Clefable is Always Broken. Here's Why

[@pokeaimMD]

I’ve had videos like this on my list of things to do for months, maybe longer (sorry raltsboy for the wait) but today we finally start uploading these style of vids with cool competitive topics. Aiming for another next week and 3-4 a month total. My normal content wont change. I have a bunch of sick topics to cover but feel free to leave suggestions and leave a like/sub if you enjoy. Thank you bkc, raltsboy, xenon & wolfey for the help!

[@RequiemGamingLikeR]

This is absolutely fantastic. More please!

[@Aom.9]

Really really like this style!

[@theblazinken3501]

Love the vid, but I feel like you speak a bit too fast for this type of content.

[@ralts_boy]

👍

[@jack-py3oc]

LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE this style of video so much!

[@maxspecs]

As a reminder, Clefairy was originally supposed to be the mascot of Pokemon. It might not get as much spotlight as Pikachu, but it always gets good buffs and eats well with every generation.

[@teezus2036]

Makes sense GameFreak like to practice heavy favoritism and it's funny how gen 5 was the one gen when clefable was too weak to check the OU and immediately after GameFreak introduced a new typing specifically meant to check all the mons that Clefable couldn't beat and gave her that typing SMH

[@ibuprofen1381]

@@teezus2036 While Game Freak and favoritism are a thing and almost the same word entirely (the day Charizard got two megas, september eleven never forget) framing Clefable’s increasing inviability as the sole cause for this new typing being created is nuts. Dragons were dominating the competitive scene through sheer brute force back then, making them the equivalent of Gen 1’s ”Psychic” and making them nearly unstoppable. The only weakness a Dragon type had were Ice types and itself, and ignoring the Water/Ice matchups, who in their right mind would use monoice? With some exceptions to the rule, of course. Fairy type being created was a manner of neutering the dragon type, the same goes for dark being created as a manner of neutering psychic type back then. Clefable receiving the fairy typing, though uncalled for, makes utmost sense. Look at that thing’s design. It's pre-evolution is literally called Cle*fairy* on english localizations. This, plus the fact she was supposed to be the series' mascot, all add up and fit snuggly together.

[@teezus2036]

@@ibuprofen1381 ayt I guess, the problem is that GameFreak essentially made Fairy types the new dragon type Coz they aren't many attacking steel types out there and their poison type weakness just got nullified by the introduction of the Fairy /Steel type look at Zacian and Mega Mawile Imo I think Fire types should also do super effective damage against fairies since they also resist them and Bug types should be strong against Fairies Coz Fairies r now doing the same things as Dragons by slowly but surely rising to the top of the metagame where they'll dominate for years

[@ibuprofen1381]

@@teezus2036 Knowing Game Freak, I think they'll allow the fairies to keep absolutely ruining the meta for a few years before actually either doing something about it or just creating another type to neuter the current big bad, which ends up turning into the big bad, which then will get us in a timeloop. Much probably. I really don't place much hope in Game Freak as a company since Dragon types were very prevalent and overkill up to Gen 3-5 before GF actually tried to neuter them, so our current situation is quite stale imo. I agree with all you've said, and I do think fairy typing needs a debuff, just don't really think Clefable was the reason fairy type has been created 'cos it's obviously not.

[@evilhunter64]

It was actually suppose to be eevee

[@AustoLaVista]

How Broken was Clefable actually? We'll be going over these competitive formats. 😁

[@pokeaimMD]

Hahaha. Falseswipe is fantastic. I believe he already has a clef vid so if you wanna see gens 1-3, 5 and VGC, for sure peep his

[@AverageHandle_]

@@pokeaimMD tbf its quite old so a remake (like the recent heracross one) would be great

[@stephenveerasammy3074]

@@pokeaimMD Joey, are you going to do Latios for False Swipe Gaming?

[@pokeaimMD]

@@stephenveerasammy3074 i recorded latios for him almost 2 yrs ago haha

[@subreezy8444]

@@pokeaimMD damn he hoed you

[@GIR177]

It's simply the fact that Clefable gained the benefits of the new Fairy type but still retained the massive movepool it had as a Normal type, allowing it way more flexibility than most other mons. The fact it has two top tier abilities doesn't hurt either. I'd like more vids like this, this was well done!

[@hollowlunerfang]

You forgot to say that sometimes celf goes unaware just to play on the popularity of magic guard sets. Unaware Harvey duty boots was one of my favorite stop gaps for when boosters are popular in gen 8.

[@bananaspice1967]

Ah yes, harvey duty boots

[@rivalsoul9853]

*Celf*

[@majintv24]

@@bananaspice1967 no timbs but the steve harvey boots

[@SpookyyFr]

My steel types are typing

[@obiwancannoli1920]

@@SpookyyFr they wont be after a +3 flamethrower

[@mateoizanluna]

I’ve been watching you since I was in high school. I think we’re either the same age or one year apart? (Changed accounts a few times). I actually credit watching your videos most of my life with teaching me how to think strategically and think ahead. I struggle with unexpected changes (I’m neurodivergent). And so pokémon was a way for me to practice experiencing the unexpected and adapting to new things. I adore this video. I love learning about the history of the meta game as well as seeing all the different factors that make certain mons decent. So this was such a fantastic video. My one criticism is that while your language is very concise and descriptive, I think it is a bit over-produced, a bit wordy. It sounds a tiny bit robotic. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it stuck out to me. That said, thank you so much for this. I kept messaging my partner while I listened to this to tell him how well done it was and how much I loved it. - Warmth and love from a long time fan, Ephram/Caslor

[@pokeaimMD]

much love fam appreciate you sharing this

[@catsinhats31]

Amazing video style, would love to see more videos like this

[@catsinhats31]

Just read the pinned comment and I am definitely excited for the upcoming videos. Also I don't know how you have the time to make such quality videos while also maintaining consistent daily uploads.

[@MessengerOscars]

I concur

[@dylanjohn989]

Love this type of content, keep going!

[@pokeaimMD]

ty fam!

[@dinonuggies9444]

Never seen a dono comment

[@NETIERRAS]

@@dinonuggies9444 same

[@EvilApple567]

Excellent all around. My only feedback would be to include more footage of specifics, such as "surviving 2 Specs Scalds from Keldeo" in Showdown just to give a better grasp of the concepts and provide more depth for those curious. I know it would add a bit to the production time but I think it would help a lot in the visual aid department and for how good this was (and future "episodes" have the potential to be) it would be worth it to really capitalize off that potential. Also for times I can't pay attention to everything on screen and just want something to watch on the side on my second monitor or listen to (battles just aren't good for this), this secondary content style works great for that as well like I use BKC's most of the time.

[@khanman888]

More of this content! I love hearing about competetive history and topics

[@gregorymirabella1423]

love how this had such varied visuals, as someone with a non-existent attention span it helped immensely. also 0:56 i am both extremely curious and cautious about the context of this image.

[@TheSmeargleBro]

Loved the new style of vids, looking forward to more

[@pokeaimMD]

ty!

[@lxxwj]

i really like this style of video and i think it turned out really well! if i had one criticism, i would like to see more numbers/calcs during the part starting at 4:55 when you go over what clefable can survive with EVs. the visuals are cool too, but its easier for me to internalize information if i can see the actual numbers/subjects being talked about. asumsaus is a youtuber thats really good at that, although his videos probably take an extremely long time to edit and put together because of it

[@FarawayBrawlHacks]

It has Magic Guard, Unaware, great movepool, access to healing, stat up moves, status. It's difficult to face until you know what it's got, but at that point it might even be too late.

[@spacemanspiff7138]

I think another reason as to why clef is so broken is that it also has access to another broken ability in unaware. So even if you are able to set up past the standard magic guard sets you can STILL be walled by clef

[@Erikk_is_Tired]

Clefable before abilities were added: I'm too weak... Clefable when abilities were added: UNLIMITED POWER!!!

[@xavierlehew6746]

Dude YES. This content is where its at, love it. Great editing. Great insight and script. Great concept. Ill take some more please

[@TheVengefulVadam]

A Clefable using Thunder Wave is my paralysis demon.

[@sk_555]

Love this format and type of video Aim, keep it up

[@jackdias9263]

0:29 the most blursed Pokémon image of all time

[@Justpassingby204]

This is what will bring new followers to your channel beyond your showdown videos. This is a great move

[@erikcarp9359]

The editing here was fantastic! It really took the video to the next level

[@Cocoa_Butters]

Keep doing these, and you’ll hit 300k end of year. Fine work lad, fine work.

[@shofu]

Good stuff Joseph

[@pokeaimMD]

Ty bro. Soon we will battle a ton

[@divitsingh6521]

Check 4:12 - 4:14 - Joey says Clefable withstands 'enormous Suaves of pressure'. Great editing and content for this video BTW.

[@magnumbreakz]

"Fuck base stats, fuck entry hazards, fuck all of it! OU is diseased, rotten to the core, there's no saving it!" Senator clefable on early gen 8 ou

[@spencerbrummett6712]

Really enjoyed this style of video. Didn't have to watch as intently, so I listened while I was working out. I'd really like to see this turn into like a Pokémon spotlight where you highlight strengths, weaknesses, and various sets for different pokémon throughout history.

[@SOSGaming404]

Clefable always had a place in my heart since I picked up Pokémon yellow as a kid. It grew stronger as the years went by.

[@bass-dc9175]

For those who do not know: In Gen 8, teleport gained a -6 Priority. Meaning it nearly allways goes last. Combine that with Wish, means this: Clefable Tanks a hit and Uses Wish. (Order dependent on the speed of the enemy pokemon) Clefable Tanks a hit and then uses Teleport. Meaning you get a switch into a pokemon of your choice, without that pokemon taking a hit. Wish triggers, topping off your switched in pokemon.

[@alfredsupersauce]

Imagine if Clef had a single stat over 100.

[@threevelayt5302]

YES! FINALLY! I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR DISCUSSION VIDEOS! KEEP DOING EM JOEY

[@veryoaty8921]

Bruh this is a sick vid. You can see the effort put in both script and editing

[@Nuvizzle]

Clefable is one of the few Gen 1 mons to be blessed with massive buffs over the history of 'mons, from consistently getting good new moves to being granted arguably the single best ability in the game and even up to getting a whole new typing. We all hate to see Clef, but pat of me does love the fact that there's always going to be at least one of the OG mons sticking around in OU because it seems to be gamefreak's favorite judging by how many goodies they keep giving it.

[@tylerkauffman7772]

Love the structure of this video. Your script is great because the visuals are great but not necessary to listen to the entirety of the video. I’d love to see more of these :)

[@OGalbina]

This was awesome, I would love more content like this!!!

[@vanesslifeygo]

Clefable was on the Champion's (REAL LIFE Champion) team in an early VGC tournament played on the GameCube. It had one or both of the Screen status moves. Obviously it was a Normal-type in Gen III.

[@timbawden2577]

I've been watching Freezais similar videos, it's cool to see you put one out. I've been a subscriber for almost 10 years now, so it's fun to see new style content from you too

[@dansonnguyen7663]

Great video. Clefable has always been the one fairy in OU that I never understood because its stats seemed so pathetic (clearly I don’t play much). This was quite eye opening.

[@dqeqw8369]

7:42 we need to talk about that image

[@markprangan6802]

love this kind of style. Both entertaining and educational. learned a lot in this one video as a Showdown casual. the doctor takes up a job as teacher in his spare time. You’re killing it, man

[@dariuslynard158]

This was a great vid Joey. I like retrospective vids like this and BKC's that dive into a Pokemon's history. Your edits added some new life and comedy into the discussion and I really appreciated that. I hope to see more of these but if not I understand, this looks like a ton of files 😬

[@GoldenWeavile]

Much love, excellent video. Next video idea, “Why Landorus has been the king since Gen 5”

[@gracefeel4178]

I usually never comment but man this video and the style is just top notch Aim. Definitely want to see more videos like this in the future. Very awesome great work and keep it up.

[@MogusMasterSaikawa22]

I love clefable. It was on my first time I still can’t get over the type change it’ll always be normal to me.

[@TubularToob]

This was so good! Glad to hear you’ll be making more in this style

[@GradyCool]

I like this style vid. I know other creators have done similar things but I think your level of depth and personal experience having actually been there adds some layer of depth that really adds to the format.

[@agre8380]

This is a great video for your style of humour , getting visual gags with you being quick and quippy is super fun

[@nightingem]

Your commentary combined with the editing is fantastic! Looking forward to future iterations!

[@lesqueegee]

Shouts to the editor! Super glad you went with this video format, this is awesome

[@blackfalcon179]

Im only a minute in and i can tell this video essay was well structured and well written. Definitely hit all of the points I had about the Pink menace. Quality content as always Joey!🔥

[@ZachGBM]

Did not expect this clicking on the vid, blew me away. Awesome work Joey.

[@UGMD]

I loved this, please make more of these! Two comments: 1: I understood all of what you said, but I’d suggest that you try to make these videos a bit more beginner friendly in the future. 2: When you began talking about the evolution of Clefable in each generation it felt a bit too unstructured, could you add time stamps or overlays for them? FSG’s style of going from generation to generation is very clear and helpful for rapping your head around it all, and I think this could’ve used that. It may also be helpful for people who are more interested in just a specific metagame.

[@coltonpark1930]

Basically what Joey is saying is if clefable was the mascot like it was supposed to be, Ash would have won the league long ago

[@jaci.terkel]

Love the BKC style video with your energy, keep it up!

[@toopyexcaliber2735]

What beautiful delivery and the edits make this absolutely entertaining to watch keep this content up!

[@dylangundersen9002]

Love this type of video, amazing editing, great content, good pace, and informative keep it up joey

[@RevvySD]

Amazing video. Loved the visuals, very informative, and got to the point. Keep up the great work Joey!

[@StepBaum]

Really good breakdown and fun editing :)

[@TheWatchmak3r]

I've been watching your content for a little bit now man. But this content is particularly superb, I'd love to see more of it.

[@jasonwaller4895]

They say imitation is the biggest form of flattery - Freezai will be happy then lol

[@gauravvj1090]

I like the pace of this video a lot, fun to watch and understandable without a long time frame

[@ByrneBaby]

This shit is lit, having someone versed in actual battles break this all down is great. The only critique is the amount of meme imagery. Having examples of what's being said in actual battles might help connect the dots for people having a harder time just taking words for what they are. Seeing clef eat a specs Keldeo scald then go for knock off and remove the specs will put it into perspective, for example.

[@masiethespiral]

Clefable is fuled by the anger that it was almost the mascot of pokemon

[@greenpinapple820]

I love the 'joke per second' format even little things like a black and white picture of a lion with all caps, "TOO POWERFUL". Just perfect

[@Kai............]

This video actually made me like clefable a lot more. It’s crazy how good a mon can be with such mediocre stats, especially with power creep in recent gens

[@Nirr0]

I even like running one in gen 1. Blizzard, thunder, mega kick, sing works as an excellent normal type mixed attacker with sleep spread.

[@Shuckleking87]

Great video and great editing xenon, awesome work, love to see more of this!

[@tarotdactyl752]

LOVE these types of videos! So much content covered and extremely well done!

[@halberd-3291]

Blissey and Chansey: Actual egg Pokémon with designs of healing and health. Clefable: Moon fairy, has nothing to do with eggs. Gamefreak: “Here you go!” *Gives both of them softboiled.* I wonder if Clefable would be less reliable if it only had Moonlight? That’s personally one way I would nerf it.

[@nathanielbass771]

actually, it can only get softboiled by trading it from the remake games, if they wanted to nerf it, nerfing its defense stat would probably be best so that it can't just switch into anything. it is beyond annoying when a boosted attack does nothing to a magic guard (not unaware) clefable), it's rather sad that Wigglytuff doesn't get some love XD

[@ktbmk]

@@nathanielbass771 dont nerf stats at this point

[@halberd-3291]

@@ktbmk You say that like Gamefreak hasn’t nerfed stats with certain Pokémon like Aegislash… it’s on the table, at least if the Pokémon is dominant enough.

[@ktbmk]

@@halberd-3291 Clefairy is gen 1 pokemon and this is gen 9 this year. Aegislash is gen 6 pokemon who got nerfed in gen 7. You got my point?

[@ktbmk]

it anything they will nerf/change ability like what they did with Gengar and Intimidate

[@-Electraaa-]

I love this type of video, really entertaining! I hope you continue with this format.

[@tafarimansfield9473]

This gives me false swipe gaming vibes and I like it should honestly do more vids like this

[@Nadid_Dhrabb]

Absolutely love this format for videos! Look forward to seeing more!

[@fulltimeslackerii8229]

i still have nightmares about the wish port clef meta.

[@IseeSandvich]

I used to have an unaware set I used to run on mine because it fit well on my stall team. Item: leftovers Moves: heal bell, recover, cosmic power and moonblast. In the early game it would mainly use heal bell to help my team with status and late game it could set up cosmic power to become nearly un killable. I made quite a few people salty with that set.

[@eclipse_978]

Dang, you didn't have to do Clef like that in the outro tho :( but that aside, these types of videos are pretty cool! Lookin' forward to seein' more like this in the future

[@tomsprite]

like this style of video a lot. props to whoever edited too, really fast paced

[@joelmccray2594]

Hats off to whoever edited all this together. Used a clef in a WiFi battle, leftovers excadrill came in and max hp max def clef lived it’s iron head, but just missed out on the flamethrower kill unfort

[@keystonerecords4541]

loving this educational informational format!!

[@L4NkYb]

My favorite thing about Clefable is dominating your opponent's badass dragons with a doofy looking pink blob

[@Ratstail91]

I remember when I was a kid, my Yellow team's ace was Clefable. I think it was level 86 by the time I stopped playing, but I friggin loved that thing.

[@fly-lucky]

in my playthrough of red and blue I always got clef and jiggles when I was a kid. those two can almost carry you through the game. especially if you give one of them body slam

[@Dave_Chrome]

7:39 bruh you did not just put that art in this video XD

[@kurb0]

In Pokémon special attack is essentially unchecked, I've always found it strange that their isn't a burn and rocky helmet equivalent for special attackers.

[@TheBoss-ih1rf]

Often special attackers are much more fragile

[@kurb0]

And if they aren't?

[@robertocioffi2523]

Great video as always Freezai!

[@mr.trollsaur9996]

Amazing vid! Considering I love hyper offense and setup, cleff is arguably my least favorite pokemon overall and thus explains why perfectly

[@BrotherSantodes]

Please keep making these videos. You have a lot of great insight and game knowledge that I appreciate and enjoy.

[@squidmarx9423]

really liked this type of video. also would have liked hearing about Unaware as an honorable mention

[@maxmustermann5590]

I was hoping you'd finally jump on the highly edited video bandwagon. Now hitting your subscriber goals should get way easy

[@JTruong3rd]

It's hilarious that clefable is one of the few old blood that just gets stronger each generation and just when you think it's finally down for the generation it just gets back up again. Made mine to be as annoying as possible and named it Apocalypse.

[@glitchedoom]

If I had to sum up the majority of competitive Pokemon history in a single sentence, it'd be "pink blob go brrrrr".

[@Greatbabyred]

7:22 that clefable using flamethrower art is pure gold

[@sloth_6333]

Love it man! I love hearing you commentate like this!

[@theskullboy8700]

Me during the usual showdown ladder: why won’t you die Clef: magic guard son

[@ItsVirto]

2:15 was pretty nice. I never though of this type of video, but it turned out great

[@M.I.A.M.I]

Absolutely love this format of content!! The only surefire counter I've found to 1HKO a Clefable is Focus Sash adaptability Porygon-Z and just using Hyper Beam. I give such a sigh of relief when it connects lol

[@TheBrownestFalcon]

I remember in XY/ORAS, Thunder Wave/Knock/Softboiled/Moonblast Clef could 1v1 a lot of non-Taunt Heatran sets. Truly a heinous demon.

[@NeilVGC]

This is so so well done 😭👌

[@blackout995]

Been playing with a lot of Unaware clefable as well, it is an amazing counter to the vast majority of Swords Dance/D-Dance sweepers. Idk if it's better than magic guard, but give it a try and you'll be pleasantly surprised.

[@MelloxMaster]

Loved the video Joey! Its always cool to hear the history of a pokemon throughout the generations. Would love for you to team up with False Swipe Gaming (I know you already help them out a lot) and maybe do a voice over if they ever do a remake of their How OOD was Clefable actually?

[@trevorwhiteboy2649]

He did a voice over on their Latias video, but seeing him again for Clef would be cool

[@canaldecasta]

Wigglytuff: It should've been me!