Gen 7 Silvally-Ghost (QC 0/2)(GP 0/1)

[UberSkitty]

[OVERVIEW]

• Silvally-Ghost is a solid setup sweeper, specifically on Sticky web and hazard stack teams, in which it serves as a spinblocker while also utilizing the hazards to sweep with Swords Dance and Flame Charge.
• Base 95 in all stats makes it the jack of all trades of Ghost-types, being bulkier than Haunter, faster than Golurk, and stronger than Sableye; albeit not exceling at a single role. This, alongside the inability to hold an item or z-crystal, lack of reliable recovery, and no secondary STAB, leaves Silvally-Ghost be overall majorly outclassed by other Ghost-types such as Jellicent and Oricorio-Sensu.
• The lack of longevity also lessens Silvally-Ghost's capabilities as a spinblocker and sweeper, being easily worn down through hazards and easier to revenge kill with priority and faster threats like Kangaskhan and Choice Scarf Swanna, respectively. Furthermore, it has to watch out for switching into attacks when trying to spinblock.
• Using Silvally-Ghost also means a team can't use its other forms, such as Silvally-Fairy with its unique typing, Silvally-Dragon with STAB Draco Meteor, and Silvally-Poison with the immunity and removal of Toxic Spikes on switchin. That being said, being a Silvally also gives it a surprise factor, which can be especially useful for catching a Rapid Spinner of guard.

[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Multi-Attack
move 3: Flame Charge
move 4: U-turn / Substitute
item: Ghost Memory
ability: RKS System
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

• Flame Charge makes Silvally-Ghost harder to revenge kill, utilizing it's naturally great Speed to outspeed the entire unboosted metagame and many Choice Scarf users such as Abomasnow, Shiftry, and Rotom-F. It can also create 50/50s by speed-tying with base 95 Speed Choice Scarf users like Primeape, Haunter, and Jynx. Finally, Flame Charge also provides coverage for threats like Ferroseed and Alolan Sandslash.
• The last slot is somewhat flexible. U-turn takes the focus off sweeping to gain momentum throughout the match, specifically after switching in to spinblock.
• Substitute helps Silvally-Ghost as a setup sweeper, with Substitute's variety of uses including making Silvally-Ghost harder to revenge kill, being able to take advantage of moves like Kangaskhan's Sucker Punch and Clefairy's Thunder Wave, and scouting choice-locked and Z-moves. It also stops Silvally-Ghost from being immediately stopped by Sableye. However it is important to note that the damage from setting up Substitute does not pair well with Silvally-Ghost's longevity issues.
• Ice Fang is a niche coverage option, allowing Silvally-Ghost to hit certain Normal-types such as Drampa and Dodrio and walls like Altaria, but is very situational and held back by its low base power.

Set Details
========

• Silvally-Ghost's offensive EV spread maximizes its sweeping potential. Maximum Speed allows it to speed tie with Choice Scarf users like Primeape and Haunter and outspeed Adamant Alolan Sandslash in Hail at +1.

Usage Tips
========

• Being mostly used on hazard stack teams, Silvally-Ghost will often not be entering the field until they are already set. Throughout the match, it should mostly be used to spinblock and pivot out for momentum if running U-turn.
• When switching in, stay wary of chip damage like hazards and hail, as well as the chance of the foe attacking instead of going for Rapid Spin. Silvally-Ghost can also be used to switch into immune attacks such as Primeape's Close Combat and Drampa's Hyper Voice if need be, although it is usually not worth the risk.
• Late game is when Silvally-Ghost can start setting up to clean up the match, preferably once a spinblocker isn't needed anymore and its threats have been taken out. These threats include Ghost-resists and immunities such as Skuntank and Stoutland and speed control like Sucker Punch Absol, Choice Scarf Swanna, and Sableye. Silvally-Ghost can also serve as a wallbreaker earlier on if a spinblocker is not needed.
• Depending on the matchup, Silvally-Ghost does not always need to set up both Swords Dance and Flame Charge in order to sweep, and sometimes won't even get the chance. That being said, Flame Charge can also be used to pick up a KO after Swords Dance or revenge kill a foe for a free Speed boost.
• If running Substitute, it is best used against status-inflictors like Sleep Powder Tangela and Thunder Wave Qwilfish or choice-locked resists like Primeape. It can also be used to create mind games with Sucker Punch users like Shiftry and Kangaskhan. However, it has to watch out foes that can bypass Substitute like Encore Audino and Infiltrator Spiritomb.

Team Options
========

• Silvally-Ghost prevails on offensive teams, often alongside Sticky Web users like Shuckle and Smeargle as an offensive spinblocker.
• It does the same for hazard-stack teams and hazard setters such as Omastar, Qwilfish, and Ferroseed. The latter two can also run Thunder Wave to ease Silvally-Ghosts sweeping.
• With Silvally-Ghost blocking Rapid Spin, it pairs well with Defog punishers like Defiant Primeape and Contrary Lurantis.
• Wallbreakers like Torterra and Aurorus appreciate Sticky Web being kept up to make up for their lackluster Speed while being able to weaken the opponent's team so Silvally-Ghost can clean.
• Fast offensive teammates like Simisear and Dodrio also benefit from the hazards, and can notably switch between wallbreaking and sweeping roles with Silvally-Ghost.
• With how much Silvally-Ghost switches in, it can struggle with longevity. Rapid Spinners such as Alolan Sandslash and Kabutops help with this by removing hazards, and while Defog users like Rotom-Frost and Oricorio-Pom-Pom are also an option, it contradicts Silvally-Ghost's purpose as a spinblocker.
• Backup Fighting checks like Musharna and Victreebel also help with this, with the former also offering Healing Wish in dire situations.
• Finally, your own Fighting-types like Gurdurr and Hitmonchan help with the Dark- and Normal-types like Absol and Kangaskhan, who can get in Silvally-Ghost's way, while offering utility such as Knock Off and Rapid Spin, respectively.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

• Silvally-Ghost can be run as an offensive or defensive pivot with status moves such as Thunder Wave and Toxic, although this is better achieved by other forms like Silvally-Fairy and Silvally-Water.
• It can also run Defog, but would contradict its role as a spinblocker.
• The Swords Dance set can invest more into bulk, such as 40 HP EVs to avoid the OHKO from Dodrio's Flyinium Z-boosted Brave Bird.
• Parting Shot can be run over U-turn to better support incoming teammates but risks triggering Primeape's Defiant and doesn't take advantage of Silvally-Ghost's offensive investment.
• Explosion is another option for gaining momentum while serving as a nuke to take out Rapid Spinners and defensive threats like Drampa and Mudsdale.
• A mixed set with Work Up can utilize Silvally-Ghost's special coverage like Thunderbolt and Ice Beam, but the need to invest into both offenses can lead to missing KOes.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Dark-types**: Offensive Dark-types such as Skuntank, Absol, and Liepard not only resist Silvally-Ghost's STAB but can revenge kill it with Sucker Punch and trap it with Pursuit, albeit the latter two have to watch out for U-turn. Liepard and Choice Scarf Skuntank also outspeed unboosted Silvally-Ghost and KO with a little prior damage. Utility Persian notably outspeeds Silvally-Ghost, take any hit, and punish Swords Dance with Foul Play.

**Normal-types**: With their immunity to Silvally-Ghost's STAB, Normal-types like Drampa, Kangaskhan, and Stoutland can easily tank any of its other attacks and hit back harder. The latter and Choiced Dodrio can also trap Silvally-Ghost with Pursuit. Audino walls Silvally-Ghost and 1v1s it with its combination of semi-reliable recovery and utility moves like Toxic and Encore.

**Defensive Walls**: Walls like Mudsdale, Regirock, Ferroseed, and defensive Carracosta can take even boosted hits from Silvally-Ghost and deal back decent damage or weaken it with moves like Toxic, Thunder Wave, and Leech Seed. Tangela can notably heal off any damage and put Silvally-Ghost to Sleep with Sleep Powder. Bulky wallbreakers like Choice Band Aggron can take a hit and OHKO in return.

**Chip Damage**: Ferroseed and Qwilfish can notably set up hazards to greatly hinder Silvally-Ghost's switchin capabilities and punish its attacks with Iron Barbs and Rocky Helmet. Pokemon like Lanturn and Gastrodon can use Toxic or fish for burns with Scald. Rapid Spinners like Alolan Sandslash, Hitmonchan, and Cryogonal can predict a switchin and simply attack or status Silvally-Ghost.

**Revenge Killers**: Faster threats like Simisear Alolan Raichu, and Choice Scarf Jellicent can KO a weakened Silvally-Ghost. Even at +1, certain Choice Scarf users like Swanna and Scyther still outspeed it. Priority moves like Abomasnow's Ice Shard, Floatzel's Aqua Jet, and Victreebel's Sucker Punch ignore any Speed boosts. Sableye's Prankster allows it to burn Silvally-Ghost before taking a hit and recover any damage taken.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[UberSkitty, 355061]]
- Quality checked by: [[], [], []]
- Grammar checked by: [[, []]