http://www.smogon.com/bw/pokemon/basculin
I'm taking this over for YoungsterKeiran. I will add things to the analysis as I find them to be necessary, but this has already passed QC.
[Overview]
<p>At first sight, Basculin might seem like a run of the mill Water-type, outclassed by the likes of Qwilfish and even Whiscash. However, Basculin holds one key trait that seperates it from the rest: Adaptability. Adaptability alters Basculin's STAB multiplier to 2 instead of 1.5, making its Water-type moves pretty deadly. Basculin also has a couple of niche moves in Taunt and Aqua Jet, which allow it to break stall teams and act as an effective revenge killer, respectively. However, not all is good for the hostile Pokemon; besides having mediocre stats, Basculin also suffers having an extremely narrow movepool, consisting of only Water-, Normal- and Dark-type moves, limiting Basculin's effectiveness.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Waterfall
move 2: Aqua Jet
move 3: Double-Edge
move 4: Crunch / Toxic
item: Choice Band
ability: Adaptability
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>The idea behind this set is to switch in, deal as much damage as possible in a single turn, and switch out. Basculin's powerful STAB moves, combined with Adaptability, make it an excellent hit-and-run sweeper. Waterfall and Aqua Jet are excellent STAB moves, and have Base Powers of 160 and 80, respectively. Aqua Jet gives Basculin a way to attack Choice Scarf and Speed-boosted Pokemon before they can land a hit. Double-Edge provides excellent type coverage along with Water-type moves, and it has a high Base Power. Unfortunately, Double-Edge isn't boosted by Adaptability, and it also causes recoil damage. Crunch is listed in the final slot to deal more damage to Psychic-types, such as Uxie, and Ghost-types who attempt to switch into Double-Edge freely. Toxic is an alternative to cripple bulkier opponents, although it isn't great on a Choice set, as Pokemon can easily to set up on a Choice locked status move.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>A Jolly nature and 252 Speed EVs allow Basculin to outrun base 95 Speed Pokemon, such as Sawsbuck. An Adamant nature can be used for more power; however, this makes Basculin much easier to revenge kill, and it gets outrun by a lot more Pokemon.</p>
<p>Pokemon who can switch into Grass- and Electric-type attacks are ideal teammates for Basculin. Sap Sipper users, such as Bouffalant and Sawsbuck, can switch into Grass-type moves with impunity, and they can proceed to launch powerful blows from their boosted Attack. Electivire can abuse Motor Drive and switch into Electric-type attacks, and it puts extra offensive pressure on the opponent. Gligar can switch into most Grass-type moves with ease, as well as Electric-type attacks thanks to its Ground typing, and proceed to set up with Rock Polish or Taunt an opposing wall. Mandibuzz can switch into Grass-type attacks, and its high Special Defense means it can survive a super effective hit, should you predict incorrectly.</p>
<p>Support in the form of Rapid Spin is helpful, due to this set's hit-and-run nature. Sandslash and Claydol are good choices, as they can switch into Electric-type moves and have great bulk to ensure that they can continue providing support to Basculin for many turns. Cryogonal is a more uncommon option, but it has access to Recover, and it can break through opposing Grass-types with its STAB Ice Beam. Basculin also appreciates entry hazard support to weaken switch-ins, making it easier to nab a few KOs. Ferroseed is a great teammate as it has access to both Spikes and Stealth Rock, while it can utilize Leech Seed and Thunder Wave to weaken and cripple opponents, respectively.</p>
[SET]
name: Wallbreaker
move 1: Waterfall
move 2: Aqua Jet
move 3: Crunch / Double-Edge
move 4: Taunt
item: Life Orb
ability: Adaptability
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set utilizes Taunt to shut down walls, and stop them from recovering after Basculin's assaults. This set doesn't offer much in terms of coverage, but it has enough power to dent the whole RU tier. Adaptability means that the Base Power of Basculin's STAB moves is essentially doubled, making them extremely powerful. Waterfall is used as a powerful STAB move, while Aqua Jet allows Basculin to check some Speed-boosters and Choice Scarf users. Crunch hits Ghost- and Psychic-types, such as Uxie and Dusknoir, super effectively, and it hits other Water-types who resist Waterfall. Double-Edge can be used over Crunch if you prefer the Normal- / Water-type coverage, but the recoil damage is off-putting.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EVs are self explanatory; maximum Attack and Speed are used to maximize damage output, and outspeed base 95 Speed Pokemon, respectively. An Adamant nature can be used for more power, though the loss of Speed will hinder Basculin's sweeping ability. Aqua Tail can be used over Waterfall for more power, but the imperfect accuracy might cost Basculin greatly due to a miss.</p>
<p>Entry hazards are helpful to wear down walls, and they work especially well because this set causes a lot of switches with Taunt. Toxic Spikes are useful as they can wear down bulky walls such as Slowking, and they greatly shorten an opposing sweeper's longevity, especially if it carries Life Orb. Garbodor and Scolipede can set up Toxic Spikes, and they can also absorb them. Uxie and Claydol are reliable Stealth Rock users, and they both have exceptional defensive stats. Omastar and Crustle can set up Spikes, and both are great users of Shell Smash.</p>
<p>Pokemon who can switch into attacks Basculin is weak to are great partners. Lilligant can switch into Electric- and Grass-type moves, cripple an opponent with Sleep Powder, and proceed to set up Quiver Dance. Krookodile can switch into Electric-type attacks, and it has access to Taunt to stop Pokemon from setting up or using status moves. Clefable can switch into most special Grass- and Electric-type attacks, set up with Calm Mind, or support your team with Wish. Gligar has an immunity to Electric-type moves, is only hit neutrally by Grass-type moves, and has access to Taunt, Baton Pass, and Knock Off to support your team.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Unfortunately, Basculin's movepool isn't very good, making its options limited. Agility can be used to raise Basculin's Speed, and it gives it more sweeping potential, but it lacks the raw power to sweep. Return is an option if you dislike Double-Edge's recoil damage, but it's weaker. Substitute is great if you can predict a switch or a non-damaging move. Final Gambit is an interesting option to consider, but it's unreliable due to the presence of entry hazards. Hidden Power Electric or Grass can be used to hit opposing Water-types, though Basculin's Special Attack is decidely average, so it won't KO most of them. Scald is another option as it has a chance to burn the target, though again, Basculin's Special Attack isn't great.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Most Pokemon with reasonable Defense can take on Basculin. Ferroseed can take just about anything Basculin can dish out, and it can set up entry hazards in Basculin's face. Tangrowth resists Basculin's STAB moves, and its massive Defense means it will survive even Choice Band-boosted hits. Poliwrath is immune to Water-type moves, resists Crunch, and can smash Basculin with STAB Focus Punch. Uxie has high Defense, useful support moves, and it doesn't take a lot of damage from Crunch; however, it has to be careful of Taunt, because it will render Uxie useless. If all else fails, paralyzing Basculin will ruin its sweeping potential, and burning it will instantly cripple it.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Basculin receives Mold Breaker as its Dream World ability, but it is not particularly useful. Adaptability is superior in almost every way.</p>
