Mimikyu

Competitive Strategy

Mimikyu combines Ghost/Fairy typing with Disguise, so its first meaningful exchange needs more planning than a standard type chart shows. The official Pokédex describes Disguise as protecting it from an attack once per battle. That can create a valuable setup, attack, or scouting turn, but it is not a reason to ignore hazards, status, repeat damage, or the opponent's next move. Its standard typing is immune to Normal, Fighting, and Dragon; Bug is only quarter-effective, while Ghost and Steel are its direct type weaknesses. A physical set commonly uses Play Rough and Shadow Claw for STAB, with Shadow Sneak supplying priority after chip. Swords Dance is strongest when the opposing Steel type, bulky physical wall, or Unaware-style stopgap has already been identified and softened. Do not set up automatically just because Disguise is intact: using that window to remove an item, gain position, or attack a key switch can be the winning play. Mimikyu's moderate bulk means its value often comes from one carefully timed turn rather than repeated switching. Steel and Ghost attackers are the clearest type-based counters, but counterplay is more reliable when it also prevents a boosted endgame. Keep Mimikyu within range of priority or a faster attacker, avoid giving it a free turn after a faint, and use Haze, Clear Smog, Encore, or a durable physical wall when the format supplies them. Dark attacks are neutral rather than super effective, so do not mistake a Dark type alone for a complete answer. Partners that handle Steel and Ghost pressure—often Ground, Fire, Dark, or Normal types depending on the ruleset—make it much easier to preserve Mimikyu for the endgame. Use the team calculator to check those shared weaknesses, and confirm legal moves, items, and Tera types in the format you play.