NFE Curselax (Munchlax) @ Eviolite
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpD
Impish Nature
- Chip Away
- Curse
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
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Optional Move(s):
- Facade
- Fire Punch
- Whirlwind
Optional Item(s):
- N/A
Optional Ability:
- N/A
Optional EV/IV(s):
- N/A
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Overview: Munchlax has an incredible base HP stat. When combined with Eviolite and defensive investment, Munchlax serves as a very bulky wall, capable of walling most strong special attackers in the tier, such as Frogadier, Haunter, Kadabra, and Roselia, as well as being able to tank physical hits from weak defensive physical attackers such as defensive Staravia. Munchlax's primary role on most teams is walling and trapping Haunter and Kadabra. Thick Fat reduces the damage of Fire- and Ice-type moves, which lets Munchlax switch into strong Fire-type attacks from the likes of Magmar with ease.
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Mixed Tank: Even uninvested Body Slam gets reasonable chip on most neutral targets coming off Munchlax's good base Attack stat and also has the chance to paralyze opposing Pokemon. Pursuit lets it trap Haunter and non-Counter Kadabra. Rest gives Munchlax some form of longevity to continue checking Pokemon throughout a game. Sleep Talk stops Munchlax from being setup bait for two turns and Earthquake lets Munchlax hit Steel-types such as Metang, Klang, and Lairon for super effective damage, since they would otherwise wall it.
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Curselax: The Curse set acts as a bulky wincon. This set is capable of walling and setting up on the likes of Clefairy, Frogadier, Roselia, Sliggoo, Gloom, and Prinplup. Chip Away hits most Pokemon hard after a few boosts and ignores defensive boosts on Pokemon such as Sliggoo and Duosion. Curse boosts Munchlax's Attack and Defense and lets it eat attacks from weak physical attackers like Gabite better.
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Checks and Counters: Steel-types such as Metang, Lairon, and Klang wall all non-Earthquake sets and can set up on Munchlax. Bulky Ghost-types such as Misdreavus and Dusclops take very little damage from Pursuit and can wall Munchlax. The Curse set is completely shut down by Ghost-types such as Haunter, Dusclops and Misdreavus. Haze users such as Mareanie and Dusclops cannot kill Munchlax but can Haze away any boosts it accumulates. Machoke and other bulky Fighting-type Pokemon can switch into Munchlax and threaten it with their super effective STAB attacks. Taunt users and Phazers such as Quilladin and Gabite can either shut Munchlax down or force the Curse set out. Since Munchlax lacks reliable recovery, it is very susceptible to chip from hazards.
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