OP Stolen from Twix / Approved by scpinion and Dream Eater Gengar / Art by The Excadrill
This thread is to allow all monotype players to share cool sets and ideas they have seen or made in the metagame. The idea is to not only increase the usage of unique sets in monotype but also to showcase how less used pokemon can be adapted for the monotype metagame. Below states what it means to have a creative or underrated set within the monotype metagame. Any post that is considered a gimmick will not be tolerated in the thread and deleted.
1. What is a creative moveset?
A) It has not previously been widely used.
B) It successfully pulls off a role, and is not strictly outclassed by other Pokemon in that role.
C) It takes advantage of metagame trends.
D) It has had some success. Post replays / logs to strengthen your case.
2. What is an underrated moveset?
A) It is an existing set that for whatever reason isn't common.
B) Its use is meant to prey on specific facets of the metagame.
C) It might be able to surprise and demolish Pokemon that normally counter the usual sets, but does not become a bad gimmick in order to do so.
3. What constitutes a good post?
1) Have a good description of the set.
2) Having relevant calcs to go along with the post.
3) Why did you use this set over the standard set?
4) Showing replays of the set in action.
Example Taken from Acast :
Jirachi @ Assault Vest
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psyshock
- Moonblast
- Energy Ball
- Charge Beam / Flash Cannon / Thunderbolt
My Steel team used to struggle a lot with Water. Ferrothorn wasn't working out for me as much as I wanted it to and Magnezone was always walled by the Water/Ground types. Infernape and Keldeo on Fighting were also serious concerns I had, and what Steel team doesn't have issues with Hydreigon? Sure, Scarf Rachi can probably work just as well against those threats, but I refused to ditch my Scarf Excadrill and I'd rather not have two scarf users. Not to mention I wanted Jirachi to be able to switch moves, so my AV Rachi set was born.
KEY: Green=Jirachi is attacking the opponent. Red=The opponent is attacking Jirachi.
Psyshock is your generic special STAB that deals with Infernape and Keldeo.
252 SpA Life Orb Infernape Fire Blast vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Assault Vest Jirachi: 265-315 (65.7 - 78.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Jirachi Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Infernape: 318-374 (108.5 - 127.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Keldeo Hydro Pump vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Assault Vest Jirachi: 178-210 (44.1 - 52.1%) -- 14.1% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Keldeo Secret Sword vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Jirachi: 207-244 (51.3 - 60.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Jirachi Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Keldeo: 260-308 (80.4 - 95.3%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
Moonblast is mainly for Hydreigon, but it helps against other Dragons too.
252+ SpA Life Orb Hydreigon Dark Pulse vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Assault Vest Jirachi: 242-289 (60 - 71.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Jirachi Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Hydreigon: 416-492 (128 - 151.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Energy Ball is great coverage, but it's especially useful for Water/Ground types and Rotom-W.
252+ SpA Jirachi Energy Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Swampert: 392-464 (97 - 114.8%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
252+ SpA Jirachi Energy Ball vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Quagsire: 508-600 (128.9 - 152.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Rotom-W Hydro Pump vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Assault Vest Jirachi: 102-121 (25.3 - 30%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252+ SpA Jirachi Energy Ball vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Rotom-W: 170-200 (56.1 - 66%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
Charge Beam makes use of Jirachi's Serene Grace to give it a 100% chance to boost SpA. I've always loved the Serene Grace Charge Beam combo, but in the past I only ever used it on AV Meloetta. Personally I prefer Charge Beam, but Flash Cannon is fine if you'd rather have a secondary STAB move instead and Thunderbolt is a better option if you strictly want Electric coverage and aren't interested in boosting.
Replay showing AV Jirachi at its best: http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/monotype-306635458
This set is particularly helpful against Water teams, which Steel can sometimes struggle with. However, it can also be useful against many of Steel's biggest threats, as shown by the calcs above.
4. What are some things that constitute a bad gimmick?
A) Using a Pokemon that has no business being used in Monotype, for the sake of using it (Spinda / Feebas).
B) Movesets that are inferior and ineffective compared to existing movesets (e.g. Swords Dance Venusaur), or using an obscure move for the sake of hitting an even more obscure check or counter.
C) Movesets that are utterly impractical or are horribly outclassed by another Pokemon (e.g. Belly Drum Slowbro).
D) A bad gimmick is not limited to the above, though. The moderator team and I will use our best judgment to determine which sets should be deleted
E) If your set has been brought up multiple times and rejected for being a gimmick it will be listed in the Gimmicky/Rejected Sets in the OP
If you have a question about the thread VM me on Smogon and or pm me on Showdown, my username is iExca
From now on (August 12th 2018) every submission to this thread will be responded to in a wave. If the submission is infact Creative and or Underrated it will be approved, however if it is a common set or unviable I will provide an explanation to why the set was not improved. Please also provide replays and a proper description of what the unique set does whether its the EVs, what it techs with a surprise move, etc.
This thread is to allow all monotype players to share cool sets and ideas they have seen or made in the metagame. The idea is to not only increase the usage of unique sets in monotype but also to showcase how less used pokemon can be adapted for the monotype metagame. Below states what it means to have a creative or underrated set within the monotype metagame. Any post that is considered a gimmick will not be tolerated in the thread and deleted.
1. What is a creative moveset?
A) It has not previously been widely used.
B) It successfully pulls off a role, and is not strictly outclassed by other Pokemon in that role.
C) It takes advantage of metagame trends.
D) It has had some success. Post replays / logs to strengthen your case.
2. What is an underrated moveset?
A) It is an existing set that for whatever reason isn't common.
B) Its use is meant to prey on specific facets of the metagame.
C) It might be able to surprise and demolish Pokemon that normally counter the usual sets, but does not become a bad gimmick in order to do so.
3. What constitutes a good post?
1) Have a good description of the set.
2) Having relevant calcs to go along with the post.
3) Why did you use this set over the standard set?
4) Showing replays of the set in action.
Example Taken from Acast :
Jirachi @ Assault Vest
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psyshock
- Moonblast
- Energy Ball
- Charge Beam / Flash Cannon / Thunderbolt
My Steel team used to struggle a lot with Water. Ferrothorn wasn't working out for me as much as I wanted it to and Magnezone was always walled by the Water/Ground types. Infernape and Keldeo on Fighting were also serious concerns I had, and what Steel team doesn't have issues with Hydreigon? Sure, Scarf Rachi can probably work just as well against those threats, but I refused to ditch my Scarf Excadrill and I'd rather not have two scarf users. Not to mention I wanted Jirachi to be able to switch moves, so my AV Rachi set was born.
KEY: Green=Jirachi is attacking the opponent. Red=The opponent is attacking Jirachi.
Psyshock is your generic special STAB that deals with Infernape and Keldeo.
252 SpA Life Orb Infernape Fire Blast vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Assault Vest Jirachi: 265-315 (65.7 - 78.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Jirachi Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Infernape: 318-374 (108.5 - 127.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Keldeo Hydro Pump vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Assault Vest Jirachi: 178-210 (44.1 - 52.1%) -- 14.1% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Keldeo Secret Sword vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Jirachi: 207-244 (51.3 - 60.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Jirachi Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Keldeo: 260-308 (80.4 - 95.3%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
Moonblast is mainly for Hydreigon, but it helps against other Dragons too.
252+ SpA Life Orb Hydreigon Dark Pulse vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Assault Vest Jirachi: 242-289 (60 - 71.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Jirachi Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Hydreigon: 416-492 (128 - 151.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Energy Ball is great coverage, but it's especially useful for Water/Ground types and Rotom-W.
252+ SpA Jirachi Energy Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Swampert: 392-464 (97 - 114.8%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
252+ SpA Jirachi Energy Ball vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Quagsire: 508-600 (128.9 - 152.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Rotom-W Hydro Pump vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Assault Vest Jirachi: 102-121 (25.3 - 30%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252+ SpA Jirachi Energy Ball vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Rotom-W: 170-200 (56.1 - 66%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
Charge Beam makes use of Jirachi's Serene Grace to give it a 100% chance to boost SpA. I've always loved the Serene Grace Charge Beam combo, but in the past I only ever used it on AV Meloetta. Personally I prefer Charge Beam, but Flash Cannon is fine if you'd rather have a secondary STAB move instead and Thunderbolt is a better option if you strictly want Electric coverage and aren't interested in boosting.
Replay showing AV Jirachi at its best: http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/monotype-306635458
This set is particularly helpful against Water teams, which Steel can sometimes struggle with. However, it can also be useful against many of Steel's biggest threats, as shown by the calcs above.
4. What are some things that constitute a bad gimmick?
A) Using a Pokemon that has no business being used in Monotype, for the sake of using it (Spinda / Feebas).
B) Movesets that are inferior and ineffective compared to existing movesets (e.g. Swords Dance Venusaur), or using an obscure move for the sake of hitting an even more obscure check or counter.
C) Movesets that are utterly impractical or are horribly outclassed by another Pokemon (e.g. Belly Drum Slowbro).
D) A bad gimmick is not limited to the above, though. The moderator team and I will use our best judgment to determine which sets should be deleted
E) If your set has been brought up multiple times and rejected for being a gimmick it will be listed in the Gimmicky/Rejected Sets in the OP
If you have a question about the thread VM me on Smogon and or pm me on Showdown, my username is iExca
SubDisable Salazzle (any variants of this set)
From now on (August 12th 2018) every submission to this thread will be responded to in a wave. If the submission is infact Creative and or Underrated it will be approved, however if it is a common set or unviable I will provide an explanation to why the set was not improved. Please also provide replays and a proper description of what the unique set does whether its the EVs, what it techs with a surprise move, etc.
Last edited: