Overview
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- One of the best offensive users of Defog, especially because it's very hard to switch into, and specifically because unlike other Defoggers, Braviary can't directly switch into Shiftry.
- Strong priority in Sucker Punch allows it to function as a revenge-killer late game, after doing its job at defogging/softening up defensive cores early game.
- STAB Knock Off and Leaf Storm mean it'll hit hard.
- Decent mixed offenses mixed with strong STAB moves.
- Not much coverage other than its STAB options.
- Poor bulk, unfortunate defensive typing, and middling speed can make it difficult for Shiftry to get a defog off versus offensive teams.
- Walled by some common Pokemon like Cobalion and Virizion.
- Even with its below average defenses, it's Grass/Dark typing allows it to be able to reliably check Pokemon like Slowking, Clawitzer, Heliolisk and Jolteon, and kill them with the appropriate move.


Defog
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name: Defog
move 1: Defog
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Leaf Storm
ability: Chlorophyll
item: Life Orb
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
nature: Lonely

Moves
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- Defog is good to have as it removes hazards from the field, but at the cost of your own hazards.
- Knock Off is one of the best moves and is STAB.
- Sucker Punch is good, strong priority that allows Shiftry to revenge kill late-game.
- Leaf Storm is great for wallbreaking potential, as it can hurt Pokemon like Alomomola, Rhyperior and Gligar.

Set Details
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- Maximum attack possible to deal most damage with Knock Off and Sucker Punch.
- Maximum speed to outspeed slower threats and speedtie/outspeed Gallade and other Pokemon sitting at the 70-80 speed tier.
- Life Orb to maximize damage output.
- Dark Pulse can be used somewhere on the set to better check Doublade.
- A Hasty nature can be used to speedtie Jolly Gallade and out-prioritize Adamant Hitmonlee's priority, but it will make Shiftry miss out on some KOs and the overall damage output would be lower.

Usage Tips
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- Defog when you see an opportunity and need hazards gone, otherwise, Knock Off.
- Can dismantle/cripple defensive cores early game with strong Knock Offs.
- Defog and Knock Off early game, revenge kill late-game with Sucker Punch. Leaf Storm to kill off Alomomola and Rhyperior.
- Can switch directly into specific Pokemon like Alomomola, Rhyperior on Stealth Rock or Earthquake and Slowking on Scald or Psyshock, and effectively kill them.

Team Options
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- Pokemon that like hazards out of the field.
- Moltres specifically, as Shiftry is able to kill Slowking and Jellicent and removes hazards for Moltres.
- Delphox, for the same reasons.
- Doublade has good synergy with Shiftry since it walls Cobalion/Virizion who give it trouble.

Other Options
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- Swords Dance
- Nasty Plot
- Explosion


Checks & Counters
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**Cobalion**: Resists both STAB moves, likes a Justified boost, and kills with Close Combat.
**Virizion**: Resists both STAB moves, likes a Justified boost, and kills with Close Combat.
**Faster Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon that can take a Sucker Punch can easily revenge kill Shiftry. This includes Braviary, Hitmonlee, Moltres, and Zoroark, among others.
**Pokemon that resist its STABs**: Pokemon who can take Knock Off, Leaf Storm or Sucker Punch. This includes Drapion, Skuntank, Hitmontop, Druddigon, Physically Defensive Amoonguss, and Tangrowth.

Be aware that I will mention that none of the mentioned Pokemon like taking a Knock Off especially except for maybe Cobalion and Virizion.