Moves
U-turn allows Furfrou to pivot out while still threatening heavy damage against targets like Silvally-Dark and Exeggutor. Surf is worthwhile for 2HKOing Golem, which otherwise takes little from Furfrou's Normal- and Bug-type coverage. Sucker Punch opens an opportunity for Furfrou to revenge kill weakened faster threats like Kadabra and Choice Scarf Chatot. Toxic instead can be chosen to wear down physical walls like Gourgeist-XL and Poliwrath that Furfrou cannot break otherwise. Facade is a noteworthy option to capitalize on if Furfrou is afflicted with status, but this attack is usually too situational and less rewarding in comparison to the other coverage.
Set Details
A Choice Band and Jolly nature give Furfrou the chance to outspeed and OHKO multiple threats like Swanna and Electivire. Despite having a Jolly nature and lack of Special Attack investment, Surf still 2HKOes every relevant Golem set, which is the only target it is meant for.
Usage Tips
Thanks to its great Speed and physical bulk, Furfrou functions great early-game as a scout and lead. Furfrou can safely U-turn on possible entry hazard setters like Golem and Torterra, and the damage may determine if the targets are running defensive or wallbreaking sets. Using U-turn in general is usually safe, but you should try avoiding unnecessary residual damage from Rocky Helmet Mawile and entry hazards by either hard switching instead or using U-turn only as an opportunity to bring in anti-entry hazard teammates. Frailer setup sweepers like Z-Mirror Move Swanna and Nasty Plot Simipour have a chance to survive a Furfrou's Return at full, but they are guaranteed to be OHKOed after Stealth Rock damage. Try not to risk Furfrou's health in these situations and plan to revenge kill these threats after they have taken Stealth Rock or similar damage; try using U-turn first before revenge killing with Return. Furfrou's niche coverage in Surf, Sucker Punch, and Toxic can be used to capitalize on otherwise threatening checks like Golem, Kadabra, and Pyukumuku. However, locking into these attacks can make Furfrou vulnerable to setup sweepers like Leafeon, Combusken, and Pawniard, so only risk these attacks when appropriate. If needed, Furfrou can switch into physical attackers like Electivire, Rapidash, Leafeon, and Komala to force them out, but risking Furfrou's health jeopardizes its role as a potential late-game cleaner. This is even more relevant if the latter two examples use Knock Off, as Furfrou relies heavily on its Choice Band for adequate damage. As a cleaner, Furfrou has no trouble breaking past weakened offensive Pokemon like Simisage and Silvally-Dragon, but you should make sure Pokemon that resist or are immune to Normal like Bronzor, Crustle, and Dusclops are significantly worn down or already dealt with.
Team Options
Furfrou works great on a VoltTurn core with the support of offensive pivots such as Electivire, Rotom-S, Silvally-Dragon, and Silvally-Dark. Silvally-Dark is also notable for trapping Bronzor, Metang, and Dusclops, which Furfrou cannot break on its own but are conveniently weak to Silvally-Dark's Pursuit. To help with physical walls like Golem and Mawile, Furfrou can U-turn out to wallbreakers such as Exeggutor, Torterra, and Beheeyem, which also appreciate that Furfrou may switch into physical revenge killers to them like Swanna and Pinsir if it needs to. Furfrou's susceptibility to faster attackers means it can be revenge killed by Kadabra, Raichu, and Choice Scarf Mr. Mime, so try pairing it with defensive Pokemon like Bronzor, Torterra, and Komala. These walls can both help tank hits for Furfrou while also providing either Stealth Rock or additional U-turn pivoting with it. The opponent's entry hazards deter Furfrou from constantly pivoting, so try having entry hazard removal from Swanna, Silvally-Dragon, and Sandslash. Swanna is especially notable because it checks Fighting-types such as Combusken, Silvally-Fighting, and Poliwrath for Furfrou. Furfrou struggles to break past stall teams that can pack defensive walls like Avalugg and Pyukumuku, Ghost-types like Dusclops and Gourgeist-XL, and Toxic switch-ins like Altaria and Muk. Supporting Furfrou with stallbreakers like Taunt Simisear or Knock Off users like Mareanie and Leafeon can help in these matchups.
