Seel Analysis: http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/seel
STATUS: Proofreading Stage.
[OVERVEIW]
<p>Seel is a niche Pokemon. It can potentially fill numerous roles in your team; however, it is overshadowed by Pokemon with higher stats. That said, it is the only Pokemon in Little Cup that learns the combination of Aqua Jet, Ice Shard, and Fake Out. If you are going to use Seel, do so only after looking at whether or not another Pokemon is going to be able to do that job better.</p>
[SET]
name: Revenge Killer
move 1: Fake Out
move 2: Aqua Jet
move 3: Ice Shard
move 4: Endure/Aqua Tail
item: Leichi Berry/Life Orb
ability: Thick Fat
nature: Adamant
evs: 236 Atk / 36 SpD / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Priority is an amazingly useful tool in Little Cup battles. There are many teams based entirely on prority however there are few options that have as many different priorities available to them as Seel. With Fake out and Aqua Jet/Ice Shard Seel is able to get two hits for the price of one without the opponent being able to touch it. The extra priority of Ice Shard is the only thing that sets Seel apart from its fellow Aqua Jet abusers. This makes it much better at dealing with threats such as Croagunk and Paras, who would normally wall your Aqua Jet Pokemon. Of course this is important because it allows ou to give Seel that much needed Attack boost in the form of Endure/Leichi. Tactics like this are best suited to Pokemon that utilise priority thus making it not only viable on this set but also the premier option</p>
<p>The use of this set is rather straightforward. Fake Out on the first turn for free damage. Then Endure when their counter attacks. The use of priority on the set allows safer use of the well known Endure/Pinch Berry combo. This allows Seel to raise its Attack stat to a much more acceptable 22. Once Seel has its boost, you can proceed to lay dents on your opponents team or, when used late game, finish off weakened Pokemon thus helping you close out the match. Of course even with the Leichi boost you will not be the hardest hitter out there but it can hold its own in the battle. This set boasts the ability to take out a Paras that already has an agility under it's belt provided it has lowered its HP to 19 to cater for Life Orb.</p>
[Team Options & Additional Comments]
<p> The Speed EVs may seem wasteful, but with the given EVs, Seel is able to Speed tie with other priority Pokemon in the 14 Speed teir. An alternate EV spread of 236 Att / 236 Def / 36 SpD, which is based more around bulk, is available and should be used if your team already has a way to deal with priority Croagunk or when using Aqua Tail. The thing to keep in mind when using this set is that Seel is in no way a priority sweeper as it lacks the raw power; it is instead only a revenge killer.</p>
<p>As a revenge killer, Seel will want to be able to come in more than once; residual damage from entry hazards such as Stealth Rock and spikes will add up to Seel's death gradually, therefore Pineco makes a good partner being able to come in on Grass attacks. Baltoy is weak to Grass however is immune to electric and as such also makes a good teammate. Croagunk makes a good partner in crime. It resists Seel's Grass weakness and can help Seel finish off weak opponents due to also having reliable priority as well. Croagunk is also immune to Water, a type that Seel has difficulty hurting.</p>
[Team Options]
<p>Grass types partner well with Seel as they can come in on the Grass- and Electric-type attacks aimed at Seel. They are also able to lay the hurt on enemy Water Pokemon. Notable Grass-types are Shroomish, who can cause switches with its stalling set and allow Seel to come in later to finish the job. Also Bellsprout, who can come in on Grass-type and Electric-type attacks that will be thrown at Seel, and threaten the Water Pokemon on both sides of the attacking spectrum. Anything that can come in on a water Pokemon will be a good partner for Seel due to its inability to lay significant damage onto waters. Waters with HP electric, Seel's best counters, can be beaten by the trappers Diglett and Wynaut especially if they are running a Scarf with that Hidden Power Electric.</p>
[Optional Changes]
<p>Seel, as a result of its natural sturdiness, can also attempt to fill the supporting role. There are many Pokemon with better defenses; however, there are few that can reliably use Encore. With Encore, Seel can open the way for a very dangerous sweep for Pokemon like Gastly (when Encoring a Grass-type move) or Chinchou (when Encoring an Electric-type move) by allowing them to be assured of coming in on a move that they are resistant or immune to.</p>
<p>Its other ability, Hydration, isn't as useful in the fast paced metagame of Little Cup. If used on a Rain Dance team, it may be able to fit the role of a support Pokemon. If you would like to use Seel in this way a set comprising of Encore / Rain Dance / Substitute / Aqua Tail can be annoying to your opponent and has the appeal of being able to potentially shut down Lileep.</p>
[Counters]
<p>Seel finds it difficult to lay serious damage on other Water-type Pokemon. Due to its unique typing, Chinchou gets a special mention for being able to both resist Seel's attacks and threaten with its own. Pokemon that are immune to water like Paras and Mantyke can come in and force Seel out. Paras, however, has to be wary of an Ice attack. That said anything that takes not very effective damage from Water type attacks should stand a good chance of countering Seel, especially if it happens to be carrying a move Seel is weak to. Seeing as most Seel don't run Hydration Duskull is also a decent counter due to its ability to take Seel's attacks and burn it with Will-o-wisp which will cripple it. On that note any Ghost carrying Will-o-wisp can counter Seel thanks to the free entry given by Fake Out.</p>
