sanguine
friendly fire
[OVERVIEW]
Mienshao is set apart by its ability to throw off Reckless-boosted STAB High Jump Kicks off an above average base 125 Attack stat. Its wide movepool gives it the ability to hit common Fighting-type switch-ins such as Togekiss and Latias with moves such as Poison Jab, Stone Edge, and Knock Off. Additionally, it can serve as a serviceable pivot with U-turn. Mienshao's Speed tier also allows it to revenge kill the likes of Mega Sharpedo, Choice Scarf Hydreigon, and Mega Aerodactyl. However, Mienshao's awful bulk doesn't allow it to come in too much, and it’s forced out by common metagame threats such as Scizor, Breloom, and Choice Scarf Latias. Additionally, Mienshao’s Speed stat, while decent, leaves it outsped and outclassed by other Fighting-types such as Infernape and Terrakion, which trade raw power for better Speed and access to a STAB combination.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: High Jump Kick
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Poison Jab / Stone Edge
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Reckless
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
High Jump Kick is Mienshao's most powerful STAB move and gets its power boosted by Reckless, allowing it to OHKO common threats such as Terrakion and Hydreigon, but it comes at the risk of losing half of Mienshao's health if it misses. U-turn is used to gain momentum and pivot out of normally unadvisable situations such as an incoming Gliscor switch-in and chip incoming Mienshao stops such as Latias. Knock Off serves to hit common switch-ins such as Latias and Chandelure while also removing items the opponent may find useful, such as Doublade’s Eviolite. Poison Jab hits common Fairy-type switch-ins to Mienshao supereffectively for a 2HKO, such as Azumarill and Sylveon. Stone Edge hits most Flying-types super effectively, most notably getting the 2HKO on Crobat, Mantine, and defensive Togekiss after Stealth Rock.
Set Details
========
Maximum EV investment in Speed and Attack with a Jolly nature allows Mienshao to outspeed and KO the likes of Hydreigon and Krookodile, and it can Speed tie with +1 Mega Sharpedo. Choice Scarf is used to outspeed common threats and revenge kill them while also turning Mienshao into a late-game cleaner. Reckless is the best ability because it boosts the power of Mienshao's High Jump Kick, allowing it to wallbreak as effectively as possible.
Usage Tips
========
Mienshao shouldn't come directly into attacks due to its poor bulk, so pivoting via Volt Switch or U-turn, as well as coming in after a sacrifice, should be primarily used. Furthermore, be wary of Protect users such as Suicune, as using High Jump Kick on them will make Mienshao lose half of its health. Mienshao should either serve as an early- to mid-game wallbreaker, a revenge killer to force out sweepers, or a late-game cleaner that can pick off weakened teams. Lastly, U-turn should be used early in the match to pivot out of healthy dedicated switch-ins such as Gliscor, Crobat, orand Mega Altaria to attain offensive momentum.
Team Options
========
Mienshao fits best on offensive teams, as its raw power works well to break bulkier archetypes for teammates. Setup sweepers such as Latias and Mega Altaria appreciate the weakening of the opposing team Mienshao provides. Pursuit support form from the likes of Alolan Muk and Choice Band Scizor weaken Ghost- and Psychic-types such as Doublade and Latias, thus allowing for Mienshao to be more immediately threatening. Swords Dance Cobalion and Scizor work especially well, as they can take on Fairy-types and, in the case of Cobalion, can lure Gliscor and KO it with Steelium Z-boosted Iron Head. Pivots such as Hydreigon and Mega Beedril give Mienshao more opportunities to fire off powerful attacks. Rotom-C and Mega Manectric work especially well, as they check Flying-types and force out Gliscor. Poison-types such as Crobat and Amoonguss check Fairy-types and allow Mienshao to forgo Poison Jab for Stone Edge. Mienshao appreciates entry hazard support such as Stealth Rock to help chip away at switch-ins, so setters such as Krookodile and Gliscor are good options. Klefki works especially well with Mienshao, as it can check common Mienshao checks such as Latias and Mega Altaria, while also weakening opposing teams with Spikes. Finally, wallbreakers such as Azumarill and Serperior work well, as they appreciate Mienshao's pivoting bringing them into play, and can weaken teams for Mienshao to clean up later in the game.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Choice Band set can be used to maximize power, but Mienshao's mediocre Speed for a wallbreaker renders it unable to be effective versus hyper offensive teams. A set with Regenerator, Life Orb, and Hidden Power Ice is usable to lure Gliscor and KO it, but it’s it's easily revenge killed. A Swords Dance set with 3 attacks can be used, but Mienshao rarely finds setup opportunities, and more oftensive archetypes easily KO it due to Mienshao’s its mediocre Speed and poor bulk.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types such as Primarina, Azumarill, and Togekiss can switch into Mienshao and force it out. However, while they must be mindful of Poison Jab, they do force Mienshao out of play.
**Flying-types**: Flying-types such as Mantine and Crobat resist High Jump Kick and can force Mienshao out. They must be wary of Stone Edge. Gliscor in particular is a nuisance, as it's not weak to Stone Edge.
**Revenge Killers**: Faster Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Latias and Infernape can easily KO Mienshao from full HP, but they can’t switch directly. Priority users such as Scizor, Azumarill, and Breloom all can KO Mienshao after mild chip due to its frailty.
Mienshao is set apart by its ability to throw off Reckless-boosted STAB High Jump Kicks off an above average base 125 Attack stat. Its wide movepool gives it the ability to hit common Fighting-type switch-ins such as Togekiss and Latias with moves such as Poison Jab, Stone Edge, and Knock Off. Additionally, it can serve as a serviceable pivot with U-turn. Mienshao's Speed tier also allows it to revenge kill the likes of Mega Sharpedo, Choice Scarf Hydreigon, and Mega Aerodactyl. However, Mienshao's awful bulk doesn't allow it to come in too much, and it’s forced out by common metagame threats such as Scizor, Breloom, and Choice Scarf Latias. Additionally, Mienshao’s Speed stat, while decent, leaves it outsped and outclassed by other Fighting-types such as Infernape and Terrakion, which trade raw power for better Speed and access to a STAB combination.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: High Jump Kick
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Poison Jab / Stone Edge
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Reckless
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
High Jump Kick is Mienshao's most powerful STAB move and gets its power boosted by Reckless, allowing it to OHKO common threats such as Terrakion and Hydreigon, but it comes at the risk of losing half of Mienshao's health if it misses. U-turn is used to gain momentum and pivot out of normally unadvisable situations such as an incoming Gliscor switch-in and chip incoming Mienshao stops such as Latias. Knock Off serves to hit common switch-ins such as Latias and Chandelure while also removing items the opponent may find useful, such as Doublade’s Eviolite. Poison Jab hits common Fairy-type switch-ins to Mienshao supereffectively for a 2HKO, such as Azumarill and Sylveon. Stone Edge hits most Flying-types super effectively, most notably getting the 2HKO on Crobat, Mantine, and defensive Togekiss after Stealth Rock.
Set Details
========
Maximum EV investment in Speed and Attack with a Jolly nature allows Mienshao to outspeed and KO the likes of Hydreigon and Krookodile, and it can Speed tie with +1 Mega Sharpedo. Choice Scarf is used to outspeed common threats and revenge kill them while also turning Mienshao into a late-game cleaner. Reckless is the best ability because it boosts the power of Mienshao's High Jump Kick, allowing it to wallbreak as effectively as possible.
Usage Tips
========
Mienshao shouldn't come directly into attacks due to its poor bulk, so pivoting via Volt Switch or U-turn, as well as coming in after a sacrifice, should be primarily used. Furthermore, be wary of Protect users such as Suicune, as using High Jump Kick on them will make Mienshao lose half of its health. Mienshao should either serve as an early- to mid-game wallbreaker, a revenge killer to force out sweepers, or a late-game cleaner that can pick off weakened teams. Lastly, U-turn should be used early in the match to pivot out of healthy dedicated switch-ins such as Gliscor, Crobat, orand Mega Altaria to attain offensive momentum.
Team Options
========
Mienshao fits best on offensive teams, as its raw power works well to break bulkier archetypes for teammates. Setup sweepers such as Latias and Mega Altaria appreciate the weakening of the opposing team Mienshao provides. Pursuit support form from the likes of Alolan Muk and Choice Band Scizor weaken Ghost- and Psychic-types such as Doublade and Latias, thus allowing for Mienshao to be more immediately threatening. Swords Dance Cobalion and Scizor work especially well, as they can take on Fairy-types and, in the case of Cobalion, can lure Gliscor and KO it with Steelium Z-boosted Iron Head. Pivots such as Hydreigon and Mega Beedril give Mienshao more opportunities to fire off powerful attacks. Rotom-C and Mega Manectric work especially well, as they check Flying-types and force out Gliscor. Poison-types such as Crobat and Amoonguss check Fairy-types and allow Mienshao to forgo Poison Jab for Stone Edge. Mienshao appreciates entry hazard support such as Stealth Rock to help chip away at switch-ins, so setters such as Krookodile and Gliscor are good options. Klefki works especially well with Mienshao, as it can check common Mienshao checks such as Latias and Mega Altaria, while also weakening opposing teams with Spikes. Finally, wallbreakers such as Azumarill and Serperior work well, as they appreciate Mienshao's pivoting bringing them into play, and can weaken teams for Mienshao to clean up later in the game.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Choice Band set can be used to maximize power, but Mienshao's mediocre Speed for a wallbreaker renders it unable to be effective versus hyper offensive teams. A set with Regenerator, Life Orb, and Hidden Power Ice is usable to lure Gliscor and KO it, but it’s it's easily revenge killed. A Swords Dance set with 3 attacks can be used, but Mienshao rarely finds setup opportunities, and more oftensive archetypes easily KO it due to Mienshao’s its mediocre Speed and poor bulk.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types such as Primarina, Azumarill, and Togekiss can switch into Mienshao and force it out. However, while they must be mindful of Poison Jab, they do force Mienshao out of play.
**Flying-types**: Flying-types such as Mantine and Crobat resist High Jump Kick and can force Mienshao out. They must be wary of Stone Edge. Gliscor in particular is a nuisance, as it's not weak to Stone Edge.
**Revenge Killers**: Faster Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Latias and Infernape can easily KO Mienshao from full HP, but they can’t switch directly. Priority users such as Scizor, Azumarill, and Breloom all can KO Mienshao after mild chip due to its frailty.
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