slash twave in the sub set on the last slot. its really useeful with berry juice and fishing for para is a real strat. other than that everything is good between my last check and now
QC 3/3
Electrolyte
QC 3/3
Electrolyte
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Murkrow DONE
- Thread starter Electrolyte
- Start date
- Status
Written and ready for final QC check.
Whoo this is ready for GP :]
Electrolyte
REMOVE CHANGE COMMENTS
1/2
REMOVE CHANGE COMMENTS
Overview
########
Just like it was last generation, Murkrow remains one of the more powerful offensive Pokemon in the Little Cup tier. Its great mixed attacking stats, high Speed, and expansive movepool give it the ability to run physical and mixed sets. This unpredictability is one of Murkrow's prime traits—because it can run so many different sets, it's really hard to predict and counter. It also has access to both damaging priority in the form of STAB Sucker Punch and supportive priority with Prankster, which further boost its damaging potential. It is held back slightly by its weakness to Stealth Rock and forced reliance on unreliable attacks such as Brave Bird and Sucker Punch for STAB, but those drawbacks are relatively small compared to everything else the bird can do. Its Speed, power, and flexibility ensure it a spot on almost any team.
Mixed Attacker
########
name: Life Orb Attacker
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Sucker Punch
move 3: Heat Wave
move 4: Hidden Power Grass / Dark Pulse / Defog
ability: Insomnia
item: Life Orb / Berry Juice
evs: 240 Atk / 80 SpA / 188 Spe
nature: Naive
Moves
========
Brave Bird is Murkrow's main STAB attack, and is ridiculously powerful coming off of its high Attack stat and the Life Orb boost. Sucker Punch provides an incredibly strong priority move to hit potential revenge killers. Heat Wave toasts hits the Steel-types such as Pawniard or Magnemite that would otherwise wall Murkrow you. The last slot is for type coverage. Hidden Power Grass hits Tirtouga and other Rock-types for decent damage. Dark Pulse can also be used to reliably nail Slowpoke and Misdreavus without having to rely on the prediction-based Sucker Punch. Roost can be used in the last slot if coverage isn't needed and healing is more important to cover for Life Orb and Brave Bird recoil. Defog can also be used in the last slot to give Murkrow an offensive support role. Defog is illegal with Prankster anyway so it won't clash with Insomnia. Hidden Power Ground can also be used to hit Rock-types hard, but Dark Pulse should hit most of them hard enough anyway.
Set Details
========
Life Orb allows Murkrow to do as much damage as possible without forcing it into one attack. A Naive nature and 188 Spe EVs allow Murkrow to hit the important 19 Speed, tieing with most Misdreavus. 240 Attack EVs maximize physical attack to hit as hard as possible with Murkrow's two STABs. The last 80 EVs are thrown in Special Attack to give Heat Wave, Hidden Power Grass, and Dark Pulse more power. Insomnia is preferred over Prankster because none of its attacks bar Roost receive the Prankster boost, and Prankster is illegal with Defog. Also, Insomnia allows Murkrow to absorb Sleep Powders and other sleep-inducing attacks, giving it the ability to put sun teams and their Chlorophyll sweepers in a scheckmate position because they are forced to attack and are susceptible to a strong Life Orb-boosted Sucker Punch. It also makes Murkrow a great switch-in to Foongus, but this can be risky because of Stun Spore. Berry Juice is a great replacement for Life Orb if you want to try and bluff non-mixed Murkrow and would like to run 4 attacks but still have a way of recovering some health.
Usage Tips
========
The safest way to bring Murkrow in is through Volt Switch and U-turn, a switch in against a Ground-type attack, or a switch in against weak or resisted attacks. Murkrow is kind of frail, so care must be taken when switching it in. Once it's in safely, Murkrow should fire off its powerful Brave Birds in order to deal the most amount of damage possible. Use Sucker Punch when the opposing Pokemon is faster, (RC) or to bypass opposing priority attacks and finish off weakened opponents. Try to use Heat Wave and Hidden Power Grass sparingly, as they not only help to sweep, but can be used to lure and KO certain Pokemon if the illusion that you don't Murkrow doesn't have them can be kept up.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that can take advantage of the removal of Pokemon like Pawniard and Magnemite enjoy the support Murkrow's offensive capabilities. Offensive Pokemon that share the same type as Murkrow may also find an easier time sweeping due the holes it can punch in a team. Faster cleaners like to abuse the damage done by Life Orb Murkrow, and can help clean up once Murkrow sweeps. Volt Switch Turn and U-turn Pokemon like Chinchou and Mienfoo allow Murkrow to switch in a lot easier. Pokemon that can easily switch in on or take care of bulky Water-types like Chinchou, Slowpoke, and Tirtouga can help clear away walls for Murkrow to sweep. Grass-types like Ferroseed, Lileep, and Foongus especially come in handy for this. Rock-type counters for Amaura or Archen are appreciated as well. These include Fighting-types, bulky Water-types, and Grass-types. Pokemon that can remove entry hazards with Defog or Rapid Spin are great partners too because they can get rid of Stealth Rock. Similarly, entry hazard layers setters like Ferroseed or Dwebble help whittle down the opponent and break Focus Sashes and Sturdy, making it easier for Murkrow to sweep uninterruptedly.
Substitute Attacker
########
name: Substitute Attacker
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Brave Bird
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Roost / Heat Wave / Thunder Wave
ability: Prankster
item: Eviolite / Berry Juice
evs: 36 HP / 236 Atk / 20 Def / 20 SpD / 188 Spe
nature: Jolly
Moves
========
On this set, Murkrow utilizes priority Substitute to protect itself so that it can safely unleash its powerful attacks. Substitute is a great move for Murkrow because it takes advantage of Murkrow's ability to force switches, allows for the easier use of Sucker Punch, blocks status, and is priority due to Prankster. Brave Bird is present again on this set as the obligatory STAB attack. Sucker Punch is STAB priority, (RC) and pairs really well with Substitute, forcing opposing Pokemon to attack so Sucker Punch can hit them hard. Roost helps to alleviate Substitute and Brave Bird recoil. Heat Wave can also be used to give Murkrow some unpredictability, nailing Steel-types hard, making Murkrow even harder to check. If Roost is not used, it is advised to give Murkrow a Berry Juice so that it can still heal itself. Thunder Wave can be used in last slot to aid its team with paralysis and allow Murkrow to impact the match long after it goes down.
Set Details
========
Eviolite is preferred here because this set takes on a marginally more defensive role, doesn't need the extra LO recoil, and already has recovery in the form of prankster Roost. A Jolly nature and 188 Speed EVs again make sure Murkrow is as fast as possible because even with Prankster Substitutes and Roost, it is going to want to move first as often as possible. 236 Attack EVs are used for maximum power. The last 36 EVs are placed in HP because it doesn't need them anywhere else. A Life Orb can be used over Eviolite if bulk is not valued, recoil can be played around, and doing as much damage as possible is the goal.
Usage Tips
========
In contrast to the Life Orb set, Substitute takes over as the most commonly used move, not Brave Bird. This is because Murkrow forces a lot of switches, and that, coupled with Prankster and Roost access, makes Substitute the number one way to mess with an opposing team. If played correctly, this set can be incredibly annoying to most teams. Even though it is carrying an Eviolite, Murkrow is no defensive behemoth, so switching in must still be done with caution. Don't expect it to tank too many super effective attacks. Remember, Prankster is a valuable tool for grabbing momentum, so don't be afraid to Substitute or Roost against Pokemon such as Chinchou or Magnemite that might who may get too cocky and use Volt Switch. However, do so with caution.
Team Options
========
A Rapid Spinner or Defog user is really useful for getting rid of Stealth Rock, which can could severely limit Murkrow's longevity. Pokemon that can help take on potential Murkrow checks such as Pawniard, Magnemite, and bulky Water-types are also great partners. A Magnemite of your own can help get rid of opposing Steel-types that wall this set. SubRoost Murkrow is very good at stall, so weather from Snover and even Toxic Spikes from the likes of Tentacool, who which can use Rapid Spin to support Murkrow as well, can come in handy. Just like with the Life Orb set, offensive partners such as Grass-types or Ground-types to get rid of Electric- or Rock-types are really useful. Because of this, Chinchou and Staryu make great partners.
Other Options
########
Murkrow has many other options it can potentially utilize. Hidden Power Ice or Icy Wind can be used as coverage on both sets to hit Archen and Tyrunt. Thief can be used to steal items. Pursuit can be used to trap Psychic- and Ghost-types that need to be removed. A Calm Mind set utilizing Murkrow's expansive special movepool is a very viable set. A critical hit-abusing set utilizing Scope Lens and Murkrow's other ability, Super Luck, can be used to deal powerful attacks without Life Orb recoil. Prankster support is also an option. A bulky Haze set can be used to stop setup sweepers. Prankster Taunt, Toxic, Perish Trap, and Tailwind all allow Murkrow to support its team. A Choice Scarf can be used for more Speed and even better revenge killing capabilities. With help from Prankster, Murkrow can also run an incredibly annoying Thunder Wave + Confuse Ray set, but it is rather unreliable and Murkrow is usually better off doing other things. Finally, Murkrow can also run a two-attack Thunder Wave set alongside Prankster and cripple an opposing team with priority paralysis.
Checks & Counters
########
**Rock-types**: Rock-types beat Murkrow by resisting its STAB moves and using their natural bulk to sponge its coverage attacks. Archen, Amaura, Tirtouga, Dwebble, and Shieldon all work well in this regard. They can also set Stealth Rock, which really cuts down on Murkrow's longevity.
**Steel-types**: Pawniard checks sets lacking Heat Wave and can Knock Off Murkrow's item. Magnemite switches into Brave Bird easily, (RC) and threatens Murkrow with Thunderbolt, but must watch out for Hidden Power Ground and Heat Wave.
**Bulky Physical Walls**: Pokemon with high Defense stats such as Lileep, Porygon, or Hippopotas can check Murkrow, but some are 2HKOed by Life Orb-boosted Brave Bird.
**Bulky Water-types**: Chinchou, Shellder, and Tirtouga can take the majority of Murkrow's STAB attacks and coverage moves and can respond with respective super effective moves. Shellder and Tirtouga can set up on Murkrow while it fails to hurt them with Sucker Punch, (RC) and then outspeed it and take it down.
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types such as Spritzee can take a Brave Bird and retaliate with super effective Fairy-type attacks.
**Choice Scarf Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon that resist Sucker Punch are really annoying for Murkrow to face. Most of these are Choice Scarf Pokemon, since as Murkrow naturally outspeeds or ties with almost every common Pokemon in the metagame. Notable Choice Scarf Pokemon are Pawniard and Mienfoo.
########
Just like it was last generation, Murkrow remains one of the more powerful offensive Pokemon in the Little Cup tier. Its great mixed attacking stats, high Speed, and expansive movepool give it the ability to run physical and mixed sets. This unpredictability is one of Murkrow's prime traits—because it can run so many different sets, it's really hard to predict and counter. It also has access to both damaging priority in the form of STAB Sucker Punch and supportive priority with Prankster, which further boost its damaging potential. It is held back slightly by its weakness to Stealth Rock and forced reliance on unreliable attacks such as Brave Bird and Sucker Punch for STAB, but those drawbacks are relatively small compared to everything else the bird can do. Its Speed, power, and flexibility ensure it a spot on almost any team.
Mixed Attacker
########
name: Life Orb Attacker
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Sucker Punch
move 3: Heat Wave
move 4: Hidden Power Grass / Dark Pulse / Defog
ability: Insomnia
item: Life Orb / Berry Juice
evs: 240 Atk / 80 SpA / 188 Spe
nature: Naive
Moves
========
Brave Bird is Murkrow's main STAB attack, and is ridiculously powerful coming off of its high Attack stat and the Life Orb boost. Sucker Punch provides an incredibly strong priority move to hit potential revenge killers. Heat Wave toasts hits the Steel-types such as Pawniard or Magnemite that would otherwise wall Murkrow you. The last slot is for type coverage. Hidden Power Grass hits Tirtouga and other Rock-types for decent damage. Dark Pulse can also be used to reliably nail Slowpoke and Misdreavus without having to rely on the prediction-based Sucker Punch. Roost can be used in the last slot if coverage isn't needed and healing is more important to cover for Life Orb and Brave Bird recoil. Defog can also be used in the last slot to give Murkrow an offensive support role. Defog is illegal with Prankster anyway so it won't clash with Insomnia. Hidden Power Ground can also be used to hit Rock-types hard, but Dark Pulse should hit most of them hard enough anyway.
Set Details
========
Life Orb allows Murkrow to do as much damage as possible without forcing it into one attack. A Naive nature and 188 Spe EVs allow Murkrow to hit the important 19 Speed, tieing with most Misdreavus. 240 Attack EVs maximize physical attack to hit as hard as possible with Murkrow's two STABs. The last 80 EVs are thrown in Special Attack to give Heat Wave, Hidden Power Grass, and Dark Pulse more power. Insomnia is preferred over Prankster because none of its attacks bar Roost receive the Prankster boost, and Prankster is illegal with Defog. Also, Insomnia allows Murkrow to absorb Sleep Powders and other sleep-inducing attacks, giving it the ability to put sun teams and their Chlorophyll sweepers in a scheckmate position because they are forced to attack and are susceptible to a strong Life Orb-boosted Sucker Punch. It also makes Murkrow a great switch-in to Foongus, but this can be risky because of Stun Spore. Berry Juice is a great replacement for Life Orb if you want to try and bluff non-mixed Murkrow and would like to run 4 attacks but still have a way of recovering some health.
Usage Tips
========
The safest way to bring Murkrow in is through Volt Switch and U-turn, a switch in against a Ground-type attack, or a switch in against weak or resisted attacks. Murkrow is kind of frail, so care must be taken when switching it in. Once it's in safely, Murkrow should fire off its powerful Brave Birds in order to deal the most amount of damage possible. Use Sucker Punch when the opposing Pokemon is faster, (RC) or to bypass opposing priority attacks and finish off weakened opponents. Try to use Heat Wave and Hidden Power Grass sparingly, as they not only help to sweep, but can be used to lure and KO certain Pokemon if the illusion that you don't Murkrow doesn't have them can be kept up.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that can take advantage of the removal of Pokemon like Pawniard and Magnemite enjoy the support Murkrow's offensive capabilities. Offensive Pokemon that share the same type as Murkrow may also find an easier time sweeping due the holes it can punch in a team. Faster cleaners like to abuse the damage done by Life Orb Murkrow, and can help clean up once Murkrow sweeps. Volt Switch Turn and U-turn Pokemon like Chinchou and Mienfoo allow Murkrow to switch in a lot easier. Pokemon that can easily switch in on or take care of bulky Water-types like Chinchou, Slowpoke, and Tirtouga can help clear away walls for Murkrow to sweep. Grass-types like Ferroseed, Lileep, and Foongus especially come in handy for this. Rock-type counters for Amaura or Archen are appreciated as well. These include Fighting-types, bulky Water-types, and Grass-types. Pokemon that can remove entry hazards with Defog or Rapid Spin are great partners too because they can get rid of Stealth Rock. Similarly, entry hazard layers setters like Ferroseed or Dwebble help whittle down the opponent and break Focus Sashes and Sturdy, making it easier for Murkrow to sweep uninterruptedly.
Substitute Attacker
########
name: Substitute Attacker
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Brave Bird
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Roost / Heat Wave / Thunder Wave
ability: Prankster
item: Eviolite / Berry Juice
evs: 36 HP / 236 Atk / 20 Def / 20 SpD / 188 Spe
nature: Jolly
Moves
========
On this set, Murkrow utilizes priority Substitute to protect itself so that it can safely unleash its powerful attacks. Substitute is a great move for Murkrow because it takes advantage of Murkrow's ability to force switches, allows for the easier use of Sucker Punch, blocks status, and is priority due to Prankster. Brave Bird is present again on this set as the obligatory STAB attack. Sucker Punch is STAB priority, (RC) and pairs really well with Substitute, forcing opposing Pokemon to attack so Sucker Punch can hit them hard. Roost helps to alleviate Substitute and Brave Bird recoil. Heat Wave can also be used to give Murkrow some unpredictability, nailing Steel-types hard, making Murkrow even harder to check. If Roost is not used, it is advised to give Murkrow a Berry Juice so that it can still heal itself. Thunder Wave can be used in last slot to aid its team with paralysis and allow Murkrow to impact the match long after it goes down.
Set Details
========
Eviolite is preferred here because this set takes on a marginally more defensive role, doesn't need the extra LO recoil, and already has recovery in the form of prankster Roost. A Jolly nature and 188 Speed EVs again make sure Murkrow is as fast as possible because even with Prankster Substitutes and Roost, it is going to want to move first as often as possible. 236 Attack EVs are used for maximum power. The last 36 EVs are placed in HP because it doesn't need them anywhere else. A Life Orb can be used over Eviolite if bulk is not valued, recoil can be played around, and doing as much damage as possible is the goal.
Usage Tips
========
In contrast to the Life Orb set, Substitute takes over as the most commonly used move, not Brave Bird. This is because Murkrow forces a lot of switches, and that, coupled with Prankster and Roost access, makes Substitute the number one way to mess with an opposing team. If played correctly, this set can be incredibly annoying to most teams. Even though it is carrying an Eviolite, Murkrow is no defensive behemoth, so switching in must still be done with caution. Don't expect it to tank too many super effective attacks. Remember, Prankster is a valuable tool for grabbing momentum, so don't be afraid to Substitute or Roost against Pokemon such as Chinchou or Magnemite that might who may get too cocky and use Volt Switch. However, do so with caution.
Team Options
========
A Rapid Spinner or Defog user is really useful for getting rid of Stealth Rock, which can could severely limit Murkrow's longevity. Pokemon that can help take on potential Murkrow checks such as Pawniard, Magnemite, and bulky Water-types are also great partners. A Magnemite of your own can help get rid of opposing Steel-types that wall this set. SubRoost Murkrow is very good at stall, so weather from Snover and even Toxic Spikes from the likes of Tentacool, who which can use Rapid Spin to support Murkrow as well, can come in handy. Just like with the Life Orb set, offensive partners such as Grass-types or Ground-types to get rid of Electric- or Rock-types are really useful. Because of this, Chinchou and Staryu make great partners.
Other Options
########
Murkrow has many other options it can potentially utilize. Hidden Power Ice or Icy Wind can be used as coverage on both sets to hit Archen and Tyrunt. Thief can be used to steal items. Pursuit can be used to trap Psychic- and Ghost-types that need to be removed. A Calm Mind set utilizing Murkrow's expansive special movepool is a very viable set. A critical hit-abusing set utilizing Scope Lens and Murkrow's other ability, Super Luck, can be used to deal powerful attacks without Life Orb recoil. Prankster support is also an option. A bulky Haze set can be used to stop setup sweepers. Prankster Taunt, Toxic, Perish Trap, and Tailwind all allow Murkrow to support its team. A Choice Scarf can be used for more Speed and even better revenge killing capabilities. With help from Prankster, Murkrow can also run an incredibly annoying Thunder Wave + Confuse Ray set, but it is rather unreliable and Murkrow is usually better off doing other things. Finally, Murkrow can also run a two-attack Thunder Wave set alongside Prankster and cripple an opposing team with priority paralysis.
Checks & Counters
########
**Rock-types**: Rock-types beat Murkrow by resisting its STAB moves and using their natural bulk to sponge its coverage attacks. Archen, Amaura, Tirtouga, Dwebble, and Shieldon all work well in this regard. They can also set Stealth Rock, which really cuts down on Murkrow's longevity.
**Steel-types**: Pawniard checks sets lacking Heat Wave and can Knock Off Murkrow's item. Magnemite switches into Brave Bird easily, (RC) and threatens Murkrow with Thunderbolt, but must watch out for Hidden Power Ground and Heat Wave.
**Bulky Physical Walls**: Pokemon with high Defense stats such as Lileep, Porygon, or Hippopotas can check Murkrow, but some are 2HKOed by Life Orb-boosted Brave Bird.
**Bulky Water-types**: Chinchou, Shellder, and Tirtouga can take the majority of Murkrow's STAB attacks and coverage moves and can respond with respective super effective moves. Shellder and Tirtouga can set up on Murkrow while it fails to hurt them with Sucker Punch, (RC) and then outspeed it and take it down.
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types such as Spritzee can take a Brave Bird and retaliate with super effective Fairy-type attacks.
**Choice Scarf Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon that resist Sucker Punch are really annoying for Murkrow to face. Most of these are Choice Scarf Pokemon, since as Murkrow naturally outspeeds or ties with almost every common Pokemon in the metagame. Notable Choice Scarf Pokemon are Pawniard and Mienfoo.
1/2
Last edited:
Thanks Gato!
This is ready for its next check.
This is ready for its next check.
blitzlefan
shake it off!
Nice work - very well written. The only major thing I did was rearrange the sentences in the "moves" sections for the Mixed Attacker, mentioning Defog before Roost (Defog is slashed while Roost isn't).
GP 2/2
Overview
########
Just like it was last generation, Murkrow is one of the most powerful offensive Pokemon in the Little Cup tier. Its great mixed attacking stats, high Speed, and expansive movepool allow it to run physical and mixed sets. This unpredictability is one of Murkrow's prime traits; because it can run so many different sets, it's really hard to predict and counter. It has access to both damaging priority in the form of STAB Sucker Punch and supportive priority with Prankster, which further boost its damaging potential. It is held back slightly by its weakness to Stealth Rock and forced reliance on STAB attacks such as the recoil-inducing Brave Bird and unreliable Sucker Punch. However, these drawbacks are relatively minor compared to everything else the bird can do. Its Speed, power, and flexibility ensure it a spot on almost any team.
Mixed Attacker
########
name: Life Orb Attacker
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Sucker Punch
move 3: Heat Wave
move 4: Hidden Power Grass / Dark Pulse / Defog
ability: Insomnia
item: Life Orb / Berry Juice
evs: 240 Atk / 80 SpA / 188 Spe
nature: Naive
Moves
========
Brave Bird is Murkrow's main STAB attack, and is ridiculously powerful coming off of its high Attack stat and the Life Orb boost. Sucker Punch is an incredibly strong priority move that hits potential revenge killers. Heat Wave hits the Steel-types such as Pawniard or Magnemite that would otherwise wall Murkrow. The last slot is for type coverage. Hidden Power Grass hits Tirtouga and other Rock-types for decent damage, whereas Dark Pulse can be used to reliably nail Slowpoke and Misdreavus without having to rely on the prediction-based Sucker Punch. Defog can be used in the last slot so that Murkrow can support its team, and doesn't clash with Insomnia as it's illegal with Prankster. Roost can also be used in the last slot if coverage isn't needed, and healing is more important to cover for Life Orb and Brave Bird recoil. Hidden Power Ground can also be used to hit Rock-types, but Dark Pulse should hit most of them hard enough.
Set Details
========
Life Orb allows Murkrow to do as much damage as possible without forcing it into one attack. A Naive nature and 188 Speed EVs allow Murkrow to hit the important 19 Speed benchmark, thus being able to Speed tie with most Misdreavus. 240 Attack EVs maximize the damage done with Murkrow's two STAB moves. The last 80 EVs are thrown into Special Attack to give Heat Wave, Hidden Power Grass, and Dark Pulse more power. Insomnia is preferred over Prankster because none of Murkrow's attacks bar Roost receive the Prankster boost, and Prankster is illegal with Defog. Insomnia allows Murkrow to absorb Sleep Powder and other sleep-inducing moves. As a result, Murkrow can put sun teams and their Chlorophyll sweepers in a checkmate position, as they are forced to attack and are therefore susceptible to a strong Life Orb-boosted Sucker Punch. It also makes Murkrow a great switch-in to Foongus, but this can be risky because of Stun Spore. Berry Juice is a great replacement for Life Orb if you want to try and bluff non-mixed Murkrow and would like to run four attacks but still have a way of recovering some health.
Usage Tips
========
The safest way to bring Murkrow in is through Volt Switch and U-turn, a switch on a Ground-type attack, or a switch on a weak or resisted attack. Murkrow is kind of frail, so care must be taken when switching it in. Once it's in safely, Murkrow should fire off its powerful Brave Birds in order to deal the most amount of damage possible. Use Sucker Punch when the opposing Pokemon is faster, to bypass opposing priority attacks, and to finish off weakened opponents. Try to use Heat Wave and Hidden Power Grass sparingly, as they not only help to sweep, but can be used to lure and KO certain Pokemon if the illusion that Murkrow doesn't have them can be kept up.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that can take advantage of the removal of Pokemon such as Pawniard and Magnemite enjoy the support of Murkrow's offensive capabilities. Offensive Pokemon that share the same type as Murkrow might also find an easier time sweeping due the holes it can punch in a team. Faster cleaners like to take advantage of the damage done by Life Orb Murkrow, and can help clean up after it sweeps. Pokemon with Volt Switch and U-turn such as Chinchou and Mienfoo can help Murkrow switch in a lot easier. Pokemon that can easily switch in on or take care of bulky Water-types such as Chinchou, Slowpoke, and Tirtouga can help clear away walls for Murkrow and allow it to sweep. Grass-types such as Ferroseed, Lileep, and Foongus come in handy for this. Counters for Rock-types such as Amaura or Archen are appreciated as well. These include Fighting-types, bulky Water-types, and Grass-types. Pokemon that can remove entry hazards with Defog or Rapid Spin are great partners too, because they can get rid of Stealth Rock. Similarly, entry hazard setters such as Ferroseed and Dwebble help whittle down the opponent's Pokemon and break Focus Sashes and Sturdy, making it easier for Murkrow to sweep uninterrupted.
Substitute Attacker
########
name: Substitute Attacker
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Brave Bird
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Roost / Heat Wave / Thunder Wave
ability: Prankster
item: Eviolite / Berry Juice
evs: 36 HP / 236 Atk / 20 Def / 20 SpD / 188 Spe
nature: Jolly
Moves
========
On this set, Murkrow utilizes priority Substitute to protect itself so that it can safely unleash its powerful attacks. Substitute is a great move for Murkrow because it takes advantage of Murkrow's ability to force switches, allows for the easier use of Sucker Punch, blocks status, and is boosted by Prankster. Brave Bird is present on this set as the obligatory STAB attack. Sucker Punch is a STAB move with priority that pairs well with Substitute, forcing opposing Pokemon to attack so Murkrow can deal heavy damage. Roost helps to alleviate Substitute and Brave Bird recoil. Heat Wave can be used to give Murkrow some unpredictability, nailing Steel-types hard and making it even harder to check. If Roost is not used, it is advised to give Murkrow Berry Juice so that it can still heal itself. Thunder Wave can be used in last slot to hinder the opposing team with paralysis and allow Murkrow to impact the match long after it goes down.
Set Details
========
Eviolite is preferred here because this set takes on a marginally more defensive role, dislikes the extra Life Orb recoil, and already has recovery in the form of prankster Roost. A Jolly nature and 188 Speed EVs ensure that Murkrow is as fast as possible, because even with Prankster Substitutes and Roost, it is going to want to move first as often as possible. 236 Attack EVs are used for maximum power, and the last 36 EVs are placed in HP because it doesn't need them anywhere else. Life Orb can be used over Eviolite if bulk is not valued, recoil can be played around, and doing as much damage as possible is the goal.
Usage Tips
========
In contrast to on the Life Orb set, Substitute is the most commonly used move, not Brave Bird. This is because Murkrow forces a lot of switches, and that, coupled with Prankster and Roost, makes Substitute the number one way to mess with an opposing team. If played correctly, this set can be incredibly annoying to most teams. Even though it is carrying an Eviolite, Murkrow is no defensive behemoth, so switching in must still be done with caution. Don't expect it to tank too many super effective attacks. Remember, Prankster is a valuable tool for grabbing momentum, so don't be afraid to use Substitute or Roost against Pokemon such as Chinchou or Magnemite that might get too cocky with Volt Switch. However, do so with caution.
Team Options
========
A Rapid Spin or Defog user is really useful for getting rid of Stealth Rock, which can severely limit Murkrow's longevity. Pokemon that can help take on potential Murkrow checks such as Pawniard, Magnemite, and bulky Water-types are also great partners. A Magnemite of your own can help get rid of opposing Steel-types that wall this set. SubRoost Murkrow is very good at stalling, so weather from Snover and even Toxic Spikes from the likes of Tentacool, which can use Rapid Spin to support Murkrow as well, can come in handy. Just like with the Life Orb set, offensive partners such as Grass-types or Ground-types to get rid of Electric- or Rock-types are really useful. Because of this, Chinchou and Staryu make great partners.
Other Options
########
Murkrow has many other options it can potentially utilize. Hidden Power Ice or Icy Wind can be used as coverage on both sets to hit Archen and Tyrunt. Thief can be used to steal an opponent's item. Pursuit can be used to trap Psychic- and Ghost-types that need to be removed. A Calm Mind set utilizing Murkrow's expansive special movepool is a very viable set. A critical hit-abusing set utilizing Scope Lens and Murkrow's other ability, Super Luck, can be used to dish out powerful attacks without Life Orb recoil. Prankster support is also an option. A bulky Haze set can be used to stop setup sweepers, and Prankster Taunt, Toxic, Perish Trap, and Tailwind all allow Murkrow to support its team. A Choice Scarf can be used for more Speed and even better revenge killing capabilities. With help from Prankster, Murkrow can also run an incredibly annoying Thunder Wave + Confuse Ray set, but it is rather unreliable and Murkrow is usually better off doing other things. Lastly, Prankster Murkrow can run two attacks on a Thunder Wave set and cripple an opposing team with priority paralysis.
Checks & Counters
########
**Rock-types**: Rock-types beat Murkrow, as they resist its Flying-type STAB moves and can use their natural bulk to sponge its coverage attacks. Archen, Amaura, Tirtouga, Dwebble, and Shieldon all work well in this regard. They can also set Stealth Rock, which really cuts down on Murkrow's longevity.
**Steel-types**: Pawniard checks Murkrow sets lacking Heat Wave and can Knock Off its item. Magnemite switches into Brave Bird easily and threatens Murkrow with Thunderbolt, but must watch out for Hidden Power Ground and Heat Wave.
**Bulky Physical Walls**: Pokemon with high Defense stats such as Lileep, Porygon, and Hippopotas can check Murkrow, but some are 2HKOed by Life Orb-boosted Brave Bird.
**Bulky Water-types**: Chinchou, Shellder, and Tirtouga can take the majority of Murkrow's STAB attacks and coverage moves and respond with respective super effective moves. Shellder and Tirtouga can set up on Murkrow while it fails to hurt them with Sucker Punch and then outspeed it and take it down.
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types such as Spritzee can take a Brave Bird and retaliate with super effective Fairy-type attacks.
**Choice Scarf Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon that resist Sucker Punch are really annoying for Murkrow to face. Most of these are Choice Scarf Pokemon, as Murkrow naturally outspeeds or Speed ties with almost every common Pokemon in the metagame. Notable Choice Scarf Pokemon are Pawniard and Mienfoo.
########
Just like it was last generation, Murkrow is one of the most powerful offensive Pokemon in the Little Cup tier. Its great mixed attacking stats, high Speed, and expansive movepool allow it to run physical and mixed sets. This unpredictability is one of Murkrow's prime traits; because it can run so many different sets, it's really hard to predict and counter. It has access to both damaging priority in the form of STAB Sucker Punch and supportive priority with Prankster, which further boost its damaging potential. It is held back slightly by its weakness to Stealth Rock and forced reliance on STAB attacks such as the recoil-inducing Brave Bird and unreliable Sucker Punch. However, these drawbacks are relatively minor compared to everything else the bird can do. Its Speed, power, and flexibility ensure it a spot on almost any team.
Mixed Attacker
########
name: Life Orb Attacker
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Sucker Punch
move 3: Heat Wave
move 4: Hidden Power Grass / Dark Pulse / Defog
ability: Insomnia
item: Life Orb / Berry Juice
evs: 240 Atk / 80 SpA / 188 Spe
nature: Naive
Moves
========
Brave Bird is Murkrow's main STAB attack, and is ridiculously powerful coming off of its high Attack stat and the Life Orb boost. Sucker Punch is an incredibly strong priority move that hits potential revenge killers. Heat Wave hits the Steel-types such as Pawniard or Magnemite that would otherwise wall Murkrow. The last slot is for type coverage. Hidden Power Grass hits Tirtouga and other Rock-types for decent damage, whereas Dark Pulse can be used to reliably nail Slowpoke and Misdreavus without having to rely on the prediction-based Sucker Punch. Defog can be used in the last slot so that Murkrow can support its team, and doesn't clash with Insomnia as it's illegal with Prankster. Roost can also be used in the last slot if coverage isn't needed, and healing is more important to cover for Life Orb and Brave Bird recoil. Hidden Power Ground can also be used to hit Rock-types, but Dark Pulse should hit most of them hard enough.
Set Details
========
Life Orb allows Murkrow to do as much damage as possible without forcing it into one attack. A Naive nature and 188 Speed EVs allow Murkrow to hit the important 19 Speed benchmark, thus being able to Speed tie with most Misdreavus. 240 Attack EVs maximize the damage done with Murkrow's two STAB moves. The last 80 EVs are thrown into Special Attack to give Heat Wave, Hidden Power Grass, and Dark Pulse more power. Insomnia is preferred over Prankster because none of Murkrow's attacks bar Roost receive the Prankster boost, and Prankster is illegal with Defog. Insomnia allows Murkrow to absorb Sleep Powder and other sleep-inducing moves. As a result, Murkrow can put sun teams and their Chlorophyll sweepers in a checkmate position, as they are forced to attack and are therefore susceptible to a strong Life Orb-boosted Sucker Punch. It also makes Murkrow a great switch-in to Foongus, but this can be risky because of Stun Spore. Berry Juice is a great replacement for Life Orb if you want to try and bluff non-mixed Murkrow and would like to run four attacks but still have a way of recovering some health.
Usage Tips
========
The safest way to bring Murkrow in is through Volt Switch and U-turn, a switch on a Ground-type attack, or a switch on a weak or resisted attack. Murkrow is kind of frail, so care must be taken when switching it in. Once it's in safely, Murkrow should fire off its powerful Brave Birds in order to deal the most amount of damage possible. Use Sucker Punch when the opposing Pokemon is faster, to bypass opposing priority attacks, and to finish off weakened opponents. Try to use Heat Wave and Hidden Power Grass sparingly, as they not only help to sweep, but can be used to lure and KO certain Pokemon if the illusion that Murkrow doesn't have them can be kept up.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that can take advantage of the removal of Pokemon such as Pawniard and Magnemite enjoy the support of Murkrow's offensive capabilities. Offensive Pokemon that share the same type as Murkrow might also find an easier time sweeping due the holes it can punch in a team. Faster cleaners like to take advantage of the damage done by Life Orb Murkrow, and can help clean up after it sweeps. Pokemon with Volt Switch and U-turn such as Chinchou and Mienfoo can help Murkrow switch in a lot easier. Pokemon that can easily switch in on or take care of bulky Water-types such as Chinchou, Slowpoke, and Tirtouga can help clear away walls for Murkrow and allow it to sweep. Grass-types such as Ferroseed, Lileep, and Foongus come in handy for this. Counters for Rock-types such as Amaura or Archen are appreciated as well. These include Fighting-types, bulky Water-types, and Grass-types. Pokemon that can remove entry hazards with Defog or Rapid Spin are great partners too, because they can get rid of Stealth Rock. Similarly, entry hazard setters such as Ferroseed and Dwebble help whittle down the opponent's Pokemon and break Focus Sashes and Sturdy, making it easier for Murkrow to sweep uninterrupted.
Substitute Attacker
########
name: Substitute Attacker
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Brave Bird
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Roost / Heat Wave / Thunder Wave
ability: Prankster
item: Eviolite / Berry Juice
evs: 36 HP / 236 Atk / 20 Def / 20 SpD / 188 Spe
nature: Jolly
Moves
========
On this set, Murkrow utilizes priority Substitute to protect itself so that it can safely unleash its powerful attacks. Substitute is a great move for Murkrow because it takes advantage of Murkrow's ability to force switches, allows for the easier use of Sucker Punch, blocks status, and is boosted by Prankster. Brave Bird is present on this set as the obligatory STAB attack. Sucker Punch is a STAB move with priority that pairs well with Substitute, forcing opposing Pokemon to attack so Murkrow can deal heavy damage. Roost helps to alleviate Substitute and Brave Bird recoil. Heat Wave can be used to give Murkrow some unpredictability, nailing Steel-types hard and making it even harder to check. If Roost is not used, it is advised to give Murkrow Berry Juice so that it can still heal itself. Thunder Wave can be used in last slot to hinder the opposing team with paralysis and allow Murkrow to impact the match long after it goes down.
Set Details
========
Eviolite is preferred here because this set takes on a marginally more defensive role, dislikes the extra Life Orb recoil, and already has recovery in the form of prankster Roost. A Jolly nature and 188 Speed EVs ensure that Murkrow is as fast as possible, because even with Prankster Substitutes and Roost, it is going to want to move first as often as possible. 236 Attack EVs are used for maximum power, and the last 36 EVs are placed in HP because it doesn't need them anywhere else. Life Orb can be used over Eviolite if bulk is not valued, recoil can be played around, and doing as much damage as possible is the goal.
Usage Tips
========
In contrast to on the Life Orb set, Substitute is the most commonly used move, not Brave Bird. This is because Murkrow forces a lot of switches, and that, coupled with Prankster and Roost, makes Substitute the number one way to mess with an opposing team. If played correctly, this set can be incredibly annoying to most teams. Even though it is carrying an Eviolite, Murkrow is no defensive behemoth, so switching in must still be done with caution. Don't expect it to tank too many super effective attacks. Remember, Prankster is a valuable tool for grabbing momentum, so don't be afraid to use Substitute or Roost against Pokemon such as Chinchou or Magnemite that might get too cocky with Volt Switch. However, do so with caution.
Team Options
========
A Rapid Spin or Defog user is really useful for getting rid of Stealth Rock, which can severely limit Murkrow's longevity. Pokemon that can help take on potential Murkrow checks such as Pawniard, Magnemite, and bulky Water-types are also great partners. A Magnemite of your own can help get rid of opposing Steel-types that wall this set. SubRoost Murkrow is very good at stalling, so weather from Snover and even Toxic Spikes from the likes of Tentacool, which can use Rapid Spin to support Murkrow as well, can come in handy. Just like with the Life Orb set, offensive partners such as Grass-types or Ground-types to get rid of Electric- or Rock-types are really useful. Because of this, Chinchou and Staryu make great partners.
Other Options
########
Murkrow has many other options it can potentially utilize. Hidden Power Ice or Icy Wind can be used as coverage on both sets to hit Archen and Tyrunt. Thief can be used to steal an opponent's item. Pursuit can be used to trap Psychic- and Ghost-types that need to be removed. A Calm Mind set utilizing Murkrow's expansive special movepool is a very viable set. A critical hit-abusing set utilizing Scope Lens and Murkrow's other ability, Super Luck, can be used to dish out powerful attacks without Life Orb recoil. Prankster support is also an option. A bulky Haze set can be used to stop setup sweepers, and Prankster Taunt, Toxic, Perish Trap, and Tailwind all allow Murkrow to support its team. A Choice Scarf can be used for more Speed and even better revenge killing capabilities. With help from Prankster, Murkrow can also run an incredibly annoying Thunder Wave + Confuse Ray set, but it is rather unreliable and Murkrow is usually better off doing other things. Lastly, Prankster Murkrow can run two attacks on a Thunder Wave set and cripple an opposing team with priority paralysis.
Checks & Counters
########
**Rock-types**: Rock-types beat Murkrow, as they resist its Flying-type STAB moves and can use their natural bulk to sponge its coverage attacks. Archen, Amaura, Tirtouga, Dwebble, and Shieldon all work well in this regard. They can also set Stealth Rock, which really cuts down on Murkrow's longevity.
**Steel-types**: Pawniard checks Murkrow sets lacking Heat Wave and can Knock Off its item. Magnemite switches into Brave Bird easily and threatens Murkrow with Thunderbolt, but must watch out for Hidden Power Ground and Heat Wave.
**Bulky Physical Walls**: Pokemon with high Defense stats such as Lileep, Porygon, and Hippopotas can check Murkrow, but some are 2HKOed by Life Orb-boosted Brave Bird.
**Bulky Water-types**: Chinchou, Shellder, and Tirtouga can take the majority of Murkrow's STAB attacks and coverage moves and respond with respective super effective moves. Shellder and Tirtouga can set up on Murkrow while it fails to hurt them with Sucker Punch and then outspeed it and take it down.
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types such as Spritzee can take a Brave Bird and retaliate with super effective Fairy-type attacks.
**Choice Scarf Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon that resist Sucker Punch are really annoying for Murkrow to face. Most of these are Choice Scarf Pokemon, as Murkrow naturally outspeeds or Speed ties with almost every common Pokemon in the metagame. Notable Choice Scarf Pokemon are Pawniard and Mienfoo.
Overview
########
Just like it was last generation, Murkrowremains one of the morest powerful offensive Pokemon in the Little Cup tier. Its great mixed attacking stats, high Speed, and expansive movepool give it the abillow ity to run physical and mixed sets. This unpredictability is one of Murkrow's prime traits; because it can run so many different sets, it's really hard to predict and counter. It also has access to both damaging priority in the form of STAB Sucker Punch and supportive priority with Prankster, which further boost its damaging potential. It is held back slightly by its weakness to Stealth Rock and forced reliance on unreliableSTAB attacks such as the recoil-inducing Brave Bird and unreliable Sucker Punch for STAB. However, but thoese drawbacks are relatively smallminor compared to everything else the bird can do. Its Speed, power, and flexibility ensure it a spot on almost any team.
Mixed Attacker
########
name: Life Orb Attacker
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Sucker Punch
move 3: Heat Wave
move 4: Hidden Power Grass / Dark Pulse / Defog
ability: Insomnia
item: Life Orb / Berry Juice
evs: 240 Atk / 80 SpA / 188 Spe
nature: Naive
Moves
========
Brave Bird is Murkrow's main STAB attack, and is ridiculously powerful coming off of its high Attack stat and the Life Orb boost. Sucker Punchprovides an incredibly strong priority move tohat hits potential revenge killers. Heat Wave hits the Steel-types such as Pawniard or Magnemite that would otherwise wall Murkrow. The last slot is for type coverage. Hidden Power Grass hits Tirtouga and other Rock-types for decent damage., whereas Dark Pulse can also be used to reliably nail Slowpoke and Misdreavus without having to rely on the prediction-based Sucker Punch. RoostDefog can be used in the last slot if coverage isn't neededso that Murkrow can support its team, and healing is more important to cover for Life Orb and Brave Bird recoil. Defogdoesn't clash with Insomnia as it's illegal with Prankster. Roost can also be used in the last slot to give Murkrow an offensive support role. Defoif coverage isn't needed, and healing is illegal with Prmore importankst to cover anyway so it won't clash with Insomniafor Life Orb and Brave Bird recoil. Hidden Power Ground can also be used to hit Rock-types hard, but Dark Pulse should hit most of them hard enough anyway.
Set Details
========
Life Orb allows Murkrow to do as much damage as possible without forcing it into one attack. A Naive nature and 188 Speed EVs allow Murkrow to hit the important 19 Speed benchmark, tihus being able to Speed tie with most Misdreavus. 240 Attack EVs maximize physical attack to hit as hard as possiblthe damage done with Murkrow's two STAB moves. The last 80 EVs are thrown into Special Attack to give Heat Wave, Hidden Power Grass, and Dark Pulse more power. Insomnia is preferred over Prankster because none of itMurkrow's attacks bar Roost receive the Prankster boost, and Prankster is illegal with Defog. Also, Insomnia allows Murkrow to absorb Sleep Powder and other sleep-inducing attacks, giving it the ability tomoves. As a result, Murkrow can put sun teams and their Chlorophyll sweepers in a checkmate position, because they are forced to attack and are therefore susceptible to a strong Life Orb-boosted Sucker Punch. It also makes Murkrow a great switch-in to Foongus, but this can be risky because of Stun Spore. Berry Juice is a great replacement for Life Orb if you want to try and bluff non-mixed Murkrow and would like to run 4four attacks but still have a way of recovering some health.
Usage Tips
========
The safest way to bring Murkrow in is through Volt Switch and U-turn, a switchagainston a Ground-type attack, or a switch againston a weak or resisted attacks. Murkrow is kind of frail, so care must be taken when switching it in. Once it's in safely, Murkrow should fire off its powerful Brave Birds in order to deal the most amount of damage possible. Use Sucker Punch when the opposing Pokemon is faster or, to bypass opposing priority attacks, and to finish off weakened opponents. Try to use Heat Wave and Hidden Power Grass sparingly, as they not only help to sweep, but can be used to lure and KO certain Pokemon if the illusion that Murkrow doesn't have them can be kept up.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that can take advantage of the removal of Pokemonlikesuch as Pawniard and Magnemite enjoy the support of Murkrow's offensive capabilities. Offensive Pokemon that share the same type as Murkrow mayight also find an easier time sweeping due the holes it can punch in a team. Faster cleaners like to abusetake advantage of the damage done by Life Orb Murkrow, and can help clean up once Murkrowafter it sweeps. Pokemon with Volt Switch and U-turn Pokemon likesuch as Chinchou and Mienfoo allowcan help Murkrow to switch in a lot easier. Pokemon that can easily switch in on or take care of bulky Water-types likesuch as Chinchou, Slowpoke, and Tirtouga can help clear away walls for Murkrow and allow it to sweep. Grass-types likesuch as Ferroseed, Lileep, and Foongus especially come in handy for this. Counters for Rock-type counters fors such as Amaura or Archen are appreciated as well. These include Fighting-types, bulky Water-types, and Grass-types. Pokemon that can remove entry hazards with Defog or Rapid Spin are great partners too, because they can get rid of Stealth Rock. Similarly, entry hazard setters likesuch as Ferroseed orand Dwebble help whittle down the opponent's Pokemon and break Focus Sashes and Sturdy, making it easier for Murkrow to sweep uninterruptedly.
Substitute Attacker
########
name: Substitute Attacker
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Brave Bird
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Roost / Heat Wave / Thunder Wave
ability: Prankster
item: Eviolite / Berry Juice
evs: 36 HP / 236 Atk / 20 Def / 20 SpD / 188 Spe
nature: Jolly
Moves
========
On this set, Murkrow utilizes priority Substitute to protect itself so that it can safely unleash its powerful attacks. Substitute is a great move for Murkrow because it takes advantage of Murkrow's ability to force switches, allows for the easier use of Sucker Punch, blocks status, and ispriority due toboosted by Prankster. Brave Bird is present again on this set as the obligatory STAB attack. Sucker Punch is a STAB move with priority andthat pairs really well with Substitute, forcing opposing Pokemon to attack so Sucker PunchMurkrow can hit them harddeal heavy damage. Roost helps to alleviate Substitute and Brave Bird recoil. Heat Wave can also be used to give Murkrow some unpredictability, nailing Steel-types hard, and making Murkrowit even harder to check. If Roost is not used, it is advised to give Murkrow a Berry Juice so that it can still heal itself. Thunder Wave can be used in last slot to aid itshinder the opposing team with paralysis and allow Murkrow to impact the match long after it goes down.
Set Details
========
Eviolite is preferred here because this set takes on a marginally more defensive role, doesn't needislikes the extra Life Oorb recoil, and already has recovery in the form of prankster Roost. A Jolly nature and 188 Speed EVs again make ensure that Murkrow is as fast as possible, because even with Prankster Substitutes and Roost, it is going to want to move first as often as possible. 236 Attack EVs are used for maximum power. T, and the last 36 EVs are placed in HP because it doesn't need them anywhere else. A Life Orb can be used over Eviolite if bulk is not valued, recoil can be played around, and doing as much damage as possible is the goal.
Usage Tips
========
In contrast to on the Life Orb set, Substitutetakes over ais the most commonly used move, not Brave Bird. This is because Murkrow forces a lot of switches, and that, coupled with Prankster and Roost access, makes Substitute the number one way to mess with an opposing team. If played correctly, this set can be incredibly annoying to most teams. Even though it is carrying an Eviolite, Murkrow is no defensive behemoth, so switching in must still be done with caution. Don't expect it to tank too many super effective attacks. Remember, Prankster is a valuable tool for grabbing momentum, so don't be afraid to use Substitute or Roost against Pokemon such as Chinchou or Magnemite that might get too cocky and usewith Volt Switch. However, do so with caution.
Team Options
========
A Rapid Spinner or Defog user is really useful for getting rid of Stealth Rock, which can severely limit Murkrow's longevity. Pokemon that can help take on potential Murkrow checks such as Pawniard, Magnemite, and bulky Water-types are also great partners. A Magnemite of your own can help get rid of opposing Steel-types that wall this set. SubRoost Murkrow is very good at stalling, so weather from Snover and even Toxic Spikes from the likes of Tentacool, which can use Rapid Spin to support Murkrow as well, can come in handy. Just like with the Life Orb set, offensive partners such as Grass-types or Ground-types to get rid of Electric- or Rock-types are really useful. Because of this, Chinchou and Staryu make great partners.
Other Options
########
Murkrow has many other options it can potentially utilize. Hidden Power Ice or Icy Wind can be used as coverage on both sets to hit Archen and Tyrunt. Thief can be used to steal an opponent's items. Pursuit can be used to trap Psychic- and Ghost-types that need to be removed. A Calm Mind set utilizing Murkrow's expansive special movepool is a very viable set. A critical hit-abusing set utilizing Scope Lens and Murkrow's other ability, Super Luck, can be used to dealish out powerful attacks without Life Orb recoil. Prankster support is also an option. A bulky Haze set can be used to stop setup sweepers., and Prankster Taunt, Toxic, Perish Trap, and Tailwind all allow Murkrow to support its team. A Choice Scarf can be used for more Speed and even better revenge killing capabilities. With help from Prankster, Murkrow can also run an incredibly annoying Thunder Wave + Confuse Ray set, but it is rather unreliable and Murkrow is usually better off doing other things. FinalLastly, Prankster Murkrow can also run a two- attacks on a Thunder Wave set alongside Prankster and cripple an opposing team with priority paralysis.
Checks & Counters
########
**Rock-types**: Rock-types beat Murkrow b, as they resist its Flying its-type STAB moves and can usinge their natural bulk to sponge its coverage attacks. Archen, Amaura, Tirtouga, Dwebble, and Shieldon all work well in this regard. They can also set Stealth Rock, which really cuts down on Murkrow's longevity.
**Steel-types**: Pawniard checks Murkrow sets lacking Heat Wave and can Knock OffMurkrow'its item. Magnemite switches into Brave Bird easily and threatens Murkrow with Thunderbolt, but must watch out for Hidden Power Ground and Heat Wave.
**Bulky Physical Walls**: Pokemon with high Defense stats such as Lileep, Porygon,orand Hippopotas can check Murkrow, but some are 2HKOed by Life Orb-boosted Brave Bird.
**Bulky Water-types**: Chinchou, Shellder, and Tirtouga can take the majority of Murkrow's STAB attacks and coverage moves and can respond with respective super effective moves. Shellder and Tirtouga can set up on Murkrow while it fails to hurt them with Sucker Punch and then outspeed it and take it down.
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types such as Spritzee can take a Brave Bird and retaliate with super effective Fairy-type attacks.
**Choice Scarf Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon that resist Sucker Punch are really annoying for Murkrow to face. Most of these are Choice Scarf Pokemon, as Murkrow naturally outspeeds or Speed ties with almost every common Pokemon in the metagame. Notable Choice Scarf Pokemon are Pawniard and Mienfoo.
########
Just like it was last generation, Murkrow
Mixed Attacker
########
name: Life Orb Attacker
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Sucker Punch
move 3: Heat Wave
move 4: Hidden Power Grass / Dark Pulse / Defog
ability: Insomnia
item: Life Orb / Berry Juice
evs: 240 Atk / 80 SpA / 188 Spe
nature: Naive
Moves
========
Brave Bird is Murkrow's main STAB attack, and is ridiculously powerful coming off of its high Attack stat and the Life Orb boost. Sucker Punch
Set Details
========
Life Orb allows Murkrow to do as much damage as possible without forcing it into one attack. A Naive nature and 188 Speed EVs allow Murkrow to hit the important 19 Speed benchmark, t
Usage Tips
========
The safest way to bring Murkrow in is through Volt Switch and U-turn, a switch
Team Options
========
Pokemon that can take advantage of the removal of Pokemon
Substitute Attacker
########
name: Substitute Attacker
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Brave Bird
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Roost / Heat Wave / Thunder Wave
ability: Prankster
item: Eviolite / Berry Juice
evs: 36 HP / 236 Atk / 20 Def / 20 SpD / 188 Spe
nature: Jolly
Moves
========
On this set, Murkrow utilizes priority Substitute to protect itself so that it can safely unleash its powerful attacks. Substitute is a great move for Murkrow because it takes advantage of Murkrow's ability to force switches, allows for the easier use of Sucker Punch, blocks status, and is
Set Details
========
Eviolite is preferred here because this set takes on a marginally more defensive role, d
Usage Tips
========
In contrast to on the Life Orb set, Substitute
Team Options
========
A Rapid Spin
Other Options
########
Murkrow has many other options it can potentially utilize. Hidden Power Ice or Icy Wind can be used as coverage on both sets to hit Archen and Tyrunt. Thief can be used to steal an opponent's item
Checks & Counters
########
**Rock-types**: Rock-types beat Murkrow
**Steel-types**: Pawniard checks Murkrow sets lacking Heat Wave and can Knock Off
**Bulky Physical Walls**: Pokemon with high Defense stats such as Lileep, Porygon,
**Bulky Water-types**: Chinchou, Shellder, and Tirtouga can take the majority of Murkrow's STAB attacks and coverage moves and
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types such as Spritzee can take a Brave Bird and retaliate with super effective Fairy-type attacks.
**Choice Scarf Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon that resist Sucker Punch are really annoying for Murkrow to face. Most of these are Choice Scarf Pokemon, as Murkrow naturally outspeeds or Speed ties with almost every common Pokemon in the metagame. Notable Choice Scarf Pokemon are Pawniard and Mienfoo.
GP 2/2
Last edited:
blitzlefan
shake it off!
Sorry for taking so long Electrolyte! The Wi-Fi shut off for the night while I was working, so I couldn't post the check until now. But I'm done! Hope this helps! :)
Thanks blitzlefan!
This is now DONE! :D
This is now DONE! :D
Goddess Briyella
Banned deucer.
Murkrow is now banned from XY Little Cup, so I'll be locking this.
- Status