I've been testing out Ninjask recently and I found out a few things about him that are pretty interesting. For one, I found with the right EV spread, he can survive most pritory attacks! Investing in defense seems kind of dumb at first with something with 61 HP/ 45 Def, but it really is his best chance in the OU teir this generation. To this end, I'm making one new set and modifing an extisting set because Ninjask fuction well in the Uber tier as well.
Caelum already added my spread for the Dedicated Speed Passer in the EV section, but I have his okay to display it in a new set. The first set does feature one of the best new things for Ninjask (Protect), as well as a fuller explaination.
Also, this could go in Platinum Updates because it does reference Scizor's Bullet Punch and some other things, but I figured it would be better here, because Ninjask didn't get anything from Platinum. If anybody wants to move this go right ahead.
I've tested this extensively, so don't dismiss this too quickly.
[SET]
name: Dedicated Speed Passer
move 1: Protect
move 2: Substitute
move 3: X-Scissor
move 4: Baton Pass
item: Leftovers
nature: Adamant
EVs: 248 HP / 52 Atk / 184 Def / 24 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set attempts to take care of many of the problems Ninjask has passing boosts by only attempting to pass Speed and not Attack. While Ninjask is fast, it is not faster than many Choice Scarf users, at least on the first turn of the game. Using Protect will allow you to get one Speed Boost in and be faster than almost every Choice Scarf user trying to Trick Ninjask. On turn two, put up a Substitute to stop Trick and to make sure you can get a successful Baton Pass. Use Protect and Subsitute to stall until you feel you have enough Speed Boosts, and then Baton Pass to a team member of your choice. Protect can also be used with Substitute to scout moves, and allow you to pass an unbroken Substitute to something that resists the attack.</p>
<p>The magic of this set is in the EV spread. 24 Speed EVs allow you to outrun all base 115 Speed Pokemon holding a Choice Scarf after one Speed boost. You can invest more Speed in case you see something faster than that, which is rare to say the least. Being faster than other Timid Scarf Trick users certainly has its merits though. With the given HP and Defense EVs Ninjask can survive almost any priority attack. This spread assures that Ninjask will never be OHKOed by a Jolly Choice Band Weavile's Ice Shard or an Adamant Scizor's Choice Band Bullet Punch, and is almost never 2HKOed by an Adamant Lucario's Life Orb ExtremeSpeed. This means you cannot be punished by priority attacks that normally would be the bane of its existence.</p>
On the forth move on the Focus Sash set is already on site, I'm going to slash Protect, and add this paragraph about using Ninjask in ubers:
<p>Ninjask is also a good choice for an Ubers lead with this set. Since Sandstorm is fairly uncommon in Ubers (and since both Kyogre and Groundon can eliminate the sand with their own weather effects), you may find that Protect works better over Sunny Day as the fourth move. Protect first turn, Swords Dance while Focus Sash saves you, and then Protect again. Then, you can Baton Pass +3 Speed and +2 Attack to a team-mate of your choice. Max Attack is recommended on this set to deal as much damage with X-Scissor; most Taunt users in the Uber tier are Psychic types and weak to Ninjask's STAB of choice. A Sword Danced X-Scissor will also do a decent amount of damage to Lugia, the most common phazer in Ubers. This set is effective, but requires prediction against priority users. If you suspect that Deoxys or Rayquaza is going to use Extremespeed, switch out or Baton Pass as soon as possible. Protect can help you scout for these, but remember it fails when used in succession.</p>
Nitpick away!
Caelum already added my spread for the Dedicated Speed Passer in the EV section, but I have his okay to display it in a new set. The first set does feature one of the best new things for Ninjask (Protect), as well as a fuller explaination.
Also, this could go in Platinum Updates because it does reference Scizor's Bullet Punch and some other things, but I figured it would be better here, because Ninjask didn't get anything from Platinum. If anybody wants to move this go right ahead.
I've tested this extensively, so don't dismiss this too quickly.
[SET]
name: Dedicated Speed Passer
move 1: Protect
move 2: Substitute
move 3: X-Scissor
move 4: Baton Pass
item: Leftovers
nature: Adamant
EVs: 248 HP / 52 Atk / 184 Def / 24 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set attempts to take care of many of the problems Ninjask has passing boosts by only attempting to pass Speed and not Attack. While Ninjask is fast, it is not faster than many Choice Scarf users, at least on the first turn of the game. Using Protect will allow you to get one Speed Boost in and be faster than almost every Choice Scarf user trying to Trick Ninjask. On turn two, put up a Substitute to stop Trick and to make sure you can get a successful Baton Pass. Use Protect and Subsitute to stall until you feel you have enough Speed Boosts, and then Baton Pass to a team member of your choice. Protect can also be used with Substitute to scout moves, and allow you to pass an unbroken Substitute to something that resists the attack.</p>
<p>The magic of this set is in the EV spread. 24 Speed EVs allow you to outrun all base 115 Speed Pokemon holding a Choice Scarf after one Speed boost. You can invest more Speed in case you see something faster than that, which is rare to say the least. Being faster than other Timid Scarf Trick users certainly has its merits though. With the given HP and Defense EVs Ninjask can survive almost any priority attack. This spread assures that Ninjask will never be OHKOed by a Jolly Choice Band Weavile's Ice Shard or an Adamant Scizor's Choice Band Bullet Punch, and is almost never 2HKOed by an Adamant Lucario's Life Orb ExtremeSpeed. This means you cannot be punished by priority attacks that normally would be the bane of its existence.</p>
On the forth move on the Focus Sash set is already on site, I'm going to slash Protect, and add this paragraph about using Ninjask in ubers:
<p>Ninjask is also a good choice for an Ubers lead with this set. Since Sandstorm is fairly uncommon in Ubers (and since both Kyogre and Groundon can eliminate the sand with their own weather effects), you may find that Protect works better over Sunny Day as the fourth move. Protect first turn, Swords Dance while Focus Sash saves you, and then Protect again. Then, you can Baton Pass +3 Speed and +2 Attack to a team-mate of your choice. Max Attack is recommended on this set to deal as much damage with X-Scissor; most Taunt users in the Uber tier are Psychic types and weak to Ninjask's STAB of choice. A Sword Danced X-Scissor will also do a decent amount of damage to Lugia, the most common phazer in Ubers. This set is effective, but requires prediction against priority users. If you suspect that Deoxys or Rayquaza is going to use Extremespeed, switch out or Baton Pass as soon as possible. Protect can help you scout for these, but remember it fails when used in succession.</p>
Nitpick away!
