Simisage Movesets & Competitive Sets

Moves Seed Bomb is Simisage's main cleaning move and threatens opposing Water-types. Superpower hits Steel-types such as Probopass and Pawniard, while Knock Off cripples switch-ins like Vullaby and Tangela as well as threatening Ghost- and Psychic-types such as Misdreavus and Grumpig. Gunk Shot is Simisage's secondary cleaning move and its best option versus opposing Grass-types such as Roselia and Leafeon. Set Details Maximum Speed investment and a Choice Scarf let Simisage outspeed most fast sweepers such as Rock Polish Regice and Shell Smash Gorebyss, as well as beat other common Choice Scarf users such as Dodrio, Mr. Mime, and Rotom-F. Maximum Attack investment helps it to more reliably revenge kill those threats, and Overgrow boosts the power of Seed Bomb if Simisage is weakened enough. Usage Tips Simisage should be used to force out or KO setup sweepers and fast cleaners, although it can be an effective cleaner as well if the opposing team has been worn down enough. Using Knock Off more early-game can help to wear down opposing teams and remove Eviolites for an easier sweep later. Be careful about Choice-locking Simisage into Superpower, as it can become setup fodder once its Attack is lowered. Thanks to its mediocre bulk, it also won't be switching in on many strong attackers; although it can occasionally be brought in on a predicted Electric- or Water-type attack, it fears the super effective coverage that attackers of both types carry. Team Options Simisage generally fits best on offensive teams that need a fast, reliable revenge killer. Pokemon threatened by Water-types such as Rapidash and Stunfisk appreciate its revenge killing support. Wallbreakers such as Stoutland and Articuno also appreciate Simisage's ability to check common revenge killers and remove Eviolites from would-be counters such as Tangela and Clefairy. Simisage also pairs well with teammates that can wear down Vullaby, overwhelming it over a longer match. Fire-type checks such as Rapidash and Grumpig and Flying-type checks such as Probopass and Stunfisk give Simisage a teammate to fall back on when it is forced out by common attackers such as Simisear and Dodrio. Ice-type checks such as Grumpig and Metang are also useful, although Simisage is less pressured by them, as they do not resist Seed Bomb. Entry hazard setters such as Venipede and Golem help Simisage nab extra KOs by wearing down opposing teams and pressuring Vullaby more effectively.

Moves Leaf Storm hits Rock-, Water-, and Ground-types such as Politoed, Golem, and Stunfisk hard, and it is boosted by STAB. Seed Bomb can be used instead to have a more easily spammable attack since it does not drop Simisage's Special Attack, but is far weaker. Knock Off allows Simisage to cripple Eviolite users such as Vullaby, Misdreavus, and Roselia. Superpower allows Simisage to handle Steel-types such as Pawniard and Probopass as well as hitting Normal-types such as Audino and Stoutland for super effective damage. Low Kick can also be used over Superpower, as you can still handle Pawniard and Probopass without Superpower's Attack and Defense drop. Gunk Shot allows Simisage to hit other Grass-types such as Tangela and Leafeon as well as Fairy-types such as Mr. Mime. Set Details 252 Attack EVs allow Simisage to hit hard with its physical attacking arsenal. 252 Speed EVs along with a Naive nature boost Simisage's Speed, letting it outspeed positive-natured maximum Speed base 100 Speed Pokemon such as Dodrio and Ninetales while Speed tying with Simipour, Simisear, and opposing Simisage. If you're running Seed Bomb, the remaining EVs should go into Special Defense, and a Jolly nature should be used to boost Speed without lowering Simisage's Special Defense. Life Orb works best with a mixed attacking Simisage, as it boosts the power of all of its attacks at the cost of some health. Overgrow boosts the power of Simisage's Grass-type STAB attacks in a pinch, which can come in handy. Usage Tips Due to Simisage's low defenses, Simisage should be used sparingly due to the loss of health from Life Orb recoil, so be sure to switch Simisage in after a teammate has fainted or on a slow Volt Switch or U-turn. Predicting switch-ins is crucial when it comes to using Simisage, as wasting turns by using resisted attacks cuts into its longevity due to the recoil that Life Orb gives. Thanks to Simisage's coverage, it serves as a good cleaner mid- and late-game, but it can be used early-game to break past defensive cores in the opponent's team. Team Options Entry hazard support from Pokemon such as Golem, Probopass, Roselia, and Venipede is essential to ensure that Simisage can wear down foes more efficiently. Examples include being able to 2HKO offensive Tangela with Gunk Shot after Stealth Rock damage. Simisage can be paired with wallbreakers such as Ursaring, Rapidash, and Simipour, as they can whittle down bulkier foes, making it easier for Simisage to function. Rapidash and Ursaring can also absorb Will-O-Wisp for Simisage, as Will-O-Wisp would otherwise cripple it. Because Simisage is frail, it appreciates a slow Volt Switch or U-Turn from Pokemon such as Probopass and Vullaby so Simisage can come in unscathed. Healing Wish support from Mr. Mime can revive a weakened Simisage, giving it another chance to sweep. Simisage is susceptible to all entry hazards, so entry hazard removers such as Armaldo, Vullaby, and Swanna make for good partners.

Moves Nasty Plot is used for setting up and having the potential to sweep teams that are unprepared. Giga Drain allows Simisage to hit Ground-, Rock-, and Water-types such as Golem and Floatzel while also recovering health. Energy Ball can be used as a stronger STAB at the cost of losing recovery to combat Life Orb recoil. Focus Blast hits Normal-types such as Audino and Stoutland, Steel-types like Pawniard and Probopass, and is Simisage's best neutral move versus Fire-types. Hidden Power Ice is used to hit other Grass-types such as Roselia and Gourgeist, while also hitting Flying-types such as Vullaby. Hidden Power Rock is an alternative to Hidden Power Ice, as it allows Simisage to reliably hit Fire-types such as Rapidash and Ninetales without relying on Focus Blast's shaky accuracy. Substitute can be used to protect Simisage from status as well as getting into Overgrow range or to set up on an opposing Water-type such as Politoed while they switch out. Set Details 252 Special Attack EVs make Simisage a threat that can easily decimate many Pokemon after a single Nasty Plot. With 252 Speed EVs and a Timid nature, Simisage is extremely fast and able to outspeed a large portion of PU, including Ninetales and Dodrio. Life Orb is the preferred item to ensure that Simisage deals as much damage as possible, but it comes at the cost of some health. Overgrow boosts the power of Simisage's Grass-type STAB moves when it is low on health, which is manageable, especially with Life Orb recoil. Usage Tips Try to get Simisage in safely, such as after a KO, from a slow pivot, or into something it forces out, such as Stunfisk or Relicanth. This is also the best time to use Nasty Plot, as Simisage is fairly frail and needs to have a free turn to set up. Make sure you have gotten rid of priority users and faster Pokemon while weakening the opponent's team to the point where Simisage can sweep. Keep in mind that Simisage is fragile and loses longevity, as it relies on Life Orb to function effectively, so set up only when it is safe to do so. Also, keep Simisage as healthy as possible because poison and paralysis can ruin its chances of sweeping. Simisage is used as a late-game sweeper, but it can be used early on to create holes in the opponent's team for its teammates. Team Options Simisage greatly appreciates entry hazard support from Pokemon such as Golem, Venipede, and Relicanth, as they turn 2HKOs into OHKOs on Pokemon such as Ninetales and Regice after a boost. Simisage has trouble with Grass-types, so Fire- and Ice-types such as Ninetales and Rotom-F aid in taking care of them. Wallbreakers, such as Ursaring and Rapidash, can wear down the opposing team, allowing Simisage to sweep. Simisage also works well with Flying-types, such as Dodrio and Chatot, which enjoy the removal of Rock- and Steel-types. Meowstic and Solrock can provide dual screen support for Simisage, making it easier for Simisage to set up Nasty Plot. Support from Healing Wish Mr. Mime revives a weakened Simisage, allowing it to set up again and sweep. Entry hazard removal from Pokemon such as Vullaby and Armaldo helps out Simisage, as it's vulnerable to all entry hazards.

Nasty Plot Simisage aims to break through teams with its excellent coverage and Speed and takes advantage of would-be checks like Gogoat and Gourgeist-L. Giga Drain gives it more longevity when it's time to break or sweep. It offsets Life Orb recoil, making Simisage more difficult to take down. Focus Blast is used to hit Steel-types like Klang and Bronzor and can OHKO bulky Pokemon like Scraggy and Pignite after a Nasty Plot. Hidden Power Ice is preferred over Hidden Power Flying because while both hit Grass-types, Hidden Power Ice also hits Flying- and Dragon-types such as Pidgeot and Dragonair. Hidden Power Flying can be used to nail Dustox, Whirlipede, and Pignite, but it fails to OHKO Jumpluff like Hidden Power Ice does. This set is countered by bulky Poison-types like Swalot and Trubbish, so Psychic- and Ground-types like Duosion, Krokorok, and Marshtomp make for good partners. In return, Simisage breaks down Scraggy and Water-types like Politoed and Golduck for them. Simisage helps setup sweepers like Huntail, Shift Gear Klang, and Dragon Dance Scraggy clean in the late-game because it tears holes in teams. It should be paired with powerful attackers like Choice Band Furfrou, Pignite, and Murkrow to break through walls like Dustox, Swalot, Servine, and Ivysaur for it to break or clean. Entry hazard setters such as Gigalith, Lairon, Whirlipede, and Glalie make for good partners, as they provide necessary chip damage. For example, Stealth Rock and a layer of Spikes ensure the OHKO on Dustox with +2 Hidden Power Flying if it is used. Because of its poor bulk, pair Simisage with slow pivots such as Dustox, Vibrava, and Klang to bring it in safely. It is pressured by faster Pokemon such as Persian, Jumpluff, and Swoobat, so bulky Pokemon like Carbink, Rocky Helmet Swalot, and Bronzor make for good partners because they switch into these threats. Lastly, Water-types like Politoed, Simipour, and Frogadier make for good partners because they check Fire-types for it, while Simisage pressures Electabuzz and Gogoat for them.

Choice Scarf Simisage is one of the better revenge killers in the tier because it is faster than most other boosted Pokemon and has the coverage to revenge kill top offensive Pokemon such as Simipour and Persian. Due to the Special Attack drop, Leaf Storm is more of a one-time hit to revenge kill Pokemon like Shell Smash Huntail and Rock Polish Lairon and to nail physically bulky Pokemon like Carbink and Furfrou. Seed Bomb is its primary way to revenge kill offensive Pokemon like Electabuzz and Simipour. Gunk Shot can be used over Seed Bomb to hit Grass-types like Servine, Meganium, and Sawsbuck. Knock Off gives it more utility to cripple incoming switch-ins like Pignite and Bronzor by removing their Eviolite. Rock Slide is used to 2HKO Dustox, Jumpluff, and Pidgeot after Stealth Rock. Maximum Attack is needed because most of Simisage's coverage is physical. A Naive nature ensures Leaf Storm's damage output isn't lowered. Simisage fits best on balance and offensive teams that need a revenge killer that pressures Water-, Rock-, and Ground-types alongside its diverse coverage. As such, Pokemon like Pignite, Furfrou, and Electabuzz appreciate its ability to pressure those types of Pokemon. It has very limited opportunities to switch in, so pivots like Persian, Frogadier, and Dustox are great partners. Wallbreakers such as Choice Specs Magmar, Choice Specs Vanilluxe, and Choice Band Furfrou break down teams for it to revenge kill or clean late-game. These wallbreakers appreciate its ability to revenge kill faster Pokemon so they can wallbreak more easily. Entry hazard setters like Gigalith, Whirlipede, and Bronzor make for good partners because they provide chip damage and defensive support. For example, Simisage can OHKO Choice Scarf Magmar with Rock Slide after Stealth Rock. Gigalith checks Swalot and Furfrou, Whirlipede checks bulky Grass-types, and Bronzor walls Jumpluff and Dustox. Similarly, entry hazard removers like Dustox, Sandshrew, and Pidgeot improve its longevity because it is vulnerable to residual chip. Bulky Pokemon like Carbink, Politoed, and Duosion provide solid defensive support for it, as they take on Normal- and Fire-types and absorb status in Duosion's case. Lastly, Simisage provides solid support to offensive Pokemon such as Simipour, Vanilluxe, and Swoobat because it can use Knock Off to remove Eviolite from their checks like Servine, Pignite, and Bronzor.

Simisage is a premier offensive Pokemon because of its ability to force switches and wallbreak due to its high Speed, diverse coverage choices, and power. Simisage forces switches due to the threat of Leaf Storm, so Knock Off is used to remove Leftovers and Black Sludge from switch-ins like Gogoat and Dustox. Moreover, Knock Off helps Simisage cripple Eviolite users such as Servine, Bronzor, and Ivysaur. Superpower helps Simisage punch through Steel-types like Klang and Lairon as well as Pokemon like Scraggy, non-Choice Scarf Vanilluxe, and Sawsbuck that would otherwise force Simisage out. Rock Slide rounds out Simisage's coverage, allowing it to hit would-be switch-ins such as Dustox, Jumpluff, Magmar, and Pidgeot. Gunk Shot can be used over either Superpower or Rock Slide so Simisage can break through bulky Grass-types like Servine, Gogoat, and Meganium. Most of Simisage's coverage is physical, and Leaf Storm is absurdly strong anyway, so Simisage prefers maximum Attack over Special Attack. Simisage has poor bulk and is easy to wear down due to Life Orb recoil, so pair it with pivots. Offensively, pivots such as Electabuzz, Frogadier, and Furfrou are excellent partners. Electabuzz pressures faster Pokemon like Jumpluff and Furfrou that threaten Simisage, while Simisage beats Ground-types for Electabuzz. Similarly, Frogadier and Furfrou break through Simisage's Fire- and Poison-type checks like Pignite and Swalot. Defensive pivots like Dustox and Vibrava cover Simisage's weakness to Poison- and Fire-types, bring it in safely with a slow U-turn, and remove entry hazards with Defog to increase its longevity. Simisage struggles to break through bulky Poison-types like Swalot, Trubbish, and Ivysaur, so pair it with Ground- and Psychic-types like Krokorok, Marshtomp, and Duosion. Similarly, Water-types like Politoed, Simipour, and Huntail are solid partners because they check Fire-types for Simisage. Simisage forces many switches, so entry hazard setters such as Gigalith, Lairon, and Whirlipede provide additional chip damage and help Simisage break more effectively. For example, Simisage can OHKO Jumpluff and Dustox with Rock Slide after Stealth Rock damage. Faster Pokemon like Persian, Jumpluff, and Furfrou are huge threats to Simisage, so pair it with defensive Pokemon like Carbink and Klang that switch into them. Simisage gives setup sweepers such as Shell Smash Huntail and Dragon Dance Scraggy an easier path to clean because it breaks through their checks like Politoed and Hippopotas.

Leaf Storm is extremely powerful even without much Special Attack investment, but Giga Drain is also an option if you want a more spammable STAB option that also heals at the cost of a lot of power. Superpower hits Steel-types like Klang super effectively while also hitting specially defensive walls like Audino, Scraggy, and Zweilous for more damage than Leaf Storm can. Acrobatics hits Grass-types like Vileplume that resist the other two moves and gets an additional bonus from Flying Gem. The last move is filler, as the other three moves achieve near-perfect coverage, but Taunt shuts down walls like Bronzor and Audino from using their healing and status moves. Simisage is excellent for breaking through walls like Zweilous and Vileplume, so sweepers like Golduck and Shiftry that are walled by these two love having it around. Simisage does have problems breaking through Bronzor and therefore invites it in a lot, so partners like Scraggy and Monferno that can deal with Bronzor and use it as setup fodder also make for good choices. Simisage also invites in a lot of Fire- and Flying-types, such as Rapidash and Dodrio, so Pokemon like Frillish, Stunfisk, and Klang make for great teammates for Simisage to pivot to.

Where the last set focused on reliability, this set goes for it all with powerful moves, although they might have bigger drawbacks. With 140 Base Power, Leaf Storm deals a huge blow to any Pokemon that doesn't resist it. However, after being used Leaf Storm drops Simisage's Special Attack by two stages, making it an all-or-nothing move. If the drop in stats is unattractive, Grass Knot can be used instead to deal somewhat more consistent damage. Hidden Power Ice is Simisage's main path of attack against Flying-type foes, as well as Dragon-types like Haxorus. Focus Blast hits Hydreigon harder than Hidden Power Ice, though it has a nasty 70% accuracy rate. Protect is utilized once again in the last slot for a large number of uses, namely granting Simisage safety for a turn while its partner eliminates a threat or sets up Tailwind. As stated before, Simisage's frailness makes a Focus Sash the most attractive item for the monkey, although a White Herb is a suitable alternative, providing a one-time negation of Leaf Storm's Special Attack drop. A Modest nature should be used to give Simisage more attacking prowess, and the Speed boost can be forgotten if Tailwind support is available. Whimsicott is arguably a better partner for this set, as it can utilize Fake Tears to lower foes' Special Defense, allowing Simisage to have a higher damage output than normal. This set has no way to deal with Chandelure, so teammates with moves such as Rock Slide and Sucker Punch are appreciated.

This set attempts to utilize Simisage's base 101 Speed and decent base 98 Attack to pull off a sweep. Seed Bomb gives Simisage a powerful STAB move that lands a super effective hit on such threats as Samurott, Jellicent, and Terrakion, while serving as Simisage's main attacking move. With Crunch, Simisage can deal a heavy blow to Psychic-type threats such as Musharna, while maintaining coverage on Jellicent should the foe choose to switch. The third move is dependent on what one's team has the most trouble with. Rock Slide hits Tornadus hard, which otherwise walls Simisage and hits back hard with super effective STAB Acrobatics. If one's team has problems with Hydreigon, Low Kick deals a great amount of damage, allowing Simisage's partner to finish it off. Whimsicott and Amoonguss can give Simisage fits, which might be remedied by pairing Acrobatics with a Flying Gem to threaten them, as well as other Grass-types. Protect gives Simisage a chance to scout, in addition to letting Simisage stay alive for an additional turn, possibly allowing its partner to eliminate a threat. Simisage's weakness to two very common moves in VGC 2011, Acrobatics and Heat Wave, means a Focus Sash should be used to help Simisage stay alive and continue to hit the opposing team. However, if a teammate of Simisage's is already holding a Focus Sash, a Life Orb allows Simisage to become a little green kamikaze monkey, dishing out as much damage as possible before succumbing to its wounds. An Adamant nature allows Simisage to 2HKO Tornadus with Rock Slide, which is why Tailwind support is so important to Simisage's welfare. A Jolly nature is acceptable to allow Simisage to outspeed Hydreigon, but with Tailwind support this can be remedied. Simisage's defenses are so pitiful that any EVs are better off in its Attack and Speed stats, and the EV spread reflects this notion. As mentioned throughout, Tailwind support is very important to Simisage, and this should be taken into account when considering possible teammates. Whimsicott sets up Tailwind very reliably, and can Charm physical attackers that would like to hit Simisage with super effective Flying-type attacks. However, this leaves the two open to Chandelure's super effective STAB Heat Wave, which wrecks Grass-types. Tornadus shares no weakness with Simisage, and can set up Tailwind easily with its ability, Prankster.