How to write a Monotype Analysis
This guide isn’t meant to be comprehensive. Do not use it as a template and cover each point for every Pokemon! However, it does provide a good list of things you should be thinking about when writing your analysis.
Overview
-Clearly state the Pokemon’s primary role on a Monotype team in the first sentence.
-Talk about typing. Do not just make a list of resistances! Talk about why that typing is (or isn’t) useful.
-Talk about abilities. Are they useful? If a Pokemon is used b/c of its ability, say why!
-Talk about what playstyle the Pokemon is used on
-Common weakness (is it weak to common priority, 4x weak to a type, weak to many types?)
-Handy resistances
-Is the Pokemon defensive or offensive or both
-Is the Pokemon versatile
-Does it have a good/large movepool
-What support does it provide if any
-Setup moves if it is relevant
-Notable moves (Example Manaphy Tail Glow)
-Does it provide anything important to its type (Example Zapdos provides Defog on Flying)
-Does it check or counter any prominent threats on its type
-Talk about stats and how it affects the Pokemon ( don’t go too in depth about stats though)
-Talk about Megas if it has a Mega
Moves
-Talk about moves in depth.
-Explain why a move is used with specific examples
-Support moves such as Stealth Rock should have specific examples of how they help the team (you don’t need calcs but check the examples you are giving with calcs)
-Explain what the move does, if needed
-If move is slashed explain the positives and negatives of using each option
-You may include moves that aren’t slashed on the set, but are good on the Pokemon in this section.
Set Details
-Talk about the ability chosen and if alternate option explain
-EVs if specific EVs are used explain them (this applies to 252/ 252 /4 & 248 /252 / 8 spreads as well)
-Talk about other viable EV spreads (if any) and why they should be used
Usage Tips
-Explain how to approach most common situations that the Pokemon is put in
-Explain what it should be kept healthy for (if anything)
-Explain common scenarios to switch out
-Same applies with switch in
-For supporter explain common scenarios where it is best used
-For sweepers explain when it is the right time it is to sweep
-For wallbreakers explain common situations where it can effectively wallbreak
-Should hazards be kept away?
-Should it be kept away from priority?
-If it has reliable recovery, should it keep its health topped off?
-Is the Pokemon primarily used in early-game, mid-game, or late-game?
Team Options
-Mention common partners don’t try theory-moning (Examples would be Lando-I and Hippodown would be good partners)
-Explain what each partner does and what do they do to help the Pokemon being analyzed
-What does the Pokemon being analyzed do for them
-As a rule of thumb (there may be some exceptions) try to use more “generic” Pokemon sets for team options.
-There should be around 4-6 Pokemon minimum for team options
Other Options
-Does the Pokemon have other niche sets (if so add it here)
-Does the Pokemon have a move it can run to beat certain Pokemon (Please explain why this move isn’t good enough to be in the moves section, though)
-Can the Pokemon utilize another somewhat viable ability
-Can the Pokemon run another item (again explain why it’s outclassed and why it could be used)
Checks and Counters
-Know the difference between a check and counter (READ THIS!)
-If only a single Pokemon of a type is check/counter state the Pokemon not the type that Pokemon is on (Example being Bulky Normal types when only Chansey is mentioned)
-Can the Pokemon be easily revenge killed (if offensive)
-Can the Pokemon be easily broken(support Pokemon)
-Do certain Pokemon types “counter” and or checks majority of its sets
-Mention ways the Pokemon being analyzed can get passed its checks and counters if any
-Is it weak to priority and or easily picked of by priority
-Does a status move severely crippling this Pokemon
-Are hazards a big problem for it
-Are there common lures for this Pokemon? (HP Fire for Sciz/Ferro, Colbur Berry for Mega-Sharpedo)
-It is ok to talk about type-specific matchups!