Let's make it six!
Spheal (LC analysis)
[Overview]
<p>Spheal, in Little Cup, draws a lot of comparisons to Stallrein in OU. Though it doesn't have the same great stats nor movepool, Spheal has just enough for it to succeed on a hail team. With hail and Toxic Spikes support, it can stall many a team in the fast-paced Little Cup metagame. Spheal may make you laugh at first glance, but it will soon make you cry after it stalls out your entire team.</p>
[SET]
name: Hail Stall
move1: Substitute
move2: Protect
move3: Super Fang / Blizzard
move4: Aqua Ring / Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Ice Body
nature: Bold
evs: 36 HP / 196 Def / 76 SpA / 196 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>The purpose of this set is to stall your opponent out by alternating between Substitute and Protect; with hail falling, Spheal's Ice Body will activate, which combines with Leftovers to recover the HP required for Substitute in the 2 turns granted by said moves. Super Fang should be used in the third moveslot so opposing Ice-types don't beat this set. In addition, Super Fang is a reliable method of dealing damage, as it halves the remaining health of any non-Ghost-type Pokemon. However, Blizzard is a great STAB for Spheal, as it will deal a good amount of damage even with minimal investment. The fourth move is a matter of personal preference. Aqua Ring is the more desirable move, as after one turn of setup, it will allow Spheal to recover more health than it would lose from using Substitute (over two turns). This is vital for Spheal's longevity, as it can now stall out teams for an indefinite amount of time. However, if there is no room on the team for a Toxic Spikes user, such as Tentacool or Pineco, then Toxic can be used to compensate. The EVs give Spheal 23 HP, so Spheal will only lose 1 HP per turn if not using Aqua Ring. The remaining EVs are used to maximize Spheal's defenses, and the rest go into Special Attack.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>This set desperately needs hail support in order for it to function properly. Thankfully, Snover can set up infinite hail with its Snow Warning ability. This set also enjoys having opposing Hippopotas removed so that hail may prevail. Fortunately, Snover handles Hippopotas with ease. Bronzor and Mantyke also beat Hippopotas with no problems whatsoever. Additionally, Toxic Spikes are vital to the set's success, making your opponent's health rapidly drain away as they struggle to damage Spheal. Leech Seed support is also helpful to Spheal; this way, Spheal can regenerate more health than it loses from Substitute, though it should be noted that Leech Seed is removed when the opponent switches out. Shroomish can provide Leech Seed support, and can use Spore to incapacitate an opponent as well.</p>
[Team Options]
<p>Snover is an obvious partner for Spheal, as a hailstorm is essential to Spheal's success. Shroomish can provide Spore and Leech Seed support, which can possibly grant Spheal greater longevity. Tentacool can use Toxic Spikes, which will rack up residual damage, while also absorbing any Toxic Spikes on your side of the field. Status is particularly crippling to Spheal's ability to stall, so should be avoided at all costs. Having a Spiker to damage opposing grounded Poison-types, is also a good idea, as they can absorb your precious Toxic Spikes with impunity. Having a reliable Ghost-type such as Duskull would be beneficial to block Rapid Spin.</p>
[Optional Changes]
<p>There really isn't anything else that Spheal can do well outside of stalling in a hailstorm, as its movepool is pretty subpar. A Choice Specs set may seem appealing, but Spheal's Special Attack stat isn't that great. Spheal fails to reach a Speed stat of 21 with a Choice Scarf, making it an ineffective Scarfer as well. That being said, Spheal does get some other good options. One notable support move is Encore, which eases prediction when switching Spheal out.<p>
<p>One can opt to tinker with Spheal's defenses to suit one's needs. Its normal spread is 36 HP / 196 Def / 76 SpA / 196 SpD with a Bold nature for equal defenses, but you can change the EVs to make Spheal specialized for taking either physical or special hits. The difference is pretty negligible, however. Adding more EVs into HP is fine only if Aqua Ring is being used, as Spheal will lose 2 HP per turn otherwise.</p>
[Counters]
<p>By far, the best way to stop Spheal from stalling your team out is to prevent hail from being set up. The obvious method is to use Hippopotas, the only other auto-weather Pokémon in the metagame, but unfortunately, it is directly countered by Snover. Hippopotas, in tandem with one or two of Snover's checks (such as Bronzor, Growlithe, and Munchlax), would make a good core to stop Spheal cold. Skill Link Shellder also gets a mention, as it can damage Spheal through its Substitute with a super effective Rock Blast. Finally, weather moves, such as Rain Dance and Sunny Day, also prevent Spheal from endless stalling.</p>
Spheal (LC analysis)
[Overview]
<p>Spheal, in Little Cup, draws a lot of comparisons to Stallrein in OU. Though it doesn't have the same great stats nor movepool, Spheal has just enough for it to succeed on a hail team. With hail and Toxic Spikes support, it can stall many a team in the fast-paced Little Cup metagame. Spheal may make you laugh at first glance, but it will soon make you cry after it stalls out your entire team.</p>
[SET]
name: Hail Stall
move1: Substitute
move2: Protect
move3: Super Fang / Blizzard
move4: Aqua Ring / Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Ice Body
nature: Bold
evs: 36 HP / 196 Def / 76 SpA / 196 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>The purpose of this set is to stall your opponent out by alternating between Substitute and Protect; with hail falling, Spheal's Ice Body will activate, which combines with Leftovers to recover the HP required for Substitute in the 2 turns granted by said moves. Super Fang should be used in the third moveslot so opposing Ice-types don't beat this set. In addition, Super Fang is a reliable method of dealing damage, as it halves the remaining health of any non-Ghost-type Pokemon. However, Blizzard is a great STAB for Spheal, as it will deal a good amount of damage even with minimal investment. The fourth move is a matter of personal preference. Aqua Ring is the more desirable move, as after one turn of setup, it will allow Spheal to recover more health than it would lose from using Substitute (over two turns). This is vital for Spheal's longevity, as it can now stall out teams for an indefinite amount of time. However, if there is no room on the team for a Toxic Spikes user, such as Tentacool or Pineco, then Toxic can be used to compensate. The EVs give Spheal 23 HP, so Spheal will only lose 1 HP per turn if not using Aqua Ring. The remaining EVs are used to maximize Spheal's defenses, and the rest go into Special Attack.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>This set desperately needs hail support in order for it to function properly. Thankfully, Snover can set up infinite hail with its Snow Warning ability. This set also enjoys having opposing Hippopotas removed so that hail may prevail. Fortunately, Snover handles Hippopotas with ease. Bronzor and Mantyke also beat Hippopotas with no problems whatsoever. Additionally, Toxic Spikes are vital to the set's success, making your opponent's health rapidly drain away as they struggle to damage Spheal. Leech Seed support is also helpful to Spheal; this way, Spheal can regenerate more health than it loses from Substitute, though it should be noted that Leech Seed is removed when the opponent switches out. Shroomish can provide Leech Seed support, and can use Spore to incapacitate an opponent as well.</p>
[Team Options]
<p>Snover is an obvious partner for Spheal, as a hailstorm is essential to Spheal's success. Shroomish can provide Spore and Leech Seed support, which can possibly grant Spheal greater longevity. Tentacool can use Toxic Spikes, which will rack up residual damage, while also absorbing any Toxic Spikes on your side of the field. Status is particularly crippling to Spheal's ability to stall, so should be avoided at all costs. Having a Spiker to damage opposing grounded Poison-types, is also a good idea, as they can absorb your precious Toxic Spikes with impunity. Having a reliable Ghost-type such as Duskull would be beneficial to block Rapid Spin.</p>
[Optional Changes]
<p>There really isn't anything else that Spheal can do well outside of stalling in a hailstorm, as its movepool is pretty subpar. A Choice Specs set may seem appealing, but Spheal's Special Attack stat isn't that great. Spheal fails to reach a Speed stat of 21 with a Choice Scarf, making it an ineffective Scarfer as well. That being said, Spheal does get some other good options. One notable support move is Encore, which eases prediction when switching Spheal out.<p>
<p>One can opt to tinker with Spheal's defenses to suit one's needs. Its normal spread is 36 HP / 196 Def / 76 SpA / 196 SpD with a Bold nature for equal defenses, but you can change the EVs to make Spheal specialized for taking either physical or special hits. The difference is pretty negligible, however. Adding more EVs into HP is fine only if Aqua Ring is being used, as Spheal will lose 2 HP per turn otherwise.</p>
[Counters]
<p>By far, the best way to stop Spheal from stalling your team out is to prevent hail from being set up. The obvious method is to use Hippopotas, the only other auto-weather Pokémon in the metagame, but unfortunately, it is directly countered by Snover. Hippopotas, in tandem with one or two of Snover's checks (such as Bronzor, Growlithe, and Munchlax), would make a good core to stop Spheal cold. Skill Link Shellder also gets a mention, as it can damage Spheal through its Substitute with a super effective Rock Blast. Finally, weather moves, such as Rain Dance and Sunny Day, also prevent Spheal from endless stalling.</p>
