[OVERVIEW]
Munkidori is a strong special attacker and pivot. Its typing allows it to hit much of the tier for at least neutral damage with its STAB moves, with Sludge Bomb and Sludge Wave targeting Fairy- and Grass-types like Sylveon and Tsareena, while Psychic and Psyshock target Poison- and Fighting-types like Vileplume and Breloom. Munkidori's Nasty Plot set loves to capitalize on the switches that it forces against these Pokemon, and with its excellent speed tier, it can outspeed common threats like Mienshao and Flygon. Munkidori's U-turn is also incredibly potent, as it easily spreads poison with Toxic Chain to chip away at walls like Diancie, Incineroar, and Umbreon so that it can KO them more easily later. It also runs moves like Focus Blast and Tera Blast Ground to hit its poison-immune checks such as Steel-types like Copperajah and Registeel and Poison-types like Alolan Muk. Trick can also limit opposing setup sweepers like Cresselia and Iron Thorns or cripple specially defensive walls upon switch-in like Bronzong and Alolan Muk. However, Munkidori is vulnerable to opposing Dark-types like Incineroar and Brute Bonnet and can be limited by Steel-types if not carrying sufficient coverage. Its poor bulk also means it can be easily revenge killed by faster Choice Scarf users like Inteleon and Infernape or Pokemon with priority such as Sucker Punch Toxicroak and Aqua Jet Basculegion.
[SET]
name: Pivot
move 1: Sludge Bomb / Sludge Wave
move 2: Psychic / Psyshock
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Focus Blast / Tera Blast / Trick
item: Heavy-Duty Boots / Choice Scarf
ability: Toxic Chain
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
tera type: Fighting / Ground / Flying
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
Sludge Bomb provides a greater chance of poisoning the foe, while Sludge Wave provides greater power. Psychic targets physically defensive walls like Vileplume and Galarian Slowbro, notably OHKOing Vileplume after Stealth Rock. However, Psyshock gives Munkidori an answer to specially defensive Poison-types like Tentacruel and Tera Poison Calm Mind Cresselia. U-turn lets Munkidori pivot and possibly poison specially defensive walls switching in like Diancie and Umbreon. Focus Blast targets Steel-types like Copperajah and Dark-types like Incineroar, 2HKOing both. Tera Blast Ground is a viable alternative that better targets Alolan Muk, which is 2HKOed after Stealth Rock. On Choice Scarf sets, Trick allows Munkidori to cripple walls like Alolan Muk and Registeel and setup sweepers like Dragon Dance Flygon and Calm Mind Cresselia. Heavy-Duty Boots allows Munkidori to pivot frequently and lets it not be locked into a move. On the other hand, Choice Scarf makes Munkidori one of the fastest Pokemon in the tier, as it is only outsped by opposing Choice Scarf users like Infernape and Inteleon. Tera Fighting works twofold; it lets Munkidori resist Dark-type attacks and boosts the power of Focus Blast. Tera Ground, however, should only be used alongside Tera Blast. A defensive Tera type of Tera Flying also works on Munkidori, as it helps it avoid Earthquake from Flygon and retains its Fighting resistance.
Munkidori benefits from teammates that can break through special walls, such as Copperajah, Bronzong, and Alolan Muk, that it struggles to deal with itself. Physical wallbreakers like Gallade, Infernape, and Mienshao help to take care of the specially defensive Steel- and Dark- types that might otherwise give Munkidori trouble. In return, Munkidori handles physical walls like Vileplume, Dragalge, Sylveon, and Avalugg. Entry hazard setters like Swampert and Klefki can be useful teammates, as their hazards alongside Munkidori's constant pivoting and threat of poison can help wear down foes over time and get them into range for Munkidori to finish them off. The poison caused by Toxic Chain makes bulky teammates like Avalugg, Vaporeon, and Sylveon good teammates, as it lets them stall out foes more easily with poison chipping away at them.
[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Sludge Wave / Sludge Bomb
move 3: Psychic / Psyshock
move 4: Focus Blast / Tera Blast
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Toxic Chain
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
tera type: Fighting / Ground / Flying
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
At +2, Psychic OHKOes Galarian Slowbro and Avalugg, while Psyshock OHKOes Vileplume. A Nasty Plot-boosted Sludge Wave OHKOes Assault Vest Brute Bonnet, while Sludge Bomb gives Munkidori a higher chance to poison foes. Focus Blast lets Munkidori deal with Umbreon and Copperajah more easily, but boosted Tera Blast Ground can be used, as it handles Alolan Muk and Incineroar more reliably. U-turn could also be used as a last move so that Munkidori can support its team early-game, but it then heavily relies on its teammates to deal with Steel-types. Heavy Duty-Boots allows Munkidori to repeatedly switch in without concern for entry hazard chip damage, letting it use Nasty Plot repeatedly over the course of a battle. Tera Fighting is used to further boost Focus Blast's damage while letting Munkidori resist Dark-type attacks, while Tera Ground is used alongside Tera Blast to blow through checks like Alolan Muk. Tera Flying is used defensively against opposing Ground-type attackers like Swampert or Flygon, providing additional opportunities to boost with Nasty Plot.
Pokemon that can overwhelm opposing Steel- and Dark-types are appreciated by Munkidori, so teammates like Cinccino, Porygon-Z, and Brambleghast pair well with it. Hazard setters like Swampert, Diancie, and Klefki can set up Stealth Rock or Spikes to further wear down opposing walls, and on hyper offense builds, hazard-setting leads like Froslass and Brambleghast work well alongside Munkidori. Since Dark- and Ground-types like Incineroar, Tera Dark Toxicroak, and Choice Scarf Flygon threaten Munkidori, teammates such as Diancie, Dragalge, and Talonflame provide switch-ins for these sweep-ending threats.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
Fake Out is a niche option that can be used on Toxic Chain sets with the intention of giving Munkidori as many opportunities as possible to poison the opposing Pokemon. Parting Shot can also be used as an alternative to U-turn, avoiding contact and lowering the foe's stats, but Munkidori's main draw is its ability to poison Pokemon without having to waste a turn using a status move like Toxic. Psychic Noise can also be used on pivot sets while attempting to chip down bulkier foes, preventing them from recovering while a more effective attacker switches in. Grass Knot is a niche option alongside Tera Grass to target potential threats like specially defensive Swampert and Gastrodon but leaves Munkidori helpless against Steel-types. Tera Fairy can also be used as an alternative to Tera Fighting that maintains Munkidori's resistance to Fighting-type attacks at the cost of the potential boost to Focus Blast. Frisk is an option to regularly gain information on the foe's items but loses the potential status effects and chip damage of Toxic Chain.
Checks and Counters
====
**Dark-types**: Dark-types, such as Incineroar, Brute Bonnet, and Tera Dark Toxicroak are immune to Munkidori's Psychic-type STAB moves and threaten it back with powerful moves like Knock Off and Sucker Punch. However, with access to moves like Sludge Wave, Focus Blast, Tera Blast Ground, and the ability to Terastallize into a Dark-resistant Tera type, they must be cautious.
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Copperajah, Klefki, and Registeel can handle Munkidori's STAB attacks easily, forcing it to rely on coverage like Focus Blast and Tera Blast Ground or its teammates to break through. They also are immune to poison, preventing Munkidori from wearing them down with Toxic Chain.
**Revenge Killers**: While Munkidori, particularly with Choice Scarf, is quite fast, it can be outsped and its physical bulk is somewhat lacking, meaning faster Choice Scarf users like Inteleon and Infernape and priority such as Basculegion's Aqua Jet and Brute Bonnet's Sucker Punch can easily pick it off it its health gets low enough.
**Specially defensive Poison-types**: Alolan Muk and Assault Vest Galarian Slowbro can be difficult for Munkidori to break through due to their bulk, strong defensive typing, and immunity to being poisoned.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/hammer798.641404/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/powerofmemes.583607/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/stories.400664/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/tbolt.555379/
Munkidori is a strong special attacker and pivot. Its typing allows it to hit much of the tier for at least neutral damage with its STAB moves, with Sludge Bomb and Sludge Wave targeting Fairy- and Grass-types like Sylveon and Tsareena, while Psychic and Psyshock target Poison- and Fighting-types like Vileplume and Breloom. Munkidori's Nasty Plot set loves to capitalize on the switches that it forces against these Pokemon, and with its excellent speed tier, it can outspeed common threats like Mienshao and Flygon. Munkidori's U-turn is also incredibly potent, as it easily spreads poison with Toxic Chain to chip away at walls like Diancie, Incineroar, and Umbreon so that it can KO them more easily later. It also runs moves like Focus Blast and Tera Blast Ground to hit its poison-immune checks such as Steel-types like Copperajah and Registeel and Poison-types like Alolan Muk. Trick can also limit opposing setup sweepers like Cresselia and Iron Thorns or cripple specially defensive walls upon switch-in like Bronzong and Alolan Muk. However, Munkidori is vulnerable to opposing Dark-types like Incineroar and Brute Bonnet and can be limited by Steel-types if not carrying sufficient coverage. Its poor bulk also means it can be easily revenge killed by faster Choice Scarf users like Inteleon and Infernape or Pokemon with priority such as Sucker Punch Toxicroak and Aqua Jet Basculegion.
[SET]
name: Pivot
move 1: Sludge Bomb / Sludge Wave
move 2: Psychic / Psyshock
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Focus Blast / Tera Blast / Trick
item: Heavy-Duty Boots / Choice Scarf
ability: Toxic Chain
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
tera type: Fighting / Ground / Flying
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
Sludge Bomb provides a greater chance of poisoning the foe, while Sludge Wave provides greater power. Psychic targets physically defensive walls like Vileplume and Galarian Slowbro, notably OHKOing Vileplume after Stealth Rock. However, Psyshock gives Munkidori an answer to specially defensive Poison-types like Tentacruel and Tera Poison Calm Mind Cresselia. U-turn lets Munkidori pivot and possibly poison specially defensive walls switching in like Diancie and Umbreon. Focus Blast targets Steel-types like Copperajah and Dark-types like Incineroar, 2HKOing both. Tera Blast Ground is a viable alternative that better targets Alolan Muk, which is 2HKOed after Stealth Rock. On Choice Scarf sets, Trick allows Munkidori to cripple walls like Alolan Muk and Registeel and setup sweepers like Dragon Dance Flygon and Calm Mind Cresselia. Heavy-Duty Boots allows Munkidori to pivot frequently and lets it not be locked into a move. On the other hand, Choice Scarf makes Munkidori one of the fastest Pokemon in the tier, as it is only outsped by opposing Choice Scarf users like Infernape and Inteleon. Tera Fighting works twofold; it lets Munkidori resist Dark-type attacks and boosts the power of Focus Blast. Tera Ground, however, should only be used alongside Tera Blast. A defensive Tera type of Tera Flying also works on Munkidori, as it helps it avoid Earthquake from Flygon and retains its Fighting resistance.
Munkidori benefits from teammates that can break through special walls, such as Copperajah, Bronzong, and Alolan Muk, that it struggles to deal with itself. Physical wallbreakers like Gallade, Infernape, and Mienshao help to take care of the specially defensive Steel- and Dark- types that might otherwise give Munkidori trouble. In return, Munkidori handles physical walls like Vileplume, Dragalge, Sylveon, and Avalugg. Entry hazard setters like Swampert and Klefki can be useful teammates, as their hazards alongside Munkidori's constant pivoting and threat of poison can help wear down foes over time and get them into range for Munkidori to finish them off. The poison caused by Toxic Chain makes bulky teammates like Avalugg, Vaporeon, and Sylveon good teammates, as it lets them stall out foes more easily with poison chipping away at them.
[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Sludge Wave / Sludge Bomb
move 3: Psychic / Psyshock
move 4: Focus Blast / Tera Blast
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Toxic Chain
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
tera type: Fighting / Ground / Flying
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
At +2, Psychic OHKOes Galarian Slowbro and Avalugg, while Psyshock OHKOes Vileplume. A Nasty Plot-boosted Sludge Wave OHKOes Assault Vest Brute Bonnet, while Sludge Bomb gives Munkidori a higher chance to poison foes. Focus Blast lets Munkidori deal with Umbreon and Copperajah more easily, but boosted Tera Blast Ground can be used, as it handles Alolan Muk and Incineroar more reliably. U-turn could also be used as a last move so that Munkidori can support its team early-game, but it then heavily relies on its teammates to deal with Steel-types. Heavy Duty-Boots allows Munkidori to repeatedly switch in without concern for entry hazard chip damage, letting it use Nasty Plot repeatedly over the course of a battle. Tera Fighting is used to further boost Focus Blast's damage while letting Munkidori resist Dark-type attacks, while Tera Ground is used alongside Tera Blast to blow through checks like Alolan Muk. Tera Flying is used defensively against opposing Ground-type attackers like Swampert or Flygon, providing additional opportunities to boost with Nasty Plot.
Pokemon that can overwhelm opposing Steel- and Dark-types are appreciated by Munkidori, so teammates like Cinccino, Porygon-Z, and Brambleghast pair well with it. Hazard setters like Swampert, Diancie, and Klefki can set up Stealth Rock or Spikes to further wear down opposing walls, and on hyper offense builds, hazard-setting leads like Froslass and Brambleghast work well alongside Munkidori. Since Dark- and Ground-types like Incineroar, Tera Dark Toxicroak, and Choice Scarf Flygon threaten Munkidori, teammates such as Diancie, Dragalge, and Talonflame provide switch-ins for these sweep-ending threats.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
Fake Out is a niche option that can be used on Toxic Chain sets with the intention of giving Munkidori as many opportunities as possible to poison the opposing Pokemon. Parting Shot can also be used as an alternative to U-turn, avoiding contact and lowering the foe's stats, but Munkidori's main draw is its ability to poison Pokemon without having to waste a turn using a status move like Toxic. Psychic Noise can also be used on pivot sets while attempting to chip down bulkier foes, preventing them from recovering while a more effective attacker switches in. Grass Knot is a niche option alongside Tera Grass to target potential threats like specially defensive Swampert and Gastrodon but leaves Munkidori helpless against Steel-types. Tera Fairy can also be used as an alternative to Tera Fighting that maintains Munkidori's resistance to Fighting-type attacks at the cost of the potential boost to Focus Blast. Frisk is an option to regularly gain information on the foe's items but loses the potential status effects and chip damage of Toxic Chain.
Checks and Counters
====
**Dark-types**: Dark-types, such as Incineroar, Brute Bonnet, and Tera Dark Toxicroak are immune to Munkidori's Psychic-type STAB moves and threaten it back with powerful moves like Knock Off and Sucker Punch. However, with access to moves like Sludge Wave, Focus Blast, Tera Blast Ground, and the ability to Terastallize into a Dark-resistant Tera type, they must be cautious.
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Copperajah, Klefki, and Registeel can handle Munkidori's STAB attacks easily, forcing it to rely on coverage like Focus Blast and Tera Blast Ground or its teammates to break through. They also are immune to poison, preventing Munkidori from wearing them down with Toxic Chain.
**Revenge Killers**: While Munkidori, particularly with Choice Scarf, is quite fast, it can be outsped and its physical bulk is somewhat lacking, meaning faster Choice Scarf users like Inteleon and Infernape and priority such as Basculegion's Aqua Jet and Brute Bonnet's Sucker Punch can easily pick it off it its health gets low enough.
**Specially defensive Poison-types**: Alolan Muk and Assault Vest Galarian Slowbro can be difficult for Munkidori to break through due to their bulk, strong defensive typing, and immunity to being poisoned.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/hammer798.641404/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/powerofmemes.583607/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/stories.400664/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/tbolt.555379/
Last edited:
