NFE Choice Scarf (Pawniard) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- Iron Head
- Pursuit
- Psycho Cut
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Optional Move(s):
- Brick Break
- Thunder Wave
Optional Item(s):
- Darkinium Z
Optional Ability:
- N/A
Optional EV/IV(s):
- N/A
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Overview: With a good offensive typing, access to Knock Off, Swords Dance, and strong priority in Sucker Punch, Pawniard is a threatening wallbreaker in the tier, capable of dismantling bulkier and offensive teams when given an opportunity to set up. However, its poor bulk limits its setup opportunities.
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Swords Dance: Both the Steelium Z and Eviolite sets can set up on passive Pokemon such as Clefairy and Roselia or on resisted hits from Pokemon like Alolan Grimer. The Steelium Z set allows Pawniard to break past slower defensive threats like Machoke. Eviolite gives Pawniard slightly better bulk and lets it tank one neutral hit from threats like Choice Scarf Frogadier. Knock Off is a fantastic STAB attack which hits Ghost- and Psychic-types such as Haunter, Duosion, and Misdreavus very hard and also removes Eviolite from other bulky walls. Iron Head is another good STAB move and it hits Fairy-types such as Clefairy and Togetic hard. Sucker Punch is a great STAB priority attack which can pick off weakened faster attackers or even outright OHKO Pokemon such as Electabuzz, Frogadier, and Haunter at +2.
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Bulky Rocker: This bulkier Pawniard set acts as an offensive Stealth Rock setter and a great teammate for offensive teams which appreciate Pawniard’s ability to set up Stealth Rock, Knock Off Eviolite from opposing walls, and hit opposing Pokemon hard.
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Choice Scarf: This Choice Scarf set is primarily used to punish and trap Pokemon that may try switching out of Pawniard such as Haunter and Kadabra. Choice Scarf Pawniard outspeeds the unboosted metagame including key threats such as Electabuzz, Frogadier, Haunter, and Kadabra. Pursuit traps Haunter and Kadabra and can chip other frail attackers like Electabuzz and Frogadier. Psycho Cut hits Monferno hard on the switch-in.
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Checks and Counters: Bulky Fighting-types like Monferno and Machoke can switch into and OHKO Pawniard. However, both have to be wary of Steelium Z. Bulky Ground-types such as Marshtomp and Gabite can also switch into Pawniard and threaten it out with Earthquake. Offensive Fire-types such as Monferno and Combusken can outspeed and OHKO Pawniard. However, neither appreciate switching into a Corkscrew Crash or strong attack.
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