Persian

Limber
Prevents paralysis.
Technician
Increases the Base Power of moves with 60 or less by 50%.
Unnerve
Prevents the foe from consuming its held Berry item.
Type Tier
Normal NU
Level 100 Statistics (see level 5, 50, 100)
Min- Min Max Max+
HP
65
- 271 334 -
Atk
70
158 176 239 262
Def
60
140 156 219 240
SpA
65
149 166 229 251
SpD
65
149 166 229 251
Spe
115
239 266 329 361

Overview

The first thing you'll probably notice about Persian is that sweet base 115 Speed. Unfortunately, that's the only stat Persian has going for it, as the others are decidedly mediocre at best. However, this is not particularly worrying because its Speed stat helps it become an excellent scout. With access to Fake Out and U-turn, Persian can keep up constant momentum for your team. Nasty Plot is also a boon, transforming it into a powerful special sweeper. It might not look like much, but this kitty certainly has a few tricks up its sleeves.

Name Item Ability Nature

Scout

Life Orb / Silk Scarf Technician Jolly
Moveset EVs
~ Fake Out
~ U-turn
~ Taunt / Bite
~ Return
252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

This set aims to keep the momentum on your side and scout out your opponents team. Fake Out always causes a flinch, racking up a bit of damage on the foe. A fast U-turn then gets an appropriate counter in against whatever your opponent has out. Taunt shuts down walls, which is useful for keeping entry hazards from chipping away at Persian's health each time it switches in. Bite can be used in place of it, however, as Technician boosts Bite's Base Power to 90, and it has a decent flinch chance. Return is used to finish off any weakened foes.

Team Options & Additional Comments >>>
Name Item Ability Nature

Nasty Plot

Life Orb Technician Timid
Moveset EVs
~ Nasty Plot
~ Swift
~ Water Pulse
~ Thunderbolt
4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

Persian's Special Attack might not look like much, but after a single Nasty Plot, it reaches 458. Swift gets a boost from Technician, giving it 135 Base Power after STAB. Water Pulse is great for hitting the Rock-types that resist Normal-type attacks, as well as getting neutral damage on any Ghost- and Steel-types; Frillish is the only common sight that resists the combination. Thunderbolt rounds out coverage, nailing Frillish and other bulky Water-types harder than Swift does.

Team Options & Additional Comments >>>

Other Options

Persian can utilize a Choice Band set, but its power still leaves much to be desired. Night Slash can be used over Bite for a higher critical hit rate, but Bite will do more damage thanks to Technician and comes with a handy flinch rate. Foul Play uses the opponent's Attack stat to deal damage, but most of the Psychic- and Ghost-types that are weak to Dark-type attacks are specially inclined. Power Gem and Hidden Power Flying offer some coverage on the Nasty Plot set, but are generally inferior to the options listed. Icy Wind is an option to hit Grass- and Dragon-types hard, while lowering the opponents Speed. Knock Off can cripple Pokemon that rely heavily on their item, such as Choice Scarf and Eviolite users. Finally, Persian is capable of quickly setting up weather, should your team need that kind of support.

Checks and Counters

Pursuit users, such as Skuntank and Sneasel, can quickly ruin Persian's flinch and flee tactics. Priority, especially Gurdurr's Mach Punch, can also put a quick end to any Persian set. Both Throh and Sawk make fine counters with their STAB Fighting-type assaults. Many Choice Scarf users can also outspeed and quickly OHKO Persian. Extremely bulky Pokemon, such as Weezing, have little to fear from Persian.