Runerigus, The Grudge Pokémon. A powerful curse was woven into an ancient painting. After absorbing the spirit of a Yamask, the painting began to move. Never touch its shadowlike body, or you'll be shown the horrific memories behind the picture carved into it.
Overview
Runerigus is one of the new evolutions introduced for Yamask. It's Ground / Ghost typing grants it Ground STAB which is extremely useful to hurt Steel types like Bisharp while gaining an upgraded form of Mummy in Wandering Spirit which allows Runerigus to swap its ability with its opponent if it makes contact. While its stats are tailored made for Trick Room, unfortunately, as a slow Trick Room setter it remains outclassed by Pokemon such as Cresselia, Uxie or Porygon2 who boast more bulk and a better moveset to abuse it. Runerigus
Positives
Despite its low HP holding him back, it has an amazing 145 base Defense and a decent 105 base Special Defense which grants it nice bulk.
Wandering Spirit swaps its ability with its opponent if it makes direct contact with Runerigus which allows it to hinder Pokemon that depend on their ability.
It's Ghost/Ground typing is decent enough to provide 3 immunities and 3 resistances
Access to Stealth Rock and Toxic Spikes makes it a decent hazard setter for Singles.
Negatives
Runerigus' base 30 Speed means it will usually take a hit before moving which makes it difficult for it to stay long without having reliable recovery.
Despite the additional resistances and the immunity to Electric, its Ground weakness also adds weaknesses to Water, Ice, Grass.
It's physical moveset and Attack stat is decent enough but it's overall weak without investment.
Movesets
THE CURSED RUNES
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Will-O-Wisp
- Toxic Spikes / Poltergeist
Item Attached: Leftovers
Ability: Wandering Spirit
EVs and Nature:
252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
Thanks to its three immunities, Runerigus can find opportunities to set up hazards while being an overall annoying Pokemon to face. Will-o-Wisp keeps physical attackers like Weavile and Tyranitar at bay. Earthquake is Runerigus' main STAB and the best move it can use to destroy Bisharp while hitting decently hard against targets weak to it. The last move is a toss up depending on what you want. Toxic Spikes allows Runerigus to set up an additional layer of hazards while supporting offensive sweepers. Poltergeist is a powerful STAB allowing it to hurt opposing Ghost types like Dusclops but doesn't really achieves more than that.
DYNAMAX:
This set is not good enough to sweep by itself so it's better to relegate the Dynamax boost to a better offensive Pokemon. This set should focus more on setting up hazards for its teammates considering that this is a support Pokemon.
EVs and Items:
Max HP and Defense allows Runerigus to be as bulky as possible with Leftovers providing as much recovery as possible, which is crucial due to its lack of recovery. Runerigus can also
Other Options:
Runerigus can use a more offensive set with Trick Room and Life Orb with Earthquake, Shadow Claw and Body Press. This set would be more suitable for Dynamaxing since it can use the All Out Pummeling boosts to raise its Attack, but with base 95 Attack, Runerigus is not really hurting a lot of Pokemon without a boost.
Body Press is an alternative option that can hurt Ferrothorn thanks to its high Defense stat, but Runerigus struggles to fit this move.
Partners:
Runerigus needs partners that can cover up for its weaknesses. Hydreigon deserves a huge mention as it resists most of it weaknesses, except for Ice, while Hydreigon appreciates its Bug and Fighting resistance while potentially crippling attackers such as Scizor and Buzzwole with Wandering Spirit.
Countering Runerigus
Due to its plethora of weaknesses, strong special attackers that can target its weaker Special Defense are good enough to deal with Runerigus. Pokemon like Kyurem, Primarina and Hydreigon are threatening enough to either OHKO it or set up on it while not caring about burns. Tapu Fini deserves a mention since it is immune to Will-o-Wisp thanks to Misty Surge while not taking a lot of damage from Earthquake.
While these Pokemon have to be afraid of Will-o-Wisp, Pokemon like Urshifu Single-Strike, Weavile, Kartana, Rillaboom and Tyranitar can all deal with Runerigus and hit it extremely hard with their STABs.
Faster Choice Scarfers that can still outspeed Blaziken after a Speed Boost are decent options to check it. Pokemon like Scarf Latios or Scarf Tapu Lele are great options as they can easily outspeed it at +1 and OHKO with their STABs.
Locations in Games
Red/Blue/Yellow:
Not in game
Gold/Silver/Crystal:
Not in game
Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald:
Not in game
FireRed/LeafGreen:
Not in game
Colosseum/XD:
Not in game
Diamond/Pearl/Platinum:
Not in game
HeartGold/SoulSilver:
Not in game
Black/White:
Not in game
Black 2/White 2:
Not in game
X/Y:
Not in game
Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire:
Not in game
Sun/Moon:
Not in game
Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon:
Not in game
Let's Go, Pikachu!/Let's Go, Eevee!:
Not in game
Sword/Shield:
Max Raid Battles: Bridge Field, Dusty Bowl, Giant's Mirror, Rolling Fields, South Lake Miloch, Stony Wilderness, Watchtower Ruins
Anime Appearences
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Runerigus has yet to make an appearance in the Pokémon anime
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