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[HeatEdgeSword]

#79: Replace Encore with Freeze-Dry instead. That's it, if your Ninetales has Freeze-Dry as its egg move.

#80: Mega Metagross is the best answer. Also, don't invest Defense EV on something that won't take physical attack, especially if its nature is Hasty. Maximize its Special Attack instead.

 

[Dragonite Fan]

#79: Replace Encore with Freeze-Dry instead. That's it, if your Ninetales has Freeze-Dry as its egg move.

.

No way man. I think you don't get just how effective encore is here.
I lead with A-ninetails, and use aurora veil (unless I am up against something That is both a threat offensively and can be taken don with one blizzard/moonblast, or if i'm anticipating snatch)
(BTW- Ninetails is holding light clay- I usually get halved damage for the duration of the fight)
If the opponent tries to set up, I encore it. This almost always causes a switch out, and gives me a free switch in if I choose.
Plus, In some situations i can get ninetails to encore the opponent's last pokemon, and thats just amazing.
Ninetails is not the sweeper on this team, it's a set-up and counter set-up, that just happens to have really strong special attack.

Blizzard versus freeze-dry is a bit of a question though. got any say on that?

 

[EKZ1505]

I don't know what format you're playing in or what the rest of the team is, but I've seen highly rated teams (1800-1900+) run your set on Battle Spot Doubles (VGC) and Battle Spot Singles, but with Freeze Dry over Moonblast. They always hold Focus Sash too. I would highly recommend it.

 

[nel3]

#80: Mega Metagross is the best answer. Also, don't invest Defense EV on something that won't take physical attack, especially if its nature is Hasty. Maximize its Special Attack instead.

thank you very much, i'll get a 5IV metagross going. still need to find my 5IV froslass for the dex entry first. though i still have 1 last question for psychic surge ability, does it nullify prankster when its in play? i know e-speed, sucker punch etc are blocked when its in effect.

 

[Dragonite Fan]

I don't know what format you're playing in or what the rest of the team is, but I've seen highly rated teams (1800-1900+) run your set on Battle Spot Doubles (VGC) and Battle Spot Singles, but with Freeze Dry over Moonblast. They always hold Focus Sash too. I would highly recommend it.

Im actually mostly going for battle tree streaks right now. Doing think im good enough for the proper competitive scene
I think the light clay is better than the focus sash, because my main use of ninetails is the aurora veil, so even if it faints, its usually after doing its most important job (plus- with the veil up it usually survives most attacks that aren't STAB steel moves.

Moonblast is a very effective STAB attack, I don't see much sense in ditching it in favor of dual- ice type attacks.

Right now, i'm thinking blizzard is better in doubles, but struggling between blizzard and freeze-dry in singles.

 

[EKZ1505]

Again, it may depend on who your other 2 Pokémon are, but in my opinion, 100% accurate Blizzards is the biggest reason to use A-Ninetales, other than maybe setting up Aurora Veil without the need to use a turn to set up Hail too. Moonblast is strong, but weaker than Blizzard while offering similar coverage. Fire and steel resist both, and Freeze Dry hits water types anyway. Unless fighting, dark, or ice types (which Ninetales resists 2 of those in return anyway) are a huge problem for the team, Moonblast is not as useful.

I love the surprise of Encore, but you 100% should be getting rid of that before you replace Blizzard.

 

[NickChaos]

Pyukumuku viability?

So, recently I EV trained a mixed defense Pyukumuku with max HP EVs and I'm wondering if anyone can take a guess of how viable Pyukumuku would be in the upcoming VGC '17 format. Honestly, it may be niche, but given Innards Out it could probably counter Tapu Bulu and Tapu Koko, via a switch into Pyukumuku and taking a Wood Hammer and Wild Charge. Even if Pyuku didn't knock out the Tapu I'm thinking they've got to be significantly low on health, allowing for the Tapus to be picked off.

 

[EKZ1505]

So, recently I EV trained a mixed defense Pyukumuku with max HP EVs and I'm wondering if anyone can take a guess of how viable Pyukumuku would be in the upcoming VGC '17 format. Honestly, it may be niche, but given Innards Out it could probably counter Tapu Bulu and Tapu Koko, via a switch into Pyukumuku and taking a Wood Hammer and Wild Charge. Even if Pyuku didn't knock out the Tapu I'm thinking they've got to be significantly low on health, allowing for the Tapus to be picked off.

Well...it's certainly not top tier. The ability is extremely interesting, but the lack of any attacks (other than Bide and Counter lol) limit it. It's got some great support moves though (Helping Hand, Soak, dual screens, Toxic, Taunt and some other niche ones like Mememto, Safeguard, Gastric Acid, Quash (for a TR counter), and a variety of recovery moves). Although your opponent won't want to attack it due to the ability, the speed really hurts it as a support Pokemon. It's major Taunt bait without Mental Herb (and even then, that only saves you for a turn), and you will likely have to Protect your other Pokemon if you're relying on Pyukumuku to set up a screen or Soak since it will move last. It's usable in this year's format that really has a lot of room for creativity, but it may only thrive in certain roles or matchups. I can definitely see it being a threat as a switch in on a strong attack like you said (though special Kokos will be much more common than the physical).

 

[NickChaos]

Well...it's certainly not top tier. The ability is extremely interesting, but the lack of any attacks (other than Bide and Counter lol) limit it. It's got some great support moves though (Helping Hand, Soak, dual screens, Toxic, Taunt and some other niche ones like Mememto, Safeguard, Gastric Acid, Quash (for a TR counter), and a variety of recovery moves). Although your opponent won't want to attack it due to the ability, the speed really hurts it as a support Pokemon. It's major Taunt bait without Mental Herb (and even then, that only saves you for a turn), and you will likely have to Protect your other Pokemon if you're relying on Pyukumuku to set up a screen or Soak since it will move last. It's usable in this year's format that really has a lot of room for creativity, but it may only thrive in certain roles or matchups. I can definitely see it being a threat as a switch in on a strong attack like you said (though special Kokos will be much more common than the physical).

I agree with you that Taunt would definitely stop any Pyukumuku in it's tracks. The speed is also to Pyukumuku's detriment unless maybe running a Trick Room team or giving it Quick Claw, although Quick Claw would be unreliable at best. Even then some of the best partners for specifically Soak Pyukumuku, like Tapu Koko would be more hurt than anything. Also HP Pyukumuku with Jacoba Berry could be interesting, as if you suicide switch, it could KO anything physical with base 109 HP or lower if they were uninvested. With Tapu Koko speed blitzing being popular it could work, as SPecial Tapu Koko's are far less common.

 

[BlazingRagnarok]

I agree with you that Taunt would definitely stop any Pyukumuku in it's tracks. The speed is also to Pyukumuku's detriment unless maybe running a Trick Room team or giving it Quick Claw, although Quick Claw would be unreliable at best. Even then some of the best partners for specifically Soak Pyukumuku, like Tapu Koko would be more hurt than anything. Also HP Pyukumuku with Jacoba Berry could be interesting, as if you suicide switch, it could KO anything physical with base 109 HP or lower if they were uninvested. With Tapu Koko speed blitzing being popular it could work, as SPecial Tapu Koko's are far less common.

I don't know if you have the team/patience to get it, but Pyukumuku has an awesome hidden ability in unaware. While Quagsire (not competition in VGC 17, though) and Clefable are generally better at utilizing the ability, it complements Pyukumuku defensive stats quite well. If your gameplan for it is to have it do anything other than instantly go down, pick up an HA one. Unaware allows it to effectively use swagger as a disruptive and damage dealing move, and purify alongside the newly patched Z-memento lets it take on a clerical role. For the innards-out variants, I wouldn't count on special Tapu Koko being rare in VGC. Access to spread moves, its only fairy STAB move, and volt switch all make special sets attractive, and terrain combined with life orb will still have it doing good damage.

 

[Italianbaptist]

So I was thinking. I have quite a few Level 1 Pokes now, so I could probably leave them at Isle Evelup and EV train them first using the boost drinks before I start leveling them up. Does it work that way? (I figure they'll raise up a few levels while they're there but y'all know what I mean).

The main mon I want to build my team around is the Japanese Gible I got in a Beast Ball with 5 perfect IVs and the last one near perfect. I'm wondering who would be good to team the future Garchomp with. Here are some of my options.
Ninetales - if it's like my in-game Ninetales it should be able to take a couple hits, the ones I'm looking at have Snow Warning, Freeze-Dry, Moonblast, and I believe Hypnosis and Encore
Mimikyu - more long lasting because of Disguise
Dhelmise
Celesteela (obviously not Level 1 but untrained) - I think to tank but not sure
Pheromosa (barely-trained) - super fast sweeper, either Physical or special, but taken out in like one hit
Roggenrola for a Gigalith with Sand Stream
More to come once I can access my game...but the main thing is I might need help finding type advantage holes I need to fill, Physical vs. Special, team roles, etc.

 

[EKZ1505]

I agree with you that Taunt would definitely stop any Pyukumuku in it's tracks. The speed is also to Pyukumuku's detriment unless maybe running a Trick Room team or giving it Quick Claw, although Quick Claw would be unreliable at best. Even then some of the best partners for specifically Soak Pyukumuku, like Tapu Koko would be more hurt than anything. Also HP Pyukumuku with Jacoba Berry could be interesting, as if you suicide switch, it could KO anything physical with base 109 HP or lower if they were uninvested. With Tapu Koko speed blitzing being popular it could work, as SPecial Tapu Koko's are far less common.

I don't think running Trick Room on your own team just for Pyukumuku is worth it since it has zero offensive presence, but it can cause some trouble as a counter to help you stall it out. Never use Quick Claw though, it's terrible competitively.

Again, special Tapu Koko is MUCH more common, I'm not sure why you think the physical one is. Wild Charge is the main move the physical one uses, and less than 4% run it on Showdown (probably due to the recoil and how common Intimidate and Lightning Rod are). No other physical move is even high enough in the rankings to show up, and the top spreads are all either Timid or Modest. The Battle Spot stats aren't available yet, but I would bet the results are similar based on what I've seen.

I don't know if you have the team/patience to get it, but Pyukumuku has an awesome hidden ability in unaware. While Quagsire (not competition in VGC 17, though) and Clefable are generally better at utilizing the ability, it complements Pyukumuku defensive stats quite well. If your gameplan for it is to have it do anything other than instantly go down, pick up an HA one. Unaware allows it to effectively use swagger as a disruptive and damage dealing move, and purify alongside the newly patched Z-memento lets it take on a clerical role. For the innards-out variants, I wouldn't count on special Tapu Koko being rare in VGC. Access to spread moves, its only fairy STAB move, and volt switch all make special sets attractive, and terrain combined with life orb will still have it doing good damage.

If the confusion rate hadn't been drastically nerfed, I would agree that Swagger+Unaware is more viable, but they'll want to avoid attacking you anyway because they'll definitely think you have Innards Out. The cleric role is interesting, but again the speed really limits that.

 

[Scherzando]

Two questions!

I feel like this has been asked/answered a lot already but I'll ask anyway... What's the best EV spread for a Quiet mixed Weakness Policy Aegislash? Mine has the moves King's Shield, Shadow Ball, Flash Cannon, and Sacred Sword. I know 252 HP already but I don't know what to do with its Attack and Special Attack.

Second question is, how much speed should my Bold Togekiss run now that Paralysis only halves speed? OR should I go for a timid one? (I'd prefer bold since I'm only going to use it in the Battle Tree anyway; I wouldn't use such an annoying moveset on other people )

 

[MetalSonic]

Two questions!

I feel like this has been asked/answered a lot already but I'll ask anyway... What's the best EV spread for a Quiet mixed Weakness Policy Aegislash? Mine has the moves King's Shield, Shadow Ball, Flash Cannon, and Sacred Sword. I know 252 HP already but I don't know what to do with its Attack and Special Attack.

Second question is, how much speed should my Bold Togekiss run now that Paralysis only halves speed? OR should I go for a timid one? (I'd prefer bold since I'm only going to use it in the Battle Tree anyway; I wouldn't use such an annoying moveset on other people )

Just go max Sp.Atk.

No speed on Togekiss! I do prefer Timid though.

 

[Scherzando]

Just go max Sp.Atk.

No speed on Togekiss! I do prefer Timid though.

All right, thanks for the response! buuut can I ask why? I'm guessing +2 Sacred Sword KOs everything it needs to without any EV investment?

So then what's the fastest pokemon I can outrun with 0 speed neutral nature Togekiss after a thunder wave?

P.S. Your sig makes me laugh.

 

[MetalSonic]

All right, thanks for the response! buuut can I ask why? I'm guessing +2 Sacred Sword KOs everything it needs to without any EV investment?

So then what's the fastest pokemon I can outrun with 0 speed neutral nature Togekiss after a thunder wave?

P.S. Your sig makes me laugh.

Oh yeah, everything that it should be hitting. 2HKO's defensive Chansey and Ferrothorn. I wanna maybe say to put 78 speed on to outpace Clefable but im not completely sure.

pls dont laugh ;_;

 

[shadowF]

Hi, trying to breed some pokemon and I am wondering what are the best natures for Alolan Ninetales, Kommo-o, Wishiwashi, Midday Lycanroc, Vikavolt and Mimikyu?

 

[EKZ1505]

Hi, trying to breed some pokemon and I am wondering what are the best natures for Alolan Ninetales, Kommo-o, Wishiwashi, Midday Lycanroc, Vikavolt and Mimikyu?

Some of these depend on the format or what the rest of the team is, but in general:
Ninetales: Timid
Kommo-o: Adamant or Modest (depending if you're physical or special, respectively)
Wishiwashi: Same as Kommo-o, unless you're using a Trick Room doubles team, in which Brave or Quiet will be better
Midday Lycanroc: Jolly, unless you'll run Sand Rush with consistent sand support, in which case you can consider Adamant
Vikavolt: Modest, again unless you're using TR in doubles, then Quiet
Mimikyu: Adamant or Jolly, but Adamant is better in general except for 2 specific cases: outspeeding Timid Tapu Lele and OHKOing with Neverending Nightmare or a +2 Shadow Claw, and the potential mirror match

 

[Italianbaptist]

Got a shiny Alola Grimer that actually looks like it's worth ev training. My plan was to boost its HP and physical defense because its one weakness ground has mostly physical moves, but looking at its stats it would seem like sp. def boost would be the way to go. What do y'all think? I mainly want a good tank Pokémon because most of mine are more offensive in nature.

 

[Scherzando]

Oh yeah, everything that it should be hitting. 2HKO's defensive Chansey and Ferrothorn. I wanna maybe say to put 78 speed on to outpace Clefable but im not completely sure.

pls dont laugh ;_;

K then, I'll probably just skip the speed on Togekiss like you originally said since it's only for the Battle Tree anyway. Thanks again

I AM BACK WITH TWO MORE QUESTIONS.
What's stronger on a Brave 0 speed Aegislash: Iron Head or Gyro Ball? I know it depends with GB but it is consistently better or about the same?

New question. Since the Battle Tree AI opponents are extremely irritating, I'm raising a stallbreaker Salazzle and I'm wondering which two other pokemon would be best to complement it. Broad question, I know...