asa
PU Leader
uploaded -zard
[QC Checks: rwby / Megazard / Twix]
[GP Checks: The Dutch Plumberjack / A Cake Wearing a Hat]
[OVERVIEW]
Masquerain sports unique access to both Sticky Web and Quiver Dance, which gives it much better offensive presence than other Sticky Web leads such as Smeargle. Masquerain's solid coverage also allows it to threaten Pokemon such as Hitmonchan which give other Sticky Web leads a hard time. However, Masquerain still faces a lot of competition from other Sticky Web setters such as Leavanny and Smeargle due to Leavanny's better Speed and access to valuable support options in Knock Off, Magic Coat, and Electroweb and Smeargle's access to more support options such as Spikes, Spore, and Stealth Rock. As a result of Masquerain's only decent Speed and offensive presence, it is very susceptible to Taunt from Pokemon such as Skuntank, which isn't a problem for the faster Leavanny because it outspeeds Skuntank. Masquerain also has a difficult time against common Defoggers like Silvally-Water that can get rid of Sticky Web with little to no issue. Masquerain's poor bulk and defensive typing don't grant it many opportunities to switch in, meaning that it can only work efficiently as a lead.
[SET]
name: Sticky Web Lead
move 1: Sticky Web
move 2: Bug Buzz
move 3: Hydro Pump / Air Slash
move 4: Quiver Dance
item: Focus Sash
ability: Intimidate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Sticky Web, the main reason to use Masquerain, decreases the Speed of all opposing Pokemon upon entry, which is good for supporting Masquerain's teammates. Bug Buzz is Masquerain's main and most powerful STAB move, and it hits Dark-, Grass-, and Psychic-types like Absol, Lilligant, Mesprit, and Musharna for super effective damage. Hydro Pump gives Masquerain the ability to threaten not only common users of Stealth Rock such as Palossand and Regirock but also Pokemon like Magmortar, while Air Slash, gives it a secondary STAB option for hitting Fighting-types harder than any of its other moves. Finally, Quiver Dance increases Masquerain's Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed by one stage, slightly increasing its offensive presence and making it less susceptible to Taunt.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in both Speed and Special Attack serves to maximize Masquerain's offensive presence. A Timid nature allows it to outspeed Pokemon such as neutral-natured Magmortar, Shiftry, and Skuntank and gives it an easier time attempting to set up Sticky Web. Focus Sash always allows Masquerain to take one attack from full, which means that Masquerain will almost always successfully set Sticky Web at least once. Intimidate is Masquerain’s only viable ability. It decreases the Attack of the opposing Pokemon by one, which can help it set up Sticky Web later on should it need to switch out.
Usage Tips
========
Leading with Masquerain is almost always ideal due to this giving it the best possible chance it can get to set Sticky Web up as soon as possible. Using Quiver Dance afterwards is smart, as this gives it a slightly better matchup against Defoggers, prevents it from becoming setup fodder, and makes it more likely that Sticky Web will remain up. If Masquerain cannot beat a certain Defogger like Swanna, preserving it until the Defogger is removed is ideal, as Masquerain's main priority is setting up Sticky Web and they will render its attempts pointless. This can be difficult, however, due to its poor bulk and 4x weakness to Stealth Rock. Masquerain has to play carefully around Taunt users such as Sableye, as they can prevent it from doing much of anything outside of firing off weak attacks.
Team Options
========
Masquerain only fits on dedicated Sticky Web teams, so slower setup sweepers and wallbreakers that can take advantage of their grounded checks being slowed down such as Carracosta, Turtonator, and Zangoose make for good partners. Spinblockers such as Golurk and Oricorio-G prevent the removal of Sticky Web via Rapid Spin. They both also have the advantage of pressuring Defoggers with their strong STAB attacks, and Golurk can even provide Stealth Rock support to weaken the Flying-types that aren't affected by Sticky Web. Haunter can be considered too, as it can prevent Defog with Taunt and possibly take out annoyances with Destiny Bond if need be; however, it is more frail than the two previously mentioned Ghost-types and has a harder time against Skuntank. Pawniard and Primeape make for great teammates due to them both being able to deter and punish the use of Defog because of their shared ability in Defiant. They both also check Skuntank, a major annoyance for Masquerain. Checks to Flying-types like Swanna are important, as they are immune to Sticky Web and can usually remove Sticky Web with ease. Alolan Raichu fits this role perfectly, and it appreciates Sticky Web giving it an easier time cleaning up opposing teams.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A more offensive set centered around Quiver Dance making use of Life Orb, Buginium Z, or Flyinium Z may sound appealing, but such a set has very little reason to be used over Lilligant, which is faster, stronger, and slightly bulkier. Furthermore, this set forgoes Masquerain's main niche in Sticky Web. Roost seems appealing, but Masquerain has trouble finding room for it on either set and much prefers the coverage, and it has trouble recovering lost HP on strong attackers such as Kangaskhan and Stoutland. Haze can remove stat boosts from Pokemon like Carracosta, but again, it has problems fitting it on its set over anything else. Ice Beam can be used to hit Pokemon such as Drampa and Oricorio-G harder, though it has limited use outside of this.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Taunt and Encore**: Masquerain is incapable of doing much of anything should it be Taunted by Sableye or Skuntank, and none of its moves are particularly desirable to be locked into by Encore from Pokemon like Audino.
**Entry Hazard Removal**: Common Defoggers such as Swanna and Silvally-Water are annoying for Masquerain to deal with, as Masquerain cannot OHKO them depending on its coverage, and they don't have issues either KOing it or stalling it out with Toxic and then Defogging. Although the matchup is tougher for them, spinners such as Assault Vest Hitmonchan and Kabutops can be annoying for Masquerain to deal with as well. Kabutops also has the ability to threaten Masquerain with Rock-type attacks.
**Rock-types**: Rock-types such as Archeops, Aurorus, Regirock, and Lycanroc can all KO Masquerain with their respective STAB attacks, even with an Attack drop from Intimidate. Lycanroc can even revenge kill Masquerain after a Quiver Dance with Accelerock, while Aurorus can OHKO Masquerain through its Focus Sash due to Snow Warning. It's worth noting that none of them appreciate taking a +1 Hydro Pump. Archeops can also potentially Defog on Masquerain.
**Fire-types**: Fire-types such as Combusken, Magmortar, and Pyroar have no issues KOing Masquerain with Fire Blast, even if it has +1 Special Defense. Similarly to Rock-types, however, none of them want to take a +1 Hydro Pump.
[QC Checks: rwby / Megazard / Twix]
[GP Checks: The Dutch Plumberjack / A Cake Wearing a Hat]
[OVERVIEW]
Masquerain sports unique access to both Sticky Web and Quiver Dance, which gives it much better offensive presence than other Sticky Web leads such as Smeargle. Masquerain's solid coverage also allows it to threaten Pokemon such as Hitmonchan which give other Sticky Web leads a hard time. However, Masquerain still faces a lot of competition from other Sticky Web setters such as Leavanny and Smeargle due to Leavanny's better Speed and access to valuable support options in Knock Off, Magic Coat, and Electroweb and Smeargle's access to more support options such as Spikes, Spore, and Stealth Rock. As a result of Masquerain's only decent Speed and offensive presence, it is very susceptible to Taunt from Pokemon such as Skuntank, which isn't a problem for the faster Leavanny because it outspeeds Skuntank. Masquerain also has a difficult time against common Defoggers like Silvally-Water that can get rid of Sticky Web with little to no issue. Masquerain's poor bulk and defensive typing don't grant it many opportunities to switch in, meaning that it can only work efficiently as a lead.
[SET]
name: Sticky Web Lead
move 1: Sticky Web
move 2: Bug Buzz
move 3: Hydro Pump / Air Slash
move 4: Quiver Dance
item: Focus Sash
ability: Intimidate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Sticky Web, the main reason to use Masquerain, decreases the Speed of all opposing Pokemon upon entry, which is good for supporting Masquerain's teammates. Bug Buzz is Masquerain's main and most powerful STAB move, and it hits Dark-, Grass-, and Psychic-types like Absol, Lilligant, Mesprit, and Musharna for super effective damage. Hydro Pump gives Masquerain the ability to threaten not only common users of Stealth Rock such as Palossand and Regirock but also Pokemon like Magmortar, while Air Slash, gives it a secondary STAB option for hitting Fighting-types harder than any of its other moves. Finally, Quiver Dance increases Masquerain's Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed by one stage, slightly increasing its offensive presence and making it less susceptible to Taunt.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in both Speed and Special Attack serves to maximize Masquerain's offensive presence. A Timid nature allows it to outspeed Pokemon such as neutral-natured Magmortar, Shiftry, and Skuntank and gives it an easier time attempting to set up Sticky Web. Focus Sash always allows Masquerain to take one attack from full, which means that Masquerain will almost always successfully set Sticky Web at least once. Intimidate is Masquerain’s only viable ability. It decreases the Attack of the opposing Pokemon by one, which can help it set up Sticky Web later on should it need to switch out.
Usage Tips
========
Leading with Masquerain is almost always ideal due to this giving it the best possible chance it can get to set Sticky Web up as soon as possible. Using Quiver Dance afterwards is smart, as this gives it a slightly better matchup against Defoggers, prevents it from becoming setup fodder, and makes it more likely that Sticky Web will remain up. If Masquerain cannot beat a certain Defogger like Swanna, preserving it until the Defogger is removed is ideal, as Masquerain's main priority is setting up Sticky Web and they will render its attempts pointless. This can be difficult, however, due to its poor bulk and 4x weakness to Stealth Rock. Masquerain has to play carefully around Taunt users such as Sableye, as they can prevent it from doing much of anything outside of firing off weak attacks.
Team Options
========
Masquerain only fits on dedicated Sticky Web teams, so slower setup sweepers and wallbreakers that can take advantage of their grounded checks being slowed down such as Carracosta, Turtonator, and Zangoose make for good partners. Spinblockers such as Golurk and Oricorio-G prevent the removal of Sticky Web via Rapid Spin. They both also have the advantage of pressuring Defoggers with their strong STAB attacks, and Golurk can even provide Stealth Rock support to weaken the Flying-types that aren't affected by Sticky Web. Haunter can be considered too, as it can prevent Defog with Taunt and possibly take out annoyances with Destiny Bond if need be; however, it is more frail than the two previously mentioned Ghost-types and has a harder time against Skuntank. Pawniard and Primeape make for great teammates due to them both being able to deter and punish the use of Defog because of their shared ability in Defiant. They both also check Skuntank, a major annoyance for Masquerain. Checks to Flying-types like Swanna are important, as they are immune to Sticky Web and can usually remove Sticky Web with ease. Alolan Raichu fits this role perfectly, and it appreciates Sticky Web giving it an easier time cleaning up opposing teams.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A more offensive set centered around Quiver Dance making use of Life Orb, Buginium Z, or Flyinium Z may sound appealing, but such a set has very little reason to be used over Lilligant, which is faster, stronger, and slightly bulkier. Furthermore, this set forgoes Masquerain's main niche in Sticky Web. Roost seems appealing, but Masquerain has trouble finding room for it on either set and much prefers the coverage, and it has trouble recovering lost HP on strong attackers such as Kangaskhan and Stoutland. Haze can remove stat boosts from Pokemon like Carracosta, but again, it has problems fitting it on its set over anything else. Ice Beam can be used to hit Pokemon such as Drampa and Oricorio-G harder, though it has limited use outside of this.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Taunt and Encore**: Masquerain is incapable of doing much of anything should it be Taunted by Sableye or Skuntank, and none of its moves are particularly desirable to be locked into by Encore from Pokemon like Audino.
**Entry Hazard Removal**: Common Defoggers such as Swanna and Silvally-Water are annoying for Masquerain to deal with, as Masquerain cannot OHKO them depending on its coverage, and they don't have issues either KOing it or stalling it out with Toxic and then Defogging. Although the matchup is tougher for them, spinners such as Assault Vest Hitmonchan and Kabutops can be annoying for Masquerain to deal with as well. Kabutops also has the ability to threaten Masquerain with Rock-type attacks.
**Rock-types**: Rock-types such as Archeops, Aurorus, Regirock, and Lycanroc can all KO Masquerain with their respective STAB attacks, even with an Attack drop from Intimidate. Lycanroc can even revenge kill Masquerain after a Quiver Dance with Accelerock, while Aurorus can OHKO Masquerain through its Focus Sash due to Snow Warning. It's worth noting that none of them appreciate taking a +1 Hydro Pump. Archeops can also potentially Defog on Masquerain.
**Fire-types**: Fire-types such as Combusken, Magmortar, and Pyroar have no issues KOing Masquerain with Fire Blast, even if it has +1 Special Defense. Similarly to Rock-types, however, none of them want to take a +1 Hydro Pump.
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