A ROM of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet made rounds before the official release and eventually found itself in the hands of dataminers. This led to all Pokemon that will be available to transfer to Paldea through Pokemon Home being leaked. The list includes the greatest hits like Mew, Mewtwo, the Lake Guardian Trio, and more, but also includes some modern introductions into the franchise. An early meta has formed, but with new monsters migrating to the Paldea region, the meta will evolve constantly through the next few years. Some of the most promising prospects to shake things up are Hisuian Pokemon from Pokemon Legends: Arceus such as Wyrdeer.
There are many Pokemon that are coming from the distant past to join the Paldean Pokedex in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet like Hisuian Lilligant, Ursaluna, and Hisuian Typhlosion that are probably going to make their mark on battles due to many factors. Wyrdeer, the Normal and Psychic-type evolution of Stantler native to the Hisui region, seems particularly poised for success due to the prevalence of another Pokemon already in Paldea: Amoonguss.
Wyrdeer is the Perfect Amoonguss Counter
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Amoonguss is a Grass and Poison-type Pokemon that has been prevalent in both doubles and singles formats since it was introduced in Pokemon Black and White. Its bulk and good defensive typing have allowed it to be one of the best defensive pivots for over a decade now. With its Grass and Poison typing, it resists dominant types like Fairy, Grass, Water, and Fighting.
Its most common setup uses Rocky Helmet as the held item to inflict extra damage on the opponent and Spore to put opponents to sleep with perfect accuracy. In VGC formats, it can use Rage Powder to focus enemies attacks on itself, Pollen Puff to either heal an ally or damage a foe, or Clear Smog to reset any stat changes. In singles formats, it can run Giga Drain, Foul Play, and Sludge Bomb. Altogether, Amoonguss has a ton of utility.
Wyrdeer counters Amoonguss nearly perfectly though, and when introduced, it could see some use as a counter to Amoonguss. Psychic type attacks are super-effective against it, and Wyrdeer with proper investment into its Attack stat could take Amoonguss out with two Psyshield Bashes. Psyshield Bash is Wyrdeer's signature move and along with having 70 base power, raises the user's Defense by a stage. It has a decent Attack stat with a base 105 and also has decent bulk with 103 base HP, 72 base Defense, and 75 base Special Defense. This prevents Amoonguss from posing much of a threat to it; if Wyrdeer were to hold Leftovers, Amoonguss could only hope to take it out in about three hits with Foul Play.
The defense buff provided by Psyshield Bash could be tough for even Amoonguss to fight through, and it would likely be forced to switch out. However, Wyrdeer can counter it even further if players get its hidden ability, Sap Sipper. This would give Wyrdeer an immunity to Grass type attacks and negate Amoonguss' invaluable Spore. However, outside just Amoonguss, Wyrdeer will have some usage on its own merits. It can become incredibly bulky against Physical attackers quickly with Psyshield Bash, but it can also get Intimidate to dampen enemy attacks as soon as it enters the fray. Aside from Amoonguss, it could be used to counter Annihilape or Iron Valiant strategies. Wyrdeer seems like it'll feel right at home once it makes its way to Paldea from Hisui.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are available on the Nintendo Switch now.
