This is a Partial Rewrite of an on-site analysis. Since the mini was published, Fearow has seen some use on Normal spam teams, especially alongside Dodrio, making the original analysis calling it "entirely outclassed" outdated. In addition, there was a desire for it to receive an upgrade to a full analysis since it is now ranked on the VR, which this should rectify.
[Overview]
Fearow has a small niche as a partner for Dodrio on some hyper offense builds, especially builds stacking Normal-type attackers. Like Dodrio, it wields a solid offensive typing alongside good Attack and Speed. Using both can overwhelm walls; each has an impressive 19.53% critical hit rate, and a critical hit can do more than 50% to walls like Vaporeon. They also revenge kill well and threaten fast foes, both Speed tying threats like Raichu, Charizard, and tier-king Tentacruel. Both can set up with Agility, which also bolsters their team against partial trappers and paralysis. Pokemon weak to Flying like Venusaur hate facing two Drill Peck users. Dodrio can wallbreak early- and mid-game with its greater power and spammable Body Slam, and Fearow can clean later on.
Unfortunately, Fearow is largely outclassed by Dodrio. Fearow is slightly bulkier and is the only one with access to Mirror Move. However, Dodrio has a decisive edge thanks to a higher Attack stat and access to Body Slam, which allows it to spread paralysis and not cut into its HP with Double-Edge recoil. Fearow's advantages are fairly marginal, making it very hard to justify on its own.
[SET]
Name: Physical Sweeper
move 1: Double-Edge
move 2: Hyper Beam
move 3: Drill Peck
move 4: Agility / Mirror Move
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Fearow's powerful Double-Edge hits many neutral targets quite hard, threatening frailer Pokemon such as Kadabra and Dugtrio with an OHKO from a critical hit. However, its recoil damage lowers Fearow's survivability. Drill Peck is a STAB option that doesn't hurt Fearow, and it threatens Grass-type sleep spreaders Venusaur and Tangela with guaranteed and potential 2HKOs, respectively. Drill Peck also hits Haunter for a nice chunk of damage, as well as nailing less common threats like Venomoth, Pinsir, and Poliwrath. Hyper Beam packs a punch and is useful for more damage in late-game cleanups and revenge killing scenarios. It does over 50% to Tentacruel and Hypno, and it's even a guaranteed OHKO on Kadabra. For Fearow's last move, Agility is preferred to boost its Speed and not have to worry about paralysis so much. It can set up effectively against Venusaur, especially if Sleep Clause is already active. A sleeping Pokemon is also a viable target to bring in Fearow and set up freely. Fearow can even set up Agility versus an opposing Dugtrio by switching into an Earthquake, as Rock Slide only 3HKOs it. Fearow can also switch in on Body Slam from a weakened Normal-type, as it is immune to Body Slam paralysis. However, these opportunities are generally riskier due to Fearow taking a hit plus some recoil damage from Double Edge. Mirror Move is a potentially very interesting alternative, as Fearow can use its immunity to Ground to switch in freely on Golem's Earthquake, use Mirror Move, and threaten it back with super effective damage. It could even attempt to nab Hypnosis or Sleep Powder if either misses.
The best way to use Fearow is alongside Dodrio as a late-game cleaner. Dodrio should be used as a wall-breaker early- and mid-game, with Fearow coming in to pick off weakened foes later on. Among Dodrio partners, Fearow can justify itself over other Normal-type attackers with better initial Speed and Agility over Kangaskhan, as well as a stronger Normal-type move in STAB Hyper Beam over Persian's Slash. One viable build is Tentacruel, Hypno, Dodrio, Fearow, and two non-Normal-types in a hyper offense structure. Dugtrio most notably works well here as a third strong physical attacker, though Raichu can also be used to form a nice offensive core, matching up well against the Rock-types of the tier, which wall both Dodrio and Fearow. Sleepers like Venusaur and Haunter can also be used to help Fearow or Dodrio set up Agility and take some pressure off of Hypno as your team's dedicated sleeper. In addition to Raichu, Haunter and Electabuzz can bait Earthquake for Fearow's safe entry.
The structure of Tentacruel, Hypno, Dodrio, and Fearow can even use a third Normal-type like the aforementioned Persian or Kangaskhan for a "Normal spam" build. Such a build gives little in the way of flexibility for a sixth team member, but there are a few options. Due to this team composition hating paralysis, you could go with a Ground-type to counteract Thunder Wave: Golem for a sturdy physical wall or Dugtrio for a hyper offense build. Another option is to combat bulky Water-types that wall your team, especially Omastar, with Venusaur. The threat of super effective Razor Leaf or a Sleep Powder can force those Water-types out, leading to an opening. Finally, a bulky Water-type of your own, like Dewgong, Omastar, or Vaporeon won't really mind paralysis and will effectively handle Agility Articuno, which is another threat to your team.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Fearow can also run Toxic in its fourth moveslot to support Wrap Tentacruel and Dragonite while also preventing opposing Dragonite from sweeping with Wrap. However, Agility's Speed boost or Mirror Move's surprise factor is generally more helpful. Sky Attack is Fearow's strongest STAB move, but due to its charge turn it's pretty easy to counter. Finally, Substitute can protect Fearow from some damage, but its value is usually fairly low.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Rock-type Pokemon**: Fearow can't hit Rock-types for even neutral damage, outside of moves gained from Mirror Move. To make things worse, Golem's Rock Slide and Omastar's Blizzard 2HKO it, and Aerodactyl's Fire Blast can burn it, making these Rock-types huge obstacles to Fearow's role as a late-game cleaner.
**Articuno**: Articuno's bulk allows it to set up Agility on Fearow rather easily before dispatching it with a Blizzard. After setting up Agility, Articuno can then run rampant.
**Bulky Water-type Pokemon**: Bulky Water-types tend to beat Fearow one-on-one but do take heavy damage in the process. Dewgong will OHKO Fearow with Blizzard, and Vaporeon will do massive damage with its own Blizzard, potentially KOing after some chip damage, which is likely due to Double-Edge being Fearow's main STAB move. Gyarados also faress well, 2HKOing with its own Blizzard or Thunderbolt. However, Gyarados does have to be wary of Mirror Move Thunderbolt, as Fearow does more than 50% damage with it.
**Electric-type Pokemon**: Electabuzz, Raichu, and Electrode can paralyze Fearow with Thunder Wave, hampering its effectiveness, or just 2HKO with Thunderbolt. Electabuzz and Electrode can switch in on Drill Peck and outspeed to accomplish either. Raichu can also switch into Drill Peck, but it only Speed ties Fearow.
**Dragonite**: Similar to Articuno, Dragonite can tank Fearow's hits well from full health and then set up Agility. From there, Dragonite can simply Wrap until Fearow is in Blizzard range to KO it. Alternatively, Dragonite carrying Thunder Wave can cripple Fearow.
- Written by: [[Ctown6, 509438]]
- Quality checked by: [[May, 236353], [Amaranth, 265630], [phoopes, 96315]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429]]
---
tagging Volk since I know he wanted to look at this
[Overview]
Fearow has a small niche as a partner for Dodrio on some hyper offense builds, especially builds stacking Normal-type attackers. Like Dodrio, it wields a solid offensive typing alongside good Attack and Speed. Using both can overwhelm walls; each has an impressive 19.53% critical hit rate, and a critical hit can do more than 50% to walls like Vaporeon. They also revenge kill well and threaten fast foes, both Speed tying threats like Raichu, Charizard, and tier-king Tentacruel. Both can set up with Agility, which also bolsters their team against partial trappers and paralysis. Pokemon weak to Flying like Venusaur hate facing two Drill Peck users. Dodrio can wallbreak early- and mid-game with its greater power and spammable Body Slam, and Fearow can clean later on.
Unfortunately, Fearow is largely outclassed by Dodrio. Fearow is slightly bulkier and is the only one with access to Mirror Move. However, Dodrio has a decisive edge thanks to a higher Attack stat and access to Body Slam, which allows it to spread paralysis and not cut into its HP with Double-Edge recoil. Fearow's advantages are fairly marginal, making it very hard to justify on its own.
[SET]
Name: Physical Sweeper
move 1: Double-Edge
move 2: Hyper Beam
move 3: Drill Peck
move 4: Agility / Mirror Move
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Fearow's powerful Double-Edge hits many neutral targets quite hard, threatening frailer Pokemon such as Kadabra and Dugtrio with an OHKO from a critical hit. However, its recoil damage lowers Fearow's survivability. Drill Peck is a STAB option that doesn't hurt Fearow, and it threatens Grass-type sleep spreaders Venusaur and Tangela with guaranteed and potential 2HKOs, respectively. Drill Peck also hits Haunter for a nice chunk of damage, as well as nailing less common threats like Venomoth, Pinsir, and Poliwrath. Hyper Beam packs a punch and is useful for more damage in late-game cleanups and revenge killing scenarios. It does over 50% to Tentacruel and Hypno, and it's even a guaranteed OHKO on Kadabra. For Fearow's last move, Agility is preferred to boost its Speed and not have to worry about paralysis so much. It can set up effectively against Venusaur, especially if Sleep Clause is already active. A sleeping Pokemon is also a viable target to bring in Fearow and set up freely. Fearow can even set up Agility versus an opposing Dugtrio by switching into an Earthquake, as Rock Slide only 3HKOs it. Fearow can also switch in on Body Slam from a weakened Normal-type, as it is immune to Body Slam paralysis. However, these opportunities are generally riskier due to Fearow taking a hit plus some recoil damage from Double Edge. Mirror Move is a potentially very interesting alternative, as Fearow can use its immunity to Ground to switch in freely on Golem's Earthquake, use Mirror Move, and threaten it back with super effective damage. It could even attempt to nab Hypnosis or Sleep Powder if either misses.
The best way to use Fearow is alongside Dodrio as a late-game cleaner. Dodrio should be used as a wall-breaker early- and mid-game, with Fearow coming in to pick off weakened foes later on. Among Dodrio partners, Fearow can justify itself over other Normal-type attackers with better initial Speed and Agility over Kangaskhan, as well as a stronger Normal-type move in STAB Hyper Beam over Persian's Slash. One viable build is Tentacruel, Hypno, Dodrio, Fearow, and two non-Normal-types in a hyper offense structure. Dugtrio most notably works well here as a third strong physical attacker, though Raichu can also be used to form a nice offensive core, matching up well against the Rock-types of the tier, which wall both Dodrio and Fearow. Sleepers like Venusaur and Haunter can also be used to help Fearow or Dodrio set up Agility and take some pressure off of Hypno as your team's dedicated sleeper. In addition to Raichu, Haunter and Electabuzz can bait Earthquake for Fearow's safe entry.
The structure of Tentacruel, Hypno, Dodrio, and Fearow can even use a third Normal-type like the aforementioned Persian or Kangaskhan for a "Normal spam" build. Such a build gives little in the way of flexibility for a sixth team member, but there are a few options. Due to this team composition hating paralysis, you could go with a Ground-type to counteract Thunder Wave: Golem for a sturdy physical wall or Dugtrio for a hyper offense build. Another option is to combat bulky Water-types that wall your team, especially Omastar, with Venusaur. The threat of super effective Razor Leaf or a Sleep Powder can force those Water-types out, leading to an opening. Finally, a bulky Water-type of your own, like Dewgong, Omastar, or Vaporeon won't really mind paralysis and will effectively handle Agility Articuno, which is another threat to your team.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Fearow can also run Toxic in its fourth moveslot to support Wrap Tentacruel and Dragonite while also preventing opposing Dragonite from sweeping with Wrap. However, Agility's Speed boost or Mirror Move's surprise factor is generally more helpful. Sky Attack is Fearow's strongest STAB move, but due to its charge turn it's pretty easy to counter. Finally, Substitute can protect Fearow from some damage, but its value is usually fairly low.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Rock-type Pokemon**: Fearow can't hit Rock-types for even neutral damage, outside of moves gained from Mirror Move. To make things worse, Golem's Rock Slide and Omastar's Blizzard 2HKO it, and Aerodactyl's Fire Blast can burn it, making these Rock-types huge obstacles to Fearow's role as a late-game cleaner.
**Articuno**: Articuno's bulk allows it to set up Agility on Fearow rather easily before dispatching it with a Blizzard. After setting up Agility, Articuno can then run rampant.
**Bulky Water-type Pokemon**: Bulky Water-types tend to beat Fearow one-on-one but do take heavy damage in the process. Dewgong will OHKO Fearow with Blizzard, and Vaporeon will do massive damage with its own Blizzard, potentially KOing after some chip damage, which is likely due to Double-Edge being Fearow's main STAB move. Gyarados also faress well, 2HKOing with its own Blizzard or Thunderbolt. However, Gyarados does have to be wary of Mirror Move Thunderbolt, as Fearow does more than 50% damage with it.
**Electric-type Pokemon**: Electabuzz, Raichu, and Electrode can paralyze Fearow with Thunder Wave, hampering its effectiveness, or just 2HKO with Thunderbolt. Electabuzz and Electrode can switch in on Drill Peck and outspeed to accomplish either. Raichu can also switch into Drill Peck, but it only Speed ties Fearow.
**Dragonite**: Similar to Articuno, Dragonite can tank Fearow's hits well from full health and then set up Agility. From there, Dragonite can simply Wrap until Fearow is in Blizzard range to KO it. Alternatively, Dragonite carrying Thunder Wave can cripple Fearow.
- Written by: [[Ctown6, 509438]]
- Quality checked by: [[May, 236353], [Amaranth, 265630], [phoopes, 96315]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429]]
---
tagging Volk since I know he wanted to look at this
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