rubsomebacononit
I was cringe and annoying when I was on smogon RIP
venipede squad
QC: Megazard / TONE114 / Anty
GP: Ununhexium + The Dutch Plumberjack / Rhythms + Snobalt
[OVERVIEW]
Venipede has a niche as a great suicide Spikes lead in the PU metagame thanks to the combination of Speed Boost + and Endeavor. Because of the lack of reliable entry hazard removers, the Spikes and Toxic Spikes support that Venipede provides is invaluable. Venipede has a niche over Whirlipede because it is able to outspeed Pokemon such as Raichu, Simipour, and Kadabra at +1, allowing it to set up a Spike before they Taunt or Encore. However, Venipede is one dimensional and predictable, as it can only perform the role of a suicide lead, and it relies on Endeavor to deal damage, which is not very reliable. In addition, Venipede also has a bad matchup against common leads such as Golem, which has Rock Blast to break its Focus Sash, and cannot do much against Defoggers such as Pelipper and Swanna and spinners such as Armaldo.
[SET]
name: Suicide Lead
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Toxic Spikes
move 3: Protect
move 4: Endeavor
item: Focus Sash
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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The combination of Spikes and Toxic Spikes helps with wearing down the opponent's Pokemon, making them easier to deal with. Protect allows Venipede to get an extra Speed boost so that it can outpace threats such as Taunt Simipour and set up at least one layer of Spikes against them. Endeavor allows Venipede to lower the foe's HP down to one and works well in tandem with a Focus Sash.
Set Details
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The Speed EVs and a Jolly nature allow Venipede to outspeed Pokemon such as Raichu and Grumpig at +1. Speed Boost helps to guarantee at least a layer of Spikes and a layer of Toxic Spikes, or a layer of Spikes and the ability to weaken foes with Endeavor. Focus Sash allows Venipede to survive at least one hit and works well with Endeavor.
Usage Tips
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Venipede should be used as a lead most of the time so that its Focus Sash can stay intact, but it should not be sent in on multi-hit move users such as Golem, setup sweepers such as Ninetales, or entry hazard removers such as Pelipper, as they can take advantage of it. Use Protect if Venipede is faced with a foe it cannot outspeed, such as Raichu; this also allows Venipede to set up at least one layer of Spikes on faster Taunt users such as Grumpig. Don't set up Toxic Spikes if there is a Poison-type such as Roselia on the opposing team, as they can remove the Toxic Spikes by switching in.
Team Options
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Venipede fits well on hyper offense teams, as it allows its teammates to pressure and wear down their checks. Spinblockers such as Misdreavus and Dusknoir help with keeping entry hazards on the field; the former can also Taunt Defoggers such as Pelipper. Purugly pressures Defoggers such as Vibrava and Vullaby with the threat of Defiant. Stealth Rock from Piloswine and Probopass deals further chip damage and works well with the Spikes support that Venipede provides. Strong wallbreakers, such as Stoutland and Simipour, appreciate Venipede's Spikes support, which allows them to break through their threats more easily. Late-game sweepers such as Fraxure and Relicanth can set up easily when the opponent's team is weakened.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
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Toxic threatens entry hazard removers such as Pelipper and allows Venipede to get past Misdreavus, but Venipede lacks the moveslot for it. Infestation helps Venipede to rack up damage and works well with Endeavor, but Venipede doesn't have the moveslot for it.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Priority Users**: Priority users such as Basculin and Dusknoir allow Venipede to only set up a single layer of Spikes due to Aqua Jet and Shadow Sneak, respectively; the latter is also immune to Endeavor.
**Setup Sweepers**: Venipede has trouble getting past setup sweepers such as Substitute + Nasty Plot Ninetales and Shift Gear Klang, as it relies on Endeavor to deal damage. The former can use Energy Ball and block Endeavor with Substitute, and the latter is able to freely set up Shift Gear and doesn't mind Endeavor due to Gear Grind, though it requires multiple boosts to get past Venipede.
**Entry Hazard Removers**: Entry hazard removers such as Pelipper and Vibrava are immune to Venipede's Spikes and Toxic Spikes and can remove them with Defog.
**Multi-Hit Move Users**: Rock-types such as Golem and Armaldo are able to break through Venipede's Focus Sash due to Rock Blast without having to worry about Endeavor. Marowak can also break through Venipede's Focus Sash with Bonemerang.
**Taunt Users**: Taunt users such as Grumpig and Misdreavus limit Venipede to only one layer of Spikes; the latter is also immune to Endeavor.
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