QC: Raiza. / Galbia / WhiteDMist
GP: Yonko7 / Rhythms
[OVERVIEW]
Simisage has a very good combination of both Speed and power, but it faces competition from other physical Grass-types in the tier, such as Leafeon and Jumpluff, in terms of Speed and bulk. Simisage has a niche in PU as either a mixed attacker or a Nasty Plot sweeper, setting it apart from the other Grass-types in the tier. This, combined with its vast movepool to accommodate its base 98 Attack and Special Attack, makes Simisage very threatening. However, Simisage's low defenses with its exploitable weaknesses such as Fire and Ice, susceptibility to all forms of entry hazards, and its reliance on Life Orb means that it can be worn down fairly easily.
[SET]
name: All-Out Attacker
move 1: Seed Bomb / Leaf Storm
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Superpower
move 4: Gunk Shot
item: Life Orb
ability: Overgrow
nature: Jolly / Naive
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Seed Bomb hits Rock-, Water-, and Ground-types such as Poliwrath, Golem, and Marowak hard, and it is boosted by STAB. Leaf Storm can be used in the same vein, hitting said Pokemon off of their lower Special Defense while hitting Pelipper and Avalugg harder at the expense of not having a spammable STAB attack due to Leaf Storm lowering Simisage's Special Attack with every use. Knock Off allows Simisage to cripple Eviolite users such as Togetic, Misdreavus, and Roselia. Superpower allows Simisage to handle Steel-types such as Pawniard and Probopass as well as hitting Normal-types such as Lickilicky and Stoutland for super effective damage. Low Kick can also be used over Superpower, as you can still handle Pawniard and Probopass without Superpower's Attack and Defense drop. Gunk Shot allows Simisage to hit other Grass-types such as Tangela and Leafeon as well as Fairy-types such as Togetic.
Set Details
========
252 Attack EVs allow Simisage to hit hard with its physical attacking arsenal. 252 Speed EVs along with a Jolly nature boosts Simisage's Speed, letting it outspeed positive-natured maximum Speed base 100 Speed Pokemon such as Dodrio and Ninetales while Speed tying with Simipour, Simisear, and opposing Simisage. If you're running Leaf Storm, the remaining EVs should go into Special Attack, and a Naive nature should be used to boost Leaf Storm without being detrimental to Simisage's Special Attack. Life Orb works best with a mixed attacking Simisage, as it boosts the power of all of its attacks at the cost of some health. Overgrow boosts the power of Simisage's Grass STAB in a pinch, which can come in handy.
Usage Tips
========
Due to Simisage's low defenses, Simisage should be used sparingly due to the loss of health from Life Orb recoil, so be sure to switch Simisage in after a teammate has fainted or on a slow Volt Switch, U-turn, or Baton Pass. Predicting switch-ins is crucial when it comes to using Simisage, as wasting turns by using resisted attacks cut into its longevity due to the recoil that Life Orb gives. Thanks to Simisage's coverage, it serves as a good cleaner mid- to late-game, but it can be used early-game to break past defensive cores in the opponent's team.
Team Options
========
Entry hazard support from Pokemon such as Carracosta, Golem, Probopass, Roselia, and Barbaracle are essential to ensure that Simisage can wear down foes more efficiently. Examples include being able to 2HKO offensive Tangela with Gunk Shot after Stealth Rock Damage. Whirlipede can provide Toxic Spikes support to help Simisage wear down walls. Simisage can be paired with wallbreakers such as Ursaring, Rapidash, and Simipour, as they can whittle down bulkier foes, making it easier for Simisage to function. Rapidash and Ursaring can also absorb Will-O-Wisp for Simisage, as Will-O-Wisp would otherwise cripple it. Because Simisage is frail, it appreciates a slow Volt Switch or Baton Pass from Pokemon such as Probopass and Togetic so Simisage can come in unscathed. Healing Wish support from Mr. Mime can revive a weakened Simisage, giving it another chance to sweep. Simisage is susceptible to all entry hazards, so spinners such as Armaldo, Torkoal, and Avalugg make for good partners.
[SET]
name: Nasty Plot Sweeper
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Giga Drain
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Rock
item: Life Orb
ability: Overgrow
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Nasty Plot is used for setting up and having the potential to sweep teams that are unprepared. Giga Drain allows Simisage to hit Ground-, Rock-, and Water-types such as Golem and Poliwrath while also recovering health. Energy Ball can be used as a stronger STAB move with no secondary effects besides a potential Special Defense drop. Focus Blast is for the Steel-types that would otherwise wall Simisage, such as Probopass and Pawniard, and is also used to hit bulky Normal-types such as Lickilicky. It also hits Fire-types such as Ninetales and Rapidash, which resist Giga Drain. Hidden Power Ice is used to hit other Grass-types such as Roselia, Gourgeist, and Torterra, while also hitting Flying-types such as Togetic, which resists Giga Drain and Focus Blast. Hidden Power Rock is an alternative to Hidden Power Ice, as it allows Simisage to reliably hit Fire-types such as Rapidash and Ninetales without relying on Focus Blast's shaky accuracy. Substitute can be used to protect Simisage from status as well as getting into Overgrow range or to set up on an opposing Water-type such as Carracosta while they switch out.
Set Details
========
252 Special Attack EVs make Simisage a threat that can easily decimate many Pokemon after a single Nasty Plot. With 252 Speed EVs and a Timid nature, Simisage is extremely fast and able to outspeed a large portion of PU, including Ninetales and Dodrio. Life Orb is the preferred item to ensure that Simisage deals as much damage as possible, but it comes at the cost of some health. Overgrow boosts the power of Simisage's Grass-type STAB moves when it is low on health, which is manageable, especially with Life Orb recoil.
Usage Tips
========
Try to get Simisage in safely, such as after a KO, from a slow pivot, or into something it forces out, such as Carracosta and Barbaracle. Make sure you have gotten rid of priority users and faster Pokemon while weakening the opponent's team to the point where Simisage can sweep. Keep in mind that Simisage is fragile and loses longevity, as it relies on Life Orb to function effectively, so set up only when it is safe to do so. Also, keep Simisage as healthy as possible because poison and paralysis can ruin its chances of sweeping. Set up Nasty Plot against Pokemon Simisage can force out, such as Golem, Barbaracle, and Carracosta. Simisage is used as a late-game sweeper, but it can be used early on to creates holes in the opponent's team for it's teammates.
Team Options
========
Simisage greatly appreciates entry hazard support from Pokemon such as Golem, Whirlipede, and Carracosta, as they turn 2HKOs into OHKOs on Pokemon such as Ninetales, Regice, and Pelipper after a boost. Simisage has trouble with Grass-types, so Fire- and Ice-types such as Ninetales and Rotom-F aid in taking care of them. Wallbreakers, such as Ursaring and Rapidash, can wear down the opposing team, allowing Simisage to sweep. Simisage also works well with Flying-types, such as Dodrio and Chatot, which enjoy the removal of Rock- and Steel-types. Meowstic and Solrock can provide dual screen support for Simisage, making it easier for Simisage to set up Nasty Plot. Support from Healing Wish Mr. Mime revives a weakened Simisage, allowing it set up again and sweep. Rapid Spin support from Armaldo, Torkoal, and Avalugg helps out Simisage, as its vulnerable to all entry hazards.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
============
Work Up boosts Simisage's Attack and Special Attack, but it's outdone by Nasty Plot. Taunt allows Simisage to function as an anti-lead, but Simisage doesn't have the moveslot for it. Leech Seed can be used against bulkier teams. Salac Berry can be run to allow Simisage to act as a revenge killer once all faster threats or priority users are removed. Acrobatics can catch opposing Grass-types off guard if you're running it with a Substitute + Salac Berry set. Choice Scarf can surprise threats that are normally faster than Simisage.
Checks and Counters
====================
**Bulky Grass-types**: Pokemon such as Roselia, Tangela, and Gourgeist can easily survive a hit even after a Nasty Plot boost and OHKO back. Roselia can proceed to KO Simisage with Sludge Bomb or set up spikes as Simisage switches out, Tangela often carries HP Ice or Sludge Bomb for opposing Grass-types, while Gourgeist can live a Knock Off and proceed to cripple Simisage with Will-O-Wisp. Jumpluff outspeeds Simisage and can OHKO it with Acrobatics.
**Fire-types**: Fire-types such as Ninetales and Rapidash can KO Simisage with their respective STAB attacks, but they can't directly switch in.
**Flying-types**: Faster Flying-types, such as Ninjask, can KO Simisage with X-Scissor, but they must be wary of Rock Slide. Togetic can live a Rock Slide or Gunk Shot and can cripple Simisage with Thunder Wave and Roost off any damage taken.
**Residual Damage**: Simisage is susceptible to all forms of entry hazards, and this, combined with Simisage's frailty and its reliability on Life Orb for maximum damage output, means that priority users such as Mightyena's and Pawniard's Sucker Punch, Piloswine's Ice Shard, and Purugly's Fake Out will cut into Simisage's longevity, but Simisage can live resisted priority moves such as Basculin's and Carracosta's Aqua Jet.
**Faster Pokemon**: Pokemon that are faster than Simisage, such as Floatzel and Sap Sipper Zebstrika, can scare out Simisage, as they carry super effective coverage moves, but they can't directly switch in. Choice Scarf users such as Rotom-F can outspeed Simisage and OHKO it with Blizzard.
GP: Yonko7 / Rhythms

[OVERVIEW]
Simisage has a very good combination of both Speed and power, but it faces competition from other physical Grass-types in the tier, such as Leafeon and Jumpluff, in terms of Speed and bulk. Simisage has a niche in PU as either a mixed attacker or a Nasty Plot sweeper, setting it apart from the other Grass-types in the tier. This, combined with its vast movepool to accommodate its base 98 Attack and Special Attack, makes Simisage very threatening. However, Simisage's low defenses with its exploitable weaknesses such as Fire and Ice, susceptibility to all forms of entry hazards, and its reliance on Life Orb means that it can be worn down fairly easily.
[SET]
name: All-Out Attacker
move 1: Seed Bomb / Leaf Storm
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Superpower
move 4: Gunk Shot
item: Life Orb
ability: Overgrow
nature: Jolly / Naive
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Seed Bomb hits Rock-, Water-, and Ground-types such as Poliwrath, Golem, and Marowak hard, and it is boosted by STAB. Leaf Storm can be used in the same vein, hitting said Pokemon off of their lower Special Defense while hitting Pelipper and Avalugg harder at the expense of not having a spammable STAB attack due to Leaf Storm lowering Simisage's Special Attack with every use. Knock Off allows Simisage to cripple Eviolite users such as Togetic, Misdreavus, and Roselia. Superpower allows Simisage to handle Steel-types such as Pawniard and Probopass as well as hitting Normal-types such as Lickilicky and Stoutland for super effective damage. Low Kick can also be used over Superpower, as you can still handle Pawniard and Probopass without Superpower's Attack and Defense drop. Gunk Shot allows Simisage to hit other Grass-types such as Tangela and Leafeon as well as Fairy-types such as Togetic.
Set Details
========
252 Attack EVs allow Simisage to hit hard with its physical attacking arsenal. 252 Speed EVs along with a Jolly nature boosts Simisage's Speed, letting it outspeed positive-natured maximum Speed base 100 Speed Pokemon such as Dodrio and Ninetales while Speed tying with Simipour, Simisear, and opposing Simisage. If you're running Leaf Storm, the remaining EVs should go into Special Attack, and a Naive nature should be used to boost Leaf Storm without being detrimental to Simisage's Special Attack. Life Orb works best with a mixed attacking Simisage, as it boosts the power of all of its attacks at the cost of some health. Overgrow boosts the power of Simisage's Grass STAB in a pinch, which can come in handy.
Usage Tips
========
Due to Simisage's low defenses, Simisage should be used sparingly due to the loss of health from Life Orb recoil, so be sure to switch Simisage in after a teammate has fainted or on a slow Volt Switch, U-turn, or Baton Pass. Predicting switch-ins is crucial when it comes to using Simisage, as wasting turns by using resisted attacks cut into its longevity due to the recoil that Life Orb gives. Thanks to Simisage's coverage, it serves as a good cleaner mid- to late-game, but it can be used early-game to break past defensive cores in the opponent's team.
Team Options
========
Entry hazard support from Pokemon such as Carracosta, Golem, Probopass, Roselia, and Barbaracle are essential to ensure that Simisage can wear down foes more efficiently. Examples include being able to 2HKO offensive Tangela with Gunk Shot after Stealth Rock Damage. Whirlipede can provide Toxic Spikes support to help Simisage wear down walls. Simisage can be paired with wallbreakers such as Ursaring, Rapidash, and Simipour, as they can whittle down bulkier foes, making it easier for Simisage to function. Rapidash and Ursaring can also absorb Will-O-Wisp for Simisage, as Will-O-Wisp would otherwise cripple it. Because Simisage is frail, it appreciates a slow Volt Switch or Baton Pass from Pokemon such as Probopass and Togetic so Simisage can come in unscathed. Healing Wish support from Mr. Mime can revive a weakened Simisage, giving it another chance to sweep. Simisage is susceptible to all entry hazards, so spinners such as Armaldo, Torkoal, and Avalugg make for good partners.
[SET]
name: Nasty Plot Sweeper
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Giga Drain
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Rock
item: Life Orb
ability: Overgrow
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Nasty Plot is used for setting up and having the potential to sweep teams that are unprepared. Giga Drain allows Simisage to hit Ground-, Rock-, and Water-types such as Golem and Poliwrath while also recovering health. Energy Ball can be used as a stronger STAB move with no secondary effects besides a potential Special Defense drop. Focus Blast is for the Steel-types that would otherwise wall Simisage, such as Probopass and Pawniard, and is also used to hit bulky Normal-types such as Lickilicky. It also hits Fire-types such as Ninetales and Rapidash, which resist Giga Drain. Hidden Power Ice is used to hit other Grass-types such as Roselia, Gourgeist, and Torterra, while also hitting Flying-types such as Togetic, which resists Giga Drain and Focus Blast. Hidden Power Rock is an alternative to Hidden Power Ice, as it allows Simisage to reliably hit Fire-types such as Rapidash and Ninetales without relying on Focus Blast's shaky accuracy. Substitute can be used to protect Simisage from status as well as getting into Overgrow range or to set up on an opposing Water-type such as Carracosta while they switch out.
Set Details
========
252 Special Attack EVs make Simisage a threat that can easily decimate many Pokemon after a single Nasty Plot. With 252 Speed EVs and a Timid nature, Simisage is extremely fast and able to outspeed a large portion of PU, including Ninetales and Dodrio. Life Orb is the preferred item to ensure that Simisage deals as much damage as possible, but it comes at the cost of some health. Overgrow boosts the power of Simisage's Grass-type STAB moves when it is low on health, which is manageable, especially with Life Orb recoil.
Usage Tips
========
Try to get Simisage in safely, such as after a KO, from a slow pivot, or into something it forces out, such as Carracosta and Barbaracle. Make sure you have gotten rid of priority users and faster Pokemon while weakening the opponent's team to the point where Simisage can sweep. Keep in mind that Simisage is fragile and loses longevity, as it relies on Life Orb to function effectively, so set up only when it is safe to do so. Also, keep Simisage as healthy as possible because poison and paralysis can ruin its chances of sweeping. Set up Nasty Plot against Pokemon Simisage can force out, such as Golem, Barbaracle, and Carracosta. Simisage is used as a late-game sweeper, but it can be used early on to creates holes in the opponent's team for it's teammates.
Team Options
========
Simisage greatly appreciates entry hazard support from Pokemon such as Golem, Whirlipede, and Carracosta, as they turn 2HKOs into OHKOs on Pokemon such as Ninetales, Regice, and Pelipper after a boost. Simisage has trouble with Grass-types, so Fire- and Ice-types such as Ninetales and Rotom-F aid in taking care of them. Wallbreakers, such as Ursaring and Rapidash, can wear down the opposing team, allowing Simisage to sweep. Simisage also works well with Flying-types, such as Dodrio and Chatot, which enjoy the removal of Rock- and Steel-types. Meowstic and Solrock can provide dual screen support for Simisage, making it easier for Simisage to set up Nasty Plot. Support from Healing Wish Mr. Mime revives a weakened Simisage, allowing it set up again and sweep. Rapid Spin support from Armaldo, Torkoal, and Avalugg helps out Simisage, as its vulnerable to all entry hazards.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
============
Work Up boosts Simisage's Attack and Special Attack, but it's outdone by Nasty Plot. Taunt allows Simisage to function as an anti-lead, but Simisage doesn't have the moveslot for it. Leech Seed can be used against bulkier teams. Salac Berry can be run to allow Simisage to act as a revenge killer once all faster threats or priority users are removed. Acrobatics can catch opposing Grass-types off guard if you're running it with a Substitute + Salac Berry set. Choice Scarf can surprise threats that are normally faster than Simisage.
Checks and Counters
====================
**Bulky Grass-types**: Pokemon such as Roselia, Tangela, and Gourgeist can easily survive a hit even after a Nasty Plot boost and OHKO back. Roselia can proceed to KO Simisage with Sludge Bomb or set up spikes as Simisage switches out, Tangela often carries HP Ice or Sludge Bomb for opposing Grass-types, while Gourgeist can live a Knock Off and proceed to cripple Simisage with Will-O-Wisp. Jumpluff outspeeds Simisage and can OHKO it with Acrobatics.
**Fire-types**: Fire-types such as Ninetales and Rapidash can KO Simisage with their respective STAB attacks, but they can't directly switch in.
**Flying-types**: Faster Flying-types, such as Ninjask, can KO Simisage with X-Scissor, but they must be wary of Rock Slide. Togetic can live a Rock Slide or Gunk Shot and can cripple Simisage with Thunder Wave and Roost off any damage taken.
**Residual Damage**: Simisage is susceptible to all forms of entry hazards, and this, combined with Simisage's frailty and its reliability on Life Orb for maximum damage output, means that priority users such as Mightyena's and Pawniard's Sucker Punch, Piloswine's Ice Shard, and Purugly's Fake Out will cut into Simisage's longevity, but Simisage can live resisted priority moves such as Basculin's and Carracosta's Aqua Jet.
**Faster Pokemon**: Pokemon that are faster than Simisage, such as Floatzel and Sap Sipper Zebstrika, can scare out Simisage, as they carry super effective coverage moves, but they can't directly switch in. Choice Scarf users such as Rotom-F can outspeed Simisage and OHKO it with Blizzard.
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