Skeleton is up.
QC [2/2] (ShinyAzelf, Diana)
GP [0/2] Writing in progress.
[Overview]
<p>Turtwig seems like an awkward choice when considering what little it has to offer in the new generation. Even with its acceptable Attack stat and defenses, its low Speed and poor coverage tend to be its downfall. The introduction of Eviolite also severely weakened its offensive capability by making many of his enemies more difficult to take down. Yet not all is lost for this unfortunate turtle, as it retains its role as the only Grass-type in Little Cup that can set up both Stealth Rock and Dual Screens. Without many new options to utilize, Turtwig has much trouble finding its way on a team in the Generation V metagame.</p>
[SET]
name: Dual Screens
move 1: Reflect
move 2: Light Screen
move 3: Stealth Rock
move 4: Seed Bomb / Hidden Power Fire
item: Light Clay / Eviolite
ability: Overgrow
nature: Impish / Careful
evs: 236 HP / 84 Def / 156 SpD / 28 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>With its unique ability to set up both Dual Screens and Stealth Rock, Turtwig is capable of being an effective team supporter. The goal of this set is to set up Dual Screens, then proceed to set up Stealth Rock at the cost of one turn of Dual Screens. However, this ensures that faster enemies will have a more difficult time taking Turtwig down before it lays down Stealth Rock. The last slot is reserved for Turtwig's one offensive move to prevent it from being shut down by Taunt. Seed Bomb is Turtwig's only decent STAB move on the physical side, but Hidden Power Fire is useful to deal with Cottonee.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>If Turtwig has Hidden Power Fire, a Bold or Calm nature would be better because without Seed Bomb, Turtwig has no use for its Attack stat. Eviolite is an option over Light Clay to give Turtwig more bulk while sacrificing longer duration Dual Screens. Turtwig can also make use of Hidden Power Ice to hit Dragon-types and Flying-types, but with Gligar no longer in Little Cup, it isn't as useful as Hidden Power Fire.</p>
<p>Cottonee is one of the most threatening enemies of this set because it can come in at any time and stop Turtwig in its tracks with Priority Taunt and Toxic, even if Turtwig has Hidden Power Fire. Snover makes an excellent teammate in this department to scare away Cottonee, but Cottonee isn't as common as it used to be. Brick Break users are problematic, but the most common one, Pawniard, can be countered with a strong Fighting-type like Mienfoo or Timburr. Sweepers like Clamperl also make good partners as under Dual Screens and with Stealth Rock in play, they can be very frightening.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Turtwig has a variety of options, but few can be utilized effectively. Like many Grass-types, Turtwig is capable of using SubSeed, but just like the others, it is outclassed by Cottonee and Ferroseed. Turtwig also has access to Growth, Curse, and Swords Dance, but cannot put them to much use with its poor coverage. A support set with Stockpile is a decent alternative, but Turtwig has few options on a set using it. Giga Drain and Synthesis provide recovery, but without enough bulk to take more than a few hits outside of Dual Screens, these moves are rendered inefficient. A RestTalk or Trick Room set would be more good options if Turtwig didn't have so little to offer with his unboosted attacks in a metagame with so many Eviolite users.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Even under Dual Screens, it isn't very difficult to find a counter to Turtwig. Anything that can take a Seed Bomb or Hidden Power Fire and strike back with a super effective move is capable of checking Turtwig, but there are a few others that get special mention. Again, Cottonee stops Turtwig with Priority Taunt and Toxic and is at least 2HKOed by Hidden Power Fire due to Turtwig's low Special Attack stat. Scraggy is bulky enough to take a Seed Bomb or Hidden Power Fire and set up while recovering HP with Drain Punch. Pawniard can shatter Dual Screens and scare out Ghost-types that might switch in to take a Brick Break. Rapid Spinners like Tentacool and Staryu resist Hidden Power Fire and can remove Stealth Rock, but must watch out for Seed Bomb.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Turtwig's Dream World ability is Shell Armor, which stops critical hits, but like all starters, it only comes on a level 10 male, so it is illegal in Little Cup.</p>
