Berks
has a Calm Mind
[OVERVIEW]
Panpour is unique in Little Cup in that it is the only Water-type Pokemon in the tier with access to Nasty Plot. This niche is backed up by a good base Speed and decent coverage options. Unfortunately for Panpour, however, it struggles to set up due to its incredibly poor bulk. Panpour also has to compete for a teamslot with other Water-type sweepers such as Omanyte, which is both more powerful and faster due to Shell Smash.
[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Hidden Power Grass / Knock Off
item: Berry Juice / Eviolite
ability: Torrent
nature: Modest / Timid
evs: 36 HP / 52 Def / 176 SpA / 244 Spe
ivs: 30 Atk / 30 SpA
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Nasty Plot is Panpour's niche, doubling its Special Attack and turning it into a decently powerful attacker. Hydro Pump is Panpour's strongest STAB option; it hits quite hard after a Nasty Plot. Ice Beam provides super effective coverage on Grass- and Dragon-type Pokemon and good neutral coverage as well. Hidden Power Grass gives Panpour a chance to take on bulky Water-types such as Chinchou. If you don't mind dropping a coverage move, Panpour can make good use of Knock Off, as the move allows Panpour to weaken its checks on the switch in as well as pressure bulky Pokemon such as Porygon.
Set Details
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The given EVs maximize Panpour's Special Attack and Speed, letting it hit as hard and fast as possible. The leftover EVs boost HP and Defense to help Panpour set up a Nasty Plot. Berry Juice restores Panpour's HP, allowing it to set up on weak or neutral hits and take priority attacks better after its Berry Juice has been used. On the other hand, Eviolite helps Panpour set up but leaves it more vulnerable to priority attacks at low health. Torrent is Panpour's only useful ability, boosting its power to fantastic levels when it is at low health. A Modest nature is slightly preferred over Timid, as it secures notably better damage rolls at +2 against significant targets such as Eviolite Mienfoo. If Panpour is running Knock Off instead of Hidden Power Grass, it can maximize its Special Attack with a spread of 12 Atk / 252 SpA / 244 Spe. The 12 remaining EVs go into Attack to make Panpour's Knock Off marginally stronger.
Usage Tips
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Try to set up against passive foes such as Spritzee or against Pokemon that are at a type disadvantage such as Onix and Ponyta. This will help limit the damage Panpour takes while setting up, increasing its effectiveness substantially. It is also a good idea to remove opposing Choice Scarf and priority attack users before setting up, specifically Choice Scarf Chinchou and Fletchling, as they will decimate Panpour. Try not to overestimate Panpour's power, as even at +2 it cannot secure important OHKOs on neutral targets such as Porygon and Pawniard. Panpour hits the important 17 Speed tier if you choose to run Timid, so it can have a good chance of taking on threats such as Archen and Drilbur. Panpour is fairly frail, so only use it as either a wallbreaker early-game or a cleaner late-game.
Team Options
========
As Panpour's damage output is generally underwhelming, entry hazard support is almost essential to its success. Pokemon such as Dwebble and Archen can provide said entry hazard support; coincidentally, both of them also do well against opposing Grass-types, which are threats to Panpour. Ferroseed is a full stop to Panpour, and most other bulky Pokemon, such as Porygon, don't mind Panpour's attacks too much. Gothita is an excellent partner for Panpour, as it can trap and remove Ferroseed via Hidden Power Fire and can also utilize Trick to cripple bulky Pokemon by removing their Eviolite. A slow pivot, such as Mienfoo or Magnemite, can help bring Panpour in with its Berry Juice intact, greatly aiding its setup. Panpour partners well with other Water-type wallbreakers such as Corphish, as the duo can wear down each other's checks through consistent offensive pressure. Fighting-type teammates can break through Pokemon that wall Panpour such as Ferroseed and Porygon and can provide helpful Knock Off support. Grass-types are useful to check opposing Water-types, especially if Panpour isn't running Hidden Power Grass. For example, Pokemon like Ferroseed and Lileep can set up entry hazards and remove threats such as Chinchou.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Panpour can viably run Hidden Power Fire over Hidden Power Grass in order to get the jump on Ferroseed. This option can work especially well when Panpour is used in tandem with another Water-type wallbreaker such as Corphish, as it is also walled by Ferroseed. However, this in turn leaves Panpour totally walled by opposing Water-types. Giving Panpour a Life Orb or Splash Plate instead of Berry Juice or Eviolite will drastically increase its damage output; however, Panpour will then face a longevity issue, as it will have to take a hit while using Nasty Plot and will take large amounts of recoil damage from Life Orb. Surf can be used over Hydro Pump if accuracy is an issue, but it is significantly weaker. Taunt can be substituted for Knock Off to help break through bulky Pokemon such as Ferroseed and Frillish.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ferroseed**: Unless you choose to run Hidden Power Fire, Ferroseed annihilates Panpour, as it can survive any hit and then proceed to cripple Panpour with Thunder Wave and KO it with Bullet Seed.
**Bulky Pokemon**: Bulky Pokemon, specifically bulky Water- and Normal-types such as Porygon and Slowpoke, give Panpour loads of trouble, as they can take even boosted hits and either cripple Panpour with Thunder Wave or retaliate with their own strong attacks. However, running Knock Off helps mitigate this. Croagunk is particularly troubling, as it is immune to Panpour's Water-type attacks.
**Faster Pokemon and Priority Users**: Panpour is slightly slower than it needs to be to be truly effective, as it must take hits from faster Pokemon, such as Choice Scarf Chinchou and Snivy, or priority users, such as Fletchling and Pawniard, before it has the chance to attack. Therefore, removing them will allow Panpour to have a much easier time doing its job.
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