Weedle (Analysis)

ShinyAzelf said:

First, before I go on with the analysis, I'd just like to say "lol". Yeah, Weedle is pretty much a joke, but its better to have it on-site. I would have made it a joke analysis it was allowed, but its not, so I made it as "competitive" as I could. Have fun!

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

[Overview]

<p>Weedle boasts the prestigious "Smallest Movepool in all of Little Cup" award, trumping even Caterpie, Burmy, and the fearsome Magikarp with its minuteness. Utilizing its amazingly concise movepool, Weedle can make for an extreme nuisance to the other team, eating all Oran Berries in its path, poisoning unsuspecting victims who switch in thinking they can forge through a powerful Poison ting, and crippling opposing sweepers with a tactical String Shot. Furthermore, Weedle has the highest attack stat out of the former three behemoths making it even more of a superior choice when considering one of the four for your team. However, it's not all butterflies for Weedle (well, bees I guess). Weedle is faced with fearsome competition, finding itself having to differentiate itself from hailed sweepers like Gligar, who is also able to learn Poison Sting, providing even more competition for a teamslot. When considering putting Weedle on your team, you must make sure to utilize it's advantages over other Pokemon, mainly String Shot, Bug Bite, and Poison Sting. Although many other Pokemon learn these moves, I guarantee you that you will more than likely only see them on Weedle as they are the most effective moves he has.

[SET]
name: So Good it Doesn't Need Four Moves
move 1: Bug Bite
move 2: Poison Sting
move 3: String Shot
move 4: Completely Unnecessary
item: Life Orb / Oran Berry
nature: Adamant
evs: 196 HP / 236 Atk / 36 Def / 36 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>This is the only set Weedle can run, because, well, its it's entire movepool consists of a grand total of three moves. But don't fret! Weedle doesn't even need four moves, as it is able to pose an extremely moderate threat with its holy trinity of moves alone. Bug Bite is Weedle’s strongest STAB attack, and will hurt most Pokemon more than any of it’s other attacks. Not even Pokemon that can resist Bug Bite can switch in safely in fear of losing their precious Oran Berry. The fact that Weedle is fairly uncommon helps also, since opposing walls that switch in won't be aware of the potential loss of their Berry. Poison Sting is for secondary STAB, but is fairly weak considerably weaker than Bug Bite, and should only be used if attempting to afflict poison on the foe. However there is one reason and one reason alone that warrants its use and that is poison. Just watch as your opponent winces in rage and cries in fear as their precious Weedle switch in becomes crippled with the bane that is regular Poison, causing them to lose a full 12.5% of their health every single turn. Finally, String Shot allows Weedle to outspeed all Pokemon below 17 Speed after a single String Shot, allowing it to attack first against those foes, or set up an essential sweep for a teammate (unless they switch out of course).</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Life Orb allows Weedle to deal heavy damage to everything that resists it, dealing a solid 12% to defensive Gligar; however Oran Berry is an option to prolong Weedle's rampage. Focus Sash is also an option since Weedle's is very frail. However, it should be noted that entry hazards must be kept on the field, or the Focus Sash will become useless. Adamant nature allows Weedle to harder destroy its enemies, while lowering its Special Attack which is merely a pittance in comparison to boosting Weedle's titanic base 35 Attack stat. not affecting any of its other used stats. The EV spread maximizes Weedle’s HP and Attack, while increasing its Defense and Speed by one point. With the extra point in Speed, Weedle hits 12 Speed, allowing it to outspeed blaze past even more Pokemon before and after a String Shot.</p>

[Team Options]

<p>Rapid Spinners are helpful, especially if Weedle is holding a Focus Sash, allowing Weedle to come on to the field without losing health Weedle appreciates the company of Rapid Spinners that can get rid of entry hazards, which are hazardous to Weedle due to its vulnerability to Stealth Rock and Spikes. A good teammate Rapid Spinning slave that Weedle can abuse the presence of is Sandshrew, who can Rapid Spin away any entry hazards, while also being able to set up it’s own in the form of Stealth Rock, which can also benefit Weedle. Sandshrew can also learn the fearsome Poison Sting, which can assist Weedle in spreading deadly regular Poison throughout the opponents team while getting rid of Poison and Steel-type adversaries with powerful Earthquakes or Digs. Wynaut is arguably the best teammate, being able to Encore a move that Weedle resists, allowing Weedle to come in without being 2HKOed, and start attacking. Wynaut can also eliminate Pokemon the select Pokemon that Weedle has trouble with (almost all Pokemon fall under the category) by using Counter or Mirror Coat.</p>

[Optional Changes]

<p>In terms of moves, Weedle has none, due to it only having three moves in its entire movepool. Weedle can be used in a Trick Room team with the Speed EVs moved to Special Defense, and by using a Brave nature, although it isn't recommended due to interfering with String Shot. Weedle can also run a Choice Band set consisting of Poison Sting and Bug Bite, but Weedle generally enjoys the freedom of switching moves.

[Counters]

<p>There are very few Pokemon in the entire Metagame that can boast being the perfect Weedle counter due to the side effects of Weedle's moves. Any Although almost every Pokemon in the metagame will has the potential to do well against Weedle, they must be wary of losing their Berry, becoming crippled with Poison, or suffering from the speed-lowering effect of String Shot. It has terrible stats all across the board, Although Weedle boasts excellent defensive and offensive stats, it still has trouble dealing damage to certain defensive bastions and sustaining damage from offensive powerhouses like Combee, whoeither resists Bug- and Poison-, has mediocre defenses, or mediocre offensive stats will do very well against Weedle which has the potential to brave through Weedle's destruction if they lack a consumable item and are immune to Poison. A good example is Gligar, who resists both its STAB attacks, outspeeds Weedle even after a String Shot, and has decent offensive stats to eliminate Weedle. Although Life Orb variants don't mind Weedle's Bug Bite, they still despise the extra passive Poison damage, however. Fire-type Pokemon also do well, being able to switch in on a Bug Bite, and OHKO Weedle with a STAB move. Examples include Ponyta and Growlithe, who can defeat Weedle with Flare Blitz. Bronzor, however is the bane of Weedle's existance being immune to Poison and having access to Recycle, which can stop a Weedle sweep cold.</p>

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