Pokemon Discussion: Shiftry

[Mr. Meme]

Do you think Shiftry has potential in competitive play? What kind of team support does he need to truly shine?

Here's my moveset:

Shiftry @ Focus Sash
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Mild Nature
- Fake Out
- Nasty Plot
- Giga Drain/Dark Pulse
- Hurricane

As you can see, this set is clearly intended for sun teams. Fake Out is Fake Out. Nasty Plot is Shiftry's primary set-up move. Giga Drain and Dark Pulse are for STAB. Finally, Hurricane is a super-strong coverage move, which can deal with Breloom in conjunction with Focus Sash.

Alternatively, you can try a Swords Dance set:

Shiftry @ Focus Sash
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Fake Out
- Swords Dance
- Knock Off/Leaf Blade
- ??? (I don't know what to put here)

Overall, Shiftry has heaps of sweeping potential, but he needs sun support to make it happen. Plus, if you're running the Nasty Plot set, you'll need something that can deal with special walls like Chansey. A Ferrothorn counter is also needed, but you'll already have Megazard Y on your team, so this is a small concern.

 

[5qwerty]

Shiftry needs the sun to shine.

 

[PlatinumDude]

That, and Shiftry also needs Sucker Punch to succeed; otherwise, its 80 base Speed will leave it outsped by a host of faster attackers:
-Leaf Storm
-Sucker Punch
-Knock Off
-Defog
Nature: Hasty
EVs: 252 Atk/4 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Life Orb
Ability: Chlorophyll

or
-Swords Dance
-Seed Bomb
-Sucker Punch
-Knock Off
Nature: Jolly
EVs: 252 Atk/4 SDef/252 Spe
Item: Life Orb
Ability: Chlorophyll

Note that Sucker Punch and Defog aren't Leaf Blade are illegal on Shiftry, as the former two can only be learned by Shiftry in Gen IV, while the latter can only be learned in OR/AS (as a Nuzleaf).

 

[ShanWow]

Finally, Hurricane is a super-strong coverage move, which can deal with Breloom in conjunction with Focus Sash.

Why would you run Hurricane on a Sun Sweeper?

 

[Mr. Meme]

Why would you run Hurricane on a Sun Sweeper?

Oops. Forgot that Hurricane's accuracy is lowered in the sun.

Here's a modified Nasty Plot set:

Shiftry @ Focus Sash
4 Atk/ 252 Spa / 252 Spe
Fake Out
Nasty Plot
Giga Drain/Solar Beam
Solar Beam/Dark Pulse