Specially Defensive Pivot
Togedemaru @ Leftovers
Ability: Lightning Rod
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Zing Zap
- Nuzzle / Spiky Shield
- U-turn
- Wish
Here it is folks! The latest Pikachu clone, this time fortified with a Steel typing in a fruitless attempt to make it not suck! Too bad that's an impossible feat.
Set Details: Due to Togedemaru's unique set of immunities and resistances, including Psychic, Fairy, Ice, Grass, Electric and Poison, as well as its access to reliable recovery and pivoting moves, it can act as a specially defensive pivot. Lightning Rod is the ability of choice, assisting Togedemaru in soaking up attacks. Iron Barbs is not particularly useful as the majority of attacks that this set should be pivoted into will not make contact, and Sturdy's benefits are outweighed by Lightning Rod's. The EVs and nature maximize HP and Special Defense, but these can altered slightly to hit certain speed benchmarks or survive certain physical attacks depending on threats within the metagame you are using this in. If doing this, always take EVs out of Special Defense first. Leftovers gives passive recovery which aids in taking attacks.
Moves: Zing Zap is a spammable STAB move. Nuzzle can be used if the other Pokemon on your team appreciate Speed control, such as slow, powerful wallbreakers. If not, Spiky Shield should be used in place of this so Togedemaru can heal more reliably with Wish. It is used over Protect to inflict damage on physical attackers while still protecting Togedemaru from damage. Although it does not block status conditions, Togedemaru is immune to the most common ones, those being paralysis and poison, and can U-turn out if under Taunt to preserve momentum. U-turn brings in frailer Pokemon safely and can also be used for scouting. It is used in place of Volt Switch as it cannot be blocked by Volt Absorb, Lightning Rod and Ground types. Wish provides reliable recovery and can also heal a teammate if need be.
Note: This Pokemon sucks. Don't use it.