
Suicune is a solid setter of Tailwind, helping strong but somewhat slow teammates wreak havoc with turns of added Speed. Suicune also sets itself a part from other Tailwind setters because of its ability in Inner Focus, which allows it to avoid being flinched by Fake Out, alongside its outstanding bulk and typing, which allow it to set up Tailwind reliably and consistently throughout a match. In addition, Inner Focus with Roar allows it to always phaze Trick Room setters in spite of Fake Out, a common technique certain teams use in an attempt to guarantee Trick Room. Unfortunately, Suicune is somewhat passive, not being able to do much aside from setting up Tailwind. Its passiveness and low Speed also make Suicune a big bait to Taunt users, including the likes of Mega Gengar, Tapu Lele, and Tapu Koko. Finally, Suicune suffers from stiff competition from other Tailwind setters such as Zapdos, Mew, and Togekiss.
[SET]
name: Bulky Tailwind
move 1: Scald
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Tailwind
move 4: Roar / Snarl
item: Wiki Berry
ability: Inner Focus
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 48 Def / 44 SpA / 108 SpD / 56 Spe
ivs: 0 Atk
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Scald gives Suicune some offensive presence, having a sizable chance to burn foes like Mega Metagross and Mega Scizor and dealing solid damage to the likes of Incineroar and Stakataka. Ice Beam deals a lot of damage to the likes of Zygarde, Landorus-T, and Mega Salamence while still being its best option against Kommo-o. Tailwind doubles the Speed of Suicune and its allies for three turns, enabling slower but stronger allies to shine. Roar scares away Trick Room setters by threatening to phaze them before they can use Trick Room, further helping allies that benefit from Tailwind. Roar also phazes setup sweepers, especially since they take advantage of Suicune's passiveness. Alternatively, Snarl can punish special attackers by reducing their main offensive stat, easing setup a bit for Suicune's allies.
Set Details
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Alongside Suicune's HP EVs, its Defense and Special Defense investment allows it to avoid the OHKO from +1 Zygarde's Tectonic Rage or Life Orb Tapu Koko's Thunderbolt, respectively. The Speed EVs make it so Suicune outruns Deoxys-A with the help of Tailwind. Finally, the rest of its EVs are added to Special Attack. Inner Focus is the preferred ability to prevent Fake Out from flinching, which is a common strategy used by Trick Room teams, enabling Suicune to phaze Trick Room setters and set Tailwind. Wiki Berry gives Suicune some added longevity, allowing it to set up Tailwind and Roar away Trick Room setters more consistently.
Usage Tips
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Try to use Tailwind as soon as possible with Suicune, but be careful of Taunt users. After using Tailwind, it might be smart to switch Suicune out for a more offensive teammate that can make use of it. If one of your opponent's Pokemon can be taken down by Suicune, such as Deoxys-A or a weakened Zygarde, it might be ideal just to stay in and attack, though. If you're facing a potential Trick Room setter, using Roar as they go for Trick Room is highly advised because, commonly, the teams that Suicune fits the best in tend to struggle against Trick Room otherwise. Avoid letting Suicune get worn down, as Tailwind will often help win games or at the very least put on some pressure against the opponent. If at all possible, make sure to consume Suicune's berry, as it further increases Suicune's longevity. For instance, if Suicune is left at just above a quarter of its health and would get knocked out, it might be a good idea to switch it out and bring it in on a resisted move for its Wiki Berry to trigger.
Team Options
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Pokemon that best fit alongside Suicune are offensive ones that appreciate it setting up Tailwind and preventing Trick Room. Mega Gengar is a good teammate thanks to its ability to trap Pokemon that give Suicune an easier time setting up Tailwind as well as eliminate those that trouble Suicune. Mega Gengar greatly benefits from the added Speed from Suicune's Tailwind, making it nigh impossible to outrun. The likes of Tapu Bulu and Landorus-T fit exceptionally well alongside Suicune, having great defensive synergy while also appreciating the added Speed. Powerful wallbreakers such as Tapu Lele, Kyurem-B, and Choice Band Zygarde can become even deadlier when backed up by Suicune's Tailwind. Similarly, setup sweepers such as Kommo-o and Dragon Dance Zygarde also appreciate the additional Speed to counteract opposing Tailwind and Suicune’s matchup against Intimidate users bar Mega Manectric, which Zygarde already handles.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Suicune's role in the tier is rather limited, so it doesn't have many extra options. Protect is an excellent move in Doubles, but more often than not, the utility of Roar or Snarl is superior. Calm Mind could be used to overcome its passiveness a bit. However, Suicune is a lot better at setting up Tailwind instead of Calm Mind, and Tapu Fini directly outclasses it as a Calm Mind user.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Electric-types**: The likes of Tapu Koko, Mega Manectric, and Zapdos can deal a lot of damage to Suicune. Kyurem-B also gets a mention, as its Fusion Bolt is devastatingly strong.
**Grass-types**: Despite many of them being weak to Ice Beam, most Grass-types, like Tapu Bulu, Amoonguss, Kartana, and Ferrothorn, don't take all that much damage from it and can hit Suicune hard with their STAB moves.
**Taunt**: Taunt users, such as Mega Gengar, Tapu Koko, Tapu Bulu, and Tapu Lele, can easily shut down Suicune, as it and its teammates are usually very reliant on Tailwind.
**Setup**: Even if Suicune is packing Roar, Pokemon with setup moves can take advantage of Suicune's passivity and, at the very least, force Suicune to Roar them out while spreading huge amounts of damage to Suicune's allies. A special mention goes to Soundproof Kommo-o for being immune to both of Suicune’s methods of dissuading setup in Roar and Snarl.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[lyd, 303291]]
- Quality checked by: [[DaAwesomeDude1, 228280], [talkingtree, 232101]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Eien, 100418], [A Cake Wearing A Hat, 388157]]
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