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- Togekiss is one of the only viable Pokemon that can set up Nasty Plot + Baton Pass successfully
- Unlike Mew and Celebi, it can actually sweep by itself thanks to Air Slash's flinch chance and neutral coverage
- Slow Baton Pass allows recipients to come in unscathed, and Togekiss is plenty bulky enough to achieve this.
- Roost gives it reliable recovery to Baton Pass multiple times.
- Nobody really expects Toges to use this; Thunder Wave + Air Slash is a more popular and viable way of using it. However, this is threatening in its own right because, well, next thing you know, Choice Scarf Keldeo's sweeping fucking everything with +2. It's also not as obvious as Mew.
Baton Pass
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name: Baton Pass
move 1: Baton Pass
move 2: Nasty Plot
move 3: Roost
move 4: Air Slash
item: Leftovers
ability: Serene Grace
evs: 252 HP / 240 SpD / 16 Spe
nature: Calm
Moves
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Togekiss is part of a small, fortunate group of Pokemon that have access to both Nasty Plot and Baton Pass and can viably pull off the combination. The aforementioned moves transform any of Togekiss's fellow special attackers into deadly offensive forces. It is rather easy for Togekiss to use Nasty Plot and pass the boosts to another teammate thanks to its bulk, Fairy typing, and access to Roost for instant recovery. Baton Pass can also be used to scout for potential switch-ins. When it isn't attempting to pass boosts, Togekiss can use Air Slash to fire off powerful boosted hits and perhaps sweep thanks to Air Slash's neutral coverage and high flinch chance from Serene Grace.
Magic Coat can be used over Roost or Air Slash to get past Roar, Whirlwind, and status users, though this leaves Togekiss either unable to recover HP or unable to attack. Thunder Wave is also a possible choice over Air Slash to have supportive utility outside of Baton Pass, though, again, this leaves Togekiss without a good last-resort attack. Fire Blast is an alternative attack that is slightly stronger than Air Slash and is able to hit otherwise troublesome defensive Steel-types, such as Scizor, Ferrothorn, and Skarmory, hard. Air Slash is generally better, however, due to its flinch chance and generally better neutral coverage against a majority of OU threats, especially Azumarill, Conkeldurr, Keldeo, and Mega Venusaur.
Set Details
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The defensive investment gives Togekiss great bulk, granting it more opportunities to set up and pass boosts. Depending on your preference, Togekiss can be either specially or physically defensive with a Calm or Bold nature, respectively. Minimal Speed investment allows Togekiss to pull off a slow Baton Pass, which eases prediction and prevents the recipient from taking damage from incoming attacks. However, 16 Speed EVs, are still used to outrun max Speed Adamant Azumarill, which is useful to outspeed to prevent fast variants from unexpectedly revenge killing Togekiss. You can increase the Speed investment, however, in order to outrun other specific threats, such as Crawdaunt, Bisharp, Tyranitar, or threats affected by Sticky Web (if provided), although this somewhat detracts from Togekiss's bulk.
Usage Tips
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This set is best used when Togekiss's stronger checks and counters aren't present, as Togekiss can become dead weight if it becomes crippled before doing its job. It is recommended to set up in front of walls or offensive threats that can't do much damage to Togekiss, such as Chansey, Sylveon, Magic Guard Clefable, Latias, Quagsire, Sludge Wave-lacking Landorus, Pokemon locked into a Ground- or Dragon-type attack, and paralyzed or burned threats.
One thing to note is that this set operates nicely with the element of surprise; the opponent can switch in a check or counter to Togekiss, only to be met with a powerful special attacker with a Nasty Plot boost under its belt. Unlike other Baton Pass users, Togekiss can pass boosts multiple times, thanks to its bulk and access to reliable recovery. As an important note, as long as your other sweepers can sweep and clean up without constantly needing Togekiss's help, keeping Togekiss alive at all times isn't necessary.
Team Options
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This set's purpose is to pass Nasty Plot boosts to other teammates, so these teammates should be fast and powerful special attackers. Use Pokemon that are comfortable taking on Togekiss's weaknesses, along with common forms of priority.
Choice Scarf Keldeo is an excellent recipient that can outrun common opposing Choice Scarf users and clean up with or without a +2 boost after Pokemon that resist Water- and Fighting-type attacks are eliminated. It can also operate as a makeshift revenge killer if the foe attempts to set up against your team. Electric-types such as Mega Manectric, Raikou, and Thundurus all appreciate a free Nasty Plot boost and are immune to paralysis, while resisting priority attacks like Bullet Punch and Talonflame's Brave Bird. Agility Mega Ampharos is also wonderful in this regard; after an Agility boost, it outruns all relevant unboosted Pokemon in the metagame, and Mold Breaker allows it to blow past threats that rely on their abilities, such as Sturdy Skarmory, Unaware Clefable, and Multiscale Dragonite. Zoroark and Focus Sash Alakazam are decent choices as well; the former's great Dark-type coverage and Illusion ability can cause chaotic mind games, while the latter is virtually guaranteed to get at least two extremely powerful hits off thanks to Magic Guard.
As implied previously, it is recommended to pack standalone attackers that can operate without a boost and clean up after the recipient faints, such as Greninja, Gengar (preferably with Substitute, so that it can avoid Sucker Punch and other means of revenge killing), and Sheer Force Landorus. Latias is also a decent teammate that can use Defog and Healing Wish to keep Togekiss and its teammates alive longer.
Moves
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- The combination of Baton Pass + Nasty Plot turns any special attacker/sweeper into a deadly force.
- Baton Pass can also be used to scout for potential switch-ins.
- Using Air Slash prevents Togekiss from being Taint bait, and to fire off powerful hits of its own if wanted. The flinch chance is also handy against slower teams.
- Roost provides recovery, giving Togekiss longevity while doing its job.
- Dazzling Gleam is a decent STAB move choice, but the flinch really helps out togekiss in desperate situations.
- Magic Coat can be used over Roost or Air Slash to get past Roar users, though this leaves Togekiss completely offensive-less or unable to recover from attacks.
Set Details
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- Significant HP and SpD investment with Calm nature gives Togekiss maximum special bulk, giving it more chances to set up and survive attacks before Passing out.
- Minimal Speed investment allows Togekiss to pull off "slow Baton Pass," which prevents the recipient from taking damage and Togekiss to ease prediction. 16 Spe is just for outrunning max Speed Adamant Mawile.
- You may increase Speed to outrun some threats before they kill you, such as Adamant Crawdaunt, Adamant Bisharp, and Jolly Tyranitar. However, this detracts from special bulk.
- Physically defensive spread is also viable if you hate taking random super effective physical hits, and Togekiss's special bulk is still good anyways with Max HP.
Usage Tips
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- This can be used at any part of the game; just be sure Togekiss is in a position to do so healthily.
- Set up in front of walls or offensive threats that can't do much damage to you; this includes Chansey, Sylveon, Clefable (don't set up in front of unaware versions unless you have Kyurem-B or Mega Ampharos), Latias, Quagsire (you can flinch until it yields), Breloom in Sleep clause, Landorus, and choice/Outrage-locked Dragon- or Ground-type attacks.
- If all else fails, use togekiss's typing to sponge attacks and strike back.
Team Options
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- This Togekiss is very much at home on offensive teams requiring a pivot and a safer way to set up for a sweep.
- Obviously, pair this Togekiss up with special sweepers/attackers. Preferably, use teammates that are comfortable taking Steel-, Ice-, Electric-, and Talonflame's CB Brave Bird. Make sure your weaknesses don't add up too much.
- Choice Scarf Keldeo is an excellent recipient that can outrun common Scarfers and sweep with +2 or no boost at all after water/fighting resists are eliminated.
- Mega Manectric, Raikou, and Thundurus all appreciate the boost, and are all also immune to opposing Thundurus's priority Thunder Wave to boot. Mega Ampharos is also wonderful in this regard; while it requires Agility to really get going, it has GREAT defensive synergy as well as offensive presence. Thanks to Mold Breaker, it can even get past Unaware Clefable and Sturdy Skarmory.
- Focus Sash Alakazam and Zoroark are decent choices as well; the former is guaranteed to get at least two extremely powerful hits off, and the latter messes with pretty much everything with or without Illusion.
- You must have standalone attackers that can operate without a boost, and can clean up after its mess. Life Orb Greninja, Gengar (with substitute so you can avoid Sucker Punch and other priority), and Sheer Force Landorus are a few of many of these.
- Latias is a decent recipient that can use Defog, and use Healing Wish to heal togekiss or other sweepers at any time.
- Try to kill Mega Mawile before using Togekiss, as no particular Baton Pass recipient counters it. Mega Venusaur is the closest thing to one in this regard, and has great offensive and defensive synergy with Togekiss as well.
fucking shit Deoxys-S and Aegislash are banned
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