Hey guys, I'm going to be doing some sets for certain Pokemons in this blog, to start off, chosen at random to mark the beginning of this section of the site, we are starting off with
Drifblim.
Drifblim's decent Attack stat combined with a good offensive typing and an excellent ability in Unburden makes it an effective sweeper in the PU metagame. However, its sweeping potential is unforunately limited by the lack of a physical boosting moves, strong STAB moves and coverage, and ways for it to activate Unburden.
It is easily walled, as physical sets struggle to get past Rock-, Steel-, and Electric-types, and special sets are too weak to break through common special walls. It can be revenge killed easily, as it is weak to three common priority moves, and certain Choice Scarf users such as Raichu will outspeed Drifblim even if it has an Unburden boost. It has a decent support movepool including Will-O-Wisp, Defog, and Destiny Bond, which provide team support and can help it sweep.
Drifblim's high HP stat is unfortunatly let down by poor Defense and Special Defense and a typing that leaves it weak to five common types and to Stealth Rock. Although it has the potential to spinblock, it cannot do so in practice, as it loses to every relevant Rapid Spin user. Unburden provides
Drifblim with a niche over other offensive Ghost-types, such as Misdreavus, allowing it to be more effective against offensive teams, as it is harder to revenge kill.
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| Drifblim #426 |
Ability: Unburden.
Item: Sitrus Berry / Liechi Berry.
Effort Values: 12 HP / 252 Atk / 32 Def / 36 SpD / 176 Spe.
Nature: Adamant.
Suggested Moveset:
-Acrobatics
-Will-O-Wisp
-Substitute
-Destiny Bond / Knock Off
Acrobatics is your strongest STAB move, reaching 110 Base Power after Drifblim loses its item. Will-O-Wisp lets you set up Substitutes against Pokemon such as Lickilicky while crippling switch-ins such as Golem and Carracosta, as well as to easily activate its item while blocking status and weaker hits, and Destiny Bond allows it to KO slower revenge killers, which is effective with its high Speed when boosted by Unburden. Knock Off can be used to provide more coverage by crippling any Pokemon it touches and is stronger than an unboosted Acrobatics.
176 Speed EVs lets you outspeed base 70 Speed Pokemon, allowing it to outspeed and burn Mightyena with Will-O-Wisp, while also letting it outspeed Choice Scarf base 95 Speed Pokemon when boosted by Unburden. Maximum Attack EV investment and an Adamant nature are required in order to give Drifblim the capability to sweep. The leftover EVs are used to increase your defensive stats, with the current spread being the most effective and allowing you to consume your Sitrus or Liechi Berry after two and three Substitutes, respectively. Berries are used to activate Unburden, which lets you outspeed the entire unboosted metagame. Sitrus Berry is easier to reach and provides a health boost, while Liechi Berry provides a much-needed power boost.
Drifblim should be used as a late-game sweeper when Pokemon that resist Flying-type moves, Choice Scarf and priority users have been removed, but it can also be used before that, just to spread burns or cripple foes with Knock Off. You should not switch in but rather should enter after a teammate is KOed or brought in from a pivot against Pokemon that it can force out such as Poliwrath and Roselia. When in and ready to sweep, you should either try to Substitute until it is in range of the activation of one of its Berries or use Will-O-Wisp to prevent the foe from dealing too much damage. Once it has its Unburden boost with Liechi Berry, attacking will often be the best play, as you might be too weak to take even an attack from a burned Pokemon; however, when running Sitrus Berry, you will have enough health to more comfortably take a hit. You should try to not reveal Destiny Bond, as it is more effective if the opponent does not expect it.
Due to its limited coverage, Drifblim should be paired with a teammate that can check Pokemon that resist Flying. This includes Water-type Pokemon, which beat Rock-types; Grass-types, such as Simisage and Tangela, which resist Electric-types and check Rock-types; and Ground-types, such as Torterra and Golem, which beat Steel-, Rock-, and Electric-types. Due to its weakness to Stealth Rock, Drifblim appreciates entry hazard removal support from . Dark- and Normal-types such as Pawniard and Stoutland beat opposing Ghost-types while you check Fighting-types. Fighting- and Steel-types such as Poliwrath and Probopass beat Ice-types; the former can also beat Dark- and Steel-types, and the latter checks Rock-types.
Other Flying-types such as Jumpluff can form Flying-type spam cores, as they weaken each other's checks and counters. Wallbreakers, such as Heatmor and Marowak, and entry hazards from Pokemon such as Piloswine and Whirlipede wear the opposing team down, providing you with a better chance to sweep. Drifblim fits better on offensive teams, which provide enough offensive pressure to wear down the opponent's team and remove possible threats.
So guys, this is the set I like to use for Drifblim and I think it works as a uncommon Pokemon strategy.
