Haunter [NU]

Haunter



Typing:
Ghost / Poison (Weak to Ghost, Psychic and Dark types) (Resistant to Poison, Bug, Grass and Fairy types) (Immune to Normal and Fighting types)

Abilities:
Levitate

Stats:
HP: 45
Attack: 50
Defense: 45
Special Attack: 115
Special Defense: 55
Speed: 95

BST (Base Stat Total): 405

Notable Moves:

Offensive:
Clear Smog
Dark Pulse
Dazzling Gleam
Energy Ball
Giga Drain
Hex
Hidden Power
Icy Wind
Ominous Wind
Psychic
Shadow Ball
Sludge Bomb
Sludge Wave
Thunderbolt

Non-Offensive:
Confuse Ray
Curse
Destiny Bond
Disable
Endure
Grudge
Haze
Hypnosis
Mean Look
Pain Split
Perish Song
Rain Dance
Sunny Day
Taunt
Torment
Toxic
Trick
Trick Room
Will-O-Wisp

Description:

I've always loved Haunter more than Gengar, and am happy to note that Haunter still has great stats for a pre-evolution. With a strong Special Attack stat of 115 and a solid base Speed of 95, Haunter's more than competent to stand up among the titans of NU. Along with this, Haunter got multiple major buffs this generation. The first major buff being that Steel no longer resists Ghost type, meaning that Haunter can spam STAB Shadow Balls quite a bit easier now. The second major buff is the very existence of the new Fairy type, Haunter's Poison STAB Sludge Bomb allows it to nail Fairy types, and if that wasn't enough, Haunter gets access to Dazzling Gleam, allowing it to nail Dark, Fighting and Dragon types for super effective damage. The third buff is that multiple Pokemon that reign strong in NU and other tiers up to UU are easily taken on by Haunter. Not all is good for our Ghost friend however, while he has fantastic typing and a great ability in Levitate, his defensive stats and HP stat are paper thin, and strong neutral attacks will usually take care of him. However if you can look past Haunter's flaws, you'll find that you have a powerful Pokemon on your hands.

Set #1: Choice Scarf

Haunter @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Bomb
- Dazzling Gleam
- Thunderbolt / Giga Drain

Set Description:

A simple Scarf set, Shadow Ball and Sludge Bomb are your STABS of choice. Dazzling Gleam will allow you to nail multiple Pokemon that you wouldn't be able to nail anyways, and the last slot is for coverage moves of your choice. Thunderbolt will allow you to nail multiple Flying and Water Pokemon for Super Effective damage, but Giga Drain will restore HP and help you nail Water and Ground Pokemon for Super Effective damage.

Set #2: Choice Specs

Haunter @ Choice Specs
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Bomb
- Dazzling Gleam
- Thunderbolt / Giga Drain

Set Description:

All moves have the same functions as the above Choice Scarf, but this set trades overwhelming speed for overwhelming power, allowing Haunter to nail multiple KOs that it wouldn't be able to get normally.

Set #3: Annoyance

Haunter @ Black Sludge
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Will-O-Wisp
- Destiny Bond
- Trick / Disable
- Curse / Sludge Bomb / Confuse Ray

Set Description:

This set is very uncommon but can create a living hell for your opponent. Will-O-Wisp will take out a majority of the Pokemon who want to cause trouble for Haunter. Destiny Bond is used for when Haunter is no longer of use and you need to take down an opponent. Trick is good for possibly stealing a Leftovers and giving your opponent Black Sludge, or you could run Disable to cripple a Choice user. The last slot depends on your needs. Curse is a good choice to take down a Pokemon that has boosted its defenses up too far for you to take down (this is good if you don't have a Phaser), you could run Sludge Bomb for STAB with a 30% chance to Poison, or you could run Confuse Ray.

Other Options:

Haunter has multiple other offensive and support options, Pain Split is a notable option that could be used to cripple a defensive Pokemon. Along with this, it has moves such as Clear Smog to get rid of an opponent's defenses and stat boosts.