Nihilego [QC 2/3]


QC: DennisEG, Gary
GP:

[OVERVIEW]

Nihilego performs as an effective revenge killer, wallbreaker, or late-game cleaner thanks to its respectable power and coverage, its useful Speed tier, and its excellent ability in Beast Boost. By donning a Choice Scarf, Nihilego becomes a premier revenge killer capable of taking out boosted setup sweepers such as Volcarona, Salamence, and Charizard-X, all the while gaining Special Attack boosts thanks to Beast Boost, letting it clean up weakened teams. If using Choice Specs, Nihilego can pose a threat to defensive cores with its coverage and power. Nihilego suffers from poor Defense and a somewhat lackluster STAB combination, which makes it difficult to address Ground- and Steel-types, meaning it's often eschewed in favour of Choice Scarf users like Terrakion or Garchomp, both of which have a much more unresisted STAB combination.

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Power Gem
move 2: Sludge Wave
move 3: Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Thunder / Thunderbolt
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Beast Boost
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
  • Power Gem is Nihilego's most consistent, spammable STAB that can revenge kill Volcarona, Salamence, Charizard-X, and Gyarados.
  • Sludge Wave hits harder than Power Gem and deals with the Tapus and grass types like Serperior and Tangrowth
  • HP Ice lets it revenge kill Zygarde and damage Landorus-T and Garchomp.
  • HP Fire deals more damage to nearly every Steel-type, like Mega Metagross, Mega Scizor, Ferrothorn, Magnezone, and Excadrill.
  • Thunder lets Nihilego revenge kill Greninja, given that it hits, and deals much more to Celesteela, Skarmory, and Toxapex.
  • Thunderbolt is a safer alternative to Thunder that isn't guaranteed to OHKO Greninja.
Set Details
========
  • Choice Scarf lets Nihilego function as a revenge killer.
  • Beast Boost raises Nihilego's Special Attack by one stage if it KOs something, letting it sweep in certain situations.
  • EVs and Timid maximize offensive potential.
Usage Tips
========
  • Use Nihilego to revenge kill boosted sweepers like Salamence, Volcarona, and Charizard-X.
  • Early in a game Nihilego can be less useful, but it can still wear down its switch-ins with repeated Power Gems. That being said, making double switches can let you avoid ceding momentum to Steel and Ground types.
  • It can be used to pivot into special attacks from Gengar, Tornadus-T and Charizard-Y thanks to its excellent natural special bulk.
  • Nihilego is vulnerable to trapping from Tyranitar, Alolan Muk, and Dugtrio, so be wary of bringing Nihilego in if those threats are present.
  • Scarf Nihilego can work as an effective wincon thanks to Beast Boost if opposing resists are worn down enough.

Team Options
========
  • A teammate that deals with Ground and Steel-types is necessary. Water-types like Greninja and Rotom-W can typically deal with Ground and Steel Pokemon. Landorus-T can check opposing Ground-types and Steel-types.
  • Powerful attackers like Tapu Lele and Mega Metagross force in Steel-types and weaken them so that Nihilego can sweep easier.
  • Hazard support from the likes of Landorus-T or Ferrothorn wears down Pokemon that repeatedly switch into Nihilego, such as Assault Vest Magearna.
  • Magnezone is a useful partner for its ability to trap and remove Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor.
  • A Volt Switch or U-turn user lets Nihilego enter the battle safely against physical attackers. Landorus-T and Rotom-W are capable momentum gainers that can check Ground- and Steel-types.
  • As Nihilego is completely stopped by Chansey, teammates that can take it down are useful. Keldeo can knock out Chansey with Secret Sword, and well as check Steel- and Ground-types and Greninja.

[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Power Gem
move 2: Sludge Bomb
move 3: Hidden Power Fire / Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Thunderbolt
item: Choice Specs
ability: Beast Boost
nature: Timid
evs: 72 HP / 176 SpA / 8 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
  • Power Gem is Nihilego's consistent Rock move with solid neutral coverage, hitting everything for solid damage.
  • Sludge Bomb is Nihilego's strongest attack and can poison switch-ins, further weakening them. It hits Fairy and Grass types like Tapu Fini, Tapu Bulu, and Tangrowth.
  • HP Fire is the best option for Steel-types like Ferrothorn, Mega Metagross, Magearna, Mega Scizor, and Excadrill.
  • HP Ice hits Ground-types such as Lando-T, Garchomp, and Zygarde.
  • Thunderbolt hits Celesteela harder than HP Fire does, and it also hits Toxapex.
  • Psychic can be used in the last slot and it lets it break through Poison-types such as Amoonguss and Mega Venusaur.
  • Dazzling Gleam can be used to maintain coverage against Zygarde and Garchomp while running HP Fire, as well as still hitting the common offensive Water-types in Greninja and Keldeo super-effectively.
  • Grass Knot can be used in the last slot to defeat some Ground-types that wall Nihilego, such as Gastrodon, Hippowdon, and Quagsire, as well as 2HKO Tyranitar on the switch-in and prevent it from Pursuit trapping Nihilego.

Set Details
========
  • Choice Specs amplifies damage output in exchange for being locked into a move.
  • Beast Boost lets Nihilego accumulate boosts upon KOing an opponent.
  • The EV spread allows for Nihilego to gain Speed boosts from Beast Boost upon netting a KO, as its Speed is one point higher than its Special Attack. The remaining EVs are distributed such that it increases Nihilego's overall bulk and allows it to always live a +1 HP Ground from Volcarona.
  • A spread of 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe lets Nihilego gain Special Attack boosts as well as makes it hit a little harder, letting it wallbreak better but making it easier to revenge kill. Notably the extra Special Attack gives it a much better chance of defeating Celesteela with Thunderbolt as it switches in.

Usage Tips
========
  • Specs Nihilego can switch in on weaker special attacks and dish off heavy hits that are a chore to switch in on. Nihilego can take a hit from special attackers like Gengar, Tornadus-T, Charizard-Y, Tapu Koko, and certain variants of Greninja and retaliate with a strong attack.
  • Prediction is key when using this set, as predicting the opponents incoming Steel-types can be crucial for landing a strong HP Fire. Doubling out is not as important as nearly everything is chunked by a Specs Power Gem.
  • Similar to the Choice Scarf set, this set can use Beast Boost to act as a wincon, with the Speed boosting spread working better against offense and the Special Attack boosting one crushing slower teams.

Team Options
========
  • Specs Nihilego is typically used on more offensive teams to break through balance.
  • As always Nihilego struggles with Ground and Steel types. Water-types thusly make excellent partners. Keldeo in particular is a great partner that deals with Tyranitar and Chansey, can switch in on Greninja, and can hit Ground- and Steel-types super effectively.
  • Partners such as Heatran, Tapu Lele and Mega Metagross form a wallbreaking core with Nihilego and lure in problematic Ground and Steel-types and wear them down.
  • Magnezone is still useful for trapping and removing Steel-types and giving Nihilego more room to use its STAB moves, allowing it to use HP Ice instead of HP Fire.
  • Momentum gainers like Landorus-T and Rotom-W let Nihilego enter the battle easily, punishing Grass-types that switch in on them while switching in on Ground- and Steel-types.
  • Chansey is still as much of an issue as ever, so Keldeo, or powerful physical attackers like Mega Medicham or Mega Metagross can break through it.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
  • A set using Stealth Rock, Toxic Spikes, or both can be used a hazard lead with Focus Sash, but it struggles due to Nihilego's relatively poor STAB coverage and lack of moves that are useful to leads, such as Taunt.
  • Rockium Z can be used to deal one big hit and potentially start acquiring Beast Boosts, but a Choice item is much more consistent, although it does give you the flexibility to run hazards.
  • Stealth Rock or Toxic Spikes can be run on a Choiced set instead of a coverage move, allowing for role compression and letting Nihilego set up hazards on a predicted switch, but it gives up a lot of momentum in doing so.
Checks and Counters
===================

**Steel-types**: Steel types are immune to Poison and resist Rock, and can deal heavy damage back with Steel attacks, although Nihilego can pressure them with HP Fire. Physical Steel-types like Mega Metagross, Excadrill, and Mega Scizor are very capable of answering to Nihilego and OHKOing with a Steel move. Bulky Steel-type pivots like Assault Vest Magearna and Magnezone take very little from Nihilego's attacks and can retaliate back with Flash Cannon. Defensive Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Celesteela can check Nihilego quite well, although HP Fire and Thunder or Thunderbolt can damage them, especially if Nihilego is running Choice Specs.

**Ground-types**: Ground types resist Nihilego's STAB and can easily knock it out with a Ground move, but they are somewhat vulnerable to HP Ice. Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Zygarde are all extremely weak to HP Ice, but they can OHKO Nihilego back with Earthquake or Thousand Arrows. Bulkier Ground types like Gastrodon and Hippowdon take little from anything bar Grass Knot and can counter Nihilego handily. Dugtrio deserves a special mention, as it can trap Nihilego and remove it from the game.

**Specially bulky Pokemon**: Nihilego lacks the power to break through many specially defensive Pokemon, especially if it hasn't acquired a Special Attack boost. Chansey completely walls Nihilego and wears it down with Seismic Toss. Tyranitar has great special bulk and can Pursuit trap Nihilego easily, although it can be bopped by Specs Grass Knot. Alolan Muk is similar, as it takes little from any of Nihilego's attacks and can trap and remove it with Pursuit.

[OVERVIEW]
  • An effective revenge killer with a good speed tier and decent coverage which lets it take out setup sweepers at +1 like Volcarona, Salamence and Charizard-X.
  • Beast Boost lets it get a sweep rolling if opponent's Rock resists are worn down enough.
  • Its STAB combination along with its lack of powerful coverage leaves it unable to address to Steel-types and Ground-types well so it is often eschewed in favour of Scarf Terrakion, which is much more useful early in a game due to its much greater power. Without Choice Specs, it is quite weak and very easy to switch in on.
  • As a Choice Specs user it can be difficult to switch into due to its coverage and power, but its low Defense and inability to outspeed threats such as Mega Metagross can be easily preyed upon.
  • Although it has excellent Special Defense, Nihilego has a terrible Defense stat which makes in unable to enter battle against physical attackers.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Power Gem
move 2: Sludge Wave
move 3: Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Thunder / Thunderbolt
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Beast Boost
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
  • Power Gem is Nihilego's most consistent, spammable STAB that can revenge kill Volcarona, Salamence, Charizard-X, and Gyarados.
  • Sludge Wave hits harder than Power Gem and deals with the Tapus and grass types like Serperior and Tangrowth
  • HP Ice lets it revenge kill Zygarde and damage Landorus-T and Garchomp.
  • HP Fire deals more damage to nearly every Steel-type, like Mega Metagross, Mega Scizor, Ferrothorn, Magnezone, and Excadrill.
  • Thunder lets Nihilego revenge kill Greninja, given that it hits, and deals much more to Celesteela, Skarmory, and Toxapex.
  • Thunderbolt is a safer alternative to Thunder that isn't guaranteed to OHKO Greninja.
Set Details
========
  • Choice Scarf lets Nihilego function as a revenge killer.
  • Beast Boost raises Nihilego's Special Attack by one stage if it KOs something, letting it sweep in certain situations.
  • EVs and Timid maximize offensive potential.
Usage Tips
========
  • Use Nihilego to revenge kill boosted sweepers like Salamence, Volcarona, and Charizard-X.
  • Early in a game Nihilego can be less useful, but it can still wear down its switch-ins with repeated Power Gems. That being said, making double switches can let you avoid ceding momentum to Steel and Ground types.
  • It can be used to pivot into special attacks from Gengar, Tornadus-T and Charizard-Y thanks to its excellent natural special bulk.
  • Nihilego is vulnerable to trapping from Tyranitar, Alolan Muk, and Dugtrio, so be wary of bringing Nihilego in if those threats are present.
  • Scarf Nihilego can work as an effective wincon thanks to Beast Boost if opposing resists are worn down enough.

Team Options
========
  • A teammate that deals with Ground and Steel-types is necessary. Water-types like Greninja and Rotom-W can typically deal with Ground and Steel Pokemon. Landorus-T can check opposing Ground-types and Steel-types.
  • Powerful attackers like Tapu Lele and Mega Metagross force in Steel-types and weaken them so that Nihilego can sweep easier.
  • Hazard support from the likes of Landorus-T or Ferrothorn wears down Pokemon that repeatedly switch into Nihilego, such as Assault Vest Magearna.
  • Magnezone is a useful partner for its ability to trap and remove Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor.
  • A Volt Switch or U-turn user lets Nihilego enter the battle safely against physical attackers. Landorus-T and Rotom-W are capable momentum gainers that can check Ground- and Steel-types.
  • As Nihilego is completely stopped by Chansey, teammates that can take it down are useful. Keldeo can knock out Chansey with Secret Sword, and well as check Steel- and Ground-types and Greninja.

[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Power Gem
move 2: Sludge Bomb
move 3: Hidden Power Fire / Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Thunderbolt
item: Choice Specs
ability: Beast Boost
nature: Timid
evs: 72 HP / 176 SpA / 8 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
  • Power Gem is Nihilego's consistent Rock move with solid neutral coverage, hitting everything for solid damage.
  • Sludge Bomb is Nihilego's strongest attack and can poison switch-ins, further weakening them. It hits Fairy and Grass types like Tapu Fini, Tapu Bulu, and Tangrowth.
  • HP Fire is the best option for Steel-types like Ferrothorn, Mega Metagross, Magearna, Mega Scizor, and Excadrill.
  • HP Ice hits Ground-types such as Lando-T, Garchomp, and Zygarde.
  • Thunderbolt hits Celesteela harder than HP Fire does, and it also hits Toxapex.
  • Psychic can be used in the last slot and it lets it break through Poison-types such as Amoonguss and Mega Venusaur.
  • Grass Knot can be used in the last slot to defeat some Ground-types that wall Nihilego, such as Gastrodon, Hippowdon, and Quagsire, as well as 2HKO Tyranitar on the switch-in and prevent it from Pursuit trapping Nihilego.

Set Details
========
  • Choice Specs amplifies damage output in exchange for being locked into a move.
  • Beast Boost lets Nihilego accumulate boosts upon KOing an opponent.
  • The EV spread allows for Nihilego to gain Speed boosts from Beast Boost upon netting a KO, as its Speed is one point higher than its Special Attack. The remaining EVs are distributed such that it increases Nihilego's overall bulk and allows it to always live a +1 HP Ground from Volcarona.
  • A spread of 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe lets Nihilego gain Special Attack boosts as well as makes it hit a little harder, letting it wallbreak better but making it easier to revenge kill. Notably the extra Special Attack gives it a much better chance of defeating Celesteela with Thunderbolt as it switches in.

Usage Tips
========
  • Specs Nihilego can switch in on weaker special attacks and dish off heavy hits that are a chore to switch in on. Nihilego can take a hit from special attackers like Gengar, Tornadus-T, Charizard-Y, Tapu Koko, and certain variants of Greninja and retaliate with a strong attack.
  • Prediction is key when using this set, as predicting the opponents incoming Steel-types can be crucial for landing a strong HP Fire. Doubling out is not as important as nearly everything is chunked by a Specs Power Gem.
  • Similar to the Choice Scarf set, this set can use Beast Boost to act as a wincon, with the Speed boosting spread working better against offense and the Special Attack boosting one crushing slower teams.

Team Options
========
  • Specs Nihilego is typically used on more offensive teams to break through balance.
  • As always Nihilego struggles with Ground and Steel types. Water-types thusly make excellent partners. Keldeo in particular is a great partner that deals with Tyranitar and Chansey, can switch in on Greninja, and can hit Ground- and Steel-types super effectively.
  • Partners such as Heatran, Tapu Lele and Mega Metagross form a wallbreaking core with Nihilego and lure in problematic Ground and Steel-types and wear them down.
  • Magnezone is still useful for trapping and removing Steel-types and giving Nihilego more room to use its STAB moves, allowing it to use HP Ice instead of HP Fire.
  • Momentum gainers like Landorus-T and Rotom-W let Nihilego enter the battle easily, punishing Grass-types that switch in on them while switching in on Ground- and Steel-types.
  • Chansey is still as much of an issue as ever, so Keldeo, or powerful physical attackers like Mega Medicham or Mega Metagross can break through it.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
  • A set using Stealth Rock, Toxic Spikes, or both can be used a hazard lead with Focus Sash, but it struggles due to Nihilego's relatively poor STAB coverage and lack of moves that are useful to leads, such as Taunt.
  • Rockium Z can be used to deal one big hit and potentially start acquiring Beast Boosts, but a Choice item is much more consistent, although it does give you the flexibility to run hazards.
  • Stealth Rock or Toxic Spikes can be run on a Choiced set instead of a coverage move, allowing for role compression and letting Nihilego set up hazards on a predicted switch, but it gives up a lot of momentum in doing so.
Checks and Counters
===================

**Steel-types**: Steel types are immune to Poison and resist Rock, and can deal heavy damage back with Steel attacks, although Nihilego can pressure them with HP Fire. Physical Steel-types like Mega Metagross, Excadrill, and Mega Scizor are very capable of answering to Nihilego and OHKOing with a Steel move. Bulky Steel-type pivots like Assault Vest Magearna and Magnezone take very little from Nihilego's attacks and can retaliate back with Flash Cannon. Defensive Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Celesteela can check Nihilego quite well, although HP Fire and Thunder or Thunderbolt can damage them, especially if Nihilego is running Choice Specs.

**Ground-types**: Ground types resist Nihilego's STAB and can easily knock it out with a Ground move, but they are somewhat vulnerable to HP Ice. Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Zygarde are all extremely weak to HP Ice, but they can OHKO Nihilego back with Earthquake or Thousand Arrows. Bulkier Ground types like Gastrodon and Hippowdon take little from anything bar Grass Knot and can counter Nihilego handily. Dugtrio deserves a special mention, as it can trap Nihilego and remove it from the game.

**Specially bulky Pokemon**: Nihilego lacks the power to break through many specially defensive Pokemon, especially if it hasn't acquired a Special Attack boost. Chansey completely walls Nihilego and wears it down with Seismic Toss. Tyranitar has great special bulk and can Pursuit trap Nihilego easily, although it can be bopped by Specs Grass Knot. Alolan Muk is similar, as it takes little from any of Nihilego's attacks and can trap and remove it with Pursuit.
 
Last edited:

DennisEG

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[OVERVIEW]
  • An effective revenge killer with a good speed tier and Rock STAB decent coveragewhich lets it take out setup sweepers at +1 like Volcarona, Salamence and Charizard-X.
  • Beast Boost lets it get a sweep rolling if opponent's Rock resists are worn down enough.
  • Its STAB combination along with its lack of powerful coverage leaves it unable to address to Steel-types also bulky ground types well so it is often eschewed in favour of Scarf Terrakion, which is much more useful early in a game. mention here that nihilego without a boosting item isnt powerful enough
  • As a Choice Specs user it is difficult to switch into due to its coverage and power, but its low Defense and inability to outspeed threats such as Mega Metagross can be easily preyed upon.
  • mention its poor defensive stat.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Power Gem
move 2: Sludge Wave
move 3: Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Thunder / Thunderbolt
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Beast Boost
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
  • Power Gem is consistent STAB that lets it revenge kill Gyarados, Volcarona, Salamence, Charizard-X, and Dragonite. just mention its the most spammable move, because its not only to use to revenge kill
  • Sludge Wave hits harder than Power Gem and deals with the Tapus and grass types like Serperior and Tangrowth
  • HP Ice lets it revenge kill Zygarde and damage Landorus-T and Garchomp.
  • HP Fire deals more damage to nearly every Steel-type, like Mega Metagross, Mega Scizor, Ferrothorn, Magnezone, Excadrill, Magearna, and Celesteela. just mention some targets that it really hurt like ferro and sciz
  • Thunder lets Nihilego revenge kill Greninja, given that it hits, and deals much more to Celesteela, Skarmory, and Toxapex.
  • Thunderbolt is a safer alternative to Thunder that isn't guaranteed to OHKO Greninja.
Set Details
========
  • Choice Scarf lets Nihilego function as a revenge killer.
  • Beast Boost raises Nihilego's Special Attack by one stage if it KOs something, letting it sweep in certain situations.
  • EVs and Timid maximize offensive potential.
Usage Tips
========
  • Use Nihilego to revenge kill boosted sweepers like Salamence, Volcarona, and Charizard-X.
  • Early in a game Nihilego can be less useful, but it can still wear down its switch-ins with repeated Power Gems. That being said, making double switches can let you avoid ceding momentum to Steel and Ground types.
  • It can be used to pivot into special attacks from Gengar, Tornadus-T and Charizard-Y thanks to its excellent natural special bulk.
  • Nihilego is vulnerable to trapping from Tyranitar, Alolan Muk, and Dugtrio, so be wary of bringing Nihilego in if those threats are present.
  • Scarf Nihilego can work as an effective wincon thanks to Beast Boost if opposing resists are worn down enough.

Team Options
========
  • A teammate that deals with Ground and Steel-types is necessary. Water-types like Greninja and Rotom-W can typically deal with Ground and Steel Pokemon. both cannot switch against ferro so you can also mention here landot as can setup rocks, immune to ground types and can pivot around.
  • Powerful attackers like Tapu Lele and Mega Metagross force in Steel-types and weaken them so that Nihilego can sweep easier.
  • hazards setters, as nihilego isnt that powerful
  • magnezone is a good partner to get rid off steels
  • uturn pokemon to bring safely a nihilego
  • mention teammates to deal with chansey, Keldeo is great cuz deals with sciz, chansey and gren to extend.

[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Power Gem
move 2: Sludge Bomb
move 3: Hidden Power Fire / Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Thunderbolt
item: Choice Specs
ability: Beast Boost
nature: Timid
evs: 72 HP / 176 SpA / 8 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
  • Power Gem is Nihilego's consistent Rock move with solid neutral coverage. It deals super effective damage to Fire-types like Charizard and Volcarona. your way to focus on fire types, when power gem hits everything hard.
  • Sludge Bomb is Nihilego's strongest attack and can poison switch-ins, further weakening them. It hits Fairy and Grass types like Tapu Fini, Tapu Bulu, and Tangrowth.
  • HP Fire is the best option for Steel-types like Ferrothorn, Mega Metagross, Magearna, Mega Scizor, and Excadrill.
  • HP Ice hits Ground-types such as Lando-T, Garchomp, and Zygarde.
  • Thunderbolt hits Celesteela harder than HP Fire does, and it also hits Toxapex.
  • Psychic can be used in the last slot and it lets it break through Poison-types such as Toxapex, Amoonguss, and Mega Venusaur.
  • Grass Knot can be used in the last slot to defeat some Ground-types that wall Nihilego, such as Gastrodon, Hippowdon, and Quagsire, as well as 2HKO Tyranitar on the switch-in and prevent it from Pursuit trapping Nihilego.

Set Details
========
  • Choice Specs amplifies damage output in exchange for being locked into a move.
  • Beast Boost lets Nihilego accumulate boosts upon KOing an opponent.
  • The EV spread allows for Nihilego to gain Speed boosts from Beast Boost upon netting a KO, as its Speed is one point higher than its Special Attack. The remaining EVs are distributed such that it increases Nihilego's overall bulk and allows it to always live a +1 HP Ground from Volcarona. mention if the lack of evs into special attacks miss on some HKOs or not.
  • A spread of 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe lets Nihilego gain Special Attack boosts as well as makes it hit a little harder, letting it wallbreak better but making it easier to revenge kill.

Usage Tips
========
  • Specs Nihilego can switch in on weaker special attacks and dish off heavy hits that are a chore to switch in on. Nihilego can take a hit from special attackers like Gengar, Tornadus-T, Charizard-Y, Tapu Koko, and certain variants of Greninja and retaliate with a strong attack.
  • Prediction is key when using this set, as predicting the opponents incoming Steel-types can be crucial for landing a strong HP Fire. Doubling out is not as important as nearly everything is chunked by a Specs Power Gem.
  • Similar to the Choice Scarf set, this set can use Beast Boost to act as a wincon, with the Speed boosting spread working better against offense and the Special Attack boosting one crushing slower teams.

Team Options
========
  • Specs Nihilego is typically used on more offensive teams to break through balance.
  • As always Nihilego struggles with Ground and Steel types. Water-types thusly make excellent partners. Keldeo in particular is a great partner that deals with Tyranitar and Chansey, can switch in on Greninja, and can hit Ground- and Steel-types super effectively.
  • Partners such as Heatran, Tapu Lele and Mega Metagross form a wallbreaking core with Nihilego and lure in problematic Ground and Steel-types and wear them down.
  • apply same mentions that choice scarf set. although you dont need spike support on this set.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
  • A set using Stealth Rock, Toxic Spikes, or both can be used a hazard lead with Focus Sash, but it struggles due to Nihilego's relatively poor STAB coverage and lack of moves that are useful to leads, such as Taunt.
  • Rockium Z can be used to deal one big hit and potentially start acquiring Beast Boosts, but a Choice item is much more consistent, although it does give you the flexibility to run hazards.
  • Stealth Rock or Toxic Spikes can be run on a Choiced set instead of a coverage move, allowing for role compression and letting Nihilego set up hazards on a predicted switch, but it gives up a lot of momentum in doing so.
Checks and Counters
===================

**Steel-types**: Steel types are immune to Poison and resist Rock, and can deal heavy damage back with Steel attacks, although Nihilego can pressure them with HP Fire. Offensive Steel-types like Mega Metagross, Excadrill, and Mega Scizor are very capable of answering to Nihilego and OHKOing with a Steel move. Bulkier Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Celesteela can check Nihilego quite well, although HP Fire and Thunder or Thunderbolt can damage them, especially if Nihilego is running Choice Specs. mention AV magearna

**Ground-types**: Ground types resist Nihilego's STAB and can easily knock it out with a Ground move, but they are somewhat vulnerable to HP Ice. Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Zygarde are all extremely weak to HP Ice, but they can OHKO Nihilego back with Earthquake or Thousand Arrows. Bulkier Ground types like Gastrodon and Hippowdon take little from anything bar Grass Knot and can counter Nihilego handily. Dugtrio deserves a special mention, as it can trap Nihilego and remove it from the game.

**Specially bulky Pokemon**: Nihilego lacks the power to break through many specially defensive Pokemon, especially if it hasn't acquired a Special Attack boost. Chansey completely walls Nihilego and wears it down with Seismic Toss. Tyranitar has great special bulk and can Pursuit trap Nihilego easily, although it can be bopped by Specs Grass Knot. Alolan Muk is similar, as it takes little from any of Nihilego's attacks and can trap and remove it with Pursuit.
Implement the changes and you can call it
QC 1/3
 

Gary

Can be abrasive at times (no joke)
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A teammate that deals with Ground and Steel-types is necessary. Water-types like Greninja and Rotom-W can typically deal with Ground and Steel Pokemon. Landorus-T can check opposing Ground-types and Steel-types (you left that blank)
Psychic can be used in the last slot and it lets it break through Poison-types such as Toxapex, Amoonguss, and Mega Venusaur.
It's pointless to mention Toxapex when Thunderbolt already hits that anyway, and Psychic's main niche is hitting the other Poison-types that avoid the 2HKO from its STABs and coverage.

**Steel-types**: Steel types are immune to Poison and resist Rock, and can deal heavy damage back with Steel attacks, although Nihilego can pressure them with HP Fire. Offensive Steel-types like Mega Metagross, Excadrill, add Assault Vest Magnezone (takes nothing from STABs and HP Fire tickles it) and Mega Scizor are very capable of answering to Nihilego and OHKOing with a Steel move. Bulkier Steel-types like Ferrothorn, Celesteela, and Magearna equipped with an Assault Vest can check Nihilego quite well, although HP Fire and Thunder or Thunderbolt can damage them, especially if Nihilego is running Choice Specs.
Nice work man. QC 2/3
 

Lemonade

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  • Prediction is key when using this set, as predicting the opponents incoming Steel-types can be crucial for landing a strong HP Fire. Doubling out is not as important as nearly everything is chunked by a Specs Power Gem.
What information can the reader base their prediction on? "Observe how the opponent reacts when you bring Nihilego in. If they go into their Steel-type, use this fact to nail it with HP Fire next time you bring Nihilego in." or "If the opposing team only has a few answers to tank Power Gem, they will likely switch in their Rock resist. Use this opportunity to nail it with the appropriate coverage move." Don't know how true these are (probably not true 100% of the time either), but they give the reader examples of what information they can use to make a smart prediction. Otherwise, it's basically like flip a coin and use Power Gem or HP Fire depending.

Also in the other set you talk about double switching; imo that would be another instance where giving the reader intuition on smart double switches would be helpful.

wincon -> attempt a (late-game) sweep / act as a sweeper. If you want reasons I can c/p other instances I've addressed the topic.
 

Nedor

thiccc
yo, most of this looks pretty good.

[overview]

in the cons of nihilego, i'd like a mention of just how prominent bulky steel types are in the tier, often making it difficult to sweep late game (taking into account celesteela, excadrill, ferrothorn, rachi, magearna, zone, etc).

[team options] (specs set)

as this variant opts for specs instead of scarf, make sure to mention to fulfill the role of a revenge killer although this specific spread enables +1 speed from beast boost. scarfers include latios, keldeo, chomp, gren, etc.
  • Specs Nihilego is typically used on more offensive teams to break through balance.
i find this line to be rly subjective in the sense that "balance" is a general term and will not account for everything. probably better to say something along the lines of: Specs Nihilego is usually used on more offensive teams to function as a wallbreaker and lure to certain Pokemon, depending on the coverage move of choice.

3/3 gud shit
 

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