http://www.smogon.com/bw/pokemon/serperior
[Overview]
<p>From its name alone, you'd expect it to be a "superior" Pokemon; however, Serperior is "just another Grass-type." What makes it unique is its high Speed, access to dual screens, and a variety of useful support moves, such as Glare, Taunt, Leech Seed, and Knock Off. In addition, Serperior's defenses are above average, but unfortunately it lacks any form of recovery outside of Rest and Leech Seed. Taunt is the main reason to use Serperior over Sceptile, as it shuts down opposing walls that attempt to status or set up on it. Serperior's offensive movepool is pretty sparse, making it outclassed by Sceptile and Lilligant when it comes to offensive sets.</p>
[SET]
name: SubSeed
move 1: Subsitute
move 2: Leech Seed
move 3: Giga Drain
move 4: Hidden Power Fire / Taunt / Glare
item: Leftovers
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 24 Def / 232 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Thanks to its high Speed, good defenses, and access to Taunt, Serperior makes for an excellent SubSeeder. Switch into a Pokemon that will switch out, such as Poliwrath, set up a Substitute, and proceed with a combination of Substitute and Leech Seed until the opposing Pokemon faints. Giga Drain provides Serperior with a STAB move which restores health upon damaging the opponent, which increases its survivability. Hidden Power Fire hits opposing Grass- and Steel-types, such as Lilligant and Ferroseed, while Taunt prevents any wall recovering or inflicting status on Serperior. Glare is another option, as it is almost guaranteed to paralyze anything that isn't a Ghost-type. If you manage to Subsitute into Overgrow's range, Serperior will gain a nifty boost to Giga Drain, and in turn, it will restore more of its health.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>232 Speed EVs and a Timid nature allows Serperior to outrun base 110 Pokemon, such as Archeops. Maximum HP gives Serperior as much bulk as possible, while the remaining EVs are placed into Defense to soften the blow from priority moves, such as Ice Shard. You may decide to use zero HP EVs and IVs; this may seem like a foolish idea, though Serperior will recover a higher percentage of its HP with Leech Seed if you do.</p>
<p>Support in the form of entry hazards is helpful, as this set forces a lot of switches. Toxic Spikes should be considered above all else, as they cripple bulkier Pokemon that attempt to recover Leech Seed damage. Drapion and Scolipede are good choices to provide this, as they have decent defenses and reasonable offensive prowess. Ferroseed and Claydol should also be considered to set up Spikes and Stealth Rock, respectively. Remember to pack a spinblocker to keep these hazards on the field, however.</p>
<p>Pokemon that can break through opposing Grass-types are helpful. Mandibuzz can switch into Grass-types, cripple them with Taunt, and proceed with Brave Bird or Whirlwind to KO or phaze them, respectively. Entei can blast its way through the majority of Grass-types in the tier, and it can use ExtremeSpeed to pick off weakened opponents. Scyther is another good option, as it can utilize U-turn to hit Grass-types super effectively, and switch out at the same time. Ground-types who can defeat Poison-, Steel-, and Fire-types are also good teammates. Dugtrio is the number one choice for this role, but it's incredibly frail, so prediction is the key when switching in. Krookodile is another great choice, as it can use its STAB Dark-type moves to break through Ghost- and Psychic-types, and its decent defenses give it an easier time switching in.</p>
[SET]
name: Dual Screens
move 1: Reflect
move 2: Light Screen
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Giga Drain / Hidden Power Fire / Leech Seed
item: Light Clay
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 24 Def / 232 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Dual screens are what makes Serperior a unique Grass-type. Serperior's high Speed, great bulk, and lack of common weaknesses make it easy to set up screens for a teammate, aiding a set up or sweep. Taunt ensures that opposing Taunt users are unable to stop Serperior, and it also helps prevent status being inflicted upon it. Giga Drain provides reliable STAB and restores health, Hidden Power Fire hits Grass- and Steel-types super effectively, and Leech Seed can be used for recovery. Don't worry about Serperior being Taunt bait, as Serperior is one of the fastest Pokemon in the tier, and it can Taunt other Pokemon before they have chance to cripple it. Light Clay is the item of choice, as it prolongs the duration of dual screens to 8 turns.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The Speed EVs provide enough Speed to outrun base 110 Speed Pokemon, such as Archeops, and set up screens before they can attack. Maximum HP EVs are a given for additional bulk, and the remaining EVs are placed into Defense to soften priority moves. If you decide to use Hidden Power Fire in the last slot, shift an additional 4 EVs into Speed, as this accounts for the IV loss of Hidden Power.</p>
<p>The aim of this set is to support frail teammates in setting up, so ideally you'll pair it with partners who can abuse moves such as Swords Dance, Belly Drum, Quiver Dance, and Shell Smash. Quiver Dance Lilligant is an excellent option as it becomes deadly after a single boost, and it can utilize Sleep Powder to cripple opponents and gain more boosts. Swords Dance Feraligatr is another great choice, as it becomes a true monster after a Swords Dance, and has priority in Aqua Jet to take out faster opponents. Before Serperior begins setting up with screens, ensure that all its counters are removed from play. Fire-types, such as Entei, can scorch their way through the opponent's Bug-, Grass-, and Steel-types, and it has access to Stone Edge to knock Mandibuzz out of the sky. Scyther is another option, as it can set up Swords Dance boosts behind Serperior's screens, and utilize its powerful STAB moves to take out opposing Grass- and Bug-types.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Serperior doesn't have an amazing movepool, but there are a few obscure options available. Calm Mind can raise Serperior's Special Attack and Special Defense, though Serperior's type coverage is rather poor, and it's largely outclassed by Quiver Dance Lilligant. Wring Out can finish off weakened opponents, but it's unreliable in the long run, and probably isn't worth a moveslot. Sunny Day can be used to set up for a more offensive teammate; just don't try abusing it with Serperior since it doesn't have enough firepower, and its coverage isn't great either. Pursuit is available to hit Pokemon switching out, though it's generally too weak as it doesn't receive STAB. Mirror Coat is an option to bounce back special attacks, though you need good prediction to use it effectively. Gastro Acid will cripple Pokemon who rely on their ability, such as Huge Power Medicham and Speed Boost Sharpedo. Leaf Storm is a powerful STAB move, but it lowers Serperior's Special Attack after use. Mean Look is pretty gimmicky, though it can give Serperior time to set up. Finally, Dragon Tail may be tempting on a physical set, though it has negative priority.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Serperior has a massive list of counters, and it isn't difficult to beat. Ferroseed can wall almost every set that Serperior can run, though it gets completely shut down by Taunt. Grass-types are generally good counters, as they are immune to Leech Seed and take little damage from any of Serperior's attacks. Quiver Dance Lilligant and Spikes Roselia are two good examples. Durant and Galvantula can set up a Substitute to block Serperior's Leech Seed, while utilizing a stat-boosting move to set up; watch out for Hidden Power Fire, however. Scyther can hit Serperior super effectively with its STAB moves, though it takes a lot from Hidden Power Fire, and it isn't immune to Leech Seed. Fire-types, such as Entei and Charizard, are great choices as they resist Serperior's STAB, and aren't worried about Taunt or Leech Seed. Clefable is immune to Leech Seed thanks to Magic Guard, though it becomes Taunt bait unless it carries Seismic Toss.</p>
<p>Thanks to Sap Sipper, Bouffalant is immune to Grass-type moves, and it has enough raw power to KO Serperior with its STAB Head Smash. Mandibuzz doesn't take much damage from Serperior's STAB moves, and it has access to Brave Bird and Taunt to KO and cripple it, respectively. Sawsbuck and Ludicolo are decent checks, but Sawsbuck doesn't like Hidden Power Fire, and Ludicolo is shut down by Taunt. Choice Scarf users can outspeed Serperior and KO it before it has chance to attack. Finally, Prankster Murkrow can Taunt Serperior and render it useless until it switches out.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Serperior receives Contary as its Dream World ability. This is useful as it reverses any stat drops and turns them into boosts. Leaf Storm is Serperior's only stat-lowering move, but doubling its Special Attack in the process turns it into a deadly sweeper.</p>
