[OVERVIEW]
Yungoos would be a wholly unremarkable Pokemon if not for its exclusive ability: Stakeout. Stakeout makes Yungoos's attacks do 50% more damage to a Pokémon on the switch in. Coupled with Yungoos's ability to learn Yawn and Pursuit, it can put the opponent in a difficult spot. In addition, Yungoos learns U-turn, allowing it to generate momentum for one's team if necessary.
However, Yungoos has worrisome bulk and middling Speed, which is bad news in a metagame where Fighting-types run rampant, as Yungoos is weak to them. Its attacks also don't have much power without a Stakeout boost, which relies on Yawn to function. In addition, while its role is interesting, it is very niche, meaning that it can't make much of an impact on every team. Lastly, other Normal-types such as Bunnelby and Zigzagoon are more flexible in terms of a role, further eclipsing Yungoos.
[SET]
name: Pseudo-trapper
move 1: Yawn
move 2: Pursuit
move 3: Return
move 4: Earthquake / U-turn
item: Berry Juice
ability: Stakeout
nature: Adamant
evs: 196 Atk / 116 Def / 36 SpD / 156 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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Yawn either forces a switch and thereby makes the opponent take a Stakeout-boosted move or cripples the opposing Pokemon. Return does heavy damage when Stakeout activates. Pursuit is for heavily damaging an opposing Pokemon that tries to switch out of Yawn's effect. Earthquake hits many Pokemon that resist Yungoos's other attacks such as Steel- and Rock-types. U-turn is for fleeing a bad matchup against something that can heavily damage or KO Yungoos. Thief is also an option for snagging an item after Yungoos consumes its Berry Juice, but it has the same coverage as Pursuit and is typically inferior to Earthquake.
Set Details
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Stakeout is Yungoos's exclusive ability that allows it to do 50% more damage to a Pokémon that switched into an attack. Berry Juice is for recovery if Yungoos takes damage, particularly on the turn it uses Yawn. The Speed investment allows Yungoos to hit a decent Speed tier, outspeeding threats such as Shellder and Vullaby, and an Adamant nature gives Yungoos enough power to function. For example, Yungoos has the possibility to OHKO Doduo with an unboosted Return.
Usage Tips
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The entirety of Yungoos's competitive use is to do heavy damage with Stakeout. To that end, Yawn is the first play Yungoos should make; Berry Juice ensures that Yungoos can heal after it takes damage the turn it sets up Yawn. After the first turn, the foe can either switch out and take damage from Return or Pursuit or stay in and try to KO Yungoos, which will cause them to fall asleep afterwards. U-turn can also be used on a predicted switch-in to gain momentum for one's team.
Team Options
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Ghost types, such a Pumpkaboo-XL, can tank most hits that heavily damage Yungoos and burn Yungoos checks such as Pawniard and Mienfoo; they are also immune to Fighting-type attacks, but Knock Off can be an issue. Diglett traps Earthquake-weak checks to Yungoos, such as Pawniard and Ponyta, and OHKOes them. It can also use Memento to pressure the opponent to switch if it's on its last legs. Entry hazard setters like Dwebble and Trubbish are appreciated, as they further damage switch-ins that replace the opposing Pokemon fleeing a Yawn. However, most entry hazard setters are also weak to Fighting-types, so steps should be taken to deal with them. Parting Shot users like Pancham and Alolan Meowth make even the most stubborn of opponents switch due to the fear of attacks being weak; Pancham is ideal, as it can tank a multitude of hits for Yungoos and hit Rock- and Steel-types super effectively. Checks to Fighting-types such as Spritzee and Foongus are bulky enough to absorb a Fighting-type attack and then do damage or induce status.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Yungoos's shallow movepool leaves it with very few alternative sets or options. Adaptability and Strong Jaw sets (Strong Jaw with Hyper Fang and Crunch), while not reliant on Yawn, are outclassed by other offensive Normal
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fighting-types**: Almost all Fighting-types can tank a hit from Yungoos and then OHKO it with anything, but Mienfoo is particularly standout because Taunt prevents Yungoos from setting up a Yawn. Mienfoo can then OHKO Yungoos at its leisure.
**Steel-types**: Pokemon like Pawniard, Ferroseed, and Bronzor resist almost all of Yungoos's moves; although Bronzor and Pawniard dislike Pursuit and Earthquake, respectively, they do massive damage in return.
**Sleep Absorbers**: Anything with Sleep Talk, Vital Spirit, or Insomnia isn't afraid of Yawn, and can thus switch into Yungoos and retaliate. Physical Elekid is standout, as it can easily outspeed and OHKO Yungoos with Cross Chop.
**Burn Inducers**: Ponyta, Pumpkaboo-XL, and Larvesta can all tank most of Yungoo's hits and burn it back, effectively crippling it.
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