Flying STAB from Air Slash makes taking down Fighters an easier proposition, especially Poliwrath and Toxicroak, who absorb Surf. You can replace it with Ice Beam if you want to take on Dragon Dance Altaria. Use Roost for recovery, and a support option in the last slot. Toxic wears down walls, namely Lanturn, who Pelipper can't touch otherwise. Knock Off is always a great move to have at your disposal.
Pelipper isn't really fast enough for this, but these EVs allow him to beat base 60 Speed Pokémon without a boosting nature. This does provide good type coverage and you may surprise your opponent. The fact that you're using Pelipper should be surprise enough, but having a Special Attack of over 440 is fairly useful in the lower tiers. At least he has some good resistances to Water, Fire, Fighting, and a Ground immunity, to make switching in easier. Hidden Power Grass covers Lanturn, who would otherwise wall Pelipper, and as such is highly recommended in the last slot. If you're more concerned about Mantine sponging your attacks, switch to Hidden Power Electric. Other OptionsIf you don't want to breed for HP Electric, Shock Wave is a slightly weaker alternative. U-turn can scout your opponent, but will do practically no damage given Pelipper's awful Attack stat. Tailwind doesn't last long enough for it to be a primary option on any set, but if you think passing a one turn Speed boost to a team mate is going to be helpful, go ahead. Aqua Ring provides a little healing support, but is rarely worth a moveslot. EVsEVs should be focused in HP and Defense, with some small investment in Special Attack. Choice Specs set requires max Special Attack, and more Speed EVs are also welcome. 236 HP / 172 Def / 100 SpA, Bold with Expert Belt, lets Pelipper take on Garchomp and Gyarados (provided they don't have Stone Edge) with Ice Beam (OHKO on Garchomp) and HP Electric (2HKO on Gyarados), if you are brave / suicidal enough to try him out in OU battles. OpinionThe UU/NU Gyarados? Hardly. Pelipper is more comparable to Mantine, but with decent physical defense, rather than special. He is a somewhat overlooked Pokémon—mostly because he isn't that good—but with the few minor improvements he gained in the transition from ADV to DP, he can be useful further down the tier system. CountersElectric-types can bring down Pelipper, especially Lanturn who just laughs off anything Pelipper has to throw at him. Weaker ones like Manectric, can be KOed with Choice Specs Surf, but otherwise they can handle Pelipper with ease. Muk with Sticky Hold is immune to Toxic and Knock Off, and can sponge his hits thanks to his high Special Defense. Like most special attackers, Pelipper is walled quite effectively by Hypno and Grumpig. Tentacruel can use him to set up Swords Dances and takes little damage from Hidden Power Electric. |
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