uploaded -zard
[OVERVIEW]
Swanna has both a great offensive and defensive typing; it is incredibly difficult to switch into and is also a decent check to the many popular Fighting-types like Gurdurr, Primeape, and Hitmonchan. Swanna's higher-than-average Speed tier lets it outspeed important threats such as Jynx and Primeape, and as a Choice Scarf user it is capable of outspeeding key threats such as Choice Scarf Togedemaru and +1 Lilligant. Because Swanna is so effective at forcing switches and has few true counters, it can use the free turns generated to provide Defog support for its teammates, giving it further utility. Unfortunately, neither Swanna's offenses nor its defenses are particularly impressive. Its offenses are made up for by its high-powered STAB attacks, but Hurricane's accuracy and Brave Bird's recoil are both disappointing. Its defenses are made even worse by a weakness to Stealth Rock, leaving it unable to consistently wall many stronger threats.
[SET]
name: Offensive Defog
move 1: Hurricane
move 2: Scald
move 3: Defog
move 4: Roost
item: Flyinium Z / Life Orb
ability: Hydration
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hurricane is Swanna's most powerful STAB move; even though it is unreliable, many Flying-resistant Pokemon do not take powerful special attacks well, so it is worth using. Scald is a much more reliable STAB move that hits the Rock- and Steel-types that resist Hurricane and is able to threaten most physical attackers with its chance to burn. Defog is one of the main reasons to use Swanna, allowing it to support its teammates by removing entry hazards. Since Stealth Rock damage, Life Orb recoil, and repeatedly switching into attacks can wear Swanna down throughout the match. Roost is run to help with this issue by granting Swanna reliable recovery, as well as allowing it to check Fighting-types more consistently.
Set Details
========
Flyinium Z lets Swanna use a 185-Base Power Supersonic Skystrike, which OHKOes Pokemon such as Assault Vest Hitmonchan and avoids Hurricane's accuracy issues. Life Orb is an option to consistently boost Swanna's damage output, but this comes at the cost of significant recoil that stacks up quickly in conjunction with Stealth Rock damage. Maximum Special Attack and Speed EVs are used in order to let Swanna hit as hard as possible and outspeed Pokemon like Togedemaru, Jynx, and Haunter. None of Swanna's abilities are particularly useful, but Hydration is helpful in fringe situations against rain teams.
Usage Tips
========
Swanna can switch into many passive foes and Pokemon with a type disadvantage, such as Weezing and Gurdurr, and use the opportunity to remove entry hazards. However, Swanna ought to prioritize wallbreaking in many matchups, as it can easily wear down most of its checks. However, if the opponent has a Pokemon such as Lanturn, Clefairy, or Type: Null that Swanna will be unable to break through, double switching to a physical attacker that can better handle them is often an effective strategy. Utilize Roost in order to better check Pokemon like Gurdurr throughout the match, but do not bother with it if Swanna does not need to stay healthy for longer matches. Be careful of using Defog against teams with Primeape, especially if Swanna or your other Fighting-type checks are weakened, as giving Primeape a Defiant boost can be deadly. Swanna's Z-Move does not have to be meticulously preserved; it can be a useful tool for nabbing KOs in certain situations but can be used whenever the opportunity presents itself.
Team Options
========
Swanna can provide entry hazard removal, so Pokemon that do not appreciate Stealth Rock or Spikes such as Magmortar and Type: Null pair well with it. Swanna is a decent offensive check to Fighting-types like Gurdurr, Hitmonchan and Primeape, so Pokemon that appreciate this like Absol, Miltank, and Jynx make decent partners. Physical wallbreakers like Primeape, Zangoose, and Aggron are good partners because they pressure the specially defensive Pokemon that wall Swanna, such as Eelektross and Clefairy. Despite Swanna being a decent check to Fighting-types, it should not be your main check unless your team is very offensive, as it gets worn down very quickly. Therefore, Mesprit, Weezing, and Clefairy make good teammates because they take some of the pressure off of Swanna. Finally, Electric-types like Eelektross give Swanna a lot of trouble because they can use Volt Switch to gain momentum while easily KOing it, so Pokemon immune to Electric-type moves like Lanturn make great partners.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Hurricane
move 2: Brave Bird
move 3: Scald
move 4: Defog
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Hydration
nature: Naive
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hurricane is Swanna's strongest STAB attack, allowing it to break through many physically bulky Pokemon such as Weezing. Brave Bird allows Swanna to OHKO more specially bulky foes, such as Jynx and Quiver Dance Lilligant, and it is a more reliable attack than Hurricane due to its better accuracy. Scald allows Swanna to hit Flying-resistant Pokemon such as Eelektross and Aggron while threatening to burn them. Defog is used for emergency entry hazard removal.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed investment, a Naive nature, and a Choice Scarf allow Swanna to outspeed and revenge kill potent threats such as Z-Lovely Kiss Jynx. Maximum Special Attack investment is used to boost Hurricane's damage output as much as possible. A Naive nature is used to avoid decreasing Brave Bird's power, and reducing Swanna's Special Defense is preferred over its Defense to better check Fighting-types. Maximum Attack investment can be run to gear Swanna more towards using Brave Bird rather than Hurricane, but it is somewhat unnecessary to do so, since Brave Bird already nets KOs on many important specially bulky threats. However, this can help mitigate Hurricane's accuracy issues.
Usage Tips
========
Choice Scarf Swanna is mostly used as a revenge killer, and it should be brought in to force out or KO slower threats such as Jynx and Oricorio-G. The set has some surprise factor, so concealing Swanna's set through double switching and not using Brave Bird too early can lead to a surprise KO later on. Defog should only be used in emergency situations, as it forces Swanna to switch out after use and makes Swanna setup fodder. Swanna can often be used as a late-game cleaner, but be aware that Hurricane is an unreliable move. Use Brave Bird when possible, as it is a much safer option despite its recoil. However, Hurricane is necessary for KOing certain physically bulky Pokemon such as Gurdurr.
Team Options
========
Swanna acts as a reliable revenge killer for mostly balanced and offensive teams. Pokemon that are often setup fodder, such as Clefairy, appreciate its ability to handle sweepers such as Jynx. Secondary entry hazard removers such as Lurantis can be useful, as Choice Scarf Swanna can be worn down quickly by Stealth Rock. Electric-immune Pokemon such as Togedemaru are very useful for covering Swanna's biggest weakness. Similarly, checks to Rock-types such as Hitmonchan can be worthwhile, especially since Lycanroc is one of the few sweepers that Swanna has no hope of revenge killing. Hitmonchan can also function as a secondary entry hazard remover. Pursuit trappers such as Skuntank and Spiritomb can help to chip away at Eelektross and Lanturn, Swanna's two biggest counters.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Z-Mirror Move allows Swanna to function as a physical wallbreaker, but it can only boost once, and Aqua Jet is often too weak to compensate for Swanna's somewhat mediocre Speed. Liquidation can be run over Scald on a physically biased Choice Scarf set. While it does significantly more damage to Eelektross, it does very little to Regirock and Aggron. A physically defensive set with Leftovers could make a better check to Fighting-types like Gurdurr and Hitmonchan, but it is significantly weaker than offensive sets. Waterium Z in conjunction with Rain Dance could be used, which allows Swanna to act as a cleaner, but this set is rather outclassed by Ludicolo. Substitute is yet another option, but using it means giving up on Defog, which is the main purpose of using Swanna. Toxic lets it surprise Pokemon like Musharna and Miltank lacking Heal Bell, but it is hard to give up Roost or Defog. Hidden Power Grass can be used on Choice Scarf Swanna in order to reliably revenge kill Carracosta, but it is otherwise worthless.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Electric-types**: Assault Vest Lanturn and Eelektross can switch into Swanna consistently and gain momentum for the opposing team with Volt Switch. Alolan Raichu, Manectric, Togedemaru, and Oricorio-E cannot switch in reliably but are all capable of OHKOing Swanna with their STAB attacks.
**Specially Bulky Pokemon**: Clefairy, Type: Null, Audino, and specially defensive Miltank aren't 2HKOed by any of Swanna's moves, and they can retaliate with their STAB moves, cripple it with status, or set up with Swords Dance. Many of them even have recovery, which allows them to ignore even the small bit of damage that Swanna's moves do to them.
**Faster Pokemon**: Swanna's poor bulk leaves it easily revenge killed by faster foes such as Archeops and Pyroar if Swanna is not carrying a Choice Scarf. Choice Scarf Pyroar is also notable for being able to revenge kill even Choice Scarf Swanna.
[OVERVIEW]
Swanna has both a great offensive and defensive typing; it is incredibly difficult to switch into and is also a decent check to the many popular Fighting-types like Gurdurr, Primeape, and Hitmonchan. Swanna's higher-than-average Speed tier lets it outspeed important threats such as Jynx and Primeape, and as a Choice Scarf user it is capable of outspeeding key threats such as Choice Scarf Togedemaru and +1 Lilligant. Because Swanna is so effective at forcing switches and has few true counters, it can use the free turns generated to provide Defog support for its teammates, giving it further utility. Unfortunately, neither Swanna's offenses nor its defenses are particularly impressive. Its offenses are made up for by its high-powered STAB attacks, but Hurricane's accuracy and Brave Bird's recoil are both disappointing. Its defenses are made even worse by a weakness to Stealth Rock, leaving it unable to consistently wall many stronger threats.
[SET]
name: Offensive Defog
move 1: Hurricane
move 2: Scald
move 3: Defog
move 4: Roost
item: Flyinium Z / Life Orb
ability: Hydration
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hurricane is Swanna's most powerful STAB move; even though it is unreliable, many Flying-resistant Pokemon do not take powerful special attacks well, so it is worth using. Scald is a much more reliable STAB move that hits the Rock- and Steel-types that resist Hurricane and is able to threaten most physical attackers with its chance to burn. Defog is one of the main reasons to use Swanna, allowing it to support its teammates by removing entry hazards. Since Stealth Rock damage, Life Orb recoil, and repeatedly switching into attacks can wear Swanna down throughout the match. Roost is run to help with this issue by granting Swanna reliable recovery, as well as allowing it to check Fighting-types more consistently.
Set Details
========
Flyinium Z lets Swanna use a 185-Base Power Supersonic Skystrike, which OHKOes Pokemon such as Assault Vest Hitmonchan and avoids Hurricane's accuracy issues. Life Orb is an option to consistently boost Swanna's damage output, but this comes at the cost of significant recoil that stacks up quickly in conjunction with Stealth Rock damage. Maximum Special Attack and Speed EVs are used in order to let Swanna hit as hard as possible and outspeed Pokemon like Togedemaru, Jynx, and Haunter. None of Swanna's abilities are particularly useful, but Hydration is helpful in fringe situations against rain teams.
Usage Tips
========
Swanna can switch into many passive foes and Pokemon with a type disadvantage, such as Weezing and Gurdurr, and use the opportunity to remove entry hazards. However, Swanna ought to prioritize wallbreaking in many matchups, as it can easily wear down most of its checks. However, if the opponent has a Pokemon such as Lanturn, Clefairy, or Type: Null that Swanna will be unable to break through, double switching to a physical attacker that can better handle them is often an effective strategy. Utilize Roost in order to better check Pokemon like Gurdurr throughout the match, but do not bother with it if Swanna does not need to stay healthy for longer matches. Be careful of using Defog against teams with Primeape, especially if Swanna or your other Fighting-type checks are weakened, as giving Primeape a Defiant boost can be deadly. Swanna's Z-Move does not have to be meticulously preserved; it can be a useful tool for nabbing KOs in certain situations but can be used whenever the opportunity presents itself.
Team Options
========
Swanna can provide entry hazard removal, so Pokemon that do not appreciate Stealth Rock or Spikes such as Magmortar and Type: Null pair well with it. Swanna is a decent offensive check to Fighting-types like Gurdurr, Hitmonchan and Primeape, so Pokemon that appreciate this like Absol, Miltank, and Jynx make decent partners. Physical wallbreakers like Primeape, Zangoose, and Aggron are good partners because they pressure the specially defensive Pokemon that wall Swanna, such as Eelektross and Clefairy. Despite Swanna being a decent check to Fighting-types, it should not be your main check unless your team is very offensive, as it gets worn down very quickly. Therefore, Mesprit, Weezing, and Clefairy make good teammates because they take some of the pressure off of Swanna. Finally, Electric-types like Eelektross give Swanna a lot of trouble because they can use Volt Switch to gain momentum while easily KOing it, so Pokemon immune to Electric-type moves like Lanturn make great partners.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Hurricane
move 2: Brave Bird
move 3: Scald
move 4: Defog
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Hydration
nature: Naive
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hurricane is Swanna's strongest STAB attack, allowing it to break through many physically bulky Pokemon such as Weezing. Brave Bird allows Swanna to OHKO more specially bulky foes, such as Jynx and Quiver Dance Lilligant, and it is a more reliable attack than Hurricane due to its better accuracy. Scald allows Swanna to hit Flying-resistant Pokemon such as Eelektross and Aggron while threatening to burn them. Defog is used for emergency entry hazard removal.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed investment, a Naive nature, and a Choice Scarf allow Swanna to outspeed and revenge kill potent threats such as Z-Lovely Kiss Jynx. Maximum Special Attack investment is used to boost Hurricane's damage output as much as possible. A Naive nature is used to avoid decreasing Brave Bird's power, and reducing Swanna's Special Defense is preferred over its Defense to better check Fighting-types. Maximum Attack investment can be run to gear Swanna more towards using Brave Bird rather than Hurricane, but it is somewhat unnecessary to do so, since Brave Bird already nets KOs on many important specially bulky threats. However, this can help mitigate Hurricane's accuracy issues.
Usage Tips
========
Choice Scarf Swanna is mostly used as a revenge killer, and it should be brought in to force out or KO slower threats such as Jynx and Oricorio-G. The set has some surprise factor, so concealing Swanna's set through double switching and not using Brave Bird too early can lead to a surprise KO later on. Defog should only be used in emergency situations, as it forces Swanna to switch out after use and makes Swanna setup fodder. Swanna can often be used as a late-game cleaner, but be aware that Hurricane is an unreliable move. Use Brave Bird when possible, as it is a much safer option despite its recoil. However, Hurricane is necessary for KOing certain physically bulky Pokemon such as Gurdurr.
Team Options
========
Swanna acts as a reliable revenge killer for mostly balanced and offensive teams. Pokemon that are often setup fodder, such as Clefairy, appreciate its ability to handle sweepers such as Jynx. Secondary entry hazard removers such as Lurantis can be useful, as Choice Scarf Swanna can be worn down quickly by Stealth Rock. Electric-immune Pokemon such as Togedemaru are very useful for covering Swanna's biggest weakness. Similarly, checks to Rock-types such as Hitmonchan can be worthwhile, especially since Lycanroc is one of the few sweepers that Swanna has no hope of revenge killing. Hitmonchan can also function as a secondary entry hazard remover. Pursuit trappers such as Skuntank and Spiritomb can help to chip away at Eelektross and Lanturn, Swanna's two biggest counters.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Z-Mirror Move allows Swanna to function as a physical wallbreaker, but it can only boost once, and Aqua Jet is often too weak to compensate for Swanna's somewhat mediocre Speed. Liquidation can be run over Scald on a physically biased Choice Scarf set. While it does significantly more damage to Eelektross, it does very little to Regirock and Aggron. A physically defensive set with Leftovers could make a better check to Fighting-types like Gurdurr and Hitmonchan, but it is significantly weaker than offensive sets. Waterium Z in conjunction with Rain Dance could be used, which allows Swanna to act as a cleaner, but this set is rather outclassed by Ludicolo. Substitute is yet another option, but using it means giving up on Defog, which is the main purpose of using Swanna. Toxic lets it surprise Pokemon like Musharna and Miltank lacking Heal Bell, but it is hard to give up Roost or Defog. Hidden Power Grass can be used on Choice Scarf Swanna in order to reliably revenge kill Carracosta, but it is otherwise worthless.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Electric-types**: Assault Vest Lanturn and Eelektross can switch into Swanna consistently and gain momentum for the opposing team with Volt Switch. Alolan Raichu, Manectric, Togedemaru, and Oricorio-E cannot switch in reliably but are all capable of OHKOing Swanna with their STAB attacks.
**Specially Bulky Pokemon**: Clefairy, Type: Null, Audino, and specially defensive Miltank aren't 2HKOed by any of Swanna's moves, and they can retaliate with their STAB moves, cripple it with status, or set up with Swords Dance. Many of them even have recovery, which allows them to ignore even the small bit of damage that Swanna's moves do to them.
**Faster Pokemon**: Swanna's poor bulk leaves it easily revenge killed by faster foes such as Archeops and Pyroar if Swanna is not carrying a Choice Scarf. Choice Scarf Pyroar is also notable for being able to revenge kill even Choice Scarf Swanna.
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