[OVERVIEW]
Fairy
========
Tapu Fini's solid bulk coupled with its amazing Water / Fairy typing allows it to switch into attacks it resists, such as Fire-, Ice-, and Water-type moves, while also granting it a neutrality to Steel, making it a nice check to threats such as Infernape, Alolan Sandslash, and Mega Scizor. Even though Misty Surge is not as good as other Terrain-setting abilities, it carves Tapu Fini a niche on Fairy teams, preventing itself and its teammates from being inflicted by any status aliments, which is very useful in keeping them from being worn down by burns or poison or crippled by paralysis. With Tapu Fini's bulk and defensive typing, these characteristics enable it to take on the role of a Defogger, as Fairy teams often lack an entry hazard remover and this allows Togekiss, the only other option, to run a more offensive set. With access to Taunt and Nature's Madness, Tapu Fini is able to function as an proficient stallbreaker for Fairy teams, taking on annoying bulky Pokemon such as Chansey. However, Tapu Fini lacks any reliable recovery, making it worn down faster from entry hazards and opposing Pokemon's attacks. Even though Misty Terrain prevents any status moves from taking effect, Tapu Fini can't burn grounded threats with Scald until the affects have passed, and with it's teammates such as Tapu Koko and Tapu Bulu's abilities overriding Misty Terrain, they are still susceptible to status. Despite Tapu Fini's decent Special Attack stat, it's still not enough for it to deal massive damage to other teams. Thus, Tapu Fini has difficulty finding a spot on the team, being outclassed by Azumarill, another Water / Fairy, which has a great ability in Huge Power, can run Normalium Z + Belly Drum, and is a reliable sweeper.
[SET]
name: Support (Fairy)
move 1: Taunt
move 2: Nature's Madness
move 3: Scald
move 4: Defog
item: Leftovers
ability: Misty Surge
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Taunt can shut down setup sweepers such as Swords Dance Mega Scizor, can stop opposing walls such as Soft-Boiled Chansey and Leech Seed Celesteela from recovering health, and can neuter entry hazard setters such as Skarmory, Swampert, and Clefable. Nature's Madness halves the opposing Pokemon's health. When Nature's Madness is combined with Taunt, Tapu Fini becomes an effective stallbreaker, weakening and checking walls such as Toxapex. Tapu Fini needs another attacking move because Nature's Madness is only good to cut a threat's health in half, so Scald is chosen as a reliable STAB move that has a chance to burn the foe, especially Tapu Bulu, which tends to switch in and activate Grassy Terrain; however, Scald has bad synergy with Misty Terrain because grounded Pokemon aren't affected by status. Defog grants Fairy teams a reliable Defogger to give Tapu Fini's teammates more opportunities to switch.
Set Details
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Maximum Speed investment with a Timid nature allows Tapu Fini to be as fast as possible, outspeeding threats such as Calm Mind Suicune and defensive Jirachi. 252 HP EVs increase Tapu Fini's bulk in order to tank attacks more efficiently, especially if it needs to switch in to use Defog to remove entry hazards. Leftovers gives Tapu Fini passive recovery every turn. Misty Surge protects itself and its teammates from any status, allowing them to play much more aggressively on the field while setting up for a sweep and wallbreaking.
Usage Tips
========
Make sure not to switch in Tapu Fini carelessly on threats just because of its bulk investment. Instead, take advantage of its defensive typing to switch into resisted attacks. Due to its lack of recovery and reliance on Leftovers, make sure not to switch Tapu Fini in too often. Even though Tapu Fini resists Dark-type attacks, many foes would still go for a Knock Off to remove its or its teammate's item, so switch out so it doesn't lose out on the longevity Leftovers provides. In the event Tapu Fini isn't on the field mid-game while an entry hazard setter is, it's best to switch it in immediately, especially when Toxic Spikes are on the field, and clear the field with Defog. Remember, despite Misty Terrain protecting Tapu Fini from status, it will get poisoned from Toxic Spikes prior to its ability activating. Tapu Fini should mainly be used against defensive Pokemon that would pose a threat to its team, so using Taunt on them and going for Nature's Madness is always the best thing to do. If Tapu Fini is against bulky defensive threats such as Chansey and Celesteela, immediately go for Taunt to prevent them from setting up Stealth Rock and Leech Seed, respectively. Even though Nature's Madness should be used more towards defensive Pokemon, it's also reliable in wearing down more offensive threats that would try to switch into it. Scald is a great move, especially in case Tapu Fini's Misty Terrain has disappeared or Tapu Bulu tries to switch in and activate Grassy Terrain. While Misty Terrain is gone, Tapu Fini should always fire off Scald in order to get a burn to wear opposing Pokemon down faster.
Team Options
========
Tapu Fini supports Fairy teams by weakening walls with Nature's Madness and clearing the field of entry hazards with Defog. Klefki can provide dual screen support to assist Tapu Fini in tanking any attack better while spreading paralysis with Thunder Wave prior to Tapu Fini switching in and Misty Terrain activating. Klefki can also set down Spikes to wear down the opposing team, while Tapu Fini can pressure them with Nature's Madness to wear down bulkier Pokemon even more. With its Steel typing, Klefki becomes a reliable switch-in to incoming Poison-type attacks for Tapu Fini. Clefable provides utility with Stealth Rock, and combined with Tapu Fini's stallbreaking capabilities, the two can severely weaken threats. With Magic Guard, Clefable becomes a great status absorber for Tapu Fini once Misty Terrain disappears. Tapu Koko and Tapu Bulu appreciate Tapu Fini weakening walls, allowing them to KO opposing threats more easily. Tapu Bulu can also switch into resisted Electric- and Ground-type attacks for Tapu Fini, while Tapu Koko can bring in Tapu Fini with a Volt Switch or U-turn from a double switch. Mega Diancie and Mega Gardevoir are great wallbreakers that can finish off threats weakened by Tapu Fini's Nature's Madness. Mega Diancie can bounce back entry hazards to give Tapu Fini more opportunities to switch in. Sweepers such as Azumarill and Mimikyu enjoy being free of status while under Misty Terrain to set up Z-Belly Drum or Swords Dance and proceed to sweep; in Mimikyu's case, the opposing team would have to rely on breaking its Disguise or phazing it. With Tapu Fini running Defog, Togekiss can play more aggressive in running a Choice Scarf set. Togekiss also is a great switch-in to Grass- and Ground-type attacks thanks to its Flying typing.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Fairy
--------
Calm Mind with Moonblast and Surf can be utilized to make Tapu Fini a late-game sweeper that should be used once all of its checks and counters are gone. Unfortunately, it's overshadowed by its support set, and Fairy teams already have strong special attackers such as Tapu Koko and Mega Diancie. Hydro Pump can also be used instead of Surf on the Calm Mind set for more damage; however, the accuracy is somewhat shaky. Protect is an option to help scout threats for any moves that would threaten Tapu Fini. It should be used in conjunction with Leftovers to acquire more recovery. Icium Z + Mist fully restores Tapu Fini's health and can be used on the Calm Mind set to have another chance at sweeping or on the support set. Haze can also be used with Icium Z because they both have the same effect in fully restoring health while having the effect of removing stats; however, this prevents Azumarill from utilizing Z-Belly Drum, which would enable it to sweep teams. Knock Off is another option in providing utility to remove items from annoying threats such as Chansey and Porygon2.
Checks and Counters
===================
Fairy
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**Mega Venusaur**: Mega Venusaur deserves a special mention due to resisting Tapu Fini's Scald and recovering back health with Giga Drain even after Tapu Fini uses Nature's Madness.
**Poison-types**: Tapu Fini has a lot of trouble against Poison-types, as they resist its Fairy-type attacks barring Nature's Madness and have no problem KOing it with their STAB moves.
**Electric-types**: Many Electric-types such as Tapu Koko, Alolan Raichu, and Choice Scarf Xurkitree can easily outspeed Tapu Fini and KO it with their STAB attacks.
**Grass-types**: Grass-types such as Choice Scarf Tapu Bulu, Serperior, Celebi, and Choice Scarf Tapu Bulu are able to outspeed Tapu Fini and KO it with their STAB moves. Celebi can set up Nasty Plot, while Serperior can use Tapu Fini to gain boosts from Leaf Storm.
**Strong Attackers**: Strong attackers such as Dragon Dance + Flyinium Z Gyarados, Nasty Plot Mew, and Swords Dance Mega Pinsir can all set up on Tapu Fini and easily break through it.
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