MZ
And now for something completely different
[OVERVIEW]
Pyukumuku is a decent pick for stall teams, since it can use its incredibly potent ability Unaware to handle a number of threatening setup sweepers that normally present a challenge for the archetype, such as Omastar and Alolan Sandslash. Although Pyukumuku does face tight competition from other bulky Water-types, particularly Quagsire, which also has Unaware, its unique ability to trap and remove threats with a combination of Block, Toxic or Spite, and Rest sets it apart. Pyukumuku can trap and PP or Toxic stall defensive Pokemon such as Altaria and Regirock that other Water-types can only force out at best, and this can be extremely useful for outstalling other teams. However, Pyukumuku still has no offensive presence whatsoever, meaning only stall teams can support such a passive Pokemon. Quagsire is also a better Unaware user, as it can more reliably check threats such as Lycanroc and Aggron, isn't completely shut down by Taunt or Substitute, and fits on more playstyles than just stall. Other bulky Water-types such as Jellicent and Poliwrath are also less passive, fit on multiple playstyles, have unique utility options such as Will-O-Wisp, Taunt, and Circle Throw, and check threats such as Primeape and Carracosta better due to their secondary typings.
[SET]
name: Unaware Trapper
move 1: Block
move 2: Spite / Toxic
move 3: Recover
move 4: Rest
item: Leftovers
ability: Unaware
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Block allows Pyukumuku to trap opposing Pokemon and either PP stall them with Spite and Rest or wear them down with Toxic. Toxic is Pyukumuku's only way to deal damage, but Spite allows it to trap Pokemon that can ignore Toxic damage, including opposing Rest users, Steel- and Poison-types, and Clefairy. While Rest may seem redundant alongside Recover, it allows Pyukumuku to trap and remove Toxic users such as Mudsdale and more effectively preserve PP while stalling other Pokemon.
Set Details
========
Unaware ignores stat changes, which prevents setup sweepers like Gurdurr, Omastar, and Combusken from capitalizing on Pyukumuku's passivity. Ghostium Z or Poisonium Z can be used depending on whether Pyukumuku opts for Spite or Toxic. The former allows Pyukumuku to fully recover any lost HP in a pinch, while the latter increases its Defense by one stage and enables it to more reliably stomach hits from physical threats. Z-Toxic can also be used to poison Taunt users such as Oricorio-E. Both options also make it immune to Trick and Switcheroo, which can be problematic for stall, though this is at the cost of having passive recovery in the form of Leftovers, which lessens the need to use Recover and Rest.
Usage Tips
========
Block can sometimes come as a surprise to opponents and shouldn't be revealed until Pyukumuku is able to trap and KO an opposing Pokemon. Similarly, Z-Toxic has excellent surprise value in being able to status Taunt users that aren't expecting it and should be preserved until the time is right. Refrain from switching Pyukumuku in while entry hazards are up, as they can limit its ability to reliably check setup sweepers like Dodrio and physically offensive threats like Kangaskhan. Recover should be used frequently, as Pokemon such as Kangaskhan only need Pyukumuku slightly weakened to be able to 2HKO it. Pyukumuku can be incredibly exploitable by entry hazard setters such as Froslass and setup sweepers capable of breaking through it such as Alolan Raichu. Be very careful to avoid opponents capitalizing on its nonexistent offenses.
Team Options
========
Pyukumuku can only reliably fit on stall teams in need of a switch-in to setup sweepers, as its sheer passivity would cost any other team too much momentum. Specially defensive Pokemon are great partners to have and complete a solid defensive core alongside Pyukumuku, as they are each capable of handling one another's checks. Audino is a notable example, being a staple on stall and providing useful cleric support to reduce the number of times that Pyukumuku has to use Recover and Rest. Grass- and Electric-types like Victreebel, Oricorio-E, and Alolan Raichu are capable of easily exploiting Pyukumuku, especially if it lacks Toxic. Therefore, checks like Articuno, Regirock, and Claydol are essential to have. Entry hazard removers such as Skuntank and the aforementioned Claydol and Articuno are important teammates to have as well, since Pyukumuku can be chipped by Spikes easily. Pyukumuku should not be a stall team's only physical wall, as strong Choice Band wallbreakers such as Stoutland and Aggron will break through it; a second wall such as Mudsdale or Regirock is vital.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Soak can be used to make Poison- and Steel-types vulnerable to Toxic, which prevents Pyukumuku from being utterly walled by them. However, it's simply not worth the trouble, as every Poison- or Steel-type can either break Pyukumuku regardless or get PP stalled by it. Counter allows Pyukumuku to remove stronger physical attackers like Stoutland and Aggron after taking a hit, which prevents them from exerting pressure on the rest of its team. However, it simply doesn't fit alongside Pyukumuku's main niche of trapping opposing Pokemon.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Taunt and Substitute Users**: Because Pyukumuku lacks any attacking moves, Taunt and Substitute users like Froslass, Oricorio-E, and Oricorio-G can render Pyukumuku completely useless and force it out. The latter two examples are especially notable, as they can turn Pyukumuku into setup fodder after using either Taunt or Substitute, while Froslass can set Spikes after forcing it out. However, Z-Toxic can cripple Taunt users unexpectedly.
**Grass- and Electric-types**: Grass- and Electric-types like Victreebel, Bellossom, Oricorio-E, Alolan Raichu, and Rotom-F have no trouble setting up on Pyukumuku or simply KOing it with their super effective STAB attacks.
**Toxic-immune Pokemon**: Pyukumuku has no way to damage Pokemon that are immune to Toxic. This includes Steel-types such as Aggron, Poison-types such as Skuntank, and Magic Guard Clefairy. However, Pyukumuku can PP stall some Toxic-immune Pokemon regardless of its inability to damage them, especially if it opts to run Spite.
**Strong Wallbreakers**: While Pyukumuku's bulk is solid, stronger wallbreakers like Stoutland, Aggron, and Aurorus are capable of overwhelming it, especially in tandem with entry hazards.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Allstarapology, 400292], [Megazard, 202117]]
- Quality checked by: [[gum, 434150], [tondas, 442732], [TJ, 331538]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Fireflame497, 231476], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
Pyukumuku is a decent pick for stall teams, since it can use its incredibly potent ability Unaware to handle a number of threatening setup sweepers that normally present a challenge for the archetype, such as Omastar and Alolan Sandslash. Although Pyukumuku does face tight competition from other bulky Water-types, particularly Quagsire, which also has Unaware, its unique ability to trap and remove threats with a combination of Block, Toxic or Spite, and Rest sets it apart. Pyukumuku can trap and PP or Toxic stall defensive Pokemon such as Altaria and Regirock that other Water-types can only force out at best, and this can be extremely useful for outstalling other teams. However, Pyukumuku still has no offensive presence whatsoever, meaning only stall teams can support such a passive Pokemon. Quagsire is also a better Unaware user, as it can more reliably check threats such as Lycanroc and Aggron, isn't completely shut down by Taunt or Substitute, and fits on more playstyles than just stall. Other bulky Water-types such as Jellicent and Poliwrath are also less passive, fit on multiple playstyles, have unique utility options such as Will-O-Wisp, Taunt, and Circle Throw, and check threats such as Primeape and Carracosta better due to their secondary typings.
[SET]
name: Unaware Trapper
move 1: Block
move 2: Spite / Toxic
move 3: Recover
move 4: Rest
item: Leftovers
ability: Unaware
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Block allows Pyukumuku to trap opposing Pokemon and either PP stall them with Spite and Rest or wear them down with Toxic. Toxic is Pyukumuku's only way to deal damage, but Spite allows it to trap Pokemon that can ignore Toxic damage, including opposing Rest users, Steel- and Poison-types, and Clefairy. While Rest may seem redundant alongside Recover, it allows Pyukumuku to trap and remove Toxic users such as Mudsdale and more effectively preserve PP while stalling other Pokemon.
Set Details
========
Unaware ignores stat changes, which prevents setup sweepers like Gurdurr, Omastar, and Combusken from capitalizing on Pyukumuku's passivity. Ghostium Z or Poisonium Z can be used depending on whether Pyukumuku opts for Spite or Toxic. The former allows Pyukumuku to fully recover any lost HP in a pinch, while the latter increases its Defense by one stage and enables it to more reliably stomach hits from physical threats. Z-Toxic can also be used to poison Taunt users such as Oricorio-E. Both options also make it immune to Trick and Switcheroo, which can be problematic for stall, though this is at the cost of having passive recovery in the form of Leftovers, which lessens the need to use Recover and Rest.
Usage Tips
========
Block can sometimes come as a surprise to opponents and shouldn't be revealed until Pyukumuku is able to trap and KO an opposing Pokemon. Similarly, Z-Toxic has excellent surprise value in being able to status Taunt users that aren't expecting it and should be preserved until the time is right. Refrain from switching Pyukumuku in while entry hazards are up, as they can limit its ability to reliably check setup sweepers like Dodrio and physically offensive threats like Kangaskhan. Recover should be used frequently, as Pokemon such as Kangaskhan only need Pyukumuku slightly weakened to be able to 2HKO it. Pyukumuku can be incredibly exploitable by entry hazard setters such as Froslass and setup sweepers capable of breaking through it such as Alolan Raichu. Be very careful to avoid opponents capitalizing on its nonexistent offenses.
Team Options
========
Pyukumuku can only reliably fit on stall teams in need of a switch-in to setup sweepers, as its sheer passivity would cost any other team too much momentum. Specially defensive Pokemon are great partners to have and complete a solid defensive core alongside Pyukumuku, as they are each capable of handling one another's checks. Audino is a notable example, being a staple on stall and providing useful cleric support to reduce the number of times that Pyukumuku has to use Recover and Rest. Grass- and Electric-types like Victreebel, Oricorio-E, and Alolan Raichu are capable of easily exploiting Pyukumuku, especially if it lacks Toxic. Therefore, checks like Articuno, Regirock, and Claydol are essential to have. Entry hazard removers such as Skuntank and the aforementioned Claydol and Articuno are important teammates to have as well, since Pyukumuku can be chipped by Spikes easily. Pyukumuku should not be a stall team's only physical wall, as strong Choice Band wallbreakers such as Stoutland and Aggron will break through it; a second wall such as Mudsdale or Regirock is vital.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Soak can be used to make Poison- and Steel-types vulnerable to Toxic, which prevents Pyukumuku from being utterly walled by them. However, it's simply not worth the trouble, as every Poison- or Steel-type can either break Pyukumuku regardless or get PP stalled by it. Counter allows Pyukumuku to remove stronger physical attackers like Stoutland and Aggron after taking a hit, which prevents them from exerting pressure on the rest of its team. However, it simply doesn't fit alongside Pyukumuku's main niche of trapping opposing Pokemon.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Taunt and Substitute Users**: Because Pyukumuku lacks any attacking moves, Taunt and Substitute users like Froslass, Oricorio-E, and Oricorio-G can render Pyukumuku completely useless and force it out. The latter two examples are especially notable, as they can turn Pyukumuku into setup fodder after using either Taunt or Substitute, while Froslass can set Spikes after forcing it out. However, Z-Toxic can cripple Taunt users unexpectedly.
**Grass- and Electric-types**: Grass- and Electric-types like Victreebel, Bellossom, Oricorio-E, Alolan Raichu, and Rotom-F have no trouble setting up on Pyukumuku or simply KOing it with their super effective STAB attacks.
**Toxic-immune Pokemon**: Pyukumuku has no way to damage Pokemon that are immune to Toxic. This includes Steel-types such as Aggron, Poison-types such as Skuntank, and Magic Guard Clefairy. However, Pyukumuku can PP stall some Toxic-immune Pokemon regardless of its inability to damage them, especially if it opts to run Spite.
**Strong Wallbreakers**: While Pyukumuku's bulk is solid, stronger wallbreakers like Stoutland, Aggron, and Aurorus are capable of overwhelming it, especially in tandem with entry hazards.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Allstarapology, 400292], [Megazard, 202117]]
- Quality checked by: [[gum, 434150], [tondas, 442732], [TJ, 331538]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Fireflame497, 231476], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
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