VGC18 Stakataka Movesets [3 Options] | Sweeper / Offensive Trick Room Setter

[Kris]

Stakataka
Type:  /
HP: 61
Attack: 131
Defense: 211
Sp.Atk: 53
Sp.Def: 101
Speed: 13

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Stakataka's role lies in being a Trick Room attacker/trap setter and tanking physical hits. It's 61 HP leaves much to be desired but it's 211 Defense is godly. Able to set Stealth Rock, double screens and Trick Room. It lacks the ability to recover outside of Leftovers and Grassy Terrain however, so it may fall short of competing with Clefable for example in terms of survivablity. It's Rock Steel typing is disgusting, 4x weak to Ground (Landorus) and Fighting (Superpower Bulu), however. Stakataka with 14 Defense EVs, a Lonely Nature and 252 Attack EVs makes it's Attack higher than it's Defense, crucial for it's sweeping potential.

 

Set 1

Stakataka @ Choice Band
Ability: Beast Boost  
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD  
Lonely Nature  
IVs: 15 Def / 0 Spe  
- Earthquake  
- Gyro Ball  
- Iron Head  
- Rock Slide

 

Set Details

Paired with a Trick Room setter, Stakataka is a powerhouse and when played right it will demolish opponents. It currently has the strongest Gyro Ball in the game sitting at a max of 150 BP and is Stakataka's most effective answer to Tapu Lele and Tapu Bulu as well as other Fairy Types. Earthquake will hit both opponents, hits Tapu Koko Super effectively, and hits opposing Stakataka super effectively. Iron Head is another good option for STAB, and also has a chance to flinch the target. Rock Slide is Stakataka's Rock type STAB, hits both opponents and has a chance to flinch. A Choice Band is a solid item choice as it will increase Stakataka's physical moves, a Life Orb works too, but the recoil is a setback. 

Usage Tips

Stakataka's only good role lies in it being a Trck Room sweeper, so pair it with a fast Trick Room setter, i.e. Mimikyu, to make the most out of it's power. It should be used as a late game sweeper, but you can afford to use it first to avoid traps on switch in. It is able to answer every Tapu with just Gyro Ball alone, and can take a few hits in return. Opposing TR Pokemon will be something to watch out for however, especially Hariyama and Mudsdale.

Damage Calculations

Offensive

• 252+ Atk Stakataka Gyro Ball (150 BP) vs. 108 HP / 0 Def Tapu Bulu: 254-300 (159.7 - 188.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
  Possible damage amounts: (254, 258, 260, 264, 266, 270, 272, 276, 278, 282, 284, 288, 290, 294, 296, 300)
  
• 252+ Atk Choice Band Stakataka Gyro Ball (150 BP) vs. 108 HP / 0 Def Tapu Bulu: 378-446 (237.7 - 280.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
  Possible damage amounts: (378, 384, 386, 392, 396, 402, 404, 410, 414, 420, 422, 428, 432, 438, 440, 446)
  
• 252+ Atk Choice Band Stakataka Gyro Ball (145 BP) vs. 252 HP / 116+ Def Tapu Fini: 150-177 (84.7 - 100%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO
  Possible damage amounts: (150, 151, 153, 154, 157, 159, 160, 162, 163, 165, 168, 169, 171, 172, 174, 177)
  
• 252+ Atk Stakataka Gyro Ball (150 BP) vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Tapu Koko: 162-192 (110.9 - 131.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
  Possible damage amounts: (162, 165, 166, 168, 169, 172, 174, 175, 178, 180, 181, 183, 186, 187, 189, 192)
  
• 252+ Atk Stakataka Gyro Ball (150 BP) vs. 28 HP / 60 Def Tapu Lele: 330-390 (221.4 - 261.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
  Possible damage amounts: (330, 332, 338, 342, 344, 350, 354, 356, 360, 366, 368, 372, 378, 380, 384, 390)
  
• 252+ Atk Stakataka Rock Slide vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Pheromosa: 150-177 (102 - 120.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
  Possible damage amounts: (150, 151, 153, 154, 157, 159, 160, 162, 163, 165, 168, 169, 171, 172, 174, 177)
  

Defensive

• 252 SpA Life Orb Tapu Koko Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Stakataka in Electric Terrain: 121-142 (72 - 84.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
  Possible damage amounts: (121, 121, 122, 125, 125, 126, 129, 130, 130, 133, 134, 136, 136, 138, 140, 142)
  
• 252+ SpA Life Orb Tapu Lele Psychic vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Stakataka in Psychic Terrain: 82-96 (48.8 - 57.1%) -- 94.1% chance to 2HKO
  Possible damage amounts: (82, 82, 83, 84, 86, 86, 87, 88, 90, 90, 91, 92, 94, 94, 95, 96)
  
• 196+ Atk Tapu Bulu Wood Hammer vs. 252 HP / 0- Def Stakataka in Grassy Terrain: 99-117 (58.9 - 69.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
  Possible damage amounts: (99, 100, 100, 102, 103, 105, 105, 106, 108, 109, 111, 111, 112, 114, 115, 117)
  
• 252+ Atk Arcanine Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 0- Def Stakataka: 60-72 (35.7 - 42.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
  Possible damage amounts: (60, 61, 61, 63, 63, 64, 64, 66, 66, 67, 67, 69, 69, 70, 70, 72)
  
• 0 Atk Kartana Sacred Sword vs. 252 HP / 0- Def Stakataka: 136-164 (80.9 - 97.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO <Assault Vest set>
  Possible damage amounts: (136, 140, 140, 144, 144, 144, 148, 148, 152, 152, 152, 156, 156, 160, 160, 164)
  
• 96+ Atk Metagross Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0- Def Stakataka: 140-168 (83.3 - 100%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO
  Possible damage amounts: (140, 144, 144, 144, 148, 148, 152, 152, 156, 156, 156, 160, 160, 164, 164, 168)
  

Checks & Counters

• Mudsdale, Landorus and Hariyama all survive Stakataka's moves and OHKO it in return. 
  
• Choice Scarf Garchomp will be able to outspeed before you get to setup TR and OHKO Stakataka with Earthquake.
  
• Bulky Water types are capable of surving non-banded Stakataka's moves.
  
• Sableye with Will-O-Wisp cuts Stakataka's Attack stat.
  

Team Options

• Mimikyu with Trick Room is needed to make this work as Mimikyu is the fastest TR Setter and it gets useful Utility moves like Will-O-Wisp and Thunder Wave.
  
• Tapu Fini is a good option with access to Defog and Misty Terrain to prevent Stakataka being inflicted with Status.
  
• Sand setters to boost Stakataka's Special Defense, Tyranitar makes for a very good option.
  

Other Options

• An Assault Vest makes Stakataka able to better survive Special Moves.
  
• Infestation over Iron Head is a very good option to trap opponents, Iron Head isn't needed too much on this set, so removing it won't be a problem.
  

 

Set 2

Stakataka @ Rockium Z
Ability: Beast Boost  
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD  
Lonely Nature  
IVs: 15 Def / 0 Spe  
- Stone Edge
- Gyro Ball  
- Trick Room
- Wide Guard

or
 


Stakataka @ Rockium Z
Ability: Beast Boost  
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD  
Brave Nature  
IVs: 0 Spe  
- Stone Edge
- Gyro Ball  
- Trick Room  
- Wide Guard

 

Set Details

Stakataka has a niche in playing the role of an offensive Trick Room setter, paired with Wide Guard, it can shield allies from spread moves like Earthquake. Charizard will appreciate the protection from Rock Slide, making it a possible team mate for a full offensive team. Rockium Z and an Attack Boosting Nature secures kills on Pokemon Stakataka can't normally OHKO like Gliscor and Scizor, while Stone Edge alone provides good coverage to various Pokemon. Alternatively, if a partner has a Z-Crystal set, you may opt for Life Orb instead. While the 15 Defense IVs / Lonely nature set is made for a pseudo Moxie whenever Stakataka KOs a Pokemon, in a Landorus-T filled meta, a Max Defense IVs / Brave nature set will often be the safer option.

Usage Tips

For Stakataka to handle late game teams effectively, it needs it's counters eliminated as quickly as possible so that unnecessary chip damage is avoided. Take out it's threats and avoid switching in too early. When the time's right, send in Stakataka and begin the pick up sweep. Nuke bulkier Pokemon with Continental Crush, avoiding misplaying into an opponent's Switch, and use Wide Guard when predicting incoming Protect + Earthquake plays. Never lead with Stakataka to avoid getting into a double Intimidate lead. 

Team Options

• Secondary Trick Room setters like Cresselia are important to have as it's Levitate ignores Earthquake from Landorus-T, and simultaneously handles Fighting Types.
  
•  Because Stakataka needs Bulky Water types removed, strong Grass types like Serperior can often be of great assistance.
  
•  Stakataka needs Pokemon that can tank Fighting Types and Physically Defensive Sylveon is a good pairing. 
  
• Tapu Fini is a good option with access to Defog and Misty Terrain to prevent Stakataka being inflicted with Status.
  

[Theoapo]

Really good guide. Also remember that stakataka learns trick room itself and band forces you in some misplays . I think Life orb or Z move with protect will be really viable too. (I still think that stakataka won't work in meta especially with ground types but we'll see).

[Kris]

@theoapo13 Yes, I much prefer Assault Vest Stakataka over Band. Thank you for the feedback.

[RetroTyphlosion]

@Kris Shouldn't Stakataka's Defense IVs be max? You can still sweep with high defenses.

[Kris]

@RetroTyphlosion No it's Defense is high enough to the point where it doesn't need EVs. And no, it's Attack isn't high enough for true sweeping without Beast Boost to Attack

[RetroTyphlosion]

@Kris Ah, I see. Very clever, thank you for the response!

[croissant]

just a note but you should make it 15 ivs in def because even if the stats end up equal attack is the first stat in the order so it'll still get the atk beast boost while having an extra defense point. an otr set (offensive trick room) should probably get a set too.

[Kris]

@"yung lord" ight, sounds good

[Kris]

Huge update

[RetroTyphlosion]

Ah, thank you so much for these new sets...