The current analysis has very little detail, so I am basically updating it. Choice Specs is suprisingly good :naughty:.
http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/masquerain
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Bug Buzz
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Hydro Pump / Hidden Power Ground
move 4: Air Slash / Shadow Ball / Energy Ball
item: Choice Specs
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Masquerain is often forgotten, for good reason, due to being inferior to many other Choice Specs users. However, this set still takes advantage of Masquerain’s decent Special Attack and good movepool.</p>
<p>Bug Buzz provides STAB, as well as being able to 2HKO Hypno, while Ice Beam hits Altaria hard and other Flying-types hard. Hydro Pump is used for many Pokémon, most notably Probopass, who is 2HKO’d by this 65% of the time if Leftovers is in play. However, Hidden Power Ground guaruntees the 2HKO, but has less base power when dealing neutral damage. The last slot can be used for either secondary STAB through Air Slash, although Shadow Ball hits Rotom hard. Energy Ball also deals an OHKO to Whiscash and Quagsire, as well as stopping Lanturn from walling you if you don't carry Hidden Power Ground.</p>
[SET]
name: Stun Spore
move 1: Stun Spore
move 2: Air Slash
move 3: Hydro Pump / Roost
move 4: Shadow Ball / Bug Buzz / Ice Beam
item: Leftovers / Life Orb
nature: Modest
evs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set utilizes the ever common “ParaFlinch”. Stun Spore the switch in, and Air Slash, and hope for either a flinch or paralysis. Hydro Pump gives decent coverage, but Roost allows you recover health that Masquerain could really do with. and Shadow Ball can again be used for Rotom, who can otherwise Rest off Stun Spore. Bug Buzz gives another STAB move though, and helps take out Hypno and Grumpig, though Ice Beam may suit you more. This set uses Modest, as the opponents Speed is lowered through Stun Spore.</p>
[SET]
name: Baton Pass
move 1: Agility
move 2: Baton Pass
move 3: Hydro Pump / Substitute
move 4: Air Slash / Bug Buzz
item: Leftovers / Petaya Berry
nature: Modest
evs: 40 HP / 252 SpA / 216 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set is extremely simple, you Agility then Baton Pass the boost. Hydro Pump gives good coverage, though passing a Substitute will help the switch-in. Substitute also helps you down to a berry boost. Air Slash or Bug Buzz is for STAB, though the former may give a flinch, which benefits from Masquerain’s boosted Speed. An alternate EV spread of 244 HP / 120 Def / 144 Spe can be used with a Bold nature, which allows more bulk. 144 Speed allows you to outspeed Swellow after an Agility.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Masquerain’s can use Silver Wind, hoping to get stat boosts, though don’t rely on it. It can also use Roost, if you prefer to play more defensive. Roost also allows you to recover the 50% health that Stealth Rock takes away. Masquerain can also use Agility with a more offensive style set, and attempt to sweep.</p>
[EVs]
<p>Generally Masquerain will want a Timid or Modest nature with max Special Attack, while investing in Speed or HP. On the Agility set, Masquerain can use an EV investment of either 216 or 144 in Speed, allowing you to outrun Electrode and Swellow respectively, after an Agility. Masquerain also has decent resists, especially Grass, Bug, and Fighting, aswell as an immunity to Ground, so it is viable to invest into the defenses. Use an odd HP stat, so you can switch into Stealth Rock twice before dying.</p>
[Opinion]
<p>At first Masquerain looks awful, but it has a surprisingly good movepool, which helps a lot. It’s stats aren’t much to boast, but Masquerain can do a lot with them. Choice Specs is surprisingly powerful, and can 2HKO many of UU's common Special walls. Masquerain’s biggest problem is its slow Speed, which often hinders a sweep.</p>
[Counters]<p>
Muk counters Masquerain fairly well, and can Haze the stat boosts away, as can Mantine. The Choice Specs set is by far the most dangerous, and is countered by prediction. Masquerain can do huge damage if it hits for Super-Effective damage, so try to prevent this. Stealth Rock also helps wear Masquerain down.</p>
http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/masquerain
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Bug Buzz
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Hydro Pump / Hidden Power Ground
move 4: Air Slash / Shadow Ball / Energy Ball
item: Choice Specs
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Masquerain is often forgotten, for good reason, due to being inferior to many other Choice Specs users. However, this set still takes advantage of Masquerain’s decent Special Attack and good movepool.</p>
<p>Bug Buzz provides STAB, as well as being able to 2HKO Hypno, while Ice Beam hits Altaria hard and other Flying-types hard. Hydro Pump is used for many Pokémon, most notably Probopass, who is 2HKO’d by this 65% of the time if Leftovers is in play. However, Hidden Power Ground guaruntees the 2HKO, but has less base power when dealing neutral damage. The last slot can be used for either secondary STAB through Air Slash, although Shadow Ball hits Rotom hard. Energy Ball also deals an OHKO to Whiscash and Quagsire, as well as stopping Lanturn from walling you if you don't carry Hidden Power Ground.</p>
[SET]
name: Stun Spore
move 1: Stun Spore
move 2: Air Slash
move 3: Hydro Pump / Roost
move 4: Shadow Ball / Bug Buzz / Ice Beam
item: Leftovers / Life Orb
nature: Modest
evs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set utilizes the ever common “ParaFlinch”. Stun Spore the switch in, and Air Slash, and hope for either a flinch or paralysis. Hydro Pump gives decent coverage, but Roost allows you recover health that Masquerain could really do with. and Shadow Ball can again be used for Rotom, who can otherwise Rest off Stun Spore. Bug Buzz gives another STAB move though, and helps take out Hypno and Grumpig, though Ice Beam may suit you more. This set uses Modest, as the opponents Speed is lowered through Stun Spore.</p>
[SET]
name: Baton Pass
move 1: Agility
move 2: Baton Pass
move 3: Hydro Pump / Substitute
move 4: Air Slash / Bug Buzz
item: Leftovers / Petaya Berry
nature: Modest
evs: 40 HP / 252 SpA / 216 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set is extremely simple, you Agility then Baton Pass the boost. Hydro Pump gives good coverage, though passing a Substitute will help the switch-in. Substitute also helps you down to a berry boost. Air Slash or Bug Buzz is for STAB, though the former may give a flinch, which benefits from Masquerain’s boosted Speed. An alternate EV spread of 244 HP / 120 Def / 144 Spe can be used with a Bold nature, which allows more bulk. 144 Speed allows you to outspeed Swellow after an Agility.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Masquerain’s can use Silver Wind, hoping to get stat boosts, though don’t rely on it. It can also use Roost, if you prefer to play more defensive. Roost also allows you to recover the 50% health that Stealth Rock takes away. Masquerain can also use Agility with a more offensive style set, and attempt to sweep.</p>
[EVs]
<p>Generally Masquerain will want a Timid or Modest nature with max Special Attack, while investing in Speed or HP. On the Agility set, Masquerain can use an EV investment of either 216 or 144 in Speed, allowing you to outrun Electrode and Swellow respectively, after an Agility. Masquerain also has decent resists, especially Grass, Bug, and Fighting, aswell as an immunity to Ground, so it is viable to invest into the defenses. Use an odd HP stat, so you can switch into Stealth Rock twice before dying.</p>
[Opinion]
<p>At first Masquerain looks awful, but it has a surprisingly good movepool, which helps a lot. It’s stats aren’t much to boast, but Masquerain can do a lot with them. Choice Specs is surprisingly powerful, and can 2HKO many of UU's common Special walls. Masquerain’s biggest problem is its slow Speed, which often hinders a sweep.</p>
[Counters]<p>
Muk counters Masquerain fairly well, and can Haze the stat boosts away, as can Mantine. The Choice Specs set is by far the most dangerous, and is countered by prediction. Masquerain can do huge damage if it hits for Super-Effective damage, so try to prevent this. Stealth Rock also helps wear Masquerain down.</p>
