QC: Berks / Fiend / mad0ka
GP: Haund / P Sqaured
[OVERVIEW]
Thanks to a great base 112 Attack and a good base 70 Speed, Archen is a strong offensive Pokemon in Little Cup. Its unique Rock / Flying typing also makes it a good check to Normal- and Flying-types, such as Bunnelby and Rufflet, while also giving STAB to powerful moves such as Stone Edge and Acrobatics. Archen's interesting utility movepool, which includes U-turn, Knock Off, Stealth Rock, Defog, and Roost, also allows it to support its team in various ways.
However, Archen has a terrible ability in Defeatist, which halves both its Attack and Special Attack when its HP drop below half. It also suffers from a weakness to Stealth Rock, which makes it even harder to avoid falling into Defeatist range as well as to come in and remove Stealth Rock with Defog.
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Acrobatics
move 2: Rock Slide / Stone Edge
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: U-turn / Knock Off / Defog
item: Berry Juice
ability: Defeatist
nature: Jolly
evs: 76 HP / 180 Atk / 196 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Acrobatics is Archen's strongest move after Berry Juice is consumed. Rock Slide is Archen's main STAB move while it is still holding Berry Juice and has a nice chance to make the target flinch. Stone Edge can be used for its greater Base Power, but the extra damage rarely matters and its unreliability is often an issue. Earthquake hits the only type that resists both of Archen's STAB moves, Steel, super effectively and thus gives it incredible neutral coverage, OHKOing non-Eviolite variants of Pawniard and Chinchou and any Magnemite variant. The last moveslot is reserved for a utility move; U-turn allows Archen to grab momentum for its team; Knock Off removes a foe's item and hits certain Pokemon that otherwise wall Archen hard, usually 2HKOing Slowpoke; and Defog can be used if your team needs entry hazard removal.
Set Details
========
Berry Juice can get Archen out of Defeatist range once, and after it is consumed Acrobatics will become much stronger. 196 Speed EVs with a Jolly nature allow Archen to hit 17 Speed, outspeeding threats such as Pawniard and Magnemite and Speed tying with a large portion of Little Cup. 180 Attack EVs allow Archen to hit as hard as possible. The remaining EVs are put into HP to slightly raise Archen's mixed bulk. Even though Defeatist is terrible, it is Archen's only ability and thus must be used.
Usage Tips
========
Try to bring Archen in on free switches, such as via a slow Volt Switch or U-turn, so that it won't be forced take a hit and risk going into Defeatist range. This is especially important if it has consumed its Berry Juice already. If Archen is still holding a Berry Juice, it can be switched in to take a hit, consume its Berry Juice, and fire off a powerful move. Depending on which move is chosen, Rock Slide or Stone Edge should be used most often while Archen is still holding its Berry Juice, as Acrobatics will have a meager 55 Base Power. After Berry Juice is consumed, Acrobatics should be used the most often. Be careful of staying in on faster foes, since usually they will be able to knock Archen into Defeatist range before taking a hit, meaning they won't be taking much damage.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that can bring in Archen for free, such as slow Chinchou and Magnemite, are great partners, as they make sure Archen does not fall into Defeatist range. They also both deal with bulky Water-types, most of which can take Archen's hits with relative ease. Entry hazard removers such as Staryu and Vullaby work well with Archen, as Stealth Rock can put it close to or even into Defeatist range quickly. Grass-types such as Foongus and Ferroseed can check Water- and Electric-types, both of which Archen fears. Foongus can also immobilize a foe with Spore, allowing Archen to come in much more easily. Lastly, Fire-types such as Ponyta can take out Ferroseed, which can take any of Archen's moves very well.
[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Stealth Rock / Defog
move 2: Rock Slide
move 3: Acrobatics
move 4: Earthquake / Defog / Knock Off
item: Berry Juice
ability: Defeatist
nature: Jolly
evs: 76 HP / 20 Atk / 76 Def / 76 SpD / 196 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock is an incredible entry hazard, whittling down all of your opponent's Pokemon over time. Rock Slide is Archen's most reliable STAB move and has a nice chance to induce flinch. Acrobatics is Archen's most powerful move after Berry Juice is consumed or removed and is needed in order to deal significant damage. Earthquake hits the Steel-types that resist Rock Slide, meaning the two moves have excellent neutral coverage. Knock Off provides incredible utility in removing a foe's item, crippling defensive Pokemon and Choice Scarf users. Defog can be used over either Stealth Rock or Earthquake in order to remove entry hazards for Archen's team. However, since Archen is weak to Stealth Rock, the damage it takes when it switches in to remove the hazard can put it into Defeatist range very quickly, meaning Archen is not a very good user of the move.
Set Details
========
The Speed EVs with a Jolly nature make Archen as fast as possible, allowing it to maintain hazard control and function as a pivot as well as possible. The HP, Defense, and Special Defense EVs make Archen as bulky as possible. The remaining EVs are put into Attack to raise it by one point. Berry Juice is the item of choice in order to get Archen out of Defeatist range once. Defeatist is Archen's only ability and thus must be used, even though it is terrible.
Usage Tips
========
This set should focus on maintaining hazard control by using its high Speed to repeatedly set up or remove Stealth Rock, depending on whether Stealth Rock or Defog is used. Even though this set does not have a lot of Attack investment, Archen still has a respectable 18 Attack stat, so don't be afraid to fire off attacks. Archen can be switched in on Flying-types such as Doduo and Rufflet and proceed to go for a powerful attack or set up or remove Stealth Rock. Always avoid falling into Defeatist range, as it makes Archen significantly less threatening.
Team Options
========
Chinchou is an excellent partner, as it can take the Electric-, Ice-, Water-, and Steel-type moves that Archen fears. In return, Archen switches into Ground-type moves that Chinchou fears. They also form a VoltTurn core together. Pokemon that can deal with Pawniard, such as Mudbray, Timburr, and Diglett, are all good partners for Archen, as Pawniard can come in on a predicted Defog and get an Attack boost. Slow Chinchou, Magnemite, and Foongus all work well with Archen, as they can easily get it in with a free switch, meaning it won't risk falling into Defeatist range before going for a move. Grass-types such as Cottonee and Ferroseed appreciate Archen taking on Bug-, Flying-, and Fire-types. They also check Water- and Electric-types for Archen.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A defensive set with an Eviolite, an EV spread of 236 HP / 156 Def / 76 SpD / 36 Spe, Stealth Rock or Defog, and Roost can be used to check Flying-types such as Doduo, Rufflet, and Vullaby, but it is easily countered by other common Pokemon such as Pawniard and Chinchou, and Archen's weakness to Stealth Rock means it is easily worn down. Because of this, it will be forced to use Roost very often, making it very passive and exploitable. This set is also unable to utilize Archen's most powerful move, Acrobatics, due to not holding a consumable item. A Choice Scarf set with Rock Slide / Earthquake / U-turn / Knock Off or Switcheroo can also be used. However, since Archen is weak to Stealth Rock and this set has no recovery, it can easily be put into Defeatist range, causing it to be very weak and it will usually be unable to contribute much to its team. Also, similarly to the Eviolite set, a Choice Scarf set is unable to use Acrobatics, since Archen cannot consume its item. An itemless set is another option; such a set gets Acrobatics's higher Base Power immediately, but it struggles to come into play due to a lack of recovery and is unable to utilize Archen's typing, since many Pokemon that Archen can check, such as Flying-types, can 2HKO or 3HKO it, meaning Archen needs an item to prevent it from being put into Defeatist range to easily. Opponents can also see that Archen is not holding an item in Team Preview, meaning they will know that it will immediately have the higher Base Power of Acrobatics. Rock Tomb or Bulldoze can be used to lower a foe's Speed, but the low damage is very noticeable. Head Smash is another option that is incredibly powerful, but the recoil puts Archen into Defeatist range very quickly. Tailwind can be used to support Archen's teammates by doubling their Speed for a few turns. Finally, Heat Wave can be used in stead of Earthquake to hit Ferroseed very hard, but the reduced damage against Pawniard and Magnemite means that Earthquake is usually better.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Spritzee, Slowpoke, Mudbray, and Ferroseed can all take most of Archen's moves, though they don't appreciate losing their item because of Knock Off.
**Steel-types**: Steel-types resist both of Archen's STAB moves, though most of them have to be careful of Earthquake. Bronzor is immune to Earthquake and still resists both of Archen's STAB moves, but it has to be careful of Knock Off. Pawniard can switch into a predicted Defog to get an Attack boost, but non-Eviolite variants are OHKOed by Earthquake.
**Water-types**: Staryu, Chinchou, and Corphish can all threaten Archen with a super effective STAB move. Staryu can also use Rapid Spin to remove Archen's Stealth Rock, and Corphish can OHKO Archen after Stealth Rock with Aqua Jet. Chinchou can take on Archen with its super effective STAB moves, though it has to fear Earthquake.
**Faster Pokemon**: Faster threats such as Abra, Elekid, and Choice Scarf users can outspeed and OHKO Archen or knock it into Defeatist range before taking a hit.
GP: Haund / P Sqaured
[OVERVIEW]
Thanks to a great base 112 Attack and a good base 70 Speed, Archen is a strong offensive Pokemon in Little Cup. Its unique Rock / Flying typing also makes it a good check to Normal- and Flying-types, such as Bunnelby and Rufflet, while also giving STAB to powerful moves such as Stone Edge and Acrobatics. Archen's interesting utility movepool, which includes U-turn, Knock Off, Stealth Rock, Defog, and Roost, also allows it to support its team in various ways.
However, Archen has a terrible ability in Defeatist, which halves both its Attack and Special Attack when its HP drop below half. It also suffers from a weakness to Stealth Rock, which makes it even harder to avoid falling into Defeatist range as well as to come in and remove Stealth Rock with Defog.
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Acrobatics
move 2: Rock Slide / Stone Edge
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: U-turn / Knock Off / Defog
item: Berry Juice
ability: Defeatist
nature: Jolly
evs: 76 HP / 180 Atk / 196 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Acrobatics is Archen's strongest move after Berry Juice is consumed. Rock Slide is Archen's main STAB move while it is still holding Berry Juice and has a nice chance to make the target flinch. Stone Edge can be used for its greater Base Power, but the extra damage rarely matters and its unreliability is often an issue. Earthquake hits the only type that resists both of Archen's STAB moves, Steel, super effectively and thus gives it incredible neutral coverage, OHKOing non-Eviolite variants of Pawniard and Chinchou and any Magnemite variant. The last moveslot is reserved for a utility move; U-turn allows Archen to grab momentum for its team; Knock Off removes a foe's item and hits certain Pokemon that otherwise wall Archen hard, usually 2HKOing Slowpoke; and Defog can be used if your team needs entry hazard removal.
Set Details
========
Berry Juice can get Archen out of Defeatist range once, and after it is consumed Acrobatics will become much stronger. 196 Speed EVs with a Jolly nature allow Archen to hit 17 Speed, outspeeding threats such as Pawniard and Magnemite and Speed tying with a large portion of Little Cup. 180 Attack EVs allow Archen to hit as hard as possible. The remaining EVs are put into HP to slightly raise Archen's mixed bulk. Even though Defeatist is terrible, it is Archen's only ability and thus must be used.
Usage Tips
========
Try to bring Archen in on free switches, such as via a slow Volt Switch or U-turn, so that it won't be forced take a hit and risk going into Defeatist range. This is especially important if it has consumed its Berry Juice already. If Archen is still holding a Berry Juice, it can be switched in to take a hit, consume its Berry Juice, and fire off a powerful move. Depending on which move is chosen, Rock Slide or Stone Edge should be used most often while Archen is still holding its Berry Juice, as Acrobatics will have a meager 55 Base Power. After Berry Juice is consumed, Acrobatics should be used the most often. Be careful of staying in on faster foes, since usually they will be able to knock Archen into Defeatist range before taking a hit, meaning they won't be taking much damage.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that can bring in Archen for free, such as slow Chinchou and Magnemite, are great partners, as they make sure Archen does not fall into Defeatist range. They also both deal with bulky Water-types, most of which can take Archen's hits with relative ease. Entry hazard removers such as Staryu and Vullaby work well with Archen, as Stealth Rock can put it close to or even into Defeatist range quickly. Grass-types such as Foongus and Ferroseed can check Water- and Electric-types, both of which Archen fears. Foongus can also immobilize a foe with Spore, allowing Archen to come in much more easily. Lastly, Fire-types such as Ponyta can take out Ferroseed, which can take any of Archen's moves very well.
[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Stealth Rock / Defog
move 2: Rock Slide
move 3: Acrobatics
move 4: Earthquake / Defog / Knock Off
item: Berry Juice
ability: Defeatist
nature: Jolly
evs: 76 HP / 20 Atk / 76 Def / 76 SpD / 196 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock is an incredible entry hazard, whittling down all of your opponent's Pokemon over time. Rock Slide is Archen's most reliable STAB move and has a nice chance to induce flinch. Acrobatics is Archen's most powerful move after Berry Juice is consumed or removed and is needed in order to deal significant damage. Earthquake hits the Steel-types that resist Rock Slide, meaning the two moves have excellent neutral coverage. Knock Off provides incredible utility in removing a foe's item, crippling defensive Pokemon and Choice Scarf users. Defog can be used over either Stealth Rock or Earthquake in order to remove entry hazards for Archen's team. However, since Archen is weak to Stealth Rock, the damage it takes when it switches in to remove the hazard can put it into Defeatist range very quickly, meaning Archen is not a very good user of the move.
Set Details
========
The Speed EVs with a Jolly nature make Archen as fast as possible, allowing it to maintain hazard control and function as a pivot as well as possible. The HP, Defense, and Special Defense EVs make Archen as bulky as possible. The remaining EVs are put into Attack to raise it by one point. Berry Juice is the item of choice in order to get Archen out of Defeatist range once. Defeatist is Archen's only ability and thus must be used, even though it is terrible.
Usage Tips
========
This set should focus on maintaining hazard control by using its high Speed to repeatedly set up or remove Stealth Rock, depending on whether Stealth Rock or Defog is used. Even though this set does not have a lot of Attack investment, Archen still has a respectable 18 Attack stat, so don't be afraid to fire off attacks. Archen can be switched in on Flying-types such as Doduo and Rufflet and proceed to go for a powerful attack or set up or remove Stealth Rock. Always avoid falling into Defeatist range, as it makes Archen significantly less threatening.
Team Options
========
Chinchou is an excellent partner, as it can take the Electric-, Ice-, Water-, and Steel-type moves that Archen fears. In return, Archen switches into Ground-type moves that Chinchou fears. They also form a VoltTurn core together. Pokemon that can deal with Pawniard, such as Mudbray, Timburr, and Diglett, are all good partners for Archen, as Pawniard can come in on a predicted Defog and get an Attack boost. Slow Chinchou, Magnemite, and Foongus all work well with Archen, as they can easily get it in with a free switch, meaning it won't risk falling into Defeatist range before going for a move. Grass-types such as Cottonee and Ferroseed appreciate Archen taking on Bug-, Flying-, and Fire-types. They also check Water- and Electric-types for Archen.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A defensive set with an Eviolite, an EV spread of 236 HP / 156 Def / 76 SpD / 36 Spe, Stealth Rock or Defog, and Roost can be used to check Flying-types such as Doduo, Rufflet, and Vullaby, but it is easily countered by other common Pokemon such as Pawniard and Chinchou, and Archen's weakness to Stealth Rock means it is easily worn down. Because of this, it will be forced to use Roost very often, making it very passive and exploitable. This set is also unable to utilize Archen's most powerful move, Acrobatics, due to not holding a consumable item. A Choice Scarf set with Rock Slide / Earthquake / U-turn / Knock Off or Switcheroo can also be used. However, since Archen is weak to Stealth Rock and this set has no recovery, it can easily be put into Defeatist range, causing it to be very weak and it will usually be unable to contribute much to its team. Also, similarly to the Eviolite set, a Choice Scarf set is unable to use Acrobatics, since Archen cannot consume its item. An itemless set is another option; such a set gets Acrobatics's higher Base Power immediately, but it struggles to come into play due to a lack of recovery and is unable to utilize Archen's typing, since many Pokemon that Archen can check, such as Flying-types, can 2HKO or 3HKO it, meaning Archen needs an item to prevent it from being put into Defeatist range to easily. Opponents can also see that Archen is not holding an item in Team Preview, meaning they will know that it will immediately have the higher Base Power of Acrobatics. Rock Tomb or Bulldoze can be used to lower a foe's Speed, but the low damage is very noticeable. Head Smash is another option that is incredibly powerful, but the recoil puts Archen into Defeatist range very quickly. Tailwind can be used to support Archen's teammates by doubling their Speed for a few turns. Finally, Heat Wave can be used in stead of Earthquake to hit Ferroseed very hard, but the reduced damage against Pawniard and Magnemite means that Earthquake is usually better.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Spritzee, Slowpoke, Mudbray, and Ferroseed can all take most of Archen's moves, though they don't appreciate losing their item because of Knock Off.
**Steel-types**: Steel-types resist both of Archen's STAB moves, though most of them have to be careful of Earthquake. Bronzor is immune to Earthquake and still resists both of Archen's STAB moves, but it has to be careful of Knock Off. Pawniard can switch into a predicted Defog to get an Attack boost, but non-Eviolite variants are OHKOed by Earthquake.
**Water-types**: Staryu, Chinchou, and Corphish can all threaten Archen with a super effective STAB move. Staryu can also use Rapid Spin to remove Archen's Stealth Rock, and Corphish can OHKO Archen after Stealth Rock with Aqua Jet. Chinchou can take on Archen with its super effective STAB moves, though it has to fear Earthquake.
**Faster Pokemon**: Faster threats such as Abra, Elekid, and Choice Scarf users can outspeed and OHKO Archen or knock it into Defeatist range before taking a hit.
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