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QC: Erisia / DTC / Blast
GP: * / *
[OVERVIEW]
Primeape's good combination of Speed, Attack, and offensive Fighting typing makes Primeape a real powerhouse. It's speed distinctively sets it apart from Hitmonchan being able to outpace base 80's and 90's like Mesprit, Rotom-S, and Shiftry. Defiant gives Primeape the ability to punish and pressure Defoggers making it great with Spike stackers. Primeape also resist Sucker Punch, making it a good offensive check to Shiftry and even Kangaskhan being able to pressure them with U-turn and Close Combat respectively. Primeape is also good at pressuring Shiftry to not use Defog. While Primeape's speed tier is good, it isn't perfect meaning it can get outsped by many common Pokemon like Archeops, Charizard, and Floatzel. Primeape also suffers from poor defenses letting it get revenge killed through priority and faster Pokemon quite easily. Primeape also has a hard time denting bulky Poison and Psychic-types which can give up free switch ins. It also contributes absolutely no defensive synergy to your team and wants support from Skuntank, hazards, and other Pokemon to remove Psychic-types.
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Close Combat
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Stone Edge / Gunk Shot
item: Choice Band
ability: Defiant / Vital Spirit
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Close Combat is Primeape's strongest move which is good for nailing Steel, Rock, and Normal-types. Close Combat also scores a lot of KOs on neutral hits as well like KOing Samurott and Hariyama after rocks. U-turn can catch an opponent on the switch allowing your team to get the edge, and because it is a Bug-type move, Primeape is able to instantly threaten Malamar and Shiftry and deal a good amount of damage to Psychic-types. Earthquake is able to hit Garbodor as it stops Primeape from taking residual damage and stops Garbodor from getting free Spikes. Stone Edge targets down Flying-types like Pelliper, Mantine, and Xatu. Gunk Shot is an alternatuve that gives Primeape coverage against Mega Audino but also hits Clefairy and Tangela.
Set Details
========
Choice Band alongside max Attack EVs gives the punch Primeape needs to efficiently wallbreak. Max Speed with a Jolly nature makes it so Primeape can outspeed positive speed boosting nature base 90's like Lilligant and Kangaskhan. An Adamant doesn't benefit Primeape since it doesn't snag any extra kills or allow it to get passed its checks. Defiant is usually Primeape's go to choice for an ability as it can gain a free boost from Defog, which is perfect for teams that use Spikes. Memento also doesn't affect Primeape as it will just get boosted back to neutral after recieving the drops. Vital Spirit is a cool alternative making it so Primeape can come in on a predicted Sleep Powder from Pokemon like Vileplume and Lilligant.
Usage Tips
========
Due to Primeape's frailness, it should never be switching into strong attackers. Instead try to get in via slow VoltTurn or Baton Pass. Use Primeape early on to dent the opponents team early to mid game so late game sweepers like Tauros and Swellow can have a much easier time cleaning up. If your opponent has something that can switch into Close Combat with ease like Vileplume and Weezing it is best to just use U-turn as you can snag some momentum on the switch, but be careful when deciding what move to lock yourself into. If running Defiant try to use Primeape to pressure Defog users like Prinplup and Mantine, do be wary that they might attack predicting Primeape to come in instead of using Defog which can weaken Primeape a lot. If your team lacks a dedicated lead then Primeape can often find itself being the first Pokemon out because if it has a bad match-up, it can easily just U-turn out.
Team Options
========
Late game sweepers that appreciate having Rock and Steel-types removed like Linoone, Swellow, and Tauros couple well with Primeape. Partners that also use U-turn and Volt Switch like Scyther and Rotom synergize well since they can get Primeape in on the right turn and force a lot switches which combines well with hazards. Hazard setters like Garbodor and Omastar work extremely well with Primeape as it often forces switches and the opponent will take more and more chip damage from the spikes. Omastar in particular can set up Spikes on Pokemon that check Primeape like Scythed and Swords Dance Charizard with the exception of Xatu. Pokemon that can control hazards like Xatu and Claydol go well with Primeape as it is constantly switching in and out and does not like taking continuous chip damage. Skuntank with Pursuit complements Primeape rather nicely as it can help to remove Psychic and Ghost-types who can come in on Primape's Close Combats. Shiftry can help to threaten Ghost and Psychic-types for Primeape as Primeape removes Ferroseed which is annoying for Shiftry. Shiftry can also use Extrasensory to lure in Poison-types which gives both of these Pokemon trouble.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Close Combat
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Stone Edge
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Defiant / Vital Spirit
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Close Combat is a good STAB move that is reliable for revenge killing Pokemon like Kangaskhan and Modest Shell Smash Omastar. U-turn catches Pokemon switching out allow you to get the edge. It also hits Jynx, Lilligant, and Mesprit with super-effective damage and almost OHKOes Malamar from full HP. Earthquake targets Fire- and Poison-types, the latter which can come in on Primeape's Close Combat's comfortably. Stone Edge gives it the edge over Flying-types like Scyther and Rotom-Fan.
Set Details
========
Choice Scarf with max Speed investment allows it to outspeed as much as possible. Max Attack EVs give Primeape a lot more punch to its attacks. Jolly is used so you can outspeed +1 Jolly Lilligant and +2 Barbaracle but Adamant gives Primeape a bigger boost to its power. Defiant lets it abuse the stat drops from Defog and Intimidate while Vital Spirit can let Primeape switch into Sleep Powder.
Usage Tips
========
Primeape works very well as a lead because if it ends up in an unfavorable match-up it can just use U-turn and get out. Primeape also works very well under the role of a revenge killer so if it is needed to pick up a kill on something faster than the rest of your team it should be preserved till the situation arises. Opponents who have switch ins to Primeape's Close Combats will usually switch out into them so it is best to use U-turn so you don't have to forfeit any turns, but prediction is required when selecting your move as your opponent may not switch out into there fighting resist. When using Defiant, Primeape should be used to pressure defoggers. Come in when you predict your opponent to use Defog but be careful as some defoggers like Prinplup and Pelipper won't always be OHKOed even at +2 attack. Primeape can also work efficiently as cleaning late game since it does have decent power and outspeeds the majority of the metagame.
Team Options
========
Choice Scarf Primeape should be used on teams that need a revenge killer with Fighting-type attacks and momentum. The main reason being that without Choice Band it loses a lot of power not letting it get certain 2HKO's that might be important for your team to have such as not being able to pick off Regirock or Steelix as easilly. Teammates that appreciate having faster attackers removed like Pyroar and Swellow are great choices for partners. Some examples would be Pokemon like Samurott, Aurorus, and Zangoose who are outspeeded by some of the metagames faster threats. Normal-types love having Steel and Rock-types weakened since there STABs are resisted by those types, Kangaskhan and Tauros being two notable examples. Partners that also utilize U-turn or Volt Switch synergize well with Primeape since they can shuffle between each other giving there opponent a hard time to get the edge. Pokemon that lay down hazards like Cacturne and Omastar help Primeape since it often forces switches on the opponents side and it is able to rack up a lot of chip damage.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Thunder Punch hits Mantine and Pelipper harder and has higher accuracy than Stone Edge but in return is much weakens its matchup against Scyther. Ice Punch hits Gourgeist-XL, Golurk, and Torterra, the former two being immune to Close Combat. Fist Plate + Encore can be used to help bluff Choice Band while also stopping set-up sweepers in there tracks. Punishment hits Ghost and Psychic-types, especially if they are using Calm Mind or Nasty Plot like Mismagius and Musharna. Substitute + Focus Punch can be used to block Toxic and Thunder Wave from slower Pokemon while dealing a hefty amount of damage. Although its Substitute are often broken by weak uninvested moves anyway.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Poison-types**: Pokemon like Garbodor, Vileplume, and Weezing give Primeape trouble since they all resist Primeape's most valuable move. Not to mention Weezing and Vileplume aren't weak to Earthquake while Garbodor and Vileplume can issue Primeape with Rocky Helmet damage and a status effect from Effect Spore respectively.
**Ghost-types**: These Pokemon fear none of Primeape's moves and are immune to its STAB allowing them to deal large amounts of damage or spread status effects like burns and paralysis. Defensive Rotom and Gourgeist-XL being the most notable ones.
**Flying-types**: Most common Flying-types like Scyther outspeed non Choice Scarf Primeape and pursue to launch a STAB attack which will be a free KO. Others like Xatu and Rotom-Fan can also switch into Close Combats pretty easily. Even though they resist Primeape's STAB they must all be wary of Stone Edge
**Psychic-types**: Psychic-types like Mesprit and Musharna resist Primeape's Close Combats but they do not appreciate having to take U-turns.
**Faster Pokemon**: Primeape has very little bulk meaning practically anything faster than it with decent attack can either deal a large amount of damage or just straight out OHKO Primeape. Choice Scarf Scyther and Choice Scarf Pyroar are two examples of Pokemon who can outspeed both of Primeape's variants and OHKO.
**Physically Bulky Pokemon**: Physically bulky Pokemon can take Primeape's moves if they are neutral from the scarf set as it lacks the power boost from Choice Band. Although these Pokemon cannot safely switch in until they have identified which set is being run.
GP: * / *
[OVERVIEW]
Primeape's good combination of Speed, Attack, and offensive Fighting typing makes Primeape a real powerhouse. It's speed distinctively sets it apart from Hitmonchan being able to outpace base 80's and 90's like Mesprit, Rotom-S, and Shiftry. Defiant gives Primeape the ability to punish and pressure Defoggers making it great with Spike stackers. Primeape also resist Sucker Punch, making it a good offensive check to Shiftry and even Kangaskhan being able to pressure them with U-turn and Close Combat respectively. Primeape is also good at pressuring Shiftry to not use Defog. While Primeape's speed tier is good, it isn't perfect meaning it can get outsped by many common Pokemon like Archeops, Charizard, and Floatzel. Primeape also suffers from poor defenses letting it get revenge killed through priority and faster Pokemon quite easily. Primeape also has a hard time denting bulky Poison and Psychic-types which can give up free switch ins. It also contributes absolutely no defensive synergy to your team and wants support from Skuntank, hazards, and other Pokemon to remove Psychic-types.
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Close Combat
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Stone Edge / Gunk Shot
item: Choice Band
ability: Defiant / Vital Spirit
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Close Combat is Primeape's strongest move which is good for nailing Steel, Rock, and Normal-types. Close Combat also scores a lot of KOs on neutral hits as well like KOing Samurott and Hariyama after rocks. U-turn can catch an opponent on the switch allowing your team to get the edge, and because it is a Bug-type move, Primeape is able to instantly threaten Malamar and Shiftry and deal a good amount of damage to Psychic-types. Earthquake is able to hit Garbodor as it stops Primeape from taking residual damage and stops Garbodor from getting free Spikes. Stone Edge targets down Flying-types like Pelliper, Mantine, and Xatu. Gunk Shot is an alternatuve that gives Primeape coverage against Mega Audino but also hits Clefairy and Tangela.
Set Details
========
Choice Band alongside max Attack EVs gives the punch Primeape needs to efficiently wallbreak. Max Speed with a Jolly nature makes it so Primeape can outspeed positive speed boosting nature base 90's like Lilligant and Kangaskhan. An Adamant doesn't benefit Primeape since it doesn't snag any extra kills or allow it to get passed its checks. Defiant is usually Primeape's go to choice for an ability as it can gain a free boost from Defog, which is perfect for teams that use Spikes. Memento also doesn't affect Primeape as it will just get boosted back to neutral after recieving the drops. Vital Spirit is a cool alternative making it so Primeape can come in on a predicted Sleep Powder from Pokemon like Vileplume and Lilligant.
Usage Tips
========
Due to Primeape's frailness, it should never be switching into strong attackers. Instead try to get in via slow VoltTurn or Baton Pass. Use Primeape early on to dent the opponents team early to mid game so late game sweepers like Tauros and Swellow can have a much easier time cleaning up. If your opponent has something that can switch into Close Combat with ease like Vileplume and Weezing it is best to just use U-turn as you can snag some momentum on the switch, but be careful when deciding what move to lock yourself into. If running Defiant try to use Primeape to pressure Defog users like Prinplup and Mantine, do be wary that they might attack predicting Primeape to come in instead of using Defog which can weaken Primeape a lot. If your team lacks a dedicated lead then Primeape can often find itself being the first Pokemon out because if it has a bad match-up, it can easily just U-turn out.
Team Options
========
Late game sweepers that appreciate having Rock and Steel-types removed like Linoone, Swellow, and Tauros couple well with Primeape. Partners that also use U-turn and Volt Switch like Scyther and Rotom synergize well since they can get Primeape in on the right turn and force a lot switches which combines well with hazards. Hazard setters like Garbodor and Omastar work extremely well with Primeape as it often forces switches and the opponent will take more and more chip damage from the spikes. Omastar in particular can set up Spikes on Pokemon that check Primeape like Scythed and Swords Dance Charizard with the exception of Xatu. Pokemon that can control hazards like Xatu and Claydol go well with Primeape as it is constantly switching in and out and does not like taking continuous chip damage. Skuntank with Pursuit complements Primeape rather nicely as it can help to remove Psychic and Ghost-types who can come in on Primape's Close Combats. Shiftry can help to threaten Ghost and Psychic-types for Primeape as Primeape removes Ferroseed which is annoying for Shiftry. Shiftry can also use Extrasensory to lure in Poison-types which gives both of these Pokemon trouble.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Close Combat
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Stone Edge
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Defiant / Vital Spirit
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Close Combat is a good STAB move that is reliable for revenge killing Pokemon like Kangaskhan and Modest Shell Smash Omastar. U-turn catches Pokemon switching out allow you to get the edge. It also hits Jynx, Lilligant, and Mesprit with super-effective damage and almost OHKOes Malamar from full HP. Earthquake targets Fire- and Poison-types, the latter which can come in on Primeape's Close Combat's comfortably. Stone Edge gives it the edge over Flying-types like Scyther and Rotom-Fan.
Set Details
========
Choice Scarf with max Speed investment allows it to outspeed as much as possible. Max Attack EVs give Primeape a lot more punch to its attacks. Jolly is used so you can outspeed +1 Jolly Lilligant and +2 Barbaracle but Adamant gives Primeape a bigger boost to its power. Defiant lets it abuse the stat drops from Defog and Intimidate while Vital Spirit can let Primeape switch into Sleep Powder.
Usage Tips
========
Primeape works very well as a lead because if it ends up in an unfavorable match-up it can just use U-turn and get out. Primeape also works very well under the role of a revenge killer so if it is needed to pick up a kill on something faster than the rest of your team it should be preserved till the situation arises. Opponents who have switch ins to Primeape's Close Combats will usually switch out into them so it is best to use U-turn so you don't have to forfeit any turns, but prediction is required when selecting your move as your opponent may not switch out into there fighting resist. When using Defiant, Primeape should be used to pressure defoggers. Come in when you predict your opponent to use Defog but be careful as some defoggers like Prinplup and Pelipper won't always be OHKOed even at +2 attack. Primeape can also work efficiently as cleaning late game since it does have decent power and outspeeds the majority of the metagame.
Team Options
========
Choice Scarf Primeape should be used on teams that need a revenge killer with Fighting-type attacks and momentum. The main reason being that without Choice Band it loses a lot of power not letting it get certain 2HKO's that might be important for your team to have such as not being able to pick off Regirock or Steelix as easilly. Teammates that appreciate having faster attackers removed like Pyroar and Swellow are great choices for partners. Some examples would be Pokemon like Samurott, Aurorus, and Zangoose who are outspeeded by some of the metagames faster threats. Normal-types love having Steel and Rock-types weakened since there STABs are resisted by those types, Kangaskhan and Tauros being two notable examples. Partners that also utilize U-turn or Volt Switch synergize well with Primeape since they can shuffle between each other giving there opponent a hard time to get the edge. Pokemon that lay down hazards like Cacturne and Omastar help Primeape since it often forces switches on the opponents side and it is able to rack up a lot of chip damage.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Thunder Punch hits Mantine and Pelipper harder and has higher accuracy than Stone Edge but in return is much weakens its matchup against Scyther. Ice Punch hits Gourgeist-XL, Golurk, and Torterra, the former two being immune to Close Combat. Fist Plate + Encore can be used to help bluff Choice Band while also stopping set-up sweepers in there tracks. Punishment hits Ghost and Psychic-types, especially if they are using Calm Mind or Nasty Plot like Mismagius and Musharna. Substitute + Focus Punch can be used to block Toxic and Thunder Wave from slower Pokemon while dealing a hefty amount of damage. Although its Substitute are often broken by weak uninvested moves anyway.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Poison-types**: Pokemon like Garbodor, Vileplume, and Weezing give Primeape trouble since they all resist Primeape's most valuable move. Not to mention Weezing and Vileplume aren't weak to Earthquake while Garbodor and Vileplume can issue Primeape with Rocky Helmet damage and a status effect from Effect Spore respectively.
**Ghost-types**: These Pokemon fear none of Primeape's moves and are immune to its STAB allowing them to deal large amounts of damage or spread status effects like burns and paralysis. Defensive Rotom and Gourgeist-XL being the most notable ones.
**Flying-types**: Most common Flying-types like Scyther outspeed non Choice Scarf Primeape and pursue to launch a STAB attack which will be a free KO. Others like Xatu and Rotom-Fan can also switch into Close Combats pretty easily. Even though they resist Primeape's STAB they must all be wary of Stone Edge
**Psychic-types**: Psychic-types like Mesprit and Musharna resist Primeape's Close Combats but they do not appreciate having to take U-turns.
**Faster Pokemon**: Primeape has very little bulk meaning practically anything faster than it with decent attack can either deal a large amount of damage or just straight out OHKO Primeape. Choice Scarf Scyther and Choice Scarf Pyroar are two examples of Pokemon who can outspeed both of Primeape's variants and OHKO.
**Physically Bulky Pokemon**: Physically bulky Pokemon can take Primeape's moves if they are neutral from the scarf set as it lacks the power boost from Choice Band. Although these Pokemon cannot safely switch in until they have identified which set is being run.
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