Hello! I'm new here to Smogon, and recently I posted a rather irrelevant thread to the Smog Articles thread. Now, I've bought my copy of the game and have been testing out my set against foes on WiFi from my 3DS, so these actually have been tested.
Quilladin Evo-Stall:
Quilladin @ Eviolite
Trait: Overgrow
EVS: Invested in HP, Defense, and only a bit of Special Defense
Impish/Relaxed Nature
- Leech Seed
- Protect
- Needle Arm/Seed Bomb/Smack Down
- Bulk Up
Quilladin can outmatch Chestnaught's defenses with an Eviolite easily. (I've done out the math, and Quilladin has more defense than Chestnaught by about 10-20 stat... units?) Quilladin can be sent in as a lead, but is more valuable to bring it in when a physical attacker is detected. First, use Leech Seed to begin your stall with steady HP recovery. From here, you can a) Use Protect every other turn, with Needle Arm every other. This can be very effective due to Needle Arm's flinching chance. b) use Bulk Up (provided you've taken out all resistors of Grass types already) to strengthen your Defense even more (with an additional Attack up-this strategy is not to rely on Quilladin's attacking.) The choice between Needle Arm/Seed Bomb/Smack Down is for these reasons: Needle Arm is a bit less powerful than Seed Bomb, but the 30% flinch rate is a godsend for a stalling set. Also, I haven't tested Smack Down yet in a battle, but it takes care of all but one of a Grass-type's weaknesses (Ice, Fire, Flying, Bug, but not Poison.) which can be quite useful against, as long as those opponents are using physical moves and don't OHKO Quilladin. Bulk Up is helpful, but shouldn't be mistaken for an attempt to sweep. Maybe if you've used it 6 times and your Attack and Defense are completely maxed out it can start up your sweep, but it's more to keep Quilladin alive longer and to do something productive with your turns in between Protects.
Pros:
Great physical bulk
Decent special bulk
Leech Seed + Protect, however classic, is used very well by Quilladin
And when used in addition to Needle Arm, you have 3 pure regaining turns in a row (if Needle Arm flinches.)
Bulk Up can expand Quilladin's longevity and increase the HP drained from opponents
Smack Down can leave Quilladin almost without a weakness, and the one left seems to lack presence in competitive battling
Cons:
Leech Seed + Protect is quite predictable to an experienced battler (although Needle Arm's flinch and Bulk Up's defense may surprise them)
Although there aren't many types that Quilladin can't effectively stall against or damage with Smack Down, many Pokémon can resist Needle Arm or Smack Down, which can allow the opponent more time to KO you
Is contested heavily by Chesnaught with Spiky Shield
And, speaking of Chesnaught's Spiky Shield:
Chestnaught (Wanna-be) Sweep
Chestnaught @ Leftovers
Trait: Overgrow
EVS: Invested in HP and Attack, and minimally in Special Defense
Adamant Nature
- Leech Seed
- Spiky Shield
- Power-Up Punch/Bulk Up
- Seed-Bomb/Wood Hammer
I apologize that these two sets are based around the same concept, but there are enough changes in strategy, I think, to list them separately. While Quilladin before it has insufficient Attack to pull of a sweep without tons of building up, Chestnaught lives up to its namesake as a juggernaut-its defenses will not be broken down without a HUGE struggle, and its attack power is absurdly high. However, Leech Seed and Spiky Shield are just too good of a combination not to use, and it really helps the stall, regardless. The stall starts the same way as if you were using Quilladin, with Leech Seed to regain HP throughout the set-up. (or the opponent's lifespan.) However, Spiky Shield is much better than Protect in that whenever it is used, the attacker will be damaged.
Power-Up Punch deals a bit of damage while raising only the Attack stat, but Bulk Up raises Attack and Defense with no damage. It's a tough choice, but I, personally, prefer using Power-Up Punch. I just like the feeling of hurting my opponent while helping myself at the same time, hence my love for the Leech Seed stall. However, if you decide to use this set up, you may find that Bulk Up is a better choice for you. Seed Bomb and Wood Hammer are both spectacular, but Wood Hammer can be rather unreliable. For example, against a Pokémon like Blissey, the recoil damage alone can destroy you. Also, in a pinch, if your Pokémon is left with only a few HP, Wood Hammer should not be used. I'd recommend Seed Bomb over Wood Hammer.
I'm sorry if these sets aren't creative or underrated enough (although I'd admit I haven't seen an opponent using a defensive Quilladin or a Chestnaught that doesn't wield a Choice Band/Scarf or just all attacking moves.) I'd like to redeem myself for my idiocy on the Smog Article, and I hope this time I've come prepared enough to have my post respected and acknowledged positively.
~~Smiddie~~
