asa
PU Leader
uploaded -zard
[QC Checks: rwby / Many / Megazard]
[GP Checks: The Dutch Plumberjack / lotiasite]
[OVERVIEW]
As a result of Clefairy’s solid Eviolite-augmented bulk and access to reliable recovery in Soft-Boiled, Clefairy is capable of functioning as an effective check to some of PU's most threatening special attackers, such as Drampa and Magmortar. Clefairy also has access to a stellar defensive ability in Magic Guard, which blocks all forms of passive damage, making it immune to Spikes and allowing it to act as a status absorber. On top of this, Clefairy boasts an amazing support movepool, with moves such as Knock Off, Stealth Rock, and Thunder Wave in its arsenal, making Clefairy one of few Pokemon in the tier to have both Stealth Rock and recovery. Unfortunately, Clefairy is heavily reliant on its Eviolite to check stronger special attackers due to its otherwise below-average bulk, making it vulnerable to Knock Off and thus shaky as a Dark-type check. Even with its Eviolite intact, Clefairy struggles against strong physical attackers such as Kangaskhan and Stoutland as a result of its poor physical bulk. Finally, Clefairy suffers from being passive, meaning that it fits best on bulkier, more defensive teams.
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Soft-Boiled
move 2: Seismic Toss / Moonblast
move 3: Stealth Rock / Knock Off
move 4: Toxic / Thunder Wave
item: Eviolite
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Sassy
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
ivs: 0 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Soft-Boiled gives Clefairy the ability to keep itself healthy, allowing it to check special attackers consistently throughout the match. Seismic Toss gives Clefairy a way of dealing a fixed amount of damage to all targets barring Ghost-types, including some of Clefairy's checks such as Weezing. Moonblast, on the other hand, gives Clefairy a STAB option that deals super effective damage to Dark-types such as Absol and Spiritomb, as well as Fighting-types such as Hitmonchan, Primeape, and Passimian on the switch. Stealth Rock is useful for chipping away at and pressuring opposing teams. Should the team already have a Stealth Rock user, Knock Off should be used for crippling Assault Vest and Eviolite users, such as Magmortar, opposing Clefairy, and Type: Null; Pokemon reliant on their Leftovers or Black Sludge for recovery such as Regirock, Skuntank, and Weezing; and Choice-locked wallbreakers such as Pyroar by removing their item. Knock Off also allows Clefairy to scout for Z-Moves. Toxic is used to cripple opposing Pokemon by putting them on timers, preventing Pokemon such as Musharna from freely setting up on Clefairy, and gives it the ability to wear down Pokemon with reliable recovery that aren't weak to Moonblast without resorting to PP stalling. Alternatively, Thunder Wave can be opted for to slow opposing Pokemon down and provide speed control.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in HP and Special Defense in conjunction with a Sassy nature and Eviolite serve to make Clefairy as effective of a special wall as it can be. The negative Speed nature in tandem with 0 IVs in Speed minimize the damage Clefairy takes from Ferroseed's Gyro Ball, turning it into a 3HKO. This also improves Clefairy's matchup against Trick Room teams. Magic Guard is Clefairy's only viable ability, and it prevents Clefairy from taking any damage from entry hazards, status conditions, and weather, giving it a much easier time switching into special attacks and allowing it to absorb status.
Usage Tips
========
Clefairy should primarily pivot into special attackers such as Magmortar and Swanna. Take advantage of how Clefairy forces these Pokemon out by setting up Stealth Rock or firing off one of Toxic and Thunder Wave on the turn that they switch, as this applies immediate pressure. Use Soft-Boiled once Clefairy begins taking damage to keep it consistently healthy, allowing it to better take on strong special attackers. Soft-Boiled can also be used to stall out attackers once they've been put on a timer by Toxic. Clefairy should prioritize remaining healthy rather than crippling a Pokemon that's switching out if it has already taken prior damage, as this leaves it unable to switch in on Pokemon like Pyroar as reliably. Because of Magic Guard, Clefairy can also act as a status absorber for teams, so switch it in on Toxic or Will-O-Wisp from Pokemon such as Altaria and Gourgeist-XL to avoid letting another member get crippled. Magic Guard and Clefairy's aforementioned coverage options allow Clefairy to serve as a good pivot against stall teams due to Clefairy not being affected by chip damage from status and entry hazards. Strong physical attackers like Choice Band Passimian can 2HKO Clefairy with even resisted attacks, so avoid them. Due to Clefairy's susceptibility to Knock Off, Clefairy also is not a reliable Dark-type answer and should generally not be switched in on Dark-types or Pokemon that commonly run Knock Off either.
Team Options
========
Physically defensive Pokemon such as Gastrodon, Gourgeist-XL, Weezing, and Sableye can handle stronger physical attackers for Clefairy, while Clefairy can switch into special attackers that threaten them such as Alolan Exeggutor and Floatzel. Additionally, Gourgeist-XL, Sableye, and Weezing all have access to Will-O-Wisp, which is useful for weakening physical attackers such as Archeops. Checks to Poison- and Steel-types are important, since they are immune to Toxic, resist Moonblast, and can still KO Clefairy even if they take a Knock Off, so Pokemon such as defensive Mesprit, Mudsdale, and Palossand make for good partners. Do note that Mesprit doesn't check Steel-types. Wallbreakers that can take advantage of opposing Pokemon being slowed down by Thunder Wave such as Aggron, Magmortar, and Stoutland are good partners, as Clefairy eases the matchup against their offensive checks. In return, these wallbreakers break through Poison- and Steel-types that Clefairy struggles with. Slower wallbreakers with better physical bulk such as Kingler and Passimian appreciate having Clefairy to fall back on when a special attacker such as Pyroar switches in to revenge kill them. Clefairy also fits well on stall because of its solid defensive capabilities, and Pokemon that are most common on stall teams such as Audino and Pyukumuku can benefit from Clefairy taking on Fightinium Z Magmortar and soaking up status.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A physically or specially defensive set with Calm Mind is usable, making Clefairy an annoyance to more defensive teams due to it finding easier opportunities to set up against them. Encore can be used to prevent Pokemon such as Oricorio-G from freely setting up on Clefairy or to lock more passive Pokemon into their support moves. Healing Wish gives one of Clefairy's teammates a second chance at walling, wallbreaking, or sweeping, but Clefairy has trouble finding a slot for it, and this defeats the purpose of what Clefairy's actually used for. Wish can be used to support teammates, but Clefairy prefers having access to one-turn recovery so that it can consistently switch in on attacks. Furthermore, Audino gives it competition as a Wish passer, since Audino's much higher HP stat allows it to pass bigger Wishes, and Clefairy doesn't appreciate dropping a move for Protect. One of either Fire Blast or Flamethrower may seem appealing so that Clefairy can hit Steel-types like Ferroseed for super effective damage, but they're both really weak coming off of Clefairy's low Special Attack stat, and they're generally not worth it due to Seismic Toss doing more consistent damage and being more reliable. Magic Coat can be used to block entry hazards and Taunt from Pokemon such as Weezing. Heal Bell can be used to cure the entire team of any status conditions. Magic Guard gives it a niche over other users such as Audino due to it not minding status itself. It does have some issues finding room for these options, however.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Aggron, Alolan Dugtrio, and Togedemaru pretty much wall Clefairy if it lacks Seismic Toss and easily KO Clefairy with their respective STAB attacks, and Seismic Toss isn't even really that helpful against them. This is made worse by the latter two's immunity to Thunder Wave and their collective immunity to Toxic.
**Poison-types**: Poison-types such as Weezing and physical Skuntank really only fear Thunder Wave from Clefairy, and have no problem dealing with Clefairy with their respective STAB attacks. Both of them can also Taunt it, preventing it from healing itself or supporting its team.
**Taunt**: Pokemon such as Archeops and Probopass completely shut Clefairy down with Taunt, preventing it from doing much of anything, which is especially bad if Clefairy's low on HP. Magmortar and Pyroar can also run Taunt, which prevents Clefairy from checking them as well.
**Knock Off**: Without its Eviolite to increase Clefairy's defenses, its bulk is fairly underwhelming, and it cannot reliably switch in on stronger attackers should it take a Knock Off.
**Strong Physical Attackers**: Numerous physical attackers such as Kangaskhan, Kingler, and Zangoose can very easily muscle through Clefairy even with its Eviolite intact due to its lower physical bulk.
[QC Checks: rwby / Many / Megazard]
[GP Checks: The Dutch Plumberjack / lotiasite]
[OVERVIEW]
As a result of Clefairy’s solid Eviolite-augmented bulk and access to reliable recovery in Soft-Boiled, Clefairy is capable of functioning as an effective check to some of PU's most threatening special attackers, such as Drampa and Magmortar. Clefairy also has access to a stellar defensive ability in Magic Guard, which blocks all forms of passive damage, making it immune to Spikes and allowing it to act as a status absorber. On top of this, Clefairy boasts an amazing support movepool, with moves such as Knock Off, Stealth Rock, and Thunder Wave in its arsenal, making Clefairy one of few Pokemon in the tier to have both Stealth Rock and recovery. Unfortunately, Clefairy is heavily reliant on its Eviolite to check stronger special attackers due to its otherwise below-average bulk, making it vulnerable to Knock Off and thus shaky as a Dark-type check. Even with its Eviolite intact, Clefairy struggles against strong physical attackers such as Kangaskhan and Stoutland as a result of its poor physical bulk. Finally, Clefairy suffers from being passive, meaning that it fits best on bulkier, more defensive teams.
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Soft-Boiled
move 2: Seismic Toss / Moonblast
move 3: Stealth Rock / Knock Off
move 4: Toxic / Thunder Wave
item: Eviolite
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Sassy
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
ivs: 0 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Soft-Boiled gives Clefairy the ability to keep itself healthy, allowing it to check special attackers consistently throughout the match. Seismic Toss gives Clefairy a way of dealing a fixed amount of damage to all targets barring Ghost-types, including some of Clefairy's checks such as Weezing. Moonblast, on the other hand, gives Clefairy a STAB option that deals super effective damage to Dark-types such as Absol and Spiritomb, as well as Fighting-types such as Hitmonchan, Primeape, and Passimian on the switch. Stealth Rock is useful for chipping away at and pressuring opposing teams. Should the team already have a Stealth Rock user, Knock Off should be used for crippling Assault Vest and Eviolite users, such as Magmortar, opposing Clefairy, and Type: Null; Pokemon reliant on their Leftovers or Black Sludge for recovery such as Regirock, Skuntank, and Weezing; and Choice-locked wallbreakers such as Pyroar by removing their item. Knock Off also allows Clefairy to scout for Z-Moves. Toxic is used to cripple opposing Pokemon by putting them on timers, preventing Pokemon such as Musharna from freely setting up on Clefairy, and gives it the ability to wear down Pokemon with reliable recovery that aren't weak to Moonblast without resorting to PP stalling. Alternatively, Thunder Wave can be opted for to slow opposing Pokemon down and provide speed control.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in HP and Special Defense in conjunction with a Sassy nature and Eviolite serve to make Clefairy as effective of a special wall as it can be. The negative Speed nature in tandem with 0 IVs in Speed minimize the damage Clefairy takes from Ferroseed's Gyro Ball, turning it into a 3HKO. This also improves Clefairy's matchup against Trick Room teams. Magic Guard is Clefairy's only viable ability, and it prevents Clefairy from taking any damage from entry hazards, status conditions, and weather, giving it a much easier time switching into special attacks and allowing it to absorb status.
Usage Tips
========
Clefairy should primarily pivot into special attackers such as Magmortar and Swanna. Take advantage of how Clefairy forces these Pokemon out by setting up Stealth Rock or firing off one of Toxic and Thunder Wave on the turn that they switch, as this applies immediate pressure. Use Soft-Boiled once Clefairy begins taking damage to keep it consistently healthy, allowing it to better take on strong special attackers. Soft-Boiled can also be used to stall out attackers once they've been put on a timer by Toxic. Clefairy should prioritize remaining healthy rather than crippling a Pokemon that's switching out if it has already taken prior damage, as this leaves it unable to switch in on Pokemon like Pyroar as reliably. Because of Magic Guard, Clefairy can also act as a status absorber for teams, so switch it in on Toxic or Will-O-Wisp from Pokemon such as Altaria and Gourgeist-XL to avoid letting another member get crippled. Magic Guard and Clefairy's aforementioned coverage options allow Clefairy to serve as a good pivot against stall teams due to Clefairy not being affected by chip damage from status and entry hazards. Strong physical attackers like Choice Band Passimian can 2HKO Clefairy with even resisted attacks, so avoid them. Due to Clefairy's susceptibility to Knock Off, Clefairy also is not a reliable Dark-type answer and should generally not be switched in on Dark-types or Pokemon that commonly run Knock Off either.
Team Options
========
Physically defensive Pokemon such as Gastrodon, Gourgeist-XL, Weezing, and Sableye can handle stronger physical attackers for Clefairy, while Clefairy can switch into special attackers that threaten them such as Alolan Exeggutor and Floatzel. Additionally, Gourgeist-XL, Sableye, and Weezing all have access to Will-O-Wisp, which is useful for weakening physical attackers such as Archeops. Checks to Poison- and Steel-types are important, since they are immune to Toxic, resist Moonblast, and can still KO Clefairy even if they take a Knock Off, so Pokemon such as defensive Mesprit, Mudsdale, and Palossand make for good partners. Do note that Mesprit doesn't check Steel-types. Wallbreakers that can take advantage of opposing Pokemon being slowed down by Thunder Wave such as Aggron, Magmortar, and Stoutland are good partners, as Clefairy eases the matchup against their offensive checks. In return, these wallbreakers break through Poison- and Steel-types that Clefairy struggles with. Slower wallbreakers with better physical bulk such as Kingler and Passimian appreciate having Clefairy to fall back on when a special attacker such as Pyroar switches in to revenge kill them. Clefairy also fits well on stall because of its solid defensive capabilities, and Pokemon that are most common on stall teams such as Audino and Pyukumuku can benefit from Clefairy taking on Fightinium Z Magmortar and soaking up status.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A physically or specially defensive set with Calm Mind is usable, making Clefairy an annoyance to more defensive teams due to it finding easier opportunities to set up against them. Encore can be used to prevent Pokemon such as Oricorio-G from freely setting up on Clefairy or to lock more passive Pokemon into their support moves. Healing Wish gives one of Clefairy's teammates a second chance at walling, wallbreaking, or sweeping, but Clefairy has trouble finding a slot for it, and this defeats the purpose of what Clefairy's actually used for. Wish can be used to support teammates, but Clefairy prefers having access to one-turn recovery so that it can consistently switch in on attacks. Furthermore, Audino gives it competition as a Wish passer, since Audino's much higher HP stat allows it to pass bigger Wishes, and Clefairy doesn't appreciate dropping a move for Protect. One of either Fire Blast or Flamethrower may seem appealing so that Clefairy can hit Steel-types like Ferroseed for super effective damage, but they're both really weak coming off of Clefairy's low Special Attack stat, and they're generally not worth it due to Seismic Toss doing more consistent damage and being more reliable. Magic Coat can be used to block entry hazards and Taunt from Pokemon such as Weezing. Heal Bell can be used to cure the entire team of any status conditions. Magic Guard gives it a niche over other users such as Audino due to it not minding status itself. It does have some issues finding room for these options, however.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Aggron, Alolan Dugtrio, and Togedemaru pretty much wall Clefairy if it lacks Seismic Toss and easily KO Clefairy with their respective STAB attacks, and Seismic Toss isn't even really that helpful against them. This is made worse by the latter two's immunity to Thunder Wave and their collective immunity to Toxic.
**Poison-types**: Poison-types such as Weezing and physical Skuntank really only fear Thunder Wave from Clefairy, and have no problem dealing with Clefairy with their respective STAB attacks. Both of them can also Taunt it, preventing it from healing itself or supporting its team.
**Taunt**: Pokemon such as Archeops and Probopass completely shut Clefairy down with Taunt, preventing it from doing much of anything, which is especially bad if Clefairy's low on HP. Magmortar and Pyroar can also run Taunt, which prevents Clefairy from checking them as well.
**Knock Off**: Without its Eviolite to increase Clefairy's defenses, its bulk is fairly underwhelming, and it cannot reliably switch in on stronger attackers should it take a Knock Off.
**Strong Physical Attackers**: Numerous physical attackers such as Kangaskhan, Kingler, and Zangoose can very easily muscle through Clefairy even with its Eviolite intact due to its lower physical bulk.
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