Prinplup (QC 2/3) (GP 0/2) Written

TJ

Banned deucer.
is the Smogon Tour Season 34 Championis a Past SPL Championis a Two-Time Past SCL Champion
[OVERVIEW]

Prinplup's solid pure Water-typing, solid defenses further augmented by Eviolite, along with access to Defog and Stealth Rock grant it a small niche in the PU metagame, capable of removing entry hazards and checking physical attackers like Lycanroc and Archeops. While it competes with other, reliable Defog users for a team slot, Prinplup can be used over them because it has favorable matchups against many common Stealth Rock users, such as Regirock and Palossand, which not only give it opportunities to switch-in but also allow it to remove entry hazards with ease. On the downside, Prinplup's passive nature, and lack of reliable recovery means it often drains momentum and invites in Pokemon such as Eelectross, which can take advantage of it by threatening it or walling it completely. Having to rely on Scald to exert pressure also means that Prinplup is Taunt bait and set up bait for Pokemon like Sableye, Weezing, Jynx, and Clefairy. Unfortunately, Prinplup faces competition from other Defog users like Altaria, which can deal with Fire-types like Pyroar, has an immunity to Toxic Spikes, and has access to reliable recovery and Natural Cure. Whats more, Prinplup's Water-typing leaves it weak to common Grass- and Electric-types such as Ferroseed, Lilligant, Lanturn, and Eelektross. Finally, Prinplup is extremely reliant on Eviolite and loses much of its usefulness if its hit by Knock Off, meaning it can struggle to check some of the more powerful offensive threats like Carracosta, that it is usually tasked to handle.

[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Defog
move 2: Stealth Rock
move 3: Scald
move 4: Toxic
item: Eviolite
ability: Torrent
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Defog provides Prinplup with the utility of keeping entry hazards off of the field for its teammates. Stealth Rock wears down opposing Pokemon with residual damage and breaks potential Focus Sashes and Sturdy. Despite being weak, Scald has a 30% chance to burn a foe, which can cripple physical attackers on a switch-in. Toxic puts any Pokemon that's not immune to it on a timer and stops them from setting up. This coupled with Stealth Rock is really useful for wearing down Pokemon such as Eelektross, Gastrodon, Liligant that would otherwise come in freely on a Scald.

Set Details
========

Maximum investment in HP and Defense, with a Bold nature, maximizes Prinplup's physical bulk. Eviolite further augments Prinplup's defenses, allowing it to tank most physical hits with ease. Torrent allows Prinplup to use a stronger Scald when its low on health.

Usage Tips
========

Prinplup should focus on pivoting on resisted physical attacks from Pokemon like Kabutops with its physical bulk in order to set up Stealth Rock, Defog, and weaken the opposing team with Scald or Toxic. On the turn Prinplup forces physical attackers out, such as Lycanroc, it can use Stealth Rock and switch out afterward if need be. Note that Prinplup shouldn't be switched in repeatedly, as it lacks recovery and is easily worn down between entry hazards, status, and powerful attacks. Likewise, try to avoid switching Prinplup in on Knock Off users such as Absol because Prinplup relies on Eviolite to tank hits. Prinplup should use the opportunity to Defog on Stealth Rock users like Aggron because it can tank hits well and force it out; however, be aware that Prinplup should be healthy, especially if it's a team's only means of removing entry hazards. Lastly, be wary of Defiant users such as Primeape as it can punish Prinplup on a predicted Defog.

Team Options
========

Prinplup can fit onto defensive teams due to its synergy with other defensive walls such as Ferroseed. Grass-types such as Lurantis, Abomasnow, and Liligant also make for great partners because they can take on the opposing Grass-types that threaten Prinplup. In return, Prinplup can handle Fire-types like Pyroar for them. Lanturn is an ideal partner, as, thanks to Volt Absorb, it can check Electric-types such as Zebstrika and Manetric for Prinplup. Lanturn can also tank special attacks in general with ease, thanks to its superior special defense. Lanturn also provides Heal Bell support if Prinplup gets crippled by Toxic, while Prinplup checks physical attackers like Archeops. Prinplup makes for a decent teammate to Pokemon that struggle against entry hazards such as Magmortar, Pyroar, and Archeops. Unfortunately, Prinplup is extremely vulnerable to Taunt users like Weezing, so pairing it with an offensive Mesprit is ideal. Wish support is important, as this mitigates Prinplup's lack of reliable recovery, while also preserving its longevity. Audino, in particular, can pass big Wishes, provide Heal Bell support, and blanket check special attackers for Prinplup. Lastly, while not mandatory, a secondary entry hazard user such as Skuntank or Hitmonchan can be used, since Prinplup isn't very reliable.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

A Specially defensive set is a useable option, which allows Prinplup to take on special attackers like Pyroar better, but its outclassed by Lanturn. Ice Beam is also an option that can be used to hit Pokemon like Altaria, Drampa, and Lilligant, but it's weak, and Prinplup has trouble fitting this into its moveset. Yawn is a viable alternative over Toxic because it can force out set up sweepers, but Toxic is better because it deals damage. While unorthodox, Rest can be used to give Prinplup a form of semi-reliable recovery, but without any Heal Bell support, it's basically a sitting duck, and it has trouble fitting this on over other moves, as well.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Grass-types**: Grass-types such as Abomasnow, Liligant, and Lurantis hit Prinlup super effectively with their Grass-type STAB moves and thus beat it as it can't do much in return. Furthermore, Liligant is able to use it as setup fodder with Sleep Powder and Quiver Dance. Ferroseed is also extremely annoying for Prinplup, as it is immune to Toxic, resists Scald, wears down Prinplup with Leech Seed, and keeps hazards up against it.

**Electric-types**: Electric-types such as Lanturn and Eelektross can take any hit from Prinplup and easily threaten it out with their respective Electric-type moves. The former also generate momentum with Volt Switch if Prinplup opts to switch out.

**Residual damage**: Toxic and entry hazards can wear down Prinplup because it lacks reliable recovery, preventing it from switching in on threats and setting up Stealth Rock or using Defog.

**Taunt**: Taunt users such as Weezing can prevent Prinplup from using utility moves such as Toxic, Stealth Rocks, and Defog, which severely limits its utility

**Special attackers**: Due to prinplup's mediocre special bulk, strong special attackers such as Choice Specs Pyroar, and Drampa can muscle through it quite effectively.

**Knock Off**: Knock Off users such as Gurdurr can remove Prinplup's Eviolite, which severely reduces its bulk, which makes it tougher for it to handle offensive threats that it would usually be able to deal with.
 
Last edited:

asa

is a Site Content Manageris a Community Leaderis a Community Contributoris a Tiering Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Social Media Contributor Alumnus
PU Leader
[OVERVIEW]
  • Prinplup's solid pure Water typing, solid defenses futher augmented by Eviolite, and access to Defog and Stealth Rocks grants it a niche in the PU metagame, capable of checking physical attackers like Lycanroc and Archeops. Prinplup also has favorable matchups against many common Stealth Rock users in PU, such as Golem and Golurk, which not only give it opportunities to switch-in, but also allows it to remove entry hazards from the field. (mention that it has decent role compression, too, since it can set up and remove hazards, as well as switch in on physical attackers.) (also idk if it's just me, but using the word 'solid' twice back-to-back just doesn't feel right.)
  • However, Prinplup's passive nature, and lack of reliable recovery means it often drains momentum and invites in Pokemon such as Eelectross, which can take advantage threatening it out or walling it completely. Additionally, having to rely on Scald to exert pressure means Prinplup is Taunt bait and setup bait for Pokemon like Qwilfish.
  • Unfortunately, Prinplup faces competition from other Defog users like Altaria, which has access to reliable recovery and Natural Cure. (mention that alt deals with fire-types better and is immune to tspikes.)
  • Although Prinplup's Water typing grants it a number of resistances to Fire- Ice-, Steel- and Water, it leaves Prinplup weak to common Grass- and Electric-type attacks from Pokemon like Abomasnow and Alolan Raichu.
  • Prinplup is also extremely reliant on Eviolite and loses much of its usefulness if hit by Knock Off, meaning it struggles to check some of the more powerful offensive threats that it is usually tasked to handle. (expand a bit on this point.)
  • Despite it resisting Fire- and Water-type attacks, due to a lack of reliable recovery, lackluster bulk, and it being relied on to fulfill a few roles, it is worn down extremely quickly.

[SET]
name: Defog (maybe call it utility since it has both defog and rocks.)
move 1: Defog
move 2: Stealth Rock
move 3: Scald
move 4: Toxic
item: Eviolite
ability: Torrent
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
  • Defog gives Prinplup the utility of keeping entry hazards off of the field for its teammates.
  • Stealth Rock wears down opposing Pokemon with residual damage and breaks Focus Sashes and Sturdy.
  • Despite being weak, Scald has a 30% chance to burn a foe, potentially crippling physical attackers on a switch-in. (it also prevents prinplup from being completely passive.)
  • Toxic puts any Pokemon that's not immune to it on a timer and stops them from setting up (mention how this in conjunction with stealth rock is really good for wearing down pokemon it baits in such as eelektross.) (also, mention that it hits a lot of pokemon that resist scald like lilligant and gastro.)

Set Details
========
  • Maximum investment in HP and Defense, with a Bold nature, maximizes Prinplup's physical bulk.
  • Eviolite further augments Prinplup's defenses, allowing it to tank most physical hits with ease.
  • Torrent allows Prinplup to use a stronger Scald when its low on health.
Usage Tips
========
  • Prinplup should focus on pivoting on resisted physical hits from physical attackers like Kabutops and Floatzel and set up Stealth Rock, or strike back with Scald or Toxic. (the wording and placement of this statement aren't really the best. it makes it seems like you're gonna use scald on floatzel, which has water veil.)
  • However, Prinplup shouldn't be switched in repeatedly, as it lacks recovery and is easily worn down by entry hazards, status, and powerful attacks. Additionally, avoid switching Prinplup in on Knock Off users such as Absol as well as Grass- and Electric-types like Abomasnow and Eelectross. (these two points contradict one another.) (you've mentioned aboma and eel previously, so mention some newer examples.)
  • When using Defog, Prinplup is usually able to Defog on entry hazard users such as Golurk because it can tank hits well and force it out, but be wary of Qwilfish as it is immune to Toxic and has access to Taunt. Prinplup should also be wary of defiant users such as Primeape that can come in and punish prinplup on a predicted Defog.
  • Mention how important Prinplup's HP is, especially if it's a team's only means of removing entry hazards.
Team Options
========
  • Prinplup can fit onto defensive teams due to its synergy with other defensive walls such as Ferroseed. Grass-types such as Lurantis and Liligant can take on Electric-types like Lanturn and the opposing Grass-types that threaten Prinplup such as Abomasnow. In return, Prinplup can handle Fire-types like Pyroar. (the wording of this point is weird. eelektross, manectric, and zebstrika carry fire coverage, so grass-types aren't really the best way of dealing with them. also, specs pyroar beats prinplup 1v1, 2HKOing it after rocks.)
  • Steel-types such as Togedemaru and Alolan Dugtrio can also take advantage of Abomasnow, while Prinplup is able to take Fire- or Ground-type attacks from Magmortar and Archeops. (these are shaky checks to abomasnow, as toge drops to eq, and dugtrio has no bulk to speak of, and doesn't resist any move commonly ran on it.) (mag's tbolt 2HKOs it with or without rocks up, so it doesn't really take on mag.)
  • Lanturn is an ideal partner, as, thanks to Volt Absorb, it can check Electric-types such as Zebstrika and Manetric for Prinplup. Lanturn can also tank special attacks in general thanks to its bulk and provide heal bell support if Prinplup gets crippled by toxic, while Prinplup takes care of physical attackers.
  • Prinplup is also a good teammate for Pokemon that struggle against entry hazards such as Magmortar, Pyroar, and Archeops, as they appreciate the Defog support Prinplup provides.
  • Prinplup is very vulnerable to Taunt users such as Qwilfish and Weezing, so Pokemon that can pressure them such as Mesprit make good partners.
  • Wish support is important, as this mitigates its lack of reliable recovery. Audino can pass big Wishes, provide Heal Bell support, and can act as a specially defensive wall for Prinplup, while it handles physical attackers.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
  • Signal Beam can be used to hit Grass-types like Abomasnow and Cacturne but its not worth giving up another moveslot.
  • A Specially defensive set can be used to take on special attackers like Pyroar better but its outclassed by Lanturn.
  • Ice Beam to hit things like Altaria, Drampa, and Lilligant, but it's weak, and it has trouble fitting this on over its other moves.
  • Yawn can be used to force Pokemon like Lilligant out, but Toxic is more consistent.
  • Rest gives it some form of recovery, and you do mention Lanturn as a partner, which provides Heal Bell support, but without any Heal Bell support, it's basically a sitting duck, and it has trouble fitting this on over other moves, as well.
Checks and Counters
===================

**Grass-types**: Grass-types such as Abomasnow, Liligant, and Lurantis hit Prinlup super effectively with their Grass-type STAB moves and thus beat it as it can't do much in return. Furthermore, Liligant is able to use it as setup fodder with Sleep Powder and Quiver Dance. Ferroseed is also extremely annoying for Prinplup, as it is immune to Toxic, resists Scald, can keep up hazards against and heal itself with Leech Seed.

**Electric-types**: Electric-types such as Lanturn and Eelektross can take any hit from Prinplup and easily threaten it out with their respective Electric-type moves. The former also generate momentum with Volt Switch if Prinplup opts to switch out.

**Residual damage**: Toxic and entry hazards can wear down Prinplup because it lacks reliable recovery, preventing it from switching in on threats and setting up Stealth Rock or using Defog.

**Taunt**: Taunt users such as Qwilfish and Weezing can prevent Prinplup from using utility moves such as Toxic, Stealth Rocks, and Defog, which severely limits its ability to act as a defensive threat. (reword this last bit, prinplup isn't really much of a defensive threat.)

Strong attackers like Pyroar deserve a mention, as they have little to no problem 2HKOing it even with its Eviolite intact. Knock Off should be here somewhere, too.
QC 1/3
 
Last edited:

MZ

And now for something completely different
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[OVERVIEW]
  • Prinplup's solid pure Water typing, solid defenses futher augmented by Eviolite, and access to Defog and Stealth Rocks grants it a niche in the PU metagame, capable of removing entry hazards and checking physical attackers like Lycanroc and Archeops. Prinplup also has favorable matchups against many common Stealth Rock users in PU, such as Golem and Golurk, which not only give it opportunities to switch-in, but also allows it to remove entry hazards with ease.
  • However, Prinplup's passive nature, and lack of reliable recovery means it often drains momentum and invites in Pokemon such as Eelectross, which can take advantage threatening it out or walling it completely. Additionally, having to rely on Scald to exert pressure means Prinplup is Taunt bait and setup bait for Pokemon like Sableye and Weezing.
  • Unfortunately, Prinplup faces competition from other Defog users like Altaria, which can deal with Fire-types, has an immunity to Toxic Spikes, and has access to reliable recovery and Natural Cure.
  • Although Prinplup's Water typing grants it a number of resistances to Fire- Ice-, Steel- and Water, it leaves Prinplup weak to common Grass- and Electric-type attacks from Pokemon like Abomasnow and Alolan Raichu.
  • Prinplup is also extremely reliant on Eviolite and loses much of its usefulness if hit by Knock Off, meaning it struggles to check some of the more powerful offensive threats like Carracosta, that it is usually tasked to handle.
what u have is fine, i just feel like u don't actually go over Prinplup's niche (not that it has much of one). ig if u just said more in writeup it'd be fine, but the single bullet barely mentioning its two big niches (having ok bulk w/the water typing and having both rocks and defog) kinda makes it unclear why you would want to use this

[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Defog
move 2: Stealth Rock
move 3: Scald
move 4: Toxic
item: Eviolite
ability: Torrent
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
  • Defog gives Prinplup the utility of keeping entry hazards off of the field for its teammates.
  • Stealth Rock wears down opposing Pokemon with residual damage and breaks Focus Sashes and Sturdy.
  • Despite being weak, Scald has a 30% chance to burn a foe, potentially crippling physical attackers on a switch-in, also preventing Prinplup from being completely passive.
  • Toxic puts any Pokemon that's not immune to it on a timer and stops them from setting up. This in conjunction with Stealth Rock is really good for wearing down Pokemon such as Eelektross, Gastrodon, Liligant that would otherwise come in freely on a Scald.
Set Details
========
  • Maximum investment in HP and Defense, with a Bold nature, maximizes Prinplup's physical bulk.
  • Eviolite further augments Prinplup's defenses, allowing it to tank most physical hits with ease.
  • Torrent allows Prinplup to use a stronger Scald when its low on health.
Usage Tips
========
  • Prinplup should focus on pivoting on resisted physical hits from physical attackers like Kabutops and set up Stealth Rock, or strike back with Scald or Toxic.
  • However, Prinplup shouldn't be switched in repeatedly, as it lacks recovery and is easily worn down by entry hazards, status, and powerful attacks. Additionally, avoid switching Prinplup in on Knock Off users such as Absol because Prinplup relies on Eviolite to tank hits.
  • When using Defog, Prinplup is usually able to Defog on entry hazard users such as Golurk because it can tank hits well and force it out, however be aware that Prinplup should be healthy, especially if it's a team's only means of removing entry hazards because it lacks reliable recovery. Prinplup should also be wary of Defiant users such as Primeape that can come in and punish prinplup on a predicted Defog.
honestly id say somth about how this gets worn down really fast so make sure u decide on 1 thing this really needs to do (check a kanga, remove hazards, set rocks) and focus on that cuz it cant do many things

Team Options
========
  • Prinplup can fit onto defensive teams due to its synergy with other defensive walls such as Ferroseed. Grass-types such as Lurantis, Abomasnow and Liligant can take on the opposing Grass-types that threaten Prinplup. In return, Prinplup can handle Fire-types like Pyroar.
  • Lanturn is an ideal partner, as, thanks to Volt Absorb, it can check Electric-types such as Zebstrika and Manetric for Prinplup. Lanturn can also tank special attacks in general thanks to its bulk and provide heal bell support if Prinplup gets crippled by toxic, while Prinplup takes care of physical attackers.
  • Prinplup is also a good teammate for Pokemon that struggle against entry hazards such as Magmortar, Pyroar, and Archeops, as they appreciate the Defog support Prinplup provides.
  • Prinplup is very vulnerable to Taunt users such as Qwilfish dam this old and Weezing, so Pokemon that can pressure them such as Mesprit make good partners.
  • Wish support is important, as this mitigates Prinplup's lack of reliable recovery. Audino can pass big Wishes, provide Heal Bell support, and can act as a specially defensive wall for Prinplup, while it handles physical attackers.
id suggest a secondary remover for some teams, don't say that it's mandatory but prinplup is not super reliable and if ur running a cuno or somth ur gonna need it

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
  • Signal Beam can be used to hit Grass-types like Abomasnow and Cacturne but its not worth giving up another moveslot. i wouldnt even mention this, it was usable in oras specifically when cacturne was real good but that's it
  • A Specially defensive set can be used to take on special attackers like Pyroar better but its outclassed by Lanturn.
  • Ice Beam can be used to hit Pokemon like Altaria, Drampa, and Lilligant, but it's weak, and Prinplup has trouble fitting this on over its other moves.
  • Yawn can be used to force Pokemon like Lilligant out, but Toxic is more consistent. it's not that tox is more consistent, because it isnt. tox just actually deals damage whereas yawn is just a little annoying
  • Rest gives Prinplup a form of recovery, but without any Heal Bell support, it's basically a sitting duck, and it has trouble fitting this on over other moves, as well.
i think this gets knock? if it does id defo consider using that enough to put it here

Checks and Counters
===================

**Grass-types**: Grass-types such as Abomasnow, Liligant, and Lurantis hit Prinlup super effectively with their Grass-type STAB moves and thus beat it as it can't do much in return. Furthermore, Liligant is able to use it as setup fodder with Sleep Powder and Quiver Dance. Ferroseed is also extremely annoying for Prinplup, as it is immune to Toxic, resists Scald, wears down Prinplup with Leech Seed, and keeps hazards up against it.

**Electric-types**: Electric-types such as Lanturn and Eelektross can take any hit from Prinplup and easily threaten it out with their respective Electric-type moves. The former also generate momentum with Volt Switch if Prinplup opts to switch out.

**Residual damage**: Toxic and entry hazards can wear down Prinplup because it lacks reliable recovery, preventing it from switching in on threats and setting up Stealth Rock or using Defog.

**Taunt**: Taunt users such as Weezing can prevent Prinplup from using utility moves such as Toxic, Stealth Rocks, and Defog, which severely limits its utility

**Special attackers**: Due to prinplup's mediocre special bulk, strong special attackers such as Choice Specs Pyroar, and Drampa can muscle through it quite effectively.

**Knock Off**: Knock Off users such as Gurdurr can remove Prinplup's Eviolite, which severely reduces its bulk, which makes it tougher for it to handle offensive threats that it would usually be able to deal with.
qcstamp.gif
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