Skuntank

Skuntank stands out as one of the most versatile Pokemon in PU, being able to serve as a revenge killer and Pursuit trapper while also possessing strong utility options such as Defog and Taunt; these traits, alongside having multiple viable sets, make it very easy to fit onto most teams. Skuntank's fantastic typing makes it one of the best Pursuit trappers and most reliable checks to various Psychic- and Ghost-type Pokemon such as Bronzor, non-Barrier Musharna, and Jellicent while its ability to run multiple viable sets makes it difficult to predict at Team Preview and allows it to easily fit a team's needs; Choice Band sets can trade some reliability due to Choice locking for more reliably Pursuit trapping Jellicent and Metang and revenge killing Pokemon such as Simisear and Stoutland at higher HP, while Choice Scarf sets can instead let Skuntank more reliably check faster Pokemon such as Oricorio-G, Oricorio-E, and Simisear. Furthermore, Skuntank can choose to run specially attacking sets that help threaten switch-ins such as Mudsdale and Ferroseed more effectively and break through walls such as Torterra and Audino with moves like Acid Spray and Taunt. Skuntank's ability Aftermath also allows it to support its teammates by trading itself to chip physical attackers that use contact moves such as Primeape, Stoutland, Crabominable, and Dodrio, especially if holding a Rocky Helmet, letting it provide valuable support and momentum even when it is no longer useful. Skuntank is, however, held back by its overall average stats, facing competition from generally stronger Pursuit trappers such as Stoutland and Absol and struggling to switch repeatedly into Pokemon it checks such as Haunter and Musharna. Furthermore, its average attacking stats make it unreliable at revenge killing higher HP targets and cause it to struggle greatly against common physical walls such as Mudsdale, Regirock, and Gurdurr. It also faces competition as a revenge killer from Kangaskhan due to the latter's double priority, stronger STAB move in Double-Edge, and better coverage in Earthquake. Skuntank is also held back as a Defogger by its poor matchup versus common Stealth Rock setters such as Mudsdale, Regirock, and Torterra and its lack of reliable recovery, meaning it can struggle to support teams that are particularly vulnerable to Stealth Rock compared to other options such as Rotom-F, Swanna, and Lurantis that have better matchups versus the aforementioned setters and reliable recovery for the latter two.