Move Donors: Giving the Gift of Life in STABmons
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Introduction
Donate a move, save a life. Every year, thousands of Pokémon faint in battle because they couldn't get access to the move they needed in order to win. What if there was a way to help them? What if Pokémon were no longer denied the moves they deserve to learn?
Well, if you were playing STABmons, that wouldn't be a problem ...
For those unfamiliar with the STABmons metagame, all Pokémon now learn every move that matches their type, plus all their normally learned moves. This means Espeon can now run every Psychic-type attack along with its usual movepool. Pre-evolutions and some formes carry this mechanic with them, so Eevee can transfer its access to all Normal-type attacks to Espeon when it evolves, effectively giving Espeon every Psychic- and Normal-type attack in the game!
With all these newly acquired moves, some players tend to forget about those unique signature attacks that can only be learned by one or two Pokémon at a time. These moves are often direct upgrades of weaker clones (Psyshock has 80 BP, while Psystrike has 100) or they add a new twist to an old standby (Crabhammer is 20 BP stronger than Waterfall and comes with a chance to score a critical hit). We mustn't forget the brave Pokémon that gave up their former glory as the only ones allowed to learn these attacks, so this article will attempt to do them justice by showing how their sacrifice breathes new life into other Pokémon. Enjoy!
Dragon Ascent
120 BP / 100% Acc / 5 PP
Lowers the user's Defense and Special Defense by one stage each.
Donated by Rayquaza
Notable on:
Landorus-T @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly / Naive Nature
- Dragon Ascent
- Earthquake
- U-turn
- Stone Edge / Hidden Power Ice
Dragon Ascent is essentially the Flying-type version of Close Combat and should be used by Pokémon that don't mind the defensive drops or switching. Being faster helps, as you can strike and KO the foe before they take advantage of your Pokémon's lowered stats. Being bulky also helps, as it can negate the drops somewhat. Landorus-T excels in both categories if it holds a Choice Scarf, which gives it extra Speed, and with its ability Intimidate, which softens physical blows against its Defense. For the set below, Ground pairs well alongside Flying, granting exceptional coverage in just two moves. U-turn is great for generating momentum and is necessary in STABmons where setup is so common. Stone Edge is important for revenge killing Thundurus or Aerodactyl, while Hidden Power Ice can surprise an opposing Landorus-T that was hoping to dampen your power with its own Intimidate.
Alternative strategy:
Dragonite @ Leftovers
Ability: Multiscale / Inner Focus
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Roost
- Dragon Ascent
- Earthquake / Ice Punch
Dragonite is not that common in STABmons, but it maintains two solid abilities that allow it to set up. Multiscale halves damage while at full HP, giving Dragonite a chance to use Dragon Dance against a foe that cannot KO it with one attack, plus Roost refills HP and allows it to Dance again later. Multiscale also helps by counteracting the -1/-1 drops after using Dragon Ascent. Its other ability, Inner Focus, is worth considering, as it ignores flinching from Fake Out, a very common revenge move carried by Normal-types to snipe setup sweepers. Fake Out + Extreme Speed (or FakeSpeed) is a 1-2 punch that can take out some sweepers, but thanks to Inner Focus, Dragonite can hit them the same turn they use Fake Out, ideally KOing that Pokémon before it can follow up with Extreme Speed.
Like the other alternative strategies in this article, this one requires a little more team support to be as effective as the one above.
King's Shield & Doom Desire
- / - / 10 PP
Blocks damaging attacks and lowers attacking Pokémon's Attack by two stages on contact.
140 BP / 100% Acc / 5 PP
Hits the target two turns later.
Donated by Aegislash and Jirachi
Notable on:
The reason King's Shield and Doom Desire are listed together is because they form the great strategy known as Shuffle Doom. Essentially, Heatran throws out a Doom Desire and, as the opponent scrambles to find something to absorb the 140 Base Power Steel-type attack, uses Roar, removing their ability to choose the correct counter. If the foe stays in to attack, Heatran should put up King's Shield, blocking damage and dropping their Attack by two if they make contact. The idea is to burn turns with Roar and King's Shield until Doom Desire hits; against players unfamiliar with the strategy, it can be quite rewarding to watch.
Heatran @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpA / 252 SpD (Many alternative spreads exists, including offensive-bulky and fast-offensive. Heatran builds are extremely versatile with this strategy.)
Calm Nature
- Doom Desire
- Roar
- King's Shield
- Earth Power / Lava Plume / Blue Flare
Alternative strategy:
Lucario @ Life Orb / Focus Sash / Metal
Ability: Inner Focus
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Doom Desire
- Secret Sword
- King's Shield
Doom Desire is not common in standard play for a number of reasons, one of them being because it's exclusive to Jirachi, but another is because it takes two whole turns to do damage. The cool thing, though, is that the damage is calculated by using your Pokémon's stats on the turn the attack hits, which means you have two chances to raise your Special Attack. Lucario can do just that thanks to Nasty Plot, and it still retains access to King's Shield to cover itself from the foe's attacks. Even though it loses out on coverage, a +2 Doom Desire hurts. A lot.
Geomancy
- / - / 10 PP
Takes one turn to charge, then raises the user's Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed by two stages.
Donated by Xerneas
Notable on:
GeoKiss (Togekiss) @ Power Herb
Ability: Super Luck / Serene Grace
EVs: 252 HP / 160 Def / 96 Spe
Bold Nature
- Geomancy
- Substitute / Moonblast
- Oblivion Wing / Moonblast
- Aura Sphere / Fire Blast
Who wouldn't want a +2 boost to Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed? Togekiss certainly would, as the boost transforms it from a middling threat to one of extreme proportions. With solid all-around bulk and a superb typing, Togekiss often finds plenty of time to use Geomancy, especially considering that with Power Herb, it only takes one turn to activate. It can also use Substitute first, which makes revenge killing it nigh impossible. Add to that strong Fairy and Flying STAB and good coverage with Aura Sphere (to hit Heatran) or Fire Blast (for Aegislash) and you've got a real offensive powerhouse.
Alternative strategy:
Whimsicott @ Power Herb
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA
Modest Nature
- Spore
- Geomancy
- Moonblast
- Hidden Power Ground
Last generation's Whimsicott was more formidable with Prankster Spore. After the powder nerf, its niche's value dropped, especially since it doesn't have a way to hit other Grass-types coming in to absorb Spore outside of the unreliable move Hurricane. However, it did gain another niche this generation in the form of Geomancy. Now it can Spore a foe and then set up, and since it has access to Moonblast, it can hit Grass-types that would want to take the Spore on the switch for some damage. Unfortunately, Fairy and Grass work badly together offensively, so it will need Hidden Power Ground for coverage. But luckily, because its base Speed is so high and Prankster gives +1 priority to Spore, it needs no Speed investment prior to setup.
V-create
180 BP / 95% Acc / 5 PP
Lowers the user's Defense, Special Defense, and Speed by one stage each.
Donated by Victini and Rayquaza
Notable on:
Charizard @ Charizardite X
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly / Adamant Nature
- V-create
- Earthquake
- Dragon Claw / Substitute
- Dragon Dance / Roost
V-create is one of the strongest moves in all of Pokémon, but the -1 Defense, Special Defense, and Speed drops are drawbacks that keep it in check. When run normally on Victini, a Choice Scarf makes sense to bypass the initial Speed drop. On something like Mega Charizard X, however, Speed is of no concern when you stack up the following: its base 130 Attack (vs Victini's 100), and its ability Tough Claws, which boosts V-create by another 33%. Factor in Charizard's respectable bulk and coverage with Earthquake and you have the ultimate wallbreaker. It's no wonder Thick Fat Azumarill is a legitimate defensive wall in STABmons, and luckily the -1 drop to Defense leaves it vulnerable to the common FakeSpeed, otherwise it would be a lot harder to revenge kill.
Alternative strategy:
Charizard @ Charizardite Y
Ability: Solar Power
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty / Naive Nature
- Blue Flare
- Oblivion Wing
- V-create
- Earthquake / Focus Blast / Solar Beam
Wait a second, Eevee. You just got done saying Mega Charizard X is known for spamming V-create. How can its much weaker sibling even compare? Unless you mean to tell me that Drought, which powers up Fire-type moves by 50%, is just as strong? Actually, at full investment it's about 96% as strong, but most prefer to use it as a backup to 2HKO Chansey on the switch on a specially based mixed set. It makes for a great lure this way and eliminates—or at least severely cripples—the best special wall in STABmons.
Parting Shot
- / 100% Acc / 20 PP
Lowers targets Attack and Special Attack by one stage. Makes the user switch out.
Donated by Pangoro
Notable on:
Sableye @ Leftovers
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 Spe (or more to speed creep other Sableye)
Impish Nature
- Parting Shot
- Taunt
- Dark Void / Will-O-Wisp
- Recover / Destiny Bond / Knock Off
The Darkness Pokémon has helped to shape STABmons ever since I created the metagame. Last generation it was mostly known for firing off priority Dark Voids, Will-O-Wisps, and Taunts at the foe, and while it still does those things, it also gained a move so prevalent it helped to spawn the rise of Defiant Thundurus and Braviary. Parting Shot—backed up by Prankster—is a -1 to the target's Attack and Special Attack, followed by the user's switch, which means Sableye can abuse a pseudo-Memento without sacrificing itself. Then it can choose the next teammate to set up on or beat the debilitated target. To top it all off, Parting Shot actually phazes Magic Bounce users, so Shell Smash Espeon loses its boosts and must switch all before ever getting the chance to attack!
Alternative strategy:
Sableye @ Sablenite
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Parting Shot
- Recover
- Will-O-Wisp
- Knock Off
Now, take the above and replace priority status with bulk and Magic Bounce and you get Mega Sableye. The great thing about Sableye is that you can abuse its base forme throughout the match until you're ready to Mega Evolve and start setting up with it. Parting Shot isn't usually found on its Calm Mind sets, but on other sets it offers a slow switch to a teammate while acting as a safeguard against incoming status, nearly guaranteeing the teammate gets in for free.
Honorable Mentions
Dark Void: An 80% accuracy sleep-inducing move available to all Dark-types. Especially dangerous on sweepers such as Greninja, which can set up Nasty Plot afterward. Still works well on Darkrai, which is unbanned in STABmons.
Origin Pulse: A more accurate Hydro Pump that's boosted by Mega Launcher and commonly seen on Mega Blastoise plus all other specially offensive Water-types.
Shift Gear: A Steel-type move that gives the user a +1 Attack and +2 Speed boost. Scizor and Aegislash both appreciate the boosts. Pair it with the move Gear Grind, which is a 150 Base Power, Substitute-breaking move for Technician users.
Psystrike: A better Psyshock in every way. Choice Specs Meloetta has no problem 2HKOing Chansey with it. Analytic Starmie also enjoys the bump in power.
Dishonorable Mentions
Aeroblast: You're better off with Oblivion Wing, which recovers 75% of the damage dealt, or Hurricane, which hits harder and can confuse the foe. Aeroblast is only worthwhile on Super Luck Togekiss because of the extra chance to score a critical hit.
Volt Tackle: Bolt Strike is stronger and doesn't come with recoil. Fusion Bolt is weaker, but again, has no recoil and still has 100% accuracy. Physical Electric-types are uncommon as it is and the best one (Defiant Thundurus) prefers the other two moves at all times.
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