Mienshao
PvE Analysis
Mienshao's introduction to Pokemon Go is unfortunately highly disappointing for the metagame. 258 ATK is very respectable, but this gets thrown out the window rather quickly when Mienshao's horrible moveset is made obvious. Low Kick and Brick Break are among the bottom of the barrel in the world of Fighting-type moves in Pokemon Go, and thus a moveset update is mandatory if Mienshao is to be anything more useful than a dex entry.
Best PvE Offensive Moveset
Force Palm + (Any) | Best |
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- Force Palm is the fast move of choice.
- Low Kick falls behind.
- Poison Jab isn't bad, but doesn't synergize with a Fighting-type Pokemon.
- Grass Knot is the strongest charge move against neutral opponents, or when Super Effective.
- Brick Break synergizes with Mienshao's Fighting-type role, but isn't very strong.
- Stone Edge doesn't have much use for offense.
Best PvE Defensive Moveset
Poison Jab + Brutal Swing, Blaze Kick, Grass Knot, or Brick Break | Best |
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- Poison Jab is better for defense, and can hurt Fairy-type attackers as well.
- Low Kick is more likely to be resisted on defense.
- Brutal Swing has great counter-coverage against Psychic Types and comes out frequently.
- Blaze Kick is a good Charged Move on defense for its high power and great complimentary coverage.
- Brick Break can be used frequently as a 3-bar move, but its STAB damage is lackluster.
- Grass Knot doesn't really threaten Mienshao's weaknesses.
- Stone Edge hits fast and hurts Flying-types, but Mienshao might faint before it can use it.
PvP Analysis
Poison Jab + Brick Break and Grass Knot or Stone Edge | Best |
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Despite not benefiting from STAB, Poison Jab is chosen over Low Kick due to its superior stats in both damage output and energy gains.
Brick Break costs the least amount of energy, is useful for baiting shields, and deals decent STAB chip damage for Mienshao's Fighting-type role. Grass Knot provides coverage against popular Water-types in the meta, with a moderate energy cost. Stone Edge requires slightly more energy, but its coverage is wider and also threatens Mienshao's weakness to Flying-type Pokemon.
Great League | 0 / 5 |
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Mienshao's high offensive stat renders it very fragile in Great League, comparable to Haunter or Gengar. Unfortunately its poor moveset and lack of synergy prevents it from winning most meta matchups. A Fighting-type Pokemon with a Poison-type fast move that's resisted by Steel and Rock (which is what Fighting-types are supposed to beat), combined with poor Fighting-type charge move damage, and.... Grass-type or Rock-type coverage? At the very least Mienshao can beat the popular Fairy-type Azumarill, but that alone is not enough to justify its use. | |
Ultra League | 0 / 5 |
Mienshao's bulk and moveset problems haven't left it in Ultra League, making it unusable. | |
Master League | 0 / 5 |
As a Fighting-type, Meinshao can only chip just over half of Snorlax's max HP before fainting. Not a good sign. |