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Drapion (Choice Scarf) (QC 3/3) [GP 2/2]

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is the 2nd Smogon Classic Winneris a Two-Time Past SPL Championis a Three-Time Past WCoP Champion
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Drapion

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Crunch / Night Slash
move 2: Pursuit
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Aqua Tail / Ice Fang
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Sniper
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>The sheer amount of Psychic- and Ghost-types in the RU metagame makes Drapion a prime candidate for a Choice Scarf set. This is due in large part to its access to STAB Crunch and Pursuit, both of which can be used with one another to play mind games with the opposition. Pursuit can easily nab fleeing Pokemon, and the thought of it might discourage the opponent from switching, allowing Drapion to nail the opposing Pokemon with one of its other moves. It also has a great coverage move in Earthquake, which lets it hit the Steel-types who resist Crunch. Night Slash is an option over Crunch, as it lets Drapion take advantage of its nifty ability: Sniper. Night Slash does have 10 less Base Power than Crunch though. Ice Fang is the preferred option in the last slot, letting Drapion nail Gligar and Rhydon. Finally, Aqua Tail can be used over Ice Fang since it also hits Moltres super effectively, but it hits Gligar for much less damage.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Sniper is the ability of choice, letting Drapion hit thrice as hard if it manages to get a critical hit. The EV spread is self-explanatory, allowing Drapion to reach 306 Attack and 483 Speed with a Choice Scarf and an Adamant nature, which is easily enough to outrun all of the unboosted RU metagame. A Jolly nature can be used in order to avoid a Speed tie with Timid Choice Scarf variants of Rotom-C and outspeed +1 Lilligant, but Adamant is usually more useful due to Drapion's solid defensive prowess. Drapion also absorbs Toxic Spikes, which sets it apart from other Choice Scarf Pokemon.</p>

<p>This Drapion appreciates Rapid Spin support, as it will be switching in constantly. Entry hazard support is also helpful, as it allows Drapion to get more kills; Pokemon such as Ferroseed are good partners for this. Fighting-types, such as Hitmonchan, are good partners for this Drapion, as they greatly appreciate the removal of pesky Psychic- and Ghost-types, such as Cofagrigus. Clerics can also be good teammates just in case Drapion gets burned or paralyzed. Finally, Cross Poison is an option to hit Lilligant and other Grass-types harder, but its otherwise awful coverage makes it not as useful.</p>
 
Ice Fang is a bit weak, as you'll do 40% tops against Physically Defensive Gligar.
So I think Aqua Tail should go first due that. You'll gain additional coverage against Moltres (and Charizard to a lesser extent) as you said and hit Rhydon harder too.
Ice Fang is still an option to 2HKO Gligar after two SR switch ins.
 
Mention in AC that Jolly Drapion can Revenge Kill Timid Quiver Dance Lilligant, which is common as hell, and put Aqua Tail before Ice Fang for the reasons Ningildo mentioned. Stuff that is Toxic Spikes weak such as Slowking, which also has good defensive synergy with Drapion benefit a lot from having it alongside them. Mention that too. I've used this set a lot before, so I know its effectiveness, and it's even better now without Krookodile to outclass it and both Cresselia and Sigilyph down here.

When these suggestions are implemented:

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QC APPROVED 1/3
 
With all due respect, Scarf Drapion can't touch Cresselia. Like, at all. Perhaps just mention on the Cross Poison bit that it's the best move against Lilligant? Or does this thing get Gunk Shot?
 
Cherub Agent said:
With all due respect, Scarf Drapion can't touch Cresselia. Like, at all. Perhaps just mention on the Cross Poison bit that it's the best move against Lilligant? Or does this thing get Gunk Shot?
Click to expand...
k I'll add that part about Cross Poison. And thanks Texas. 1 more :)
 
Remove Retaliate from AC, it's a terrible move even on powerful Normal-types, let alone Drapion. The initial boosted hit is barely stronger than STAB Crunch, and after that you're locked into a 70 BP non-STAB move with bad coverage coming off a mediocre 306 Attack. That's just begging to be set up on.

Drapion actually seems too weak in general to run Scarf. Jolly Drapion can't even OHKO Lilligant with Cross Poison. Other things like Moltres, Pory-Z, and Honchkrow are barely taking 50% even from Adamant. Most of the Psychics and Ghosts other than Rotom are pretty bulky, and Drapion doesn't have the power to reliably revenge kill anything he can't hit super effectively with his STAB.

Why would you use this set?
 
It has a surprise factor and 306 Attack is by no means shabby. It also has decent bulk which still allows it to take hits if necessary unlike other scarfers. With entry hazards, it can be a real force, especially with Pursuit, which can let you play mind games with your opponent. Just access to Crunch and Pursuit alone makes Drapion difficult to play against. It also basically outruns the entire unboosted RU tier and hits hard. It also isn't plagued by Toxic Spikes like most scarfers, and isn't weak to Stealth Rock.
 
kk people said I could QC my own analysis cuz I'm a QC member so...
yeah let's go

QC APPROVED 3/3

I'll get this written up shortly.
 
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[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Crunch / Night Slash
move 2: Pursuit
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Aqua Tail / Ice Fang
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Sniper
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>The amount of Psychic- and Ghost-types in the RU metagame makes Drapion{Space}a prime candidate for a Choice Scarf set. This is due in large part to its access to STAB Crunch and STAB Pursuit, both of which can be used with one another to play mind games with the opposition. Pursuit can easily nab fleeing Pokemon, and the thought of it might discourage the opponent from switching, allowing Drapion to nail the opposing Pokemon with one of its other moves. It also has a great coverage move in Earthquake, which lets it hit the Steel-types who resist Crunch. Night Slash is an option over Crunch, however, as it lets Drapion take advantage of its nifty ability: Sniper. Night Slash does have 10 less base power than Crunch though. Ice Fang is the preferred option in the last slot, letting Drapion nail Gligar and Rhydon. Finally, Aqua Tail can be used over Ice Fang since it also hits Moltres super effectively, but it hits Gligar and Rhydon for much less damage.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Sniper is the ability of choice, letting Drapion hit thrice as hard if it manages to get a critical hit. The EV spread is self-explanatory, allowing Drapion to reach 306 Attack and 483 Speed after a Choice Scarf boost, which is easily enough to outrun all of the unboosted RU metagame. A Jolly nature can be used in order to avoid a speed tie vs Timid Scarf variants of Rotom-C and outspeed +1 Lilligant, but Adamant is usually more useful due to Drapion's solid defensive prowess. Drapion also absorbs Toxic Spikes, setting it apart from enemy scarfers.</p>

<p>This Drapion appreciates Rapid Spin support, however, as it will be switching in constantly. Entry hazard support is also helpful, as it allows Drapion to get more kills; Pokemon such as Ferroseed are good partners for this. Fighting-types, such as Hitmonchan, are good partners for this Drapion, as it greatly appreciates the removal of pesky Psychic- and Ghost-types (maybe give an example or two). Clerics can also be good teammates just in case Drapion gets burned or paralyzed. Finally, Cross Poison is an option to hit Lilligant and other Grass-types harder, but its otherwise awful coverage makes it not as useful.</p>
 
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ShakeItUp said:
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Crunch / Night Slash
move 2: Pursuit
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Aqua Tail / Ice Fang
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Sniper
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>The high/sheer amount of Psychic- and Ghost-types in the RU metagame makes Drapiona a prime candidate for a Choice Scarf set. This is due in large part to its access to STAB Crunch and STAB Pursuit, both of which can be used with one another to play mind games with the opposition. Pursuit can easily nab fleeing Pokemon, and the thought of it might discourage the opponent from switching, allowing Drapion to nail the opposing Pokemon with one of its other moves. It also has a great coverage move in Earthquake, which lets it hit the Steel-types who resist Crunch. Night Slash is an option over Crunch, as it lets Drapion take advantage of its nifty ability: Sniper. Night Slash does have 10 less base power Base Power than Crunch though. Ice Fang is the preferred option in the last slot, letting Drapion nail Gligar and Rhydon. Finally, Aqua Tail can be used over Ice Fang since it also hits Moltres super effectively, but it hits Gligar and Rhydon for much less damage.</p> (Really? Aqua Tail deals less damage to Rhydon than Ice Fang does? :P)

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Sniper is the ability of choice, letting Drapion hit thrice as hard if it manages to get a critical hit Critical Hit. The EV spread is self-explanatory, allowing Drapion to reach 306 Attack and 483 Speed after a Choice Scarf boost with the Choice Scarf and Adamant nature, which is easily enough to outrun all of the unboosted RU metagame. A Jolly nature can be used in order to avoid a speed Speed tie vs with Timid Choice Scarf variants of Rotom-C and outspeed +1 Lilligant, but Adamant is usually more useful due to Drapion's solid defensive prowess. Drapion also absorbs Toxic Spikes, setting which sets it apart from enemy scarfers other Choice Scarf Pokemon.</p> ("Setting itself apart from enemy scarfers" sounds wrong to me. Feel free to correct me though.)

<p>This Drapion appreciates Rapid Spin support, as it will be switching in constantly. Entry hazard support is also helpful, as it allows Drapion to get more kills; Pokemon such as Ferroseed are good partners for this. Fighting-types, such as Hitmonchan, are good partners for this Drapion, as it they greatly appreciates the removal of pesky Psychic- and Ghost-types, such as Cofagrigus. Clerics can also be good teammates just in case Drapion gets burned or paralyzed. Finally, Cross Poison is an option to hit Lilligant and other Grass-types harder, but its otherwise awful coverage makes it not as useful.</p>
Click to expand...

Quick and painless. Nice work Shake!

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GP Approved 2/2
 
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