Banette (Lead)

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QueerAsFolk

http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/banette

I've been highly successful with this set, just figured I'd share it with Smogon, see if it's as viable as I think it is.

Name: Leadette
Move 1: Trick
Move 2: Thunder Wave
Move 3: Shadow Sneak / Sucker Punch
Move 4: Destiny Bond
Item: Choice Scarf
Nature: Jolly
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe

Description: Banette is an amazingly unexpected trick lead. With 252 Spe EVs and a Scarf, he outspeeds every single speedster in the UU tier. Both of his Abilities are extremely useful for any lead; choose Frisk if you don't want to gamble on trading your scarf with another choice item; use Insomnia if you fear any Pokemoon who are silly enough to try and make you catch some Zzz's. Obviously, Trick on the first turn, and if your opponent is stuck using Stealth Rock or another non-attacking move, use Thunder Wave on the switch. From there, you can either switch out or, if you're confident that your opponent will 1HKO you, sneak in a Destiny Bond. The attack moves are circumstantial. Sucker Punch will do more damage and has greater coverage, however Shadow Sneak requires no prediction at all.

Even without defensive investment, Banette can take a pretty decent hit. Unboosted Aerial Ace from Scyther fails to OHKO it, as well as other attackers in that power range.
 
Two things before I test this:

1) can you elaborate on how to beat the top 10 leads (if it beats any)?

2) can you explain how this set is better than any other Ghost-type who can run the same thing with better stats (e.g. Mismagius, Rotom, etc)?
 
Well...standard Ambipom can't do anything to touch Banette. Mesprit and Banette would just get into a Trick fight, 'cept Banette's Shadow Sneak can do a lot more damage than Mesprit's attacks. Anyone at all who wants to set up gets nullified. Rain Dancers, Sunny Dayers, Baton Passers will all likely get nullified on the switch by T-Wave. I'm not entirely sure who the Top 10 Leads are in UU :x I just know that immunity to fake out makes Banette a step above a lot of common leads, as well as both sleep immunity or knowing the opponents item.

In regards to other ghosts, Spiritomb's abysmal speed wouldn't benefit a trick scarf at all, and he also lacks the T-wave capability, which almost always ensures that Destiny Bond will work. Rotom lacks Destiny Bond altogether. The only thing that I see wrong with Mismagius is that he lacks an effective priority move, which only Banette has to offer with his high physical attacking power.

His stats, outside of Attack, are certainly crap. But his abilities, and his movepool, make him a seriously potential lead. I beg of you to try it out.
 
QueerAsFolk said:
In regards to other ghosts, Spiritomb's abysmal speed wouldn't benefit a trick scarf at all, and he also lacks the T-wave capability, which almost always ensures that Destiny Bond will work. Rotom lacks Destiny Bond altogether. The only thing that I see wrong with Mismagius is that he lacks an effective priority move, which only Banette has to offer with his high physical attacking power.

His stats, outside of Attack, are certainly crap. But his abilities, and his movepool, make him a seriously potential lead. I beg of you to try it out.
Click to expand...

Why does a scarfer need priority? I mean Choice Scarf Missy's Shadow Ball does a lot more damage than Scarf Bannette's Shadow Sneak, and it's fast so the priority is basically pointless.

I think Insomnia might make this worthwhile, but I'll test it and see.
 
Thanks for the opportunity :) My beloved Banette gets such a bad rap.

I guess what I meant about priority was - after you get rid of the Scarf, it comes in handy as a revenge killer.
 
it can't do anything to stop the leads it beats from switching out; ambipom uturns, the pixies set up sr and switch out, etc, while you are either locked in scarf shadow sneak (lol) or twave something on the switch. you may catch something once or twice but this is basically the definition of surprise factor - anything with twave will paralyze SOMETHING a few times. it's also massive setup bait for spikes leads since you can't damage them effectively. destiny bond is hilariously easy to play around against banette too (a little less if you have trick room but you don't so...)

rejection 1/2
 
You're likely better off with Mismagius, as this is major set-up bait (also, Scyther's Aerial Ace is never unboosted)

rejection 2/2
 
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