When is it ok to have an attacking move that is affected by a nature that lowers that attacking stat?

Question

The title question is probably confusing....let me explain.
For example, take a look at this Smogon sample set for Silvally-Steel:

Silvally-Steel @ Steel Memory
Ability: RKS System
EVs: 252 HP / 120 SpD / 136 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Defog
- Multi-Attack
- Flamethrower
- Parting Shot

This set has Flamethrower on it, so it's not as powerful since the nature is Jolly, which ups Speed but lowers Special Attack. Why does the set have Flamethrower despite Silvally-Steel having Jolly nature. When is it ok to have an attacking move that is affected by a nature that lowers that attacking stat? Battle Format is for all Gen 8 Smogon formats, if the format matters.

Comments

Pokemon sometimes use attack moves to get its other effect and don't care about how much damage they do. So Pokemon with -Atk natures sometimes use rapid spin, knock off, or U-turn, and Pokemon with -SpA natures sometimes use volt switch or infestation.

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Do you know why this Silvally set has jolly instead of another +Spe nature like hasty?

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ofc I do. As I said it's a support set and mainly for chip damage so later a sweeper can come and sweep. A support pokemon needs it's defences. It can't sack them just for a little more damage.

Answer 1

When a Pokemon's job isn't to kill or maim something but merely to harass a specific target. Another example I can immediately think of is tank chomp. It usually has toxic, rocks, equake and fire blast or endure with jolly nature. It's job is not to deal damage but rather to spread toxic and it uses fire blast to scorch Ferrothorn and other steels because they can't be poisoned. It's never gonna kill anything but at least it makes the durian think twice about trying to eat a toxic

That sample Silvally set is probably meant to harass opposing steel types since they wall this set and there are three waters in current ss pu, which steel Silvally can bait in and switch out with parting shot

And like sumwun said, utility moves also don't really mind the minus nature that much since they're not meant to deal damage anyway. This is why someone like Tapu Koko runs timid with you turn because it switches out anyway

In short, utility moves or just to harass a specific target don't mind the minus nature

Comments

I see. Thanks.