Ah yes Dragonite. My favorite pokemon. It is a great pokemon in gen 6 ou but it has quite a few problems such as a stealth rock weakness that makes it lose multiscale, a lack of reliable flying stab (which is especially problematic this gen), and most importantly a deep fear of the brand-new type introduced this generation which we know as the fairy type. The main issue that the fairy type brings is that it stops Dragonite from properly using its best stab move (Outrage) as fairy type pokemon are immune to dragon type moves (the type Outrage is). However, besides that problem it usually handles the viable fairy type pokemon in the tier themselves reasonably well by itself. With proper play Dragonite is usually able to use its other attacks (usually Extreme Speed and Earthquake) to take out said fairies. However, there is one fairy type that Dragonite fears above else and one that even it can't take down.
Clefable was one of the older gen pokemon to get the fairy vaccine in gen 6 to protect it from the deadly dragon virus. It was able to use this power to not only destroy most dragon types but also become the (not) undisputed second best pokemon in gen 6 ou. Even before this generation Clefable was still a really solid defensive pokemon (even earning its place as a top tier in gen 4 ou) but it was one of the many pokemon in gen 5 that got bowled over by powerful Outrages from the likes of Garchomp, Kyurem Black, and what do you know my boy Dragonite. However, with this generation Clefable would be a victim of dragon abuse no more. It is an insane wall with only 2 weaknesses which are poison and steel. As it happens most dragons don't have attacks for those types in their movepool (or don't have room for them) and one of those dragons is Dragonite. To put it simply none of Dragonite's moves have the pure strength needed to kill Clefable even at plus 1 attack. Even Fly (Dragonite's best flying stab) only 2 hit kos at plus 1 and since Clefable can just use Soft-Boiled on the non-attacking turn (it is a 2 turn move) it doesn't even matter. Not to mention sometimes Clefable uses Unaware as an ability over Magic Guard and then Dragonite is truly helpless. Clefable is unique in the fact that it serves as both an offensive and defensive check to Dragonite as it easily tanks its attacks and fires back a super effective Moonblast that Dragonite can only survive 1 turn against.
Now of course there are plenty of answers to Clefable that probably work far better than the answer I am going to give such as Excadrill, Mega Metagross, both Scizors, etc. However, since Dragonite is my favorite pokemon (and it would be funny) I feel like I should use this oppurtunity to highlight another solid Clefable answer and Dragonite teammate and that pokemon is the one THE ONLY
Gengar @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 29 HP
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Wave
- Focus Blast
- Taunt
The main reason I chose this set is because Dragonite is usually on offensive teamstyles and this Gengar set synergizes well with offense. This isn't the only set you can use of course but it is the simplest to explain.
Gengar is a great answer to Clefable for multiple reasons. With this set specifically Gengar 2hkoes a max special defense (with special defense nature) Clefable at +1 special defense and ohkoes out right against every set in teambuilder using its stab Sludge Wave. Despite Gengar's severe lack of bulk it can also easily tank Moonblast (which it resists thanks to its poison typing) and even Ice Beam/Flamethrower thanks to Clefable's below average special attack. Gengar also has taunt in its movepool to prevent Clefable from healing, setting hazards/status, or even using Calm Mind so that even if Gengar doesn't have the means to beat Clefable it can at least force it out.
Gengar is also a great teammate as it is a solid spin blocker (thank you ghost type), which allows hazards to stay up making the opposing pokemon easier to kill for Dragonite. It is the second fastest viable Will O Wisp user making it easier for Dragonite to set up against physical threats. It outspeeds/speed ties multiple big threats to Dragonite and is able to kill or annoy most of them. Some big ones include Mega Gardevoir, Mega Metagross, the Lati twins and their megas, Mega Gallade, Kyurem Black (Focus Blast or Will O Wisp accuracy permitting), Mega Altaria and plenty of others I am surely forgetting.
All of these points are good reason to use Gengar as both a teammate to Dragonite and in general. Of course, there are probably better teammates for Dragonite such as Thundurus I or Serperior but I love Dragonite and I feel it deserves a more interesting answer than just another top tier. Gengar is still a good pokemon in general even if, like Starmie, it is starting to show its age. It may be incredibly scared of dark types like Tyranitar and Bisharp but it is a pokemon with many useful immunities, plenty of utility options, and a really high special attack even in gen 6.
Thank you for reading.
(agh, again, mix?)
