Oathkeeper
"Wait!" he says, do I look like a waiter?
[OVERVIEW]
Stakataka is one of the better defensive Pokemon in the RU metagame due to its incredible bulk, defensive typing, and multiple utility move options. It functions primarily as a Stealth Rock user for bulky offensive and balanced teams, but it also works as an offensive Trick Room setter that can set up against common Pokemon like Noivern and Togekiss. Stakataka's main advantage over its Stealth Rock-setting competition in Metagross, Registeel, and Cobalion is its typing. Its combination of Fire neutrality and Flying, Fairy, and Psychic resistances means it checks many common threats utilizing Fire-type coverage like Gardevoir, specially offensive Necrozma, and Noivern in addition to Salazzle and Chandelure. Its quadruple Normal resistance makes it one of the tier's better ways to take Toxtricity's Boomburst as well. Unfortunately, since Stakataka's the slowest Pokemon in the tier, it's usually getting hit first and worn down easily, and it is forced to make predictions even when other defensive Pokemon are switching in. Its 4x Ground and Fighting weaknesses mean it finds itself offensively pressured a lot.
[SET]
name: Defensive Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Gyro Ball
move 3: Body Press
move 4: Toxic / Stone Edge
item: Leftovers
ability: Beast Boost
nature: Sassy
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
ivs: 0 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Body Press hits Steel-types the hardest and takes advantage of Defense boosts from Beast Boost. Toxic cripples switch-ins to Stakataka like Seismitoad and Milotic. Stone Edge, however, nails Chandelure, Volcanion, and Golisopod. Earthquake can be used over Stone Edge to reliably hit Fire- and Electric-types without the possibility of missing. Leftovers gives Stakataka some staying power over the course of a match, especially against Air Slash flinches from Togekiss. 0 Speed IVs and a Sassy nature make Gyro Ball as strong as possible.
Stakataka's typing gives it some more weaknesses than other Steel-types; its Water weakness makes it worse against threats like Sharpedo and Suicune, while its gnarly quadruple weaknesses to Ground and Fighting ruin its ability to check threats like Steelix, Metagross, Raikou, and Choice Scarf Zarude. Teams wielding Stakataka must cover its glaring weaknesses with the rest of their defensive core. Water- and Grass-types such as Volcanion, Suicune, Zarude, and Celebi can take on threatening Water-types for Stakataka. Grass-types can also take on threatening Ground-types such as Flygon, Seismitoad, and Rhyperior, as can Bug-types like Heracross and Golisopod. Options like Togekiss and Crobat are solid checks to Fighting-types like Heracross and Mienshao. Sylveon also fits the bill, and it can use Wish to keep Stakataka healthy throughout the match. These Pokemon also appreciate Stakataka's defensive profile. Grass-type teammates like Roserade appreciate Stakataka being a decent switch-in to Fire-types and stonewalling most of the tier's Flying-types. Stakataka's sturdy resistance to Toxtricity's Boomburst and ability to deal with Xurkitree to an extent can give Ground-types like Gastrodon some breathing room. Stakataka fails to keep Stealth Rock up against Defog Volcanion and Rapid Spin Starmie. Electric-types such as Raikou and Xurkitree can force those two out consistently, and Knock Off users like Incineroar, Mienshao, and Salazzle can remove Volcanion's Heavy-Duty Boots, making it easier to wear down.
[SET]
name: Offensive Trick Room
move 1: Trick Room
move 2: Gyro Ball
move 3: Stone Edge
move 4: Earthquake
item: Shuca Berry / Chople Berry
ability: Beast Boost
nature: Lonely
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
ivs: 15 Def / 0 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Stakataka's low Speed gives its Gyro Ball 150 Base Power against a large portion of the tier. Earthquake is the preferred last move for hitting Metagross, Cobalion, Steelix, and Doublade. Shuca Berry lets Stakataka take a Ground-type move that could potentially OHKO it, while Chople Berry does the same for a Fighting-type move. Life Orb can be used for extra attacking power, including 2HKOing Milotic, but the recoil makes it much worse at checking threats like Noivern early in the match. A Lonely nature and 15 Defense IVs make Beast Boost raise Stakataka's Attack stat rather than its Defense.
Stakataka should be used as a late-game sweeper for more balanced and offensive teams. It is best paired with Spikes setters like Klefki, Roserade, and Golisopod in order to wear down checks such as Seismitoad, Suicune, and Milotic. Stealth Rock from teammates such as Seismitoad, Rhyperior, and Metagross can also be employed for such a purpose. Ways to force damage onto bulky Water-types such as Suicune and Milotic are highly recommended, as they are some of Stakataka's best counters. Electric-types such as Raikou and Xurkitree can force these Water-types out, which can help rack up entry hazard damage, and Toxic Metagross, Seismitoad, Incineroar, or Sharpedo can help wear them down. Trick Room Stakataka lacks of any sort of recovery and needs to stay healthy in order to properly sweep later, so it shouldn't be your only check to Pokemon such as Togekiss, Noivern, and Toxtricity. Other checks to Flying-types, such as an Electric-type like Raikou or Xurkitree, can help out greatly in this regard, while another Toxtricity switch-in can be Porygon2 or Rhyperior. Stakataka can be used as a sweeper on full Trick Room teams, although the playstyle is very inconsistent.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Choice Band can be used to punch holes in opposing teams and catch the opponent off guard. However, due to Stakataka's slow Speed and Choice lock, it can easily be set up on. Shuca Berry or Chople Berry on the defensive set allows Stakataka to tank an attack from threats like Aerodactyl, Flygon, and Rhyperior or Heracross, Mienshao, and Cobalion. Unfortunately, Stakataka sorely misses passive recovery, and taking a super effective attack will likely leave it with little HP remaining anyway.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fighting-types and Fighting-type Coverage**: Due to Stakataka's 4x weakness to Fighting, threats like Heracross, Mienshao, and Cobalion are just a few Pokemon that send it running. None of them want to switch into it, however. Close Combat Zarude and Aura Sphere Raikou are just a couple of threats with coverage to also exploit this weakness.
**Ground-types and Ground-type Coverage**: Pokemon like Rhyperior, Seismitoad, and Gastrodon have little to fear from Stakataka and force it out. Metagross, Aerodactyl, and even opposing Stakataka are just a few Pokemon that carry Earthquake as a coverage move and can severely hurt Stakataka.
**Bulky Water-types**: Milotic, Suicune, and Gastrodon can come in safely on Stakataka and heal any damage.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Sputnik, 475916], [Oathkeepre, 83980]]
- Quality checked by: [[GoldCat, 359771], [Expulso, 202058]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429], [CryoGyro, 331519]]
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