Shingyoku-F (wiki)Type: Faith/FireAbility: Pressure
HP: 80
Atk: 45
Def: 100
Sp.Atk: 100
Sp.Def: 170
Spd: 45
It isn't an overstatement to say that Shingyoku-F has amazing special bulk. Not only does she have the 3rd highest Special Defense in the game, but she also gets Calm Mind, allowing her to wall a huge amount of puppets, should she be given a chance to set up. Depending on the investment you give her, Shingyoku's Special Defense can reach up to
723 after a single Calm Mind, and when paired with her decent 100 Special Attack, she does a very good job of taking damage while dealing damage. Her physical bulk may seem lack-luster in comparison, but with good team support Shingyoku-F can lead to easy wins.
However, it isn't easy for her to sweep. First of all, She doesn't have any reliable recovery. Pain Split and Rest are the only moves Shingyoku learns that let her heal, and she doesn't even get Sleep Talk to compliment the latter. Second of all, Shingyoku is really slow. She's so slow that even Yuuka out-speeds her, which is silly. Also, she's a Fire type with only decent Defense in a game full of Earthquakes. That tends to be bad as well.
Special Wall/AttackerItem: Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
Nature: Bold or Calm
Evs: 248 HP/252 Def/8 SDef if Bold,
248 HP/252 SDef/8 Def if Calm
-Calm Mind
-Extrasensory
-Flamethrower/Fire Blast
-Pain Split/Rest
Before I say anything else, I first want to talk about Shingyoku's Nature and EV spread.
This spread can be a big deal depending on your team, and how you want her to play. Bold is for if you want Shingyoku to be capable of taking a physical hit when in dangerous situations, while Calm is for if you strictly want her to take special hits, and be damn good at it.
To hopefully make this decision a bit easier for you, I've compiled
far more than necessary a decent amount of damage calculations.
Please note that all opposing puppets in these calculations have 252 EVs in their respective attacking stats.
Bold
TAya Adamant Brave Bird
142-168 (39.01 - 46.15%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Chen Jolly Double Edge
236-278 (64.83 - 76.37%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Chen Jolly Heat Claw
198-234 (54.39 - 64.28%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
SYoumu Jolly Shadow Dance
121-144 (33.24 - 39.56%) -- 21.83% chance to 3HKO
AdCirno Jolly Ice Ball
103-123 (28.29 - 33.79%) -- possible 4HKO
AdCirno Jolly Ice Ball +1
154-183 (42.3 - 50.27%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
SKomachi Jolly Waterfall
84-100 (23.07 - 27.47%) -- possible 5HKO
SKomachi Jolly Waterfall +2
168-198 (46.15 - 54.39%) -- 5.86% chance to 2HKO
AFlandre Adamant Thrash
237-280 (65.1 - 76.92%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Tensoku Impish Earthquake
140-166 (38.46 - 45.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Tensoku Impish Explosion
348-410 (95.6 - 112.63%) -- 75% chance to OHKO
Yumemi Timid Luster Purge
240-284 (65.93 - 78.02%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Yumemi Timid Mana Burst
180-212 (49.45 - 58.24%) -- 66.02% chance to 2HKO
Dark Alice Timid Luster Purge
260-308 (71.42 - 84.61%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Dark Alice Timid Mana Burst
198-234 (54.39 - 64.28%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
AdYukari Modest Draco Meteor
150-177 (41.2 - 48.62%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
AdYukari Modest Draco Meteor +2
297-351 (81.59 - 96.42%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
AUtsuho Timid Energy Ball
101-119 (27.74 - 32.69%) -- possible 4HKO
AUtsuho Timid Air Slash
94-112 (25.82 - 30.76%) -- possible 4HKO
TToyohime Modest Earth Power
204-242 (56.04 - 66.48%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Rikako Timid Psycho Boost
312-368 (85.71 - 101.09%) -- 6.25% chance to OHKO
Rikako Timid Mana Burst
204-240 (56.04 - 65.93%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
ARin Timid Binding Voice
156-186 (42.85 - 51.09%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
APatchouli Modest Mana Burst
158-188 (43.4 - 51.64%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
AFTER CALM MIND
Yumemi Timid Luster Purge
162-192 (44.5 - 52.74%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Yumemi Timid Mana Burst
120-144 (32.96 - 39.56%) -- 18.51% chance to 3HKO
Dark Alice Timid Luster Purge
174-206 (47.8 - 56.59%) -- 35.16% chance to 2HKO
Dark Alice Timid Mana Burst
132-156 (36.26 - 42.85%) -- 96.68% chance to 3HKO
AdYukari Modest Draco Meteor
100-118 (27.47 - 32.41%) -- possible 4HKO
AdYukari Modest Draco Meteor +2
198-234 (54.39 - 64.28%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
AUtsuho Timid Energy Ball
68-80 (18.68 - 21.97%) -- possible 6HKO
AUtsuho Timid Air Slash
63-75 (17.3 - 20.6%) -- possible 7HKO
TToyohime Modest Earth Power
134-162 (36.81 - 44.5%) -- 99.93% chance to 3HKO
Rikako Timid Psycho Boost
206-246 (56.59 - 67.58%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Rikako Timid Mana Burst
134-162 (36.81 - 44.5%) -- 99.93% chance to 3HKO
ARin Timid Binding Voice
104-126 (28.57 - 34.61%) -- possible 4HKO
APatchouli Modest Mana Burst
106-126 (29.12 - 34.61%) -- possible 4HKO
Calm
TAya Adamant Brave Bird
196-232 (53.84 - 63.73%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Chen Jolly Double Edge
326-386 (89.56 - 106.04%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO
Chen Jolly Heat Claw
270-320 (74.17 - 87.91%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
SYoumu Jolly Shadow Dance
169-199 (46.42 - 54.67%) -- 9.38% chance to 2HKO
AdCirno Jolly Ice Ball
144-169 (39.56 - 46.42%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
AdCirno Jolly Ice Ball +1
213-252 (58.51 - 69.23%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
SKomachi Jolly Waterfall
117-138 (32.14 - 37.91%) -- 0.71% chance to 3HKO
SKomachi Jolly Waterfall +2
231-273 (63.46 - 75%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
AFlandre Adamant Thrash
328-387 (90.1 - 106.31%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO
Tensoku Impish Earthquake
194-230 (53.29 - 63.18%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Tensoku Impish Explosion
483-569 (132.69 - 156.31%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Yumemi Timid Luster Purge
186-222 (51.09 - 60.98%) -- 92.58% chance to 2HKO
Yumemi Timid Mana Burst
140-168 (38.46 - 46.15%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Dark Alice Timid Luster Purge
204-242 (56.04 - 66.48%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Dark Alice Timid Mana Burst
152-182 (41.75 - 50%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
AdYukari Modest Draco Meteor
117-138 (32.14 - 37.91%) -- 0.71% chance to 3HKO
AdYukari Modest Draco Meteor +2
232-274 (63.73 - 75.27%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
AUtsuho Timid Energy Ball
79-93 (21.7 - 25.54%) -- possible 5HKO
AUtsuho Timid Air Slash
75-88 (20.6 - 24.17%) -- possible 6HKO
TToyohime Modest Earth Power
158-188 (43.4 - 51.64%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Rikako Timid Psycho Boost
242-288 (66.48 - 79.12%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Rikako Timid Mana Burst
158-188 (43.4 - 51.64%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
ARin Timid Binding Voice
122-146 (33.51 - 40.1%) -- 38.43% chance to 3HKO
APatchouli Modest Mana Burst
124-148 (34.06 - 40.65%) -- 55.81% chance to 3HKO
AFTER CALM MIND
Yumemi Timid Luster Purge
126-150 (34.61 - 41.2%) -- 70.17% chance to 3HKO
Yumemi Timid Mana Burst
96-114 (26.37 - 31.31%) -- possible 4HKO
Dark Alice Timid Luster Purge
134-162 (36.81 - 44.5%) -- 99.93% chance to 3HKO
Dark Alice Timid Mana Burst
102-122 (28.02 - 33.51%) -- possible 4HKO
AdYukari Modest Draco Meteor
78-93 (21.42 - 25.54%) -- possible 5HKO
AdYukari Modest Draco Meteor +2
156-184 (42.85 - 50.54%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
AUtsuho Timid Energy Ball
53-63 (14.56 - 17.3%) -- 9HKO at best
AUtsuho Timid Air Slash
51-60 (14.01 - 16.48%) -- 9HKO at best
TToyohime Modest Earth Power
108-128 (29.67 - 35.16%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
Rikako Timid Psycho Boost
164-194 (45.05 - 53.29%) -- 1.17% chance to 2HKO
Rikako Timid Mana Burst
104-126 (28.57 - 34.61%) -- possible 4HKO
ARin Timid Binding Voice
84-98 (23.07 - 26.92%) -- possible 5HKO
APatchouli Modest Mana Burst
84-100 (23.07 - 27.47%) -- possible 5HKO
Calm Mind is Shingyoku's best friend. I know that I've said this before, but it's important enough that it deserves saying again. Extrasensory and Flamethrower/Fire Blast are your STABs, and most efficient ways of attacking. Flamethrower is better if you want Shingyoku to stay in for a long time, while Fire Blast is for hitting hard on a predicted switch, then getting the hell out. (Or not; depends on what is sent out) The reliability of your recovery move depends on what set you're running. If you run the slightly more situational Calm set, Rest can be a life saver due to it taking off statuses like Toxic, which is a huge deal for Shingyoku; however, it can also put you in danger since opponents can send in physical Beast/Earth/Reason types while you are sleeping. Pain Split is nice since it damages enemies and heals you at the same time, but can be even more situational than Rest since it only works if your enemy is healthier than you are.
Other Options Will o Wisp - Wisp is a great way to deal with physical attackers, meaning it can help out with one of Shingyoku's biggest issues. With proper predicting, you can burn the opponent when they switch in. It's arguable that you could get one of her team mates to use this for her, but it serves as a nice addition nonetheless.
Shadow Ball - Despite being her only usable coverage on Reason types, it isn't incredibly useful. I ran this move for months and it rarely served any good purpose. However, it can help her deal with the occasional Reason/Faith type, since they resist both of your STABs.
Substitute - Another option for when you expect the opponent to switch. It can be useful for letting you properly choose which move to use. Just don't expect it to block out Toxic or anything - you're still one of the slowest puppets around.
Spite - While not usually the best move, Spite's 3-6 PP decrease range (including the PP required to use the attack) gets buffed to a nice 4-7 when using Shingyoku, due to Pressure. This can be amazing for when trying to stall puppets who were blessed with reliable recovery, as well as ruining the PP of puppets trying to smash you with big attacks. If you can decide on which move to get replaced, then go ahead and try it.
Team SupportKeeping Shingyoku healthy is one of the biggest issues with her. Keeping her at high HP is important, but she's so slow that she's bound to take lots of hits. Fortunately, team-support is a thing that exists, so you should probably give it a try.
Spinners - Incredibly useful, as that 25% damage caused by spikes puts Shingyoku at a severe disadvantage. DHina and DMeiling can be useful due to their high Defense stats which compliment Shingyoku, but you may want to go for something that doesn't share a weakness to Reason, like Kogasa.
Clerics - As I mentioned before, Toxic is a huge deal for Shingyokus that don't run Rest. Getting Toxic off Shingyoku is vital to her success. TYuuka tends to work well, since she can use Aromatherapy along with Leech Seed for Shingyoku & company to abuse.
Spikes - Gives Shingyoku a nice edge to her attacks. Shingyoku with +1 Sp.Atk can 2HKO Calm DDaiyousei with Fire Blast after one layer of Spikes, and can 2HKO her with Flamethrower after three layers of Spikes. They also let her make quick waste of Yumemi, who just barely manages to bulk out Flamethrower when Spikes aren't set. Sakuya and Mamizou are great spike setters, since they can also disable opponents with accurate freezes and sleep. (Respectively)
Star, HStar and HNazrin can all pass over Barrier to Shingyoku, which can give her a much needed edge on her Defense. Calm Shingyoku can take three Earthquakes from Jolly ASuwako after Barrier, and four Earthquakes after two Barriers. This works especially well when running Rest, since it can be used to stall out the opponent's PP. (Which is easy because oh hey Pressure)
Counters A full HP Shingyoku is an annoying Shingyoku, simply due to the fact that she refuses to be OHKO'd. For example, Adamant AYuugi's Earthquake has a 6% chance of OHKOing Bold Shingyoku, while the other 94% gives her a chance to do whatever the hell it is she's trying to do. (And it must be a damn good reason if she's staying in on AYuugi)
But with that said, any Earth type with at least 125 base Attack can OHKO her with banded Earthquake.
She also tends to incapable of doing any impressive damage unless you let her set up, so any Super-Effective Physical hit is likely to 2HKO her, even if Bold, with no major damage done to your puppet. (Unless she hits a weakness) For this reason, Speed Rin with Flash Fire can make a solid counter for her, since Heat Claw does 56.04 - 66.48% of Shingyoku's health, and Extrasensory can't deal more than half without investment.
Rest is useful for Shingyoku when she only has special attackers going at her, but it makes her easy bait for practically any physical attacker that can hit her for more than NFE damage, even if she's running Bold.
Shingyoku has a huge problem keeping at high HP. She may be annoying when she first gets sent out, but due to her pathetic speed it's impossible for her to not take damage, and Toxic only makes her situation worse. Non-Rest Shingyokus are easy to ruin with Toxic, and Shingyokus that do run Rest can be baited into using it, which sets herself up for any physical attacker on your team.
