[OVERVIEW]
Togekiss's typing, reliable recovery, and infamous ability to flinch through checks with Serene Grace Air Slash let it thrive as either a wallbreaker or a utility Pokemon with access to Defog, Heal Bell, and Wish. Its bulk and typing allow it to comfortably check threats like Zarude and Noivern throughout a game, and its recovery helps it outlast its offensive checks, most commonly Electric-types. Various move choices give Togekiss answers to some of its usual counterplay, such as Flamethrower for Steel-types and Heal Bell for Toxic. However, common Electric-types like Raikou, Xurkitree, and Toxtricity mean that most teams will have a way to handle Togekiss's Air Slash and potential Thunder Wave. Reliance on Heavy-Duty Boots means that Togekiss greatly dislikes taking Knock Off, making matchups against Seismitoad, Incineroar, and Golisopod less favorable than they would appear. This susceptibility to Knock Off contributes to Togekiss not being a sufficient Fighting-type check, as even Mienshao and Choice Scarf Heracross carry Knock Off and Rock-type moves.
[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Air Slash
move 3: Flamethrower / Heal Bell
move 4: Roost
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Serene Grace
nature: Timid
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Flamethrower helps Togekiss break through Steel-types like Registeel and Steelix and wears down Electric-types like Xurkitree and Raikou much faster. Heal Bell lets Togekiss set up against Toxic Milotic and Registeel as well as heal teammates. Thunder Wave slows down faster Pokemon and betters Togekiss's odds at breaking through Pokemon such as Suicune and Cresselia, which can take Air Slash well.
Togekiss is capable of harassing many bulkier cores between its recovery and ability to boost and flinch through many slower Pokemon, but its biggest annoyances are Electric-types that outspeed it and handle Air Slash. Roserade and Zygarde-10% can threaten Xurkitree and Raikou, and in turn Togekiss can wear down Steel-types for Roserade and threaten Golisopod and Zarude for Zygarde-10%. Teammates like Volcanion and Zarude to threaten Rock-types like Diancie and Rhyperior are appreciated, as it’s risky to attempt flinching through them with Togekiss. Togekiss's ability to break through bulky Water-types and force damage onto Electric-types like Raikou can be taken advantage of by cleaners like Sharpedo and Mimikyu.
[SET]
name: Bulky Utility
move 1: Air Slash
move 2: Defog
move 3: Thunder Wave / Flamethrower
move 4: Roost
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Serene Grace
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 204 Def / 56 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Thunder Wave works well with Air Slash's flinch chance and threatens many faster Pokemon like Crobat, Cobalion, and Mimikyu. Flamethrower can instead be chosen for more damage against Steel- and Electric-types like Steelix, Bullet Punch Metagross, Raikou, and Xurkitree, which have ways around Thunder Wave. Heal Bell lets Togekiss perform as a cleric, healing off status like Scald burns and Toxic poisoning from Pokemon like Registeel and Seismitoad. Wish is an option alongside Roost to either be able to heal up a teammate or heal immediately depending on the situation. The given EVs allow Togekiss to outspeed Adamant Golurk, though if that's not a concern, using only 12 Speed EVs still outpaces Milotic. A faster spread with 96 Speed EVs can outspeed Adamant Bewear and Modest Sylveon.
Electric-types like Raikou, Xurkitree, and Toxtricity will often use Togekiss as a point of entry and a chance to gain momentum; Pokemon immune to Electric like Seismitoad, Steelix, and Alolan Marowak can check them and stop their Volt Switch. All of the aforementioned also appreciate Wish support, since they lack reliable recovery of their own. Togekiss's Thunder Wave can support other wallbreakers like Bewear and Rhyperior, which appreciate Pokemon like Suicune and Volcanion being slowed down. Togekiss's shaky matchup against Stealth Rock users like Cobalion and Diancie can be shored up with support from Starmie and Zygarde-10%.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Aura Sphere on Nasty Plot sets retains coverage against Registeel and Steelix and hits Rhyperior and Stakataka, but it sacrifices damage against Metagross, Toxtricity, and Doublade. Choice Scarf with Trick allows Togekiss to attempt to repeatedly flinch faster Pokemon and cripple bulkier switch-ins, but Togekiss will then get worn down by Stealth Rock and struggle to make use of its defensive qualities.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Electric-types**: The tier's numerous Electric-types like Raikou, Heliolisk, and Xurkitree resist Togekiss's most spammable attack and are immune to Thunder Wave, allowing them to outspeed Togekiss reliably and avoid having to risk flinching.
**Rock-types**: Rhyperior, Diancie, and Stakataka shrug off Air Slash, with Rhyperior being immune to Thunder Wave and Diancie being able to handle coverage moves. Aura Sphere can catch the other Rock-types off guard though, and being slower means that, if worn down, Rock-types should be wary of flinching against a desperate Togekiss.
**Steel-types**: Various Steel-types like Steelix, Registeel, and Metagross can handle Air Slash while threatening Togekiss in return. While they can't switch in as comfortably, especially considering Thunder Wave, Cobalion and Durant are alternatives that are faster and also immediately threaten Togekiss. Coverage moves can make these answers much less reliable, however.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Jmash, 363823]]
- Quality checked by: [[EonX, 91480], [zizalith, 410251]]
- Grammar checked by: [[CryoGyro, 331519], [Finland, 517429]]
Last edited:
