Drapion

IronBullet

Astronomy Domine
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QC: Bouff /dodmen / Sam
GP: Rhythms / Queez


[OVERVIEW]

Although Drapion's stats are rather mediocre, its unique typing and decent bulk give it immense value as a check to various threatening Psychic- and Ghost-types in UU. It also has an excellent support movepool consisting of Toxic Spikes, Taunt, and Whirlwind, which makes it a great choice to support your team.

However, it is weak to Ground, a very common attacking type, and its offensive capabilities are average at best. It is also rather outclassed as a Toxic Spikes setter in UU by Tentacruel and Nidoqueen, both of which, unlike Drapion, offer an important Fighting-type resistance and more utility with Rapid Spin and Stealth Rock, respectively.

[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Knock Off
move 2: Taunt
move 3: Toxic Spikes
move 4: Whirlwind / Poison Jab
item: Black Sludge
ability: Battle Armor
nature: Careful
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Knock Off is a useful, decently powered STAB move that enables Drapion to cripple its common counters. Taunt blocks Defog, recovery moves, and status, and is especially useful against more defensive teams. Toxic Spikes provides entry hazard support, helping with wearing down teams that lack a grounded Poison-type. Whirlwind allows Drapion to phaze setup sweepers such as Calm Mind Psychic-types, Calm Mind Florges, and Curse Snorlax, and accumulates Toxic Spikes damage. It is also useful against Aromatisse, whose ability Aroma Veil makes it immune to Taunt. Poison Jab can be used as an alternative over Whirlwind, providing Drapion with a reliable STAB move to hit Fairy-types for super effective damage.

Set Details
========

248 HP EVs maximize Drapion's overall bulk. Maximum Special Defense EVs with a Careful nature are needed to allow Drapion to counter the various Psychic-types in the UU metagame such as Reuniclus, Cresselia, Alakazam, and Slowking. It also allows Drapion to set up Toxic Spikes against weak special attackers. The remaining 8 EVs are placed in Defense to slightly boost Drapion's already impressive physical bulk. Black Sludge increases Drapion's longevity. 44 EVs can be shifted into Speed to outrun maximum Speed Omastar; however, it is almost never found in the UU metagame.

Usage Tips
========

Aim to use Drapion's impressive special bulk to set up Toxic Spikes and counter the various Psychic-types in the UU metagame. It is heavily recommended that you try to eliminate any grounded Poison-types on your opponent's team as soon as possible, as they absorb Toxic Spikes. Once Toxic Spikes is set up, slowly cripple your opponent's team by phazing and using Knock Off to remove items, while Taunting any attempts at recovery and Defogging. Keep in mind, however, that Drapion is still outsped by some Defoggers, such as Crobat.

Team Options
========

The chip damage provided by Toxic Spikes is incredibly helpful for sweepers that have trouble breaking past certain walls. For example, it aids Mega Pidgeot in breaking past Florges, and it aids Feraligatr in breaking past Alomomola. Clerics such as Aromatisse and Florges make for great teammates, as they can pass Wishes to Drapion to keep it healthy while curing troublesome status conditions. Pokemon that can set up Stealth Rock to complement Drapion's Toxic Spikes, such as Bronzong and Swampert, also make good partners. Pokemon that can get rid of grounded Poison-types, such as Mega Aerodactyl, Cresselia, and Dugtrio, which deserves special mention for being able to trap them, also partner well with Drapion.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Pursuit can be used to deal heavy damage to fleeing Psychic- and Ghost-types; however, Drapion's other moves are usually better, as they provide more utility. A Swords Dance set is usable with Drapion's decent Attack stat and wide physical movepool; however, Drapion's average Speed and lack of resistances mean that a sweep is hard to accomplish. A Choice Band set faces similar shortcomings due to Drapion's average Speed, and its Attack is really not high enough for it to be an effective wallbreaker in UU.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Ground-types**: Ground-types such as Nidoqueen, Krookodile, Swampert, and Gligar all handle Drapion very well. However, they are all crippled by Knock Off, barring Mega Swampert; Gligar in particular hates to have its Eviolite removed.

**Faster Offensive Pokemon**: Pokemon that can outspeed Drapion, such as Hydreigon, Entei, and Crobat, can easily switch in and defeat it. However, they dislike having their item removed by Knock Off.

**Status Effects**: A burn halves Drapion's Attack and gradually wears it down, while paralysis slows it down greatly.

**Knock Off Absorbers**: Mega evolved Pokemon such as Mega Aerodactyl, Mega Aggron, and Mega Swampert can easily switch in and defeat Drapion. Pokemon resistant to Knock Off can also switch into Drapion relatively easily. Cobalion in particular is immune to Toxic Spikes and gains a free Justified boost from Knock Off.
 
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nv

The Lost Age
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Ok first am QC check but here it goes...

Overview:

I would mention with the new drop, Mandibuzz, it faces competition as a Whirlwind / Taunt user, but that it still has Toxic Spikes. Also I feel it should be spruced up by mentioning its exact bulk like saying something like "Its decent 70 / 110 / 75 is further augmented by its nice resists to Ghost and Dark as well as its immunity to Psychic-type moves." Also I would mention it is a great mon for stall teams as it can take on things like Reuniclus and Heracross w/ Whirlwind and its typing which otherwise give stall a hard time. Another thing is mention a few Psychic types it walls like Cresselia, Reuniclus, etc.

Set Details:

You could go ahead and mention that 64 EVs outspeed the infamous Honchkrow and speedtie with other mons that could force it out maybe like Tentacruel. Not too sure how worth this is but idk.

Other than that, this looks like solid and if I could this would be QC 3/3.
 

IronBullet

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Again I agree with some and disagree with some.
  • Didn't mention Mandibuzz because the premise behind using Drapion is Toxic Spikes.
  • Mentioned Ghost-types in overview. Not Dark because Drapion can't really do anything to them.
  • Not adding Speed EVs because it compromises the special bulk and reduces ability to take Focus Blasts in particular.
  • Already mentioned the other stuff.
Thanks!
 

Sam

i say it's all just wind in sails
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Move pursuit to OO - it's pitifully weak and Whirlwind/Pjab are almost always going to be the better option.

Mention that Drapion is still outsped by some defoggers (namely Crobat)

nice analysis, chap n_n

QC 3/3
 

dhelmise

everything is embarrassing
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Overview
########
[OVERVIEW]

Although Drapion's stats are rather mediocre, its unique typing and decent bulk give it immense value as a check to the various threatening Psychic- and Ghost-types in UU. It also has an excellent support movepool consisting of Toxic Spikes, Taunt, and Whirlwind, which makes it a great choice to support your team.

However, it is weak to Ground, a very common attacking type, and its offensive capabilities are average at best. It is also rather outclassed as a Toxic Spike setter in UU by Tentacruel and Nidoqueen, which, unlike Drapion, offer an important Fighting-type resist,ance and more utility in being able to Rapid Spin and set up Stealth Rock respectively.

Specially Defensive
########
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Knock Off
move 2: Taunt
move 3: Toxic Spikes
move 4: Whirlwind / Poison Jab
item: Black Sludge
ability: Battle Armor
item: Black Sludgenature: Careful
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD / 8 Def
nature: Careful


Moves
========

Knock Off is a useful, decently- powered STAB move that enables Drapion to cripple its common counters. Taunt blocks Defog, recovery moves, and status, and is especially useful against more defensive teams. Toxic Spikes provides entry hazard support, helping to wear down teams lackingwith wearing down teams that lack a grounded Poison-type. Whirlwind allows Drapion to phazes setup sweepers such as Calm Mind Psychic-types, Calm Mind Florges, and Curse Snorlax, and accumulates Toxic Spikes damage. It is also useful against Aromatisse, whose ability Aroma Veil makes it immune to Taunt. Poison Jab can be used as an alternative over Whirlwind, providing a reliable STAB move to hit Fairy-types for super effectively damage.

Set Details
========

248 HP EVs maximizes Drapion's overall bulk. Maximum Special Defense EVs with a Careful nature is needed to allow Drapion to counter the various Psychic-types in the UU metagame such as Reuniclus, Cresselia, Alakazam, and Slowking. It also allows Drapion to set up Toxic Spikes against weak special attackers. The remaining 8 EVs are placed in Defense to slightly boost Drapion's already impressive physical bulk. Black Sludge is the item of choice to increases Drapion's longevity. 44 EVs can be shifted into Speed to outrun maximum Speed Omastar, however; (add semicolon) however, (AC) it is almost never found in the UU metagame.

Usage Tips
========

Aim to use Drapion's impressive special bulk to set up Toxic Spikes and counter the various Psychic-types in the UU metagame. It is heavily recommended that you try to any eliminate grounded Poison-types on your opponent's team as soon as possible, (AC) as they absorb Toxic Spikes. Once Toxic Spikes areis set up, slowly cripple your opponent's team by phazing and using Knock Off to remove items, while Taunting any attempts at recovery and Defogging. Keep in mind, however, that Drapion is still outsped by some Defoggers, such as Crobat.

Team Options
========

The chip damage provided by Toxic Spikes is incredibly helpful for sweepers that have trouble breaking past certain walls. For example, (AC) it aids Mega Pidgeot in breaking past Florges, and it aids Feraligatr in breaking past Alomomola. Clerics such as Aromatisse and Florges make for great teammates, (AC) as they can pass Wishes to Drapion to keep it healthy while curing troublesome status conditions. Pokemon that set up Stealth Rock to complement Drapion's Toxic Spikes and synergise well with it defensively, such assynergize well with it defensively; (Add Semicolon) Bronzong and Swampert, also make good partners. Pokemon that can get rid of grounded Poison-types that absorb Toxic Spikes, such as Mega Aerodactyl, Cresselia, and Dugtrio, who deserves special mention for being able to trap them, also partner well with Drapion.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
########=============

Pursuit can be used to deal heavy damage to fleeing Psychic-types and Ghost-types, however; (Add semicolon) however, (AC) Drapion's other moves are usually better, (AC) as they provide more utility. A Swords Dance set is usable with Drapion's decent Attack stat and wide physical movepool, however; (Add Semicolon) however, (AC) its average Speed and lack of resistances mean that a sweep is hard to accomplish. A Choice Band set faces similar shortcomings due to Drapion's average Speed, and its Attack is really not high enough to be an effectively wall-breaker in UU.

Checks & and Counters
########===================

**Ground-types**: Nidoqueen, Krookodile, Swampert, and Gligar all handle Drapion very well. However, (AC) they are all crippled by Knock Off, (AC) barring Mega Swampert; Gligar in particular hates to have its Eviolite removed.

**Faster oOffensive Pokemon**: Pokemon that can outspeed Drapion, such as Hydreigon, Entei, (AC) and Crobat, can easily switch into and defeat it. However, they too dislike having their item removed.

**Status**: A burn halves Drapion's Attack and gradually wears it down, while paralysis slows it down greatly.

**Knock Off absorbers**: Mega-eAbsorbers**: Mega Evolved Pokemon such as Mega Aerodactyl, Mega Aggron, (AC) and Mega Swampert can easily switch into and defeat Drapion. Knock Off resists also canPokemon resistant to Knock Off can also switch into Drapion relatively easily. Cobalion in particular is immune to Toxic Spikes and gains a free Justified boost from Knock Off.
GP 1/2
 
Last edited:

queez

wandering and wondering
is a Battle Simulator Moderator Alumnus
Additions
Removals
Comments

[OVERVIEW]

Although Drapion's stats are rather mediocre, its unique typing and decent bulk give it immense value as a check to the various threatening Psychic- and Ghost-types in UU. It also has an excellent support movepool consisting of Toxic Spikes, Taunt, and Whirlwind, which makes it a great choice to support your team.

However, it is weak to Ground, a very common attacking type, and its offensive capabilities are average at best. It is also rather outclassed as a Toxic Spikes setter in UU by Tentacruel and Nidoqueen, both of which, unlike Drapion, offer an important Fighting-type resistance,(remove comma) and more utility in being able to with Rapid Spin and set up Stealth Rock,(add comma) respectively.

[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Knock Off
move 2: Taunt
move 3: Toxic Spikes
move 4: Whirlwind / Poison Jab
item: Black Sludge
ability: Battle Armor
nature: Careful
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD

Moves
========

Knock Off is a useful, decently powered STAB move that enables Drapion to cripple its common counters. Taunt blocks Defog, recovery moves, and status, and is especially useful against more defensive teams. Toxic Spikes provides entry hazard support, helping with wearing down teams that lack a grounded Poison-type. Whirlwind allows Drapion to phaze setup sweepers such as Calm Mind Psychic-types, Calm Mind Florges, and Curse Snorlax, and accumulates Toxic Spikes damage. It is also useful against Aromatisse, whose ability Aroma Veil makes it immune to Taunt. Poison Jab can be used as an alternative over Whirlwind, providing Drapion with a reliable STAB move to hit Fairy-types for super-(remove hyphen)effective damage.

Set Details
========

248 HP EVs maximize Drapion's overall bulk. Maximum Special Defense EVs with a Careful nature is are needed to allow Drapion to counter the various Psychic-types in the UU metagame such as Reuniclus, Cresselia, Alakazam, and Slowking. It also allows Drapion to set up Toxic Spikes against weak special attackers. The remaining 8 EVs are placed in Defense to slightly boost Drapion's already impressive physical bulk. Black Sludge increases Drapion's longevity. 44 EVs can be shifted into Speed to outrun maximum Speed Omastar; however, it is almost never found in the UU metagame.

Usage Tips
========

Aim to use Drapion's impressive special bulk to set up Toxic Spikes and counter the various Psychic-types in the UU metagame. It is heavily recommended that you try to any eliminate any grounded Poison-types on your opponent's team as soon as possible, as they absorb Toxic Spikes. Once Toxic Spikes is set up, slowly cripple your opponent's team by phazing and using Knock Off to remove items, while Taunting any attempts at recovery and Defogging. Keep in mind, however, that Drapion is still outsped by some Defoggers, such as Crobat.

Team Options
========

The chip damage provided by Toxic Spikes is incredibly helpful for sweepers that have trouble breaking past certain walls. For example, it aids Mega Pidgeot in breaking past Florges, and it aids Feraligatr in breaking past Alomomola. Clerics such as Aromatisse and Florges make for great teammates,(add comma) as they can pass Wishes to Drapion to keep it healthy while curing troublesome status conditions. Pokemon that can set up Stealth Rock to complement Drapion's Toxic Spikes, such as Bronzong and Swampert, also make good partners. Pokemon that can get rid of grounded Poison-types that absorb Toxic Spikes, such as Mega Aerodactyl, Cresselia, and Dugtrio, who which deserves special mention for being able to trap them, also partner well with Drapion.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Pursuit can be used to deal heavy damage to fleeing Psychic-types and Ghost-types; however, Drapion's other moves are usually better,(add comma) as they provide more utility. A Swords Dance set is usable with Drapion's decent Attack stat and wide physical movepool; however, its Drapion's average Speed and lack of resistances mean that a sweep is hard to accomplish. A Choice Band set faces similar shortcomings due to Drapion's average Speed, and its Attack is really not high enough for it to be an effective wallbreaker in UU.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Ground-types**: Ground-types such as (necessary because the "they all" in the next sentence needs to refer back to this) Nidoqueen, Krookodile, Swampert, and Gligar all handle Drapion very well. However, they are all crippled by Knock Off, barring Mega Swampert; Gligar in particular hates to have its Eviolite removed.

**Faster Offensive Pokemon**: Pokemon that can outspeed Drapion, such as Hydreigon, Entei, and Crobat, can easily switch into and defeat it. However, they too dislike having their item removed by Knock Off.

**Status Effects**: A burn halves Drapion's Attack and gradually wears it down, while paralysis slows it down greatly.

**Knock Off Absorbers**: Mega evolved Pokemon such as Mega Aerodactyl, Mega Aggron, and Mega Swampert can easily switch into and defeat Drapion. Pokemon resistant to Knock Off can also switch into Drapion relatively easily. Cobalion in particular is immune to Toxic Spikes and gains a free Justified boost from Knock Off.

GP 2/2 ッ
 
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