Goddess Briyella
Banned deucer.
(Approved by blarajan)
Choice Band/Specs in XY Little Cup
In every era of Little Cup since Generation IV, the only Choice item to see any kind of prominent use has been the Choice Scarf, allowing Pokemon to gain a Speed advantage over foes right off the bat, which offered the chance to check and knock out foes that a given mon otherwise may not have been able to overcome. It became increasingly popular as it began finding use alongside U-turn users, who could then serve as either a speedy attacker or a scout that maintained momentum for its team, depending on the situation at the time. The viability of Choice Scarf was even further expanded in Generation V with the addition of Volt Switch, a move that served the same function as U-turn but offered different distribution and allowed a new handful of contenders to take advantage of the tactic.
Choice Band and Choice Specs, on the other hand, offered an immediate increase in Attack and Special Attack, respectively, and have never been deemed widely usable. Most players and Pokemon researchers agreed that the downside of Choice items (being locked into the first move you select) was not worth the restriction on attacking unless you were either scouting for your team or revenge-killing an enemy—two things that Choice Scarf allowed but Band/Specs did not. But the main thing that put a stopper in their use was the existence of Life Orb, which allowed a 30% boost to all attacks while having freedom to use different moves, with the downside being a small loss of health after every successful hit. The difference in the power boost granted by Life Orb and Band/Specs was considered negligible, especially with the scaled down mechanics of Little Cup where Pokemon are only Level 5.
However, XY brings with it a few new toys and metagame changes that may very well change this idea. There are Pokemon this generation that have incredible power and are extremely potent when allowed to achieve full potency with the use of a Choice Band or Choice Specs... they have access to U-turn/Volt Switch, they have useful offensive options, and they aren't slow! Without any further ado, let's have a look at some of the mons that can show how Choice Band/Specs can pack a major punch this generation!
Bunnelby @ Choice Band
Ability: Huge Power
Level: 5
EVs: 228 Atk / 220 Spd / 52 Def
Jolly Nature
- Return
- Earthquake
- U-turn
- Quick Attack
This thing hits incredibly hard without even needing to run an Attack boosting nature. With the given EVs, it has an adequate 16 Speed stat and a monstrous 26 Attack stat (it's 13 but its Huge Power ability doubles it), with which it can crush the opposition with its STAB Return. Quick Attack from this set is the ultimate revenge-killing machine, finishing things off from health ranges that other Pokemon can only dream of; it even wipes out Murkrow in a single hit after Stealth Rock damage. Earthquake is there to beat down the Rock- and Steel-types who are immune to its STAB, and results in a definite OHKO on the wide array of things it hits super-effectively. U-turn rounds out the set perfectly and allows Bunnelby to nail the popular physical walls Tangela and Slowpoke for hard super-effective damage before bringing in something to finish them off. It also has incredible utility in general while scoring impressive chip damage on anything while switching out, even if it's resisted. Bunnelby isn't the best at taking hits, so players will have to use it conservatively, but it is certain to leave huge dents in the opponent if played to the extent of its incredible offensive potential. Underestimate this thing and you will cry.
Taillow @ Choice Specs
Ability: Scrappy
Level: 5
EVs: 36 HP / 200 SAtk / 240 Spd
Timid Nature
- Boomburst
- Air Slash
- U-turn
- Hidden Power [Fighting]
Boomburst is a new move introduced this generation and Taillow happens to be the only Pokemon eligible for Little Cup with access to it. It has a phenomenal Base Power of 140 (equal to the power of Draco Meteor last generation) with no drawback, it even hits through Substitutes, and Taillow gets STAB from it. Even with Taillow's appallingly low base Special Attack of 30, Boomburst completely obliterates everything with Choice Specs equipped. Nothing can even think of switching in, not even Ghosts, because of the Scrappy ability. Now I know what you're thinking: Why not Guts + Toxic Orb + Facade? With the sheer popularity of priority attacks in XY Little Cup, the use of Toxic Orb only drains Taillow's health and makes it easier to kill off via priority with every passing turn. With Boomburst, you can clean up the opponent's team late game and be able to survive that important priority hit before sending the user of it to its doom. With the given spread, Taillow hits a Speed stat of 19 and therefore will not be easily outsped at all, especially since it's immune to Sticky Web and not many Pokemon are faster than that under usual conditions. Specs Taillow is definitely a fast and powerful threat and is not to be overlooked in XY Little Cup.
Noibat @ Choice Specs
Ability: Frisk
Level: 5
EVs: 236 Spd / 236 SAtk / 36 HP
Timid Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Hurricane
- U-turn
- Switcheroo
Noibat's disappointingly low stats originally led players astray from it in favor of Pokemon who appeared to have more promising foundations to build upon. A closer look at its movepool and capabilities should be enough to make them think twice now. With Choice Specs attached, Noibat has a wide array of options it can deploy against the foe. STAB Draco Meteor and Hurricane deal severe damage even despite its sub-par base Special Attack and can leave huge holes in the opposing team with good prediction and careful play. Its passable 16 Speed with the given spread allows it to use U-turn to act as a scout, and its resistances to Grass, Fire, Water, Bug, and Fighting come in handy alongside its Ground immunity. Trick/Switcheroo has always been an interesting disruptive option used with Choice sets to have the option of switching items with a foe and crippling them for the remainder of the match, but the ability Frisk makes this tactic even better. Being able to know for sure what item your foes are carrying before you consider switching with them is a valuable edge that other Pokemon that run Choice sets do not possess, and offers amazing security in a battle in general, so you'll already know which Pokemon has the Berry Juice, Eviolite, Choice Scarf, and whatever else. These qualities make Noibat a versatile user of Choice Specs, and it deserves to be considered in the XY Little Cup metagame.
Elekid @ Choice Specs
Ability: Static
Level: 5
EVs: 236 Spd / 236 SAtk
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
- Psychic
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Rather than being a new concept, this Pokemon has discovered improved usefulness this generation with the coverage options it has access to, now that Pokemon like Croagunk and Gligar are popular contenders in the tier. Something Elekid has always had going for it (that never received the credit it deserved) is that its high Speed gives it a place in the rare 20 Speed tier, a cut above what is commonly acknowledged as the most coveted Speed tier that Murkrow and Gligar fall into, the 19 Speed tier. This incredible Speed alone assures it to outspeed even the threats who are considered to be the fastest, and deal massive damage to them with the correct move, or hit them hard and tag a teammate in with Volt Switch. HP Ice totally ends Gligar, a previously banned Pokemon that is wildly popular in XY Little Cup right now (especially due to Sneasel's ban), so it won't be switching in to block Elekid's STAB attacks freely at all. Elekid can even come in after Gligar has knocked something out, and strike first with HP Ice to bring it down even if it's running Jolly nature and maximum Speed. Psychic hits Fighting types especially hard, as well as Poison types. Meditite is another popular choice right now and it will have a rough time revenging Elekid with Bullet Punch because of its Steel resistance. Elekid's blazing Speed, in tandem with Choice Specs, allows it to hit very hard and fast while providing momentum for its team and keeping some of the current metagame's popular threats in check.
Misdreavus @ Choice Specs
Ability: Levitate
Level: 5
EVs: 240 SAtk / 240 Spd
Timid Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Hidden Power [Fighting]
- Trick
- Nasty Plot
As is the case with Elekid, this set is not exactly a new idea, but one that has improved usefulness in the new Little Cup metagame. The ability to use either a powerful and straightforward attack with an automatic Choice Specs boost is incredible with the unresisted Shadow Ball + HP Fighting coverage Misdreavus has been known to run over the generations. Like with Noibat's set mentioned earlier, this set has the added option of crippling a foe via Trick, which steals their item and forces them to hold Choice Specs to limit their attacking options. What makes this so significant this generation for a somewhat bulky/offensively based Pokemon like Misdreavus is the hype of the unbanned item Berry Juice. Many teams run multiple Pokemon that rely on Berry Juice, and Misdreavus can use Trick to steal them all and maintain its own health while crippling an enemy with Choice Specs and manhandling the opposition with its powerful Ghost / Fighting coverage. After it has gotten rid of its Choice Specs, Misdreavus can use Nasty Plot at the right moment to allow itself to power up and overwhelm the opponent's team with brute force. Special thanks to Electrolyte for suggesting this addition to the thread.
Keep in mind, these are just the sets I came up with and found to be the most suitable for me, but feel free to try these mons with new sets or even try out new ones with Band/Specs!
There are few other somewhat important things I'd like to point out about why Choice Band and Choice Specs can be used to good effect this generation, even if the power boost difference from Life Orb isn't very much. It can quite honestly make all the difference in crucial scenarios.
Priority Attacks
As was mentioned a bit in the Taillow segment, the gradual damage a Pokemon does to itself over time while using Life Orb only puts it further into KO range and makes it easier to revenge-kill, especially since there's no Eviolite to soften the blow. With Choice Band/Specs, a Pokemon gets more power than Life Orb, and can also find itself taking priority attacks better later in the game when it's trying to act as a cleaner, as its health isn't being chipped away by its own doing. Priority attacks are extremely widely used in Little Cup and you can expect them to be carried on every team.
Trick / Switcheroo
As it is in the case of Noibat, having the means to either fire off a powerful attack or cripple a foe by giving them your Choice item is an option that can come in handy quite often when you want to screw up a particularly annoying enemy Pokemon, while also taking the item they have and acquiring the ability to change moves whenever you want. Life Orb does not have anywhere near this kind of advantage with this tactic and sometimes giving your opponent a Choice Scarf is not the best idea, since then that Pokemon will have a Speed advantage against your entire team for the rest of the battle.
Sticky Web
A new move brought by Generation VI, Sticky Web is an entry hazard that causes a Speed drop to every grounded foe upon entering battle. Not only does this considerably lessen the need for the Choice Scarf, but it allows offense to work extremely well in general. So now, Pokemon who typically were used to being locked by a Choice item can convert their Speed buff to an Attack or Special Attack buff that doesn't eat at their health, with Sticky Web support from a teammate. For more information on this new move and how it might affect XY Little Cup, be sure to read Chieliee's Sticky Web thread.
(Special thanks to prem)
Be sure to give these sets a try! Do you think there are other Pokemon who could make use of Choice Band/Specs this generation? Discuss!
You can join the Little Cup room on Pokemon Showdown! by clicking here, and you can join the #littlecup channel on IRC via mibbit by clicking here! Be a part of the development of the XY Little Cup metagame!
Choice Band/Specs in XY Little Cup
Choice Band and Choice Specs, on the other hand, offered an immediate increase in Attack and Special Attack, respectively, and have never been deemed widely usable. Most players and Pokemon researchers agreed that the downside of Choice items (being locked into the first move you select) was not worth the restriction on attacking unless you were either scouting for your team or revenge-killing an enemy—two things that Choice Scarf allowed but Band/Specs did not. But the main thing that put a stopper in their use was the existence of Life Orb, which allowed a 30% boost to all attacks while having freedom to use different moves, with the downside being a small loss of health after every successful hit. The difference in the power boost granted by Life Orb and Band/Specs was considered negligible, especially with the scaled down mechanics of Little Cup where Pokemon are only Level 5.
However, XY brings with it a few new toys and metagame changes that may very well change this idea. There are Pokemon this generation that have incredible power and are extremely potent when allowed to achieve full potency with the use of a Choice Band or Choice Specs... they have access to U-turn/Volt Switch, they have useful offensive options, and they aren't slow! Without any further ado, let's have a look at some of the mons that can show how Choice Band/Specs can pack a major punch this generation!
Bunnelby @ Choice Band
Ability: Huge Power
Level: 5
EVs: 228 Atk / 220 Spd / 52 Def
Jolly Nature
- Return
- Earthquake
- U-turn
- Quick Attack
This thing hits incredibly hard without even needing to run an Attack boosting nature. With the given EVs, it has an adequate 16 Speed stat and a monstrous 26 Attack stat (it's 13 but its Huge Power ability doubles it), with which it can crush the opposition with its STAB Return. Quick Attack from this set is the ultimate revenge-killing machine, finishing things off from health ranges that other Pokemon can only dream of; it even wipes out Murkrow in a single hit after Stealth Rock damage. Earthquake is there to beat down the Rock- and Steel-types who are immune to its STAB, and results in a definite OHKO on the wide array of things it hits super-effectively. U-turn rounds out the set perfectly and allows Bunnelby to nail the popular physical walls Tangela and Slowpoke for hard super-effective damage before bringing in something to finish them off. It also has incredible utility in general while scoring impressive chip damage on anything while switching out, even if it's resisted. Bunnelby isn't the best at taking hits, so players will have to use it conservatively, but it is certain to leave huge dents in the opponent if played to the extent of its incredible offensive potential. Underestimate this thing and you will cry.
Taillow @ Choice Specs
Ability: Scrappy
Level: 5
EVs: 36 HP / 200 SAtk / 240 Spd
Timid Nature
- Boomburst
- Air Slash
- U-turn
- Hidden Power [Fighting]
Boomburst is a new move introduced this generation and Taillow happens to be the only Pokemon eligible for Little Cup with access to it. It has a phenomenal Base Power of 140 (equal to the power of Draco Meteor last generation) with no drawback, it even hits through Substitutes, and Taillow gets STAB from it. Even with Taillow's appallingly low base Special Attack of 30, Boomburst completely obliterates everything with Choice Specs equipped. Nothing can even think of switching in, not even Ghosts, because of the Scrappy ability. Now I know what you're thinking: Why not Guts + Toxic Orb + Facade? With the sheer popularity of priority attacks in XY Little Cup, the use of Toxic Orb only drains Taillow's health and makes it easier to kill off via priority with every passing turn. With Boomburst, you can clean up the opponent's team late game and be able to survive that important priority hit before sending the user of it to its doom. With the given spread, Taillow hits a Speed stat of 19 and therefore will not be easily outsped at all, especially since it's immune to Sticky Web and not many Pokemon are faster than that under usual conditions. Specs Taillow is definitely a fast and powerful threat and is not to be overlooked in XY Little Cup.
Noibat @ Choice Specs
Ability: Frisk
Level: 5
EVs: 236 Spd / 236 SAtk / 36 HP
Timid Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Hurricane
- U-turn
- Switcheroo
Noibat's disappointingly low stats originally led players astray from it in favor of Pokemon who appeared to have more promising foundations to build upon. A closer look at its movepool and capabilities should be enough to make them think twice now. With Choice Specs attached, Noibat has a wide array of options it can deploy against the foe. STAB Draco Meteor and Hurricane deal severe damage even despite its sub-par base Special Attack and can leave huge holes in the opposing team with good prediction and careful play. Its passable 16 Speed with the given spread allows it to use U-turn to act as a scout, and its resistances to Grass, Fire, Water, Bug, and Fighting come in handy alongside its Ground immunity. Trick/Switcheroo has always been an interesting disruptive option used with Choice sets to have the option of switching items with a foe and crippling them for the remainder of the match, but the ability Frisk makes this tactic even better. Being able to know for sure what item your foes are carrying before you consider switching with them is a valuable edge that other Pokemon that run Choice sets do not possess, and offers amazing security in a battle in general, so you'll already know which Pokemon has the Berry Juice, Eviolite, Choice Scarf, and whatever else. These qualities make Noibat a versatile user of Choice Specs, and it deserves to be considered in the XY Little Cup metagame.
Elekid @ Choice Specs
Ability: Static
Level: 5
EVs: 236 Spd / 236 SAtk
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
- Psychic
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Rather than being a new concept, this Pokemon has discovered improved usefulness this generation with the coverage options it has access to, now that Pokemon like Croagunk and Gligar are popular contenders in the tier. Something Elekid has always had going for it (that never received the credit it deserved) is that its high Speed gives it a place in the rare 20 Speed tier, a cut above what is commonly acknowledged as the most coveted Speed tier that Murkrow and Gligar fall into, the 19 Speed tier. This incredible Speed alone assures it to outspeed even the threats who are considered to be the fastest, and deal massive damage to them with the correct move, or hit them hard and tag a teammate in with Volt Switch. HP Ice totally ends Gligar, a previously banned Pokemon that is wildly popular in XY Little Cup right now (especially due to Sneasel's ban), so it won't be switching in to block Elekid's STAB attacks freely at all. Elekid can even come in after Gligar has knocked something out, and strike first with HP Ice to bring it down even if it's running Jolly nature and maximum Speed. Psychic hits Fighting types especially hard, as well as Poison types. Meditite is another popular choice right now and it will have a rough time revenging Elekid with Bullet Punch because of its Steel resistance. Elekid's blazing Speed, in tandem with Choice Specs, allows it to hit very hard and fast while providing momentum for its team and keeping some of the current metagame's popular threats in check.
Misdreavus @ Choice Specs
Ability: Levitate
Level: 5
EVs: 240 SAtk / 240 Spd
Timid Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Hidden Power [Fighting]
- Trick
- Nasty Plot
As is the case with Elekid, this set is not exactly a new idea, but one that has improved usefulness in the new Little Cup metagame. The ability to use either a powerful and straightforward attack with an automatic Choice Specs boost is incredible with the unresisted Shadow Ball + HP Fighting coverage Misdreavus has been known to run over the generations. Like with Noibat's set mentioned earlier, this set has the added option of crippling a foe via Trick, which steals their item and forces them to hold Choice Specs to limit their attacking options. What makes this so significant this generation for a somewhat bulky/offensively based Pokemon like Misdreavus is the hype of the unbanned item Berry Juice. Many teams run multiple Pokemon that rely on Berry Juice, and Misdreavus can use Trick to steal them all and maintain its own health while crippling an enemy with Choice Specs and manhandling the opposition with its powerful Ghost / Fighting coverage. After it has gotten rid of its Choice Specs, Misdreavus can use Nasty Plot at the right moment to allow itself to power up and overwhelm the opponent's team with brute force. Special thanks to Electrolyte for suggesting this addition to the thread.
Keep in mind, these are just the sets I came up with and found to be the most suitable for me, but feel free to try these mons with new sets or even try out new ones with Band/Specs!
There are few other somewhat important things I'd like to point out about why Choice Band and Choice Specs can be used to good effect this generation, even if the power boost difference from Life Orb isn't very much. It can quite honestly make all the difference in crucial scenarios.
Priority Attacks
As was mentioned a bit in the Taillow segment, the gradual damage a Pokemon does to itself over time while using Life Orb only puts it further into KO range and makes it easier to revenge-kill, especially since there's no Eviolite to soften the blow. With Choice Band/Specs, a Pokemon gets more power than Life Orb, and can also find itself taking priority attacks better later in the game when it's trying to act as a cleaner, as its health isn't being chipped away by its own doing. Priority attacks are extremely widely used in Little Cup and you can expect them to be carried on every team.
Trick / Switcheroo
As it is in the case of Noibat, having the means to either fire off a powerful attack or cripple a foe by giving them your Choice item is an option that can come in handy quite often when you want to screw up a particularly annoying enemy Pokemon, while also taking the item they have and acquiring the ability to change moves whenever you want. Life Orb does not have anywhere near this kind of advantage with this tactic and sometimes giving your opponent a Choice Scarf is not the best idea, since then that Pokemon will have a Speed advantage against your entire team for the rest of the battle.
Sticky Web
A new move brought by Generation VI, Sticky Web is an entry hazard that causes a Speed drop to every grounded foe upon entering battle. Not only does this considerably lessen the need for the Choice Scarf, but it allows offense to work extremely well in general. So now, Pokemon who typically were used to being locked by a Choice item can convert their Speed buff to an Attack or Special Attack buff that doesn't eat at their health, with Sticky Web support from a teammate. For more information on this new move and how it might affect XY Little Cup, be sure to read Chieliee's Sticky Web thread.
(Special thanks to prem)
Be sure to give these sets a try! Do you think there are other Pokemon who could make use of Choice Band/Specs this generation? Discuss!
You can join the Little Cup room on Pokemon Showdown! by clicking here, and you can join the #littlecup channel on IRC via mibbit by clicking here! Be a part of the development of the XY Little Cup metagame!
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