DP Little Cup Analysis (WIP)

• Only Pokemon hatched from eggs are eligible.
• Eligible Pokemon must be able to evolve, and be the first in an evolution chain.
• All Pokemon used MUST be at Level 5.
• Sleep Clause is ON.
• Self-KO Clause is ON
• Evasion Clause is ON
• OHKO Clause is ON
• Species Clause is ON
• Item Clause is OFF
• The attacks SonicBoom and Dragon Rage are banned
• The item DeepSeaTooth is banned
• A Pokemon's attacks must be limited those that can be legitimately learnt by the Pokemon at Level 5

• Scyther - A moveset consisting of Swords Dance, Aerial Ace, Quick Attack and Brick Break is almost unstoppable in Little Cup, with no Pokemon in Little Cup able to resist that attack combination. Both Aerial Ace and Quick Attack have their power boosted by 50% due to Technician, the latter attack is vital in stopping Pokemon using Choice Scarf to outspeed it or in stopping slower users of priority attacks. Scyther's pedigree is enhanced by the sheer power of its Base Stats, boasting both the second highest Attack (Base 110) and the second highest Speed (Base 105)
• Sneasel - Sneasel can run a similar moveset to Scyther consisting of Swords Dance, Ice Shard, Bite and Brick Break and be equally difficult to stop. Also akin to Scyther, it boasts a priority attack and an attack combination that no Pokemon resists. 95 Base Attack and the highest unboosted Speed in Little Cup from a Base stat of 115 makes Sneasel all the harder to stop.
• Yanma - Already in one of the highest Speed tiers, Yanma's Speed Boost ability means that after two turns it will outspeed virtually everything. From there it can wreak havoc with STAB Air Slash or STAB Bug Buzz from a respectable Special Attack or simply put to Sleep anything it can't kill with Hypnosis.
• Tangela - With Sunny Day in effect, Tangela becomes an offensive juggernaut. Its Chlorophyll ability can take its Speed stat to 30 and it can power through anything not resistant to Grass-type attacks with SolarBeam from 100 Base Special Attack. Not even Munchlax can stand up to a Life Orb-boosted SolarBeam. Hidden Power Fire and AncientPower provide it with good type coverage or it can take the option of putting its counters to Sleep with Sleep Powder. Moreover, Tangela's bulky defensive nature -- in particular its 115 Base Defence -- makes it even harder to take down.
• Meditite - Pure Power transforms Meditite into a very potent threat, reaching 28 Attack with no item boosts, not even Cranidos and its 125 Base Attack can match that. Hi Jump Kick, Psycho Cut and Ice Punch gives it all the coverage it needs, and such is the power of Hi Jump Kick is that with Life Orb it can OHKO Bronzor, arguably the best defensive Pokemon in Little Cup, who is not even weak to it. Alternatively, Choice Scarf can be used to remedy its modest speed and make it difficult to revenge kill. May be tested again in future.
• Murkrow - Murkrow was allowed in Little Cup for longer than the rest of the banned Pokemon but in the end it was deemed that its ability to sweep through multiple members of a team without any set-up pushed it over the banned threshold. Sucker Punch really makes Murkrow difficult to take on, bypassing the speed hierachy with an 80 Base Power STAB attack with priority running off 91 Base Speed (i.e. the second highest speed tier aside excluding Sneasel and Scyther). Pluck complements Sucker Punch and runs off its 85 Base Attack, and hits any Pokemon carrying a berry, such as the Oran Berry favoured by walls, for 120 Base Power (180 Base Power after STAB), disabling and consuming the berry in the process. Dark Pulse hits many physical walls such as Gligar and Koffing for plentiful damage and has a 20% flinch rate. Murkrow also has access to Hidden Power, Heat Wave, Calm Mind and Pursuit. Murkrow was not unstoppable but was deemed too powerful and was also a clear centralizing force.

Little Cup is a metagame that is played at Level 5. As such, the stats are calculated in a different way. Pokémon at Level 5 need different types of EV spreads than Level 100 ones. This guide will attempt to explain how to achieve the maximum potential of the 510 EV points you have at your disposal.

At level 5, there is not a huge gap when comparing very similar Base Stats. Take for an example: if we compare a Hippotas's (base 72) and Goldeen's (base 67) Attacks at level 100 with maximum EV investment in both, we can see that Hippotas beats Goldeen by 10 points (243 against 233). But if we take those same Pokémon and set them to Level 5, we can see that they both have 16 Attack. Why is that? Wasn't Hippotas stronger than Goldeen? And why do a Level 5 Jolly Buizel and Jolly Magby, with Base Speeds of 85 and 83 respectively, tie in max Speed (both 19)?

This happens because EVs affect stats differently at Level 5, and some Base Stat numbers max out with fewer EVs than others. Continuing with our previous example, we can see that:

-Hippotas has a Base 72 Attack and maxes out with 180 EVs, the final stat is 16.
-Growlithe has a base 70 Attack and maxes out with 196 EVs, the final stat is 16.
-Turtwig has a base 68 Attack and maxes out with 212 EVs, the final stat is 16.
-Goldeen has a base 67 Attack and maxes out with 220 EVs, the final stat is 16.
-Koffing has a base 65 Attack and maxes out with 236 EVs, the final stat is 16.
-Stunky has a base 63 Attack and maxes out with 252 EVs, the final stat is 16.
-Snover has a base 62 Attack and maxes out with 180 EVs, the final stat is 15.


We can observe a pattern here. Turtwig and Goldeen have a 1 BS point of difference between them, and they max out the stat with 8 EVs of difference. Koffing and Stunky have a BS difference of 2, and max out by a difference of 16 EVs. Yet, it seems their Base Stats all belong to a certain group of Base Stat numbers where the stat maxes are 16 with a neutral nature. Except for Snover, Snover only hits 15 Attack, and it needs 180 EVs to reach it.

What we can conclude from here is that we can organize Base Stats at level 5 by 'Stat Ranges'. A Stat Range is comprised of a range of Base Stat numbers which are able to be maxed out to the same stat number but require a different amount of EVs to do so. Stat Ranges start on a Base Stat number which ends in 3, and finish with a Base Stat number which ends in 2. So, an example Stat Range would be:

63 (Stunky / 252 Evs)
64
65 (Koffing / 236 Evs)
66
67 (Goldeen / 220)
68 (Turtwig / 212 Evs)
69
70 (Growlithe / 196 Evs)
71
72 (Hippotas / 180 Evs)

All these Base Stat numbers max out at 16 with a neutral nature. We can confirm that ONLY these numbers belong to this range, since a Pokémon with a Base 62 Attack (Snover) at level 5 with a neutral nature only reaches 15 Attack (thus, 62 belongs to the range below); in a similar way, a Pokémon with Base 73 Speed, at level 5 and with a neutral nature maxes out at 17 Attack (thus, 93 belongs to the range above).

We can then conclude that as the Base Stat nears the next range, it needs less and less EVs to max out. On the other hand, the nearer the number is to the previous range, the more EVs it needs to max out.

This amount of EVs needed to gain stats is directly related to the last digit of the Base Stat number.

Table of EVs required for Stat gains

This table will tell you how many EVs you need to raise a stat a certain number of points. It all depends on what digit the Base Stat ends in.

If the Base Stat number ends in # then - x/y/z EVs are required required for 1/2/3/4 stat point gain:

3 - 12/92/172/252 EVs
4 - 4/84/164/244 EVs
5 - 76/156/236 EVs
6 - 68/148/228 EVs
7 - 60/140/220 EVs
8 - 52/132/212 EVs
9 - 44/124/204 EVs
0 - 36/116/196 EVs
1 - 28/108/188 EVs
2 - 20/100/180 EVs

Note that these numbers not only apply to Speed; they apply to all stats.

This means that the absolute minimum number of EVs to max a stat will be 180, and this will only happen if your Base stat's last digit is a two. This means that investing more than 180 Evs in Rattata's Speed (Base 72), Snover's Attack (Base 62) or Hippopotas's Special Defence (Base 42) will not get you any more points, and leaves some "spare" EVs once you have invested in your main two stats.

On the other hand, the absolute maximum of EVs you will need to max a stat is 252, IF your Base Stat's last digit is a three. Magby's Speed (base 83), Corphish's HP (base 43) and Shuppet's Special Attack need the full 252 EVs to max out, however they have the advantage that your first stat point will only need 4 EVs.

Stat Ranges

A list of the Stat Ranges at Level 5 follows. This table will quickly tell you which number will reach your Pokémon once EVs are adjusted, depending on the Base Stat range it belongs to.

---

RANGE 1: Stat maxes at 10 with a neutral nature, at 11 with a positive nature; HP maxes at 20
Base 5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12

RANGE 2: Stat maxes at 11 with a neutral nature, at 12 with a positive nature; HP maxes at 21
Base 13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22

RANGE 3: Stat maxes at 12 with a neutral nature, at 13 with a positive nature; HP maxes at 22
Base 23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31,32

RANGE 4: Stat maxes at 13 with a neutral nature, at 14 with a positive nature; HP maxes at 23
Base 33,34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41,42

RANGE 5: Stat maxes at 14 with a neutral nature, at 15 with a positive nature; HP maxes at 24
Base 43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50,51,52

RANGE 5: Stat maxes at 15 with a neutral nature, at 16 with a positive nature; HP maxes at 25
Base 53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,61,62

RANGE 6: Stat maxes at 16 with a neutral nature, at 17 with a positive nature; HP maxes at 26
Base 63,64,65,66,67,68,69,70,71,72

RANGE 7: Stat maxes at 17 with a neutral nature, at 18 with a positive nature; HP maxes at 27
Base 73,74,75,76,77,78,79,80,81,82

RANGE 8: Stat maxes at 18 with a neutral nature, at 19 with a positive nature; HP maxes at 28
Base 83,84,85,86,87,88,89,90,91,92

RANGE 9: Stat maxes at 19 with a neutral nature, at 20 with a positive nature; HP maxes at 29
Base 93,94,95,96,97,98,99,100,101,102

RANGE 10: Stat maxes at 20 with a neutral nature, at 21 with a positive nature; HP maxes at 30
Base 103,104,105,106,107,108,109,110,111,112

RANGE 11: Stat maxes at 21 with a neutral nature, at 22 with a positive nature; HP maxes at 31
Base 113,114,115,116,117,118,119,120,121,122

RANGE 12: Stat maxes at 22 with a neutral nature, at 23 with a positive nature; HP maxes at 32
Base 123,124,125,126,127,128,129,130,131,132

RANGE 13: Stat maxes at 23 with a neutral nature, at 24 with a positive nature; HP maxes at 33
Base 133,134,135

RANGE 14: Nonexistant for Little Cup, no eligible Pokémon with a Base Stat between 143 and 152

RANGE 15: Stat maxes at 25 with a neutral nature, at 26 with a positive nature
Base 160

*Range 1 starts at 5, the lowest Base Stat for a Pokémon allowed in Little Cup (Happiny's Attack / Munchlax's Speed)
**Range 13 ends at 135, the highest Base Stat number of its range before entering the next (Munchlax's HP)
***Range 15 only includes Onix's Defense (160), as no other numbers enter this range. It is also the highest base stat of any Little Cup Pokémon.


Demonstration
To apply all this to a practical example, let's EV a Lv5 Totodile. We want it to be a physical sweeper, so we will maximize Attack and Speed, and if possible, dump the remaining EVs into HP or the defences.

Totodile's Base Stats are 50 HP / 65 Atk / 64 Def / 44 SpA / 48 SpD / 43 Spe

Its Attack is Base 65, so it falls under Range 6. We will use a Jolly nature, so Attack will max out at 16. Since 65 ends in 5, according to the table its Attack will max at 236 EVs. So far our spread is 236Atk.

The Speed sits at Base 43. This is Range 5, so it will reach 15. It ends with 3, so we need 252 EVs to max it. The spread is now 236Atk / 252 Spe.

We have 22 EVs remaining now. To gain a point in another stat, we need said stat to end in 2, 3 or 4. HP and the defences end in 0/4/8, respectively. Which means that you can get an extra 1 point in Def for 12 EVs. The spread is now 236Atk / 12 Def / 252 Spe

We now have 10 remaining but we can't get a single point with them so they will go to waste.


Now take a Lv. 5 Cyndaquil. We'll make this a Mixed Sweeper, with mainly Special attacks.

Cyndaquil's Base Stats are 39 HP / 52 Atk / 43 Def / 60 SpA / 50 SpD / 65 Spe. Using a Naive nature, we see that the Speed is in Range 6, giving us 17 Speed. Special Attack belongs to Range 5, maxing out at 15.

65 ends in 5, so we'll make use of 236 EVs. The spread is 236 Spe.

SpA ends in 0, so we'll have to invest 196 EVs to get to the maximum. This leaves us with 196SpA / 236Spe with 78 EVs remaining.

We can gain a stat point more if one of the other base stats end in 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0, 1 or 2. On our priority list, Attack is next. Fortunately, Attack's Base Stat ends in 2, so we only need 20 EVs to up it 1 point, but we don't have enough EVs for two points. The spread is now 20Atk / 196SpA / 236Spe with 58 EVs remaining.

We can still gain a point if a Base Stat ends in 8, 9, 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4. Both HP and Def fit into this, HP is more important so we will do it first. It ends in 9, so we need 44 EVs, Making the Spread 44 HP / 20 Atk / 196 SpA / 236 Spe.

Now there is only 14 evs left but maybe we can still squeeze one more point out of them. Def ends with 3 so it only needs 12 to get that extra point, we have just enough! Since we won't be able to up the other stats we are left with a final spread of 44 HP / 20 Atk / 12 Def / 196 SpA / 236 Spe.

On these two examples, we first maximized the two most important stats and then checked if there was a way to extract some juice from the leftover EVs, thus maximizing the points gained from the EVs, you may not think that it is important for just one or two points but look at the differences between the spreads we just made and quick and easy 252/252 spreads:

Totodile:
21/16/12/9/11/15
21/16/13/9/11/15

It may not look much different, but with spread 2 you will take every Physical attack 8% better, is that worth a few seconds of your time?

Cyndaquil
20/11/10/15/9/17
21/12/11/15/9/17

Quite an obvious change here, 9% more Physical offence (almost as much as nature boost!), and it takes Special hits 5% better but Physical hits 15.5% better. That will significantly help Cyndaquil in quite a few situations.

Hidden Power
If you ever need to change the IVs of a Pokémon for Hidden Power purposes, make sure you add 4 EVs for each IV you substract. To make this clear: Say you want to give our Cyndaquil Hidden Power Grass 70. You need an Attack and Special Attack IV of 30. We were left with only 2 EVs going to waste on the previous spread, so we'll have to reduce defence (or HP, but HP is more important in this instance) to make up for it. use them to fix the attacking Stats. Changing the spread to 44HP / 24Atk / 200SpA / 236Spe should leave Cyndaquil's more important stats intact.

Use this guide as a reference when EVing Pokémon for Little Cup to find the best possible spreads, and also to know whether your Pokémon will outrun, tie or go after a certain opponent.

Stat Formula
If anyone wants it here is the formula to work out the any stat at level 5:

For HP
(((2 x Base + IV + (EV / 4)) x 5 / 100 + 10)

If the stat is not HP:
((((2 x Base + IV + (EV / 4)) x 5 / 100 + 5) x Nature)

Base = The base stat for that Pokemon.
EVs = The number of EVs invested in that stat.
IVs = The IV for that stat (normally 31).
Nature = 1 if the nature is neutral for that stat, 1.1 if it is boosting and 0.9 if it is hindering.

Round down the answer to the nearest whole number, and if the stat is HP simply add 10 points to the end result.

Some fun facts about stats at Lv. 5:
80 EVs = 1 Stat point
1 Base stat Point = 8 EVs
1 IV = 4 EVs

[u]Staryu[/u]
Water 45 Atk / 70 SpA / 85 Spe
Fast and hits with good type coverage. A Life Orbed Surf will OHKO or 2HKO most Pokemon that it hits neutral with Stealth Rock down, and Thunderbolt and Ice Beam hits the majority of pokemon that Surf cannot.

[u]Dratini[/u]
Dragon 64 Atk / 50 SpA / 50 Spe
Can boost its mediocre speed with Dragon Dance and gets Outrage, which is resisted by very few , to take advantage of its heightened attack. Draco Meteor is another powerful STAB move that it gains, along with Fire Blast which can combine with a STAB move to make a combination that hits every Little Cup pokemon at least neutral.

[u]Elekid[/u]
Electric 63 Atk / 65 SpA / 95 Spe
It has access to a diverse movepool, including Thunderbolt, ThunderPunch, Ice Punch, Psychic Cross Chop and Fire Punch which when coupled with its high speed, enables it to use a Mixed Set effectively.

[u]Gligar[/u]
Ground/Flying 75 Atk / 35 SpA / 85 Spe
With its high defences, Gligar is often able to find time to boost its already credible attack with Swords Dance and it can then sweep using a combination of Earthquake and Stone Edge and has the option of Baton Passing its Attack boosts to an ally as well as being able to Baton Pass Agility boosts.

[u]Abra[/u]
Psychic 20 Atk / 105 SpA / 90 Spe
A Choice Specs Psychic will OHKO most pokemon in Little Cup, and the threat it poses is enhanced by his high speed which ties with the likes of Elekid, Magby, Misdreavus and Staryu amongst others.

[u]Gastly[/u]
Ghost/Poison 35 Atk / 100 SpA / 80 Spe
Shadow Ball, Thunderbolt and Hidden Power [Fighting] provides excellent coverage off its high Special Attack and Speed. Life Orb or Choice Specs enable it to OHKO or 2HKO most pokemon with Shadow Ball, and can also use Hypnosis, Will-o-Wisp and Explosion to beat some of its counters.

[u]Cranidos[/u]
Rock 125 Atk / 30 SpA / 58 Spe
It is able to fire STAB Stone Edges and Head Smashes off the same base Attack as Heracross. Mold Breaker means Gastly and Bronzor do not enjoy immunity to Earthquake and it can remedy its modest speed with Choice Scarf or Rock Polish.

[u]Misdreavus[/u]
Ghost 60 Atk / 85 SpA / 85 Spe
Three immunities allow it switch in repeatedly, coupled with good Speed and Special Attack. Notable moves include Calm Mind, Shadow Ball, Thunderbolt, Will-o-Wisp and Taunt.

[u]Magby[/u]
Fire 75 Atk / 70 SpA / 83 Spe
Similar to Elekid, in regards to his high Attack, Special Attack and Speed. Also akin to Elekid, this is combined with a great movepool, which notably includes Fire Punch, Flare Blitz and Flamethrower as STAB moves as well as Focus Punch, Psychic, Cross Chop and ThunderPunch.

[u]Teddiursa[/u]
Normal 80 Atk / 50 SpA / 40 Spe
Once inflicted with status, via a Toxic Orb often, Teddiursa outspeeds all non-scarf pokemon with the exception of the banned Sneasel and Scyther. At this point, it can attempt to sweep with a combination of a STAB 140 power Facade, Close Combat and Crunch, a combination that no pokemon in Little Cup resists.

[u]Houndour[/u]
Dark/Fire 60 Atk / 80 SpA / 65 Spe
With respectable, if not spectacular, Special Attack and Speed, Houndour can make good use of Nasty Plot to power up its STAB Flamethower or Fire Blast and Dark Pulse which few pokemon resist in tandem. It also can use STAB Pursuit on the physical side, to punish fleeing victims, making a Choice Scarf set very useful. Flash Fire is another thing to take into consideration.

[u]Kabuto[/u]
Rock/Water 80 Atk / 55 SpA / 55 Spe
Swift Swim allows it outrun most of the metagame, provided with some Speed EVs, in the rain. It can then sweep with its almost unresisted dual STAB. Has access to a priority move in the form of Aqua Jet to outspeed other priority users.

[u]Rhyhorn[/u]
Ground/Rock 85 Atk / 30 SpA / 25 Spe
Gains STAB on two high powered moves in Stone Edge and Earthquake which provide good coverage in Little Cup and run off its high Attack. Megahorn and Fire Fang can be used to supplement its STAB moves. A common strategy is to use Rock Polish on it, which doubles its poor speed after one use, and makes Rhyhorn into a deadly sweeper.

[u]Mankey[/u]
Fighting 80 Atk / 35 SpA / 70 Spe
It has access to Close Combat, Elemental punches (illegal with the aforementioned Close Combat) and a wide array of physical moves running off its high Attack as well as access to U-Turn to scout switches. Often seen making use of Choice Scarf. It can also gain immunity to Sleep thanks to Vital Spirit.

[u]Carvanha[/u]
Water/Dark 90 Atk / 65 SpA / 65 Spe
Can attack with a combination of STAB moves which are resisted by few together with the option of Physical moves such as Crunch, Waterfall, Aqua Jet and Ice Fang which run off its great Attack or Special moves such as Surf, Ice Beam and Dark Pulse which run off its lower but still respectable Special Attack. Often uses Choice Scarf to boost its slightly lacking Speed.

[u]Munchlax[/u]
Normal 85 Atk / 40 SpA / 5 Spe
A STAB Return from his large attack threatens to OHKO or 2HKO most pokemon that it hits for neutral. For those who resist Return, Munchlax gets access to Earthquake, Pursuit, Focus Punch, Zen Headbutt as well as Fire Blast to hit Bronzor for SE damage. Especially dangerous under Trick Room conditions.

[u]Diglett[/u]
Ground 55 Atk / 35 SpA / 95 Spe
Not a direct threat a such, but a good battler will be wary of its ability to trap pokemon at will and pick them off. Choice Scarf allows it to outspeed almost everything whilst Earthquake, Sucker Punch, Rock Slide, Pursuit and Aerial Ace are common moves can be boosted by Choice Band and Life Orb, making use of its high speed. Even an unboosted Earthquake will do over 50% to most pokemon.

[u]Omanyte[/u]
Rock/Water 40 Atk / 90 SpA / 35 Spe
Swift Swim and a high Special Attack makes Omanyte a potent threat in the rain. With Life Orb, anything that doesn't resist Water is OHKOed by Surf, bar Munchlax who is 2HKOed, in conjunction in Surf, a STABbed AncientPower and also Ice Beam can be used for good coverage.

[u]Gible[/u]
Dragon/Ground 70 Atk / 40 SpA / 42 Spe
Poses a threat due STAB on Earthquake and Outrage coming off its relatively high attack, and when equipped in a Choice Band, these moves will OHKO the vast majority that do not resist it. It is only held back by its poor speed, which can be cured to an extent by a Choice Scarf. A STAB Draco Meteor can also threaten opponents.

[u]Porygon[/u]
Normal 60 Atk / 85 SpA / 40 Spe
Its already high Special Attack can be boosted spontaneously by Download and whilst it lacks a reliable STAB Special Move, Ice Beam, Thunderbolt, Shadow Ball and Hidden Power [Fighting] provides more than enough coverage between them. It can also threaten on the physical side, with STAB Return, should Download boost its Attack. Often carries Trick Room, to reverse the detrimental effect of its low Speed.

[u]Croagunk[/u]
Poison/Fighting 61 Atk / 61 SpA / 50 Spe
The main danger it poses is through a combination of Nasty Plot and STAB Vacuum Wave complemented by STAB Sludge Bomb and often Dark Pulse. However, with respectable attacking stats on both side of the spectrum and with Cross Chop, a choice of physical priority moves in addition to X-Scissor and Rock Slide, Croagunk can also pose a significant threat on the physical side.

SkarmBlissCounter said:

Sneasel - Sneasel can run a similar moveset to Scyther consisting of Swords Dance, Ice Shard, Bite and Brick Break and be equally difficult to stop. Also akin to Scyther, it boasts a priority attack and an attack combination that no Pokemon resists.

Click to expand...

Arcaseven said:

Why do you have Pursuit listed under Diglett when it has Arena Trap?

Click to expand...

Arcaseven said:

Why do you have Pursuit listed under Diglett when it has Arena Trap?
I wasn't aware that Shed Shell was even used in this meta.



Sucks that this forum doesn't have strikeout tags.

Click to expand...

Amelia said:

Duskull doesn't have Arena Trap so...

Is your Offensive Threat List finished, or will you still add in some? I can think of a few who are not inside, but really deadly.

Click to expand...

Chris is me said:

I'll finish the Defensive Threats guide so you can use it.

Don't forget that any base stat ending in 4 can go up 4 points, I think.

Anyways, this is an awesome start.

Click to expand...

SkarmBlissCounter said:

Introduction

Little Cup was spawned in Pokémon Stadium 2. The idea was that you bred to achieve the perfect baby Pokémon to battle. It was later reintroduced for Advance, and now Little Cup is back for the 4th generation. The metagame is generally faster-paced than the standard OverUsed metagame, which results in a speed-centered environment where Pokemon rely on their resistances and immunities to counter the opponent's team and from there, execute their own team's strategy.

Rules

• Only Pokémon hatched from eggs are eligible.
• Eligible Pokémon must be able to evolve, and be the first in an evolution chain.
• All Pokemon used MUST be at Level 5.
• Sleep Clause is ON.
• Self-KO Clause is ON
• Evasion Clause is ON
• OHKO Clause is ON
• Species Clause is ON
• Item Clause is OFF
• The attacks SonicBoom and Dragon Rage are banned.
• The item DeepSeaTooth is banned.
• A Pokemon's attacks must be limited those that can be legitimately learnt by the Pokemon at Level 5.

Item Clause

In the earlier stages of Little Cup, it was thought necessary that Item Clause should be in effect, the main reason being the propensity of players to put the item Focus Sash on multiple Pokemon and allow the Pokemon to survive what should be an OHKO and perhaps kill its counter.

Since then, there has been a shift of thinking and Item Clause is widely thought to be unneeded. One of the main reasons for this is the prominence of Stealth Rock, which when laid early will nullify Focus Sash unless it is removed by Rapid Spin. Furthermore, D/P brought Little Cup two new auto-weather inducers in the form of Snover and Hippopotas, and so a Focus Sash user will die at the end of the turn, should it use its item and take damage from Hail or the Sandstorm. Finally, the addition of Life Orb means that the typical Focus Sash users, frail but fast Pokemon, are forced to give up the extra damage output afforded by Life Orb over the ability to potentially survive a hit that would normally kill it.

Banned Pokemon

• Scyther - A moveset consisting of Swords Dance, Aerial Ace, Quick Attack and Brick Break is almost unstoppable in Little Cup, with no Pokemon in Little Cup able to resist that Attack combination. Both Aerial Ace and Quick Attack have their power boosted by 50% due to Technician; the latter attack is vital in stopping Pokemon using Choice Scarf from outspeeding it or in stopping slower users of priority attacks. Scyther's pedigree is enhanced by the sheer power of its base stats, boasting both the second highest Attack (Base 110) and the second highest Speed (Base 105).
• Sneasel - Sneasel can run a similar moveset to Scyther, consisting of Swords Dance, Ice Shard, Bite, and Brick Break, and be equally difficult to stop. Also akin to Scyther, it boasts a priority attack and an attack combination that no Pokemon resists. 95 Base Attack and the highest unboosted Speed in Little Cup from a base stat of 115 makes Sneasel all the stronger.
• Yanma - Already in one of the highest Speed tiers, Yanma's Speed Boost ability means that after two turns it will outspeed virtually everything. From there it can wreak havoc with STAB Air Slash or STAB Bug Buzz from a respectable Special Attack, or simply put anything it can't kill to sleep with Hypnosis.
• Tangela - With Sunny Day in effect, Tangela becomes an offensive juggernaut. Its Chlorophyll ability can take its Speed stat to 30 and it can power through anything not resistant to Grass-type attacks with SolarBeam from 100 base Special Attack. Not even Munchlax can stand up to a Life Orb-boosted SolarBeam. Hidden Power Fire and AncientPower provide it with good type coverage, or it can take the option of putting its counters to sleep with Sleep Powder. Moreover, Tangela's bulky defensive nature -- in particular its 115 base Defense -- makes it even harder to take down.
• Meditite - Pure Power transforms Meditite into a very potent threat, reaching 28 Attack with no item boosts; not even Cranidos and its 125 Base Attack can match that. Hi Jump Kick, Psycho Cut, and Ice Punch give it all the coverage it needs, and such is the power of Hi Jump Kick is that with Life Orb it can OHKO Bronzor, arguably the best defensive Pokemon in Little Cup, who is not even weak to it. Alternatively, Choice Scarf can be used to remedy its modest speed and make it difficult to revenge kill. May be tested again in future.

Murkrow
Murkrow is currently being tested, and although it is perfectly legal to use it now, in future it may be banned.

DeepSeaTooth
Clamperl is not banned, but the DeepSeaTooth item is. DeepSeaTooth can give Clamperl up to 36 Special Attack, more than a Modest Choice Specs Abra, whilst still retaining freedom to switch attacks. Surf, Ice Beam, and Hidden Power Electric or Hidden Power Grass provide good coverage, and not even Munchlax, the Pokemon widely considered to be the best special wall in Little Cup, can switch in on Surf, being 2HKOed even taking Oran Berry into account. Its low speed is a problem but if it is Baton Passed one Agility, then it will be incredibly dominant over an opponent's team. Without DeepSeaTooth however, Clamperl is much more manageable.

Eligible Pokemon

RBY Pokemon

GSC Pokemon

RSE Pokemon

D/P Pokemon

Move Legality - Credit to Mr Happy for the research

Since Little Cup is played with Level 5 Pokemon, this can cause discrepancies with Level 100 play in the OverUsed metagame, in regards to what moves certain Pokemon cannot learn at that level. It is important to check whether or not certain Pokemon can legitimately learn at that level since it is forbidden to use moves that cannot be learnt by the Pokemon and Level 5. This section will guide you through the ways in which certain moves and move combinations are illegal. Note that impossible breeding combinations such as Hypnosis + Nasty Plot Zubat are already assumed illegal.

Genderless Pokemon
Genderless Pokemon lack the ability to breed unless it is with a Ditto. Thus, they do not have egg moves and lack the ability to pass on level-up moves to their offspring. As a consequence, genderless Pokemon in Little Cup cannot have any level-up move that is learned beyond Level 5. Take for example a Porygon. Its staple move is Tri Attack. However, it learns it at a higher level than 5, and is genderless. Thus, Tri Attack Porygon is illegal at Level 5. Bronzor is in the same boat: its evolution, Bronzong, is seldom seen without Hypnosis, which Bronzor learns at Level 7 and thus is illegal in Little Cup.

D/P Introduced Moves
Moves, both egg and Level-up, that were introduced in the fourth generation moves,and are learned after Level 5, are illegal together with 3rd gen Move Tutor moves.

For example, Mankey with Ice Punch and Close Combat is illegal: if it was taught Ice Punch in Emerald, it couldn't been bred with Close Combat, and if it was bred with Close Combat, it couldn't go to Emerald to receive Ice Punch.

3rd Generation Move Tutor / Other Game Special Moves
These moves are illegal together with any move introduced in D/P that is an egg move or is learned after Level 5. They are also illegal with any new ability introduced in D/P, since the ability change only occurs during evolution. For example, Ice Punch (3rd gen tutor) + Close Combat (4th gen level-up) Mankey is illegal. Technician Meowth with Swift is illegal, but Pickup Swift Meowth is not.

Little Cup Pokemon that can use a move that comes from Pokemon XD and is caught in that game at a level higher than 5 are illegal with that move. In the event they are able to use it, it will be illegal together with any egg or level-up move.

Special moves from Pokemon Box eggs are illegal with any level-up or egg move, as they come from a pre-made egg that hatches at Level 5. This is the reason why Belly Drum + ExtremeSpeed Zigzagoon is illegal, as ExtremeSpeed comes from an egg from Pokémon Box, and it hatches at Level 5. For Belly Drum to be available to that Zigzagoon, it would be needed for two Linoone with Belly Drum to breed, but that egg cannot hatch with ExtremeSpeed.

Event Moves
Event moves are illegal together with any Egg Move or Level-up move learned after Level 5. If said event took place in D/P, they are also illegal with any 3rd generation move.

EV Distribution in Little Cup - Credit to Mr Happy for the research

Code:

Little Cup is a metagame that is played at Level 5. As such, the stats are calculated in a different way. Pokémon at Level 5 are EV trained differently than Level 100 ones. This guide will attempt to explain how to achieve the maximum potential of the 510 EV points you have at your disposal.

At level 5, there is not a huge gap when comparing very similar Base Stats. Take for an example: if we compare a Timid Abra (base 90) and a Timid Murkrow (base 91) at level 100, with maximum Speed each, we can see that Murkrow beats Abra by 3 points (309 against 306). But if we take those same Pokémon and set them to Level 5, we can see that they both max out at 19 Speed. Why is that? Wasn't Murkrow faster than Abra? And why do a Level 5 Jolly Buizel and Jolly Magby, with Base Speeds of 85 and 83 respectively, also max out Speed at 19?

This happens because EVs affect stats differently at Level 5, and some [b][color=magenta]b[/color][/b]ase [b][color=magenta]s[/color][/b]tat numbers max out with fewer EVs than others. Continuing with our previous example, we can see that:

Murkrow has a [b][color=magenta]b[/color][/b]ase 91 Speed and maxes out with 188 EVs
Abra has a base 90 Speed and maxes out with 196 EVs
Buizel has a base 85 Speed and maxes out with 236 EVs
Magby has a base 83 Speed and maxes out with 252 EVs

We can observe a pattern here. Abra and Murkrow have a 1 BS point of difference between them, and they max out the stat with 8 EVs of difference. Buizel and Magby have a BS difference of 2, and max out by a difference of 16 EVs. [b][color=magenta]Yet[/color][/b] it seems their [b][color=magenta]b[/color][/b]ase Speeds all pertain to a certain group of [b][color=magenta]b[/color][/b]ase [b][color=magenta]s[/color][/b]tat numbers where the stat maxes ar 19.

What we can conclude from here is that we can organize [b][color=magenta]b[/color][/b]ase [b][color=magenta]s[/color][/b]tats at level 5 by '[b][color=magenta]stat ranges[/color][/b]'. A [b][color=magenta]stat range[/color][/b] is comprised of a range of [b][color=magenta]b[/color][/b]ase [b][color=magenta]s[/color][/b]tats numbers which are able to be maxed out to the same stat number but require a different amount of EVs to do so. Stat [b][color=magenta]ranges[/color][/b] start [b][color=magenta]with[/color][/b] a b][color=magenta]b[/color][/b]ase [b][color=magenta]s[/color][/b]tats number which ends in 3, and finish with a [b][color=magenta]b[/color][/b]ase [b][color=magenta]s[/color][/b]tats number which ends in 2. So, an example [b][color=magenta]stat range[/color][/b] would be:

83 (Magby / 252 EVs)
84
85 (Buizel / 236 EVs)
86
87
88
89
90 (Abra / 196 EVs)
91 (Murkrow / 188EVs)
92

All these Base Stat numbers max out at 19 with a positive nature. We can confirm that ONLY these numbers belong to this range, since
a Pokémon with a Base 82 Speed (a hypotethical Gabite) at level 5 and with a positive nature only reaches 18 Speed (thus, 82 belongs to the previous range); in a similar way, a Pokémon with Base 93 Speed (a hypothetical Magmar), at level 5 and with a positive nature maxes out at 20 Speed (thus, 93 belongs to the next range).

We can then conclude that as the [b][color=magenta]base stat[/color][/b] nears the next range, it needs less and less EVs to max out. On the other hand, the nearer
the number is to the previous range, the more EVs it needs to max out.

This amount of EVs needed to gain stats is directly related to the last digit of the [b][color=magenta]base stat[/color][/b] number.

This table will tell you how many EVs you need to up a stat a certain number of points. It all depends on which digit the Base Stat in question ends.

If the Base Stat number ends in.....# of EVs required for 1/2/3(max) stat point gain

3 - 92/172/252 EVs
4 - 84/164/244 EVs
5 - 76/156/236 EVs
6 - 68/148/228 EVs
7 - 60/140/220 EVs
8 - 52/132/212 EVs
9 - 44/124/204 EVs
0 - 36/116/196 EVs
1 - 28/108/188 EVs
2 - 20/100/180 EVs

Note that these numbers not only apply to Speed; they apply to all stats.

This means that the absolute minimum number of EVs to max a stat will be 180 [b][color=magenta]if[/color][/b] your [b][color=magenta]base stat[/color][/b]'s last digit is a two. This means that Rattata (Base 72), Drowzee (Base 42)[b][color=magenta]base stat[/color][/b] and Hippopotas (Base 32) reach max Speed with 180 Speed EVs and a positive nature.

On the other hand, the absolute maximum of EVs you will need to max a stat is 252 [b][color=magenta]if[/color][/b] your [b][color=magenta]base stat[/color][/b]'s last digit is a three. Magby (base 83) and
Totodile (base 43) max out their Speed with 252 EVs.

A list of the Stat Ranges at Level 5 follows. This table will tell you which number will reach your Pokémon once EVs are adjusted, depending on the
Base Stat range it belongs to.

---

RANGE 1: Stat maxes at 10 with a neutral nature, at 11 with a positive nature; HP maxes at 20
Base 5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12

RANGE 2: Stat maxes at 11 with a neutral nature, at 12 with a positive nature; HP maxes at 21
Base 13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22

RANGE 3: Stat maxes at 12 with a neutral nature, at 13 with a positive nature; HP maxes at 22
Base 23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31,32

RANGE 4: Stat maxes at 13 with a neutral nature, at 14 with a positive nature; HP maxes at 23
Base 33,34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41,42

RANGE 5: Stat maxes at 14 with a neutral nature, at 15 with a positive nature; HP maxes at 24
Base 43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50,51,52

RANGE 5: Stat maxes at 15 with a neutral nature, at 16 with a positive nature; HP maxes at 25
Base 53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,61,62

RANGE 6: Stat maxes at 16 with a neutral nature, at 17 with a positive nature; HP maxes at 26
Base 63,64,65,66,67,68,69,70,71,72

RANGE 7: Stat maxes at 17 with a neutral nature, at 18 with a positive nature; HP maxes at 27
Base 73,74,75,76,77,78,79,80,81,82

RANGE 8: Stat maxes at 18 with a neutral nature, at 19 with a positive nature; HP maxes at 28
Base 83,84,85,86,87,88,89,90,91,92

RANGE 9: Stat maxes at 19 with a neutral nature, at 20 with a positive nature; HP maxes at 29
Base 93,94,95,96,97,98,99,100,101,102

RANGE 10: Stat maxes at 20 with a neutral nature, at 21 with a positive nature; HP maxes at 30
Base 103,104,105,106,107,108,109,110,111,112

RANGE 11: Stat maxes at 21 with a neutral nature, at 22 with a positive nature; HP maxes at 31
Base 113,114,115,116,117,118,119,120,121,122

RANGE 12: Stat maxes at 22 with a neutral nature, at 23 with a positive nature; HP maxes at 32
Base 123,124,125,126,127,128,129,130,131,132

RANGE 13: Stat maxes at 23 with a neutral nature, at 24 with a positive nature; HP maxes at 33
Base 133,134,135

RANGE 14: Nonexistant for Little Cup, no eligible Pokémon with a Base Stat between 143 and 152

RANGE 15: Stat maxes at 25 with a neutral nature, at 26 with a positive nature
Base 160

*Range 1 starts at 5, the lowest Base Stat for a Pokémon allowed in Little Cup (Happiny's Attack / Munchlax's Speed)
**Range 13 ends at 135, the highest Base Stat number of its range before entering the next (Munchlax's HP)
***Range 15 only includes Onix's Defense (160), as no other numbers enter this range. It is also the highest base stat of any Little Cup Pokémon.

---
To apply this to a practical example, let's EV a Lv5 Totodile. We want it to be a physical sweeper, so we will maximize Attack and Speed, and if possible, dump the remaining EVs into HP or the defenses.

Totodile's Base Stats are 50HP 65Atk 64Def 44SpA 48SpD 43Spe

Its Attack is Base 65, so it falls under Range 6. We will use a Jolly nature, so Attack will max out at 16. Since 65 ends in 5, according to the table its Attack will max at 236 EVs. So far our spread is 236Atk.

The Speed sits at Base 43. This is Range 5, so it will reach 15. It ends with 3, so we need 252 EVs to max it. The spread is now 236Atk / 252Spe.

We have 22 EVs remaining now. To gain a point in another stat, we'd need said stat to end in 2. HP and the defenses end in 0/4/8, respectively. So, sadly, those 22 EVs will go to waste.

Now take a Lv5 Cyndaquil. We'll make this a Mixed Sweeper, with mainly Special attacks.

Cyndaquil's Base Stats are 39/52/43/60/50/65. Using a Hasty nature, we see that the Speed is in Range 6, giving us 17 Speed. Special Attack belongs to Range 5, maxing out at 15.

65 ends in 5, so we'll make use of 236 EVs. The spread is 236Spe.

SpA ends in 0, so we'll have to invest 196 EVs to get to the maximum. This leaves us with 196SpA / 236Spe with 78 EVs remaining.

We can gain a stat point more if one of the other base stats end in 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0, 1[b][color=magenta],[/color][/b] or 2. On our priority list, Attack is next. Fortunately, Attack's Base Stat ends in 2, so we only need 20 EVs to up it 1 point, but we don't have enough EVs for two points. The spread is now 20Atk / 196SpA / 236Spe with 58 EVs remaining.

We can still gain a point if a Base Stat ends in 8, 9, 0, 1 or 2.The only stat that meets this criteria is HP. It ends in 9, so we need 44 EVs. Since we won't be able to up the other stats, we will just use the necessary EVs in HP, leaving the rest alone. This leaves you with a final spread of 44HP / 20Atk / 196SpA / 236Spe.

On these two examples, we first maximized the two most important stats and then checked if there was a way to extract some juice from the leftover EVs, thus maximizing the points gained from the EVs.

One last note: if you ever need to change the IVs of a Pokemon for Hidden Power purposes, make sure you add 4 EVs for each IV you subtract. To make this clear[b][color=magenta],[/color][/b] [b][color=magenta]s[/color][/b]ay you want to give our Cyndaquil Hidden Power Grass 70. You need an Attack and Special Attack IV of 30. We were left with 14 EVs going to waste on the previous spread, so we'll use them to fix the attacking Stats. Changing the spread to 44HP / 24Atk / 200SpA / 236Spe should leave Cyndaquil as good as before.

Use this guide as a reference when EVing Pokemon for Little Cup to find the best possible spreads, and also to know whether your Pokemon will outrun, tie or go after a certain opponent.

Standards

This is quick sample of common Pokemon and their likely movesets. It is important to remember that this list is not exhaustive and you will likely encounter Pokemon not listed here and so it is recommended that you read the full list of eligible Pokemon.

Notable Walls

Bronzor @ Oran Berry / Shed Shell
Levitate
4 Atk / 228 Def / 252 SpD
IVs: 0 Spe
Relaxed
~ Stealth Rock
~ Gyro Ball
~ Earthquake
~ Reflect / Light Screen

Chinchou @ Oran Berry / Shed Shell
Volt Absorb
156 HP / 52 Def / 228 SpD / 60 Spe
Calm
~ Surf
~ Thunderbolt
~ Thunderwave
~ Confuse Ray

Gligar @ Oran Berry
Sand Veil
236 HP / 236 Def
Impish
~ Earthquake
~ Roost
~ Stealth Rock
~ Stone Edge / Knock Off / Taunt

Mantyke @ Oran Berry
Water Absorb
236 HP / 36 Def / 40 SpA / 196 SpD
Calm
~ Surf
~ Ice Beam
~ Hidden Power [Grass]
~ Protect / Haze

Munchlax @ Oran Berry / Chesto Berry
Thick Fat
76 HP / 156 Atk / 236 SpD
Careful / Sassy
~ Return
~ Earthquake
~ Pursuit
~ Fire Punch / Fire Blast / Rest

Shieldon @ Oran Berry / Shuca Berry / Shed Shell
Sturdy
196 HP / 132 Def / 20 SpA / 132 SpD
Relaxed / Sassy
~ Stealth Rock
~ Ice Beam
~ Thunderbolt / Flamethrower
~ Magnet Rise / Taunt / Metal Burst

Koffing @ Oran Berry
Levitate
196 HP / 236 Def / 36 SpA
Relaxed
~ Taunt
~ Sludge Bomb
~ Flamethrower
~ Explosion / Pain Split

Hippopotas @ Oran Berry
Sand Stream
212 HP / 20 Atk / 212 Def / 20 SpD / 20 Spe
Impish
~ Stealth Rock
~ Earthquake
~ Rock Slide
~ Slack Off / Yawn

Common Sweepers

Dratini @ Life Orb
Shed Skin
84 Atk / 196 SpA / 196 Spe
IVs: 0 HP
Rash
~ Dragon Dance
~ Outrage
~ Fire Blast
~ Draco Meteor

Gligar @ Oran Berry / Yache Berry
Sand Veil
236 Atk / 236 Spe
Jolly
~ Swords Dance
~ Earthquake
~ Stone Edge
~ Quick Attack / Brick Break / Baton Pass

Gligar @ Life Orb
Sand Veil
156 HP/ 236 Atk / 156 Spe
Adamant
~ Agility
~ Earthquake
~ Stone Edge
~ Brick Break / Roost / Baton Pass

Misdreavus @ Life Orb / Petaya Berry / Leftovers
Levitate
240 SpA / 240 Spe
Timid
~ Calm Mind
~ Shadow Ball
~ Thunderbolt / Hidden Power [Fighting]
~ Substitute / Destiny Bond / Hidden Power [Fighting]

Croagunk @ Life Orb / Focus Sash
Dry Skin
108 Atk / 188 SpA / 198 Spe
Rash
~ Nasty Plot
~ Vacuum Wave
~ Sludge Bomb / Dark Pulse
~ Sucker Punch / Cross Chop

Houndour @ Life Orb / Focus Sash / Shed Shell
Flash Fire
200 SpA / 40 SpD / 244 Spe
Timid
~ Nasty Plot
~ Flamethrower / Fire Blast
~ Dark Pulse
~ Hidden Power [Fighting]

Teddiursa @ Toxic Orb
Quick Feet
116 HP / 196 Atk / 196 Spe
Jolly
~ Protect
~ Facade
~ Crunch
~ Close Combat

Larvitar @ Toxic Orb / Flame Orb
Guts
36 HP / 244 Atk / 188 Spe
Jolly
~ Dragon Dance
~ Earthquake
~ Stone Edge
~ Superpower / Protect

Rhyhorn @ Life Orb / Oran Berry
Rock Head / Lightningrod
236 Atk / 236 Spe
Adamant / Jolly
~ Rock Polish
~ Earthquake
~ Stone Edge
~ Megahorn / Fire Fang

Abra @ Choice Specs
Synchronize
240 SpA / 200 Spe
Modest / Timid
~ Psychic
~ Hidden Power Fire
~ Signal Beam
~ Energy Ball

Murkrow @ Life Orb
Insomnia
236 Atk / 80 SAtk / 192 Spe
Hasty
~ Sucker Punch
~ Pluck / Drill Peck
~ Dark Pulse / Pursuit
~ Hidden Power [Fighting] / Heat Wave

Staryu @ Life Orb
Natural Cure
200 SpA / 236 Spe
Timid
~ Surf / Hydro Pump
~ Ice Beam
~ Thunderbolt
~ Hidden Power [Grass]

Porygon @ Life Orb / Oran Berry
Download
120 Def / 240 SpA / 80 SpD
IVs: 30 Def / 30 SpA / 30 SpD / 2 Spe
Quiet
~ Trick Room
~ Ice Beam
~ Thunderbolt
~ Hidden Power [Fighting]

Gastly @ Life Orb / Leftovers / Wide Lens
Levitate
116 HP / 196 SpA / 196 Spe
Timid / Naive
~ Hypnosis
~ Shadow Ball
~ Thunderbolt / Hidden Power [Fighting]
~ Explosion / Substitute

Buizel @ Life Orb
Swift Swim
236 Atk / 36 SpD / 236 Spe
Jolly
~ Bulk Up
~ Aqua Jet / Baton Pass
~ Waterfall
~ Return

Elekid @ Life Orb / Petaya Berry
Static
176 Atk / 80 SpA / 236 Spe
IVs: 3 HP / 30 Atk / 30 SpA
Mild / Hasty
~ Thunderbolt
~ Ice Punch
~ Cross Chop / Focus Punch
~ Hidden Power [Grass] / Substitute

Magby @ Expert Belt / Shed Shell
Flame Body
236 Atk / 252 Spe
IVs: 3 HP
Hasty
~ Flare Blitz
~ Cross Chop
~ ThunderPunch
~ Hidden Power [Grass] / Hidden Power [Ice] / Overheat

Revenge Killers

Mankey @ Choice Scarf
Vital Spirit
36 HP / 200 Atk / 240 Spe
Jolly
~ Close Combat
~ Ice Punch
~ Punishment
~ U-turn / Earthquake

Psyduck @ Choice Scarf
Cloud Nine
24 Atk / 240 SpA / 236 Spe
Naive
~ Surf
~ Ice Beam
~ Hidden Power [Grass]
~ Cross Chop

Carvanha @ Choice Scarf
Rough Skin
36 Atk / 236 SpA / 236 Spe
Naive / Rash
~ Aqua Jet
~ Surf
~ Ice Beam
~ Crunch

Diglett @ Choice Scarf / Life Orb
Arena Trap
36 HP / 236 Atk / 236 Spe
Adamant / Jolly
~ Earthquake
~ Sucker Punch
~ Rock Slide
~ Aerial Ace / Pursuit / Shadow Claw

Cranidos @ Choice Scarf
Mold Breaker
236 Atk / 36 SpA / 212 Spe
Naughty
~ Stone Edge / Head Smash
~ Earthquake
~ Ice Beam
~ Superpower / Pursuit / Zen Headbutt

Useful Leads

Meowth @ Focus Sash / Life Orb
Technician
76 HP / 236 Atk / 196 Spe
Jolly
~ Hypnosis
~ Fake Out
~ U-turn
~ Bite / Return

Chimchar @ Focus Sash
Blaze
84 HP / 4 Def / 212 SpA / 4 SpD /188 Spe
Timid
~ Flamethrower
~ U-turn
~ Taunt / Fake Out
~ Protect / Stealth Rock

Ponyta @ Wide Lens
Flash Fire
236 Atk / 76 Def / 196 Spe
Jolly
~ Hypnosis
~ Will-o-Wisp
~ Flare Blitz
~ Return

Drifloon @ Wide Lens / Petaya Berry
Unburden
196 HP / 4 Def / 36 SpA / 4 SpD / 196 Spe
Timid
~ Hypnosis
~ Substitute
~ Baton Pass
~ Shadow Ball

Offensive Threat List

Code:

[u]Murkrow[/u]
Dark/Flying 85 Atk / 85 SpA / 91 Spe
It has a powerful STAB priority move in Sucker Punch that combos nicely with Pursuit and Drill Peck, two moves that also gain STAB running off his ample Attack. It can also run special moves effectively and is one of the fastest non-scarf Pokemon.

[u]Staryu[/u]
Water 45 Atk / 70 SpA / 85 Spe
Fast and hits with good type coverage. A Life Orbed Surf will OHKO or 2HKO most Pokemon that it hits neutral with Stealth Rock down, and Thunderbolt and Ice Beam hits the majority of pokemon that Surf cannot.

[u]Dratini[/u]
Dragon 64 Atk / 50 SpA / 50 Spe
Can boost its mediocre speed with Dragon Dance and gets Outrage, which is resisted by very few , to take advantage of its heightened attack. Draco Meteor is another powerful STAB move that it gains, along with Fire Blast which can combine with a STAB move to make a combination that hits every Little Cup pokemon at least neutral.

[u]Elekid[/u]
Electric 63 Atk / 65 SpA / 95 Spe
It has access to a diverse movepool, including Thunderbolt, ThunderPunch, Ice Punch, Psychic Cross Chop and Fire Punch which when coupled with its high speed, enables it to use a Mixed Set effectively.

[u]Gligar[/u]
Ground/Flying 75 Atk / 35 SpA / 85 Spe
With its high defences, Gligar is often able to find time to boost its already credible attack with Swords Dance and it can then sweep using a combination of Earthquake and Stone Edge and has the option of Baton Passing its Attack boosts to an ally[b][color=magenta],/color][/b] as well as being able to Baton Pass Agility boosts.

[u]Abra[/u]
Psychic 20 Atk / 105 SpA / 90 Spe
A Choice Specs Psychic will OHKO most pokemon in Little Cup, and the threat it poses is enhanced by his high speed which ties with the likes of Elekid, Magby, Misdreavus[b][color=magenta],/color][/b] and Murkrow[b][color=magenta],/color][/b] amongst others.

[u]Gastly[/u]
Ghost/Poison 35 Atk / 100 SpA / 80 Spe
Shadow Ball, Thunderbolt[b][color=magenta],/color][/b] and Hidden Power [Fighting] provides excellent coverage off its high Special Attack and Speed. Life Orb or Choice Specs enable it to OHKO or 2HKO most pokemon with Shadow Ball, and can also use Hypnosis, Will-o-Wisp and Explosion to beat some of its counters.

[u]Cranidos[/u]
Rock 125 Atk / 30 SpA / 58 Spe
It is able to fire STAB Stone Edges and Head Smashes off the same base Attack as Heracross. Mold Breaker means Gastly and Bronzor do not enjoy immunity to Earthquake and it can remedy its modest speed with Choice Scarf or Rock Polish.

[u]Misdreavus[/u]
Ghost 60 Atk / 85 SpA / 85 Spe
Three immunities allow it switch in repeatedly, coupled with good Speed and Special Attack. Notable moves include Calm Mind, Shadow Ball, Thunderbolt, Will-o-Wisp and Taunt.

[u]Magby[/u]
Fire 75 Atk / 70 SpA / 83 Spe
Similar to Elekid, in regards to his high Attack, Special Attack and Speed. Also akin to Elekid, this is combined with a great movepool, which notably includes Fire Punch, Flare Blitz and Flamethrower as STAB moves as well as Focus Punch, Psychic, Cross Chop and ThunderPunch.

[u]Teddiursa[/u]
Normal 80 Atk / 50 SpA / 40 Spe
Once inflicted with status, via a Toxic Orb often, Teddiursa outspeeds all non-scarf pokemon with the exception of the banned Sneasel and Scyther. At this point, it can attempt to sweep with a combination of a STAB 140 power Facade, Close Combat and Crunch, a combination that no pokemon in Little Cup resists.

[u]Houndour[/u]
Dark/Fire 60 Atk / 80 SpA / 65 Spe
With respectable, if not spectacular, Special Attack and Speed, Houndour can make good use of Nasty Plot to power up its STAB Flamethower or Fire Blast and Dark Pulse which few pokemon resist in tandem. It also can use STAB Pursuit on the physical side, to punish fleeing victims, making a Choice Scarf set very useful. Flash Fire is another thing to take into consideration.

[u]Kabuto[/u]
Rock/Water 80 Atk / 55 SpA / 55 Spe
Swift Swim allows it outrun most of the metagame, provided with some Speed EVs, in the rain. It can then sweep with its almost unresisted dual STAB. Has access to a priority move in the form of Aqua Jet to outspeed other priority users.

[u]Rhyhorn[/u]
Ground/Rock 85 Atk / 30 SpA / 25 Spe
Gains STAB on two high powered moves in Stone Edge and Earthquake which provide good coverage in Little Cup and run off its high Attack. Megahorn and Fire Fang can be used to supplement its STAB moves. A common strategy is to use Rock Polish on it, which doubles its poor speed after one use, and makes Rhyhorn into a deadly sweeper.

[u]Mankey[/u]
Fighting 80 Atk / 35 SpA / 70 Spe
It has access to Close Combat, Elemental punches (illegal with the aforementioned Close Combat) and a wide array of physical moves running off its high Attack as well as access to U-Turn to scout switches. Often seen making use of Choice Scarf. It can also gain immunity to Sleep thanks to Vital Spirit.

[u]Carvanha[/u]
Water/Dark 90 Atk / 65 SpA / 65 Spe
Can attack with a combination of STAB moves which are resisted by few together with the option of Physical moves such as Crunch, Waterfall, Aqua Jet and Ice Fang which run off its great Attack or Special moves such as Surf, Ice Beam and Dark Pulse which run off its lower but still respectable Special Attack. Often uses Choice Scarf to boost its slightly lacking Speed.

[u]Munchlax[/u]
Normal 85 Atk / 40 SpA / 5 Spe
A STAB Return from his large attack threatens to OHKO or 2HKO most pokemon that it hits for neutral. For those who resist Return, Munchlax gets access to Earthquake, Pursuit, Focus Punch, Zen Headbutt as well as Fire Blast to hit Bronzor for SE damage. Especially dangerous under Trick Room conditions.

[u]Diglett[/u]
Ground 55 Atk / 35 SpA / 95 Spe
Not a direct threat a such, but a good battler will be wary of its ability to trap pokemon at will and pick them off. Choice Scarf allows it to outspeed almost everything whilst Earthquake, Sucker Punch, Rock Slide, Pursuit and Aerial Ace are common moves can be boosted by Choice Band and Life Orb, making use of its high speed. Even an unboosted Earthquake will do over 50% to most pokemon.

[u]Omanyte[/u]
Rock/Water 40 Atk / 90 SpA / 35 Spe
Swift Swim and a high Special Attack makes Omanyte a potent threat in the rain. With Life Orb, anything that doesn't resist Water is OHKOed by Surf, bar Munchlax who is 2HKOed, in conjunction in Surf, a STABbed AncientPower and also Ice Beam can be used for good coverage.

[u]Gible[/u]
Dragon/Ground 70 Atk / 40 SpA / 42 Spe
Poses a threat due STAB on Earthquake and Outrage coming off its relatively high attack, and when equipped in a Choice Band, these moves will OHKO the vast majority that do not resist it. It is only held back by its poor speed, which can be cured to an extent by a Choice Scarf. A STAB Draco Meteor can also threaten opponents.

[u]Porygon[/u]
Normal 60 Atk / 85 SpA / 40 Spe
Its already high Special Attack can be boosted spontaneously by Download and whilst it lacks a reliable STAB Special Move, Ice Beam, Thunderbolt, Shadow Ball and Hidden Power [Fighting] provides more than enough coverage between them. It can also threaten on the physical side, with STAB Return, should Download boost its Attack. Often carries Trick Room, to reverse the detrimental effect of its low Speed.

[u]Croagunk[/u]
Poison/Fighting 61 Atk / 61 SpA / 50 Spe
The main danger it poses is through a combination of Nasty Plot and STAB Vacuum Wave complemented by STAB Sludge Bomb and often Dark Pulse. However, with respectable attacking stats on both side of the spectrum and with Cross Chop, a choice of physical priority moves in addition to X-Scissor and Rock Slide, Croagunk can also pose a significant threat on the physical side.

Speed Tiers

Item Analysis

Common Strategies



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I'm still adding more to this, WIP, I will be away for a week so this won't be updated. I need to ask some authors of content on the Little Cup Forums to use their guides in this.

Update 30 Aug: Longer sections in CODE tag to cure the tl;dr-itis. This is temporary. Also started to add to standards section
Update 10 Oct: Added more to standards section, added the stat boosting pokemon
Update 12 Oct: Added new section to standards: Sweepers. Added to other sections of standards too.
Update 15 Oct: Pokemon sets - complete! Just need to add commentary to all the pokemon.

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Misaki-chi said:

My corrections aren't complete, but I'm exhausted. This is such a great article, so comprehensive and detailed. Do you know how to HTMLise? I'd be honoured to HTMLise it, especially as I can see there are probably several tables to be done, and I don't mind doing that. ^_^ And then any minor nitpicks I have with grammar [commas, etc.] can be fixed as I go, as opposed to posting them all and bothering you with modifying your post. Actually, this is really, really long, so I think perhaps it should be split up like the breeding guide, except I wouldn't know where... The speed tiers/item analyses/sets/strategies section maybe on their own, and the rest in the other page?

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eric the espeon said:

It is more of a collection of all the most important articles written on the LCF than a single one.

The Move Legality guide (There is a newer version, it is a LOT longer and much more comprehensive), Speed Tiers, EV distribution Guide (Which is actually outdated here, I rewrote it due to some errors.), were written as separate articles.

Also I need to go over the Speed Tiers and remove the ones that don't see much/any play. I wrote it before people started playing so its quite inaccurate.

Maybe EvilBob's LC Stat program could get a mention?
hmm.. I really think this needs to be split up into its separate parts, if Smogon is ok with having multiple guides.

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