[OVERVIEW]
Thanks to Contrary, Serperior can utilize its powerful Leaf Storm and simultaneously boost its Special Attack by two stages, allowing it to quickly break down opposing walls. Serperior's high base 113 Speed allows it to outpace threats such as Mega Diancie, Kitsunoh, and Latias, making it a potent late-game cleaner once it obtains a boost from Leaf Storm. Serperior can also put heavy pressure on stall teams; Pokemon with Unaware such as Arghonaut, Quagsire, and Clefable can't safely switch into a Life Orb-boosted Leaf Storm, and Serperior can bypass some of its would-be checks depending on which Hidden Power it runs. However, Serperior's reliance on Hidden Power for coverage means that once the opponent knows which Hidden Power Serperior is running, walling it becomes an easier task. Also, outside of Serperior's high Speed, the rest of its stats are somewhat disappointing. For instance, its base 75 Special Attack is rather unimpressive without a boost. Serperior is also quite prone to being revenge killed by faster threats and priority users such as Talonflame, Syclant, and various Choice Scarf users due to its middling bulk and mediocre defensive typing. Serperior's opportunities to switch in are rather limited; taking too much damage while switching in coupled with Life Orb recoil can leave it even more susceptible to being revenge killed.
[SET]
name: All-Out Attacker
move 1: Leaf Storm
move 2: Dragon Pulse
move 3: Hidden Power Fire / Hidden Power Ground
move 4: Giga Drain / Substitute / Glare
item: Life Orb
ability: Contrary
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
ivs: 29 HP
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Leaf Storm is absolutely required, as it's Serperior's strongest STAB option and gives Serperior the equivalent of a Nasty Plot boost when it is used thanks to Contrary. Dragon Pulse provides coverage against opposing Dragon-types such as Cyclohm, Latias, and Dragalge, and it can KO them if they switched into Leaf Storm the previous turn. Hidden Power Fire provides important coverage against opposing Steel-types and easily OHKOes Mega Scizor and Ferrothorn at +2. It also KOes opposing Steel-types such as Mega Metagross, Kitsunoh, and Skarmory with some prior damage. Alternatively, Hidden Power Ground allows Serperior to handle opposing Heatran, Mollux, and Plasmanta after a boost from Leaf Storm.
Giga Drain is the preferred option in the final slot, as it gives Serperior a semi-reliable form of recovery, helping to heal off damage it might take from Life Orb recoil and entry hazards. This also allows Serperior to outlast Chansey, as Giga Drain will restore a large portion of Serperior's HP if it has obtained enough boosts. However, keep in mind that Giga Drain is rather weak without a boost and should usually only be used after at least one boost from Leaf Storm. Substitute can be used instead to allow Serperior to play around Sucker Punch users, such as Colossoil and Bisharp. It also acts as a shield against passive Pokemon that might try to inflict status on Serperior and eases prediction against Serperior's switch-ins. Glare can also be used to cripple Serperior's switch-ins, such as Talonflame and Choice Scarf Mollux.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread maximizes Serperior's Special Attack and Speed. A Timid nature is used so that Serperior outspeeds foes such as Kitsunoh, Mega Diancie, Latias, Latios, and Gengar. Life Orb is the item of choice so that Serperior hits as hard as possible, and a 29 HP IV is used to reduce the amount of recoil damage taken. Meadow Plate is an option over Life Orb, as it gives a boost to Serperior's Grass-type attacks without forcing it to take recoil damage, but Serperior's coverage moves are rather weak without the boost provided by Life Orb.
Usage Tips
========
Serperior should ideally be brought in on a Pokemon that it can KO with Leaf Storm, as this puts Serperior at +2 Special Attack the next turn and at a significant advantage against the next switch-in. Revenge killing a foe by using Dragon Pulse or a Hidden Power is acceptable in a pinch, but keep in mind that Serperior lacks a lot of raw power against the next switch-in at +0, which is why it's almost always preferable to bring Serperior in on a foe it can KO with Leaf Storm. Serperior must be brought in safely, either after a teammate has been KOed or by a slower teammate's U-turn or Volt Switch. This is because Serperior tends to be easily revenge killed, and taking too much damage while switching in can put it into KO range for priority moves that it could otherwise survive. Serperior can overwhelm most walls due to how quickly Leaf Storm stacks Special Attack boosts, as long as they can't hit Serperior back for super effective damage; for example, the combination of Leaf Storm and Giga Drain can wear down Chansey while keeping Serperior healthy. Be sure to wear down Serperior's checks before attempting to clean up the opponent's team, and keep in mind that Serperior's checks largely depend on which Hidden Power it is running.
Team Options
========
Slow U-turn and Volt Switch users pair well with Serperior to bring it in safely so that it can start using Leaf Storm. Mega Scizor is a great example; it can also serve as a check to Mega Altaria, which can potentially use Serperior as setup bait. Volkraken can also pair well with Serperior; together, the two form a potent wallbreaking duo. Rotom-W and Zapdos can also bring Serperior in safely with Volt Switch. These two Electric-types can take on Flying-types such as Cawmodore and Talonflame, which is very helpful to Serperior. Cyclohm is another good partner for Serperior; although it doesn't have Volt Switch, its massive physical bulk allows it to take on several threats to Serperior. In return, Serperior can demolish the Ground-types that trouble Cyclohm. Tomohawk, Landorus-T, and Tyranitar are durable Stealth Rock setters that can all check various physical threats to Serperior and can give it a better shot at cleaning up late-game. A Healing Wish user such as Latias, Mega Lopunny, or Tomohawk can be useful to give Serperior another shot at sweeping after it has been worn down or given a status ailment, and it can also be useful to restore Leaf Storm's PP.
If Serperior runs Hidden Power Fire, teammates that can wear down opposing Fire-types, most notably Heatran, pair well with Serperior. Strong Water-type attackers, such as Keldeo, Starmie, and Krilowatt, can all fit this role. Dugtrio can also be used to trap and remove Heatran from the game. If Hidden Power Ground is used, Serperior will require teammates that can handle foes such as Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor. Magnezone works especially well, as it can trap both and KO them with Hidden Power Fire. Gothitelle also works in this role, as it can also trap Tomohawk, but it must be wary of Mega Scizor's U-turn.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Hidden Power Flying can be used to hit Tomohawk, Mega Venusaur, and Pyroak very hard at +2 while still retaining coverage against other Grass-types such as Necturna and Celebi. Hidden Power Ice is also an option, hitting Mega Altaria, Tomohawk, and Zapdos hard at +2, as well as the previously mentioned Grass-types. Hidden Power Rock is an option that lets Serperior deal with Pyroak, Zapdos, and Mega Charizard Y, and it is also a decent option for smacking Talonflame on the switch in. Taunt is useful against Pokemon that might try to heal against Serperior, cripple it with status, or set up on it. Knock Off is a good catch-all method of wearing down Serperior's switch-ins, removing important items such as Leftovers and, in Chansey's case, Eviolite, allowing Serperior's offensive teammates to have a better shot at breaking past them. Leech Seed can be useful in tandem with Substitute to wear down Serperior's switch-ins, but this strategy lacks the consistency and coverage moves to be effective.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-types**: Fire-types such as Heatran, Pyroak, and Mega Charizard Y all resist Leaf Storm, can tank a +2 Dragon Pulse, and can retaliate back with their super effective STAB moves. Heatran fears Hidden Power Ground, however, and Pyroak and Mega Charizard Y need Stealth Rock off the field to check Serperior safely. Talonflame, particularly the specially defensive variant, is also a notable Fire-type answer to Serperior, as it 4x resists Leaf Storm, doesn't take too much from Serperior's common coverage moves, and can easily threaten Serperior with its Flying-type STAB moves.
**Grass-types**: Grass-types such as Mega Venusaur, Necturna, and Ferrothorn all resist Leaf Storm and can tank a +2 Dragon Pulse before hitting back with their STAB moves. However, Necturna struggles with +2 Hidden Power Fire depending on its bulk investment, and Ferrothorn can only handle Serperior if it isn't running Hidden Power Fire.
**Mega Altaria**: Mega Altaria, especially bulkier variants, can check Serperior quite safely if it has already Mega Evolved, and it can set up on it or simply attack. However, if Stealth Rock is up, Serperior is running the uncommon Hidden Power Ice, or Mega Altaria has taken too much prior damage, it can potentially fall to Serperior.
**Faster Pokemon**: Pokemon that naturally outspeed Serperior, such as Syclant, Stratagem, and Mega Manectric, as well as Choice Scarf users such as Mollux and Volkraken can revenge kill Serperior without too much trouble, but most have trouble coming in on Leaf Storm or a potential coverage move.
**Priority Users**: Serperior isn't terribly bulky and can be worn down quickly due to Life Orb recoil, so strong priority users such as Mega Scizor can pick it off once it has lost enough health. Talonflame is a notable priority user, as it can easily switch into Leaf Storm or any of Serperior's coverage moves courtesy of its Fire / Flying typing and can smack Serperior with a strong Brave Bird or Acrobatics. All Talonflame really fears is being caught on the switch with Glare.
**Haze and Phazing Moves**: Tomohawk can remove Serperior's boosts with Prankster Haze and retaliate with Air Slash, but it must be at high health to reliably check Serperior. Pyroak and Skarmory can both phaze Serperior in a pinch with Roar and Whirlwind, respectively, but they will likely take massive damage in the process. Keep in mind that Skarmory will have trouble if Serperior is running Hidden Power Fire.
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