[OVERVIEW]
Reuniclus is one of the most reliable setup sweepers in the OU metagame thanks to its solid typing, bulk, and access to Magic Guard and Recover. Thanks to its Psychic typing, Reuniclus can check Fighting- and Psychic-types such as Mega Medicham and Tapu Lele, which are dominant forces in the metagame. It may look like Reuniclus is walled by Steel-types such as Ferrothorn, Celesteela, and Curse Mega Scizor, but in reality, it can use them as setup bait thanks to its solid bulk and access to Magic Guard, Recover, Calm Mind, and Acid Armor. Ash-Greninja and Tyranitar are some of the most common Dark-types in the tier, and despite Reuniclus's typing, it can usually overcome them with Acid Armor and entry hazards. Reuniclus can set up fairly easy against passive balance teams and matches up decently well against offense and bulky offense as well. Thanks to its access to Psyshock, Reuniclus can beat other Calm Mind users, such as Clefable, Magearna, and Mega Alakazam. However, while its bulk is very solid, it usually has to take a hit before setting up due to its rather lacking Speed stat. Fighting- and Psychic-type Pokemon such as Keldeo and Mega Alakazam have access to secondary STAB moves or coverage moves to get past Reuniclus. Finally, Reuniclus is overly reliant on Toxic Spikes and Spikes and often can't pull off a sweep if they are not present on the opposing side of the field.
[SET]
name: Double Dance
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Acid Armor
move 3: Psychic / Psyshock
move 4: Recover
item: Leftovers
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 212 Def / 44 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Acid Armor makes Reuniclus bulky enough to take on physical Dark-types such as Weavile and Tyranitar as well as Curse Mega Scizor if it manages to set it up safely. Psychic is preferred over Psyshock to blast past Pokemon such as Kartana, Hawlucha, and +6 Defense Curse Mega Scizor. However, Psyshock can still be used instead of Psychic to take on other Calm Mind sweepers such as Clefable, Magearna, and Mega Alakazam, and it also lets Reuniclus break past Chansey much more easily.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread maximizes Reuniclus's physical bulk and allows it to outspeed Toxapex. Leftovers gives Reuniclus a form of passive recovery. Alternatively, you can opt to use Psychium Z with Psyshock to break through Curse Mega Scizor in conjunction with Calm Mind boosts. Magic Guard is the preferred ability to ignore Toxic poison and similar status ailments, which sets it apart from other sweepers.
Usage Tips
========
Use Reuniclus to check Pokemon such as Mega Medicham, Zygarde, Mega Lopunny, and Protean Greninja early-game. Switch Reuniclus into Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Celesteela and other passive Pokemon such as Toxapex and Tangrowth to use them as setup bait. Use Recover liberally to stay healthy throughout the match to stay out of range from critical hits and to consistently check Fighting-types. In a one-on-one situation, Acid Armor should be used to take on Pokemon such as Curse Mega Scizor. If Toxic Spikes is up on the opposing side of the field, use Reuniclus to force in a Dark-type such as Ash-Greninja, Weavile, or Tyranitar. In a situation where Weavile or Tyranitar is expected to switch in, Reuniclus should use Acid Armor so that it can set up safely after. If Toxic Spikes isn't up on the field, Reuniclus should either double switch out to a teammate that can take on these respective Dark-types or use Acid Armor to safely escape Pursuit.
Team Options
========
Toxic Spikes or Spikes is essential whenever using Reuniclus. Toxapex is a very notable Toxic Spikes setter, as it fits on most bulky builds very well. Greninja can be used too. Toxapex also checks Ash-Greninja, which forces out Reuniclus, even after the use of Calm Mind. Reuniclus appreciates the presence of Spikes on the opposing field because it wears down usual switch-ins. Ferrothorn usually fits better on defensive teams and checks Ash-Greninja as well. Tyranitar and Weavile can Pursuit trap bulky Psychic-types that can usually trouble Reuniclus, such as Mega Latias.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Reuniclus can opt to run Energy Ball instead of Acid Armor to hit common walls such as Mega Sableye and Pyukumuku, which makes it possible to break stall teams, but it is generally less reliable than Acid Armor. On these sets, Reuniclus can utilize a variety of items; Grassy Seed, when coupled with Grassy Terrain support, lets it take Knock Off fairly well and set up more easily on physically offensive Pokemon. Focus Blast hits most Steel-types for neutral damage and hits Dark-types for super effective damage, but it leaves Reuniclus completely walled by Mega Sableye, unlike if Reuniclus were to run Energy Ball, which often defeats the purpose of the set. Signal Beam can also be run because it hits Psychic-types such as Mega Alakazam and Mega Latios as well as Dark-types, though Tyranitar takes minimal damage.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Dark-types such as Ash-Greninja, Tyranitar, Weavile, and Hoopa-U put heavy pressure on Reuniclus, and it usually has to rely on Toxic Spikes or PP stalling them to sweep. Mega Sableye walls Reuniclus's usual set and can utilize Imprison to prevent Reuniclus from using Recover, and it only really has to watch out for variants with Energy Ball or Signal Beam. Mega Gyarados is one of the best counters to Reuniclus, as its base forme is immune to Toxic Spikes, and it sets up on Reuniclus once it's Mega Evolved. Hydreigon also deserves a special mention, as it is immune to Spikes and Toxic Spikes thanks to Levitate and is immune to Reuniclus's Psychic-type attacks as well.
**Ghost-types**: Ghost-types such as Blacephalon, Gengar, and Alolan Marowak can offensively check Reuniclus, but they are susceptible to repeated attacks from Reuniclus and entry hazards.
**Taunt and Trick**: Taunt users such as Heatran, Tapu Lele, and Tapu Fini prevent Reuniclus from using any of its status moves and can thus prevent it from sweeping. Trick users such as Victini and Hoopa-U can cripple Reuniclus.
**Strong Wallbreakers**: Strong wallbreakers such as Mega Mawile and Kartana can overwhelm Reuniclus before it sets up.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Jordy, 395754]]
- Earlier versions by: [[Martin, 173240], [GMars, 273639]]
- Quality checked by: [[ABR, 223276], [Eternam, 248449], [lyd, 303291]]
- Grammar checked by: [[lotiasite, 302985], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
Reuniclus is one of the most reliable setup sweepers in the OU metagame thanks to its solid typing, bulk, and access to Magic Guard and Recover. Thanks to its Psychic typing, Reuniclus can check Fighting- and Psychic-types such as Mega Medicham and Tapu Lele, which are dominant forces in the metagame. It may look like Reuniclus is walled by Steel-types such as Ferrothorn, Celesteela, and Curse Mega Scizor, but in reality, it can use them as setup bait thanks to its solid bulk and access to Magic Guard, Recover, Calm Mind, and Acid Armor. Ash-Greninja and Tyranitar are some of the most common Dark-types in the tier, and despite Reuniclus's typing, it can usually overcome them with Acid Armor and entry hazards. Reuniclus can set up fairly easy against passive balance teams and matches up decently well against offense and bulky offense as well. Thanks to its access to Psyshock, Reuniclus can beat other Calm Mind users, such as Clefable, Magearna, and Mega Alakazam. However, while its bulk is very solid, it usually has to take a hit before setting up due to its rather lacking Speed stat. Fighting- and Psychic-type Pokemon such as Keldeo and Mega Alakazam have access to secondary STAB moves or coverage moves to get past Reuniclus. Finally, Reuniclus is overly reliant on Toxic Spikes and Spikes and often can't pull off a sweep if they are not present on the opposing side of the field.
[SET]
name: Double Dance
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Acid Armor
move 3: Psychic / Psyshock
move 4: Recover
item: Leftovers
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 212 Def / 44 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Acid Armor makes Reuniclus bulky enough to take on physical Dark-types such as Weavile and Tyranitar as well as Curse Mega Scizor if it manages to set it up safely. Psychic is preferred over Psyshock to blast past Pokemon such as Kartana, Hawlucha, and +6 Defense Curse Mega Scizor. However, Psyshock can still be used instead of Psychic to take on other Calm Mind sweepers such as Clefable, Magearna, and Mega Alakazam, and it also lets Reuniclus break past Chansey much more easily.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread maximizes Reuniclus's physical bulk and allows it to outspeed Toxapex. Leftovers gives Reuniclus a form of passive recovery. Alternatively, you can opt to use Psychium Z with Psyshock to break through Curse Mega Scizor in conjunction with Calm Mind boosts. Magic Guard is the preferred ability to ignore Toxic poison and similar status ailments, which sets it apart from other sweepers.
Usage Tips
========
Use Reuniclus to check Pokemon such as Mega Medicham, Zygarde, Mega Lopunny, and Protean Greninja early-game. Switch Reuniclus into Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Celesteela and other passive Pokemon such as Toxapex and Tangrowth to use them as setup bait. Use Recover liberally to stay healthy throughout the match to stay out of range from critical hits and to consistently check Fighting-types. In a one-on-one situation, Acid Armor should be used to take on Pokemon such as Curse Mega Scizor. If Toxic Spikes is up on the opposing side of the field, use Reuniclus to force in a Dark-type such as Ash-Greninja, Weavile, or Tyranitar. In a situation where Weavile or Tyranitar is expected to switch in, Reuniclus should use Acid Armor so that it can set up safely after. If Toxic Spikes isn't up on the field, Reuniclus should either double switch out to a teammate that can take on these respective Dark-types or use Acid Armor to safely escape Pursuit.
Team Options
========
Toxic Spikes or Spikes is essential whenever using Reuniclus. Toxapex is a very notable Toxic Spikes setter, as it fits on most bulky builds very well. Greninja can be used too. Toxapex also checks Ash-Greninja, which forces out Reuniclus, even after the use of Calm Mind. Reuniclus appreciates the presence of Spikes on the opposing field because it wears down usual switch-ins. Ferrothorn usually fits better on defensive teams and checks Ash-Greninja as well. Tyranitar and Weavile can Pursuit trap bulky Psychic-types that can usually trouble Reuniclus, such as Mega Latias.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Reuniclus can opt to run Energy Ball instead of Acid Armor to hit common walls such as Mega Sableye and Pyukumuku, which makes it possible to break stall teams, but it is generally less reliable than Acid Armor. On these sets, Reuniclus can utilize a variety of items; Grassy Seed, when coupled with Grassy Terrain support, lets it take Knock Off fairly well and set up more easily on physically offensive Pokemon. Focus Blast hits most Steel-types for neutral damage and hits Dark-types for super effective damage, but it leaves Reuniclus completely walled by Mega Sableye, unlike if Reuniclus were to run Energy Ball, which often defeats the purpose of the set. Signal Beam can also be run because it hits Psychic-types such as Mega Alakazam and Mega Latios as well as Dark-types, though Tyranitar takes minimal damage.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Dark-types such as Ash-Greninja, Tyranitar, Weavile, and Hoopa-U put heavy pressure on Reuniclus, and it usually has to rely on Toxic Spikes or PP stalling them to sweep. Mega Sableye walls Reuniclus's usual set and can utilize Imprison to prevent Reuniclus from using Recover, and it only really has to watch out for variants with Energy Ball or Signal Beam. Mega Gyarados is one of the best counters to Reuniclus, as its base forme is immune to Toxic Spikes, and it sets up on Reuniclus once it's Mega Evolved. Hydreigon also deserves a special mention, as it is immune to Spikes and Toxic Spikes thanks to Levitate and is immune to Reuniclus's Psychic-type attacks as well.
**Ghost-types**: Ghost-types such as Blacephalon, Gengar, and Alolan Marowak can offensively check Reuniclus, but they are susceptible to repeated attacks from Reuniclus and entry hazards.
**Taunt and Trick**: Taunt users such as Heatran, Tapu Lele, and Tapu Fini prevent Reuniclus from using any of its status moves and can thus prevent it from sweeping. Trick users such as Victini and Hoopa-U can cripple Reuniclus.
**Strong Wallbreakers**: Strong wallbreakers such as Mega Mawile and Kartana can overwhelm Reuniclus before it sets up.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Jordy, 395754]]
- Earlier versions by: [[Martin, 173240], [GMars, 273639]]
- Quality checked by: [[ABR, 223276], [Eternam, 248449], [lyd, 303291]]
- Grammar checked by: [[lotiasite, 302985], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
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