I think this is a good time to cover Jirachi, considering the current event going on that is giving away these wish-makers over Wi-Fi. Jirachi is the first of the event legendaries from 3rd Gen, and that generation's resident all-base-100-stats pixie. Also like its predecessors, it is Psychic-type and has a large movepool and a matching large moveset.
Its differences? First, a great typing that removes the weaknesses usually associated with Psychic, has a massive number of resistances, and ultimately makes it only deal with two weaknesses. Second, an amazing ability that easily allows it to topple foes.
The generation shift started without a huge change in the already-excellent Jirachi, but the addition of the Platinum move tutors really threw Jirachi into the spotlight by opening up its physical movepool, particularly with the excellent (read: flinch-hax-happy) Iron Head. This pretty much doubled Jirachi's effective movesets. All-in-all, an excellent Pokemon.
Capture/Training
Thanks to recent Nintendo events, there are currently two Jirachi floating around. One is Modest, the other is Jolly; hence, one for special, one for physical. Each will have their separate movesets later on.
No evolutions.
Stats
100 HP, 100 Atk, 100 Def, 100 SpA, 100 SpD, 100 Spe
All 100s, all the time! Solid stats that give Jirachi quite some versatility.
Abilities
Serene Grace is the only ability here. Thankfully, it's a great one. With both Shaymin and Togekiss previously covered, I don't think much else needs to be said for this ability's usefulness, except for the fact that Jirachi's pet move to abuse here is Iron Head.
Moves
Well, let's start with STAB options. On physical, Iron Head and Zen Headbutt give you both power and a nice flinch-rate boosted by Serene Grace; in particular, the 60% flinch rate from Iron Head is guaranteed to be annoying. On the Special side, Psychic and Flash Cannon are classic attacks that get a small but noticeable boost from Serene Grace, now having a 20% chance of lowering Special Defense.
The rest of Jirachi's attack moveset is quite large. On the physical side, all three elemental punches (Fire Punch, Ice Punch, ThunderPunch) add a tremendous amount of coverage, and come with their increased 20% chance of their added status inflictions. Secret Power is an acceptable move, thanks to a 60% chance of an added effect (notably Paralysis). U-Turn is a useful attack in many situations. On the special side, Thunderbolt is always a great attack, while the odd Rain Dance Jirachi can abuse Thunder with its 60% paralysis rate. Shadow Ball can hit other Psychics hard, and the 40% Special Defense drop rate is great. Both Energy Ball and Grass Knot are available, the former also getting that 20% SpD drop rate. Signal Beam can catch Dark-types and other Psychics by surprise. You can even try Water Pulse for a 60% confuse rate (particularly in rain) and Ancientpower for a 20% chance of a full-stat boost. Finally, the event Jirachi come with Draco Meteor to blast away Dragons.
Doom Desire is an odd move: it gets no STAB and cannot hit anyone super-effectively; it also uses the current opponent's Special Defense regardless of who the opponent switches to later on. It's a strange move and can fit on novelty sets.
Jirachi comes with a massive list of support options. To start things off, access to Stealth Rock makes Jirachi a good choice for a lead.
Calm Mind allows Jirachi to boost its stats further, making it a dangerous offensive and defensive threat. Cosmic Power allows Jirachi to boost its defenses directly.
Wish is, in a way, Jirachi's signature move, since Jirachi was based on the classic Japanese tradition of putting "wish slips" (that's what those things on Jirachi's head are) on trees during Tanabata, as well as the worldwide tradition of wishing upon a star. That, and it's outright called the Wish Pokemon. At any rate, make a wish on Jirachi and it can heal 50% of the health of the active Pokemon, whether that be Jirachi or a teammate. This makes Jirachi a great supporter or gives it a way to heal itself. On another wish note, Healing Wish allows Jirachi to... er, go back to sleep (a.k.a. faint itself), in exchange for the next Pokemon having all its health restored.
Thunder Wave allows Jirachi to paralyze foes, which works well with Jirachi's flinch-inducing attacks. Trick is an alternate way to mess up opponents, particularly in the Battle Frontier.
Reflect and Light Screen allow Jirachi to serve as a dual-screener.
Jirachi can set up weather, most notably Rain Dance.
And, of course, Jirachi can Substitute.
Effective Movesets
(Physical)
1. Choice
- Iron Head
- Fire Punch
- Zen Headbutt/Ice Punch
- U-Turn/ThunderPunch/Trick (Frontier only)
2. Substitute + Thunder Wave
- Substitute
- Thunder Wave
- Iron Head
- Fire Punch
3. Wish Support
- Wish
- U-Turn
- Iron Head
- Thunder Wave
4. Dual Screen
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- U-Turn
- Wish
Item: Light Clay
5. Lead
- Stealth Rock
- Iron Head
- U-Turn
- Fire Punch
(Special)
6. Wish + Calm Mind
- Wish
- Calm Mind
- Psychic/Flash Cannon
- Thunderbolt
7. Calm Mind + Substitute
- Substitute
- Calm Mind
- Psychic/Flash Cannon
- Thunderbolt
8. Calm Mind Sweeper (Superachi!)
- Calm Mind
- Psychic
- Flash Cannon
- Thunderbolt
9. Rain Dance
- Rain Dance
- Psychic
- Thunder
- Wish
10. Gravity
- Gravity
- Psychic
- Wish
- U-Turn
Closing Notes
One of the most versatile Pokemon around, Jirachi is certainly the game's little superstar. Whether hitting with strong Special-oriented sets or annoying the opponent with high-Flinch-rate moves, Jirachi is set to take on pretty much any Pokemon out there.
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