[OVERVIEW]
Stunky has a great typing that leaves it with a grand total of one weakness: Ground. Additionally, it is the lone Poison-type immune to Psychic thanks to its second typing of Dark, which grants Stunky key resistances to Dark- and Ghost-type moves. Its niche is further enlarged by Stunky's typing allowing it to switch into Abra and Gastly without needing to worry about Hidden Power Fighting and remove them thanks to Pursuit. Poor abilities limit Stunky's effectiveness, with Aftermath being the only real option. Aftermath activates once, and only when Stunky is KOed by a contact move, thus unfortunately it is very situational. However, Aftermath working in tandem with Stunky's coverage options Play Rough or Fire Blast allows Stunky to trade itself for the opposing Pokemon in a number of cases. Stunky's defenses are average at best, but this is thankfully mitigated by Stunky's helpful resistances and great Speed, being one of the few Pokemon able to hit 18 Speed. Few Pokemon can outspeed a fully invested Stunky, and the ones that do tend to struggle against it anyway. Stunky also has the niche of having access to Defog while not being weak to Rock. However, Defog is incompatible with Play Rough and Stunky has no recovery to heal entry hazard damage.
[SET]
Name: Bulky Pursuit
Move 1: Pursuit
Move 2: Sucker Punch / Defog
Move 3: Fire Blast / Sludge Bomb
Move 4: Defog / Sludge Bomb
Item: Eviolite
Ability: Aftermath
Nature: Brave
EVs: 12 HP / 92 Atk / 64 Def / 108 SpA / 188 SpD / 4 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Pursuit gives Stunky the means of punishing and preventing the escape of Ghost-types such as Gastly, Pumpkaboo, and Drifloon and Psychic-types such as Abra, Gothita, and Natu. Even Pokemon not weak to Dark feel the effects of Pursuit, as they cannot switch out unscathed. Sucker Punch gives Stunky priority, allowing it to revenge kill certain setup sweepers such as Omantye and Drilbur. Sucker Punch is unreliable though, as the opponent has to attack for it to work. Defog is a good option too if your team needs entry hazard removal, although there are better hazard removers out there such as Staryu, Drilbur, and Vullaby due to Stunky's inability to threaten Stealth Rock users and lack of recovery. Running Fire Blast gives Stunky the ability to KO Pawniard, hoping to nab a boost from Defog, and other Steel-types hoping to capitalize on Stunky's meager offenses. Sludge Bomb is the best Poison STAB move Stunky gets, but can be disappointingly weak at times. However, Sludge Bomb does get the job done versus Fairy-types and several Grass-types such as Cottonee.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread allows for Stunky to always counter Abra and Gastly even with Stealth Rock up while having the ability to almost always survive two attacks from Pawniard and Fletchling. A Brave nature is used for hitting 15 Attack, which allows Pursuit to always KO Abra and Gastly after Stealth Rock. The decrease in Speed is hardly noticed in most cases as Stunky still outspeeds what it wants to as well. The Special Attack investment allows for the 2HKO on Pawniard with Fire Blast and Eviolite Spritzee with Sludge Bomb.
Usage Tips
========
Be aware of the situation when you bring Stunky into battle, as you don't want it to be taking any extra hits, as its bulk leaves a little to be desired even with an Eviolite. Stunky is also relatively easy to force out and is fairly weak offensively, so make sure anything you want to take out without the use of Pursuit is weak enough to be KOed. Stunky's Speed is lowered due to a Brave nature, so the use of Sucker Punch is much more important.
Team Options
========
Stunky has no reliable recovery, so Pokemon that can pass Wish such as Spritzee are good partners for Stunky. Stunky's only weakness is Ground, so Pokemon such as Drilbur and Hippopotas pose serious threats. Foongus and Pumpkaboo can deal with these threats safely. Bunnelby and Zigzagoon have their sweep prevented by Ghost-types, which Stunky takes out with Pursuit. Stunky can Defog entry hazards away for Pokemon such as Larvesta and Fletchling.
[SET]
Name: Fast Utility
Move 1: Pursuit
Move 2: Sucker Punch / Play Rough
Move 3: Defog / Memento
Move 4: Taunt / Crunch
Item: Eviolite
Ability: Aftermath
Nature: Jolly
EVs: 172 HP / 12 Atk / 60 Def / 244 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Pursuit enables Stunky to trap Pokemon which would otherwise threaten your team, notably Gastly, Gothita, and Abra, and finish off weakened Pokemon before they can return to their trainer. Sucker Punch allows Stunky to get some extra damage in on faster foes as they attack. Play Rough can be used over Sucker Punch in conjunction with Memento to give Stunky a means of hitting Fighting-type Pokemon which otherwise wall Stunky. Defog provides your team with entry hazard removal, but the amount of times Stunky can use Defog are limited due to its sub-par bulk. Also, Stunky fails to threaten most Stealth Rock users such as Archen, Onix, Diglett, and Drilbur. Memento creates an opportunity for a setup sweeper on your team to punish the opposition. Another utility option Stunky has is Taunt, allowing it to prevent Pokemon from using their status moves, which can really cripple some defensive Pokemon and allow Stunky time to Defog. With a Speed of 18, the fast Taunt can also outspeed Sticky Web setters such as Surskit and prevent them from setting up. Crunch is another STAB option, having the same power as Sucker Punch but with more consistency.
Set Details
========
A Jolly nature allows Stunky to hit 18 Speed. That lets Stunky outspeed foes and Defog away entry hazards or use Memento to support a teammate before being KOed. It is especially useful for Sticky Web setters so Stunky can outspeed and Taunt them. Aftermath is the preferred ability, causing some extra damage to the opponent if Stunky is knocked out by a move that made contact. Stunky really enjoys the added bulk of an Eviolite because it is rather frail without it, which allows it to trap the Pokemon it needs to much better.
Usage Tips
========
Be careful about when you bring Stunky into the battle; it can't take many hits, even with an Eviolite, so make sure you have the bulk to trap what you need to when you bring it in. Stunky's attacking stats are not the greatest too, so make sure the opponent is weakened enough to be KOed if you trying to do anything besides just trap them. Take note that this set finds its place on offensive teams, but should still not be played as a wallbreaking Pokemon.
Team Options
========
A variety of Fighting Pokemon greatly like the support that Stunky brings, with Timburr, Scraggy, and Pancham gaining the most from Stunky's support. Entry hazard-weak Pokemon, such as Larvesta and Ponyta, also pair well with Stunky due to Defog, with Ponyta and Larvesta also being able to aid with dealing with Fighting-type Pokemon and Pawniard that annoy Stunky. Wish passers, such as Spritzee, (AC) help prolong Stunky's lifespan, allowing it Defog more often, or come in on Ghost- and Psychic-types more. Switch-ins to Drilbur are also liked as Stunky teammates; Staryu, Cottonee, and Lileep each free up a moveslot on Stunky, making a Memento core as well as dealing with Fighting-types, countering Chinchou, as well as setting up Stealth Rock, respectively. Bunnelby, and especially Zigzagoon, can sweep much easier with Ghost-types out of the way, and appreciates Abra's Focus Sash getting broken too. Zigzagoon also appreciates Stunky using Memento, as this gives Zigzagoon an easier time setting up. Memento also aids the likes of Magby, Omanyte, and Rock Polish Archen with their setup as well. In general, hazard-weak Pokemon, sweepers, and Psychic-weak Pokemon all appreciate Stunky's assets as a teammate.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
============
Explosion can be useful if Stunky is close to fainting to go out with a bang, but this is typically inferior to Memento. Toxic can be used to wear down bulky Pokemon with recovery such as Porygon because Stunky can't break through them with its poor offensive stats, but is hard to fit onto any set. Acid Spray is a unique choice, but it allows for some minor wallbreaking especially against the likes of Foongus. Snarl hits through Subsidies and lowers the foe's Special Attack, though it is weak and situational. Choice Scarf, Life Orb, and Berry Juice can all be considered on faster Stunky, but are all relatively niche. Life Orb allows Stunky to hit harder, but sacrifices bulk for only a small number of KOs while Choice Scarf makes Stunky setup bait after it removes Abra or Gastly. Berry Juice can be used over Eviolite for more longevity, but this can create an issue versus the likes of Gastly if entry hazards are on the field.
Checks & Counters
==============
**Dark-types**: Dark-types are troublesome for Stunky, because while they don't particularly do much damage it, they take very little from Stunky's Dark STAB moves and tend to be okay with Play Rough's damage.
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types are not always foolproof checks before Stunky's moveset is known, but if Stunky lacks a Poison STAB move, then Pokemon such as Spritzee or Snubbull can effectively wall Stunky.
**Fighting-types**: Pokemon such as Mienfoo and Timburr are good checks to Stunky because they don't mind Stunky's Dark STAB move and they can outlast it with Drain Punch.
**Ground-types**: Ground is the one weakness that Stunky has, so Pokemon such as Drilbur and Diglett can make quick work of it with their STAB Earthquake.
**Grass-types**: The Grass / Poison dual typing counters any Stunky not running Fire Blast. Foongus can freely use status moves and repeatedly switch into Stunky. Ferroseed can wear Stunky down fairly easily with Iron Barbs and Bullet Seed damage, as well as set up entry hazards or use Thunder Wave as it forces Stunky out. Chespin is immune to Sludge Bomb due to Bulletproof and can set up.
**Pawniard**: While most of the time using Defog would be a great thing, using it as Pawniard switches in could be the start of a sweep against Stunky's team. Pawniard's Defiant will raise its Attack by two stages. However, Pawniard does fear Fire Blast and tends to lose to full-health Stunky.
**Walls**: Stunky has subpar attacking stats, so anything with enough bulk, and especially recovery, can take hits from Stunky and wear it down.
Stunky has a great typing that leaves it with a grand total of one weakness: Ground. Additionally, it is the lone Poison-type immune to Psychic thanks to its second typing of Dark, which grants Stunky key resistances to Dark- and Ghost-type moves. Its niche is further enlarged by Stunky's typing allowing it to switch into Abra and Gastly without needing to worry about Hidden Power Fighting and remove them thanks to Pursuit. Poor abilities limit Stunky's effectiveness, with Aftermath being the only real option. Aftermath activates once, and only when Stunky is KOed by a contact move, thus unfortunately it is very situational. However, Aftermath working in tandem with Stunky's coverage options Play Rough or Fire Blast allows Stunky to trade itself for the opposing Pokemon in a number of cases. Stunky's defenses are average at best, but this is thankfully mitigated by Stunky's helpful resistances and great Speed, being one of the few Pokemon able to hit 18 Speed. Few Pokemon can outspeed a fully invested Stunky, and the ones that do tend to struggle against it anyway. Stunky also has the niche of having access to Defog while not being weak to Rock. However, Defog is incompatible with Play Rough and Stunky has no recovery to heal entry hazard damage.
[SET]
Name: Bulky Pursuit
Move 1: Pursuit
Move 2: Sucker Punch / Defog
Move 3: Fire Blast / Sludge Bomb
Move 4: Defog / Sludge Bomb
Item: Eviolite
Ability: Aftermath
Nature: Brave
EVs: 12 HP / 92 Atk / 64 Def / 108 SpA / 188 SpD / 4 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Pursuit gives Stunky the means of punishing and preventing the escape of Ghost-types such as Gastly, Pumpkaboo, and Drifloon and Psychic-types such as Abra, Gothita, and Natu. Even Pokemon not weak to Dark feel the effects of Pursuit, as they cannot switch out unscathed. Sucker Punch gives Stunky priority, allowing it to revenge kill certain setup sweepers such as Omantye and Drilbur. Sucker Punch is unreliable though, as the opponent has to attack for it to work. Defog is a good option too if your team needs entry hazard removal, although there are better hazard removers out there such as Staryu, Drilbur, and Vullaby due to Stunky's inability to threaten Stealth Rock users and lack of recovery. Running Fire Blast gives Stunky the ability to KO Pawniard, hoping to nab a boost from Defog, and other Steel-types hoping to capitalize on Stunky's meager offenses. Sludge Bomb is the best Poison STAB move Stunky gets, but can be disappointingly weak at times. However, Sludge Bomb does get the job done versus Fairy-types and several Grass-types such as Cottonee.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread allows for Stunky to always counter Abra and Gastly even with Stealth Rock up while having the ability to almost always survive two attacks from Pawniard and Fletchling. A Brave nature is used for hitting 15 Attack, which allows Pursuit to always KO Abra and Gastly after Stealth Rock. The decrease in Speed is hardly noticed in most cases as Stunky still outspeeds what it wants to as well. The Special Attack investment allows for the 2HKO on Pawniard with Fire Blast and Eviolite Spritzee with Sludge Bomb.
Usage Tips
========
Be aware of the situation when you bring Stunky into battle, as you don't want it to be taking any extra hits, as its bulk leaves a little to be desired even with an Eviolite. Stunky is also relatively easy to force out and is fairly weak offensively, so make sure anything you want to take out without the use of Pursuit is weak enough to be KOed. Stunky's Speed is lowered due to a Brave nature, so the use of Sucker Punch is much more important.
Team Options
========
Stunky has no reliable recovery, so Pokemon that can pass Wish such as Spritzee are good partners for Stunky. Stunky's only weakness is Ground, so Pokemon such as Drilbur and Hippopotas pose serious threats. Foongus and Pumpkaboo can deal with these threats safely. Bunnelby and Zigzagoon have their sweep prevented by Ghost-types, which Stunky takes out with Pursuit. Stunky can Defog entry hazards away for Pokemon such as Larvesta and Fletchling.
[SET]
Name: Fast Utility
Move 1: Pursuit
Move 2: Sucker Punch / Play Rough
Move 3: Defog / Memento
Move 4: Taunt / Crunch
Item: Eviolite
Ability: Aftermath
Nature: Jolly
EVs: 172 HP / 12 Atk / 60 Def / 244 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Pursuit enables Stunky to trap Pokemon which would otherwise threaten your team, notably Gastly, Gothita, and Abra, and finish off weakened Pokemon before they can return to their trainer. Sucker Punch allows Stunky to get some extra damage in on faster foes as they attack. Play Rough can be used over Sucker Punch in conjunction with Memento to give Stunky a means of hitting Fighting-type Pokemon which otherwise wall Stunky. Defog provides your team with entry hazard removal, but the amount of times Stunky can use Defog are limited due to its sub-par bulk. Also, Stunky fails to threaten most Stealth Rock users such as Archen, Onix, Diglett, and Drilbur. Memento creates an opportunity for a setup sweeper on your team to punish the opposition. Another utility option Stunky has is Taunt, allowing it to prevent Pokemon from using their status moves, which can really cripple some defensive Pokemon and allow Stunky time to Defog. With a Speed of 18, the fast Taunt can also outspeed Sticky Web setters such as Surskit and prevent them from setting up. Crunch is another STAB option, having the same power as Sucker Punch but with more consistency.
Set Details
========
A Jolly nature allows Stunky to hit 18 Speed. That lets Stunky outspeed foes and Defog away entry hazards or use Memento to support a teammate before being KOed. It is especially useful for Sticky Web setters so Stunky can outspeed and Taunt them. Aftermath is the preferred ability, causing some extra damage to the opponent if Stunky is knocked out by a move that made contact. Stunky really enjoys the added bulk of an Eviolite because it is rather frail without it, which allows it to trap the Pokemon it needs to much better.
Usage Tips
========
Be careful about when you bring Stunky into the battle; it can't take many hits, even with an Eviolite, so make sure you have the bulk to trap what you need to when you bring it in. Stunky's attacking stats are not the greatest too, so make sure the opponent is weakened enough to be KOed if you trying to do anything besides just trap them. Take note that this set finds its place on offensive teams, but should still not be played as a wallbreaking Pokemon.
Team Options
========
A variety of Fighting Pokemon greatly like the support that Stunky brings, with Timburr, Scraggy, and Pancham gaining the most from Stunky's support. Entry hazard-weak Pokemon, such as Larvesta and Ponyta, also pair well with Stunky due to Defog, with Ponyta and Larvesta also being able to aid with dealing with Fighting-type Pokemon and Pawniard that annoy Stunky. Wish passers, such as Spritzee, (AC) help prolong Stunky's lifespan, allowing it Defog more often, or come in on Ghost- and Psychic-types more. Switch-ins to Drilbur are also liked as Stunky teammates; Staryu, Cottonee, and Lileep each free up a moveslot on Stunky, making a Memento core as well as dealing with Fighting-types, countering Chinchou, as well as setting up Stealth Rock, respectively. Bunnelby, and especially Zigzagoon, can sweep much easier with Ghost-types out of the way, and appreciates Abra's Focus Sash getting broken too. Zigzagoon also appreciates Stunky using Memento, as this gives Zigzagoon an easier time setting up. Memento also aids the likes of Magby, Omanyte, and Rock Polish Archen with their setup as well. In general, hazard-weak Pokemon, sweepers, and Psychic-weak Pokemon all appreciate Stunky's assets as a teammate.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
============
Explosion can be useful if Stunky is close to fainting to go out with a bang, but this is typically inferior to Memento. Toxic can be used to wear down bulky Pokemon with recovery such as Porygon because Stunky can't break through them with its poor offensive stats, but is hard to fit onto any set. Acid Spray is a unique choice, but it allows for some minor wallbreaking especially against the likes of Foongus. Snarl hits through Subsidies and lowers the foe's Special Attack, though it is weak and situational. Choice Scarf, Life Orb, and Berry Juice can all be considered on faster Stunky, but are all relatively niche. Life Orb allows Stunky to hit harder, but sacrifices bulk for only a small number of KOs while Choice Scarf makes Stunky setup bait after it removes Abra or Gastly. Berry Juice can be used over Eviolite for more longevity, but this can create an issue versus the likes of Gastly if entry hazards are on the field.
Checks & Counters
==============
**Dark-types**: Dark-types are troublesome for Stunky, because while they don't particularly do much damage it, they take very little from Stunky's Dark STAB moves and tend to be okay with Play Rough's damage.
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types are not always foolproof checks before Stunky's moveset is known, but if Stunky lacks a Poison STAB move, then Pokemon such as Spritzee or Snubbull can effectively wall Stunky.
**Fighting-types**: Pokemon such as Mienfoo and Timburr are good checks to Stunky because they don't mind Stunky's Dark STAB move and they can outlast it with Drain Punch.
**Ground-types**: Ground is the one weakness that Stunky has, so Pokemon such as Drilbur and Diglett can make quick work of it with their STAB Earthquake.
**Grass-types**: The Grass / Poison dual typing counters any Stunky not running Fire Blast. Foongus can freely use status moves and repeatedly switch into Stunky. Ferroseed can wear Stunky down fairly easily with Iron Barbs and Bullet Seed damage, as well as set up entry hazards or use Thunder Wave as it forces Stunky out. Chespin is immune to Sludge Bomb due to Bulletproof and can set up.
**Pawniard**: While most of the time using Defog would be a great thing, using it as Pawniard switches in could be the start of a sweep against Stunky's team. Pawniard's Defiant will raise its Attack by two stages. However, Pawniard does fear Fire Blast and tends to lose to full-health Stunky.
**Walls**: Stunky has subpar attacking stats, so anything with enough bulk, and especially recovery, can take hits from Stunky and wear it down.
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