Duskull Movesets & Competitive Sets

Moves Duskull's only form of somewhat reliable recovery comes in Pain Split, and while Duskull can take a few hits, its lack of recovery can really limit how long Duskull can last. Will-O-Wisp is Duskull's most reliable way of dealing damage; it can also cripple some sweepers and limit the potential of physical wallbreakers. Substitute allows Duskull to survive a few more turns and can be used for scouting. Shadow Sneak is Duskull's best way of attacking non-passively due to its priority and Duskull's lack of other decent options. This also helps deal damage to Pokemon such as Abra who could not be damaged by Duskull otherwise. Set Details Eviolite helps Duskull take hits much better, the EV spread hits Eviolite numbers with a Careful nature. Levitate allows Duskull to avoid Earthquakes. Usage Tips Will-O-Wisp can be used to burn physical attackers, but you should try to avoid burning Pokemon with Guts such as Timburr. Try and use Substitute on obvious switches or when the opponent has no way to effectively damage Duskull. Substitute can also help to get off a more effective Pain Split. Knock Off is the bane of Duskull's existence, as it removes Duskull's item and does massive damage in the process. Team Options Pokemon that can absorb Knock Off such as Mienfoo, Shellos, and Trubbish make for good teammates. Momentum-grabbing moves like U-turn and Volt Switch can effectively be used with Duskull and entry hazard setters. Duskull's niche is that as a Ghost-type, it can keep entry hazards on the field.

This set allows Duskull to take advantage of its Ghost typing to freely set up Substitutes. From behind a Substitute, Duskull has access to a variety of tools to cripple its opponents. Will-O-Wisp can cripple physical attackers, as well as inflict residual damage on other defensive Pokemon. Pain Split gives Duskull both a means of recovery and dealing damage, increasing Duskull's survivability. Icy Wind keeps Duskull from being complete Taunt bait, and prevents Pokemon such as Misdreavus from setting up on it with ease. The EV spread gives Duskull 27 Defense and Special Defense (factoring in Eviolite), which, in conjunction with Pain Split and Will-O-Wisp, allow Duskull to function as an excellent wall. With two immunities and such strong defenses, Duskull can set up Substitutes without any investment in Speed. Regardless of investment in Speed, Duskull outspeeds Pokemon such as Ferroseed or Slowpoke. If you intend to use Duskull for stalling rather than crippling physical attackers, Toxic can be used instead of Will-O-Wisp. This set works best with Pokemon that can take advantage of Duskull's ability to cripple physical attackers. Ferroseed is an excellent example, as it can set up hazards more easily on previously threatening physical attackers and even stall them out with Leech Seed and burn damage. Yet, at the same time, Houndour and Gastly can completely defeat this set, as they are not especially damaged by Icy Wind nor crippled much at all by Will-O-Wisp, especially in the case of Houndour, which is immune to the move altogether. RestTalk Lickitung also has no problem doing away with this set, thus making possessing a powerful Fighting-type on Duskull's team advisable. For this reason, having Stunky or Houndour on your team in order to counter enemy Gastly or Houndour is a good idea, as with a surefire check such as Stunky on Duskull's team, Duskull can avoid being shut down by its counters, and even lure them in to be dispatched by whatever counter Duskull's team is packing.