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[OVERVIEW]
Due to its high special bulk and unique offensive attributes, Kecleon can make a good user of Assault Vest, able to check a majority of special attackers in the tier, including Mesprit, Pyroar, and Oricorio-G. Its Dark / Fighting coverage between Knock Off and Drain Punch can be tricky to switch into, especially with Protean giving Kecleon STAB for every move. Furthermore, Kecleon has useful priority in Shadow Sneak that can let it revenge kill threats like Jynx and Oricorio-G, and it also has access to Sucker Punch. Protean can make Kecleon difficult to play around because it can change its typing to resist or become immune to the opposing Pokemon's attacks, such as clicking Shadow Sneak in front of a Fighting-type. Unfortunately, poor physical bulk and awful Speed make Kecleon easily taken out by physical attackers like Kangaskhan and Absol. Additionally, Kecleon struggles greatly with status, and due to its only moderate Attack stat, it is easy to wall with bulkier Pokemon like Weezing and Gastrodon. While Kecleon may face competition with other Assault Vest tanks like Eelektross and Hitmonchan which offer better role compression, its unique priority and Protean coverage give it a niche.
[SET]
name: Assault Vest
move 1: Knock Off
move 2: Drain Punch
move 3: Shadow Sneak
move 4: Sucker Punch / Power-Up Punch
item: Assault Vest
ability: Protean
nature: Adamant
evs: 172 HP / 252 Atk / 84 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Knock Off is Kecleon's strongest move in most situations and provides utility by removing items. Drain Punch recovers health and provides good coverage with Knock Off. Shadow Sneak is a reliable priority attack that lets Kecleon revenge kill Jynx and Oricorio-G and annoy Fighting-types thanks to Protean. Sucker Punch is an additional priority option that is stronger than Shadow Sneak and helps to take on fast Pokemon like Archeops at full health, although it's not reliable and can be played around with non-attacking moves. Alternatively, Power-Up Punch boosts Kecleon's Attack, allowing it to break bulkier Pokemon like Clefairy and giving it a chance to sweep unprepared teams.
Set Details
========
252 EVs in Attack and an Adamant nature make Kecleon as strong as possible. 84 EVs in Speed are used to let Kecleon outspeed neutral-natured base 50 Speed Pokemon such as Audino. The remaining EVs are dumped into HP to increase Kecleon's overall bulk. Assault Vest helps Kecleon easily tank most special attacks. Protean is the best ability as it gives Kecleon STAB bonus for each move and also changes Kecleon's typing, which can often be used to its advantage.
Usage Tips
========
Kecleon should function as a special tank and switch-in to special attackers such as Mesprit and Oricorio-G throughout the game. Early-game, Kecleon should generally be used to annoy bulkier Pokemon with its Dark / Fighting coverage while tanking hits. Knock Off should be used the most to remove Pokemon's items on the switch, and Drain Punch can be used to recover small amounts of health and hit Fighting-weak Pokemon. Use Protean to your advantage, such as using Shadow Sneak in front of a Fighting-type or using Drain Punch to prevent Dark-types from being able to revenge kill Kecleon. You can even block Rapid Spin by using Shadow Sneak if necessary. Protean can easily become a disadvantage if you're not careful though, such as getting Pursuit trapped while transformed into a Ghost-type. If you're running Power-Up Punch, Kecleon should use it against weaker special attackers like Eelektross after its checks and counters have been eliminated or worn down, giving it a chance of sweeping teams. Be careful not to wear Kecleon down too much if it is needed to check special sweepers like Pyroar later on in the game or revenge kill Pokemon with its priority.
Team Options
========
Physical tanks like Weezing and Palossand take physical attacks and resist Fighting whereas Kecleon takes special attacks for them. Palossand and defensive Mesprit also make good entry hazard setters for teams with Kecleon, which is important because Kecleon appreciates the chip damage to pick foes off with its priority. Pokemon weak to Psychic-types and Ghost-types appreciate Kecleon's support, so Fighting-types like Gurdurr make good partners. Gurdurr is also able to absorb Will-O-Wisp for Kecleon and take on strong physical attackers like Kangaskhan that Kecleon hates. Kecleon helps take on other special attackers as well, such as Swanna, Pyroar, and Oricorio-G. Balanced teams that have physical tanks but are lacking in terms of special bulk will appreciate Kecleon functioning as a check to almost any special attacker. Special wallbreakers like Magmortar and Choice Specs Mesprit will help break the physical walls like Weezing that wall Kecleon. They can even switch in against most physical walls if necessary. Status support is appreciated because of how Kecleon gives a free switch to common walls that use Will-O-Wisp or Toxic like Gastrodon and Gourgeist-XL. Heal Bell support from Pokemon like Clefairy or Healing Wish from Mesprit can keep Kecleon healthy, and even simply Toxic-immune Pokemon like Ferroseed and Skuntank can be helpful for this reason. Skuntank also provides hazard removal, which helps Kecleon check special attackers over the course of the game without getting worn down too quickly.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Fake Out can be run in the last slot to provide reliable dual priority, although it is fairly weak and does not hit Pokemon super effectively. Trick Room can be used with a Life Orb set as an individual sweeper or as part of dedicated Trick Room teams. Kecleon can also use a Life Orb set with Speed investment that can break more walls, but it sacrifices most of its special bulk and faces competition from faster or stronger attackers like Absol and Aggron. Iron Tail can be used to hit Fairy-types, although they are not too common and most fear Knock Off. Kecleon has several special coverage options like Fire Blast to hit Gourgeist and Grass Knot to hit Gastrodon. However, they only hit very specific Pokemon and you have to sacrifice either a coverage move or priority move to run them. Kecleon can run a fully special set to take advantage of this coverage, but it is very weak. Return or Double-Edge can be used as a powerful neutral attack, but this doesn't help Kecleon break through any specific Pokemon, and Kecleon would usually prefer another move. Kecleon has the bulk and movepool to run a special wall set with Recover and maximum EV investment in HP and Special Defense, but it is vulnerable to status and outclassed by Clefairy and Audino. Kecleon can set Stealth Rock, although it usually prefers another move and it cannot run this move with Assault Vest.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Physical Walls**: Pokemon such as Weezing, Gourgeist-XL, and Gastrodon can easily avoid a 2HKO from Kecleon's attacks and cripple it with status, and the latter two can also recover off the damage.
**Physical Attackers**: Kecleon has poor physical bulk and can be easily outsped and killed by Pokemon like Kangaskhan and Kabutops. Certain Fighting-types like Gurdurr and Hitmonchan threaten Kecleon as well, but they may find it difficult if Kecleon has already transformed into a Ghost-type.
**Status**: Kecleon is easily crippled by burn from moves like Weezing's Will-O-Wisp and Gastrodon's Scald, and Toxic from Pokemon like Regirock and Lanturn wears it down easily.
[OVERVIEW]
Due to its high special bulk and unique offensive attributes, Kecleon can make a good user of Assault Vest, able to check a majority of special attackers in the tier, including Mesprit, Pyroar, and Oricorio-G. Its Dark / Fighting coverage between Knock Off and Drain Punch can be tricky to switch into, especially with Protean giving Kecleon STAB for every move. Furthermore, Kecleon has useful priority in Shadow Sneak that can let it revenge kill threats like Jynx and Oricorio-G, and it also has access to Sucker Punch. Protean can make Kecleon difficult to play around because it can change its typing to resist or become immune to the opposing Pokemon's attacks, such as clicking Shadow Sneak in front of a Fighting-type. Unfortunately, poor physical bulk and awful Speed make Kecleon easily taken out by physical attackers like Kangaskhan and Absol. Additionally, Kecleon struggles greatly with status, and due to its only moderate Attack stat, it is easy to wall with bulkier Pokemon like Weezing and Gastrodon. While Kecleon may face competition with other Assault Vest tanks like Eelektross and Hitmonchan which offer better role compression, its unique priority and Protean coverage give it a niche.
[SET]
name: Assault Vest
move 1: Knock Off
move 2: Drain Punch
move 3: Shadow Sneak
move 4: Sucker Punch / Power-Up Punch
item: Assault Vest
ability: Protean
nature: Adamant
evs: 172 HP / 252 Atk / 84 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Knock Off is Kecleon's strongest move in most situations and provides utility by removing items. Drain Punch recovers health and provides good coverage with Knock Off. Shadow Sneak is a reliable priority attack that lets Kecleon revenge kill Jynx and Oricorio-G and annoy Fighting-types thanks to Protean. Sucker Punch is an additional priority option that is stronger than Shadow Sneak and helps to take on fast Pokemon like Archeops at full health, although it's not reliable and can be played around with non-attacking moves. Alternatively, Power-Up Punch boosts Kecleon's Attack, allowing it to break bulkier Pokemon like Clefairy and giving it a chance to sweep unprepared teams.
Set Details
========
252 EVs in Attack and an Adamant nature make Kecleon as strong as possible. 84 EVs in Speed are used to let Kecleon outspeed neutral-natured base 50 Speed Pokemon such as Audino. The remaining EVs are dumped into HP to increase Kecleon's overall bulk. Assault Vest helps Kecleon easily tank most special attacks. Protean is the best ability as it gives Kecleon STAB bonus for each move and also changes Kecleon's typing, which can often be used to its advantage.
Usage Tips
========
Kecleon should function as a special tank and switch-in to special attackers such as Mesprit and Oricorio-G throughout the game. Early-game, Kecleon should generally be used to annoy bulkier Pokemon with its Dark / Fighting coverage while tanking hits. Knock Off should be used the most to remove Pokemon's items on the switch, and Drain Punch can be used to recover small amounts of health and hit Fighting-weak Pokemon. Use Protean to your advantage, such as using Shadow Sneak in front of a Fighting-type or using Drain Punch to prevent Dark-types from being able to revenge kill Kecleon. You can even block Rapid Spin by using Shadow Sneak if necessary. Protean can easily become a disadvantage if you're not careful though, such as getting Pursuit trapped while transformed into a Ghost-type. If you're running Power-Up Punch, Kecleon should use it against weaker special attackers like Eelektross after its checks and counters have been eliminated or worn down, giving it a chance of sweeping teams. Be careful not to wear Kecleon down too much if it is needed to check special sweepers like Pyroar later on in the game or revenge kill Pokemon with its priority.
Team Options
========
Physical tanks like Weezing and Palossand take physical attacks and resist Fighting whereas Kecleon takes special attacks for them. Palossand and defensive Mesprit also make good entry hazard setters for teams with Kecleon, which is important because Kecleon appreciates the chip damage to pick foes off with its priority. Pokemon weak to Psychic-types and Ghost-types appreciate Kecleon's support, so Fighting-types like Gurdurr make good partners. Gurdurr is also able to absorb Will-O-Wisp for Kecleon and take on strong physical attackers like Kangaskhan that Kecleon hates. Kecleon helps take on other special attackers as well, such as Swanna, Pyroar, and Oricorio-G. Balanced teams that have physical tanks but are lacking in terms of special bulk will appreciate Kecleon functioning as a check to almost any special attacker. Special wallbreakers like Magmortar and Choice Specs Mesprit will help break the physical walls like Weezing that wall Kecleon. They can even switch in against most physical walls if necessary. Status support is appreciated because of how Kecleon gives a free switch to common walls that use Will-O-Wisp or Toxic like Gastrodon and Gourgeist-XL. Heal Bell support from Pokemon like Clefairy or Healing Wish from Mesprit can keep Kecleon healthy, and even simply Toxic-immune Pokemon like Ferroseed and Skuntank can be helpful for this reason. Skuntank also provides hazard removal, which helps Kecleon check special attackers over the course of the game without getting worn down too quickly.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Fake Out can be run in the last slot to provide reliable dual priority, although it is fairly weak and does not hit Pokemon super effectively. Trick Room can be used with a Life Orb set as an individual sweeper or as part of dedicated Trick Room teams. Kecleon can also use a Life Orb set with Speed investment that can break more walls, but it sacrifices most of its special bulk and faces competition from faster or stronger attackers like Absol and Aggron. Iron Tail can be used to hit Fairy-types, although they are not too common and most fear Knock Off. Kecleon has several special coverage options like Fire Blast to hit Gourgeist and Grass Knot to hit Gastrodon. However, they only hit very specific Pokemon and you have to sacrifice either a coverage move or priority move to run them. Kecleon can run a fully special set to take advantage of this coverage, but it is very weak. Return or Double-Edge can be used as a powerful neutral attack, but this doesn't help Kecleon break through any specific Pokemon, and Kecleon would usually prefer another move. Kecleon has the bulk and movepool to run a special wall set with Recover and maximum EV investment in HP and Special Defense, but it is vulnerable to status and outclassed by Clefairy and Audino. Kecleon can set Stealth Rock, although it usually prefers another move and it cannot run this move with Assault Vest.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Physical Walls**: Pokemon such as Weezing, Gourgeist-XL, and Gastrodon can easily avoid a 2HKO from Kecleon's attacks and cripple it with status, and the latter two can also recover off the damage.
**Physical Attackers**: Kecleon has poor physical bulk and can be easily outsped and killed by Pokemon like Kangaskhan and Kabutops. Certain Fighting-types like Gurdurr and Hitmonchan threaten Kecleon as well, but they may find it difficult if Kecleon has already transformed into a Ghost-type.
**Status**: Kecleon is easily crippled by burn from moves like Weezing's Will-O-Wisp and Gastrodon's Scald, and Toxic from Pokemon like Regirock and Lanturn wears it down easily.
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