[OVERVIEW]
Turtwig has a distinct niche in Little Cup with its great defensive stats, pure Grass typing, and access to Stealth Rock. It has a good matchup against a variety of spinners such as Drilbur and Staryu, allowing it to keep entry hazards up against a variety of teams. Turtwig also has access to reliable recovery in Synthesis, which lets it stay healthy enough to switch into threats throughout the match. However, Turtwig has a bad defensive typing with weaknesses to common types such as Fire, Flying, Poison, and Ice. It is also extremely slow, being outsped by most of the metagame, and struggles against common Defoggers such as Vullaby and Stunky, as it has no way to deal sufficient damage to them. A limited offensive movepool makes Turtwig very passive, meaning it struggles against many Pokemon it can't hit for super effective damage and gives them many opportunities to set up. Finally, Turtwig faces competition from other Stealth Rock setters and is hopelessly outclassed at any other roles it could try.
[SET]
name: Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Synthesis
move 3: Bullet Seed
move 4: Superpower / Crunch
item: Eviolite
ability: Overgrow
nature: Careful
evs: 244 Def / 236 SpD / 28 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock is an incredibly useful move that punishes the opponent for switching. Synthesis reliably heals Turtwig, letting it stay healthy to switch into threats and set Stealth Rock multiple times if need be. Bullet Seed is a mandatory STAB move and can break through Focus Sashes and Sturdy. Superpower deals with Steel-types that switch in, OHKOing Pawniard and Magnemite after Stealth Rock and dealing a large amount of damage to Ferroseed and Porygon. However, the Attack and Defense drops severely weaken Turtwig afterwards and may force it to switch out. Crunch can also be used as a coverage option to hit Drifloon hard and threaten Gastly on the switch.
Set Details
========
An Eviolite coupled with the given EVs and a Careful nature gives Turtwig respectable 22 / 24 / 24 bulk, which allows it to switch into resisted hits repeatedly. The Speed EVs let Turtwig hit 10 Speed, which allows it to outspeed Pokemon like Spritzee and bulky Tirtouga and Speed tie with Timburr, defensive Porygon, and Hippopotas. Overgrow can punish the foe with stronger Grass-type attacks if Turtwig is weakened.
Usage Tips
========
Set up Stealth Rock as quickly as possible, as it is more effective the more the foe switches in on it. Use Synthesis when needed, but be wary of its low PP, as it is your only way of healing Turtwig. Once Turtwig's role is done, it can happily switch into resisted hits from Pokemon like Chinchou and Drilbur. Be wary of using Superpower unnecessarily, as it will significantly weaken Turtwig both offensively and defensively and potentially force it to switch. Also, be wary of switching into Scald, as Turtwig hates getting burned.
Team Options
========
Vullaby is a very good teammate, as it can switch into and defeat Foongus, which defeats Turtwig. In return, Turtwig can check Electric-types such as Chinchou and Magnemite for Vullaby. Turtwig helps Pokemon that appreciate entry hazards up such as Carvanha and Abra to OHKO certain Pokemon due to Stealth Rock's chip damage. Pokemon that want a good switch-in to Water-types, like Fire-types such as Ponyta, also appreciate Turtwig. Poison-types such as Croagunk and Skrelp are good partners because they can switch into Poison-type moves aimed at Turtwig. In return, Turtwig can take resisted Ground-type moves. Steel-types such as Magnemite also appreciate Turtwig switching into Ground-type attacks and can switch into Flying- and, situationally, Poison-types for Turtwig. Electric-types like Magnemite and Chinchou also beat Flying-types with their Electric-type STAB moves. These also appreciate Turtwig shielding them from Ground-type moves. Water-types can switch into Fire- and Ice-type attacks, although some, like Tirtouga, can't afford to switch into Will-O-Wisp. Chinchou and Shellder are good partners due to them also defeating Flying-types with their other coverage moves. Staryu, Skrelp, Tirtouga, and Omanyte all appreciate Turtwig's defensive typing and bulk, which let it switch into many of their threats. RestTalk Skrelp in particular is a great option, as Turtwig takes out Ground-types for it while Skrelp deals extremely well with Fire-types. Munchlax is another option, as it deals with Drifloon and Ponyta for Turtwig.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Toxic can be used to deal with bulky Pokemon such as Vullaby but leaves Turtwig walled by Steel-types. Turtwig can set up with Curse or Swords Dance; however, its typing, Speed, and bad offensive movepool prevent it from excelling at these roles. Leech Seed can also be used to wear down common switch-ins, but it doesn't heal a large enough amount of damage to warrant its use, leaving Turtwig as setup bait. Finally, Turtwig can set dual screens, but this is a mediocre strategy in LC, and Turtwig is outclassed by Snivy at this role.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Taunt**: Almost every Taunt user, such as bulky Mienfoo, outspeeds Turtwig and can prevent it from filling its role.
**Setup Sweepers**: Most setup sweepers not weak to one of Turtwig's coverage moves, such as Bulk Up Timburr, can take advantage of its passivity and use it as setup bait.
**Flying-types**: Drifloon, Vullaby, and Fletching can all 2HKO Turtwig with their Flying STAB moves and also set up on it or use U-turn to grab momentum.
**Fire-types**: Ponyta and Larvesta can OHKO Turtwig with their offensive attacks or cripple it with Will-O-Wisp. Larvesta can also use U-turn to build momentum. These two are particularly threatening because they can cripple whatever you switch in on them with status.
**Poison-types**: Croagunk and Skrelp in particular OHKO Turtwig, while Foongus can defeat it easily. Gastly is also a big offensive threat but dislikes taking a Crunch on the switch. These can all force out Turtwig due to their powerful coverage and the fact that Turtwig won't have a good way to reliably hit them.
**Ice-type Coverage**: Shellder can spin away entry hazards and OHKO Turtwig with Ice-type moves, even without Shell Smash. Other Pokemon that Turtwig would usually switch into, such as Chinchou, may also carry Ice-type moves, which can swiftly KO Turtwig.
Turtwig has a distinct niche in Little Cup with its great defensive stats, pure Grass typing, and access to Stealth Rock. It has a good matchup against a variety of spinners such as Drilbur and Staryu, allowing it to keep entry hazards up against a variety of teams. Turtwig also has access to reliable recovery in Synthesis, which lets it stay healthy enough to switch into threats throughout the match. However, Turtwig has a bad defensive typing with weaknesses to common types such as Fire, Flying, Poison, and Ice. It is also extremely slow, being outsped by most of the metagame, and struggles against common Defoggers such as Vullaby and Stunky, as it has no way to deal sufficient damage to them. A limited offensive movepool makes Turtwig very passive, meaning it struggles against many Pokemon it can't hit for super effective damage and gives them many opportunities to set up. Finally, Turtwig faces competition from other Stealth Rock setters and is hopelessly outclassed at any other roles it could try.
[SET]
name: Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Synthesis
move 3: Bullet Seed
move 4: Superpower / Crunch
item: Eviolite
ability: Overgrow
nature: Careful
evs: 244 Def / 236 SpD / 28 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock is an incredibly useful move that punishes the opponent for switching. Synthesis reliably heals Turtwig, letting it stay healthy to switch into threats and set Stealth Rock multiple times if need be. Bullet Seed is a mandatory STAB move and can break through Focus Sashes and Sturdy. Superpower deals with Steel-types that switch in, OHKOing Pawniard and Magnemite after Stealth Rock and dealing a large amount of damage to Ferroseed and Porygon. However, the Attack and Defense drops severely weaken Turtwig afterwards and may force it to switch out. Crunch can also be used as a coverage option to hit Drifloon hard and threaten Gastly on the switch.
Set Details
========
An Eviolite coupled with the given EVs and a Careful nature gives Turtwig respectable 22 / 24 / 24 bulk, which allows it to switch into resisted hits repeatedly. The Speed EVs let Turtwig hit 10 Speed, which allows it to outspeed Pokemon like Spritzee and bulky Tirtouga and Speed tie with Timburr, defensive Porygon, and Hippopotas. Overgrow can punish the foe with stronger Grass-type attacks if Turtwig is weakened.
Usage Tips
========
Set up Stealth Rock as quickly as possible, as it is more effective the more the foe switches in on it. Use Synthesis when needed, but be wary of its low PP, as it is your only way of healing Turtwig. Once Turtwig's role is done, it can happily switch into resisted hits from Pokemon like Chinchou and Drilbur. Be wary of using Superpower unnecessarily, as it will significantly weaken Turtwig both offensively and defensively and potentially force it to switch. Also, be wary of switching into Scald, as Turtwig hates getting burned.
Team Options
========
Vullaby is a very good teammate, as it can switch into and defeat Foongus, which defeats Turtwig. In return, Turtwig can check Electric-types such as Chinchou and Magnemite for Vullaby. Turtwig helps Pokemon that appreciate entry hazards up such as Carvanha and Abra to OHKO certain Pokemon due to Stealth Rock's chip damage. Pokemon that want a good switch-in to Water-types, like Fire-types such as Ponyta, also appreciate Turtwig. Poison-types such as Croagunk and Skrelp are good partners because they can switch into Poison-type moves aimed at Turtwig. In return, Turtwig can take resisted Ground-type moves. Steel-types such as Magnemite also appreciate Turtwig switching into Ground-type attacks and can switch into Flying- and, situationally, Poison-types for Turtwig. Electric-types like Magnemite and Chinchou also beat Flying-types with their Electric-type STAB moves. These also appreciate Turtwig shielding them from Ground-type moves. Water-types can switch into Fire- and Ice-type attacks, although some, like Tirtouga, can't afford to switch into Will-O-Wisp. Chinchou and Shellder are good partners due to them also defeating Flying-types with their other coverage moves. Staryu, Skrelp, Tirtouga, and Omanyte all appreciate Turtwig's defensive typing and bulk, which let it switch into many of their threats. RestTalk Skrelp in particular is a great option, as Turtwig takes out Ground-types for it while Skrelp deals extremely well with Fire-types. Munchlax is another option, as it deals with Drifloon and Ponyta for Turtwig.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Toxic can be used to deal with bulky Pokemon such as Vullaby but leaves Turtwig walled by Steel-types. Turtwig can set up with Curse or Swords Dance; however, its typing, Speed, and bad offensive movepool prevent it from excelling at these roles. Leech Seed can also be used to wear down common switch-ins, but it doesn't heal a large enough amount of damage to warrant its use, leaving Turtwig as setup bait. Finally, Turtwig can set dual screens, but this is a mediocre strategy in LC, and Turtwig is outclassed by Snivy at this role.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Taunt**: Almost every Taunt user, such as bulky Mienfoo, outspeeds Turtwig and can prevent it from filling its role.
**Setup Sweepers**: Most setup sweepers not weak to one of Turtwig's coverage moves, such as Bulk Up Timburr, can take advantage of its passivity and use it as setup bait.
**Flying-types**: Drifloon, Vullaby, and Fletching can all 2HKO Turtwig with their Flying STAB moves and also set up on it or use U-turn to grab momentum.
**Fire-types**: Ponyta and Larvesta can OHKO Turtwig with their offensive attacks or cripple it with Will-O-Wisp. Larvesta can also use U-turn to build momentum. These two are particularly threatening because they can cripple whatever you switch in on them with status.
**Poison-types**: Croagunk and Skrelp in particular OHKO Turtwig, while Foongus can defeat it easily. Gastly is also a big offensive threat but dislikes taking a Crunch on the switch. These can all force out Turtwig due to their powerful coverage and the fact that Turtwig won't have a good way to reliably hit them.
**Ice-type Coverage**: Shellder can spin away entry hazards and OHKO Turtwig with Ice-type moves, even without Shell Smash. Other Pokemon that Turtwig would usually switch into, such as Chinchou, may also carry Ice-type moves, which can swiftly KO Turtwig.
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