PDA

View Full Version : Illumise Analysis Revamp.



i am cool
08-14-2009, 10:07 PM
Illumise:

http://www.arkeis.com/images/pokemonfactory/illumise.png

Summary:

Most Used Illumise Set:

A sweeping Illumise set is the most common Illumise set. With the Tinted Lens Ability, combined with Thunderbolt and STAB Bug Buzz, the set virtually hits every single Pokémon for at least neutral damage. Variants of this set may feature Focus Sash or Salac Berry. Salac Berry can make this set very dangerous, since Illumise will obtain the Speed required to put the set at its highest potential.

Usual Counters:

Special Defense walls and Speedy Pokémon take down Illumise with ease. Toxicroak is 4x resistant to Bug Buzz, and Thunderbolt will barely scratch it. Focus Sash provides some survival, but a priority move puts that to an end. In addition, Soundproof Pokémon such as Exploud and Electrode pose a problem; since Illumise's main weapon is Bug Buzz, which can’t touch Soundproof Pokémon. Another problematic Pokémon is Flareon, as its Flamethrower will destroy Illumise; and it takes little damage from all Illumise’s moves, thanks to its high Special Defense stat.

Types Of Teams Illumise Is Used In:

You can find Illumise in Under Used teams, sometimes as a support Pokémon. Very unlikely, but possibly in mono Bug teams. Additionally, Illumise will usually come up in novelty teams; and teams of extreme originality.

In Depth:

http://www.pokesho.com/img_icon_us/i_illumise.gifTinted Lens Sweeper@ Focus Sash / Salac Berry
Ability: Tinted Lens
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 6 HP
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk) Or Modest (+SpA, -Atk)

- Growth / Charge Beam
- Encore
- Bug Buzz
- Thunderbolt

The idea of this set is to switch-in on a set up Pokémon, and be faster than said Pokémon, so that Encore can come into play. The first Growth can be set up on the switch, and the next turn depends on the Item. If you go with Focus Sash, Illumise can go for one Growth; and then attempt to hit the opponent’s Pokémon. Or, it can set up a second Growth, and attempt a sweep from there. However, with Salac Berry, Illumise gains a much needed Speed boost, and can attempt a sweep from there. As said before, the Bug Buzz and Thunderbolt combo holds no resistance except for Shedinja. Growth can be substituted for Charge Beam.

http://www.pokesho.com/img_icon_us/i_illumise.gifSpecsmise@ Choice Specs
Ability: Tinted Lens
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 6 HP
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)

- Bug Buzz
- Thunderbolt
- Shadow Ball
- Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Ground

Bug Buzz will be your main arsenal with this set. It hits hard, since just about nothing 4x resists it, and it's a STAB attack, which can get further boosted by Choice Specs. Thunderbolt hits Mantine, a usually fierce UU wall. Shadow Ball strikes Mr. Mime pretty hard as well; who will otherwise wall you if it carries the Soundproof Ability. Hidden Power Ground hits Lanturn, Toxicroak, and Electrode, while Hidden Power Ice hits Altaria. A Modest Nature provides much more power, but Timid can be incorporated to get a high Speed stat.

http://www.pokesho.com/img_icon_us/i_illumise.gifBaton Pass@ Leftovers
Ability: Tinted Lens
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 6 HP
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)

- Bug Buzz
- Substitute
- Baton Pass
- Wish / Charge Beam / Growth

This would be your standard Baton Pass set for Illumise. Bug Buzz is there for almost unresisted STAB. Substitute provides a shield if you want to attempt a Wish or Special Attack pass. A good opportunity to set up and Baton Pass would be against the common UU walls that attempt status moves. The last slot depends on what you plan on passing to your team.

http://www.pokesho.com/img_icon_us/i_illumise.gifLead Baton Pass@ Focus Sash
Ability: Tinted Lens
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 6 HP
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)

- Encore / Bug Buzz
- Substitute / Flatter
- Baton Pass
- Growth / Charge Beam / Psych Up

This set contains two set up opportunities, both of which are risky. Encore is for Stealth Rock leads. This gives you a chance to Substitute up on the switch, and then use Growth or Charge Beam.

The alternative would be to Encore the lead, and Flatter the switch-in. Then, Psych Up, and Baton Pass as planned. Focus Sash gives the alternative a more successful possibility. Bug Buzz is just for those who feel unsafe having a non-attacking Pokémon.

http://www.pokesho.com/img_icon_us/i_illumise.gifSupport@ Focus Sash / Leftovers
Ability: Tinted Lens
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpD / 6 SpA
Nature: Calm (+SpD, -Atk) or Sassy (+SpD, -Spe)

- Thunder Wave
- Flatter / Swagger / Protect / U-turn / Light Screen
- Wish
- Bug Buzz

Here's a set that can possibly support your team. Thunder Wave is for unsuspecting sweepers that are switched in. Flatter or Swagger depends on what you expect to switch-in on you. Wish provides some team healing, and Bug Buzz is just for some needed damage. Focus Sash provides you with a chance of survival, but you can go with Leftovers for health recovery.


Protect and U-turn work in the same way of scouting your opponent. Protect for scouting attacks, and U-turn for scouting your opponent's team. Light Screen gives your team some security against Special Attacks.

http://www.pokesho.com/img_icon_us/i_illumise.gifToxic Stall@ Leftovers
Ability: Tinted Lens
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpD / 6 SpA
Nature: Calm (+SpD, -Atk) or Sassy (+SpD, -Spe)

- Protect
- Toxic
- Roost / Moonlight
- Bug Buzz

Illumise's Toxic stall ability is surprisingly decent in the UU tier. This set should be used against walls and Special Attackers of sorts. Toxic and Protect are there for obvious reasons—to stall. Both Roost and Moonlight provide healing support. STAB Bug Buzz combined with Tinted Lens does a good job of destroying opponents.

http://www.pokesho.com/img_icon_us/i_illumise.gifPersonal Sweeper@ Salac Berry
Ability: Tinted Lens
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 6 HP
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)

- Bug Buzz
- Thunderbolt / Charge Beam
- Shadow Ball
- Endure

This set gives pretty decent coverage, as well as the Speed boost Illumise will need to stay on top. If you want to boost your Special Attack stat while attempting a sweep, then Charge Beam becomes an option over Thunderbolt. Endure is pretty much for the Salac Berry boost, which really comes in handy.

Other Options:

Illumise has Sunny Day and SolarBeam; both of which can be used alongside Sunny Day teams. Illumise also possesses Rain Dance if you want to give that a shot. Illumise holds an impressive arsenal of support moves, so pick your poison and try them out. Silver Wind and Ominous Wind are available if you want to take the risk of boosting all stats for a pass or sweep.

Opinion:

Most of the time, when it comes to UU Pokémon, the possibilities are almost endless; if you don't regard their stats of course. Illumise is no exception to this. It holds a pretty decent movepool, and its strength seems to be in support moves. However, I am disappointed at its average Physical movepool. Nevertheless, if you're looking to be original, Illumise makes a good choice when used wisely.