Is there any reason to use Phione over Manaphy?

Question

Phione just seems like a Manaphy clone with worse stats. Is there something I'm missing?

Comments

Based on what I see, heck no.

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The only move Phione learns that Manaphy doesn´t is psychic which isn't worth it at all

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Perhaps Evolite?

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No, Phione doesn't evolve into Manaphy, Manaphy and Phione are two different Pokemon. Phione doesn't evolve and thus can't use Eviolite.

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You can use Phione instead of Manaphy in formats Manaphy is banned. :P

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Perhaps Evolite?
commented 12 hours ago by ◦KyogrePulse◦

This is why I shouldn't be on Pokebase at 1am.

Answer 1

Short answer: No.
Longer answer: In the words of Smogon, Phione is essentially a cheap ripoff of Manaphy. Besides their base stats, there is one major difference that sets Manaphy apart from Phione, its access to Tail Glow. In Gen 7 and Gen 8, where it is only available in NatDex, thus, Tail Glow is an option, this allowed Manaphy to decimate a sweeper with a +3 Hydro Vortex. Additionally, it allows Manaphy to break solid walls especially on Rain Teams with its Hydration Ability and Rest. Essentially, full HP restored for free.

Now, Phione has much worse stats, no access to Tail Glow, so it really only acts as a Heal Bell Cleric. It runs Rain Dance to shrug off any status, Heal Bell to fulfill its Cleric Role, and U-Turn to pivot. However, even in this role, it is outclassed by Volbeat which has Pranskter to better support. Because of this, Phione has landed Untiered or in PU sine Gen 5.

Conclusion: Never use Phione over Manaphy unless you are playing in a format where you can't use Manaphy, but Phione is still sure to be outclassed due to what I stated above.

Answer 2

No. There is absolutely no reason to use Phione over Manaphy. Manaphy is just better in every way imaginable, manaphy has better stats and a better move pool. I'm going to give you sets for both of them to show you how vastly superior Manaphy is to Phione, and also incase you want to use them (why would you use Phione though). This is also a set for gen 8 national dex

Phione @ Choice Specs
Ability: Hydration
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Surf/Scald
- Ice Beam
- Dazzling Gleam
- Signal Beam

If you want to deal as much damage as possible with Phione, you just have to use choice Specs. This set also makes it a threat to lower tiers.

Manaphy @ Leftovers /Life orb
Ability: Hydration
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Energy Ball
- Tail Glow

Tail glow is overpowered (due to it being overpowered, it was removed in gen 8 so you can only use this set in Nat dex)

Comments

Tail Glow was removed from Gen 8. I know you told for nat dex, but you should mention that.

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Edited, thx for pointing out a flaw.

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"No. There is absolutely no reason to use Phione over Manaphy. Manaphy is just better in every way imaginable, manaphy has better stats and a better move pool. I'm going to give you sets for both of them to show you how vastly superior Manaphy is to Phione," Lol that doesnt sound baised at all.

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Wdym tizzoy?

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There are some formats where Manaphy is banned, but in most of those formats you should use neither.