*DISCLAIMER* Everything inside these articles is either at the extreme edge of niche or is outright outclassed by Pokemon that can perform their role better or perform multiple given roles while outclassing them and aren’t meant to be used seriously (unless you really want to anyway). I believe Pyukumuku is outclassed by CurseLax or BD + Stockpile Lax as both can perform the “end game indestructible wincon” that Pyukumuku will almost always be performing while exerting offensive pressure against the opposing team, among other Pokemon it shares a typing with being generally more valuable.
Pyukumuku’s niche over Gastrodon and Milotic (both Water types with Recover) lies in the ability Unaware, making it a somewhat reliable wincon against any Pokemon that cannot hit it for x2 or isn’t strong enough to KO Pyukumuku with a timely critical hit. Running Unaware unfortunately means that Pyukumuku cannot be aided by Intimidate or Snarl which, while disappointing, is far outweighed by the benefits compared to Innards Out as this ability goes against the entire point of Pyukumuku – NOT to be knocked out.
Set 1: Hardened leftovers.
Pyukumuku @ Leftovers
Ability: Unaware
Level: 50
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 244 HP / 76 Def / 188 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
– Harden
– Toxic
– Soak
– Recover
A set near identical to the one I used in the May International Challenge, the difference being this EV spread has been optimized. Given a favorable end game scenario this Pyukumuku can 1v1 special attackers barring things like Koko or Nihilego and potentially 2v1 physical attackers thanks to Harden. Soak can come in handy vs anything trying to hit you with STAB whilst allowing Pyukumuku to 1v1 Celesteela and Metagross barring Zen Headbutt flinches. The main selling point of Pyukumuku is the ability to consistently 1v1 DrumLax and even 2v1 a Psych Up partner thanks to Unaware and Harden, it also comes in handy vs Gigalith teams (unless Stone Edge crits for the KO), and of course it also just walls out anything that can’t KO it in the end game and Toxic stalls for the win; even against Tapu Fini (even though bringing Pyukumuku against it isn’t recommended).
It’s very important to only bring Pyukumuku when you don’t have to over-extend to defeat its counters. If you have a 4th Pokemon that is equally good against your opponent, bring that instead. After all, Pyukumuku always runs the risk of being crit.. Teams with 3 or more different Pokemon that threaten Pyukumuku are what you really don’t want to bring it against, or the rare KokoChu.
It is optimal to Soak Pokemon attacking you with physical STAB in a 1v1 situation before you use Harden (especially Gigalith) so crits don’t deal as much damage. Remember, going to +1 Defense is the same as taking their STAB away.
Calcs:
Soak + Terrain does the same as STAB without, same with Soak vs +1 Defense.
https://pastebin.com/dfApdRGn
Pyukumuku @ Psychic Seed
Ability: Unaware
Level: 50
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 36 Def / 220 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
– Harden
– Toxic
– Soak
– Recover
The +1 SpDef from the Psychic Seed allows Pyukumuku to reliably 1v1 a broader range of Pokemon such as Nihilego and Thunderbolt Porygon2 to name just a few. Just keep in mind that losing out on Leftovers makes it a little trickier to set up in front of physical attackers.
https://pastebin.com/j0SCQbhF
Threats: 
+ Toxic
There are more things that threaten Pyukumuku but these stand out the most in my mind; anything that can hit it for super effective damage is going to give it trouble, unless it’s a 1v1 and can accumulate boosts to shrug off the damage. Lele and Nihilego aren’t threats with Psychic Seed and Fini becomes a more reasonable match up.
Fini is a threat simply because Misty Terrain being on the field prevents Pyukumuku from spreading Toxic, of course that’s where your Tapu comes in handy but every time I found myself wanting my other 5 Pokemon over Pyukumuku against opposing Fini.
Toxic is also threatening towards Pyukumuku. The winner in a Toxic v Toxic stall fest comes down to who Toxics first or who can Recover the most. Luckily, if you and your opponent Toxic each other at the same time, Pyukumuku is put into a favorable position as – due to its base 5 speed – we’ll be fainting last.
Friends: 
Koko’s value comes from being able to outspeed Kartana and threaten both it (with HP Fire) and Fini with its Electric STAB. Bulu gives Pyukumuku extra Grassy Terrain recovery and, like Koko, can abuse Soak offensively; Bulu also helps against opposing Tapu Koko, being able to defeat it 1v1. Keep in mind, however, that Grassy Terrain strengthens Grass moves for your opponent as well, but Pyukumuku can’t win against Kartana or Bulu anyway for this to matter too much. Celesteela appreciates Pyukumuku spreading Toxic and forms a nice stall core with it whilst also threatening Grass types, Lele, and Nihilego with super effective hits. Soaking your own Celesteela can be useful in the correct circumstances, such as helping it resist a Super Effective Fire Attack.
Arcanine can deal with the Grass types which prevent Pyukumuku from winning games and just helps the rest of your team when you don’t bring Pyuk because… well… it’s an Arcanine, the most popular Pokémon in the meta for a reason! Garchomp synergizes well with Pyukumuku; since it has Unaware and Harden it can sit next to Swords Dance Garchomp and absorb boosted Earthquakes comfortably, watching in glee as opposing Electric types whither and die. Togedemaru pretty much provides Lightning Rod support and also a turn of Fake Out to either set up Harden or Soak the opponent whilst Marowak is a more “dedicated to using Pyukumuku” Arcanine, helping clear away Electric and Grass threats for Pyukumuku to set up a wincon. Marowak can also use Perish Song if the situation arises so that Pyuk can stall out the 3 turns and win by being the slowest Pokemon on the field. Mimikyu interested me because it has access to Curse and Will ‘o Wisp, both moves that benefit a stall based team. If you do use Mimikyu with it make sure you’re only burning things that don’t have access to recovery moves.
Hope you enjoyed the article. If you like Pyukumuku give @namako771 a follow for great art like this!
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