NFE Calm Mind (Dusclops) @ Eviolite
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Will-O-Wisp
- Hex
- Rest
---------------------
Optional Move(s):
- Hidden Power [Fighting]
- Infestation
- Memento
- Rain Dance
- Sleep Talk
- Sunny Day
- Taunt
- Toxic
Optional Item(s):
- Damp Rock
- Heat Rock
Optional Ability:
- N/A
Optional EV/IV(s):
- N/A
---------------------
Overview: Dusclops is one of the bulkiest Pokemon in the metagame. Fantastic defences which are further bolstered by Eviolite makes Dusclops very difficult to kill. A low base HP mitigates the high defences slightly but it is still capable of tanking hits from a large portion of the metagame. A lack of reliable recovery hurts its ability to check certain Pokemon throughout the match. Both sets wall the likes of Clefairy, Kadabra, Roselia, Mareanie, Sliggoo, Duosion, Gloom and Togetic comfortably.
---------------------
Mixed Bulk: The mixed bulk set can tank a hit from physical attackers such as +2 Monferno, Sliggoo, +1 Fraxure and Klang and it also avoids the 2HKO from Choice Scarf Krokorok Knock Off and can Wisp/Haze them in return. Seismic Toss gets 100 HP chip on all non-Ghost types, which is fantastic chip against Pokemon who lack recovery. With Pressure, it also stalls Pokemon with recovery such as Clefairy, Roselia, Mareanie and Togetic well. Hex can be used instead for a reasonably strong STAB attack against burned Pokemon. Will-O-Wisp cripples physical attackers and makes it more difficult for them to beat Dusclops, especially Dark-types such as Alolan Grimer, Krokorok and Pawniard. Pain Split acts as a form of unreliable recovery which is particularly good against passive Pokemon with reliable recovery. However, it makes Dusclops susceptible to status effects like Toxic. Rest is more reliable as a form of recovery but yields two free turns to the opponent. Haze removes all stat changes from all Pokemon on the field. With Dusclops' bulk, it can reliably check and Haze away boosts from many prominent setup sweepers in the tier.
---------------------
Specially Defensive: The max special bulk set makes it easier for Dusclops to tank special hits and even super effective coverage from the likes of Frogadier, Kadabra and +2 Monferno and it can even stall around 4-8 Leaf Storms from defensive Servine depending on how it is played.
---------------------
Calm Mind: The Calm Mind set makes use of Dusclops' incredible bulk and turns it into something which is both difficult to kill and packs a punch offensively after a few boosts.
---------------------
Checks & Counters: Normal types completely wall any Calm Mind set; Dusclops cannot touch them. Mareanie also can Haze away any boosts on the Calm Mind set and Knock Off its Eviolite. Taunt users such as Quilladin completely shut Dusclops down. Ghost-types such as Haunter and Misdreavus can take advantage of and hit non-Hex Dusclops sets hard, especially if carrying Substitute. Dark-types such as Alolan Grimer, Krokorok and Pawniard can heavily damage Dusclops in exchange for being burned. Machoke can eat a Will-O-Wisp and threaten Dusclops with Knock Off. Any non-Rest set is also susceptible to Toxic and all sets are susceptible to chip from hazards. Dusclops is also easy to overwhelm with offensive pressure, since it lacks reliable recovery.
=====================