Thanks to the efforts of Missangelic and the council members, we've finally managed to get a thread. With that in mind, I figured I should celebrate by sharing to everyone some fascinating sets that I've built in recent memory, exploring the purposes of some Pokemon and why I think these sets are underrated.
Mixed Sweeper Weepinbell
Weepinbell @ Salac Berry
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 4 HP / 200 Atk / 68 SpD / 236 Spe
Lonely Nature
- Swords Dance
- Sludge Bomb
- Giga Drain
- Substitute
Weepinbell's strong Attack and Special Attack makes it an effective setup sweeper on offensive teams. Its STAB-boosted Sludge Bomb can be difficult for most Pokemon to handle after a +2 Attack boost. Weepinbell invests 4 EVs in HP and 68 EVs in Special Defense to withstand an Ice Beam from offensive Staryu and Lombre. After consuming a Salac Berry, it can outspeed everything up to a maximum speed of 90. Giga Drain is a useful tool for handling Rock-types such as Nosepass and Onix. Weepinbell is most effective on teams that use paralysis, which can give Weepinbell free opportunities to set up. In conclusion, Weepinbell solidifies as a powerful Salac Berry sweeper capable of exploiting passive attackers and Water-types.
Three Attacks + Protect Nidorino
Nidorino (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Poison Point
EVs: 120 HP / 252 Atk / 136 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Sludge Bomb
- Hidden Power [Ground]
- Return
- Protect
Although Nidorino finds it difficult to set itself apart from this role given Grimer's superior bulk and access to Explosion, the additional speed Nidorino possesses allows it to outspeed the likes of Lombre and Weepinbell. Hidden Power Ground allows it to eliminate bulky attackers like Aron and Grimer. Protect is beneficial to Nidorino so it can recover HP with Leftovers as well as scout moves from a plethora of Pokemon ranging from Illumise, Spinda, and Staryu. Nidorino is well-suited to offensive teams that demand a solid wallbreaker that can stomach hits and has strong moveset flexibility.
Choice Band Lead Spinda
Spinda @ Choice Band
Ability: Own Tempo
EVs: 32 HP / 240 Atk / 60 SpD / 176 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Return
- Brick Break
- Shadow Ball
- Baton Pass
Spinda is one of the most diverse Pokemon in ADV SU, with a wide range of sets that make it difficult to answer. By giving Spinda a Choice Band, you can turn it into a powerful wallbreaker with access to pivoting to preserve momentum. Spinda invests 32 EVs in HP and 60 EVs in Special Defense so it can live a Water Spout from Wailmer while it OHKOes it with Return. Brick Break targets Rock- and Steel-types like Aron, Nosepass, and Onix. Shadow Ball is an effective move against the uncommon Shuppet. Baton Pass allows Spinda to pivot out of bad matchups to preserve momentum for the rest of the team. Choice Band Spinda is helpful for applying pressure to slower Pokemon while it can stomach weak attacks. Pokemon like Growlithe and Smoochum love Spinda's pivoting ability, which allows them to switch in safely and penetrate walls.
Swords Dance Nuzleaf
Nuzleaf @ Silk Scarf
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Double-Edge
- Quick Attack / Hidden Power [Ground]
- Explosion
Despite being a slightly less common Pokemon, Nuzleaf stands out as a Swords Dance attacker thanks to the combination of priority and Explosion. Double-Edge helps Nuzleaf deal massive damage to the opponent at the cost of recoil. Quick Attack allows it to pick off weaker threats and set up sweepers. Hidden Power Ground is a good alternative to Double-Edge which targets Aron and Shuppet. Explosion is a strong wall-breaking tool, allowing Nuzleaf to trade with any Pokemon not named Aron or Shuppet with a +2 Attack boost. Silk Scarf allows Nuzleaf to secure the OHKO on Lombre at +2 with Double-Edge and a favorable roll against Smoochum with Quick Attack. Nuzleaf benefits from Spikes support provided by Snorunt, enabling it to achieve an OHKO against defensive walls like Spinda and Sunflora after one layer of Spikes. Nuzleaf also appreciates paralysis support, giving it more freedom to set up with Swords Dance and initiate its wallbreaking capabilities during the mid-game.
Offensive Tank Wailmer
Wailmer @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Veil
EVs: 172 Def / 252 SpA / 84 Spe
Modest Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Hidden Power [Grass] / Hidden Power [Electric]
- Self-Destruct
The last Pokémon I'd like to talk about today is Wailmer. Wailmer is a unique mixed attacker that can utilize its speed to pose slow, offensive threats or its bulk to absorb weak attacks. By using 84 Speed EVs, Wailmer can outrun Pokemon such as uninvested Natu, Jolly Aron and Snubbull, and Timid Sunflora. The remaining EVs are allocated to its defense, enabling Wailmer to withstand two Double-Edge hits from Meowth and survive a direct hit from Choice Band Pidgeotto and Spinda. Hydro Pump is capable of OHKOing Snorunt and Delibird. Hydro Pump is capable of OHKOing Snorunt and Delibird. Ice Beam effectively removes Grass-types like Exeggcute and Weepinbell. Wailmer can use Hidden Power Electric and Hidden Power Grass to target opposing Water-types like Croconaw and Slowpoke, but Hidden Power Grass is preferred for its damage against Kabuto. Self-Destruct works well for trading with specific walls like Dustox and Sunflora, both of which are vulnerable to being KOed after switching into a Hydro Pump. Wailmer thrives on offensive teams that require a secondary physical hit taker that threatens massive damage in return. Physical attackers like Taillow and Pidgeotto appreciate Wailmer switching into Rock- and Steel-types like Aron and Onix, which otherwise struggle to break through with Double-Edge.
I am glad we have began to make serious progress with this tier after two and a half years of development, and I would love to see other contributing to the tier that was my first home. I thank everyone for reading this post, and hope to see you again soon!
