asa
PU Leader
uploaded -zard
[QC Checks: rwby / Megazard / TONE]
[GP Checks: The Dutch Plumberjack / frenzyplant]
[OVERVIEW]
Shiftry is an offensive force to be reckoned with as a result of its solid offensive typing, decent mixed attacking stats, and strong STAB options such as Knock Off, Leaf Storm, Seed Bomb, and Sucker Punch. Because of its mixed coverage, Shiftry manages to stand apart from other Dark- and Grass-types in the tier and is a massive threat to teams that are overly reliant on Pokemon such as Aggron, Mawile, and Regirock to check physical attackers. Shiftry becomes even more threatening under sun because of its ability Chlorophyll doubling its Speed, which allows it to also threaten opposing sun teams. It can also function well as an offensive user of Defog because its typing gives it the ability to threaten common entry hazard setters such as Golem, Golurk, Palossand, and Regirock, allowing it to clear the field of entry hazards on the turn that they switch out. However, its great offensive typing curses it with weaknesses to common attack typings such as Fire, Flying, Poison, and Ice, and its poor bulk doesn't make matters much better. Although its Speed is far from terrible, Shiftry is outsped by common offensive Pokemon such as Jynx and Pyroar, and its main method of mitigating this in Sucker Punch isn't very reliable due to how it can be taken advantage of. Finally, as a purely physical wallbreaker, Shiftry faces competition from other Dark-types in the tier such as Absol and Alolan Raticate, both of which, while slower, are stronger.
[SET]
name: Mixed Life Orb
move 1: Leaf Storm
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Defog / Explosion
item: Life Orb
ability: Chlorophyll
nature: Lonely / Hasty
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Leaf Storm is Shiftry's main Grass-type STAB attack, and it can be used to hit physically defensive Pokemon like Aggron and non-Sap Sipper Miltank harder than Knock Off, which neither of them mind all that much. Knock Off is one of Shiftry's two Dark-type STAB moves, and on top of hitting a lot of Pokemon that resist Leaf Storm fairly hard, it removes the opposing Pokemon's item. This effectively cripples Pokemon reliant on their Assault Vest or Eviolite to check Shiftry and its teammates, like Eelektross, Hitmonchan, Magmortar, and Ferroseed. Sucker Punch is the second of Shiftry's Dark-type STAB moves. It can be used to score KOs on faster but frailer Pokemon like Archeops or Floatzel after they take a bit of damage beforehand. Do keep in mind, however, that it fails if the foe doesn't attack, which can be taken advantage of by Pokemon with reliable recovery like Swanna. Defog can be opted for over Explosion if your team lacks hazard control, which is good for more offensive teams due to the pressure Shiftry puts on common hazard setters like Palossand and Regirock. Alternatively, Explosion gives Shiftry access to a one-time physical attack with 250 Base Power at the cost of Shiftry itself. Explosion is Shiftry's best attack against Skuntank, which resists both of Shiftry's STABs and threatens it with Poison Jab, and Explosion also has the secondary advantage of severely weakening even some of the most physically bulky non-Normal-resistant Pokemon in the tier, such as Gurdurr and Weezing.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in both Attack and Speed makes Shiftry as strong and as fast as it can be. Special Attack investment isn't necessary, as even without it, Leaf Storm hits its main targets harder than any of the physical attacks do. A Lonely nature is used to increase Shiftry's attacking power without lowering its Special Attack. A Hasty nature can be used if you wish to outspeed certain neutral-natured Pokemon such as Kangaskhan, Modest Choice Specs Mesprit, and Stoutland, though this does cause Shiftry to lose out on certain KOs such as on Archeops with Sucker Punch after Stealth Rock. Chlorophyll doubles Shiftry's Speed under sun, making it even more threatening on and against sun. Life Orb strengthens all of Shiftry's attacks, but it comes with the downside of recoil damage.
Usage Tips
========
Use Knock Off a lot early on, as it's Shiftry's most reliable STAB move and cripples defensive Pokemon like Gourgeist-XL and Tangela by nullifying Colbur Berry or removing Eviolite, rendering them unable to check Shiftry as effectively. If you're using Defog on Shiftry, bring it in on entry hazard setters that it threatens like Bronzor and Regirock, and Defog on the turn they switch. Sucker Punch is a great tool for revenge killing, but as mentioned before, it can be exploited by Pokemon that can recover their health or set up such as Archeops, Jynx, and Swanna. Exercise caution when using Explosion, as Shiftry only gets one use at the move, so refrain from using it until Shiftry is no longer required and wants to dish out one last heavy hit. Shiftry is easy to wear down due to Life Orb recoil, entry hazards, and its poor bulk, so not letting it take much or any unnecessary damage is smart, especially if it's the team's only form of entry hazard control.
Team Options
========
Fire-types like Magmortar and Pyroar break through bulkier Grass-types and physical walls like Gourgeist-XL, Ferroseed, Tangela, and Weezing for Shiftry, while Shiftry provides entry hazard removal for them and combats the Ground-, Rock-, and Water-types that threaten them such as Palossand, Regirock, and Lanturn. Fighting-types like Gurdurr, Hitmonchan, and Primeape place pressure on both physical walls and opposing Dark-types for Shiftry, and it pressures Psychic-types in return. Pokemon that resist Fighting such as Musharna, Swanna, and Weezing synergize well defensively with Shiftry, as they handle the Fighting-types that force it out, especially those with Mach Punch like Gurdurr and Hitmonchan. They appreciate how Shiftry deals with Electric- and Psychic-types like Lanturn and non-Colbur Berry Mesprit. Slow users of U-turn and Volt Switch like Eelektross, Lanturn, and defensive Mesprit work to get Shiftry in as safely as possible. Each has its own benefits: Eelektross beats Pokemon like Ferroseed and Tangela; Lanturn can cure Shiftry of status with Heal Bell; and Mesprit is able to set up Stealth Rock to pressure Shiftry's checks, beat Fighting-types and Weezing, and give Shiftry a second shot at breaking with Healing Wish. Entry hazard setters such as Mesprit and Weezing pair well with Shiftry because hazards pressure Fire-types and faster but frailer Pokemon, which can't take Shiftry's moves as well if they are up, particularly Sucker Punch. Shiftry can even keep the entry hazards up with Explosion while either severely weakening the opposing Pokemon or securing a KO. If Shiftry's on a sun team, Sunny Day users like Liepard, Mesprit, Regirock, and Volbeat are definitely important. Fellow sun sweepers like Magmortar, Pyroar, and Victreebel pair well with it too. Victreebel can absorb Toxic Spikes for Shiftry, which helps it remain around for longer, and Shiftry can put holes in teams and make it easier for the other sun sweepers to finish them off.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Seed Bomb
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Sucker Punch
item: Life Orb / Black Glasses
ability: Chlorophyll
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance increases Shiftry's power, making its attacks harder to switch in on. Seed Bomb is Shiftry's main Grass-type STAB move, which pressures Ground-, Rock- and Water-types. Knock Off is Shiftry;s main Dark-type STAB move. It removes the item of the opposing Pokemon and hits a lot of Pokemon that resist Seed Bomb for neutral damage. Sucker Punch is Shiftry's secondary Dark-type STAB move, and it improves Shiftry's matchup against fast but frail Pokemon such as Archeops and Alolan Raichu, especially after a Swords Dance.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in both Attack and Speed makes Shiftry as strong and as fast as it can be. An Adamant nature helps to increase Shiftry's power and give it stronger priority, but a Jolly nature can be used to let it outspeed neutral-natured Pokemon like Modest Magmortar and Adamant Skuntank. Chlorophyll doubles Shiftry's Speed under sun, letting it outspeed the entire unboosted metagame as well as some Choice Scarf users like Primeape, which makes it threatening on and against sun teams. Life Orb gives all of Shiftry's moves a bit more power, at the cost of some of its health for every attack. Black Glasses is an alternative that doesn't deal recoil damage to Shiftry and still boosts the power of Knock Off and Sucker Punch, but it doesn't give Seed Bomb a boost in power.
Usage Tips
========
Using Knock Off a lot early on to weaken checks and remove the items of checks is good for pressuring them and making them unable to keep Shiftry in check. Finding opportunities to set up a Swords Dance on Pokemon that Shiftry forces out like Bronzor, Gastrodon, Palossand, or Sableye is ideal due to their passivity. Once Shiftry manages to use Swords Dance, it should weaken and break as much of the opposing team as it can, paving the way for its teammates to and clean up. Sucker Punch allows Shiftry to check faster but frailer Pokemon as well as setup sweepers. None of them appreciate taking a Sucker Punch, especially if Shiftry uses Swords Dance beforehand. Shiftry is really frail and doesn't like taking even resisted hits when it doesn't have to, so be sure to keep Shiftry as healthy as possible when attempting to set up.
Team Options
========
This set has problems with physical walls due to a lack of mixed coverage, so good partners are Pokemon such as Drampa, Magmortar, and Pyroar that can severely weaken or KO bulky Grass-resistant Pokemon like Mawile, Tangela, and Weezing. The Fire-types can also absorb Will-O-Wisp from Pokemon such as Gourgeist-XL, while Shiftry breaks through Ground-, Rock-, and Water-types for them. Fighting-types such as Hitmonchan, Primeape, and Passimian beat Skuntank, which resists both of Shiftry's STAB types, and can also soften up physical walls for Shiftry. Hitmonchan, in particular, is notable due to its ability to tank some hits from Fire- and Ice-types like Pyroar and Abomasnow and threaten them out with its Fighting-type STAB moves, and it can provide entry hazard removal to aid Shiftry in remaining alive for as long as it can. Meanwhile, Primeape and Passimian can get Shiftry in safely and help it set up with U-turn. In return, Shiftry handles Ghost- and Psychic-types like Haunter, Oricorio-G, and non-Colbur Berry Mesprit for them. Pokemon that check Fighting-types and can tank Fighting-type moves for Shiftry such as Granbull, Mesprit, Musharna, Oricorio-G, and Swanna make for good partners, and it helps them by beating opposing Psychic-types and softening up Pokemon they have trouble dealing with like Type: Null. Slower users of U-turn and Volt Switch such as Eelektross, Lanturn, and defensive Mesprit make for good partners due to their ability to get Shiftry in on some of the more passive Pokemon they tend to bait in, like Audino, opposing non-Ice Beam Lanturn, and Sableye, all of which Shiftry takes advantage of and sets up on. Shiftry likes entry hazards being up on the opposing side so that its moves are even harder to come in on, especially after a Swords Dance, so hazard setters like Mesprit and Weezing pair well with it. This set is really threatening under sun, especially if it pulls off a Swords Dance, so Sunny Day users like Liepard, Mesprit, Regirock, and Volbeat alongside other sun sweepers like Magmortar, Pyroar, and Victreebel pair well with it. The sun sweepers benefit from Shiftry breaking a lot of what stops them and have an easier time cleaning up as a result.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Knock Off
move 2: Leaf Blade
move 3: Rock Slide
move 4: Explosion
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Chlorophyll
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Knock Off is Shiftry's most reliable physical STAB attack, hits Pokemon like Jynx and Oricorio-G for super effective damage, and removes the items of the opposing Pokemon, which is good for crippling defensive Pokemon. Leaf Blade allows Shiftry to deal super effective damage to Ground-, Rock- and Water-types like Gastrodon, Golurk, Carracosta, and Floatzel. Rock Slide hits Fire- and Flying-types like Magmortar, Pyroar, and Altaria for super effective damage. Finally, Explosion is used for taking a huge portion of health from Pokemon that Shiftry lures in, like Skuntank and Weezing, as well as for generating momentum. Alternatively, Defog can be used as a means of emergency hazard control in order to have a better matchup versus entry hazard stacking teams.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Speed in tandem with a Choice Scarf allows Shiftry to outspeed Pokemon like Jynx, Oricorio-G, and Swanna, even with an Adamant nature, Shiftry to hit as hard as possible along with maximum Attack investment. Chlorophyll doubles Shiftry's Speed under sun, making sure Shiftry outspeeds every opposing Chlorophyll user under it.
Usage Tips
========
Using Knock Off a lot early on is smart, as it keeps opponents from immediately suspecting Shiftry's set. Refrain from using Rock Slide or otherwise making it obvious that you're using a Choice Scarf set until need be, as this will make the set ineffective at luring in faster threats. This set isn't very common in comparison to the other two, so take advantage of how it's unexpected by luring in the faster Pokemon that normally force Shiftry out like Magmortar and Skuntank and KOing them. Shiftry serves as a solid revenge killer, as well, due to its lack of reliance on Sucker Punch for picking things off, so take advantage of Choice Scarf by taking down normally faster Pokemon like Archeops and Oricorio-G. Explosion still packs a punch despite the lack of a Life Orb boost, so use it to deal heavy damage to Pokemon like Skuntank and weakened physical walls.
Team Options
========
Special wallbreakers like Aurorus, Drampa, and Haunter place pressure on Pokemon that Shiftry struggles with breaking, such as bulky Grass-resistant Pokemon like Gourgeist-XL, Ferroseed, and Mawile. In return, Shiftry cripples their switch-ins with Knock Off and can weaken them with Explosion, making them easier to KO. Fighting-types like Primeape and Passimian appreciate Shiftry luring in Flying-types and keeping out Ghost- and Psychic-types, and they beat the Dark-types that give it trouble like Alolan Raticate and Skuntank. Pokemon such as Granbull, Mesprit, and Musharna take on opposing Fighting-types such as Hitmonchan, while Shiftry's Explosion weakens or removes Dark- and Poison-types for them. Entry hazard setters like Mesprit and Weezing make Shiftry's moves even harder to switch into, and Shiftry can keep the hazards up for longer by preventing Defog and Rapid Spin with Explosion. Mesprit and Weezing also act as Fighting-type checks for Shiftry. Checks to Fire-types are important, as while Shiftry does outspeed them and possess good options for them, it prefers to have something to fall back on should it get locked into Seed Bomb, so Pokemon like Altaria, Assault Vest Hitmonchan, Lanturn, and Magmortar make for good partners. Checks to Ice-types are important for the same reason, so Shiftry appreciates Pokemon such as Assault Vest Hitmonchan, Magmortar, Miltank, and Pyroar. Shiftry also handles some of their collective weaknesses to typings like Ground, Psychic and Water. Pokemon that can easily bluff Choice Scarf sets such as Z-Lovely Kiss Jynx and Calm Mind Oricorio-G pair well with Shiftry, preventing any suspicion in regard to Shiftry's set.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Shiftry has a decently wide special movepool, so moves like Extrasensory and Focus Blast could be used to lure and remove Weezing and Ferroseed. However, finding room for these moves is hard, and Ferroseed already hates taking Knock Off. A purely specially offensive or specially biased mixed set is an option, and Shiftry even has access to Nasty Plot to boost the power of those moves, but such a set faces some competition from Cacturne, whose special attacks hit harder. Solar Beam can be used over Leaf Storm on the mixed set if Shiftry is on a sun team so that Shiftry has a more spammable Grass-type STAB attack that doesn't drop its Special Attack; however, it's pretty useless outside of sun, and it's less strong than Leaf Storm. Pickpocket can be used on the Choice Scarf set to steal the opposing Pokemon's item if Shiftry loses its Choice Scarf, which can be useful for crippling defensive Pokemon in the event that Shiftry takes a Knock Off. A Lum Berry can be used on the Swords Dance sets to let Shiftry ignore a status condition once and have a slightly easier time setting up as a result. It's noticeably weaker without the boost from Black Glasses or a Life Orb, though. Synthesis gives Shiftry a form of reliable recovery, taking advantage of the switches it can force, but it usually prefers having a strong Explosion or providing entry hazard removal as the final move on the mixed set, and it struggles to find room for Synthesis on any other set. Furthermore, Shiftry really doesn't need recovery, as its main priority should be breaking as much as it can. Grassium Z can be used on the Swords Dance set to turn Seed Bomb into Bloom Doom, which can be nice for luring Pokemon like Skuntank and taking them out after a Swords Dance boost. Normalium Z can be used on non-Choice Scarf sets with Explosion to still hit hard and not lose Shiftry in the process. It should be noted that Breakneck Blitz is slightly less strong than Explosion, and this takes away from the surprise factor that Explosion has. Flyinium Z can be used with Hurricane to lure and KO Gurdurr and Hitmonchan, and Shiftry can do this easier because of Nasty Plot.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Poison-types**: Muk, Skuntank, and Weezing can all deal heavy damage to Shiftry with their respective Poison-type STAB moves and don't mind Knock Off much, and Skuntank even resists both of Shiftry's STAB types. They do have to watch out for Explosion, however, boosted in power or not.
**Fighting-types**: Combusken, Gurdurr, Hitmonchan, Primeape, and Passimian all resist Sucker Punch and force Shiftry out due to either outspeeding it or having Mach Punch; however, none of them except for Combusken and Hitmonchan want to be brought in on Leaf Storm, Gurdurr hates losing its Eviolite to Knock Off, and none of them want to take an Explosion. Combusken can shield itself from Explosion and obtain a Speed boost with Protect, and it resists both of Shiftry's STAB types. Primeape can generate momentum for its team by using U-turn on the turn Shiftry switches.
**Faster Pokemon**: Pokemon such as Kangaskhan, Magmortar, Primeape, Floatzel, and Zebstrika all have the power to OHKO Shiftry due to its frailty. The Choice Scarf set does deal with almost all of them, though, and when facing other sets, they have to take a Sucker Punch before they get to attack Shiftry.
**Priority**: As a result of Shiftry's frailty, priority often leaves dents in it or KOs it with enough prior damage. Pokemon like Abomasnow, Gurdurr, Hitmonchan, Kangaskhan, and Zangoose all threaten Shiftry with either super effective or strong neutral priority moves.
[QC Checks: rwby / Megazard / TONE]
[GP Checks: The Dutch Plumberjack / frenzyplant]
[OVERVIEW]
Shiftry is an offensive force to be reckoned with as a result of its solid offensive typing, decent mixed attacking stats, and strong STAB options such as Knock Off, Leaf Storm, Seed Bomb, and Sucker Punch. Because of its mixed coverage, Shiftry manages to stand apart from other Dark- and Grass-types in the tier and is a massive threat to teams that are overly reliant on Pokemon such as Aggron, Mawile, and Regirock to check physical attackers. Shiftry becomes even more threatening under sun because of its ability Chlorophyll doubling its Speed, which allows it to also threaten opposing sun teams. It can also function well as an offensive user of Defog because its typing gives it the ability to threaten common entry hazard setters such as Golem, Golurk, Palossand, and Regirock, allowing it to clear the field of entry hazards on the turn that they switch out. However, its great offensive typing curses it with weaknesses to common attack typings such as Fire, Flying, Poison, and Ice, and its poor bulk doesn't make matters much better. Although its Speed is far from terrible, Shiftry is outsped by common offensive Pokemon such as Jynx and Pyroar, and its main method of mitigating this in Sucker Punch isn't very reliable due to how it can be taken advantage of. Finally, as a purely physical wallbreaker, Shiftry faces competition from other Dark-types in the tier such as Absol and Alolan Raticate, both of which, while slower, are stronger.
[SET]
name: Mixed Life Orb
move 1: Leaf Storm
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Defog / Explosion
item: Life Orb
ability: Chlorophyll
nature: Lonely / Hasty
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Leaf Storm is Shiftry's main Grass-type STAB attack, and it can be used to hit physically defensive Pokemon like Aggron and non-Sap Sipper Miltank harder than Knock Off, which neither of them mind all that much. Knock Off is one of Shiftry's two Dark-type STAB moves, and on top of hitting a lot of Pokemon that resist Leaf Storm fairly hard, it removes the opposing Pokemon's item. This effectively cripples Pokemon reliant on their Assault Vest or Eviolite to check Shiftry and its teammates, like Eelektross, Hitmonchan, Magmortar, and Ferroseed. Sucker Punch is the second of Shiftry's Dark-type STAB moves. It can be used to score KOs on faster but frailer Pokemon like Archeops or Floatzel after they take a bit of damage beforehand. Do keep in mind, however, that it fails if the foe doesn't attack, which can be taken advantage of by Pokemon with reliable recovery like Swanna. Defog can be opted for over Explosion if your team lacks hazard control, which is good for more offensive teams due to the pressure Shiftry puts on common hazard setters like Palossand and Regirock. Alternatively, Explosion gives Shiftry access to a one-time physical attack with 250 Base Power at the cost of Shiftry itself. Explosion is Shiftry's best attack against Skuntank, which resists both of Shiftry's STABs and threatens it with Poison Jab, and Explosion also has the secondary advantage of severely weakening even some of the most physically bulky non-Normal-resistant Pokemon in the tier, such as Gurdurr and Weezing.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in both Attack and Speed makes Shiftry as strong and as fast as it can be. Special Attack investment isn't necessary, as even without it, Leaf Storm hits its main targets harder than any of the physical attacks do. A Lonely nature is used to increase Shiftry's attacking power without lowering its Special Attack. A Hasty nature can be used if you wish to outspeed certain neutral-natured Pokemon such as Kangaskhan, Modest Choice Specs Mesprit, and Stoutland, though this does cause Shiftry to lose out on certain KOs such as on Archeops with Sucker Punch after Stealth Rock. Chlorophyll doubles Shiftry's Speed under sun, making it even more threatening on and against sun. Life Orb strengthens all of Shiftry's attacks, but it comes with the downside of recoil damage.
Usage Tips
========
Use Knock Off a lot early on, as it's Shiftry's most reliable STAB move and cripples defensive Pokemon like Gourgeist-XL and Tangela by nullifying Colbur Berry or removing Eviolite, rendering them unable to check Shiftry as effectively. If you're using Defog on Shiftry, bring it in on entry hazard setters that it threatens like Bronzor and Regirock, and Defog on the turn they switch. Sucker Punch is a great tool for revenge killing, but as mentioned before, it can be exploited by Pokemon that can recover their health or set up such as Archeops, Jynx, and Swanna. Exercise caution when using Explosion, as Shiftry only gets one use at the move, so refrain from using it until Shiftry is no longer required and wants to dish out one last heavy hit. Shiftry is easy to wear down due to Life Orb recoil, entry hazards, and its poor bulk, so not letting it take much or any unnecessary damage is smart, especially if it's the team's only form of entry hazard control.
Team Options
========
Fire-types like Magmortar and Pyroar break through bulkier Grass-types and physical walls like Gourgeist-XL, Ferroseed, Tangela, and Weezing for Shiftry, while Shiftry provides entry hazard removal for them and combats the Ground-, Rock-, and Water-types that threaten them such as Palossand, Regirock, and Lanturn. Fighting-types like Gurdurr, Hitmonchan, and Primeape place pressure on both physical walls and opposing Dark-types for Shiftry, and it pressures Psychic-types in return. Pokemon that resist Fighting such as Musharna, Swanna, and Weezing synergize well defensively with Shiftry, as they handle the Fighting-types that force it out, especially those with Mach Punch like Gurdurr and Hitmonchan. They appreciate how Shiftry deals with Electric- and Psychic-types like Lanturn and non-Colbur Berry Mesprit. Slow users of U-turn and Volt Switch like Eelektross, Lanturn, and defensive Mesprit work to get Shiftry in as safely as possible. Each has its own benefits: Eelektross beats Pokemon like Ferroseed and Tangela; Lanturn can cure Shiftry of status with Heal Bell; and Mesprit is able to set up Stealth Rock to pressure Shiftry's checks, beat Fighting-types and Weezing, and give Shiftry a second shot at breaking with Healing Wish. Entry hazard setters such as Mesprit and Weezing pair well with Shiftry because hazards pressure Fire-types and faster but frailer Pokemon, which can't take Shiftry's moves as well if they are up, particularly Sucker Punch. Shiftry can even keep the entry hazards up with Explosion while either severely weakening the opposing Pokemon or securing a KO. If Shiftry's on a sun team, Sunny Day users like Liepard, Mesprit, Regirock, and Volbeat are definitely important. Fellow sun sweepers like Magmortar, Pyroar, and Victreebel pair well with it too. Victreebel can absorb Toxic Spikes for Shiftry, which helps it remain around for longer, and Shiftry can put holes in teams and make it easier for the other sun sweepers to finish them off.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Seed Bomb
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Sucker Punch
item: Life Orb / Black Glasses
ability: Chlorophyll
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance increases Shiftry's power, making its attacks harder to switch in on. Seed Bomb is Shiftry's main Grass-type STAB move, which pressures Ground-, Rock- and Water-types. Knock Off is Shiftry;s main Dark-type STAB move. It removes the item of the opposing Pokemon and hits a lot of Pokemon that resist Seed Bomb for neutral damage. Sucker Punch is Shiftry's secondary Dark-type STAB move, and it improves Shiftry's matchup against fast but frail Pokemon such as Archeops and Alolan Raichu, especially after a Swords Dance.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in both Attack and Speed makes Shiftry as strong and as fast as it can be. An Adamant nature helps to increase Shiftry's power and give it stronger priority, but a Jolly nature can be used to let it outspeed neutral-natured Pokemon like Modest Magmortar and Adamant Skuntank. Chlorophyll doubles Shiftry's Speed under sun, letting it outspeed the entire unboosted metagame as well as some Choice Scarf users like Primeape, which makes it threatening on and against sun teams. Life Orb gives all of Shiftry's moves a bit more power, at the cost of some of its health for every attack. Black Glasses is an alternative that doesn't deal recoil damage to Shiftry and still boosts the power of Knock Off and Sucker Punch, but it doesn't give Seed Bomb a boost in power.
Usage Tips
========
Using Knock Off a lot early on to weaken checks and remove the items of checks is good for pressuring them and making them unable to keep Shiftry in check. Finding opportunities to set up a Swords Dance on Pokemon that Shiftry forces out like Bronzor, Gastrodon, Palossand, or Sableye is ideal due to their passivity. Once Shiftry manages to use Swords Dance, it should weaken and break as much of the opposing team as it can, paving the way for its teammates to and clean up. Sucker Punch allows Shiftry to check faster but frailer Pokemon as well as setup sweepers. None of them appreciate taking a Sucker Punch, especially if Shiftry uses Swords Dance beforehand. Shiftry is really frail and doesn't like taking even resisted hits when it doesn't have to, so be sure to keep Shiftry as healthy as possible when attempting to set up.
Team Options
========
This set has problems with physical walls due to a lack of mixed coverage, so good partners are Pokemon such as Drampa, Magmortar, and Pyroar that can severely weaken or KO bulky Grass-resistant Pokemon like Mawile, Tangela, and Weezing. The Fire-types can also absorb Will-O-Wisp from Pokemon such as Gourgeist-XL, while Shiftry breaks through Ground-, Rock-, and Water-types for them. Fighting-types such as Hitmonchan, Primeape, and Passimian beat Skuntank, which resists both of Shiftry's STAB types, and can also soften up physical walls for Shiftry. Hitmonchan, in particular, is notable due to its ability to tank some hits from Fire- and Ice-types like Pyroar and Abomasnow and threaten them out with its Fighting-type STAB moves, and it can provide entry hazard removal to aid Shiftry in remaining alive for as long as it can. Meanwhile, Primeape and Passimian can get Shiftry in safely and help it set up with U-turn. In return, Shiftry handles Ghost- and Psychic-types like Haunter, Oricorio-G, and non-Colbur Berry Mesprit for them. Pokemon that check Fighting-types and can tank Fighting-type moves for Shiftry such as Granbull, Mesprit, Musharna, Oricorio-G, and Swanna make for good partners, and it helps them by beating opposing Psychic-types and softening up Pokemon they have trouble dealing with like Type: Null. Slower users of U-turn and Volt Switch such as Eelektross, Lanturn, and defensive Mesprit make for good partners due to their ability to get Shiftry in on some of the more passive Pokemon they tend to bait in, like Audino, opposing non-Ice Beam Lanturn, and Sableye, all of which Shiftry takes advantage of and sets up on. Shiftry likes entry hazards being up on the opposing side so that its moves are even harder to come in on, especially after a Swords Dance, so hazard setters like Mesprit and Weezing pair well with it. This set is really threatening under sun, especially if it pulls off a Swords Dance, so Sunny Day users like Liepard, Mesprit, Regirock, and Volbeat alongside other sun sweepers like Magmortar, Pyroar, and Victreebel pair well with it. The sun sweepers benefit from Shiftry breaking a lot of what stops them and have an easier time cleaning up as a result.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Knock Off
move 2: Leaf Blade
move 3: Rock Slide
move 4: Explosion
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Chlorophyll
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Knock Off is Shiftry's most reliable physical STAB attack, hits Pokemon like Jynx and Oricorio-G for super effective damage, and removes the items of the opposing Pokemon, which is good for crippling defensive Pokemon. Leaf Blade allows Shiftry to deal super effective damage to Ground-, Rock- and Water-types like Gastrodon, Golurk, Carracosta, and Floatzel. Rock Slide hits Fire- and Flying-types like Magmortar, Pyroar, and Altaria for super effective damage. Finally, Explosion is used for taking a huge portion of health from Pokemon that Shiftry lures in, like Skuntank and Weezing, as well as for generating momentum. Alternatively, Defog can be used as a means of emergency hazard control in order to have a better matchup versus entry hazard stacking teams.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Speed in tandem with a Choice Scarf allows Shiftry to outspeed Pokemon like Jynx, Oricorio-G, and Swanna, even with an Adamant nature, Shiftry to hit as hard as possible along with maximum Attack investment. Chlorophyll doubles Shiftry's Speed under sun, making sure Shiftry outspeeds every opposing Chlorophyll user under it.
Usage Tips
========
Using Knock Off a lot early on is smart, as it keeps opponents from immediately suspecting Shiftry's set. Refrain from using Rock Slide or otherwise making it obvious that you're using a Choice Scarf set until need be, as this will make the set ineffective at luring in faster threats. This set isn't very common in comparison to the other two, so take advantage of how it's unexpected by luring in the faster Pokemon that normally force Shiftry out like Magmortar and Skuntank and KOing them. Shiftry serves as a solid revenge killer, as well, due to its lack of reliance on Sucker Punch for picking things off, so take advantage of Choice Scarf by taking down normally faster Pokemon like Archeops and Oricorio-G. Explosion still packs a punch despite the lack of a Life Orb boost, so use it to deal heavy damage to Pokemon like Skuntank and weakened physical walls.
Team Options
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Special wallbreakers like Aurorus, Drampa, and Haunter place pressure on Pokemon that Shiftry struggles with breaking, such as bulky Grass-resistant Pokemon like Gourgeist-XL, Ferroseed, and Mawile. In return, Shiftry cripples their switch-ins with Knock Off and can weaken them with Explosion, making them easier to KO. Fighting-types like Primeape and Passimian appreciate Shiftry luring in Flying-types and keeping out Ghost- and Psychic-types, and they beat the Dark-types that give it trouble like Alolan Raticate and Skuntank. Pokemon such as Granbull, Mesprit, and Musharna take on opposing Fighting-types such as Hitmonchan, while Shiftry's Explosion weakens or removes Dark- and Poison-types for them. Entry hazard setters like Mesprit and Weezing make Shiftry's moves even harder to switch into, and Shiftry can keep the hazards up for longer by preventing Defog and Rapid Spin with Explosion. Mesprit and Weezing also act as Fighting-type checks for Shiftry. Checks to Fire-types are important, as while Shiftry does outspeed them and possess good options for them, it prefers to have something to fall back on should it get locked into Seed Bomb, so Pokemon like Altaria, Assault Vest Hitmonchan, Lanturn, and Magmortar make for good partners. Checks to Ice-types are important for the same reason, so Shiftry appreciates Pokemon such as Assault Vest Hitmonchan, Magmortar, Miltank, and Pyroar. Shiftry also handles some of their collective weaknesses to typings like Ground, Psychic and Water. Pokemon that can easily bluff Choice Scarf sets such as Z-Lovely Kiss Jynx and Calm Mind Oricorio-G pair well with Shiftry, preventing any suspicion in regard to Shiftry's set.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
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Shiftry has a decently wide special movepool, so moves like Extrasensory and Focus Blast could be used to lure and remove Weezing and Ferroseed. However, finding room for these moves is hard, and Ferroseed already hates taking Knock Off. A purely specially offensive or specially biased mixed set is an option, and Shiftry even has access to Nasty Plot to boost the power of those moves, but such a set faces some competition from Cacturne, whose special attacks hit harder. Solar Beam can be used over Leaf Storm on the mixed set if Shiftry is on a sun team so that Shiftry has a more spammable Grass-type STAB attack that doesn't drop its Special Attack; however, it's pretty useless outside of sun, and it's less strong than Leaf Storm. Pickpocket can be used on the Choice Scarf set to steal the opposing Pokemon's item if Shiftry loses its Choice Scarf, which can be useful for crippling defensive Pokemon in the event that Shiftry takes a Knock Off. A Lum Berry can be used on the Swords Dance sets to let Shiftry ignore a status condition once and have a slightly easier time setting up as a result. It's noticeably weaker without the boost from Black Glasses or a Life Orb, though. Synthesis gives Shiftry a form of reliable recovery, taking advantage of the switches it can force, but it usually prefers having a strong Explosion or providing entry hazard removal as the final move on the mixed set, and it struggles to find room for Synthesis on any other set. Furthermore, Shiftry really doesn't need recovery, as its main priority should be breaking as much as it can. Grassium Z can be used on the Swords Dance set to turn Seed Bomb into Bloom Doom, which can be nice for luring Pokemon like Skuntank and taking them out after a Swords Dance boost. Normalium Z can be used on non-Choice Scarf sets with Explosion to still hit hard and not lose Shiftry in the process. It should be noted that Breakneck Blitz is slightly less strong than Explosion, and this takes away from the surprise factor that Explosion has. Flyinium Z can be used with Hurricane to lure and KO Gurdurr and Hitmonchan, and Shiftry can do this easier because of Nasty Plot.
Checks and Counters
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**Poison-types**: Muk, Skuntank, and Weezing can all deal heavy damage to Shiftry with their respective Poison-type STAB moves and don't mind Knock Off much, and Skuntank even resists both of Shiftry's STAB types. They do have to watch out for Explosion, however, boosted in power or not.
**Fighting-types**: Combusken, Gurdurr, Hitmonchan, Primeape, and Passimian all resist Sucker Punch and force Shiftry out due to either outspeeding it or having Mach Punch; however, none of them except for Combusken and Hitmonchan want to be brought in on Leaf Storm, Gurdurr hates losing its Eviolite to Knock Off, and none of them want to take an Explosion. Combusken can shield itself from Explosion and obtain a Speed boost with Protect, and it resists both of Shiftry's STAB types. Primeape can generate momentum for its team by using U-turn on the turn Shiftry switches.
**Faster Pokemon**: Pokemon such as Kangaskhan, Magmortar, Primeape, Floatzel, and Zebstrika all have the power to OHKO Shiftry due to its frailty. The Choice Scarf set does deal with almost all of them, though, and when facing other sets, they have to take a Sucker Punch before they get to attack Shiftry.
**Priority**: As a result of Shiftry's frailty, priority often leaves dents in it or KOs it with enough prior damage. Pokemon like Abomasnow, Gurdurr, Hitmonchan, Kangaskhan, and Zangoose all threaten Shiftry with either super effective or strong neutral priority moves.
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