[OVERVIEW]
Dark
========
Greninja is one of the best offensive Pokemon that Dark teams have access to thanks to its powerful ability in Protean and to its diverse coverage options such as Gunk Shot, Ice Beam, U-turn, and Extrasensory making it an unpredictable threat. Protean also comes in handy defensively; for example, Greninja can become Psychic-type by using Extrasensory to avoid getting KOed by Keldeo's Secret Sword. Greninja sits at a splendid Speed tier, outspeeding common threats such as Garchomp, Mega Diancie, and non-Choice Scarf Keldeo. When equipped with a Choice Scarf, Greninja functions as a Dark team's revenge killer, outspeeding threats such as Mega Lopunny, Tapu Koko, and other Choice Scarf users such as Tapu Bulu and Latios. Greninja has exploitable defensive stats, however, making it unable to take several hits and easy to revenge kill with priority attacks and faster attackers. Although Protean boosts attacks, Greninja is still held back by its average offensive stats, which means it's reliant on Life Orb to further boost its damage output. Greninja also lacks the room in its moveset to check every threat Dark teams might face.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf (Dark)
move 1: Gunk Shot
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Hydro Pump / Spikes
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Protean
nature: Naive
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Gunk Shot is necessary for Greninja to check Fairy-types, and it making Greninja Poison-type has some use in avoiding Toxic and resisting Grass. U-turn helps maintain momentum and take advantage of forced switches such as Landorus fearing Ice Beam. Ice Beam lets Greninja hit annoying Flying-types such as Zapdos as well as Dragon- and Ground-types such as Hydreigon and Landorus. Hydro Pump targets threats such as Excadrill and Heatran, 2HKOes Klefki, and does slightly more damage than Gunk Shot to +1 Volcarona. Spikes is a great utility move, and with Greninja's offensive presence and coverage moves forcing so many switches, it's able to get set up, applying pressure on grounded Pokemon. Rock Slide is a reliable move for KOing threats that are really weak to it such as Mega Charizard Y and Volcarona.
Set Details
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Maximum Speed EVs with a Naive nature and a Choice Scarf make Greninja as fast as possible, outspeeding threats such as Tapu Koko, Mega Lopunny, Choice Scarf users such as Tapu Bulu, Latios, Adamant Excadrill in sand, and Modest Kingdra in rain. A Naive nature alongside 4 Attack EVs keeps Greninja from weakening Gunk Shot. 252 Special Attack EVs maximizes Greninja's damage output. Protean is the ability of choice to change Greninja's typing and gain STAB from it.
Usage Tips
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Choice Scarf Greninja takes on the role of a revenge killer, outspeeding and taking on threats such as Tapu Koko, Mega Lopunny, and slower Choice Scarf users. Greninja can also utilize its high Speed to clean late-game, and it can be an effective lead thanks to U-turn and how many Pokemon it forces out. Greninja should try setting up Spikes early-game to begin putting pressure on teams. It needs to come in safely from a slow U-turn user such as Mandibuzz or a fainted teammate because of its frailty. Make sure to take advantage of U-turn so Greninja can escape any possible disadvantages it may encounter. Be careful about what Greninja is locked into, since getting forced out or becoming setup fodder for Pokemon like Terrakion is a momentum drain; it's best to make sure that all of Greninja's checks and counters are gone or weakened so it can sweep late-game. Be aware that even with Protean, Greninja doesn't hit as hard with Choice Scarf; bulky threats will be able to switch in comfortably, so avoid having Greninja take them on. Greninja should avoid paralysis at all costs, as its role as a revenge killer will be ruined.
Team Options
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Mega Tyranitar is an excellent teammate, as it can help wallbreak early- or mid-game and dismantle teams for Greninja to clean late-game. Tyranitar and Krookodile provide Stealth Rock support for Greninja to KO threats more easily. Tyranitar can also paralyze foes with Thunder Wave and tank special attacks, whereas Krookodile can switch into Electric-type moves, supply utility with Knock Off, and revenge kill threats thanks to its Focus Sash. Intimidate from Krookodile can also assist in softening physical attacks for Greninja. Other Knock Off users such as Mega Sableye, Bisharp, and Alolan Muk cripple item-reliant Pokemon, especially Eviolite and Leftovers users such as Porygon2 and Zapdos. Mega Sableye can block status moves, while Bisharp and Alolan Muk can be additional checks to Fairy-types. Mandibuzz can switch into physical attackers for Greninja and punish Swords Dance and Dragon Dance sweepers such as Mega Scizor and Dragonite with Foul Play. Since Greninja will be pivioting out often with U-turn, it also benefits from Mandibuzz's Defog. Hydreigon can wallbreak for Greninja thanks to Choice Specs and switch into Ground-type attacks. Mega Sharpedo and Greninja can help one another clean up late-game, and Mega Sharpedo can use Psychic Fangs to pressure Fighting-types. Cacturne is a great check to problematic Water-types such as Suicune and Z-Belly Drum Azumarill.
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Gunk Shot
move 4: Extrasensory
item: Life Orb
ability: Protean
nature: Naive
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hydro Pump is Greninja's strongest move for hitting threats such as Mega Diancie, Heatran, and Excadrill. Ice Beam is great for taking care of Dragon- and Flying-types such as Mega Altaria, Gliscor, and Zapdos. Gunk Shot gives Greninja coverage for Fairy-types such as Clefable, notably OHKOing Azumarill. Extrasensory hits Fighting- and Poison-types that threaten Dark teams such as Keldeo, Mega Venusaur, and Toxapex.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed EVs with a Naive nature allow Greninja to be as fast as possible, outspeeding anything under base 122 Speed with the exception of Choice Scarf users. A Naive nature also keeps Gunk Shot from being weakened. Maximum Special Attack investment grants Greninja more attacking power. Protean is necessary for Greninja to have STAB on all of its attacks. Greninja can't do a lot of damage without a boosting item, so Life Orb is the item of choice.
Usage Tips
========
Because Greninja is generally frail, it should switch in for free or on weak, resisted attacks. It can also attempt to come in from a double switch. Greninja's terrifying coverage and and decent offensive stats are just enough for it to force switches, so capitalize on that by immediately switching to a teammate that's able to take on the opposing team's check to Greninja. Make sure to save Greninja for fast threats that it'll be able to revenge kill such as Life Orb Latios and Gengar. It's always best to keep Greninja away from revenge killers and Choice Scarf users because Greninja is often needed in later parts of the match thanks to its wide coverage. Remember that Protean can be used to your defensive advantage; for example, Greninja will resist Moonblast after using Gunk Shot. Make sure to keep Greninja away from paralysis, burns, and poison, which will ruin its Speed or longevity.
Team Options
========
Greninja doesn't appreciate being worn down by entry hazards, so Mega Sableye and Mandibuzz make for good partners. Mega Sableye also offers protection from Thunder Wave, Toxic, Knock Off, and Fighting-type attacks. Mandibuzz, on the other hand, can get Greninja in safely with its slow U-turn and tank attacks with its physical bulk. Mega Tyranitar can assist Greninja in pressuring teams. With Greninja taking on physically defensive threats, Mega Tyranitar gets rid of special walls such as Chansey. Specially defensive Tyranitar can switch into special attacks for Greninja and provide Thunder Wave support so Greninja can outspeed even Choice Scarf users. Mega Sharpedo can help clean up late-game after Greninja has dealt enough damage to the opposing team. Hydreigon and Greninja together are great in at pressuring teams. Hydreigon can specifically take out Steel-types such as Celesteela and Ferrothorn. Choice Scarf Hydreigon is also a valuable teammate, revenge killing threats Greninja has weakened. Bisharp and Alolan Muk help Greninja take on annoying Fairy-types such as Tapu Bulu and Azumarill, and both can provide Knock Off support. Bisharp specifically can check Ice-types, while Alolan Muk can switch into special attacks. Krookodile is another good Stealth Rock and Knock Off user that is also able to check Electric-types for Greninja. Cacturne can check bulky Water-types like Suicune and Z-Belly Drum Azumarill, which would otherwise give Greninja trouble.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Dark
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Dark Pulse allows Greninja to hit Ghost- and Psychic-types such as Alolan Marowak, Mew, and Slowbro and has a chance to flinch. Taunt can be used to prevent any threat from setting up entry hazards or boosting, and it should be used with Spikes or Toxic Spikes. Because Greninja usually has some trouble against Water-types, Grass Knot would be a decent way of checking them. Hidden Power Fire gives Greninja a reliable way of removing Mega Scizor and Ferrothorn. Low Kick allows Greninja to easily deal with threats such as Ferrothorn and Tyranitar. However, these coverage moves aren't as great as those in the main sets because Hydreigon, Bisharp, and Alolan Muk usually carry Dark-type attacks. Hydreigon specifically uses Fire Blast and Focus Blast, which makes Greninja's coverage easier to choose.
Checks and Counters
===================
Dark
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**Chansey**: Chansey completely walls all of Greninja's attacks and can stall it out with Toxic + Soft-Boiled.
**Special Walls**: Special walls such as Celesteela and Alolan Muk can take repeated attacks. Celesteela can stall out Greninja with Leech Seed, while Alolan Muk can cripple Greninja with Knock Off and poison it with Poison Touch. Greninja also takes a great deal of damage from Pursuit after a change in type.
**Bulky Water-types**: Bulky Water-types such as Gastrodon and Suicune can easily tank Greninja's attacks. Gastrodon can use Toxic on Greninja, while Suicune can set up Calm Mind on it.
**Revenge Killers**: Without a Choice Scarf, Greninja is outsped and KOed by revenge killers such as Tapu Koko, Mega Lopunny, and Choice Scarf users such as Tapu Bulu and Terrakion.
**Priority**: With Greninja's low defenses and its variable typing due to Protean, it's easily revenge killed by Mach Punch Breloom, Extreme Speed Dragonite, and Bullet Punch Mega Scizor.
**Status and Entry Hazards**: Greninja cannot afford to be inflicted with status, as paralysis completely ruins its impressive Speed and poison wears it down more quickly. Entry hazards are also problematic in limiting Greninja's opportunities to switch in and making it easier to revenge kill.
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