Strategy and Guide for Shiftry [Pokémon Sun and Moon]

A Competitive Analysis on the Wicked Pokémon: Shiftry

Today we will be discussing the Wicked Pokémon Shiftry for the Pokémon Sun and Moon Versions!

The analysis would involve: the distribution of effort values, choice of movesets, recommended held items, and other suggested options. We will also be tackling on how to deal with Shiftry during free battles and rating battles on Wi-Fi.

Basic Information for Shiftry

shiftry

Source: http://www.pokemon.jp/zukan/

Type 1 Type 2
Grass Dark
Ability Hidden Ability
Chlorophyll Early Bird
Pickpocket
HP Attack Defense Sp.Atk Sp.Def Speed Base Stat Total
90 100 60 90 60 80 480
Type Compatibility
This is super effective
(×4)
Bug
This is super effective
(×2)
Fire/Ice/Fighting/Poison/Flying/Fairy
This is not very effective
(×1/2)
Water/Grass/Electric/Ground/Ghost/Dark
This is not very effective
(×1/4)
No effect Psychic

Using Shiftry

Judging from the base stat distribution, Shiftry has a higher base Attack stat but this doesn’t necessarily mean that a specially based Shiftry isn’t viable. On the physical side, it has access to useful STAB moves such as Leaf Blade and Knock Off. On the other hand, the lower base special attack stat is still an option because of its access to other moves such as Hurricane, that in spite of its shaky accuracy, makes up for it through high base power. This move provides type coverage against grass and bug types that usually wall Shiftry’s STAB moves.

Its problematic base 80 Speed stat can be remedied by running Chlorophyll while the Sun is out, enabling it to double its speed and put some offensive pressure against unprepared opponents.

A breakdown of the suggested moves for Shiftry

Physical Moves Special Moves Non-Damaging Moves
Foul Play Dark Pulse Swagger
Rock Slide Focus Blast Tailwind
Low Kick Giga Drain Swords Dance
X-Scissor Icy Wind Toxic
Explosion Extrasensory Sunny Day
Seed Bomb Solar Beam Power Swap
Bullet Seed Hurricane Whirlwind
Aerial Ace Hidden Power Substitute
Quick Attack Leaf Storm Leech Seed
Fake Out Nasty Plot
Knock Off
Sucker Punch
Leaf Blade
Low Sweep

Fitting Shiftry on your team

■Special Type

Nature Modest/Timid
Ability Chlorophyll
Effort Values 252 Sp.Atk/252 Speed
Held Item Focus Sash/Life Orb
Expert Belt/Choice Specs
Recommended Moves Leaf Storm or Energy Ball or Solar Beam/
Dark Pulse or Foul Play

· Unlike its Physical counterpart, a Special-based Shiftry has a plethora of Grass type STAB moves to choose from.

· In addition, access to Hurricane allows it to counter more types of opponents that it wouldn’t normally be able to counter given its typing.

· Apart from the grass type moves, Shiftry can also use dark type moves well thanks to its typing. This makes Choice Scarf another suggested option to outspeed popular ghost types like Mega Gengar.

■Physical Type

Nature Jolly/Adamant
Ability Chlorophyll/Pickpocket
Effort Values 252 Attack/252 Speed
Held Item Focus Sash/Life Orb
Expert Belt/Choice Band
Recommended Moves Leaf Blade or Seed Bomb/Knock Off

· The Physically-oriented Shiftry has tools such as Leaf Blade and Knock Off which offer good STAB damage.

· What sets this set apart from the Special-based Shiftry is its access to stat modifying moves such as Swords Dance and Tailwind, which allows it to boost its already high base attack stat, and in addition make Pickpocket a decent option since it won’t be fully relying on Sunny Day alone to outrun opponents.

Countering Shiftry

When faced with a bad type matchup, it is difficult to deal with the opponent’s Shiftry unless a move is revealed since it is hard to tell whether it is running Physical or Special moves.

Since it carries boosting moves such as Swords Dance or Tailwind, threatening it with a high base Speed Pokémon before it is able to set-up is suggested.

However, in spite of its high offensive presence, its defenses are lacking, and with multiple weaknesses as a dual-type it doesn’t survive much from super effective moves. Bug type STAB moves are highly recommended as these deal the highest amount of damage against Shiftry.

 

 

Pokemon Sun and Moon おすすめ記事リスト

This article is about Pokemon Sun and Moon. For information about Pokemon Ultra Sun and Moon, click below.
https://samurai-gamers.com/pokemon-ultra-sun-and-moon/

Leave a Reply



Be the first to comment