Oshawott (Analysis)

[(makeup)]

Oshawott!

<p>Oshawott brings no surprises as the fifth useless Water-type starter Pokemon. Almost completely outclassed by every other Water-type out there, this otter finds stiff competition for anyone's team slot. It does, however, have a nice niche, which is the ability to run a mixed or a Swords Dance set with X-Scissor to defeat Lileep and Slowpoke. Oshawott's popular competition face problems this otter can overcome; Staryu is generally better, but it can't run a physical set. Totodile faces a similar problem, as it can't run a special set, although its Swords Dance capabilities trump Oshawott's. Piplup can't learn Aqua Jet and Chinchou has horrible Attack. Oshawott does, however, have too many flaws, including mediocre stats and a less-than-average movepool, to become a strong force. All-in-all, Oshawott isn't that great, but it is certainly viable with proper support.</p>

[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Aqua Jet
move 4: X-Scissor / Hidden Power Fire
item: Life Orb
nature: Adamant / Naughty
evs: 240 Atk / 16 SpA / 240 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>Oshawott can really only run a Swords Dance set without being outclassed by something else. Priority in Aqua Jet is very useful, as Little Cup contains a variety of fast, frail Pokemon such as Houndour and Taillow. Aqua Jet will OHKO Houndour pre-boost and OHKO Taillow post-boost, meaning powerful threats in Little Cup will have a hard time OHKOing Oshawott before it can hit them. Waterfall is Oshawott's main STAB move and will OHKO most threats it hits neutrally, such as Choice Scarf Mienfoo. A combination of Waterfall and Aqua Jet after a Swords Dance will even OHKO Eviolite Mienfoo. Since Oshawott will attract Slowpoke and Lileep with its Water-type moves, it gets time to set up on the switch. It can then proceed to strike either of them with X-Scissor and wreak havoc. If your team has a way to defeat the aforementioned walls, such as the combination of Wynaut and Diglett, Hidden Power Fire is recommended over X-Scissor to hit Ferroseed and Snover harder.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>If you choose X-Scissor instead of Hidden Power Fire, use an Adamant nature. Otherwise, Naughty allows Oshawott to keep its decent Special Attack. Simply put, Adamant is for X-Scissor and Naughty is for Hidden Power. You can use Aqua Tail to OHKO Mienfoo after a Swords Dance, but it's not recommended, as 90 accuracy is always tricky, and Waterfall + Aqua Jet will 2HKO it on the switch. Lastly, Encore is useful to help Oshawott set up, but you lose either power or coverage, both things Oshawott really needs. If you're not using Hidden Power Fire, an EV spread of 236 Atk / 236 Spe will get you the same stats barring Special Attack, and may be used if you prefer a "cleaner" spread.</p>

<p>Teammates depend on what move you run in the last slot. If you use X-Scissor, a Steel trapper such as Magnemite or Nosepass to defeat Ferroseed is a good idea. If you opt for Hidden Power Fire, a combination of Wynaut and Diglett to kill Slowpoke and Lileep is ideal. Switching in on Recover or Slack Off allows you to lock them in that move with Encore and use Tickle to lower their Defense. Then, switch to Diglett and boost its Attack with Hone Claws. Finally, use Earthquake to OHKO them. Diglett also provides a switch-in to Electric-types, namely Chinchou, who resists both Water and Fire.</p>

[Other Options]

<p>Using a specially oriented set isn't recommended, as Chinchou, Staryu, and even Piplup outclass it. After all, Oshawott only gets Grass Knot and Air Slash to differentiate it from other Water-types,and other moves are usually stronger anyway. Night Slash can be used for Slowpoke and Frillish, but Totodile plays that role much better. Revenge is an option for Ferroseed, but this fighting move is outclassed by Hidden Power Fire. Lastly, a combination of Substitute and Torrent can be used to raise the power of Oshawott's special attacks, but the high amount of weather and priority in Little Cup make this suboptimal.</p>

[Checks and Counters]

<p>Counters include Slowpoke, Lileep, Chinchou, Snover, Ferroseed, Croagunk, Eviolite Staryu with Thunderbolt, Wooper, and Frillish. Cottonee and Eviolite Magnemite are decent checks, as they can take a hit and OHKO Oshawott with a STAB move. Lastly, Poliwag can switch in on a Water-type move with Water Absorb, Encore it, and set up Belly Drum.</p>

[Dream World]

<p>Both Torrent and Shell Armor are sub-par, but Torrent is more useful
because Oshawott doesn't want to be taking that many hits in the first place, and critical hits only have a 1/16 chance of occurring.</p>

 

[(makeup)]

skeleton up

 

[masterful]

"Adamant is for X-Scissor and Naughty is for Hidden Power." I'm assuming you meant to slash in HP Fire in the set, because this is the first mention of Hidden Power as of now.

You only need 236 Atk EVs, yet the sets says 240. Same with the speed

It gets Toxic and Taunt, which can seriously ruin Slowpoke's day

Razor Shell doesn't have a high crit chance, it drops defense

Also, we can't forget the Ferroseed exists just yet. Ferroseed deserve a mention in C&C because it walls Oshawott to hell and back with leech Seed, and can deal punishing damage with Bullet Seed as long as Osha isn't running HP Fire, and probably even if it is, as it can take an HP Fire and go straight or Bullet Seed

 

[(makeup)]

HP Fire is supposed to be slashed in. HP Fire IVs mean you need 240.

Oshawott is too frail to stall Slowpoke. Why not use SD + X-Scissor anyway? Some Slowpoke run Psychic too.

 

[Nails]

counters +chinchou snover ferroseed croagunk eviolite staryu with tbolt wooper frillish
checks +cottonee magnemite (if it lives an aj which i assume it does with eviolite)

discussed on irc

hmm, probably move encore to ac because it's something that only bellywag gets for a physical boosting water type and it has to drum and gets no AJ.

actually poliwag is a very strong check too, since it encores waterfall aqua jet or sd and sets up.

 

[(makeup)]

ok done

edit: sorry forgot Poliwag adding it in

 

[Nails]

stamp, someone comment on whether poliwag should be listen in checks/counters

 

[ShinyAzelf]

Poliwag can be mentioned in Checks and Counters in my opinion. It switches in on Swords Dance, Aqua Jet, and Waterfall, and can proceed to Encore. It walls it completely if Oshawott doesn't carry X-Scissor.

Yeah, looks good otherwise.

QC Approved: 2/2

 

[(makeup)]

Sorry forgot to mention Poliwag, I wasn't ignoring it! Thanks for the stamps guys, I'll write this up after some other stuff.

 

[comatthew6]

If it has night slash, i think that it warrants a slash so it doesn't get manhandled by Frillish though not sure if +2 will KO it. Also I believe it's an otter not a beaver.

 

[(makeup)]

Totodile gets Crunch, so Night Slash would make it completely outclassed.
also, written. Sorry for the delay, vacation and stuff

 

[iss]

Mention Return somewhere for perfect neutral coverage?

 

[Deaga]

You can use Aqua Jet to OHKO Mienfoo after a Swords Dance, but it's not recommended as 90 accuracy is always tricky and Waterfall + Aqua Jet will OHKO it on the switch.

I think you mean Aqua TAIL on the first time you said Aqua Jet, that's the only water-type move with 90% accuracy.

 

[(makeup)]

It's not perfect, Frillish exists
And Return is useless because Totodile can use it. Waterfall and Aqua Jet are mandatory to do anything, and the last slash is so Oshawott has some use. Return / Crunch is usually better but the listed moves are superior in some cases...
tl;dr it needs a way to be used and making it an inferior Totodile won't do that.

edit: to the above, yes I meant Aqua Tail. Sorry for that, I'll fix it now.

 

[jc104]

[Overview]

<p>Oshawott brings no surprises to the table as the fifth useless Water-type starter Pokemon. Being almost completely outclassed by every other Water-type out there, this ugly otter finds stiff competition for on anyone's team slot. It does, however, have a nice niche that other Water-types lack, which is the ability to run a mixed set or a Swords Dance set with X-Scissor to defeat Lileep and Slowpoke. Popular competition faces problems Oshawott can overcome; Staryu is generally better, but it can't run a physical set. Totodile faces a similar problem as it can't run a special set, although its Swords Dance capabilities trump Oshawott's. Piplup can't learn Aqua Jet and Chinchou has horrible Attack. Oshawott does, however, have too many flaws, including mediocre stats and a less-than-average movpool, to become a strong force. Mediocre stats all around and a less-than-average movepool means it's restricted to very few things. All-in-all, Oshawott isn't that great, but it certainly works on a team that supports it.</p>

[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Aqua Jet
move 4: X-Scissor / Hidden Power Fire
item: Life Orb
nature: Adamant / Naughty
evs: 240 Atk / 16 SpA / 240 Spe (OK I'm not QC, but the primary slash is physical, so surely this should display no SpA evs?)

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>A mixed (again mixed is not the primary option) Swords Dance set is really the only set Oshawott can pull off without being outclassed by something else. Priority in Aqua Jet is very useful as Little Cup contains uses a variety of fast, frail Pokemon such as Houndour and Taillow. Aqua Jet will OHKO Houndour pre-boost and OHKO Taillow post-boost, meaning it will be hard for powerful threats in Little Cup to OHKO Oshawott before it can hit them. Oshawott will attract Slowpoke and Lileep with Water-type moves, so it gets time to set up on the switch. It can then proceed to strike them with X-Scissor and wreak havoc. Waterfall is Oshawott's main STAB move and will OHKO most threats it hits neutrally, such as Choice Scarf Mienfoo. A combination of Waterfall and Aqua Jet after a Swords Dance will even OHKO Eviolite Mienfoo. Oshawott's natural bulk is also pleasing.</p> (you need to explain what Hidden Power does)

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>If you're using X-Scissor in the fourth slot, use an Adamant nature. Otherwise, use Naughty so as not to lower to keep Oshawott's Special Attack neutral. Adamant is for X-Scissor and Naughty is for Hidden Power. You can use Aqua Tail to OHKO Mienfoo after a Swords Dance, but it's not recommended as 90 accuracy is always tricky and Waterfall + Aqua Jet will O2HKO it on the switch. Lastly, Encore is useful to help Oshawott set up, but you lose either power or coverage, both things Oshawott really needs.</p> (you need to explain ev spreads here, as it must surely depend on whether you are running hidden power or X-Scissor)

<p>Teammates widely depend on what move you run in the last slot. If you use X-Scissor, using a Steel trapper such as Magnemite or Nosepass to defeat Ferroseed is a good idea. If you opt for Hidden Power Fire, using a combination of Wynaut and Diglett to kill Slowpoke and Lileep is ideal. Switching in on Recover or Slack Off allows you to lock them in that move forever with Encore and use Tickle to lower their Defense. Then, switch to Diglett and boost its Attack with Hone Claws. Finally, use Earthquake to OHKO them. Diglett also provides a switch-in to Electric-types, namely Chinchou, who resists both Water and Fire.</p>

[Other Options]

<p>Using a specially oriented set isn't recommended, (comma) as Chinchou, Staryu, and even Piplup outclass it. It only gets Grass Knot and Air Slash to differentiate itself from other Water-types, but other moves are usually stronger anyway. Night Slash can be used for Slowpoke and Frillish, but Totodile plays that role much better. Revenge is an option for Ferroseed, but it's outclassed by Hidden Power Fire. Lastly, a combination of Substitute and Torrent can be used to raise the power of Oshawott's special attacks.</p>

[Checks and Counters]

<p>Counters include Slowpoke, Lileep, Chinchou, Snover, Ferroseed, Croagunk, Eviolite Staryu with Thunderbolt, Wooper, and Frillish. Cottonee and Eviolite Magnemite are decent checks are they can take a hit and OHKO Oshawott with a STAB move. Lastly, Poliwag can switch in on a Water-type move with Water Absorb, Encore it, and set up Belly Drum.</p>

[Dream World]

<p>Both Torrent and Shell Armor are sub-par, but Torrent is more useful. Oshawott doesn't want to be taking that many hits in the first place, and critical hits only have a 1/16 chance of occurring, so Torrent is better.</p>

GP 1/2

edit: sorry about the ev thing. LC is really dumb lol

 

[blarajan]

Isn't Oshawott still outclassed when using X-Scissor because Totodile gets Crunch, which allows it to beat Frillish and Slowpoke when Oshawott is helpless against Frillish? Lileep is still hit neutrally...

 

[(makeup)]

@jc thanks a lot for the check :) I already talked to you on IRC about the SpA thing, but just in case anyone else was wondering:

Hide

[12:44:51] <Charmander> jc104 I just want you to know
[12:45:04] <Charmander> in LC you need a certain amount of EVs to raise one stat point
[12:45:25] <Charmander> 236 Atk / 236 Spe on Oshawott doesn't let it get any stat points by EVing in other stats
[12:45:38] <@jc104> yeah but surely you would put the 16 in defenses or something
[12:45:40] <Charmander> so putting SpA EVs can't hurt when HP fire is slashed
[12:45:47] <Charmander> 16 EVs in defense won't raise the stat
[12:45:54] <Charmander> because it's at level 5
[12:46:39] <Charmander> the only thing the remaining EVs can raise is special attack
[12:47:06] <Charmander> if you really feel strongly that I should mention it in AC instead I guess I can
[12:48:56] <@jc104> ok that's fine
[12:49:07] <@jc104> I didnt realise it couldnt raise HP or one of the defenses

@blarajan no because X-Scissor kills both Eviolite Snover and Lileep after an SD (and Crunch doesn't).

 

[Lemonade]

(un)fish check
I can't really summarize my changes, but I kind of think they're excessive.

Hide

<p>Oshawott brings no surprises as the fifth useless Water-type starter Pokemon. Being Almost completely outclassed by every other Water-type out there, this ugly it's not that ugly is it? otter finds stiff competition for anyone's team slot. It does, however, have a nice niche, which is the ability to run a mixed set or a Swords Dance set with X-Scissor to defeat Lileep and Slowpoke. Oshawott's popular competition face problems this otter can overcome Popular competition faces problems Oshawott can overcome; Staryu is generally better, but it can't run a physical set. Totodile faces a similar problem, as it can't run a special set, although its Swords Dance capabilities trump Oshawott's. Piplup can't learn Aqua Jet and Chinchou has horrible Attack. Oshawott does, however, have too many flaws, including mediocre stats and a less-than-average movepool, to become a strong force. All-in-all, Oshawott isn't that great, but it is certainly viable certainly works with proper support on a team that supports it.</p>

[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Aqua Jet
move 4: X-Scissor / Hidden Power Fire
item: Life Orb
nature: Adamant / Naughty
evs: 240 Atk / 16 SpA / 240 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>Oshawott can really only run a Swords Dance setA Swords Dance set is really the only set Oshawott can pull off without being outclassed by something else. Priority in Aqua Jet is very useful,[comma] as Little Cup contains a variety of fast, frail Pokemon such as Houndour and Taillow. Aqua Jet will OHKO Houndour pre-boost and OHKO Taillow post-boost, meaning it will be hard for powerful threats in Little Cup will have a hard time OHKOing to OHKO Oshawott before it can hit them. Waterfall is Oshawott's main STAB move and will OHKO most threats it hits neutrally, such as Choice Scarf Mienfoo. A combination of Waterfall and Aqua Jet after a Swords Dance will even OHKO Eviolite Mienfoo. Since Oshawott will attract Slowpoke and Lileep with its Water-type moves, so it gets time to set up on the switch. It can then proceed to strikeeither of them with X-Scissor and wreak havoc. If your team has a way to defeat the aforementioned walls, such as the combination of Wynaut and Diglett, Hidden Power Fire is recommended over X-Scissor to hit Ferroseed and Snover harder. Oshawott's natural bulk is also pleasing. hmm, this statement is a bit isolated, and you aren't using Eviolite, so I think this can be deleted. Your choice though.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>If you choose X-Scissor instead of Hidden Power Fire, use an Adamant nature. If you're using X-Scissor in the fourth slot, use an Adamant nature. Otherwise, use Naughty allows Oshawott to keep its decent Special Attack so as not to lower Oshawott's Special Attack. Simply put, Adamant is for X-Scissor and Naughty is for Hidden Power. You can use Aqua Tail to OHKO Mienfoo after a Swords Dance, but it's not recommended,[comma] as 90 accuracy is always tricky,[comma] and Waterfall + Aqua Jet will 2HKO it on the switch. Lastly, Encore is useful to help Oshawott set up, but you lose either power or coverage, both things Oshawott really needs. If you're not using Hidden Power Fire, an EV spread of 236 Atk / 236 Spe will get you the same stats barring Special Attack, and may be used if you prefer a "cleaner" spread.</p>

<p>Teammates depend on what move you run in the last slot. If you use X-Scissor, using a Steel trapper such as Magnemite or Nosepass to defeat Ferroseed is a good idea. If you opt for Hidden Power Fire, using a combination of Wynaut and Diglett to kill Slowpoke and Lileep is ideal. Switching in on Recover or Slack Off allows you to lock them in that move forever with Encore and use Tickle to lower their Defense. Then, switch to Diglett and boost its Attack with Hone Claws. Finally, use Earthquake to OHKO them. Diglett also provides a switch-in to Electric-types, namely Chinchou, who resists both Water and Fire.</p>

[Other Options]

<p>Using a specially oriented set isn't recommended, as Chinchou, Staryu, and even Piplup outclass it. After all, Oshawott only gets Grass Knot and Air Slash to differentiate it from other Water-types, It only gets Grass Knot and Air Slash to differentiate itself from other Water-types, but and other moves are usually stronger anyway. Night Slash can be used for Slowpoke and Frillish, but Totodile plays that role much better. Revenge is an option for Ferroseed, but this fighting move is it's outclassed by Hidden Power Fire. Lastly, a combination of Substitute and Torrent can be used to raise the power of Oshawott's special attacks.maybe a comment about why this isn't optimal?</p>

[Checks and Counters]

<p>Counters include Slowpoke, Lileep, Chinchou, Snover, Ferroseed, Croagunk, Eviolite Staryu with Thunderbolt, Wooper, and Frillish. Cottonee and Eviolite Magnemite are decent checks,[comma] as are they can take a hit and OHKO Oshawott with a STAB move. Lastly, Poliwag can switch in on a Water-type move with Water Absorb, Encore it, and set up Belly Drum.</p>

[Dream World]

<p>Both Torrent and Shell Armor are sub-par, but Torrent is more useful
because . Oshawott doesn't want to be taking that many hits in the first place, and critical hits only have a 1/16 chance of occurring, so Torrent is better.</p>

 

[(makeup)]

V0x you're truly amazing <3
editing it in now

 

[Fatecrashers]

done

 

[(makeup)]

thanks!
ok this is done

 

[blarajan]

<p>Oshawott brings no surprises as the fifth useless Water-type starter Pokemon.spaceAlmost completely outclassed by every other Water-type out there, this ugly otter finds stiff competition for anyone's team slot. It does, however, have a nice niche, which is the ability to run a mixed or a Swords Dance set with X-Scissor to defeat Lileep and Slowpoke. Oshawott's popular competition face problems this otter can overcome; Staryu is generally better, but it can't run a physical set. Totodile faces a similar problem, as it can't run a special set, although its Swords Dance capabilities trump Oshawott's. Piplup can't learn Aqua Jet and Chinchou has horrible Attack. Oshawott does, however, have too many flaws, including mediocre stats and a less-than-average movepool, to become a strong force. awkward All-in-all, Oshawott isn't that great, but itspaceis certainly viable with proper support.</p>
QUOTE]

I spy with my little eye some spacing issues!

 

[(makeup)]

thanks for pointing out the spacing issues, I fixed all of them
I appreciate your opinion on the sentence you called awkward, but I think I'm going to leave it there.

 

[JockeMS]

Yeah, it's nothing wrong about that sentence, but one thing bugs me a little.

You call it an ugly otter. Isn't that a personal opinion? Maybe remove the ugly part, and just leave otter?

 

[(makeup)]

ok removed
you're right, putting down-right opinionated material in an analysis is unprofessional, sorry.