Klang Movesets & Competitive Sets

Moves Shift Gear boosts Klang's Attack and Speed, potentially letting it sweep or clean up late-game. Gear Grind is a STAB move that hits twice, and while this is helpful against Substitute, Focus Sash and Sturdy users, it only has 85% accuracy. Rest replenishes HP and heals Klang of status, which helps Klang while setting up Shift Gear, and Sleep Talk lets Klang hit opposing Pokemon or further set up while asleep. Set Details The given Defense EVs and an Impish nature allow Klang to avoid getting 2HKOed by Quick Feet Ursaring's Close Combat. The EVs invested in Special Defense let Klang dodge the 2HKO from Life Orb Zebstrika's Overheat. Clear Body is Klang's only viable ability, as Minus and Plus are both useless in singles, and it stops Klang's stats being lowered. Eviolite increases Klang's bulk, so Eviolite Klang can take more hits while setting up with Shift Gear. Usage Tips Klang should be brought in against foes that can't touch it, such as Roselia, Tangela, and Gourgeist. It is essential that Pokemon that don't mind taking a Gear Grind, such as Stunfisk and Monferno, are removed before Klang starts setting up. Klang should start using Rest and Sleep Talk once it's low on health or has been inflicted with status; it shouldn't be spamming Gear Grind if it's burned. Klang should get at least one Shift Gear boost before having to use Rest so it outspeeds most Pokemon when using Sleep Talk the next turn. Team Options Klang appreciates bulky Fairy- and Flying-types, such as Clefairy and Altaria, as they resist Fighting. Grass-types such as Roselia can help take down bulky Water-types that resist Klang's Gear Grind, such as Politoed. Toxic Spikes can wear down foes' HP when they stay in to the point when Klang can clean up, so Roselia is a much appreciated teammate. Ground-types such as Golem and Stunfisk can deal with Electric-types such as Raichu and Zebstrika. Klang pairs well with Misdreavus because of its immunity to Ground- and Fighting-type attacks, two of Klang's three weaknesses. Pokemon that can take Fire-type attacks, such as Relicanth, Ninetales, and Rapidash, are helpful for covering Klang's last weakness.

This set focuses on Klang's exceptional defenses, handy resistances, and access to RestTalk to set up and sweep. However, RestTalk is often unreliable and comes with a loss of momentum. While its primary role is that of a physically defensive wall, it can set up on a variety of Pokemon, such as Musharna, Skuntank, and Serperior. Klang trades coverage for additional bulk: it can set up much more easily than its standard set, tank more attacks, and power its way through most of the NU tier. Its lack of recovery and vulnerability to status conditions are no longer an issue due to Rest, which heals Klang to full HP in a pinch. Sleep Talk is a very useful move in this set, allowing Klang to set up or attack while it's asleep. Shift Gear is Klang's setup move, which can now be used more efficiently due to Klang's enhanced defenses. Finally, Gear Grind is Klang's STAB move, hitting many Pokemon fairly hard after a Shift Gear boost. 92 Speed EVs allow Klang to outspeed positive-natured base 95 Speed Pokemon after a Shift Gear boost. 136 Defense EVs with an Impish nature brings Klang to an impressive 286 Defense before the Eviolite boost, allowing Klang to wall many Pokemon, including Kangaskhan and Tauros, both of which cannot even 2HKO Klang with super effective attacks. The remaining EVs increase Klang's overall bulk. Eviolite is an absolute must to this set if Klang wants to attain the defenses that allow it to wall many Pokemon in NU. Clear Body is Klang's only viable ability for this set. None of Klang's moves can be replaced in this set; each move has a distinct purpose that can't be altered. Toxic Spikes users are excellent partners to Klang; bulky Water-types, such as Alomomola, are much easier to handle. Garbodor is a prime partner for Klang, dealing with Fighting-types Klang has difficulty setting up against. Because of the lack of coverage on this set, many Pokemon, specifically Fire-types, can tank all of Klang's attacks and strike back. Carracosta and Samurott can handle almost all of the Fire-types, such as Charizard, with their STAB moves. Carracosta with Hidden Power Grass can as a bonus also lure Seismitoad and Alomomola, two Pokemon that Klang has trouble against, and OHKO them after entry hazard damage and, for the former, one use of Shell Smash and one turn of Life Orb recoil. Taunt can nearly shut Klang down; Liepard, Murkrow, and physically defensive Misdreavus can all Taunt Klang and avoid a 2HKO from it, provided that it hasn't set up with Shift Gear. Sawk, Rotom-F, and specially offensive Charizard can handle each of them, respectively. Sawk can also deal with most of the opposing Steel- and Ground-types in the tier.

This is a more offensive version of Klang; it displays excellent usage of its decent Attack, Eviolite, Shift Gear, and resistances to common Grass-, Ice-, and Rock-type attacks in the tier. Through the combination of Eviolite and its Steel typing, which is rare in NU, Klang gets multiple chances to set up Shift Gear against a variety of attackers, especially Choice-locked Primeape, Kangaskhan, and Tauros. Because Klang doesn't have the raw Speed or power to attempt sweeps early- or mid-game, this set works best by defeating weakened foes late-game. Shift Gear is the main aspect of this set, as it can raise Klang's Attack and Speed to viable—and sometimes dangerous—levels. Gear Grind is its STAB move, sporting a Base Power of 100 after two hits, which is very useful in breaking opposing Substitutes from Pokemon such as Serperior, as well as OHKOing Pokemon such as Roselia and 2HKOing Pokemon such as Golurk after a boost. Return offers nearly perfect coverage when paired with Gear Grind, hitting Pokemon such as Rotom-S and Ludicolo much harder than Gear Grind could. However, Wild Charge allows Klang to severely dent Water-types, such as Samurott and Carracosta. The recoil damage and lack of recovery might make this move a lackluster choice though, especially if Substitute is used. Substitute is the recommended final option, allowing Klang to set up without fear of being inflicted by status from the likes of Misdreavus. However, Magnet Rise allows Klang to set up on Ground-type Pokemon that it normally struggles against, such as Golurk, Golem, and Piloswine. 168 Speed EVs allow Klang to outspeed Pokemon at or below base 110 Speed after a Shift Gear boost. 252 Attack EVs and an Adamant nature maximizes the power of Klang's attacks, and 88 HP EVs are invested so Klang can tank more attacks. If more bulk is preferred, an EV spread of 140 HP / 252 Atk / 116 Spe can be utilized, and Klang still outspeeds Pokemon at base 100 Speed or below, such as Haunter and Charizard. Eviolite is the staple of this set, allowing Klang to set up without being easily KOed. Leftovers can be used for consistent recovery, but Klang's defenses suffer a significant drop, so it's not advised. There aren't any other viable move selections that Klang can utilize. As Klang is a late-game sweeper, sweepers to get rid of Pokemon that wall Klang, such as Alomomola and Eelektross, are useful. Exeggutor is an prime example, as Exeggutor can take Fighting- and Ground-type attacks aimed at Klang while defeating Alomomola. Eelektross can also wall Klang quite well, so Mold Breaker Sawk is a great counter, as it can OHKO Eelektross. Entry hazard support a great way to weaken the adversary for Klang before it performs a sweep. Garbodor is a great partner, as it can set up Spikes and Toxic Spikes, crippling walls such as Alomomola and Tangela. Regirock can also set up Stealth Rock while taking Fire-type attacks that Klang despises. Wish support is also appreciated, as Klang doesn't have any reliable form of recovery. Alomomola and Lickilicky are great options in that department, as both of them can heal Klang significantly with Wish. Gothorita in particular can also aid Klang by trapping and defeating Alomomola and Gurdurr.