http://veekun.com/dex/pokemon/komatana
[Overview]
<p>Pawniard is one of the most destructive Pokemon in Little Cup, as only a handful of Pokemon can survive a Swords Dance-boosted STAB Sucker Punch due to its high Attack stat. Pawniard also has a pretty easy time setting up on many Pokemon due to its numerous resistances and decent defensive stats, particularly its Defense. However, Pawniard's main weakness is that it has certain hard counters that can not only survive a +2 Sucker Punch or Brick Break, but also use 4x super effective priority moves such as Mach Punch. All in all, Pawniard is a very dangerous Pokemon if allowed to set up, and its STAB Sucker Punch can plow right through weakened teams.</p>
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Sucker Punch
move 3: Brick Break
move 4: Night Slash / Iron Head
item: Life Orb
ability: Defiant
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 236 Atk / 76 Def / 196 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This Pawniard set is incredibly hard to stop if given a chance to set up. Sucker Punch is Pawniard's most useful move because not only does it allow Pawniard to revenge kill in the early stages of the game and sweep late game, but it also gives Pawniard chances to set up due to forcing many switches. Swords Dance allows Pawniard to pose a game-ending threat throughout the match if left free to set up. Brick Break provides excellent coverage with Sucker Punch, hitting Pokemon such as Scraggy and other Pawniard. Night Slash and Iron Head are both excellent moves in the last slot for a reliable STAB attack, having high Base Power. The choice between the two is a tough one. Night Slash reliably beats Pokemon such as Bronzor (who uses Reflect to avoid Sucker Punch) and Frillish (who uses Will-O-Wisp), while sacrificing the ability to harm certain Pokemon. Iron Head not only allows Pawniard to hit Fighting-types harder on the switch, but it also gives Pawniard a useful flinching move. The strategy is quite simple; weaken the opponent's team, Swords Dance when possible, and sweep.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EV spread is very simple, maximizing Pawniard's Attack and Speed while also granting one more point to its good Defense stat. Adamant and Jolly are both viable options for a nature. Adamant provides more power, making Pawniard a massive pain to deal with for slow teams or frail offensive teams. Jolly, however, lets Pawniard outpace other neutral-natured Pawniard and Houndour. As for items, Oran Berry can be used over Life Orb if the recoil is a concern. It gives Pawniard more survivability, but the loss in power adversely affects Pawniard's chance to sweep.</p>
<p>Bulky Fighting-types such as Eviolite Scraggy and Timburr are merely dented by Pawniard's Sucker Punch, and Brick Break doesn't do enough either. Scarf Machop can pose a problem as well, but it can't take more than one attack from Pawniard. Pawniard also appreciates any Pokemon that gives it an opportunity to set up. With these reasons in mind, Wynaut makes an excellent teammate. It not only traps and KOes Fighting-types, but it also can use Encore to give Pawniard a chance to set up. Stealth Rock and Spikes are also quite useful, considering almost everything that survive a Sucker Punch takes full damage from both, with the exception of Gligar and Hippopotas. To deal with those two Ground-types, Frillish is suggested to cushion the Earthquakes and spread Will-O-Wisp to weaken the opponent's team. Misdreavus and Gastly also work quite well, but they do not have access to STAB Surf to destroy said Ground-types. Ghost-types also come with a nice bonus; they are immune to the Fighting-type moves which decimate Pawniard, and as a result cause Hi Jump Kick users such as Meditite to take huge damage when they switch in.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Iron Head
move 2: Pursuit
move 3: Brick Break
move 4: Psycho Cut / Night Slash
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Defiant
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 236 Atk / 76 Def / 196 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Since Pawniard has decent Speed and a monstrous Attack stat, it can run a Choice Scarf set very well. STAB Iron Head allows Pawniard to maintain a strong offensive presence even without Sucker Punch and a boosting move, allowing it to revenge kill a wide range of threats and sweep late game. Its chance to flinch can also be game-changing sometimes. Brick Break is a great coverage move, allowing Pawniard to smack the Fighting-types who resist its STAB moves hard. Clearing the field of dual screens is also a nice perk. There are two options for the last moveslot. While Psycho Cut destroys unsuspecting Fighting-types who might switch in to revenge kill Pawniard, Night Slash allows Pawniard to hit Bronzor and Slowpoke hard, while also giving it a strong secondary STAB attack. One of the most important aspects of this set, however, is that it can easily switch into any Ghost-type attack and Pursuit them for monstrous damage, KOing most of them.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Choice Scarf Pawniard's main problem is its lack of power, even though it has a high Attack stat. Any defensive Pokemon that has a reliable recovery move is going to cause a lot of problems. This makes it wise to carry some wallbreakers or setup sweepers. Pokemon such as Gligar can switch into defensive Pokemon such as Hippopotas and set up. Misdreavus works as well, setting up Nasty Plot or Substitute. Generally, having a Ground-type immunity is going to be a huge help to Pawniard,since most of the counters to this set commonly pack Earthquake.</p>
<p>Additionally, Pawniard pairs well with Fighting-types that can abuse Ghost-types being removed from the match. Meditite is an excellent choice for a teammate, since it can wreak havoc with its powerful STAB Hi Jump Kick without fear of dealing major damage to itself.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Pawniard could run a Choice Band set, but being locked into Sucker Punch is a terrible thing, as it essentially gives your opponent free time to set up. Life Orb would always be better, even with a four attack set. Rock Polish could be used to boost Pawniard's Speed and pick apart weakened offensive teams, but Pawniard already has Swords Dance and Sucker Punch, and priority ruins it as well. Pawniard can also function as an effective lead, but sadly, Stealth Rock and Sucker Punch cannot be used together.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Bulky Fighting-types of all kinds are practically impossible for Pawniard to defeat without some help. Eviolite Timburr is the best counter you're going to get. Bronzor is also quite effective, but if it has taken any damage, a Swords Dance-boosted Night Slash could do Bronzor in.</p>
<p>Being Steel-type and grounded, Pawniard is vulnerable not only to Diglett, but also to Magnemite. With a Choice Scarf, Magnemite can outpace and OHKO Pawniard. Diglett needs Substitute to get around Pawniard's Sucker Punch, but otherwise it's quite reliable.</p>
