Twix
jicama
QC: Magnemite / Raiza. / Anty
GP: Snobalt / The Dutch Plumberjack
Venipede
[OVERVIEW]
Venipede is one the the tier's most efficient suicide leads with access to both Toxic Spikes and Spikes. Speed Boost allows it to outspeed other Pokemon and guarantee more than two layers of entry hazards, while Endeavor allows it to weaken foes easily when taken down to its Focus Sash or otherwise brought down to low HP. Unfortunately, Ghost-types can bypass Endeavor and can either Taunt Venipede or set up on it. Venipede fits mostly on hyper offensive teams, as it can spread entry hazards for its team and allow offensive Pokemon to come in and take on the opponent's team effectively. Venipede and Whirlipede are interchangeable, and both have their own merits. Venipede has a higher base Speed that allows it to outspeed Pokemon up to base 110 Speed at +1, including Simipour, Dodrio, Raichu, and Rapidash, while Whirlipede has higher bulk and outpaces Pokemon with up to base 90 Speed at +1. Venipede also faces some competition with Dwebble as a suicide lead because Dwebble has access to Spikes, Sturdy, and Stealth Rock, though it lacks Toxic Spikes.
[SET]
name: Suicide Lead
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Toxic Spikes
move 3: Protect
move 4: Endeavor
item: Focus Sash
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Protect is utilized to allow Venipede to get an extra Speed Boost so it is able to outspeed faster Pokemon and set up its entry hazards or use Endeavor. Spikes are one of the two entry hazards that this set possesses, weakening the opposing team and allowing your team to do the same more easily. Toxic Spikes can break down defensive or balanced teams. Endeavor works well with a Focus Sash, seeing as it leaves Venipede with 1 HP, allowing it to bring the foe down to 1 HP as well.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed with a Timid nature allows Venipede to outpace most other leads in the metagame before a Speed Boost bar Monferno. Maximum HP allows Venipede to have as much bulk as possible. Focus Sash allows Venipede to set up at least one set of entry hazards and drop a foe to 1 HP after using Endeavor. Speed Boost allows Venipede to outspeed faster Pokemon.
Usage Tips
========
Venipede should always be used as a suicide lead to set up Spikes for your team early-game to quickly break down foes. To start, set up one layer each of Spikes and Toxic Spikes if possible, as it deals more immediate damage than two layers of Spikes. Endeavor should be utilized mostly against dangerous setup sweepers to allow a teammate to revenge kill the foe, but setting up entry hazards should be Venipede's priority. Against stall teams, two layers of Toxic Spikes should be set to badly poison the foes, while one layer of Toxic Spikes is recommended against offensive teams for more immediate damage. Against offensive or balanced teams, if the opponent doesn't have a Poison-type or a Facade user, set up one layer of Toxic Spikes, and use Spikes from there.
Venipede also needs to be wary of Ghost-types, which can take every move coming from it barring the rare Toxic. When faced against a setup sweeper, be cautious when it comes to letting them set up on Venipede. Protect is usually a good option against a Pokemon that can beat Venipede, but in some cases it can cause your team to lose momentum.
Team Options
========
Venipede should only be used on hyper offensive teams. Pawniard and Purugly can discourage foes from using Defog thanks to Defiant. Ghost-types such as Misdreavus and Dusknoir can prevent Rapid Spin users from removing Venipede's Spikes and Toxic Spikes. Fast wallbreakers such as Zebstrika, Raichu, and Simipour appreciate Venipede's entry hazard support, which helps them wear down foes more easily. Late-game cleaners such as Barbaracle, Kingler, Arbok, and Jumpluff can use Venipede's entry hazards to have an easier time cleaning up the opposing team. Stealth Rock setters such as Piloswine, Probopass, and Carracosta can provide more entry hazard support with Stealth Rock.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Venipede's moveset is mostly confined to these moves, and changing out any of them would be more detrimental than helpful in the long run; Toxic could be used to cripple entry hazard removers and setup sweepers that could otherwise freely set up on Venipede.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Rock-types**: Pokemon such as Golem, Rampardos, and Aurorus are dangerous Pokemon to be facing, as they can keep Venipede to one layer of entry hazards. Rock Blast is dangerous towards Venipede and should be avoided completely. Aurorus is one of the major threats to Venipede, as it can use Blizzard in combination with Snow Warning and KO Venipede without letting it set more than one layer of entry hazards.
**Fire-types**: Fire-types such as Rapidash can use Will-O-Wisp on Venipede to thwart Endeavor and then proceed to KO it on the next turn.
**Ghost-types**: Venipede cannot hit Pokemon such as Misdreavus, Drifblim, and Dusknoir with Endeavor and can't really do anything against them unless it's carrying Toxic. Many Ghost-types are immune to its entry hazards as well. Misdreavus and Drifblim can also set up on Venipede, and Dusknoir can 2HKO it with a Choice Band Shadow Sneak.
**Pokemon with Taunt**: Pokemon such as Monferno, Simipour, Misdreavus, Floatzel, and Dodrio can prevent Venipede from setting up more than one layer of Spikes and can lock it into only using Endeavor as they get a free attack or a free turn of setup. Floatzel can outspeed and Taunt Venipede even if it's at +1 Speed.
**Entry Hazard Control**: Pokemon with either Defog or Rapid Spin can get rid of Venipede's entry hazards as soon as it faints. Swanna and Armaldo can also pressure most spinblockers and Pokemon with Defiant, making it hard to switch to them.
**Setup Sweepers**: Pokemon such as Leafeon, Jumpluff, Simipour, Carracosta, and Barbaracle can come in and set up on Venipede as it sets up entry hazards. If Venipede isn't carrying Toxic, they can proceed to deal massive damage against your team. They also have the ability to get around Endeavor with a weak attack and break Venipede's Focus Sash.
**Priority Users**: Pokemon such as Piloswine, Basculin, and Poliwrath can bring Venipede down to its Focus Sash and proceed to take it out with a priority move, only allowing it to set up one or two layers of entry hazards.
GP: Snobalt / The Dutch Plumberjack
Venipede
[OVERVIEW]
Venipede is one the the tier's most efficient suicide leads with access to both Toxic Spikes and Spikes. Speed Boost allows it to outspeed other Pokemon and guarantee more than two layers of entry hazards, while Endeavor allows it to weaken foes easily when taken down to its Focus Sash or otherwise brought down to low HP. Unfortunately, Ghost-types can bypass Endeavor and can either Taunt Venipede or set up on it. Venipede fits mostly on hyper offensive teams, as it can spread entry hazards for its team and allow offensive Pokemon to come in and take on the opponent's team effectively. Venipede and Whirlipede are interchangeable, and both have their own merits. Venipede has a higher base Speed that allows it to outspeed Pokemon up to base 110 Speed at +1, including Simipour, Dodrio, Raichu, and Rapidash, while Whirlipede has higher bulk and outpaces Pokemon with up to base 90 Speed at +1. Venipede also faces some competition with Dwebble as a suicide lead because Dwebble has access to Spikes, Sturdy, and Stealth Rock, though it lacks Toxic Spikes.
[SET]
name: Suicide Lead
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Toxic Spikes
move 3: Protect
move 4: Endeavor
item: Focus Sash
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Protect is utilized to allow Venipede to get an extra Speed Boost so it is able to outspeed faster Pokemon and set up its entry hazards or use Endeavor. Spikes are one of the two entry hazards that this set possesses, weakening the opposing team and allowing your team to do the same more easily. Toxic Spikes can break down defensive or balanced teams. Endeavor works well with a Focus Sash, seeing as it leaves Venipede with 1 HP, allowing it to bring the foe down to 1 HP as well.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed with a Timid nature allows Venipede to outpace most other leads in the metagame before a Speed Boost bar Monferno. Maximum HP allows Venipede to have as much bulk as possible. Focus Sash allows Venipede to set up at least one set of entry hazards and drop a foe to 1 HP after using Endeavor. Speed Boost allows Venipede to outspeed faster Pokemon.
Usage Tips
========
Venipede should always be used as a suicide lead to set up Spikes for your team early-game to quickly break down foes. To start, set up one layer each of Spikes and Toxic Spikes if possible, as it deals more immediate damage than two layers of Spikes. Endeavor should be utilized mostly against dangerous setup sweepers to allow a teammate to revenge kill the foe, but setting up entry hazards should be Venipede's priority. Against stall teams, two layers of Toxic Spikes should be set to badly poison the foes, while one layer of Toxic Spikes is recommended against offensive teams for more immediate damage. Against offensive or balanced teams, if the opponent doesn't have a Poison-type or a Facade user, set up one layer of Toxic Spikes, and use Spikes from there.
Venipede also needs to be wary of Ghost-types, which can take every move coming from it barring the rare Toxic. When faced against a setup sweeper, be cautious when it comes to letting them set up on Venipede. Protect is usually a good option against a Pokemon that can beat Venipede, but in some cases it can cause your team to lose momentum.
Team Options
========
Venipede should only be used on hyper offensive teams. Pawniard and Purugly can discourage foes from using Defog thanks to Defiant. Ghost-types such as Misdreavus and Dusknoir can prevent Rapid Spin users from removing Venipede's Spikes and Toxic Spikes. Fast wallbreakers such as Zebstrika, Raichu, and Simipour appreciate Venipede's entry hazard support, which helps them wear down foes more easily. Late-game cleaners such as Barbaracle, Kingler, Arbok, and Jumpluff can use Venipede's entry hazards to have an easier time cleaning up the opposing team. Stealth Rock setters such as Piloswine, Probopass, and Carracosta can provide more entry hazard support with Stealth Rock.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Venipede's moveset is mostly confined to these moves, and changing out any of them would be more detrimental than helpful in the long run; Toxic could be used to cripple entry hazard removers and setup sweepers that could otherwise freely set up on Venipede.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Rock-types**: Pokemon such as Golem, Rampardos, and Aurorus are dangerous Pokemon to be facing, as they can keep Venipede to one layer of entry hazards. Rock Blast is dangerous towards Venipede and should be avoided completely. Aurorus is one of the major threats to Venipede, as it can use Blizzard in combination with Snow Warning and KO Venipede without letting it set more than one layer of entry hazards.
**Fire-types**: Fire-types such as Rapidash can use Will-O-Wisp on Venipede to thwart Endeavor and then proceed to KO it on the next turn.
**Ghost-types**: Venipede cannot hit Pokemon such as Misdreavus, Drifblim, and Dusknoir with Endeavor and can't really do anything against them unless it's carrying Toxic. Many Ghost-types are immune to its entry hazards as well. Misdreavus and Drifblim can also set up on Venipede, and Dusknoir can 2HKO it with a Choice Band Shadow Sneak.
**Pokemon with Taunt**: Pokemon such as Monferno, Simipour, Misdreavus, Floatzel, and Dodrio can prevent Venipede from setting up more than one layer of Spikes and can lock it into only using Endeavor as they get a free attack or a free turn of setup. Floatzel can outspeed and Taunt Venipede even if it's at +1 Speed.
**Entry Hazard Control**: Pokemon with either Defog or Rapid Spin can get rid of Venipede's entry hazards as soon as it faints. Swanna and Armaldo can also pressure most spinblockers and Pokemon with Defiant, making it hard to switch to them.
**Setup Sweepers**: Pokemon such as Leafeon, Jumpluff, Simipour, Carracosta, and Barbaracle can come in and set up on Venipede as it sets up entry hazards. If Venipede isn't carrying Toxic, they can proceed to deal massive damage against your team. They also have the ability to get around Endeavor with a weak attack and break Venipede's Focus Sash.
**Priority Users**: Pokemon such as Piloswine, Basculin, and Poliwrath can bring Venipede down to its Focus Sash and proceed to take it out with a priority move, only allowing it to set up one or two layers of entry hazards.
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