[OVERVIEW]
Simisear is a threatening special attacking sweeper thanks to its high Speed and alright Special Attack. It has decent coverage and a good mix of attacking stats, making it a viable special sweeper and wallbreaker, but Simisear faces competition from other Fire-types, such as Heatmor, and it's outclassed by Ninetales in many aspects, because Simisear is less bulky, but it is viable for the higher damage output it provides and the Fighting-type coverage. Unfortunately, Simisear is easily worn down due of its mediocre bulk and lack of recovery; it also has a bad defensive typing that makes it struggle against entry hazards, especially Stealth Rock. Simisear can be easily revenge killed by faster Pokemon, such as Zebstrika and Floatzel.
[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Grass Knot
move 4: Focus Blast
item: Life Orb
ability: Blaze
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Nasty Plot is Simisear's only setup move, and it gives Simisear an immediate +2 Special Attack boost. Fire Blast is very powerful and preferred over Flamethrower for the power. Focus Blast is for coverage to hit any resists, helping against Rock- and Ground-types, such as Probopass and Piloswine respectively, which can be threatening. Grass Knot is another coverage move to hit Water- and Ground-types, such as Carracosta, Poliwrath, and Golem.
Set Details
========
Running maximum Speed and Special Attack investment allows Simisear to be as fast and powerful as possible. A Timid nature is preferred over Modest; although it has less power, but outspeeding base 100 Speed Pokemon, such as Dodrio and Ninetales, is very important. Life Orb boosts Simisear's power, especially with Blaze, and it can allow Simisear to threaten Fire-type resists with its STAB move, but Life Orb makes Simisear less durable because of the recoil, though it's still the best option. Blaze allows Simisear to fire off insanely powerful Fire Blasts before it faints, and behind a Substitute it is very threatening, although not very reliable.
Usage Tips
========
Simisear is difficult to use because it rarely finds any space to set up a Nasty Plot, so it's preferred to set up late-game when its checks and counters are already weakened. Simisear can actually set up early-game and work as a wallbreaker, threatening Pokemon such as Lickilicky in the case you already have another win condition. Be sure to remove all checks and counters, such as Fire-type resists or special walls including Rapidash and Togetic. Simisear should be switched in on a predicted move or with a slow Volt Switch, U-turn, or Baton Pass. Don't forget how frail Simisear is, so make sure to avoid any statuses, and be sure to remove entry hazards before bringing Simisear in. Because it is frail, Simisear should also only set up on switches or weak attacks.
Team Options
========
Entry hazards support from Pokemon such as Roselia and Probopass is greatly appreciated by Simisear to help wear down its checks. Managing entry hazard control when running Simisear in a team is important, as it is weak to entry hazards, especially Stealth Rock, so Rapid Spin and Defog users such as Armaldo and Pelipper make for good partners. Sticky Web is a good option to slow down fast Pokemon such as Zebstrika or Kadabra and revenge killers, especially Choice Scarf users, such as Mr. Mime and Sawsbuck, that try to stop Simisear from sweeping, therefore Leavanny or Kricketune are good teammates. Grass-types, such as Leafeon, Tangela, and Roselia, can handle Water- and Ground-types such as Carracosta for Simisear, letting it run Focus Blast instead of Grass Knot.
[SET]
name: All-Out-Attacker
move 1: Fire Blast
move 2: Grass Knot
move 3: Rock Slide
move 4: Low Kick
item: Life Orb
ability: Blaze
nature: Hasty
evs: 252 SpA / 4 Atk / 252 Spe
Moves
========
Fire Blast allows Simisear to be threatening, considering even Fire-type resists cannot switch into it too many times. Grass Knot is for coverage, allowing Simisear to threaten Fire-type resists, such as Carracosta and Poliwrath. Rock Slide helps Simisear against Fire-types, which can switch in on Fire Blast and aren't threatened by Grass Knot, such as Ninetales, Rapidash, and Heatmor. Low Kick, outclasses Focus Blast in this case because it can threaten specially defensive walls, mainly Lickilicky, which can stall and threaten the PP of Focus Blast; it also helps against Zweilous. Taunt can be useful to limit the effectiveness of leads, such as Leavanny and Krickteune, that rely on setting up entry hazards or Sticky Web.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed and Special Attack investment is used to outspeed all base 100 Speed Pokemon, such as Dodrio and Ninetales, and to have as much power as possible. The residual 4 EVs are put into Attack. A Hasty nature increases Simisear's Speed without lowering its Attack. Life Orb is the best item option due to the power boost; when combined with Blaze, it allows Simisear to threaten Fire-type resists with Fire Blast However, it also makes Simisear less durable because of its recoil. Blaze allows Simisear to fire off insanely powerful Fire Blasts before it faints, and behind a Substitute it is very threatening, although it's not very reliable.
Usage Tips
========
Mixed Simisear particularly shines mid-game thanks to its ability to punch through the enemy team with its coverage moves, therefore opening holes for other team members. Be sure to not reveal your physical moves early, as there is a chance to lure in special walls such as Lickilicky and common checks such as Zwerilous and Rapidash. Switch Simisear in on a predicted attack, or with a slow Volt Switch, U-turn, or Baton Pass. Don't forget on how frail Simisear is; it can't take priority attacks and doesn't do well when statused. Be sure to remove entry hazards before Simisear comes in.
Team Options
========
Simisear appreciates being on offensively oriented teams in general because they have way more ways to make use of its ability to wallbreak. It also appreciates entry hazard removal because it has a glaring Stealth Rock weakness, so Defog and Rapid Spin users are good teammates. Setup sweepers appreciate the wallbreaking provided by Simisear. Entry hazard support itself, especially Toxic Spikes, is appreciated, because it eases Simisear's job in dealing with troublesome walls.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Knock Off is an option to threaten some special walls that can take Simisear's attacks well, such as Grumpig and Hypno. Hidden Power Electric can be used for hitting Simisear's common checks, such as Pelipper and Swanna. Simisear with Taunt could be a great stall breaker. A SubSalac set, along with Blaze, can make Simisear a very fast and threatening sweeper against unprepared teams, and with this variant, Gluttony can also be used, as it makes Simisear eat the berry as fast as possible and therefore have slightly more HP.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Strong and Fast Pokemon**: Pokemon such as Floatzel, Choice Scarf Mr. Mime, and Zebstrika can outspeed Simisear, have a decent damage output, and can revenge kill it with ease, although they don't appreciate being hit by a STAB Fire Blast. Substitute can prevent this from happening if Simisear manages stay behind it.
**Residual Damage**: Residual damage by Toxic and especially entry hazards can wear down Simisear easily, limiting its setup and sweep opportunities and making it easier to revenge kill.
**Special Walls**: Dedicated special walls such as Grumpig and Lickilicky can eat the majority of Simisear's special coverage even with a +2 Special Attack boost and can cripple it with Thunder Wave or phaze it with Whirlwind, Roar, or Dragon Tail.
**Priority Moves**: Because of its lack of recovery, mediocre bulk, and subpar typing, Simisear is easily KOed by many priority moves, such as Basculin's and Carracosta's Aqua Jet and Mightyena's Sucker Punch, especially if it has taken.
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