BP
Upper Decky Lip Mints
[OVERVIEW]
Swanna has cemented itself as one of the best offensive Flying-types in the tier due to its great offensive typing. With access to Defog, Swanna becomes undoubtedly the best offensive Defogger ZU has to offer. Because of its typing, Swanna can viably run a variety of different Z-Moves, which makes it hard to check. In addition, Swanna's above-average Speed tier lets it outspeed and threaten the likes of Silvally-Fighting, Combusken, and non-Choice Scarf Pinsir and Leafeon. Unfortunately, Swanna suffers from poor defensive stats, so it must rely on prediction when switching into common entry hazard setters and offensive Pokemon alike, such as Crustle, Pinsir, Kecleon, and Golem. Because of its average offensive stats, Swanna is forced to rely on Hurricane or Z-Moves in order to wallbreak properly. This restricts Swanna's wallbreaking capabilities.
[SET]
name: Biggest Bird (Offensive Defog)
move 1: Hurricane
move 2: Scald
move 3: Defog
move 4: Roost
item: Flyinium Z / Life Orb
ability: Big Pecks
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hurricane and Scald are Swanna’s most effective moves, allowing it to take advantage of its fantastic STAB combination. Roost gives Swanna the ability to restore its health after Life Orb recoil and Stealth Rock damage and allows it to repeatedly check Pokemon such as Floatzel, Silvally-Fighting, and Combusken.
Set Details
========
Flyinium Z allows Swanna to bypass Hurricane’s low accuracy. Life Orb is used to boost Swanna's damage output; however, the recoil damage is often detrimental when coupled with Stealth Rock damage. Big Pecks allows Swanna to avoid Defense drops, which help Swanna better check Floatzel that use Liquidation.
Usage Tips
========
Swanna’s main goal is to act as a wallbreaker, taking advantage of physically defensive walls such as Tangela and Gourgiest-XL as well as slower offensive Pokemon such as Leafeon, Silvally-Fighting, and Oricorio. Swanna can switch into Pokemon it is able to threaten such as Combusken, Gourgiest-XL, and Silvally-Fighting. Swanna should take the opportunity to remove entry hazards when it forces switches. It is important to utilize Roost in order to maintain Swanna's longevity when checking Pokemon like Floatzel and Combusken. Swanna's relatively low Special Attack stat means it struggles to break specially defensive Pokemon such as Lickilicky, Kecleon, and Bronzor without a super effective move, so it's best to switch into physical wallbreakers to better handle them. Swanna's Z-Move is best used to net KOs when it doesn't want to risk a Hurricane miss. Furthermore, Supersonic Skystrike can also be used to remove weakened defensive Pokemon such as Silvally-Water and Pyukumuku.
Team Options
========
Swanna pairs well with Pokemon that appreciate entry hazards removed like Abomasnow, Combusken, Rapidash, and Pinsir. Physical wallbreakers such as Machoke, Komala, and Shiftry can threaten specially defensive walls like Lickilicky and Kecleon that are able to wall Swanna. These Pokemon also appreciate Swanna's ability to check Golem, Gourgeist-XL, and Silvally-Fighting. Electric-types such as Electivire and Machoke appreciate Swanna's ability to threaten Ground-types like Golem, Silvally-Ground, and Marowak. Swanna hates opposing Electric-types, so Pokemon immune to Electric-type attacks like Golem, Electivire, and Raichu all pair well it. Swanna appreciates Pokemon with entry hazard support such as Golem, Mareanie, and Probopass. In return, Golem and Probopass appreciate Swanna's ability to check Fighting-types. Because Swanna is weak to Stealth Rock and cannot switch into most hazard setters comfortably, it often appreciates a second hazard remover such as Silvally-Fighting, Silvally-Dragon, or Komala.
[SET]
name: Z-Rain Dance
move 1: Rain Dance
move 2: Surf / Scald
move 3: Hurricane
move 4: Roost / Ice Beam
item: Waterium Z
ability: Hydration
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=========
Scald may be used over Surf so Swanna is able to threaten physical attackers with a potential burn. Z-Rain Dance allows Swanna to gain a +1 Speed boost as well as activate its ability, Hydration. Swanna has the option to run Ice Beam over Roost exclusively for Altaria.
Set Details
========
Waterium Z is necessary to boost Swanna's Speed in cleaning situations; however, it can also be used to boost Swanna’s selected Water-type STAB move by turning it into Hydro Vortex if the speed boost is not needed. However, Hydro Vortex from Scald is much weaker than from Surf.
Usage Tips
========
Swanna's main role is to act as a late-game sweeper, so it is best to preserve it until it has a clear opening or its checks and counters are weakened. The choice between using Z-Rain Dance or Hydro Vortex should be based on whether Swanna needs a Speed boost in order to sweep. Under rain, Hydro Vortex can be used to catch opposing weakened specially defensive walls off guard such as Bronzor, Lickilicky, Assault Vest Komala, and Kecleon. Ideally, Roost should be used on predicted switches in order to maintain Swanna's HP, giving it a greater chance of completing its sweep. With the +1 Speed boost, Swanna outpaces and KOes common Choice Scarf users such as Chatot, Leafeon, Pinsir, a weakened Electivire, and weakened Silvally formes. Swanna should be wary of priority users such as Shiftry, Kecleon, and Pawniard, as they ignore Swanna's Speed boost and can take advantage of its low defenses.
Team Options
========
Swanna greatly appreciates entry hazard support in order to weaken some of its checks and counters, so Pokemon that can set hazards such as Golem and Mareanie all make for great partners. Because Swanna is weak to Stealth Rock, Pokemon that can remove hazards such as Komala and Silvally formes are all excellent options. Silvally-Fighting in particular makes for a fantastic option because it isn't weak to Stealth Rock and can pressure Golem and Probopass. Swanna often finds itself pressured by Electric-type Pokemon, so Pokemon that are immune to Electric-type attacks such as Raichu, Electivire, and Golem all make for good partners. Swanna can synergize well with other physical late-game sweepers like Muk, Pinsir, and Combusken by eliminating each others' defensive checks. Physical wallbreakers such as Shiftry, Combusken, and Choice Band Komala are all able to pressure Pokemon that wall Swanna such as Bronzor, Vigoroth, and Kecleon.
[SET]
name: Bravest Bird (Z-Mirror Move)
move 1: Mirror Move
move 2: Brave Bird
move 3: Liquidation
move 4: Aqua Jet / Roost
item: Flyinium Z
ability: Big Pecks
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=========
Z-Mirror Move gives Swanna a +2 boost in Attack and allows it to fire off the foe's last move as a Z-Move. STAB Brave Bird sets Swanna apart from Floatzel, allowing it to hit Tangela and Gourgiest-XL. Aqua Jet offers Swanna priority, allowing it to clean if the opposing team still has a weakened Choice Scarf user. Alternatively, Roost enables Swanna to regain its health so it can maintain a threatening position. In addition, Roost allows Swanna to become a better soft check to Floatzel and Silvally-Fighting.
Set Details
========
Flyinium Z allows Swanna to use Z-Mirror Move or Supersonic Skystrike in order to clean late-game.
Usage Tips
========
Swanna should be primarily used as a late-game cleaner, so potential threats and walls should be removed such as Choice Scarf Electivire, Pawniard, Pyukumuku, and Silvally-Water. Before using Z-Mirror Move, take into account the last move that was used and whether it would KO the opposing Pokemon. Because of the recoil damage, Brave Bird should only be used to net KOs that Liquidation can't. Due to its lackluster bulk, Swanna lacking Roost should refrain from switching into opposing attacks. Swanna should be wary of Pokemon that use priority and resist Aqua Jet such as Shiftry.
Team Options
========
Swanna appreciates Pokemon that can set entry hazards and chip its checks and counters, so Pokemon like Golem and Mareanie make for great partners. Because Swanna is weak to Stealth Rock, it appreciates Pokemon that can remove them such as Silvally formes and Komala. Silvally-Fighting is one of the best options due to its resistance against Stealth Rock and ability to check Pokemon such as Golem, Probopass, and Pawniard. Electric-type Pokemon threaten Swanna, so Pokemon that are immune to Electric-type attacks such as Electivire, Golem, and Raichu make for good partners. Physical wallbreakers such as Shiftry and Choice Band Komala can weaken Pokemon like Bronzor and Altaria so Swanna has an easier time cleaning late-game. Other late-game sweepers such as Mr. Mime, Muk, and Combusken pair well with Swanna due to their combined offensive presence.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Choice Scarf set may be run to outpace other Choice Scarf users like Electivire, Pinsir, and Leafeon, but it's often outclassed by other Choice Scarf users in ZU. Unfortunately, Choice Scarf Swanna loses to Electivire unless the Electivire is significantly weakened. Swanna can utilize a defensive set consisting of 248 HP EVs and 232 Speed EVs with Leftovers to better check Monferno and Combusken.
Checks and Counter
===================
**Electric-type Pokemon**: Pokemon such as Raichu, Electivire, and Zebstrika all heavily threaten Swanna due to their STAB Volt Switch. Volt Switch users, in particular, are an issue because they are able to maintain momentum against Swanna's team.
**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Pokemon such as Lickilicky, Komala, and Bronzor wall and threaten out Swanna. Moreover, Muk can use Swanna as setup fodder and effectively boost itself. However, all of these Pokemon should be wary of Swanna's Z-Mirror Move set.
**Revenge Killers**: Swanna does not appreciate taking much damage due to its poor bulk. Revenge killers that wield a Choice Scarf or have access to priority are often troublesome for Swanna. Some of these Pokemon include Shiftry, Pawniard, Mr. Mime, Chatot, and Kecleon.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Broken Phobias, 272450]]
- Quality checked by: [[5gen, 296755], [lightpinkyoshi, 244693], [Bloodace, 435539]]
- Grammar checked by: [[frostration, 447027], [Fireflame479, 231476]]
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