[OVERVIEW]
If there was any Pokemon created to take advantage of Serene Grace it would be Togekiss. Armed with a fantastic movepool including STAB Air Slash and its 60% chance to flinch and excellent overall stats, Togekiss can serve as a good utility Pokemon and an overall annoyance. Togekiss’s access to Nasty Plot gives it a unique role as a boosting tank in DPP OU, as it can leverage its bulk to set up and cleave through bulkier, slower foes with Air Slash while healing off the damage with Roost. Additionally, since Air Slash already has decent coverage by itself and can be made almost perfect with Aura Sphere, it can fit many other support options, such as Thunder Wave, Substitute, and Heal Bell to facilitate itself. Togekiss’s great offensive movepool also lets it serve as an effective all-out-attacker, as it is excellent at trading with Steel-types and Tyranitar with Fire Blast. Togekiss’s typing and bulk helps it check some challenging Pokemon—it notably is a solid offensive check to Gengar as it isn’t 2HKOed by Focus Blast and 2HKOes back, it OHKOes Breloom with ease, and it can take on Pokemon that typically can’t hit it super effectively in a pinch, such as Heatran, Flygon, and Infernape.
Togekiss unfortunately is very uncommon in DPP OU due to the severe flaws from its typing and its mediocre Speed stat. Being Normal-type is a huge issue for Togekiss, as it only gives Togekiss an immunity to Ghost-types in exchange for cursing it with a neutrality to Fighting. Along with its weakness to Stealth Rock, Togekiss needs an extensive support structure to function on more defensive teams, as it can’t switch into Breloom’s Focus Punch or Superpower—typical responsibilities of defensive Flying-types. This often leads to it being outclassed by Zapdos and Gliscor, who have significantly more resistances, including Fighting. Additionally, Togekiss struggles to fit on more offensive teams, as it is simply too slow to sweep without extensive paralysis support in addition to its debilitating Stealth Rock weakness. Offensive Nasty Plot sets are outsped by the majority of the metagame even with maximum Speed and Togekiss has no reliable way to boost its Speed. While Togekiss can be difficult to KO, it struggles to switch in on many Pokemon and threaten them out due to its lack of resistances and how weak Air Slash is if it doesn’t flinch the foe.
[SET]
name: Defensive Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Air Slash
move 3: Roost / Soft-Boiled
move 4: Thunder Wave / Substitute / Heal Bell / Aura Sphere
item: Leftovers
ability: Serene Grace
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 192 Def / 64 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Togekiss is uniquely adept at using Nasty Plot in DPP OU, as compared to Celebi and Infernape, it has both better coverage than Celebi and way more longevity than Infernape. Air Slash pairs perfectly with Nasty Plot: Togekiss can leverage its bulk to set up and help mitigate Air Slash’s main issue—its lack of immediate power. Air Slash also unquestionably OHKOes Breloom, 2HKOes Machamp and Gengar, and can generally 4HKO most bulkier Pokemon neutral to it such as Swampert and Scizor. Air Slash is excellent at breaking through slower walls such as Clefable and even Blissey, as its flinch rate and high PP prevent them from stalling it out and Togekiss can heal off weaker attacks.
The choice between Roost and Soft-Boiled is a matter of what Togekiss needs to check. Roost removes Togekiss’s weakness to Electric-, Rock-, and Ice-type moves, but takes away its immunity to Ground-type moves, gives it a weakness to Fighting, and removes its resistances to Grass- and Bug-type moves for one turn. Soft-boiled maintains its Fighting neutrality, which puts it in line with other defensive Flying-types who become neutral to Fighting when they heal. This is important against foes like Breloom and Machamp, who take advantage of Skarmory, Zapdos, and Gliscor to hit them hard when they use Roost.
As Togekiss only needs Nasty Plot, Air Slash, and either Roost or Soft-Boiled to be effective, it has many other options in the last slot. The most prominent of these is Thunder Wave, as it can be highly effective in spreading the paralysis Togekiss needs with Togekiss’s huge bulk. Most Ground-types struggle to break through its defenses, are slower, and don’t resist Air Slash. If teammates can spread paralysis effectively, another option is Substitute. Substitute, Roost, and paralysis make Togekiss extremely annoying to KO, as foes need to hit through paralysis and flinching just to break the Substitute.
Aura Sphere improves Togekiss’s coverage greatly, OHKOing Tyranitar at +2 and is immensely threatening to Steel-types such as Heatran and Empoleon who can survive multiple boosted Air Slash with ease. Only Zapdos and Rotom-A resist both. Finally, Heal Bell maximizes Togekiss’s team support and allows it to dominate bulky walls such as Blissey and Jirachi whose only counter play to Togekiss is to status it.
Set Details
========
Togekiss enjoys nearly maximizing its physical defense to take on threats such as Breloom, Gyarados, Machamp, and Scizor. While Togekiss lacks the resistances to switch into these Pokemon consistently, nearly maximizing its physical bulk makes Togekiss remarkably bulky in a one-on-one scenario—it has more physical bulk than defensive Zapdos and Latias and has naturally high Special Defense. The Speed investment allows it to outspeed minimum Speed Rotom-A and maximum Speed neutral-natured Machamp.
Togekiss can also run more Speed to outspeed positive-natured Tyranitar or a Modest nature to power it up, but really appreciates as much bulk as possible to make up for its lack of resistances and Stealth Rock weakness.
Usage Tips
========
Togekiss, especially without Stealth Rock up, is quite difficult to KO. Its annoyingly high Special Defense forces foes such as Heatran, Latias, and Gengar into difficult situations, as it is almost impossible OHKO and can spread paralysis effectively. If Togekiss gets in cleanly, slower physical attackers that can’t hit it very hard such as Swampert and Tyranitar lacking Stone Edge can get flinched out.
While Togekiss can set up and try to win, it often acts first like a utility check that can sweep if given a chance. Togekiss is quite effective at just spreading paralysis and wearing down Steel-types with Air Slash. Togekiss operates best before Stealth Rock is up to paralyze its checks or if teammates can paralyze them for it. From here, Togekiss can get in again and pressure them with Air Slash. This can be a highly effective strategy due to Serene Grace and Togekiss’s bulk. While Togekiss has a lot of Air Slash PP, be careful with it, as many prominent Pokemon such as Tyranitar, Jirachi, and Zapdos resist Air Slash and take quite a few boosted hits to faint.
If possible, try to avoid switching in on powerful attacks. While Togekiss can switch into Breloom’s Focus Punch or Superpower with Stealth Rock up once, it opens itself up to Fighting-types attacks if it uses Roost and can struggle to get healthy again.
While Togekiss can flinch almost anything slower down, it really should only do this in desperate times, as potentially missing Air Slash or not getting the flinch can have devastating consequences.
Team Options
========
Togekiss is most common alongside heavy paralysis support that want a bulky wincon and appreciate help against Gengar. Togekiss's best parnter is often Starmie, as Rapid Spin support is critical to getting the most out of it. As Togekiss can't handle many of the physical attackers in the tier on its own, other defensive Flying-types such as Zapdos and Gliscor are effective alongside it. They can both shoulder the load to help against physical attackers due to their remarkable bulk and typing, allowing Togekiss to shine as a sweeper. Other solid answers to Fighting-types such as Reflect Latias are also helpful. Jirachi also helps spread paralysis and similarly takes advantage of Serene Grace. It can wear down Steel-types and Tyranitar Togekiss needs weakened for it to sweep. Clefable and Blissey are also helpful, as they are strong special walls that share Togekiss's Normal-typing and can answer foes such as Heatran and Latias that Togekiss can take on but doesn't enjoy to. Clefable's Knock Off in particular is excellent for Togekiss to slowly wear down Flying-resistances, while Blissey can easily answer Gengar so Togekiss doesn't have to. Both can potentially use Heal Bell to free up a moveslot on Togekiss.
Togekiss can also fit alongside other Rapid Spin users and defensive teammates. Donphan, when paired with Starmie or Forretress, is fantastic at preventing Stealth Rock from staying up. Alongside these spinners, Abomasnow’s hail is excellent in wearing down Steel-types often tasked with taking Togekiss on. Other paralysis spreaders such as Celebi, Gyarados, and even Registeel are helpful to set Togekiss up to sweep. Jirachi and Latias are great for paralyzing foes, but even more offensive teammates like Metagross, Machamp, and Breloom can help neutralize Steel-types, Rotom-A, and Zapdos for Togekiss.
[SET]
name: All-Out-Attacker
move 1: Air Slash
move 2: Aura Sphere
move 3: Fire Blast / Flamethrower
move 4: Thunder Wave / Body Slam / Ominous Wind
item: Lum Berry
ability: Serene Grace
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Togekiss’s high Special Attack stat and excellent coverage let it be an adept all-out-attacker. With maximum investment, Air Slash typically 3HKOes foes that don’t resist it, such as Gliscor, defensive Starmie, and Swampert. Aura Sphere and Fire Blast let Togekiss hit every Steel-type in the tier super effectively except Heatproof Bronzong. Aura Sphere gives Togekiss fantastic coverage, pressuring Clefable and Tyranitar. Fire Blast can often be surprising from Togekiss, allowing it to unexpectedly 2HKO Zapdos and Rotom-A after Stealth Rock and have a chance to OHKO Skarmory, Jirachi without bulk investment, and Metagross. Flamethrower doesn’t hit these damage thresholds, but is more reliable against foes like Scizor that Togekiss OHKOes anyway.
The last spot is usually taken up by Thunder Wave or Body Slam. Even with maximum investment, Togekiss still struggles to outspeed much of the metagame and it can leverage its coverage to spread paralysis. Thunder Wave and Body Slam are Togekiss’s best options against foes faster than Togekiss and not weak to its coverage, such as Latias, Azelf, and Gyarados. Thunder Wave is typically preferred as Togekiss is naturally threatening to Ground-types and crucially paralyzes Ghost-types, but Body Slam is unaffected by Taunt.
Togekiss has a number of other moves it can use in the last slot. Togekiss is perhaps the best offensive user of Ominous Wind in the metagame, as with Serene Grace, it has a 20% chance to get the omniboost and is extremely effective if it does. Ominous Wind also provides good coverage against Azelf and Latias. Another prominent option is Grass Knot, which unquestionably OHKOes Swampert and is the best choice against bulky Water-types such as Suicune and Gyarados.
Set Details
========
Togekiss needs as much Special Attack and especially Speed it can get and its natural bulk is quite high. The choice between Modest and Timid is typically Timid, as outspeed Breloom, Lucario, Heatran, and defensive Latias is critical. However, Modest is very helpful for damage rolls on Fire Blast versus Steel-types.
Lum Berry is a fantastic choice on Togekiss, as it can switch into Breloom’s Spore and Gengar’s Will-O-Wisp and immediately threaten them out, while also being able to trade status against almost any foe.
Usage Tips
========
Togekiss typically leads or otherwise gets in the game early and attacks whatever is in front of it until it faints. Togekiss is bulky enough that it can be effective later in the game, but its below average Speed and weakness to Stealth Rock makes this difficult. Togekiss unfortunately is an anti-lead that often loses to common Focus Sash leads such as Azelf and Aerodactyl, as they outspeed it, sometimes aren’t even 2HKOed in return, and threaten Togekiss. Togekiss’s best course of action against these are to go for paralysis or an Ominous Wind boost.
Togekiss’s can get a lot out of predicting switches, as it typically doesn’t OHKO foes without a boost. Some common leads such as Breloom and Machamp are heavily threatened by Togekiss, allowing it to in turn threaten common switches such as Jirachi, Tyranitar, and Heatran with paralysis or super effective coverage. As Togekiss typically doesn’t OHKO foes with its coverage, sneaking in an Air Slash on slower foes can put them in range. However, do not rely on Air Slash to continually flinch down slower Pokemon, as this often leaves Togekiss to using a weak attack against powerful foes if it doesn’t get the flinch or misses
Team Options
========
Togekiss fits best on offensive teams built around paralysis. One of Togekiss’s best partners is Jirachi, as Jirachi loves Togekiss weakening Steel-types, Zapdos, and Rotom-A and can take advantage of the paralysis both of them can spread. Many other offensive can take advantage of paralysis and trading with Steel-types: Machamp, Gyarados, Tyranitar, Substitute Gengar, Latias, and Breloom all fit reasonably well with Togekiss. Gyarados sets that drop Earthquake in favor of Thunder Wave particularly like Togekiss’s ability to break through Steel-types. Togekiss also wants back up against Pokemon such as Zapdos, Rotom-A, and Latias, as they can overpower Togekiss. Bulkier Heatran sets do a decent job against these Pokemon, as does Tyranitar. If Togekiss is used outside of the lead, it works very well alongside Azelf or Breloom, as they can prevent entry hazards either through Taunt or Spore.
Togekiss can also be used alongside more traditional hyper offense teams, especially if it uses Ominous Wind. These teams often want multiple Lum Berry offensive checks to Breloom, and if it gets the 20% omniboost, Togekiss is a highly threatening sweeper. Good partners include Dragon Dance Tyranitar, Dragon Dance Gyarados, Gengar, Swords Dance + Pursuit Scizor, Latias, Metagross, and offensive Empoleon.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
========
Togekiss has a humongous movepool, but struggles to make the most of it due to its lackluster typing and mediocre Speed. Togekiss can use effective Choiced sets with its coverage and access to Trick: Togekiss hits extraordinarily hard with Choice Specs, while Choice Scarf both is effective at revenge killing and Tricking away the Choice Scarf away and then paralyzing it to incapacitate the foe. Togekiss can also use more offensive Nasty Plot sets too, maximizing its coverage to power through more offensive teams and even potentially use a Life Orb. The issue with these ideas is that Air Slash is just too weak of an offensive tool if Togekiss doesn’t outspeed the foe. Even backed by Choice Specs or Life Orb and Nasty Plot, it has to rely on Fire Blast and Aura Sphere’s coverage to get through very common Pokemon that outspeed it such as Zapdos, Rotom-A, Jirachi, Gyarados, and Azelf. These sets also exacerbate Togekiss’s huge weakness to residual damage and it provides almost no valuable resistances as an offensive Pokemon.
Tri Attack is Togekiss’s strongest special STAB move and has a high likelihood of statusing the foe, but the coverage is terrible. Togekiss can pass Wish or run more dedicated defensive sets with its excellent utility movepool, but just doesn’t have the resistances and is too weak to residual damage for it to be worth it. Togekiss can also use Hustle instead of Serene Grace, as it has a fantastic physical movepool including STAB Extreme Speed and all the coverage moves it could dream of, but its abysmal base 50 Attack makes this difficult to take advantage of.
Checks and Counters
========
**Electric-types**: Togekiss really doesn’t enjoy taking on Zapdos and Rotom-A, who resist both of Air Slash and Aura Sphere, outspeed Togekiss, and at least 2HKO it. While neither of them enjoy paralysis and get nailed by Fire Blast, Togekiss is typically forced out against them. Other Electric-types such as Jolteon, Raikou, and Choice Scarf Magnezone and Magneton are excellent choices if they can get in without getting paralyzed. Jolteon is even immune to Thunder Wave.
**Faster Pokemon**: Togekiss merely has mediocre Speed and has no way to reliably boost it. While other sweepers such as Gyarados and Dragonite have similar Speed stats, they can outspeed the unboosted metagame with Dragon Dance. Most offensive Pokemon outspeed Togekiss and can either incapacitate it or remove it. Latias, Azelf, Flygon, offensive Suicune, Jirachi, Choice Scarf Metagross, and Starmie all outspeed even maximum Speed Togekiss and can remove it. If Togekiss invests in its bulk, then the entire offensive metagame can come in and hit it hard.
**Stealth Rock**: Stealth Rock is a huge problem for Togekiss. It ruins its prowess as a defensive Pokemon. Residual damage combined with its Speed woes make Togekiss outclassed by other offensive Stealth Rock weak Pokemon such as Gyarados, Dragonite, and Zapdos.
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Metagross, Jirachi, Bronzong, Heatran, Empoleon, are effective against bulkier Togekiss sets, as it often has to use many Air Slashes to break through. Additionally, they force more offensive Togekiss sets to trade, as they typically hit it very hard.
**Status**: Togekiss is vulnerable to all status and sand. It rarely carries Heal Bell, so it at best has the one time Lum Berry to help it. Paralysis ruins its ability to flinch foes, while burn and poison wear it down very quickly. Togekiss often exposes itself to these both as a utility check and because it takes a while to set up
**Super-effective attacks**: Most Pokemon have Ice-, Rock-, or Electric-type coverage and can hit Togekiss hard. Gyarados, Tyranitar, Mamoswine, and Swampert all can hit Togekiss hard. Roost makes Togekiss vulnerable to Fighting-type moves, allowing Breloom, Machamp, and Scizor to have an opportunity to OHKO Togekiss on a predicted attack.
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