Yamask Movesets & Competitive Sets

Moves Toxic Spikes lets Yamask support Pokemon that use Hex or stall enemies out. Yamask is able to block attempts to Rapid Spin away Toxic Spikes. Will-O-Wisp cripples physical attackers and is easily spread throughout the opposing team thanks to Yamask's good bulk. Knock Off can be used to support the team by removing opposing Pokemon's Eviolite, Berry Juice, Life Orb, or Choice Scarf. Hex synergizes well with Will-O-Wisp and Toxic Spikes but is weak when the target is not statused. Memento allows Yamask to sacrifice itself and let a teammate set up more easily by lowering the foe's offenses. Pain Split works well with Yamask's low HP stat, healing it somewhat reliably while damaging the foe. Set Details Mummy cripples Pokemon that rely on their ability and make contact, such as Mienfoo. Eviolite is chosen over Berry Juice to give Yamask even more bulk and to let it take Knock Off better. Maximum Defense investment is used to capitalize on Yamask's solid Defense stat, while 76 Special Defense EVs and a Sassy nature hit an Eviolite number to give Yamask maximum bulk. The remaining EVs boost Yamask's HP and Attack by one point each. If Knock Off is not used, an EV spread of 52 HP / 236 Def / 156 SpD / 36 Spe with a Calm nature is preferred. Usage Tips Set up Toxic Spikes once grounded Poison-types that can absorb it are removed. Spread burns throughout the opposing team to cushion the blows of physical attackers and wear down walls. Remember that you can't burn Fire-types and that you will give some, such as Houndour, a potentially lethal Flash Fire boost by using Will-O-Wisp on the switch; in these situations, predict the opponent's switch to the Flash Fire user and either double switch to an appropriate counter or use a different move. Yamask should switch into physical attackers that don't carry Knock Off and proceed to cripple them with Will-O-Wisp and Mummy, as it can easily wall them; keep it away from Pokemon such as Pawniard that can Knock Off its Eviolite, though. Don't switch Yamask into special or mixed attackers, which prey on its weaker Special Defense, can usually outspeed it, and aren't crippled too much by Will-O-Wisp. Memento should be used mid- or late-game when Yamask is no longer needed to let a partner switch in and set up on the weakened foe. Keep in mind, however, that it can only be used once and that it sacrifices Yamask, so there must be a Pokemon on your team that can take advantage of it. Team Options Partners such as Lickitung, Pawniard, and Tirtouga appreciate Yamask's immunity to Fighting-type attacks, which they are weak to. Lickitung provides Wish support and is a specially bulky Pokemon to fall back on if a special attacker proves troublesome for Yamask; Pawniard handles threatening Ghost-types such as Gastly with Knock Off; and Tirtouga can set up on a foe crippled by Yamask's Memento, Will-O-Wisp, and Mummy. Other Wish users, such as Spritzee, Knock Off users, such as Vullaby, and specially defensive Pokemon, such as Munchlax, can be good partners as well. Pokemon that can absorb Knock Off, such as Mienfoo and Trubbish, make for good partners. Mienfoo can also take on Dark-types for Yamask, while Trubbish provides Spikes and Toxic Spikes support, which synergizes well with Hex but can interfere with Yamask's burn spreading. Finally, entry hazard removers such as Archen and Staryu, in addition to Heal Bell or Aromatherapy users such as Chinchou, can help keep Yamask from being worn down.

By utilizing its respectful bulk, Yamask can accumulate multiple Calm Mind boosts and then sweep through the opponent's team. After just two Calm Minds, Yamask reaches 24 Special Attack and 30 Special Defense, making it quite bulky and threatening at the same time. Thanks to its typing and its ability, Mummy, the opponent will switch out more often than not when faced with Yamask, allowing it to net that extra Calm Mind boost. Will-O-Wisp and Hex is a combination that can cause havoc upon your foe. Will-O-Wisp drains the opponent's health, reduces their Attack, and doubles the Base Power of Hex, making it the ideal status move for Yamask's arsenal. Hidden Power Fighting provides flawless coverage alongside Hex by hitting Dark- and Steel-types for super effective damage. Oran Berry is there to restore a good chunk of health and hopefully give Yamask another chance at sweeping. The HP, Defense, and Special Defense EVs are designed to take advantage of Yamask's natural bulk, boosting its ability to set up Calm Mind in the face of attacks, which helps Yamask fulfill its ultimate goal of sweeping. The remaining EVs are placed in Speed in an attempt to boost Yamask's meager base Speed and allow it to outspeed defensive threats such as Bronzor and Duskull. This set can easily be checked by faster Ghost-types such as Gastly, which can KO Yamask before it has a chance to set up. For this reason, pairing Yamask up with other bulky attackers is not a bad idea. Munchlax is a great candidate as it is immune to Ghost-type attacks and has Pursuit to remove the mentioned threats. With Will-O-Wisp and Mummy, Yamask can help other members of your team, such as Pawniard, sweep easier as well. Encore users such as Cottonee are another major threat to this set, since Yamask's sweep will be ruined if one of its non-damaging moves gets Encored. As such, it is best to switch out to a heavy-damage dealer such as Aron to smash them. In the case of Cottonee, Paras is a suitable partner as it not only has X-Scissor to slice the cotton ball, but is also immune to Leech Seed.

Due to its great defenses and usable Special Attack, Yamask can effectively set up Trick Room in order to sweep the opposition while still supporting your team. Yamask's pure Ghost typing means that its only weaknesses are Dark- and Ghost-type attacks, providing it with ample opportunities to set up Trick Room repeatedly throughout a match. Shadow Ball and Hidden Power Fighting provide perfect coverage, allowing Yamask to sweep without fear of being resisted. Once Trick Room is set up, switch out to your dedicated Trick Room sweeper or have Yamask start boosting its Special Attack with Nasty Plot. After a single boost, Yamask reaches 30 Special Attack, which is capable of denting even the strongest of walls, such as Munchlax. Oran Berry helps restore a significant amount of health once Yamask is weakened, giving it more chances to set up Trick Room and sweep. The Special Defense and HP EVs complement Yamask's naturally high Defense stat, making it fairly bulky. The rest of the EVs are placed into Special Attack to boost its offensive capabilities. Since Yamask is likely to set up Trick Room, Trick Room sweepers are obligatory partners. Sweepers such as Porygon, Aron, and Wailmer can plow through the opponent's team under Trick Room. If you're using Yamask on a dedicated Trick Room team, then another Trick Room supporter such as Bronzor or Slowpoke is mandatory. Other slow, powerful Pokemon such as Munchlax and Cubone will find Yamask's Trick Room a blessing as well, as they can now outspeed most foes and put their attacking prowess to good use.