Psychic
[SET]
Jirachi @ Leftovers
Name: Specially Defensive (Steel)
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 HP / 160 SpD / 96 Spe
Careful Nature
- Iron Head
- Body Slam / Thunder Wave / Wish
- U-turn / Protect
- Stealth Rock
[SET COMMENTS]
Jirachi is a staple on Psychic teams due to its great bulk, wide array of utility options, and ability to maintain pressure via U-turn and Serene Grace-boosted Iron Head. As previously mentioned, Iron Head in conjunction with Serene Grace allows Jirachi to annoy Pokemon like Alolan Muk, Articuno, and Clefable. Body Slam deals decent chip damage against Iron Head-resistant Pokemon and has a notable chance to paralyze foes due to Serene Grace. Alternatively, Thunder Wave may be used to have a more guaranteed chance of paralysis and to also have effect on Ghost-types while Wish enables Jirachi as a cleric, synergizing well with U-turn. U-turn preserves momentum and permits Jirachi to escape unfavorable situations against Greninja, Ogerpon-W, and Meowscarada. Protect may be used instead to capitalize on Leftovers recovery and to scout for super-effective moves from opponents, playing around Choice-locked users, however, the lack of U-turn means Jirachi can't maintain momentum. Stealth Rock is useful to wear down pivots and offers additional pressure on difficult matchups such as Dark, Ghost and Water. The given EV spread maximizes Jirachi's specially defensive bulk as well as outpaces Adamant Mamoswine.
Slowbro forms a great defensive core with Jirachi, providing a Fire-type resist and walling threats such Talonflame, Cinderace, and Infernape. Furthermore, Slowbro is capable of luring in Dark-type Pokemon like Chien-Pao, Kingambit, and Roaring Moon via Body Press in conjunction with a Colbur Berry. In return, Jirachi offers a Toxic immunity and is capable of switching into Grass-type Pokemon such as Hydrapple, Amoonguss, and Whimsicott. Hoopa-U threatens Pokemon like Gholdengo, Spectrier, and Pecharunt while also providing Knock Off support, removing Heavy-Duty Boots from foes to capitalize on Jirachi's Stealth Rock. In exchange, Jirachi offers pivoting via U-turn and utility like Stealth Rock and Thunder Wave to improve Hoopa-U's wallbreaking. Latios boasts a much needed Ground-type immunity and breaks through threats like Gouging Fire, Keldeo, and Gengar. Hatterene prevents opposing entry hazards from being set and hits Dark-types such as Roaring Moon, Hydreigon, and Ting-Lu via Draining Kiss. Indeedee sets up Psychic Terrain, making it harder for Azumarill to break out of Jirachi's Iron Head and paralysis spam as well as offers a Ghost-type immunity to fend off Spectrier and Ceruledge. Iron Boulder is a great option for Speed control and removes Fire-types such as Ogerpon-H, Hisuian Arcanine, and Volcarona with Mighty Cleave. Espathra appreciates Stealth Rock and Thunder Wave support from Jirachi, easing its sweeping process late-game.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
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Psychic
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Jirachi may use Healing Wish as a cleric option to give sweepers like Deoxys-S, Iron Crown, and Espathra new life, however it is typically situational and means Jirachi has to give up more standard utility options.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/giyu.574288/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/boomp.637295/
Last edited: