[OVERVIEW]
name: Support
Move 1: Iron Head / Shadow Strike
Move 2: U-Turn
Move 3: Will-O-Wisp
Move 4: Defog
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Frisk / Limber
Nature: Jolly
Evs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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Set Details
========
========
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[SET]
Name: Choice Scarf Pivot
Move 1: Shadow Strike
Move 2: Iron Head / Meteor Mash
Move 3: U-Turn
Move 4: Trick
Item: Choice Scarf
Ability: Limber / Frisk
Nature: Jolly
Evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Set Details
========
Usage Tips
========
========
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Checks and Counters
===================
**Colossoil**: Both of Colossoil's STAB attacks hit Kitsunoh for Super Effective damage, along with options to cover the faster attack with Sucker Punch and the switch with Pursuit. It also does not fear Will-O-Wisp on the switch because of Guts or Rebound, and takes less than half from Iron Head and U-Turn, although Colossoil does not like U-Turn since it hates getting worn down.
**Physical Walls**: Due to Kitsunoh's average attacking stats, and not investing much on the Support set, it leaves Kitsunoh to get walled by common physically defensive Pokemon such as Tomohawk and Skarmory. Cyclohm gets a special mention since Shield Dust allows it to ignore the potential drop from Shadow Strike and Iron Head's flinch chance, and if it is using Static, a paralysis chance is something to keep in mind. Knock Off can be used to cripple common switch ins, along with Will-O-Wisp, but keep in mind that Mega Pokemon such as Mega Venusaur don't care about Knock Off, but all of those mentioned but the latter don't appreciate a burn.
**Choice Scarf Users**: Common Choice Scarf users, such as Volkraken and Landorus-Therian can easily outspeed, if Kitsunoh isn't holding a Choice Scarf and hit hard with a Super Effective STAB attack.
**Fire Types**: Common Fire types such as both Mega Charizard X, Talonflame, and Heatran take little to nothing from Kitsunoh's STAB attacks, especially on the support set. They can't be burned from Will-O-Wisp and easily demolish with their strong STAB attacks.
**Faster Attackers**: Pokemon such as Tornadus-T, Kerfuffle carrying Hidden Power Ground, and Stratagem all naturally outspeed Kitsunoh and can hit hard with Knock Off or Heat Wave, Hidden Power Ground, and Earth Power
- Kitsunoh is versatile, being able to fulfill both an offensive and defensive role effectively, with its great move options, solid typing, and balanced stats.
- With Base 110 Speed, allowing it to out speed common and threatening pokemon such as Keldeo, Kitsunoh can play the role as a pivot successful with the ability to switch with U-Turn or get damage off with its easily spammed STAB Attacks such as Iron Head or Shadow Strike.
- Great support options such as Will-O-Wisp and Defog give Kitsunoh the option to be run as a support Pokemon due to the ability to cripple the opponent with residual damage and a potentially very impactful attack drop, or remove hazards such as Stealth Rock or Spikes to help its teammates.
- Excellant typing leaves Kitsunoh with a ginormous number of resistances at twelve, including key ones such as Fairy and Dragon, two very offensive types in the CAP Metagame as well has resisting Stealth Rock which is very helpful for a pivot. With these resistances, it forces out Kerfuffle without Hidden Power Ground, Aurumoth without boosts, and (Mega) Crucibelle.
- Unfortunately, Colossoil, a very common and powerful Pokemon, beats Kitsunoh almost very time due to the Steel nerf in Generation 6, along with having priority Sucker Punch and Pursuit / Knock Off for the switch out.
- Kitsunoh's attack stat is a bit underwhelming since it sits at a mediocre 103 and because of the lack of boosting move, such as Swords Dance.
- Kitsunoh's frail 80 / 85 / 80 defenses along with lack of any recovery move, sometimes makes its solid typing go the waste due to the inability to switch into moves multiple times.
name: Support
Move 1: Iron Head / Shadow Strike
Move 2: U-Turn
Move 3: Will-O-Wisp
Move 4: Defog
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Frisk / Limber
Nature: Jolly
Evs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
- Iron Head is the main Steel STAB attack allowing it to hit Fariy types such as Clefable and Kerfuffle, Rock types such as Mega Crucibelle, Stratagem, and Ice types such as Syclant and Kyurem-Black, for Super Effective damage.
- Shadow Strike is another option which allows Kitsunoh to hit key Pokemon such as Aurumoth and Nectura, along with other Psychic and Ghost types as long as they don't have a secondary typing that resists ghosts. Furthermore, a 50% chance to lower Defense is very handy as it allows Kitsunoh to potentially get past weakened physically defensive Pokemon. Shadow Strike is commonly used over Iron Head when your team has a good matchup against Kerfuffle.
- U-Turn is what makes Kitsunoh such a great pivot and it can switch out easily on common switch ins like Tomohawk and Heatran, along with gaining the momentum for the Kitsunoh user and causing chip damage on switch ins such as Landorus-T and Heatran.
- Will-O-Wisp cripples more offensive switchins such as Landorus-T and Garchomp, as it leaves them with a crippling haved attacking stat which allows the Kitsunoh user to play around it much easier.
- That fact that Kitsunoh resists Stealth Rock is the main reason it is a great user fo Defog. Getting rid of the ever common Stealth Rock along with potential Spikes, and Toxic Spikes, allows Kitsunoh to support its team.
Set Details
========
- 252 EVs in HP give Kitsunoh enough HP as it can get without dropping any vital speed points which is more necessary and increases its overall bulk.
- 252 EVs in Speed allow Kitsunoh to speed tie positive base 110s with max speed investment, and outspeed anything below this benchmark.
- The last 4 EVs are distributed into Attack to power up the lone STAB of Iron Head or Shadow Strike and the common pivoting move in U-Turn.
- Frisk is recommended on the support set since it is less important to stay fast than the Choice Scarf set and the fact that knowing what items your opponent's pokemon have is a great support tool because it allows you to play around it easier.
- Limber is also perfectly viable since one of the best ways to stop Kitsunoh is to slow it down through paralysis, Limber stops this hard.
- Leftovers give Kitsunoh its only form of recovery and allows it to heal back 1/16 of its total health back per turn which is important for staying on the field longer and overall increases its longevity.
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- Will-O-Wisp and U-Turn are great moves to use against obvious switches, or even just in general. Will-O-Wisp allows you to burn the plethora of physical attacking pokemon who like to switch in, such as the previously mentioned Landorus-Therian and most Steel types like Mega Scizor.
- Defog should be used when there are solely hazards on your side of the field, or if theres hazards on both sides, when its more important to have hazards off your side than have them on your opponent's side.
- Due to not investing much in Attack and Kitsunoh's naturally average Attack Stat, it is usually better to use Will-o-Wisp or U-Turn to gain momentum
- Kitsunoh can be effective in a VolTurn core with access to U-Turn and its high speed even on the support set. However, be wary of the potential stacking ground weakness.
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- Rotom-Wash and Tyranitar make great defensive partners. Rotom-Wash takes care of the Fire and Ground types that threaten Kitsunoh, while Kitsunoh takes on the Grasses. Likewise, Tyranitar can pursuit trap Dark and Ghost types, while Kitsunoh covers most of Tyranitar's weakness; Fighting, Steel, Grass, Bug, and Fairy.
- Good Volt-Switch and U-Turn users to pair up with Kitsunoh to form a VolTurn core include Tornadus-T and Zapdos, as they don't add another ground weakness because of their seconady Flying types and appreciate Kitsunoh's ability to remove Stealth Rocks. Previously mentioned Rotom-W fits as well, but this time due to Levitate.
- Since Colossoil is one of the biggest and best checks to Kitsunoh, good checks are mandatory. Options include Intimidate users, such as Tomohawk and Landorus-Therian, which also avoid the double ground weakness. Other Pokemon include more offensive checks such as Kerfuffle or Keldeo.
[SET]
Name: Choice Scarf Pivot
Move 1: Shadow Strike
Move 2: Iron Head / Meteor Mash
Move 3: U-Turn
Move 4: Trick
Item: Choice Scarf
Ability: Limber / Frisk
Nature: Jolly
Evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
- Shadow Strike is the primary Ghost STAB attack which allows it to hit key Pokemon such as Aurumoth and Nectura, along with other Psychic and Ghost types as long as they don't have a secondary typing that resists ghosts. Furthermore, a 50% chance to lower Defense is very handy as it allows Kitsunoh to obtain some 2HKOs instead of 3HKOs late game.
- Iron Head is the main Steel STAB attack allowing it to hit Fariy types such as Clefable and Mega Gardevoir, Rock types such as Mega Crucibelle, Stratagem, and Ice types such as Syclant and Kyurem-Black, for Super Effective damage.
- Meteor Mash is also an option due to the higher base power, 100, compared to 80 for Iron Head, along with a useful 20% change to boost Kitsunoh's Attack. However, due to the 90% accuracy of Meteor Mash, it can sometimes let key misses occur, justifying why players use Iron Head instead for the consistency. Additionally, due to Kitsunoh's role as a pivot, the attack boost can sometimes go to waste.
- U-Turn is what makes Kitsunoh such a great pivot and it can switch out easily on common switch ins like Tomohawk and Heatran, along with gaining the momentum for the Kitsunoh user.
- Trick breaks out common switch ins like the previously mentioned Tomohawk forcing it to stay locked into one move while trading for the Tomohawk's potentially useful item. It also helps break down Stall as it is very effective against all members such as Chansey and Quagsire.
Set Details
========
- 252 EVs in Speed allows Kitsunoh to speed tie with base 110s with 252 EVs, and a positive nature, and outspeeding anything below.
- 252 EVs in Attack make most of Kitsunoh's second highest stat, and allow it take advantage of it's easily spammed STAB attacks and U-Turn.
- The last 4 EVs are put into Defense as it is its lowest defensie stat, along with the fact that Kitsunoh already has a odd numbered HP stat with no EVs.
- Limber is preferred as an ability due to a one of the best ways to stop Kitsunoh is to slow it down through paralysis, Limber stops this hard.
- Frisk is also very viable, as it helps Kitsunoh be a more effective scout as it gives the ability to the Kitsunoh user to find out what items your opponent is using and effectively play around it.
- With a Choice Scarf, Kitsunoh can now outspeed Scarf Volkraken, Kerfuffle, +1 Aurumoth, Syclant, and Tornadus-T.
Usage Tips
========
- Choice Scarf Kitsunoh should be used a pivot, commonly clicking U-Turn, as it is always an effective move to use, as it gains momentum against common switch ins so the user can bring in an appropriate check. It also avoids Colossoil's attempt to Pursuit Trap.
- Kitsunoh's Choice Scarf STAB attacks can commonly be used to clean up late game due to their perfect accuracy and Kitsunoh's high speed. Additionally, Shadow Strike has a high change to lower defense to help in this cause which is helpful to clean up late game or break down physically defensive walls such as Rotom-Wash mid game.
- Trick can be used to cripple defensive switch ins such as Tomohawk or Chansey. When facing Stall, try to Trick the member that can cripple your team the hardest, and when facing Balance, try to Trick a member of the defensive backbone.
- Kitsunoh can be effective in a VolTurn core with access to U-Turn and its high speed and equipping of a Choice Scarf. However, be wary of the potential stacking ground weakness.
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- Good switch ins to Kitsunoh's weakness, Dark, Fire, Ghost, and Ground. Water types such as Keldeo and Volkraken can take on the Fire and Ground types, while strong Dark Types, namely Colossoil and Bisharp, can beat the Dark and Ghost type types that hit Kitsunoh for Super Effective damage with their STABs.
- Set-up sweepers such as Manaphy and Aurumoth appreciate Kitsunoh's ability to Trick opponents so it is easier to set-up.
- Since Colossoil is one of the biggest and best checks to Kitsunoh, good checks are mandatory. Options include Intimidate users, such as Landorus-Therian, which also avoid the double ground weakness. Other Pokemon include more offensive checks such as Kerfuffle or Keldeo.
- Strong wallbreakers, especially the special kind, such as Aurumoth, Stratagem, and Mega Gardevoir all break down common switch-ins such as Tomohawk and Mega Venusaur.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
- More offensive items such as Life Orb or Expert Belt, can be used on the Choice Scarf set, with a coverage move, such as Knock Off or Ice Punch over Trick to be an effective lure despite its mediocre bulk and attacking stats. If using Choice Band, you should use keep Trick.
- Roar and is support option, typically replacing Defog. Roar helps get rid of set-up Pokemon such as Calm Mind Clefable or Latios. Be sure to not run Roar with Defog because getting rid of hazards and phasing on the same Pokemon is counter-productive. Since Roar makes Kitsunoh forfeit its speed for a turn, it is generally not the best idea.
- Taunt is another way to stop set-up sweepers, but Prankster Pokemon such as Thundurus-I or Tomohawk use it better because of the increased priority on non-attacking moves.
- Pain Split is Kitsunoh's only way of recovery outside of items, but it not recommended due to it's inconsistenty and the fact that other moves are more important.
- An alternate spread of 252 HP / 4 Atk / 80 Def / 140 SpD / 32 Spe can be used with a Jolly Nature and Leftovers which allow it to avoid the 3HKO from both Kerfuffle and Mega Crucible 's STAB Attacks, while 2HKOing both in return. It also takes a +6 item-less Acrobatics from Cawmodore and outspeeds Adamant 252 Speed EVs Colossoil so it can avoid the Knock Off.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Colossoil**: Both of Colossoil's STAB attacks hit Kitsunoh for Super Effective damage, along with options to cover the faster attack with Sucker Punch and the switch with Pursuit. It also does not fear Will-O-Wisp on the switch because of Guts or Rebound, and takes less than half from Iron Head and U-Turn, although Colossoil does not like U-Turn since it hates getting worn down.
**Physical Walls**: Due to Kitsunoh's average attacking stats, and not investing much on the Support set, it leaves Kitsunoh to get walled by common physically defensive Pokemon such as Tomohawk and Skarmory. Cyclohm gets a special mention since Shield Dust allows it to ignore the potential drop from Shadow Strike and Iron Head's flinch chance, and if it is using Static, a paralysis chance is something to keep in mind. Knock Off can be used to cripple common switch ins, along with Will-O-Wisp, but keep in mind that Mega Pokemon such as Mega Venusaur don't care about Knock Off, but all of those mentioned but the latter don't appreciate a burn.
**Choice Scarf Users**: Common Choice Scarf users, such as Volkraken and Landorus-Therian can easily outspeed, if Kitsunoh isn't holding a Choice Scarf and hit hard with a Super Effective STAB attack.
**Fire Types**: Common Fire types such as both Mega Charizard X, Talonflame, and Heatran take little to nothing from Kitsunoh's STAB attacks, especially on the support set. They can't be burned from Will-O-Wisp and easily demolish with their strong STAB attacks.
**Faster Attackers**: Pokemon such as Tornadus-T, Kerfuffle carrying Hidden Power Ground, and Stratagem all naturally outspeed Kitsunoh and can hit hard with Knock Off or Heat Wave, Hidden Power Ground, and Earth Power
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