[SET]
name: Stealth Rock Payback
move 1: Belly Drum
move 2: Ice Punch / Icicle Crash / Icicle Spear
move 3: Iron Head / Zen Headbutt
move 4: Reversal
item: Salac Berry
ability: Ice Face
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 HP
[SET COMMENTS]
Eiscue has the potential of being one of the best late-game sweepers in Sword and Shield, due to its incredible ability that gives it a free Belly Drum when sent out against any physical attacker. Since four of Eiscue's EVs are devoted to its HP, Stealth Rocks do exactly one fourth of the damage to Eiscue without breaking its Ice Face ability. This allows Eiscue to use Belly Drum, maximize its Attack Stat, then have exactly enough health remaining to activate its Salac Berry, giving it a bonus to its already incredible 130 Speed stat. The increase to its Speed stat allows Eiscue to outspeed some of the most dangerous sweepers in the game, such as Scarfed Dracovish, Polteageist after one Shell Smash and Scarfed Galarian Darmanitan.
As for Eiscue's STAB move, Ice Punch is the preferred attacking move due to its decent damage, 100% accuracy and small chance of freezing the opponent. Icicle Crash sacrifices accuracy for more damage and a 30% chance of flinching the opponent, and could be used in place of Ice Punch to prevent making contact with an opponent's Rocky Helmet, Iron Barbs or Rough Skin. Since Eiscue does not recover health, and is expected to sweep with 25% health or less, making contact with a Ferrothorn could be detrimental. Icicle Spear is also useful for these types of Pokémon, as well as for breaking the occasional Focus Sash, but carries the risk of only hitting twice and possibly not doing enough damage. As for the other attacking moves, both Iron Head / Zen Headbutt and Reversal give Eiscue good type coverage, but either could be replaced with Endure to guarantee the activation of the Salac Berry.
Eiscue's biggest drawbacks are its lack of a priority move and its vulnerability to Special Attackers, both of which could be answered. As for priority moves, setting up a Psychic Terrain with a Terrain Extender not only protects Eiscue, but also boosts Zen Headbutt's power. Although, if Eiscue is treated as a late game sweeper, it will likely not see many priority moves. Special Attackers are more dangerous for Eiscue, since his ability does not activate when hit by a Special Attack. The best way to combat this is to simply not send Eiscue into battle until the opponent sends out a physical attacker, in which case Eiscue would revenge kill the Pokémon and outspeed all of the Special Attackers to follow.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[aSiegel, 481611]]
- Quality checked by: [[<username1>, <userid1>], [<username2>, <userid2>]]
- Grammar checked by: [[<username1>, <userid1>]]
