About GreninjaIt creates throwing stars out of compressed water. When it spins them and throws them at high speed, these stars can split metal in two. It appears and vanishes with a ninja’s grace. It toys with its enemies using swift movements, while slicing them with throwing stars of sharpest water
Interesting Facts- Greninja has the highest base Speed of any fully evolved starter Pokémon and of any Water-type Pokémon.
- Greninja shares its species name with Ninjask. They are both known as the Ninja Pokémon.
Greninja's StatsHP - 72
Attack - 95
Defense - 67
Sp.atk - 103
Sp.def - 71
Speed - 122
AbilitiesTorrent - When HP is below 1/3rd, Water’s power increases to 1.5 times
Protean (HA) - User changes type to the same as the move just used
Greninja in Competitive BattlingOf all the starter Pokemon from x/y, Greninja is by far the most competitive. At 122 base speed, Greninja effectively runs circles around nearly every notable Pokemon in OU. It notably outspeeds Alakazam (but not mega Alakazam) and Manectric (but not mega Manectric). In fact, the only notable non-mega OU Pokemon that are faster than Greninja are Talonflame and Jolteon. Greninja is also outsped by some lesser used threats such as Crobat, Aerodactyl and Noivern, but these generally do not diminish Greninja's usefulness.
Greninja's hidden ability, Protean, is great both offensively and defensively. Coupled with its superb movepool, Greninja's effectively gets STAB bonuses on all its coverage moves, and can also take advantage of type immunities with proper prediction. Greninja also has access to interesting priority moves in Shadow Sneak and Water Shruiken, although neither are part of the more common specially-based Greninja sets. Matblock, one of Greninja's signature moves, has also helped redefine multi-battles as a non-priority protect for Greninja's entire team!
Greninja is, however, not without flaws. With defenses resembling that of a wet paper bag, Greninja is OHKO'd by a large number of even neutral attacks. Most notably, choice banded brave-bird from Adamant Talonflame OHKO's every common variant of Greninja. Greninja also lacks boosting moves outside of Power-up Punch and isn't quite powerful enough to sweep. Nevertheless, Greninja makes an excellent offensive pivot and a decent lead and should be considered on every OU team.
Example MovesetsSpecial attacker
Greninja @ Life Orb/Expert Belt
Ability - Protean
Nature - Timid
EVs - 4 HP / 252 Sp.atk / 252 Spe
- Dark Pulse / Extrasensory / Grass Knot
- Dark Pulse / Extrasensory / Grass Knot
- Ice Beam
- Surf / Hydro Pump / U-turn
A typical set that takes advantage of Greninja's near perfect coverage. Protean boosts all of Greninja's attacks to STAB level. This Greninja can be used as a revenge killer, and can effectively 2HKO most common switch-ins. Greninja forces a LOT of switches, and with proper predictions, Greninja can punch holes in unprepared teams. U-turn can be used in place of the standard water-STAB in order to gain momentum.
Physical Lead
Greninja @ Focus Sash
Ability - Protean
Nature - Jolly
EVs - 4 HP / 252 atk / 252 spe
Spikes
Shadow Sneak
Acrobatics
taunt
Greninja makes a great offensive lead. Access to Spikes, shadow sneak and Acrobatics means that greninja can effectively dodge ground, normal, fighting and electric type attacks with proper prediction (provided Greninja outspeeds his opponent). This can force out many choice-users which allows greninja to stacks spikes throughout the game. This allows Greninja to beat its common revenge killers like technician breloom and mach-punch conkeldurr. Taunt allows greninja to force out defensive leads like Forretress or Ferrothorn and lay down a few layers of spikes. Physical Greninja is generally considered inferior to special Greninja, but occupies an interesting niche as a spikes layer. It should be noted that this set is the hardest counter to Forretress lead as it prevents Forretress from laying hazards, and also prevents him from using volt-switch, often allowing Greninja to get two layers of spikes out. Since most Greninja do not run Taunt, its unlikely for Forretress to try to volt-switch on the first turn.
Mixed-ninja
Greninja @ life-orb
Ability - Protean
Nature - Hasty
EVs - 88 atk / 164 SpA / 252 Spe or 88 atk / 176 SpA / 240 Spe
-Dark Pulse/Ice Beam
-Extrasensory/Ice Beam
-U-turn
-Rock slide/ Ice Beam
This set is a ton of fun to use, with 88 atk EVs netting OHKOs on Starmie after Stealth rock and specially defensive celebi without entry hazards (u-turn), and nailing mega-charizard Y and Ninetales for a OHKO without entry hazards (rock slide), combined with most of the special coverage afforded by the normal special set, mixed greninja can catch many teams off-guard. STAB u-turn is also the only way Greninja can deal significant damage to Assault Vest Tyranitar. 252 Spe EVs are used to speed tie with other Greninja, but if this is not your goal, 240 Spe EVs can increase the power of your special attacks while still outspeeding Alakazam.