Banette

November 18th, 2013

by Richard

Banette

The Marionette Pokémon

Overview

Oh, Banette, how unrecognized you were, until you got a MEGA-EVOLUTION! Personally, I think Banette is one of the coolest Ghost types around. It is physical, which is weird for a Ghost. It’s mega evolution has the highest attack of any Ghost, and even its regular form is only outdone my Aegislash, Golurk, and the Ghost legendaries. But it falls short in every other stat in regular form and they are only decent in Mega form. Nonetheless, Banette is a fun Pokémon to use.

Abilities

Insomnia: You can’t fall asleep. Useful to counteract Spore,  I guess, but not that useful.

Frisk: Reveals your opponent’s item. More useful than Insomnia, but still not that useful.

Dream World Cursed Body: When your opponent makes contact, there is a 30% chance that the move used will be disabled. The most useful ability so far, it can give you an edge on whoever took out Banette (because Banette likely won’t survive most attacks).

Mega Evolution: Prankster: All status category move get +1 priority. This is very useful because Banette has a dire speed, and priority to moves like Destiny Bond, Trick, Will-o-wisp, Thunder Wave, and others make this ability great.

Base Stats

Mega Evolution in parentheses

HP: 64 (64)

Attack: 115 (165)

Defense: 65 (75)

Special Attack: 83 (93)

Special Defense: 63 (83)

Speed: 65 (75)

Total: 455 (555)

Movesets

Physical

• Sucker Punch
• Shadow Sneak/Shadow Claw/Phantom Force
• Will-o-Wisp/Thunder Wave/Toxic
• Hex/Protect
• Ability: Cursed Body/Prankster
• Item: Spell Tag/Muscle Band/Banettite/Other

This set isn’t really meant to defeat other things, more like put a big hole in them. Sucker Punch gets priority, which is needed for Banette, and so does Shadow Sneak. Shadow Claw doesn’t get priority, but it has 70 base power. Phantom Force is a new move and basically a weaker version of Shadow Force, but gets 90 base power and always hits. This is an Egg Move only though. Will-o-wisp, Thunder Wave, and Toxic are all great status moves. (I would prefer Will-o-Wisp because it is signature to Banette, but use whatever is best for your team.) Hex got a boost from last gen with 65 instead of 50 base power, and this doubles when attacking an opponent with a status condition, so 130 base power. Yes, it is a Special Attack, but that power is undeniably high. You could also use Protect to stall for burn or poison damage.

Support

• Will-o-wisp/Toxic/Thunder Wave
• Another support move
• Shadow Sneak/Shadow Claw/Hex
• Sucker Punch/Another support move
• Ability: Cursed Body -> Prankster
• Item: Banettite

Banette has a multitude of support attacks. Prankster is a necessity for this set. Use Will-o-wisp, Toxic, or Thunder Wave for status effect. Shadow Sneak gets priority, Shadow Punch gets more power, and Hex can be extremely powerful. You need to have an attack so you don’t get stuck in Taunt. Sucker Punch is can be put in the last slot if you want more coverage. Banette’s support movepool is pretty big. You can use Curse, Spite, Embargo, Snatch, Grudge, Taunt, Protect, Torment, Rest, Attract, Psych Up, Swagger, Substitute, Confuse Ray, Destiny Bond, Trick Room, and several others. Banette can even set up Sunny Day and Rain Dance! The sad thing is that Banette doesn’t have the stats to back up a defensive strategy, but I guess it’s worth a shot.

Sleep Talk?

• Rest
• Sleep Talk
• Shadow Claw/Phantom Force
• Sucker Punch/Gunk Shot/Return/Knock Off
• Ability: Cursed Body -> Prankster
• Item: Banettite

This set is sort of a gimmick, but I hope it works. Like the last set, Mega-Banette is a must. Pick an attack to use the first turn, then when you have less HP, use Rest. Since it is a status category move, it gets priority. Then use Sleep Talk, which is also a status category move, and hopefully Banette uses the right attack, you do have a 50% chance, though so that’s pretty good. Shadow Claw or Phantom Force is your go to Ghost move here. Since Sleep Talk gets priority, Shadow Sneak has no use here. Sucker Punch is a priority attack, but is a good move for Banette. Gunk Shot, for some reason, is a physical move, and has 120 base power, but only 80 accuracy, Return can be a powerful normal type move and Knock Off can screw up enemy strategies. This is a pretty wacky strategy and it sure opens up Banette’s options outside of priority moves, but I’m not entirely sure if it works. This is just and idea.

Other Options

• Calm Mind can go on a special set with Shadow Ball, Thunderbolt, Dark Pulse, Dazzling Gleam and/or Psychic, but Banette was made for attack.
• If you are playing Gen V without Mega-Banette, Thief is an option over Knock Off, as Knock Off had way less power last gen and Thief steals items instead of knocking it off.
• Banette can get Pursuit as an Egg Move.
• Telekinesis can make it easier for Gunk Shot to hit.
• Foul Play is an interesting Dark type move.
• Pain Split can work with Focus Sash

Follow-Up

Banette had been defeated and forgotten until X and Y with its Mega-Evolution. It’s new ability, Prankster, is terrific, and makes it much better and 165 base attack is amazing. Although it still lacks in most other stats, it is so much better than before. I truly hope Banette does well competitively as it is such a cool Pokémon.