Post by BlackMalachite on Dec 18, 2016 18:06:32 GMT -8
Basculin
Type: Water
Abilities:
Red Striped Form - (Reckless), Adaptability, Mold Breaker
Blue Striped Form - (Rock Head), Adaptability, Mold Breaker
Stats:
HP: 70
Attack: 92
Defense: 65
Special Attack: 80
Special Defense: 92
Speed: 98
Overview:
Basculin is a monstrous little fish with a good niche in spamming powerful Adaptability + STAB boosted priority Aqua Jets for monstrous effect. It also has access to a multitude of wonderful physical moves, and a usable Special Attack. Things unfortunately aren't all peachy for this vicious swimmer, as he has low defenses, and his base 98 Speed makes it a bit harder for him to deal with the multitude of fast Electric types running around the tier. However if you play Basculin to its strengths, you can punch holes into your opponent's team.
Set #1: Aqua Jet Life Orb + Three Attacks
EVs: 4 HP, 252 Atk, 252 Spe
Nature: Adamant (+ Atk, - SpA)
Item: Life Orb
Ability: Adaptability
Moves:
Aqua Jet
Crunch
Zen Headbutt
Waterfall / Head Smash / Superpower
Set Description: Bring this in to finish off any Pokemon that's particularly annoying your team with its powerful STAB and Adaptability boosted Aqua Jet. Crunch and Zen Headbutt are necessary coverage moves. The last slot is filler, you could add Waterfall for a truly powerful attack if you know you can outspeed your whole opponent's team. Head Smash is also an option, but is better on Reckless or Rock Head sets. Superpower is also a wonderful way to deal with the plethora of Steel types in the tier.
Set #2: Reckless Life Orb
EVs: 4 HP, 252 Atk, 252 Spe
Nature: Adamant (+ Atk, - SpA)
Item: Life Orb
Ability: Reckless
Moves:
Head Smash
Waterfall
Crunch / Superpower
Zen Headbutt / Superpower
Set Description: Head Smash hits anything that doesn't resist it like a truck thanks to Reckless's 20% power boost. Waterfall is your handy STAB move. The last two slots are filler coverage, as most of the time you won't be using them, but when you do, it's up to whatever your team requires.
Set #3: Priority Endeavor Lead
EVs: 4 HP, 252 Atk, 252 Spe
Nature: Jolly (+ Spe, - SpA)
Item: Focus Sash
Ability: Adaptability
Moves:
Taunt
Aqua Jet
Endeavor
Protect / Waterfall
Set Description: Basculin has access to two very weird moves in Taunt, and Endeavor and can function as a powerful lead that can almost assure you nabbing a KO thanks to Basculin's very usable speed and strong priority Adaptability boosted STAB Aqua Jet. Simply Taunt your opponent to prevent set up, then utilize Endeavor + Priority to nail good KOs. Last slot depends on whether you want scouting ability, or a more powerful move to hit your opponent.
Other Options: Unfortunately a utility moveset isn't as viable here due to Basculin's support movepool (while having some gems) being rather limited. It gets access to Final Gambit which could be useful in certain situations with a 252 HP / 252 Spe Scarf set. Thanks to its usable Special Attack it could run a Special set with a niche in access to STAB Adaptability Scald, but it's going to find its lackluster Special Attack failing it quite a bit even with the Adaptability boost.
Type: Water
Abilities:
Red Striped Form - (Reckless), Adaptability, Mold Breaker
Blue Striped Form - (Rock Head), Adaptability, Mold Breaker
Stats:
HP: 70
Attack: 92
Defense: 65
Special Attack: 80
Special Defense: 92
Speed: 98
Overview:
Basculin is a monstrous little fish with a good niche in spamming powerful Adaptability + STAB boosted priority Aqua Jets for monstrous effect. It also has access to a multitude of wonderful physical moves, and a usable Special Attack. Things unfortunately aren't all peachy for this vicious swimmer, as he has low defenses, and his base 98 Speed makes it a bit harder for him to deal with the multitude of fast Electric types running around the tier. However if you play Basculin to its strengths, you can punch holes into your opponent's team.
Set #1: Aqua Jet Life Orb + Three Attacks
EVs: 4 HP, 252 Atk, 252 Spe
Nature: Adamant (+ Atk, - SpA)
Item: Life Orb
Ability: Adaptability
Moves:
Aqua Jet
Crunch
Zen Headbutt
Waterfall / Head Smash / Superpower
Set Description: Bring this in to finish off any Pokemon that's particularly annoying your team with its powerful STAB and Adaptability boosted Aqua Jet. Crunch and Zen Headbutt are necessary coverage moves. The last slot is filler, you could add Waterfall for a truly powerful attack if you know you can outspeed your whole opponent's team. Head Smash is also an option, but is better on Reckless or Rock Head sets. Superpower is also a wonderful way to deal with the plethora of Steel types in the tier.
Set #2: Reckless Life Orb
EVs: 4 HP, 252 Atk, 252 Spe
Nature: Adamant (+ Atk, - SpA)
Item: Life Orb
Ability: Reckless
Moves:
Head Smash
Waterfall
Crunch / Superpower
Zen Headbutt / Superpower
Set Description: Head Smash hits anything that doesn't resist it like a truck thanks to Reckless's 20% power boost. Waterfall is your handy STAB move. The last two slots are filler coverage, as most of the time you won't be using them, but when you do, it's up to whatever your team requires.
Set #3: Priority Endeavor Lead
EVs: 4 HP, 252 Atk, 252 Spe
Nature: Jolly (+ Spe, - SpA)
Item: Focus Sash
Ability: Adaptability
Moves:
Taunt
Aqua Jet
Endeavor
Protect / Waterfall
Set Description: Basculin has access to two very weird moves in Taunt, and Endeavor and can function as a powerful lead that can almost assure you nabbing a KO thanks to Basculin's very usable speed and strong priority Adaptability boosted STAB Aqua Jet. Simply Taunt your opponent to prevent set up, then utilize Endeavor + Priority to nail good KOs. Last slot depends on whether you want scouting ability, or a more powerful move to hit your opponent.
Other Options: Unfortunately a utility moveset isn't as viable here due to Basculin's support movepool (while having some gems) being rather limited. It gets access to Final Gambit which could be useful in certain situations with a 252 HP / 252 Spe Scarf set. Thanks to its usable Special Attack it could run a Special set with a niche in access to STAB Adaptability Scald, but it's going to find its lackluster Special Attack failing it quite a bit even with the Adaptability boost.
