All of those except Escavalier are frail as a frail thing, and taunting doesn't stop DTail or Circle Throw phazing while you're trying to set up. Jask and Octillery in Team Preview might as well be a neon sign announcing what you're up to, as well.
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Ninjask (Analysis)
- Thread starter smashlloyd20
- Start date
Whilst we're on the subject of Ninjask's bulk, bear in mind that it 4x resists Fighting and Grass, of all things. Conkeldurr's Drain Punch only does 25.1% - 29.7% to a completely uninvested Ninjask, and it doesn't even break the substitute of a defensive variant. Mach Punch only does 13.3% - 16%, going down to 8% - 9.5% with the defensive spread. You can also abuse Stone Edge's miss chance in this scenario. Likewise, standard Ferrothorn's Power Whip doesn't break the sub (although Gyro Ball will 2HKO), and you even have an immunity to Excadrill's and Garchomp's Earthquakes!
Ninjask certainly has enough bulk to set up freely on stuff like Conkeldurr and Ferrothorn, two top OU threats, so a defensive EV spread shouldn't be omitted for any of the sets, in my opinion.
Ninjask certainly has enough bulk to set up freely on stuff like Conkeldurr and Ferrothorn, two top OU threats, so a defensive EV spread shouldn't be omitted for any of the sets, in my opinion.
The analysis should mention the purpose of the selected amount of speed EVs. What does it aim to outspeed?
Deletions
Additions / Corrections
Comments
GP 1 / 2
Additions / Corrections
Comments
[Overview]
<p>In the past, Ninjask was known for one thing and one thing only: Baton Passing. In BW, Ninjask does exactly the same thing. Its massive 160 base Speed almost always allows it to get a Substitute up before its opponent can attack it, and combined with the move in conjunction with Swords Dance, it can easily pass Attack and Speed boosts to another Pokemon, priming it for a sweep. In Generation Five, Ninjask does exactly the same thing-Substituting to gain Speed boosts, Swords Dancing to raise its attack, and using Baton Pass to allow another Pokemon to sweep. This isn't entirely a good thing though. However, with a new generation came the biggest threat to Ninjask thus far—(em dash) the ability Prankster. Wielders of this ability, such as Whimsicott and Thundurus, can switch in on Ninjask before it can Baton Pass and stop the little wasp dead in its tracks with a priority Taunt, effectively shutting it down. However, don't underestimate Ninjask's abilities. It still outspeeds all of OU after one Speed Boost, and Prankster users can be Baton Passed out of with correct prediction. All in all, if you're building a Baton Pass team, it's a great idea to give Ninjask a shot.</p>
[SET]
name: Baton Pass
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Baton Pass
move 3: Substitute
move 4: X-Scissor / Protect
item: Leftovers
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Jolly
evs: 176 HP / 252 Atk / 80 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Ninjask's infamous Baton Pass set makes its return for the third time, completely and utterly unchanged. The way this set works is by creating multiple Substitutes, stalling for time while Ninjask accumulates Speed boosts. It can also take advantage of its Speed Boost ability and massive base 160 Speed to perform this, along with being able to Baton Pass to a teammate before an opponent can move against it. This set can easily transform slow, heavy hitters into insanely fast, heavy hitters wrecking balls.</p>
<p>Swords Dance is the move that makes this set work, boosting Ninjask's Attack stat to increase its damage output to insane levels. Baton Pass is also essential, allowing Ninjask to pass its accumulated Speed and Attack boosts to another Pokemon. Substitute lets Ninjask get Speed Boosts extremely easily, as an opponent will be forced to attack to break the Substitute before it can do anything to Ninjask. X-Scissor allows Ninjask to not be completely shut down by Taunt, and can score KOs on things like Pokemon such as Whimsicott that could otherwise trouble it. However, Protect allows Ninjask to give it gives Ninjask another effective way to scout for things such as priority moves.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The item choice on this set is fairly straightforward, allowing Ninjask to produce five Substitutes in conjunction with 176 HP EVs as opposed to four when combined with its 176 HP EVs. As for the rest of its EV spread, maximum Attack EVs let Ninjask hit as hard as possible with X-Scissor, especially after a few Swords Dances. The remaining 80 EVs are placed in Speed. A Jolly nature allows Ninjask to outspeed all Pokemon with a base Speed of up to and including 130.</p>
<p>Ninjask doesn't need a lot of support on its own, as its role (Baton Passing) is mainly to support its team. It does appreciate a consistent Rapid Spin user such as Tentacruel to alleviate its crippling weakness to Stealth Rock, but that's about it. A more important teammate for Ninjask is the receiver of the Baton Pass. Bulky, powerful Pokemon that could use a boost to their Speed stat fit the bill well. One example of a good Ninjask Baton Pass receiver is Garchomp, who only possesses 130 base Attack, decent 102 base Speed, and bulk on the level of nearly equaling that of Swampert, but is immune to Electric-type attacks and resistant to Fire-type moves, both of which can trouble Ninjask. Another example of this is Metagross, owner of a 135 base Attack stat and mediocre Speed, as well as a resistance to Ninjask's Ice- and Rock-type weaknesses.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Ninjask doesn't have a lot of other options to consider. It has the option of running can run Aerial Ace as its attacking move over X-Scissor to hit opposing Fighting-types such as Conkledurr hard. Bug Bite is another option to consider, as it renders any berry held by its opponent useless. However, both of these moves are inferior to the sheer power of X-Scissor.</p>
<p>Ninjask can also run a simple Life Orb or Choice Band attacking set. However, these sets are extremely suboptimal poor options because of Ninjask's mediocre base 90 Attack. In addition, it is forced to run Dig in order to hit the extremely common Steel-type Pokemon in the metagame.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>There aren't many ways to attack Ninjask before it can set up a Substitute or use Baton Pass, rendering most common attackers useless against the Bug- and Flying-type ninja wasp. However, any attack that successfully hits Ninjask has a high probability of heavily damaging or outright KOing it due to its frail defenses. Priority attacks are the best way of doing this, as they ignore Ninjask's enormous Speed, making common users of priority such as Scizor and Azumarill good checks to Ninjask.</p>
<p>Another good way of stopping Ninjask from doing its job is the move Taunt, which prevents it from using Baton Pass, Substitute, and Swords Dance, basically rendering Ninjask worthless. As Ninjask can always Baton Pass out at the first sign of a Taunt, Pokemon such as Thundurus that can Taunt it before it passes uses Baton Pass thanks to the priority from Prankster are the best options. Whimsicott also has access to a priority Taunt, but will take heavy damage from X-Scissor.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Ninjask gets the ability Infiltrator from the Dream World. This makes all of Ninjask's attacks ignore Reflect and Light Screen. This ability is completely useless when compared to Speed Boost, as it takes away a large amount of its Baton Passing abilities Ninjask's only niche in the metagame.</p>
<p>In the past, Ninjask was known for one thing and one thing only: Baton Passing. In BW, Ninjask does exactly the same thing. Its massive 160 base Speed almost always allows it to get a Substitute up before its opponent can attack it, and combined with the move in conjunction with Swords Dance, it can easily pass Attack and Speed boosts to another Pokemon, priming it for a sweep. In Generation Five, Ninjask does exactly the same thing-Substituting to gain Speed boosts, Swords Dancing to raise its attack, and using Baton Pass to allow another Pokemon to sweep. This isn't entirely a good thing though. However, with a new generation came the biggest threat to Ninjask thus far—(em dash) the ability Prankster. Wielders of this ability, such as Whimsicott and Thundurus, can switch in on Ninjask before it can Baton Pass and stop the little wasp dead in its tracks with a priority Taunt, effectively shutting it down. However, don't underestimate Ninjask's abilities. It still outspeeds all of OU after one Speed Boost, and Prankster users can be Baton Passed out of with correct prediction. All in all, if you're building a Baton Pass team, it's a great idea to give Ninjask a shot.</p>
[SET]
name: Baton Pass
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Baton Pass
move 3: Substitute
move 4: X-Scissor / Protect
item: Leftovers
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Jolly
evs: 176 HP / 252 Atk / 80 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Ninjask's infamous Baton Pass set makes its return for the third time, completely and utterly unchanged. The way this set works is by creating multiple Substitutes, stalling for time while Ninjask accumulates Speed boosts. It can also take advantage of its Speed Boost ability and massive base 160 Speed to perform this, along with being able to Baton Pass to a teammate before an opponent can move against it. This set can easily transform slow, heavy hitters into insanely fast, heavy hitters wrecking balls.</p>
<p>Swords Dance is the move that makes this set work, boosting Ninjask's Attack stat to increase its damage output to insane levels. Baton Pass is also essential, allowing Ninjask to pass its accumulated Speed and Attack boosts to another Pokemon. Substitute lets Ninjask get Speed Boosts extremely easily, as an opponent will be forced to attack to break the Substitute before it can do anything to Ninjask. X-Scissor allows Ninjask to not be completely shut down by Taunt, and can score KOs on things like Pokemon such as Whimsicott that could otherwise trouble it. However, Protect allows Ninjask to give it gives Ninjask another effective way to scout for things such as priority moves.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The item choice on this set is fairly straightforward, allowing Ninjask to produce five Substitutes in conjunction with 176 HP EVs as opposed to four when combined with its 176 HP EVs. As for the rest of its EV spread, maximum Attack EVs let Ninjask hit as hard as possible with X-Scissor, especially after a few Swords Dances. The remaining 80 EVs are placed in Speed. A Jolly nature allows Ninjask to outspeed all Pokemon with a base Speed of up to and including 130.</p>
<p>Ninjask doesn't need a lot of support on its own, as its role (Baton Passing) is mainly to support its team. It does appreciate a consistent Rapid Spin user such as Tentacruel to alleviate its crippling weakness to Stealth Rock, but that's about it. A more important teammate for Ninjask is the receiver of the Baton Pass. Bulky, powerful Pokemon that could use a boost to their Speed stat fit the bill well. One example of a good Ninjask Baton Pass receiver is Garchomp, who only possesses 130 base Attack, decent 102 base Speed, and bulk on the level of nearly equaling that of Swampert, but is immune to Electric-type attacks and resistant to Fire-type moves, both of which can trouble Ninjask. Another example of this is Metagross, owner of a 135 base Attack stat and mediocre Speed, as well as a resistance to Ninjask's Ice- and Rock-type weaknesses.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Ninjask doesn't have a lot of other options to consider. It has the option of running can run Aerial Ace as its attacking move over X-Scissor to hit opposing Fighting-types such as Conkledurr hard. Bug Bite is another option to consider, as it renders any berry held by its opponent useless. However, both of these moves are inferior to the sheer power of X-Scissor.</p>
<p>Ninjask can also run a simple Life Orb or Choice Band attacking set. However, these sets are extremely suboptimal poor options because of Ninjask's mediocre base 90 Attack. In addition, it is forced to run Dig in order to hit the extremely common Steel-type Pokemon in the metagame.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>There aren't many ways to attack Ninjask before it can set up a Substitute or use Baton Pass, rendering most common attackers useless against the Bug- and Flying-type ninja wasp. However, any attack that successfully hits Ninjask has a high probability of heavily damaging or outright KOing it due to its frail defenses. Priority attacks are the best way of doing this, as they ignore Ninjask's enormous Speed, making common users of priority such as Scizor and Azumarill good checks to Ninjask.</p>
<p>Another good way of stopping Ninjask from doing its job is the move Taunt, which prevents it from using Baton Pass, Substitute, and Swords Dance, basically rendering Ninjask worthless. As Ninjask can always Baton Pass out at the first sign of a Taunt, Pokemon such as Thundurus that can Taunt it before it passes uses Baton Pass thanks to the priority from Prankster are the best options. Whimsicott also has access to a priority Taunt, but will take heavy damage from X-Scissor.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Ninjask gets the ability Infiltrator from the Dream World. This makes all of Ninjask's attacks ignore Reflect and Light Screen. This ability is completely useless when compared to Speed Boost, as it takes away a large amount of its Baton Passing abilities Ninjask's only niche in the metagame.</p>
GP 1 / 2
Applied the changes, thanks
bzzzt
GP CHECK 2/3
delete
add
chou will be here shortly with some content fixes
GP CHECK 2/3
delete
add
chou will be here shortly with some content fixes
[Overview]
<p>In the past, Ninjask was known for one thing and one thing only: Baton Passing. In BW the fifth generation, Ninjask does exactly the same thing. Its massive 160 base Speed almost always allows it to get a Substitute up before its opponent can attack it, in conjunction and with Swords Dance in its arsenal, it can easily pass both Attack and Speed boosts to another Pokemon, priming it for a sweep. This isn't entirely a good thing though. However, with a the new generation came also heralded the biggest threat to Ninjask thus far—the dreaded ability known as Prankster. Wielders of this ability, such as Whimsicott and Thundurus, can switch in on Ninjask before it can Baton Pass and stop the little wasp cicada dead in its tracks with a priority Taunt, effectively shutting it down. However, Don't underestimate Ninjask's abilities though. It still outspeeds all of OU after one Speed Boost, and Prankster users can be Baton Passed out of with correct prediction. All in all, if you're building a Baton Pass team, it's a great idea to give Ninjask a shot.</p>
[SET]
name: Baton Pass
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Baton Pass
move 3: Substitute
move 4: X-Scissor / Protect
item: Leftovers
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Jolly
evs: 176 HP / 252 Atk / 80 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Ninjask's infamous Baton Pass set makes its return for the third time, completely and utterly unchanged. The way this set works is by creating multiple Substitutes, stalling for time while Ninjask accumulates Speed boosts. It can also take advantage of its Speed Boost ability and massive base 160 Speed to perform this, along with being able to Baton Pass to a teammate before an opponent can move against it. Its Speed Boost ability and massive base 160 Speed allows it to perform this feat with ease, and when the time is right, Ninjask can Baton Pass to a teammate before the opponent can make a move. This set can easily transform slow, heavy hitters into insanely fast wrecking balls.</p>
<p>Swords Dance is the move that makes this set work, boosting Ninjask's Attack stat to increase its damage output to insane levels providing Ninjask with an insanely helpful boost to pass to its teammates, as well as giving Ninjask's offense some oomph should the need arise. Baton Pass is also essential, allowing Ninjask to pass its accumulated Speed and Attack boosts to another Pokemon. Substitute lets Ninjask get Speed Boosts extremely easily, as an opponent will be forced to attack to break the Substitute before it can do anything to Ninjask. X-Scissor allows Ninjask to not be completely shut down by Taunt, and can score KOs on Pokemon such as Whimsicott that could otherwise trouble it. However, Protect gives Ninjask another effective way to scout for things such as priority moves, as well as helping it gain additional Leftovers recovery, which translates to more Substitutes and more boosts.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The item choice of Leftovers on this set is fairly straightforward, allowing Ninjask to produce five Substitutes in conjunction with 176 HP EVs as opposed to four. As for the rest of its EV spread, maximum Attack EVs let Ninjask hit as hard as possible with X-Scissor, especially after a few Swords Dance boosts. The remaining 80 EVs are placed in Speed to enhance Ninjask's naturally speedy disposition. A Jolly nature allows Ninjask to outspeed all Pokemon with a base Speed of up to and including 130.</p>
<p>Ninjask doesn't need a lot of support on its own, as its role is mainly to support its team. It does appreciate a consistent Rapid Spin user such as Tentacruel to alleviate its crippling weakness to Stealth Rock, but that's about it. A more important teammate for Ninjask is the receiver of the Baton Passed boosts. Bulky, powerful Pokemon that could use a boost to their Speed stat fit the bill well. One example of a good Baton Pass receiver is Garchomp, who possesses 130 base Attack and bulk nearly equaling that of Swampert, but and is immune to Electric-type attacks moves and resistant to Fire-type moves attacks, both of which can trouble Ninjask. Another example of this is Metagross, owner of a 135 base Attack stat and mediocre Speed, as well as a resistances to Ninjask's Ice- and Rock-type weaknesses.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Ninjask doesn't have a lot of other options to consider. It has can run Aerial Ace as its attacking move over X-Scissor to hit opposing Fighting-types such as Conkledurr hard. Bug Bite is another option to consider, as it renders any Berry held by its opponent useless. However, both of these moves are inferior to the sheer power of X-Scissor.</p>
<p>Ninjask can also run a simple Life Orb or Choice Band attacking set. However, these sets are poor options because of Ninjask's mediocre base 90 Attack. In addition, it is forced to run Dig in order to hit the extremely common Steel-type Pokemon in the metagame its only coverage move for hitting the common Steel-type Pokemon is Dig, making an all-out attacker Ninjask quite a rubbish idea indeed.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>There aren't many ways to attack Ninjask before it can set up a Substitute or use Baton Pass, rendering most common attackers useless against the ninja wasp cicada. However, any attack that successfully hits Ninjask has a high probability of heavily damaging or outright KOing it due to its frail defenses. Priority attacks are the best way of doing this, as they ignore Ninjask's enormous Speed, making common users of priority such as Scizor and Azumarill good checks to Ninjask.</p>
<p>Another good way of stopping Ninjask from doing its job is the move Taunt, which prevents it from using Baton Pass, Substitute, and Swords Dance, basically rendering Ninjask worthless. As Ninjask can always Baton Pass out at the first sign of a Taunt, Pokemon with Prankster, such as Thundurus, that can Taunt it before it uses Baton Pass thanks to the priority from Prankster are the best options. Whimsicott also has access to a priority Taunt, but will take heavy damage from X-Scissor.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Ninjask gets the ability Infiltrator from the Dream World; this makes all of Ninjask's attacks ignore Reflect and Light Screen. This ability is completely useless when compared to Speed Boost, as it takes away Ninjask's only niche in the metagame.</p>
<p>In the past, Ninjask was known for one thing and one thing only: Baton Passing. In BW the fifth generation, Ninjask does exactly the same thing. Its massive 160 base Speed almost always allows it to get a Substitute up before its opponent can attack it, in conjunction and with Swords Dance in its arsenal, it can easily pass both Attack and Speed boosts to another Pokemon, priming it for a sweep. This isn't entirely a good thing though. However, with a the new generation came also heralded the biggest threat to Ninjask thus far—the dreaded ability known as Prankster. Wielders of this ability, such as Whimsicott and Thundurus, can switch in on Ninjask before it can Baton Pass and stop the little wasp cicada dead in its tracks with a priority Taunt, effectively shutting it down. However, Don't underestimate Ninjask's abilities though. It still outspeeds all of OU after one Speed Boost, and Prankster users can be Baton Passed out of with correct prediction. All in all, if you're building a Baton Pass team, it's a great idea to give Ninjask a shot.</p>
[SET]
name: Baton Pass
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Baton Pass
move 3: Substitute
move 4: X-Scissor / Protect
item: Leftovers
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Jolly
evs: 176 HP / 252 Atk / 80 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Ninjask's infamous Baton Pass set makes its return for the third time, completely and utterly unchanged. The way this set works is by creating multiple Substitutes, stalling for time while Ninjask accumulates Speed boosts. It can also take advantage of its Speed Boost ability and massive base 160 Speed to perform this, along with being able to Baton Pass to a teammate before an opponent can move against it. Its Speed Boost ability and massive base 160 Speed allows it to perform this feat with ease, and when the time is right, Ninjask can Baton Pass to a teammate before the opponent can make a move. This set can easily transform slow, heavy hitters into insanely fast wrecking balls.</p>
<p>Swords Dance is the move that makes this set work, boosting Ninjask's Attack stat to increase its damage output to insane levels providing Ninjask with an insanely helpful boost to pass to its teammates, as well as giving Ninjask's offense some oomph should the need arise. Baton Pass is also essential, allowing Ninjask to pass its accumulated Speed and Attack boosts to another Pokemon. Substitute lets Ninjask get Speed Boosts extremely easily, as an opponent will be forced to attack to break the Substitute before it can do anything to Ninjask. X-Scissor allows Ninjask to not be completely shut down by Taunt, and can score KOs on Pokemon such as Whimsicott that could otherwise trouble it. However, Protect gives Ninjask another effective way to scout for things such as priority moves, as well as helping it gain additional Leftovers recovery, which translates to more Substitutes and more boosts.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The item choice of Leftovers on this set is fairly straightforward, allowing Ninjask to produce five Substitutes in conjunction with 176 HP EVs as opposed to four. As for the rest of its EV spread, maximum Attack EVs let Ninjask hit as hard as possible with X-Scissor, especially after a few Swords Dance boosts. The remaining 80 EVs are placed in Speed to enhance Ninjask's naturally speedy disposition. A Jolly nature allows Ninjask to outspeed all Pokemon with a base Speed of up to and including 130.</p>
<p>Ninjask doesn't need a lot of support on its own, as its role is mainly to support its team. It does appreciate a consistent Rapid Spin user such as Tentacruel to alleviate its crippling weakness to Stealth Rock, but that's about it. A more important teammate for Ninjask is the receiver of the Baton Passed boosts. Bulky, powerful Pokemon that could use a boost to their Speed stat fit the bill well. One example of a good Baton Pass receiver is Garchomp, who possesses 130 base Attack and bulk nearly equaling that of Swampert, but and is immune to Electric-type attacks moves and resistant to Fire-type moves attacks, both of which can trouble Ninjask. Another example of this is Metagross, owner of a 135 base Attack stat and mediocre Speed, as well as a resistances to Ninjask's Ice- and Rock-type weaknesses.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Ninjask doesn't have a lot of other options to consider. It has can run Aerial Ace as its attacking move over X-Scissor to hit opposing Fighting-types such as Conkledurr hard. Bug Bite is another option to consider, as it renders any Berry held by its opponent useless. However, both of these moves are inferior to the sheer power of X-Scissor.</p>
<p>Ninjask can also run a simple Life Orb or Choice Band attacking set. However, these sets are poor options because of Ninjask's mediocre base 90 Attack. In addition, it is forced to run Dig in order to hit the extremely common Steel-type Pokemon in the metagame its only coverage move for hitting the common Steel-type Pokemon is Dig, making an all-out attacker Ninjask quite a rubbish idea indeed.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>There aren't many ways to attack Ninjask before it can set up a Substitute or use Baton Pass, rendering most common attackers useless against the ninja wasp cicada. However, any attack that successfully hits Ninjask has a high probability of heavily damaging or outright KOing it due to its frail defenses. Priority attacks are the best way of doing this, as they ignore Ninjask's enormous Speed, making common users of priority such as Scizor and Azumarill good checks to Ninjask.</p>
<p>Another good way of stopping Ninjask from doing its job is the move Taunt, which prevents it from using Baton Pass, Substitute, and Swords Dance, basically rendering Ninjask worthless. As Ninjask can always Baton Pass out at the first sign of a Taunt, Pokemon with Prankster, such as Thundurus, that can Taunt it before it uses Baton Pass thanks to the priority from Prankster are the best options. Whimsicott also has access to a priority Taunt, but will take heavy damage from X-Scissor.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Ninjask gets the ability Infiltrator from the Dream World; this makes all of Ninjask's attacks ignore Reflect and Light Screen. This ability is completely useless when compared to Speed Boost, as it takes away Ninjask's only niche in the metagame.</p>
add/change
delete
3/3
Fate and I did these simultaneously, so we'll have to work this out... I made a LOT of content changes though, which should be the big "take away" from my check. For the strictly grammar-related stuff, you can just go ahead with Fate's implementations (ie. when putting in mine, focus on the huge chunks of blue...).
NINJASK IS A CICADA, NOT A WASP!!
delete
STATUS: Written
APPROVALS:
QC 2/2 [Iconic] [Bloo]
GP 1/2 [Calm Pokemaster]
Ninjask
[Overview]
<p>In the past, Ninjask was known for one thing and one thing only: Baton Passing. In BW, Ninjask does exactly the same thing. Its massive 160 base Speed almost always allows it to get a Substitute up before its opponent can attack it. With Speed Boost and , in conjunction with Swords Dance it can easily pass Attack and Speed boosts to another Pokemon, priming it for a sweep. This isn't entirely a good thing though. However, with a new generation came the biggest threat to Ninjask thus far—the ability Prankster. Wielders of this ability, such as Whimsicott and Thundurus, can switch in on Ninjask before it can Baton Pass and stop the little wasp cicada dead in its tracks with a priority Taunt or Encore, effectively shutting it down. However, don't underestimate Ninjask's abilities While Prankster is certainly a problematic, Ninjask's passing skills are still not to be underestimated. It still outspeeds all of OU after one Speed Boost, and Prankster users can be Baton Passed out of with correct prediction and can get around Prankster users with some old school prediction, or by surprising the opponent with BW's improved Mental Herb. All in all, if you're building a Baton Pass team it's a great idea to give Ninjask a shot.</p>
[SET]
name: Baton Pass
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Baton Pass
move 3: Substitute
move 4: X-Scissor / Protect
item: Leftovers
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Jolly
evs: 176 HP / 252 Atk / 80 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Ninjask's infamous Baton Pass set makes its return for the third time, completely and utterly unchanged. The way this set works is by creating multiple Substitutes, stalling for time while Ninjask accumulates Speed boosts. It can also take advantage of its Speed Boost ability and massive base 160 Speed to perform this, along with being able to Ninjask's massive 160 Speed and Speed Boost let effectively block off most attacks and Baton Pass to a teammate before an opponent can move against it. This set can easily transform slow, heavy hitters into insanely fast wrecking balls.</p>
<p>Swords Dance is the move that makes this set work, boosting Ninjask's Attack stat to increase its damage output to insane levels secure the offensive power the pass receiver will need to break through the enemy team. Baton Pass is also essential, allowing Ninjask to pass its accumulated Speed and Attack boosts to another Pokemon. Substitute lets Ninjask get Speed Boosts extremely easily, as an opponent will be forced to attack to break the Substitute before it can do anything to Ninjask. The biggest decision for the set is choosing between X-Scissor and Protect. X-Scissor allows Ninjask to not be prevents Ninjask from being completely shut down by Taunt, and can score KOs can deal heavy damage to certain key Pokemon such as Whimsicott and Deoxys-S. that could otherwise trouble it However, one cannot ignore Protect's awesome benefits to this set-- scouting for priority attacks and Taunt, securing more Leftovers recovery to make more Substitutes, and stalling for more turns (and thus, more precious boosts to Speed).gives Ninjask another effective way to scout for things such as priority moves.</p> (I deleted everything that was getting annoyingly repetitive)
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The item choice on this set is fairly straightforward, allowing Ninjask to produce five Substitutes in conjunction with 176 HP EVs as opposed to four. As for the rest of its EV spread, maximum Attack EVs let Ninjask hit as hard as possible with X-Scissor, especially after a few Swords Dances. The remaining 80 EVs are placed in Speed. A Jolly nature allows Ninjask to outspeed all Pokemon with a base Speed of up to and including 130 The EVs and nature are set to allow Ninjask to outspeed 130 base Speed foes. As an aside, the 252 Attack EVs should be moved to Defense when not using X-Scissor. This will allow Ninjask to better weather blows from powerful priority moves like Dragonite and Deoxys-S's ExtremeSpeed and Scizor's Bullet Punch.</p>
<p>Ninjask doesn't need a lot of support on its own, as its role is mainly to support its team. It does appreciate a consistent Rapid Spin user such as Tentacruel to alleviate its crippling weakness to Stealth Rock, but that's about it. A more important teammate for Ninjask is the receiver of the Baton Pass. Bulky, powerful Pokemon that could use a boost to their Speed stat fit the bill well. One example of a good Baton Pass receiver is Garchomp, who possesses 130 base Attack and bulk nearly equaling that of k Swampert, but is immune to Electric-type attacks and resistant to Fire-type moves, both of which can trouble Ninjas. Garchomp has a lot going for it as a Baton Pass target: an immense 130 base Attack stat, powerful STAB attacks with near perfect coverage, fantastic defensive stats, a general lack of weaknesses, and an immunity to Thunder Wave. Its resistances to Ninjask's weaknesses, Fire, Electric and Rock, gives it even greater synergy with Ninjask. Another example of this is Metagross is another noteworthy pass target, owner of a 135 base Attack stat and mediocre Speed, as well as a resistances to Ninjask's Ice- and Rock-type weaknesses.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Ninjask doesn't have a lot of other options to consider. The most noteworthy alteration one could make to the standard set would be to replace Leftovers with Mental Herb. In BW, Mental Herb blocks both Taunt and Encore for a turn, making it impossible for Prankster users to stop Ninjask's Baton Pass. With Mental Herb and Protect, even in a lead match up against a Prankster user, Ninjask is guaranteed to at least make one pass of +1 Speed to a teammate. If the Prankster user has to switch into Ninjask, it will get to pass 2 Speed boosts (with Protect), and likely an intact Substitute as well! While the loss of Leftovers seriously diminishes Ninjask's long-term abilities, its 4x weakness to Stealth Rock, general frailty and heavy reliance on Substitute often mean its strategy will only be a "one-shot wonder" in many games anyway. Mental Herb can help ensure that "one-shot" goes off well. It has can run Aerial Ace as its attacking move over X-Scissor to hit opposing Fighting-types such as Conkledurr hard. Bug Bite is another option to consider, as it renders any berry held by its opponent useless. However, both of these moves are inferior to the sheer power of X-Scissor.</p>
<p>Ninjask can also run a simple Life Orb or Choice Band attacking set. However, these sets are poor options because of Ninjask's mediocre base 90 Attack and shallow movepool. In addition, it is forced to run Dig in order to hit the extremely common Steel-type Pokemon in the metagame.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>There aren't many ways to attack Ninjask before it can set up a Substitute or use Baton Pass, rendering most common attackers useless against the ninja wasp cicada. However, any attack that successfully hits Ninjask has a high probability of heavily damaging or outright KOing it due to its frail defenses. Priority attacks are the best way of doing this, as they ignore Ninjask's enormous Speed, making common users of priority such as Scizor and Azumarill good checks to Ninjask.</p>
<p>Another good way of stopping Ninjask from doing its job is the move Taunt, which prevents it from using Baton Pass, Substitute, and Swords Dance, basically rendering Ninjask worthless useless. As Ninjask can always Baton Pass out at the first sign of a Taunt, Pokemon such as Thundurus that can Taunt it before it uses Baton Pass thanks to the priority from Prankster are the best options Prankster users such as Thundurus are the most effective. Whimsicott also has access to a priority Taunt, but will take heavy damage from X-Scissor. It should be noted that even without Taunt, Whimsicott's priority Encore will absolutely shut down a Ninjask that had previously used Swords Dance or Substitute. On the other hand, Mental Herb can go a long way in alleviating issues with Taunt and Encore, so one should be weary of relying on these moves should Ninjask lack Leftovers recovery.</p>
<p>An even greater issue for Ninjask is phazing. Phazing has always been the biggest problem for any Baton Pass strategy, and this is unchanged in BW. Phaze will blow away Ninjask's boosts whether it passes or not, and can't be stopped by Substitute. Unlike with Taunt and Encore, there's no magic item Ninjask can throw on to alleviate its problems with Whirlwind and Roar. The most common phaze users in OU are Skarmory, Gyarados and Hippowdon. It would be wise for any Ninjask user to bring teammates that can deal with these Pokemon.</p>
<p>As a final measure of desperation, one could always throw out an extremely powerful offensive Pokemon against Ninjask. The most vulnerable point in Ninjask's strategy is the turn it passes to the Baton Pass target. As long as you can prevent Ninjask from getting up a Substitute intact somewhere, you should get a free shot to attack the Baton Pass target directly as it is switched in. With Team Preview on your side, you also will likely know in advance what the likely pass targets will be. If you can get a powerful offensive Pokemon in front of Ninjask that OHKOes or otherwise cripples/defeats Ninjask's potential pass targets, you will likely come out advantageous against Ninjask's team.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Ninjask gets the ability Infiltrator from the Dream World. This makes all of Ninjask's attacks ignore Reflect and Light Screen. This ability is completely useless when compared to Speed Boost, as it takes away Ninjask's only niche in the metagame.</p>
Fate and I did these simultaneously, so we'll have to work this out... I made a LOT of content changes though, which should be the big "take away" from my check. For the strictly grammar-related stuff, you can just go ahead with Fate's implementations (ie. when putting in mine, focus on the huge chunks of blue...).
NINJASK IS A CICADA, NOT A WASP!!
I don't know if this is reliable enough to be called a 'counter' but a powerful Rock Polisher such as Terrakion can switch in and Swords Dance/Rock Polish alongside Ninjask. Since Ninjask can only boost speed +1 per turn you can alternate between keeping up with the boosts with Rock Polish and breaking the Subs. When they Baton Pass you will outspeed the recipient and be able to OHKO and have an opportunity to sweep their team.
The smart thing for Ninjask to do in this situation would be to Baton Pass at first sight, only allowing the opponent one boost of either Swords Dance or Rock Polish. Ninjask can't even stay in for one turn because the opponent will have used Rock Polish and can now keep up with their speed boosts while breaking Substitutes or Swords Dancing.
Rock Polish Landorus can do the same thing minus Swords Dance.
The smart thing for Ninjask to do in this situation would be to Baton Pass at first sight, only allowing the opponent one boost of either Swords Dance or Rock Polish. Ninjask can't even stay in for one turn because the opponent will have used Rock Polish and can now keep up with their speed boosts while breaking Substitutes or Swords Dancing.
Rock Polish Landorus can do the same thing minus Swords Dance.
Aerial Ace and some Def EV's should probably be mentioned. Sure it will never remotely be able to tank, but it has a flying STAB and a 4x Fighting resist, offering a niche switch-in to weakened Fight-types.
I know, but seriously...would you want a ninja cicada or a ninja wasp?
Anyway, this is done
Anyway, this is done
_Mew2King_
Banned deucer.
you should mention ninjask use in baton pass chains that use magic bounce espeon, focus sash + ingrain pass smeargle, etc...
I used to play with a ninjask/espeon/vaporeon/smeargle/scizor/mew team on PO server and i won a lot of battles there (reached to the top 20)
I used to play with a ninjask/espeon/vaporeon/smeargle/scizor/mew team on PO server and i won a lot of battles there (reached to the top 20)
Yeah, you really need to mention Magic Bounce Espeon and Baton Pass chains under Team Options. I also think Flash warrants a mention in Other Options. Flash forces switches and takes advantage of teams that carry only one or two methods of dealing with Ninjask. Its usefulness is further enhanced by Substitute as well.
It occurred to me as I read the comments about the Mental Herb that Acrobatics would make quite an interesting compliment to said item. Flying STAB has a bit more effective neutral coverage compared to Ninjask's other STAB, and it lands a much, much stronger hit against Whimsicott (I imagine even Thundurus might cringe a bit from that, though calcs might help). Perhaps it's worth a mention in OO alongside Mental Herb.