Ninjask
[Overview]
<p>Despite having the highest base Speed stat available in VGC and a decent Attack stat, Ninjask is barely used. This is partially because of its Bug / Flying typing which leaves Ninjask susceptible to common super effective Electric- and Rock-type attacks. It does not help that Ninjask has very low defenses either, but when played correctly, Ninjask can be very threatening. Ninjask also gets access to Speed Boost, which allows it to outspeed the majority of the metagame after a single boost.</p>
[SET]
name: Physical Attacker
move 1: X-Scissor / Bug Bite
move 2: Aerial Ace
move 3: Dig / Baton Pass
move 4: Protect
item: Life Orb
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Since Ninjask has such a high base Speed stat to begin with, minimal investment is needed to outspeed many common threats that are not Choice Scarfed. This allows you to invest in HP, to increase Ninjask's durability. X-Scissor is Ninjask's most useful move, netting a strong super effective hit on many common Pokemon, such as Cresselia, Latios, and Tyranitar. Bug Bite is also a very viable option to eat the opposing Pokemon's type resist or Sitrus berry, and in the latter case, giving Ninjask back one quarter of its health. Aerial Ace is on the set to provide a dual STAB and is super effective on certain Pokemon that resist its Bug STAB, such as Hitmontop. Dig prevents Ninjask from being walled by Steel types, such as Metagross or Heatran, that resist X-Scissor and Aerial Ace. However, Dig may require some prediction and is easily stopped by Protect so Baton Pass is also a viable option, allowing Ninjask to pass on a Speed Boost to another Pokemon that can handle big threats. In the last slot, Protect can be used to scout the opponent's moves, or to get a free Speed Boost and come out unscathed.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Max Attack with an Adamant nature is a must, to deal out the greatest possible damage, and KO common threats. With an Adamant nature and minimal Speed investment, Ninjask is able outspeed Latios and OHKO it with X-scissor. The 252 HP EVs are mainly there to help Ninjask take hits. The EVs are very helpful when your opponent is using priority, as those moves would easily kill Ninjask if the HP EVs were not invested. Life Orb is used because Ninjask is easily countered without Protect, which it won't be able to use if Choice Band is the item of choice; another reason to use Life Orb is that Ninjask needs all the extra power it can get.</p>
<p>Ninjask is not perfect and cannot carry an entire team on its back; it needs teammates, like any other Pokemon. When looking for teammates for Ninjask, you have to recognize the fact that many Steel types can be effective at walling Ninjask, as are many Pokemon used on Weather teams. One Pokemon that resists most of Ninjask's weaknesses is Gastrodon, which can also deal with the threats with its Ground-type STAB. Hitmontop is also a good partner since it can utilize its Intimidate ability to lower the opponent's Attack stat, as well as resist threatening Rock-type moves, like Rock Slide. Himontop also has strong STAB Fighting-type moves that can deal with Pokemon that pose huge threats to Ninjask, such as Tyranitar.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>If you find Ninjask too frail for your liking, it is possible to run a Focus Sash on it if you are afraid of Choice Scarfed Pokemon or dying in one hit. However, this is not the recommended item to use as sand is very prevalent and will break the Focus Sash if you Protect, or the sand damage will KO you if the Focus Sash kicks in. Night Slash is also an option if you are finding problems with Ghost-type Pokemon, but non STAB Night Slash is very weak against anything that it does not hit for super effective damage and thus Night Slash limits your offensive capabilities. Substitute can also be used in place of Protect, if you are able to use it successfully, though it requires some prediction because if you just set up random substitutes, you are essentially throwing out one quarter of your HP each time. Swords Dance is also an option if you feel that you need that extra boost, but this severely limits Ninjask's coverage, survivability, or both. For the more experienced players, Final Gambit is also an option, but is to be used with extreme caution. If you use this correctly you can successfully take down big threats or take out a huge chunk of HP, but if you use it when they Protect, you just wasted your Ninjask.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Ninjask does not have the best defensive typing, leaving it vulnerable to several common attacking types. Rock types can easily come in on Ninjask and not be too worried about taking a lot of damage. Tyranitar can easily stay in on Ninjask and take a hit, kill it with a 4x super effective Rock Slide, or switch to a Pokemon that resists Aerial Ace. Electric types like Thundurus and Eelektross can also easily take on Ninjask, by resisting Aerial Ace and being immune to Dig. Thundurus or Eelektross are then free to use Thunderbolt or some other Electric-type move and kill Ninjask with ease. Pokemon like Chandelure also threaten Ninjask with Heat Wave and other Fire-type moves. Ninjask still has a chance of killing Chandelure and other Fire types with Dig. Defensive Pokemon such as Hitmontop, Metagross, and Heatran can take on Ninjask fairly easily after taking a hit or two. Trick Room also easily counters Ninjask since it is naturally fast, and Speed Boost will keep raising it's Speed, causing Ninjask to be extremely slow in Trick Room. Abomasnow can also take on Ninjask if it has a Focus Sash to live the hit and kill Ninjask with a super effective Blizzard. Other generally bulky Pokemon like Dusclops and Cresselia can also take Ninjask on with ease, and cripple it with a Thunder Wave or Will-O-Wisp.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Ninjask gets the ability Infiltrator through the Dream World. Even though it is not yet released, it is not as viable for VGC since Reflect, Light Screen, and similar moves tend to be scarce. Therefore, Speed Boost is more useful for Ninjask as it can pass the boost or just outpace Choice Scarf users and the likes to take out threats.</p>
