[OVERVIEW]
With its great bulk and strong supportive movepool, Togekiss works as a solid option to help the rest of its team shine. Primarily used for its access to Follow Me, Togekiss also has access to multiple methods of speed control that can be used in order to further support its partner, with its niche over other redirectors found in its access to Tailwind. These forms of speed control are especially useful to Togekiss given that its ability Serene Grace grants it the ability to cause its foe to flinch more than half the time, provided it moves first. Not only that, but Togekiss is alone among the redirectors in being immune to Ground-type attacks. Its typing also provides it the ability to take Fighting-, Dark-, and Dragon-type moves with ease, all of which are common attacking types. However, as a defensively oriented Pokemon, Togekiss fails to provide much offensive pressure. Togekiss also faces lots of competition from other redirectors like Amoonguss, Jirachi, and Clefable, each of which has its own niche.
[SET]
name: Follow Me
move 1: Air Slash
move 2: Follow Me
move 3: Tailwind / Thunder Wave
move 4: Encore / Roost / Helping Hand
item: Safety Goggles / Sitrus Berry
ability: Serene Grace
nature: Calm
evs: 236 HP / 192 Def / 20 SpD / 60 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Air Slash is Togekiss's best attacking option, as it gets a STAB boost and, with Serene Grace, has a 57% chance to cause a slower target to flinch, factoring in accuracy. Follow Me allows Togekiss to give its partner a free turn to attack or set up safely, without fear. Tailwind and Thunder Wave are Togekiss's options for speed control, either of which allows it to support the team as well as outspeed more foes. Tailwind is unique to Togekiss as a redirector and supports Togekiss's whole side. However, unlike Thunder Wave, it isn't permanent and doesn't have the additional chance to prevent the foe from moving. Thunder Wave should be used to check specific threats for the full game, whereas Tailwind supports the entirety of the team for its limited duration. Encore locks a foe into innocuous moves such as Protect and Fake Out, leaving them unable to hurt Togekiss or its partner. It also goes through Substitute, which can prevent common users like Heatran and Aegislash from being effective in battle. Roost allows Togekiss to stick around longer by providing reliable recovery, whereas Helping Hand takes a more offensive approach and can turn Togekiss's partner's attacks from 3HKOs to 2HKOs and 2HKOs to OHKOs in the right situation.
Set Details
========
The listed HP and Defense EVs allow Togekiss to survive a Life Orb Bisharp's Iron Head, letting it redirect the move once from full HP. 60 Speed EVs are used to outspeed Adamant Choice Scarf Landorus-T under Tailwind, with the remainder placed in Special Defense for extra bulk. Togekiss's decent base 120 Special Attack means that Air Slash still hits decently hard without investment. Equipping Safety Goggles allows Togekiss to safely redirect Spore from Amoonguss or Breloom, as well as ignore the effects of Rage Powder, making it a perfect answer to both, as Togekiss resists their STAB attacks and can hit them back with a super effective Air Slash. Sitrus Berry is another option and provides Togekiss with an extra HP buffer to survive more hits. This is especially important for turns where Togekiss needs to take two strong attacks for its partner. If using Thunder Wave over Tailwind, you can move the Speed EVs to Special Defense to allow Togekiss to survive a Life Orb Aegislash's Flash Cannon.
Usage Tips
========
Togekiss's goal is to be a disrupter or supporter in whatever way best aids its team. There are many different ways to accomplish this: Follow Me, Air Slash flinches, speed control, and either Encore or Helping Hand, depending on the chosen moveset. Try to avoid switching Togekiss in on any strong neutral or super effective attacks—a healthier Togekiss is a much more effective user of Follow Me. Use Follow Me to help Togekiss's partner when it is threatened to give it a chance to either set up or attack. For Togekiss, outspeeding opposing Pokemon is especially useful, granting it a good chance to immobilize them with Air Slash. Thus, setting some form of speed control in either Tailwind or Thunder Wave before attacking is usually a good idea, as getting a flinch with Air Slash can really help generate momentum for Togekiss's team. However, remember that Air Slash flinches are not guaranteed and shouldn't be treated as such. Use Helping Hand if Togekiss's partner is reasonably safe to attack and the boost is absolutely necessary to get the KO. Helping Hand is usually the best option on a turn where Togekiss will likely be outsped and KOed, as its +5 priority provides Togekiss a last-ditch way to support its teammate.
Team Options
========
Togekiss partners well with many different Pokemon in the metagame. Notable options include setup Pokemon, especially ones that appreciate speed control like Mega Kangaskhan, Substitute Heatran, and Substitute Kyurem-B. All Pokemon that don't share Togekiss's weaknesses and have lots of offensive presence to make up for Togekiss's lack thereof make for good teammates, especially if they appreciate the speed control it provides. Some examples that fall into this category are Breloom and Hoopa-U. Wide Guard users such as Aegislash protect Togekiss from Rock Slide and Icy Wind as well as discourage spread moves that Togekiss cannot redirect. Togekiss operates best alongside a teammate with the ability to beat Rock-, Steel-, Electric-, and Poison-types that threaten Togekiss out, so Pokemon with Ground-type attacks like Landorus-T, Heatran, Kyurem-B, and Rhyperior are great. Earthquake users such as Landorus-T and Rhyperior get a special mention because Togekiss avoids Earthquake. Pokemon with Intimidate make it easier for Togekiss to do its job redirecting attacks by weakening the incoming physical attacks, so again, Landorus-T works very well beside Togekiss.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Protect allows Togekiss to scout for attacks and determine whether redirection is needed. However, Togekiss struggles to find room for the move on its moveset. Leftovers provides gradual recovery that adds up to more health than a Sitrus Berry if Togekiss is on the field for more than four turns, but Doubles is a fast-paced metagame and Togekiss usually won't be out for that long. Leftovers also fails to provide the boost of recovery that may be needed for Togekiss to survive two attacks in a crucial turn. Safeguard and Heal Bell are options for Togekiss to prevent or heal status effects such as burn, paralysis, and sleep, but they are much more situational than the options listed on the main set, and Togekiss can already redirect status moves away from its partner with Follow Me. Charm lets Togekiss lower a foe's Attack severely, opening up the ability to redirect its attacks more safely. However, if that foe switches out, the drops are removed anyway, and if Togekiss's goal is to redirect more attacks, Roost is generally more helpful. Rocky Helmet allows Togekiss to act as a soft check to physical attackers like Mega Kangaskhan and Talonflame by providing chip damage.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Typing Advantage**: Rock-, Steel-, and Electric-type attackers like Mega Diancie, Heatran, Aegislash, Thundurus, and Rotom-W resist Air Slash and can hit Togekiss for huge amounts of damage in return. Electric-types are also immune to Thunder Wave, should Togekiss carry it.
**Speed Control**: Without the ability to go first, Togekiss can't get Serene Grace flinches and is much less threatening. Thus, all forms of speed control weaken Togekiss's disruptive capabilities. Trick Room teams also hurt Togekiss's effectiveness, as they often have multiple spread attackers. However, Togekiss can try for flinches with Air Slash to prevent Trick Room from being set.
**Utility**: Taunt users such as Thundurus and Gengar can prevent Togekiss from using Follow Me or any of its many other support options, limiting it to only one move. Both also threaten Togekiss with STAB super effective attacks. Substitute users such as Kyurem-B and Heatran can freely set up on Togekiss that lack Encore and can attack both Togekiss and its partner from behind their Substitute.
**Miscellaneous**: Attackers with spread moves like Heat Wave and Rock Slide make Togekiss's primary purpose as a redirector ineffective. Some relevant examples include Landorus-T and Mega Charizard Y.
With its great bulk and strong supportive movepool, Togekiss works as a solid option to help the rest of its team shine. Primarily used for its access to Follow Me, Togekiss also has access to multiple methods of speed control that can be used in order to further support its partner, with its niche over other redirectors found in its access to Tailwind. These forms of speed control are especially useful to Togekiss given that its ability Serene Grace grants it the ability to cause its foe to flinch more than half the time, provided it moves first. Not only that, but Togekiss is alone among the redirectors in being immune to Ground-type attacks. Its typing also provides it the ability to take Fighting-, Dark-, and Dragon-type moves with ease, all of which are common attacking types. However, as a defensively oriented Pokemon, Togekiss fails to provide much offensive pressure. Togekiss also faces lots of competition from other redirectors like Amoonguss, Jirachi, and Clefable, each of which has its own niche.
[SET]
name: Follow Me
move 1: Air Slash
move 2: Follow Me
move 3: Tailwind / Thunder Wave
move 4: Encore / Roost / Helping Hand
item: Safety Goggles / Sitrus Berry
ability: Serene Grace
nature: Calm
evs: 236 HP / 192 Def / 20 SpD / 60 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Air Slash is Togekiss's best attacking option, as it gets a STAB boost and, with Serene Grace, has a 57% chance to cause a slower target to flinch, factoring in accuracy. Follow Me allows Togekiss to give its partner a free turn to attack or set up safely, without fear. Tailwind and Thunder Wave are Togekiss's options for speed control, either of which allows it to support the team as well as outspeed more foes. Tailwind is unique to Togekiss as a redirector and supports Togekiss's whole side. However, unlike Thunder Wave, it isn't permanent and doesn't have the additional chance to prevent the foe from moving. Thunder Wave should be used to check specific threats for the full game, whereas Tailwind supports the entirety of the team for its limited duration. Encore locks a foe into innocuous moves such as Protect and Fake Out, leaving them unable to hurt Togekiss or its partner. It also goes through Substitute, which can prevent common users like Heatran and Aegislash from being effective in battle. Roost allows Togekiss to stick around longer by providing reliable recovery, whereas Helping Hand takes a more offensive approach and can turn Togekiss's partner's attacks from 3HKOs to 2HKOs and 2HKOs to OHKOs in the right situation.
Set Details
========
The listed HP and Defense EVs allow Togekiss to survive a Life Orb Bisharp's Iron Head, letting it redirect the move once from full HP. 60 Speed EVs are used to outspeed Adamant Choice Scarf Landorus-T under Tailwind, with the remainder placed in Special Defense for extra bulk. Togekiss's decent base 120 Special Attack means that Air Slash still hits decently hard without investment. Equipping Safety Goggles allows Togekiss to safely redirect Spore from Amoonguss or Breloom, as well as ignore the effects of Rage Powder, making it a perfect answer to both, as Togekiss resists their STAB attacks and can hit them back with a super effective Air Slash. Sitrus Berry is another option and provides Togekiss with an extra HP buffer to survive more hits. This is especially important for turns where Togekiss needs to take two strong attacks for its partner. If using Thunder Wave over Tailwind, you can move the Speed EVs to Special Defense to allow Togekiss to survive a Life Orb Aegislash's Flash Cannon.
Usage Tips
========
Togekiss's goal is to be a disrupter or supporter in whatever way best aids its team. There are many different ways to accomplish this: Follow Me, Air Slash flinches, speed control, and either Encore or Helping Hand, depending on the chosen moveset. Try to avoid switching Togekiss in on any strong neutral or super effective attacks—a healthier Togekiss is a much more effective user of Follow Me. Use Follow Me to help Togekiss's partner when it is threatened to give it a chance to either set up or attack. For Togekiss, outspeeding opposing Pokemon is especially useful, granting it a good chance to immobilize them with Air Slash. Thus, setting some form of speed control in either Tailwind or Thunder Wave before attacking is usually a good idea, as getting a flinch with Air Slash can really help generate momentum for Togekiss's team. However, remember that Air Slash flinches are not guaranteed and shouldn't be treated as such. Use Helping Hand if Togekiss's partner is reasonably safe to attack and the boost is absolutely necessary to get the KO. Helping Hand is usually the best option on a turn where Togekiss will likely be outsped and KOed, as its +5 priority provides Togekiss a last-ditch way to support its teammate.
Team Options
========
Togekiss partners well with many different Pokemon in the metagame. Notable options include setup Pokemon, especially ones that appreciate speed control like Mega Kangaskhan, Substitute Heatran, and Substitute Kyurem-B. All Pokemon that don't share Togekiss's weaknesses and have lots of offensive presence to make up for Togekiss's lack thereof make for good teammates, especially if they appreciate the speed control it provides. Some examples that fall into this category are Breloom and Hoopa-U. Wide Guard users such as Aegislash protect Togekiss from Rock Slide and Icy Wind as well as discourage spread moves that Togekiss cannot redirect. Togekiss operates best alongside a teammate with the ability to beat Rock-, Steel-, Electric-, and Poison-types that threaten Togekiss out, so Pokemon with Ground-type attacks like Landorus-T, Heatran, Kyurem-B, and Rhyperior are great. Earthquake users such as Landorus-T and Rhyperior get a special mention because Togekiss avoids Earthquake. Pokemon with Intimidate make it easier for Togekiss to do its job redirecting attacks by weakening the incoming physical attacks, so again, Landorus-T works very well beside Togekiss.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Protect allows Togekiss to scout for attacks and determine whether redirection is needed. However, Togekiss struggles to find room for the move on its moveset. Leftovers provides gradual recovery that adds up to more health than a Sitrus Berry if Togekiss is on the field for more than four turns, but Doubles is a fast-paced metagame and Togekiss usually won't be out for that long. Leftovers also fails to provide the boost of recovery that may be needed for Togekiss to survive two attacks in a crucial turn. Safeguard and Heal Bell are options for Togekiss to prevent or heal status effects such as burn, paralysis, and sleep, but they are much more situational than the options listed on the main set, and Togekiss can already redirect status moves away from its partner with Follow Me. Charm lets Togekiss lower a foe's Attack severely, opening up the ability to redirect its attacks more safely. However, if that foe switches out, the drops are removed anyway, and if Togekiss's goal is to redirect more attacks, Roost is generally more helpful. Rocky Helmet allows Togekiss to act as a soft check to physical attackers like Mega Kangaskhan and Talonflame by providing chip damage.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Typing Advantage**: Rock-, Steel-, and Electric-type attackers like Mega Diancie, Heatran, Aegislash, Thundurus, and Rotom-W resist Air Slash and can hit Togekiss for huge amounts of damage in return. Electric-types are also immune to Thunder Wave, should Togekiss carry it.
**Speed Control**: Without the ability to go first, Togekiss can't get Serene Grace flinches and is much less threatening. Thus, all forms of speed control weaken Togekiss's disruptive capabilities. Trick Room teams also hurt Togekiss's effectiveness, as they often have multiple spread attackers. However, Togekiss can try for flinches with Air Slash to prevent Trick Room from being set.
**Utility**: Taunt users such as Thundurus and Gengar can prevent Togekiss from using Follow Me or any of its many other support options, limiting it to only one move. Both also threaten Togekiss with STAB super effective attacks. Substitute users such as Kyurem-B and Heatran can freely set up on Togekiss that lack Encore and can attack both Togekiss and its partner from behind their Substitute.
**Miscellaneous**: Attackers with spread moves like Heat Wave and Rock Slide make Togekiss's primary purpose as a redirector ineffective. Some relevant examples include Landorus-T and Mega Charizard Y.
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