[OVERVIEW]
Swanna is a premier threat in PU, utilizing its good Speed and incredible offensive movepool to threaten a huge portion of the tier, including key threats such as Monferno, Torterra, Stunfisk, and Marowak. STAB-boosted Scald and Hurricane shred the tier, with very few Pokemon able to fully weather the storm. Base 98 Speed also puts Swanna above most of the tier, and its Flying typing means that it is immune to Spikes and resists the tier's most common priority of Mach Punch. Swanna can also boast a strong Choice Scarf set for consistent revenge killing that also resisting the common Mach Punch. However, due to its lack of setup moves and only above-average Special Attack, it can sometimes find itself relying on heavy chip damage or lucky Hurricane confusion in order to break through defensive Pokemon like Klang. Swanna's weakness to Stealth Rock also can force it to use Roost more than it ideally wants.
[SET]
name: SubRoost
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Roost
move 3: Scald
move 4: Hurricane
item: Leftovers / Life Orb
ability: Hydration
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Substitute and Roost allow Swanna to avoid status and large hits while healing off any damage it takes. Swanna can also find a lot of opportunities to set up Substitute against common threats like Tentacool and Choice-locked Monferno. Scald + Hurricane is also a great combination, as both have a 30% chance inflict burn and confusion, respectively. This particular STAB combination is really only fully resisted by the exceedingly rare Chinchou, meaning that Swanna is largely free to spam the appropriate move without much need for coverage. Leftovers is the go-to choice for this set to add to the longevity of this set, but Life Orb can also be useful for additional damage.
Swanna is fast but can still be revenge killed by the likes of Zebstrika and other faster threats, so backup switch-ins such as Stunfisk make for good teammates. It also prefers to have Stealth Rock off the field, so entry hazard removal like Tentacool and Natu are also excellent partners. It loves the help of wallbreakers such as Monferno to help take down common walls such as Klang. Swanna also adds some light defensive utility to teams by resisting Fire, Fighting, and Ground, so Pokemon like Klang and Stunfisk appreciate the additional synergy. SubRoost Swanna is also excellent at stallbreaking threats such as Zweilous, Audino, and Machoke, so Pokemon like Zebstrika that tend to struggle against stall also love having Swanna around.
SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Surf
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Hidden Power [Electric]
move 4: Brave Bird / Hurricane
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Hydration
nature: Naive / Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpAtk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Surf is the chosen go-to STAB move, as Scald is not as powerful and Hydro Pump is not as consistent for a revenge killer. Ice Beam is for hitting Grass-types such as Vileplume and Maractus, and Hidden Power Electric hits other Water-types, with the most notable being opposing Swanna. The last move is dedicated to a Flying-type STAB move, but the selection is varied. Brave Bird has 100% accuracy and makes Swanna a decent mixed attacker, but it has recoil. Hurricane allows Swanna to run Timid nature and hits harder, but it can miss at crucial times.
This set is best suited for more offensive-oriented teams that need a slot dedicated for speed control and revenge killing threats faster than Zebstrika. As such, wallbreakers such as Stoutland and Beheeyem appreciate having Swanna take out potential faster threats such as Monferno and Sneasel. Wallbreakers also have the added benefit of breaking down Swanna's defensive answers to allow a potential sweep later. Choice Scarf Swanna is easily walled by Klang, Frillish, Articuno, Audino, Bronzor, and other defensive Pokemon that can take advantage of it being locked into the wrong move. As a result, Pokemon like Stunfisk and Klang that can provide a safe switch-in when Swanna needs it are appreciated.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/akir.231726/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/bella.567483/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/zastra.558636/
Swanna is a premier threat in PU, utilizing its good Speed and incredible offensive movepool to threaten a huge portion of the tier, including key threats such as Monferno, Torterra, Stunfisk, and Marowak. STAB-boosted Scald and Hurricane shred the tier, with very few Pokemon able to fully weather the storm. Base 98 Speed also puts Swanna above most of the tier, and its Flying typing means that it is immune to Spikes and resists the tier's most common priority of Mach Punch. Swanna can also boast a strong Choice Scarf set for consistent revenge killing that also resisting the common Mach Punch. However, due to its lack of setup moves and only above-average Special Attack, it can sometimes find itself relying on heavy chip damage or lucky Hurricane confusion in order to break through defensive Pokemon like Klang. Swanna's weakness to Stealth Rock also can force it to use Roost more than it ideally wants.
[SET]
name: SubRoost
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Roost
move 3: Scald
move 4: Hurricane
item: Leftovers / Life Orb
ability: Hydration
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Substitute and Roost allow Swanna to avoid status and large hits while healing off any damage it takes. Swanna can also find a lot of opportunities to set up Substitute against common threats like Tentacool and Choice-locked Monferno. Scald + Hurricane is also a great combination, as both have a 30% chance inflict burn and confusion, respectively. This particular STAB combination is really only fully resisted by the exceedingly rare Chinchou, meaning that Swanna is largely free to spam the appropriate move without much need for coverage. Leftovers is the go-to choice for this set to add to the longevity of this set, but Life Orb can also be useful for additional damage.
Swanna is fast but can still be revenge killed by the likes of Zebstrika and other faster threats, so backup switch-ins such as Stunfisk make for good teammates. It also prefers to have Stealth Rock off the field, so entry hazard removal like Tentacool and Natu are also excellent partners. It loves the help of wallbreakers such as Monferno to help take down common walls such as Klang. Swanna also adds some light defensive utility to teams by resisting Fire, Fighting, and Ground, so Pokemon like Klang and Stunfisk appreciate the additional synergy. SubRoost Swanna is also excellent at stallbreaking threats such as Zweilous, Audino, and Machoke, so Pokemon like Zebstrika that tend to struggle against stall also love having Swanna around.
SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Surf
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Hidden Power [Electric]
move 4: Brave Bird / Hurricane
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Hydration
nature: Naive / Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpAtk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Surf is the chosen go-to STAB move, as Scald is not as powerful and Hydro Pump is not as consistent for a revenge killer. Ice Beam is for hitting Grass-types such as Vileplume and Maractus, and Hidden Power Electric hits other Water-types, with the most notable being opposing Swanna. The last move is dedicated to a Flying-type STAB move, but the selection is varied. Brave Bird has 100% accuracy and makes Swanna a decent mixed attacker, but it has recoil. Hurricane allows Swanna to run Timid nature and hits harder, but it can miss at crucial times.
This set is best suited for more offensive-oriented teams that need a slot dedicated for speed control and revenge killing threats faster than Zebstrika. As such, wallbreakers such as Stoutland and Beheeyem appreciate having Swanna take out potential faster threats such as Monferno and Sneasel. Wallbreakers also have the added benefit of breaking down Swanna's defensive answers to allow a potential sweep later. Choice Scarf Swanna is easily walled by Klang, Frillish, Articuno, Audino, Bronzor, and other defensive Pokemon that can take advantage of it being locked into the wrong move. As a result, Pokemon like Stunfisk and Klang that can provide a safe switch-in when Swanna needs it are appreciated.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/akir.231726/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/bella.567483/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/zastra.558636/
Last edited:
