ADV NU Sweepers
Format:
Degree of Impact on the Tier
Positive Traits of Sweeper
Negative Traits of Sweeper
Sample EV Spreads
EV Spread Justifications
Setup Opportunities
Checks/Counters
". . ." Category = Potential Niche Options
Dragon Dance
Significant ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Positive Traits Highly effective STAB combo X1/2 Normal, Poison, Flying resistances Electric immunity Shed Skin to shrug off status Outspeeds all unboosted Pokemon after one Dragon Dance Very few counters/checks Negative Traits Mach Punch vulnerability X4 weakness to grass and water moves X2 weakness to ice, fighting, steel, ground ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HP Bug Variant Pupitar @ Leftovers Ability: Shed Skin EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe Jolly Nature - Dragon Dance - Earthquake - Rock Slide - Hidden Power [Bug] Liechi Variant Pupitar @ Liechi Berry Ability: Shed Skin EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe Jolly Nature - Dragon Dance - Earthquake - Rock Slide - Substitute Jolly outspeeds all unboosted Pokemon in the tier after one Dragon Dance, while Adamant falls short of base 90's and up. The Substitute Liechi Berry set relies on Rock Slide to break past troublesome grass types. With extra power from Liechi Berry and the possibility for Rock Slide flinches, this strategy is feasible. Protect is a viable alternative to HP Bug to accentuate Leftovers recovery and provide more turns for Shed Skin to take effect. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Safe Setup Sableye, Kecleon, Lickitung, Golbat, Shedinja, Torkoal/Flareon/Magcargo (mono coverage, rare), teammate sacrifice Risky Setup Chimecho, Haunter, Arbok, Swalot, Plusle/Minun (HP Ice), Normal/ Flying/ Rock types (Choice Band), predicted switch (fleeing opponent) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Checks Defensive: Wailord, Huntail, Chimecho (Defensive), Mightyena Offensive: Hitmonchan (Mach Punch), Vigoroth Strong Checks/Counters Defensive: Tangela, Whiscash ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Fairly Insignificant ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Positive Traits High defense and no physical weaknesses Recoil-less Double Edge Not vulnerable to priority at high health Negative Traits Cannot effectively utilize STAB moves Exploitable special defense stat Vulnerable to priority at low health Vulnerable to spikes ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fast Shelgon @ Lum Berry Ability: Rock Head EVs: 16 HP / 252 Atk / 240 Spe Jolly Nature - Dragon Dance - Double-Edge - Rock Slide - Brick Break Lum Berry enables Shelgon to more safely setup on Bellossom and Roselia, as he no longer fears Sleep Powder or Stun Spore ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Safe Setup Flareon (Bulky/Mixed), Lickitung, Roselia, Kecleon, Bellossom (non-status, or status as well if holding Lum Berry) Risky Setup Flareon (Modest Special Attacker) Mawile, Plusle/Minun (non-HP Ice), Wailord/Pelipper/Whiscash (non-Ice Beam), Relicanth ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Checks Defensive: Torkoal/Magcargo, Arbok Offensive: Dewgong, Chimecho Stronger Checks/Counters Defensive: Tangela, Whiscash, Sableye, Chimecho (phys. def), Pelipper/Wailord (Ice Beam), Swalot Offensive: Metang, Huntail ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Dragonair (useful spdef stat and dragon typing, amazing special movepool, awful physical movepool)
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Swords Dance
Fairly Insignificant ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Positive Traits Immunity to spikes Immunity to ground X1/2 resistance to water X1/4 resistance to grass Resistance to Mach Punch Access to Earthquake and STAB HP Flying Negative Traits Vulnerability to status Vulnerable to all priority at low health Slow for a sweeper, even after Salac Berry boost X2 weakness to fire, flying, poison, rock X4 weakness to ice ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- M. Dragon NUPL 2018 Tropius Sweeper Tropius @ Salac Berry Ability: Chlorophyll EVs: 4 HP / 248 Atk / 16 Def / 240 Spe Jolly Nature - Swords Dance - Hidden Power [Flying] - Earthquake - Substitute https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/smogtours-gen3ou-384857 240 speed EV's bring Tropius to 217 speed, which outpaces Jolly Raticate after a Salac Berry boost. Substitute is to take advantage of switches which Tropius generally forces (Hitmonchan, Roselia, Spdef Bellossom), it also guards Tropius from status. Note: Tropius is typically a bulky wall breaker with high defensive investment. Sweeping is not the goal of most Tropius sets. This Salac Berry set found success in NUPL, and is therefore worthy of mention. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Safe Setup Hitmonchan (non-Rock Slide variants), Whiscash (non-Ice Beam variants), Bellossom (Spdef.), Roselia, Tangela (Def.), Sableye, Mawile, choice-locked Earthquake or HP Ground (Graveler, Pidgeot, Raticate, Murkrow, Golbat, Arbok, Hitmonchan, Metang, Piloswine, Sudowoodo) Risky Setup Plusle/Minun (non-HP Ice variants), Bellossom (Chlorophyll), Cacturne ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Checks Defensive: Torkoal, Mightyena, Relicanth, Graveler, Sudowoodo, Wailord, Corsola, Kingler, Crawdaunt, Shelgon Offensive: Pidgeot, Murkrow, Raticate, Arbok, Golbat, Haunter (Salac Berry), Glalie, Octillery Strong Checks/Counters Defensive: Whiscash (Ice Beam variants), Pelipper, Chimecho (Def.) Offensive: Dewgong (Encore), Huntail ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Fairly Insignificant ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Positive Traits Can setup on Metang, Mawile, and neutral physical hits Forces switches due to naturally high speed and attack Access to Swords Dance X1/2 resistance to steel, water, ice, fire Not vulnerable to priority at high health Negative Traits Vulnerable to priority at low health Hurt by spikes Status vulnerability X2 weakness to electric, grass 1-and-done sweep attempt ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kingler @ Salac Berry Ability: Hyper Cutter EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe Adamant Nature - Endure - Flail - Hidden Power [Ghost] - Swords Dance ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Safe Setup Mawile, Metang, Whiscash (Non-Toxic variants) Note: Kingler generally finds setup opportunities by bluffing a Choice Band set. On the opponent's switch, Kingler uses Swords Dance. Risky Setup Pupitar, Graveler, Roselia, Cacturne, Hitmonchan ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Checks Defensive: Magcargo, Tangela, Torkoal, Mawile, Metang (phys. def) Offensive: Bellossom, Hitmonchan (Mach Punch), Raticate/Pidgeot/Flareon (Quick Attack), Metang (Agility), Dewgong (Encore), Tangela (Sunny Day) Plusle/Minun/Grovyle (Substitute on predicted Endure), Strong Checks/Counters Defensive: Sableye, Relicanth Offensive: Haunter (Salac Berry), Vigoroth (Salac Berry) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Crawdaunt (SD, Salac Berry set. No physical STAB. Generally used for wall breaking)
Beedrill (SD, Salac Berry set. Has Swarm boosted bug STAB. Hard to find setup opportunities) |
Bulk Up
Significant ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Positive Traits Reliable recovery (Slack Off) Great base 90 speed Access to Earthquake Immunity to sleep Immunity to ghost Respectable physical defense stats Can handle non-fighting priority easily Negative Traits Outrun by Pokemon > 306 speed X2 weakness to fighting Lack of defensive resistances Somewhat vulnerable to Mach Punch (softened by Bulk Up's defense boost) Vulnerable to non-sleep status conditions Exploitable special defense stat without investment ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fast Vigoroth @ Lum Berry Ability: Vital Spirit EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe Jolly Nature - Bulk Up - Return - Earthquake - Slack Off Lobissa Spdef Vigoroth @ Leftovers Ability: Vital Spirit EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD Careful Nature - Bulk Up - Return - Earthquake - Slack Off Lum Berry prevents non-sleep status conditions. Shadow Ball can be fit into Vigoroth's moveset at the cost of longevity or coverage. In the standard Vigoroth set, he is unable to damage Haunter. Bulkier Spdef variants exist to bolster Vigoroth's main defensive weakness. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Safe Setup Bellossom, Venomoth, Butterfree, Sableye, Lickitung, Wigglytuff, Relicanth, Tropius Risky Setup Kecleon, Whiscash, Pupitar (before a Dragon Dance), Roselia Note: Spdef variant allows for safer setup on greater array of special threats ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Checks Defensive: Mightyena, Chimecho Offensive: Hitmonchan (Mach Punch), Plusle/Minun, Grovyle Strong Checks/Counters Defensive: Tangela, Haunter (Shadow Ball is not often run because it is solely for Haunter), Pelipper Offensive: Haunter, Raticate (Reversal), Yanma ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Significant ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Positive Traits Highly threatening STAB Excellent physical movepool High special bulk Outruns mid-speed metagame Can handle priority moves easily after one Bulk Up X1/2 resistance to bug, dark, rock Negative Traits Outrun and threatened by Pokemon with 80 base speed or higher Vulnerable to status No access to reliable recovery X2 weakness to flying, psychic ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hitmonchan (M) @ Leftovers Ability: Keen Eye EVs: 48 HP / 252 Atk / 208 Spe Jolly Nature - Bulk Up - Sky Uppercut - Earthquake - Rock Slide 208 speed EV's reaches the benchmark of outrunning Timid Dewgong. Coverage is somewhat variable, HP Ghost is a common option to hit Haunter and Chimecho. Rock Slide handles Golbat and Tropius, and still severely hurts Haunter. If Rock Slide is chosen over HP Ghost, a Chimecho lure or a Pursuit trapper such as Houndour could remedy the coverage problem. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Safe Setup Roselia, Cacturne (besides Focus Punch), Magcargo, Lickitung, Wigglytuff, Sableye Risky Setup Crawdaunt (mixed), Flareon (mixed) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Checks Defensive: Tropius, Chimecho, Haunter, Whiscash, Pelipper, Torkoal (Most checks depend on coverage choices) Offensive: Plusle/Minun, Haunter, Yanma, Arbok, Golbat, Chimecho, Pidgeot, Raticate, Abra, Murkrow, Pikachu, Venomoth Strong Checks/Counters Defensive: Tangela (phys. def.), Chimecho (phys. def.) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Machoke (ability Guts allow for a mono attacker rest-talk Bulk Up set)
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Calm Mind
Significant ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Positive Traits Immunity to spikes Impunity to all non-sleep status (access to Heal Bell) Excellent base defensive stats and special attack Resistant to Hitmonchan's Mach Punch X1/2 resistance to psychic and fighting Negative Traits Unimpressive speed Vulnerable to sleep (cannot use Heal Bell) X2 weakness to bug, ghost, and dark ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Physically Bulky Chimecho @ Leftovers Ability: Levitate EVs: 252 HP / 232 Def / 4 SpA / 20 Spe Bold Nature IVs: 0 Atk - Calm Mind - Psychic - Reflect - Heal Bell Fast Chimecho @ Leftovers Ability: Levitate EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe Timid Nature IVs: 2 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe - Calm Mind - Psychic - Hidden Power [Fire] - Heal Bell Taunt is an alternative choice over Heal Bell for the fast offensive variant. Taunt both prevents status and gives Chimecho an edge in Calm Mind wars with opposing Chimecho. However, Taunt lacks the team utility of Heal Bell. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Safe Setup Roselia, Tangela, Whiscash, Lickitung, Wigglytuff, choice-locked Earthquake or HP Ground (Graveler, Pidgeot, Raticate, Murkrow, Golbat, Arbok, Hitmonchan, Metang, Piloswine, Sudowoodo), choice-locked Sky Uppercut (if phys. defensive Chimecho) Risky Setup Arbok, Golbat, Swalot, Hitmonchan, Relicanth (cannot setup on CB), Torkoal, Magcargo, Haunter ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Checks Defensive: Bellossom, Flareon, Wailord (Spdef + Roar) Offensive: Cacturne, Dewgong (Encore), Murkrow, Pidgeot, Raticate, Vigoroth, Seaking Strong Checks/Counters Defensive: Sableye (Spdef), Kecleon, Mightyena, Houndour ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Insignificant ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Positive Traits Base special attack stat of 105 Access to Fire Punch (5 points stronger than HP Fire) Ability Synchronize to discourage status Access to Encore, can give more opportunities to setup Negative Traits Paper thin on both sides of defensive spectrum Extremely vulnerable to all kinds of priority even at full health Base 90 speed falls short of Murkrow, Haunter, Raticate, etc... After Salac Berry boost, speed falls short of the common Salac Berry Haunter Strong, but lacks OHKO potential ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Abra @ Salac Berry Ability: Synchronize EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe Timid Nature IVs: 0 Atk - Calm Mind - Psychic - Fire Punch - Substitute ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Safe Setup Roselia, Tangela, Lickitung Risky Setup Hitmonchan, Arbok, Swalot, Torkoal, Magcargo, Mawile, Metang, Parasect, Piloswine any slower Pokemon at low health (Generally Pokemon that fear being revenge killed by Abra, but Abra cannot switch into them) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Checks Defensive: Chimecho, Wigglytuff, Cacturne, Metang Offensive: Murkrow, Pidgeot, Raticate, Plusle/Minun, Grovyle Strong Checks/Counters Defensive: Sableye, Bellossom, Shuckle, Dewgong, Wailord (Spdef), Crawdaunt, Flareon, Kecleon, Mightyena, Houndour Offensive: Haunter (Salac Berry), Yanma ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Sableye (usable on certain stall teams)
Murkrow (Dark STAB, element of surprise because he typically uses Choice Band) Drowzee (access to Wish) Spoink (worse Chimecho but with Thick Fat) Natu (worse Chimecho but with Baton Pass) Corsola (normal resist + special attacker, unique. Only other normal resist + special attacker is Magcargo) |
Agility
Significant ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Positive Traits Strong steel STAB that can raise attack Outruns entire unboosted metagame after an Agility Resistance to Quick Attack, neutrality to Mach Punch Excellent natural defensive stats Access to Explosion to force a 1-for-1 trade at worst X1/2 resistance to dragon, flying, normal, grass, ice, steel, rock X1/4 resistance to psychic Immunity to Toxic Immunity to Intimidate, courtesy of Clear Body Negative Traits Vulnerability to paralysis and sleep X2 weakness to ground, fire ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bulky Metang @ Leftovers Ability: Clear Body EVs: 120 HP / 252 Atk / 136 Spe Adamant Nature - Agility - Meteor Mash - Earthquake - Explosion Max Speed Metang @ Leftovers Ability: Clear Body EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe Adamant Nature - Agility - Meteor Mash - Earthquake - Explosion ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Safe Setup Roselia, Lickitung, Sableye, Mawile, Golbat/Arbok (choice-locked into Sludge Bomb) Risky Setup Chimecho, Metang, Relicanth, Raticate, Pidgeot, Murkrow, Kecleon ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Checks Defensive: Torkoal, Dewgong Offensive: Pupitar, Sudowoodo, Graveler, Magcargo, Diglett Strong Checks/Counters Defensive: Tangela, Whiscash, Pelipper, Wailord, Shedinja Offensive: Huntail, Crawdaunt, Kingler, Octillery, Haunter (Salac Berry) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Fairly Significant ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Positive Traits Outruns entire unboosted tier, and most boosted sweepers after an Agility X1/2 resistance to water, steel, fighting, fire, bug Neutrality to grass Immunity to ground High defense stat and Mach Punch resistance, not vulnerable to priority Element of surprise Negative Traits Lack of power In direct competition with swift swimmers Vulnerable to status No reliable recovery X2 weakness to rock X4 weakness to electric ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bulky Pelipper @ Leftovers Ability: Keen Eye EVs: 232 HP / 252 SpA / 24 Spe Modest Nature IVs: 3 Atk / 30 SpA - Hydro Pump - Ice Beam - Hidden Power [Electric] - Agility Speed for Salac Haunter Pelipper @ Leftovers Ability: Keen Eye EVs: 48 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA / 204 Spe Timid Nature IVs: 3 Atk / 30 SpA - Hydro Pump - Ice Beam - Hidden Power [Electric] - Agility ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Safe Setup Hitmonchan, Metang, Mawile, Yanma, Torkoal, Flareon, Magcargo Risky Setup Arbok, Golbat, Raticate, Pidgeot, Murkrow, Tangela, Piloswine ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Checks Defensive: Roselia, Cacturne, Dragonair Offensive: Haunter, Huntail, Seaking, Relicanth (Swift Swim) Strong Checks/Counters Defensive: Wailord/Dewgong, Bellossom, Shedinja, Wigglytuff, Lickitung, Swalot Offensive: Plusle/Minun, Haunter (Salac Berry, unless running fast Pelipper spread) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Pikachu (Agility prevents base 91-97 speed Pokemon from out-offensing Pikachu)
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Chlorophyll
Significant ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Positive Traits Outruns entire unboosted metagame and most of boosted metagame under sun Excellent natural bulk on both sides of the spectrum Access to Sleep Powder Can handle priority moves easily Access to Synthesis, recovers 75% health under sun X1/2 resistance to grass, water, ground, electric Negative Traits Vulnerable to status Dependent on 5-turn Sunny Day to sweep X2 weakness to fire, ice, flying, poison, bug ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Max Speed Bellossom @ Leftovers Ability: Chlorophyll EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe Modest Nature IVs: 2 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe - Sunny Day - Solar Beam - Hidden Power [Fire] - Sleep Powder Bulky Bellossom @ Leftovers Ability: Chlorophyll EVs: 112 HP / 252 SpA / 144 Spe Modest Nature IVs: 2 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe - Sunny Day - Solar Beam - Hidden Power [Fire] - Synthesis Lum Berry and Petaya Berry are other viable options. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Safe Setup Plusle/Minun, Whiscash, Relicanth, Wailord, Haunter, Wailord, Pelipper, Whiscash, Roselia, Mawile, Lickitung Risky Setup Pikachu, Graveler, Pupitar, Cacturne, Crawdaunt, Kingler, Abra, Chimecho (prior to Calm Mind boost), Piloswine ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Checks Defensive: Dustox, Kecleon, Noctowl, Lickitung Offensive: Dewgong, Octillery, Arbok, Golbat, Seviper, Murkrow, Pidgeot, Raticate, Tropius, Tangela (some checks only effective prior to Sunny Day setup) Strong Checks/Counters Defensive: Dragonair, Bellossom, Swalot, Wigglytuff Offensive: Flareon, Torkoal, Magcargo ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Fairly Significant ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Positive Traits Access to Morning Sun, restores 75% of health under sun Access to Sleep Powder Immense physical bulk Can handle priority moves easily 100 base special attack (compared to Bellossom's base 90) 60 base speed (compared to Bellossom's base 50) X1/2 resistance to grass, water, ground, electric Negative Traits Vulnerable to all special attacks (even resisted) Vulnerable to status Dependent on 5-turn Sunny Day to sweep X2 weakness to fire, ice, flying, poison, bug ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Max Speed Tangela @ Leftovers Ability: Chlorophyll EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe Modest Nature IVs: 2 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe - Sunny Day - Solar Beam - Hidden Power [Fire] - Sleep Powder Bulky Tangela @ Leftovers Ability: Chlorophyll EVs: 192 HP / 252 SpA / 64 Spe Modest Nature IVs: 2 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe - Sunny Day - Solar Beam - Hidden Power [Fire] - Morning Sun ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Safe Setup Pupitar, Graveler, Sudowoodo, Whiscash (except Ice Beam variants), Hitmonchan, Kingler, choice-locked Raticate, Pidgeot, Murkrow, Golbat, Arbok (choice-locked on a non-super effective move like Double Edge or HP Ground), Relicanth, Lickitung, Mawile, Metang Risky Setup Kecleon (afraid of Thunder Wave), Piloswine ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Checks Defensive: Magcargo, Torkoal, Lickitung, Noctowl, Dustox, Hitmonchan Offensive: Murkrow, Pidgeot, Golbat, Arbok, Plusle/Minun (HP Ice), Pikachu (HP Ice), Haunter (Salac Berry), Abra Strong Checks/Counters Defensive: Flareon, Swalot, Wigglytuff Offensive: Bellossom (at high health, assuming Sleep Powder was used by Tangela on another enemy Pokemon already) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Tropius (has similar points of entry as Tangela, access to Earthquake to hurt poison types)
Sunflora (stronger, slower, less bulky Bellossom, but has access to Encore and Light Screen) Nuzleaf (has access to Explosion) Weepinbell (strong STAB combo and mixed attacker stats) Gloom (slower, bulkier, less physically strong version of Weepinbell) |
Swift Swim
Significant ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Positive Traits High physical bulk Overwhelming power under rain Access to Baton Pass Can handle priority moves easily Outruns entire unboosted metagame and most of boosted metagame under rain X1/2 resistance to steel, water, fire, ice Negative Traits Vulnerable to counter-sweep by Chlorophyll Bellossom No reliable recovery Vulnerability to status (but has access to Refresh) X2 weakness to grass, electric ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bulky Huntail @ Leftovers Ability: Swift Swim EVs: 128 HP / 252 SpA / 8 SpD / 120 Spe Modest Nature IVs: 3 Atk / 30 SpA - Rain Dance - Hydro Pump - Ice Beam - Hidden Power [Electric] Max Speed Huntail @ Leftovers Ability: Swift Swim EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe Modest Nature IVs: 3 Atk / 30 SpA - Rain Dance - Hydro Pump - Ice Beam - Hidden Power [Electric] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Safe Setup Mawile, Metang, Magcargo, Sableye, Lickitung, Tropius, Relicanth, Whiscash Risky Setup Torkoal, Flareon (fears HP Grass), Pupitar, Graveler, Piloswine, Chimecho, Tangela ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Checks Defensive: Roselia, Cacturne (Spdef), Kecleon, Lickitung Offensive: Wigglytuff, Plusle/Minun, Pikachu, Seaking Strong Checks/Counters Defensive: Wailord (Spdef), Dewgong, Bellossom, Swalot Offensive: Haunter (Salac Berry), Lombre ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Fairly Significant ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Positive Traits High natural physical bulk X1/2 resistance to normal, flying, poison X1/4 resistance to fire Can handle Quick Attack easily Element of surprise (Relicanth typically runs defensive sets) Negative Traits Vulnerable to Hitmonchan's Mach Punch Very underwhelming special attack stat, cannot utilize STAB water too effectively Vulnerable to status Hurt by spikes X2 weakness to electric, ground, fighting X4 weakness to grass ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Relicanth @ Leftovers Ability: Swift Swim EVs: 68 HP / 252 Atk / 92 SpA / 96 Spe Naughty Nature - Rain Dance - Rock Slide - Earthquake - Hydro Pump 96 speed EVs to hit 170 speed. Exceeds the threshold for outspeeding Jolly Raticate (322) under rain (162 is minimum). Also surpasses Roselia (166) and speed creeps the other base 65's (Chimecho, Flareon). ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Safe Setup Raticate (non-Reversal), Pidgeot, Murkrow (non-HP Grass), Mawile, Sableye, Shedinja, Golbat Risky Setup Sudowoodo, Graveler, Arbok, Swalot ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Checks Defensive: Wailord, Chimecho, Shelgon, Cacturne Offensive: Flareon (max speed HP-Grass prior to Rain Dance setup), Hitmonchan Strong Checks/Counters Defensive: Bellossom, Tangela, Chimecho (phys. def.), Whiscash Offensive: Huntail, Seaking, Haunter (Salac Berry), Vigoroth (Salac Berry) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Insignificant ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Positive Traits Best speed of all Swift Swim users *Can outruns entire metagame, boosted and non-boosted under rain* Good physical attack stat and access to Megahorn Respectable natural bulk Can handle priority fairly well X1/2 resistance to steel, water, fire, ice Negative Traits Underwhelming special attack stat i.e. cannot force switches like Huntail Vulnerable to status Hurt by spikes No reliable recovery X2 weakness to grass, electric ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Seaking @ Leftovers Ability: Swift Swim EVs: 188 Atk / 124 SpA / 4 SpD / 192 Spe Naive Nature - Rain Dance - Megahorn - Hydro Pump - Hidden Power [Grass] This EV spread serves to accentuate Seaking's advantages over their Swift Swim competitors. Those advantages being: An excellent speed that can outrun Salac Berry Haunter under rain along with opposing rain sweepers, and a strong Megahorn to hammer Bellossom and Chimecho (useful against Spdef sets in particular). HP Grass has a great synergy with Megahorn in the case of Kecleon. HP Grass causes Kecleon to become a grass type, at which point he gets destroyed by Megahorn. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Safe Setup Metang, Mawile, Torkoal, Sableye, Relicanth, Whiscash Risky Setup Flareon, Piloswine, Chimecho, Pupitar, Graveler ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Checks Defensive: Tangela, Shelgon, Dragonair, Kecleon, Tropius Offensive: Plusle/Minun, Pikachu, Hitmonchan, Raticate/Pidgeot (Quick Attack), Yanma, Bellossom (high-health), Huntail (high-health) Strong Checks/Counters Defensive: Wailord (Spdef), Dewgong, Shedinja, Wigglytuff, Lickitung Note: Seaking can outrun every offensive threat under rain, therefore it is difficult to out-offense Seaking without the check taking a hit first. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Lombre (great STAB combo, strong counter to opposing water types)
Omanyte (spiker/normal resist/ Swift Swim abuser) |
Petaya Berry
Significant ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Positive Traits Access to Baton Pass, can pass Petaya Berry boost Access to Encore, Light Screen, Wish Excellent base speed, only surpassed by Raticate (97) Respectable special defense stat Impressive power after Petaya Boost X1/2 resistance to electric, steel, flying Negative Traits Vulnerable to priority Hurt by spikes X2 weakness to ground ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Plusle @ Petaya Berry Ability: Plus EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe Timid Nature IVs: 2 Atk / 30 Def - Substitute - Thunderbolt - Hidden Power [Ice] - Baton Pass ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Safe Setup Severely weakened Pokemon, Sableye, Pelipper, Roselia Plusle generally finds setup by forcing switches, threatening to revenge kill Risky Setup Using Substitute to drop to 1 HP is very safe, but Plusle must beware of Cacturne (Encore variants) and Raticate ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Checks Defensive: Roselia, Cacturne, Plusle/Minun, Chimecho (Spdef), Flareon, Swalot Offensive: Diglett, Pupitar, Graveler, Parasect, Piloswine, Hitmonchan Strong Checks/Counters Defensive: Bellossom, Kecleon, Wigglytuff, Lickitung, Shedinja ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Fairly Insignificant ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Positive Traits Naturally high speed tier, only overtaken by Raticate Overgrow, boosts grass STAB at low health At worst, forces 1-for-1 trade using Endeavor Access to Leech Seed for mid-game utility Negative Traits Vulnerable to priority Hurt by spikes Coverage problems (HP Fire ruins speed IVs but is needed to hit steels + grasses, HP Ice is a mid-ground) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grovyle @ Petaya Berry Ability: Overgrow EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe Timid Nature IVs: 2 Atk / 30 Def - Substitute - Leaf Blade - Hidden Power [Ice] - Endeavor ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Safe Setup Whiscash, Crawdaunt, Sableye Grovyle generally finds setup by forcing switches, threatening to revenge kill Risky Setup Using Substitute to drop to 1 HP is very safe, but Grovyle must beware of Cacturne (Encore variants), Raticate ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Checks Defensive: Torkoal, Cacturne (Spdef), Dustox, Kecleon Offensive: Arbok, Seviper, Beedrill, Hitmonchan, Yanma Strong Checks/Counters Defensive: Mawile (if not running HP Fire), Bellossom, Roselia, Flareon, Lickitung, Wigglytuff, Swalot, Shedinja Offensive: Metang (If not running HP Fire) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Fairly Significant ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Positive Traits Immunity to priority, spikes, toxic Immunity to fighting, normal, ground moves X4 resistance to poison Can retreat if sweep attempt fails, has naturally high enough speed and special attack to attempt another sweep Useful mid-game Negative Traits Vulnerable to Thunder Wave, Will-O-Wisp Beaten by Salac Berry users ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Substitute 3 Attacks Haunter @ Petaya Berry Ability: Levitate EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe Timid Nature IVs: 2 Atk / 30 Def - Substitute - Psychic - Thunderbolt - Hidden Power [Ice] HP Ice in combination with Petaya Berry allow Haunter to muscle his way through grass types who would otherwise wall standard Psychic + Thunderbolt variants. Petaya Berry also helps Haunter to push his way past weakened checks easier like Chimecho and Sableye. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Safe Setup Choice-locked Sky Uppercut (Hitmonchan) Choice-locked Earthquake/HP Ground (Graveler, Hitmonchan, Piloswine, Arbok, Golbat, Pidgeot, Raticate, Murkrow, Metang, Sudowoodo, Diglett) Choice-locked Double Edge (Raticate, Pidgeot, Furret, Flareon) Choice-locked Sludge Bomb (Arbok, Golbat) Roselia, Bellossom (Spdef), Pelipper, Shelgon, Tangela Note: Any revenge-kill scenario is safe setup for Haunter, unless faced with a Pokemon which speed ties him (Plusle/Minun, etc..) or outspeeds (Raticate) Risky Setup Hitmonchan, Wailord ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Checks Defensive: Flareon, Metang, Mightyena, Piloswine, Minun, Sableye, Chimecho, Bellossom (Spdef.), Whiscash, Wigglytuff Offensive: Cacturne, Chimecho Haunter (Salac Berry), Kingler (Salac Berry), Vigoroth (Salac Berry), Flareon (Salac Berry), Metang (Agility), Plusle, Yanma, Bellossom (Sunny Day) Strong Checks/Counters Defensive: Kecleon, Dunsparce (Spdef), Shedinja (unless HP Fire) Note: some checks (especially Salac Berry users) are dependent on Haunter's Substitute being destroyed. If the Substitute remains, they are not effective checks. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Seadra (generally used as a lead rather than sweeper, competes with Swift Swimmers)
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Liechi Berry
Fairly Significant ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Positive Traits Immunity to Spikes Has flying STAB which perfectly complements Reversal Immunity to ground X1/4 resistance to fighting and grass X1/2 resistance to bug Easily handles Mach Punch at high health Outruns the entire unboosted tier after one turn on the field (Speed Boost) Negative Traits Vulnerable to all priority at low health X2 weakness to fire, flying, ice, electric X4 weakness to rock ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Standard Yanma @ Liechi Berry Ability: Speed Boost EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe Adamant Nature - Substitute - Reversal - Hidden Power [Flying] - Protect ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Safe Setup Roselia, Bellossom (Spdef variant), etc... Yanma generally comes in after a teammate has fainted, and either sets up a Substitute, or uses Protect (if facing a faster opponent such a +speed base 95's or Raticate) Risky Setup Cacturne, Hitmonchan (choice-locked into Sky Uppercut) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Checks Defensive: Shelgon (Defensive), Tangela, Chimecho (Offensive), Magcargo Offensive: Arbok, Golbat, Kingler, Metang, priority users (Raticate, Pidgeot, Hitmonchan if Yanma is at 1 health, etc...) Strong Checks/Counters Defensive: Sableye, Chimecho (Defensive), Pelipper, Swalot, Torkoal, Whiscash ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Significant ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Positive Traits Bluffs Choice Band set Thwarts traditional Raticate counters (Relicanth, Mawile, etc...) Naturally outruns the entire unboosted tier Can OHKO most Pokemon after very little chip damage If first sweep attempt fails, can easily attempt another sweep Immunity to ghost Negative Traits Vulnerable to Endure, Salac Berry sweepers Vulnerable to status (ruins reversal, but power up other moves due to guts) Weak to Mach Punch at high health Vulnerable to all priority at low health Hurt by spikes X2 weakness to fighting ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Standard Raticate @ Liechi Berry Ability: Guts EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe Jolly Nature - Substitute - Reversal - Shadow Ball - Return Return over Double Edge to prevent recoil. Shadow Ball to beat fighting immunities/resistances (Chimecho, Haunter). ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Safe Setup Choice-locked Shadow Ball or HP Ghost (Golbat, Hitmonchan, Raticate) Roselia, Relicanth, etc... Note: Raticate generally comes in after a teammate has fainted, threatens to revenge kill the opponent, and sets up a Substitute Risky Setup Haunter, Plusle/Minun, Cacturne, Glalie Note: Pokemon that Raticate can take a hit from at high health and generally force a switch ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Checks Defensive: Chimecho (phys. def), Torkoal, Whiscash, Metang, Shelgon (phys. def), Tangela Offensive: Haunter (Salac Berry), Huntail, Yanma, Hitmonchan (Mach Punch), Pidgeot/Raticate/Flareon (Quick Attack), Pelipper (Agility), Kingler (Salac Berry), Vigoroth (Salac Berry) Strong Checks/Counters Defensive: Sableye, Swalot (phys. def) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Murkrow/Pidgeot (can bluff a choice band set until late-game, use Endure Liechi Berry to clean up)
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Salac Berry
Significant ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Positive Traits Immunity to priority, spikes, toxic Immunity to fighting, normal, ground moves Can retreat if sweep attempt fails, has naturally high enough speed to attempt another sweep Useful mid-game X2 resistance to grass X4 resistance to poison, bug Negative Traits Lacks OHKO potential, needs opponent heavily chipped to sweep Vulnerability to Thunder Wave, Will-O-Wisp X2 weakness to ghost, psychic, dark ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sweeper/Mixed Wall Breaker Haunter @ Salac Berry Ability: Levitate EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe Hasty Nature - Substitute - Psychic - Thunderbolt - Explosion Sweeper 3 Attacks Haunter @ Salac Berry Ability: Levitate EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe Timid Nature IVs: 2 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe - Substitute - Psychic - Thunderbolt - Hidden Power [Fire] HP Ice still hits grass types while maintaining speed IV's, but falls short versus steel types. Petaya Haunter can muscle through checks without needing HP Fire. Salac Haunter is more reliant on super effective damage. The loss of speed has tangible effects in base 95 speed ties, but has little effect after the Salac Berry is consumed. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Safe Setup Choice-locked Sky Uppercut (Hitmonchan) Choice-locked Earthquake/HP Ground (Graveler, Hitmonchan, Piloswine, Arbok, Golbat, Pidgeot, Raticate, Murkrow, Metang, Sudowoodo, Diglett) Choice-locked Double Edge (Raticate, Pidgeot, Furret, Flareon) Choice-locked Sludge Bomb (Arbok, Golbat) Roselia, Bellossom (Spdef), Pelipper, Shelgon, Tangela Note: Any revenge-kill scenario is safe setup for Haunter, unless faced with a Pokemon which speed ties him, or outspeeds if running HP Fire (Plusle/Minun, Grovyle etc..), Raticate Risky Setup Hitmonchan, Wailord ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Checks Defensive: Metang, Mightyena, Piloswine, Minun, Sableye, Chimecho, Swalot, Magcargo, Torkoal Offensive: Cacturne, Chimecho, Yanma, Seaking (under Rain) Strong Checks/Counters Defensive: Kecleon, Dunsparce (Spdef), Shedinja (unless HP Fire), Bellossom (Spdef), Whiscash, Wigglytuff, Lickitung, Flareon Note: Purpose of mixed wallbreaker set is to explode on these strong checks/counters to clear a path for another special attacking teammate to sweep. If these counters are not present, Haunter is capable of sweeping alone. |
Significant ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Positive Traits Access to Reversal and STAB Flail Overwhelming power Immunity to sleep Immunity to ghost Doesn't necessarily need a safe setup target, can use Endure or Substitute down to Salac Berry range Outruns all of unboosted and most of boosted metagame after Salac Berry Has the natural speed to be useful if Salac Berry sweep attempt fails Negative Traits Highly vulnerable to priority, especially Mach Punch Vulnerable to non-sleep status Damaged by spikes X2 weakness to fighting ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Flail Monkey Vigoroth @ Salac Berry Ability: Vital Spirit EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe Adamant Nature - Endure - Flail - Reversal - Shadow Ball ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Safe Setup Any non-status, non-priority user If running endure If Substitute, anything slower than 279 (adamant) Risky Setup Roselia, Chimecho, Flareon, Haunter (Pokemon who can viably run status, but it isn't necessarily standard) Arbok, Golbat, Swalot (Pokemon with access to Sludge Bomb, 30% poison chance) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Checks Defensive: Tangela, Whiscash, Metang, Swalot, Toxic users (Flareon, Metang, etc...), Thunder Wave users (Kecleon, Octillery, etc...) Offensive: Yanma, Raticate/Pidgeot (Quick Attack) Strong Checks/Counters Defensive: Sableye, Torkoal Offensive: Hitmonchan (Mach Punch) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Fairly Significant ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Positive Traits Useful mid-game, bluffs standard Flareon sets STAB fire coverage destroys prominent Flail resists (Mawile, Metang) Beats typical Flareon counters such as Wailord, Dewgong, and opposing Flareon Fire immunity Turns the table on Diglett attempting a trap X1/2 grass, ice, steel, bug resistances Negative Traits Vulnerable to priority of any kind Hurt by spikes Vulnerable to status 1-and-done sweep attempt ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Flareon @ Salac Berry Ability: Flash Fire EVs: 212 Atk / 96 SpA / 200 Spe Lonely Nature - Endure - Flamethrower - Hidden Power [Grass] - Flail Speed EV's outrun Jolly Raticate after a Salac Berry boost. Special attack EV's are to OHKO Relicanth after 3 layers of spikes with HP Grass. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Safe Setup Any non-status, non-priority user Risky Setup Chimecho, Flareon, Torkoal (Pokemon who can viably run status and do not fear flamethrower, but status isn't necessarily standard) Arbok, Golbat, Swalot (Pokemon with access to Sludge Bomb, 30% poison chance) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Checks Defensive: Torkoal, Pelipper, Shelgon, Swalot Offensive: Hitmonchan (Mach Punch), Pidgeot/Raticate/Flareon (Quick Attack), Haunter/Kingler/Vigoroth (Salac Berry), Yanma Strong Checks/Counters Defensive: Magcargo ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Combusken (Blaze boosted Fire Blast at 1 HP, 200 power STAB Reversal)
Meditite (Huge Power STAB Reversal) |
Baton Pass Recipient
Significant ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Positive Traits Ability Suction Cups to prevent Roar attempts Excellent base special attack and attack stats of 105 Respectable base defensive stats Expansive movepool X1/2 resistance to fire, ice, steel, water Negative Traits Poor, but adequate base speed stat of 45 Vulnerable to status (unless running Lum Berry or hiding behind a Substitute) X2 weakness to electric, grass ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Substitute 3 Attacks Octillery @ Leftovers Ability: Suction Cups EVs: 112 HP / 252 SpA / 144 Spe Modest Nature IVs: 3 Atk / 30 SpA - Substitute - Surf - Ice Beam - Hidden Power [Electric] Lum Berry is an alternative item choice to foil status users. Fire Blast or Flamethrower are alternative coverage choices over Ice Beam. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Checks Defensive: Wailord (Spdef), Dewgong (Encore) Offensive: Haunter/Murkrow/Golbat/Arbok/Octillery (Haze, a potential filler move), Dewgong/Murkrow/Haunter/Wigglytuff (Perish Song) Note: Spdef Wailord cannot Roar against Octillery, but they can force the Baton Pass team to switch in Octillery early to save the chain Encore Dewgong can disrupt the Baton Pass chain prior to Agility use, after Agility, Encore Dewgong cannot stop the pass Strong Checks/Counters Defensive: Shedinja (unless running fire coverage) Note: In the ideal scenario with an uninterrupted Calm Mind, Barrier, and Agility pass, Octillery does not have strong counters. The individual members of the Baton Pass chain are susceptible to counterplay. By the time a team passes to Octillery, their win condition has been cleanly secured. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Clamperl (absurd power, courtesy of Deep Sea Tooth/Scale. Can OHKO spdef Wailord with HP Electric at +2 spa. Vulnerable to priority, highly frail.)
Lileep (has the ability Suction Cups, immune to Roar and Whirlwind. Access to Recover, solid defensive stats. Incredibly slow, underwhelming power.) Loudred (has the ability Soundproof to prevent Roar and Perish Song, solid mixed-attacking stats and movepool. Weak to priority, frail) Voltorb (has the ability Soundproof to prevent Roar and Perish Song, excellent base speed of 100 that outruns entire unboosted tier, not reliant on Agility. Weak to priority, frail) |
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