QC 4/4: Mambo — Obvious Power — Hawkstar — sparktrain
GP 0/2: Snob alt — ---
[OVERVIEW]
Riolu finds its place in the LC metagame as a powerful set up sweeper with unique access to both Prankster and Copycat. This means that Riolu can use Copycat to repeat High Jump Kick or one of its coverage moves at +1 priority, making it a threatening priority attacker. However, Riolu faces competition as an offensive Fighting-type from the likes of Mienfoo, Timburr, or Pancham, which have better bulk and Attack before a Swords Dance. Riolu also has troubles with common Pokemon, such as Abra and Larvesta, which can stop Riolu in its tracks.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance Sweeper
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: High Jump Kick
move 3: Copycat
move 4: Iron Tail / Blaze Kick / Protect
item: Eviolite / Berry Juice
evs: 116 HP / 196 Atk / 196 Spe
nature: Jolly / Adamant
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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Swords Dance allows Riolu to boost its Attack to sky high levels, allowing High Jump Kick to do serious damage to anything that is not immune or resistant to it. Copycat lets Riolu repeat moves at +1 priority, allowing Riolu to outspeed most threats with its attacks. To complement this, Riolu has good coverage moves in Iron Tail and Blaze Kick, allowing it to 2HKO Fairy-types such as Spritzee and Cottonee after Stealth Rock and Grass-types such as Foonguss and Pumpkaboo, respectively, while both 2HKO Abra and Gastly. Riolu can run Protect over a coverage move to scout the foe's move and possibly use it itself via Copycat, but Protect requires more support and is generally more matchup based than a coverage move.
Set Details
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Prankster allows Riolu to use Copycat to repeat a move. Prankster is also useful in that it also lets Riolu set up a Swords Dance before being Taunted by the likes of fast Mienfoo, Voltorb, and Onix. The given EVs on this set focus on maximizing Attack and Speed, with the remaining EVs placed in HP to let Riolu take hits better, making it easier to set up. Eviolite increases Riolu's mediocre bulk, most notably dodging the 2HKO from the Drain Punches from Fighting-types while making it easier to set up a Swords Dance overall. Berry Juice is a decent alternative, giving Riolu recovery for when its HP gets low and lessening the risk of using High Jump Kick. A Jolly nature is preferred, allowing Riolu to outspeed Fletchling and Speed tie with Pawniard. However, Adamant can be used to secure more KOs, such as against bulky Mienfoo and Timburr at +2 without needing entry hazards.
Usage Tips
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In order to set up Swords Dance and attempt to sweep, send Riolu in on Pokemon it threatens, such as Rock-, Steel-, and Dark-types that fear an OHKO from High Jump Kick. Riolu's best chance to sweep will probably be mid- or late-game once its checks and counters have been sufficiently weakened. Copycat can also be used to pick off weakened foes with their own attacks. Using Copycat to call support moves, such as Rapid Spin and Stealth Rock, is also a notable feature that might be of some use.
Team Options
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Drilbur is a great partner for Riolu, as it can take on Poison-types such as Croagunk and Gastly, which give Riolu problems while also providing much-needed Stealth Rock support, and weakens Pokemon with Sturdy while also weakening checks such as Ponyta and Vullaby. Pursuit trappers, such as Munchlax or Pawniard, make for good partners to eliminate Psychic- and Ghost-types that get in Riolu's way. Pawniard is a good partner, as it is able to threaten the Psychic-, Ghost-, and Fairy-types that can stop Riolu's sweep. Gothita and Diglett make for good partners, as they're able to trap Poison-types. Diglett can also trap Larvesta. Fairy-types, such as Snubbull and Spritzee, make for good partners, as they appreciate Riolu's ability to eliminate Steel-types. Fairy-types also go well with the previously mentioned trappers, as they appreciate having Poison-types eliminated.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Bulk Up is an alternative to Swords Dance that also boosts Riolu's Defense, but Bulk Up is generally done better by Timburr due to its access to Knock Off and Guts alongside better bulk. Life Orb can be used for more immediate power, but Riolu's lack of bulk is very noticeable. Drain Punch can be used for recovery and reliability, but it is far less powerful than High Jump Kick. Crunch can be used to do a significant amount of damage to Gothita, Gastly, and Frillish, but it doesn't hit much outside of that. Earthquake and Zen Headbutt can both hit Poison-types super effectively, but in most cases this is done better by a teammate. A defensive set with Toxic, Protect, Drain Punch, and Copycat can be used, but the presence of Knock Off and Fairy-types mean that it's not very effective.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types, such as Spritzee and Snubull, can take an Iron Tail from Riolu and easily OHKO it in return with Moonblast.
**Poison-types**: Poison-types, such as Skrelp, Croagunk, and Trubbish, resist High Jump Kick and take little from Riolu's coverage moves.
**Psychic-types**: Faster Psychic-types, such as Abra and Choice Scarf Gothita, can easily take out Riolu with their STAB moves while tanking a High Jump Kick.
**Fletchling**: Fletchling can switch in on Swords Dance and force Riolu out with a priority Acrobatics. However, it can't deal with Riolu if Riolu has already set up and used an attacking move.
**Ghost-types**: Gastly can be trouble for Riolu, as it is immune to High Jump Kick and can outspeed Riolu and easily KO it with a Shadow Ball. Frillish resists every coverage move barring Crunch, which isn't very common, and can burn Riolu to interrupt its sweep. Pumpkaboo can check Riolu in a pinch if Riolu runs Iron Tail instead of Blaze Kick.
**Taunt**: Taunt disallows the use of Copycat and Swords Dance, shutting down Riolu if it hasn't set up yet.
**Bulky Fire-types**: Larvesta can easily tank even a boosted hit from Riolu, and threaten it with a burn from Will-O-Wisp or Flame Body, and heal with Morning Sun. Growlithe can tank a hit after Stealth Rock thanks to Intimdate and can either burn Riolu or KO it. Ponyta can check Riolu, but will get OHKOed by +2 High Jump Kick if Stealth Rock is up.
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