taken over from tahu with permission of fizz
[OVERVIEW]
Despite being outclassed as a lone Chlorophyll sweeper due to a lack of Sleep Powder and a secondary STAB, Cherubi excels at opening holes for and generally supporting other Chlorophyll sweepers. Cherubi is one of two Pokemon with access to both Chlorophyll and Healing Wish, which works perfectly alongside its access to Weather Ball and Dazzling Gleam, which allow it to take on many common checks to sun teams and clear the way for another Chlorophyll sweeper. Unfortunately, Cherubi's coverage misses out on Fire-types unless it uses Hidden Power. This is slightly augmented by Stealth Rock support and Cherubi's decent offensive stats coupled with a Life Orb, yet this does leave it rather frail and forced out by anything it does not KO. Additionally, Cherubi mandates the presence of both Vulpix and a second Chlorophyll sweeper to be used effectively, limiting its usefulness to very specific team builds.
[SET]
name: Chlorophyll Sweeper
move 1: Solar Beam
move 2: Weather Ball
move 3: Dazzling Gleam
move 4: Healing Wish
item: Life Orb
ability: Chlorophyll
nature: Modest
evs: 76 Def / 180 SpA / 236 Spe
ivs: 9 HP
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Solar Beam is the most powerful STAB option for Cherubi and naturally finds usage on this set thanks to sun support, which is necessary when using Cherubi. Similarly, Weather Ball becomes a 100 Base Power Fire-type attack in the sun, providing good coverage alongside Solar Beam. Dazzling Gleam is useful for hitting Vullaby, as it 2HKOes all common variants or KOes them in tandem with Solar Beam or Weather Ball after Stealth Rock. Healing Wish can be used once Cherubi is low on health to restore another important Pokemon on the team to full health.
Set Details
========
The EV spread and a Modest nature maximize Special Attack and Speed, while the remaining EVs are invested in Defense to take priority attacks better. Chlorophyll is Cherubi's only ability and doubles its Speed under sun. The EV spread lets it hit 13 Speed, allowing it to outspeed Choice Scarf 17 Speed Pokemon with Chlorophyll active. Life Orb makes Cherubi significantly more powerful, securing a variety of 2HKOs; the reduction of HP IVs to 9 allows Cherubi to hit 19 HP, reducing the Life Orb recoil to 1 HP.
Usage Tips
========
Cherubi should be utilized to weaken an opposing team's sun checks and therefore should enter the field under sun as soon as possible. When paired with a Pursuit trapper that can switch into Fletchling, such as Cranidos, Honedge, or Pawniard, Cherubi can be used to lure in Fletchling and remove it from play. Stealth Rock should be kept up for as long as possible to extend Cherubi's ability to puncture holes in opposing teams. Stealth Rock has an additive bonus of forcing in Defog Vullaby to clear the field of hazards, allowing Cherubi to take out the unsuspecting target. Use Healing Wish to bring a critical member of the team, often Vulpix or a Pursuit user, back to full health after Cherubi has done its job of softening sun checks. Thanks to Healing Wish, you can play more aggressively to keep sun up.
Team Options
========
Vulpix is a mandatory teammate for setting up sun with its ability Drought. In addition, Cherubi works best when paired with another Chlorophyll sweeper such as Bellsprout. Both Cherubi and the other Chlorophyll sweeper appreciate a Pursuit user capable of trapping Fletchling, such as Cranidos or Honedge. Honedge must be wary of sun-boosted Overheat from Fletchling, however. Entry hazard support from Archen, Pawniard, or Drilbur allows Cherubi to get additional OHKOs and 2HKOs, most notably against opposing Vullaby and Larvesta. Offensive threats lacking reliable recovery, notably Pawniard and Timburr, pair well with Cherubi thanks to the Healing Wish support it can provide.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Cherubi has few other great moves to run; Hidden Power Rock can be used to hit Fire-types, but it is rather weak and usually a worse option compared to Dazzling Gleam. Grass Whistle can be used to put an opposing Pokemon to sleep, but its horrible accuracy makes it almost useless. A set with Growth and Eviolite is usable but largely outclassed by bulkier Chlorophyll sweepers such as Bulbasaur. Lastly, a bulky set taking advantage of Aromatherapy and Healing Wish is usable, but it is extremely niche at best.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Special Walls**: Munchlax is one of the best counters to sun sweepers; it readily absorbs anything Cherubi can throw at it and OHKOes it with Fire Punch in the sun. Cherubi is also 2HKOed by Body Slam and Return, meaning it cannot hit Munchlax hard enough to overwhelm it even if Munchlax only has a STAB move. Additionally, Porygon is a solid answer, as it can paralyze Cherubi with Thunder Wave and OHKO with Ice Beam while always surviving a Solar Beam from decent health.
**Chespin**: Chespin's ability Bulletproof makes it immune to Weather Ball, meaning only a resisted Solar Beam or weak Dazzling Gleam from Cherubi can damage Chespin. Chespin also walls the premier Chlorophyll sweeper Bellsprout, which is most frequently paired with Cherubi.
**Flying-types**: Flying-types can be a huge problem for Cherubi. Fletchling is one of the best offensive checks to all sun sweepers thanks to priority Acrobatics, which OHKOes Cherubi outright. Drifloon survives every attack from Cherubi even after Stealth Rock damage and will outspeed it and KO with Acrobatics after consuming Berry Juice.
**Ponyta**: Ponyta resists all of Cherubi's attacks and can easily switch in if Stealth Rock is not up. Ponyta is at best 2HKOed half of the time by Cherubi after Stealth Rock, while it can OHKO back with Flare Blitz. Flame Charge also allows Ponyta to outspeed the entire team while still beating Cherubi, which is problematic due to Ponyta being able to deal with Archen, Honedge, Magnemite, and Pawniard, all of which are very important checks to Fletchling.
**Faster Choice Scarf Users**: Faster Choice Scarf users such as Gastly and Doduo, while uncommon, outspeed Cherubi and easily OHKO it, making these Pokemon great checks.
**Weather Inducers**: Snover, Amaura, and Hippopotas can all switch into all of Cherubi's attacks, though the former two should not do so too often due to their Stealth Rock weaknesses. With the removal of sun, Cherubi cannot use Solar Beam in one turn and will be locked into charging it up, allowing for a Grass-resistant foe to switch in and force Cherubi out. Additionally, all three are able to check and force out Cherubi because it will no longer outspeed Snover and Amaura or reliably 2HKO Hippopotas.
[OVERVIEW]
Despite being outclassed as a lone Chlorophyll sweeper due to a lack of Sleep Powder and a secondary STAB, Cherubi excels at opening holes for and generally supporting other Chlorophyll sweepers. Cherubi is one of two Pokemon with access to both Chlorophyll and Healing Wish, which works perfectly alongside its access to Weather Ball and Dazzling Gleam, which allow it to take on many common checks to sun teams and clear the way for another Chlorophyll sweeper. Unfortunately, Cherubi's coverage misses out on Fire-types unless it uses Hidden Power. This is slightly augmented by Stealth Rock support and Cherubi's decent offensive stats coupled with a Life Orb, yet this does leave it rather frail and forced out by anything it does not KO. Additionally, Cherubi mandates the presence of both Vulpix and a second Chlorophyll sweeper to be used effectively, limiting its usefulness to very specific team builds.
[SET]
name: Chlorophyll Sweeper
move 1: Solar Beam
move 2: Weather Ball
move 3: Dazzling Gleam
move 4: Healing Wish
item: Life Orb
ability: Chlorophyll
nature: Modest
evs: 76 Def / 180 SpA / 236 Spe
ivs: 9 HP
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Solar Beam is the most powerful STAB option for Cherubi and naturally finds usage on this set thanks to sun support, which is necessary when using Cherubi. Similarly, Weather Ball becomes a 100 Base Power Fire-type attack in the sun, providing good coverage alongside Solar Beam. Dazzling Gleam is useful for hitting Vullaby, as it 2HKOes all common variants or KOes them in tandem with Solar Beam or Weather Ball after Stealth Rock. Healing Wish can be used once Cherubi is low on health to restore another important Pokemon on the team to full health.
Set Details
========
The EV spread and a Modest nature maximize Special Attack and Speed, while the remaining EVs are invested in Defense to take priority attacks better. Chlorophyll is Cherubi's only ability and doubles its Speed under sun. The EV spread lets it hit 13 Speed, allowing it to outspeed Choice Scarf 17 Speed Pokemon with Chlorophyll active. Life Orb makes Cherubi significantly more powerful, securing a variety of 2HKOs; the reduction of HP IVs to 9 allows Cherubi to hit 19 HP, reducing the Life Orb recoil to 1 HP.
Usage Tips
========
Cherubi should be utilized to weaken an opposing team's sun checks and therefore should enter the field under sun as soon as possible. When paired with a Pursuit trapper that can switch into Fletchling, such as Cranidos, Honedge, or Pawniard, Cherubi can be used to lure in Fletchling and remove it from play. Stealth Rock should be kept up for as long as possible to extend Cherubi's ability to puncture holes in opposing teams. Stealth Rock has an additive bonus of forcing in Defog Vullaby to clear the field of hazards, allowing Cherubi to take out the unsuspecting target. Use Healing Wish to bring a critical member of the team, often Vulpix or a Pursuit user, back to full health after Cherubi has done its job of softening sun checks. Thanks to Healing Wish, you can play more aggressively to keep sun up.
Team Options
========
Vulpix is a mandatory teammate for setting up sun with its ability Drought. In addition, Cherubi works best when paired with another Chlorophyll sweeper such as Bellsprout. Both Cherubi and the other Chlorophyll sweeper appreciate a Pursuit user capable of trapping Fletchling, such as Cranidos or Honedge. Honedge must be wary of sun-boosted Overheat from Fletchling, however. Entry hazard support from Archen, Pawniard, or Drilbur allows Cherubi to get additional OHKOs and 2HKOs, most notably against opposing Vullaby and Larvesta. Offensive threats lacking reliable recovery, notably Pawniard and Timburr, pair well with Cherubi thanks to the Healing Wish support it can provide.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Cherubi has few other great moves to run; Hidden Power Rock can be used to hit Fire-types, but it is rather weak and usually a worse option compared to Dazzling Gleam. Grass Whistle can be used to put an opposing Pokemon to sleep, but its horrible accuracy makes it almost useless. A set with Growth and Eviolite is usable but largely outclassed by bulkier Chlorophyll sweepers such as Bulbasaur. Lastly, a bulky set taking advantage of Aromatherapy and Healing Wish is usable, but it is extremely niche at best.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Special Walls**: Munchlax is one of the best counters to sun sweepers; it readily absorbs anything Cherubi can throw at it and OHKOes it with Fire Punch in the sun. Cherubi is also 2HKOed by Body Slam and Return, meaning it cannot hit Munchlax hard enough to overwhelm it even if Munchlax only has a STAB move. Additionally, Porygon is a solid answer, as it can paralyze Cherubi with Thunder Wave and OHKO with Ice Beam while always surviving a Solar Beam from decent health.
**Chespin**: Chespin's ability Bulletproof makes it immune to Weather Ball, meaning only a resisted Solar Beam or weak Dazzling Gleam from Cherubi can damage Chespin. Chespin also walls the premier Chlorophyll sweeper Bellsprout, which is most frequently paired with Cherubi.
**Flying-types**: Flying-types can be a huge problem for Cherubi. Fletchling is one of the best offensive checks to all sun sweepers thanks to priority Acrobatics, which OHKOes Cherubi outright. Drifloon survives every attack from Cherubi even after Stealth Rock damage and will outspeed it and KO with Acrobatics after consuming Berry Juice.
**Ponyta**: Ponyta resists all of Cherubi's attacks and can easily switch in if Stealth Rock is not up. Ponyta is at best 2HKOed half of the time by Cherubi after Stealth Rock, while it can OHKO back with Flare Blitz. Flame Charge also allows Ponyta to outspeed the entire team while still beating Cherubi, which is problematic due to Ponyta being able to deal with Archen, Honedge, Magnemite, and Pawniard, all of which are very important checks to Fletchling.
**Faster Choice Scarf Users**: Faster Choice Scarf users such as Gastly and Doduo, while uncommon, outspeed Cherubi and easily OHKO it, making these Pokemon great checks.
**Weather Inducers**: Snover, Amaura, and Hippopotas can all switch into all of Cherubi's attacks, though the former two should not do so too often due to their Stealth Rock weaknesses. With the removal of sun, Cherubi cannot use Solar Beam in one turn and will be locked into charging it up, allowing for a Grass-resistant foe to switch in and force Cherubi out. Additionally, all three are able to check and force out Cherubi because it will no longer outspeed Snover and Amaura or reliably 2HKO Hippopotas.
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