[OVERVIEW]
Inkay's ability, Contrary, in combination with the move Superpower allows it to perform as quite a unique sweeper that is able to boost its stats and attack at the same time. Furthermore, it has access to STAB Knock Off, allowing it to cripple defensive walls easily, and gets perfect coverage with the aforementioned two moves and Psycho Cut. Inkay has access to some interesting utility options such as Switcheroo and Trick Room as well. However, its 4x weakness to Bug-type moves such as U-turn makes it easy to force out by some of the most common Pokemon in the metagame, mainly Mienfoo and Vullaby. Inkay's lack of reliable recovery and poor base stats make it hard for it to switch into many attacks and remain healthy throughout a match. Inkay's low Speed also forces it to use a Choice Scarf, limiting its use of coverage and STAB options.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Superpower
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Psycho Cut
move 4: Switcheroo
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Contrary
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 12 HP / 244 Atk / 12 Def / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Superpower's ability to boost Inkay's Attack and Defense in conjunction with Contrary lets it set up and sweep simultaneously. Knock Off cripples defensive threats and most of Inkay's checks while also being a great Dark-type STAB move. Psycho Cut is a generally powerful STAB move to use against Pokemon that resist Superpower, such as Croagunk and Foongus. Switcheroo can also help cripple foes, mainly defensive walls like Spritzee, by forcing them to be Choice locked into one move and also taking their item, but doing so results in Inkay being outsped by many threats.
Set Details
========
Contrary reverses Inkay's stat changes, deterring Sticky Web and stat-decreasing moves such as Rock Tomb while allowing it to boost with Superpower. Maximum Speed EVs and a Choice Scarf let Inkay outspeed the entire unboosted metagame and make it a decent revenge killer. The rest of the EVs are used to maximize Attack, which boosts Inkay's sweeping ability, and provide extra HP and Defense, helping its poor longevity. Using a Jolly or Adamant nature is mainly up to preference, as the former lets Inkay outspeed other Choice Scarf users such as Frillish and Modest Magnemite, while the latter gives it extra power—for example, it will always be able to 2HKO Ponyta after Stealth Rock damage—although the extra damage doesn't come into play often.
Usage Tips
========
Be wary of using Superpower or Psycho Cut if your opponent still has a Ghost- or Dark-type, as they can easily switch in if Inkay is Choice locked. Earlier in the game, be sure to use Knock Off extensively to cripple threats for a potential sweep from Inkay or any other sweeper. Inkay mainly functions as a revenge killer or a wallbreaker with Superpower, but it should almost never be directly switched in, as its pitiful bulk makes it quite frail. If your team has a slow pivot, that should be the primary method of getting Inkay in safely. If your opponent sets up Sticky Web, it may be beneficial to not clear it away, as Sticky Web boosts Inkay's Speed. When predicting your opponent to switch into a very bulky check to Inkay, such as Spritzee or Pumpkaboo-XL, using Knock Off or Switcheroo to cripple them can help Inkay sweep more easily late-game ; however, be careful of using Switcheroo too early, as it greatly cripples Inkay's Speed.
Team Options
========
Slow pivots such as Mienfoo and Chinchou are almost essential for getting Inkay in safely and are extremely useful for most Pokemon. Entry hazard setters such as Dwebble, Onix, and Ferroseed appreciate Inkay's ability to defer Defog and in return can assist it by breaking Sturdy. Steel- and Poison-types such as Ferroseed and Alolan Grimer can help take down the Fairy-types that threaten Inkay. The latter, as well as some other Dark-types such as Stunky and Houndour, can also Pursuit trap the Ghost-types that commonly switch into Superpower. Pokemon that deter U-turn, such as Vullaby and Ponyta, can keep pivots from using it on Inkay to an extent.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Trick Room set can be decent, but Inkay's incredibly pitiful defenses make this hard to pull off effectively. Topsy-Turvy can surprise opposing setup sweepers and negate their boosts, but it is extremely niche and is hard to pull off with Inkay's low Speed and poor bulk. Psychium Z can give Psycho Cut enough power to KO Snubbull, but it takes up an item slot, and Inkay can't afford this with its low Speed and relative frailty. Destiny Bond can be used to surprise an opponent when trying to sacrifice Inkay, although it is extremely niche. Rock Slide can hit Fire-types on a switch in, but Inkay isn't powerful enough to easily make use of it. Taunt can surprise setup sweepers such as Shell Smash Shellder and Nasty Plot Vullaby, but it is pretty niche and doesn't come in handy often.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Snubbull and Spritzee resist both Knock Off and Superpower and can OHKO Inkay with their respective STAB attacks. The former can also steal its Choice Scarf, while the latter can take a Psycho Cut with ease. Cottonee does this job alright as well, but it isn't as good defensively as the others.
**U-turn**: Inkay's 4x weakness to U-turn allows two of the most common Pokemon in Little Cup, Vullaby and Mienfoo, to damage it heavily, even after Defense boosts. Larvesta, in particular, can also burn Inkay easily.
**Ghost-types**: Ghost-types such as Gastly and Pumpkaboo easily switch into Superpower and keep Inkay from doing much, although most are either OHKOed or severely crippled by Knock Off.
Inkay's ability, Contrary, in combination with the move Superpower allows it to perform as quite a unique sweeper that is able to boost its stats and attack at the same time. Furthermore, it has access to STAB Knock Off, allowing it to cripple defensive walls easily, and gets perfect coverage with the aforementioned two moves and Psycho Cut. Inkay has access to some interesting utility options such as Switcheroo and Trick Room as well. However, its 4x weakness to Bug-type moves such as U-turn makes it easy to force out by some of the most common Pokemon in the metagame, mainly Mienfoo and Vullaby. Inkay's lack of reliable recovery and poor base stats make it hard for it to switch into many attacks and remain healthy throughout a match. Inkay's low Speed also forces it to use a Choice Scarf, limiting its use of coverage and STAB options.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Superpower
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Psycho Cut
move 4: Switcheroo
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Contrary
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 12 HP / 244 Atk / 12 Def / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Superpower's ability to boost Inkay's Attack and Defense in conjunction with Contrary lets it set up and sweep simultaneously. Knock Off cripples defensive threats and most of Inkay's checks while also being a great Dark-type STAB move. Psycho Cut is a generally powerful STAB move to use against Pokemon that resist Superpower, such as Croagunk and Foongus. Switcheroo can also help cripple foes, mainly defensive walls like Spritzee, by forcing them to be Choice locked into one move and also taking their item, but doing so results in Inkay being outsped by many threats.
Set Details
========
Contrary reverses Inkay's stat changes, deterring Sticky Web and stat-decreasing moves such as Rock Tomb while allowing it to boost with Superpower. Maximum Speed EVs and a Choice Scarf let Inkay outspeed the entire unboosted metagame and make it a decent revenge killer. The rest of the EVs are used to maximize Attack, which boosts Inkay's sweeping ability, and provide extra HP and Defense, helping its poor longevity. Using a Jolly or Adamant nature is mainly up to preference, as the former lets Inkay outspeed other Choice Scarf users such as Frillish and Modest Magnemite, while the latter gives it extra power—for example, it will always be able to 2HKO Ponyta after Stealth Rock damage—although the extra damage doesn't come into play often.
Usage Tips
========
Be wary of using Superpower or Psycho Cut if your opponent still has a Ghost- or Dark-type, as they can easily switch in if Inkay is Choice locked. Earlier in the game, be sure to use Knock Off extensively to cripple threats for a potential sweep from Inkay or any other sweeper. Inkay mainly functions as a revenge killer or a wallbreaker with Superpower, but it should almost never be directly switched in, as its pitiful bulk makes it quite frail. If your team has a slow pivot, that should be the primary method of getting Inkay in safely. If your opponent sets up Sticky Web, it may be beneficial to not clear it away, as Sticky Web boosts Inkay's Speed. When predicting your opponent to switch into a very bulky check to Inkay, such as Spritzee or Pumpkaboo-XL, using Knock Off or Switcheroo to cripple them can help Inkay sweep more easily late-game ; however, be careful of using Switcheroo too early, as it greatly cripples Inkay's Speed.
Team Options
========
Slow pivots such as Mienfoo and Chinchou are almost essential for getting Inkay in safely and are extremely useful for most Pokemon. Entry hazard setters such as Dwebble, Onix, and Ferroseed appreciate Inkay's ability to defer Defog and in return can assist it by breaking Sturdy. Steel- and Poison-types such as Ferroseed and Alolan Grimer can help take down the Fairy-types that threaten Inkay. The latter, as well as some other Dark-types such as Stunky and Houndour, can also Pursuit trap the Ghost-types that commonly switch into Superpower. Pokemon that deter U-turn, such as Vullaby and Ponyta, can keep pivots from using it on Inkay to an extent.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Trick Room set can be decent, but Inkay's incredibly pitiful defenses make this hard to pull off effectively. Topsy-Turvy can surprise opposing setup sweepers and negate their boosts, but it is extremely niche and is hard to pull off with Inkay's low Speed and poor bulk. Psychium Z can give Psycho Cut enough power to KO Snubbull, but it takes up an item slot, and Inkay can't afford this with its low Speed and relative frailty. Destiny Bond can be used to surprise an opponent when trying to sacrifice Inkay, although it is extremely niche. Rock Slide can hit Fire-types on a switch in, but Inkay isn't powerful enough to easily make use of it. Taunt can surprise setup sweepers such as Shell Smash Shellder and Nasty Plot Vullaby, but it is pretty niche and doesn't come in handy often.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Snubbull and Spritzee resist both Knock Off and Superpower and can OHKO Inkay with their respective STAB attacks. The former can also steal its Choice Scarf, while the latter can take a Psycho Cut with ease. Cottonee does this job alright as well, but it isn't as good defensively as the others.
**U-turn**: Inkay's 4x weakness to U-turn allows two of the most common Pokemon in Little Cup, Vullaby and Mienfoo, to damage it heavily, even after Defense boosts. Larvesta, in particular, can also burn Inkay easily.
**Ghost-types**: Ghost-types such as Gastly and Pumpkaboo easily switch into Superpower and keep Inkay from doing much, although most are either OHKOed or severely crippled by Knock Off.
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