putting this in gp queue once mence is done
qc 3/3: avocado, phantom, col49 on discord
gp: 2/2: tdp/lotias, cryogyro
[OVERVIEW]
Shaymin's well-rounded stats, ability to run a variety of sets, and absurdly powerful signature move in Seed Flare make it a big threat in the RU metagame. Its extensive movepool including recovery in Synthesis and Leech Seed, utility in Healing Wish, and a plethora of coverage options such as Psychic, Earth Power, and Dazzling Gleam makes it difficult to check. Seed Flare's large chance to lower the foe's Special Defense allows Shaymin to easily pressure bulkier threats that would typically check it such as Snorlax and Cresselia. Shaymin's access to Natural Cure and recovery allows it to pressure defensive teams even more. Due to its very good bulk for an offensive Pokemon, it is able to fit seamlessly onto offensive teams and check Water- and Ground-types such as Feraligatr, Milotic, and Rhyperior. Natural Cure also allows it to absorb crippling status ailments such as poison and burn for its teammates. However, Shaymin's Seed Flare suffers from low accuracy and is easily PP stalled, and Shaymin lacks the power to break through bulky teams without getting Special Defense drops from Seed Flare. Shaymin also has difficulty fitting the coverage it needs and recovery all onto one set. Finally, despite its decent Speed, it is outsped by many common threats such as Salazzle, Zoroark, and Durant.
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Seed Flare
move 2: Earth Power / Hidden Power Fire
move 3: Psychic
move 4: Synthesis / Rest
item: Life Orb
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Seed Flare is the main reason to use Shaymin, since it hits extremely hard and can pressure bulkier teams easily due to its high chance to lower the foe's Special Defense. However, it is vulnerable to PP stalling. Earth Power hits Steel-types like Doublade and Registeel the hardest, whereas Hidden Power Fire is an option to hit Escavalier, Bronzong, and Durant harder. Psychic is used to hit Chesnaught, Roserade, and Heracross which none of the previous moves hit for a lot of damage. It is also Shaymin's best way to hurt Rotom-H. Synthesis allows Shaymin to consistently switch into threats throughout the match and negates damage from entry hazards. Rest is similar to Synthesis in that it keeps Shaymin healthy, and it works nicely in conjunction with Natural Cure negating sleep; however, although it does restore more HP than Synthesis, has more PP, and is not hindered by sand, it loses momentum by requiring Shaymin to switch out after use. Dazzling Gleam is an option to hit Goodra, Honchkrow, and Kommo-o for more damage; it also prevents Umbreon from PP stalling Seed Flare.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Special Attack and Speed increases Shaymin's power and allows it to revenge kill weakened threats such as Bruxish and Heracross. Life Orb is used to further boost Shaymin's power, as while 100 Special Attack is good, it is not stellar. Natural Cure is Shaymin's only available ability, but it is useful to absorb status such as Toxic poison and Scald burns.
Usage Tips
========
Switch Shaymin into Pokemon that it checks, such as Milotic and Gigalith, to threaten them with Seed Flare. Sometimes, especially against bulkier threats such as Umbreon and Snorlax, it is beneficial to fish for Special Defense drops because Shaymin threatens nearly every -2 Pokemon in the tier. However, be careful of using Seed Flare too much; it is prone to being PP stalled. Additionally, keep the opponent guessing about the coverage Shaymin is running; for example, Escavalier counters Shaymin unless it is running Hidden Power Fire, so if the opponent has an Escavalier, don't reveal Hidden Power Fire against another Pokemon so it can surprise and weaken Escavalier,. Use Synthesis in order to prevent Shaymin from being worn down by entry hazards and Life Orb recoil so it can switch into Pokemon that it checks throughout the match. Beware of Seed Flare's low accuracy; it is not typically a reliable way to revenge kill Pokemon due to its chance to miss.
Team Options
========
Shaymin struggles against extremely bulky special walls such as Umbreon, Porygon2, and Snorlax if it does not get drops with Seed Flare. As a result, Pokemon that threaten these walls, such as Pangoro, Heracross, and Honchkrow, make for decent teammates. Fire-types such as Salazzle and Moltres can threaten the Steel-types that switch into Shaymin. They also appreciate Shaymin's ability to switch into and threaten Water-types. Similarly, Pokemon such as Tyrantrum, Aerodactyl, Flygon, and Cloyster are vulnerable to Water- and Ground-types so they appreciate Shaymin's ability to check them. Shaymin appreciates entry hazard support to wear down its checks and counters, so Stealth Rock from Gligar and Gigalith and Spikes from Roserade and Glalie are appreciated. Finally, slow setup sweepers such as Snorlax, Reuniclus, and Florges are decent partners, as Shaymin and they can easily wear down each other's checks and counters and they appreciate Shaymin's ability to outspeed strong wallbreakers with average Speed such as Heracross.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Seed Flare
move 2: Healing Wish
move 3: Psychic
move 4: Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Fire
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Seed Flare is Shaymin's main STAB move; though it suffers from low accuracy and PP, its raw power and chance to drop the opposing Pokemon's Special Defense are invaluable. Seed Flare also allows Shaymin to revenge kill Feraligatr after a Dragon Dance, a feat not accomplished by most Choice Scarf users. Healing Wish allows Shaymin to support its teammates by giving partners such as Swords Dance Heracross and Doublade another chance to set up. Psychic dents Chesnaught, Roserade, Virizion, Kommo-o, and Heracross, which Shaymin fails to do much damage to otherwise. Hidden Power Ice revenge kills Swellow after Stealth Rock and Adamant Dragon Dance Flygon after some chip damage. Alternatively, Hidden Power Fire can revenge kill Durant and dent Escavalier. Both of these options can OHKO Yanmega after Stealth Rock. Earth Power is an option to hit the Steel- and Fire-types that neither Hidden Power Ice nor Hidden Power Fire can hit, such as Ninetales and Doublade. However, other coverage is generally better.
Set Details
========
A Choice Scarf allows Shaymin to outspeed every unboosted Pokemon in the metagame; Choice Scarf Shaymin is only outsped by faster Choice Scarf users such as Durant. Maximum investment in Speed and Special Attack gives Shaymin decent power and the ability to revenge kill many Pokemon in the tier. Finally, while Natural Cure is Shaymin's only ability, it is very useful for absorbing status such as Toxic poison and Scald burns.
Usage Tips
========
This Shaymin set should be used to either revenge kill opposing Pokemon or clean up after its checks and counters have been weakened. When faced with a threatening setup sweeper such as Swords Dance Heracross, Adamant Dragon Dance Flygon, or Dragon Dance Feraligatr, the player may have to sacrifice a Pokemon in order to give a free switch to Shaymin and revenge kill the foe. Wear down checks and counters to Shaymin, such as Fire- and Steel-types, if your plan is to have it sweep late-game with Seed Flare. Switch Shaymin into a predicted Toxic or Scald in order to absorb the potential poison or burn for Shaymin's teammates. Additionally, use Healing Wish to revitalize a teammate that lacks recovery or is crippled by status. It can also give setup sweepers such as Dragon Dance Flygon a second chance to sweep. Despite this set's lack of recovery, it can still switch into Water-types like Feraligatr multiple times. However, make these count by only switching in when necessary, as they are limited.
Team Options
========
This Shaymin set fits best on balanced or offensive teams that need its revenge killing capabilities or appreciate its ability to clean late-game. Setup sweepers or partners that are easily worn down, such as Flame Orb Heracross, Doublade, Dragon Dance Flygon, Salazzle, and Bruxish, appreciate the Healing Wish support that Shaymin can provide. Shaymin can also clean late-game, but in order to do this, its checks must be weakened. As a result, Shaymin appreciates entry hazards, especially Stealth Rock, which a lot of its checks are weak to. Gligar, Gigalith, and Diancie can provide this support. Other Pokemon that wear down Shaymin's checks, such as Snorlax, Moltres, and Doublade, make good partners. Finally, since Shaymin outspeeds most other Choice Scarf users in the tier, Pokemon that are easily revenge killed by those Choice Scarf users such as Swords Dance Heracross, Toxicroak, and Bruxish appreciate Shaymin's ability to outspeed and KO them.
[SET]
name: Leech Seed
move 1: Leech Seed
move 2: Substitute / Protect
move 3: Seed Flare
move 4: Air Slash / Earth Power / Psychic
item: Leftovers
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Leech Seed is used to annoy typical switch-ins to Shaymin while acting as a passive form of recovery for it. Substitute is used in conjunction with Leech Seed to chip away at typical Shaymin checks such as Bronzong and Assault Vest Escavalier. This Shaymin set does not run a reliable recovery move because it is hard to fit coverage moves on Shaymin as it is. As a result, Protect can be used over Substitute in order to allow Shaymin to switch into threats such as Gigalith and Rhyperior throughout the match more reliably. It can also be used to scout for coverage and moves that Choice item users lock themselves into, which is useful against Choice Scarf Flygon and Gardevoir. Seed Flare is a very powerful STAB move that puts a lot of pressure on bulkier teams due to its chance to lower the foe's Special Defense. Air Slash hits the Grass-types that are not affected by Leech Seed, such as Venusaur, Chesnaught, and opposing Shaymin, as well as Heracross. Earth Power can be used to hit the Steel- and Fire-types that do not take much damage from Seed Flare, such as Doublade, Registeel, and Torkoal, whereas Psychic hits many threats for neutral damage, including Rotom-H, and does more damage to Venusaur and Roserade than Air Slash.
Set Details
========
Leftovers synergizes with Leech Seed by allowing Shaymin to regain a decent portion of its HP every turn; this amount is typically nearly enough to make up for the HP lost to Substitute. Also, because this set does not use a reliable recovery move such as Synthesis, Leftovers is necessary to somewhat make up for that. Maximum investment in Special Attack and Speed is used to give Shaymin some offensive presence and lets it outspeed Pokemon such as Bruxish while Speed tying with opposing Shaymin. An EV spread with maximum HP and maximum Speed is an option, as it prevents Seismic Toss from breaking Shaymin's Substitute. However, the power provided by the Special Attack EVs is usually appreciated more. Natural Cure is Shaymin's only ability, but it is useful because it lets Shaymin switch in without fearing Toxic poison, Scald burns, nor any other status.
Usage Tips
========
Switch Shaymin into Pokemon that it checks, such as Milotic and Gigalith, so you can have it set up a substitute or use Leech Seed to wear down the foe. Also use Leech Seed in order to keep Shaymin healthy throughout the match. Once Shaymin uses Leech Seed against a Pokemon, it is a good idea to repeatedly use Substitute if applicable, as it can further wear down the foe and Leftovers recovery combined with Leech Seed recovery typically heals nearly all of the damage Shaymin inflicts on itself using Substitute. Similarly, if Shaymin is using Protect, use Protect as much as you can to heal HP with Leech Seed and Leftovers. However, don't use it if you predict the foe to set up, as doing so can be a costly play. Because Leech Seed is annoying for many Pokemon, some will commonly switch out, especially those that cannot 2HKO Shaymin. As a result, going for Leech Seed again when predicting a switch can be utilized to further pressure the opponent. If Shaymin has to break through bulkier Pokemon, one can repeatedly use Seed Flare to fish for Special Defense drops, at which point Shaymin will likely be able to 2HKO them.
Team Options
========
The point of this set is to wear down typical checks to Shaymin, so Toxic Spikes support from the likes of Dragalge and Roserade is very helpful. Pokemon that have similar checks as Shaymin, such as Kommo-o, Flygon, Yanmega, and Gardevoir, also make for great partners. Additionally, Shaymin is a great check to Water- and Ground-types, so Pokemon that do not have a good matchup against these types such as Moltres, Doublade, Salazzle, Tyrantrum, and Flygon benefit from Shaymin being a partner. Slow setup sweepers like Reuniclus, Snorlax, and Calm Mind Florges benefit from having Shaymin to help wear down their checks and can revenge kill Heracross and other wallbreakers with average Speed.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Shaymin has a lot of other options to consider due to its extensive movepool. Grassium Z is an option that allows Shaymin to fire off an extremely powerful and accurate Bloom Doom to muscle past its checks. However, by using this, Shaymin loses power on its vital coverage moves. Grass Whistle can also be run on such a set, as Z-Grass Whistle puts the target to sleep and boosts Shaymin's Speed, allowing it to sweep while changing up moves. However, Grass Whistle is a risky move to use due to its low accuracy, and Shaymin does not appreciate the power it loses by running this; do note that Grass Whistle always hits Doublade, however. Choice Specs could be used to boost Shaymin's Special Attack to extremely high levels, but it is extremely prediction-reliant, making it difficult to take advantage of the threatening coverage Shaymin has access to. Shaymin can use Tailwind to support slower teammates, but it is an unreliable strategy and coverage is typically better. Aromatherapy is an option for Shaymin if its teammates are easily crippled by status, but its Natural Cure ability is often enough for status absorption, and coverage is usually more useful. Leech Seed can be run on the offensive set to help with threats such as Umbreon, but more reliable recovery is typically more appreciated. Energy Ball on the Choice Scarf set is a much more reliable STAB move than Seed Flare and can revenge kill threats without risking a miss. However, Shaymin is pressed for moveslots as it is. Finally, Air Slash on offensive sets hits opposing Shaymin for the most damage while also hitting Chesnaught, Venusaur, and Roserade. However, besides opposing Shaymin, those Pokemon are hit harder by Psychic, so this coverage is nearly always useless.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Specially Bulky Pokemon**: It is difficult for Shaymin to break through very bulky special walls such as Cresselia, Umbreon, Porygon2, and Goodra unless it gets Special Defense drops from Seed Flare. Goodra is an especially good check due to its immunity to Seed Flare and Leech Seed. Similarly, Bronzong and Escavalier wall sets without Hidden Power Fire. In return, these Pokemon can recover off the damage, heal their teammates, or threaten Shaymin with their STAB attacks.
**Steel-types**: Bronzong can take any hit from Shaymin with ease and weaken it in return. Registeel is only pressured by Life Orb Earth Power and cannot have its Special Defense lowered. Escavalier and Doublade are also very good checks, but they are pressured by certain coverage.
**Flying-types**: Flying-types such as Moltres, Honchkrow, Yanmega, and Swellow can switch into Shaymin's Seed Flare and threaten it with their STAB moves; however, most of them cannot switch into Shaymin too many times and are easily pressured by Stealth Rock.
**Fire-types**: Rotom-H and Moltres take little damage from any move that Shaymin uses and can OHKO it with their STAB moves. Other Fire-types, such as Salazzle, can switch in on Seed Flare easily and OHKO Shaymin but are vulnerable to coverage.
qc 3/3: avocado, phantom, col49 on discord
gp: 2/2: tdp/lotias, cryogyro
[OVERVIEW]
Shaymin's well-rounded stats, ability to run a variety of sets, and absurdly powerful signature move in Seed Flare make it a big threat in the RU metagame. Its extensive movepool including recovery in Synthesis and Leech Seed, utility in Healing Wish, and a plethora of coverage options such as Psychic, Earth Power, and Dazzling Gleam makes it difficult to check. Seed Flare's large chance to lower the foe's Special Defense allows Shaymin to easily pressure bulkier threats that would typically check it such as Snorlax and Cresselia. Shaymin's access to Natural Cure and recovery allows it to pressure defensive teams even more. Due to its very good bulk for an offensive Pokemon, it is able to fit seamlessly onto offensive teams and check Water- and Ground-types such as Feraligatr, Milotic, and Rhyperior. Natural Cure also allows it to absorb crippling status ailments such as poison and burn for its teammates. However, Shaymin's Seed Flare suffers from low accuracy and is easily PP stalled, and Shaymin lacks the power to break through bulky teams without getting Special Defense drops from Seed Flare. Shaymin also has difficulty fitting the coverage it needs and recovery all onto one set. Finally, despite its decent Speed, it is outsped by many common threats such as Salazzle, Zoroark, and Durant.
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Seed Flare
move 2: Earth Power / Hidden Power Fire
move 3: Psychic
move 4: Synthesis / Rest
item: Life Orb
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Seed Flare is the main reason to use Shaymin, since it hits extremely hard and can pressure bulkier teams easily due to its high chance to lower the foe's Special Defense. However, it is vulnerable to PP stalling. Earth Power hits Steel-types like Doublade and Registeel the hardest, whereas Hidden Power Fire is an option to hit Escavalier, Bronzong, and Durant harder. Psychic is used to hit Chesnaught, Roserade, and Heracross which none of the previous moves hit for a lot of damage. It is also Shaymin's best way to hurt Rotom-H. Synthesis allows Shaymin to consistently switch into threats throughout the match and negates damage from entry hazards. Rest is similar to Synthesis in that it keeps Shaymin healthy, and it works nicely in conjunction with Natural Cure negating sleep; however, although it does restore more HP than Synthesis, has more PP, and is not hindered by sand, it loses momentum by requiring Shaymin to switch out after use. Dazzling Gleam is an option to hit Goodra, Honchkrow, and Kommo-o for more damage; it also prevents Umbreon from PP stalling Seed Flare.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Special Attack and Speed increases Shaymin's power and allows it to revenge kill weakened threats such as Bruxish and Heracross. Life Orb is used to further boost Shaymin's power, as while 100 Special Attack is good, it is not stellar. Natural Cure is Shaymin's only available ability, but it is useful to absorb status such as Toxic poison and Scald burns.
Usage Tips
========
Switch Shaymin into Pokemon that it checks, such as Milotic and Gigalith, to threaten them with Seed Flare. Sometimes, especially against bulkier threats such as Umbreon and Snorlax, it is beneficial to fish for Special Defense drops because Shaymin threatens nearly every -2 Pokemon in the tier. However, be careful of using Seed Flare too much; it is prone to being PP stalled. Additionally, keep the opponent guessing about the coverage Shaymin is running; for example, Escavalier counters Shaymin unless it is running Hidden Power Fire, so if the opponent has an Escavalier, don't reveal Hidden Power Fire against another Pokemon so it can surprise and weaken Escavalier,. Use Synthesis in order to prevent Shaymin from being worn down by entry hazards and Life Orb recoil so it can switch into Pokemon that it checks throughout the match. Beware of Seed Flare's low accuracy; it is not typically a reliable way to revenge kill Pokemon due to its chance to miss.
Team Options
========
Shaymin struggles against extremely bulky special walls such as Umbreon, Porygon2, and Snorlax if it does not get drops with Seed Flare. As a result, Pokemon that threaten these walls, such as Pangoro, Heracross, and Honchkrow, make for decent teammates. Fire-types such as Salazzle and Moltres can threaten the Steel-types that switch into Shaymin. They also appreciate Shaymin's ability to switch into and threaten Water-types. Similarly, Pokemon such as Tyrantrum, Aerodactyl, Flygon, and Cloyster are vulnerable to Water- and Ground-types so they appreciate Shaymin's ability to check them. Shaymin appreciates entry hazard support to wear down its checks and counters, so Stealth Rock from Gligar and Gigalith and Spikes from Roserade and Glalie are appreciated. Finally, slow setup sweepers such as Snorlax, Reuniclus, and Florges are decent partners, as Shaymin and they can easily wear down each other's checks and counters and they appreciate Shaymin's ability to outspeed strong wallbreakers with average Speed such as Heracross.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Seed Flare
move 2: Healing Wish
move 3: Psychic
move 4: Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Fire
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Seed Flare is Shaymin's main STAB move; though it suffers from low accuracy and PP, its raw power and chance to drop the opposing Pokemon's Special Defense are invaluable. Seed Flare also allows Shaymin to revenge kill Feraligatr after a Dragon Dance, a feat not accomplished by most Choice Scarf users. Healing Wish allows Shaymin to support its teammates by giving partners such as Swords Dance Heracross and Doublade another chance to set up. Psychic dents Chesnaught, Roserade, Virizion, Kommo-o, and Heracross, which Shaymin fails to do much damage to otherwise. Hidden Power Ice revenge kills Swellow after Stealth Rock and Adamant Dragon Dance Flygon after some chip damage. Alternatively, Hidden Power Fire can revenge kill Durant and dent Escavalier. Both of these options can OHKO Yanmega after Stealth Rock. Earth Power is an option to hit the Steel- and Fire-types that neither Hidden Power Ice nor Hidden Power Fire can hit, such as Ninetales and Doublade. However, other coverage is generally better.
Set Details
========
A Choice Scarf allows Shaymin to outspeed every unboosted Pokemon in the metagame; Choice Scarf Shaymin is only outsped by faster Choice Scarf users such as Durant. Maximum investment in Speed and Special Attack gives Shaymin decent power and the ability to revenge kill many Pokemon in the tier. Finally, while Natural Cure is Shaymin's only ability, it is very useful for absorbing status such as Toxic poison and Scald burns.
Usage Tips
========
This Shaymin set should be used to either revenge kill opposing Pokemon or clean up after its checks and counters have been weakened. When faced with a threatening setup sweeper such as Swords Dance Heracross, Adamant Dragon Dance Flygon, or Dragon Dance Feraligatr, the player may have to sacrifice a Pokemon in order to give a free switch to Shaymin and revenge kill the foe. Wear down checks and counters to Shaymin, such as Fire- and Steel-types, if your plan is to have it sweep late-game with Seed Flare. Switch Shaymin into a predicted Toxic or Scald in order to absorb the potential poison or burn for Shaymin's teammates. Additionally, use Healing Wish to revitalize a teammate that lacks recovery or is crippled by status. It can also give setup sweepers such as Dragon Dance Flygon a second chance to sweep. Despite this set's lack of recovery, it can still switch into Water-types like Feraligatr multiple times. However, make these count by only switching in when necessary, as they are limited.
Team Options
========
This Shaymin set fits best on balanced or offensive teams that need its revenge killing capabilities or appreciate its ability to clean late-game. Setup sweepers or partners that are easily worn down, such as Flame Orb Heracross, Doublade, Dragon Dance Flygon, Salazzle, and Bruxish, appreciate the Healing Wish support that Shaymin can provide. Shaymin can also clean late-game, but in order to do this, its checks must be weakened. As a result, Shaymin appreciates entry hazards, especially Stealth Rock, which a lot of its checks are weak to. Gligar, Gigalith, and Diancie can provide this support. Other Pokemon that wear down Shaymin's checks, such as Snorlax, Moltres, and Doublade, make good partners. Finally, since Shaymin outspeeds most other Choice Scarf users in the tier, Pokemon that are easily revenge killed by those Choice Scarf users such as Swords Dance Heracross, Toxicroak, and Bruxish appreciate Shaymin's ability to outspeed and KO them.
[SET]
name: Leech Seed
move 1: Leech Seed
move 2: Substitute / Protect
move 3: Seed Flare
move 4: Air Slash / Earth Power / Psychic
item: Leftovers
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Leech Seed is used to annoy typical switch-ins to Shaymin while acting as a passive form of recovery for it. Substitute is used in conjunction with Leech Seed to chip away at typical Shaymin checks such as Bronzong and Assault Vest Escavalier. This Shaymin set does not run a reliable recovery move because it is hard to fit coverage moves on Shaymin as it is. As a result, Protect can be used over Substitute in order to allow Shaymin to switch into threats such as Gigalith and Rhyperior throughout the match more reliably. It can also be used to scout for coverage and moves that Choice item users lock themselves into, which is useful against Choice Scarf Flygon and Gardevoir. Seed Flare is a very powerful STAB move that puts a lot of pressure on bulkier teams due to its chance to lower the foe's Special Defense. Air Slash hits the Grass-types that are not affected by Leech Seed, such as Venusaur, Chesnaught, and opposing Shaymin, as well as Heracross. Earth Power can be used to hit the Steel- and Fire-types that do not take much damage from Seed Flare, such as Doublade, Registeel, and Torkoal, whereas Psychic hits many threats for neutral damage, including Rotom-H, and does more damage to Venusaur and Roserade than Air Slash.
Set Details
========
Leftovers synergizes with Leech Seed by allowing Shaymin to regain a decent portion of its HP every turn; this amount is typically nearly enough to make up for the HP lost to Substitute. Also, because this set does not use a reliable recovery move such as Synthesis, Leftovers is necessary to somewhat make up for that. Maximum investment in Special Attack and Speed is used to give Shaymin some offensive presence and lets it outspeed Pokemon such as Bruxish while Speed tying with opposing Shaymin. An EV spread with maximum HP and maximum Speed is an option, as it prevents Seismic Toss from breaking Shaymin's Substitute. However, the power provided by the Special Attack EVs is usually appreciated more. Natural Cure is Shaymin's only ability, but it is useful because it lets Shaymin switch in without fearing Toxic poison, Scald burns, nor any other status.
Usage Tips
========
Switch Shaymin into Pokemon that it checks, such as Milotic and Gigalith, so you can have it set up a substitute or use Leech Seed to wear down the foe. Also use Leech Seed in order to keep Shaymin healthy throughout the match. Once Shaymin uses Leech Seed against a Pokemon, it is a good idea to repeatedly use Substitute if applicable, as it can further wear down the foe and Leftovers recovery combined with Leech Seed recovery typically heals nearly all of the damage Shaymin inflicts on itself using Substitute. Similarly, if Shaymin is using Protect, use Protect as much as you can to heal HP with Leech Seed and Leftovers. However, don't use it if you predict the foe to set up, as doing so can be a costly play. Because Leech Seed is annoying for many Pokemon, some will commonly switch out, especially those that cannot 2HKO Shaymin. As a result, going for Leech Seed again when predicting a switch can be utilized to further pressure the opponent. If Shaymin has to break through bulkier Pokemon, one can repeatedly use Seed Flare to fish for Special Defense drops, at which point Shaymin will likely be able to 2HKO them.
Team Options
========
The point of this set is to wear down typical checks to Shaymin, so Toxic Spikes support from the likes of Dragalge and Roserade is very helpful. Pokemon that have similar checks as Shaymin, such as Kommo-o, Flygon, Yanmega, and Gardevoir, also make for great partners. Additionally, Shaymin is a great check to Water- and Ground-types, so Pokemon that do not have a good matchup against these types such as Moltres, Doublade, Salazzle, Tyrantrum, and Flygon benefit from Shaymin being a partner. Slow setup sweepers like Reuniclus, Snorlax, and Calm Mind Florges benefit from having Shaymin to help wear down their checks and can revenge kill Heracross and other wallbreakers with average Speed.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Shaymin has a lot of other options to consider due to its extensive movepool. Grassium Z is an option that allows Shaymin to fire off an extremely powerful and accurate Bloom Doom to muscle past its checks. However, by using this, Shaymin loses power on its vital coverage moves. Grass Whistle can also be run on such a set, as Z-Grass Whistle puts the target to sleep and boosts Shaymin's Speed, allowing it to sweep while changing up moves. However, Grass Whistle is a risky move to use due to its low accuracy, and Shaymin does not appreciate the power it loses by running this; do note that Grass Whistle always hits Doublade, however. Choice Specs could be used to boost Shaymin's Special Attack to extremely high levels, but it is extremely prediction-reliant, making it difficult to take advantage of the threatening coverage Shaymin has access to. Shaymin can use Tailwind to support slower teammates, but it is an unreliable strategy and coverage is typically better. Aromatherapy is an option for Shaymin if its teammates are easily crippled by status, but its Natural Cure ability is often enough for status absorption, and coverage is usually more useful. Leech Seed can be run on the offensive set to help with threats such as Umbreon, but more reliable recovery is typically more appreciated. Energy Ball on the Choice Scarf set is a much more reliable STAB move than Seed Flare and can revenge kill threats without risking a miss. However, Shaymin is pressed for moveslots as it is. Finally, Air Slash on offensive sets hits opposing Shaymin for the most damage while also hitting Chesnaught, Venusaur, and Roserade. However, besides opposing Shaymin, those Pokemon are hit harder by Psychic, so this coverage is nearly always useless.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Specially Bulky Pokemon**: It is difficult for Shaymin to break through very bulky special walls such as Cresselia, Umbreon, Porygon2, and Goodra unless it gets Special Defense drops from Seed Flare. Goodra is an especially good check due to its immunity to Seed Flare and Leech Seed. Similarly, Bronzong and Escavalier wall sets without Hidden Power Fire. In return, these Pokemon can recover off the damage, heal their teammates, or threaten Shaymin with their STAB attacks.
**Steel-types**: Bronzong can take any hit from Shaymin with ease and weaken it in return. Registeel is only pressured by Life Orb Earth Power and cannot have its Special Defense lowered. Escavalier and Doublade are also very good checks, but they are pressured by certain coverage.
**Flying-types**: Flying-types such as Moltres, Honchkrow, Yanmega, and Swellow can switch into Shaymin's Seed Flare and threaten it with their STAB moves; however, most of them cannot switch into Shaymin too many times and are easily pressured by Stealth Rock.
**Fire-types**: Rotom-H and Moltres take little damage from any move that Shaymin uses and can OHKO it with their STAB moves. Other Fire-types, such as Salazzle, can switch in on Seed Flare easily and OHKO Shaymin but are vulnerable to coverage.
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