Mr.GX
Mew Mew
[OVERVIEW]
* Suicune is one of the bulkiest Water-type Pokemon in the metagame, along with Tapu Fini and Milotic, as it is easily able to tank hits like Mega Salamence's Double-Edge and Tapu Lele's Psychic.
* Base defensive stats of 100 / 115 / 115 give Suicune considerable bulk, being nearly on par with that of Cresselia.
* Suicune's selective support movepool consists of Snarl for disruption, as well as Icy Wind and Tailwind. Due to its exceptional natural bulk, Suicune is an ideal setter of Tailwind to provide your team some speed control.
* Even though Suicune primarily plays a supportive role in most teams, it is capable of taking out popular threats like Landorus-T, Mega Salamence, and Heatran with ease.
* However, Z-Moves pose a major problem for Suicune, as they are capable of OHKOing it unless you invest a lot of EVs into its defensive stats.
* Pokemon like Tapu Koko and Tapu Bulu can easily KO Suicune with their respective STAB moves, and Ferrothorn simply walls it with its typing. Suicune also struggles against bulky Steel-types like Celesteela and Aegislash.
* While Suicune may seem to be outclassed by Tapu Fini, it finds a niche in some teams as a potential support Pokemon that can provide a form of speed control.
[SET]
name: Tailwind Offense
move 1: Scald
move 2: Ice Beam / Icy Wind
move 3: Snarl / Protect
move 4: Tailwind
item: Sitrus Berry / Rocky Helmet
ability: Pressure
nature: Modest
evs: 244 HP / 92 Def / 116 SpA / 28 SpD / 28 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Tailwind is Suicune's primary asset that differs it from other popular Water-type Pokemon. It is Suicune's main form of speed control, allowing its teammates to outspeed and KO opposing threats efficiently.
* Snarl is used for disruption, weakening the opponent's special attackers, like Tapu Koko and Tapu Lele. This comes in handy when Tailwind ends, as Suicune can set it up again with minimal consequence. Protect can be used in this slot as well to scout for incoming Z-Moves.
* Ice Beam serves as a way to OHKO Mega Salamence and Landorus-T and also deals a decent amount of damage to Grass-type Pokemon like Tapu Bulu. Icy Wind can be used in this slot for additional speed control, although it's not necessary.
* Scald serves as Suicune's only STAB move in this set and can be used to either fish for the 30% burn chance or to greatly damage Fire-type Pokemon like Heatran.
Set Details
========
* 244 EVs are invested in HP to maximize bulk, which allows Suicune to survive Timid Tapu Koko's Thunderbolt in Electric Terrain. Using 244 EVs instead of 252 also ensures that Sitrus Berry activates once Suicune's HP reduces to half of its maximum HP.
* 116 Special Attack EVs with a Modest nature ensure that Suicune OHKOes 4 HP Mega Salamence 100% of the time with Ice Beam.
* 28 EVs are invested in Speed to outspeed Adamant maximum Speed Landorus-T once Tailwind is set up (20 EVs do the same job). The set also Speed creeps Pokemon that are EV trained to outspeed Choice Scarf Landorus-T.
* Sitrus Berry is used as the held item to further increase Suicune's longevity, which often comes in handy, as it allows the player to set up a second Tailwind if needed.
* 244 HP EVs and 92 Defense EVs guarantee that Suicune has a 99.6% chance to survive two of Jolly Mega Salamence's Double-Edges after Sitrus Berry recovery.
* Similarly, 244 HP EVs and 28 Special Defense EVs ensure that Modest Tapu Lele's Psychic in Psychic Terrain is a 2HKO 97.7% of the time after Sitrus Berry recovery.
* Rocky Helmet can be used to deal some residual damage to physical attackers like Mega Kangaskhan and Mega Salamence.
* This set is ran with a Modest nature to secure some OHKOes, as listed above. The offensive EVs combined with a Modest nature deal decent damage to Mega Kangaskhan as well.
* Alternatively, a Bold nature can be run with an EV spread of 244 HP / 4 Def / 212 SpA / 28 SpD / 20 Spe, which makes Jolly Mega Salamence's Double-Edge a guaranteed 3HKO after Sitrus Berry recovery.
Usage Tips
========
* Suicune is used as a support Pokemon primarily and can switch to a more offensive playstyle once Tailwind is set up.
* It is often advisable to switch Suicune into an incoming Fake Out from Mega Kangaskhan to take maximum advantage of Rocky Helmet. Similarly, Suicune can be safely switched into Ice- and Water-type moves to regain some momentum.
* Thanks to being a bulky Water-type Pokemon, Suicune does well against rain teams and can either set up Tailwind or use Snarl to weaken their offense.
* The primary strategy when using Suicune is to try and set up Tailwind. Once succeeded, it can give your Pokemon enormous momentum.
* Snarl is recommended if Suicune can't hit anything for decent damage, as it helps weaken the foes.
Team Options
========
* Suicune is often paired with Mega Kangaskhan, as the latter gives Suicune Fake Out support, and does well once Tailwind is set up, easily OHKOing threats like Terrakion and Landorus-T.
* Tapu Lele makes a great partner to Suicune, as Psychic Terrain helps block opposing Fake Out and Prankster Taunt. Non-Choice Scarf Tapu Lele appreciates speed control to outspeed faster Pokemon like Choice Scarf Landorus-T. This also enables Suicune to use Psychic Seed, which boosts Suicune's Special Defense, allowing it to tank hits like special Gigavolt Havoc. This strategy almost always allows Suicune to set up a Tailwind, after which the duo can demolish opposing teams.
* Like previous formats, Breloom can be used with Suicune to use fast Spores, which is usually a reliable way to shut down Trick Room strategies. However, one has to be careful when facing Tapu Koko or Tapu Fini, as Misty Terrain and Electric Terrain prevent grounded Pokemon from being put to sleep.
* Tapu Bulu also works here, as it easily OHKOes popular Water-type Pokemon like Tapu Fini, which otherwise completely wall Suicune.
* Middling Speed Pokemon like Sylveon benefit from Tailwind's Speed boost, allowing them to spam strong moves, which deals massive damage to opposing Pokemon.
* Fire-type Pokemon like Heatran and Charizard can work well with Suicune, as they take out Grass-types, which usually threaten it.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Aguav Berry may be used instead of Sitrus berry to regain larger amounts of HP. However, there is the risk of being KOed easily if Suicune's HP fails to go below 25% to trigger the Berry's activation.
* Calm Mind can be used to further boost Suicune's Special Defense but is outclassed by Tapu Fini due to the latter's coverage options and typing. Icy Wind can give this set a niche over Tapu Fini by providing an additional means of speed control.
* Another utility move that can be used is Mirror Coat, which can potentially OHKO Tapu Koko, considering Suicune survives their attack first. However, this isn't recommended in every team due to the popularity of Z-Moves, many of which OHKOing Suicune.
* Chesto Berry + Rest has always been a popular strategy due to Suicune's lack of recovery options and could be viable once Tailwind is set up for fast recovery. The only risk in using this set is that this is a one-time strategy, and it puts Suicune at a major disadvantage if used for a second time.
* Last but not least, Roar can be used to counter Trick Room teams and to phaze setup strategies like Extreme Evoboost and Curse Snorlax.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Electric-types**: Popular Electric-type Pokemon like Tapu Koko and Zapdos can easily KO Suicune with their STAB moves, and Suicune isn't able to do much damage to them, and it must rely on Tailwind for a Speed advantage.
**Grass-types**: Powerful Grass-type Pokemon like Tapu Bulu, Kartana, Ferrothorn, and Venusaur can KO Suicune with Grass-type moves and should be handled with caution.
**Bulky Steel-types**: Bulky Steel-type Pokemon like Celesteela and Aegislash wall Suicune with their bulk, and they can stall it out with Leech Seed and Toxic, respectively.
**Z-Moves**: Like most of the Pokemon, Suicune is vulnerable to powerful Z-Moves, like Tapu Lele's Shattered Psyche and Tapu Koko's Gigavolt Havoc, and is usually OHKOed by them.
* Suicune is one of the bulkiest Water-type Pokemon in the metagame, along with Tapu Fini and Milotic, as it is easily able to tank hits like Mega Salamence's Double-Edge and Tapu Lele's Psychic.
* Base defensive stats of 100 / 115 / 115 give Suicune considerable bulk, being nearly on par with that of Cresselia.
* Suicune's selective support movepool consists of Snarl for disruption, as well as Icy Wind and Tailwind. Due to its exceptional natural bulk, Suicune is an ideal setter of Tailwind to provide your team some speed control.
* Even though Suicune primarily plays a supportive role in most teams, it is capable of taking out popular threats like Landorus-T, Mega Salamence, and Heatran with ease.
* However, Z-Moves pose a major problem for Suicune, as they are capable of OHKOing it unless you invest a lot of EVs into its defensive stats.
* Pokemon like Tapu Koko and Tapu Bulu can easily KO Suicune with their respective STAB moves, and Ferrothorn simply walls it with its typing. Suicune also struggles against bulky Steel-types like Celesteela and Aegislash.
* While Suicune may seem to be outclassed by Tapu Fini, it finds a niche in some teams as a potential support Pokemon that can provide a form of speed control.
[SET]
name: Tailwind Offense
move 1: Scald
move 2: Ice Beam / Icy Wind
move 3: Snarl / Protect
move 4: Tailwind
item: Sitrus Berry / Rocky Helmet
ability: Pressure
nature: Modest
evs: 244 HP / 92 Def / 116 SpA / 28 SpD / 28 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Tailwind is Suicune's primary asset that differs it from other popular Water-type Pokemon. It is Suicune's main form of speed control, allowing its teammates to outspeed and KO opposing threats efficiently.
* Snarl is used for disruption, weakening the opponent's special attackers, like Tapu Koko and Tapu Lele. This comes in handy when Tailwind ends, as Suicune can set it up again with minimal consequence. Protect can be used in this slot as well to scout for incoming Z-Moves.
* Ice Beam serves as a way to OHKO Mega Salamence and Landorus-T and also deals a decent amount of damage to Grass-type Pokemon like Tapu Bulu. Icy Wind can be used in this slot for additional speed control, although it's not necessary.
* Scald serves as Suicune's only STAB move in this set and can be used to either fish for the 30% burn chance or to greatly damage Fire-type Pokemon like Heatran.
Set Details
========
* 244 EVs are invested in HP to maximize bulk, which allows Suicune to survive Timid Tapu Koko's Thunderbolt in Electric Terrain. Using 244 EVs instead of 252 also ensures that Sitrus Berry activates once Suicune's HP reduces to half of its maximum HP.
* 116 Special Attack EVs with a Modest nature ensure that Suicune OHKOes 4 HP Mega Salamence 100% of the time with Ice Beam.
* 28 EVs are invested in Speed to outspeed Adamant maximum Speed Landorus-T once Tailwind is set up (20 EVs do the same job). The set also Speed creeps Pokemon that are EV trained to outspeed Choice Scarf Landorus-T.
* Sitrus Berry is used as the held item to further increase Suicune's longevity, which often comes in handy, as it allows the player to set up a second Tailwind if needed.
* 244 HP EVs and 92 Defense EVs guarantee that Suicune has a 99.6% chance to survive two of Jolly Mega Salamence's Double-Edges after Sitrus Berry recovery.
* Similarly, 244 HP EVs and 28 Special Defense EVs ensure that Modest Tapu Lele's Psychic in Psychic Terrain is a 2HKO 97.7% of the time after Sitrus Berry recovery.
* Rocky Helmet can be used to deal some residual damage to physical attackers like Mega Kangaskhan and Mega Salamence.
* This set is ran with a Modest nature to secure some OHKOes, as listed above. The offensive EVs combined with a Modest nature deal decent damage to Mega Kangaskhan as well.
* Alternatively, a Bold nature can be run with an EV spread of 244 HP / 4 Def / 212 SpA / 28 SpD / 20 Spe, which makes Jolly Mega Salamence's Double-Edge a guaranteed 3HKO after Sitrus Berry recovery.
Usage Tips
========
* Suicune is used as a support Pokemon primarily and can switch to a more offensive playstyle once Tailwind is set up.
* It is often advisable to switch Suicune into an incoming Fake Out from Mega Kangaskhan to take maximum advantage of Rocky Helmet. Similarly, Suicune can be safely switched into Ice- and Water-type moves to regain some momentum.
* Thanks to being a bulky Water-type Pokemon, Suicune does well against rain teams and can either set up Tailwind or use Snarl to weaken their offense.
* The primary strategy when using Suicune is to try and set up Tailwind. Once succeeded, it can give your Pokemon enormous momentum.
* Snarl is recommended if Suicune can't hit anything for decent damage, as it helps weaken the foes.
Team Options
========
* Suicune is often paired with Mega Kangaskhan, as the latter gives Suicune Fake Out support, and does well once Tailwind is set up, easily OHKOing threats like Terrakion and Landorus-T.
* Tapu Lele makes a great partner to Suicune, as Psychic Terrain helps block opposing Fake Out and Prankster Taunt. Non-Choice Scarf Tapu Lele appreciates speed control to outspeed faster Pokemon like Choice Scarf Landorus-T. This also enables Suicune to use Psychic Seed, which boosts Suicune's Special Defense, allowing it to tank hits like special Gigavolt Havoc. This strategy almost always allows Suicune to set up a Tailwind, after which the duo can demolish opposing teams.
* Like previous formats, Breloom can be used with Suicune to use fast Spores, which is usually a reliable way to shut down Trick Room strategies. However, one has to be careful when facing Tapu Koko or Tapu Fini, as Misty Terrain and Electric Terrain prevent grounded Pokemon from being put to sleep.
* Tapu Bulu also works here, as it easily OHKOes popular Water-type Pokemon like Tapu Fini, which otherwise completely wall Suicune.
* Middling Speed Pokemon like Sylveon benefit from Tailwind's Speed boost, allowing them to spam strong moves, which deals massive damage to opposing Pokemon.
* Fire-type Pokemon like Heatran and Charizard can work well with Suicune, as they take out Grass-types, which usually threaten it.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Aguav Berry may be used instead of Sitrus berry to regain larger amounts of HP. However, there is the risk of being KOed easily if Suicune's HP fails to go below 25% to trigger the Berry's activation.
* Calm Mind can be used to further boost Suicune's Special Defense but is outclassed by Tapu Fini due to the latter's coverage options and typing. Icy Wind can give this set a niche over Tapu Fini by providing an additional means of speed control.
* Another utility move that can be used is Mirror Coat, which can potentially OHKO Tapu Koko, considering Suicune survives their attack first. However, this isn't recommended in every team due to the popularity of Z-Moves, many of which OHKOing Suicune.
* Chesto Berry + Rest has always been a popular strategy due to Suicune's lack of recovery options and could be viable once Tailwind is set up for fast recovery. The only risk in using this set is that this is a one-time strategy, and it puts Suicune at a major disadvantage if used for a second time.
* Last but not least, Roar can be used to counter Trick Room teams and to phaze setup strategies like Extreme Evoboost and Curse Snorlax.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Electric-types**: Popular Electric-type Pokemon like Tapu Koko and Zapdos can easily KO Suicune with their STAB moves, and Suicune isn't able to do much damage to them, and it must rely on Tailwind for a Speed advantage.
**Grass-types**: Powerful Grass-type Pokemon like Tapu Bulu, Kartana, Ferrothorn, and Venusaur can KO Suicune with Grass-type moves and should be handled with caution.
**Bulky Steel-types**: Bulky Steel-type Pokemon like Celesteela and Aegislash wall Suicune with their bulk, and they can stall it out with Leech Seed and Toxic, respectively.
**Z-Moves**: Like most of the Pokemon, Suicune is vulnerable to powerful Z-Moves, like Tapu Lele's Shattered Psyche and Tapu Koko's Gigavolt Havoc, and is usually OHKOed by them.
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