Introduction
Mienshao makes its presence in May 2025's metagame as a solid Pokemon with an impressive base 125 Attack stat, sharing the spot for highest Attack with 3 others, as well as an above-average speed stat of 105. Mienshao has a good amount of set customisation thanks to its choice of ability between Reckless and Regenerator and a wide movepool, functioning as a fast pivot, priority user, as well as a sweeper and wallbreaker with decent utility options.
Role
Mienshao fits on a variety of teams thanks to its qualities, which are appreciated by a multitude of different Pokémon and team styles, with balance being possibly the one that can benefit the most. Mienshao can effectively cover options that a team needs most, being able to bring moves such as Fake Out, Upper Hand, U-Turn, Knock Off, Triple Axel, Blaze Kick, Taunt, SD, Poison Jab and threatening Fighting STAB in Close Combat and High/Jump Kick. This coverage allows Mienshao to act as a "Swiss Army Knife" of a team, threatening damage on prominent metagame staples such as Empoleon and pivoting to safety.
Checks & Counters
Mienshao's main drawback is its frailty. Despite having Regenerator and being able to easily pivot away from danger, Mienshao can get outsped by naturally faster mons and scarfers, as well as if it finds itself caught on a Sticky Web. This means that if Mienshao doesn't KO first, or doesn't pivot away first, it will be vulnerable to getting OHKO'd or crippled by the opponent, and is also vulnerable to crash damage if it's using High/Jump kick with or without Reckless. Some of it's checks include: defensively checked by Skarmory, Tangrowth, Cofagrigus and Mudsdale, as well as offensively checked by Ribombee, Timid Swoobat, Inteleon (Hydro pump and/or specs), Swellow and Barraskewda.
Written by Bepos
Scarf set contributed by Gcgoat
Quality and Grammar checked by Qbking & Belle