Traits
Prankster: Whimsicott's main niche in competitive battling, this ability gives all non-offensive attacks +1 Priority. This essentially turns all status moves into Quick Attack, making them go first unless your opponent uses a move with +2~5 priority. If you do not understand how priority works, see
this page.
Infiltrator: As good as this ability may be, it is completely wasted on Whimsicott. Infiltrator lets the bearer ignore Reflect and Light Screen, but Whimsicott only has 77 Base Special Attack, which isn't strong in any regards. Whimsicott should carry at least one offensive moves for situations where it gets hit by a Taunt it didn't predict, but that isn't enough of a reason to use Infiltrator.
Chlorophyll: Doubles Speed in sun. Whimsicott could technically get by with this, but Prankster borderline guarentees the first turn, and this requires the weather also.
So in short, do not run Chlorophyll or Infiltrator. Prankster is the way to go.
Whimsical Seeder
Prankster, Leftovers / Big Root, Bold / Calm / Timid, 252 HP / 252 SpDef / 4 Def
- Energy Ball / Grass Knot / Giga Drain / Toxic
- Taunt
- Leech Seed
- Substitute
This is a pretty standard affair for Grass types, but Whimsicott does it so well because
Substitutes go up first unless your opponent outmatches your priority.
Leech Seed drains your opponent's HP each turn.
Taunt stops anyone from Taunting you, and it always goes first. The last slot is a toss up between three offensive moves and Toxic.
Toxic would mean that if you miss a Taunt, you have to switch, but can put on huge tick damage. As for the other three,
Energy Ball is standard issue,
Grass Knot wrecks heavy pokemon in the OU tier, and
Giga Drain restores even more HP. All three moves pick up STAB boosts.
Now for items, EVs and natures.
Big Root boosts the recovery factor of Giga Drain and Leech Seed by 30%, but
Leftovers gives constant healing.
Bold and Calm natures make Whimsicott more durable,
Timid makes Whimsicott faster than other Whimsicotts. You really don't need the extra speed otherwise, so EVs and Natures are better off bolstering Defenses. Extra power is a waste of time with Whimsicott usually, it isn't a killing machine by any means. HP EVs make more durable Substitutes, Whimsicott's SpDefense is lower than its Defense, so it needs more help in the EV department. You're welcome to put it all in Defense to have more hope against Sub Smashers.
Whimsical Screener
Prankster, Light Clay, Bold / Calm / Timid, 252 HP / 252 SpDef / 4 Def
- Energy Ball / Grass Knot / Giga Drain
- Light Screen
- Reflect
- Taunt
This is a great way to use Whimsicott, especially since with prediction, you can set up the right wall before you are hit.
Light Screen and Reflect give your team x2 SpDef and Def respectively, and last for a long time with
Light Clay as the hold item.
Taunt stops Taunt. Offensive moves are required should you mess up a Taunt.
Whimsupport
Prankster, Light Clay / Leftovers / Big Root, Bold / Calm / Timid, 252 HP / 252 SpDef / 4 Def
- Energy Ball / Grass Knot / Giga Drain
- Leech Seed / Substitute / Protect / Taunt / Toxic / Stun Spore / Grasswhistle / Trick Room / Tailwind / Light Screen / Reflect / Sunny Day / Worry Seed / Charm / Cotton Guard / Switcheroo / Fake Tears / Encore
- See Bullet 2
- See Bullet 2
Offensive moves are required, so that's out of the way. Now the rest is a toss up of all of the support options the ol' cotton ball has.
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Leech Seed drains HP each turn.
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Substitute protects Whimsicott, as does actual
Protect.
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Taunt stops other Taunts and opponents from setting up.
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Toxic, Stun Spore, and Grasswhistle are status options.
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Trick Room is interesting with Prankster, to say the least. Prankster still lets Whimsicott got first, so it is useless for benefiting Whimsicott, but on a Trick Room team in double/triple battles, it can set it up with priority so its teammates can go right after it.
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Tailwind is helpful in double/triple battles, doubling your team's speed for three turns. Unfortunately, Whimsicott hardly stands to gain anything from this move.
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Light Screen and Reflect work with
Light Clay as the hold item, giving numerous turns of x2 Defense / Special Defense.
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Sunny Day is pretty easy to set up with Whimsicott, but Ninetails has Drought now, which is the preferred route to set up sun.
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Worry Seed changes the opponent's ability to Insomnia, which is pretty handy when Grasswhistle is out of the equation.
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Charm and Cotton Guard are methods to further protect Whimsicott from Physical Attacks, but really aren't necessary if you have Reflect.
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Switcheroo can screw up your opponents by swapped hold items.
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Fake Tears can encourage a switch out by lowering SpDef.
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Encore locks your opponent into one move for 2-5 turns, which is absolutely incredible. Most Whimsicotts carry this move for a reason.
Double/Triple Battle Partners
You really shouldn't use Whimsicott for Double or Triple Battles, it will be demolished in record breaking time. If you really want to though, something that can cover its weaknesses, ideally something that carries Stone Edge for the Fire, Flying and Bug parts, and maybe Earthquake for Fire and Poison. Do keep in mind that Whimsicott isn't immune to EQ though. As far as supporting in 2v2 or 3v3 goes, Whimsicott can offer its standard services, and finds more use for Tailwind.
Counters
Substitute smashers usually do the trick.
Ambipom, Vanilluxe, Mamoswine and Cinccino are pretty good for that. Brick Break is handy for dispatching screens, and bulky grass types can get past Leech Seed.
Ferrothorn, Venasaur, Tangrowth, Leafeon, Amoonguss, Breloom, Shaymin, Abomasnow, Cradily Roserade, and other Whimsicotts with higher speed are all very good choices.
What is not a Counter
Cloyster. Everyone is going to suggest him because of Icicle Spear, so let me explain why he's a bad choice. Whimsicott at face values is faster, and can kill Cloyster one hit with any of its moves. Cloyster cannot set up Shell Break because it is either dead or Taunted, pretty much every time.
Pre-Evolution Corner
Cottonee's move pool isn't as large as Whisicott's, and has lower HP, but it has much higher Defense and Special Defense with Evolite. It still has Taunt, Encore, and Subseeding up its sleeve, so it can function just fine.
rankster
