kangaskhan
[OVERVIEW]
(lower case here)
<p>At first glance, Kangaskan has three attributes that stand out: It has a name which is nearly impossible to spell, it boasts good defenses and HP, and it possesses below average attacking stats. However, what makes Kangaskhan shine is hidden beneath the surface, a very underrated yet potent ability known as Scrappy. Scrappy negates the Ghost-type immunity to Normal- and Fighting-type moves, which allows Kangaskhan to use moves such as Low Kick and Double-Edge without fear of Ghost-types switching in
.[remove period];[add semicolon] Kangaskhan uses that niche to attack with impunity. What
the big mean kangaroo Kangaskhan lacks in power, it makes up for in utility
.[remove period];[add semicolon] the The ability to achieve perfect coverage between just two moves is more than enough to justify Kangaskhan a spot on a team.</p>
[space]
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Double Edge
move 2: Hammer Arm / Drain Punch
move 3: Aqua Tail
move 4: Earthquake / Sucker Punch
item: Choice Band
ability: Scrappy
nature Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[remove space]
[remove space]
[SET COMMENTS]
[remove space]
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Unlike it's Normal-type friends, Kangaskhan can use a Choice item
without fear of Ghost-types switching in and forcing it out, as Scrappy allows it to hit them with its Normal- and Fighting-type moves; its ability, Scrappy, allows it to use moves such as Double-Edge and Hammer Arm without fear of a Ghost-type switching in and forcing it out. Hammer Arm provides perfect coverage with Double Edge. Kangaskhan also has access to Drain Punch
through breeding,
and which can be used to counteract hazards or Pokemon which outsped it and hurt it before getting KOd. However, due to its low HP regaining abilities, Hammer Arm is generally superior to Drain Punch. Aqua Tail is the only thing that can 2HKO Rhyperior running 140 HP EVs,
from Kangaskhan’s perspective while Earthquake deals high damage to Pokemon such as Qwilfish, Nidoqueen, and Arcanine. Earthquake deals high damage to Pokemon like Quilfish, Nidoqueen, Arcanine, and others. Sucker Punch should only be used for revenge killing if you’re feeling gutsy. The EVs are should be obvious, max Attack and Speed for a Pokemon whose job is to outspeed stuff and KO them its opponents.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Kangaskhan has a
decently relatively vast movepool, allowing it to
run pack specific moves to beat certain counters
,[remove comma] or whatever the team
might need
s KOd. Life Orb can be used if Kangaskhan needs to change moves
often to keep momentum on its side, but
at a loss of 10% of its max HP
each time it attacks is a downer. Kangaskhan can run Knock Off to remove Eviolite from Pokemon
sucj such as Chansey and Gligar. While it seems great at first, Kangaskhan is also running a Water- and Fighting-type move, which hit the both of them for
super effective damage, respectively. Dugtrio makes an excellent partner to Kangaskhan, trapping the various Steel- and
RcokRock-types of UU
,[add comma] while and dispatching them with a quick Earthquake. Victini also makes an excellent partner for Kangaskhan, with its good bulk, resistance to Fighting
-[add hyphen]type attacks
,[add comma] and
the ability to take on Rock
-[add hyphen]types and Steel
-[add hyphen]types with Grass Knot / Focus Blast and V-create / Fire Blast, respectively.
[SET]
name: SubPunch
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Focus Punch
move 3: Return
move 4: Sucker Punch
item: Leftovers
ability: Scrappy
nature:
[space]Adamant
evs: 240 HP / 252 Atk / 16 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Luck
ily
for Kangaskhan,
it Kangaskhan was blessed with the perfect moves and qualities of a Sub-Puncher. The ability to create 101 HP Substitutes, perfect coverage between Focus Punch and Return, and a priority move in Sucker Punch tick all the oxes when it comes to a SubPuncher. Substitute and Focus Punch are the foundation of the strategy. Switch into something who doesn't threaten you, use Substitute on the switch, and then Focus Punch. Return is there just in case you can't use Focus Punch
reliably.[remove period],[add comma] while Sucker Punch is
for, while not needed on a SubPunch set, priority, which is nice to have on the set. The SubPunch set has great potential, as it can 2HKO many common UU threats, making it difficult for many Pokemon to remove
its Kangaskhan's Sub
stitute without getting KOed.<p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Due to the lack of Attack investment, physical walls with reliable recovery, such as Tangrowth and Slowbro, can beat Kangaskhan, especially due to Regenerator and strong STAB attacks.
The Speed EVs allow Kangaskhan to outspeed max Speed base 55
s Pokemon and uninvested Rotom. If you need to increase Kangaskhan's Speed, a spread of 212 HP / 120 Atk / 176 Spe with a Jolly nature can be used to outspeed base 80
s Speed Pokemon. However, this Speed tier is no longer as important as it was in the 4th generation, and Kangaskhan will have a hard time beating many opponents who can outspeed
him it. Double-Edge can be used over Return to hit Kangaskhan's switch-ins harder. Expert Belt can be used to fake a Choice Band
,[remove comma] in order to lure in Steel-types, and then dispose of them with a well-timed Focus Punch, clearing the way for a teammate to sweep. However, this strategy is unreliable, and should not be trusted completely.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>In
Gen V BW, Kangaskhan finally got access to a boosting move
,[remove comma] in Work Up. The move boosts Attack and Special Attack
by 1 stage, and is probably
the most effective when used in one of the last two slots of the Physical Attacker set. With Kangaskhan's fantastic special movepool, a mixed set with Work Up seems appealing, but due to its horrible Special Attack stat and Tauros being able to do this better, a mixed set just isn't viable. A support set is possible, with moves such as Counter, Knock Off, and Circle Throw, but with Kangaskhan's relatively poor defenses and lack of recovery, these moves are hard to pull off, and is best left to another Pokemon. Disable is usable, but Kangaskhan just doesn't have the ability to pull it off properly. A set of Fake Out, Endeavor, Return / Reversal, and Sucker Punch can be
played used, but Endeavor is slightly unreliable
, and hard to pull off.
But However, with team support and proper prediction, it can pay huge dividends. Endure and Reversal is available, but until Salac Berry is released, it should be avoided. Kangaskhan gets Wish as a Gen 3 event, but the lack of Scrappy
,[add comma] and the fact Lickilicky can do this better, makes Wish a poor choice in the long run.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>The Choice Band set is difficult to counter or even check, but it can be played around, with various degrees of success. Rhyperior will never be OHKOed by Kangaskhan, and can hit back with powerful Earthquakes, but
it cannot can't take repeated Low Kicks. Steel- and Rock-types wall Kangaskhan
,[remove comma] as long as they avoid a Choice Band Fighting-type move. A bulky Hitmontop can take Kangaskhan on with Intimidate and Close Combat, but due to
the lack of reliable recovery, it'll get worn down, slowly but surely. Gligar and Escavalier can counter Kangaskhan, but each need to be wary of the elemental punch they're weak to,
while Gligar also has to be
worried careful about Knock Off.
It's worth noting that Escavalier can heavily damage Kangaskhan with Megahorn. SubPunch and Life Orb sets are easier to check, as most defensive Pokemon with reliable recovery and a decent STAB move can take Kangaskhan on, and win one on one. Defensive Arcanine and Zapdos can take on the SubPunch set, but both are weak to Stealth Rock, and both dislike repeated hits from Life Orb-boosted Double-Edge. Slowbro can take on any Kangaskhan set
,[remove comma] and
possibly burn it with Scald and Scald it, or Slack Off repeatedly until Kangaskhan faints
to from the Life Orb recoil
, or runs out of PP.</p>