[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Roost
move 2: Will-O-Wisp / Thunder Wave
move 3: Hex
move 4: Ice Beam / Toxic / Defog
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Shadow Shield
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Lunala sports good bulk, a great ability, and a neutrality to most attacks, letting it blanket check numerous threats such as Rayquaza and Kyurem-W. Roost helps keep Shadow Shield intact, with Lunala's Speed meaning it can often go before these wallbreakers should they stay in. Depending on team choices, Lunala can either opt for Will-O-Wisp or Thunder Wave. The former immediately deters dangerous physical attackers such as Necrozma-DM and Kyurem-B, while the latter facilitates slower teammates like Obstagoon, Urshifu-R, and its Speed receivers. Hex's higher PP and synergy with Lunala's status spreading are usually preferred over Moongeist Beam's initial power. Ice Beam OHKOes Rayquaza and Landorus-T, while Toxic annoys Gastrodon, Tangrowth, and specially defensive Tyranitar, which don't mind its other options. Defog is another alternative for role compression. Heavy-Duty Boots ensures entry hazards don't break Shadow Shield.
With well-rounded stats, Lunala lends itself to bulky offense and balance teams. Common defensive Pokemon in Rotom-W, Tangrowth, Clefable, and Landorus-T all benefit from Lunala's defensive stat donations, and they bolster Lunala's Hex with their status moves. Tapu Koko, Tapu Fini, Celesteela, and Galarian Moltres make great use of its impressive Special Attack; its Speed donation, while not stellar, is enough to outpace Rayquaza and Kyurem-W, thus allowing slower teammates like Galarian Slowking and Dhelmise to pressure foes more easily. Dark-type teammates are necessary to cover for Lunala's weaknesses. Galarian Moltres and Bisharp check Dhelmise and benefit from Lunala spreading paralysis to make up for their middling Speed; defensive ones such as Mandibuzz and Alolan Persian also provide pivoting to make up for Lunala's predictability and momentum drain. Skarmory and Ferrothorn cover faster physical threats that can 2HKO it through Shadow Shield like Urshifu-R and Weavile. Lunala's middling Speed can be problematic against fast teams, making Choice Scarf Urshifu-R and Kartana great partners. Since Lunala can be overwhelmed due to its reliance on Roost and fear of chip damage, Clefable, Gastrodon, and Corviknight alleviate some pressure by dealing with foes such as Tyranitar, Zeraora, and Kartana. They can also absorb Knock Off and status effects that Lunala wants to avoid.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A more offensive set with Calm Mind or Meteor Beam is possible; however, Tyranitar, Gastrodon, and Tangrowth still easily shrug off its attacks. It's also prone to getting revenge killed by the likes of Pangoro and Kartana.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark- and Ghost-type Pokemon and Coverage**: Even with Shadow Shield up, Lunala is still preyed on by Yveltal, Dhelmise, and Alolan Persian. However, they all struggle to switch in safely against Lunala's attacks and status moves. Tyranitar shrugs off its attacks, deals heavy damage back, and can even use Rest to cure its status. Knock Off is extremely common on defensive and offensive Pokemon alike and also makes Lunala vulnerable to entry hazards.
**Chip Damage**: Lunala's ability to handle wallbreakers is severely limited without Shadow Shield. Alolan Ninetales and Tyranitar can set hail and sand to negate it, respectively, while most walls can inflict poison or burn. Many offensive threats can also pivot with U-turn or Volt Switch, punishing Lunala as it switches in without losing momentum.
**Special Walls**: Gastrodon, Tangrowth, and Ho-Oh have little to fear from Lunala outside of Toxic, although Ho-Oh has to watch out for the rare Meteor Beam. They can effectively force Lunala out with their own status.
**Multi-hit Moves**: While not common, multi-hit moves only suffer the damage penalty from Shadow Shield on the first hit. Shell Smash Cloyster and Choice Band Urshifu-R have the power to break through Lunala, although the latter risks a Speed tie. Scale Shot users like Rayquaza also have a chance to 2HKO Lunala, but they are inconsistent.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[longhiep341, 500884]]
- Quality checked by: [[UT, 523866], [beauts, 484270]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Adeleine, 517429]]
name: Defensive
move 1: Roost
move 2: Will-O-Wisp / Thunder Wave
move 3: Hex
move 4: Ice Beam / Toxic / Defog
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Shadow Shield
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Lunala sports good bulk, a great ability, and a neutrality to most attacks, letting it blanket check numerous threats such as Rayquaza and Kyurem-W. Roost helps keep Shadow Shield intact, with Lunala's Speed meaning it can often go before these wallbreakers should they stay in. Depending on team choices, Lunala can either opt for Will-O-Wisp or Thunder Wave. The former immediately deters dangerous physical attackers such as Necrozma-DM and Kyurem-B, while the latter facilitates slower teammates like Obstagoon, Urshifu-R, and its Speed receivers. Hex's higher PP and synergy with Lunala's status spreading are usually preferred over Moongeist Beam's initial power. Ice Beam OHKOes Rayquaza and Landorus-T, while Toxic annoys Gastrodon, Tangrowth, and specially defensive Tyranitar, which don't mind its other options. Defog is another alternative for role compression. Heavy-Duty Boots ensures entry hazards don't break Shadow Shield.
With well-rounded stats, Lunala lends itself to bulky offense and balance teams. Common defensive Pokemon in Rotom-W, Tangrowth, Clefable, and Landorus-T all benefit from Lunala's defensive stat donations, and they bolster Lunala's Hex with their status moves. Tapu Koko, Tapu Fini, Celesteela, and Galarian Moltres make great use of its impressive Special Attack; its Speed donation, while not stellar, is enough to outpace Rayquaza and Kyurem-W, thus allowing slower teammates like Galarian Slowking and Dhelmise to pressure foes more easily. Dark-type teammates are necessary to cover for Lunala's weaknesses. Galarian Moltres and Bisharp check Dhelmise and benefit from Lunala spreading paralysis to make up for their middling Speed; defensive ones such as Mandibuzz and Alolan Persian also provide pivoting to make up for Lunala's predictability and momentum drain. Skarmory and Ferrothorn cover faster physical threats that can 2HKO it through Shadow Shield like Urshifu-R and Weavile. Lunala's middling Speed can be problematic against fast teams, making Choice Scarf Urshifu-R and Kartana great partners. Since Lunala can be overwhelmed due to its reliance on Roost and fear of chip damage, Clefable, Gastrodon, and Corviknight alleviate some pressure by dealing with foes such as Tyranitar, Zeraora, and Kartana. They can also absorb Knock Off and status effects that Lunala wants to avoid.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A more offensive set with Calm Mind or Meteor Beam is possible; however, Tyranitar, Gastrodon, and Tangrowth still easily shrug off its attacks. It's also prone to getting revenge killed by the likes of Pangoro and Kartana.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark- and Ghost-type Pokemon and Coverage**: Even with Shadow Shield up, Lunala is still preyed on by Yveltal, Dhelmise, and Alolan Persian. However, they all struggle to switch in safely against Lunala's attacks and status moves. Tyranitar shrugs off its attacks, deals heavy damage back, and can even use Rest to cure its status. Knock Off is extremely common on defensive and offensive Pokemon alike and also makes Lunala vulnerable to entry hazards.
**Chip Damage**: Lunala's ability to handle wallbreakers is severely limited without Shadow Shield. Alolan Ninetales and Tyranitar can set hail and sand to negate it, respectively, while most walls can inflict poison or burn. Many offensive threats can also pivot with U-turn or Volt Switch, punishing Lunala as it switches in without losing momentum.
**Special Walls**: Gastrodon, Tangrowth, and Ho-Oh have little to fear from Lunala outside of Toxic, although Ho-Oh has to watch out for the rare Meteor Beam. They can effectively force Lunala out with their own status.
**Multi-hit Moves**: While not common, multi-hit moves only suffer the damage penalty from Shadow Shield on the first hit. Shell Smash Cloyster and Choice Band Urshifu-R have the power to break through Lunala, although the latter risks a Speed tie. Scale Shot users like Rayquaza also have a chance to 2HKO Lunala, but they are inconsistent.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[longhiep341, 500884]]
- Quality checked by: [[UT, 523866], [beauts, 484270]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Adeleine, 517429]]
Last edited:
