[SET]
name: Prankster
move 1: Will-O-Wisp / Destiny Bond / Spore / Glare
move 2: Encore
move 3: Curse
move 4: Recover
item: Safety Goggles / Leftovers / Griseous Orb
ability: Prankster
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Prankster Giratina is the best blanket check to physical attackers in the metagame, as it is an untrappable check to Primal Groudon and Mega Mewtwo X with amazing bulk and potentially an immunity to Trick. In addition, it has numerous possible options to try and circumvent its checks. Will-O-Wisp allows Giratina to cripple opposing Huge Power users without a Lum Berry and chips foes lacking recovery without resorting to Curse. Destiny Bond is also a great option, as it allows for a near-guaranteed trade, usually against a runaway sweeper. Spore annoys the likes of Primal Groudon and Mega Mewtwo X lacking Safety Goggles, as well as Pokemon that would normally threaten Giratina like Mega Gengar, Mega Latios, and Mold Breaker Mega Diancie. Glare is another option that makes Primal Groudon and Huge Power users easier to deal with, but leaves Giratina vulnerable to Huge Power Pursuit users like Mega Gyarados, Mega Tyranitar, and Yveltal. Encore is integral to Giratina's ability to check sweepers, as locking opposing sweepers into setup moves like Shell Smash all but forces them out. Curse is extremely valuable, as many switch-ins to Giratina lack reliable recovery, and it is fairly easy for Giratina to find opportunities to heal itself. Recover is essential to Giratina's longevity. Safety Goggles is preferred, as it allows Giratina to be a sturdy check to Primal Groudon using Spore as disruption; Leftovers can be used to passively heal Giratina reduce chip damage from U-turn and entry hazards. Griseous Orb prevents Trick users, like Choice Band Primal Groudon and Mega Rayquaza, from locking Giratina into either a support move, preventing recovery until Giratina switches back in later in the game, or recovery, leaving Giratina a momentum sink.
Giratina can fit on virtually any team, as the widespread utility it provides on top of checking offensive Pokemon is unmatched. It effectively acts as a switch-in for Primal Groudon, Mega Mewtwo X, and offensive Choice Band Mold Breaker users. Giratina forms a crucial part of the metagame's most dominant core in Giratina, Primal Groudon, and Wonder Guard Xerneas. Giratina can come in on Huge Power-boosted Poison- and Steel-type attacks, while Xerneas can support the rest of the team with utility, such as Stealth Rock, Defog, Aromatherapy, and Glare; Giratina can also Imposter-proof Primal Groudon sets not running Dark Void. Additionally, Giratina can potentially use Glare and allow for Primal Groudon to pose a greater threat, or Destiny Bond to remove checks to this core like Mega Gengar and Protean Mega Latios. Both of these threats dislike having to win 50-50s against Pursuit and Sucker Punch users; thus Huge Power Dark-types, in particular Mega Gyarados, are good partners to Giratina. Aside from Mega Gyarados, -ate users that can threaten opposing Primal Groudon, such as Mega Abomasnow and Mega Rayquaza, are also good partners, as Giratina has trouble reliably checking Dark Void variants. On more defensive teams, Magic Bounce users that complement Giratina well typing-wise, such as Yveltal, Registeel, and occasionally Mega Venusaur and Ferrothorn, work well. Because of Wonder Guard Xerneas's prevalence and it being a common switch-in to Giratina, Shadow Tag users, in particular Mega Mewtwo X, are great partners to Giratina.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Baton Pass can be run on the first moveslot, as Giratina often incentivizes switching by threatening to use Encore; additionally, Baton Pass allows Giratina to switch out of Huge Power Pursuit users safely. Substitute is another option which allows Giratina to force attacks in tandem with Encore and scout against opposing Choice item Mold Breaker users in a 1v1 situation, but is generally not worth it as the opportunity cost of not running an additional utility move is very high. Toxic can be run to chip Mega Mewtwo X, Primal Groudon, and Wonder Guard Xerneas, but doesn't have Will-O-Wisp's ability to cripple most physical attackers or Glare's ability to hamper most Mold Breaker users' sweeping ability. Trick, especially with a detrimental item like Lagging Tail, allows Giratina to remove Plates from the many special Mold Breaker users, such as Mega Gengar, Mega Diancie, Dialga, and Mega Sceptile. As an alternative to Will-O-Wisp, Flame Orb + Psycho Shift prevents Dark Void from affecting Giratina and, in effect, spreads 100% accurate burns, but its downside includes Giratina needing to recover more frequently due to passive self-damage, forcing Giratina to cede momentum to the opponent. Dark Void is an option for the first moveslot which ignores Safety Goggles, at the cost of putting Giratina to sleep when used against a Magic Bounce user. Swagger can also be run in the first moveslot when paired with Imposter Chansey, as when Giratina is overwhelmed by a physical Mold Breaker user, it can use the move and either secure chip and heal itself or sack itself to bring Chansey in. Colbur Berry is an option that allows it to switch out of Huge Power Pursuit users one time without being as heavily damaged, though it is rather difficult to run due to the opportunity cost of not being able to block Spore, having passive recovery, or blocking Trick. Haze is an option over Encore that allows Giratina to check opposing Shell Smash sweepers in long games, as Encore is prone to getting PP stalled; however, this is only useful against physical Mold Breakers that Giratina naturally checks, like Primal Groudon and Mega Mewtwo X.
Aside from Prankster and Magic Bounce, Giratina can run niche abilities in Poison Heal and Fur Coat; Poison Heal Giratina can defensively check Primal Groudon and Choice Band Mega Rayquaza more effectively, while Fur Coat Giratina has much less difficulty switching into Huge Power users. Poison Heal sets run Will-O-Wisp, Psycho Shift, Scald, or Steam Eruption in the first moveslot, King's Shield or Spiky Shield in the second moveslot, Curse, and Recover, with Toxic Orb as the item. Fur Coat Giratina enjoys running a similar moveset, but it favors running the same items that Prankster Giratina runs; however, Fur Coat Giratina does not rely on King's Shield as much, and it cannot run Psycho Shift viably. However, these abilities are not without their weaknesses: Poison Heal Giratina cannot disrupt Shell Smash sweepers that it is weak to, such as Mega Gengar, Mega Diancie, Mega Tyranitar, and Dialga, the way Prankster Giratina would be able to, and Fur Coat Giratina is extremely passive and is generally outclassed by Prankster except against Huge Power users. No Guard Giratina is an extremely fringe option that exclusively relies on surprise, but a faster No Guard user, such as Mega Mewtwo Y, Mega Mewtwo X, or Mega Aerodactyl, is virtually always superior.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Huge Power Dark-Types**: Dark-type Huge Power users, like Mega Gyarados, Mega Tyranitar, and Yveltal, can force mindgames against Giratina through threatening both Pursuit and a conventional attack, usually Knock Off. However, Giratina can use Destiny Bond to force a trade between it and the Huge Power Dark-type, or run the niche Baton Pass to circumvent Pursuit.
**Specially Offensive Pokemon**: The vast majority of special Mold Breaker users can threaten Giratina, as Giratina is virtually always physically defensive and has a poor typing to deal with opposing special attackers. However, many special Mold Breakers rely on Plates to have a powerful STAB move or coverage, and Giratina running Trick can render said Plate users null as a threat once their Plate is removed. Even when not taking Mold Breaker users into account, specially offensive Pokemon, such as Protean Mega Latios and Choice Specs Gale Wings Mega Rayquaza, force Giratina out.
**Wonder Guard Xerneas and Mega Gardevoir**: Fairy-type Wonder Guard users with a respectable Special Attack stat, namely Xerneas and Mega Gardevoir, can force Giratina out with Moonblast; however, they must watch out for Glare, Will-O-Wisp, and Destiny Bond, as a loss of momentum, effectively being on a timer, or just being removed hampers the support they are able to give to the rest of the team.
**Lum Berry Mega Mewtwo X**: If Giratina is not healthy, Mega Mewtwo X with a Lum Berry can overwhelm Giratina, though Destiny Bond Giratina can force a trade between itself and Mega Mewtwo X.
**-ate Users**: Refrigerate, Pixilate, and Aerilate (collectively called -ate) users can force Giratina out by threatening either Fake Out + Extreme Speed or an extremely powerful Boomburst. Mega Diancie and Kyurem-B can threaten a KO against Giratina with Fake Out into Extreme Speed; Mega Abomasnow and Mega Rayquaza can potentially play around Giratina variants with Destiny Bond.
**No Guard Users**: By virtue of OHKOing every Pokemon that don't have Wonder Guard or Sturdy, No Guard users are adept at forcing Giratina out. However, Giratina can force a trade by using Destiny Bond on a OHKO move.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Mbouchon, 515077]]
- Quality checked by: [[berry, 226455], [Ransei, 235009]]
- Grammar checked by: [[UT, 523866]]
name: Prankster
move 1: Will-O-Wisp / Destiny Bond / Spore / Glare
move 2: Encore
move 3: Curse
move 4: Recover
item: Safety Goggles / Leftovers / Griseous Orb
ability: Prankster
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Prankster Giratina is the best blanket check to physical attackers in the metagame, as it is an untrappable check to Primal Groudon and Mega Mewtwo X with amazing bulk and potentially an immunity to Trick. In addition, it has numerous possible options to try and circumvent its checks. Will-O-Wisp allows Giratina to cripple opposing Huge Power users without a Lum Berry and chips foes lacking recovery without resorting to Curse. Destiny Bond is also a great option, as it allows for a near-guaranteed trade, usually against a runaway sweeper. Spore annoys the likes of Primal Groudon and Mega Mewtwo X lacking Safety Goggles, as well as Pokemon that would normally threaten Giratina like Mega Gengar, Mega Latios, and Mold Breaker Mega Diancie. Glare is another option that makes Primal Groudon and Huge Power users easier to deal with, but leaves Giratina vulnerable to Huge Power Pursuit users like Mega Gyarados, Mega Tyranitar, and Yveltal. Encore is integral to Giratina's ability to check sweepers, as locking opposing sweepers into setup moves like Shell Smash all but forces them out. Curse is extremely valuable, as many switch-ins to Giratina lack reliable recovery, and it is fairly easy for Giratina to find opportunities to heal itself. Recover is essential to Giratina's longevity. Safety Goggles is preferred, as it allows Giratina to be a sturdy check to Primal Groudon using Spore as disruption; Leftovers can be used to passively heal Giratina reduce chip damage from U-turn and entry hazards. Griseous Orb prevents Trick users, like Choice Band Primal Groudon and Mega Rayquaza, from locking Giratina into either a support move, preventing recovery until Giratina switches back in later in the game, or recovery, leaving Giratina a momentum sink.
Giratina can fit on virtually any team, as the widespread utility it provides on top of checking offensive Pokemon is unmatched. It effectively acts as a switch-in for Primal Groudon, Mega Mewtwo X, and offensive Choice Band Mold Breaker users. Giratina forms a crucial part of the metagame's most dominant core in Giratina, Primal Groudon, and Wonder Guard Xerneas. Giratina can come in on Huge Power-boosted Poison- and Steel-type attacks, while Xerneas can support the rest of the team with utility, such as Stealth Rock, Defog, Aromatherapy, and Glare; Giratina can also Imposter-proof Primal Groudon sets not running Dark Void. Additionally, Giratina can potentially use Glare and allow for Primal Groudon to pose a greater threat, or Destiny Bond to remove checks to this core like Mega Gengar and Protean Mega Latios. Both of these threats dislike having to win 50-50s against Pursuit and Sucker Punch users; thus Huge Power Dark-types, in particular Mega Gyarados, are good partners to Giratina. Aside from Mega Gyarados, -ate users that can threaten opposing Primal Groudon, such as Mega Abomasnow and Mega Rayquaza, are also good partners, as Giratina has trouble reliably checking Dark Void variants. On more defensive teams, Magic Bounce users that complement Giratina well typing-wise, such as Yveltal, Registeel, and occasionally Mega Venusaur and Ferrothorn, work well. Because of Wonder Guard Xerneas's prevalence and it being a common switch-in to Giratina, Shadow Tag users, in particular Mega Mewtwo X, are great partners to Giratina.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Baton Pass can be run on the first moveslot, as Giratina often incentivizes switching by threatening to use Encore; additionally, Baton Pass allows Giratina to switch out of Huge Power Pursuit users safely. Substitute is another option which allows Giratina to force attacks in tandem with Encore and scout against opposing Choice item Mold Breaker users in a 1v1 situation, but is generally not worth it as the opportunity cost of not running an additional utility move is very high. Toxic can be run to chip Mega Mewtwo X, Primal Groudon, and Wonder Guard Xerneas, but doesn't have Will-O-Wisp's ability to cripple most physical attackers or Glare's ability to hamper most Mold Breaker users' sweeping ability. Trick, especially with a detrimental item like Lagging Tail, allows Giratina to remove Plates from the many special Mold Breaker users, such as Mega Gengar, Mega Diancie, Dialga, and Mega Sceptile. As an alternative to Will-O-Wisp, Flame Orb + Psycho Shift prevents Dark Void from affecting Giratina and, in effect, spreads 100% accurate burns, but its downside includes Giratina needing to recover more frequently due to passive self-damage, forcing Giratina to cede momentum to the opponent. Dark Void is an option for the first moveslot which ignores Safety Goggles, at the cost of putting Giratina to sleep when used against a Magic Bounce user. Swagger can also be run in the first moveslot when paired with Imposter Chansey, as when Giratina is overwhelmed by a physical Mold Breaker user, it can use the move and either secure chip and heal itself or sack itself to bring Chansey in. Colbur Berry is an option that allows it to switch out of Huge Power Pursuit users one time without being as heavily damaged, though it is rather difficult to run due to the opportunity cost of not being able to block Spore, having passive recovery, or blocking Trick. Haze is an option over Encore that allows Giratina to check opposing Shell Smash sweepers in long games, as Encore is prone to getting PP stalled; however, this is only useful against physical Mold Breakers that Giratina naturally checks, like Primal Groudon and Mega Mewtwo X.
Aside from Prankster and Magic Bounce, Giratina can run niche abilities in Poison Heal and Fur Coat; Poison Heal Giratina can defensively check Primal Groudon and Choice Band Mega Rayquaza more effectively, while Fur Coat Giratina has much less difficulty switching into Huge Power users. Poison Heal sets run Will-O-Wisp, Psycho Shift, Scald, or Steam Eruption in the first moveslot, King's Shield or Spiky Shield in the second moveslot, Curse, and Recover, with Toxic Orb as the item. Fur Coat Giratina enjoys running a similar moveset, but it favors running the same items that Prankster Giratina runs; however, Fur Coat Giratina does not rely on King's Shield as much, and it cannot run Psycho Shift viably. However, these abilities are not without their weaknesses: Poison Heal Giratina cannot disrupt Shell Smash sweepers that it is weak to, such as Mega Gengar, Mega Diancie, Mega Tyranitar, and Dialga, the way Prankster Giratina would be able to, and Fur Coat Giratina is extremely passive and is generally outclassed by Prankster except against Huge Power users. No Guard Giratina is an extremely fringe option that exclusively relies on surprise, but a faster No Guard user, such as Mega Mewtwo Y, Mega Mewtwo X, or Mega Aerodactyl, is virtually always superior.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Huge Power Dark-Types**: Dark-type Huge Power users, like Mega Gyarados, Mega Tyranitar, and Yveltal, can force mindgames against Giratina through threatening both Pursuit and a conventional attack, usually Knock Off. However, Giratina can use Destiny Bond to force a trade between it and the Huge Power Dark-type, or run the niche Baton Pass to circumvent Pursuit.
**Specially Offensive Pokemon**: The vast majority of special Mold Breaker users can threaten Giratina, as Giratina is virtually always physically defensive and has a poor typing to deal with opposing special attackers. However, many special Mold Breakers rely on Plates to have a powerful STAB move or coverage, and Giratina running Trick can render said Plate users null as a threat once their Plate is removed. Even when not taking Mold Breaker users into account, specially offensive Pokemon, such as Protean Mega Latios and Choice Specs Gale Wings Mega Rayquaza, force Giratina out.
**Wonder Guard Xerneas and Mega Gardevoir**: Fairy-type Wonder Guard users with a respectable Special Attack stat, namely Xerneas and Mega Gardevoir, can force Giratina out with Moonblast; however, they must watch out for Glare, Will-O-Wisp, and Destiny Bond, as a loss of momentum, effectively being on a timer, or just being removed hampers the support they are able to give to the rest of the team.
**Lum Berry Mega Mewtwo X**: If Giratina is not healthy, Mega Mewtwo X with a Lum Berry can overwhelm Giratina, though Destiny Bond Giratina can force a trade between itself and Mega Mewtwo X.
**-ate Users**: Refrigerate, Pixilate, and Aerilate (collectively called -ate) users can force Giratina out by threatening either Fake Out + Extreme Speed or an extremely powerful Boomburst. Mega Diancie and Kyurem-B can threaten a KO against Giratina with Fake Out into Extreme Speed; Mega Abomasnow and Mega Rayquaza can potentially play around Giratina variants with Destiny Bond.
**No Guard Users**: By virtue of OHKOing every Pokemon that don't have Wonder Guard or Sturdy, No Guard users are adept at forcing Giratina out. However, Giratina can force a trade by using Destiny Bond on a OHKO move.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Mbouchon, 515077]]
- Quality checked by: [[berry, 226455], [Ransei, 235009]]
- Grammar checked by: [[UT, 523866]]
Last edited:
