cosmicexplorer
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Cottonee
Borrowed heavily from Elevator_Music's original thread here.
[Overview]
<p>Cottonee's access to a multitude of support moves and its ability Prankster gives it incredible utility, and makes it the best SubSeeder in LC. Prankster Encore allows it to stop defensive Pokemon and set up sweepers alike before they can move.</p>
[SET]
name: SubSeed
move 1: Leech Seed
move 2: Substitute / Cotton Guard
move 3: Encore / Stun Spore
move 4: Hidden Power Fire
item: Eviolite / Leftovers
ability: Prankster
nature: Bold
evs: 36 HP / 196 Def / 196 SpD / 72 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Cottonee's priority on both Leech Seed and Substitute means it can set up a SubSeed cycle on almost anything that can't OHKO it, and potentially stall out the rest of the team. Encore cripples setup sweepers such as Scraggy, Timburr, and Dratini, and allows Cottonee to set up SubSeed, slowly draining the opponent's health. Stun Spore can stop sweepers such as Gastly that don't set up, but its accuracy is shaky and Encore is generally more useful. Hidden Power Fire 2HKOes Ferroseed and Snover, the only common Pokemon immune to Leech Seed.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Eviolite improves Cottonee's bulk, making it easier to set up, but Leftovers allows Cottonee to stall with Substitute more easily. Cotton Guard allows Cottonee to increase its defense and stall out a multitude of Pokemon with Leech Seed. Taunt can stop defensive Pokemon such as Ferroseed and Dwebble from setting up hazards, while Toxic can cripple defensive Pokemon. Bulky Water-types such as Slowpoke, Chinchou, and Tentacool can help against Pokemon such as Houndour that can threaten Cottonee. Pokemon that set up hazards such as Dwebble or Ferroseed can take advantage of the many switches Cottonee forces.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Switcheroo is a gimmicky option to pass a status Orb or Choice item, although it's illegal with Encore. Endeavor is the only way Cottonee can pose an offensive threat, and pairs well with Cottonee's low HP stat and Substitute. GrassWhistle is a sleep move, but its accuracy is terrible. Priority Sunny Day can be very useful, allowing Cottonee to set up sun before it dies. Charm and Memento, while generally inferior to Cotton Guard, can both be used to allow a teammate such as Dragon Dance Scraggy or Rock Polish Cranidos to set up for a sweep.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Scraggy and Dratini don't mind Stun Spore thanks to Shed Skin, but can be SubSeed stalled to death. Natu eats Cottonee alive. Mienfoo can come in on any attack and break Cottonee's Substitute or damage it heavily with U-turn, but Stun Spore will annoy it. Most Fighting-types can restore health from Drain Punch, recovering any HP lost from Leech Seed, and eventually stall Cottonee out. Shellder's Icicle Spear hits Cottonee for super effective damage through a Substitute. Ferroseed and Snover are immune to Leech Seed, but easily die to Hidden Power Fire.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Cottonee recieves Chlorophyll as a Dream World ability, which doubles its Speed in sunlight. As Cottonee is already fast, and Prankster gives +1 priority to all of its commonly used moves, Chlorophyll is rather useless.</p>