NU Sigilyph

Eclipse

Like a chimp with a machine gun
is a Contributor Alumnus

QC: Eternally / Blast / Hootie
GP: Temperley & lotiasite / The Dutch Plumberjack

[OVERVIEW]

Sigilyph is a strong threat to defensive and offensive teams alike due to its great power and coverage allowing it to threaten the likes of Golbat, Garbodor, Machamp, Rhydon, Slowbro, and Steelix with the appropriate coverage option. It also has a phenomenal ability in Magic Guard, which means it is unaffected by all passive damage, in particular Stealth Rock damage and Life Orb recoil; this means that Sigilyph has great longevity for a wallbreaker. Its Stealth Rock immunity means that Sigilyph cannot get worn down easily and can switch into passive threats such as Hitmontop, Weezing, and Seismitoad. On the flipside, its defensive typing leaves it vulnerable to Dark- and Ghost-types such as Sneasel, Drapion, Houndoom, Incineroar, and Mismagius. In addition, its Speed stat, while decent, means it can be revenge killed by the likes of Sneasel, Delphox, and Mismagius, as well as Choice Scarf users such as Emboar and Drapion.

[SET]
name: All-out Attacker
move 1: Psychic
move 2: Air Slash
move 3: Heat Wave
move 4: Energy Ball / Roost
item: Life Orb
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Psychic is Sigilyph's most powerful attack and is used to take out defensive threats such as Golbat and Garbodor while netting good coverage overall in conjunction with the rest of its coverage options. Air Slash allows Sigilyph to hit the Dark-types that are immune to Psychic such as Scrafty, which is OHKOed, and Houndoom and Drapion, which are 2HKOed; it also OHKOes Grass-types such as Sceptile, Whimsicott, and Virizion. Heat Wave is used to hit Steel-types, which otherwise take the rest of Sigilyph's moves well, such as Steelix, Ferroseed, and Silvally-Steel; it also deals great damage to Rotom-C and Sneasel. Energy Ball allows Sigilyph to hit Rock-types such as Rhydon and Barbaracle while also hitting Piloswine, Jellicent, Slowking, and Slowbro super effectively. Roost may be used so that Sigilyph can heal back any damage it has taken throughout the match on a predicted switch so that it can continue switching into the threats that it checks, such as Whimsicott. Dark Pulse is an alternative option to Energy Ball that trades being able to hit Rhydon super effectively for the ability to hit Meloetta, Xatu, Delphox, and opposing Sigilyph super effectively while still netting coverage against Jellicent, Slowking, and Slowbro. Calm Mind may be used in place of a fourth coverage option so that Sigilyph can muscle through its checks better; Drapion, for example, is OHKOed by +1 Air Slash after Stealth Rock damage.

Set Details
========

Maximum Special Attack and Speed EVs with a Timid nature give Sigilyph as much power as possible while allowing it to outspeed Houndoom, Drapion, and Meloetta. A Life Orb is the necessary item for this set, as it gives Sigilyph great power for its coverage options and does not incur recoil due to Magic Guard. Magic Guard also protects Sigilyph from other residual damage such as burn, poison, and Stealth Rock damage.

Usage Tips
========

Due to Magic Guard, Sigilyph can be brought in relatively safely on passive threats such as Golbat, which poses little threat to it outside of Brave Bird. Sigilyph may also be brought in on foes such as Seismitoad and Hitmontop, which pose little of a threat to it. Once Sigilyph is in the match, it is best to use the appropriate coverage move to hit the foe, but watch out for Dark-types such as Drapion and Houndoom; if the opponent carries one of these Pokemon, you can predict their switch by going for Air Slash, which 2HKOes them. Since Sigilyph can freely switch moves with no repercussion due to Magic Guard negating Life Orb recoil, predicting the foe's switch is not necessary aside from if they have a Dark-type. If running Roost, it may be used to heal off any damage Sigilyph has taken throughout the match on a predicted switch so that it finds more opportunities to switch in later on in the match.

Team Options
========

Stealth Rock users such as Rhydon, Steelix, and Piloswine allow Sigilyph to serve as a better threat towards opposing teams due to the assistance of Stealth Rock damage; all three of these users appreciate Sigilyph checking Fighting-types for them, while Sigilyph also handles Grass-types for Rhydon and Piloswine. Since Dark-types are easily able to check Sigilyph, partners that are able to deal with them are greatly appreciated; such partners include Choice Scarf Hitmonlee and Emboar, which are both able to outspeed Houndoom, Drapion, and Sneasel and proceed to threaten them out. Sigilyph can also take on Grass-types and weaken them for partners like Slowbro and Slowking while also being able to lure in and 2HKO Dark-types such as Houndoom and Drapion with Air Slash for them. Depending on the last coverage option, Sigilyph will need assistance in weakening threats such as Rhydon if it lacks Energy Ball; Drapion can weaken it with a Swords Dance set while also weakening opposing Psychic-types such as Delphox, Slowbro, and Slowking that Sigilyph can no longer hit by dropping Energy Ball. If Sigilyph is not running Dark Pulse, partners that can handle Meloetta and Delphox are useful; Sneasel and Choice Scarf Drapion can use Pursuit to eliminate these threats from the match so that Sigilyph has an easier time breaking through opposing teams.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

A set utilizing a Focus Sash + Thunder Wave is very useful so that Sigilyph can pose as a great revenge killer to faster threats such as Virizion and Sneasel; Sigilyph is exceptional at this role, since Magic Guard ensures that its Focus Sash will never be broken beforehand. Calm Mind may be used on this set to make up for the lack of a boosting item while being a threat to defensive and offensive teams alike. Ice Beam is an alternative coverage option that hits Rotom-C, Xatu, Braviary, and opposing Sigilyph in one slot. Substitute allows Sigilyph to ease prediction against potential switch-ins such as Drapion while also avoiding Sucker Punch from foes such as Absol. A set with Choice Specs + Tinted Lens may be used to break past normal Psychic-resistant Pokemon in the tier such as Steelix, although the freedom to switch coverage options makes the Life Orb set more appealing. Finally, the combination of Flame Orb + Psycho Shift allows Sigilyph to cripple physical attackers such as Drapion, Sneasel, and Spiritomb by burning them, although this comes at the cost of great power due to the loss of Life Orb.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Dark-types**: Sneasel, Drapion, Houndoom, and Scrafty are all immune to Sigilyph's Psychic-type STAB moves and can threaten it with a super effective STAB move of their own or Pursuit trap Sigilyph to remove it from the match; Sneasel must watch out for Heat Wave, while Scrafty, Houndoom, and Drapion must watch out for Air Slash, but otherwise the last two switch safely into Sigilyph's coverage options.

**Rock-types**: Rhydon and Barbaracle must watch out for Energy Ball, but in the event where Sigilyph is not running this move, Rhydon can force Sigilyph out with the threat of its Rock-type STAB moves while being able to set up Stealth Rock. Barbaracle can use non-Energy Ball variants of Sigilyph to set up a Shell Smash.

**Ghost-types**: Mismagius, Sableye, Spiritomb, and specially defensive Jellicent variants can take Sigilyph's attacks relatively well. Spiritomb can Pursuit trap Sigilyph, while Mismagius can set up a Nasty Plot on variants lacking Dark Pulse and respond with a STAB-boosted Shadow Ball.

**Faster Attackers**: Virizion can scare out Sigilyph with the threat of Continental Crush, while Sneasel can come in after a partner has been taken out and use Knock Off or Pursuit to eliminate Sigilyph from the match; faster Choice Scarf users such as Emboar and Hitmonlee can use their super effective coverage options to revenge kill it as well.
 
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hey I know this is just a wip but I'd definitely consider putting Sash + Thunder Wave in oo. I've used it a lot to good results and it has done well in the first week of nupl. It's really nice for offense as an emergency check to most things that could otherwise get out of hand and also as a dark lure.
 
Air Slash should be a primary coverage option and not be slashed with anything. Still 2HKOes Houndoom and Drapion and more importantly OHKOes Scrafty. Replace it with Hidden Power Ground and slash Dark Pulse with Energy Ball which hits Meloetta, Slowking and Slowbro in one slot. Put Calm Mind in moves. This is what it should look like:

name: All Out Attacker
move 1: Psychic
move 2: Air Slash
move 3: Heat Wave
move 4: Energy Ball / Dark Pulse
item: Life Orb
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

Edit: On second thought, you might be better off slashing Roost and putting Dark Pulse in moves.
 
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etern

is a Community Leaderis a Top Tiering Contributoris a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Senior Staff Member Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Contributor Alumnusis a Battle Simulator Moderator Alumnusis a defending SCL Championis a Former Smogon Metagame Tournament Circuit Champion
NU Leader
OO:
  • Add CM as another option for Sash, helps vs bulky teams
C&C:
  • Add a Ghost-type section with Mismagius, Spiritomb, Sableye, and Spdef Jellicent

Very well done, just make sure you use Bullet Points rather than Asterisks, QC 1/3
 

Blast

Member of the Alien Nation
is a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Team Rater Alumnusis a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Tiering Contributor Alumnusis a Top Contributor Alumnus
Overview:
  • Sigilyph is too frail to check strong offensive Pokemon like Sceptile and Whimsicott. Specs Sceptile very nearly 2HKOes with Leaf Storm and Whimsicott cleanly 2HKOes with Pixie Plate Moonblast. Its bulk is only good enough to tank a few hits from passive Pokemon like Weezing and Hitmontop.
  • Don't call Sigilyph's Speed tier great, it's only above average.
Usage Tips:
  • Same deal here, Sigilyph just isn't a consistent switchin to any strong offensive Pokemon. Its bulk isn't terrible but it should generally avoid overly reckless switching outside of double switches.
Team Options:
  • Scarf Hitmonlee is not the first thing that should come to mind when you think "Psychic-type checks". Replace it with Dark-types like Sneasel and Drapion that can trap them.
Other Options:
  • Add Substitute here, it's useful because you force so many switches and can help ease prediction against Dark-types. It also helps dodge Sucker Punch.
QC 2/3 when this is done
 

Temperley

Banned deucer.
hey Eclipse, here's an amcheck :)
[OVERVIEW]

Sigilyph is a strong threat to defensive and offensive teams alike due to its great power and coverage allowing it to threaten the likes of Golbat, Garbodor, Machamp, Rhydon, Slowbro, and Steelix with the appropriate coverage option such as Psychic, Heat Wave, and or Energy Ball. It also has a phenomenal ability in Magic Guard, (ac) which means it is unaffected by all passive damage such as poison, burns, and, (ac) most importantly, Stealth Rock damage and Life Orb recoil; this means that Sigilyph has great longevity for a wallbreaker (You should generally avoid stating dex info. I would reword this to "...ability in Magic Guard, which means it is unaffected by all passive damage, in particular Stealth Rock damage and Life Orb recoil; this means that..."). Its Stealth Rock immunity means that Sigilyph cannot get worn down easily and can switch into passive threats such as Hitmontop, Weezing, and Seismitoad. On the flipside, its defensive typing leaves it vulnerable to Dark- and Ghost-types such as Sneasel, Drapion, Houndoom, Incineroar, and Mismagius. In addition, its Speed stat, while decent, means it can be revenged revenge killed by the likes of Sneasel, Delphox, and Mismagius, as well as Choice Scarf users such as Emboar and Drapion.

[SET]
name: All-out Attacker
move 1: Psychic
move 2: Air Slash
move 3: Heat Wave
move 4: Energy Ball / Roost
item: Life Orb
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Psychic is Sigilyph's most powerful attack, (rc) and is used to take out defensive threats such as Golbat and Garbodor while netting good coverage overall in conjunction with the rest of its coverage options. Air Slash allows Sigilyph to hit the Dark-types that are immune to Psychic such as Scrafty, which is OHKOed, and Houndoom and Drapion, (ac) which are 2HKOed by the move; it also OHKOes Grass-types such as Sceptile, Whimsicott, and Virizion. Heat Wave is used to hit Steel-types, (ac) which otherwise take the rest of Sigilyph's moves well, such as Steelix, Ferroseed, and Silvally-Steel; it also deals great damage to Rotom-Mow Rotom-C and Sneasel. Energy Ball allows Sigilyph to hit Rock-types such as Rhydon and Barbaracle while also hitting Piloswine, Jellicent, Slowking, and Slowbro super effectively. Roost may be used so that Sigilyph can heal back any damage it has taken throughout the match on a predicted switch so that it can continue switching into the threats that it checks, such as Whimsicott. Dark Pulse is an alternative option to Energy Ball which that trades being able to hit Rhydon super effectively for the ability to hit Meloetta, Xatu, Delphox, and opposing Sigilyph super effectively while still being netting coverage against Jellicent, Slowking, and Slowbro. Calm Mind may be used in place of a fourth coverage option so that Sigilyph can muscle through its checks better; Drapion, for example, is OHKOed by +1 Air Slash after Stealth Rock damage.

Set Details
========

Maximum Special Attack and Speed EVs with a Timid nature give Sigilyph as much power as possible while allowing it to outspeed Houndoom, Drapion, and Meloetta. A Life Orb is the necessary item for this set, as it gives Sigilyph great power for its coverage options and does not incur recoil due to Magic Guard. Magic Guard is used so that Life Orb recoil is negated while also protecting Sigilyph from residual damage such as burn, poison, and Stealth Rock damage.

Usage Tips
========

Due to Magic Guard, Sigilyph can be brought in relatively safely on passive threats such as Golbat, (ac) which poses little threat to it outside of Brave Bird. Sigilyph may also be brought in on threats such as Seismitoad and Hitmontop, (ac) which pose little of a threat to it (Uh, you call them threats but then you say that they pose little of a threat?). Once Sigilyph is in the match, it is best to use the appropriate coverage move to hit the foe opponent in front of it, but watch out for Dark-types such as Drapion and Houndoom; if the opponent carries one of these Pokemon, then you can predict their switch by going for Air Slash, which 2HKOes them. Since Sigilyph can freely switch moves with no repercussion due to Magic Guard negating Life Orb recoil, predicting the opponent's foe's switch is not necessary aside from if they have a Dark-type, as mentioned above. If running Roost, it may be used to heal off any damage Sigilyph has taken throughout the match on a predicted switch so that it finds more switchin opportunities to switch in later on in the match.

Team Options
========

Stealth Rock users such as Rhydon, Steelix, and Piloswine allow Sigilyph to serve as a better threat towards opposing teams due to the assistance of Stealth Rock damage; all three of these users appreciate Sigilyph checking Fighting-types for them, while Sigilyph also handles Grass-types for Rhydon and Piloswine. Since Dark-types are easily able to check Sigilyph, partners which that are able to deal with them are greatly appreciated; such partners include Choice Scarf Hitmonlee and Emboar, which are both able to outspeed Houndoom, Drapion, and Sneasel and proceed to threaten them out. Sigilyph can also take on Grass-types and weaken them for partners like Slowbro and Slowking, (rc) while also being able to lure in and 2HKO Dark-types such as Houndoom and Drapion with Air Slash for them by 2HKOing Houndoom and Drapion with Air Slash if they switch directly into Sigilyph. Depending on the last coverage option, Sigilyph will need assistance in weakening threats such as Rhydon if it lacks Energy Ball; Drapion can weaken it with a Swords Dance set while also weakening opposing Psychic-types such as Delphox, Slowbro, and Slowking that Sigilyph can no longer hit by dropping Energy Ball. If Sigilyph is not running Dark Pulse, partners which that can handle Meloetta and Delphox are useful; Sneasel and Choice Scarf Drapion can use Pursuit to eliminate these threats from the match so that Sigilyph has an easier time breaking through opposing teams.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

A set utilizing a Focus Sash + Thunder Wave is very useful so that Sigilyph can pose as a great revenge killer to faster threats such as Virizion and Sneasel; Sigilyph is exceptional at this role, (ac) since Magic Guard ensures that its Focus Sash will never be broken beforehand. Calm Mind may be used on this set to make up for the lack of a boosting item while being a threat to defensive and offensive teams alike. Ice Beam is an alternative coverage option which that hits Rotom-Mow Rotom-C, Xatu, Braviary, and opposing Sigilyph in one slot. Substitute allows Sigilyph to ease prediction against potential switch-(ah)ins such as Drapion while also avoiding Sucker Punch from opponents foes such as Absol. A set with Choice Specs + Tinted Lens may be used to break past normal Psychic-type resists Psychic-resistant Pokemon in the tier such as Steelix, although the freedom to switch coverage options makes the Life Orb set more appealing. Finally, the combination of Flame Orb + Psycho Shift allows Sigilyph to cripple physical attackers such as Drapion, Sneasel, and Spiritomb by burning them, although this comes at the cost of great power due to the loss of Life Orb.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Dark-types**: Sneasel, Drapion, Houndoom, and Scrafty are all immune to its Sigilyph's Psychic-type STAB moves and can threaten it with a super effective STAB move of their own or Pursuit trap Sigilyph to remove it from the match; Sneasel must watch out for Heat Wave, (ac) while Scrafty, Houndoom, and Drapion must watch out for Air Slash, but otherwise the latter last two switch in safely into Sigilyph's coverage options.

**Rock-types**: Rhydon and Barbaracle must watch out for Energy Ball, but in the event where Sigilyph is not running this move, Rhydon can force it Sigilyph out with the threat of its Rock-type STAB moves while being able to set up Stealth Rock of its own. Barbaracle can use non-Energy Ball variants of Sigilyph to set up a Shell Smash.

**Ghost-types**: Mismagius, Sableye, Spiritomb, and specially defensive Jellicent variants can take Sigilyph's attacks relatively well. Spiritomb can Pursuit trap Sigilyph, (ac) while Mismagius can set up a Nasty Plot on variants lacking Dark Pulse and respond with a STAB-boosted Shadow Ball.

**Faster Attackers**: Virizion can threaten out Sigilyph with the threat of Continental Crush, while Sneasel can come in after a partner has been taken out and use Knock Off or Pursuit to eliminate Sigilyph from the match; faster Choice Scarf users such as Emboar and Hitmonlee can use their super effective coverage options to revenge kill it, (rc) as well.


this was well written, good job!
 
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lotiasite

undedgy
is a Forum Moderatoris a Top Contributoris a Smogon Media Contributoris a Social Media Contributor Alumnus
stamping Temperley's check, GP 1/2

[8:49 PM] lotee47: temperley lemme look over
[8:49 PM] Temperley: hi @lotee47 :)
[8:49 PM] lotee47: your sigilyph check
[8:49 PM] lotee47: ill look over quickly, you edit with changes, ill stamp :)
[8:49 PM] Temperley: alright
[8:49 PM] lotee47: first sentence
[8:50 PM] lotee47: ac there is completely warranted, tbh i probably would've done it myself
[8:50 PM] lotee47: but!
[8:50 PM] lotee47: read it without the comma and you'll see what i mean
[8:50 PM] lotee47: like, "because its great power and coverage allow it to"
[8:51 PM] lotee47: likes of Golbat, Garbodor, Machamp, Rhydon, Slowbro, and Steelix with the appropriate coverage option such as Psychic, Heat Wave, and Energy Ball.
[8:51 PM] Temperley: yeah i was a tiny bit reluctant about adding that comma but i read it w and w/o and i wasn't sure what the difference was
[8:51 PM] lotee47: in situations like those it's probs best not to change it
[8:51 PM] lotee47: or Energy Ball
[8:51 PM] Temperley: ok got that
[8:52 PM] lotee47: On the flipside other hand,
[8:52 PM] lotee47: flipside is fine
[8:52 PM] lotee47: yes i am glad that you caught the and
[8:52 PM] lotee47: before the as well a
[8:52 PM] lotee47: as
[8:52 PM] lotee47: [SET] name: All Out Attacker
[8:52 PM] lotee47: All-out Attacker
[8:53 PM] bee47: (hyphenated bc compound adj)
[8:53 PM] bee47: (the -out because of title case rules)
[8:53 PM] lotee47: :)))
[8:53 PM] lotee47: off topic but fleur i dont like your sriracha colour(edited)
[8:53 PM] Temperley: yeah i knew the rule, i just looked over that ugh
[8:54 PM] bee47: off topic but lotee47 i think its ok
[8:54 PM] lotee47: Roost may be used so that Sigilyph can heal back any damage it has taken throughout the match on a predicted switch so that it
[8:54 PM] lotee47: idk concrete rule for this
[8:54 PM] lotee47: but so that...so that sounds odd to me
[8:54 PM] bee47: it's not wrong
[8:55 PM] lotee47: i figured it wasn't
[8:55 PM] bee47: would not say it is extensively awkward
[8:55 PM] lotee47: ow my finger is really warm
[8:55 PM] bee47: erm
[8:55 PM] lotee47: super effectively while still being netting coverage against
[8:55 PM] lotee47: "being"?
[8:56 PM] Temperley: ok
[8:56 PM] lotee47: such as Golbat which that pose little threat to it outside of Brave Bird.
[8:56 PM] lotee47: this one
[8:56 PM] lotee47: since brave bird is exclusive to golbat
[8:56 PM] lotee47: and not all passive threats have it
[8:57 PM] lotee47: so "which poses little threat" would work better here
[8:57 PM] Temperley: okay
[8:57 PM] Temperley: the analysis made quite a few which/that error
[8:57 PM] Temperley: and it made my brain hurt
[8:57 PM] bee47: remember your commas before which(edited)
[8:57 PM] Temperley: yessir
[8:58 PM] lotee47: you seem to be good with those, so no problems there
[8:59 PM] lotee47: while also being able to lure in and 2HKO Dark-types such as Houndoom and Drapion with Air Slash for them by 2HKOing Houndoom and Drapion with Air Slash if they switch directly into Sigilyph.
[8:59 PM] lotee47: nice change here
[9:00 PM] Temperley:
[
9:01 PM] lotee47: last two switch in safely into Sigilyph's coverage options.
[9:01 PM] lotee47: switch in into
[9:02 PM] Temperley: switch safely into
[9:02 PM] lotee47: that work
[9:02 PM] Temperley: cool
[9:02 PM] lotee47: Rhydon can force it out with the threat of its Rock-type STAB moves while being able to set up Stealth Rock of its own.
[9:02 PM] lotee47: "of its own"?
[9:03 PM] lotee47: sounds like sigi sets up sr
[9:03 PM] lotee47: i think that's it
[9:03 PM] lotee47: good check
[9:04 PM] Temperley: thanks!
 

Lumari

empty spaces
is a Site Content Manageris a Top Social Media Contributoris a Member of Senior Staffis a Community Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Top Smogon Media Contributoris an Administrator Alumnus
TFP Leader
GP 2/2
[OVERVIEW]

Sigilyph is a strong threat to defensive and offensive teams alike due to its great power and coverage allowing it to threaten the likes of Golbat, Garbodor, Machamp, Rhydon, Slowbro, and Steelix with the appropriate coverage option such as Psychic, Heat Wave, or Energy Ball. (clunky + technically redundant) It also has a phenomenal ability in Magic Guard, which means it is unaffected by all passive damage, in particular Stealth Rock damage and Life Orb recoil; this means that Sigilyph has great longevity for a wallbreaker. Its Stealth Rock immunity means that Sigilyph cannot get worn down easily and can switch into passive threats such as Hitmontop, Weezing, and Seismitoad. On the flipside, its defensive typing leaves it vulnerable to Dark- and Ghost-types such as Sneasel, Drapion, Houndoom, Incineroar, and Mismagius. In addition, its Speed stat, while decent, means it can be revenge killed by the likes of Sneasel, Delphox, and Mismagius, as well as Choice Scarf users such as Emboar and Drapion.

[SET]
name: All-out Attacker
move 1: Psychic
move 2: Air Slash
move 3: Heat Wave
move 4: Energy Ball / Roost
item: Life Orb
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Psychic is Sigilyph's most powerful attack and is used to take out defensive threats such as Golbat and Garbodor while netting good coverage overall in conjunction with the rest of its coverage options. Air Slash allows Sigilyph to hit the Dark-types that are immune to Psychic such as Scrafty, which is OHKOed, and Houndoom and Drapion, which are 2HKOed; it also OHKOes Grass-types such as Sceptile, Whimsicott, and Virizion. Heat Wave is used to hit Steel-types, which otherwise take the rest of Sigilyph's moves well, such as Steelix, Ferroseed, and Silvally-Steel; it also deals great damage to Rotom-C and Sneasel. Energy Ball allows Sigilyph to hit Rock-types such as Rhydon and Barbaracle while also hitting Piloswine, Jellicent, Slowking, and Slowbro super effectively. Roost may be used so that Sigilyph can heal back any damage it has taken throughout the match on a predicted switch so that it can continue switching into the threats that it checks, such as Whimsicott. Dark Pulse is an alternative option to Energy Ball that trades being able to hit Rhydon super effectively for the ability to hit Meloetta, Xatu, Delphox, and opposing Sigilyph super effectively while still netting coverage against Jellicent, Slowking, and Slowbro. Calm Mind may be used in place of a fourth coverage option so that Sigilyph can muscle through its checks better; Drapion, for example, is OHKOed by +1 Air Slash after Stealth Rock damage.

Set Details
========

Maximum Special Attack and Speed EVs with a Timid nature give Sigilyph as much power as possible while allowing it to outspeed Houndoom, Drapion, and Meloetta. A Life Orb is the necessary item for this set, as it gives Sigilyph great power for its coverage options and does not incur recoil due to Magic Guard. Magic Guard is used so that Life Orb recoil is negated while also protecting also protects Sigilyph from other residual damage such as burn, poison, and Stealth Rock damage.

Usage Tips
========

Due to Magic Guard, Sigilyph can be brought in relatively safely on passive threats such as Golbat, which poses little threat to it outside of Brave Bird. Sigilyph may also be brought in on foes such as Seismitoad and Hitmontop, which pose little of a threat to it. Once Sigilyph is in the match, it is best to use the appropriate coverage move to hit the foe, but watch out for Dark-types such as Drapion and Houndoom; if the opponent carries one of these Pokemon, you can predict their switch by going for Air Slash, which 2HKOes them. Since Sigilyph can freely switch moves with no repercussion due to Magic Guard negating Life Orb recoil, predicting the foe's switch is not necessary aside from if they have a Dark-type. If running Roost, it may be used to heal off any damage Sigilyph has taken throughout the match on a predicted switch so that it finds more opportunities to switch in later on in the match.

Team Options
========

Stealth Rock users such as Rhydon, Steelix, and Piloswine allow Sigilyph to serve as a better threat towards opposing teams due to the assistance of Stealth Rock damage; all three of these users appreciate Sigilyph checking Fighting-types for them, while Sigilyph also handles Grass-types for Rhydon and Piloswine. Since Dark-types are easily able to check Sigilyph, partners that are able to deal with them are greatly appreciated; such partners include Choice Scarf Hitmonlee and Emboar, which are both able to outspeed Houndoom, Drapion, and Sneasel and proceed to threaten them out. Sigilyph can also take on Grass-types and weaken them for partners like Slowbro and Slowking while also being able to lure in and 2HKO Dark-types such as Houndoom and Drapion with Air Slash for them. Depending on the last coverage option, Sigilyph will need assistance in weakening threats such as Rhydon if it lacks Energy Ball; Drapion can weaken it with a Swords Dance set while also weakening opposing Psychic-types such as Delphox, Slowbro, and Slowking that Sigilyph can no longer hit by dropping Energy Ball. If Sigilyph is not running Dark Pulse, partners that can handle Meloetta and Delphox are useful; Sneasel and Choice Scarf Drapion can use Pursuit to eliminate these threats from the match so that Sigilyph has an easier time breaking through opposing teams.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

A set utilizing a Focus Sash + Thunder Wave is very useful so that Sigilyph can pose as a great revenge killer to faster threats such as Virizion and Sneasel; Sigilyph is exceptional at this role, since Magic Guard ensures that its Focus Sash will never be broken beforehand. Calm Mind may be used on this set to make up for the lack of a boosting item while being a threat to defensive and offensive teams alike. Ice Beam is an alternative coverage option that hits Rotom-C, Xatu, Braviary, and opposing Sigilyph in one slot. Substitute allows Sigilyph to ease prediction against potential switch-ins such as Drapion while also avoiding Sucker Punch from foes such as Absol. A set with Choice Specs + Tinted Lens may be used to break past normal Psychic-resistant Pokemon in the tier such as Steelix, although the freedom to switch coverage options makes the Life Orb set more appealing. Finally, the combination of Flame Orb + Psycho Shift allows Sigilyph to cripple physical attackers such as Drapion, Sneasel, and Spiritomb by burning them, although this comes at the cost of great power due to the loss of Life Orb.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Dark-types**: Sneasel, Drapion, Houndoom, and Scrafty are all immune to Sigilyph's Psychic-type STAB moves and can threaten it with a super effective STAB move of their own or Pursuit trap Sigilyph to remove it from the match; Sneasel must watch out for Heat Wave, while Scrafty, Houndoom, and Drapion must watch out for Air Slash, but otherwise the last two switch safely into Sigilyph's coverage options.

**Rock-types**: Rhydon and Barbaracle must watch out for Energy Ball, but in the event where Sigilyph is not running this move, Rhydon can force Sigilyph out with the threat of its Rock-type STAB moves while being able to set up Stealth Rock. Barbaracle can use non-Energy Ball variants of Sigilyph to set up a Shell Smash.

**Ghost-types**: Mismagius, Sableye, Spiritomb, and specially defensive Jellicent variants can take Sigilyph's attacks relatively well. Spiritomb can Pursuit trap Sigilyph, while Mismagius can set up a Nasty Plot on variants lacking Dark Pulse and respond with a STAB-boosted Shadow Ball.

**Faster Attackers**: Virizion can threaten scare out Sigilyph with the threat of Continental Crush, while Sneasel can come in after a partner has been taken out and use Knock Off or Pursuit to eliminate Sigilyph from the match; faster Choice Scarf users such as Emboar and Hitmonlee can use their super effective coverage options to revenge kill it as well.
 
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