Deerling
Status: Done!
QC Checks: Darkamber8828, Heysup
GP Checks: NatGeo, Aeron Ee1
[Overview]
<p>Although Deerling has suffered a bit due to the ban on Vulpix robbing it of permanent sun in the form of Drought, there is still enough left for it to work. Deerling learns Baton Pass along with Agility and Work Up, giving it a nice niche. A great Speed stat and decent base Attack allow it to sweep under sun if it is provided. Sadly, a terrible weakness to Fighting-type moves hurts Deerling, and Snover can easily come in and ruin a sweep that relies on the sun. Nonetheless, this harmless-looking deer has just enough to be a viable Pokemon in Little Cup, provided it gets the support it needs.</p>
[SET]
name: Baton Pass
move 1: Work Up
move 2: Agility
move 3: Baton Pass
move 4: Return / Substitute
item: Eviolite
ability: Sap Sipper
nature: Jolly
evs: 36 HP / 196 Atk / 36 SpD / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Deerling's main use is to set up a teammate with the use of Baton Pass, as there are many Pokemon that would love to be able to have a much-needed stat boost. Work Up and Agility are Deerling's two options to Baton Pass, with Agility being easiest to pass as it outspeeds almost everything after the boost. In the last slot, Return is the main option for Deerling so it can defend itself if needed, but Substitute can keep status moves away.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>If Substitute is chosen in the last spot, an EV spread of 196 HP / 36 Def / 36 SpD / 236 Spe is superior to the listed option, maximizing Speed and then bulk as its Attack stat is not being used. As for teammates, Pokemon such as Cubone and Pawniard love to have Agility's boost, as they are quite slow otherwise. Work Up, on the other hand, is loved by fast Pokemon that can attack from both sides of the spectrum, such as Elekid. Pokemon that can set up entry hazards to support a sweep are useful as well. Dwebble and Ferroseed are good users of entry hazards, making them great teammates. Lastly, Mach Punch users are a major problem for Deerling, making Duskull an excellent teammate for Deerling.</p>
[SET]
name: Chlorophyll Sweeper
move 1: Work Up
move 2: Return / Double-Edge
move 3: Jump Kick / Nature Power
move 4: Faint Attack
item: Life Orb
ability: Chlorophyll
nature: Adamant
evs: 36 HP / 196 Atk / 36 SpD / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Deerling becomes an incredibly fast sweeper with Sunny Day support when using the Chlorophyll ability, which allows it to sweep on its own. Work Up is Deerling's best boosting move, reaching 24 Attack with one use. Return is the most reliable STAB move Deerling gets, and is therefore preferred for the second slot, while Double-Edge has extra power at the cost of harmful recoil that can add up quickly. In the third slot, Jump Kick is the main option for its coverage on Rock- and Steel-types, including the common Ferroseed. Nature Power, which has the same power and type as Earthquake in a Wi-Fi environment as well as on battle simulators, is another option in the third slot, being safer and hitting Poison-types, though it fails to hit Ferroseed super effectively. In the last slot, Faint Attack is used to get a super effective hit on Ghost-types such as Gastly, providing excellent coverage alongside Jump Kick.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Munchlax, although not benefitting directly from the sun itself, is a good choice to set up Sunny Day due to its natural bulk. Duskull again takes Mach Punch users, which can easily take down Deerling. Of special note for this set, however, are Snover and Hippopotas, which can switch in and get rid of the weather. Snover hates getting hit by Jump Kick, but is still a problem due to its Ice-type moves and the fact that it outspeeds Deerling in hail when holding a Choice Scarf. Slowpoke is a good teammate here, as it can easily take on Hippopotas, and even gets Fire Blast to work in sunlight. Houndour and Ponyta work well in the sun and are very good options against Snover regardless of weather, making them great teammates as well.</p>
[SET]
name: Work Up + Synthesis
move 1: Work Up
move 2: Synthesis
move 3: Return / Double-Edge
move 4: Faint Attack / Nature Power
item: Eviolite
ability: Sap Sipper
nature: Jolly
evs: 36 HP / 196 Atk / 36 SpD / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Deerling actually has decent bulk when holding Eviolite, and it gets a healing move in the form of Synthesis to take advantage of this. This allows it to use Work Up and Synthesis on the same set to gain multiple boosts and heal accordingly. Return and Double-Edge compete for a moveslot again, but Return is more reliable. Double-Edge's recoil is somewhat offset by Synthesis being able to heal, however, meaning it is a more useful option on this set than others. In the last spot, Faint Attack is preferred to hit Ghost-types super effectively. Nature Power could be used, however, for Steel- and Rock-types if those are more of a problem.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Jump Kick could be used as well in the last slot to hit Ferroseed, but with only two moves it becomes quite risky with Misdreavus able to easily switch in to make Deerling lose half of its HP. Misdreavus itself, however, as well as Duskull, make good teammates for Deerling for their ability to take on Fighting-types. Steel-types are also a concern for this set if using Faint Attack, so Magnemite can trap and KO most. If using Nature Power or Jump Kick, Ghost-types become problems. In that case, a Stunky or Munchlax with Pursuit is a good teammate to trap and KO those threats.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Deerling has few options that haven't been covered already. Deerling could set up Sunny Day by itself, but would rather have a teammate set it up as Deerling will have an easier time sweeping without the restraint of only three attacking moves. Wild Charge could be used for another coverage move, but it hits fewer important Pokemon than its other listed moves. Energy Ball, although strange, could work with a neutral nature with Work Up as a STAB move, but is somewhat weak and doesn't have the coverage to make it worthwhile. Leech Seed and Substitute could make a moveset, but this is horribly outclassed by Cottonee and even Snover. Lastly, Deerling learns Light Screen, Thunder Wave, and Grasswhistle but is better off Baton Passing as its form of support.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Timburr and Mienfoo are powerful Fighting-types which Deerling has no real chance against. Each can land a super effective Drain Punch to net little or no loss to their HP while landing an OHKO. Hippopotas gets rid of the sun if that is being used, and works well barring the rare Energy Ball. Snover does the same, though Jump Kick is much more commonly used. Duskull has the defenses to take a Faint Attack and can proceed to use Will-O-Wisp to cripple Deerling. Scraggy works well against Deerling that lack Jump Kick, and can work similarly to the other Fighting-types. Lastly, Dwebble with a Bug-type move easily handles Deerling, as it only takes neutral hits from most of Deerling's moves.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Deerling receives Serene Grace from the Dream World, which is normally a fantastic ability. However, Deerling has no useful moves to take advantage of it, so it would be basically useless when released. Sap Sipper and Chlorophyll are far superior.</p>
Status: Done!
QC Checks: Darkamber8828, Heysup
GP Checks: NatGeo, Aeron Ee1
[Overview]
<p>Although Deerling has suffered a bit due to the ban on Vulpix robbing it of permanent sun in the form of Drought, there is still enough left for it to work. Deerling learns Baton Pass along with Agility and Work Up, giving it a nice niche. A great Speed stat and decent base Attack allow it to sweep under sun if it is provided. Sadly, a terrible weakness to Fighting-type moves hurts Deerling, and Snover can easily come in and ruin a sweep that relies on the sun. Nonetheless, this harmless-looking deer has just enough to be a viable Pokemon in Little Cup, provided it gets the support it needs.</p>
[SET]
name: Baton Pass
move 1: Work Up
move 2: Agility
move 3: Baton Pass
move 4: Return / Substitute
item: Eviolite
ability: Sap Sipper
nature: Jolly
evs: 36 HP / 196 Atk / 36 SpD / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Deerling's main use is to set up a teammate with the use of Baton Pass, as there are many Pokemon that would love to be able to have a much-needed stat boost. Work Up and Agility are Deerling's two options to Baton Pass, with Agility being easiest to pass as it outspeeds almost everything after the boost. In the last slot, Return is the main option for Deerling so it can defend itself if needed, but Substitute can keep status moves away.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>If Substitute is chosen in the last spot, an EV spread of 196 HP / 36 Def / 36 SpD / 236 Spe is superior to the listed option, maximizing Speed and then bulk as its Attack stat is not being used. As for teammates, Pokemon such as Cubone and Pawniard love to have Agility's boost, as they are quite slow otherwise. Work Up, on the other hand, is loved by fast Pokemon that can attack from both sides of the spectrum, such as Elekid. Pokemon that can set up entry hazards to support a sweep are useful as well. Dwebble and Ferroseed are good users of entry hazards, making them great teammates. Lastly, Mach Punch users are a major problem for Deerling, making Duskull an excellent teammate for Deerling.</p>
[SET]
name: Chlorophyll Sweeper
move 1: Work Up
move 2: Return / Double-Edge
move 3: Jump Kick / Nature Power
move 4: Faint Attack
item: Life Orb
ability: Chlorophyll
nature: Adamant
evs: 36 HP / 196 Atk / 36 SpD / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Deerling becomes an incredibly fast sweeper with Sunny Day support when using the Chlorophyll ability, which allows it to sweep on its own. Work Up is Deerling's best boosting move, reaching 24 Attack with one use. Return is the most reliable STAB move Deerling gets, and is therefore preferred for the second slot, while Double-Edge has extra power at the cost of harmful recoil that can add up quickly. In the third slot, Jump Kick is the main option for its coverage on Rock- and Steel-types, including the common Ferroseed. Nature Power, which has the same power and type as Earthquake in a Wi-Fi environment as well as on battle simulators, is another option in the third slot, being safer and hitting Poison-types, though it fails to hit Ferroseed super effectively. In the last slot, Faint Attack is used to get a super effective hit on Ghost-types such as Gastly, providing excellent coverage alongside Jump Kick.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Munchlax, although not benefitting directly from the sun itself, is a good choice to set up Sunny Day due to its natural bulk. Duskull again takes Mach Punch users, which can easily take down Deerling. Of special note for this set, however, are Snover and Hippopotas, which can switch in and get rid of the weather. Snover hates getting hit by Jump Kick, but is still a problem due to its Ice-type moves and the fact that it outspeeds Deerling in hail when holding a Choice Scarf. Slowpoke is a good teammate here, as it can easily take on Hippopotas, and even gets Fire Blast to work in sunlight. Houndour and Ponyta work well in the sun and are very good options against Snover regardless of weather, making them great teammates as well.</p>
[SET]
name: Work Up + Synthesis
move 1: Work Up
move 2: Synthesis
move 3: Return / Double-Edge
move 4: Faint Attack / Nature Power
item: Eviolite
ability: Sap Sipper
nature: Jolly
evs: 36 HP / 196 Atk / 36 SpD / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Deerling actually has decent bulk when holding Eviolite, and it gets a healing move in the form of Synthesis to take advantage of this. This allows it to use Work Up and Synthesis on the same set to gain multiple boosts and heal accordingly. Return and Double-Edge compete for a moveslot again, but Return is more reliable. Double-Edge's recoil is somewhat offset by Synthesis being able to heal, however, meaning it is a more useful option on this set than others. In the last spot, Faint Attack is preferred to hit Ghost-types super effectively. Nature Power could be used, however, for Steel- and Rock-types if those are more of a problem.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Jump Kick could be used as well in the last slot to hit Ferroseed, but with only two moves it becomes quite risky with Misdreavus able to easily switch in to make Deerling lose half of its HP. Misdreavus itself, however, as well as Duskull, make good teammates for Deerling for their ability to take on Fighting-types. Steel-types are also a concern for this set if using Faint Attack, so Magnemite can trap and KO most. If using Nature Power or Jump Kick, Ghost-types become problems. In that case, a Stunky or Munchlax with Pursuit is a good teammate to trap and KO those threats.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Deerling has few options that haven't been covered already. Deerling could set up Sunny Day by itself, but would rather have a teammate set it up as Deerling will have an easier time sweeping without the restraint of only three attacking moves. Wild Charge could be used for another coverage move, but it hits fewer important Pokemon than its other listed moves. Energy Ball, although strange, could work with a neutral nature with Work Up as a STAB move, but is somewhat weak and doesn't have the coverage to make it worthwhile. Leech Seed and Substitute could make a moveset, but this is horribly outclassed by Cottonee and even Snover. Lastly, Deerling learns Light Screen, Thunder Wave, and Grasswhistle but is better off Baton Passing as its form of support.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Timburr and Mienfoo are powerful Fighting-types which Deerling has no real chance against. Each can land a super effective Drain Punch to net little or no loss to their HP while landing an OHKO. Hippopotas gets rid of the sun if that is being used, and works well barring the rare Energy Ball. Snover does the same, though Jump Kick is much more commonly used. Duskull has the defenses to take a Faint Attack and can proceed to use Will-O-Wisp to cripple Deerling. Scraggy works well against Deerling that lack Jump Kick, and can work similarly to the other Fighting-types. Lastly, Dwebble with a Bug-type move easily handles Deerling, as it only takes neutral hits from most of Deerling's moves.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Deerling receives Serene Grace from the Dream World, which is normally a fantastic ability. However, Deerling has no useful moves to take advantage of it, so it would be basically useless when released. Sap Sipper and Chlorophyll are far superior.</p>
