[SET]
name: Defensive Pivot
move 1: U-turn
move 2: Scald / Liquidation
move 3: Toxic / Rest
move 4: Protect / Sleep Talk
item: Leftovers
ability: Schooling
nature: Calm / Careful
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
With access to a slow U-turn and naturally high defenses, Wishiwashi makes for an excellent slow pivot and mixed wall, checking the likes of Rapidash and Basculin. Scald can burn physical attackers such as Gourgeist-S and Kingler that attempt to switch in, while Liquidation is a guaranteed OHKO on Fire-types such as Centiskorch. Toxic cripples bulkier foes like Appletun and Tangela, as well as dissuading setup sweepers like Frosmoth and Swoobat from switching in. Protect synergizes well with Toxic and lets Wishiwashi scout attacks from Choiced-locked Pokemon such as Rotom, Cinccino, and Sawk. Additionally, Protect lets Wishiwashi acquire more Leftovers recovery, which is essential for staying above Schooling's deactivation threshold. Alternatively, Wishiwashi can give up some utility and opt for Rest for some much needed instant recovery. Sleep Talk should be used in conjunction with Rest in order to avoid being overly passive when asleep. Rest Wishiwashi is also a great status absorber, making it a more reliable pivot against stall teams.
The best use of Wishiwashi's slow U-turn is to pair it with offensive threats such as Lycanroc, Kangaskhan, and Vanilluxe that typically struggle to switch into attacks. Pivots such as the Rotom formes and Uxie make for great Wishiwashi partners, as they can form a VoltTurn core to keep momentum while wearing down foes. Wishiwashi's lack of reliable recovery means it is very vulnerable to being worn down by entry hazards; Defog users such as Rotom-S and Cryogonal help to alleviate this issue. Ground-types like Silvally-Ground, Alolan Dugtrio, and Galarian Stunfisk appreciate Wishiwashi's slow U-turn, and in return, it can deal with Electric-types such as Rotom, Rotom-S, and Magneton. Galarian Stunfisk in particular does not fear any of Magneton's attacks and is immune to Toxic. Grass-resistant Pokemon such as Centiskorch and Skuntank are good Pokemon to pair with Wishiwashi, as they can switch into Pokemon like Shiftry, Thwackey, and Gourgeist-S that threaten Wishiwashi out.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Wishiwashi can opt for a physically defensive spread of 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD with a Bold or Impish nature to better handle physical attackers such as Silvally-Ground and Froslass at the cost of losing the ability to reliably check special attackers such as Cryogonal.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types**: Offensive Grass-types such as Flapple and Gourgeist-S are able to OHKO Wishiwashi, while Thwackey and Shiftry can KO Wishiwashi with a bit of prior chip. However, these Pokemon, particularly Shiftry, must be careful of switching into U-turn. Defensive Grass-types such as Appletun and Tangela can deal with Wishiwashi and do not take much from its attacks, but they must be wary of Toxic.
**Electric-types**: The Rotom formes and Magneton threaten Wishiwashi out with their STAB attacks, with the former also being able to cripple it with Trick.
**Residual Damage**: Entry hazards limit the number of times Wishiwashi can safely switch in and wear it down to Solo Form much faster. Altaria, Audino, and Cryogonal can also cripple non-RestTalk Wishiwashi variants with Toxic.
**Knock Off**: Wishiwashi is reliant on Leftovers as its means of recovery, so Knock Off users such as Centiskorch, Alolan Persian, and Clefairy can reduce Wishiwashi's longevity.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Jett, 226429]]
- Quality checked by: [[Tuthur, 369076], [BloodAce, 435539]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Milak, 262594]]
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