Hilomilo
High-low My-low
[OVERVIEW]
Ghost
=====
Mimikyu is essential to the success of most Ghost teams, as its role as a physical setup sweeper is highly appreciated due to the archetype's general lack of physical prowess. Its amazing ability in Disguise complements its access to Swords Dance and almost always guarantees setup. Mimikyu's additional Fairy typing gives it fantastic neutral coverage between its STAB attacks and allows it to check Dark-types that are often quite troublesome for Ghost teams such as Hydreigon and Tyranitar. Mimikyu also has access to useful STAB priority in the form of Shadow Sneak, which helps circumvent its poor Speed. The ability to function as one of the tier's most reliable Trick Room setters with Disguise further solidifies Mimikyu's influence on Ghost teams, giving it quite a bit of versatility. Unfortunately, Mimikyu suffers from its below average Attack stat, which leaves it reliant on setup to deal good damage. Mimikyu is also incredibly frail and has only average Speed, which leaves it prone to being revenge killed by common threats in Greninja, Choice Scarf Excadrill, and Dugtrio. Disguise's lack of protection from status can also prove troublesome, as Mimikyu is crippled by all relevant forms of status.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Shadow Claw
move 3: Play Rough
move 4: Shadow Sneak
item: Ghostium Z
ability: Disguise
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance is mandatory for boosting Mimikyu's Attack to turn it into a formidable offensive threat. Shadow Claw is a powerful Ghost-type STAB attack that aids Mimikyu in breaking past slow, bulky threats like Mega Venusaur, Jellicent, and Zapdos. With Ghostium Z, it turns into a powerful Never-Ending Nightmare that, when boosted, can even break past the likes of Celesteela, Mega Slowbro, and Ferrothorn. Play Rough offers excellent coverage alongside Shadow Claw, hitting Dark-types that otherwise heavily pressure Ghost teams for super effective damage. Shadow Sneak is a reliable STAB priority attack that, when boosted, can pick off weakened threats and OHKO potentially threatening Pokemon in Mega Alakazam and Gengar.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Attack is essential for giving Mimikyu as much power with a neutral nature as possible. Maximum investment in Speed alongside a Jolly nature makes Mimikyu as fast as possible, allowing it to outspeed Pokemon of base 95 Speed or lower like Porygon-Z and Kyurem-B. Ghostium Z is the preferred item, as the ability to break past Mimikyu's would-be checks in Scizor and Celesteela with a boosted Never-Ending Nightmare is invaluable. Disguise is Mimikyu's only possible ability, but it is extremely useful for providing it with an almost guaranteed setup opportunity.
Usage Tips
========
Due to Mimikyu's ability to pick off most weakened threats, it is best used as a late-game cleaner, especially considering it excels once its common checks in Avalugg and Alolan Muk are removed. Thus, Mimikyu should almost always begin setting up with Swords Dance once brought into play. It can, however, use the combination of unboosted Shadow Claw + Shadow Sneak to revenge kill a foe that wouldn't faint to a boosted Shadow Sneak. Mimikyu should never switch into any attacks whatsoever, as Disguise will deactivate and possibly compromise setup. Thus, it is best brought into play via pivot support or after a teammate has fainted. Setup opportunities are best found against Pokemon that Mimikyu forces out, like Latios and Deoxys-S, or against Pokemon that often won't do much damage to Mimikyu, like Heracross and Buzzwole. Generally passive Pokemon such as Forretress, Porygon2, and Mantine also make good setup targets, though Mimikyu should fear their potential status attacks. If Mimikyu is in danger of fainting and hasn't yet used its Z-Move, it can use Never-Ending Nightmare to deliver one final blow. One thing worth noting is that by virtue of Disguise, Mimikyu can often function as a decent emergency check to setup sweepers like Porygon-Z and Bisharp, though it will need a teammate to be sacked in order to reliably take care of them.
Team Options
========
Steel-types like Skarmory and Scizor usually prove troublesome for Mimikyu, which makes Alolan Marowak and Chandelure good partners thanks to their ability to pressure Steel-types with Fire-type STAB attacks. Alolan Marowak is also useful in that it can weaken Mimikyu's checks due to its good offensive prowess and provide Stealth Rock support. Golurk can also provide Stealth Rock support, which allows Mimikyu to secure KOs on Pokemon like Jellicent and Celesteela. Will-O-Wisp support from Mega Sableye, Jellicent, and Gourgeist-XL is useful to Mimikyu for crippling physical attackers that threaten it and easing setup. Froslass is a particularly useful partner due to its ability to provide Mimikyu with support in the forms of Will-O-Wisp, Spikes, and speed control by virtue of Icy Wind or Thunder Wave. Doublade is also a particularly useful teammate, as its fantastic physical bulk allows it to reliably tank the physical attacks that threaten Mimikyu like Azumarill's Play Rough and Breloom's Bullet Seed. It can also use Swords Dance to help break past the checks it shares with Mimikyu. Due to its frailty, Mimikyu appreciates Decidueye's ability to pivot to safely bring it into play. Lastly, special wallbreakers like Gengar and Chandelure make good teammates due to being able to break past the physically bulky threats that can trouble Mimikyu at times like Skarmory and Forretress.
[SET]
name: Trick Room
move 1: Trick Room
move 2: Shadow Sneak
move 3: Play Rough
move 4: Destiny Bond
item: Red Card
ability: Disguise
nature: Brave
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
ivs: 0 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Trick Room gives Mimikyu a way of adequately supporting its team with speed control. Shadow Sneak is a reliable STAB priority attack and gives Mimikyu a way of picking off weakened threats. Play Rough is Mimikyu's strongest STAB attack, and it can be used to hit foes that don't resist it for fair damage. Destiny Bond is useful for when Mimikyu is close to fainting, and it can be used to both eliminate a foe and bring a teammate in safely.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in HP allows Mimikyu to tank a hit or two thanks to its good defensive typing, which grants it an easy opportunity to set up Trick Room. Maximum Attack investment allows Mimikyu to adequately punch holes in opposing teams while supporting its own. Red Card is highly useful in conjunction with Disguise, as it gives Mimikyu the ability to act as an extremely reliable emergency stop to most setup sweepers.
Usage Tips
========
This set's main function is as a source of support for slow wallbreakers. As such, Mimikyu should try remaining healthy throughout the match, as it will likely need to set Trick Room more than once. Disguise should be taken full advantage of when setting up Trick Room, as it will almost always guarantee setup. This means that Mimikyu should typically look to use Trick Room first unless it is attempting to revenge kill a foe with Shadow Sneak. Red Card will often only be situationally useful, but it should be preserved if an opposing team has a Pokemon capable of sweeping past Mimikyu's team, as this will allow Mimikyu to act as an emergency stop to it if need be. Destiny Bond should only be used once Mimikyu is low on health, as it will completely remove a foe from play while generating some momentum for Mimikyu's team. Prior to using Destiny Bond, it is best to try wearing down opposing teams with Play Rough.
Team Options
========
Slow wallbreakers like Alolan Marowak and Hoopa heavily appreciate Mimikyu's ability to support them with Trick Room, as they will be turned into fearsome sweepers. Slow Swords Dance sweepers like Dhelmise, Doublade, and Alolan Marowak are also appreciative of Mimikyu, as they will become immensely threatening once boosted under Trick Room. Entry hazard support allows the Pokemon Mimikyu will be supporting with Trick Room to break past foes more easily, which makes Pokemon like Golurk and Froslass good partners. Pokemon that can burn foes, such as Mega Sableye and Jellicent, make good teammates as well thanks to their ability to cripple physical attackers that otherwise prevent Mimikyu from lasting long in a match. Alternative Trick Room setters like Cofagrigus and Jellicent can provide Mimikyu's team with extra turns of Trick Room if Mimikyu has fainted.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Ghost
=====
Will-O-Wisp cripples some of Mimikyu's switch-ins, like Alolan Muk, but generally isn't worth it in comparison to either Shadow Claw or Shadow Sneak. Life Orb is an option on Mimikyu if another teammate is using a Z-Move. However, Mimikyu and its teammates heavily appreciate its ability to break past threats like Scizor and Celesteela with Ghostium Z.
Checks and Counters
===================
Ghost
=====
**Toxapex**: Toxapex's typing and great physical bulk allow it to resist Play Rough and even survive a boosted Never-Ending Nightmare while in return crippling Mimikyu with either Toxic or Scald burns, removing its boosts with Haze, and recovering off the damage taken.
**Scizor**: Both Scizor and its Mega Evolution can use their typing and good bulk to tank even Never-Ending Nightmare if at full health, while they can use Bullet Punch to break Mimikyu's Disguise and OHKO it afterward.
**Physically Bulky Pokemon**: Due to its below average Attack stat, Mimikyu struggles to break through Pokemon with exceptional physical bulk such as Skarmory and Landorus-T, which can threaten it with status, phazing, or powerful attacks.
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Heatran and Celesteela can withstand all of Mimikyu's attacks while resisting Play Rough and threaten it back with super effective STAB attacks.
**Faster Pokemon**: Due to its rather average Speed, Mimikyu is susceptible to being revenge killed by faster Pokemon in Greninja, Tapu Koko, and Garchomp.
**Mold Breaker**: Choice Scarf Excadrill and Mega Gyarados both carry Mold Breaker, which nullifies Mimikyu's Disguise and puts it into range of an OHKO from their attacks. Mega Gyarados, however, must be wary of Play Rough.
**Status**: Mimikyu doesn't take kindly to any forms of status, as they compromise its sweeping capabilities. Paralysis halves its Speed and makes it significantly easier to revenge kill, poisoning shortens its sweep, and burns halve its Attack and limit its breaking potential.
Ghost
=====
Mimikyu is essential to the success of most Ghost teams, as its role as a physical setup sweeper is highly appreciated due to the archetype's general lack of physical prowess. Its amazing ability in Disguise complements its access to Swords Dance and almost always guarantees setup. Mimikyu's additional Fairy typing gives it fantastic neutral coverage between its STAB attacks and allows it to check Dark-types that are often quite troublesome for Ghost teams such as Hydreigon and Tyranitar. Mimikyu also has access to useful STAB priority in the form of Shadow Sneak, which helps circumvent its poor Speed. The ability to function as one of the tier's most reliable Trick Room setters with Disguise further solidifies Mimikyu's influence on Ghost teams, giving it quite a bit of versatility. Unfortunately, Mimikyu suffers from its below average Attack stat, which leaves it reliant on setup to deal good damage. Mimikyu is also incredibly frail and has only average Speed, which leaves it prone to being revenge killed by common threats in Greninja, Choice Scarf Excadrill, and Dugtrio. Disguise's lack of protection from status can also prove troublesome, as Mimikyu is crippled by all relevant forms of status.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Shadow Claw
move 3: Play Rough
move 4: Shadow Sneak
item: Ghostium Z
ability: Disguise
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance is mandatory for boosting Mimikyu's Attack to turn it into a formidable offensive threat. Shadow Claw is a powerful Ghost-type STAB attack that aids Mimikyu in breaking past slow, bulky threats like Mega Venusaur, Jellicent, and Zapdos. With Ghostium Z, it turns into a powerful Never-Ending Nightmare that, when boosted, can even break past the likes of Celesteela, Mega Slowbro, and Ferrothorn. Play Rough offers excellent coverage alongside Shadow Claw, hitting Dark-types that otherwise heavily pressure Ghost teams for super effective damage. Shadow Sneak is a reliable STAB priority attack that, when boosted, can pick off weakened threats and OHKO potentially threatening Pokemon in Mega Alakazam and Gengar.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Attack is essential for giving Mimikyu as much power with a neutral nature as possible. Maximum investment in Speed alongside a Jolly nature makes Mimikyu as fast as possible, allowing it to outspeed Pokemon of base 95 Speed or lower like Porygon-Z and Kyurem-B. Ghostium Z is the preferred item, as the ability to break past Mimikyu's would-be checks in Scizor and Celesteela with a boosted Never-Ending Nightmare is invaluable. Disguise is Mimikyu's only possible ability, but it is extremely useful for providing it with an almost guaranteed setup opportunity.
Usage Tips
========
Due to Mimikyu's ability to pick off most weakened threats, it is best used as a late-game cleaner, especially considering it excels once its common checks in Avalugg and Alolan Muk are removed. Thus, Mimikyu should almost always begin setting up with Swords Dance once brought into play. It can, however, use the combination of unboosted Shadow Claw + Shadow Sneak to revenge kill a foe that wouldn't faint to a boosted Shadow Sneak. Mimikyu should never switch into any attacks whatsoever, as Disguise will deactivate and possibly compromise setup. Thus, it is best brought into play via pivot support or after a teammate has fainted. Setup opportunities are best found against Pokemon that Mimikyu forces out, like Latios and Deoxys-S, or against Pokemon that often won't do much damage to Mimikyu, like Heracross and Buzzwole. Generally passive Pokemon such as Forretress, Porygon2, and Mantine also make good setup targets, though Mimikyu should fear their potential status attacks. If Mimikyu is in danger of fainting and hasn't yet used its Z-Move, it can use Never-Ending Nightmare to deliver one final blow. One thing worth noting is that by virtue of Disguise, Mimikyu can often function as a decent emergency check to setup sweepers like Porygon-Z and Bisharp, though it will need a teammate to be sacked in order to reliably take care of them.
Team Options
========
Steel-types like Skarmory and Scizor usually prove troublesome for Mimikyu, which makes Alolan Marowak and Chandelure good partners thanks to their ability to pressure Steel-types with Fire-type STAB attacks. Alolan Marowak is also useful in that it can weaken Mimikyu's checks due to its good offensive prowess and provide Stealth Rock support. Golurk can also provide Stealth Rock support, which allows Mimikyu to secure KOs on Pokemon like Jellicent and Celesteela. Will-O-Wisp support from Mega Sableye, Jellicent, and Gourgeist-XL is useful to Mimikyu for crippling physical attackers that threaten it and easing setup. Froslass is a particularly useful partner due to its ability to provide Mimikyu with support in the forms of Will-O-Wisp, Spikes, and speed control by virtue of Icy Wind or Thunder Wave. Doublade is also a particularly useful teammate, as its fantastic physical bulk allows it to reliably tank the physical attacks that threaten Mimikyu like Azumarill's Play Rough and Breloom's Bullet Seed. It can also use Swords Dance to help break past the checks it shares with Mimikyu. Due to its frailty, Mimikyu appreciates Decidueye's ability to pivot to safely bring it into play. Lastly, special wallbreakers like Gengar and Chandelure make good teammates due to being able to break past the physically bulky threats that can trouble Mimikyu at times like Skarmory and Forretress.
[SET]
name: Trick Room
move 1: Trick Room
move 2: Shadow Sneak
move 3: Play Rough
move 4: Destiny Bond
item: Red Card
ability: Disguise
nature: Brave
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
ivs: 0 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Trick Room gives Mimikyu a way of adequately supporting its team with speed control. Shadow Sneak is a reliable STAB priority attack and gives Mimikyu a way of picking off weakened threats. Play Rough is Mimikyu's strongest STAB attack, and it can be used to hit foes that don't resist it for fair damage. Destiny Bond is useful for when Mimikyu is close to fainting, and it can be used to both eliminate a foe and bring a teammate in safely.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in HP allows Mimikyu to tank a hit or two thanks to its good defensive typing, which grants it an easy opportunity to set up Trick Room. Maximum Attack investment allows Mimikyu to adequately punch holes in opposing teams while supporting its own. Red Card is highly useful in conjunction with Disguise, as it gives Mimikyu the ability to act as an extremely reliable emergency stop to most setup sweepers.
Usage Tips
========
This set's main function is as a source of support for slow wallbreakers. As such, Mimikyu should try remaining healthy throughout the match, as it will likely need to set Trick Room more than once. Disguise should be taken full advantage of when setting up Trick Room, as it will almost always guarantee setup. This means that Mimikyu should typically look to use Trick Room first unless it is attempting to revenge kill a foe with Shadow Sneak. Red Card will often only be situationally useful, but it should be preserved if an opposing team has a Pokemon capable of sweeping past Mimikyu's team, as this will allow Mimikyu to act as an emergency stop to it if need be. Destiny Bond should only be used once Mimikyu is low on health, as it will completely remove a foe from play while generating some momentum for Mimikyu's team. Prior to using Destiny Bond, it is best to try wearing down opposing teams with Play Rough.
Team Options
========
Slow wallbreakers like Alolan Marowak and Hoopa heavily appreciate Mimikyu's ability to support them with Trick Room, as they will be turned into fearsome sweepers. Slow Swords Dance sweepers like Dhelmise, Doublade, and Alolan Marowak are also appreciative of Mimikyu, as they will become immensely threatening once boosted under Trick Room. Entry hazard support allows the Pokemon Mimikyu will be supporting with Trick Room to break past foes more easily, which makes Pokemon like Golurk and Froslass good partners. Pokemon that can burn foes, such as Mega Sableye and Jellicent, make good teammates as well thanks to their ability to cripple physical attackers that otherwise prevent Mimikyu from lasting long in a match. Alternative Trick Room setters like Cofagrigus and Jellicent can provide Mimikyu's team with extra turns of Trick Room if Mimikyu has fainted.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Ghost
=====
Will-O-Wisp cripples some of Mimikyu's switch-ins, like Alolan Muk, but generally isn't worth it in comparison to either Shadow Claw or Shadow Sneak. Life Orb is an option on Mimikyu if another teammate is using a Z-Move. However, Mimikyu and its teammates heavily appreciate its ability to break past threats like Scizor and Celesteela with Ghostium Z.
Checks and Counters
===================
Ghost
=====
**Toxapex**: Toxapex's typing and great physical bulk allow it to resist Play Rough and even survive a boosted Never-Ending Nightmare while in return crippling Mimikyu with either Toxic or Scald burns, removing its boosts with Haze, and recovering off the damage taken.
**Scizor**: Both Scizor and its Mega Evolution can use their typing and good bulk to tank even Never-Ending Nightmare if at full health, while they can use Bullet Punch to break Mimikyu's Disguise and OHKO it afterward.
**Physically Bulky Pokemon**: Due to its below average Attack stat, Mimikyu struggles to break through Pokemon with exceptional physical bulk such as Skarmory and Landorus-T, which can threaten it with status, phazing, or powerful attacks.
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Heatran and Celesteela can withstand all of Mimikyu's attacks while resisting Play Rough and threaten it back with super effective STAB attacks.
**Faster Pokemon**: Due to its rather average Speed, Mimikyu is susceptible to being revenge killed by faster Pokemon in Greninja, Tapu Koko, and Garchomp.
**Mold Breaker**: Choice Scarf Excadrill and Mega Gyarados both carry Mold Breaker, which nullifies Mimikyu's Disguise and puts it into range of an OHKO from their attacks. Mega Gyarados, however, must be wary of Play Rough.
**Status**: Mimikyu doesn't take kindly to any forms of status, as they compromise its sweeping capabilities. Paralysis halves its Speed and makes it significantly easier to revenge kill, poisoning shortens its sweep, and burns halve its Attack and limit its breaking potential.
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