[overview]
**Draft Order**: Round 4 onwards
**Price Range**: 12-13 points
**Overview**: Grimmsnarl is a decent dual screens setter with access to a plethora of utility moves that are boosted in priority by Prankster. It can pivot around foes with Parting Shot, hinder setup sweepers through Thunder Wave and Trick, and even prevent opposing entry hazards with Taunt. However, its primary objective on most rosters is to set up dual screens and hinder opposing offensive threats by any means necessary. Its high price is difficult to justify as a Pokemon that is typically locked into one role, and opponents often bring counterplay to dual screens against it.
[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Dual Screens Support**: Grimmsnarl uses Prankster Reflect and Light Screen while holding Light Clay on its primary sets. This pairs especially well with Parting Shot, as it enables Grimmsnarl to pivot effectively around its foes, bringing in teammates that can comfortably set up behind dual screens. For its final move slot, Grimmsnarl prefers having an offensive move such as Sucker Punch, Spirit Break, or Play Rough to provide some damage output if necessary.
**Defensive Pivot**: Despite its lackluster base Defense, Grimmsnarl can still be a strong defensive pivot when dual screens are not necessary due to its unique Dark / Fairy typing. Taunt and Thunder Wave are common utility options on this set, as they can weaken foes in conjunction with Parting Shot. Grimmsnarl can also utilize Foul Play to beat physically offensive Pokemon and Spirit Break to weaken specially offensive Pokemon.
**Bulky Setup Sweeper**: Grimmsnarl can be a decent setup sweeper thanks to Bulk Up and Prankster. Bulk Up bolsters Grimmsnarl's high base Attack while providing defensive boosts to increase its longevity. Grimmsnarl also appreciates Spirit Break restricting specially offensive checks. Although it is limited in recovery options, it can take advantage of priority Rest with a Chesto Berry or continue to threaten its foes while asleep with Sleep Talk.
Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Dark Pulse, Dazzling Gleam, Draining Kiss, Foul Play, Play Rough, Spirit Break, Sucker Punch, Throat Chop
**Setup Moves**: Bulk Up, Trailblaze, Nasty Plot
**Utility Moves**: Brick Break, Light Screen, Parting Shot, Reflect, Rest, Sleep Talk, Substitute, Taunt, Thunder Wave, Trick
**Coverage**: Drain Punch, Fire Punch, Hammer Arm, Ice Punch, Leech Life, Shadow Claw, Stomping Tantrum, Thunder Punch
Niche Moves
========
**Imprison**: Imprison enables Grimmsnarl to prevent its foes from setting dual screens or taking advantage of other utility moves like Parting Shot and Thunder Wave.
**Scary Face**: Scary Face can be beneficial for Grimmsnarl, as it reduces the Speed of foes that are otherwise immune to Thunder Wave.
**Fake Tears**: Specially offensive Grimmsnarl variants greatly appreciate having Fake Tears as a means to weaken the foe's Special Defense significantly.
Common Items
========
**Light Clay**: Light Clay amplifies sets that set dual screens, thus increasing Grimmsnarl's effectiveness as a dual screens setter.
**Trick Items**: Lagging Tail can be beneficial for stopping opposing wallbreakers, especially effective against Pokemon with high Speed. Similarly, Choice items can be helpful as well, as they make setup sweepers much more manageable for Grimmsnarl and its teammates.
**Leftovers**: Grimmsnarl appreciates Leftovers, as it prefers not to rely on its limited recovery options. Leftovers can be especially useful on defensive pivot sets.
**Heavy-Duty Boots**: Heavy-Duty Boots has some value, as it's helpful for pivoting around entry hazards, especially in matchups where Grimmsnarl needs to switch in frequently.
Niche Items
========
**Chesto Berry**: Chesto Berry can be beneficial on Grimmsnarl sets that use Rest to quickly recover after setting up multiple Bulk Ups.
**Sitrus Berry**: Grimmsnarl can utilize Sitrus Berry to gain immediate recovery, which can be helpful for setting up Bulk Ups.
**Mental Herb**: Mental Herb protects Grimmsnarl from foes that may use Encore or Taunt to restrict its utility and setup options.
Tera
========
Grimmsnarl gets very minimal benefit from Terastallization and should not be chosen as a Tera Captain, since it is used best as an enabler to its teammates that utilize Tera more efficiently. Its primary role as a defensive pivot or dual screens setter is complemented by its base defensive typing, and Terastallization would remove its immunities. However, if it must Terastallize, Grimmsnarl ideally utilizes Tera types that can enhance its longevity, such as Tera Steel and Ghost. It can also use offensive Tera types, such as Tera Fighting to boost it's coverage and Tera Dark and Fairy to boost its STAB attacks.
Draft Strategy
========
Grimmsnarl's unique role as a dual screens setter with access to a priority-boosted Parting Shot can be beneficial for teams with strong offensive sweepers. It can help manage opposing threats with Prankster utility moves while providing some offensive options if necessary.
**Setup Sweepers**: Grimmsnarl can easily enable setup sweepers with its dual screens support and by pivoting out with Parting Shot. Teammates that appreciate this include Volcarona, Gouging Fire, and Kyurem.
**Ghost-types**: To ensure Light Screen and Reflect remain on the field, Grimmsnarl appreciates Ghost-type teammates that can prevent foes from using Brick Break. An ideal candidate for this is Gholdengo, as its ability can prevent Defog from removing screens as well. Additionally, Annihilape, Skeledirge, and Polteageist are all valuable teammates that make the most out of dual screens.
**Steel-types**: Due to Grimmsnarl's weaknesses to Fairy, Poison, and Steel-types, it greatly appreciates having an ally that can handle foes of these types. Corviknight, Iron Treads, and Heatran are all valuable candidates in this regard.
Checks and Counters
========
**Dual Screens Removal**: Foes with Brick Break, Psychic Fangs, or Defog can easily reduce Grimmsnarl's effectiveness by removing dual screens earlier than anticipated. Grimmsnarl sets without appropriate coverage may struggle against Pokemon such as Scizor, Corviknight, and Kingambit.
**Fairy-types**: Grimmsnarl often struggles in matchups against other Fairy-type Pokemon, as it lacks offensive coverage to ensure it KOs them. Thus, the likes of Clefable, Tinkaton, and Galarian Weezing can defensively counter Grimmsnarl while setting entry hazards as it pivots out. Moreover, offensive threats such as Contrary Enamorus can be difficult for Grimmsnarl as well, as pivoting around with Parting Shot may result in unwanted Special Attack boosts for its foe.
**Poison-types**: Poison-types can easily switch into Grimmsnarl's attacks while pressuring it out. This can also enable its foe to set up Toxic Spikes, as Grimmsnarl must pivot around checks like Toxapex, Weezing, and Revavroom that can set them.
**Steel-types**: Grimmsnarl variants that lack appropriate coverage struggle to find an answer to common Steel-type Pokemon like Corviknight, Heatran, and Iron Treads. This makes it difficult for it to set dual screens or to set up Bulk Up safely, and facing these foes often pressures it to switch out instead.
**Taunt / Encore**: Although Grimmsnarl is immune to status moves from other Prankster users, it is still hindered by Taunt and Encore. Furthermore, as its primary role is as a dual screen setter, most opponents can easily predict its moves and prevent from using its utility moves.
[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/phantomsnorlax.572939/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/techno.527276/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sablolol.466715/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/solarbeam.470115/
**Draft Order**: Round 4 onwards
**Price Range**: 12-13 points
**Overview**: Grimmsnarl is a decent dual screens setter with access to a plethora of utility moves that are boosted in priority by Prankster. It can pivot around foes with Parting Shot, hinder setup sweepers through Thunder Wave and Trick, and even prevent opposing entry hazards with Taunt. However, its primary objective on most rosters is to set up dual screens and hinder opposing offensive threats by any means necessary. Its high price is difficult to justify as a Pokemon that is typically locked into one role, and opponents often bring counterplay to dual screens against it.
[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Dual Screens Support**: Grimmsnarl uses Prankster Reflect and Light Screen while holding Light Clay on its primary sets. This pairs especially well with Parting Shot, as it enables Grimmsnarl to pivot effectively around its foes, bringing in teammates that can comfortably set up behind dual screens. For its final move slot, Grimmsnarl prefers having an offensive move such as Sucker Punch, Spirit Break, or Play Rough to provide some damage output if necessary.
**Defensive Pivot**: Despite its lackluster base Defense, Grimmsnarl can still be a strong defensive pivot when dual screens are not necessary due to its unique Dark / Fairy typing. Taunt and Thunder Wave are common utility options on this set, as they can weaken foes in conjunction with Parting Shot. Grimmsnarl can also utilize Foul Play to beat physically offensive Pokemon and Spirit Break to weaken specially offensive Pokemon.
**Bulky Setup Sweeper**: Grimmsnarl can be a decent setup sweeper thanks to Bulk Up and Prankster. Bulk Up bolsters Grimmsnarl's high base Attack while providing defensive boosts to increase its longevity. Grimmsnarl also appreciates Spirit Break restricting specially offensive checks. Although it is limited in recovery options, it can take advantage of priority Rest with a Chesto Berry or continue to threaten its foes while asleep with Sleep Talk.
Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Dark Pulse, Dazzling Gleam, Draining Kiss, Foul Play, Play Rough, Spirit Break, Sucker Punch, Throat Chop
**Setup Moves**: Bulk Up, Trailblaze, Nasty Plot
**Utility Moves**: Brick Break, Light Screen, Parting Shot, Reflect, Rest, Sleep Talk, Substitute, Taunt, Thunder Wave, Trick
**Coverage**: Drain Punch, Fire Punch, Hammer Arm, Ice Punch, Leech Life, Shadow Claw, Stomping Tantrum, Thunder Punch
Niche Moves
========
**Imprison**: Imprison enables Grimmsnarl to prevent its foes from setting dual screens or taking advantage of other utility moves like Parting Shot and Thunder Wave.
**Scary Face**: Scary Face can be beneficial for Grimmsnarl, as it reduces the Speed of foes that are otherwise immune to Thunder Wave.
**Fake Tears**: Specially offensive Grimmsnarl variants greatly appreciate having Fake Tears as a means to weaken the foe's Special Defense significantly.
Common Items
========
**Light Clay**: Light Clay amplifies sets that set dual screens, thus increasing Grimmsnarl's effectiveness as a dual screens setter.
**Trick Items**: Lagging Tail can be beneficial for stopping opposing wallbreakers, especially effective against Pokemon with high Speed. Similarly, Choice items can be helpful as well, as they make setup sweepers much more manageable for Grimmsnarl and its teammates.
**Leftovers**: Grimmsnarl appreciates Leftovers, as it prefers not to rely on its limited recovery options. Leftovers can be especially useful on defensive pivot sets.
**Heavy-Duty Boots**: Heavy-Duty Boots has some value, as it's helpful for pivoting around entry hazards, especially in matchups where Grimmsnarl needs to switch in frequently.
Niche Items
========
**Chesto Berry**: Chesto Berry can be beneficial on Grimmsnarl sets that use Rest to quickly recover after setting up multiple Bulk Ups.
**Sitrus Berry**: Grimmsnarl can utilize Sitrus Berry to gain immediate recovery, which can be helpful for setting up Bulk Ups.
**Mental Herb**: Mental Herb protects Grimmsnarl from foes that may use Encore or Taunt to restrict its utility and setup options.
Tera
========
Grimmsnarl gets very minimal benefit from Terastallization and should not be chosen as a Tera Captain, since it is used best as an enabler to its teammates that utilize Tera more efficiently. Its primary role as a defensive pivot or dual screens setter is complemented by its base defensive typing, and Terastallization would remove its immunities. However, if it must Terastallize, Grimmsnarl ideally utilizes Tera types that can enhance its longevity, such as Tera Steel and Ghost. It can also use offensive Tera types, such as Tera Fighting to boost it's coverage and Tera Dark and Fairy to boost its STAB attacks.
Draft Strategy
========
Grimmsnarl's unique role as a dual screens setter with access to a priority-boosted Parting Shot can be beneficial for teams with strong offensive sweepers. It can help manage opposing threats with Prankster utility moves while providing some offensive options if necessary.
**Setup Sweepers**: Grimmsnarl can easily enable setup sweepers with its dual screens support and by pivoting out with Parting Shot. Teammates that appreciate this include Volcarona, Gouging Fire, and Kyurem.
**Ghost-types**: To ensure Light Screen and Reflect remain on the field, Grimmsnarl appreciates Ghost-type teammates that can prevent foes from using Brick Break. An ideal candidate for this is Gholdengo, as its ability can prevent Defog from removing screens as well. Additionally, Annihilape, Skeledirge, and Polteageist are all valuable teammates that make the most out of dual screens.
**Steel-types**: Due to Grimmsnarl's weaknesses to Fairy, Poison, and Steel-types, it greatly appreciates having an ally that can handle foes of these types. Corviknight, Iron Treads, and Heatran are all valuable candidates in this regard.
Checks and Counters
========
**Dual Screens Removal**: Foes with Brick Break, Psychic Fangs, or Defog can easily reduce Grimmsnarl's effectiveness by removing dual screens earlier than anticipated. Grimmsnarl sets without appropriate coverage may struggle against Pokemon such as Scizor, Corviknight, and Kingambit.
**Fairy-types**: Grimmsnarl often struggles in matchups against other Fairy-type Pokemon, as it lacks offensive coverage to ensure it KOs them. Thus, the likes of Clefable, Tinkaton, and Galarian Weezing can defensively counter Grimmsnarl while setting entry hazards as it pivots out. Moreover, offensive threats such as Contrary Enamorus can be difficult for Grimmsnarl as well, as pivoting around with Parting Shot may result in unwanted Special Attack boosts for its foe.
**Poison-types**: Poison-types can easily switch into Grimmsnarl's attacks while pressuring it out. This can also enable its foe to set up Toxic Spikes, as Grimmsnarl must pivot around checks like Toxapex, Weezing, and Revavroom that can set them.
**Steel-types**: Grimmsnarl variants that lack appropriate coverage struggle to find an answer to common Steel-type Pokemon like Corviknight, Heatran, and Iron Treads. This makes it difficult for it to set dual screens or to set up Bulk Up safely, and facing these foes often pressures it to switch out instead.
**Taunt / Encore**: Although Grimmsnarl is immune to status moves from other Prankster users, it is still hindered by Taunt and Encore. Furthermore, as its primary role is as a dual screen setter, most opponents can easily predict its moves and prevent from using its utility moves.
[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/phantomsnorlax.572939/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/techno.527276/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sablolol.466715/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/solarbeam.470115/
Last edited:
