[OVERVIEW]
Mimikyu holds a niche in the OU metagame due to its unique typing and ability Disguise, which gives it a free turn to attack or set up. Defensively, Mimikyu can act as a blanket check to many threats such as Volcarona and Mega Medicham. Ghost- and Fairy-type STAB moves allow Mimikyu to hit the entire metagame for at least neutral damage. Decent Attack along with access to Swords Dance and great STAB coverage allows Mimikyu to clean easily. However, Mimikyu struggles to break common defensive Pokemon such Toxapex and Landorus-T. Also, once Disguise is broken, Mimikyu is very easy to revenge kill, as it is very frail and isn't very fast.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Shadow Sneak
move 3: Play Rough
move 4: Shadow Claw
item: Life Orb / Ghostium Z
ability: Disguise
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance allows Mimikyu to boost its below-average Attack stat. Shadow Sneak makes up for Mimikyu's low Speed and is used to revenge kill faster threats. Play Rough is Mimikyu's strongest move, hitting Pokemon such as Tyranitar, Bisharp, and Zygarde for massive damage. Finally, Shadow Claw has nearly perfect neutral coverage with Play Rough and can hit Pokemon such as Amoonguss, Celesteela, Gengar, and Heatran.
Set Details
========
Life Orb is the preferred item, as it gives Mimikyu a consistent boost in power, allowing it to hit much harder. Ghostium Z lets Mimikyu fire off a strong Never-Ending Nightmare, which allows it to break through certain threats such as Celesteela. Maximum Speed and Attack investment allows Mimikyu to hit as hard and be as fast as possible. An Adamant nature allows Mimikyu to do much more damage to Pokemon such as offensive Landorus-T and Celesteela, especially after a Swords Dance, and it is the preferred nature on Sticky Web teams. However, a Jolly nature allows Mimikyu to outpace non-Choice Scarf Tapu Lele, Hasty Kyurem-B, Zygarde before a Dragon Dance, and Jolly Landorus-T.
Usage Tips
========
Mimikyu's Disguise should be saved until the mid- or late-game, as Disguise can be used to stop a setup sweeper such as non-Mega Gyarados or Volcarona. However, it is acceptable to use up Mimikyu's Disguise early-game to weaken Pokemon such as Landorus-T. Try to use Swords Dance when Mimikyu has a clear shot at sweeping or when you need to break through the opposing Pokemon. If Ghostium Z is run over Life Orb, use Never-Ending Nightmare after a Swords Dance to break Pokemon such as Celesteela. Be careful of Psychic Terrain, as it blocks Shadow Sneak.
Team Options
========
Mimikyu fits very well on Sticky Web teams, as it can benefit from the foe's Speed decrease and can spinblock. Thus, Sticky Web setters such as Smeargle and Shuckle make good teammates. Other Pokemon found on Sticky Web teams such as Bisharp and Mega Pinsir also make good teammates. Magnezone can trap bulky Steel-types such as Mega Scizor, Ferrothorn, and Skarmory. Slow VoltTurn users such as Landorus-T and Assault Vest Magearna can get Mimikyu in without breaking Disguise. Entry hazard setters such as Greninja and Garchomp can wear down Mimikyu's checks, allowing it to sweep. Heatran is also a good partner, as it deals with Ferrothorn and Scizor while also being able to set up Stealth Rock. Finally, wallbreakers such as Mega Charizard Y, Ash-Greninja, and Mega Mawile can make it easier for Mimikyu to clean up late-game.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Mimikyu can use Trick Room effectively, as it can almost always set up Trick Room thanks to Disguise. Will-O-Wisp can be used to cripple switch-ins such as Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor. Red Card can be used in conjunction with Disguise to phaze a foe. Taunt can be used to stallbreak; however, this is done better by Tapu Koko. Destiny Bond can be used to take a foe down with Mimikyu. Eject Button can be used in conjunction with Dugtrio to remove certain Pokemon such as Heatran at the cost of Mimikyu's Disguise.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Steel-types**: Ferrothorn can easily take multiple Shadow Claws and either knock Mimikyu out with Gyro Ball or cripple it with Thunder Wave or Leech Seed. Mega Scizor, Celesteela, Magearna, and Skarmory can all take at least one boosted Shadow Claw and retaliate with their Steel-type STAB moves or, in Skarmory's case, phaze Mimikyu out.
**Physically Bulky Pokemon**: Landorus-T is a great answer to Mimikyu, as it can tank any hit Mimikyu can throw at it and do massive damage with Earthquake. Toxapex can use Haze to remove any Swords Dance boosts and threaten Mimikyu with a Scald burn. Finally, Mega Venusaur is a great counter to Mimikyu if Mimikyu has already used its Z-Move.
**Faster Pokemon**: Choice Scarf Excadrill is a good check to Mimikyu, as it can KO it through Disguise thanks to Mold Breaker. Other Choice Scarf users such as Tapu Lele can also prey on Mimikyu's low defenses. Naturally faster Pokemon such as Greninja, Tapu Koko, and Garchomp can also revenge kill Mimikyu once Disguise is broken.
Mimikyu holds a niche in the OU metagame due to its unique typing and ability Disguise, which gives it a free turn to attack or set up. Defensively, Mimikyu can act as a blanket check to many threats such as Volcarona and Mega Medicham. Ghost- and Fairy-type STAB moves allow Mimikyu to hit the entire metagame for at least neutral damage. Decent Attack along with access to Swords Dance and great STAB coverage allows Mimikyu to clean easily. However, Mimikyu struggles to break common defensive Pokemon such Toxapex and Landorus-T. Also, once Disguise is broken, Mimikyu is very easy to revenge kill, as it is very frail and isn't very fast.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Shadow Sneak
move 3: Play Rough
move 4: Shadow Claw
item: Life Orb / Ghostium Z
ability: Disguise
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance allows Mimikyu to boost its below-average Attack stat. Shadow Sneak makes up for Mimikyu's low Speed and is used to revenge kill faster threats. Play Rough is Mimikyu's strongest move, hitting Pokemon such as Tyranitar, Bisharp, and Zygarde for massive damage. Finally, Shadow Claw has nearly perfect neutral coverage with Play Rough and can hit Pokemon such as Amoonguss, Celesteela, Gengar, and Heatran.
Set Details
========
Life Orb is the preferred item, as it gives Mimikyu a consistent boost in power, allowing it to hit much harder. Ghostium Z lets Mimikyu fire off a strong Never-Ending Nightmare, which allows it to break through certain threats such as Celesteela. Maximum Speed and Attack investment allows Mimikyu to hit as hard and be as fast as possible. An Adamant nature allows Mimikyu to do much more damage to Pokemon such as offensive Landorus-T and Celesteela, especially after a Swords Dance, and it is the preferred nature on Sticky Web teams. However, a Jolly nature allows Mimikyu to outpace non-Choice Scarf Tapu Lele, Hasty Kyurem-B, Zygarde before a Dragon Dance, and Jolly Landorus-T.
Usage Tips
========
Mimikyu's Disguise should be saved until the mid- or late-game, as Disguise can be used to stop a setup sweeper such as non-Mega Gyarados or Volcarona. However, it is acceptable to use up Mimikyu's Disguise early-game to weaken Pokemon such as Landorus-T. Try to use Swords Dance when Mimikyu has a clear shot at sweeping or when you need to break through the opposing Pokemon. If Ghostium Z is run over Life Orb, use Never-Ending Nightmare after a Swords Dance to break Pokemon such as Celesteela. Be careful of Psychic Terrain, as it blocks Shadow Sneak.
Team Options
========
Mimikyu fits very well on Sticky Web teams, as it can benefit from the foe's Speed decrease and can spinblock. Thus, Sticky Web setters such as Smeargle and Shuckle make good teammates. Other Pokemon found on Sticky Web teams such as Bisharp and Mega Pinsir also make good teammates. Magnezone can trap bulky Steel-types such as Mega Scizor, Ferrothorn, and Skarmory. Slow VoltTurn users such as Landorus-T and Assault Vest Magearna can get Mimikyu in without breaking Disguise. Entry hazard setters such as Greninja and Garchomp can wear down Mimikyu's checks, allowing it to sweep. Heatran is also a good partner, as it deals with Ferrothorn and Scizor while also being able to set up Stealth Rock. Finally, wallbreakers such as Mega Charizard Y, Ash-Greninja, and Mega Mawile can make it easier for Mimikyu to clean up late-game.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Mimikyu can use Trick Room effectively, as it can almost always set up Trick Room thanks to Disguise. Will-O-Wisp can be used to cripple switch-ins such as Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor. Red Card can be used in conjunction with Disguise to phaze a foe. Taunt can be used to stallbreak; however, this is done better by Tapu Koko. Destiny Bond can be used to take a foe down with Mimikyu. Eject Button can be used in conjunction with Dugtrio to remove certain Pokemon such as Heatran at the cost of Mimikyu's Disguise.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Steel-types**: Ferrothorn can easily take multiple Shadow Claws and either knock Mimikyu out with Gyro Ball or cripple it with Thunder Wave or Leech Seed. Mega Scizor, Celesteela, Magearna, and Skarmory can all take at least one boosted Shadow Claw and retaliate with their Steel-type STAB moves or, in Skarmory's case, phaze Mimikyu out.
**Physically Bulky Pokemon**: Landorus-T is a great answer to Mimikyu, as it can tank any hit Mimikyu can throw at it and do massive damage with Earthquake. Toxapex can use Haze to remove any Swords Dance boosts and threaten Mimikyu with a Scald burn. Finally, Mega Venusaur is a great counter to Mimikyu if Mimikyu has already used its Z-Move.
**Faster Pokemon**: Choice Scarf Excadrill is a good check to Mimikyu, as it can KO it through Disguise thanks to Mold Breaker. Other Choice Scarf users such as Tapu Lele can also prey on Mimikyu's low defenses. Naturally faster Pokemon such as Greninja, Tapu Koko, and Garchomp can also revenge kill Mimikyu once Disguise is broken.
Last edited:
