How Can You Use Falinks in Doubles?

Question

I have two Falinks in my reserves that I really want to use for upcoming Same Double Beat competition, though I’m having trouble coming up with a strategy on how to use them in a doubles team.

I know how hard it is use to use Falinks to begin with because of their lack of coverage & subpar stats, but on top of that I’m not sure how to incorporate them in a team that fully synergizes with each other

If anyone has any advice such as movesets, EVs, or partners to go along with Falinks, I’d greatly appreciate it. I also don’t care if they’re outclassed by another pokémon, I personally want to use them for sentimental reasons.

Comments

I don't know much about doubles, but you could try something like a parting shot user using it on Falinks with Defiant to boost it's attack. The problem is, Bisharp is a generally better Defiant user due to getting Sucker Punch.

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@SpookyTerrain that won’t work. Defiant doesn’t activate if an ally Pokémon lowers it’s stats.

Anyway, I have zero experience with Same Double Beat and Falinks in doubles / VGC, but I do suggest having a Follow Me user like Togekiss or Clefairy, since that can redirect attacks and allow Falinks to set up No Retreat more safely. Also they both get Helping Hand, allowing Falinks to hit even harder. Fake Out support from Incineroar, Rillaboom, etc, can also help Falinks set up by flinching opponents.

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You'll probably get a better answer if you ask here: https://www.smogon.com/forums/threads/vgc-ask-a-simple-question-get-a-simple-answer.3588172/

Answer 1

Ok, since the last answer had...questionable sets, I want to try and give you a set that actually works. First, don't use falinks. There is no reason to use it, it is slow, and...bad. While it does have defiant, it just gets outclassed by the urshifus, kartana, and other strong physical sweepers. While it does have defiant, it still should not be used.
HOWEVER: If you are hellbent on using it, I suppose I could help. On top of that, being set up reliant in vgc is a horrible plight.

Falinks @ Life Orb
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- No Retreat
- Rock Slide
- First Impression

This would be played well with regieleki.

Regieleki @ Focus Sash
Ability: Transistor
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature (Eleki Speed ties make vgc suck, just use timid)
- Electroweb
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
- Protect

Overall, use an urshifu form, they are far superior.

Comments

What are rock slide and first impression supposed to cover? Why don't you use throat chop?

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Rock Slide is an excellent spread move in vgc. First impression is good priority that hits many pokemon neutrally or super effectively that it wouldn't such as rillaboom, venusaur, Kartana and indeedee-f, among others. Throat chop only covers spectrier and dragapult, of which falinks is not suited to handle anyways as it is slow and frail.