[OVERVIEW]
As the only Pokemon with the ability Shadow Tag in LC, Wynaut is able to trap all non-Ghost type Pokemon. An impressive base HP stat of 95 lets Wynaut absorb a hit and almost always KO the trapped attacker with Counter or Mirror Coat. However, Wynaut suffers from a shallow movepool that lacks any offensive moves, making it a reactive trapper that relies on good predictions. Its mediocre Speed and lack of recovery outside Berry Juice jeopardize its longevity and ability to trap consistently. Additionally, Wynaut faces competition from other trappers such as Diglett and Trapinch that offer more reliable, flexible, and proactive trapping.
[SET]
name: Trapper
move 1: Counter
move 2: Mirror Coat
move 3: Encore
move 4: Destiny Bond
item: Berry Juice
ability: Shadow Tag
nature: Jolly
evs: 76 HP / 52 Def / 52 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Counter and Mirror Coat allow Wynaut to OHKO most attackers after taking a hit. Encore guarantees that you will choose correctly between Counter or Mirror Coat, depending on the type of move, or can switch to a Pokemon that is able to better exploit the move to preserve Wynaut for later usage. Destiny Bond gives Wynaut one last opportunity to KO an unsuspecting revenge killer or pivot.
Set Details
========
76 HP EVs, along with 52 Defense and 52 Special Defense EVs, help Wynaut reach 27 HP / 12 Def / 12 SpD, helping it tank both physical and special hits. 252 EVs in Speed with a Jolly nature allow Wynaut to reach 13 Speed, outspeeding defensive trapping targets such as Shellos, Timburr, Ferroseed, and Foongus. Berry Juice is the preferred item, as it provides Wynaut with a source of recovery to help it better absorb damage.
Usage Tips
========
When using Wynaut to trap certain defensive targets, it should not be sent into strong attacking moves, especially Knock Off, to preserve Berry Juice. Instead, Wynaut should enter the battle after a switch from an offensive pivot or as a revenge killer against slow, passive, and bulky walls. It is able to switch in on resisted attacks like Timburr's Drain Punch or on weak offensive moves like Shellos's Scald and use Encore for a more reliable KO with Counter or Mirror Coat. Wynaut can also utilize Encore to lock foes into a setup or non-damaging move in order to safely bring in a check or counter. Likewise, Wynaut can freely revenge kill Choice Scarf users such as Galarian Farfetch'd when they are locked into resisted attacks such as Close Combat.
Team Options
========
Wynaut appreciates the removal of Pawniard and Vullaby, as both Dark-types threaten Wynaut's effectiveness and ability to switch in. Timburr, Ponyta, and Onix serve as key checks to them. Wynaut is able to complement these checks by removing bulky Water-types like Shellos and Mareanie. Entry hazard setters such as Pawniard, Onix, and Ferroseed benefit from Wynaut's ability to trap Timburr. Setup sweepers such as Nasty Plot Vullaby, Agility Porygon, and Shellder relish an opportunity to boost and sweep after the removal of certain walls or by exploiting an Encore-locked foe. Lastly, offensive pivots such as Vullaby and Mienfoo assist Wynaut by providing more scenarios for it to come into play and trap foes.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Safeguard can be used over Destiny Bond to protect Wynaut from status moves such as Shellos's Toxic and Foongus's Spore, helping Wynaut better trap them. Tickle can also be used over Destiny Bond to make trapping easier or weaken targets enough for an incoming sweeper. A bulkier EV spread of 236 HP / 52 Def / 52 SpD can be utilized to improve Wynaut's bulk but lets it be outsped by Timburr and Shellos, making it unable to use Encore first. Eviolite can be utilized instead of Berry Juice to bolster Wynaut's defenses to let it handle more hits, but it makes Wynaut lose out on its only reliable source of recovery.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Dark-types such as Pawniard, Vullaby, and Scraggy are able to outspeed and KO Wynaut with Knock Off. Furthermore, they serve as a switch-in from Volt Switch users since they are immune to Mirror Coat.
**Ghost-types**: Ghost-types such as Frillish are not affected by Shadow Tag and pressure Wynaut with their STAB moves. Also, they can function as switch-ins from U-turn users due to their immunity to Counter.
**Knock Off Users**: Knock Off users such as Pawniard, Vullaby, and Mienfoo can limit Wynaut's effectiveness by KOing it or removing its only source of recovery in Berry Juice.
**Taunt Users**: Taunt users such as Onix and Mienfoo outspeed Wynaut and force it to only use Counter or Mirror Coat. In the case of Onix, it is able to create prediction battles between Stealth Rock and Rock Blast that favor it because Counter only doubles the damage of the last hit of Rock Blast.
**VoltTurn Users**: U-turn and Volt Switch users such as Vullaby, Mienfoo, and Chinchou are able to avoid getting trapped by Wynaut and switch into a Ghost- or Dark-type that is immune to Counter or Mirror Coat.
**Spritzee**: Spritzee is able to ignore Encore due to its ability in Aroma Veil. Furthermore, its Nasty Plot set is able to boost on Wynaut, leading to prediction battles between Destiny Bond and Mirror Coat.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Dreamcatcher, 449990]]
- Quality checked by: [[jake, 110102], [Stoward, 420389], [Fiend, 208173]]
- Grammar checked by: [[CryoGyro, 331519], [Estronic, 240732]]
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