Gen 5 [BW] Clefairy [DONE]

[Monai]

[SET]
name: Physical Wall
move 1: Seismic Toss
move 2: Knock Off / Thunder Wave
move 3: Soft-Boiled
move 4: Stealth Rock / Encore / Heal Bell
item: Eviolite
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]
Despite its unimpressive stats and a typing barren of resistances, Clefairy nevertheless is an elite Pokemon in ZU, thanks in huge part to its incredible ability, Magic Guard. A complete immunity to entry hazards and other residual damage, as well as a defensive boost from Eviolite, lets Clefairy become an all-purpose wall, capable of spreading status, disrupting the opponent, and setting up hazards. Seismic Toss is a necessary attack to ensure Clefairy is never too passive, and a guaranteed 100 damage a turn is surprisingly difficult to handle in a tier with low HP totals and where many Pokemon can't afford Leftovers. Knock Off allows Clefairy to remove items from opposing Pokemon, crippling item-reliant staples like Meganium and Grumpig, while absolutely ruining other Eviolite walls like opposing Clefairy, Mienfoo, and Hippopotas. Thunder Wave is a solid alternative that pressures walls as well as allowing Clefairy and its team to outspeed opposing offensive Pokemon. Soft-Boiled is a required move for a wall like Clefairy, keeping it healthy over the course of a game. The last move is very flexible and allows Clefairy to support its team in a myriad of ways. Clefairy can fulfill the necessary function of a Stealth Rock setter for its team, which it is especially effective at thanks to how it dominates Staryu, the best Rapid Spin user in the tier. Encore is one of Clefairy's best tools against offense, preventing even Substitute users like Walrein or Muk from using Clefairy as setup fodder. It also allows Clefairy to generate momentum by forcing Pokemon to repeat utility moves like Stealth Rock or Recover. Heal Bell is another good option if a team cannot fit a different cleric like Aromatherapy Meganium. Wish is an alternative cleric option that keeps Clefairy's team healthy in a more direct way, which Clefairy can afford since it doesn't mind switching around in the face of hazards. The focus on physical bulk allows Clefairy to check the widest range of threats possible thanks to maximum investment and naturally good Special Defense, consistently withstanding even boosted attacks from threats like Swords Dance Kingler and Dragon Dance Shelgon. However, a more mixed spread of 168 Defense and 88 Special Defense with a Careful Nature allows Clefairy to more reliably check special attackers like Walrein while retaining sizeable physical bulk.

Clefairy fits best on balance and defensive teams, which make good use of Clefairy's ability to blanket check a huge portion of the tier's attackers while offering a wide range of utility. Solrock is an excellent partner, as it can switch into and cripple the physical attackers that can break past Clefairy's bulk, namely Mienfoo and Muk. Solrock is also not reliant on its item to function and can afford to switch into a Knock Off aimed at Clefairy. In turn, Clefairy comfortably switches into the status moves that try to cripple Solrock such as Scald, Toxic, and Will-O-Wisp. Muk also has good synergy with Clefairy. Muk can switch into Mienfoo and various Knock Off and Trick users targeting Clefairy. In turn, Clefairy can easily switch into the status used to check Muk while supporting Muk with Thunder Wave or Knock Off. If Clefairy lacks Encore, it is liable to become setup fodder for sweepers that can ignore Thunder Wave, like Whiscash or Lum Berry users. Reliable revenge killers like Persian or Choice Scarf Grumpig allow Clefairy to support its team with moves like Stealth Rock and Wish without letting certain threats get out of hand.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Clefairy's movepool is very expansive, and while there is room to experiment with some of its more fringe options, they won't find consistent use on most teams. Healing Wish has the potential to give a teammate a second life, restoring Pokemon like Whiscash and Shelgon for another chance at a sweep, but Clefairy has trouble fitting such a move into its set, and Healing Wish has the obvious drawback of KOing Clefairy. Magic Coat has the huge upside of reflecting Taunt or Thunder Wave back at the opponent, as well as forcing the opponent to set Stealth Rock against themselves. However, it has very little application outside of denying those two utility moves, and Clefairy can just run Stealth Rock itself. Calm Mind to become a status immune sweeper seems appealing, but Clefairy has extremely low power without a boost and this moveset makes it even weaker to disruption like Taunt, Encore, Thunder Wave, and Knock Off. Clefairy can run mixed EV investment if the team calls for it, but that may compromise its ability to check certain threats.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Muk:** Muk is the most consistent counter, absorbing Knock Off, not taking much damage from Seismic Toss, and being able to damage Clefairy significantly with Poison Jab or Fighting-type moves. Muk does eventually get worn down by Seismic Toss and dislikes being hit by Thunder Wave, though.

**Fighting-Types**: Mienfoo's STAB High Jump Kick and Regenerator give it the ability to switch into Clefairy using Stealth Rock or Seismic Toss and threaten to OHKO it or use one of its utility moves as Clefairy switches out. However, Mienfoo is crippled by Thunder Wave and Knock Off and still loses a huge portion of its HP from Seismic Toss, even if it can heal it off by switching out. Other Fighting-types are very uncommon in the tier, but Pokemon like Pignite can OHKO Clefairy in a similar manner.

**Item Removal**: Clefairy's bulk gets cut heavily without Eviolite, making Knock Off from attackers like Emolga and Persian an effective way to threaten it. Knock Off also means certain passive walls that Clefairy would otherwise sit on can threaten it, such as Pelipper. Trick and Switcheroo take this a step further, forcing a Choice item onto Clefairy in place of Eviolite.

**Disruption Moves**: Moves like Taunt and Encore deny Clefairy's utility moves or force it into an option respectively, letting the opponent take advantage of Clefairy. Taunt from Emolga, Persian, and Grumpig are especially common.

**Strong Wallbreakers**: Despite blanket checking a large portion of the tier, its mediocre stats allow for many threats to muscle past it. Nasty Plot + Focus Blast boosted with a Life Orb or Fighting Gem can overpower even specially defensive Clefairy, with Raichu in particular not having to worry about Thunder Wave thanks to Lightning Rod. Guts attackers like Luxray also cleanly 2HKO even physically defensive Clefairy with Facade, threaten a potential OHKO with Superpower, and don't fear Thunder Wave. Choice Specs and Choice Band users can also punish Clefairy but have to be wary of Thunder Wave and Knock Off for the entire game.

[SET CREDITS]
- Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/monai.482455/
- Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gangsta-spongebob.535530/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/xrn.317912/
- Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ken.594478/

 

[Gangsta Spongebob]

Great job, QC 1/2 when implemented

QC: 1/2

Add Remove Comment

[SET]
name: Physical Wall
move 1: Seismic Toss
move 2: Knock Off / Thunder Wave
move 3: Soft-Boiled
move 4: Stealth Rock / Encore / Heal Bell
item: Eviolite
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD

Despite its unimpressive stats and a typing barren of resistances, Clefairy nevertheless is an elite Pokemon in ZU thanks in huge part to its incredible ability, Magic Guard. A complete immunity to hazards and other residual damage as well as a defensive boost from Eviolite lets Clefairy become an all-purpose wall, capable of spreading status, disrupting the opponent, and setting up hazards. Seismic Toss is a necessary attack to ensure Clefairy is never too passive, but and a guaranteed 100 damage a turn is surprisingly difficult to handle in a tier with low HP totals and where many Pokemon can't afford Leftovers for passive recovery. Knock Off allows Clefairy to remove items from opposing Pokemon, crippling item-reliant staples like Meganium and Grumpig, while absolutely ruining other Eviolite walls like opposing Clefairy, Mienfoo, and Hippopotas. Thunder Wave is a solid alternative that pressures walls through its chance to fully paralyze, as well as allowing Clefairy and its team to outspeed opposing offensive Pokemon. Soft-Boiled is a required move for a wall like Clefairy, keeping it healthy over the course of a game. The last move is very flexible and allows Clefairy to support its team in a myriad of ways. Clefairy can fulfill the necessary function of a Stealth Rock setter for its team, which it is especially effective at thanks to how it dominates Staryu, the best Rapid Spin user in the tier. Encore is one of Clefairy's best tools against offense, preventing even Substitute users like Walrein or Muk from using Clefairy as setup fodder. Mention how this also lets Clefairy disrupts utility, such as forcing Stealth Rock users into keep using the move Heal Bell is another good option if a team cannot fit a different cleric like Aromatherapy Meganium. Wish is an alternative cleric option that keeps Clefairy's team healthy in a more direct way, which Clefairy can afford since it doesn't mind switching around in the face of hazards. The focus on physical bulk allows Clefairy to check the widest range of threats possible thanks to maximum investment and naturally good Special Defense, consistently withstanding even boosted attacks from threats like Swords Dance Kingler and Dragon Dance Shelgon. However, a more mixed spread of 168 Defense and 88 Special Defense with a Careful Nature allows Clefairy to more reliably check special attackers like Walrein, while retaining sizeable physical bulk.

Clefairy fits best on balance and defensive teams, which make good use of Clefairy's ability to blanket check a huge portion of the tier's attackers while offering a wide range of utility. Solrock is an excellent partner, as it can switch into and cripple the physical attackers that can break past Clefairy's bulk, namely Mienfoo and Muk. Solrock is also not reliant on its item to function, and can afford to switch into a Knock Off aimed at Clefairy. In turn, Clefairy comfortably switches into the status moves that try to cripple Solrock such as Scald, Toxic, and Will-o Wisp. Muk also has good synergy with Clefairy. Muk can switch into Mienfoo and various Knock Offs or Tricks aimed at Clefairy. In turn Clefairy can easily switch into the status used to check Muk, while supporting Muk with Thunder Wave or Knock Off. If Clefairy lacks Encore, it is liable to become setup fodder for sweepers that can ignore Thunder Wave, like Whiscash or Lum Berry users. Reliable revenge killers like Persian or Choice Scarf Grumpig allow Clefairy to support its team with moves like Stealth Rock or Wish without letting certain threats get out of hand.

[SET]
name: Special Wall
move 1: Seismic Toss
move 2: Soft-Boiled
move 3: Knock Off / Thunder Wave
move 4: Thunder Wave / Encore / Wish
item: Eviolite
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

With maximum investment in Special Defense, Clefairy is nearly unparalleled in its ability to check special attackers long term. Magic Guard's leaves Clefairy unaffected by the status and hazards that hamper Grumpig and Meganium, making it an ideal special wall on stall teams. Seismic Toss gives Clefairy a move to output consistent damage regardless of its attacking stats. Knock Off allows Clefairy to permanently cripple any non-Muk switchin, cutting off healing from Pokemon reliant on Leftovers or softening walls reliant on Eviolite. Mention how it can deprive offensive Pokemon such as Choice users the ability to break past it and its team Soft-Boiled is necessary to keep Clefairy healthy, even being used alongside Wish for reliability. Thunder Wave allows Clefairy to hamper offensive Pokemon that could otherwise take advantage of Clefairy reliably, like Mienfoo or Muk. Encore is a good option to prevent setup from any Pokemon lacking Taunt, while allowing a teammate to switch in without risk. Wish provides cleric support to the team, restoring Pokemon without recovery like Muk, Grumpig, or Simisear for another round of terror. Stealth Rock and Heal Bell are two other potential options, but it isn't difficult to fit those moves on other Pokemon and utility moves like Encore or Wish are very powerful.

This Clefairy fits best on defensive and stall teams, who can fit physically defensive support so Clefairy invest fully in Special Defense to take on hugely powerful attackers like Nasty Plot Simisear, Calm Mind Grumpig, and Substitute Walrein. Solrock is an all-purpose physical wall that helps answer the Normal and Poison-types that threaten to break stall teams. Clefairy safeguards Solrock against burns and poisons, while answering the Grass and Water-types that switch into Solrock like Meganium, Frillish, and Staryu. Meganium is another excellent defensive staple that pairs quite well with Clefairy. Meganium's incredible mixed bulk and typing lets it phaze out the few special sweepers that Clefairy cannot answer, namely Nasty Plot Mr. Mime and Raichu, while securing its team against the dangerous Kingler. In exchange, Clefairy's immunity to residual damage lets it to absorb any Scald or Toxic aimed at Meganium, maximizing Meganium's bulk instead of forcing it to waste Aromatherapy PP to keep itself healthy. Wormadam-T is another fixture on stall teams that is especially bolstered by Clefairy's Wish support and ability to easily switch into Scald and Will-o Wisp. Wormadam-T makes the most out of this support, using its great bulk and typing to check a huge range of threats, notably physical attackers it resists like Shelgon and Persian, but also checking Grumpig and Mr. Mime who can do huge damage to Clefairy with a boosted Focus Blast.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Clefairy's movepool is very expansive, and while there is room to experiment with some of its more fringe options, they won't find consistent use on most teams. Healing Wish has the potential to give a teammate a second life, restoring Pokemon like Whiscash or Shelgon for another chance at a sweep, but Clefairy has trouble fitting such a move into its set and Healing Wish has the obvious drawback of KO'ing Clefairy. Magic Coat has the huge upside of reflecting Taunt or Thunder Wave into the opponent, as well as forcing the opponent to set Stealth Rock against themselves. However, it has very little application outside of denying those two utility moves, and Clefairy can just run Stealth Rock itself. Calm Mind to become a status immune sweeper seems appealing, but Clefairy has extremely low power without a boost and this moveset makes it even weaker to disruption like Taunt, Encore, Thunder Wave, and Knock Off.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Muk:** Muk is the most consistent counter; absorbing Knock Off, not taking much damage from Seismic Toss, and being able to damage Clefairy significantly with Poison Jab or Fighting-type moves. Muk does eventually get worn down by Seismic Toss and dislikes being hit by Thunder Wave though.

**Fighting-Types**: Mienfoo's STAB High Jump Kick and Regenerator gives it the ability to switch into Clefairy using Stealth Rock or Seismic toss and threaten to OHKO it or use one of its utility moves as Clefairy switches out. However, Mienfoo is crippled by Thunder Wave and Knock Off and still takes a huge portion of its HP from Seismic Toss, even if it can heal it off by switching out. Other Fighting-types are very uncommon in the tier, but Pokemon like Pignite can OHKO Clefairy in a similar manner.

**Item Removal**: Clefairy's bulk gets cut heavily without Eviolite, making Knock Off an effective way to threaten it. Trick and Switcheroo take this a step further, forcing a Choice item onto Clefairy in place of Eviolite.

**Disruption Moves**: Moves like Taunt and Encore deny Clefairy's utility moves or force it into an option respectively, letting the opponent take advantage of a Clefairy they know can't use certain moves.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Monai, 482455]]
- Quality checked by: [[Gangsta Spongebob, 535530], [username2, userid2]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1]]

 

[Monai]

implemented ready for qc 2

 

[Xrn]

Add Comment Remove

overall great work especially on the set overviews, mainly wanted to add to Checks & Counters
2/2

QC 2/2

[SET]
name: Physical Wall
move 1: Seismic Toss
move 2: Knock Off / Thunder Wave
move 3: Soft-Boiled
move 4: Stealth Rock / Encore / Heal Bell
item: Eviolite
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD

Despite its unimpressive stats and a typing barren of resistances, Clefairy nevertheless is an elite Pokemon in ZU thanks in huge part to its incredible ability, Magic Guard. A complete immunity to hazards and other residual damage as well as a defensive boost from Eviolite lets Clefairy become an all-purpose wall, capable of spreading status, disrupting the opponent, and setting up hazards. Seismic Toss is a necessary attack to ensure Clefairy is never too passive, and a guaranteed 100 damage a turn is surprisingly difficult to handle in a tier with low HP totals and where many Pokemon can't afford Leftovers for passive recovery. Knock Off allows Clefairy to remove items from opposing Pokemon, crippling item-reliant staples like Meganium and Grumpig, while absolutely ruining other Eviolite walls like opposing Clefairy, Mienfoo, and Hippopotas. Thunder Wave is a solid alternative that pressures walls through its chance to fully paralyze, as well as allowing Clefairy and its team to outspeed opposing offensive Pokemon. Soft-Boiled is a required move for a wall like Clefairy, keeping it healthy over the course of a game. The last move is very flexible and allows Clefairy to support its team in a myriad of ways. Clefairy can fulfill the necessary function of a Stealth Rock setter for its team, which it is especially effective at thanks to how it dominates Staryu, the best Rapid Spin user in the tier. Encore is one of Clefairy's best tools against offense, preventing even Substitute users like Walrein or Muk from using Clefairy as setup fodder. It also allows Clefairy to generate momentum by forcing Pokemon to repeat utility moves like Stealth Rock or Recover. Heal Bell is another good option if a team cannot fit a different cleric like Aromatherapy Meganium. Wish is an alternative cleric option that keeps Clefairy's team healthy in a more direct way, which Clefairy can afford since it doesn't mind switching around in the face of hazards. The focus on physical bulk allows Clefairy to check the widest range of threats possible thanks to maximum investment and naturally good Special Defense, consistently withstanding even boosted attacks from threats like Swords Dance Kingler and Dragon Dance Shelgon. However, a more mixed spread of 168 Defense and 88 Special Defense with a Careful Nature allows Clefairy to more reliably check special attackers like Walrein, while retaining sizeable physical bulk.

Clefairy fits best on balance and defensive teams, which make good use of Clefairy's ability to blanket check a huge portion of the tier's attackers while offering a wide range of utility. Solrock is an excellent partner, as it can switch into and cripple the physical attackers that can break past Clefairy's bulk, namely Mienfoo and Muk. Solrock is also not reliant on its item to function, and can afford to switch into a Knock Off aimed at Clefairy. In turn, Clefairy comfortably switches into the status moves that try to cripple Solrock such as Scald, Toxic, and Will-o Wisp. Muk also has good synergy with Clefairy. Muk can switch into Mienfoo and various Knock Offs or Tricks aimed at Clefairy. In turn Clefairy can easily switch into the status used to check Muk, while supporting Muk with Thunder Wave or Knock Off. If Clefairy lacks Encore, it is liable to become setup fodder for sweepers that can ignore Thunder Wave, like Whiscash or Lum Berry users. Reliable revenge killers like Persian or Choice Scarf Grumpig allow Clefairy to support its team with moves like Stealth Rock or Wish without letting certain threats get out of hand.

[SET]
name: Special Wall
move 1: Seismic Toss
move 2: Soft-Boiled
move 3: Knock Off / Thunder Wave
move 4: Thunder Wave / Encore / Wish
item: Eviolite
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD

With maximum investment in Special Defense, Clefairy is nearly unparalleled in its ability to check special attackers long term. Magic Guard's leaves Clefairy unaffected by the status and hazards that hamper Grumpig and Meganium, making it an ideal special wall on stall teams. Seismic Toss gives Clefairy a move to output consistent damage regardless of its attacking stats. Knock Off allows Clefairy to permanently cripple any non-Muk switchin, cutting off healing from Pokemon reliant on Leftovers or softening walls reliant on Eviolite. Removing a boosting item or Gem as a Pokemon switches in can also nullify threats that need the item to break through a wall, such as Pikachu needing Light Ball or Slaking needing Choice Band. Soft-Boiled is necessary to keep Clefairy healthy, even being used alongside Wish for reliability. Thunder Wave allows Clefairy to hamper offensive Pokemon that could otherwise take advantage of Clefairy reliably, like Mienfoo or Muk. Encore is a good option to prevent setup from any Pokemon lacking Taunt, while allowing a teammate to switch in without risk. Wish provides cleric support to the team, restoring Pokemon without recovery like Muk, Grumpig, or Simisear for another round of terror. Stealth Rock and Heal Bell are two other potential options, but it isn't difficult to fit those moves on other Pokemon and utility moves like Encore or Wish are very powerful.

This Clefairy fits best on defensive and stall teams, who can fit physically defensive support so Clefairy can invest fully in Special Defense to take on hugely powerful attackers like Nasty Plot Simisear, Calm Mind Grumpig, and Substitute Walrein. Solrock is an all-purpose physical wall that helps answer the Normal and Poison-types that threaten to break stall teams. Clefairy safeguards Solrock against burns and poisons, while answering the Grass and Water-types that switch into Solrock like Meganium, Frillish, and Staryu. Meganium is another excellent defensive staple that pairs quite well with Clefairy. Meganium's incredible mixed bulk and typing lets it phaze out the few special sweepers that Clefairy cannot answer, namely Nasty Plot Mr. Mime and Raichu, while securing its team against the dangerous Kingler. In exchange, Clefairy's immunity to residual damage lets it to absorb any Scald or Toxic aimed at Meganium, maximizing Meganium's bulk instead of forcing it to waste Aromatherapy PP to keep itself healthy. Wormadam-T is another fixture on stall teams that is especially bolstered by Clefairy's Wish support and ability to easily switch into Scald and Will-o Wisp. Wormadam-T makes the most out of this support, using its great bulk and typing to check a huge range of threats, notably physical attackers it resists like Shelgon and Persian, but also checking Grumpig and Mr. Mime who can do huge damage to Clefairy with a boosted Focus Blast.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Clefairy's movepool is very expansive, and while there is room to experiment with some of its more fringe options, they won't find consistent use on most teams. Healing Wish has the potential to give a teammate a second life, restoring Pokemon like Whiscash or Shelgon for another chance at a sweep, but Clefairy has trouble fitting such a move into its set and Healing Wish has the obvious drawback of KO'ing Clefairy. Magic Coat has the huge upside of reflecting Taunt or Thunder Wave into the opponent, as well as forcing the opponent to set Stealth Rock against themselves. However, it has very little application outside of denying those two utility moves, and Clefairy can just run Stealth Rock itself. Calm Mind to become a status immune sweeper seems appealing, but Clefairy has extremely low power without a boost and this moveset makes it even weaker to disruption like Taunt, Encore, Thunder Wave, and Knock Off. Clefairy can run a mixed EV spread if the team calls for it, but splitting it's investment will make it difficult to take on some of the stronger threats.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Muk:** Muk is the most consistent counter; absorbing Knock Off, not taking much damage from Seismic Toss, and being able to damage Clefairy significantly with Poison Jab or Fighting-type moves. Muk does eventually get worn down by Seismic Toss and dislikes being hit by Thunder Wave though.

**Fighting-Types**: Mienfoo's STAB High Jump Kick and Regenerator gives it the ability to switch into Clefairy using Stealth Rock or Seismic toss and threaten to OHKO it or use one of its utility moves as Clefairy switches out. However, Mienfoo is crippled by Thunder Wave and Knock Off and still takes a huge portion of its HP from Seismic Toss, even if it can heal it off by switching out. Other Fighting-types are very uncommon in the tier, but Pokemon like Pignite can OHKO Clefairy in a similar manner.

**Item Removal**: Clefairy's bulk gets cut heavily without Eviolite, making Knock Off an effective way to threaten it with Persian, Emolga, or passive walls Clefairy would otherwise sit on. Trick and Switcheroo take this a step further, forcing a Choice item onto Clefairy in place of Eviolite. Notable users include Mr. Mime, Grumpig, and Persian.

**Disruption Moves**: Moves like Taunt and Encore deny Clefairy's utility moves or force it into an option respectively, letting the opponent take advantage of Clefairy. Taunt is especially common and can be on Persian, Emolga, and Calm Mind or Defensive Grumpig.

**Strong Wallbreakers**: Despite blanket checking a large portion of the tier, it's mediocre stats allow for many threats to muscle past it. Nasty Plot Focus Blasts from the likes of Mr. Mime and Raichu can overpower even Specially Defensive Clefairy, with Raichu in particular not having to worry about Thunder Wave thanks to Lightning Rod. Nasty Plot Simisear can opt for Life Orb or Fighting Gem to flip the matchup against Clefairy, whi!e it's mixed set is also an effective lure. Guts attackers like Luxray also cleanly 2HKO even Physically Defensive Clefairy with Facade while threatening a potential OHKO with Superpower and not fearing Thunder Wave. Specs and Band users can also punish Clefairy, but have to be wary of Thunder Wave and Knock Off for the entire game. I may have gone on for too long here, but it's important to mention how many attackers have options to force their way through Clefairy.




[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Monai, 482455]]
- Quality checked by: [[Gangsta Spongebob, 535530], [Xrn, 317912]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1]]

 

[Monai]

Implemented and ready for GP

 

[Monai]

Apparently i need to tag people or something
GP Team

 

[ken]

1/1 GP Team done
add remove comment

clefairy

[SET]
name: Physical Wall
move 1: Seismic Toss
move 2: Knock Off / Thunder Wave
move 3: Soft-Boiled
move 4: Stealth Rock / Encore / Heal Bell
item: Eviolite
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]
Despite its unimpressive stats and a typing barren of resistances, Clefairy nevertheless is an elite Pokemon in ZU, (ac) thanks in huge part to its incredible ability, Magic Guard. A complete immunity to entry hazards and other residual damage, (ac) as well as a defensive boost from Eviolite, (ac) lets Clefairy become an all-purpose wall, capable of spreading status, disrupting the opponent, and setting up hazards. Seismic Toss is a necessary attack to ensure Clefairy is never too passive, and a guaranteed 100 damage a turn is surprisingly difficult to handle in a tier with low HP totals and where many Pokemon can't afford Leftovers for passive recovery dex info. Knock Off allows Clefairy to remove items from opposing Pokemon, crippling item-reliant staples like Meganium and Grumpig, while absolutely ruining other Eviolite walls like opposing Clefairy, Mienfoo, and Hippopotas. Thunder Wave is a solid alternative that pressures walls through its chance to fully paralyze (rc) dex info; the following is contextually relevant so i've left it as well as allowing Clefairy and its team to outspeed opposing offensive Pokemon. Soft-Boiled is a required move for a wall like Clefairy, keeping it healthy over the course of a game. The last move is very flexible and allows Clefairy to support its team in a myriad of ways. Clefairy can fulfill the necessary function of a Stealth Rock setter for its team, which it is especially effective at thanks to how it dominates Staryu, the best Rapid Spin user in the tier. Encore is one of Clefairy's best tools against offense, preventing even Substitute users like Walrein or Muk from using Clefairy as setup fodder. It also allows Clefairy to generate momentum by forcing Pokemon to repeat utility moves like Stealth Rock or Recover. Heal Bell is another good option if a team cannot fit a different cleric like Aromatherapy Meganium. Wish is an alternative cleric option that keeps Clefairy's team healthy in a more direct way, which Clefairy can afford since it doesn't mind switching around in the face of hazards. The focus on physical bulk allows Clefairy to check the widest range of threats possible thanks to maximum investment and naturally good Special Defense, consistently withstanding even boosted attacks from threats like Swords Dance Kingler and Dragon Dance Shelgon. However, a more mixed spread of 168 Defense and 88 Special Defense with a Careful Nature allows Clefairy to more reliably check special attackers like Walrein (rc) while retaining sizeable physical bulk.

Clefairy fits best on balance and defensive teams, which make good use of Clefairy's ability to blanket check a huge portion of the tier's attackers while offering a wide range of utility. Solrock is an excellent partner, as it can switch into and cripple the physical attackers that can break past Clefairy's bulk, namely Mienfoo and Muk. Solrock is also not reliant on its item to function (rc) and can afford to switch into a Knock Off aimed at Clefairy. In turn, Clefairy comfortably switches into the status moves that try to cripple Solrock such as Scald, Toxic, and Will-o Wisp Will-O-Wisp. Muk also has good synergy with Clefairy. Muk can switch into Mienfoo and various Knock Offs or and Tricks aimed at users targeting Clefairy. In turn, (ac) Clefairy can easily switch into the status used to check Muk (rc) while supporting Muk with Thunder Wave or Knock Off. If Clefairy lacks Encore, it is liable to become setup fodder for sweepers that can ignore Thunder Wave, like Whiscash or Lum Berry users. Reliable revenge killers like Persian or Choice Scarf Grumpig allow Clefairy to support its team with moves like Stealth Rock or and Wish without letting certain threats get out of hand.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Clefairy's movepool is very expansive, and while there is room to experiment with some of its more fringe options, they won't find consistent use on most teams. Healing Wish has the potential to give a teammate a second life, restoring Pokemon like Whiscash or and Shelgon for to give another chance at a sweep, but Clefairy has trouble fitting such a move into its set, (ac) and Healing Wish has the obvious drawback of KO'ing KOing Clefairy. Magic Coat has the huge upside of reflecting Taunt or Thunder Wave into back at the opponent, as well as forcing the opponent to set Stealth Rock against themselves. However, it has very little application outside of denying those two utility moves, and Clefairy can just run Stealth Rock itself. Calm Mind to become a status immune sweeper seems appealing, but Clefairy has extremely low power without a boost and this moveset makes it even weaker to disruption like Taunt, Encore, Thunder Wave, and Knock Off. Clefairy can run mixed EV investment if the team calls for it, but that may compromise its ability to check certain threats.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Muk:** Muk is the most consistent counter, (remove semicolon, ac) absorbing Knock Off, not taking much damage from Seismic Toss, and being able to damage Clefairy significantly with Poison Jab or Fighting-type moves. Muk does eventually get worn down by Seismic Toss and dislikes being hit by Thunder Wave, (ac) though.

**Fighting-Types**: Mienfoo's STAB High Jump Kick and Regenerator gives it the ability to switch into Clefairy using Stealth Rock or Seismic toss Toss and threaten to OHKO it or use one of its utility moves as Clefairy switches out. However, Mienfoo is crippled by Thunder Wave and Knock Off and still takes loses a huge portion of its HP from Seismic Toss, even if it can heal it off by switching out. Other Fighting-types are very uncommon in the tier, but Pokemon like Pignite can OHKO Clefairy in a similar manner.

**Item Removal**: Clefairy's bulk gets cut heavily without Eviolite, making Knock Off from attackers like Emolga and Persian an effective way to threaten it. Knock Off also means certain passive walls that Clefairy would otherwise sit on can threaten it, such as Pelipper. Trick and Switcheroo take this a step further, forcing a Choice item onto Clefairy in place of Eviolite.

**Disruption Moves**: Moves like Taunt and Encore deny Clefairy's utility moves or force it into an option respectively, letting the opponent take advantage of Clefairy. Taunt from Emolga, Persian, and Grumpig are especially common.

**Strong Wallbreakers**: Despite blanket checking a large portion of the tier, it's its mediocre stats allow for many threats to muscle past it. Nasty Plot + added plus Focus Blasts boosted with a Life Orb or Fighting Gem can overpower even Specially Defensive specially defensive Clefairy, with Raichu in particular not having to worry about Thunder Wave thanks to Lightning Rod. Guts attackers like Luxray also cleanly 2HKO even Physically Defensive physically defensive Clefairy with Facade, (ac) while threatening a potential OHKO with Superpower, (ac) and not fearing don't fear Thunder Wave. Choice Specs and Choice Band users can also punish Clefairy (rc) but have to be wary of Thunder Wave and Knock Off for the entire game.

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[Monai]

Implemented, tagging Tuthur and Gangsta Spongebob