GP 1/1
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Overview
Water Bubble turns Ash-Greninja into a fast, powerful wallbreaker that is difficult to check for both offensive and defensive teams. Ash-Greninja also boasts high Speed and powerful mixed attacking stats and is capable of outspeeding many common offensive threats such as Mega Mewtwo X. This extra Speed and its Dark typing set it apart from Primal Kyogre, the other main Water Bubble user, and gives it immunity to Prankster moves, which can make it difficult to stop. It is also able to run STAB moves such as Dark Pulse and Power Trip to beat some of its switch-ins, such as Giratina. Though Water Bubble is definitely its strongest set, its great stat spread allows it to lure its common checks with other moves or sets, such as Ice Beam to beat Zygarde-C or a physical Shell Smash set to surprise Assault Vest users.
Sadly, these incredible offensive stats come at the cost of bulk. Decently strong neutral attacks can OHKO Ash-Greninja, and priority attacks from Triage and -ate ability users such as Mega Rayquaza, Kyurem-B, Mega Diancie, and Zekrom can stop it cold. Its Dark / Water typing saddles it with weaknesses to common Bug-, Fighting-, Fairy-, Grass-, and Electric-type moves, forcing it out and also causing it to take huge damage from defensive U-turn and Volt Switch pivots, such as Registeel, Giratina, and Solgaleo, that switch in to check it.
Water Bubble Wallbreaker
Greninja-Ash @ Choice Specs / Choice Scarf
Ability: Water Bubble
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature / Modest Nature
- Steam Eruption / Water Spout
- Volt Switch
- Earth Power / Moongeist Beam
- Water Shuriken / Trick / Moongeist Beam / Water Spout
Set Comments
Moves
Steam Eruption is a consistent STAB move that can demolish walls, OHKOing almost every non-Assault Vest Steel-type, along with many other Pokemon besides. Alternatively, Water Spout is useable, especially with a Choice Scarf, since its higher power makes up for the lack of a boosting item; however, running this move forces you to play more carefully with Ash-Greninja, since Water Spout weakens as Ash-Greninja takes more damage. If running Water Spout, Steam Eruption is also a useable backup STAB move that can be ran in the third or fourth moveslot to maintain power when Ash-Greninja's health is low. Volt Switch allows Ash-Greninja to scout and gain momentum for its team, which is vital when playing offense. It also does enormous damage to opposing Flying- and Water-types such as Primal Kyogre, Yveltal, Celesteela, and Ash-Greninja. Earth Power 2HKOes many Rock- and Fire-types that run Water immunity abilities such as Primal Groudon and Diancie. Alternatively, one can opt to run Moongeist Beam in the third or fourth moveslot, as it beats Sturdy Shedinja and can also do solid damage to Giratina if it switches in, though Steam Eruption is still more potent against Giratina. Water Shuriken allows Ash-Greninja to pick off weakened faster targets and slower +1 priority users. It is best used with Choice Specs, since its power is considerable when the item is equipped. Trick can be ran to cripple walls that try to switch in at the cost of a considerable amount of power behind Ash-Greninja's moves or being able to outspeed offensive threats.
Set Details
Water Bubble powers up STAB moves even further and prevents Scald and Steam Eruption burns. Maximum Special Attack and Speed investment along with a Timid nature allow it to do as much damage as it can and outspeed base 125 and 130 Speed Pokemon, including Mega Gengar, Marshadow, and Mega Mewtwo X, while wearing Choice Specs, which allows Ash-Greninja to break through walls easily. Choice Scarf can be ran if you instead want a fast revenge killer that can dispatch Focus Sash Deoxys-A, Deoxys-S, or Pheromosa while still being able to deal considerable damage to defensive Pokemon as well. Choice Scarf with a Timid nature enables Ash-Greninja to outspeed neutral-natured base 90 Speed Pokemon that have boosted to +2, though it cannot outspeed positive-natured base 90s. A Modest nature can also be ran, but being able to outspeed Primal Groudon at +2 is definitely worth considering.
Usage Tips
Ash-Greninja is best played conservatively early-game; bring it in to see what your opponent will send in against it, pivot out, then focus on removing that counter to facilitate its sweep. Recklessly switching in Ash-Greninja against even defensive Pokemon is foolhardy, since it is unable to stomach Volt Switch or U-turn very well. Use Ash-Greninja to apply significant offensive pressure against the opposing team. It does this well, since its Water Bubble-boosted STAB moves can KO or cripple most Pokemon that are unprepared for it. Try to keep entry hazards up against offensive teams, whose Pokemon often carry Focus Sashes. Entry hazard removal against these teams is not as important as continually applying offensive pressure. Conversely, do your best to keep entry hazards off your side of the field when facing bulkier teams especially if running Water Spout; they will weaken its power severely. Sticky Web can neuter Ash-Greninja's powerful offensive stats by slowing it down, while Toxic Spikes shorten its life span considerably with poison, both of which makes it unable to survive a drawn-out struggle. Watch out for common fast Dazzling users such as Mega Gengar and Deoxys-A before clicking Water Shuriken, as this can give your opponent two free turns to do as they please.
Carefully weigh the opportunity cost before using Trick. If your opponent has other bulky Pokemon that can take a hit from Ash-Greninja with reduced power, you may want to refrain from using Trick until they are weakened. Tricking Choice Scarf onto a wall can actually work against you, since the wall may now outspeed Ash-Greninja and be able to cripple it. Tricking a Choice Scarf onto an offensive Pokemon can be suicidal. Never trick Choice Scarf onto an Imposter user, though tricking Choice Specs can still be a smart play if you can force the Imposter user out.
Team Options
Ash-Greninja often provides the support that teammates need, crippling walls with its strong attacks. However, its job can be made easier with entry hazards, as they break Focus Sashes and Sturdy. On offensive teams, Deoxys-S with Mold Breaker can usually succeed in at least setting up Stealth Rock. On bulkier teams, passive walls such as Registeel, Shuckle, Giratina, and Mega Audino can function as able Stealth Rock setters, as well as slow pivots to get Ash-Greninja safely into the game. Bulky entry hazard removal pivots are important to keep Ash-Greninja at peak performance and preserve momentum. Giratina, Assault Vest Solgaleo, Mega Audino, and Aegislash can run Defog or Rapid Spin to keep the field clear. They are also solid switch-ins to Water Absorb or Desolate Land Pokemon.
Ash-Greninja absolutely requires an Imposter-proofing teammate. Desolate Land Primal Groudon can take any attack besides Earth Power, forcing the Imposter Pokemon to manually switch out. Assault Vest Water-resistant pivots such as Mega Gyarados and Primal Kyogre can take an Imposter Pokemon's attack and threaten to knock off their items. Storm Drain or Water Absorb Ground-types are usually solid checks to Imposter Pokemon as well. Powerful wallbreakers can build offensive pressure until they overwhelm the opposing team's checks to Ash-Greninja. Stakeout Choice Band Primal Groudon can easily OHKO Water Absorb Primal Groudon and Steel-types that often run Assault Vest such as Celesteela, Magearna, and Solgaleo. Pixilate Mega Diancie breaks through Giratina, Palkia, and Mega Gyarados. Bulky setup sweepers such as Poison Heal Kyogre and Mega Garchomp can take advantage of Ash-Greninja's momentum to set up. Psychic Terrain support is helpful to control priority moves, many of which can severely damage Ash-Greninja, but remember that Water Shuriken will also fail if it is up. Mega Mewtwo Y and Deoxys-Attack can viably run Psychic Surge, which allows them to set up or sweep without fear of being picked off by priority moves while protecting Ash-Greninja from them as well.
Strategy Comments
Other Options
A Focus Sash + Shell Smash set running powerful offensive moves, such as Power Trip, Steam Eruption, Crabhammer, Sludge Wave, Earth Power, and Close Combat can surprise Ash-Greninja's usual checks and sweep with the help of wallbreakers, Psychic Terrain, and entry hazard control. It also has the option of running a different ability, such as Dazzling or Mold Breaker. Spooky Plate Mega Gengar performs this better., though, since it has perfect neutral two-move coverage in Judgment and Secret Sword, doesn't necessarily require that the field be clear of hazards, and is self Imposter-proof. Ice Beam can be ran to ensure an OHKO on Zygarde-Complete, which can stop Ash-Greninja dead if it runs Water Absorb. Most Zygarde do not, though, and Steam Eruption is a clean 2HKO otherwise. It also hits Mega Audino running Water Absorb, though not for much. Moonblast can severely cripple bulky Dragon-types that would otherwise switch into Water-type attacks. Its power is unimpressive otherwise, and the loss of a coverage move is usually not worth it unless you are facing a 4x Water-resistant Pokemon such as Palkia or Mega Sceptile.
Life Orb or Expert Belt are options if you don't have confidence in your prediction skills, but Ash-Greninja will find itself being worn down quickly if wearing Life Orb, and the loss of power or speed behind its moves when using Expert Belt is a letdown. Steam Eruption is a much wiser choice than Water Spout on this set because the loss of HP each use will weaken Water Spout's power. Core Enforcer can be used to remove Water Absorb and other abilities from switch-ins.
Checks and Counters
Bulky Assault Vest Users: Bulky Assault Vest users that resist Water or special attacks such as Mega Gyarados, Palkia, and Dialga can avoid the 2HKO from Steam Eruption and retaliate hard, though they must be wary of other moves, such as Trick.
Water-immune Pokemon: Pokemon with abilities that grant immunity to Water such as Desolate Land and Water Absorb can switch in on a predicted Water-type move, forcing Ash-Greninja out and depleting its PP. Most of the common Water-immune Pokemon are vulnerable to a coverage move, such as Earth Power for Primal Groudon and Diancie. Most of these can also hit hard against Ash-Greninja with super effective moves such as Fleur Cannon and Volt Switch.
Fast Choice Scarf and Priority Users: Ash-Greninja's frailty leaves it open to being revenge killed by fast threats such as Deoxys-A and Mega Mewtwo Y. Many of these Pokemon use a Choice Scarf as well, outspeeding even Choice Scarf Ash-Greninja. If not supported by Psychic Terrain, priority can fell Ash-Greninja. Aerilate, Galvanize, or Pixilate Extreme Speed from Mega Rayquaza, Zekrom, or Mega Diancie, respectively, can quickly end Ash-Greninja. Triage users often carry Fighting-, Bug-, or Grass-type moves, such as Giga Drain, Drain Punch, and Leech Life, all of which are super effective against Ash-Greninja.
Speed Control and Status: Paralysis and Sticky Web are banes to Ash-Greninja's sweep, slowing it down to the point where most bulkier offensive Pokemon can KO it before it can do anything. Poison limits Ash-Greninja's sweep severely, though luckily, thanks to Water Bubble, Ash-Greninja does not fear being burned.
Water Bubble turns Ash-Greninja into a fast, powerful wallbreaker that is difficult to check for both offensive and defensive teams. Ash-Greninja also boasts high Speed and powerful mixed attacking stats and is capable of outspeeding many common offensive threats such as Mega Mewtwo X. This extra Speed and its Dark typing set it apart from Primal Kyogre, the other main Water Bubble user, and gives it immunity to Prankster moves, which can make it difficult to stop. It is also able to run STAB moves such as Dark Pulse and Power Trip to beat some of its switch-ins, such as Giratina. Though Water Bubble is definitely its strongest set, its great stat spread allows it to lure its common checks with other moves or sets, such as Ice Beam to beat Zygarde-C or a physical Shell Smash set to surprise Assault Vest users.
Sadly, these incredible offensive stats come at the cost of bulk. Decently strong neutral attacks can OHKO Ash-Greninja, and priority attacks from Triage and -ate ability users such as Mega Rayquaza, Kyurem-B, Mega Diancie, and Zekrom can stop it cold. Its Dark / Water typing saddles it with weaknesses to common Bug-, Fighting-, Fairy-, Grass-, and Electric-type moves, forcing it out and also causing it to take huge damage from defensive U-turn and Volt Switch pivots, such as Registeel, Giratina, and Solgaleo, that switch in to check it.
Water Bubble Wallbreaker
Greninja-Ash @ Choice Specs / Choice Scarf
Ability: Water Bubble
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature / Modest Nature
- Steam Eruption / Water Spout
- Volt Switch
- Earth Power / Moongeist Beam
- Water Shuriken / Trick / Moongeist Beam / Water Spout
Set Comments
Moves
Steam Eruption is a consistent STAB move that can demolish walls, OHKOing almost every non-Assault Vest Steel-type, along with many other Pokemon besides. Alternatively, Water Spout is useable, especially with a Choice Scarf, since its higher power makes up for the lack of a boosting item; however, running this move forces you to play more carefully with Ash-Greninja, since Water Spout weakens as Ash-Greninja takes more damage. If running Water Spout, Steam Eruption is also a useable backup STAB move that can be ran in the third or fourth moveslot to maintain power when Ash-Greninja's health is low. Volt Switch allows Ash-Greninja to scout and gain momentum for its team, which is vital when playing offense. It also does enormous damage to opposing Flying- and Water-types such as Primal Kyogre, Yveltal, Celesteela, and Ash-Greninja. Earth Power 2HKOes many Rock- and Fire-types that run Water immunity abilities such as Primal Groudon and Diancie. Alternatively, one can opt to run Moongeist Beam in the third or fourth moveslot, as it beats Sturdy Shedinja and can also do solid damage to Giratina if it switches in, though Steam Eruption is still more potent against Giratina. Water Shuriken allows Ash-Greninja to pick off weakened faster targets and slower +1 priority users. It is best used with Choice Specs, since its power is considerable when the item is equipped. Trick can be ran to cripple walls that try to switch in at the cost of a considerable amount of power behind Ash-Greninja's moves or being able to outspeed offensive threats.
Set Details
Water Bubble powers up STAB moves even further and prevents Scald and Steam Eruption burns. Maximum Special Attack and Speed investment along with a Timid nature allow it to do as much damage as it can and outspeed base 125 and 130 Speed Pokemon, including Mega Gengar, Marshadow, and Mega Mewtwo X, while wearing Choice Specs, which allows Ash-Greninja to break through walls easily. Choice Scarf can be ran if you instead want a fast revenge killer that can dispatch Focus Sash Deoxys-A, Deoxys-S, or Pheromosa while still being able to deal considerable damage to defensive Pokemon as well. Choice Scarf with a Timid nature enables Ash-Greninja to outspeed neutral-natured base 90 Speed Pokemon that have boosted to +2, though it cannot outspeed positive-natured base 90s. A Modest nature can also be ran, but being able to outspeed Primal Groudon at +2 is definitely worth considering.
Usage Tips
Ash-Greninja is best played conservatively early-game; bring it in to see what your opponent will send in against it, pivot out, then focus on removing that counter to facilitate its sweep. Recklessly switching in Ash-Greninja against even defensive Pokemon is foolhardy, since it is unable to stomach Volt Switch or U-turn very well. Use Ash-Greninja to apply significant offensive pressure against the opposing team. It does this well, since its Water Bubble-boosted STAB moves can KO or cripple most Pokemon that are unprepared for it. Try to keep entry hazards up against offensive teams, whose Pokemon often carry Focus Sashes. Entry hazard removal against these teams is not as important as continually applying offensive pressure. Conversely, do your best to keep entry hazards off your side of the field when facing bulkier teams especially if running Water Spout; they will weaken its power severely. Sticky Web can neuter Ash-Greninja's powerful offensive stats by slowing it down, while Toxic Spikes shorten its life span considerably with poison, both of which makes it unable to survive a drawn-out struggle. Watch out for common fast Dazzling users such as Mega Gengar and Deoxys-A before clicking Water Shuriken, as this can give your opponent two free turns to do as they please.
Carefully weigh the opportunity cost before using Trick. If your opponent has other bulky Pokemon that can take a hit from Ash-Greninja with reduced power, you may want to refrain from using Trick until they are weakened. Tricking Choice Scarf onto a wall can actually work against you, since the wall may now outspeed Ash-Greninja and be able to cripple it. Tricking a Choice Scarf onto an offensive Pokemon can be suicidal. Never trick Choice Scarf onto an Imposter user, though tricking Choice Specs can still be a smart play if you can force the Imposter user out.
Team Options
Ash-Greninja often provides the support that teammates need, crippling walls with its strong attacks. However, its job can be made easier with entry hazards, as they break Focus Sashes and Sturdy. On offensive teams, Deoxys-S with Mold Breaker can usually succeed in at least setting up Stealth Rock. On bulkier teams, passive walls such as Registeel, Shuckle, Giratina, and Mega Audino can function as able Stealth Rock setters, as well as slow pivots to get Ash-Greninja safely into the game. Bulky entry hazard removal pivots are important to keep Ash-Greninja at peak performance and preserve momentum. Giratina, Assault Vest Solgaleo, Mega Audino, and Aegislash can run Defog or Rapid Spin to keep the field clear. They are also solid switch-ins to Water Absorb or Desolate Land Pokemon.
Ash-Greninja absolutely requires an Imposter-proofing teammate. Desolate Land Primal Groudon can take any attack besides Earth Power, forcing the Imposter Pokemon to manually switch out. Assault Vest Water-resistant pivots such as Mega Gyarados and Primal Kyogre can take an Imposter Pokemon's attack and threaten to knock off their items. Storm Drain or Water Absorb Ground-types are usually solid checks to Imposter Pokemon as well. Powerful wallbreakers can build offensive pressure until they overwhelm the opposing team's checks to Ash-Greninja. Stakeout Choice Band Primal Groudon can easily OHKO Water Absorb Primal Groudon and Steel-types that often run Assault Vest such as Celesteela, Magearna, and Solgaleo. Pixilate Mega Diancie breaks through Giratina, Palkia, and Mega Gyarados. Bulky setup sweepers such as Poison Heal Kyogre and Mega Garchomp can take advantage of Ash-Greninja's momentum to set up. Psychic Terrain support is helpful to control priority moves, many of which can severely damage Ash-Greninja, but remember that Water Shuriken will also fail if it is up. Mega Mewtwo Y and Deoxys-Attack can viably run Psychic Surge, which allows them to set up or sweep without fear of being picked off by priority moves while protecting Ash-Greninja from them as well.
Strategy Comments
Other Options
A Focus Sash + Shell Smash set running powerful offensive moves, such as Power Trip, Steam Eruption, Crabhammer, Sludge Wave, Earth Power, and Close Combat can surprise Ash-Greninja's usual checks and sweep with the help of wallbreakers, Psychic Terrain, and entry hazard control. It also has the option of running a different ability, such as Dazzling or Mold Breaker. Spooky Plate Mega Gengar performs this better., though, since it has perfect neutral two-move coverage in Judgment and Secret Sword, doesn't necessarily require that the field be clear of hazards, and is self Imposter-proof. Ice Beam can be ran to ensure an OHKO on Zygarde-Complete, which can stop Ash-Greninja dead if it runs Water Absorb. Most Zygarde do not, though, and Steam Eruption is a clean 2HKO otherwise. It also hits Mega Audino running Water Absorb, though not for much. Moonblast can severely cripple bulky Dragon-types that would otherwise switch into Water-type attacks. Its power is unimpressive otherwise, and the loss of a coverage move is usually not worth it unless you are facing a 4x Water-resistant Pokemon such as Palkia or Mega Sceptile.
Life Orb or Expert Belt are options if you don't have confidence in your prediction skills, but Ash-Greninja will find itself being worn down quickly if wearing Life Orb, and the loss of power or speed behind its moves when using Expert Belt is a letdown. Steam Eruption is a much wiser choice than Water Spout on this set because the loss of HP each use will weaken Water Spout's power. Core Enforcer can be used to remove Water Absorb and other abilities from switch-ins.
Checks and Counters
Bulky Assault Vest Users: Bulky Assault Vest users that resist Water or special attacks such as Mega Gyarados, Palkia, and Dialga can avoid the 2HKO from Steam Eruption and retaliate hard, though they must be wary of other moves, such as Trick.
Water-immune Pokemon: Pokemon with abilities that grant immunity to Water such as Desolate Land and Water Absorb can switch in on a predicted Water-type move, forcing Ash-Greninja out and depleting its PP. Most of the common Water-immune Pokemon are vulnerable to a coverage move, such as Earth Power for Primal Groudon and Diancie. Most of these can also hit hard against Ash-Greninja with super effective moves such as Fleur Cannon and Volt Switch.
Fast Choice Scarf and Priority Users: Ash-Greninja's frailty leaves it open to being revenge killed by fast threats such as Deoxys-A and Mega Mewtwo Y. Many of these Pokemon use a Choice Scarf as well, outspeeding even Choice Scarf Ash-Greninja. If not supported by Psychic Terrain, priority can fell Ash-Greninja. Aerilate, Galvanize, or Pixilate Extreme Speed from Mega Rayquaza, Zekrom, or Mega Diancie, respectively, can quickly end Ash-Greninja. Triage users often carry Fighting-, Bug-, or Grass-type moves, such as Giga Drain, Drain Punch, and Leech Life, all of which are super effective against Ash-Greninja.
Speed Control and Status: Paralysis and Sticky Web are banes to Ash-Greninja's sweep, slowing it down to the point where most bulkier offensive Pokemon can KO it before it can do anything. Poison limits Ash-Greninja's sweep severely, though luckily, thanks to Water Bubble, Ash-Greninja does not fear being burned.
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