[OVERVIEW]
With a good Attack stat along with dual priority, Kangaskhan is an excellent check to frail offensive Pokemon and most weather sweepers. Kangaskhan's great ability Scrappy augments its great neutral coverage, making its Double-Edge difficult to switch into while also letting it pick off Ghost-types such as Rotom, Haunter, and Mismagius. Solid overall bulk also lets it take some neutral hits with ease, especially when it is holding an Assault Vest, giving it plenty of opportunities to switch in. Kangaskhan is a self-sufficient Pokemon and oftentimes provides a nice blanket check to a wide array of threats. However, Kangaskhan struggles to break past very bulky Normal-resistant Pokemon such as Regirock and Rhydon without the appropriate coverage move. Lack of recovery coupled with Double-Edge recoil also means that Kangaskhan is worn down very fast.
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Fake Out
move 2: Double-Edge
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Earthquake / Aqua Tail
item: Silk Scarf
ability: Scrappy
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Fake Out enables Kangaskhan to pick off weakened foes or get free damage after switching in. Double-Edge is Kangaskhan's most powerful Normal-type STAB move and has good neutral coverage. Sucker Punch in conjunction with Fake Out lets Kangaskhan have a much easier time picking off weakened foes, though it's worth noting that this move can be taken advantage of. Earthquake rounds out Kangaskhan's coverage by hitting common switch-ins such as Garbodor, Klinklang, and Mawile. Aqua Tail is an alternative to hit Rhydon much harder while maintaining coverage on Regirock, but it's worth noting that this leaves Kangaskhan walled by Klinklang and defensive Mawile and forces Kangaskhan to hit Garbodor with Double-Edge, causing it to get worn down significantly in the process.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack EVs plus an Adamant nature ensure Kangaskhan hits as hard as possible, while maximum Speed EVs ensure it outspeeds as many Pokemon as possible. Jolly is an alternative to outspeed positive-natured base 80 Speed Pokemon including Mesprit, Kabutops, and Shiftry, as well as to outspeed Jolly Sawk and Hidden Power Fire Timid Lilligant. Silk Scarf is chosen for the decent boost to Kangaskhan's STAB moves without inflicting any recoil. Lum Berry is another option to let Kangaskhan fare better versus Will-O-Wisp users at the cost of some power. Scrappy is mandatory, as it lets Kangaskhan damage Ghost-types with its Normal-type attacks, making its STAB moves harder to switch into.
Usage Tips
========
Kangaskhan should be primarily used as revenge killer, so bring it in against a weakened foe to pick it off with dual priority. Sometimes, using Fake Out is obvious, and the opponent will respond by switching into a bulky Pokemon, so predict the switch by using either a coverage move or Double-Edge to get a heavy hit. In some cases, however, when trying to revenge kill or get extra damage against a foe, it is best to use Fake Out, then switch out to a pivot or death fodder, and then switch Kangaskhan back in to hit the foe again with Fake Out. Against Pokemon that Kangaskhan cannot do much back to, such as Ferroseed and Regirock, predict their switches in by double switching to a teammate that can take care of them. Kangaskhan should also be preserved if the opposing team has a frail sweeper that it can revenge kill. Sucker Punch should be used cautiously against Ghost-types, as they can take advantage of this by using Will-O-Wisp, so it's generally safe to scout for the Will-O-Wisp by switching to another teammate. Kangaskhan can also be used as an early- and mid-game wallbreaker against slower teams.
Team Options
========
Kangaskhan fits well on teams that need a blanket check to offensive Pokemon such as weather sweepers and frail Pokemon. Garbodor is the best teammate, as it can switch into Fighting-types such as Gurdurr and Sawk, which can give Kangaskhan issues, as well as set up Toxic Spikes, which pair incredibly well with Kangaskhan's Fake Out. Mesprit is able to switch into Fighting-type attacks aimed at Kangaskhan, revenge kill their users with Psychic, and provide Healing Wish support, which is useful for healing Kangaskhan if it has been worn down too much by repeated Double-Edge recoil or crippled by status ailments. Water-types such as Floatzel and Samurott are good teammates because of their ability to threaten Rock-types such as Rhydon, Regirock, and Archeops and Taunt bulkier Pokemon, preventing them from recovering any HP. Grass-types such as Lilligant, Shiftry, and Torterra are also a decent partners because all are able to force out Rock-types, with the former two using them as setup bait and the latter using them to set up Stealth Rock freely. Kangaskhan also tends to bait in Poison-types such as Garbodor and Weezing, allowing it to wear them down for Lilligant to clean late-game. Choice Band Sawk gets past bothersome foes for Kangaskhan such as Ferroseed, Rhydon, and Regirock, while Kangaskhan picks off faster foes that can revenge kill Sawk.
[SET]
name: Assault Vest
move 1: Return / Double-Edge
move 2: Sucker Punch
move 3: Fake Out / Power-Up Punch
move 4: Earthquake / Aqua Tail / Drain Punch
item: Assault Vest
ability: Scrappy
nature: Adamant
evs: 64 HP / 252 Atk / 96 SpD / 96 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Return is Kangaskhan's most powerful STAB move without recoil and has good neutral coverage thanks to Scrappy. Double-Edge is an alternative for a more powerful STAB move, which can be crucial when facing a bulkier foe, but it causes recoil damage. Sucker Punch gives Kangaskhan a priority move to pick off weakened foes with, although it can be taken advantage of. Fake Out lets Kangaskhan get free damage against a foe or revenge kill weakened Pokemon and works well alongside Sucker Punch. Power-Up Punch gives Kangaskhan a way to boost its Attack, which enables it to clean up weakened teams. Earthquake lets Kangaskhan hit Steel-types such as Klinklang and Mawile, as well as letting it avoid Aftermath damage from Garbodor and Skuntank. Aqua Tail is an alternative to hit Rhydon in particular very hard while retaining coverage against other Rock-types. Drain Punch is another option that lets Kangaskhan damage Rock- and Steel-type Pokemon while also letting it gain back some lost HP, giving it more longevity.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack EVs plus an Adamant nature allow Kangaskhan to hit as hard as possible. 96 Speed EVs let Kangaskhan outspeed neutral-natured base 70 Speed Pokemon such as Ludicolo and Samurott. 216 Speed EVs can be used if outspeeding Adamant Sawk is necessary, but it comes at the loss of bulk. The HP EVs plus the Special Defense EVs make Kangaskhan overall much more bulky when paired with an Assault Vest. Assault Vest increases Kangaskhan's Special Defense significantly, allowing it to accomplish feats such as avoiding the 2HKO from Life Orb Pyroar's Fire Blast, making it a good catch-all check to several special attackers. Scrappy enables Kangaskhan to hit Ghost-types with its STAB moves and Drain Punch, limiting the number of Pokemon that can switch in safely.
Usage Tips
========
While Assault Vest allows Kangaskhan to be used as offensive pivot into special attackers, avoid switching it in too much, as Kangaskhan's lack of recovery outside of Drain Punch means it can be worn down fast. Be careful of using Sucker Punch against Ghost-type Pokemon, as they can evade the move with Will-O-Wisp. If using Fake Out, Kangaskhan should be used to revenge kill weakened Pokemon; just note that it's significantly weaker without a boosting item. Once Kangaskhan's checks are worn down, use Power-Up Punch to let Kangaskhan act as a wallbreaker or clean up weakened teams.
Team Options
========
This set fits on a wide range of team archetypes that need both a check to special attackers and a reliable revenge killer. Garbodor can give some serious issues to this set, so Mesprit is a great teammate, as it's able to easily switch in and threaten it with Psychic and can also provide Healing Wish and Stealth Rock support. Mesprit is also able to switch into Fighting-type Pokemon that can give Kangaskhan trouble. Xatu is another option, as it keeps entry hazards such as Toxic Spikes off the field, ensuring Kangaskhan does not get worn down, while also checking most of Kangaskhan's answers. Garbodor is also a good teammate, as it provides hazard support, which enables Kangaskhan to clean with much more ease, and can switch into bothersome Fighting-types. Mega Audino provides Wish and Heal Bell support to ensure Kangaskhan stays healthy and status free. Mega Audino also has phenomenal physical bulk, allowing it to switch into physical attackers that may threaten Kangaskhan.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Facade can be used over Double-Edge or Return to let Kangaskhan take advantage of burns and other status ailments. Fire Punch is another coverage move to mainly hit Ferroseed and other Steel-types, but it leaves Kangaskhan helpless against Rock-types. Wish lets Kangaskhan recover some HP it pass it to teammates, but generally Mega Audino is better in this regard. A more offensive approach to a Wish set, utilizing Power-Up Punch and Facade, is also an option to break past bulky foes that rely on status to check Kangaskhan, such as Weezing, but this comes at the cost of Kangaskhan's main niche in checking offensive Pokemon. Life Orb is another item that can be used, but combined with Double-Edge recoil and repeated Life Orb hits from Fake Out, Kangaskhan gets worn down fast, making it suboptimal. Circle Throw is an interesting option for Kangaskhan, as it allows it to phaze foes that use it as setup bait such as Dual Dance Rhydon and, thanks to Scrappy, has no Pokemon immune to it. Substitute plus Focus Punch lets Kangaskhan harass bulkier teams, but in general having dual priority is better because it has much more use against offensive teams.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Rock-types**: Rock-types such as Rhydon and Regirock can give Kangaskhan a lot of issues, as even Earthquake deals very little damage to them. The former can use it to freely set up Swords Dance and Rock Polish, while the latter can cripple it with Thunder Wave and wear it down with repeated attacks. Both, however, are worn down over time due to their lack of reliable recovery. Rhydon is also easily 2HKOed by Aqua Tail, which can make it a shaky check. Archeops resists Fake Out and can avoid Sucker Punch with Roost, while in return, it easily 2HKOes Kangaskhan with Acrobatics. However, it does not appreciate taking a Silk Scarf-boosted Double-Edge and is OHKOed by Aqua Tail after Stealth Rock.
**Physical Walls**: Quagsire is able to take Kangaskhan's attacks relatively well while recovering off any damage in the process with Recover and can potentially burn Kangaskhan with Scald, crippling it for the rest of the match. Quagsire is also able to ignore any Attack boosts attained from Power-Up Punch thanks to Unaware. Garbodor is a decent answer, as it can take advantage of Kangaskhan's tendency to use Fake Out, wearing it down with Rocky Helmet damage. Garbodor, however, has to watch out for Earthquake, which 2HKOes it and lets Kangaskhan avoid Rocky Helmet and Aftermath damage. Although Weezing takes a decent amount from Double-Edge, it can generally switch in, take a hit, and burn Kangaskhan on the following turn with Will-O-Wisp. Mega Audino has enough physical bulk to stand up against Double-Edge and recover off the damage with either Wish or Rest, but it falls to the Assault Vest set, as it's overwhelmed by the Attack boosts from Power-Up Punch and does very little damage with Dazzling Gleam in return.
**Steel-types**: Steel-types, in particular Ferroseed, are a major pain for Kangaskhan. It has no way of significantly damaging Ferroseed outside of the suboptimal Fire Punch, while Ferroseed wears down Kangaskhan with Iron Barbs and Leech Seed and cripples it with Thunder Wave or Toxic. Klinklang and Mawile can switch into non-Earthquake variants and use Kangaskhan as setup bait. Defensive Mawile avoids the 2HKO from Earthquake and can cripple Kangaskhan with Toxic, use it to freely set up Stealth Rock, or gain free momentum from the forced switch with Baton Pass.
**Fighting-types**: Gurdurr is the most consistent response to Kangaskhan, as it avoids the 2HKO from Silk Scarf-boosted Double-Edge after Stealth Rock and can gain back lost HP while dealing heavy damage with Drain Punch, use it to freely set up Bulk Up, and pick off weakened Kangaskhan with Mach Punch. Other Fighting-types such as Sawk and Primeape can revenge kill Kangaskhan with Close Combat, but Sawk is outsped by Jolly Kangaskhan, which can keep it from surviving the following hit with Sturdy by hitting it with Fake Out first. Primape outspeeds Kangaskhan no matter what, but it is somewhat frail, meaning it can be picked off by Fake Out after the Defense drop from Close Combat.
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