[OVERVIEW]
Prinplup is a unique Pokemon in PU sporting the combination of Stealth Rock and Defog, allowing it to reliably remove and set entry hazards as well as compressing roles, making Prinplup a solid utility Pokemon. Prinplup also sets itself apart from other Stealth Rock setters such as Golem and Camerupt with its resistance to Water- and Ice-type attacks as well as its ability to threaten out said hazard setters with Scald, and it sets itself apart from Lumineon with more bulk anc being able to set up hazards as well as removing them, though this comes at the expense of not having a Water immunity and a slow U-turn like Lumineon does. However, a lack of recovery limits the number of times Prinplup can function as an utility Pokemon and means it is easily overwhelmed by offensive pressure from Pokemon such as Stoutland and Ursaring. It is also reliant on Eviolite for tanking hits better, leaving it vulnerable to Knock Off. This combined with the fact that Prinplup is passive at times, especially against Grass-types such as Roselia, means foes can easily force it out or use it as setup fodder.
[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Defog
move 2: Stealth Rock
move 3: Scald
move 4: Toxic
item: Eviolite
ability: Torrent
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Defog is useful for removing entry hazards from the field, which Prinplup's teammates appreciate. Stealth Rock wears down foes switching in and breaks Sturdy and Focus Sashes. Scald has a 30 percent chance of burning the foe and is useful for crippling physical attackers such as Pawniard, and is its only attacking move. Toxic wears down Grass-types such as Tangela and Gourgeist-XL as well as wearing down Politoed and Lumineon, which are immune to Scald due to their abilities.
Set Details
========
Running 248 HP EVs along with maximum investment in Defense and a Bold nature maximizes Prinplup's physical bulk. Eviolite further boosts its defenses, allowing it to take hits even better. Torrent boosts the power of Prinplup's Scald when its health is low.
Usage Tips
========
Prinplup can come in against Pokemon such as Golem and Camerupt as well as on resisted hits such as Metang's Meteor Mash and either remove hazards with Defog or force the aforementioned Pokemon out with Scald. If entry hazards are present on your side of the field and if the opportunity presents itself, Prinplup should use Defog to clear them, but be mindful of using Defog against Defiant users such as Pawniard and Purugly, which get an Attack boost from it. If entry hazards aren't up, Prinplup can freely set up Stealth Rock if given the chance. Keep Prinplup healthy if it is still needed to use Stealth Rock or Defog, as it can easily be worn down by repeated hits and can't act as a support Pokemon in a weakened state.
Team Options
========
Prinplup best fits on balanced teams, where it can function as a utility Pokemon. Pokemon that appreciate hazard removal as well entry hazard support such as Ninjask, Rapidash, Articuno, and Rotom-F make for good partners. These Pokemon also deal with Grass-types that Prinplup struggles with, and Articuno and Rotom-F beat opposing Water-types, while Prinplup can handle Fire-types. Grass-types such as Roselia and Simisage can handle other Grass-types as well as resisting Electric-type attacks for Prinplup. Electric-immune Pokemon such as Camerupt and Lightning Rod Raichu and Zebstrika make for good partners for Prinplup; the former can threaten Grass-types with Fire Blast and provide Stealth Rock support, which will free a moveslot for Prinplup, while the latter two can switch into Electric-type attacks aimed at Prinplup and get a Special Attack boost. Audino makes for a great partner, as it appreciates Prinplup's ability to remove entry hazards while Prinplup appreciates Audino's ability to keep it healthy with Wish and remove status with Heal Bell.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Ice Beam can be used to nail Grass-types such as Roselia and Tangela, which can come in against Prinplup without trouble, though the damage output is somewhat miniscule without Special Attack investment. A moveset consisting of Stealth Rock, Scald, Ice Beam, and Toxic is also an option if the team already has Defog support. A specially defensive set can be used to better handle Politoed and special variants of Floatzel, as well as Pokemon such as Ninetales. Rest can be used with Heal Bell support to keep Prinplup healthy at the cost of a moveslot. Hidden Power Electric can OHKO Swanna after Stealth Rock damage. Rock Tomb slows down opposing Pokemon and hits Ice-types such as Articuno and Cryogonal super effectively. Alternatively, Icy Wind does more damage to Pokemon such as Fraxure and Altaria while still lowering their Speed. Yawn can be used over Toxic to catch Grass-types such as Leafeon on the switch and force them out.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types**: Grass-types such as Roselia and Tangela can come in against Prinplup without any trouble and scare it out with their Grass-type STAB attacks, although the latter doesn't want to be poisoned and still takes a decent amount of damage if Prinplup runs Ice Beam. Roselia doesn't mind being burned by Scald and is immune to Toxic and can proceed to scare Prinplup out with Giga Drain or set up a layer of Spikes as Prinplup switches out. More offensively oriented Pokemon such as Simisage and Jumpluff don't want to be burned by Scald, but they can also force Prinplup to switch out.
**Electric-types**: Electric-types such as Raichu and Zebstrika don't want to switch into a Scald or Toxic, but they can force Prinplup out with Thunderbolt or gain momentum with Volt Switch.
**Offensive Pressure**: Prinplup is bulky, but because it lacks recovery, it can be overwhelmed by strong attacks from Pokemon such as Stoutland and Ursaring, which limits its effectiveness as a utility Pokemon.
**Residual Damage**: Prinplup is affected by all forms of entry hazards and lacks reliable recovery, meaning it can easily be worn down.
**Magic Guard**: Pokemon such as Duosion and Clefairy don't mind Scald or Toxic thanks to Magic Guard and can set up a Calm Mind as Prinplup is forced out.
Prinplup is a unique Pokemon in PU sporting the combination of Stealth Rock and Defog, allowing it to reliably remove and set entry hazards as well as compressing roles, making Prinplup a solid utility Pokemon. Prinplup also sets itself apart from other Stealth Rock setters such as Golem and Camerupt with its resistance to Water- and Ice-type attacks as well as its ability to threaten out said hazard setters with Scald, and it sets itself apart from Lumineon with more bulk anc being able to set up hazards as well as removing them, though this comes at the expense of not having a Water immunity and a slow U-turn like Lumineon does. However, a lack of recovery limits the number of times Prinplup can function as an utility Pokemon and means it is easily overwhelmed by offensive pressure from Pokemon such as Stoutland and Ursaring. It is also reliant on Eviolite for tanking hits better, leaving it vulnerable to Knock Off. This combined with the fact that Prinplup is passive at times, especially against Grass-types such as Roselia, means foes can easily force it out or use it as setup fodder.
[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Defog
move 2: Stealth Rock
move 3: Scald
move 4: Toxic
item: Eviolite
ability: Torrent
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Defog is useful for removing entry hazards from the field, which Prinplup's teammates appreciate. Stealth Rock wears down foes switching in and breaks Sturdy and Focus Sashes. Scald has a 30 percent chance of burning the foe and is useful for crippling physical attackers such as Pawniard, and is its only attacking move. Toxic wears down Grass-types such as Tangela and Gourgeist-XL as well as wearing down Politoed and Lumineon, which are immune to Scald due to their abilities.
Set Details
========
Running 248 HP EVs along with maximum investment in Defense and a Bold nature maximizes Prinplup's physical bulk. Eviolite further boosts its defenses, allowing it to take hits even better. Torrent boosts the power of Prinplup's Scald when its health is low.
Usage Tips
========
Prinplup can come in against Pokemon such as Golem and Camerupt as well as on resisted hits such as Metang's Meteor Mash and either remove hazards with Defog or force the aforementioned Pokemon out with Scald. If entry hazards are present on your side of the field and if the opportunity presents itself, Prinplup should use Defog to clear them, but be mindful of using Defog against Defiant users such as Pawniard and Purugly, which get an Attack boost from it. If entry hazards aren't up, Prinplup can freely set up Stealth Rock if given the chance. Keep Prinplup healthy if it is still needed to use Stealth Rock or Defog, as it can easily be worn down by repeated hits and can't act as a support Pokemon in a weakened state.
Team Options
========
Prinplup best fits on balanced teams, where it can function as a utility Pokemon. Pokemon that appreciate hazard removal as well entry hazard support such as Ninjask, Rapidash, Articuno, and Rotom-F make for good partners. These Pokemon also deal with Grass-types that Prinplup struggles with, and Articuno and Rotom-F beat opposing Water-types, while Prinplup can handle Fire-types. Grass-types such as Roselia and Simisage can handle other Grass-types as well as resisting Electric-type attacks for Prinplup. Electric-immune Pokemon such as Camerupt and Lightning Rod Raichu and Zebstrika make for good partners for Prinplup; the former can threaten Grass-types with Fire Blast and provide Stealth Rock support, which will free a moveslot for Prinplup, while the latter two can switch into Electric-type attacks aimed at Prinplup and get a Special Attack boost. Audino makes for a great partner, as it appreciates Prinplup's ability to remove entry hazards while Prinplup appreciates Audino's ability to keep it healthy with Wish and remove status with Heal Bell.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Ice Beam can be used to nail Grass-types such as Roselia and Tangela, which can come in against Prinplup without trouble, though the damage output is somewhat miniscule without Special Attack investment. A moveset consisting of Stealth Rock, Scald, Ice Beam, and Toxic is also an option if the team already has Defog support. A specially defensive set can be used to better handle Politoed and special variants of Floatzel, as well as Pokemon such as Ninetales. Rest can be used with Heal Bell support to keep Prinplup healthy at the cost of a moveslot. Hidden Power Electric can OHKO Swanna after Stealth Rock damage. Rock Tomb slows down opposing Pokemon and hits Ice-types such as Articuno and Cryogonal super effectively. Alternatively, Icy Wind does more damage to Pokemon such as Fraxure and Altaria while still lowering their Speed. Yawn can be used over Toxic to catch Grass-types such as Leafeon on the switch and force them out.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types**: Grass-types such as Roselia and Tangela can come in against Prinplup without any trouble and scare it out with their Grass-type STAB attacks, although the latter doesn't want to be poisoned and still takes a decent amount of damage if Prinplup runs Ice Beam. Roselia doesn't mind being burned by Scald and is immune to Toxic and can proceed to scare Prinplup out with Giga Drain or set up a layer of Spikes as Prinplup switches out. More offensively oriented Pokemon such as Simisage and Jumpluff don't want to be burned by Scald, but they can also force Prinplup to switch out.
**Electric-types**: Electric-types such as Raichu and Zebstrika don't want to switch into a Scald or Toxic, but they can force Prinplup out with Thunderbolt or gain momentum with Volt Switch.
**Offensive Pressure**: Prinplup is bulky, but because it lacks recovery, it can be overwhelmed by strong attacks from Pokemon such as Stoutland and Ursaring, which limits its effectiveness as a utility Pokemon.
**Residual Damage**: Prinplup is affected by all forms of entry hazards and lacks reliable recovery, meaning it can easily be worn down.
**Magic Guard**: Pokemon such as Duosion and Clefairy don't mind Scald or Toxic thanks to Magic Guard and can set up a Calm Mind as Prinplup is forced out.
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