[OVERVIEW]
Reuniclus's high HP stat and amazing abilities in Magic Guard and Regenerator allow it to function as a bulky setup sweeper or a specially defensive pivot. With high Special Attack, it's no offensive slouch either, so it can use Psyshock to come out on top in Calm Mind wars against Pokemon such as Galarian Slowbro and Rest variants of Suicune. However, without boosts, it can be easily overwhelmed by strong special attackers. It can also have trouble with Dark-types such as Incineroar, Obstagoon, and the omnipresent Zarude due to their Psychic immunity and the inaccuracy of Reuniclus's Focus Blast. On the other hand, an Assault Vest set can be used to answer some of the strong special attackers in the tier such as Raikou, Xurkitree, and Nasty Plot variants of Thundurus. However, this set is extremely vulnerable to Knock Off, as it will severely reduce its effectiveness in standing up to such special attackers.
[SET]
name: Defensive Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Psyshock
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Recover
item: Leftovers
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Psyshock is able to help win Calm Mind wars against Pokemon such as Galarian Slowbro and Rest variants of Suicune, unlike Psychic. Focus Blast mainly serves to hit Steel- and Dark-types such as Registeel, Steelix, Incineroar, and Zarude. Shadow Ball is an alternative for more immediate power when facing Psychic-types such as Cresselia and Galarian Slowbro, while also hitting the uncommon Doublade, which otherwise walls Reuniclus. However, it misses out on Dark-types such as Incineroar and Zarude. Magic Guard allows Reuniclus to set up without being hindered by status conditions such as poison and burn. Colbur Berry is an alternate item that can be considered over Leftovers to stomach hits from Obstagoon and Zarude so Reuniclus can retaliate with Focus Blast. However, the loss of passive recovery can affect Reuniclus's ability to switch into or set up on certain Pokemon.
Spikes or Toxic Spikes support from Pokemon such as Roserade, Dragalge, and Galarian Weezing is greatly appreciated, as it helps wear down bulky opposition. Additionally, the former two Pokemon help deal with some of the menacing Electric-types in the tier such as Raikou and Xurkitree, while Galarian Weezing helps deal with pesky physical attackers, such as Heracross, Obstagoon, and Zarude. Knock Off support from Pokemon such as Incineroar and Seismitoad, especially when coupled with Spikes or Toxic Spikes support, is extremely beneficial thanks to removing Heavy-Duty Boots from Pokemon such as Incineroar and Zarude and Leftovers from Suicune and bulky Steel-types such as Registeel and Klefki. Diancie also makes for a good partner, as it checks the strong Electric-type special attackers Raikou, Thundurus, and Xurkitree. It is also able to set Stealth Rock and handle Dark-types such as Incineroar and Obstagoon. As Reuniclus can tend to be reliant on its item, whether it be Leftovers or Colbur Berry, Knock Off from Pokemon such as Incineroar and Seismitoad can be a nuisance. Therefore, good Knock Off absorbers such as Cobalion, Galarian Weezing, and Rest variants of Suicune complement Reuniclus nicely.
[SET]
name: Assault Vest
move 1: Psyshock
move 2: Future Sight
move 3: Focus Blast / Knock Off
move 4: Shadow Ball / Knock Off
item: Assault Vest
ability: Regenerator
nature: Modest
evs: 248 HP / 24 SpA / 236 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Psyshock provides consistent damage against Calm Mind users such as Galarian Slowbro and Suicune. Future Sight allows Reuniclus to apply pressure on the opposing team, creating scenarios where the opponent is forced to make a choice between switching to their walls or key threats to take the Future Sight damage or sending out their Dark- or Steel-type, and both scenarios can be exploited accordingly. Focus Blast mainly serves to hit Steel- and Dark-types such as Registeel, Steelix, Incineroar, and Zarude. Shadow Ball allows Reuniclus to hit Psychic-types, such as Cresselia and Galarian Slowbro, as well as Ghost-types, namely Chandelure and the uncommon Doublade. If Reuniclus's teammates can sufficiently deal with Focus Blast or Shadow Ball targets, it can opt to run Knock Off, which is a neat utility move that removes key items like Heavy-Duty Boots from Pokemon such as Incineroar and Zarude and Leftovers from Suicune and bulky Steel-types such as Registeel and Klefki. This is extremely valuable on teams with Spikes or Toxic Spikes support. 24 Special Attack EVs with a Modest nature allow Reuniclus to always break the Substitute of standard Suicune with Psyshock.
As Reuniclus requires its Assault Vest to constantly pivot into special attacks, it hates Knock Off. Therefore, Cobalion, Galarian Weezing, and Rest variants of Suicune are good choice as Knock Off absorbers. Fighting-types such as Heracross and Mienshao and Electric-types such as Raikou and Xurkitree appreciate the pressure that Future Sight exerts on Poison-types such as Galarian Weezing, Roserade, and Dragalge and are good wallbreakers and cleaners with such targets removed. Ground-types such as Seismitoad and Steelix provide Stealth Rock support and block Volt Switch, which means the opposition cannot easily take advantage of Reuniclus constantly pivoting into their Electric-type special attackers.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
An offensive Trick Room set can be run with maximum Special Attack investment and Life Orb. It has a better matchup against offense, but has to be constantly in Trick Room to pose a threat and gives up its defensive capabilities. Another set is a dual boosting set with Calm Mind and Acid Armor, with Stored Power as the only attack. With the right conditions, such as the opposing Dark-types and wallbreakers being removed, it can absolutely tear through teams. However, with the omnipresence of Zarude and presence of other Dark-types such as Incineroar and Obstagoon, it is hard to find avenues for this set to thrive. It can also be easily overwhelmed by strong attackers if it does not get enough turns to set up. Trick coupled with an item such as Sticky Barb or Iron Ball can serve to cripple the opposing team.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Strong Special Attackers**: Strong special attackers such as Chandelure, Toxtricity, and Thundurus threaten to overwhelm Reuniclus before it is able to get up multiple Calm Mind boosts under its belt.
**Dark-types**: Dark-types such as Incineroar, Obstagoon, and Zarude can be huge nuisances to Reuniclus, as it is threatened by their respective Dark-type STAB moves and has to rely on Focus Blast to pick them off, although they dislike switching into Knock Off. Colbur Berry variants improve Reuniclus's matchup against Dark-types.
**Knock Off**: Losing Leftovers or Assault Vest to Knock Off from Pokemon such as Mienshao, Seismitoad, and Thundurus limits Reuniclus's overall effectiveness.
**Phazing**: Haze from Milotic, Clear Smog from Gastrodon, and Roar from Suicune are massive hinderances for Reuniclus when trying to set up for a Calm Mind sweep.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[gorex, 244449]]
- Quality checked by: [[GoldCat, 359771], [Mac3, 291087], [zizalith, 410251]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Estronic, 240732], [CryoGyro, 331519]]
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