovers
ability: Sand Veil
nature: Calm
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
[Set Comments]
<p>Stunfisk functions as a solid supporting option on Sand teams due to its access to Stealth Rock, solid bulk, and ability to spread status around the opponents team. Stealth Rock is a great move on Stunfisk as it has a surprisingly easy time setting it up on a variety of Pokemon, including Dialga, Ho-Oh outside of Sand, Jirachi, and most support Arceus formes. It also opens up a moveslot for either Tyranitar or Hippowdon. Toxic allows Stunfisk to cripple enemy sweepers, such as Calm Mind Arceus-Ghost. With Protect, Sand support, and Sand Veil, Stunfisk does a terrific job of stalling out threats that dare to stay in on the flounder. Thunder is the preferred main attacking option due to its high base power and 30% paralysis rate. It also prevents Kyogre from safely switching in, as Thunder 2HKO’s offensive variants. However, Discharge is a viable option that carries the same paralysis rate if Thunder’s accuracy is off-putting.</p>
<p>Though Protect works well on Stunfisk to scout and rack up residual damage on the opponent, it does have other options to use in its last slot. Yawn can force switches and potentially cripple a Pokemon for the duration of the match should your opponent lack a sleep absorber. Yawn works particularly well with Spikes support. Earth Power is another quality option as it hits steel types such as Dialga and Jirachi for good damage, though bulky variants avoid the 2HKO. It also discourages Excadrill lacking Air Balloon from freely switching in, which would otherwise counter Stunfisk. Sand Veil is the preferred ability over Static, as it can buy Stunfisk free turns. Due to Stunfisk’s bulk, there is a high probably that Sand Veil will activate at least once so long sand is up. Sand Veil also synergizes well with Toxic.</p>
[Additional Comments]
<p>The EV spread maximizes on Stunfisk’s already solid Special bulk. To illustrate just how solid its bulk is, Stunfisk survives a Life Orb-boosted Kyurem-W’s Ice Beam at full health. Stunfisk avoids a 2HKO from any combination of moves used by Focus Sash Deoxys-A leads. Because of this bulk and its access to Yawn, Stunfisk is one of the few Pokemon that actually has an advantage in lead situations against the alien. Though Stunfisk’s Special Attack stat is uninvested, it hits hard enough with Thunder to break the Substitutes of Ho-Oh, Mewtwo, and Darkrai, preventing Stunfisk from becoming set-up fodder for them.</p>
<p>Stunfisk needs Sand to function optimally, as its Ground typing prevents it from taking Sandstorm damage while allowing Sand Veil to activate. Tyranitar and Hippowdon both have access to Sand Stream and therefore make good teammates. Tyranitar deserves a special mention because it can take advantage of Stunfisk’s access to Stealth Rock by running a dangerous Choice Band set, enabling it to anti-lead against hazard setters Stunfisk deals poorly with, such as Deoxys-S and Dialga. Due to its auspicious Electric-Ground typing, Stunfisk cannot take on any opposing weather setter reliably. Lustrous Orb Palkia makes a good teammate because it beat Groudon, Kyogre, and Abomasnow 1-1. Palkia can also roast some common Spikes stackers that can easily set up entry hazards on Stunfisk, such as Ferrothorn and Forretress. In return, Palkia appreciates Stunfisk’s ability to check Calm Mind Arceus forms, which Palkia often struggle with unless it carries Dragon Tail. Arceus-Grass can also easily check weather starters barring Abomasnow, while Stunfisk can deal with Flying Pokemon such as Tornadus-Therian that Arceus-Grass loses to.</p>
<p>When using Stunfisk in Ubers, make sure that the role it serves to your team isn’t outclassed by Blissey or Chansey. Both of the pink blobs have a massive advantage over the flounder in the Special Defense department while providing cleric and Wish support for their teammates. However, Stunfisk can destroy Skarmory with Thunder whereas the blobs are Spikes-bait for the steel bird. Stunfisk also avoids passive damage from sand and its lack of a fighting weakness allows it to perform better vs. Deoxys-A. Finally, Stunfisk’s access to Yawn ensure that it cannot be used for set-up sweepers lacking Lum Berry or Sleep Talk, a move the blobs would love to have in their arsenal. Also, make sure that you have countermeasures to hazards, as Stunfisk cannot handle many of the Spikes stackers found in Ubers. Xatu deals with common Spikes users due to Magic Bounce, a typing that allows it to deal with Ferrothorn’s Power Whip and support Groudon’s Earthquake, and Heat Wave. Finally, Stunfisk lacking Earth Power provide Excadrill a free switchin to either Rapid Spin or set up a Swords Dance. Physically Defensive Giratina-A pairs well with Stunfisk as it blocks Excadrill’s Rapid Spin attempts while phasing it out easily even after a Swords Dance.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Stunfisk’s other options are sparse. Scald is the only way Stunfisk can touch Air Balloon Excadrill while potentially burning overeager Spikes users that attempt to set up on Stunfisk. However, it is very weak and rarely worth a moveslot. Thunderbolt is usable over Discharge or Thunder due to its intermediate power and 100% accuracy, but the drop in paralysis rate generally makes it outclassed. Hidden Power Ice is a gimmicky way to 2HKO Gliscor, Landorus-T, and Rayquaza, but has little use outside of that. Thunder Wave can spread paralysis but Toxic is generally superior to put Calm Mind sweepers on a timer. Earthquake can get a harder hit on the likes of Specially Defensive Heatran, Tentacruel, Tyranitar, and Calm Mind Rock and Steel Arceus than Earth Power can, though Stunfisk has a pitiful base 66 Attack stat. Finally, Static is an excellent ability that can punish Genesect that spam Iron Head with paralysis. In general, Sand Veil is too good to pass up and is one of Stunfisk main perks in Ubers.</p>
[Checks & Counters]
<p>Stunfisk’s check and counters can be broken down into two categories: Pokemon that can threaten to OHKO it, and Pokemon that can set up hazards all over it while not caring about Stunfisk’s weak attacks. Kyogre is the most obvious one, as offensive variants easily OHKO Stunfisk with a Rain-boosted Water move of choice. However, Kyogre cannot safely switch in on a Thunder. Groudon with Attack investment easily OHKO’s Stunfisk with Earthquake while carrying an immunity to Thunder. Air Balloon Excadrill fears nothing except the rare Scald and can proceed to set up or attack with Earthquake. Palkia 2HKO’s Stunfisk with Surf or Hydro Pump, while Specs Shaymin-S OHKO’s with Seed Flare. However, neither like Thunder’s paralysis rate and are susceptible to Toxic, so they are risky to switch in. Bulky Substitute users such as Giratina-O can set up a Substitute and wall Stunfisk if they can get in for free. Calm Mind Arceus carrying Refresh can easily set up on Stunfisk since it no longer needs to worry about the status Stunfisk is capable of spreading.</p>
<p>There are plenty of defensive checks to Stunfisk as well. Chansey and Blissey fear nothing from Stunfisk and can cripple it with Toxic. They can also set up Stealth Rock and support their teammates with Aromatherapy or Wish. Stunfisk can set up Stealth Rock on them just as easily at the very least. Ferrothorn, Careful Forretress, and Deoxys-D carrying Taunt wall Stunfisk while setting up Spikes. Landorus-T, Hippowdown and Gliscor fear nothing except the rare Hidden Power Ice while threatening to set up Stealth Rock or attacking with a super effective STAB Earthquake.</p>
[Overview]
<p>With average defensive stats by Ubers standards and downright awful Speed, one might question what niche Stunfisk has in the treacherous Ubers tier. Fear not, as Stunfisk has some tricks up its sleeve in its ability to check dangerous Calm Mind Arceus forms, spread status, and anti-lead against Focus Sash Deoxys-A. It also has access to Stealth Rock, which it sets fairly reliably in Sand due to Sand Veil and its respectable bulk. Unfortunately, Stunfisk has four weaknesses and it lacks reliable recovery, meaning that Stunfisk cannot come in repeatedly and must be played cautiously. It also lacks significant offensive presence by Ubers standards. Play Stunfisk to its strengths and provide it proper team support, and it will become a productive member of your team.<p>
[SET]
name: Support
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Toxic
move 3: Thunder / Discharge
move 4: Protect / Yawn / Earth Power
item: Leftovers
ability: Sand Veil
nature: Calm
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
[Set Comments]
<p>Stunfisk functions as a solid supporting option on Sand teams due to its access to Stealth Rock, solid bulk, and ability to spread status around the opponents team. Stealth Rock is a great move on Stunfisk as it has a surprisingly easy time setting it up on a variety of Pokemon, including Dialga, Ho-Oh outside of Sand, Jirachi, and most support Arceus formes. It also opens up a moveslot for either Tyranitar or Hippowdon. Toxic allows Stunfisk to cripple enemy sweepers, such as Calm Mind Arceus-Ghost. With Protect, Sand support, and Sand Veil, Stunfisk does a terrific job of stalling out threats that dare to stay in on the flounder. Thunder is the preferred main attacking option due to its high base power and 30% paralysis rate. It also prevents Kyogre from safely switching in, as Thunder 2HKO’s offensive variants. However, Discharge is a viable option that carries the same paralysis rate if Thunder’s accuracy is off-putting.</p>
<p>Though Protect works well on Stunfisk to scout and rack up residual damage on the opponent, it does have other options to use in its last slot. Yawn can force switches and potentially cripple a Pokemon for the duration of the match should your opponent lack a sleep absorber. Yawn works particularly well with Spikes support. Earth Power is another quality option as it hits steel types such as Dialga and Jirachi for good damage, though bulky variants avoid the 2HKO. It also discourages Excadrill lacking Air Balloon from freely switching in, which would otherwise counter Stunfisk. Sand Veil is the preferred ability over Static, as it can buy Stunfisk free turns. Due to Stunfisk’s bulk, there is a high probably that Sand Veil will activate at least once so long sand is up. Sand Veil also synergizes well with Toxic.</p>
[Additional Comments]
<p>The EV spread maximizes on Stunfisk’s already solid Special bulk. To illustrate just how solid its bulk is, Stunfisk survives a Life Orb-boosted Kyurem-W’s Ice Beam at full health. Stunfisk avoids a 2HKO from any combination of moves used by Focus Sash Deoxys-A leads. Because of this bulk and its access to Yawn, Stunfisk is one of the few Pokemon that actually has an advantage in lead situations against the alien. Though Stunfisk’s Special Attack stat is uninvested, it hits hard enough with Thunder to break the Substitutes of Ho-Oh, Mewtwo, and Darkrai, preventing Stunfisk from becoming set-up fodder for them.</p>
<p>Stunfisk needs Sand to function optimally, as its Ground typing prevents it from taking Sandstorm damage while allowing Sand Veil to activate. Tyranitar and Hippowdon both have access to Sand Stream and therefore make good teammates. Tyranitar deserves a special mention because it can take advantage of Stunfisk’s access to Stealth Rock by running a dangerous Choice Band set, enabling it to anti-lead against hazard setters Stunfisk deals poorly with, such as Deoxys-S and Dialga. Due to its auspicious Electric-Ground typing, Stunfisk cannot take on any opposing weather setter reliably. Lustrous Orb Palkia makes a good teammate because it beat Groudon, Kyogre, and Abomasnow 1-1. Palkia can also roast some common Spikes stackers that can easily set up entry hazards on Stunfisk, such as Ferrothorn and Forretress. In return, Palkia appreciates Stunfisk’s ability to check Calm Mind Arceus forms, which Palkia often struggle with unless it carries Dragon Tail. Arceus-Grass can also easily check weather starters barring Abomasnow, while Stunfisk can deal with Flying Pokemon such as Tornadus-Therian that Arceus-Grass loses to.</p>
<p>When using Stunfisk in Ubers, make sure that the role it serves to your team isn’t outclassed by Blissey or Chansey. Both of the pink blobs have a massive advantage over the flounder in the Special Defense department while providing cleric and Wish support for their teammates. However, Stunfisk can destroy Skarmory with Thunder whereas the blobs are Spikes-bait for the steel bird. Stunfisk also avoids passive damage from sand and its lack of a fighting weakness allows it to perform better vs. Deoxys-A. Finally, Stunfisk’s access to Yawn ensure that it cannot be used for set-up sweepers lacking Lum Berry or Sleep Talk, a move the blobs would love to have in their arsenal. Also, make sure that you have countermeasures to hazards, as Stunfisk cannot handle many of the Spikes stackers found in Ubers. Xatu deals with common Spikes users due to Magic Bounce, a typing that allows it to deal with Ferrothorn’s Power Whip and support Groudon’s Earthquake, and Heat Wave. Finally, Stunfisk lacking Earth Power provide Excadrill a free switchin to either Rapid Spin or set up a Swords Dance. Physically Defensive Giratina-A pairs well with Stunfisk as it blocks Excadrill’s Rapid Spin attempts while phasing it out easily even after a Swords Dance.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Stunfisk’s other options are sparse. Scald is the only way Stunfisk can touch Air Balloon Excadrill while potentially burning overeager Spikes users that attempt to set up on Stunfisk. However, it is very weak and rarely worth a moveslot. Thunderbolt is usable over Discharge or Thunder due to its intermediate power and 100% accuracy, but the drop in paralysis rate generally makes it outclassed. Hidden Power Ice is a gimmicky way to 2HKO Gliscor, Landorus-T, and Rayquaza, but has little use outside of that. Thunder Wave can spread paralysis but Toxic is generally superior to put Calm Mind sweepers on a timer. Earthquake can get a harder hit on the likes of Specially Defensive Heatran, Tentacruel, Tyranitar, and Calm Mind Rock and Steel Arceus than Earth Power can, though Stunfisk has a pitiful base 66 Attack stat. Finally, Static is an excellent ability that can punish Genesect that spam Iron Head with paralysis. In general, Sand Veil is too good to pass up and is one of Stunfisk main perks in Ubers.</p>
[Checks & Counters]
<p>Stunfisk’s check and counters can be broken down into two categories: Pokemon that can threaten to OHKO it, and Pokemon that can set up hazards all over it while not caring about Stunfisk’s weak attacks. Kyogre is the most obvious one, as offensive variants easily OHKO Stunfisk with a Rain-boosted Water move of choice. However, Kyogre cannot safely switch in on a Thunder. Groudon with Attack investment easily OHKO’s Stunfisk with Earthquake while carrying an immunity to Thunder. Air Balloon Excadrill fears nothing except the rare Scald and can proceed to set up or attack with Earthquake. Palkia 2HKO’s Stunfisk with Surf or Hydro Pump, while Specs Shaymin-S OHKO’s with Seed Flare. However, neither like Thunder’s paralysis rate and are susceptible to Toxic, so they are risky to switch in. Bulky Substitute users such as Giratina-O can set up a Substitute and wall Stunfisk if they can get in for free. Calm Mind Arceus carrying Refresh can easily set up on Stunfisk since it no longer needs to worry about the status Stunfisk is capable of spreading.</p>
<p>There are plenty of defensive checks to Stunfisk as well. Chansey and Blissey fear nothing from Stunfisk and can cripple it with Toxic. They can also set up Stealth Rock and support their teammates with Aromatherapy or Wish. Stunfisk can set up Stealth Rock on them just as easily at the very least. Ferrothorn, Careful Forretress, and Deoxys-D carrying Taunt wall Stunfisk while setting up Spikes. Landorus-T, Hippowdown and Gliscor fear nothing except the rare Hidden Power Ice while threatening to set up Stealth Rock or attacking with a super effective STAB Earthquake.</p>
[Overview]
<p>With average defensive stats by Ubers standards and downright awful Speed, one might question what niche Stunfisk has in the treacherous Ubers tier. Fear not, as Stunfisk has some tricks up its sleeve in its ability to check dangerous Calm Mind Arceus forms, spread status, and anti-lead against Focus Sash Deoxys-A. It also has access to Stealth Rock, which it sets fairly reliably in Sand due to Sand Veil and its respectable bulk.<p>
[SET]
name: Support
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Toxic
move 3: Thunder/Discharge
move 4: Protect/Yawn/Earth Power
item: Leftovers
ability: Sand Veil
nature: Calm
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
[Other Options]
[Checks and Counters]
<p>With average defensive stats by Ubers standards and downright awful Speed, one might question what niche Stunfisk has in the treacherous Ubers tier. Fear not, as Stunfisk has some tricks up its sleeve in its ability to check dangerous Calm Mind Arceus forms, spread status, and anti-lead against Focus Sash Deoxys-A. It also has access to Stealth Rock, which it sets fairly reliably in Sand due to Sand Veil and its respectable bulk.<p>
[SET]
name: Support
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Toxic
move 3: Thunder/Discharge
move 4: Protect/Yawn/Earth Power
item: Leftovers
ability: Sand Veil
nature: Calm
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
- Good Special bulk allows Stunfisk to take hits while it is busy setting Stealth Rock and annoying the opponent's team.
- All of Stunfisk's attacks can break Substitutes set up by Darkrai and Mewtwo.
- Discharge is a reliable STAB move with a nice 30% paralysis rate, but Thunder's increased power often make it a better choice in Ubers.
- Toxic+Protect gives it an excellent chance to beat most CM Arceus forms 1-1, so long they lack Refresh or Substitute; can also beat Darkrai after it has slept something.
- Yawn can force switches, and is deadly with Spikes support.
- Yawn and Protect can be used on the same set to ensure Stunfisk is not hit by an attack the turn before Yawn activates. However, you lose out on either Toxic or an Electric STAB move, both of which Stunfisk wants.
- Sand Veil is preferred over Static to cause misses, opening up free turns for residual poison and sand damage.
- Earth Power is a solid option that 2HKO's Excadrill who otherwise could freely switch in; it also hits Dialga fairly hard.
- Lack of reliable recovery impacts its ability to check stuff repeatedly.
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
- Beats most Deoxys-A 1-1, and can anti-lead against it.
- Sand is pivotal to activate Sand Veil and increase Stunfisk's chances of successfully checking CM Arceus.
- Despises Kyogre and Groudon, though it can cripple them on the switch.
- Palkia makes a good teammate because it can beat opposing weather setters; Grass Arceus resists three of Stunfisk's four weaknesses and can also beat weather setters.
- Giratina can spinblock Stunfisk's Stealth Rock while checking and burning the likes of Groudon and Excadrill.
- Physical bulk isn't great but it survives Rayquaza's Life Orb-boosted Outrage at full health.
- Stunfisk is largely outclassed by Chansey and Blissey, but Sand Veil, lack of a weakness to fighting moves such as Deoxys-A's Superpower, and increased offensive presence give Stunfisk some small advantages over them.
- Spikes bait for Ferrothorn, Careful Forretress, and Deoxys-D.
- Because of this, Xatu makes a goo teammate as it can wall common Spikes setters.
[Other Options]
- Thunderbolt always breaks Mewtwo's substitute, but is generally outclassed by Thunder due to decreased power and paralysis rate.
- Scald provides an alternative way to hit Excadrill and other Ground-types with a nice burn rate, but is very weak.
- Static can be used to potentially paralyze pokemon such as Genesect, making it pay for spamming U-Turn/Iron Head.
- Stunfisk does not have many quality options that will be of much use in Ubers.
[Checks and Counters]
- Kyogre, especially RestTalk variants.
- Calm Mind Arceus forms with Refresh.
- Air Balloon Excadrill.
- Groudon.
- Hippowdon.
- Ferrothorn.
- Chansey/Blissey.
- Most bulky Substitute users not weak to Stunfisk's STAB moves, such as Giratina-O.
- Shaymin-S. especially Choice Specs.
- Palkia 2HKO's.
Last edited:
