Shadow Toucannon
Attack
Defense
Stamina
Best Movesets
Analysis
Look at that stare... never have I seen a bird with so much raw malice behind its stare before. What is it planning? What horrors does it intend to wreak out of sheer anger?
Turns out, it was planning a bit more than we expected. This bird was so angry that it refused to stay non-meta, to the point where it's managed to rise to a level of power the likes of which no simple route-1 bird has ever managed to achieve. Toucannon's signature move, Beak Blast, has raised its power to absolutely tremendous levels, to the point where it's among the best non-Mega Flying Types. It's a bit on the frail side, but this Alolan toucan is finally able to release that seething anger in a flash of explosive glory!
Offense
- Peck is the only Fast Move recommended for offense, gets STAB, and suits a Flying-type role.
- Bullet Seed has no use.
- Rock Smash has no use.
- Beak Blast* is a great move, and Shadow Toucannon's only true means of success.
- Drill Peck is an okay move, but it's substantially weaker than Beak Blast.
- Consider Rock-type Pokemon instead of Rock Blast.
- Consider Steel-type Pokemon instead of Flash Cannon.
Defense
- Rock Smash is recommended on defense due to its coverage against Ice and Rock attackers.
- Peck gets STAB, making it best against neutral attackers and good against common Fighting-types.
- Don't use Bullet Seed for defense.
- Drill Peck is arguably the overall better Charge Move for defense due to how common Fighting-types are.
- Rock Blast can be used frequently to specifically hurt Ice-type attackers, but is also likely to be resisted by others.
- Beak Blast* is good too due to its high power, but it's a bit slower than Drill Peck.
- Toucannon isn't very tanky, and might faint before it can use Flash Cannon.
None of Toucannon's Fast Moves are considered ideal, but Bullet Seed is generally recommended for its fast energy generation, letting Toucannon spam its Charge Moves sooner. Peck is a subpar move that offers below average gains, with STAB helping to bring up its damage output to average at best.
Drill Peck is Toucannon's main Charge Move, with a low energy cost and respectable STAB damage. Rock Blast offers useful Rock-type coverage and can be used frequently, but its damage output is lackluster. Flash Cannon demands too much energy to be consistently useful, though its coverage against Toucannon's weakness to Rock and Ice Pokemon might catch unsuspecting opponents off guard.
Toucannon's name is an accurate representation of its performance as a glass cannon. Unfortunately it isn't viable in most formats due to its awkward moveset and poor bulk. Pidgeot and Noctowl should be considered if a Normal/Flying Pokemon is needed.
