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Liepard
[Overview]
<p>Liepard is one cool cat. With base 106 Speed and a typing that helps it beat all of the Psychic-types in NU, Liepard is a very underrated Pokemon. Liepard's access to moves such as Nasty Plot, Sucker Punch, and Snarl make it very versatile. Also, thanks to Limber, it is immune to paralysis. Unfortunately, this is where the party ends for Liepard: due to its very mediocre base 88 offenses, Liepard is overshadowed by other Dark-type Pokemon such as Absol, Cacturne, and Mightyena. Liepard is also very frail with 68 / 50 / 50 defenses; as such, Liepard finds it hard to take many of the powerful attacks found in the NU tier. Nevertheless, Liepard occupies the niche of being the second fastest Dark-type Pokemon in NU. With its high Speed stat and decent movepool, Liepard isn't as helpless as one might think.</p>
[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Snarl / Hidden Power Dark
move 3: Encore
move 4: Hidden Power Fighting / Grass Knot
item: Life Orb
nature: Timid
ability: Limber
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>With a limited but usable special movepool and a decent Special Attack stat, Liepard makes great use of Nasty Plot. Liepard gets a move exclusive to a select few Pokemon: Snarl, a STAB attack that lowers the opponent's Special Attack with every use. Hidden Power Dark can be used instead of Snarl for a slight power boost; however, it has no secondary effect. Encore is a key move in this set, as it locks Pokemon into non-damaging moves, giving Liepard time to set up. The last moveslot depends on Liepard's other moves. Hidden Power Fighting has good coverage alongside Liepard's Dark-type STAB, allowing Liepard to nail Steel and Dark-type Pokemon. On the other hand, if one opts to use Hidden Power Dark, Grass Knot should be used as Liepard doesn't have any other viable options. While inferior to Liepard's other options, Grass Knot nails bulky Water- and Ground-type Pokemon such as Quagsire.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EVs are very straightforward: full investment in Special Attack and Speed maximizes Liepard's offensive potential. An EV spread of 40 HP / 252 SpA / 216 Spe can be used to outpace base 101 Pokemon such as Simisage, Simisear, and Simipour. Liepard's base 106 Speed allows it to outspeed Rapidash, a Pokemon that can OHKO Liepard with Megahorn or Flare Blitz. For this reason, Timid is used over Modest. Life Orb is used to increase Liepard's offensive power, making Limber the ability of choice over Unburden.</p>
<p>Liepard is a Pokemon that needs support to work properly. Partners that check Steel- and Fighting-type Pokemon are crucial to its success. Combusken is an ideal partner, as its typing allows it to take on Steel-type Pokemon. In return, Liepard can switch into Psychic-type attacks that give Combusken trouble. Swellow, Braviary, and Driflim can take care of Fighting-type Pokemon thanks to their Flying typing, making them ideal partners. As with any set-up Pokemon, partners that can lay entry hazards are also ideal. Garbordor can set up both Spikes and Toxic Spikes, and it has great defensive synergy with Liepard. Regirock and Golem can both set up Stealth Rock, though they multiply an already existing Fighting-type weakness.</p>
[SET]
name: Fake Out Support
move 1: Fake Out
move 2: Encore
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Return / Thunder Wave
item: Life Orb
nature: Jolly
ability: Limber
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set may look like a gimmick at first glance, but it plays a crucial role in supporting Liepard's teammates. Fake Out is the crux of this set as it breaks Focus Sash and Sturdy as well as rendering a Pokemon useless for the turn. From there, Liepard has plenty of other moves to use. Encore renders defensive Pokemon useless, giving Liepard teammates a chance to switch in and wreak havoc. Encore also can lock a Pokemon into an undesirable attack, making switching in easier. Sucker Punch is not only STAB, but also a priority attack Liepard can use to deal damage to faster opponents. The last moveslot is up to preference. Return has good neutral coverage with Sucker Punch, allowing Liepard to attack Dark- and Fighting-type Pokemon for neutral damage. Thunder Wave can be used to cripple other Pokemon, increasing Liepard's ability to support its team.
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Like the Nasty Plot set, the EVs on this set are standard. Maximum Attack is used to boost the damage from Sucker Punch and Return while maximum Speed takes advantage of Liepard's base high base stat. A Jolly nature allows Liepard to shut down even more Pokemon, such as SubSplit Haunter, with Encore. Another viable attack that Liepard can use is Night Slash, as it is more reliable than Sucker Punch and Liepard is fast enough to forgo priority. Night Slash, however, has less power than Sucker Punch, so it might not be as desirable. Because Liepard is using a Life Orb to increase its offensive power, Limber is again used over Unburden.</p>
<p>As this variant of Liepard is meant to support its teammates with Encore and Fake Out, Pokemon that benefit from Encore are useful. Fire-type Pokemon such as Combusken and Simisear make great teammates: they can set up Swords Dance and Nasty Plot respectively and can take care of Steel-type Pokemon. Fighting-type Pokemon such as Bulk Up Gurdurr and Throh also work, as they too take care of Steel-type Pokemon. Garbordor can use both Spikes and Toxic Spikes, which soften opposing Pokemon and make it easier to KO them with Fake Out or Sucker Punch. Garbordor's entry hazards also support Liepard's offensive partners, making it easier for them to sweep.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Liepard has other viable moves it can utilize. A full support set with Toxic, Fake Tears, and Taunt can be used, though this is performed better by Murkrow thanks to Roost and its ability, Prankster. A weather support set using Rain Dance or Sunny Day is useable, though there are better weather supporters in the tier. Yawn can be used to force switches, which is useful if entry hazards are present. Hone Claws can be used in a physical sweeping set, though Liepard's defenses and mediocre Attack make it hard for the move to be effective. At first glance, a Choice set appears viable thanks to Liepard high Speed stat; however, due to Liepard's poor movepool, it is not as effective in practice as in theory.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Liepard is far from a top tier threat; as such, countering it isn't too hard to accomplish. Fighting-type Pokemon such as Sawk and Gurdurr easily absorb any of Liepard's attacks and proceed to OHKO with Close Combat in Sawk's case or Drain Punch in Gurdurr's. Steel-type Pokemon, such as Metang, Bastiodon, and Probopass, make great counters to Liepard; however, the latter two Pokemon need to watch out for Hidden Power Fighting. Afterward, they can set up Stealth Rock or attack Liepard directly. Pokemon faster than Liepard, such as Swellow, Tauros and Cinccino, can OHKO Liepard before it can attack, but they must be wary of a well-timed Sucker Punch. Finally, any Pokemon that are bulky enough to tank an attack from Liepard, such as Regirock and Lickilicky, make decent checks.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Liepard's Dream World ability, Prankster, is a blessing. While Prankster won't make Liepard a top tier threat, it will allow Liepard to abuse its decent support movepool and will grant priority to Nasty Plot. As such, Prankster should be used over Limber once it is released.</p>