[OVERVIEW]
* While Lilligant sees play pretty much exclusively for sun teams with Torkoal, it nevertheless excels within that role.
* There, its Grass coverage that checks Water- and Rock-types, alongside After You improving flexibility, is appreciated.
* Since Water-types in particular are common, and speed control is rare, Lilligant covers a lot of holes in teams.
* Its frailty means that opponents can wear it down easily, which makes it difficult to keep around late-game.
* Relying fairly heavily on two inaccurate moves in Leaf Storm and Sleep Powder creates problems with consistency.
* If you're not utilizing sun and still need a Grass-type, just stick with alternatives such as Kartana and Tapu Bulu.
[SET]
name: Sun Utility
move 1: Leaf Storm
move 2: Sleep Powder
move 3: After You / Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Protect
item: Focus Sash / Grassium Z
ability: Chlorophyll
nature: Modest
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Leaf Storm is Lilligant's strongest STAB option, and the Special Attack drops are less relevant due to its frailty.
* Sleep Powder provides Lilligant with a way of shutting down foes by sending them to sleep, although its inaccuracy can be an issue.
* After You is an excellent tool for speed control, allowing normally slower allies like Torkoal to move after Lilligant.
* Hidden Power Fire nails the Bug-, Grass-, and Steel-types that resist Leaf Storm and is boosted by the sun. Hitting Grass-types, particularly Kartana, is especially important, since they are unaffected by Sleep Powder.
* Protect allows Lilligant to shield itself while a partner eliminates a threat or switches; this is valuable given its frailty.
Set Details
========
* Focus Sash is often the most useful item, given that Lilligant's frailty means that it struggles to survive many turns.
* Grassium Z is a more offensive alternative that is particularly powerful with Leaf Storm, as there's no stat drop. It also allows the use of Z-Sleep Powder, which raises Lilligant's Speed. This is useful outside of sun.
* Chlorophyll is the mandatory ability with this set, as Lilligant's Speed is otherwise too low without the sun boost.
* A 252 SpA / 252 Spe EV spread is fine here, as Lilligant is frail enough that any investment in bulk will likely be wasted. That said, an EV spread of 124 HP / 252 SpA / 132 Spe is an option to outpace the first relevant foe: Choice Scarf Garchomp.
* Modest is often the better nature, as Lilligant doesn't enjoy giving up any of its already average Special Attack.
Usage Tips
========
* In general, you shouldn't bother bringing out Lilligant without sun, as it's too slow and frail to function without it.
* While predictable, just leading Torkoal + Lilligant can often be a good decision, as many teams are unprepared.
* After which, you'll either want to use Protect on Torkoal for a turn while Lilligant moves, or just do After You + Eruption.
* Opposing weather can be an issue though. If seen at team preview, bring Lilligant out late-game or not at all. This is so you have more time to wrestle control of the weather with Torkoal before bringing Lilligant out safely.
* Sleep Powder's undesirable accuracy means that you should avoid relying on it; take alternative plays where possible instead.
Team Options
========
* Torkoal is essentially mandatory as an ally, since its Drought is the most reliable means of setting sun.
* Given the above, Trick Room support from teammates such as Oranguru are also likely to join Lilligant's team.
* Rock-types such as Nihilego and Aerodactyl cover many of Lilligant's weaknesses in Bug, Fire, and Flying.
* Ground-types such as Mudsdale are likewise a boon, as they cover Fire-, Poison-, and Steel-types for Lilligant.
* Salamence switches into Fire- and Bug-type moves aimed at Lilligant, and Intimidate allows it to take a hit.
* Tapu Bulu's Grassy Terrain boosts Bloom Doom and cancels Electric Terrain and Misty Terrain, which stop Sleep Powder.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Energy Ball is a STAB move that doesn't drop Lilligant's Special Attack, but the drop in initial power is massive.
* Giga Drain trades power for a good amount of recovery but, as Lilligant is frail and offensive, is unneeded.
* Solar Beam is close to Leaf Storm's power, but it doesn't drop Lilligant's Special Attack. Though this increases Lilligant's dependence on the sun.
* Hidden Power Ice allows Lilligant to OHKO foes that are 4x weak to Ice such as Garchomp and Salamence.
* Quiver Dance could be used in combination with Dancer Oricorio, so the boosts can be replicated by it.
* Sunny Day can set the sun manually; however, given how frail Lilligant is, this is most often better left to Torkoal.
* Life Orb is one of Lilligant's better other options, trading any facade of taking hits for a consistent power boost.
* Wide Lens is available to increase Leaf Storm's and Sleep Powder's accuracy, thereby making Lilligant more reliable.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bug-type Pokemon**: Bug-types such as Araquanid, Pheromosa, and Vikavolt resist Grass and can retaliate super effectively. However, the former two must still be wary of taking big damage from Leaf Storm and Bloom Doom.
**Fire-type Pokemon**: Fire-types such as Arcanine, Incineroar, and Alolan Marowak resist Grass-type attacks and hit back hard with their Fire-type STAB moves. The former two's access to Snarl makes them especially problematic.
**Flying-type Pokemon**: Flying-types such as Talonflame and Braviary resist Lilligant's STAB moves and can hit back super effectively with their own. Mandibuzz is also notable, as it gets access to Overcoat for Sleep Powder.
**Poison-type Pokemon**: Poison-type Pokemon such as Alolan Muk and Gengar resist Grass and can hit back hard with their STAB moves. Furthermore, Alolan Muk's Shadow Sneak allows it to finish off weakened Lilligant with priority.
**Speed Control**: The use of moves such as Tailwind, Thunder Wave, and Trick Room counter Chlorophyll's boost. Trick Room Porygon2 is a good example of a user thanks to its bulk, although it must be wary of Sleep Powder.
**Opposing Weather**: Replacing sun with another weather eliminates much of Lilligant's Speed advantage. Alolan Ninetales is the most potent option, as it can hit Lilligant super effectively and Hail breaks Lilligant's Focus Sash.
* While Lilligant sees play pretty much exclusively for sun teams with Torkoal, it nevertheless excels within that role.
* There, its Grass coverage that checks Water- and Rock-types, alongside After You improving flexibility, is appreciated.
* Since Water-types in particular are common, and speed control is rare, Lilligant covers a lot of holes in teams.
* Its frailty means that opponents can wear it down easily, which makes it difficult to keep around late-game.
* Relying fairly heavily on two inaccurate moves in Leaf Storm and Sleep Powder creates problems with consistency.
* If you're not utilizing sun and still need a Grass-type, just stick with alternatives such as Kartana and Tapu Bulu.
[SET]
name: Sun Utility
move 1: Leaf Storm
move 2: Sleep Powder
move 3: After You / Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Protect
item: Focus Sash / Grassium Z
ability: Chlorophyll
nature: Modest
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Leaf Storm is Lilligant's strongest STAB option, and the Special Attack drops are less relevant due to its frailty.
* Sleep Powder provides Lilligant with a way of shutting down foes by sending them to sleep, although its inaccuracy can be an issue.
* After You is an excellent tool for speed control, allowing normally slower allies like Torkoal to move after Lilligant.
* Hidden Power Fire nails the Bug-, Grass-, and Steel-types that resist Leaf Storm and is boosted by the sun. Hitting Grass-types, particularly Kartana, is especially important, since they are unaffected by Sleep Powder.
* Protect allows Lilligant to shield itself while a partner eliminates a threat or switches; this is valuable given its frailty.
Set Details
========
* Focus Sash is often the most useful item, given that Lilligant's frailty means that it struggles to survive many turns.
* Grassium Z is a more offensive alternative that is particularly powerful with Leaf Storm, as there's no stat drop. It also allows the use of Z-Sleep Powder, which raises Lilligant's Speed. This is useful outside of sun.
* Chlorophyll is the mandatory ability with this set, as Lilligant's Speed is otherwise too low without the sun boost.
* A 252 SpA / 252 Spe EV spread is fine here, as Lilligant is frail enough that any investment in bulk will likely be wasted. That said, an EV spread of 124 HP / 252 SpA / 132 Spe is an option to outpace the first relevant foe: Choice Scarf Garchomp.
* Modest is often the better nature, as Lilligant doesn't enjoy giving up any of its already average Special Attack.
Usage Tips
========
* In general, you shouldn't bother bringing out Lilligant without sun, as it's too slow and frail to function without it.
* While predictable, just leading Torkoal + Lilligant can often be a good decision, as many teams are unprepared.
* After which, you'll either want to use Protect on Torkoal for a turn while Lilligant moves, or just do After You + Eruption.
* Opposing weather can be an issue though. If seen at team preview, bring Lilligant out late-game or not at all. This is so you have more time to wrestle control of the weather with Torkoal before bringing Lilligant out safely.
* Sleep Powder's undesirable accuracy means that you should avoid relying on it; take alternative plays where possible instead.
Team Options
========
* Torkoal is essentially mandatory as an ally, since its Drought is the most reliable means of setting sun.
* Given the above, Trick Room support from teammates such as Oranguru are also likely to join Lilligant's team.
* Rock-types such as Nihilego and Aerodactyl cover many of Lilligant's weaknesses in Bug, Fire, and Flying.
* Ground-types such as Mudsdale are likewise a boon, as they cover Fire-, Poison-, and Steel-types for Lilligant.
* Salamence switches into Fire- and Bug-type moves aimed at Lilligant, and Intimidate allows it to take a hit.
* Tapu Bulu's Grassy Terrain boosts Bloom Doom and cancels Electric Terrain and Misty Terrain, which stop Sleep Powder.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Energy Ball is a STAB move that doesn't drop Lilligant's Special Attack, but the drop in initial power is massive.
* Giga Drain trades power for a good amount of recovery but, as Lilligant is frail and offensive, is unneeded.
* Solar Beam is close to Leaf Storm's power, but it doesn't drop Lilligant's Special Attack. Though this increases Lilligant's dependence on the sun.
* Hidden Power Ice allows Lilligant to OHKO foes that are 4x weak to Ice such as Garchomp and Salamence.
* Quiver Dance could be used in combination with Dancer Oricorio, so the boosts can be replicated by it.
* Sunny Day can set the sun manually; however, given how frail Lilligant is, this is most often better left to Torkoal.
* Life Orb is one of Lilligant's better other options, trading any facade of taking hits for a consistent power boost.
* Wide Lens is available to increase Leaf Storm's and Sleep Powder's accuracy, thereby making Lilligant more reliable.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bug-type Pokemon**: Bug-types such as Araquanid, Pheromosa, and Vikavolt resist Grass and can retaliate super effectively. However, the former two must still be wary of taking big damage from Leaf Storm and Bloom Doom.
**Fire-type Pokemon**: Fire-types such as Arcanine, Incineroar, and Alolan Marowak resist Grass-type attacks and hit back hard with their Fire-type STAB moves. The former two's access to Snarl makes them especially problematic.
**Flying-type Pokemon**: Flying-types such as Talonflame and Braviary resist Lilligant's STAB moves and can hit back super effectively with their own. Mandibuzz is also notable, as it gets access to Overcoat for Sleep Powder.
**Poison-type Pokemon**: Poison-type Pokemon such as Alolan Muk and Gengar resist Grass and can hit back hard with their STAB moves. Furthermore, Alolan Muk's Shadow Sneak allows it to finish off weakened Lilligant with priority.
**Speed Control**: The use of moves such as Tailwind, Thunder Wave, and Trick Room counter Chlorophyll's boost. Trick Room Porygon2 is a good example of a user thanks to its bulk, although it must be wary of Sleep Powder.
**Opposing Weather**: Replacing sun with another weather eliminates much of Lilligant's Speed advantage. Alolan Ninetales is the most potent option, as it can hit Lilligant super effectively and Hail breaks Lilligant's Focus Sash.
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