Analysis
Morpeko is one of the best, if not the best spinner in tier, in large part due to its wide and powerful movepool which it uses to great effect in the December 2024 format.
The main advantage over the second best spinner in the tier, Cryogonal, is that Morpeko has the ability to offensively threaten the main spin blocker in the tier Chandelure. Chandelure is one of the best Pokemon in the tier, yet never wants to take a STAB Knock Off or dark Aura Wheel from Morpeko. That's why Morpeko is a great spinner. Morpeko is also the only pokemon in this meta with access to Parting Shot, an amazing support based pivot move which allows frail teammates to switch in with relative ease as long as the opponent isn’t running Clear Amulet. Morpeko’s preferred item is heavy duty boots which allows it to ignore damage and speed drop from the hazards it is meant to remove.
Morpeko’s movepool also allows it to function as a solid choice band attacker although this does come with the flaw of not being able to run protect both to swap the form it is in but also to allow it to be less threatened from Lokix. Its signature move, the aforementioned Aura Wheel, stands at an amazing 110 base power and switches between the dark and electric types each turn as Morpeko alternates between its Full Belly and Hangry Modes. This move is an awesome fit for this particular meta, as it hits top tier Pokemon Milotic, Primarina, Chandelure, and Celebi for super-effective damage while dealing neutral damage to nearly everything else in the tier. Psychic Fangs is an amazing option on Morpeko as well. Psychic Fangs covers Roserade which has a pretty good match up into Morpeko as well as being a solid option to deal with Garbodor if the two end up facing off. Psychic Fangs also breaks screens which can be useful into a snow team. The same can be said about Brick Break which hits the Aurora Veil setter in the form of Aurorus 4x super effectively and can catch opponents by surprise. Alternatively Morpeko can also run Seed Bomb to cover for the only ground type in Pupitar.
Morpeko is also able to run the Assault Vest item with decent results, substituting parting shot for either volt switch or an additional coverage/stab move. This allows it to survive more than just a single neutral hit from mons like Roserade or Cryogonal.
Morpeko, despite its plethora of advantages, is far from a flawless pokemon. Morpeko is a very frail pokemon, often taking around 70% damage from neutral attacks, however that doesn't necessarily prevent it from doing its job effectively. It just requires a little more support from its teammates and very careful play from whoever is using it. Its speed tier, while far from bad, is suboptimal when compared to a mon like Cryogonal, one of the 2 other rapid spinners in the tier, and Celebi, a niche but still viable threat capable of forcing Morpeko out before pivoting itself out with U-turn. Lokix, while slower and vulnerable to taking solid neutral damage from the Electric type Aura Wheel, is still one of the best pokemon in the Post-Okidogi regulation and threatens Morpeko with First Impression. Protect, which Morpeko already frequently runs, can be utilized to nullify the threat and gain valuable momentum. Caution is advised alongside this approach though, as this interaction works best when Morpeko Protects in Hangry Mode and emerges in Full Belly Mode. If Morpeko emerges in Hangry Mode, Lokix may elect to stay in and accept the now reduced Aura Wheel damage to KO Morpeko with U-turn.
It's also important to mention that Morpeko can struggle with Choice Scarf Chandelure. A Choice Scarf Chandelure’s Fire Blast is usually a guaranteed OHKO and Flamethrower is a 75% chance to OHKO. This can be remedied by gaining a Speed Boost from Rapid Spinning before it switches or catching it with an Aura Wheel. Morpeko also never faints to a single hit with AV unless it is chipped down with rocks which then turns Fire Blast into a 37.5% to KO which is very much in favor of Morpeko.
In conclusion you should always watch out for scarf Chandelure as that is its most popular set however it isn't too hard to take advantage of and overall Morpeko is an amazing pick in this meta due to its unparalleled ability to deal with some of the top threats, remove hazards, and contend with the almighty Lokix all at once!
Written by Maszt