NOTE: I do not recommend using these sets if you are a newer player; please check out this thread, and then check the thread for sample teams or the forum for our LC analyses to get started.
Approved by macle, shamelessly copied from UU version
I for one, along with many others I'm sure, feel as though there is some untapped power within the LC environment. There is substantial evidence for this idea in the form of one commonality for most tiers, LC included: there always seems to be one or more new-fangled, hyped up sets that weren't originally main-stay or seen as "viable" by the community, but somehow has taken the metagame by storm. This can be seen in DPP OU (with Special Lucario transitioning to SD Lucario, Heatran eventually running items other than Choice Scarf, and the influx of ChestoRest Kingdra) in ADV (with the vaunted TyraniBoah now becoming almost an urban myth in comparison to Special and DD Tyranitar, and the increasing popularity of SupeRachi) and in BW OU (with the advent of SubSalac Terrakion, SubDisable Gengar, and ChestoRest Volcarona). Yes, some of these sets may have been found early on with respect to the creation of the tier or fairly recently, the point is, though, that there seems to be an endless supply of effective and potent sets out there yet to be discovered, especially factoring in metagame swings and the possible tier shifts. The purpose of this project will be to systematically subject LC pokemon to a collective body of research in an attempt to uncover these "hidden gems", so to speak, and hopefully spark some creativity throughout the LC community.
The Process:
Each week, I will choose a different LC Pokemon, sometimes chosen by random, sometimes chosen by curiosity, of which participants will try to personally create a new set for that is not already on-site or in the process of being put on-site. Participants will be given 5 days to create their set, with discussion about the particular sets being promoted throughout, and on the 6th and 7th day of the week, a vote will be held to choose which user's set represented the most creative and simultaneously competitively viable set to utilize in the current LC metagame. Once the votes are tallied and a winner is crowned, the set will be archived in the OP and the process will start all over again for the next pokemon specimen.
What are we looking for?:
Specifically, I want to stress the importance of the balance between creativity and viability when picking a set to post for the Pokemon in question. There's a very fine line between a "creative" set and a "gimmick", and this project is not meant to produce gimmicks, rather emphasize the ability to think outside the box when using a specific Pokemon in order to maximize it's potential. Having said that, I would also like to deviate from simple one move / item changes. For example, using Berry Juice over Eviolite on a Chinchou does nothing to show any untapped potential Chinchou has because we already have a basic understanding of what Chinchou is and does, it's just now better at dealing with HP Grass Krow and less overall bulk. The same goes for using Fire Punch over Thunderpunch on Meditite, it doesn't yield productive discussion or results for the project. I am looking for sets that test what we think we know about checks or counters, so-called standards, and what it means to be viable. Maybe a particular option for a Pokemon looks inferior at first glance for that particular pokemon, but dig deeper and try and find what it might mean in the big picture, for the entire team.
The first test subject is..
Trubbish
Approved by macle, shamelessly copied from UU version
The Next Best Thing...
What is this?:I for one, along with many others I'm sure, feel as though there is some untapped power within the LC environment. There is substantial evidence for this idea in the form of one commonality for most tiers, LC included: there always seems to be one or more new-fangled, hyped up sets that weren't originally main-stay or seen as "viable" by the community, but somehow has taken the metagame by storm. This can be seen in DPP OU (with Special Lucario transitioning to SD Lucario, Heatran eventually running items other than Choice Scarf, and the influx of ChestoRest Kingdra) in ADV (with the vaunted TyraniBoah now becoming almost an urban myth in comparison to Special and DD Tyranitar, and the increasing popularity of SupeRachi) and in BW OU (with the advent of SubSalac Terrakion, SubDisable Gengar, and ChestoRest Volcarona). Yes, some of these sets may have been found early on with respect to the creation of the tier or fairly recently, the point is, though, that there seems to be an endless supply of effective and potent sets out there yet to be discovered, especially factoring in metagame swings and the possible tier shifts. The purpose of this project will be to systematically subject LC pokemon to a collective body of research in an attempt to uncover these "hidden gems", so to speak, and hopefully spark some creativity throughout the LC community.
The Process:
Each week, I will choose a different LC Pokemon, sometimes chosen by random, sometimes chosen by curiosity, of which participants will try to personally create a new set for that is not already on-site or in the process of being put on-site. Participants will be given 5 days to create their set, with discussion about the particular sets being promoted throughout, and on the 6th and 7th day of the week, a vote will be held to choose which user's set represented the most creative and simultaneously competitively viable set to utilize in the current LC metagame. Once the votes are tallied and a winner is crowned, the set will be archived in the OP and the process will start all over again for the next pokemon specimen.
What are we looking for?:
Specifically, I want to stress the importance of the balance between creativity and viability when picking a set to post for the Pokemon in question. There's a very fine line between a "creative" set and a "gimmick", and this project is not meant to produce gimmicks, rather emphasize the ability to think outside the box when using a specific Pokemon in order to maximize it's potential. Having said that, I would also like to deviate from simple one move / item changes. For example, using Berry Juice over Eviolite on a Chinchou does nothing to show any untapped potential Chinchou has because we already have a basic understanding of what Chinchou is and does, it's just now better at dealing with HP Grass Krow and less overall bulk. The same goes for using Fire Punch over Thunderpunch on Meditite, it doesn't yield productive discussion or results for the project. I am looking for sets that test what we think we know about checks or counters, so-called standards, and what it means to be viable. Maybe a particular option for a Pokemon looks inferior at first glance for that particular pokemon, but dig deeper and try and find what it might mean in the big picture, for the entire team.
The first test subject is..
Trubbish
Trubbish @ Berry Juice
Ability: Sticky Hold
Level: 5
EVs: 116 HP / 36 Atk / 100 Def / 20 SDef / 236 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Recycle
- Gunk Shot
- Explosion
- Spikes
don't you just hate Defog? A quick Explosion blocks Defog completely (it's one of the only ways to block it, Pawniard doesn't count) This set works best if the defogger in question is afraid to switch in on a Gunk shot (when it's in 2hko range). In that case, depending on how much risk your opponent is willing to take, it's very easy to get 3 layers of spikes up (your opponent will think he can just sack the current mon and switch in the defogger to get rid of them) but then BOOM rip rip explode bye defog hello hazards!
i haven't tested this exact set, only a variant with Normal Gem and it managed to block defog twice (I had SR+1/2 layers of Spikes)
if your team depends on hazards, use boombag
Tirtouga @ Berry Juice
Ability: Sturdy
Level: 5
EVs: 212 Atk / 180 Spd / 12 Def / 76 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Knock Off
- Rock Slide
- Aqua Jet
lead Tirtouga, designed to get up rocks early game, then support the team with knock off, and check flying/normal types. Rock Slide better than Stone Edge cos it's enough for fletchling and krow or whatever, but idk if stone edge htis anything else better. Aqua Jet is prio cos prio is cool, good for general checking of stuff. 11 speed outspeeds most walls - might do some calcs to find if there's any better spread for now that'll do
reasons to use over dwebble: can set up SR whilst still checking other mons throughout the game cos flyign and fire resistances. most don't expect tirtouga to lead as it's usually saved as a late game sweeper, so can often end up with a better lead matchup. priority.
Croagunk @ Eviolite
Ability: Dry Skin
Level: 5
EVs: 52 HP / 188 Atk / 116 Def / 116 SpD / 36 Spe
Adamant
- Substitute
- Focus Punch / Drain Punch
- Sucker Punch
- Knock Off / Gunk Shot / Drain Punch
188+ Atk Croagunk Focus Punch vs. 0 HP / 36 Def Carvanha: 56-68 (266.6 - 323.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Substitute is nice on Croagunk because it blocks status and eases prediction. From there, Croagunk can fire off Sucker Punch now that the opponent is forced to attack Croagunk, or just use one of its powerful STAB moves. Opponents that Croagunk can't deal enough damage to will probably lose their item before Croagunk goes (unless Trubbish). The given EVs maximize Croagunk's attack and hit Eviolite numbers.
omg Kiba beat me to Subgunk ;-;
Archen @ Berry Juice
Ability: Defeatist
Level: 5
EVs: 196 Spd / 180 Atk / 76 Def
Jolly Nature
- Substitute
- Acrobatics
- Earthquake
- Endeavor
Substitute avoids Pawniard's Sucker Punch so Earthquake can kill it, checks Fletchling fine since switching into Acrobatics after SR activates Berry Juice letting Acrobatics wreck it. Point of the set is Endeavor, which lets it go out with a bang. After it's subbed down to his maximum capacity, he should have 2 HP (or at least, less than 5 HP). If he's about to die, or they went into like Spritzee or Hippopotas, Endeavor them, die, and let something else take care of them. Easy peasy.
did people vote blara just cos he is tier leader or something idgi
Cottonee @ Choice Specs
Ability: Prankster
Level: 5
EVs: 224 SAtk / 116 Def / 40 SDef / 116 HP
Modest Nature
- Switcheroo
- Hidden Power [Ground]
- Dazzling Gleam
- Memento
Common switch-ins to cottonee include Pawniard, Fletchling, Foongus, Croagunk, Doduo, Ferroseed - all of which would hate Choice Specs.
Also acts as a 1 time encore for shit and still stops set-up sweepers being effective.
HP Ground hits Mag and Ponyta, who might not mind specs and trubbish who has sticky hold.
Memento when you have no more use for it anymore.
You don't even have to trick specs away if you don't want check out these calcs
224+ SpA Choice Specs Cottonee Dazzling Gleam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Fletchling: 18-22 (85.7 - 104.7%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO - you can calc with a more defensive spread i guess idk what is standard, but still probs KOs with rocks or something
224+ SpA Choice Specs Cottonee Dazzling Gleam vs. 0 HP / 36 SpD Pawniard: 16-21 (76.1 - 100%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO (scarf)
224+ SpA Choice Specs Cottonee Dazzling Gleam vs. 212 HP / 116 SpD Eviolite Croagunk: 10-13 (41.6 - 54.1%) -- 56.3% chance to 2HKO (outspeeds most Gunks)
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