[OVERVIEW]
Pros
- Hits 19 speed, which puts Wingull in a great speed tier. Outspeeds all relevant unboosted Pokémon with the exceptions of Elekid and Diglett. Speed ties with Ponyta, Abra, and Staryu.
- Wingull can outspeed and 1HKO every fighting type in the tier with Hurricane, which is great considering how common Mienfoo, Timburr, and Scraggy are this generation.
- There are only two Pokémon in the tier that resist Water / Flying, and one of those is Helioptile. Wingull can be a very difficult Pokémon for certain teams to deal with.
- Can work in rain, but rain isn't viable whatsoever.
Cons
- Wingull has terrible 20/9/9 defenses uninvested. Has trouble taking any non-resisted hit.
- Stealth Rock weakness wears down Wingull quickly because of flying type and no room for recovery.
- Has difficulty getting past bulkier Pokémon with recovery such as Spritzee and Vullaby.
- Diglett can outspeed and 1HKO with Rock Slide.
- Chinchou can tank any hit and 1HKO.
- Staryu with Thunderbolt are an issue.
- Has a pretty useless ability.
- Rain is basically irrelevant in LC.
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Hurricane / Air Slash
move 2: Scald
move 3: Knock Off / HP Ground
move 4: U-Turn
item: Life Orb / Flyinium Z
ability: Rain Dish
nature: Timid
evs: 36 Def / 236 SpA / 236 Spe
ivs: 0 HP
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
- Hurricane is the main STAB. Accuracy goes from 70% to 100% under rain.
- Air Slash can be used instead if Wingull cannot be given rain support. Note that the lower damage output does hinder Wingull.
- Scald is the secondary STAB. Damage is boosted by 50% under rain.
- Knock Off is for hindering Pokémon on the switch - most notably potential scarfers.
- HP Ground can be used to deal with Chinchou, Magnemite, and other electric types on the switch.
- U-Turn is Wingull's way out. Use this on the switch into a Pokémon that can threaten Wingull or on the last turn of rain.
- If using Flyinium Z, Supersonic Strike reaches 185 base power + STAB. This can secure some 2HKOs on key Pokémon like Vullaby and Spritzee.
Set Details
========
- The EV spread gives Wingull the most speed and special attack possible.
- Timid nature is absolutely necessary. It allows Wingull to reach reach 19 speed and looses a lot of function without it.
- The set has 0 HP IVs to give Wingull 19 HP, which reduces the Life Orb recoil from 2 HP to 1.
- Flyinium Z can be used to take a huge chunk out of one opponent, but be aware that the rest of Wingull's attacks will be weaker without Life Orb.
Usage Tips
========
- First and foremost, Wingull is exponentially better with rain. If Wingull's team can provide rain support, do so (Hurricane goes from 70% accuracy to 100% and Scald gets a 50% damage boost).
- Try to not bring Wingull in on attacks. Send it in from by slow pivot or as a revenge killer.
- Wingull is prone to being worn down, which gives it a harder time functioning. Keep your side of the field free of hazards. Note that Life Orb recoil contributes to this as well without rain.
- Be weary of Diglett. Wingull can threaten it on the switch thanks to Scald, but once Diglett is in, Rock Slide is a definite 1HKO.
- Know what opposing Pokémon are scarfed. Any Pokémon that outspeeds Wingull is a threat. Use Knock Off and careful playing to scout out scarfed Pokémon.
- Strong priority moves are an issue. Play around them carefully.
- Do not bet on Hurricane's confusion change and Scald's burn chance if there are other options. 30% for a status infliction is generally not worth the risk.
- Wingull can act as a late game sweeper once strong priority users and scarfed Pokémon are removed.
- Use U-Turn when you predict the opponent to switch in a threatening Pokémon.
- If using Flyinium, be sure to not waste it. Be aware of switches.
Team Options
========
- Electric switch-ins: Electric types, ground types, and other Pokémon who resist electric moves are crucial to Wingull's success. Chinchou and Diglett get special mentions here; Chinchou has Volt Absorb and usually runs HP Ground, and Diglett is able to revenge kill any electric type.
- Hazard removers: Wingull is prone to being worn down. Having hazard removal increases its longevity and effectiveness. Drilbur, Staryu, Vullaby, Kabuto, and Anorith can all effectively do this.
- Hazard setters: Wingull appreciates Stealth Rocks up on the opposing side to help reel in additional kills. Focus Sash holding mons can be a pain. Onix and Drilbur are ideal for this role as they also provide an electric immunity to Wingull.
- Knock Off support: Opposing Choice Scarf Pokémon loosing their items to Knock Off is greatly appreciated by Wingull.
- Rain setters: Chinchou, Foongus, Mienfoo, and Mantyke can all have their sets altered to be able to fit Rain Dance.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
- A rain set with Hydration and Rest can be used, but Ducklett can do the same thing and has higher defenses. Ducklett does not have U-Turn or the offensive presence that Wingull has, though.
- Wingull can set its own rain, but low defenses make that frequently unsuccessful. This set would run Waterium Z for Hydro Vortex.
- A Choice Scarf set can be used to help Wingull surpass opposing scarfers, but Wingull greatly benefits from Life Orb and being able to switch between moves.
- Hydration can be used over Rain Dish if Wingull is given rain support and continuously gets statused, but rain is pretty bad in SM.
Checks and Counters
===================
- Chinchou: Chinchou can tank any of Wingull's hits and 1HKO it back. Scarfed variants are also threatening.
- Diglett: Diglett can be brought in as a revenge killer and 1HKO with Rock Slide. Wingull has no real option to deal with Diglett once it is switched in.
- Electric types: Elekid and scarfed electric types can outspeed and 1HKO Wingull while Chinchou and SturdyJuice Magnemite can tank any of Wingull's STAB hits and 1HKO with an electric attack.
- Bulky water types: Chinchou, Mantyke, and Slowpoke can all tank a Hurricane or two and dish back damage. Staryu can also beat Wingull if running Thunderbolt, so be prepared for those variations.
- Scarfed Pokémon: Wingull has no way of dealing with Scarfed mons on his own besides for predicting a switch and using Knock Off.
Pros
- Hits 19 speed, which puts Wingull in a great speed tier. Outspeeds all relevant unboosted Pokémon with the exceptions of Elekid and Diglett. Speed ties with Ponyta, Abra, and Staryu.
- Wingull can outspeed and 1HKO every fighting type in the tier with Hurricane, which is great considering how common Mienfoo, Timburr, and Scraggy are this generation.
- There are only two Pokémon in the tier that resist Water / Flying, and one of those is Helioptile. Wingull can be a very difficult Pokémon for certain teams to deal with.
- Can work in rain, but rain isn't viable whatsoever.
Cons
- Wingull has terrible 20/9/9 defenses uninvested. Has trouble taking any non-resisted hit.
- Stealth Rock weakness wears down Wingull quickly because of flying type and no room for recovery.
- Has difficulty getting past bulkier Pokémon with recovery such as Spritzee and Vullaby.
- Diglett can outspeed and 1HKO with Rock Slide.
- Chinchou can tank any hit and 1HKO.
- Staryu with Thunderbolt are an issue.
- Has a pretty useless ability.
- Rain is basically irrelevant in LC.
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Hurricane / Air Slash
move 2: Scald
move 3: Knock Off / HP Ground
move 4: U-Turn
item: Life Orb / Flyinium Z
ability: Rain Dish
nature: Timid
evs: 36 Def / 236 SpA / 236 Spe
ivs: 0 HP
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
- Hurricane is the main STAB. Accuracy goes from 70% to 100% under rain.
- Air Slash can be used instead if Wingull cannot be given rain support. Note that the lower damage output does hinder Wingull.
- Scald is the secondary STAB. Damage is boosted by 50% under rain.
- Knock Off is for hindering Pokémon on the switch - most notably potential scarfers.
- HP Ground can be used to deal with Chinchou, Magnemite, and other electric types on the switch.
- U-Turn is Wingull's way out. Use this on the switch into a Pokémon that can threaten Wingull or on the last turn of rain.
- If using Flyinium Z, Supersonic Strike reaches 185 base power + STAB. This can secure some 2HKOs on key Pokémon like Vullaby and Spritzee.
Set Details
========
- The EV spread gives Wingull the most speed and special attack possible.
- Timid nature is absolutely necessary. It allows Wingull to reach reach 19 speed and looses a lot of function without it.
- The set has 0 HP IVs to give Wingull 19 HP, which reduces the Life Orb recoil from 2 HP to 1.
- Flyinium Z can be used to take a huge chunk out of one opponent, but be aware that the rest of Wingull's attacks will be weaker without Life Orb.
Usage Tips
========
- First and foremost, Wingull is exponentially better with rain. If Wingull's team can provide rain support, do so (Hurricane goes from 70% accuracy to 100% and Scald gets a 50% damage boost).
- Try to not bring Wingull in on attacks. Send it in from by slow pivot or as a revenge killer.
- Wingull is prone to being worn down, which gives it a harder time functioning. Keep your side of the field free of hazards. Note that Life Orb recoil contributes to this as well without rain.
- Be weary of Diglett. Wingull can threaten it on the switch thanks to Scald, but once Diglett is in, Rock Slide is a definite 1HKO.
- Know what opposing Pokémon are scarfed. Any Pokémon that outspeeds Wingull is a threat. Use Knock Off and careful playing to scout out scarfed Pokémon.
- Strong priority moves are an issue. Play around them carefully.
- Do not bet on Hurricane's confusion change and Scald's burn chance if there are other options. 30% for a status infliction is generally not worth the risk.
- Wingull can act as a late game sweeper once strong priority users and scarfed Pokémon are removed.
- Use U-Turn when you predict the opponent to switch in a threatening Pokémon.
- If using Flyinium, be sure to not waste it. Be aware of switches.
Team Options
========
- Electric switch-ins: Electric types, ground types, and other Pokémon who resist electric moves are crucial to Wingull's success. Chinchou and Diglett get special mentions here; Chinchou has Volt Absorb and usually runs HP Ground, and Diglett is able to revenge kill any electric type.
- Hazard removers: Wingull is prone to being worn down. Having hazard removal increases its longevity and effectiveness. Drilbur, Staryu, Vullaby, Kabuto, and Anorith can all effectively do this.
- Hazard setters: Wingull appreciates Stealth Rocks up on the opposing side to help reel in additional kills. Focus Sash holding mons can be a pain. Onix and Drilbur are ideal for this role as they also provide an electric immunity to Wingull.
- Knock Off support: Opposing Choice Scarf Pokémon loosing their items to Knock Off is greatly appreciated by Wingull.
- Rain setters: Chinchou, Foongus, Mienfoo, and Mantyke can all have their sets altered to be able to fit Rain Dance.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
- A rain set with Hydration and Rest can be used, but Ducklett can do the same thing and has higher defenses. Ducklett does not have U-Turn or the offensive presence that Wingull has, though.
- Wingull can set its own rain, but low defenses make that frequently unsuccessful. This set would run Waterium Z for Hydro Vortex.
- A Choice Scarf set can be used to help Wingull surpass opposing scarfers, but Wingull greatly benefits from Life Orb and being able to switch between moves.
- Hydration can be used over Rain Dish if Wingull is given rain support and continuously gets statused, but rain is pretty bad in SM.
Checks and Counters
===================
- Chinchou: Chinchou can tank any of Wingull's hits and 1HKO it back. Scarfed variants are also threatening.
- Diglett: Diglett can be brought in as a revenge killer and 1HKO with Rock Slide. Wingull has no real option to deal with Diglett once it is switched in.
- Electric types: Elekid and scarfed electric types can outspeed and 1HKO Wingull while Chinchou and SturdyJuice Magnemite can tank any of Wingull's STAB hits and 1HKO with an electric attack.
- Bulky water types: Chinchou, Mantyke, and Slowpoke can all tank a Hurricane or two and dish back damage. Staryu can also beat Wingull if running Thunderbolt, so be prepared for those variations.
- Scarfed Pokémon: Wingull has no way of dealing with Scarfed mons on his own besides for predicting a switch and using Knock Off.
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