Overview
########
Ponyta has a fantastic Speed stat, allowing it to reach 19 Speed, making it one of the fastest Pokemon in Little Cup. It also has good mixed attacking stats of base 85 Attack and base 65 Special Attack, meaning it can hit hard from either attacking side. Its defensive stats aren't bad either, especially when boosted by Eviolite. Flame Body and Will-O-Wisp make Ponyta a good switch-in to physical threats, as it can often burn them. Ponyta can act as a Sunny Day setter as well, boosting its STAB moves and increasing its Morning Sun recovery. However, Ponyta's typing leaves it weak to Stealth Rock and vulnerable to Spikes, which can be fatal for it. It also either has to rely on recoil moves in Flare Blitz and Wild Charge if it chooses to go physical, or unreliable moves such as the 85% accurate Fire Blast if it chooses to go special.
Eviolite
########
name: Eviolite
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: Morning Sun
move 3: Will-O-Wisp/ Wild Charge
move 4: Sunny Day / Will-O-Wisp
ability: Flame Body
item: Eviolite
evs: 76 Atk / 236 Def / 196 Spe
nature: Jolly
Moves
========
Flare Blitz is Ponyta's primary STAB move, hitting extremely hard, even when it's not invested. Morning Sun allows Ponyta to heal itself, and due to Ponyta's high Speed, it can be used to fish for a burn on a physical attacker. Will-O-Wisp is a much more reliable way to burn physical attackers and can also be used to wear down walls. Wild Charge gives Ponyta a way to damage Water-types not named Chinchou and Archen. Sunny Day is a viable option to increase Morning Sun's recovery and Flare Blitz's power. Two other moves which Ponyta can use are Toxic, which helps to wear down walls, particularly opposing Ponyta, and Return, which can hit Chinchou neutrally.
Set Details
========
Ponyta's Speed is fully invested in, allowing it to outspeed the majority of the tier and tie with other 19 Speed Pokemon such as Misdreavus and Staryu. 236 Def EVs are needed to avoid the 2HKO from Pawniard's Knock Off, allowing it to spam Morning Sun until Pawniard is burned by Flame Body. 76 Attack EVs are needed to OHKO Eviolite Pawniard 75% of the time. Eviolite increases Ponyta's bulk, allowing it to wall most physical threats while increasing its Special Defense.
Usage Tips
========
Ponyta should be switched into physical attackers, such as Pawniard and Mienfoo, that use contact moves that aren't super effective. Due to its high Speed, Ponyta can often keep using Morning Sun to fish for burns on the opposing Pokemon, or it can use Will-O-Wisp to burn the switch-in. Remember that it's not wise to switch into Timburr due to its Guts ability, and if Stealth Rock is in play, try not to switch in too often without healing up.
Team Options
========
Due to Ponyta's weakness to entry hazards, Defog and Rapid Spin users are greatly appreciated. Drilbur is an excellent example because it can switch in on Rock-type Pokemon which Ponyta hates. Ponyta works well in Fire / Water / Grass cores due to its ability to beat Grass-types as well as physical attackers. Lileep and Slowpoke work well as teammates because Ponyta helps them against Pawniard and Mienfoo. Since Ponyta is walled hard by Chinchou, Pokemon that can switch into it are necessary; Porygon or a Chinchou of your own are fantastic options.
Special Sunny Day
########
name: Special Sunny Day
move 1: Sunny Day
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Solar Beam
move 4: Morning Sun
ability: Flame Body
item: Eviolite
evs: 236 Def / 76 SpA / 196 Spe
nature: Timid
Moves
========
This set is a special Sunny Day set which allows Ponyta to get past its usual Water- and Rock-type switch-ins. Sunny Day benefits the other three moves on this set, while also weakening Water-type moves, allowing Ponyta to take on most Water-types by itself. Fire Blast is the primary STAB move, taking advantage of the boost in power from the sun. Solar Beam hits Water-types for super effective damage, meaning no Water-type besides Sturdy Tirtouga can switch in. Morning Sun is reliable recovery that heals two-thirds of Ponyta's health in the sun.
Set Details
========
76 SpA EVs are needed to 2HKO 76 HP / 228 SDef Eviolite Chinchou with Solar Beam, and they give it a 50% chance to OHKO uninvested Berry Juice Chinchou. 236 Def EVs avoid the 2HKO from Pawniard's Knock Off. Max Speed is necessary on Ponyta to outspeed as many things as possible, and Eviolite gives it good mixed bulk.
Usage Tips
========
This set makes a decent wallbreaker, as sun-boosted Fire Blast and Solar Beam have good coverage except against opposing Fire-types. Thanks to Flame Body, Ponyta finds it easy to switch into physical attackers that use contact moves. Ponyta should be using Sunny Day as much as possible, as all its moves benefit from it. Although this set is designed to defeat Water-types, watch out for Thunder Wave from Slowpoke or Chinchou. Finally, due to the low PP of Ponyta's moves, watch out for being PP stalled in longer matches against defensive teams.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that appreciate Sunny Day such as Chlorophyll users or Harvest Exeggcute are okay teammates, but they aren't necessary, as this set is meant to be a standalone Sunny Day user. Stealth Rock is greatly appreciated, as it allows Ponyta to beat Tirtouga and guarantees the OHKO on Berry Juice Chinchou. Pokemon that like Water- and Rock-types out of the way, such as Fletchling, Archen, Houndour, and Drilbur pair well with this set. Finally, Rapid Spin or Defog support is necessary to allow Ponyta to switch in throughout the battle.
Other Options
########
A mixed Life Orb set with Sunny Day, Flare Blitz, Wild Charge, and Solar Beam is viable, but it is very susceptible to getting worn down due to the large amounts of recoil it sustains. A physical Life Orb set with Return over Solar Beam and a filler move over Sunny Day is also possible, but it requires more prediction than the mixed set. Hypnosis can remove a counter from the game, but its accuracy leaves much to be desired. Flame Charge and Agility are options to boost Ponyta's Speed, but 19 Speed is already good enough.
Checks & Counters
########
**Entry Hazards**: Entry hazards are Ponyta's number one enemy, as it takes large amounts of damage from Stealth Rock and Spikes, while also being susceptible to Sticky Web.
**Opposing Fire-types**: Ponyta can't do much damage to opposing Fire-types, especially if it is running Fire- and Grass-type coverage. Houndour can take advantage of this with Flash Fire after forcing Ponyta out. Torchic can easily set up boosts on Ponyta to pass to a teammate.
**Water-types**: Depending on what coverage Ponyta runs, Water-types give it some trouble. Mantyke will easily take it on if it's not running Wild Charge, while Chinchou is only susceptible to Solar Beam or Return. Both Slowpoke and Chinchou can paralyze Ponyta. Tirtouga can survive any hit due to Sturdy and OHKO back with Stone Edge to avoid Flame Body. It must be wary of Will-O-Wisp, however.
**Rock-types**: If Ponyta is not running Solar Beam, most Rock-types have an easy time walling it, although most of them hate being burned. Onix is a fantastic example, as it resists Fire Blast, is immune to Wild Charge, and can easily set up hazards against Ponyta.
**Status**: Toxic and paralysis will both cripple Ponyta. The former will wear Ponyta down gradually and the latter will stop Ponyta from being able to use its high Speed effectively.
**Munchlax**: Although it dislikes being burned, Munchlax doesn't fear any attack Ponyta runs and can threaten it with Body Slam paralysis or a super effective Earthquake. It can even run Rest to heal its burn.
**Faster Scarfers with Super Effective Moves**: Faster Choice Scarf users such as Cranidos, Frillish, Drilbur, and Chinchou can all outspeed and threaten Ponyta with an OHKO.
**Guts**: Timburr can easily switch into a Will-O-Wisp and threaten Ponyta with a boosted Drain Punch, but it struggles to switch into a Sunny Day boosted Fire Blast or Flare Blitz. Although generally not too useful, Larvitar has a great niche of gaining a Guts boost from Will-O-Wisp and resisting everything Ponyta carries except Solar Beam.
########
Ponyta has a fantastic Speed stat, allowing it to reach 19 Speed, making it one of the fastest Pokemon in Little Cup. It also has good mixed attacking stats of base 85 Attack and base 65 Special Attack, meaning it can hit hard from either attacking side. Its defensive stats aren't bad either, especially when boosted by Eviolite. Flame Body and Will-O-Wisp make Ponyta a good switch-in to physical threats, as it can often burn them. Ponyta can act as a Sunny Day setter as well, boosting its STAB moves and increasing its Morning Sun recovery. However, Ponyta's typing leaves it weak to Stealth Rock and vulnerable to Spikes, which can be fatal for it. It also either has to rely on recoil moves in Flare Blitz and Wild Charge if it chooses to go physical, or unreliable moves such as the 85% accurate Fire Blast if it chooses to go special.
Eviolite
########
name: Eviolite
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: Morning Sun
move 3: Will-O-Wisp/ Wild Charge
move 4: Sunny Day / Will-O-Wisp
ability: Flame Body
item: Eviolite
evs: 76 Atk / 236 Def / 196 Spe
nature: Jolly
Moves
========
Flare Blitz is Ponyta's primary STAB move, hitting extremely hard, even when it's not invested. Morning Sun allows Ponyta to heal itself, and due to Ponyta's high Speed, it can be used to fish for a burn on a physical attacker. Will-O-Wisp is a much more reliable way to burn physical attackers and can also be used to wear down walls. Wild Charge gives Ponyta a way to damage Water-types not named Chinchou and Archen. Sunny Day is a viable option to increase Morning Sun's recovery and Flare Blitz's power. Two other moves which Ponyta can use are Toxic, which helps to wear down walls, particularly opposing Ponyta, and Return, which can hit Chinchou neutrally.
Set Details
========
Ponyta's Speed is fully invested in, allowing it to outspeed the majority of the tier and tie with other 19 Speed Pokemon such as Misdreavus and Staryu. 236 Def EVs are needed to avoid the 2HKO from Pawniard's Knock Off, allowing it to spam Morning Sun until Pawniard is burned by Flame Body. 76 Attack EVs are needed to OHKO Eviolite Pawniard 75% of the time. Eviolite increases Ponyta's bulk, allowing it to wall most physical threats while increasing its Special Defense.
Usage Tips
========
Ponyta should be switched into physical attackers, such as Pawniard and Mienfoo, that use contact moves that aren't super effective. Due to its high Speed, Ponyta can often keep using Morning Sun to fish for burns on the opposing Pokemon, or it can use Will-O-Wisp to burn the switch-in. Remember that it's not wise to switch into Timburr due to its Guts ability, and if Stealth Rock is in play, try not to switch in too often without healing up.
Team Options
========
Due to Ponyta's weakness to entry hazards, Defog and Rapid Spin users are greatly appreciated. Drilbur is an excellent example because it can switch in on Rock-type Pokemon which Ponyta hates. Ponyta works well in Fire / Water / Grass cores due to its ability to beat Grass-types as well as physical attackers. Lileep and Slowpoke work well as teammates because Ponyta helps them against Pawniard and Mienfoo. Since Ponyta is walled hard by Chinchou, Pokemon that can switch into it are necessary; Porygon or a Chinchou of your own are fantastic options.
Special Sunny Day
########
name: Special Sunny Day
move 1: Sunny Day
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Solar Beam
move 4: Morning Sun
ability: Flame Body
item: Eviolite
evs: 236 Def / 76 SpA / 196 Spe
nature: Timid
Moves
========
This set is a special Sunny Day set which allows Ponyta to get past its usual Water- and Rock-type switch-ins. Sunny Day benefits the other three moves on this set, while also weakening Water-type moves, allowing Ponyta to take on most Water-types by itself. Fire Blast is the primary STAB move, taking advantage of the boost in power from the sun. Solar Beam hits Water-types for super effective damage, meaning no Water-type besides Sturdy Tirtouga can switch in. Morning Sun is reliable recovery that heals two-thirds of Ponyta's health in the sun.
Set Details
========
76 SpA EVs are needed to 2HKO 76 HP / 228 SDef Eviolite Chinchou with Solar Beam, and they give it a 50% chance to OHKO uninvested Berry Juice Chinchou. 236 Def EVs avoid the 2HKO from Pawniard's Knock Off. Max Speed is necessary on Ponyta to outspeed as many things as possible, and Eviolite gives it good mixed bulk.
Usage Tips
========
This set makes a decent wallbreaker, as sun-boosted Fire Blast and Solar Beam have good coverage except against opposing Fire-types. Thanks to Flame Body, Ponyta finds it easy to switch into physical attackers that use contact moves. Ponyta should be using Sunny Day as much as possible, as all its moves benefit from it. Although this set is designed to defeat Water-types, watch out for Thunder Wave from Slowpoke or Chinchou. Finally, due to the low PP of Ponyta's moves, watch out for being PP stalled in longer matches against defensive teams.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that appreciate Sunny Day such as Chlorophyll users or Harvest Exeggcute are okay teammates, but they aren't necessary, as this set is meant to be a standalone Sunny Day user. Stealth Rock is greatly appreciated, as it allows Ponyta to beat Tirtouga and guarantees the OHKO on Berry Juice Chinchou. Pokemon that like Water- and Rock-types out of the way, such as Fletchling, Archen, Houndour, and Drilbur pair well with this set. Finally, Rapid Spin or Defog support is necessary to allow Ponyta to switch in throughout the battle.
Other Options
########
A mixed Life Orb set with Sunny Day, Flare Blitz, Wild Charge, and Solar Beam is viable, but it is very susceptible to getting worn down due to the large amounts of recoil it sustains. A physical Life Orb set with Return over Solar Beam and a filler move over Sunny Day is also possible, but it requires more prediction than the mixed set. Hypnosis can remove a counter from the game, but its accuracy leaves much to be desired. Flame Charge and Agility are options to boost Ponyta's Speed, but 19 Speed is already good enough.
Checks & Counters
########
**Entry Hazards**: Entry hazards are Ponyta's number one enemy, as it takes large amounts of damage from Stealth Rock and Spikes, while also being susceptible to Sticky Web.
**Opposing Fire-types**: Ponyta can't do much damage to opposing Fire-types, especially if it is running Fire- and Grass-type coverage. Houndour can take advantage of this with Flash Fire after forcing Ponyta out. Torchic can easily set up boosts on Ponyta to pass to a teammate.
**Water-types**: Depending on what coverage Ponyta runs, Water-types give it some trouble. Mantyke will easily take it on if it's not running Wild Charge, while Chinchou is only susceptible to Solar Beam or Return. Both Slowpoke and Chinchou can paralyze Ponyta. Tirtouga can survive any hit due to Sturdy and OHKO back with Stone Edge to avoid Flame Body. It must be wary of Will-O-Wisp, however.
**Rock-types**: If Ponyta is not running Solar Beam, most Rock-types have an easy time walling it, although most of them hate being burned. Onix is a fantastic example, as it resists Fire Blast, is immune to Wild Charge, and can easily set up hazards against Ponyta.
**Status**: Toxic and paralysis will both cripple Ponyta. The former will wear Ponyta down gradually and the latter will stop Ponyta from being able to use its high Speed effectively.
**Munchlax**: Although it dislikes being burned, Munchlax doesn't fear any attack Ponyta runs and can threaten it with Body Slam paralysis or a super effective Earthquake. It can even run Rest to heal its burn.
**Faster Scarfers with Super Effective Moves**: Faster Choice Scarf users such as Cranidos, Frillish, Drilbur, and Chinchou can all outspeed and threaten Ponyta with an OHKO.
**Guts**: Timburr can easily switch into a Will-O-Wisp and threaten Ponyta with a boosted Drain Punch, but it struggles to switch into a Sunny Day boosted Fire Blast or Flare Blitz. Although generally not too useful, Larvitar has a great niche of gaining a Guts boost from Will-O-Wisp and resisting everything Ponyta carries except Solar Beam.
Overview
########
- Good Eviolite-boosted bulk
- FLAME BODY FLAME BODY FLAME BODY (and WoW - good vs. physical attackers)
- Hits 19 speed, only a handful of unboosted mons are able to outspeed
- Recovery in Morning Sun
- Can act as a sun setter, benefits from the weather itself, thanks to Morning Sun and boosted STAB
- Relies on recoil moves and/or 85% accuracy moves for offense
- Weak to SR
Eviolite
########
name: Eviolite
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: Morning Sun
move 3: Will-O-Wisp/ Wild Charge
move 4: Sunny Day / Will-O-Wisp
ability: Flame Body
item: Eviolite
evs: 76 Atk / 236 Def / 196 Spe
nature: Jolly
Moves
========
-Will-O-Wisp for Physical Attackers and Walls, respectively. Namely Mienfoo, Pawniard, Medittie, Archen, Vullaby, Slowpoke, or etc.
-Wild Charge hits all waters, and more importantly Archen
-toxic can be used for walls like slowpoke
-Sunny Day + Toxic allows you to be able to outstall and kill a Slowpoke one on one, weakening Scald's power, strengthening Flare Blitz's power, and boosting Morning Sun's recovery.
-Morning Sun is recovery helped by sunny day, and thanks to high speed can be spammed to fish for a burn.
-Will-O-Wisp is obvious and more reliable for burning Pokemon, who dodge Flame Body's burn chance, especially if they're not using contact moves.
-Return can be used for Chinchou
Set Details
========
- Max speed to speed tie 19 speed mons (Misdreauvs, Staryu)
-236 Def EVs are need to avoid the 2hko from pawniard, then you can just morning sun and it cannot kill you with sucker punch. Don't think of moving some Def EVs to HP because then Pawniard can 2hko you with Knock Off. Be careful of Swords Dance Sucker Punch, however, as it can OHKO you after a Knock Off if you Morning Sun on it.
-76 Atk EVs give Flare Blitz a OHKO on Eviolite Pawniard most of the time.
- Eviolite gives Ponyta bulk from both sides
-76 SpA EVs with a Timid nature and Fire Blast over Flare Blitz is an option for a no recoil move. But its 85% accuracy, low pp, and lower damage than Flare Blitz leave it unfavorable as it will often miss a vital OHKO that Flare Blitz could have secured on key Pokemon, such as Pawniard
Usage Tips
========
-Switch into Pokemon with contact moves that aren't super-effective against Ponyta, namely Pawniard and Mienfoo.
-Beware of Stealth Rock and remember that Timburr has Guts, so it is not wise to switch into him.
Team Options
========
-Defog and Rapid Spin users can be appreciated as Ponyta is weak to Stealth Rock.
-A core of Lileep, Slowpoke, and Ponyta can be used to success as Ponyta is able to counter Pawniard and Mienfoo, both of which run straight through Lileep and Slowpoke.
-Drilbur is an excellent partner as it can provide Rapid Spin support and can take on Rock-Type Pokemon such as Dwebble and Cranidos, which Ponyta hates.
Special Sunny Day
########
name: Special Sunny Day
move 1: Sunny Day
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Solar Beam
move 4: Morning Sun
ability: Flame Body
item: Eviolite
evs: 236 Def / 76 SpA / 196 Spe
nature: Timid
Moves
========
-Sunny day weakens water types allowing it to take reduces damage from water switch ins. also helps with every other move on this set.
-Fire blast is powerful under sun etc...
-Solar beam is the cool thing about the set, meaning no water types can take it on 1v1, except sturdy tirtouga. the only other annoying thing is slowpoke's/chinchou's thunder wave.
-Morning sun heals more under sun which is cool
-Basically more of a Chinchou and other water types lure set, perhaps the moves could use reordering, but its pretty straightforward.
Set Details
========
-76 SpAtk EVs are needed to 2hko 76/228 Chinchou with Solarbeam, and a 50% chance to KO 0/0 Berry Juice Chinchou.
-236 Def EVs are need to avoid the 2hko from pawniard, then you can just morning sun and it cannot kill you with sucker punch. Don't think of moving some Def EVs to HP because then Pawniard can 2hko you with Knock Off. Be careful of Swords Dance Sucker Punch, however, as it can OHKO you after a Knock Off if you Morning Sun on it.
- Max speed to speed tie 19 speed mons (Misdreauvs, Staryu)
- Eviolite gives Ponyta bulk from both sides
Usage Tips
========
-decent wallbreaker cos sun boosted fire blast+solar beam is good coverage except for opposing fires
-Switch into stuff like Pawniard/Mienfoo/ Physical Attackers that use contact moves and dislike being burned. Morning Sun when needed. Sunny Day as much as possible as that allows it to do its job more easily and helps so much vs. water type switch-ins which are super common.
Aside from Solar Beam, all of these moves only have 8 PP, so watch out for being PP stalled in longer matches.
Team Options
========
-Things that appreciate sunny day are okay, but really not necessary. this is meant as more of a stand alone sunny day user.
-Things that would appreciate Water-Types, such as Chinchou and Staryu, out of the way can pair well with this set and Ponyta can lure them in and KO them with Solar Beam. Fletchling, for example, would appreciate Chinchou being KOd or at least weakened enough to be taken out by an Acrobatics.
-Drilbur is also an excellent partner as it can provide Rapid Spin support, dislikes Staryu and Chinchou, and can take on Rock-Type Pokemon such as Dwebble and Archen, which this Ponyta hates.
Other Options
########
-MIXED LIFE ORB IS BOSS (krow 2.0)
-Hypnosis has low accuracy, but puts Pokemon to sleep.
-Flame Charge and Agility why do you want more speed you're at 19 speed already and it's not the best strategy in Little Cup anyway.
-physical LO is okay too i guess with blitz/wild charge/return but requires more prediction that special LO.
Checks & Counters
########
-Stealth Rock is Ponyta's number 1 enemy, taking 25% (or rounded in LC to whatever HP thanks to LC mechanics) off its HP
-While Ponyta can Toxic walls that it cannot normally beat, walls can use Toxic on Ponyta as well, effectively destroying its walling abilities. This is especially true if your opponent has Heal Bell or Aromatherapy.
-Houndour with Flash Fire is Ponyta's best counter as it takes nothing from Solar Beam and doesn't particularly mind Toxic, while it strikes it back with STAB Dark-Type moves.
-Eviolite Mantyke fails to be 2HKOd by Sunny Day Flare Blitz and can threaten it back with a STAB Water-Type move - must beware of wild charge
-Torchic, while not really a check or counter, can easily set up on it and Baton Pass Speed and/or other boosts to Pokemon that would then be able to outspeed and KO Ponyta, such as speed and a Swords Dance to Drilbur (Earthquake)
-Munchlax, while it dislikes Burn and Toxic, doesn't fear Flare Blitz or Solar Beam, thanks to Thick Fat and Recycle/Rest, and can threaten it with Body Slam paralysis or a super-effective Earthquake
-Porygon likewise dislikes Toxic, but when EVd to take on Flare Blitz or Fire Blast (or if it traces Flash Fire if Ponyta has that as its ability), it can threaten it with powerful special attack moves and use Recover
-Scarf Frillish can outspeed and OHKO it with a Water Spout (or Hydro Pump most of the time) if the sun isn't up
-Scarf Cranidos can outspeed and OHKO it with a Stone Edge or Head Smash
-Timburr somewhat enjoys burn, but doesn't like to switch into a Sunny Day Fire Blast or Flare Blitz.
########
- Good Eviolite-boosted bulk
- FLAME BODY FLAME BODY FLAME BODY (and WoW - good vs. physical attackers)
- Hits 19 speed, only a handful of unboosted mons are able to outspeed
- Recovery in Morning Sun
- Can act as a sun setter, benefits from the weather itself, thanks to Morning Sun and boosted STAB
- Relies on recoil moves and/or 85% accuracy moves for offense
- Weak to SR
Eviolite
########
name: Eviolite
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: Morning Sun
move 3: Will-O-Wisp/ Wild Charge
move 4: Sunny Day / Will-O-Wisp
ability: Flame Body
item: Eviolite
evs: 76 Atk / 236 Def / 196 Spe
nature: Jolly
Moves
========
-Will-O-Wisp for Physical Attackers and Walls, respectively. Namely Mienfoo, Pawniard, Medittie, Archen, Vullaby, Slowpoke, or etc.
-Wild Charge hits all waters, and more importantly Archen
-toxic can be used for walls like slowpoke
-Sunny Day + Toxic allows you to be able to outstall and kill a Slowpoke one on one, weakening Scald's power, strengthening Flare Blitz's power, and boosting Morning Sun's recovery.
-Morning Sun is recovery helped by sunny day, and thanks to high speed can be spammed to fish for a burn.
-Will-O-Wisp is obvious and more reliable for burning Pokemon, who dodge Flame Body's burn chance, especially if they're not using contact moves.
-Return can be used for Chinchou
Set Details
========
- Max speed to speed tie 19 speed mons (Misdreauvs, Staryu)
-236 Def EVs are need to avoid the 2hko from pawniard, then you can just morning sun and it cannot kill you with sucker punch. Don't think of moving some Def EVs to HP because then Pawniard can 2hko you with Knock Off. Be careful of Swords Dance Sucker Punch, however, as it can OHKO you after a Knock Off if you Morning Sun on it.
-76 Atk EVs give Flare Blitz a OHKO on Eviolite Pawniard most of the time.
- Eviolite gives Ponyta bulk from both sides
-76 SpA EVs with a Timid nature and Fire Blast over Flare Blitz is an option for a no recoil move. But its 85% accuracy, low pp, and lower damage than Flare Blitz leave it unfavorable as it will often miss a vital OHKO that Flare Blitz could have secured on key Pokemon, such as Pawniard
Usage Tips
========
-Switch into Pokemon with contact moves that aren't super-effective against Ponyta, namely Pawniard and Mienfoo.
-Beware of Stealth Rock and remember that Timburr has Guts, so it is not wise to switch into him.
Team Options
========
-Defog and Rapid Spin users can be appreciated as Ponyta is weak to Stealth Rock.
-A core of Lileep, Slowpoke, and Ponyta can be used to success as Ponyta is able to counter Pawniard and Mienfoo, both of which run straight through Lileep and Slowpoke.
-Drilbur is an excellent partner as it can provide Rapid Spin support and can take on Rock-Type Pokemon such as Dwebble and Cranidos, which Ponyta hates.
Special Sunny Day
########
name: Special Sunny Day
move 1: Sunny Day
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Solar Beam
move 4: Morning Sun
ability: Flame Body
item: Eviolite
evs: 236 Def / 76 SpA / 196 Spe
nature: Timid
Moves
========
-Sunny day weakens water types allowing it to take reduces damage from water switch ins. also helps with every other move on this set.
-Fire blast is powerful under sun etc...
-Solar beam is the cool thing about the set, meaning no water types can take it on 1v1, except sturdy tirtouga. the only other annoying thing is slowpoke's/chinchou's thunder wave.
-Morning sun heals more under sun which is cool
-Basically more of a Chinchou and other water types lure set, perhaps the moves could use reordering, but its pretty straightforward.
Set Details
========
-76 SpAtk EVs are needed to 2hko 76/228 Chinchou with Solarbeam, and a 50% chance to KO 0/0 Berry Juice Chinchou.
-236 Def EVs are need to avoid the 2hko from pawniard, then you can just morning sun and it cannot kill you with sucker punch. Don't think of moving some Def EVs to HP because then Pawniard can 2hko you with Knock Off. Be careful of Swords Dance Sucker Punch, however, as it can OHKO you after a Knock Off if you Morning Sun on it.
- Max speed to speed tie 19 speed mons (Misdreauvs, Staryu)
- Eviolite gives Ponyta bulk from both sides
Usage Tips
========
-decent wallbreaker cos sun boosted fire blast+solar beam is good coverage except for opposing fires
-Switch into stuff like Pawniard/Mienfoo/ Physical Attackers that use contact moves and dislike being burned. Morning Sun when needed. Sunny Day as much as possible as that allows it to do its job more easily and helps so much vs. water type switch-ins which are super common.
Aside from Solar Beam, all of these moves only have 8 PP, so watch out for being PP stalled in longer matches.
Team Options
========
-Things that appreciate sunny day are okay, but really not necessary. this is meant as more of a stand alone sunny day user.
-Things that would appreciate Water-Types, such as Chinchou and Staryu, out of the way can pair well with this set and Ponyta can lure them in and KO them with Solar Beam. Fletchling, for example, would appreciate Chinchou being KOd or at least weakened enough to be taken out by an Acrobatics.
-Drilbur is also an excellent partner as it can provide Rapid Spin support, dislikes Staryu and Chinchou, and can take on Rock-Type Pokemon such as Dwebble and Archen, which this Ponyta hates.
Other Options
########
-MIXED LIFE ORB IS BOSS (krow 2.0)
-Hypnosis has low accuracy, but puts Pokemon to sleep.
-Flame Charge and Agility why do you want more speed you're at 19 speed already and it's not the best strategy in Little Cup anyway.
-physical LO is okay too i guess with blitz/wild charge/return but requires more prediction that special LO.
Checks & Counters
########
-Stealth Rock is Ponyta's number 1 enemy, taking 25% (or rounded in LC to whatever HP thanks to LC mechanics) off its HP
-While Ponyta can Toxic walls that it cannot normally beat, walls can use Toxic on Ponyta as well, effectively destroying its walling abilities. This is especially true if your opponent has Heal Bell or Aromatherapy.
-Houndour with Flash Fire is Ponyta's best counter as it takes nothing from Solar Beam and doesn't particularly mind Toxic, while it strikes it back with STAB Dark-Type moves.
-Eviolite Mantyke fails to be 2HKOd by Sunny Day Flare Blitz and can threaten it back with a STAB Water-Type move - must beware of wild charge
-Torchic, while not really a check or counter, can easily set up on it and Baton Pass Speed and/or other boosts to Pokemon that would then be able to outspeed and KO Ponyta, such as speed and a Swords Dance to Drilbur (Earthquake)
-Munchlax, while it dislikes Burn and Toxic, doesn't fear Flare Blitz or Solar Beam, thanks to Thick Fat and Recycle/Rest, and can threaten it with Body Slam paralysis or a super-effective Earthquake
-Porygon likewise dislikes Toxic, but when EVd to take on Flare Blitz or Fire Blast (or if it traces Flash Fire if Ponyta has that as its ability), it can threaten it with powerful special attack moves and use Recover
-Scarf Frillish can outspeed and OHKO it with a Water Spout (or Hydro Pump most of the time) if the sun isn't up
-Scarf Cranidos can outspeed and OHKO it with a Stone Edge or Head Smash
-Timburr somewhat enjoys burn, but doesn't like to switch into a Sunny Day Fire Blast or Flare Blitz.
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