Overview
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Scrafty can be a devastating setup sweeper, with two excellent abilities to allow Scrafty to setup more easily. Scrafty has Knock Off utility that it can use to weaken its own checks. However, Scrafty is weak to common Pokemon, such as Heracross. Without a boost, it can have trouble breaking through tougher walls such as Milotic or Suicune. Scrafty has slow speed, allowing it to be outsped by base 115s even at +1, and any relevant Choice Scarf user still outspeeds it even at +2.
Dragon Dance
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name: Dragon Dance Sweeper
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Drain Punch / High Jump Kick
move 4: Zen Headbutt / Iron Head
ability: Shed Skin / Moxie
item: Leftovers / Life Orb
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
nature: Jolly
Moves
========
Knock Off is the Dark-type STAB of choice, and can help with wearing down Scraggy and its teammates' own checks and counters, by removing Leftovers and Assault Vests. Drain Punch is the preferred STAB attack, and helps keep Scrafty's longevity. Drain Punch is best used when using Scrafty as a mid to late game sweeper. High Jump Kick can be used in order to provide more immediate power, as well as severely denting any switchins. It should be used when Scrafty is functioning as a wallbreaker on a team. Zen Headbutt is Scrafty's best option against Toxicroak, and it also prevents Pokemon like Nidoqueen, Roserade, and Amoonguss from scaring Scrafty out. It also gets super-effective damage on Heracross, Mienshao, Hitmontop, and Chesnaught, although it cannot KO any except Mienshao. Iron Head allows Scrafty to do excellent damage on weakened Florges and Gardevoir, although it does not always OHKO even Specially Defensive Florges at +1.
Set Details
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Max Attack and max Speed make Scrafty a strong sweeper. 252 Speed EVs with a Jolly Nature allow Scrafty to outspeed Mienshao after a boost. Leftovers is preferred when using Drain Punch and Shed Skin, in order to allow Scrafty to stay alive or the duration of the match. Life Orb is preferential when using High Jump Kick and/or Moxie, as this allows Scrafty to sweep extremely well late game. Lum Berry is an option when using Moxie, although if you are that worried about status, you might as well use Shed Skin. Shed Skin is the preferred ability, as this allows Scrafty to act as a psuedo status absorber and not have to worry about a Burn or a Paralysis ruining Scrafy's sweep. However, Moxie can be used to steamroll through unprepared teams, racking up boost after boost.
Usage Tips
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Scrafty should set up on Pokemon that really do not do a whole lot of damage to it, usually Special Attackers. It can function greatly against stall based teams. With Shed Skin, it usually does not mind Burns, so setting up on Pokemon such as Crocune or Vaporeon can quickly turn a match around. Shed Skin also allows Scrafty to be the only Fighting-type to not be shut down by Sableye, granting it a niche of its own. Late game, Scrafty should abuse its unique typing and try and force switches, so as to set up a Dragon Dance.
Team Options
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Pokemon that can set up hazards can really help with wearing down Scrafty's checks and counters. Pokemon such as Heracross cannot handle full entry hazards and a +1 High Jump Kick. With Moxie this puts immense pressure on a team. Gligar is an excellent teammate, as Gligar can beat Crobat, Scarf Honchkrow, and Heracross, who all beat Scrafty. Gligar can also set up Stealth Rocks to wear down the opponent's team. Pokemon that can bait in Florges, such as Choice Band Heracross can make an excellent partner, as Florges is quickly overwhelmed by such strong attacks. Scrafty appreciates Thunder Wave support, making Pokemon such as Slowbro, Mew, Celebi, and Jirachi decent partners. Amoonguss can perform a similar role in spreading Sleep and Stun Spores, although this compounds a Honchkrow weakness. Ghost-type Pokemon such as Froslass or Cofagrigus can switch in on Fighting-type attacks. Froslass can easily set up a layer or two of Spikes and eliminate a key threat with Destiny Bond, while Cofagrigus can switch in commonly on Pokemon like Crobat, or Heracross.
Bulk Up
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name: Bulk Up
move 1: Bulk Up
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Drain Punch
move 4: Rest
ability: Shed Skin
item: Leftovers
evs: 252 HP / 252 SDef / 4 Atk
nature: Careful
Moves
========
Bulk Up is the main move, often slowly building a sweep against Bulky Offense teams. Knock Off is excellent utility, and helps cut down on recovery. Knock Off also messes with stallier teams. Drain Punch allows Scrafty psuedo-recovery, and can really hit hard with a boost. This is Scrafty's most reliable way to heal. Rest is a keystone to the Bulk Up set, as Rest allows Scrafty to fully heal up, and proceed to rack up Bulk Up boosts again. However, Shed Skin does not always activate, often sealing the deal for Scrafty. Iron Head can be used to deal with Florges, although it fails to OHKO even at +1, so should only be used either on the switch or late game. Zen Headbutt can be used to catch Toxicroak off guard, although Rest is usually preferred in the slot.
Set Details
========
252 HP and Special Defense EVs assure maximum special bulk, and easily allows Scrafty to set up on Pokemon like Crocune. Shed Skin allows Scrafty to potentially get a one-turn sleep, and can stop other status effects. Shed Skin also allows Scrafty to not be shut down by Sableye, putting itself apart from other Fighting-types.
Usage Tips
========
Scrafty should be used on Pokemon that will commonly run a Restalk set, as Scrafty will be able to set up easily. If Scrafty can take a hit from something or force it out, then it is usually fine to set up. Do not set up if a Pokemon such as Florges or Heracross is on the opposing team. It is best to get entry hazards up before setting up, in order to limit the amount of switches on a team.
Team Options
========
Pokemon such as Qwilfish or Hitmontop can help support Scrafty. Both can do work against Heracross and Qwilfish can set up Spikes / Toxic Spikes. Hitmontop can help weaken Pokemon such as Florges by hitting them with Toxic. Pokemon that lure in Crocune or Vaporeon can help set up a Scrafty sweep. A switch in to Crobat is nice, making Raikou or Rhyperior great partners. Raikou can set up on a lot that Scrafty lures in, while Rhyperior can set up Stealth Rocks. Bronzong is a good partner, as Bronzong can easily beat Florges, while also setting up Stealth Rocks. In a similar vein, most Pokemon that can beat Florges can make a great partner to Scrafty. Paralysis support is extremely beneficial, even more so than to the Dragon Dance set, as Scrafty has extremely low Speed. Slowbro, Mew, and Celebi are usually all bulky, and can spread status. They all can also take Fighting-type attacks aimed at Scrafty. Florges can be a decent partner, as Florges can beat most Heracross sets, and lures in Nidoking and Nidoqueen for Scrafty to set up on.
Other Options
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Head Smash can be used as a powerful attack. Poison Jab can be used over Iron Head as it has the ability to Poison Florges. However, it has the drawback of possibly Poisoning Guts Heracross and Steel-types are immune to Poison Jab. Thunderpunch can be used to hit bulky Water-types, although Knock Off is usually superior. A Restalk set can be used with Shed Skin on stallier teams, although Sleep Talk usually a waste of a move with Shed Skin. A Choice Band can be used to deal big damage to some Pokemon. An Assault Vest can be used, however it is inferior to Snorlax in that regard. Scrafty does offer Knock Off support however, as well as a reliable way to heal in Drain Punch.
Checks & Counters
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**Fairy-types**: Florges and Aromatisse can always beat Scrafty, resisting both STABs, and hitting with a super-effective 4x Moonblast.
**Heracross**: Heracross resists both of Scrafty's STABs, and can OHKO with a Close Combat.
**Hitmontop**: The bulky pivot set of Hitmontop can take any attack by Scrafty, and KO back with Close Combat, however will be taking a chunk from High Jump Kick.
**Chesnaught**: Chesnaught can easily tank a +1 Ice Punch or Zen Headbutt, and can hit Scrafty hard with a super-effective 2x Hammer Arm.
**Hippowdon**: Hippowdon can take any hit from a +1 Scrafty, and either Whirlwind Scrafty out, or hit hard with an Earthquake. In tight situations, it can stall with Slack Off, however it often loses to Drain Punch Scrafty this way.
**Crobat**: Crobat can generally switch in on Dragon Dance or a Fighting-type move, however other than those moves it cannot switch in. Crobat can do a minimum of 70% to an uninvested Scrafty, allowing for an effective revenge killer.
**Revenge Killers**: Due to Scrafty's pitiful base 58 Speed, any viable Choice Scarf user can outspeed Scrafty after a boost. This leaves Life Orb Scrafty at a disadvantage, as it is easily revenge killed by powerful attacks such as Flygon's Outrage, or Heracross' Close Combat.
**Wallbreakers**: Common Pokemon that are delegated to break through walls can usually beat the Bulk Up set. Pokemon such as Choice Band Heracross and Life Orb Honchkrow still threaten Scrafty, even at +1.
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Scrafty can be a devastating setup sweeper, with two excellent abilities to allow Scrafty to setup more easily. Scrafty has Knock Off utility that it can use to weaken its own checks. However, Scrafty is weak to common Pokemon, such as Heracross. Without a boost, it can have trouble breaking through tougher walls such as Milotic or Suicune. Scrafty has slow speed, allowing it to be outsped by base 115s even at +1, and any relevant Choice Scarf user still outspeeds it even at +2.
Dragon Dance
########
name: Dragon Dance Sweeper
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Drain Punch / High Jump Kick
move 4: Zen Headbutt / Iron Head
ability: Shed Skin / Moxie
item: Leftovers / Life Orb
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
nature: Jolly
Moves
========
Knock Off is the Dark-type STAB of choice, and can help with wearing down Scraggy and its teammates' own checks and counters, by removing Leftovers and Assault Vests. Drain Punch is the preferred STAB attack, and helps keep Scrafty's longevity. Drain Punch is best used when using Scrafty as a mid to late game sweeper. High Jump Kick can be used in order to provide more immediate power, as well as severely denting any switchins. It should be used when Scrafty is functioning as a wallbreaker on a team. Zen Headbutt is Scrafty's best option against Toxicroak, and it also prevents Pokemon like Nidoqueen, Roserade, and Amoonguss from scaring Scrafty out. It also gets super-effective damage on Heracross, Mienshao, Hitmontop, and Chesnaught, although it cannot KO any except Mienshao. Iron Head allows Scrafty to do excellent damage on weakened Florges and Gardevoir, although it does not always OHKO even Specially Defensive Florges at +1.
Set Details
========
Max Attack and max Speed make Scrafty a strong sweeper. 252 Speed EVs with a Jolly Nature allow Scrafty to outspeed Mienshao after a boost. Leftovers is preferred when using Drain Punch and Shed Skin, in order to allow Scrafty to stay alive or the duration of the match. Life Orb is preferential when using High Jump Kick and/or Moxie, as this allows Scrafty to sweep extremely well late game. Lum Berry is an option when using Moxie, although if you are that worried about status, you might as well use Shed Skin. Shed Skin is the preferred ability, as this allows Scrafty to act as a psuedo status absorber and not have to worry about a Burn or a Paralysis ruining Scrafy's sweep. However, Moxie can be used to steamroll through unprepared teams, racking up boost after boost.
Usage Tips
========
Scrafty should set up on Pokemon that really do not do a whole lot of damage to it, usually Special Attackers. It can function greatly against stall based teams. With Shed Skin, it usually does not mind Burns, so setting up on Pokemon such as Crocune or Vaporeon can quickly turn a match around. Shed Skin also allows Scrafty to be the only Fighting-type to not be shut down by Sableye, granting it a niche of its own. Late game, Scrafty should abuse its unique typing and try and force switches, so as to set up a Dragon Dance.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that can set up hazards can really help with wearing down Scrafty's checks and counters. Pokemon such as Heracross cannot handle full entry hazards and a +1 High Jump Kick. With Moxie this puts immense pressure on a team. Gligar is an excellent teammate, as Gligar can beat Crobat, Scarf Honchkrow, and Heracross, who all beat Scrafty. Gligar can also set up Stealth Rocks to wear down the opponent's team. Pokemon that can bait in Florges, such as Choice Band Heracross can make an excellent partner, as Florges is quickly overwhelmed by such strong attacks. Scrafty appreciates Thunder Wave support, making Pokemon such as Slowbro, Mew, Celebi, and Jirachi decent partners. Amoonguss can perform a similar role in spreading Sleep and Stun Spores, although this compounds a Honchkrow weakness. Ghost-type Pokemon such as Froslass or Cofagrigus can switch in on Fighting-type attacks. Froslass can easily set up a layer or two of Spikes and eliminate a key threat with Destiny Bond, while Cofagrigus can switch in commonly on Pokemon like Crobat, or Heracross.
Bulk Up
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name: Bulk Up
move 1: Bulk Up
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Drain Punch
move 4: Rest
ability: Shed Skin
item: Leftovers
evs: 252 HP / 252 SDef / 4 Atk
nature: Careful
Moves
========
Bulk Up is the main move, often slowly building a sweep against Bulky Offense teams. Knock Off is excellent utility, and helps cut down on recovery. Knock Off also messes with stallier teams. Drain Punch allows Scrafty psuedo-recovery, and can really hit hard with a boost. This is Scrafty's most reliable way to heal. Rest is a keystone to the Bulk Up set, as Rest allows Scrafty to fully heal up, and proceed to rack up Bulk Up boosts again. However, Shed Skin does not always activate, often sealing the deal for Scrafty. Iron Head can be used to deal with Florges, although it fails to OHKO even at +1, so should only be used either on the switch or late game. Zen Headbutt can be used to catch Toxicroak off guard, although Rest is usually preferred in the slot.
Set Details
========
252 HP and Special Defense EVs assure maximum special bulk, and easily allows Scrafty to set up on Pokemon like Crocune. Shed Skin allows Scrafty to potentially get a one-turn sleep, and can stop other status effects. Shed Skin also allows Scrafty to not be shut down by Sableye, putting itself apart from other Fighting-types.
Usage Tips
========
Scrafty should be used on Pokemon that will commonly run a Restalk set, as Scrafty will be able to set up easily. If Scrafty can take a hit from something or force it out, then it is usually fine to set up. Do not set up if a Pokemon such as Florges or Heracross is on the opposing team. It is best to get entry hazards up before setting up, in order to limit the amount of switches on a team.
Team Options
========
Pokemon such as Qwilfish or Hitmontop can help support Scrafty. Both can do work against Heracross and Qwilfish can set up Spikes / Toxic Spikes. Hitmontop can help weaken Pokemon such as Florges by hitting them with Toxic. Pokemon that lure in Crocune or Vaporeon can help set up a Scrafty sweep. A switch in to Crobat is nice, making Raikou or Rhyperior great partners. Raikou can set up on a lot that Scrafty lures in, while Rhyperior can set up Stealth Rocks. Bronzong is a good partner, as Bronzong can easily beat Florges, while also setting up Stealth Rocks. In a similar vein, most Pokemon that can beat Florges can make a great partner to Scrafty. Paralysis support is extremely beneficial, even more so than to the Dragon Dance set, as Scrafty has extremely low Speed. Slowbro, Mew, and Celebi are usually all bulky, and can spread status. They all can also take Fighting-type attacks aimed at Scrafty. Florges can be a decent partner, as Florges can beat most Heracross sets, and lures in Nidoking and Nidoqueen for Scrafty to set up on.
Other Options
########
Head Smash can be used as a powerful attack. Poison Jab can be used over Iron Head as it has the ability to Poison Florges. However, it has the drawback of possibly Poisoning Guts Heracross and Steel-types are immune to Poison Jab. Thunderpunch can be used to hit bulky Water-types, although Knock Off is usually superior. A Restalk set can be used with Shed Skin on stallier teams, although Sleep Talk usually a waste of a move with Shed Skin. A Choice Band can be used to deal big damage to some Pokemon. An Assault Vest can be used, however it is inferior to Snorlax in that regard. Scrafty does offer Knock Off support however, as well as a reliable way to heal in Drain Punch.
Checks & Counters
########
**Fairy-types**: Florges and Aromatisse can always beat Scrafty, resisting both STABs, and hitting with a super-effective 4x Moonblast.
**Heracross**: Heracross resists both of Scrafty's STABs, and can OHKO with a Close Combat.
**Hitmontop**: The bulky pivot set of Hitmontop can take any attack by Scrafty, and KO back with Close Combat, however will be taking a chunk from High Jump Kick.
**Chesnaught**: Chesnaught can easily tank a +1 Ice Punch or Zen Headbutt, and can hit Scrafty hard with a super-effective 2x Hammer Arm.
**Hippowdon**: Hippowdon can take any hit from a +1 Scrafty, and either Whirlwind Scrafty out, or hit hard with an Earthquake. In tight situations, it can stall with Slack Off, however it often loses to Drain Punch Scrafty this way.
**Crobat**: Crobat can generally switch in on Dragon Dance or a Fighting-type move, however other than those moves it cannot switch in. Crobat can do a minimum of 70% to an uninvested Scrafty, allowing for an effective revenge killer.
**Revenge Killers**: Due to Scrafty's pitiful base 58 Speed, any viable Choice Scarf user can outspeed Scrafty after a boost. This leaves Life Orb Scrafty at a disadvantage, as it is easily revenge killed by powerful attacks such as Flygon's Outrage, or Heracross' Close Combat.
**Wallbreakers**: Common Pokemon that are delegated to break through walls can usually beat the Bulk Up set. Pokemon such as Choice Band Heracross and Life Orb Honchkrow still threaten Scrafty, even at +1.
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