QC: p2, Hootie, TDK
GP: horyzhnz The Dutch Plumberjack
[OVERVIEW]
Serperior sports an excellent Speed tier, outspeeding base 110s like Mega Diancie and Latios, as well as outpacing Thundurus even with the IV drop from Hidden Power Fire. Its best trait is the ability Contrary; this allows it to boost its Special Attack 2 stages while firing off its strongest STAB move in Leaf Storm. Serperior also boasts some decent utility options like Glare, which lets it cripple switch-ins like Tornadus-T and Talonflame, as well as Leech Seed, which annoys other switch-ins like Heatran. Unfortunately, Serperior has poor special coverage outside of Leaf Storm; it is forced to run Hidden Power and generally lacks a way to touch Pokemon like Heatran without Hidden Power Ground, which is a vastly inferior option to Hidden Power Fire, since it hits only one Pokemon and leaves it walled by many more. Serperior also has a lackluster Special Attack stat before setting up with Leaf Storm; you should never expect it to OHKO anything with a coverage move if it has not yet boosted. While Serperior has a decent typing, its resistances are undermined by common secondary STAB moves of Water-types like Keldeo's Secret Sword and Azumarill's Play Rough. Altogether, Serperior is a force to be reckoned with in OU because it is capable of being a big threat to both offensive and defensive archetypes, even if it has a few hard counters that it cannot deal with.
[SET]
name: SubSeed
move 1: Leaf Storm
move 2: Hidden Power Fire
move 3: Substitute
move 4: Leech Seed
item: Leftovers
ability: Contrary
nature: Timid
evs: 56 HP / 200 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Leaf Storm is Serperior's strongest STAB move and also nets a +2 Special Attack boost upon use. Hidden Power Fire gives type coverage to hit Steel- and Grass-types that would wall Serperior such as Ferrothorn, Skarmory, Mega Scizor, and Amoonguss. Substitute lets Serperior avoid status conditions like Toxic and Thunder Wave, and it eases prediction against switches. Leech Seed allows Serperior to whittle down common checks such as Heatran while restoring HP. Substitute and Leech Seed work well in conjunction, because together they let Serperior rack up damage safely. Alternatively, Glare can be used to paralyze switch-ins to Serperior such as Tornadus-T and Talonflame.
Set Details
========
The HP EVs prevent Rotom-W's Hydro Pump from breaking Serperior's Substitutes. 252 Speed EVs with a Timid Nature are used to achieve the highest Speed tier possible, since it is Serperior's most vital stat and useful for outspeeding many common threats. The rest of the EVs are dumped into Special Attack to make Serperior a deadlier sweeper. An alternate spread of 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe is an option as well to maintain maximum offensive pressure
Usage Tips
========
Serperior should not be switched into any attacks, since it is an annoyer and sometimes a late-game cleaner that relies on its health to do its job properly. It's very solid at weakening the opposing team while staying healthy throughout a match, and it is also great at checking Manaphy and Water- and Ground-types. Bring Serperior in on free switches granted by Volt Switch or U-turn or on predicted double switches, if you think you can get a favorable matchup against a Ground- or Water-type. If the opponent does not have a Grass-type on their team, Leech Seed is a great move to spam, as it keeps Serperior healthy and wears down opposing Pokemon. Heatran and Chansey in particular can be defeated one-on-one if they are caught by a Leech Seed on the switch; just continue to use Substitute as they are worn down, and then use Leaf Storm to boost if you get any opportunities. Beware of Pokemon like Talonflame and Tornadus-T, as they can outspeed Serperior after switching in, so this strategy cannot be utilized. If you can weaken or paralyze these Pokemon as well as opposing Grass- and Dragon-types that can wall Serperior, go for the late-game sweep. Leaf Storm has limited PP; know when to conserve your PP so that your opponent doesn't bait you into boosting up and then force Serperior out with something else.
Team Options
========
Rotom-W is a nice partner for Serperior, since it is a great answer to Fire- and Flying- types that check it, as well as providing free switch-ins through slow Volt Switches. Slowbro checks many of the same Pokemon as Rotom and can pressure some Dragon-types, such as Latios, with Scald burns. Clefable can often lure in Heatran and specially defensive Talonflame and cripple them with Thunder Wave, making it much easier for Serperior to annoy the opposing team. Tyranitar is a solid teammate for Serperior, checking Flying- and Fire-types that threaten it, as well as being able to Pursuit trap checks such as Talonflame and Latios and having the added bonus of checking Kyurem-B and Dragonite. Magnezone can be used alongside mono-attacking Glare sets to check paralyzed Tornadus-T and remove troublesome Steel-types like Ferrothorn that wall Hidden Power Fire-less Serperior. Mega Charizard X and Talonflame are still strong partners for this variant of Serperior and particularly enjoy its ability to lure and weaken Heatran. Mega Scizor is a good teammate because Serperior can whittle Heatran down for it and Scizor can give Serperior free switches in with U-turn.
[SET]
name: Special Sweeper
move 1: Leaf Storm
move 2: Dragon Pulse
move 3: Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Glare / Taunt / Giga Drain
item: Leftovers / Life Orb
ability: Contrary
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Leaf Storm is Serperior's primary STAB move and also boosts its Special Attack thanks to Contrary. Dragon Pulse is coverage, hitting Latios, Mega Charizard X, Dragonite, and Garchomp, as well as doing neutral damage to Pokemon like Volcarona and Charizard Y. Hidden Power Fire beats Ferrothorn, Mega Scizor, and Skarmory while also hitting Amoonguss. Glare paralyzes switch-ins like Talonflame and Tornadus-T, which supports the rest of the team and helps Serperior set itself up to sweep as well. Alternatively, Taunt prevents Pokemon like Chansey and Mega Venusaur from healing, which makes Serperior's matchup against bulky teams much better, and Giga Drain can be used to replenish HP, which is best used with Life Orb, since Serperior will wear itself down. Hidden Power Ground can be used to eliminate Heatran.
Set Details
========
The EVs maximize Speed to outpace Timid Thundurus even with Hidden Power Fire's IV drop and maximize Special Attack to deal as much damage as possible. Contrary is the ability of choice, since it boosts Serperior's Special Attack 2 stages when it uses Leaf Storm. Leftovers gives Serperior more longevity, which is useful for switching into entry hazards multiple times and taking a hit if it needs to. Life Orb gives it more power, allowing it to beat Latias if it switches into a Leaf Storm with Stealth Rock up. Miracle Seed is another option that boosts the power of Leaf Storm without inducing recoil, notably securing the OHKO on Manaphy.
Usage Tips
========
Use Glare to slow down Pokemon like Tornadus-T to aid Serperior's own sweep later on. Leaf Storm is otherwise the primary move to use, since it forces in counters immediately for fear of losing a Pokemon to a +2 Serperior. Coverage moves are really weak until Serperior has gotten at least one boost, so you generally shouldn't use them when unboosted. Use Serperior to threaten out Pokemon it naturally checks like Mega Diancie, Keldeo, Azumarill, and Hippowdon, and create opportunities to set up or double switch. Weaken or remove Pokemon that can check Serperior after multiple boosts so that it can sweep late-game.
Team Options
========
Mega Manectric beats Flying-type checks to Serperior and can wear down Heatran with Volt Switch, while Serperior threatens out Ground-types for Manectric. Landorus-T and Garchomp are good checks to Talonflame and Heatran, and they can also set up Stealth Rock to wear down the opposing team. Landorus-T can use U-turn to help bring in Serperior safely. Weavile checks Tornadus-T and Grass-types, which can wall Serperior. Talonflame and Charizard X threaten Grass-types for Serperior while it defeats bulky Rock-, Ground-, and Water-types for them. Dugtrio can trap Heatran, which often can set Serperior up for a sweep. Conversely, Heatran is a good partner too, since it can check opposing Fire-types like Talonflame as well as Mega Venusaur and Amoonguss. Magnezone can check Flying-types like Talonflame and Tornadus-T if Serperior is able to paralyze them. It can also remove Steel-types for non-Hidden Power Fire variants of Serperior, such as those that run Hidden Power Ground. Offensive variants of Mega Scizor can lure non-maximum Speed Heatran for Serperior, and Serperior weakens Skarmory for Scizor.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Synthesis can be used for longevity on Taunt sets to act as a more reliable stallbreaker. Knock Off can be used to remove the items of opposing Pokemon. A Coba Berry set with Hidden Power Rock can be used to lure and remove Talonflame and Mega Pinsir. Hidden Power Fighting can be used to hit both Ferrothorn and Heatran, but Serperior loses coverage on other Steel-types.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Flying-types**: Talonflame and Mega Pinsir can KO Serperior with Flying-type priority moves. Assault Vest Tornadus-T can eat up attacks from Serperior and remain healthy throughout the match thanks to Regenerator.
**Grass-types**: Mega Venusaur and Amoonguss resist Leaf Storm and can eat up +2 Hidden Power Fire and then retaliate with a Poison-type STAB move. Celebi can also take on Serperior as it boosts to +2 and paralyze it with Thunder Wave.
**Fire-types**: Heatran easily beats Serperior one-on-one if it does not carry Hidden Power Ground, walling it completely. Volcarona and Mega Charizard Y take most attacks from Serperior, although they can't take +2 Dragon Pulse after Stealth Rock damage. Mega Charizard X is a very solid answer to Serperior if it does not run Dragon Pulse.
**Revenge Killers**: Mega Lopunny, Weavile, Mega Manectric, Mega Alakazam, and other faster Pokemon can outspeed and defeat Serperior in a one-on-one situation. Priority attacks from Pokemon like Breloom, Bisharp, and Scizor can also revenge kill a weakened Serperior. Additionally, Choice Scarf Pokemon like Kyurem-B and Landorus-T can outspeed and beat Serperior.
**Special Walls**: Chansey and Blissey eat up Leaf Storms and have the capability to beat most Serperior variants not carrying Taunt or Substitute + Leech Seed. However, they cannot handle Serperior after it has gotten too many boosts and must be brought in immediately to actually stop it.
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