[OVERVIEW]
Nidoran-M is a fairly powerful physical attacker thanks to both its ability, Hustle, and its access to Hone Claws, which offsets Hustle's accuracy drop while further boosting Nidoran-M's Attack. Nidoran-M also has access to great coverage options such as Drill Run and Head Smash, which complement its Poison STAB type. It also has access to Sucker Punch, a powerful priority attack that both provides additional coverage and helps remedy Nidoran-M's middling Speed. Unfortunately, Nidoran-M has mediocre defenses, requiring it to run Eviolite in the hopes of actually setting up with Hone Claws. Its Poison STAB type is also subpar, as it has decent neutral coverage but only notably hits Grass- and Fairy-types.
[SET]
name: Hone Claws
move 1: Poison Jab
move 2: Drill Run
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Hone Claws
item: Eviolite
ability: Hustle
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 220 Atk / 36 Def / 36 SpD / 196 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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Poison Jab is Nidoran-M's strongest STAB attack, and is its main attacking move. Drill Run provides great coverage, hitting the Steel-, Rock-, and Poison-types that resist Poison Jab for super effective damage. However, Poison / Ground coverage misses out on a few prominent Pokemon, such as Archen and Drifloon. Sucker Punch gives Nidoran-M valuable priority and also provides great coverage with Poison Jab by hitting Ghost-types super effectively. Finally, Hone Claws boosts Nidoran-M's Attack even further while also offsetting Hustle's accuracy drop.
Set Details
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220 Attack EVs and an Adamant nature maximize Nidoran-M's Attack, allowing it to make good use of Hustle and Hone Claws. With 196 Speed EVs, Nidoran-M outspeeds standard Fletchling, allowing it to outprioritize Fletchling via Sucker Punch. If Nidoran-M is running a Jolly nature, it will also outspeed non-Choice Scarf variants of Chinchou and other 14 Speed Pokemon. The remaining EVs give an extra point in each defense, increasing Nidoran-M's bulk. Eviolite also functions to bolster Nidoran-M's defenses, giving it more opportunities to set up.
Usage Tips
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Nidoran-M is still frail even with Eviolite and has no recovery, so only try to set it up against Pokemon that don't threaten it, such as Spritzee. If you can't seem to find a Pokemon to set up on, remember that Nidoran-M's Attack is already quite good before Hone Claws due to Hustle, so it isn't always necessary to set up. It is also a decent revenge killer thanks to Sucker Punch. Nidoran-M does well late-game; it can set up against Fighting-, Poison-, Grass-, and Fairy-types, but it must be wary of Knock Off or unexpected coverage moves, such as Snivy's Hidden Power Ground or Spritzee's Psychic. Finally, Nidoran-M will not be able to do much of anything if Ferroseed is still alive on the opposing team, so removing it should be a top priority.
Team Options
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Psychic-type attackers such as Abra threaten Nidoran-M, so a Dark-type teammate such as Vullaby is invaluable. Vullaby can also provide valuable Knock Off support and is even immune to Ground-type attacks. Other Dark-type teammates such as Stunky and Houndour can provide valuable Pursuit support, effectively eliminating Psychic-type threats. Ground-type attackers such as Drilbur are particularly threatening, as they resist Nidoran-M's STAB type and threaten it with their own super effective Ground-type STAB attacks. Flying- or Grass-type teammates do wonders in this regard, especially bulky ones such as Vullaby and Pumpkaboo. The only Pokemon in Little Cup that resist Poison / Ground coverage, the most notable of which are Archen and Drifloon, are weak to Rock-type attacks. As such, your own Archen would work well as a teammate; Archen comes with the added benefit of helping alleviate Nidoran-M's Ground weakness. As mentioned before, Ferroseed completely walls Nidoran-M, so a Fire- or Fighting-type teammate, such as Ponyta or Timburr, will do wonders. Gothita and Magnemite can also help out in this aspect, as both can trap Ferroseed and eliminate it with Hidden Power Fire. Because Nidoran-M is so frail, Memento or Parting Shot support from the likes of Cottonee and Pancham does wonders for Nidoran-M, allowing it to set up Hone Claws in safety. Entry hazard support from Pokemon such as Archen helps wear down Nidoran-M's checks and counters, helping it pull off a sweep. Finally, Sticky Web support from the likes of Surskit helps fix Nidoran-M's middling Speed; Surskit also can take on Ground-types.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
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Nidoran-M has access to Head Smash, a powerful Rock-type coverage move that hits Archen and Drifloon super effectively. However, Sucker Punch is generally preferred, as it helps mitigate Nidoran-M's middling Speed. Nidoran-M can hit 14 Speed and has access to powerful physical attacks boosted by Hustle; these qualities practically scream Choice Scarf, and Nidoran-M is no exception. A Choice Scarf set would include Poison Jab, Drill Run, Head Smash, and one of Double Kick or Shadow Claw, with an EV spread of 220 Atk / 36 Def / 36 SpD / 196 Spe and an Adamant nature. Double Kick is an interesting option, as it allows Nidoran-M to OHKO Pawniard unboosted and Ferroseed at +1 with just a bit of prior damage. However, running the move means Nidoran-M loses out on other, more valuable coverage or priority moves. You can forgo Eviolite and instead run a Life Orb to increase Nidoran-M's damage output to an impressive level. If you choose to do so, remember to lower Nidoran-M's HP IV to 7 to hit a Life Orb number. However, if it runs a Life Orb, Nidoran-M has a much more difficult time setting up a Hone Claws. Lastly, Nidoran-M has access to the somewhat rare Toxic Spikes, allowing it to function as an entry hazard setter. However, it is ridiculously outclassed in this role by Pokemon such as Trubbish, Skrelp, and Spinarak.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ground-type Pokemon**: Ground-types resist Nidoran-M's Poison STAB type and are not hit super effectively by any of its coverage moves. They can then retaliate with super effective Ground-type STAB attacks, which will cripple or outright KO the frail Nidoran-M. Drilbur, the most prominent Ground-type in LC, also outspeeds Nidoran-M, forcing it to rely on Sucker Punch.
**Psychic-type Pokemon**: Psychic-type Pokemon can deal heavy damage to Nidoran-M with their super effective STAB moves, but they don't resist Poison and are weak to Sucker Punch. However, the most prominent Psychic-type Pokemon, Abra, often runs Focus Sash, which will prevent even Sucker Punch from KOing.
**Archen**: Archen can easily survive a +1 Hustle Sucker Punch, resists Poison / Ground coverage, and often carries Earthquake as coverage. All of these traits make Archen very threatening to Nidoran-M unless it elects to run Head Smash.
**Bulky Pokemon**: Any generally bulky Pokemon such as Koffing or Vullaby can take a +1 Poison Jab and retaliate. Koffing is especially dangerous to Nidoran-M, as it is immune to Nidoran-M's Ground-type coverage thanks to Levitate and can threaten with Will-O-Wisp.
**Ghost-type Pokemon**: Most Ghost-type Pokemon can bypass Sucker Punch with a status move such as Will-O-Wisp. These include Drifloon, Frillish, Substitute Gastly, and Pumpkaboo-XL, though Pumpkaboo is slower than Nidoran-M and will thus have to take a Poison Jab before retaliating.
**Fast Pokemon that Resist Dark**: Any Pokemon faster than Nidoran-M that isn't scared of Sucker Punch can take advantage of Nidoran-M's middling Speed and hit it hard. These threats include Houndour and Choice Scarf Scraggy.
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