I don't own the above music or image, they're just there for you to listen to/look at while you read this chapter:) Hope you like this chapter guys! Sorry if you don't enjoy the Japanese theme. 

https://www.smogon.com/dex/sm/pokemon/greninja-ash/

  Requested by: Musicgreninja

      Ash-Greninja, arguably my favorite starter Pokemon, is the Pokemon that was Ash's ace for his Kalos journey, and didn't get released into the 6th generation, but at least it was in the 7th! I still can't get over some of the amazing looking designs of certain trainer classes and the character models that look great, like Hau's! Anyway, this Pokemon has been in OU and hasn't budged a single inch in the SM or USUM metagame, but it has trouble against certain Pokemon, especially in it's regular form. Speaking of which, it needs to knock out a Pokemon with an offensive move, and it's own ability Battle Bond brings it down a bit apparently. Let's get into the Pokemon it normally has trouble with as well as it's role and items, as well as it's official and recommended moves! We also can't forget priority moves.

     According to the Smogon website, the 2 sets are the same but with a difference in item. Those two items being Waterium Z and Choice Specs, The only thing I can disagree with and agree with them and myself is choosing Spikes over Ice Beam. I keep telling myself that Spikes is to be used when Greninja is switched into an opponent who has a huge disadvantage against the frog ninja, but I really prefer Ice Beam over it for Grass types. Ice Beam can also OHKO Zygarde 50%, but be careful for a boosted Extremespeed. Hydro Pump of course is to be the hard hitting Water move, and Dark Pulse of course for Psychic types. Waterium Z with Hydro Pump is very devastating to Pokemon who aren't immune to it with Storm Drain or resist it. Choice Specs Ash Greninja does a lot more damage, but at the cost of sacrificing being able to switch moves!  Waterium Z only works with it's Water moves, so there's that. I'll get into a set that has similar flaws to Choice specs that I made since I didn't like having Choice Specs later on, but for now I'll accede to those who want me to talk about the Pokemon it has trouble against already. 

    I can guaranteed that Mega Charizard X isn't exactly a counter without Dragon Dance, guys. Fairies such as Choice Scarf Tapu Lele, Tapu Koko, Magearna, Tapu Fini, and Bulu are useful in taking it down. Preventing it from transforming by either sacking Pokemon off to entry hazards or switching in Pokemon who wall it effectively is useful as well. All of these Pokemon either have the speed, power, or bulk to effectively check it with a Fairy, Grass, or Electric move. Tapu Koko is barely outsped by Ash Greninja, but in it's regular form, it flies around, shocking Greninja with electric moves unless it switches!  Bulu tanks an Ice Beam with AV apparently, and then can regain that health with Horn Leech. Lele outspeeds, but has to predict correctly. If Greninja switched in on a Psychic move, it would be terrible for the opponent. 

    Magearna and Tapu Fini have great defensive typings, although Fini is definitely the worst of the Tapus in OU, so Magearna is a bit more of a threat. Excellent coverage moves in Aura Sphere, the pivot move known as Volt Switch, Ice Beam, and it's signature move Fleur Cannon make it a great Pokemon like Ash Greninja can be. Fleur Cannon has it's risks since it can miss 10% of the time, plus halves the special attack of it. Combine it with assault vest and you get someone who is truly terrifying against a fast Pokemon like Ash Greninja. In order to knock it out, Ash Greninja needs this Pokemon to be weakened at a range between 30 to 40 percent health. Grass types are also a huge threat, such as Tangrowth and Mega Venusaur. Mega Venusaur is the bigger threat since it has Thick Fat, meaning Ice Beam will be doing less damage, and has great natural bulk. Irritating irate water types with abilities such as Storm Drain and Water Absorb like Gastrodon or Mantine make Ash Greninja/Greninja's job even harder. 

    Priority moves - one of the most efficient ways to make Ash-Greninja faint. Mach Punch from someone such as Infernape does at least 60 or even 90% damage, or even a one shot can do it in. This makes moves such as Fake Out and Quick Attack also effective, since they have the potential to do a lot of damage in the hands of strong physical attacks. Greninja has Water Shuriken itself, so that makes it even with the likes of Quick Attack. Paralysis, poison, and entry hazards cripple it's speed, or wear it down over time to the point where you have to sacrifice it. 

     Great teammates for this Pokemon are Flying types or Electric types, since they cover it's weaknesses. Mega Pinsir has strong STAB with Flying moves and Aerilate, so hit Mega Venusaur as hard as it can with Return or predict. Electric types help a lot against the others, so Zapdos or Tapu Koko can aid it with Wild Charge/Discharge on most Water types and Celesteela! A fire type move puts Ferrothorn out of commission, so Heatran or Heat Wave from Zapdos can do the job. Speaking of which, ironically enough Ferrothorn works well with it and Defog from Zapdos has entry hazards disappear as they go up into the air! Now it's time to get into the set that I mentioned a while back. 

     Since at the very beginning of SM, I didn't like the Choice Specs set that much, and when USUM let Ash Greninja learn Gunk Shot, I eventually acceded to my desire to make a set. It eventually evolved into a Choice Scarf variation of his set, but with a few personal touches to the moveset, getting rid of Water Shuriken and Spikes. In their place now is Gunk Shot and Ice Beam. Sure, he has trouble against Mega Venusaur, but some of the others cover that weakness. When Koko comes out, I can choose to click Hydro Pump or Gunk Shot, and if I believe in Greninja enough, it will knock it out with a trash can or a huge blast of water! Yes, I am aware of the risks that this brings, but I am confident in Ash Greninja, our teamwork, and the team I built to support each other! Dark Pulse and Hydro Pump are there for obvious reasons. Dark Pulse has saved my butt with flinches, giving me the opportunity to make a comeback! Choice Scarf is to counter other scarf Pokemon, but I like to be careful about confirming what set they are first. At this point in time, it's time to wrap this up!

     Ash Greninja no doubt has his flaws when it comes to priority moves, his low defenses, but his power and the skill of the player more than make up for that, just like every other Pokemon! He's really enjoyable to play with imo, but variety is something he just doesn't have, unlike Protean Greninja. Greninja has nothing for certain Fighting types, and it being stuck with Battle Bond while in his ascended form just brings him down back to earth. Blast Burn, stay AWAY! Still, I can't deny how cool he looks as well matches his performance that I have seen myself, as I use him constantly on OU teams since he is just so...awesome to play with! Hope you enjoyed this Musicgreninja! 

Score: 8.5/10 or 9.5/10(I can't decide on a rating)