Fezandipiti, the Retainer Pokémon. Fezandipiti owes its beautiful looks and lovely voice to the toxic stimulants emanating from the chain wrapped around its body. Fezandipiti beats its glossy wings to scatter pheromones that captivate people and Pokémon.

Overview

Another member of the Loyal Three, Fezandipiti stands out from its two cohorts with its good bulk and ability to make the most of their signature ability, Toxic Chain. Being the first Poison Fairy type, Fezandipiti makes the most of its defensive profile offered by the two types with a fantastic array of resistances along with a valuable immunity to Toxic. These resistances are backed by a solid base 88 HP and Base 125 Special Defense granting Fezandipiti formidable special bulk. Add Roost from its avian heritage and Fezandipiti is well equipped for the long game. A long game he will easily win thanks to Toxic Chain. Having any damaging move grant a 30% chance to badly poison a target is incredible, turning Beat Up into an incredibly consistent poisoning tool and allowing for U-Turn to offer insane damage potential on what is otherwise a modest pivoting move. All this together makes Fezandipiti a fantastic defensive set piece able to repeated come in, soak attacks and spread Toxic before ducking out again.

However, for all Fezandipiti’s fantastic bulk is undercut by thoroughly mediocre offenses. Base 91 Attack barely qualifies as usable these days and Fezandipiti’s far more robust Special movepool is let down by a paltry base 70 Special Attack. This is extremely problematic given Fezandipiti’s horrid matchup into opposing Poison and Steel types, who naturally resist both STABs and are immune to Fezandipiti’s main source of damage in Toxic Chains, being a close to a true counter as one can get for Fezandipiti. All this also makes Fezandipiti rather passive, completely reliant on Toxic to deal significant damage. Even Fezandipiti’s amazing special bulk is let down by an average base 82 Defense. While this can be rectified with EV investment, it is a shame given Fezandipiti’s excellent array of physical resists. While Fezandipiti lacks in the immediate threat of the other Loyal Three, its excellence at playing the long game greatly befits its trickster nature.
Positives
88/125 Special bulk is great, allowing Fezandipiti to take all sorts of special attacks with ease and repatedly at that with Roost.
Toxic Chain reaches its zenith with Fezandipiti who has the multihit moves to reliably activate it and the bulk to wait out Toxic.
Poison-Fairy typing is great defensively, offering numerous resistances with few exploitable weaknesses.

Negatives
Hard walled by Steel and Poison types who resist Fezandipiti’s STABs and can’t get poisoned.
Mediocre offenses make it difficult to apply direct pressure and make Fezandipiti rather passive.
Base 82 defense is noticeably poorer and conflicts with the excellent physical resistances and immunities Fezandipiti boasts.

Movesets

Fashion Icon

-U-Turn
-Beat Up/Tail Slap
-Moonblast
-Roost
Ability: Toxic Chain
Item: Heavy-Duty Boots
EVs and Nature:
252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Bold Nature

Fezandipiti lives up to its trickster wiles with this set, infuriating foes by laughing off blows meant for others and spreading Toxic before ducking out to avoid any reprisal, acting as a vicious Toxic spreading pivot. With the fantastic Grass, Fighting, Dark and Fairy resistances along with a Dragon immunity, Fezandipiti can pivot into all manner of threats including non-Guts Conkeldurr, Zarude, unboosted Hydrapple, Greninja, non-Specs Keldeo, non-Earthquake Slither Wing and Iron Jugulis on top of being one of the few Pokémon that resists Tinted Lens Lokix’s fearsome First Impression. After using its great defenses to come in, Fezandipiti has several options. One of which is to switch out with U-Turn, causing some minor chip damage and a potential Toxic Chain activation, placing the unfortunate target on a timer, while maintaining a positioning advantage. Beat Up and Tail Slap are for triggering Toxic Chain, placing the opponent on a timer and compromising any would be walls for Fezandipiti’s partners, though usage is dependent on format. If working in a full battle format, Beat Up is recommended with a full six hit Beat Up having a whopping 89% chance of activating Toxic Chain. However, in a 3v3 format, it may be better to gamble for more hits with Tail Slap, especially as Beat Up’s number of hits drops with allies knocked out. These moves being unaffected by Taunt are just another bonus. Moonblast is here purely for damage. While Fezandipiti’s Special Attack is poor, the great coverage of Moonblast still allows Fezandipiti to threaten considerable damage to Fairy weak targets, even before considering the possibility of Toxic Chain activating. Roost is what keeps all this together, allowing Fezandipiti to repeatedly tank blows and heal it off, so it can continue its Poisoning and Pivoting duties.

Tera Types:
As a pivot, one rarely wants to Terastalize this Fezandipiti, being far preferable to switch it out of danger than having to change typings to survive a hit. Terastalizing offensively is almost never a priority, as when Fezandipiti attacks, it is always for a Toxic Chain activation, with damage being a secondary concern. If one must Terastalize Fezandipiti to survive a blow, Tera Water and Tera Steel as general defensive options are preferred, granting few exploitable weaknesses and a broad defensive profile.

EVs and Items:
Given Fezandipiti’s fantastic special bulk and the main point of this set being to take hits, lay down Toxic and get out, maximizing Fezandipiti’s physical bulk through HP and Defense investment is the way to go. Speed investment is generally a non-concern. Fezandipiti is fast for such a defensive Pokémon allowing for reactive healing and what Fezandipiti can’t outspeed enables a slow pivot to get Fezandipiti’s partner in safely. Some Speed investment can be helpful; 24 Speed EVs is enough to outrun Max Speed neutral nature base 70s like Metagross and Volcanion, both of which seriously threaten Fezandipiti otherwise. Positive Speed natured max Speed base 70s require 116 Speed EVs to outrun but is likely too much loss for such little gain. Heavy-Duty Boots is heavily recommended as the item. This set is constantly switching and reliant upon its defenses to function. Having all of this being ruined by Spikes and Stealth Rock would greatly cut down on the efficacy of the set. Rocky Helmet is another strong option. Many of Fezandipiti’s resists are predominantly physical so being able to chip an opponent on the way in allows for much more aggressive pivoting as Fezandipiti is still garnering value when doing so. Leftover and Sitrus Berry are secondary healing options to keep it around longer if Heavy-Duty Boots isn’t available for whatever reason.

Partners:
: Given Fezandipiti’s horrid matchup in Steel and Poison types that it can’t Poison, allies that can pivot and handle them are greatly appreciated. Excadrill is an excellent example, its Ground STABs devastating both Poison and Steel types while appreciating Fezandipiti’s ability to soak up Fighting Attacks. Its contributions to hazard control between Rapid Spin and Stealth Rocks also contributing to the positioning game that Fezandipiti runs. Sandy Shocks is another excellent example, its Electric STAB handling the Skarmory and Corviknight that Excadrill struggles to, while loving Fezandipiti’s great matchup into opposing Grass types. Given how potent Fezandipiti is at pivoting, it slots greatly with U-Turn/Volt Switch/Flip Turn cores that constantly swap out to maintain positioning. In addition to the aforementioned Sandy Shocks, Zarude is an excellent partner, easily absorbing the Psychic and Ground attacks that cleave through Fezandipiti’s defenses and whose Knock Off pairs well with Fezandipiti’s Toxic Chain in wearing opponents down. Fezandipiti no selling the Fighting, Bug, and Poison moves that give Zarude pause is just icing on the cake. Slowking is another excellent pivot partner, its slow pivots essential for getting Fezandipiti in safely while its Future Sight does a great job of discouraging Poison types from absorbing a Toxic Chains blow and Fezandipiti’s Fairy STAB makes Dark types think twice about absorbing Future Sight. The sheer bulk of Slowking is also great for running out Toxic’s clock. Other aggressive pivots like Galarian Zapdos, Ogerpon, and Thundurus-Therian all appreciate Fezandiptis’s services in chipping opponents down into knock out range.

Other Options:
Play Rough is a physical alternative to Moonblast is one is wanting to take advantage of Fezandipiti’s higher Attack, though the imperfect accuracy is unattractive especially when going for Toxic Chain. Taunt is an excellent tool to prevent opponents from using Fezandipiti to setup as well as preventing tanks and clerics from healing off the damage. Heatwave is Fezandipiti’s lone option into Steel types who otherwise wall it completely.

Doubles and VGC Options

Upon first introduction in VGC, Fezandipiti made quite the splash, once again by getting the most out of Toxic Chain. Icy Wind, already an excellent move in VGC takes on a new dimension when you can combine the Speed control with a meaty 30% chance to Badly Poison, placing opponents on a dire timer. With other spread move options in STAB Dazzling Gleam and Heat Wave along with the multihit Beat Up, Fezandipiti was one of the best Toxic spreaders in doubles. Toxic Chain is not all Fezandipiti brought to the table either, boasting excellent disruption in Taunt, further speed control in Tailwind, and even offensive support in Acid Spray, all the while having the requisite bulk to land the multiple hits that make Toxic Chain an inevitability. However, Fezandipiti's initial success in VGC was truly serendipitous. When it first released the top threats were the Fairy spamming Flutter Mane, the immortal Iron Hands, and the many forms of Ogerpon, whose STABs Fezandipiti could tank well. However, as regulations passed and the power level ratcheted up, Fezandipiti's bulk was found lacking especially in the current regulation J while Fezandipiti is banned from the low powered Regulation H where it could excel. Fezandipiti’s unimpressive offenses also hurt it greatly, allowing opponents that don’t fear Toxic Chain to safely ignore it, turning the situation into a pseudo two on one as Fezandipiti lacks the other tools that force opponents to deal with it. A sadly common realty given how inconsistent Toxic Chain is

Corrosive Winds

-Icy Wind
-Dazzling Gleam
-Acid Spray
-Taunt
Ability: Toxic Chain
Item: Sitrus Berry
Tera Type: Dark
EVs and Nature:
252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spe
Timid Nature

Standard offensive spread of max Speed and max Special Attack are recommended. Fezandipiti’s primary role is that of speed control, so the ability to get the jump on as many targets as possible is paramount. The Special Attack investment pairs nicely with Acid Spray and can allow for Fezandipiti to pick up knock outs it late game scenarios. Sitrus Berry is for keeping Fezandipiti around longer, so it has more chances to land more attacks for a Toxic Chain activation as well as continue to provide speed control. While an unattractive Terastalization target, Tera Dark is invaluable for the immunity to Psychic and Taunt it provides.

Preferred Partners:
Given Fezandipiti cannot Poison opposing Poison or Steel types and indeed, lacks the tools to deal them, more direct answers are a must. Heatran is an excellent example, melting Steel types with its Fire STAB while blasting opposing Poison types with pure power. Armarouge also works well with its dual Fire and Psychic STABs, though the shared Ground weakness is unfortunate. Ursaluna-Bloodmoon may be the best pick given it doesn't share a Ground weakness with Fezandipiti while its Earth Power threatens most Steel and Poison types with ease. All three being special attackers mean they also greatly benefit from Acid Spray support in grabbing knock outs out of nowhere. Tailwind is excellent speed control but doesn’t trigger Toxic Chain and may feel redundant with Icy Wind. Protect remains the best move in Doubles, its utility invaluable and pairs naturally with Toxic Chain for accruing damage. Toxic Chain U-Turn is just as strong in Doubles as it is in Singles, combing pivoting with potential status.

Countering Fezandipiti

While Fezandipiti’s good bulk and potent bag of tricks make it a chore to take down, its lacking offenses and reliance Toxic Chain give it clear and defined counters.

Steel types are by far the best answer to Fezandipiti, being immune to Toxic Chain and resisting both STABs while only having to worry about non-STAB Heat Wave coming from an unimpressive base 70 Special Attack. Metagross is a pure nightmare, while not liking Beat Up, solidly threatens a OHKO with either of its Banded STABs while getting close with Earthquake and outrunning any Fezandipiti that has not invested in speed. Excadrill is similarly nightmarish, Earthquake and Iron Head dealing obscene damage while only fearing Heat Wave. Revavroom can use any Heat Wave lacking Fezandipiti as free setup and can even setup in front of a significantly chipped Heat Wave Fezandipiti. Magnezone also reliably 2HKOs Fezandipiti while it can only 3HKO if possessing Heat Wave. Specially defensive Jirachi merely 3HKOs with Iron Head, but takes a pittance from Heat Wave and can subject Fezandipiti to its own brand of trolling with Serene Grace Flinches. Tinkaton, while lacking direct OHKO power, still 2HKOs with Gigaton Hammer, can punish predicted Roosts with Encore and remove Fezandipiti’s Heavy-Duty Boots with Knock Off while not even fearing Heat Wave. While Skarmory struggles to knock out Fezandipiti directly, Rocky Helmet wielders can punish Beat Up and use Fezandipiti as free Spikes setup even with Heat Wave.

Poison types, while often lacking the knock out power of Steel types, are usually even harder to deal with given Fezandipiti does not have any coverage to deal with them. Clodsire is particularly nightmarish given its access to STAB Earthquake to deal significant damage while taking a pittance from all of Fezandipiti’s common moves. Others like Toxapex and Tentacruel can freely switch into Fezandipiti but lack the means to significantly threaten it.

However, for as much as these Pokémon fear not Fezandipiti and its Toxic Chain, Fezandipiti is not wont to stay in against them either. As such lures are the best to keep Fezandipiti in and remove it before it poisons the entire team. Tera Steel Hydrapple is an excellent target, being attractive enough for Fezandipiti to try use its Fairy STAB on while Specs Earth Power threatens a solid 2HKO. Tera Steel/Poison Hydreigon is another such lure that can compromise Fezandipiti.

Sheer power may be the best way to deal with Fezandipiti, forcing it to pivot and let another teammate take a heavy hit or stay in and get sacrificed itself. Latios is a great example, as with Luster Purge and its high Special Defense drop rate it is great at compromising most would be switch ins, while being a move Fezandipiti absolutely does not want to take. Others like Tyranitar’s, Haxorus’ Earthquake along with Maushold’s Population Bomb while not OHKOing Fezandipiti, deal catastrophic damage that will compromise it.

As with any pivot set, entry hazards greatly cut down on Fezandipiti’s durability, and thus generally abhors eating a Knock Off that removes its Heavy-Duty Boots.

Anime Appearences

Fezandipiti has yet to make an appearance in the anime # -English Episode Name- -Jp. Episode Name- Pics