Theorymon Exercises - Week 8

Professor Palutena

Professor Palutena

The Queen
Member
Yeah, last week... no, just no.

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Drifblim
Type: Ghost/Flying
Abilities: Unburden / Aftermath / Flare Boost
Stats: 150 HP / 80 Atk / 45 Def / 90 SpA / 55 SDef / 80 Spe

Notable Moves:
Stockpile
Baton Pass
Shadow Ball
Calm Mind
Thunderbolt
Charge Beam
Will-o-Wisp
Acrobatics
Thunder Wave
Disable

To say the least, Drifblim is unique. Its typing is unique. Its abilities are rare, and its movepool is rather unique too. Unfortunatly, Drifblim is cursed with plenty of weaknesses. Weaknesses to Stealth Rock, both halves of BoltBeam and Pursuit make life difficult for Drifblim.

However, Drifblim has a couple niches. First of all, its Calm Mind set, coupled with Unburden, makes it a strong sweeper with a bit of speed after the Unburden boost. Access to the Acrobatics+Flying Gem combo is another one of Drifblim's niche, and Unburden makes it an awesome user of the combo. Finally, its got lots of tools to act as a Baton Passer, but I'd much rather pass a Shell Smash in one turn, then two Calm Minds. Its also got a couple of supporting moves in Will-o-Wisp, Thunder Wave and Disable.

So what can we do to improve this ghastly aircraft?
 
Give it more defense. Weaknesses to common attacking types, 2 of which are more commonly seen as it's weakest stat, Def, is not nice, particularly with a metagame full of Ice Beam, Fire Blast, Stone Edge, T-Bolt, and Pursuit alongside it.
One thing which may seem odd, is giving it Flamethrower/Fire Blast. It would mean that it would have a way to hit Steel-types, particularly Ferrothorn, who walls it to death if it doesn't have HP Fire. Flamethrower/Fire Blast works with it's origin (hot air balloon which is powered by fire) and I think this is why it was given Flare Boost.
Speaking of Flare Boost, it brings me to ability possibilities. Flare Boost is quite situational (however it does mean it can switch in on a predicted WoW and take the burn) and I think it may be better if replaced by a different Fire-related ability, possibly Flash Fire, however this may seem odd on this particular Pokemon. I think Speed Boost could work on it, and if it's horrible defenses were increased, it could function as a better Baton Passer, using a Sub+Speed Boost+Calm Mind+Baton Pass could set up a sweep for a later Pokemon. I think that Nasty Plot could also be given, as Drifblim is a Ghost type, and it would mean Sub+Speed Boost + Nasty Plot+Baton Pass along with something such as Shadow Ball could work as passing-3 turns in, if all goes well, you have +2 Speed and +2 SpA, meaning that if it was given to a Special based 'Mon, e.g Zapdos.
 
Boosting its defences won't really help, given Drifloon's plethora of weaknesses. I'd say a priority move like Fake Out with a Normal Gem would really help Drifblim be a better Acrobatics+Unburden abuser. Also, giving Driflim +20 base attack would really help it out to give his attacks more of a boost.

On the defensive end, something interesting would be Rapid Spin+Normal Gem. Drifblim could support his teammates with Rapid Spin, get the Speed boost, and try to hit thingss with Acrobatics. You also have the STAB Ghost type attacks to hit frail Ghost type spin blockers.
 
Couple things that I would do:

-Boost its attack to base 105, while lowering its special attack to 65. Also buff speed to base 101.
-Defense is buffed to 70, Special defense is buffed to 80.
-Unburden registers as a speed boost, as it currently can't be baton passed due to not registering as a speed boost.
-Give it Work Up to raise its attack. +1 Flying Gem STAB Acrobatics will hurt.
-Give it access to Shadow Claw and Shadow Sneak for some other physical STAB.

Essentially what I've done is create something similar to Bulk Up Tornadus who trades in less offense (-10 Speed, -10 Attack, no mixed ability) for more bulk (same defense and special defense, +71 HP) that also has the ability to spinblock and boasts priority. Boosted speed lets it outspeed +1 Salamence and slower after Unburden activates.

Something like this would be what I think is standard:
Drifblim @ Flying Gem
Trait: Unburden
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 HP
- Work Up
- Acrobatics
- Shadow Sneak
- Shadow Claw
 
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