PU Ninetales QC: (3/3) GP: (2/2) Ready for Upload!

Aaronboyer

Something Worth Fighting For
is a Contributor to Smogon
uploaded -zard

QC: Mooglezard / LittleCupSkitty / An Apology of the Allstar type
GP: TDPJ / FierFlaem

[OVERVIEW]

There are two huge advantages of using Ninetales over other Fire-types: its ability to beat typical Fire-type checks such as Gastrodon without having to resort to Hidden Power and its access to a boosting move in Nasty Plot. Although Ninetales's decent base 81 Special Attack and fantastic base 100 Speed may convince someone otherwise, Ninetales is a subpar Fire-type choice that can be hard to justify using over Pyroar, which has a higher base Special Attack and Speed as well as a secondary STAB type. Ninetales's Special Attack leaves a lot to be desired, meaning it needs a Nasty Plot boost to break through teams, which can also be difficult setting up at times with opposing Pokemon taking advantage of its low base Defense. Lastly, Ninetales's vulnerability to Stealth Rock and residual Life Orb damage also mean it's worn down very easily, especially when it's required to set up a Nasty Plot to actually do meaningful damage.

[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Energy Ball
move 4: Psyshock
item: Firium Z / Life Orb
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

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

Nasty Plot boosts Ninetales's Special Attack by two stages and allows it to sweep opposing teams late-game after all of its checks have been removed or crippled. It also helps Ninetales break through bulkier Pokemon such as Mesprit and Aurorus. Fire Blast is Ninetales's strongest reliable STAB move, dealing solid neutral damage against top-tier threats such as Mesprit and Skuntank and hitting Pokemon such as Lilligant and Pinsir super effectively. Energy Ball nails the Water-, Ground-, and Rock-types trying to eliminate Ninetales, such as Lanturn, Gastrodon, and Regirock. Psyshock hits specially defensive Pokemon like Clefairy while also hitting Fighting-types such as Hitmonchan for super effective damage.

Set Details
========

252 EVs in Special Attack and Speed with a Timid nature lets Ninetales reach the 328 benchmark, outpacing common threats like all of the Silvally formes, Jynx, and Haunter while hitting as hard as possible. Firium Z focuses on getting one huge hit onto a foe such as the potential OHKO after Stealth Rock on Type: Null at +4, while Life Orb focuses on dealing consistent damage throughout the match at the cost of taking recoil. Flash Fire is Ninetales's only legal ability and gives it an immunity to Fire-type attacks, making it a decent check to Choice-locked Pyroar and Hidden Power Fire variants of Lilligant. Grassium Z can also be utilized and allows Ninetales to more easily break certain bulky Fire-resistant threats such as Regirock and Lanturn.

Usage Tips
========

Ninetales should try not to be brought in until mid- to late-game so it can attempt to sweep with Nasty Plot. If it does come in, however, it's important to determine if Ninetales can set up Nasty Plot safely. Ninetales should try to boost against more passive foes such as Clefairy, Audino, and Sableye. Sets utilizing Firium Z should be careful to not use the Z-Move so quickly. Burning it out early on can neuter Ninetales's chances of sweeping late-game. Choice Scarf users such as Primeape, Mesprit, and Oricorio-G can all revenge kill Ninetales, so waiting until the opposing team's Choice Scarf user is eliminated or crippled gives Ninetales the best opportunity to sweep. Ninetales should be brought in mid- to late-game once specially defensive walls such as Type: Null and Lanturn are crippled or have fainted. Because it struggles to set up with Nasty Plot multiple times a game, Ninetales should only be brought in with a slow pivot, after a teammate has fainted, or by forcing double switches, thus conserving its HP.

Team Options
========

Ninetales appreciates having entry hazard removal from Pokemon such as Swanna and Silvally-Fairy, especially if it's a Life Orb variant, as Ninetales doesn't want to become worn down too quickly. Hazard setters like Ferroseed and Regirock have fantastic type synergy with Ninetales and can set up entry hazards for Ninetales so it can more easily clean up late-game. Pokemon such as Lilligant and Pinsir appreciate the Fire-type immunity Ninetales provides with its ability Flash Fire. In return, Lilligant checks bulky Water- and Rock-types such as Lanturn and Aurorus, while Pinsir breaks down specially defensive walls such as Type: Null and Carbink. Water-resistant and -immune teammates such as Lanturn and Gastrodon can help Ninetales clean up with Energy Ball later. Having answers to the more common Choice Scarf users like Primeape and Togedemaru is appreciated, since Ninetales cannot clean up late-game if they are still present. Such answers include defensive Mesprit and Gurdurr. Priority moves from the likes of Skuntank and Kangaskhan in tandem with entry hazards can also help wear Choice Scarf users down over the course of the battle. Physical wallbreakers such as Pinsir and Aggron help break down specially defensive walls such as Audino, Type: Null, and Clefairy so Ninetales doesn't have to set up to +4 or +6 to overcome them.

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

Substitute helps Ninetales set up Nasty Plot against more passive Pokemon such as Audino and Sableye and makes it harder to revenge kill, but Ninetales can have difficulty finding room for it and is left vulnerable to opposing Fire- and Dragon-types, since Substitute would be replacing Psyshock. Ninetales also doesn't appreciate the 25% health it loses each time it uses Substitute, which may prematurely end a sweep if also using Life Orb. Calm Mind boosts both its Special Attack and Special Defense simultaneously but is outclassed by Nasty Plot because Ninetales wants the power output over having increased Special Defense. Leftovers regains health passively, but Ninetales's fairly poor base 81 Special Attack misses out on the option of nuking a foe with Firium Z and the power boost Life Orb provides. Toxic chips away at Ninetales's defensive checks, but most of them, like Audino, Carbink, and Type: Null, can cure their own status. A Z-Sunny Day set with Fire Blast, Solar Beam, and Nasty Plot can be run but also leaves Ninetales open for Fire- and Dragon-type switch-ins. Ninetales also struggles to set up both Sunny Day and Nasty Plot. Hidden Power Ice can be used over Psyshock and nails Dragon-types that resist Ninetales's main two attacking options in Fire Blast and Energy Ball but misses out on hitting Fire-types such as Pyroar and Fighting-types such as Hitmonchan.

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

**Fire-resistant foes**: Pokemon such as Silvally-Dragon, Drampa, Pyroar, and Munchlax resist Ninetales's Fire-type STAB attacks and only really fear a boosted Psyshock. In return, these Pokemon can severely cripple, outright KO, or set up on Ninetales.

**Chip Damage**: Ninetales is susceptible to all forms of entry hazards including the ubiquitous Stealth Rock. This chip damage puts Ninetales in danger of being revenge killed by means of priority, especially an Accelerock or Aqua Jet from the likes of Lycanroc and Carracosta. Ninetales also puts itself at higher risk of being revenge killed when it utilizes a Life Orb.

**Faster Pokemon**: Although they cannot directly switch in, faster Pokemon such as Floatzel, Lycanroc, and Choice Scarf Primeape can all outspeed Ninetales and revenge kill it with their super effective attacks.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

yogi

I did not succumb...
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[OVERVIEW]

  • Ninetales is a sufficient offensive Fire-type with its great movepool and decent base stats (the reason you're using it is pretty much solely nasty plot + flash fire)
  • Ninetales is a good middle ground choice between the two more popular offensive Fire-types of the tier, Magmortar and Pyroar, but has a hard time differentiating itself between one or the other. (overselling it. it really isn't a good choice. you're comparing two a-rank pokemon with ninetales, when they almost completely outclass it in basically every way) (you want to get the point across that it is extremely niche)
  • Ninetales’ base 81 Special Attack leaves a lot to be desired, meaning it needs a Nasty Plot boost to deal meaningful damage. (basically it isn't able to break or do anything until it has boosted)
  • Setting up a Nasty Plot can also be difficult at times with opposing Pokemon taking advantage of its low base defense (seems like a usage tip) (you can just merge this point with the previous one)
  • weakness to stealth rock and life orb chip mean it is worn down very easily, especially when it is required to set up a nasty plot to actually do meaningful damage
  • Beating typical Fire-type checks like Altaria with a boosted Psyshock however is a huge advantage Ninetales has over other Fire-types. (hmm. well it doesn't even 2hko altaria at +2 without life orb, and if altaria toxics ninetales then it'll more likely than not lose the 1v1)
  • Overall, Ninetales can be a great Fire-type choice for select teams just so long as the user doesn’t play it like a downgraded Magmortar or Pyroar. (this is kinda overselling it a lot. you need to say how severely outclassed ninetales is compared to other fire-types)

[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Fire Blast
move 2: Energy Ball
move 3: Nasty Plot (nasty plot should be first if that's what the set is named after)
move 4: Psyshock
item: Firium-Z / Life Orb
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

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

  • Nasty Plot boosts Ninetales' Special Attack by two stages and is the main source of distinguishing itself from it's Fire-type brethren Magmortar and Pyroar. (allows it to try and break things, is mainly what you're using it for)
  • Fire Blast is Ninetales' strongest reliable STAB move, dealing solid neutral damage against top tier threats such as Mesprit and Skuntank
  • Energy Ball nails the Rock-, Ground-, and Water-types trying to eliminate Ninetales, such as Gastrodon, Lanturn, Carracosta, Regirock, Golurk, and Palossand (order them by the list used at the start of the sentence)
  • Psyshock hits Fighting-types for super effective damage, namely Hitmonchan, as well as specially defensive Pokemon like Audino and Altaria. (incorrect. fire blast does more to audino, even the specially defensive version)

Set Details
========

  • 252 EVs in Special Attack and Speed with a Timid nature lets Ninetales reach the 328 benchmark, outpacing common threats like Swanna, Togedemaru, Jynx, and Haunter while hitting as hard as possible (okay so you mention swanna but, what are you actually gonna do to it? also you every single pokemon you mention has a choice scarf set so you need to either specify some pokemon that don't actually run choice scarf, or at least specify this)
  • Firium-Z focuses on getting one huge hit onto the opponent (does it do anything significant at +2 or even +0. why is it the item of choice. need some explanation here) while Life Orb focuses on dealing consistent damage throughout the match.
  • Flash Fire is Ninetales' only legal ability and makes it a decent switch in to opposing Fire-types. (does it really though? this is the same argument as lanturn in a way and it doesn't hold up very well. unless you know pyroar is choice locked into fire blast you're not going to switch in, because hyper voice does loads. magmortar also threatens you immensely with earthquake)

Usage Tips
========

  • Ninetales should try not to be brought in until mid- to late game so that it can attempt to sweep with Nasty Plot. If it does come in, however, it's important to determine if Ninetales can Nasty Plot safely. Ninetales should try to Nasty Plot against more passive foes. (so, so general. you're not giving any examples of hwo or when to set up with nasty plot, or against what)
  • Sets utilizing Firium-Z should be careful as not to use the Z-move so quickly. Burning it out early on can neuter Ninetales' chances of sweeping late game. (why. what does it need firium z to break? this needs expansion because again it's rather general)
  • Ninetales should try to switch out into a reliable check against common Choice Scarf users like Primeape, Mesprit, and Oricorio-G so that Ninetales doesn't become prematurely brought to low health or KO'd.
  • It's generally safer to switch out Ninetales against a bad matchup rather than to stay in predicting the opponent to predict what you would have been switching into. (isn't that exactly what you said above? just in different words?)
this needs expansion. very basic and it doesn't actually deliver any detail. what is it breaking, what should i bring it in against, what shouldn't i bring it in against, etc. you also need to talk about being aware of entry hazards, life orb recoil, etc. please expand this

Team Options
========

  • Ninetales appreciates having hazards removed on its own side and hazards set up on the opposing side, especially if its a Life Orb variant. Altaria and Ferroseed can both accomplish these tasks and have great type synergy together.
  • Pokemon such as Abomasnow and Pinsir appreciate the Fire-type immunity Ninetales provides with it's ability Flash Fire.
  • Checking or removing Choice Scarf users through the use of Thunder Wave support, Sticky Web, or having reliable switch-ins is important for Ninetales to ensure an unhalted sweep late game
really... this is team options? this is beyond barebones for what it should be. there are several pokemon that can support ninetales throughout the match and such. you also need to both explain what ninetales does and what other pokemon do for it. you really don't do either and make extremely basic points. again expand, this is very lacklustre

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

  • Substitute helps Ninetales set up Nasty Plots against more passive Pokemon such as Audino and Sableye but Ninetales can have difficulty finding room for it and leaves it vulnerable to opposing Fire- and Dragon-types. (why? what will it be dropping?)
  • Calm Mind boost both its Special Attack and Special Defense simultaneously but is outclassed by Nasty Plot (why. mainly because it wants the power output over having increased defences)
  • Leftovers regains health passively but Ninetales' fairly weak Base 81 Special Attack misses out on the power boost Firium-Z and Life Orb both provide.
  • Toxic chips away at Ninetales' defensive checks but most of them can self-alleviate their own status (what checks? name a few examples here. the ones i can think of either have access to some sort of status relieving move, such as type: null and audino, or ability, like altaria)
  • A Z-Sunny Day set with Fire Blast, Solar Beam, and Nasty Plot can be ran but also leaves it open for Fire- and Dragon-type switch ins.
Checks and Counters
===================

**Fire and Dragon-types**: Pokemon such as Magmortar, Pyroar, Drampa, and Altaria resist Ninetales' Fire- and Grass-type coverage and only really fear a boosted Psyshock. (split these up please)

**specially defensive pokemon**: audino, type: null, etc are able to wall it and chip it

**Hazards + Priority**: Ninetales is susceptible to all forms of hazards including the ambiguous Stealth Rock. This chip damage puts Ninetales in danger of being revenged killed by means of priority, especially an Accelerock or Aqua Jet from the likes of Lycanroc, Carracosta, and Swanna. (split these up please. also lycanroc is pressing stone edge and swanna doesn't run aqua jet, ever)

**Faster Pokemon**: Floatzel, Archeops, and Alolan Dugtrio can all outspeed an revenge kill Ninetales with their super effective STAB attacks. They cannot, however, directly switch-in.
I cannot stamp this yet. It's just lacking in several areas and there's also quite a few grammatical mistakes (I do understand this is only the first check, but you've appeared to have written it up in full sentences), so I advise you to check the Grammar Standards thread too for a little bit of help. Please tag me or message me when this is implemented so I can check it again.
zard edit: grammar isnt actually an issue, obv it'd help to improve if ur keeping these sentences but that's not the priority here
 
Last edited by a moderator:

MZ

And now for something completely different
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[OVERVIEW]

  • Ninetales is a sufficient offensive Fire-type due to its unique access to Nasty Plot and Flash Fire why is this a niche? kind of unclear and then below you seem confused urself. over the whole overview you never really give me an idea of what its niche is, which is a significant issue
  • Ninetales is a niche but usable choice between the two more popular offensive Fire-types of the tier, Magmortar and Pyroar, but has a hard time differentiating itself between one or the other
  • Ninetales’ base 81 Special Attack leaves a lot to be desired, meaning it needs a Nasty Plot boost to break through teams. Setting up a Nasty Plot can also be difficult at times with opposing Pokemon taking advantage of its low base defense
  • It's weaknesses to Stealth Rock and residual Life Orb damage means Ninetales is worn down very easily, especially when it's required to set up a Nasty Plot to actually do meaningful damage
  • Beating typical Fire-type checks like Altaria with a boosted Psyshock however is a huge advantage Ninetales has over other Fire-types. im very confused, p sure alt is gonna toxic you and spam roost and be very annoying. ninetales beats gastrodon, that would make more sense imo
  • Overall, Ninetales is a niche Fire-type choice that is severely outclassed by Magmortar and Pyroar.

[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Energy Ball
move 4: Psyshock
item: Firium-Z there's no hyphen in z moves / Life Orb
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

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

  • Nasty Plot boosts Ninetales' Special Attack by two stages and is the main source of distinguishing itself from it's Fire-type brethren Magmortar and Pyroar. the distinguishing part goes in the overview, doesnt have to go here
  • Fire Blast is Ninetales' strongest reliable STAB move, dealing solid neutral damage against top tier threats such as Mesprit and Skuntank
  • Energy Ball nails the Rock-, Ground-, and Water-types trying to eliminate Ninetales, such as Gastrodon, Lanturn, Carracosta, Regirock, Golurk, and Palossand
  • Psyshock hits Fighting-types for super effective damage, namely Hitmonchan, as well as specially defensive Pokemon like Altaria.

Set Details
========

  • 252 EVs in Special Attack and Speed with a Timid nature lets Ninetales reach the 328 benchmark, outpacing common threats like Silvally and Non-Scarfed Togedemaru, Jynx, and Haunter, while hitting as hard as possible
  • Firium-Z focuses on getting one huge hit onto the opponent while Life Orb focuses on dealing consistent damage throughout the match.
  • Flash Fire is Ninetales' only legal ability and makes it a decent switch in to opposing Fire-types.

Usage Tips
========

  • Ninetales should try not to be brought in until mid- to late game so that it can attempt to sweep with Nasty Plot. If it does come in, however, it's important to determine if Ninetales can Nasty Plot safely. Ninetales should try to Nasty Plot against more passive foes.
  • Sets utilizing Firium-Z should be careful as not to use the Z-move so quickly. Burning it out early on can neuter Ninetales' chances of sweeping late game.
  • Ninetales should try to switch out into a reliable check against common Choice Scarf users like Primeape, Mesprit, and Oricorio-G so that Ninetales doesn't become prematurely brought to low health or KO'd. this point is written a little weird, the scarfers are going to revenge kill you and it's good to point that out but ur kinda avoiding saying what the bullet is supposed to be talking about if that makes sense
  • It's generally safer to switch out Ninetales against a bad matchup rather than to stay in predicting the opponent to predict what you would have been switching into. i don't know what this is saying but it seems overly generic

Team Options
========

  • Ninetales appreciates having hazards removed on its own side and hazards set up on the opposing side, especially if its a Life Orb variant. Altaria and Ferroseed can both accomplish these tasks and have great type synergy together.
  • Pokemon such as Abomasnow and Pinsir appreciate the Fire-type immunity Ninetales provides with it's ability Flash Fire.
  • Checking or removing Choice Scarf users through the use of Thunder Wave support, Sticky Web, or having reliable switch-ins is important for Ninetales to ensure an unhalted sweep late game
give some offensive partners for this, it's still a fire type breaker even if it's worse than mag and pyroar so they should be fairly obv

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

  • Substitute helps Ninetales set up Nasty Plots against more passive Pokemon such as Audino and Sableye but Ninetales can have difficulty finding room for it and leaves it vulnerable to opposing Fire- and Dragon-types since Substitute if ran should be replacing Psyshock.
  • Calm Mind boost both its Special Attack and Special Defense simultaneously but is outclassed by Nasty Plot because it wants the power output over having increased Special Defense
  • Leftovers regains health passively but Ninetales' fairly weak Base 81 Special Attack misses out on the power boost Firium-Z and Life Orb both provide.
  • Toxic chips away at Ninetales' defensive checks but most of them like Audino, Altaria, and Type: Null can self-alleviate their own status
  • A Z-Sunny Day set with Fire Blast, Solar Beam, and Nasty Plot can be ran but also leaves it open for Fire- and Dragon-type switch ins.
hp ice is good to put here since dragons

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

**Fire-types**: Pokemon such as Altaria and Drampa resist Ninetales' Fire- and Grass-type coverage and only really fear a boosted Psyshock.
lol. read these 2 sections
**Dragon-types**: Pokemon such as Magmortar and Pyroar also resist Ninetales' Fire- and Grass-type coverage and only really fear a boosted Psyshock.

**Hazards + Priority**: Ninetales is susceptible to all forms of hazards including the ambiguous I think you mean ubiquitous, ambiguous doesn't make any sense here. thought u were done with the SAT Stealth Rock. This chip damage puts Ninetales in danger of being revenged killed by means of priority, especially an Accelerock or Aqua Jet from the likes of Lycanroc, Carracosta, and Swanna. call it chip damage, not hazards + priority lol.

**Faster Pokemon**: Floatzel, Archeops, and Alolan Dugtrio can all outspeed an revenge kill Ninetales with their super effective STAB attacks. They cannot, however, directly switch-in.this gets a little too specific, even just faster pokemon "such as" and also naming a scarfer would make this much better because it seems like those are the only 3 faster pokemon instead of the 3 you happened to choose
qcstamp.gif
1/3
 

UberSkitty

Assist Skitty was too broken for NDUbers
is a Site Content Manageris a Forum Moderatoris a Community Contributoris a Contributor to Smogon
Not even AB is safe from me.
QC: Megazard / ? / ?
GP: ? / ?

[OVERVIEW]

  • Ninetales is a subpar Fire-type choice whose sole niche lies in its unique access to Nasty Plot
  • It's hard to justify using Ninetales over the much more viable Magmortar and Pyroar, (What makes them better?)although beating typical Fire-type checks like Gastrodon without having to resort to Hidden Power is a huge advantage Ninetales has over other Fire-types(Having NP is also p big)
  • Ninetales’ base 81 Special Attack leaves a lot to be desired, meaning it needs a Nasty Plot boost to break through teams. Setting up a Nasty Plot can also be difficult at times with opposing Pokemon taking advantage of its low base defense
  • It's weaknesses to Stealth Rock and residual Life Orb damage means Ninetales is worn down very easily, especially when it's required to set up a Nasty Plot to actually do meaningful damage
(Mention it's nice Speed)
[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Energy Ball
move 4: Psyshock
item: Firium Z / Life Orb
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

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

  • Nasty Plot boosts Ninetales' Special Attack by two stages and allows it to sweep opposing teams late game after all of its checks have been removed or crippled(Also helps break through bulkier mons(insert examples here))
  • Fire Blast is Ninetales' strongest reliable STAB move, dealing solid neutral damage against top tier threats such as Mesprit and Skuntank(Also hits stuff for SE)
  • Energy Ball nails the Rock-, Ground-, and Water-types trying to eliminate Ninetales, such as Gastrodon, Lanturn, Carracosta, Regirock, Golurk, and Palossand(Palossand is my fav PU mon)
  • Psyshock hits Fighting-types for super effective damage, namely Hitmonchan, as well as specially defensive Pokemon like Altaria(Altaria is my fav PU mon).

Set Details
========

  • 252 EVs in Special Attack and Speed with a Timid nature lets Ninetales reach the 328 benchmark, outpacing common threats like Silvally and Non-Scarfed Togedemaru, Jynx, and Haunter, while hitting as hard as possible
  • Firium-Z focuses on getting one huge hit onto the opponent (Examples of mons is it especially useful against?)while Life Orb focuses on dealing consistent damage throughout the match.(Mention the recoil)
  • Flash Fire is Ninetales' only legal ability and makes it a decent switch in to opposing Fire-types.(Im new and dont know what Flash Fire's actual effect is)(Also you later say that Fire-types are checks, so I'd specify something like Choice-locked Pyroar)

Usage Tips
========

  • Ninetales should try not to be brought in until mid- to late game so that it can attempt to sweep with Nasty Plot. If it does come in, however, it's important to determine if Ninetales can Nasty Plot safely. Ninetales should try to Nasty Plot against more passive foes(Such as?).
  • Sets utilizing Firium-Z should be careful as not to use the Z-move so quickly. Burning it out early on can neuter Ninetales' chances of sweeping late game.
  • Choice Scarf users such as Primeape, Mesprit, and Oricorio-G can all revenge kill Ninetales, so waiting until the opposing teams' Choice Scarfer is elimated or crippled allows Ninetales the best opportunity to sweep end game.(Mention this with how it should be brought in mid to late game)(Also mention mons that wall Ninetales)
  • Because, for the most part, Ninetales has only one shot to sweep with Nasty Plot, so preserving Ninetales by bringing it in only when necessary and forcing double switches conserves its HP.(And after a teammate is KOed and slow pivots)
(It can also wear down the opposing team for a teammate)
Team Options
========

  • Ninetales appreciates having entry hazards removed from Pokemon such as Altaria(Altaria is my fav PU mon) and Silvally-Fairy, especially if its a Life Orb variant as Ninetales doesn't want to become worn down too quickly
  • Hazard setters like Ferroseed and Regirock have fantastic type synergy with Ninetales and can set up entry hazards for Ninetales so that it can more easily clean up late game.
  • Pokemon such as Abomasnow and Pinsir appreciate the Fire-type immunity Ninetales provides with it's ability Flash Fire.(Ninetales doesnt really like Obama's Snow Warning tho)(Also what can they do in return)
  • Water-resists and -immunities like Lanturn and Gastrodon can help Ninetales clean up with Energy Ball later.
  • Having answers to the more common Choice Scarf users like Primeape and Togedemaru as Ninetales cannot clean up late game if faster Pokemon are still present. (Any examples of these answers?)Priority moves from the likes of Skuntank and Kangaskhan in tandem with entry hazards can help wear Choice Scarf users down
(Also mention physical wallbreakers, cleaners, and Mesprit)
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

  • Substitute helps Ninetales set up Nasty Plots against more passive Pokemon such as Audino and Sableye(Also makes it harder to revenge kill) but Ninetales can have difficulty finding room for it and leaves it vulnerable to opposing Fire- and Dragon-types since Substitute if ran should be replacing Psyshock.(And doesnt appreciate the 25%)
  • Calm Mind boost both its Special Attack and Special Defense simultaneously but is outclassed by Nasty Plot because it wants the power output over having increased Special Defense
  • Leftovers regains health passively but Ninetales' fairly weak Base 81 Special Attack misses out on the power boost Firium-Z (Firium doesnt boost power tho)and Life Orb both provide.
  • Toxic chips away at Ninetales' defensive checks but most of them like Audino, Altaria(Altaria is my fav PU mon), and Type: Null can self-alleviate their own status
  • A Z-Sunny Day set with Fire Blast, Solar Beam, and Nasty Plot can be ran but also leaves it open for Fire- and Dragon-type switch ins.(It can also struggle to set up both Sunny Day and NP)
  • Hidden Power Ice can be use over Psyshock and nails Dragon-types that resist Ninetales' main two attacking options Fire Blast and Energy Ball(What's wrong with it?)
(Maybe mention Flamethrower)
Checks and Counters
===================

**Dragon-types**: Pokemon such as Altaria(Altaria is my fav PU mon) and Drampa resist Ninetales' Fire- and Grass-type coverage and only really fear a boosted Psyshock.(What can they do in return)

**Fire-types**: Pokemon such as Magmortar and Pyroar also resist Ninetales' Fire- and Grass-type coverage and only really fear a boosted Psyshock.(What can they do in return?)
(These two are so short and similar maybe consider just putting them both under something like "Fire Resistances". If so also mention Munchlax.)

**Chip Damage**: Ninetales is susceptible to all forms of hazards including the ubiquitous Stealth Rock. This chip damage puts Ninetales in danger of being revenged killed by means of priority, especially an Accelerock or Aqua Jet from the likes of Lycanroc, Carracosta, and Swanna.(Swanna aint the best example of an Aqua Jet user)(Mention LO recoil)

**Faster Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon such as Floatzel, Archeops, and Choice Scarf Primeape can all outspeed an revenge kill Ninetales with their super effective STAB attacks(Primeape's CC aint SE and Stone Edge aint STAB, nor is Archeops' EQ). They cannot, however, directly switch-in.(I'd put this first)
AM Check 1/1 This is now a QC. Bop.
 
Last edited:

asa

is a Site Content Manageris a Community Leaderis a Community Contributoris a Tiering Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Social Media Contributor Alumnus
PU Leader
QC: Mooglezard / LittleCupSkitty / ?
GP: ? / ?

[OVERVIEW]

Although its decent Special Attack and fantastic Base 100 Speed may convince someone otherwise, Ninetales is a subpar Fire-type choice whose sole niche in the metagame lies in its unique access to Nasty Plot. Ninetales can be hard to justify using over Pyroar, who has a higher Base Special Attack and Speed as well as secondary STAB. However, Ninetales is able to beat typical Fire-type checks such as Gastrodon without having to resort to Hidden Power and has access to a boosting move in Nasty Plot, which are two huge advantages. (this would flow better if this was to the beginning, imo. while you're at it, reword the first bit about its spatk and speed as well to sound more positive so that it transitions better into this point, and then go onto say why ninetales isn't very good.) Ninetales’ base 81 Special Attack leaves a lot to be desired, meaning it needs a Nasty Plot boost to break through teams. Setting up a Nasty Plot can also be difficult at times with opposing Pokemon taking advantage of its low base defense. It's weaknesses to Stealth Rock and residual Life Orb damage means Ninetales is worn down very easily, especially when it's required to set up a Nasty Plot to actually do meaningful damage.

[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Energy Ball
move 4: Psyshock
item: Firium Z / Life Orb
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

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

Nasty Plot boosts Ninetales' Special Attack by two stages and allows it to sweep opposing teams late game after all of its checks have been removed or crippled. Nasty Plot also helps break through bulkier Pokemon such as Mesprit, Aurorus, and Stoutland (for safety reasons, remove this mention.). Fire Blast is Ninetales' strongest reliable STAB move, dealing solid neutral damage against top-tier threats such as Mesprit and Skuntank and super effectively hitting Pokemon such as Lilligant and Pinsir. Energy Ball nails the Rock-, Ground-, and Water-types trying to eliminate Ninetales, such as Gastrodon, Lanturn, Carracosta, Regirock, and Golurk. Psyshock hits Fighting-types for super effective damage, namely Hitmonchan, as well as specially defensive Pokemon like Clefairy (reword this, it makes it sound like psyshock hits clefairy for super effective damage atm.).

Set Details
========

252 EVs in Special Attack and Speed with a Timid nature lets Ninetales reach the 328 benchmark, outpacing common threats like Silvally and Non-Scarfed Togedemaru (i feel like choice scarf is too common for this to warrant a mention, though that's a me thing, decide if you wanna remove that or w/e.), Jynx, and Haunter while hitting as hard as possible. Firium Z focuses on getting one huge hit onto the opponent such as the potential OHKO of Type: Null at +4 after Stealth Rock while Life Orb focuses on dealing consistent damage throughout the match at the cost of taking recoil. Flash Fire is Ninetales' only legal ability and gives it an immunity to Fire-type attacks, making it a decent check to Choice-locked Pyroar (specifically choice-locked into a fire move.), amongst other Pokemon. (other examples.) (mention grassium z here, allows you to more easily break past certain bulky fire-resists like regirock and lanturn.)

Usage Tips
========

Ninetales should try not to be brought in until mid- to late game so that it can attempt to sweep with Nasty Plot. If it does come in, however, it's important to determine if Ninetales can Nasty Plot safely. Ninetales should try to Nasty Plot against more passive foes such as Clefairy, Audino, and sleeping Type: Null (you need +4 to have a chance at ohkoing it after rocks, whereas it doesn't need very much chip to 2hko with return, so this example feels a bit risky. replace it w like sableye.). Sets utilizing Firium-Z should be careful as not to use the Z-move so quickly. Burning it out early on can neuter Ninetales' chances of sweeping late game. Choice Scarf users such as Primeape, Mesprit, and Oricorio-G can all revenge kill Ninetales, so waiting until the opposing teams' Choice Scarfer is eliminated or crippled allows Ninetales the best opportunity to sweep. Ninetales should be brought in mid- to late-game once specially defensive walls such as Type: Null and Lanturn are crippled or fainted. Because it has only one shot to sweep with Nasty Plot (not necessarily true, it just struggles to set up multiple times.), Ninetales should only be brought in with a slow pivot, after a teammate has fainted, or forcing double switches, thus conserving its HP.

Team Options
========

Ninetales appreciates having entry hazards removed from Pokemon such as Swanna and Silvally-Fairy, especially if its a Life Orb variant as Ninetales doesn't want to become worn down too quickly. Hazard setters like Ferroseed and Regirock have fantastic type synergy with Ninetales and can set up entry hazards for Ninetales so that it can more easily clean up late game. Pokemon such as Lilligant and Pinsir appreciate the Fire-type immunity Ninetales provides with its ability Flash Fire. In return, Lilligant checks bulky Water- and Rock-types such as Lanturn and Aurorus while Pinsir breaks down specially defensive walls such as Type: Null and Carbink. Water-resists and -immunities such as Lanturn and Gastrodon can help Ninetales clean up with Energy Ball later. Having answers to the more common Choice Scarf users like Primeape and Togedemaru is appreciated since Ninetales cannot clean up late game if they are still present. Such answers include Defensive Mesprit and Gurdurr. Priority moves from the likes of Skuntank and Kangaskhan in tandem with entry hazards can also help wear Choice Scarf users down over the course of the battle. Physical wallbreakers such as Pinsir and Stoutland (remove) help break down specially defensive walls such as Audino, Type: Null, and Clefairy so that Ninetales doesn't have to set up to +4 or +6 to overcome them.

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

Substitute helps Ninetales set up Nasty Plots against more passive Pokemon such as Audino and Sableye and makes it harder to revenge kill, but Ninetales can have difficulty finding room for it and leaves it vulnerable to opposing Fire- and Dragon-types since Substitute if ran should be replacing Psyshock. Ninetales also doesn't appreciate the 25% health it loses each time it uses Substitute and may prematurely end a sweep if also using Life Orb. Calm Mind boosts both its Special Attack and Special Defense simultaneously but is outclassed by Nasty Plot because it wants the power output over having increased Special Defense. Leftovers regains health passively but Ninetales' fairly weak Base 81 Special Attack misses out on the option of nuking with Firium Z and the power boost and Life Orb they provide. Toxic chips away at Ninetales' defensive checks but most of them like Audino, Carbink, and Type: Null can self-alleviate their own status. A Z-Sunny Day set with Fire Blast, Solar Beam, and Nasty Plot can be run but also leaves it open for Fire- and Dragon-type switch-ins. Ninetales also struggles to set up both Sunny Day and Nasty Plot. Hidden Power Ice can be used over Psyshock and nails Dragon-types that resist Ninetales' main two attacking options Fire Blast and Energy Ball but misses out on hitting Fire-types such as Pyroar and Fighting-types such as Hitmonchan.

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

**Fire-type resists**: Pokemon such as Silvally-Dragon, Drampa, Pyroar, and Munchlax resist Ninetales' Fire-type STAB and only really fear a boosted Psyshock. In return, these Pokemon can severely cripple, outright KO, or set up on Ninetales.

**Chip Damage**: Ninetales is susceptible to all forms of hazards including the ubiquitous Stealth Rock. This chip damage puts Ninetales in danger of being revenge killed by means of priority, especially an Accelerock or Aqua Jet from the likes of Lycanroc and Carracosta. Ninetales also put itself at higher risk of being revenge killed when it utilizes a Life Orb.

**Faster Pokemon**: Although they cannot directly switch-in, faster Pokemon such as Floatzel, Lycanroc, and Choice Scarf Primeape can all outspeed an revenge kill Ninetales with their super effective attacks.
qc 3/ban kingler, gjob
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Lumari

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remove add / fix (comments); (AC=add comma; RC=remove comma; SC=semicolon)
GP 1/2
[OVERVIEW]

There are two huge advantages of using Ninetales over other Fire-types: it's able its ability to beat typical Fire-type checks such as Gastrodon without having to resort to Hidden Power and it has its access to a boosting move in Nasty Plot. Although Ninetales's decent base 81 Special Attack and fantastic base 100 Speed may convince someone otherwise, Ninetales is a subpar Fire-type choice that can be hard to justify using over Pyroar, who which has a higher base Special Attack and Speed as well as a secondary STAB type. Ninetales’ Ninetales's Special Attack leaves a lot to be desired, meaning it needs a Nasty Plot boost to break through teams, which can also be difficult setting up at times with opposing Pokemon taking advantage of its low base Defense. Lastly, Ninetale's weaknesses Ninetales's vulnerability to Stealth Rock and residual Life Orb damage also mean it's worn down very easily, especially when it's required to set up a Nasty Plot to actually do meaningful damage.


[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Energy Ball
move 4: Psyshock
item: Firium Z / Life Orb
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

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

Nasty Plot boosts Ninetales' Ninetales's Special Attack by two stages and allows it to sweep opposing teams late-game (AH) after all of its checks have been removed or crippled. Nasty Plot It also helps Ninetales break through bulkier Pokemon such as Mesprit and Aurorus. Fire Blast is Ninetales' Ninetales's strongest reliable STAB move, dealing solid neutral damage against top-tier threats such as Mesprit and Skuntank and super effectively hitting Pokemon such as Lilligant and Pinsir. Energy Ball nails the Water-, Ground-, and Rock-types trying to eliminate Ninetales, such as Lanturn, Gastrodon, Carracosta, Golurk, and Regirock, and Golurk with their super effective STAB moves. Psyshock hits specially defensive Pokemon like Clefairy while also hitting Fighting-types for super effective damage, namely (change this to such as unless Hitmonchan is the only relevant target) Hitmonchan.

Set Details
========

252 EVs in Special Attack and Speed with a Timid nature lets Ninetales reach the 328 benchmark, outpacing common threats like all of the Silvally formes, Jynx, and Haunter while hitting as hard as possible. Firium Z focuses on getting one huge hit onto the opponent such as the potential OHKO after Stealth Rock of Type: Null at +4, (AC) after Stealth Rock while Life Orb focuses on dealing consistent damage throughout the match at the cost of taking recoil. Flash Fire is Ninetales' only legal ability and gives it an immunity to Fire-type attacks, making it a decent check to Choice-locked Pyroar into a Fire-type move and Hidden Power Fire variants of Lilligant. Grassium Z can also be utilized and allows Ninetales to more easily break certain bulky Fire resists Fire-resistant threats such as Regirock and Lanturn.

Usage Tips
========

Ninetales should try not to be brought in until mid- to late-game so that it can attempt to sweep with Nasty Plot. If it does come in, however, it's important to determine if Ninetales can set up Nasty Plot safely. Ninetales should try to Nasty Plot boost against more passive foes such as Clefairy, Audino, and Sableye. Sets utilizing Firium Z should be careful as not to use the Z-Move so quickly. Burning it out early on can neuter Ninetales' Ninetales's chances of sweeping late-game. (AH) Choice Scarf users such as Primeape, Mesprit, and Oricorio-G can all revenge kill Ninetales, so waiting until the opposing teams' Choice Scarf user is eliminated or crippled allows Ninetales the best opportunity to sweep. Ninetales should be brought in mid- to late-game once specially defensive walls such as Type: Null and Lanturn are crippled or fainted. Because it struggles to set up with Nasty Plot multiple times a game, Ninetales should only be brought in with a slow pivot, after a teammate has fainted, or by forcing double switches, thus conserving its HP.

Team Options
========

Ninetales appreciates having entry hazards removed removal from Pokemon such as Swanna and Silvally-Fairy, especially if its it's a Life Orb variant, (AC) as Ninetales doesn't want to become worn down too quickly. Hazard setters like Ferroseed and Regirock have fantastic type synergy with Ninetales and can set up entry hazards for Ninetales so that it can more easily clean up late-game. (AH) Pokemon such as Lilligant and Pinsir appreciate the Fire-type immunity Ninetales provides with its ability Flash Fire. In return, Lilligant checks bulky Water- and Rock-types such as Lanturn and Aurorus, (AC) while Pinsir breaks down specially defensive walls such as Type: Null and Carbink. Water-resists and -immunities Water-resistant and -immune teammates such as Lanturn and Gastrodon can help Ninetales clean up with Energy Ball later. Having answers to the more common Choice Scarf users like Primeape and Togedemaru is appreciated, (AC) since Ninetales cannot clean up late-game (AH) if they are still present. Such answers include defensive Mesprit and Gurdurr. Priority moves from the likes of Skuntank and Kangaskhan in tandem with entry hazards can also help wear Choice Scarf users down over the course of the battle. Physical wallbreakers such as Pinsir and Aggron help break down specially defensive walls such as Audino, Type: Null, and Clefairy so that Ninetales doesn't have to set up to +4 or +6 to overcome them.

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

Substitute helps Ninetales set up Nasty Plots against more passive Pokemon such as Audino and Sableye and makes it harder to revenge kill, but Ninetales can have difficulty finding room for it and leaves it is left vulnerable to opposing Fire- and Dragon-types, (AC) since Substitute if ran should would be replacing Psyshock. Ninetales also doesn't appreciate the 25% health it loses each time it uses Substitute, (AC) and which may prematurely end a sweep if also using Life Orb. Calm Mind boosts both its Special Attack and Special Defense simultaneously but is outclassed by Nasty Plot because it Ninetales wants the power output over having increased Special Defense. Leftovers regains health passively, (AC) but Ninetales' Ninetales's fairly weak poor base 81 Special Attack misses out on the option of nuking with Firium Z and the power boost and Life Orb they provide. Toxic chips away at Ninetales' Ninetales's defensive checks, (AC0 but most of them, (AC) like Audino, Carbink, and Type: Null, (AC) can self-alleviate cure their own status. A Z-Sunny Day set with Fire Blast, Solar Beam, and Nasty Plot can be run but also leaves it Ninetales open for Fire- and Dragon-type switch-ins. Ninetales also struggles to set up both Sunny Day and Nasty Plot. Hidden Power Ice can be used over Psyshock and nails Dragon-types that resist Ninetales' Ninetales's main two attacking options in Fire Blast and Energy Ball but misses out on hitting Fire-types such as Pyroar and Fighting-types such as Hitmonchan.

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

**Fire-type resists Fire-resistant foes**: Pokemon such as Silvally-Dragon, Drampa, Pyroar, and Munchlax resist Ninetales' Ninetales's Fire-type STAB attacks and only really fear a boosted Psyshock. In return, these Pokemon can severely cripple, outright KO, or set up on Ninetales.

**Chip Damage**: Ninetales is susceptible to all forms of hazards including the ubiquitous Stealth Rock. This chip damage puts Ninetales in danger of being revenge killed by means of priority, especially an Accelerock or Aqua Jet from the likes of Lycanroc and Carracosta. Ninetales also put puts itself at higher risk of being revenge killed when it utilizes a Life Orb.

**Faster Pokemon**: Although they cannot directly switch in, (RH) faster Pokemon such as Floatzel, Lycanroc, and Choice Scarf Primeape can all outspeed Ninetales an and revenge kill Ninetales it with their super effective attacks.
 
Last edited:

Fireflame

Silksong when
is a Top Contributoris a Smogon Media Contributoris a Social Media Contributor Alumnus
Remove Add Comments (AC)= add comma (RC)= remove comma (AH)= add hyphen (RH)= remove hyphen
[OVERVIEW]

There are two huge advantages of using Ninetales over other Fire-types: its ability to beat typical Fire-type checks such as Gastrodon without having to resort to Hidden Power and its access to a boosting move in Nasty Plot. Although Ninetales's decent base 81 Special Attack and fantastic base 100 Speed may convince someone otherwise, Ninetales is a subpar Fire-type choice that can be hard to justify using over Pyroar, which has a higher base Special Attack and Speed as well as a secondary STAB type. Ninetales's Special Attack leaves a lot to be desired, meaning it needs a Nasty Plot boost to break through teams, which can also be difficult setting up at times with opposing Pokemon taking advantage of its low base Defense. Lastly, Ninetales's vulnerability to Stealth Rock and residual Life Orb damage also mean it's worn down very easily, especially when it's required to set up a Nasty Plot to actually do meaningful damage.

[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Energy Ball
move 4: Psyshock
item: Firium Z / Life Orb
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

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

Nasty Plot boosts Ninetales's Special Attack by two stages and allows it to sweep opposing teams late-game after all of its checks have been removed or crippled. It also helps Ninetales break through bulkier Pokemon such as Mesprit and Aurorus. Fire Blast is Ninetales's strongest reliable STAB move, dealing solid neutral damage against top-tier threats such as Mesprit and Skuntank and super effectively hitting Pokemon such as Lilligant and Pinsir super effectively. Energy Ball nails the Water-, Ground-, and Rock-types trying to eliminate Ninetales, such as Lanturn, Gastrodon, Carracosta, Golurk, and Regirock. Psyshock hits specially defensive Pokemon like Clefairy while also hitting Fighting-types such as Hitmonchan for super effective damage,(RC) such as Hitmonchan.

Set Details
========

252 EVs in Special Attack and Speed with a Timid nature lets Ninetales reach the 328 benchmark, outpacing common threats like all of the Silvally formes, Jynx, and Haunter while hitting as hard as possible. Firium Z focuses on getting one huge hit onto the opponent a foe such as the potential OHKO after Stealth Rock of on Type: Null at +4, while Life Orb focuses on dealing consistent damage throughout the match at the cost of taking recoil. Flash Fire is Ninetales's only legal ability and gives it an immunity to Fire-type attacks, making it a decent check to Choice-locked Pyroar and Hidden Power Fire variants of Lilligant. Grassium Z can also be utilized and allows Ninetales to more easily break certain bulky Fire-resistant threats such as Regirock and Lanturn.

Usage Tips
========

Ninetales should try not to be brought in until mid- to late-game so that it can attempt to sweep with Nasty Plot. If it does come in, however, it's important to determine if Ninetales can set up Nasty Plot safely. Ninetales should try to boost against more passive foes such as Clefairy, Audino, and Sableye. Sets utilizing Firium Z should be careful as not to not use the Z-Move so quickly. Burning it out early on can neuter Ninetales's chances of sweeping late-game. Choice Scarf users such as Primeape, Mesprit, and Oricorio-G can all revenge kill Ninetales, so waiting until the opposing teams' team's Choice Scarf user is eliminated or crippled allows gives Ninetales the best opportunity to sweep. Ninetales should be brought in mid- to late-game once specially defensive walls such as Type: Null and Lanturn are crippled or have fainted. Because it struggles to set up with Nasty Plot multiple times a game, Ninetales should only be brought in with a slow pivot, after a teammate has fainted, or by forcing double switches, thus conserving its HP.

Team Options
========

Ninetales appreciates having entry hazard removal from Pokemon such as Swanna and Silvally-Fairy, especially if it's a Life Orb variant, as Ninetales doesn't want to become worn down too quickly. Hazard setters like Ferroseed and Regirock have fantastic type synergy with Ninetales and can set up entry hazards for Ninetales so that it can more easily clean up late-game. Pokemon such as Lilligant and Pinsir appreciate the Fire-type immunity Ninetales provides with its ability Flash Fire. In return, Lilligant checks bulky Water- and Rock-types such as Lanturn and Aurorus, (AC) (keep comma remove comment) while Pinsir breaks down specially defensive walls such as Type: Null and Carbink. Water-resistant and -immune teammates such as Lanturn and Gastrodon can help Ninetales clean up with Energy Ball later. Having answers to the more common Choice Scarf users like Primeape and Togedemaru is appreciated, since Ninetales cannot clean up late-game if they are still present. Such answers include defensive Mesprit and Gurdurr. Priority moves from the likes of Skuntank and Kangaskhan in tandem with entry hazards can also help wear Choice Scarf users down over the course of the battle. Physical wallbreakers such as Pinsir and Aggron help break down specially defensive walls such as Audino, Type: Null, and Clefairy so that Ninetales doesn't have to set up to +4 or +6 to overcome them.

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

Substitute helps Ninetales set up Nasty Plots Plot against more passive Pokemon such as Audino and Sableye and makes it harder to revenge kill, but Ninetales can have difficulty finding room for it and is left vulnerable to opposing Fire- and Dragon-types, since Substitute would be replacing Psyshock. Ninetales also doesn't appreciate the 25% health it loses each time it uses Substitute, which may prematurely end a sweep if also using Life Orb. Calm Mind boosts both its Special Attack and Special Defense simultaneously but is outclassed by Nasty Plot because Ninetales wants the power output over having increased Special Defense. Leftovers regains health passively, (AC) (keep comma remove comment) but Ninetales's fairly poor base 81 Special Attack misses out on the option of nuking a foe with Firium Z and the power boost and Life Orb they provides. Toxic chips away at Ninetales's defensive checks, but most of them, like Audino, Carbink, and Type: Null, can cure their own status. A Z-Sunny Day set with Fire Blast, Solar Beam, and Nasty Plot can be run but also leaves Ninetales open for Fire- and Dragon-type switch-ins. Ninetales also struggles to set up both Sunny Day and Nasty Plot. Hidden Power Ice can be used over Psyshock and nails Dragon-types that resist Ninetales's main two attacking options in Fire Blast and Energy Ball but misses out on hitting Fire-types such as Pyroar and Fighting-types such as Hitmonchan.

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

**Fire-resistant foes**: Pokemon such as Silvally-Dragon, Drampa, Pyroar, and Munchlax resist Ninetales's Fire-type STAB attacks and only really fear a boosted Psyshock. In return, these Pokemon can severely cripple, outright KO, or set up on Ninetales.

**Chip Damage**: Ninetales is susceptible to all forms of entry hazards including the ubiquitous Stealth Rock. This chip damage puts Ninetales in danger of being revenge killed by means of priority, especially an Accelerock or Aqua Jet from the likes of Lycanroc and Carracosta. Ninetales also puts itself at higher risk of being revenge killed when it utilizes a Life Orb.

**Faster Pokemon**: Although they cannot directly switch in,(AC) faster Pokemon such as Floatzel, Lycanroc, and Choice Scarf Primeape can all outspeed Ninetales and revenge kill it with their super effective attacks.
GP 2/2
 

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