http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/cherrim
[Overview]
<p>What sets Cherrim apart from other Grass-types is its unique ability, Flower Gift, which raises its Attack and Special Defense stats in sunlight. A few decent support moves such as Aromatherapy, GrassWhistle, and Leech Seed, not to mention Cherrim's above average defenses, make it a decent Sunny Day supporter. However, Cherrim is not as fast as it would like, and also has a pretty shallow movepool, greatly limiting its potential in battle. This makes it good for only one thing: Sunny Day. Honestly, if you don't use Cherrim with Sunny Day, don't use Cherrim, as it is otherwise worthless.</p>
[SET]
name: Sunny Day
move 1: Sunny Day
move 2: Aromatherapy / GrassWhistle
move 3: Energy Ball
move 4: Hidden Power Fire / Hidden Power Ground
item: Heat Rock
nature: Modest
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Cherrim has the perfect ability and movepool to be an effective Sunny Day supporter. While Aromatherapy is great for removing status from the whole team, GrassWhistle can put opponents to sleep and allow Cherrim to set up for free if it hits. The third slot is reserved for a STAB attack, and Cherrim is not short of options to choose from. The STAB move of choice is Energy Ball, providing reliable Base Power and perfect accuracy. Another move you may consider is SolarBeam, which has 180 Base Power when taking STAB into account. SolarBeam's detrimental side effect is circumvented through the use of Sunny Day, so its usability is skyrocketed. Grass Knot is another a good option, as it will deal more damage than Energy Ball to heavier opponents like Milotic, Slowking, and Rhyperior, but unlike SolarBeam, is effective outside sunlight. The final moveslot is for type coverage; Hidden Power Fire allows Cherrim to hit other Grass-types with a 105 Base Power attack in sunlight, while Hidden Power Ground deals with Fire-types like Houndoom and Arcanine. Both attacks also hit Registeel super effectively. Cherrim also gets Weather Ball, which becomes a 150 Base Power Fire-type attack in the sunlight, though it's rather useless outside of it, as it'll be a Normal-type attack with a measly 50 Base Power. Heat Rock is the ideal item for this set as it prolongs the sunlight, and it is recommended you do not swap it for anything else.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EVs on this set focus on Cherrim's special stats; maximum Special Attack gives Cherrim some power behind its attacks, while maximum Special Defense with Flower Gift gives Cherrim 381 Special Defense in the sun, making it much bulkier on the special side. Alternatively, you could use a Calm nature with a spread of 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 SpD for maximum special bulk. You could also focus on Cherrim's lower physical Defense by giving it a Bold nature with 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA. In either of these cases, you should consider Leech Seed or Synthesis on the set as Cherrim will be aiming to stick around for much longer.</p>
<p>Houndoom is an excellent partner for Cherrim, as it can switch into Fire-type moves to gain a boost from its Flash Fire ability. Houndoom also reduces the necessity for Hidden Power Fire on Cherrim, as it can defeatopposing Grass-types with its own STAB Fire-type attacks. Registeel is also a good partner, as it can switch into Flying-type moves with ease. This is helpful against the likes of Swellow, Scyther, and even Drapion. Bulky Water-types, such as Milotic and Slowking, are effective against both Fire- and Flying-types, especially Moltres. Unfortunately, their STABs are weakened by the sunlight, which is never a good thing.</p>
[Team Options]
<p>Pokemon with Flash Fire are almost a necessity when it comes to using Cherrim as without an immunity, even Pokemon that resist Fire will feel the burn of Fire-type attacks in the sun. Some good examples include Houndoom, Ninetales, and Arcanine; each of these Pokemon also benefit from sunlight to boost their STAB. These Pokemon will also be able to effectively run SolarBeam in their movesets to hit Water-types. Rock-types also make great partners as they provide excellent defensive synergy with Cherrim, resisting Poison-, Fire-, and Flying-type attacks aimed at it. There are a few reliable Rock-types in UU, but your best bets are the defensive ones like Regirock and Omastar, who can also set up entry hazards. Offensive ones such as Kabutops and Rhyperior, who can threaten to set up, still make great partners, though.</p>
<p>Pokemon that can take advantage of the sunlight make obvious partners for Cherrim. Fire-types like Moltres, Houndoom, and Arcanine can enjoy their STAB moves boosted by 50%, and refined access to SolarBeam, which has no charging turn when used in sunlight. Some Grass-types also enjoy the sunlight due to their abilities; Chlorophyll Pokemon such as Tangrowth, Exeggutor, Shiftry, and Victreebel would greatly benefit from the Speed boost, while Pokemon with the Leaf Guard ability like Leafeon and Tangrowth will appreciate the status immunity. If you decide to use Hidden Power Fire on Cherrim, a way to deal with opposing Fire-types is very important to your team's success. Bulky Water-types like Milotic and Slowking are excellent choices, as they have great HP stats and above average defenses, along with STAB Surf and decent Special Attack with which to deal with them. Dugtrio is another great choice as it can trap the opponent with its ability, Arena Trap, and proceed to KO the grounded ones with Earthquake. Regirock and Rhyperior are two other options as they can switch into Fire-types with relative ease and either set up entry hazards or Rock Polish, respectively. Alternatively,they can pummel the opponent with STAB Stone Edge. If Cherrim is unable to set up Sunny Day, another Pokemon should carry the move just in case. Defensive Pokemon like Uxie and Mesprit make good choices as they can further support the team with screens, Stealth Rock, and paralysis. You may also choose a more offensive, suicidal approach to this. Exeggutor can set up Sunny Day, then sacrifice itself with Explosion, while Ambipom can set up weather and escape with U-turn.</p>
<p>Chansey and Clefable are major problems for Cherrim as they have massive special bulk. The best way to deal with these Pokemon are with physical attackers, like Hitmontop, that have STAB Fighting attacks to threaten them with, and Dugtrio, with its Arena Trap ability. You may also choose to use Magmortar with Cross Chop to lure in Chansey with special moves and then surprise 2HKO it. Magmortar also appreciates the sunlight to boost its STAB Fire-type moves. Taunt Mismagius with Hidden Power Fighting and Nasty Plot is a good option as it can actually set up on Chansey with its immunity to Seismic Toss, and ability to block status with Taunt or Substitute. Once at +6 Special Attack, Mismagius will be able to 2HKO Chansey with Hidden Power Fighting.</p>
[Optional Changes]
<p>Cherrim has access to Swords Dance, which may be appealing due to Flower Gift's Attack boost, but Cherrim's physical movepool is limited to just Seed Bomb and Return, which get extremely bad coverage. Cherrim's lesser Speed stat also doesn't help when it comes to sweeping. Aside from this, Cherrim really has very few other viable options that it can utilize.</p>
[Counters]
<p>Flying-types cause problems for Cherrim as they resist its STAB Grass-type moves, and some even resist Hidden Power Fire, like Altaria and Moltres. Altaria also has Natural Cure to heal itself in case of Cherrim's GrassWhistle. STAB Flying-type moves usually spell doom for Cherrim, especially physical ones such as Brave Bird. Fire-types can switch into any of Cherrim's attacks and threaten it with a super effective hit. Arcanine and Houndoom can switch into Hidden Power Fire and hit Cherrim with a Flash Fire-boosted attack. Be wary of Hidden Power Ground, though. Chansey, Clefable, Registeel, and most specially defensive Pokemon that resist Grass-type moves can cause Cherrim problems with their tremendous bulk. Chansey and Clefable are generally the best counters as they can recover freely with Wish or Softboiled, while using Aromatherapy to heal any status.</p>
