Oglemi
Borf
http://www.smogon.com/rs/pokemon/whiscash
[Overview]
Whiscash faces some stiff competition for the role of bulky Water-type in the NU metagame. Its main competition, Wailord, sports similar defensive capabilities (in fact, they shake out to be almost identical) as well as higher offensive stats, crucial resistances to Water and Ice, and access to two coveted moves in Roar and Self-Destruct. Whiscash, on the other hand, has what is possibly the best typing in the game and access to STAB Earthquake, effectively letting it take on several top threats, such as Haunter, Pikachu, and Pupitar, that Wailord can struggle against. However, despite just how good the Water / Ground typing is, the 4x weakness to Grass is what really lowers Whiscash's standing in the tier; Grass is a popular coverage type on wallbreakers, Fire-types like Flareon, and Water-types like Dewgong and Wailord, since there are many Pokemon that share Whiscash's unfortunate 4x weakness. If you can cover Whiscash's abhorration of the green stuff it'll pull its weight in any match.
[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Rest / Toxic
move 4: Sleep Talk / Protect
item: Leftovers
ability: Oblivious
nature: Relaxed
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
With maximum Defense investment, Whiscash is physically bulky enough to avoid a 2HKO from Choice Band Metang and Hitmonchan, giving it an immediate niche in the tier. Physically defensive Whiscash vies for a team slot with Relicanth and Wailord, but there are a couple of things that make Whiscash worth using over both. While Relicanth resists Normal- and Flying-type attacks and Wailord is a better Fire-type check by virtue of being less susceptible to Grass-type attacks and has Roar, Whiscash has an easier time offensively beating back Hitmonchan, resists Rock and is immune to Electric, and more easily takes on special attackers like Haunter (assuming they lack Grass-type coverage). Earthquake and Ice Beam have very good coverage together and prevent Pokemon like Substitute Tropius from being able to take advantage of Whiscash even if it's asleep. RestTalk provides Whiscash with great longevity and allows it to absorb status for the team. Protect + Toxic is another option if you feel RestTalk leaves Whiscash too vulnerable, with Toxic allowing Whiscash to cripple most Pokemon that aren't too threatened by its coverage moves, notably other bulky Pokemon like Wailord and Chimecho.
[ADDITIONAL SET COMMENTS]
A more balanced EV spread can be used to turn Whiscash into a more of a blanket check and try to make the most of its set of resistances. With a spread of 252 HP / 140 Def / 112 SpD and a Sassy nature, Whiscash is still physically bulky enough to avoid a 2HKO from Choice Band Murkrow's Drill Peck and specially bulky enough to just barely survive a Fire Blast followed by a Hidden Power Grass from maximum Special Attack Flareon.
Spikes can heavily pressure Whiscash and make it harder for it to check the physical attackers it needs to, such as Choice Band Metang and Relicanth, making Rapid Spin support from Hitmonchan highly valued to get the most out of Whiscash. In the same vein, Spikes support of your own will allow Whiscash to nab some KOs it can otherwise miss out on, such as a OHKO on Pupitar and a 2HKO on Choice Band Hitmonchan. Roselia is the best Spiker to pair with Whiscash, as it completely covers Whiscash's Grass-type weakness, can easily switch in on opposing Wailord, and can provide cleric support, and in return, Whiscash deals with a large majority of the physical attackers that give Roselia trouble. Other cleric options to consider pairing Whiscash with so that it doesn't have to rely on Sleep Talk rolls include Chimecho and Lickitung.
[SET]
name: Substitute Stallbreaker
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Surf
move 4: Ice Beam / Toxic / Hidden Power Grass
item: Leftovers
ability: Oblivious
nature: Mild
evs: 172 HP / 148 Atk / 144 SpA / 44 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
This set merges Whiscash's offensive and defensive potential to mold it into a deadly stallbreaker when used correctly. Whiscash's typing is perfectly suited to counteract the most common stall and defensive archetypes in the tier, with only other bulky Water-types standing in Whiscash's way of total team decimation. With the moves and EV spread given, Whiscash can create 101 HP Substitutes, giving it a totally free setup against standard physically defensive Sableye and letting it cleanly 2HKO it with Surf. Roselia, Flareon, and Mawile are all easily 2HKOed by Earthquake, and Substitute protects Whiscash from the former two's Grass-type attacks. The last slot is dedicated to how you want Whiscash to handle the opponent's bulky Water- or Grass-type. Ice Beam will absolutely shred Tangela and deals a decent chunk to offensive Bellossom, and Earthquake + Ice Beam has pretty stellar coverage in the tier. Toxic is the best all-around choice for weakening Dewgong, Wailord, and Bellossom in the long run but is easily worked around if the opponent has a cleric or RestTalk user. Hidden Power Grass deals some decent chip damage to Wailord and especially other Whiscash and Relicanth.
[ADDITIONAL SET COMMENTS]
It's not recommended to deviate from the EV spread given, as it is specifically tailored to achieve the KOs Whiscash needs. This Whiscash set thrives on Spikes support to weaken the opponent's bulky Water-type and help Whiscash nab the KOs that it wants to. Roselia is the best option, as it covers Whiscash's Grass-type weakness perfectly, although this set also fits well on the offensive teams that Glalie works best on. Pokemon that can lure in and eliminate the opponent's Water-type will also work wonders here, with an Explosion lure such as Torkoal and Metang making particularly good choices. Finally, Pokemon that work best with the opponent's stall core broken up are needed to make the most of this set. Late-game sweepers such as Huntail and Bellossom would be among the best choices.
[Other Options]
A Choice Band set is perfectly doable thanks to Whiscash's high bulk and access to Earthquake, but its overall lack of power and meaningful coverage leave it outclassed by similar users like Relicanth and Metang. A fully specially defensive set is possible but ultimately strictly outclassed by Dewgong and Wailord due to Whiscash's unfortunate weakness to Grass-type attacks, which makes it an ineffective check to Fire- and Water-types that typically carry Hidden Power Grass. Rock Tomb and Icy Wind are interesting options considering Whiscash's middling Speed stat, potentially allowing it to tank an attack from, say, Haunter and finish it off the following turn with Surf. Spark is a cool option that allows Whiscash to run Grass, Electric, and Ice coverage all in one moveset, something very few other Pokemon can accomplish in NU, but Whiscash's Special Attack is pretty lackluster to make the most of it.
[Checks and Counters]
Bellossom is probably the best overall switch-in to Whiscash, as it resists Whiscash's STAB attacks, doesn't take too much from Ice Beam, and can easily OHKO Whiscash with its Grass-type STAB moves. Roselia and Tangela will also both easily KO Whiscash but need to be more careful around Earthquake and Ice Beam, respectively. Pelipper, Wailord, and other bulky Water-types will usually take a pittance from Whiscash's moves and can threaten back with Hidden Power Grass more than it can threaten them, but all will dislike getting inflicted by Toxic. Especially strong physical attackers will still break even maximum Defense Whiscash, such as Bulk Up Vigoroth and Hitmonchan at +2. Finally, most anything else with a Grass-type attack, such as Haunter, Flareon, and Huntail, can consider itself an effective check to Whiscash.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Oglemi, 40358]]
- Quality checked by: [[Disjunction, 224927], [Rabia, 336037]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [Estronic, 240732]]
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