[OVERVIEW]
Whimsicott makes for a good wallbreaker thanks to its defensive typing, usable Special Attack, and coverage options helping it switch into Pokemon such as Passimian, Vaporeon, and Scrafty and threaten potential switch-ins such as Incineroar, Garbodor, and Weezing with solid damage. These traits combined with U-turn and a great Speed tier also make Whimsicott a good pivot that can force out Pokemon such as Sneasel, Alolan Exeggutor, and Seismitoad and bring in the appropriate check. Unfortunately, Whimsicott's Special Attack stat leaves it unable to break through sturdier special walls such as Delphox, Mega Audino, and Ferroseed, while Assault Vest Slowking can also easily scout what Whimsicott locks itself into thanks to its titanic bulk and Regenerator. Additionally, because Whimsicott often uses its defensive typing to switch in and wallbreak, it struggles to stay out of range of priority moves such as Pangoro and Medicham's Bullet Punch and Sneasel's Ice Shard and is prone to being revenge killed by Choice Scarf users with super effective coverage moves such as Passimian and Togedemaru.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Moonblast
move 2: Energy Ball
move 3: Psychic
move 4: U-turn
item: Choice Specs
ability: Infiltrator
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Moonblast threatens Fighting- and Dark-types such as Passimian, Scrafty, and Sneasel and is Whimsicott's best source of damage against Incineroar. Energy Ball targets Ground- and Water-types such as Rhydon, Steelix, and Blastoise. Psychic lets Whimsicott damage Poison-types such as Garbodor and Weezing super effectively. U-turn enables Whimsicott to pivot out of bad matchups against Pokemon like Delphox and Magmortar. Switcheroo is an option that lets Whimsicott cripple certain checks to it such as Incineroar and Golbat, although U-turn is generally preferred to make Whimsicott a better offensive pivot.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack and Speed investment with a Timid nature and Choice Specs makes Whimsicott as offensively threatening as possible. Infiltrator lets Whimsicott bypass Substitute and dual screens.
Usage Tips
========
Whimsicott should make use of its defensive typing to switch into Pokemon such as Passimian, Scrafty, and Samurott to wallbreak. It should be noted, however, that switching into Knock Off from the likes of Passimian and Pangoro can be detrimental to Whimsicott's wallbreaking capabilities. Because Whimsicott commonly draws in Poison-types, take advantage of that by dealing heavy damage to them with Psychic. Whimsicott struggles to successfully break bulky variants of Incineroar and Delphox and can't make great headway against dedicated special walls like Mega Audino; therefore, pivoting out with U-turn into the appropriate check to such Pokemon is usually the best play. If running Switcheroo, look to cripple Whimsicott's checks such as Incineroar and Steelix by removing their item. However, similarly to losing its item via Knock Off, this will leave Whimsicott much weaker.
Team Options
========
Whimsicott is a great fit on offensive builds thanks to its defensive utility and ability to keep up momentum with U-turn. Stealth Rock support from Pokemon like Rhydon, Druddigon, and Piloswine is essential alongside Whimsicott, since it helps weaken checks such as Incineroar, Delphox, and Golbat. Rhydon and Druddigon can also check Fire-types, while Piloswine can switch into Ice-types. Rhydon and Piloswine can also both check Flying-types like Aerodactyl and Vivillon. In return, Whimsicott threatens Water-types like Blastoise and Seismitoad. Similarly, Spikes support from Garbodor helps wear down checks to Whimsicott such as Ferroseed and opposing Garbodor and synergizes well with Whimsicott's U-turn. Garbodor also appreciates Whimsicott's ability to check Rhydon. Since Whimsicott commonly draws in Poison-types, Pokemon such as Delphox and Rotom that can take advantage of them are ideal. Similarly, Pokemon such as Passimian and Scrafty that appreciate Whimsicott luring in and heavily damaging Poison-types with Psychic are also good partners. Passimian also forms a VoltTurn core with Whimsicott and threatens several Pokemon such as Sneasel and Aerodactyl that may try to revenge kill Whimsicott. Although Whimsicott can switch into Water- and Ground-types, its lacking bulk means it struggles to consistently, so pairing Whimsicott with a bulky Water-type like Slowking or Blastoise helps alleviate pressure from it. Slowking can also help check Delphox and Magmortar, while Blastoise can handle Incineroar and Sneasel.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Knock Off lets Whimsicott cripple Golbat, allowing it to 2HKO it with Psychic, as well as remove Steelix and Delphox's Leftovers and Incineroar's pinch Berry. However, Whimsicott is immediately forced out after using it. Memento is also an option over U-turn that enables Whimsicott to better support setup Pokemon such as Incineroar, Pangoro, and Delphox. Whimsicott can run a SubSeed set that synergizes very well with Toxic Spikes support and helps it bypass certain checks such as Delphox better. However, such a set lacks wallbreaking power and is easily handled by Golbat thanks to Infiltrator. A 3 attacks set with Defog or Encore can work thanks to Prankster enabling Whimsicott to almost always get a Defog off, but the ubiquity of Incineroar hurts this set greatly, and Life Orb recoil makes Whimsicott a less consistent switch-in to Water-types. A support set with moves like Sunny Day, U-turn, and Encore can aid Pokemon such as Victreebel and Charizard extremely well, although such a set is limited to dedicated sun teams. Hidden Power Ground lets Whimsicott lure in and KO Togedemaru while heavily damaging Fire-types such as Delphox and Magmortar, although it has little use outside of this.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-types**: Delphox, particularly Wish variants, can easily switch into anything Whimsicott uses and retaliate with super effective damage. Incineroar takes neutral damage from Moonblast, although it can easily take Whimsicott's other moves as well as Moonblast if it's a bulkier variant. Magmortar dislikes taking repeated hits, especially if Stealth Rock is set, but it can switch into Whimsicott's STAB attacks fairly well and retaliate with Fire Blast.
**Poison-types**: Golbat, Garbodor, and Weezing can all switch into Whimsicott's STAB attacks with ease and respond with super effective damage. However, none of them want to switch into Psychic, and Weezing can struggle to take repetitive hits due to its lacking special bulk and unreliable recovery.
**Steel-types**: Steelix takes a fair bit from Energy Ball, but it can switch into anything else with ease and OHKO Whimsicott with Heavy Slam or set Stealth Rock. Even offensive variants of Togedemaru aren't 2HKOed by Whimsicott, while specially defensive ones take negligible damage from Whimsicott and can use it as Wish fodder. Ferroseed walls Whimsicott and can set Spikes against it.
**Revenge Killers**: Although none of them can safely switch into Whimsicott, Pokemon like Sneasel, Choice Scarf Passimian, Aerodactyl, and Pangoro can revenge kill it with the appropriate amount of chip damage.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Rabia, 336073]]
- Quality checked by: [[Eternally, 295647], [quziel, 297859], [Earth, 231788]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Fireflame479, 231476], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
Whimsicott makes for a good wallbreaker thanks to its defensive typing, usable Special Attack, and coverage options helping it switch into Pokemon such as Passimian, Vaporeon, and Scrafty and threaten potential switch-ins such as Incineroar, Garbodor, and Weezing with solid damage. These traits combined with U-turn and a great Speed tier also make Whimsicott a good pivot that can force out Pokemon such as Sneasel, Alolan Exeggutor, and Seismitoad and bring in the appropriate check. Unfortunately, Whimsicott's Special Attack stat leaves it unable to break through sturdier special walls such as Delphox, Mega Audino, and Ferroseed, while Assault Vest Slowking can also easily scout what Whimsicott locks itself into thanks to its titanic bulk and Regenerator. Additionally, because Whimsicott often uses its defensive typing to switch in and wallbreak, it struggles to stay out of range of priority moves such as Pangoro and Medicham's Bullet Punch and Sneasel's Ice Shard and is prone to being revenge killed by Choice Scarf users with super effective coverage moves such as Passimian and Togedemaru.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Moonblast
move 2: Energy Ball
move 3: Psychic
move 4: U-turn
item: Choice Specs
ability: Infiltrator
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Moonblast threatens Fighting- and Dark-types such as Passimian, Scrafty, and Sneasel and is Whimsicott's best source of damage against Incineroar. Energy Ball targets Ground- and Water-types such as Rhydon, Steelix, and Blastoise. Psychic lets Whimsicott damage Poison-types such as Garbodor and Weezing super effectively. U-turn enables Whimsicott to pivot out of bad matchups against Pokemon like Delphox and Magmortar. Switcheroo is an option that lets Whimsicott cripple certain checks to it such as Incineroar and Golbat, although U-turn is generally preferred to make Whimsicott a better offensive pivot.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack and Speed investment with a Timid nature and Choice Specs makes Whimsicott as offensively threatening as possible. Infiltrator lets Whimsicott bypass Substitute and dual screens.
Usage Tips
========
Whimsicott should make use of its defensive typing to switch into Pokemon such as Passimian, Scrafty, and Samurott to wallbreak. It should be noted, however, that switching into Knock Off from the likes of Passimian and Pangoro can be detrimental to Whimsicott's wallbreaking capabilities. Because Whimsicott commonly draws in Poison-types, take advantage of that by dealing heavy damage to them with Psychic. Whimsicott struggles to successfully break bulky variants of Incineroar and Delphox and can't make great headway against dedicated special walls like Mega Audino; therefore, pivoting out with U-turn into the appropriate check to such Pokemon is usually the best play. If running Switcheroo, look to cripple Whimsicott's checks such as Incineroar and Steelix by removing their item. However, similarly to losing its item via Knock Off, this will leave Whimsicott much weaker.
Team Options
========
Whimsicott is a great fit on offensive builds thanks to its defensive utility and ability to keep up momentum with U-turn. Stealth Rock support from Pokemon like Rhydon, Druddigon, and Piloswine is essential alongside Whimsicott, since it helps weaken checks such as Incineroar, Delphox, and Golbat. Rhydon and Druddigon can also check Fire-types, while Piloswine can switch into Ice-types. Rhydon and Piloswine can also both check Flying-types like Aerodactyl and Vivillon. In return, Whimsicott threatens Water-types like Blastoise and Seismitoad. Similarly, Spikes support from Garbodor helps wear down checks to Whimsicott such as Ferroseed and opposing Garbodor and synergizes well with Whimsicott's U-turn. Garbodor also appreciates Whimsicott's ability to check Rhydon. Since Whimsicott commonly draws in Poison-types, Pokemon such as Delphox and Rotom that can take advantage of them are ideal. Similarly, Pokemon such as Passimian and Scrafty that appreciate Whimsicott luring in and heavily damaging Poison-types with Psychic are also good partners. Passimian also forms a VoltTurn core with Whimsicott and threatens several Pokemon such as Sneasel and Aerodactyl that may try to revenge kill Whimsicott. Although Whimsicott can switch into Water- and Ground-types, its lacking bulk means it struggles to consistently, so pairing Whimsicott with a bulky Water-type like Slowking or Blastoise helps alleviate pressure from it. Slowking can also help check Delphox and Magmortar, while Blastoise can handle Incineroar and Sneasel.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Knock Off lets Whimsicott cripple Golbat, allowing it to 2HKO it with Psychic, as well as remove Steelix and Delphox's Leftovers and Incineroar's pinch Berry. However, Whimsicott is immediately forced out after using it. Memento is also an option over U-turn that enables Whimsicott to better support setup Pokemon such as Incineroar, Pangoro, and Delphox. Whimsicott can run a SubSeed set that synergizes very well with Toxic Spikes support and helps it bypass certain checks such as Delphox better. However, such a set lacks wallbreaking power and is easily handled by Golbat thanks to Infiltrator. A 3 attacks set with Defog or Encore can work thanks to Prankster enabling Whimsicott to almost always get a Defog off, but the ubiquity of Incineroar hurts this set greatly, and Life Orb recoil makes Whimsicott a less consistent switch-in to Water-types. A support set with moves like Sunny Day, U-turn, and Encore can aid Pokemon such as Victreebel and Charizard extremely well, although such a set is limited to dedicated sun teams. Hidden Power Ground lets Whimsicott lure in and KO Togedemaru while heavily damaging Fire-types such as Delphox and Magmortar, although it has little use outside of this.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-types**: Delphox, particularly Wish variants, can easily switch into anything Whimsicott uses and retaliate with super effective damage. Incineroar takes neutral damage from Moonblast, although it can easily take Whimsicott's other moves as well as Moonblast if it's a bulkier variant. Magmortar dislikes taking repeated hits, especially if Stealth Rock is set, but it can switch into Whimsicott's STAB attacks fairly well and retaliate with Fire Blast.
**Poison-types**: Golbat, Garbodor, and Weezing can all switch into Whimsicott's STAB attacks with ease and respond with super effective damage. However, none of them want to switch into Psychic, and Weezing can struggle to take repetitive hits due to its lacking special bulk and unreliable recovery.
**Steel-types**: Steelix takes a fair bit from Energy Ball, but it can switch into anything else with ease and OHKO Whimsicott with Heavy Slam or set Stealth Rock. Even offensive variants of Togedemaru aren't 2HKOed by Whimsicott, while specially defensive ones take negligible damage from Whimsicott and can use it as Wish fodder. Ferroseed walls Whimsicott and can set Spikes against it.
**Revenge Killers**: Although none of them can safely switch into Whimsicott, Pokemon like Sneasel, Choice Scarf Passimian, Aerodactyl, and Pangoro can revenge kill it with the appropriate amount of chip damage.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Rabia, 336073]]
- Quality checked by: [[Eternally, 295647], [quziel, 297859], [Earth, 231788]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Fireflame479, 231476], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
Last edited:
