[OVERVIEW]
When considering Grass-types, Shaymin is inevitably compared to Celebi. Both are base 100 Grass-types with Natural Cure, and Celebi has the edge in its host of support moves (including Recover, Thunder Wave, and Stealth Rock) as well as a coveted resistance to Fighting to help it deal with Pokemon such as Breloom, Machamp, and Lucario. However, Shaymin gives it a run for its money with Seed Flare and its lack of Psychic-typing to hold it back. Rounded base 100 stats provide Shaymin with respectable offense, solid bulk, and an important Speed stat, while Natural Cure allows Shaymin to pull off an effective Sleep Talk set; it can absorb Spore from Breloom, threaten it out while asleep, and then cure sleep. Seed Flare is huge for Shaymin, as the 40% chance to reduce Special Defense by two stages lets it pressure walls like Clefable and Latias somewhat effectively even with more defensively oriented sets, something Celebi cannot do. Shaymin’s pure Grass-typing means it isn’t weak to Pursuit, can check many threats such as Tyranitar, Gyarados, Suicune, Breloom, and Rotom-A effectively, and is a valuable Water-resistant Pokemon for defensive teams.
Unfortunately, Shaymin is extremely uncommon in DPP OU because its movepool is just too small to justify over other options and Grass-type moves have very poor coverage. Shaymin is almost completely stopped by Latias; even with Seed Flare drops, Choice Specs Latias can come in and OHKO it, while defensive Latias is largely unfazed by Hidden Power Ice unless Shaymin gets a Special Defense drop. On the other hand, more defensive Shaymin sets based around Leech Seed are stone walled by Clefable and otherwise are not threatening enough to justify. Should Shaymin try to force its way through these Pokemon, Seed Flare’s 8 PP becomes a problem. Shaymin will also always have issues with either Steel- or Dragon-types, as it has to choose which Hidden Power to use and often can’t fit Earth Power to both threaten Heatran and supplement its coverage. Shaymin also suffers from a tiny movepool; it just doesn’t have the utility options that other Grass-types like Celebi, Roserade, or Breloom have. Shaymin mainly operates with its high stats and typing; only a vanishingly few teams need that over what these other Grass-types can provide. Shaymin also isn’t an amazing sleep absorber, because offensive Breloom can both easily 2HKO it and, since Shaymin cures sleep on switch out, Breloom can just come in again and threaten sleep. Finally, Shaymin struggles badly with residual damage, as it is grounded, vulnerable to all status and sand, and lacks reliable recovery. Even with Natural Cure + Rest, if Shaymin is pressured out before it can use Rest, it can struggle to come in again, especially with Spikes up.
[SET]
name: Rest + Sleep Talk
move 1: Seed Flare
move 2: Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Fire
move 3: Rest
move 4: Sleep Talk
item: Leftovers
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Seed Flare gives Shaymin a niche, as it is the strongest special Grass-type move without drawbacks. Grass Knot has issues hitting low weight Pokemon such as Clefable and Rotom-A, while Leaf Storm has harsh stat drops. Seed Flare OHKOes offensive Suicune after Stealth Rock and comes close to OHKOing Gyarados and Tyranitar after Stealth Rock. Seed Flare's 40% chance to drop Special Defense helps Shaymin power through Clefable, as Clefable is 2HKOed by Seed Flare if the first drops Special Defense. Hidden Power Ice is Shaymin's best option to hit Dragon-types, as it OHKOes Flygon and Dragonite after Stealth Rock. Shaymin has a chance to get through Latias if Latias switches into Seed Flare and gets the Special Defense drop, as that KOs offensive Latias after Stealth Rock and heavily pressures defensive Latias. Hidden Power Fire is another option, as it hits Steel-types such as Skarmory, Scizor, Metagross, and Jirachi hard. Both options at least 2HKO Breloom.
RestTalk is Shaymin's best option both for recovery and for helping it with Seed Flare's meager 8 PP. Both Seed Flare and Hidden Power threaten Breloom, the most prominent Sleep user in the tier. Shaymin is unique among Sleep absorbers in that it has Natural Cure, preventing it from being sidelined by Sleep either via Rest or opposing Sleep users until it wakes up after it switches out. That is a double-edge sword though, because it means every time Shaymin tries to absorb sleep, it risks being hit hard instead.
Set Details
========
Shaymin needs maximum Special Attack EVs and a Modest nature to be as threatening as possible, since it has poor coverage and relies on Seed Flare's power to handle common threats such as Tyranitar and Gyarados, which aren’t even OHKOed with maximum investment. Maximum Speed EVs gives Shaymin a solid Speed tier, outspeeding Rotom-A (with Hidden Power Ice, as the IV drop from Hidden Power Fire causes it to tie with Rotom-A), offensive Suicune, most defensive Latias, and neutral-natured Lucario. Shaymin has naturally good bulk, but it can also run HP EVs instead of Speed EVs to better survive attacks from Breloom, +1 Gyarados, and Suicune.
Usage Tips
========
Shaymin typically comes in on its resistances or on sleep moves to make progress, as Shaymin is so uncommon that its presence is unexpected and can either check what it needs to or absorb sleep in the short term. Shaymin typically comes into the game pretty early to blunt momentum from Water-types, Ground-types, and Breloom to save other defensive walls such as Clefable and Latias from having to take these Pokemon on. However, once Shaymin comes in, it needs to be extremely careful around Spikes users such as Skarmory, Forretress, and Roserade, especially if it doesn’t have Hidden Power Fire for the former two. Entry hazards—not only Spikes but especially Toxic Spikes—are a death knell for Shaymin; Shaymin both lacks reliable recovery and is grounded, so if it can’t get a Rest off, it’s effectively fainted. Try to use Rest before Shaymin is forced out, as it isn’t extraordinarily bulky and can be KOed rather easily by what it’s supposed to check if it’s heavily worn down.
Offensively, try to hide Shaymin’s coverage move as long as possible. Early in the game, it can be hard to tell if Shaymin has Hidden Power Ice or Hidden Power Fire, or even if it’s a more offensive set and potentially has Earth Power. Opponents might be hesitant to send in their Dragonite, Heatran, or Forretress in on Shaymin for fear of its coverage so try to take advantage of this. However, Shaymin doesn’t have a lot of Seed Flare PP and only can get more while asleep, so don’t use it too flAdditionally, be careful against Breloom. Once Shaymin is revealed, every time Breloom comes in, it could just start attacking to get through Shaymin. This gives an opportunity to switch to a stronger, faster Breloom check like Latias to force out Breloom without getting put to sleep.
Team Options
========
Shaymin is most common alongside Magnezone or Choice Scarf Magneton support on more defensive teams for a few reasons. The foremost reason is that Shaymin enjoys Skarmory and other Steel-types out of the picture so it can use Hidden Power Ice with impunity. The second reason is that defensive teams with Magnezone often have large defensive holes, especially against Water-types, as they are using a frail Pokemon instead of another wall. Shaymin helps fill that hole, as it is an untrappable check to Water-types and Breloom. Shaymin’s goal against more offensive teams is to keep other walls such as Clefable and especially Latias healthy against strong Water-types such as Empoleon, Gyarados, Kingdra, and Swampert. As such, Clefable and Latias anre fantastic teammates. Against more defensive teams, Shaymin is a solid wincon against them once Clefable is incapacitated. To pull this off, Shaymin appreciates teammates that can take a lot of defensive responsibilities such as Hippowdon, Wish + Protect Jirachi, and Swampert. Swampert and specially defensive Hippowdon are especially helpful, as they cover Shaymin’s weaknesses quite well. Shaymin really enjoys defensive Clefable sets that can beat other Clefable, such as one using Encore, Sing, or even Focus Punch. Even if it doesn’t, just having Knock Off is very helpful both to weaken opposing Clefable, but also to Knock Off Skarmory’s Shed Shell should Clefable get the chance early in the game. Additionally, Shaymin can support more offensive Latias sets such as Calm Mind + 2 attacks.
Shaymin can fit on more aggressive teams in a Fire-Water-Grass core, but these structures often really struggle to deal with Latias, hyper offense, and entry hazards and Shaymin faces competition from Breloom and Roserade. Common partners for this structure include Heatran for the Fire-type and a host of Water-types such as Swampert, Suicune, Kingdra, Starmie, and Gyarados. Other common partners include revenge killers such as Choice Scarf Flygon, Choice Scarf Rotom-A, and Choice Scarf Latias and strong offensive partners such as Swords Dance + Pursuit Scizor, Metagross, and Jirachi.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Shaymin can use Earth Power instead of Sleep Talk, as Shaymin outspeeds and OHKOes offensive Heatran and hits other Steel-types such as Metagross and Jirachi hard. Other than this, Shaymin doesn’t have a lot of options. Historically, Shaymin has used Leech Seed + Protect to threaten special walls and heal itself, but this set is both not strong enough to keep up with modern offensive teams and cannot break through defensive teams due to Clefable’s immunity to Leech Seed and it still struggles against defensive Latias. Shaymin’s huge weakness to residual damage makes Life Orb and Choiced items hard to justify; while it badly wants additional power and has Natural Cure + Rest or Leech Seed to heal off the residual damage, it severely struggles with coverage and gets worn down very quickly, preventing it from having a defensive niche. Shaymin’s utility options either are mediocre moves like Worry Seed and Grass Whistle, or better used by other Pokemon such as Healing Wish, Swords Dance, and Aromatherapy. Shaymin has other coverage moves, including Psychic, Air Slash, and Signal Beam, but these are far too weak to make an impact and don’t help with Shaymin’s biggest checks.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Latias**: Latias is perhaps the best check in the tier to Shaymin, as Latias outspeeds Shaymin, takes even Hidden Power Ice well and can heal it off with Recover, and offensive Latias OHKOes Shaymin with Choice Specs Draco Meteor. Latias doesn't enjoy Special Defense drops from Seed Flare and is annoyed by Leech Seed, but typically neutralizes Shaymin well.
**Steel-types**: Especially without Hidden Power Fire, Shaymin really struggles against Steel-types. Heatran, Scizor, Metagross, Jirachi, Skarmory, and Forretress are all painful for Shaymin to deal with. Heatran, especially if Shaymin lacks Earth Power, is devastating as Shaymin can't touch it otherwise and Heatran easily OHKOes back. Scizor easily OHKOes Shaymin with U-turn and Bug Bite, while Metagross and Jirachi effortlessly generate momentum on Shaymin if it can't him them super effectively. Skarmory and Forretress are especially dangerous, as they set up Spikes with impunity. All of these need to be careful of the correct coverage move, however.
**Clefable and Blissey**: Clefable walls Shaymin if Shaymin doesn't get the Special Defense drop, while Blissey doesn't even care if Shaymin gets the drop. Clefable is the main reason Leech Seed sets have dropped off, while Shaymin can't touch Blissey without multiple Special Defense drops or Leech Seed. Even if Shaymin does get the drop, it only has 8 PP to break through these Pokemon.
**Fire-types**: Heatran and Infernape are daunting for Shaymin to face, especially without Earth Power. Heatran outspeeds slower Shaymin sets and roasts it, while Infernape outspeeds Shaymin and does the same.
**Residual Damage**: Shaymin gets worn down very easily with its vulnerability to all entry hazards, sand, and status and its lack of reliable recovery. Especially with Spikes and Toxic Spikes, Shaymin can struggle to do much more than when it initially gets on the field. While it has Natural Cure to heal it of status on switch out and Rest, it loses a lot of momentum doing this.
**Dragon-types**: While Shaymin can hit Flygon and Kingdra hard with Seed Flare, Dragonite is a terror without Hidden Power Ice, as it sets up on Shaymin and can sweep the whole team. Shaymin gets hit very hard by these Pokemon; Flygon can U-turn on Shaymin for momentum or nail it with Outrage, Draco Meteor, or Fire Blast, Kingdra 2HKOes Shaymin with both Choice Specs rain-boosted Hydro Pump and Draco Meteor, and unboosted Dragonite OHKOes Shaymin with Outrage and Fire Blast.
**Grass-types**: Most Grass-types resist Seed Flare and aren't hit hard enough by Hidden Power Fire and Ice to deter them. Defensive Celebi is similar to Latias in that it hard walls Shaymin without a Seed Flare Special Defense drop. Roserade sets up on Shaymin before Shaymin can KO it back with Hidden Power Fire or Ice. Breloom is not OHKOed by Hidden Power Fire or Ice and can hit very hard either on the switch or while Shaymin is asleep with Superpower or Focus Punch. Abomasnow is perhaps the best check in the game if Shaymin doesn't have Hidden Power Fire, as it hits very hard with Blizzard and still handles Shaymin even with a Special Defense drop.
**Flying-types**: Flying-types such as Zapdos and Skarmory are quite effective against Shaymin. Zapdos is especially dangerous, as Pressure reduces Seed Flare's PP and needs a Special Defense drop before Hidden Power Ice does enough damage to it. Skarmory lays Spikes, hits very hard with Brave Bird, and can even take a stray Hidden Power Fire as long as its Special Defense isn't reduced.
**Super Effective Coverage**: When paired with residual damage, even Pokemon Shaymin is supposed to check can get through it because it doesn't have the power to OHKO what it checks with Seed Flare even after Stealth Rock. Gyarados 2HKOes it with +1 Ice Fang and OHKOes it with +1 Bounce, Tyranitar hits very hard with +1 Fire Punch, Empoleon and Suicune 2HKOes it with Ice Beam, Rotom-A hits very hard with Overheat, Breloom's Focus Punch can OHKO it after Stealth Rock, and even Swampert's Ice Punch 2HKOes it.
[CREDITS]
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Quality checked by:
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When considering Grass-types, Shaymin is inevitably compared to Celebi. Both are base 100 Grass-types with Natural Cure, and Celebi has the edge in its host of support moves (including Recover, Thunder Wave, and Stealth Rock) as well as a coveted resistance to Fighting to help it deal with Pokemon such as Breloom, Machamp, and Lucario. However, Shaymin gives it a run for its money with Seed Flare and its lack of Psychic-typing to hold it back. Rounded base 100 stats provide Shaymin with respectable offense, solid bulk, and an important Speed stat, while Natural Cure allows Shaymin to pull off an effective Sleep Talk set; it can absorb Spore from Breloom, threaten it out while asleep, and then cure sleep. Seed Flare is huge for Shaymin, as the 40% chance to reduce Special Defense by two stages lets it pressure walls like Clefable and Latias somewhat effectively even with more defensively oriented sets, something Celebi cannot do. Shaymin’s pure Grass-typing means it isn’t weak to Pursuit, can check many threats such as Tyranitar, Gyarados, Suicune, Breloom, and Rotom-A effectively, and is a valuable Water-resistant Pokemon for defensive teams.
Unfortunately, Shaymin is extremely uncommon in DPP OU because its movepool is just too small to justify over other options and Grass-type moves have very poor coverage. Shaymin is almost completely stopped by Latias; even with Seed Flare drops, Choice Specs Latias can come in and OHKO it, while defensive Latias is largely unfazed by Hidden Power Ice unless Shaymin gets a Special Defense drop. On the other hand, more defensive Shaymin sets based around Leech Seed are stone walled by Clefable and otherwise are not threatening enough to justify. Should Shaymin try to force its way through these Pokemon, Seed Flare’s 8 PP becomes a problem. Shaymin will also always have issues with either Steel- or Dragon-types, as it has to choose which Hidden Power to use and often can’t fit Earth Power to both threaten Heatran and supplement its coverage. Shaymin also suffers from a tiny movepool; it just doesn’t have the utility options that other Grass-types like Celebi, Roserade, or Breloom have. Shaymin mainly operates with its high stats and typing; only a vanishingly few teams need that over what these other Grass-types can provide. Shaymin also isn’t an amazing sleep absorber, because offensive Breloom can both easily 2HKO it and, since Shaymin cures sleep on switch out, Breloom can just come in again and threaten sleep. Finally, Shaymin struggles badly with residual damage, as it is grounded, vulnerable to all status and sand, and lacks reliable recovery. Even with Natural Cure + Rest, if Shaymin is pressured out before it can use Rest, it can struggle to come in again, especially with Spikes up.
[SET]
name: Rest + Sleep Talk
move 1: Seed Flare
move 2: Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Fire
move 3: Rest
move 4: Sleep Talk
item: Leftovers
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Seed Flare gives Shaymin a niche, as it is the strongest special Grass-type move without drawbacks. Grass Knot has issues hitting low weight Pokemon such as Clefable and Rotom-A, while Leaf Storm has harsh stat drops. Seed Flare OHKOes offensive Suicune after Stealth Rock and comes close to OHKOing Gyarados and Tyranitar after Stealth Rock. Seed Flare's 40% chance to drop Special Defense helps Shaymin power through Clefable, as Clefable is 2HKOed by Seed Flare if the first drops Special Defense. Hidden Power Ice is Shaymin's best option to hit Dragon-types, as it OHKOes Flygon and Dragonite after Stealth Rock. Shaymin has a chance to get through Latias if Latias switches into Seed Flare and gets the Special Defense drop, as that KOs offensive Latias after Stealth Rock and heavily pressures defensive Latias. Hidden Power Fire is another option, as it hits Steel-types such as Skarmory, Scizor, Metagross, and Jirachi hard. Both options at least 2HKO Breloom.
RestTalk is Shaymin's best option both for recovery and for helping it with Seed Flare's meager 8 PP. Both Seed Flare and Hidden Power threaten Breloom, the most prominent Sleep user in the tier. Shaymin is unique among Sleep absorbers in that it has Natural Cure, preventing it from being sidelined by Sleep either via Rest or opposing Sleep users until it wakes up after it switches out. That is a double-edge sword though, because it means every time Shaymin tries to absorb sleep, it risks being hit hard instead.
Set Details
========
Shaymin needs maximum Special Attack EVs and a Modest nature to be as threatening as possible, since it has poor coverage and relies on Seed Flare's power to handle common threats such as Tyranitar and Gyarados, which aren’t even OHKOed with maximum investment. Maximum Speed EVs gives Shaymin a solid Speed tier, outspeeding Rotom-A (with Hidden Power Ice, as the IV drop from Hidden Power Fire causes it to tie with Rotom-A), offensive Suicune, most defensive Latias, and neutral-natured Lucario. Shaymin has naturally good bulk, but it can also run HP EVs instead of Speed EVs to better survive attacks from Breloom, +1 Gyarados, and Suicune.
Usage Tips
========
Shaymin typically comes in on its resistances or on sleep moves to make progress, as Shaymin is so uncommon that its presence is unexpected and can either check what it needs to or absorb sleep in the short term. Shaymin typically comes into the game pretty early to blunt momentum from Water-types, Ground-types, and Breloom to save other defensive walls such as Clefable and Latias from having to take these Pokemon on. However, once Shaymin comes in, it needs to be extremely careful around Spikes users such as Skarmory, Forretress, and Roserade, especially if it doesn’t have Hidden Power Fire for the former two. Entry hazards—not only Spikes but especially Toxic Spikes—are a death knell for Shaymin; Shaymin both lacks reliable recovery and is grounded, so if it can’t get a Rest off, it’s effectively fainted. Try to use Rest before Shaymin is forced out, as it isn’t extraordinarily bulky and can be KOed rather easily by what it’s supposed to check if it’s heavily worn down.
Offensively, try to hide Shaymin’s coverage move as long as possible. Early in the game, it can be hard to tell if Shaymin has Hidden Power Ice or Hidden Power Fire, or even if it’s a more offensive set and potentially has Earth Power. Opponents might be hesitant to send in their Dragonite, Heatran, or Forretress in on Shaymin for fear of its coverage so try to take advantage of this. However, Shaymin doesn’t have a lot of Seed Flare PP and only can get more while asleep, so don’t use it too flAdditionally, be careful against Breloom. Once Shaymin is revealed, every time Breloom comes in, it could just start attacking to get through Shaymin. This gives an opportunity to switch to a stronger, faster Breloom check like Latias to force out Breloom without getting put to sleep.
Team Options
========
Shaymin is most common alongside Magnezone or Choice Scarf Magneton support on more defensive teams for a few reasons. The foremost reason is that Shaymin enjoys Skarmory and other Steel-types out of the picture so it can use Hidden Power Ice with impunity. The second reason is that defensive teams with Magnezone often have large defensive holes, especially against Water-types, as they are using a frail Pokemon instead of another wall. Shaymin helps fill that hole, as it is an untrappable check to Water-types and Breloom. Shaymin’s goal against more offensive teams is to keep other walls such as Clefable and especially Latias healthy against strong Water-types such as Empoleon, Gyarados, Kingdra, and Swampert. As such, Clefable and Latias anre fantastic teammates. Against more defensive teams, Shaymin is a solid wincon against them once Clefable is incapacitated. To pull this off, Shaymin appreciates teammates that can take a lot of defensive responsibilities such as Hippowdon, Wish + Protect Jirachi, and Swampert. Swampert and specially defensive Hippowdon are especially helpful, as they cover Shaymin’s weaknesses quite well. Shaymin really enjoys defensive Clefable sets that can beat other Clefable, such as one using Encore, Sing, or even Focus Punch. Even if it doesn’t, just having Knock Off is very helpful both to weaken opposing Clefable, but also to Knock Off Skarmory’s Shed Shell should Clefable get the chance early in the game. Additionally, Shaymin can support more offensive Latias sets such as Calm Mind + 2 attacks.
Shaymin can fit on more aggressive teams in a Fire-Water-Grass core, but these structures often really struggle to deal with Latias, hyper offense, and entry hazards and Shaymin faces competition from Breloom and Roserade. Common partners for this structure include Heatran for the Fire-type and a host of Water-types such as Swampert, Suicune, Kingdra, Starmie, and Gyarados. Other common partners include revenge killers such as Choice Scarf Flygon, Choice Scarf Rotom-A, and Choice Scarf Latias and strong offensive partners such as Swords Dance + Pursuit Scizor, Metagross, and Jirachi.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Shaymin can use Earth Power instead of Sleep Talk, as Shaymin outspeeds and OHKOes offensive Heatran and hits other Steel-types such as Metagross and Jirachi hard. Other than this, Shaymin doesn’t have a lot of options. Historically, Shaymin has used Leech Seed + Protect to threaten special walls and heal itself, but this set is both not strong enough to keep up with modern offensive teams and cannot break through defensive teams due to Clefable’s immunity to Leech Seed and it still struggles against defensive Latias. Shaymin’s huge weakness to residual damage makes Life Orb and Choiced items hard to justify; while it badly wants additional power and has Natural Cure + Rest or Leech Seed to heal off the residual damage, it severely struggles with coverage and gets worn down very quickly, preventing it from having a defensive niche. Shaymin’s utility options either are mediocre moves like Worry Seed and Grass Whistle, or better used by other Pokemon such as Healing Wish, Swords Dance, and Aromatherapy. Shaymin has other coverage moves, including Psychic, Air Slash, and Signal Beam, but these are far too weak to make an impact and don’t help with Shaymin’s biggest checks.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Latias**: Latias is perhaps the best check in the tier to Shaymin, as Latias outspeeds Shaymin, takes even Hidden Power Ice well and can heal it off with Recover, and offensive Latias OHKOes Shaymin with Choice Specs Draco Meteor. Latias doesn't enjoy Special Defense drops from Seed Flare and is annoyed by Leech Seed, but typically neutralizes Shaymin well.
**Steel-types**: Especially without Hidden Power Fire, Shaymin really struggles against Steel-types. Heatran, Scizor, Metagross, Jirachi, Skarmory, and Forretress are all painful for Shaymin to deal with. Heatran, especially if Shaymin lacks Earth Power, is devastating as Shaymin can't touch it otherwise and Heatran easily OHKOes back. Scizor easily OHKOes Shaymin with U-turn and Bug Bite, while Metagross and Jirachi effortlessly generate momentum on Shaymin if it can't him them super effectively. Skarmory and Forretress are especially dangerous, as they set up Spikes with impunity. All of these need to be careful of the correct coverage move, however.
**Clefable and Blissey**: Clefable walls Shaymin if Shaymin doesn't get the Special Defense drop, while Blissey doesn't even care if Shaymin gets the drop. Clefable is the main reason Leech Seed sets have dropped off, while Shaymin can't touch Blissey without multiple Special Defense drops or Leech Seed. Even if Shaymin does get the drop, it only has 8 PP to break through these Pokemon.
**Fire-types**: Heatran and Infernape are daunting for Shaymin to face, especially without Earth Power. Heatran outspeeds slower Shaymin sets and roasts it, while Infernape outspeeds Shaymin and does the same.
**Residual Damage**: Shaymin gets worn down very easily with its vulnerability to all entry hazards, sand, and status and its lack of reliable recovery. Especially with Spikes and Toxic Spikes, Shaymin can struggle to do much more than when it initially gets on the field. While it has Natural Cure to heal it of status on switch out and Rest, it loses a lot of momentum doing this.
**Dragon-types**: While Shaymin can hit Flygon and Kingdra hard with Seed Flare, Dragonite is a terror without Hidden Power Ice, as it sets up on Shaymin and can sweep the whole team. Shaymin gets hit very hard by these Pokemon; Flygon can U-turn on Shaymin for momentum or nail it with Outrage, Draco Meteor, or Fire Blast, Kingdra 2HKOes Shaymin with both Choice Specs rain-boosted Hydro Pump and Draco Meteor, and unboosted Dragonite OHKOes Shaymin with Outrage and Fire Blast.
**Grass-types**: Most Grass-types resist Seed Flare and aren't hit hard enough by Hidden Power Fire and Ice to deter them. Defensive Celebi is similar to Latias in that it hard walls Shaymin without a Seed Flare Special Defense drop. Roserade sets up on Shaymin before Shaymin can KO it back with Hidden Power Fire or Ice. Breloom is not OHKOed by Hidden Power Fire or Ice and can hit very hard either on the switch or while Shaymin is asleep with Superpower or Focus Punch. Abomasnow is perhaps the best check in the game if Shaymin doesn't have Hidden Power Fire, as it hits very hard with Blizzard and still handles Shaymin even with a Special Defense drop.
**Flying-types**: Flying-types such as Zapdos and Skarmory are quite effective against Shaymin. Zapdos is especially dangerous, as Pressure reduces Seed Flare's PP and needs a Special Defense drop before Hidden Power Ice does enough damage to it. Skarmory lays Spikes, hits very hard with Brave Bird, and can even take a stray Hidden Power Fire as long as its Special Defense isn't reduced.
**Super Effective Coverage**: When paired with residual damage, even Pokemon Shaymin is supposed to check can get through it because it doesn't have the power to OHKO what it checks with Seed Flare even after Stealth Rock. Gyarados 2HKOes it with +1 Ice Fang and OHKOes it with +1 Bounce, Tyranitar hits very hard with +1 Fire Punch, Empoleon and Suicune 2HKOes it with Ice Beam, Rotom-A hits very hard with Overheat, Breloom's Focus Punch can OHKO it after Stealth Rock, and even Swampert's Ice Punch 2HKOes it.
[CREDITS]
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Quality checked by:
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Grammar checked by:
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Last edited: