The Next Best Thing - Croagunk

[apt-get]

damn im not allowed to post cmkrow

What is thought to "counter" this pokemon? Physical walls/Mixed walls such as Porygon, Chinchou, Lileep or Hippopotas.
Is there anyway to bypass this pokemon's so-called "counters? Running a bulky boosting set is a good way to defeat them, as the majority of them don't have phazing and with some defensive boosts, Murkrow can take anything from them bar crits and start sweeping.
What moves are seldom used on this pokemon, but have the most upside? Calm Mind, Featherdance are both underrated moves, especially with Prankster.
What niches can this pokemon potentially fill in the current metagame? Provide a good defensive counter to some threats such as Misdreavus, serve as a reliable late-game sweeper, prevent sweeps with the utility provided by featherdance and roost.
What opposing pokemon does this pokemon do well against? Defensive walls with average offensive capabilities, grass-types, fighting-types without knock off such as Timburr or Riolu...
How can this pokemon benefit it's teammates? It can defeat many walls 1-on-1 most teams have trouble with such as Porygon, Lileep or Mienfoo to an extent, and provide a reliable win condition for its team.

Bird (Murkrow) @ Eviolite
Trait: Prankster
Level: 5
EVs: 200 HP / 104 Def / 184 SDef
Calm Nature
- Hidden Power [Flying]
- Roost
- Calm Mind
- FeatherDance

This Murkrow has only three (and a half) things preventing it from sweeping: Magnemite, Toxic, Pawniard, and Paralysis to an extent. You can fix three of these problems with a chinchou, and pawniard can be taken care of with any fighting-type. Compared to other sweepers, Murkrow needs very few support, and can effectively sweep with Calm Mind and HP flying. Roost provides it with reliable recovery, and is excellent with prankster and can erase its weaknesses. Featherdance allows it to prevent physical attackers from beating it bar Pawniard which has Defiant. HP Flying is a reliable STAB with no immunities, and it has better neutral coverage in the tier as opposed to Dark Pulse. It also has a ton of PP's, meaning you probably won't get stalled out.

bird (Murkrow) (F) @ Eviolite
Trait: Prankster
Level: 5
EVs: 200 HP / 104 Def / 184 SDef
Calm Nature
- Mean Look
- Perish Song
- Protect
- Roost

Classic PerishTrap, can easily defeat would-be counters to Murkrow such as Lileep, Porygon, Chinchou or Magnemite. Works really well in a double-flying core, for example with Drifloon. Requires no support by itself, it actually provides support. The only issue with it is that you can't use murkrow for something else, which is a shame.

 

[The Quasar]

Murkrow@Eviolite
Trait: Prankster
Level: 5
EVs: 196 HP / 180 Def / 100 SDef / 32 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Thunder Wave
- Brave Bird
- Substitute
- Roost

This set can be considered like a good supporter. The idea is take full advantage of the Prankster ability and attack fast enough, without forgetting to special bulk Murkrow to allow to wall its usual counters. So a Jolly Nature and EVs on HP, Def and SpD. Then Substuite allows Murkow to defend against status attack. Also it stall out opponent who are incapable of breaking its Substitutes. Roost has a vital purpose and two use cases: recover HP after a Brave Bird recoil and recover HP after a neutral attack. Thunder Wave (paying attention to opponent switch into a Chinchou or a ground-type) is last priority move: paralysis cuts the opponent speed, could decreases by 50% the opponents' accuracy attacks. On a switch, we "find" a free turn to do anything we need (Roost or Sub).

 

[Rowan]

Murkrow @ Eviolite
Trait: Prankster
Level: 5
EVs: 196 HP / 76 Atk / 20 Def / 180 SDef / 28 Spd
Careful Nature
- Brave Bird
- Substitute
- Roost
- Thunder Wave / Sucker Punch

Defensive SubRoost Krow is actually really under-rated imo. It can serve as a wall to Grass-, Fighting-, Ghost and Psychic types which is great. I know Vullaby can do this as well, but Murkrow has so much more offensive presence with Brave Bird. I find Murkrow's priority moves much more appealing than Vullaby's slightly better bulk. The EVs are cool as well. Max Sp. Def means that Misdreavus only breaks Murkrow's subsitute 1/16 times. Abra can also only manage a 4HKO on Murkrow with HP Fighting.
Brave Bird sets Murkrow apart from Vullaby with it's amazing Power. Subsitute blocks Status from Grass-types and Misdreavus, allowing it to pretty much hard counter them as long as it doesn't switch in on Will-O-Wisp/Spore. Priority roost is also a large advantage over Vullaby, allowing it to heal against things like Thunderbolt staryu, misdreavus etc... Thunder Wave vs. Sucker Punch is preference. Thunder Wave helps it support it's team mates but Sucker Punch helps check Drilbur.
Whilst, this is similar to TheQuaser's set, I think the EVs differentiate it enough as it makes Murkrow a better Misdreavus/Abra counter.

Calcs

196 Atk Timburr Drain Punch vs. 196 HP / 20 Def Eviolite Murkrow: 9-12 (36 - 48%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
196 Atk Timburr Mach Punch vs. 196 HP / 20 Def Eviolite Murkrow: 6-7 (24 - 28%) -- possible 4HKO
+1 196 Atk Timburr Mach Punch vs. 196 HP / 20 Def Eviolite Murkrow: 7-10 (28 - 40%) -- 96.68% chance to 3HKO
28 Atk Croagunk Drain Punch vs. 196 HP / 20 Def Eviolite Murkrow: 7-9 (28 - 36%) -- 4.05% chance to 3HKO
240 SpA Misdreavus Hidden Power Fighting vs. 196 HP / 180+ SpD Eviolite Murkrow: 5-6 (20 - 24%) -- guaranteed 5HKO
240 SpA Abra Hidden Power Fighting vs. 196 HP / 180+ SpD Eviolite Murkrow: 5-7 (20 - 28%) -- possible 4HKO

 

[dcae]

I had been gone for a while, but I'm finally updating this! Here are the submissions:

TehMexicanDude
iss
Sarkynin
TheQuasar
Corkscrew

Voting is open!

 

[cxinlee]

TehMexicanDude. With toxic, murkrow is no longer scared of lileep and porygon, two common walls that murk struggles to break.

 

[Rowan]

TehMexicanDude. Toxic does make a pretty cool lure for stuff like Porygon and Lileep and if the opponent doesn't have Heal Bell it can easily cripple them for the rest of the match.

 

[Superpowerdude]

TehMexicanDude

crippling stuff like Porygon, Hippopotas, Lileep, is great

 

[apt-get]

TehMexicanDude

No moar win strike :[

 

[The Quasar]

TehMexicanDude. Toxis is a really good idea.

 

[Artemisa]

Corkscrew, I'm also a fan of defensive sub roost and it's really amazing what you can tank under sub. If you don't run Sucker Punch you can still cripple scarfers and shell smashers.

 

[iss]

TehMexicanDewd

Thunder Wave can go suck a dick.

 

[-Sparkbeat-]

TehMexicanDewd cause kewl

 

[Good_Luck!]

TehMexicanDewd. Prankster Toxic is great.

 

[ebeast]

TehMexicanDewd

 

[dcae]

Okay TehMexicanDude wins!

I will post up a new mon in the next 24 hours.

EDIT: The next mon is the last member of the big three, Misdreavus!

 

[TUO]

Misdreavus @ Eviolite
Trait: Levitate
Level: 5
EVs: 36 HP / 120 Def / 80 SDef / 240 Spd
Timid Nature
- Taunt
- Will-O-Wisp
- Shadow Ball
- Destiny Bond

I like this thing. It doesn't have Pain Split for reliable recovery, nor does it have decent coverage to work off of, but it can annoy pretty much anything enough and cripple things to oblivion to the time it is alive. This thing works as a nice pivot for offensive mons as a stallbreaker/Timburr or Krow lure in order for dudes to sweep like Scraggy. Firsty you taunt whatever will try to setup on you like Scraggy, then Destiny Bond Scraggy/Timburr as it Crunch/Payback's you, either stopping a sweep or luring something for a successful sweep. You can also Dbond on Murkrow as it sucker punches, so you can force it into bad situations if it switches in on taunt, which actually gives Misdreavus the upperhand in momentum against one of its main checks. This works very well with hazard support, as it can force switches and be an offensive annoyer. This is basically TauntWisp Mew of OU with Dbond>Softboiled.

 

[Artemisa]

Misdreavus (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 36 HP / 40 Def / 240 SAtk / 160 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Shadow Ball
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Fighting]
- Substitute

This set is design for you to scout your opponents walls. For example, you have Missy vs Mienfoo right, then set up sub since Mienfoo can't touch you. A After that common switch ins like Porygon or Krow come in and then you nail them with a super effective stab. This is also a good way to avoid any status that can cripple you from actually sweeping. The evs are like that because I really don't need 19 speed since I am hiding behind a sub and I outspeed all the walls I need to. 40 evs in def so stuff like knock off will not break the sub.

Hide

240 SpA Life Orb Misdreavus Hidden Power Fighting vs. 236 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Porygon: 13-16 (50 - 61.53%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
240 SpA Life Orb Misdreavus Hidden Power Fighting vs. 228 HP / 60 SpD Eviolite Lileep: 13-16 (50 - 61.53%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
240 SpA Life Orb Misdreavus Thunderbolt vs. 36 HP / 20 SpD Eviolite Murkrow: 21-26 (91.3 - 113.04%) -- 68.75% chance to OHKO
240 SpA Life Orb Misdreavus Shadow Ball vs. 76 HP / 228 SpD Eviolite Chinchou: 9-13 (36 - 52%) -- 11.33% chance to 2HKO
240 SpA Life Orb Misdreavus Shadow Ball vs. 76 HP / 236+ SpD Eviolite Timburr: 9-13 (36 - 52%) -- 11.33% chance to 2HKO

For the things that have a low chance to 2HKO, with SR it boost up about 86% chance to 2HKO.

 

[The Quasar]

Misdreavus@Choice Scarf
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 40 HP / 40 Def / 160 SAtk / 240 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Shadow Ball
- Hidden Power [Fighting]
- Trick
- Taunt


This Misdreavus's set is still a good version of scarfed revenge killer Missy. Shadow Ball is common like STAB SAtk, so Hidden Power [Fighting] and Trick to swapping held item with dangerous opponent, expected statistically an eviolite).
Finally, Taunt makes this set very useful on defensive team: stop boosting, phazing or putting entry hazards. IMHO it's better than Thunderbolt.

 

[apt-get]

+2 240 SpA Life Orb Misdreavus Hidden Power Fighting vs. 228 HP / 60 SpD Eviolite Lileep: 21-26 (80.76 - 100%) -- 68.75% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock (21, 21, 21, 21, 21, 23, 23, 23, 23, 23, 23, 23, 23, 23, 23, 26)


+2 240 SpA Life Orb Misdreavus Hidden Power Fighting vs. 228 HP / 60 SpD Eviolite Lileep: 21-26 (80.76 - 100%) -- 68.75% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
(21, 21, 21, 21, 21, 23, 23, 23, 23, 23, 23, 23, 23, 23, 23, 26)


+2 240 SpA Life Orb Misdreavus Shadow Ball vs. 76 HP / 236+ SpD Eviolite Timburr: 19-23 (76 - 92%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
(19, 19, 19, 19, 19, 19, 19, 21, 21, 21, 21, 21, 21, 21, 21, 23)


+2 240 SpA Life Orb Misdreavus Hidden Power Fighting vs. 36 HP / 20 SpD Eviolite Murkrow: 14-18 (60.86 - 78.26%) -- 6.25% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
(14, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 18)


+2 240 SpA Life Orb Misdreavus Hidden Power Fighting vs. 228 HP / 60 SpD Eviolite Lileep in sand: 13-18 (50 - 69.23%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock

MISSYYYY (Misdreavus) @ Life Orb
Trait: Levitate
Level: 5
EVs: 240 SAtk / 240 Spd
Timid Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Shadow Ball
- Hidden Power [Fighting]
- Taunt / Destiny Bond



This set has two variants, taunt and DBond. You essentially taunt a hippo or Lileep or something, Nasty Plot on the switch, and rape things. Their best wall, Porygon/Lileep, can't even switch in as it's 2HKOed/OHKOed. Shit's cool yo.

 

[Wobbyble]

Misdreavus @ Choice Specs
Trait: Levitate
Level: 5
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Hidden Power [Fighting]
- Thunderbolt/Psychic
- Trick

Basically send it out, predict switches, and wreck. 1-2HKOs everything in the game barring Sandstormed Lileep, Munchlax, and the rare bulky Stunky. Trick a Specs onto incoming walls to cripple, IMO best offensive Misdreavous set out there.

lol Arte posting my subtox Krow set xD

 

[dcae]

Here are the submissions for the last of the big three!

The Unlucky One
TehMexicanDewd
The Quasar
Sarkynin
Wobbyble

Voting is now open!

 

[mkizzy]

Sarkynin

 

[TROP]

Sarkynin

 

[Artemisa]

WOBBYBLE, (dat set sux, needs more defense curl + calm mind)

In my experience that set has cost me Porygons, Lileep, Chinchous, Foongus and the ability to cripple a wall by taking away it's eviolite and making it choice is really good. Even though it gets wrecked by Sucker Punch especially by the most common SPer Murkrow if you can predict the sucker and trick, you're good.

 

[Nozzle]

TUO