http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/togekiss
[Overview]
<p>Togekiss doesn't have the best outright sweeping stats, but the fact that it can take a few hits while setting up or completely change gears by going defensive makes it dominant in almost any role. This fact is only amplified by Serene Grace and the popular 60% flinch rate of Air Slash. Not many Pokemon can switch in without being crippled by Togekiss's offenses or status attacks, which is why it has been (and probably always will be) a solid attacker throughout the fourth generation.</p>
[SET]
name: Nasty Plot Sweeper
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Air Slash
move 3: Aura Sphere / Fire Blast
move 4: Roost
item: Lum Berry / Life Orb
ability: Serene Grace
nature: Timid
evs: 168 HP / 102 SpA / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Nasty Plot skyrockets Togekiss's Special Attack to an astonishing 602, giving it the ability to potentially sweep with the near perfect coverage of Air Slash and Aura Sphere or Fire Blast together. Roost allows Togekiss to heal itself while also becoming neutral to its three weaknesses (Rock, Ice, and Electric). Aura Sphere provides especially useful coverage against Tyranitar and Steel-types who resist your STAB attack. A Lum Berry is the recommended hold item because most forms of status (especially Toxic or Thunder Wave) will completely disable Togekiss’s sweep. Leftovers is also useful should you not have the time to completely heal with Roost, plus restores HP lost from Stealth Rock damage. Going with a Life Orb is another great option; with it, Togekiss can OHKO all Steel-types (barring Heatran), plus both Zapdos and the Rotom formes with Stealth Rock when using Fire Blast. Without Aura Sphere, however, Togekiss is left vulnerable to Heatran and Tyranitar. Another alternate attacking option is AncientPower, which OHKOes Zapdos plus has a 20% chance to boost all stats thanks to Serene Grace.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The choice in EV spread mostly depends on how offensive you want Togekiss to be. The given EV spread is the most universal, outrunning Adamant Lucario plus defensive Zapdos and Rotom formes while retaining some bulk and attacking power. Should you wish to go more offensive, a simple 252 SpA / 252 Spe spread isn't a bad option, especially with the power of Life Orb backing it up. Switching to a Modest nature, maxing out HP, then giving Togekiss 104 Speed EVs allows it to outrun Adamant Tyranitar and makes Togekiss a whole lot more bulky (even surviving a Choice Band Mamoswine’s Ice Shard when at full health).</p>
<p>Togekiss greatly appreciates support in removing Pokemon who resist both Air Slash and Aura Sphere (should you decide to go with Aura Sphere), such as Zapdos and the Rotom formes. Pursuit users like Weavile and Tyranitar come to mind, both KOing Rotom with Pursuit when switching and possessing the ability to KO Zapdos with Ice Punch and Stone Edge, respectively. Stealth Rock causes Togekiss to lose 25% of its health with each switch-in, making Rapid Spinners like Forretress and Starmie good partners. Pokemon who can set up Stealth Rock for Togekiss are invaluable, allowing Togekiss to OHKO the Rotom formes and Zapdos with a Fire Blast when holding a Life Orb. Should Togekiss decide to use Fire Blast, you'll need Pokemon who can take care of Heatran and Tyranitar. Bulky Fighting-types are especially utile in this case because they can counter Tyranitar, Blissey, and Snorlax, plus land a super effective hit on Heatran. Other partners who help include defensive Pokemon who can take strong hits from fast revenge killers like Salamence and Jolteon.</p>
<p>Togekiss's middling Speed and the fact that Air Slash is heavily more effective when the opponent is paralyzed makes paralysis support from Togekiss’ teammates a fantastic option. Jirachi resists two of Togekiss’ weaknesses (Rock and Ice) and has the ability to paralyze even Ground-types with a Serene Grace Body Slam or stick with Thunder Wave, plus has its own flinching moves to make further use of the paralysis. Lanturn resists Togekiss’ Ice- and Electric-type weaknesses and can paralyze the opponent with Thunder Wave, while also having the ability to switch in easily on the Rotom formes and Zapdos’s Thunderbolts then scare them away.</p>
[SET]
name: ParaFlinch
move 1: Air Slash
move 2: Thunder Wave / Body Slam
move 3: Roost
move 4: Aura Sphere / Nasty Plot / Substitute
item: Lum Berry / Leftovers
ability: Serene Grace
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Serene Grace is definitely not wasted on a Pokémon such as Togekiss. Air Slash's already high 30% flinch rate doubles, and combined with paralysis this set can be hell for an opponent to take out as they will have a mere 30% chance of attacking. Thunder Wave guarantees paralysis, but invites Ground-types and Pokémon with Volt Absorb or Motor Drive to switch in. In the last slot, Aura Sphere can prevent Rock and Steel-types ending your fun, while Nasty Plot gives Togekiss a neat way of increasing its sweeping ability should it get the free time to boost. Substitute is a good option to scout for full paralysis and provide protection against status.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>With the bulky EVs, any special attacking Pokemon will find it tough to break through Togekiss’ bolstered defences. Again on this set, both Lum Berry and Leftovers are options. Using a Lum Berry is recommended here because getting poisoned will veto your defences and being paralysed will make your Paraflinching unusable, however Leftovers works well with all the free turns this set naturally provides. If you choose to use a Lum Berry, Substitute is a lesser option considering the move already blocks status.</p>
<p>Giving a free boost to Pokémon such as Jolteon or Electivire isn’t a good idea, and many of the aforementioned Pokémon who benefit from Thunder Wave won't enjoy paralysis at all, so Body Slam with its 60% paralysis is an acceptable replacement.Note that it's impossible for Body Slam and Nasty Plot to be used on the same set, as Body Slam must be obtained from a third generation move tutor, while Nasty Plot is a fourth generation egg move. Secret Power (assuming it is used either on Wi-Fi or a battle simulator and not PBR) is a decent alternative to Body Slam in this case; although you are usually best off just sticking to Thunder Wave.</p>
<p>Rapid Spin support aids in the defensive nature of this set, while entry hazards of your own can punish opponents who switch in desperation. This set is best used on a team focusing on disabling the opponent’s Pokemon with paralysis, flinch, and even confusion. An idea for one such team is Jirachi, who can paralyse every type of Pokemon whether it be through Thunder, Body Slam, or Thunder Wave and can take advantage of paralysis through Zen Headbutt’s or Iron Head’s Serene Grace boosted flinch rate. Lanturn’s name was thrown around in the last set and works equally well here by spreading paralysis and absorbing hits from Electric-types who threaten Togekiss. Keeping a few slow heavy-hitters like Machamp and Rhyperior who can take advantage of paralysed opponents work well alongside Togekiss. Machamp is especially useful because it can spread around confusion via DynamicPunch to further the frustration between flinch and paralysis, as well as check Tyranitar should Togekiss not be carrying Aura Sphere.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice
move 1: Air Slash
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Aura Sphere
move 4: Trick / Tri Attack
item: Choice Scarf / Choice Specs
ability: Serene Grace
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
<p>Choice Scarf gives Togekiss the ability to hit faster foes like Salamence and Gengar and act as a decent revenge killer, while Choice Specs allows Togekiss to break through its normal bulky counters. Air Slash is especially deadly when combined with a Choice Scarf because it allows Togekiss to outspeed and flinch every unboosted Pokemon in OU. With Choice Specs, Togekiss's Fire Blast 2HKOes both Zapdos and Rotom-a and OHKOes all OU Steel-types with Stealth Rock on the field (besides Bronzong, who has a slight chance of surviving). Aura Sphere hits assorted OUs like Empoleon, Heatran, and Tyranitar, who all resist Togekiss's STAB. Trick gives Togekiss the ability to cripple Blissey and Snorlax, who will otherwise give this set trouble (especially Choice Scarf variants given the low fire power). Tri Attack may seem redundant, but it hits very well on the switch given its high STAB power and 40% chance to cripple the opponent.</p>
[Additional Comments]
<p>
[SET]
name: Leadkiss
move 1: Air Slash
move 2: Roost / Encore
move 3: Thunder Wave
move 4: Fire Blast
item: Leftovers
ability: Serene Grace
nature: Modest
evs: 160 HP / 252 Def / 96 SpA
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>While Togekiss is often used as a sweeper, it may also be employed as an exceptional lead. Togekiss can make use of its extremely annoying Air Slash, which, in conjunction with Serene Grace, ensures a 60% flinch rate and the demise of many common leads to start the battle in your favor. Thunder Wave provides a solution to its poor Speed, allowing it to use Air Slash or Fire Blast before the opponent can counterattack.</p>
<p>The second move slot is entirely up to the user's personal preference. Roost is a reliable option for durability and can keep Togekiss around until the end of the match if needed, while Encore is an excellent choice for locking common leads into Stealth Rock, thus forcing a switch. Encore can really help you start the match off with the upper hand, especially if you can predict after using it, and Thunder Wave on the switch. However, Togekiss is Taunt-bait due to its low Speed so the usage of Encore might be slightly limited. ExtremeSpeed is an option for finishing off Focus Sashed leads, and if you really need priority then it can be useful as it receives STAB, though Encore and Roost are more viable options.</p>
<p>Togekiss can make use of its overall bulkiness to shrug off many attacks from common leads, while paralyzing them and proceeding to KO with the appropriate move. Togekiss can use Flamethrower to 3HKO a standard Metagross holding an Occa Berry, and Fire Blast to 2HKO. In return, Metagross' Meteor Mash can only 2HKO if it gets an Attack raise. Fire Blast is recommended over Flamethrower to ensure Metagross will be KOed before it can use Explosion. However, Flamethrower is useful if accuracy is an issue.</p>
<p>The EV spread is to ensure Togekiss can survive as long as possible against physical leads. 252 Defense EVs is necessary to take all of the hits it can, giving it time to Roost off damage. Common leads either outspeed or do not invest in Speed at all, so there is no reason to invest EVs in Speed. The 96 Special Attack EVs give Togekiss a respectable stat of 330, and allow it to 4HKO leads such as Hippowdon and Swampert.</p>
<p>Togekiss can stand as an excellent Pokemon on its own, but combined with other Pokemon who support its weaknesses, it is superb. Jolteon and Electivire can switch in to absorb super effective Electric attacks aimed at Togekiss. Tyranitar, one of Togekiss's main counters, can come in and scare Togekiss, while setting up a possible Dragon Dance or just inflicting massive damage with its STAB attacks. Togekiss is also hammered by super effective Stone Edges, particularly by Aerodactyl, Gyarados, and the aforementioned Tyranitar. A Choice Scarf Flygon with Stone Edge can scare all of these away, but has a tough time switching in due to its frailness. Gliscor is a very reliable switch in to take on these threats, but keep it away from Gyarados. Fast Pokemon who utilize Ice-type moves can come in on Togekiss and inflict heavy damage, so bulky Water-types such as Vaporeon or Suicune are great choices.</p>
[SET]
name: Mixed Sweeper
move 1: ExtreemeSpeed
move 2: Aura Sphere
move 3: Flamethrower
move 4: Roost
item: Life Orb
ability: Hustle
nature: Naughty / Lonely
evs: 252 Atk / 112 SpA / 144 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>The element of surprise is this set’s trump card. While an ExtremeSpeed off a mediocre Attack stat of 218 may not seem like much, Hustle and Life Orb will boost the power to acceptable levels. The other moves are fairly intuitive in that they eliminate most of Togekiss's switch-ins. A Life Orb boosted Aura Sphere 2HKOes both Tyranitar and Heatran. Flamethrower will OHKO Scizor, Skarmory (with Stealth Rock), and Forretress while also 2HKOing Jirachi and Celebi. Roost helps Togekiss recover its health after Life Orb recoil and other indirect damage takes its toll. Hidden Power Rock followed by ExtremeSpeed will KO Zapdos, Gyarados, and Salamence with Stealth Rock down regardless of Intimidate.</p>
<p>The given EVs are tailored to allow Togekiss a Speed advantage on Adamant Tyranitar and neutral 88 Speed Rotom formes. The Attack EVs are to boost ExtremeSpeed's power, while the remaining EVs are placed to boost Togekiss’s Special Attack. If outpacing Adamant Tyranitar is not necessary, throw the Speed EVs into Special Attack. A Naughty nature provides a balance of defenses by preserving Togekiss's lesser defensive stat, while a Lonely nature helps Togekiss maintain its sky-high Special Defense stat.</p>
<p>To show the usefulness of ExtremeSpeed on switch-ins defensively weak and also on those faster than Togekiss, here are an assortment of damage calculations using the given EVs. With the exclusion of Blissey, these calculations assume that the Pokémon has a neutral nature in Defense.</p>
<ul class="damage_calculation">
<li>0 HP / 0 Def Azelf: 71.13% - 84.59</li>
<li>0 HP / 0 Def Infernape: 69.97% - 82.94%</li>
<li>136 HP / 156 Def Starmie: 50.85% - 60.00% (2HKO with Stealth Rock)</li>
<li>68 HP / 0 Def Raikou: 58.58% - 69.23%</li>
<li>0 HP / 0 Def Weavile: 78.29% - 92.88% (OHKO with Stealth Rock)</li>
<li>204 HP / 0 Def Tentacruel: 62.50% - 74.15%</li>
<li>0 HP / 0 Def Heracross: 65.78% - 77.74%</li>
<li>0 HP / 0 Def Gyarados (w/out Intimidate): 57.10% - 67.37%</li>
<li>0 HP / 0 Def Salamence (w/out Intimidate): 56.50% - 67.07%</li>
<li>0 HP / 252 Def Calm Blissey: 47.00% - 55.45% (2HKO with Stealth Rock)</li>
<li>0 HP / 252 Def Bold Blissey: 43.32% - 51.15% (53% chance to 2HKO with Stealth Rock)</li>
</ul>
<p>It should be noted, however, that due to Hustle reducing the accuracy of the physical attacks it boosts, the expected OHKOs and 2HKOs shown above will only occur 80% and 64% of the time, respectively.</p>
[SET]
name: Baton Pass
move 1: Baton Pass
move 2: Nasty Plot
move 3: Air Slash / Encore
move 4: Roost
item: Leftovers
ability: Serene Grace
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 20 Def / 236 Spe
[Counters]
<p>First and foremost, laying down Stealth Rock is by far the easiest way to prevent Togekiss from severely damaging your team. Status effects (especially paralysis and bad poison) are also great makeshift counters to most Togekiss. Bulky Pokemon like Cresselia and Blissey can simply fire a Thunder Wave or Toxic then sit and watch Togekiss shrivel or switch to a more aggressive teammate to finish it off. This strategy is null should Togekiss be holding a Lum Berry or have Heal Bell, though. In such a case, the best way to beat Togekiss is to send in a powerful revenge killer after one of your Pokemon has fainted or on a resisted hit and simply knock out Togekiss with a powerful STAB move or super effective attack. Some good choices for this role are Salamence, Jolteon, Scarf Flygon, Starmie, or other powerful Choice Scarfers. Mamoswine and Scizor act similarly by hitting Togekiss with a strong physical priority move in Ice Shard and Bullet Punch, respectively.</p>
<p>Zapdos and the Rotom formes resist Togekiss's main attacks and can smack it around with STAB Electric attacks. The problem with these two is that a Life Orb Fire Blast after a Nasty Plot will OHKO both before they get the chance to hit Togekiss. Bronzong, Metagross, and Jirachi take a pittance of damage from Air Slash, and should Togekiss lack a Fire-type attack they can strike back with their respective Steel-type STAB. Dragonite is the only Inner Focus Pokemon who is bulky enough to take Togekiss's attacks and can target Togekiss's weaker defensive stat with a powerful STAB Outrage or Dragon Claw.</p>
<p>Mixed Togekiss should be handled with caution. A bulky Ghost-type like Rotom-A or Dusknoir can handle any set lacking Shadow Ball. Without Flamethrower, Steel-types such as Scizor and Metagross can counter it, but Aura Sphere still hurts. Lacking Hidden Power Rock gives Pokémon such as Salamence, Zapdos, and Gyarados an easier time against Togekiss. Salamence and Gyarados have the benefit of Intimidate, while Zapdos and Salamence have Roost to recover damage. The Choice set can be countered similarly to Choice sets of other Pokemon; Pokemon who can take Togekiss's attacks or switch in on a resisted attack do well, while bulky Pokemon who don't mind taking a fast flinch from the Choice Scarf set counter it. The Baton Pass has no way around any decently bulky Pokemon with Roar or Whirlwind like Suicune or Skarmory.<p>
when I get back home I'll implement the changes and add in the sets I plan on including
