QC checks: AD Thunderboy, OP, Hilomilo
GP checks: Kris, --
GP AMcheck(s): Eyan
[OVERVIEW]
Lileep is arguably one of the best Water-type checks in LC. It has access to Storm Drain, a very handy tool that lets it absorb Water-type moves and boost its already decent Special Attack by one stage; this allows Lileep to check the majority of Water-types in the tier, such as Chinchou, Mareanie, Tirtouga, and Corphish. It also sports impressive natural bulk that is further boosted by Eviolite, which lets it switch in on moves that are weak or are resisted with ease. Furthermore, it has access to Stealth Rock, which is very useful to weaken the opposing team, and Lileep can easily set it up thanks to its bulk and its ability. On top of that, Giga Drain and Recover both grant it a solid form of recovery and the possibility to stay around for much longer. However, like most defensive Pokemon, Lileep has poor Speed, meaning that it will almost always take a hit before moving, and despite its decent Special Attack it suffers from a mediocre damage output, even after a Storm Drain boost. While it has impressive bulk, its typing leaves it weak to common Steel-, Fighting-, and Ice-type moves, with the last one being quite a nuisance because almost any Water-types that Lileep checks tends to carry Ice Beam. Finally, its tanking abilities are severely hindered by both Knock Off and Toxic.
[SET]
name: Tank
move 1: Recover
move 2: Giga Drain
move 3: Stealth Rock
move 4: Ancient Power / Earth Power / Toxic
item: Eviolite
ability: Storm Drain
nature: Bold
evs: 68 HP / 220 Def / 108 SpA / 60 SpD / 12 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Recover is the most important move on this set because it gives Lileep a solid form of recovery to stay in for longer. Giga Drain acts as a secondary form of recovery while doing damage at the same time, and it can be used to weaken the opposing Water-types that Lileep checks; for example, it can 2HKO Slowpoke, Staryu, and Corphish. Stealth Rock is used to inflict chip damage whenever the opponent switches a Pokemon in, and it works well with Lileep's ability to force out Water-types. For the last slot, Ancient Power is a STAB move that allows Lileep to hit Flying-types such as Doduo, Rufflet, and Archen. On the other hand, Earth Power allows Lileep to hit opposing Steel-types such as Magnemite, Pawniard and Honedge. Finally, Toxic puts opposing walls such as Munchlax and Spritzee on a timer and is a good source of chip damage in tandem with Stealth Rock; however, keep in mind that the damage from Toxic adds up very slowly because of LC's low HP stats.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread when used with Eviolite maximizes Lileep's bulk; a Bold nature further boosts Lileep's Defense, allowing it to sponge physical hits better; its special bulk is not a thing to underestimate too, as when Lileep is equipped with Eviolite, it can avoid the 2HKO from Choice Scarf Chinchou's Ice Beam and OHKO Chinchou in return after Stealth Rock. 108 Special Attack EVs guarantee that Lileep can 2HKO Steel-types such as Magnemite and Pawniard most of the time with Earth Power. 12 Speed EVs let Lileep Speed tie with Spritzee and let it outspeed Munchlax, allowing Lileep to use Toxic on it before it can do anything. Storm Drain is useful to absorb Water-type moves and boost Lileep's Special Attack by one stage whenever it's hit by said moves.
Usage Tips
========
Lileep can be directly switched in on Water-type moves because it can absorb them and boost its Special Attack to good levels. It can come in on a plethora of Water-types, such as Chinchou, Mareanie, Tirtouga, Corphish (but it still dislikes Knock Off), and Carvanha. It can also check Foongus, Ponyta, and Ferroseed—be wary of Iron Head and Knock Off though—and can easily set up Stealth Rock on any of them. Recover should be used on any predicted switch, as it restores Lileep's health, allowing it to stay around for longer; Lileep has no trouble pulling Recover off thanks to its unique set of resistances. When facing a Water-type, Lileep should prioritize setting up Stealth Rock because it can afford to take an Ice Beam. After Stealth Rock has been set up, Lileep should either switch out or start using Giga Drain to restore its health. Note that a boosted Giga Drain can hit the majority of Water-types hard. Be wary of set up sweepers like Scraggy, Timburr, and Spritzee coming in on Lileep and starting to set up, as Lileep can't do anything to stop them, and this could potentially allow them to sweep your entire team.
Team Options
========
Hippopotas is an exceptional partner because it can remove Steel-types for Lileep, but most importantly because it has access to Sand Stream, which sets sand to boost Lileep's Special Defense by 50%; in exchange, Lileep stops the Water-types that scare Hippopotas away. Partners that can handle Fighting-types are appreciated because Lileep has issues against them. Snubbull is a prime example, boasting Intimidate and a Fairy typing to come in on them. Spritzee lacks Intimidate, but it can heal Lileep's possible status ailments thanks to Aromatherapy and can KO most Fighting-types with Moonblast. Pawniard is difficult for Lileep to face if it lacks Earth Power, and even if it has the move, the Special Defense drop can trigger Defiant. Fighting-types such as Timburr and Mienfoo pair well with Lileep because they stop Pawniard; Timburr is a bit better because it can stop set up sweepers thanks to its priority moves and can also remove Pawniard. Lileep is a nice partner for Pokemon that struggle against bulky Water-types; examples are Carvanha, Ponyta, and Corphish, which can easily wallbreak or clean when Water-types have been removed or weakened. While not mandatory, Lileep likes the presence of a Defog or Rapid Spin user because it dislikes taking damage from entry hazards. Phazers like Roar Mudbray and Haze users such as Mareanie can prevent setup sweepers from sweeping your team after setting up on Lileep; both of them also check Fighting- and Steel-types and, in Mudbray's case, it also forces the foe to take damage from the Stealth Rock that Lileep sets. Speaking of entry hazards, more of them are useful for Lileep, doing some chip damage to the foe; the aforementioned Mareanie can set up Toxic Spikes, while Dwebble can set up Spikes.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Lileep has access to Curse to boost its Attack and Defense; however, this set is more susceptible to burns and Intimidate and does not use Storm Drain to its maximum potential. Lileep doesn't have many viable coverage options, but it can run a Hidden Power to specifically hit some Pokemon, such as Hidden Power Fire for Ferroseed and Grass-types in general, and Hidden Power Fighting for more damage against Pawniard and to hit Dark-types super effectively; however, these moves are difficult to fit in a slot because Lileep needs Recover, its STAB move, and either Earth Power or Stealth Rock. Mirror Coat can surprise an opponent and remove a special sweeper such as Gastly or Abra: however, this can work just once because it can only work with a surprise factor. Finally, Lileep has access to Sandstorm and can act as a secondary weather setter for dedicated sand teams; unfortunately, it lacks a moveslot for it.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Steel-types**: Lileep has a hard time against Steel-types because it can only hit them with Earth Power. Magnemite can take a Earth Power thanks to Sturdy and severely damage Lileep with STAB Flash Cannon. Pawniard hates taking an Earth Power, but it can KO Lileep with STAB Iron Head or remove its Eviolite with a powerful Knock Off.
**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types outspeed Lileep and severely damage it with a STAB move. Timburr can come in on Toxic and activate Guts, severely hurting Lileep with STAB Drain Punch. Croagunk walls Lileep lacking Earth Power and can use it to set up Nasty Plot.
**Grass-types**: Lileep has nothing to hit Grass-types beside the rare Hidden Power Fire. Ferroseed can set up entry hazards on Lileep, is immune to Toxic, and can threaten Lileep with Iron Head or Knock Off. Foongus fears nothing from Lileep and can hit it with Sludge Bomb. Due to Lileep's passivity, Snivy can use it to boost its Special Attack with Contrary Leaf Storm without fearing anything from Lileep.
**Setup Sweepers**: Lileep is quite passive; this makes it a setup bait for Pokemon such as Bulk Up Timburr, Dragon Dance Scraggy, and Swords Dance Mienfoo.
**Toxic Poison**: While it doesn't mind being paralyzed or burned, Lileep hates being poisoned; both Toxic and Toxic Spikes can heavily reduce Lileep's longevity.
GP checks: Kris, --
GP AMcheck(s): Eyan
[OVERVIEW]
Lileep is arguably one of the best Water-type checks in LC. It has access to Storm Drain, a very handy tool that lets it absorb Water-type moves and boost its already decent Special Attack by one stage; this allows Lileep to check the majority of Water-types in the tier, such as Chinchou, Mareanie, Tirtouga, and Corphish. It also sports impressive natural bulk that is further boosted by Eviolite, which lets it switch in on moves that are weak or are resisted with ease. Furthermore, it has access to Stealth Rock, which is very useful to weaken the opposing team, and Lileep can easily set it up thanks to its bulk and its ability. On top of that, Giga Drain and Recover both grant it a solid form of recovery and the possibility to stay around for much longer. However, like most defensive Pokemon, Lileep has poor Speed, meaning that it will almost always take a hit before moving, and despite its decent Special Attack it suffers from a mediocre damage output, even after a Storm Drain boost. While it has impressive bulk, its typing leaves it weak to common Steel-, Fighting-, and Ice-type moves, with the last one being quite a nuisance because almost any Water-types that Lileep checks tends to carry Ice Beam. Finally, its tanking abilities are severely hindered by both Knock Off and Toxic.
[SET]
name: Tank
move 1: Recover
move 2: Giga Drain
move 3: Stealth Rock
move 4: Ancient Power / Earth Power / Toxic
item: Eviolite
ability: Storm Drain
nature: Bold
evs: 68 HP / 220 Def / 108 SpA / 60 SpD / 12 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Recover is the most important move on this set because it gives Lileep a solid form of recovery to stay in for longer. Giga Drain acts as a secondary form of recovery while doing damage at the same time, and it can be used to weaken the opposing Water-types that Lileep checks; for example, it can 2HKO Slowpoke, Staryu, and Corphish. Stealth Rock is used to inflict chip damage whenever the opponent switches a Pokemon in, and it works well with Lileep's ability to force out Water-types. For the last slot, Ancient Power is a STAB move that allows Lileep to hit Flying-types such as Doduo, Rufflet, and Archen. On the other hand, Earth Power allows Lileep to hit opposing Steel-types such as Magnemite, Pawniard and Honedge. Finally, Toxic puts opposing walls such as Munchlax and Spritzee on a timer and is a good source of chip damage in tandem with Stealth Rock; however, keep in mind that the damage from Toxic adds up very slowly because of LC's low HP stats.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread when used with Eviolite maximizes Lileep's bulk; a Bold nature further boosts Lileep's Defense, allowing it to sponge physical hits better; its special bulk is not a thing to underestimate too, as when Lileep is equipped with Eviolite, it can avoid the 2HKO from Choice Scarf Chinchou's Ice Beam and OHKO Chinchou in return after Stealth Rock. 108 Special Attack EVs guarantee that Lileep can 2HKO Steel-types such as Magnemite and Pawniard most of the time with Earth Power. 12 Speed EVs let Lileep Speed tie with Spritzee and let it outspeed Munchlax, allowing Lileep to use Toxic on it before it can do anything. Storm Drain is useful to absorb Water-type moves and boost Lileep's Special Attack by one stage whenever it's hit by said moves.
Usage Tips
========
Lileep can be directly switched in on Water-type moves because it can absorb them and boost its Special Attack to good levels. It can come in on a plethora of Water-types, such as Chinchou, Mareanie, Tirtouga, Corphish (but it still dislikes Knock Off), and Carvanha. It can also check Foongus, Ponyta, and Ferroseed—be wary of Iron Head and Knock Off though—and can easily set up Stealth Rock on any of them. Recover should be used on any predicted switch, as it restores Lileep's health, allowing it to stay around for longer; Lileep has no trouble pulling Recover off thanks to its unique set of resistances. When facing a Water-type, Lileep should prioritize setting up Stealth Rock because it can afford to take an Ice Beam. After Stealth Rock has been set up, Lileep should either switch out or start using Giga Drain to restore its health. Note that a boosted Giga Drain can hit the majority of Water-types hard. Be wary of set up sweepers like Scraggy, Timburr, and Spritzee coming in on Lileep and starting to set up, as Lileep can't do anything to stop them, and this could potentially allow them to sweep your entire team.
Team Options
========
Hippopotas is an exceptional partner because it can remove Steel-types for Lileep, but most importantly because it has access to Sand Stream, which sets sand to boost Lileep's Special Defense by 50%; in exchange, Lileep stops the Water-types that scare Hippopotas away. Partners that can handle Fighting-types are appreciated because Lileep has issues against them. Snubbull is a prime example, boasting Intimidate and a Fairy typing to come in on them. Spritzee lacks Intimidate, but it can heal Lileep's possible status ailments thanks to Aromatherapy and can KO most Fighting-types with Moonblast. Pawniard is difficult for Lileep to face if it lacks Earth Power, and even if it has the move, the Special Defense drop can trigger Defiant. Fighting-types such as Timburr and Mienfoo pair well with Lileep because they stop Pawniard; Timburr is a bit better because it can stop set up sweepers thanks to its priority moves and can also remove Pawniard. Lileep is a nice partner for Pokemon that struggle against bulky Water-types; examples are Carvanha, Ponyta, and Corphish, which can easily wallbreak or clean when Water-types have been removed or weakened. While not mandatory, Lileep likes the presence of a Defog or Rapid Spin user because it dislikes taking damage from entry hazards. Phazers like Roar Mudbray and Haze users such as Mareanie can prevent setup sweepers from sweeping your team after setting up on Lileep; both of them also check Fighting- and Steel-types and, in Mudbray's case, it also forces the foe to take damage from the Stealth Rock that Lileep sets. Speaking of entry hazards, more of them are useful for Lileep, doing some chip damage to the foe; the aforementioned Mareanie can set up Toxic Spikes, while Dwebble can set up Spikes.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Lileep has access to Curse to boost its Attack and Defense; however, this set is more susceptible to burns and Intimidate and does not use Storm Drain to its maximum potential. Lileep doesn't have many viable coverage options, but it can run a Hidden Power to specifically hit some Pokemon, such as Hidden Power Fire for Ferroseed and Grass-types in general, and Hidden Power Fighting for more damage against Pawniard and to hit Dark-types super effectively; however, these moves are difficult to fit in a slot because Lileep needs Recover, its STAB move, and either Earth Power or Stealth Rock. Mirror Coat can surprise an opponent and remove a special sweeper such as Gastly or Abra: however, this can work just once because it can only work with a surprise factor. Finally, Lileep has access to Sandstorm and can act as a secondary weather setter for dedicated sand teams; unfortunately, it lacks a moveslot for it.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Steel-types**: Lileep has a hard time against Steel-types because it can only hit them with Earth Power. Magnemite can take a Earth Power thanks to Sturdy and severely damage Lileep with STAB Flash Cannon. Pawniard hates taking an Earth Power, but it can KO Lileep with STAB Iron Head or remove its Eviolite with a powerful Knock Off.
**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types outspeed Lileep and severely damage it with a STAB move. Timburr can come in on Toxic and activate Guts, severely hurting Lileep with STAB Drain Punch. Croagunk walls Lileep lacking Earth Power and can use it to set up Nasty Plot.
**Grass-types**: Lileep has nothing to hit Grass-types beside the rare Hidden Power Fire. Ferroseed can set up entry hazards on Lileep, is immune to Toxic, and can threaten Lileep with Iron Head or Knock Off. Foongus fears nothing from Lileep and can hit it with Sludge Bomb. Due to Lileep's passivity, Snivy can use it to boost its Special Attack with Contrary Leaf Storm without fearing anything from Lileep.
**Setup Sweepers**: Lileep is quite passive; this makes it a setup bait for Pokemon such as Bulk Up Timburr, Dragon Dance Scraggy, and Swords Dance Mienfoo.
**Toxic Poison**: While it doesn't mind being paralyzed or burned, Lileep hates being poisoned; both Toxic and Toxic Spikes can heavily reduce Lileep's longevity.
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