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[OVERVIEW]
Fairy
========
Clefable stands out as one of the best defensive pivots on Fairy teams thanks to its great overall bulk in conjunction with an solid mono-Fairy defensive typing, letting it act as a versatile threat that can compress many roles in one slot. It also has access to an amazing ability in Magic Guard, which allows Clefable to be immune to all indirect damage, helping it act as a great entry hazard setter or defensive setup sweeper. Clefable also has an expansive movepool, consisting of useful utility moves such as Stealth Rock and Soft-Boiled alongside great coverage moves like Flamethrower, making it a formidable threat. It notably behaves as one of the best Mega Scizor checks, a threat that can otherwise wreak havoc on the rest of Clefable's team, when holding a Babiri Berry. Nonetheless, Clefable's bulk prevents it from sustaining hits from powerful wallbreakers such as Landorus, Victini, and Diggersby. Its typing also does not provide any other useful resistances for its teammates, meaning that Poison- and Steel-type threats such as Nidoking and Heatran can still pose a threat against it.
[SET]
name: Utility (Fairy)
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Soft-Boiled
move 3: Moonblast
move 4: Fire Blast / Flamethrower
item: Babiri Berry / Leftovers
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock aids Clefable's teammates by weakening opposing threats through entry hazard chip damage. It is a valuable Stealth Rock setter due to its Fairy typing and Magic Guard ability scaring off common entry hazard removers and Magic Bounce users such as Mandibuzz, Latios, Armaldo, and Mega Sableye. Soft-Boiled is a reliable recovery move that increases Clefable's durability, making it more dependable as a defensive wall. Moonblast is Clefable's STAB move, allowing it to hit Fighting-, Dark-, and Dragon-types extremely hard and preventing it from being used as setup bait. It also has the added factor of having the chance of lowering the foe's Special Attack, helping Clefable wall special attackers much better. Fire Blast is used to target Steel-type threats such as Mega Scizor and Bisharp. Flamethrower can be used instead, as its perfect accuracy offers more consistency instead of greater power.
Set Details
========
Magic Guard allows Clefable to bypass any indirect damage, meaning that it can avoid being crippled by status conditions such as burn and poison. It also allows Clefable to come in more freely, since it can ignore the chip damage from entry hazards, meaning that it can escape the 2HKO from certain offensive threats such as Latios, Keldeo, and Terrakion. A Babiri Berry is equipped in order to lure certain Steel-types such as Mega Scizor, Excadrill, and Magearna by avoiding the OHKO or 2HKO from their STAB Steel-type attacks while Clefable can hit them hard with its Fire-type coverage in return. Leftovers can be used instead to enhance Clefable's sustainability, letting it check a wide array of threats more safely due to the passive recovery each turn. The EVs have been maximized in HP and Defense with a Bold nature in order to enhance Clefable's physical bulk, allowing it to check threats such as Mega Scizor, Landorus-T, and Mega Gyarados. However, a fully specially defensive spread with a Calm nature can be used instead in order for Clefable to act as a specially defensive tank that can check attackers like Meloetta, Volcanion, and Thundurus more reliably.
Usage Tips
========
Clefable should be setting up Stealth Rock early on in the match, since the chip damage helps its teammates break down walls much better. It can set up Stealth Rock frequently due to it high number of opportunities to switch in. Thanks to its ability, Clefable can be used as a sponge to status moves such as Toxic and Will-O-Wisp, meaning that it can pivot in against common users of such moves like Zapdos and Mew. However, Clefable must be wary of coming in against powerful attackers such as Landorus and Choice Band Victini. It should also avoid staying in versus certain wallbreakers that can 2HKO it such as Tapu Koko and Meloetta unless they have been severely weakened, since Clefable can use up all of its Soft-Boiled PP rather quickly, preventing it from sustaining itself later on in the match. Clefable should also be careful when conserving its Babiri Berry, since it can be necessary to check certain threats such as Mega Scizor and Excadrill. Therefore, avoiding Steel-type coverage from threats such as Celesteela and Magnezone is imperative.
Team Options
========
Teammates that can utilize the entry hazard support that Clefable provides is key, meaning that threats such as Tapu Koko, Tapu Bulu, and Gardevoir all stand out as great picks. Tapu Koko also acts as a great pivot that can aid Clefable in coming in safely, while Tapu Bulu offers additional passive recovery through Grassy Terrain, which can be useful if it decides to not run Leftovers. Steel-types such as Magearna and Klefki are also beneficial, since they can help Clefable check Poison- and other Steel-types much better, while Clefable can switch into Fighting-types in return. Magearna can also help Clefable break through certain defensive threats such as Toxapex, Mantine, and Nihilego, while Klefki can provide more entry hazard and screens support with Spikes, Reflect, and Light Screen. Setup sweepers such as Azumarill and Magearna can also be useful for wearing down opposing walls that can be difficult for Clefable to wear down like Mantine and Mew, while Clefable provides them with entry hazard support in return. Entry hazard removal through partners such as Togekiss and Tapu Fini can also be beneficial, since, although it does not get affected by them, Clefable's susceptibility to being used as entry hazard setup fodder can still necessitate it being placed on the team.
[SET]
name: Calm Mind (Fairy)
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Moonblast
move 3: Flamethrower
move 4: Soft-Boiled
item: Leftovers
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Calm Mind transforms Clefable into a bulky yet powerful sweeper that can easily wreak havoc after a couple of boosts. Moonblast is Clefable's STAB move, which offers great offensive coverage and provides the chance to lower the enemy's Special Attack, making Clefable even more difficult to take down. Flamethrower is a remarkable coverage option that helps Clefable breaks through Steel-types such as Mega Scizor, Excadrill, and Celesteela. Soft-Boiled is an important recovery move that permits Clefable the chance to set up more frequently by increasing its sustainability overall. Thunder Wave is an alternative utility move that allows Clefable to cripple offensive threats such as Heatran, Mega Pidgeot, and Keldeo by reducing their Speed. It also can grant Clefable more setup opportunities if the opposing foe is afflicted with paralysis. However, it means that Clefable must pass up a coverage option, leaving it more susceptible versus certain threats.
Set Details
========
Magic Guard allows Clefable to ignore any indirect damage such as poison and burn, making it much more difficult to circumvent after it sets up a couple of boosts. Leftovers is the preferred item, since the passive recovery each turn aids Clefable in avoiding the 2HKO from certain offensive threats such as Thundurus and Garchomp. The EVs have been fully invested in HP and Defense with a Bold nature in order to maximize Clefable's physical bulk, making it almost impossible to OHKO after a few Calm Mind boosts.
Usage Tips
========
Clefable is best used as a late-game cleaner, since it can have a much easier time sweeping once its checks such as Nidoking and Toxapex have been severely weakened or KOed. Clefable should avoid setting up alongside other Calm Mind sweepers such as Mega Slowbro and Meloetta, since the aforementioned threats often carry Psyshock, which can threaten to OHKO Clefable regardless of the number of Calm Mind boosts it was able to accumulate. Physical wallbreakers such as Choice Band Victini and offensive Landorus-T can still threaten to 2HKO Clefable no matter how much it had invested in its physical bulk. Therefore, it is advised to pivot out against these threats in order to avoid Clefable being severely weakened. Clefable should also not be brought into the battlefield unnecessarily against stronger attacks, since it can risk getting weakened immensely, possibly preventing a sweep later on in the match.
Team Options
========
Klefki is a great partner for Clefable, since it can switch into Poison-type attacks and provide useful support through Reflect, Light Screen, and Spikes, letting Clefable sponge more attacks, set up more easily, and break through walls. Other setup sweepers such as Belly Drum Azumarill and Swords Dance Tapu Bulu are also beneficial, since they can help apply more offensive pressure against the opposing team and help Clefable break through special walls such as Chansey and Alolan Muk. Wallbreakers like Tapu Koko, Magearna, and Tapu Bulu benefit from Clefable's ability to break through defensive walls and can help check offensive threats in return. The first two examples can also provide momentum through Volt Switch, enabling Clefable to come in more frequently. Entry hazard removal from teammates such as Togekiss and Tapu Fini can also be useful because it remedies Clefable's susceptibility of being used as a entry hazard setup fodder.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Fairy
--------
A defensive Unaware set can be run, allowing Clefable to check setup sweepers such as Volcorona, Tapu Fini, and Porygon-Z. However, Clefable offers more utility through its Magic Guard set, making the option rather niche. It is also forced to run Moonlight, a low-PP and situational recovery move that can leave Clefable rather vulnerable at times.
Checks and Counters
===================
Fairy
--------
**Poison-types**: Poison-types such as Nidoking, Mega Venusaur, and Nihilego can all severely cripple Clefable with their STAB Poison-type attacks, and they resist Moonblast.
**Steel-types**: Threats such as Excadrill, Heatran, Mega Scizor, and Celesteela all resist Clefable's STAB Fairy-type attacks and can threaten to break through it with their own STAB attacks in return. However, every aforementioned threat bar Heatran fears taking Clefable's Fire-type coverage moves.
**Powerful Wallbreakers**: Offensive threats like Victini, Landorus, and Mega Pinsir can all 2HKO Clefable thanks to their impressive wallbreaking capabilities, leaving Clefable struggling to beat them.
**Chansey**: Chansey laughs at any special attack coming from Clefable (even boosted ones) due to its gargantuan HP stat combined with its high Special Defense; however, Clefable can still use it as entry hazard setup fodder. Clefable's immunity to Toxic damage thanks to Magic Guard means that Chansey will have a much harder time wearing down Clefable as well.
**Fire-types**: Fire-types such as Alolan Marowak, Mega Charizard Y, Rotom-H, and Volcanion all resist Clefable's STAB attacks and can take on its Fire-type coverage moves. However, every mentioned threat except Rotom-H does not appreciate coming in on Thunder Wave.
**Taunt**: Common Taunt users such as Jellicent, Deoxys-S, and Gliscor can all prevent Clefable from setting up entry hazards, setting up Calm Mind boosts, and recovering HP, thereby threatening to weaken it. However, Clefable can still threaten to scare off the aforementioned threats with its STAB attacks nonetheless.
Fairy
========
Clefable stands out as one of the best defensive pivots on Fairy teams thanks to its great overall bulk in conjunction with an solid mono-Fairy defensive typing, letting it act as a versatile threat that can compress many roles in one slot. It also has access to an amazing ability in Magic Guard, which allows Clefable to be immune to all indirect damage, helping it act as a great entry hazard setter or defensive setup sweeper. Clefable also has an expansive movepool, consisting of useful utility moves such as Stealth Rock and Soft-Boiled alongside great coverage moves like Flamethrower, making it a formidable threat. It notably behaves as one of the best Mega Scizor checks, a threat that can otherwise wreak havoc on the rest of Clefable's team, when holding a Babiri Berry. Nonetheless, Clefable's bulk prevents it from sustaining hits from powerful wallbreakers such as Landorus, Victini, and Diggersby. Its typing also does not provide any other useful resistances for its teammates, meaning that Poison- and Steel-type threats such as Nidoking and Heatran can still pose a threat against it.
[SET]
name: Utility (Fairy)
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Soft-Boiled
move 3: Moonblast
move 4: Fire Blast / Flamethrower
item: Babiri Berry / Leftovers
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock aids Clefable's teammates by weakening opposing threats through entry hazard chip damage. It is a valuable Stealth Rock setter due to its Fairy typing and Magic Guard ability scaring off common entry hazard removers and Magic Bounce users such as Mandibuzz, Latios, Armaldo, and Mega Sableye. Soft-Boiled is a reliable recovery move that increases Clefable's durability, making it more dependable as a defensive wall. Moonblast is Clefable's STAB move, allowing it to hit Fighting-, Dark-, and Dragon-types extremely hard and preventing it from being used as setup bait. It also has the added factor of having the chance of lowering the foe's Special Attack, helping Clefable wall special attackers much better. Fire Blast is used to target Steel-type threats such as Mega Scizor and Bisharp. Flamethrower can be used instead, as its perfect accuracy offers more consistency instead of greater power.
Set Details
========
Magic Guard allows Clefable to bypass any indirect damage, meaning that it can avoid being crippled by status conditions such as burn and poison. It also allows Clefable to come in more freely, since it can ignore the chip damage from entry hazards, meaning that it can escape the 2HKO from certain offensive threats such as Latios, Keldeo, and Terrakion. A Babiri Berry is equipped in order to lure certain Steel-types such as Mega Scizor, Excadrill, and Magearna by avoiding the OHKO or 2HKO from their STAB Steel-type attacks while Clefable can hit them hard with its Fire-type coverage in return. Leftovers can be used instead to enhance Clefable's sustainability, letting it check a wide array of threats more safely due to the passive recovery each turn. The EVs have been maximized in HP and Defense with a Bold nature in order to enhance Clefable's physical bulk, allowing it to check threats such as Mega Scizor, Landorus-T, and Mega Gyarados. However, a fully specially defensive spread with a Calm nature can be used instead in order for Clefable to act as a specially defensive tank that can check attackers like Meloetta, Volcanion, and Thundurus more reliably.
Usage Tips
========
Clefable should be setting up Stealth Rock early on in the match, since the chip damage helps its teammates break down walls much better. It can set up Stealth Rock frequently due to it high number of opportunities to switch in. Thanks to its ability, Clefable can be used as a sponge to status moves such as Toxic and Will-O-Wisp, meaning that it can pivot in against common users of such moves like Zapdos and Mew. However, Clefable must be wary of coming in against powerful attackers such as Landorus and Choice Band Victini. It should also avoid staying in versus certain wallbreakers that can 2HKO it such as Tapu Koko and Meloetta unless they have been severely weakened, since Clefable can use up all of its Soft-Boiled PP rather quickly, preventing it from sustaining itself later on in the match. Clefable should also be careful when conserving its Babiri Berry, since it can be necessary to check certain threats such as Mega Scizor and Excadrill. Therefore, avoiding Steel-type coverage from threats such as Celesteela and Magnezone is imperative.
Team Options
========
Teammates that can utilize the entry hazard support that Clefable provides is key, meaning that threats such as Tapu Koko, Tapu Bulu, and Gardevoir all stand out as great picks. Tapu Koko also acts as a great pivot that can aid Clefable in coming in safely, while Tapu Bulu offers additional passive recovery through Grassy Terrain, which can be useful if it decides to not run Leftovers. Steel-types such as Magearna and Klefki are also beneficial, since they can help Clefable check Poison- and other Steel-types much better, while Clefable can switch into Fighting-types in return. Magearna can also help Clefable break through certain defensive threats such as Toxapex, Mantine, and Nihilego, while Klefki can provide more entry hazard and screens support with Spikes, Reflect, and Light Screen. Setup sweepers such as Azumarill and Magearna can also be useful for wearing down opposing walls that can be difficult for Clefable to wear down like Mantine and Mew, while Clefable provides them with entry hazard support in return. Entry hazard removal through partners such as Togekiss and Tapu Fini can also be beneficial, since, although it does not get affected by them, Clefable's susceptibility to being used as entry hazard setup fodder can still necessitate it being placed on the team.
[SET]
name: Calm Mind (Fairy)
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Moonblast
move 3: Flamethrower
move 4: Soft-Boiled
item: Leftovers
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Calm Mind transforms Clefable into a bulky yet powerful sweeper that can easily wreak havoc after a couple of boosts. Moonblast is Clefable's STAB move, which offers great offensive coverage and provides the chance to lower the enemy's Special Attack, making Clefable even more difficult to take down. Flamethrower is a remarkable coverage option that helps Clefable breaks through Steel-types such as Mega Scizor, Excadrill, and Celesteela. Soft-Boiled is an important recovery move that permits Clefable the chance to set up more frequently by increasing its sustainability overall. Thunder Wave is an alternative utility move that allows Clefable to cripple offensive threats such as Heatran, Mega Pidgeot, and Keldeo by reducing their Speed. It also can grant Clefable more setup opportunities if the opposing foe is afflicted with paralysis. However, it means that Clefable must pass up a coverage option, leaving it more susceptible versus certain threats.
Set Details
========
Magic Guard allows Clefable to ignore any indirect damage such as poison and burn, making it much more difficult to circumvent after it sets up a couple of boosts. Leftovers is the preferred item, since the passive recovery each turn aids Clefable in avoiding the 2HKO from certain offensive threats such as Thundurus and Garchomp. The EVs have been fully invested in HP and Defense with a Bold nature in order to maximize Clefable's physical bulk, making it almost impossible to OHKO after a few Calm Mind boosts.
Usage Tips
========
Clefable is best used as a late-game cleaner, since it can have a much easier time sweeping once its checks such as Nidoking and Toxapex have been severely weakened or KOed. Clefable should avoid setting up alongside other Calm Mind sweepers such as Mega Slowbro and Meloetta, since the aforementioned threats often carry Psyshock, which can threaten to OHKO Clefable regardless of the number of Calm Mind boosts it was able to accumulate. Physical wallbreakers such as Choice Band Victini and offensive Landorus-T can still threaten to 2HKO Clefable no matter how much it had invested in its physical bulk. Therefore, it is advised to pivot out against these threats in order to avoid Clefable being severely weakened. Clefable should also not be brought into the battlefield unnecessarily against stronger attacks, since it can risk getting weakened immensely, possibly preventing a sweep later on in the match.
Team Options
========
Klefki is a great partner for Clefable, since it can switch into Poison-type attacks and provide useful support through Reflect, Light Screen, and Spikes, letting Clefable sponge more attacks, set up more easily, and break through walls. Other setup sweepers such as Belly Drum Azumarill and Swords Dance Tapu Bulu are also beneficial, since they can help apply more offensive pressure against the opposing team and help Clefable break through special walls such as Chansey and Alolan Muk. Wallbreakers like Tapu Koko, Magearna, and Tapu Bulu benefit from Clefable's ability to break through defensive walls and can help check offensive threats in return. The first two examples can also provide momentum through Volt Switch, enabling Clefable to come in more frequently. Entry hazard removal from teammates such as Togekiss and Tapu Fini can also be useful because it remedies Clefable's susceptibility of being used as a entry hazard setup fodder.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Fairy
--------
A defensive Unaware set can be run, allowing Clefable to check setup sweepers such as Volcorona, Tapu Fini, and Porygon-Z. However, Clefable offers more utility through its Magic Guard set, making the option rather niche. It is also forced to run Moonlight, a low-PP and situational recovery move that can leave Clefable rather vulnerable at times.
Checks and Counters
===================
Fairy
--------
**Poison-types**: Poison-types such as Nidoking, Mega Venusaur, and Nihilego can all severely cripple Clefable with their STAB Poison-type attacks, and they resist Moonblast.
**Steel-types**: Threats such as Excadrill, Heatran, Mega Scizor, and Celesteela all resist Clefable's STAB Fairy-type attacks and can threaten to break through it with their own STAB attacks in return. However, every aforementioned threat bar Heatran fears taking Clefable's Fire-type coverage moves.
**Powerful Wallbreakers**: Offensive threats like Victini, Landorus, and Mega Pinsir can all 2HKO Clefable thanks to their impressive wallbreaking capabilities, leaving Clefable struggling to beat them.
**Chansey**: Chansey laughs at any special attack coming from Clefable (even boosted ones) due to its gargantuan HP stat combined with its high Special Defense; however, Clefable can still use it as entry hazard setup fodder. Clefable's immunity to Toxic damage thanks to Magic Guard means that Chansey will have a much harder time wearing down Clefable as well.
**Fire-types**: Fire-types such as Alolan Marowak, Mega Charizard Y, Rotom-H, and Volcanion all resist Clefable's STAB attacks and can take on its Fire-type coverage moves. However, every mentioned threat except Rotom-H does not appreciate coming in on Thunder Wave.
**Taunt**: Common Taunt users such as Jellicent, Deoxys-S, and Gliscor can all prevent Clefable from setting up entry hazards, setting up Calm Mind boosts, and recovering HP, thereby threatening to weaken it. However, Clefable can still threaten to scare off the aforementioned threats with its STAB attacks nonetheless.
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