LC deerling

[Fiend]

[OVERVIEW]

Deerling's ability Sap Sipper provides it with an important niche as an offensive check to Snivy. It is also blessed with a fantastic Speed tier, outspeeding the likes of Mienfoo, Onix, and most importantly Snivy, and with a unique STAB combination that is nicely complemented by Jump Kick. However, Deerling's defensive typing is horrible in Little Cup, leaving it with many weaknesses to common types, notably Fighting-, Flying-, and Poison-types. This is coupled with rather poor defensive stats, meaning it can be easily KOed by even neutral attacks. Finally, even with a Life Orb, Deerling's attacks aren't really very powerful, so common bulky Pokemon like Vullaby, Ferroseed, and Mienfoo can easily wall it.

[SET]
name: Life Orb
move 1: Return / Double-Edge
move 2: Seed Bomb
move 3: Jump Kick
move 4: Substitute / Wild Charge
item: Life Orb
ability: Sap Sipper
nature: Jolly
evs: 36 HP / 196 Atk / 36 Def / 236 Spe

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

Return is a powerful STAB move and hits most Pokemon for neutral damage. Double-Edge can also be used for some extra power, but the recoil can be quite troublesome in combination with Life Orb. Seed Bomb is Deerling's other STAB attack and can hit the Rock-types that resist Return super effectively, with Onix and Tirtouga being the most common. Jump Kick hits Steel-types such as Pawniard and Ferroseed, which shrug off Deerling's STAB moves. Substitute allows Deerling to protect itself on forced switches and avoid revenge killers. Wild Charge can be used to hit Vullaby and Rufflet for acceptable damage and deal a large amount to Gastly as it switches in, but this will greatly reduce Deerling's longevity.

Set Details
========

Sap Sipper allows Deerling to be an offensive check to Grass-types, especially Snivy. Deerling's Speed stat is maximized in order to allow it to effectively check Snivy and Onix. 196 Attack EVs and a Life Orb supplement its Attack stat without Sap Sipper boosts. The rest of its EVs are poured into its Defense and HP to help it survive attacks such as Mudbray's Heavy Slam and Onix's Rock Blast, although it is still quite frail.

Usage Tips
========

When trying to take advantage of Sap Sipper, be very careful, as nearly every relevant Grass-type has a way of crippling Deerling. Ferroseed has Thunder Wave, Foongus has Sludge Bomb, and Snivy has Hidden Power Ice and Glare. Deerling should primarily be used as an early- or mid-game wallbreaker, dealing heavy damage to foes so its teammates can clean up later. Additionally, it should not be switched in directly in most cases, as it is incredibly frail. Instead, bring it in via a slow Volt Switch or U-turn user such as Chinchou or Mienfoo. Substitute should be employed chiefly to either avoid Pawniard's Sucker Punch or predict a switch.
Team Options
========

Deerling fits very well on Sticky Web teams, as it can check Snivy while also being able to keep an offensive presence. Pokemon that can set entry hazards can break opposing Sturdy users, and many common Stealth Rock setters such as Onix, Pawniard, and Tirtouga can also check Flying-types. Additionally, Kabuto, Staryu, and Vullaby can remove entry hazards for Deerling to stop it from being whittled down easily. Water-types like Corphish and Tirtouga can bait in Grass-types, which Deerling can take care of if it predicts correctly, as well as take care of Fire-types. Mienfoo, Vullaby, and Magnemite are all good pivots to pair with Deerling, as getting it in while taking minimum damage is important. Offensive checks to Fighting-types, such as Abra and Vullaby, can remove Fighting-types for Deerling, while Mudbray can remove Fire- and Poison-types.

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

Deerling can effectively run a paraflinch set with Serene Grace, Thunder Wave, and Headbutt, although it is luck based and fairly weak. A Flyinium Z set with Bounce can deal heavy damage to incoming Fighting-types, but it lacks the overall power granted by Life Orb and is typically unideal. Feint Attack is an option to hit most Ghost-types harder, although Wild Charge tends to be sufficient, as Gastly is the most common target. Aromatherapy can cure teammates of their status conditions, but Deerling isn't suited to a defensive role, nor can its moveset afford it.

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

**Faster Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon such as Abra, Ponyta, Gastly, and Ice Beam Staryu can all easily revenge kill Deerling. Gastly has the added bonus of easily switching into Deerling's common attacks. Choice Scarf Pokemon such as Rufflet, Mienfoo, and Pawniard can also easily dispose of Deerling and usually can switch into at least one of Deerling's attacks comfortably.

**Vullaby**: Vullaby is able to easily handle Deerling with any of its common sets. Weak Armor variants can switch into Deerling rather easily and gain a Speed boost to better deal with it, while Eviolite + Roost sets can easily stomach anything other than Wild Charge. Choice Scarf sets are also troubling, but they struggle to switch in.

**Defensive Poison-types**: Foongus, Alolan Grimer, and Mareanie all have the bulk to easily switch into Deerling and KO it. Foongus and Mareanie easily stay sufficiently healthy with Regenerator and recovery moves, while Alolan Grimer can Pursuit trap Deerling and quickly remove it from the match.

**Fighting-types**: Mienfoo, Timburr, and Croagunk have the bulk to switch into Deerling's attacks. Mienfoo's Fake Out is an issue for Deerling, while Timburr's Mach Punch will easily KO even a healthy Deerling. Croagunk's Vacuum Wave is also troublesome, though Croagunk will take a large amount of damage if it switches into Return or Double Edge.

[CREDITS]
Written by: [[Drew, 381336], [Fiend, 208173]]
Quality checked by: [[Corporal Levi, 55063], [Merritty, 213064], [Coconut, 150971]]
Grammar checked by: [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [frostration, 447027]]

 

[Merritt]

[OVERVIEW]
Would change the order of your points here - swap the 'defensive typing' point and the 'walled by ghosts' point.

[SET]
Honestly I'd take Feint Attack off slashes altogether or replace it with Wild Charge as the slashed move. Feint Attack is really bad, and Wild Charge is doing a bunch to Gastly that try to switch in.

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves:
Mention Ferroseed as an example of Steel-types hit by Jump Kick. Change "though it has the nice bonus" in the BP point to "while also" or something along those lines. Honestly I'd switch the order as well, make the pivot point first and then the potential to pass Sap Sipper boosts second. Replace Kabuto mention in Seed Bomb with Tirtouga.

Set Details:
Mention that max speed also lets Deerling outpace Onix. Give an example of an attack Deerling can realistically expect to take and survive in that point.

Usage Tips:
The removing hazards point doesn't seem great? Yeah Deerling likes hazards being removed but not especially more than most Pokemon. It's really general. Replace Larvesta with Mienfoo in the BP point. Change the second point to account for Substitute on switches instead, you've got a lot of BP mentions for something that's not the primary slash.

Team Options:
Replace Kabuto with Tirtouga. In second point, remove Drilbur and replace with Vullaby.
You say here that Deerling has "strong Attack" while the overview's last point directly contradicts this.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options:
Paralysis only halving Speed instead of quartering it has minimal impact on something already as fast as Deerling, I'd remove that reason for not using a Serene Grace set.
Rephrase the BP part to being Deerling embracing the role as a Baton Passer more by running Agility and/or Work Up and adjust the reasons for why not use that set accordingly.
Move Z-Bounce up to right after Serene Grace set.

Checks and Counters:
Please go back through these and make sure they're up to date, particularly the Ghost-type point. I'd consider making Fighting-types their own point as well where you explain that Timburr, Mienfoo, and Croagunk all can take a hit from Deerling at high HP and KO back with their STAB attacks.

[CREDITS]
You don't have the right format here, you need the - and QC is written differently.

- Written by: [[<username1>, <userid1>]]
- Quality checked by: [[<username1>, <userid1>], [<username2>, <userid2>], [<username3>, <userid3>]]
- Grammar checked by: [[<username1>, <userid1>], [<username2>, <userid2>]]

Lot of stuff here but after it's implemented give yourself 2/3 and write me up scotty.

 

[Coconut]

Deerling is walled by most Ghost-types if it isn't running Feint Attack

It's not even on the set analysis anymore, why bother listing feint attack.

Jump Kick hits Steel-types like Ferroseed which shrug off Deerling's STABs.

Add Pawniard, as it's a top level threat at the moment and one of the main reasons you'd run jump kick

Wild Charge can be used to hit Vullaby and Rufflet, but its use is limited other than that.

Slash this over Baton Pass.

Baton Pass can also be used on predicted switches to give you an edge over your opponents by letting you switch after them.

Again, the extra damage for the wallbreaker on things like flying types is worth more right now anyway.


Looks great though, can't criticize much as Merritt nailed it.

QC 3/3

 

[Astra]

amcheck
add remove (comments)
good stuff!

bambi

[OVERVIEW]

Deerling's ability Sap Sipper provides it with an important niche as an offensive check to Snivy. It is also blessed with a fantastic Speed tier, outspeeding the likes of Mienfoo, Onix, and most importantly Snivy. Deerling possess a unique STAB combination, (AC) which is nicely complemented by Jump Kick. However, Deerling's defensive typing is horrible in Little Cup, leaving it with many weaknesses to common types, notably Fighting-, Flying-, and Poison-types being notable. This is coupled with rather poor defensive stats, meaning it can be easily KOed by even neutral attacks. Finally, even with a Life Orb, Deerling's Attack stat isn't really very powerful, so common bulky Pokemon like Vullaby, Ferroseed, and Mienfoo can easily wall it.

[SET]
name: Life Orb
move 1: Return / Double-Edge
move 2: Seed Bomb
move 3: Jump Kick
move 4: Substitute / Wild Charge
item: Life Orb
ability: Sap Sipper
nature: Jolly
evs: 36 HP / 196 Atk / 36 Def / 236 Spe

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

Return is a powerful STAB move and hits most Pokemon for neutral damage. Double-Edge can also be used for some extra power, but the recoil can be quite troublesome in combination with Life Orb. Seed Bomb is Deerling's other STAB attack and can hit the Rock-types that resist Return super effectively, Onix and Tirtouga being the most common. Jump Kick hits Steel-types such as Pawniard and Ferroseed, (AC) which shrug off Deerling's STABs moves. Substitute allows Deerling to protect itself on forced switches and to avoid revenge killers. Wild Charge can be used to hit Vullaby and Rufflet for acceptable damage, (RC) and deal a large amount to Gastly upon switch in, but this will greatly reduce Deerling's longevity.

Set Details
========

Sap Sipper allows Deerling to be an offensive check to Grass-types, especially Snivy. Deerling's Speed stat is maximized in order to allow Deerling it (avoiding repetition) to effectively check Snivy and Onix. 196 Attack EVs and a Life Orb supplement its Attack stat without Sap Sipper boosts. The rest of its EVs are poured into its Defense and HP to help it survive attacks such as Mudbray's Heavy Slam or Onix's Rock Blast, although it is still quite frail.

Usage Tips
========

When trying to abuse Sap Sipper, be very careful, as nearly every relevant Grass-type has a way of crippling Deerling. Ferroseed has Thunder Wave, Foongus has Sludge Bomb, and Snivy has Hidden Power Ice and Glare. Deerling should primarily be used as an early- or mid-game (insert hyphens) wall breaker, dealing heavy damage to opponents foes so its teammates can clean up later. Additionally, it should not be switched in directly in most cases, as it is incredibly frail. Instead, bring it in via a slow Volt Switch or U-turn user such as Chinchou or Mienfoo. Substitute should be employed chiefly to either avoid Pawniard's Sucker Punch or on a predicted predict a switch. Baton Pass can also be used on predicted switches to give you an edge over your opponents by letting you switch after them.

Team Options
========

Deerling fits very well on Sticky Web teams, as it can check Snivy while also being able to keep an offensive presence. Pokemon that can set entry hazards can break opposing Sturdy users, (AC) and many common Stealth Rock setters such as Onix, Pawniard, and Tirtouga can also check Flying-types. Additionally, Kabuto, (AC) as well as Staryu, (AC) and Vullaby can remove hazards for Deerling to help stop it being whittled down easily. Water-types like Corphish and Tirtouga can bait in Grass-types, (AC) which Deerling can take care of if predicted correctly, as well as taking take care of Fire-types. Mienfoo, Vullaby, and Magnemite are all good pivots to pair with Deerling, as getting it in while taking minimum damage is important. If it is using Baton Pass, these pivots can also form a pivoting core with Deerling. Offensive checks to Fighting-types, such as Abra and Vullaby, (AC) can remove Fighting-types for Deerling, while Mudbray can remove Fire- and Poison-types (had an extra space here).

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

Deerling can effectively run a paraflinch set with Serene Grace, Thunder Wave, (AC) and Headbutt, although it is luck based and fairly weak. A Z-Bounce Flyinium Z set with Bounce can deal heavy damage to incoming Fighting-types, but it lacks the overall power granted by Life Orb and is typically unideal. Feint Attack is an option to hit most Ghost-types harder, although Wild Charge tends to be sufficient, (AC) as Gastly is the most common target. Aromatherapy can cure teammates of their status conditions, but it Deerling isn't suited to a defensive role, nor can its moveset afford it. Deerling can run a full Baton Pass set with Work Up and Agility, but its weak defensive stats and poor typing often means that this is better left to more consistent options such as Mienfoo.

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

**Faster Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon such as Abra, Ponyta, Gastly, and Ice Beam Staryu, and Gastly can all easily revenge kill Deerling. Gastly has the added bonus of easily switching into Deerling's common attacks. Choice Scarf Pokemon such as Rufflet, Mienfoo, and Pawnaird can also easily dispose of Deerling, (RC) and usually can switch into at least one of Deerling's attacks comfortably.

**Vullaby**: Vullaby is able to easily handle Deerling with any of its common sets. Weak Armor variants can switch into Deerling rather easily, (RC) and then gain a Speed boost to better deal with Deerling it (avoiding repetition), while Eviolite Roost sets can easily stomach anything other than Wild Charge. Choice Scarf sets are also troubling, but they struggle to switch in.

**Defensive Poison-types**: Foongus, Alolan Grimer, and Mareanie all have the bulk to easily switch into Deerling and KO it. Foongus and Mareanie easily stay sufficiently healthy with Regenerator and recovery moves, while Alolan Grimer can Pursuit trap Deerling and quickly remove it from the match.

**Fighting-types**: Mienfoo, Timburr, and Croagunk have the bulk to switch into Deerling's attacks. Mienfoo's Fake Out is an issue for Deerling, while Timburr's Mach Punch will easily KO even a healthy Deerling. Croagunk's Vacuum Wave is also troublesome, though Croagunk will take a large amount of damage if it switches into Return or Double Edge.

[CREDITS]
Written by: [[Drew, 381336], [Fiend, 208173]]
Quality checked by: [[Corporal Levi, 55063], [Merritty, 213064], [Coconut, 150971]]
Grammar checked by: [[<username1>, <userid1>], [<username2>, <userid2>]]

 

[Lumari]

Estronic: add remove (comments)
tdp: add / fix remove (comments); (AC=add comma; RC=remove comma; SC=semicolon)

bambi with comments and additions

[OVERVIEW]

Deerling's ability Sap Sipper provides it with an important niche as an offensive check to Snivy. It is also blessed with a fantastic Speed tier, outspeeding the likes of Mienfoo, Onix, and most importantly Snivy, (comma) Deerling possess and with a unique STAB combination, (AC) (no comma) which that is nicely complemented by Jump Kick. However, Deerling's defensive typing is horrible in Little Cup, leaving it with many weaknesses to common types, notably Fighting-, Flying-, and Poison-types being notable. This is coupled with rather poor defensive stats, meaning it can be easily KOed by even neutral attacks. Finally, even with a Life Orb, Deerling's Attack stat isn't attacks aren't ("powerful Attack stat" doesn't work, redundancy error) really very powerful, so common bulky Pokemon like Vullaby, Ferroseed, and Mienfoo can easily wall it.

[SET]
name: Life Orb
move 1: Return / Double-Edge
move 2: Seed Bomb
move 3: Jump Kick
move 4: Substitute / Wild Charge
item: Life Orb
ability: Sap Sipper
nature: Jolly
evs: 36 HP / 196 Atk / 36 Def / 236 Spe

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

Return is a powerful STAB move and hits most Pokemon for neutral damage. Double-Edge can also be used for some extra power, but the recoil can be quite troublesome in combination with Life Orb. Seed Bomb is Deerling's other STAB attack and can hit the Rock-types that resist Return super effectively, with Onix and Tirtouga being the most common. Jump Kick hits Steel-types such as Pawniard and Ferroseed, (AC) which shrug off Deerling's STABs moves. Substitute allows Deerling to protect itself on forced switches and to avoid revenge killers. Wild Charge can be used to hit Vullaby and Rufflet for acceptable damage, (RC) and deal a large amount to Gastly upon switch as it switches in, but this will greatly reduce Deerling's longevity.

Set Details
========

Sap Sipper allows Deerling to be an offensive check to Grass-types, especially Snivy. Deerling's Speed stat is maximized in order to allow Deerling it (avoiding repetition) to effectively check Snivy and Onix. 196 Attack EVs and a Life Orb supplement its Attack stat without Sap Sipper boosts. The rest of its EVs are poured into its Defense and HP to help it survive attacks such as Mudbray's Heavy Slam or and Onix's Rock Blast, although it is still quite frail.

Usage Tips
========

When trying to abuse take advantage of Sap Sipper, be very careful, as nearly every relevant Grass-type has a way of crippling Deerling. Ferroseed has Thunder Wave, Foongus has Sludge Bomb, and Snivy has Hidden Power Ice and Glare. Deerling should primarily be used as an early- or mid-game (insert hyphens) wall breaker wallbreaker, dealing heavy damage to opponents foes so its teammates can clean up later. Additionally, it should not be switched in directly in most cases, as it is incredibly frail. Instead, bring it in via a slow Volt Switch or U-turn user such as Chinchou or Mienfoo. Substitute should be employed chiefly to either avoid Pawniard's Sucker Punch or on a predicted predict a switch. Baton Pass can also be used on predicted switches to give you an edge over your opponents by letting you switch after them.

Team Options
========

Deerling fits very well on Sticky Web teams, as it can check Snivy while also being able to keep an offensive presence. Pokemon that can set entry hazards can break opposing Sturdy users, (AC) and many common Stealth Rock setters such as Onix, Pawniard, and Tirtouga can also check Flying-types. Additionally, Kabuto, (AC) as well as Staryu, (AC) and Vullaby (reasoning for initial structure might've been that Kabuto is an SR setter, but in that case I'd like to see it included in the prev sentence too) can remove entry hazards for Deerling to help stop it being whittled down easily. Water-types like Corphish and Tirtouga can bait in Grass-types, (AC) which Deerling can take care of if predicted it predicts correctly, as well as taking take care of Fire-types. Mienfoo, Vullaby, and Magnemite are all good pivots to pair with Deerling, as getting it in while taking minimum damage is important. If it is using Baton Pass, these pivots can also form a pivoting core with Deerling. Offensive checks to Fighting-types, such as Abra and Vullaby, (AC) can remove Fighting-types for Deerling, while Mudbray can remove Fire- and Poison-types (had an extra space here).

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

Deerling can effectively run a paraflinch set with Serene Grace, Thunder Wave, (AC) and Headbutt, although it is luck based and fairly weak. A Z-Bounce Flyinium Z set with Bounce can deal heavy damage to incoming Fighting-types, but it lacks the overall power granted by Life Orb and is typically unideal. Feint Attack is an option to hit most Ghost-types harder, although Wild Charge tends to be sufficient, (AC) as Gastly is the most common target. Aromatherapy can cure teammates of their status conditions, but it Deerling isn't suited to a defensive role, nor can its moveset afford it. Deerling can run a full Baton Pass set with Work Up and Agility, but its weak defensive stats and poor typing often means mean that this is better left to more consistent options such as Mienfoo.

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

**Faster Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon such as Abra, Ponyta, Gastly, and Ice Beam Staryu, and Gastly can all easily revenge kill Deerling. Gastly has the added bonus of easily switching into Deerling's common attacks. Choice Scarf Pokemon such as Rufflet, Mienfoo, and Pawnaird Pawniard can also easily dispose of Deerling, (RC) and usually can switch into at least one of Deerling's attacks comfortably.

**Vullaby**: Vullaby is able to easily handle Deerling with any of its common sets. Weak Armor variants can switch into Deerling rather easily, (RC) and then gain a Speed boost to better deal with Deerling it (avoiding repetition), while Eviolite + Roost sets can easily stomach anything other than Wild Charge. Choice Scarf sets are also troubling, but they struggle to switch in.

**Defensive Poison-types**: Foongus, Alolan Grimer, and Mareanie all have the bulk to easily switch into Deerling and KO it. Foongus and Mareanie easily stay sufficiently healthy with Regenerator and recovery moves, while Alolan Grimer can Pursuit trap Deerling and quickly remove it from the match.

**Fighting-types**: Mienfoo, Timburr, and Croagunk have the bulk to switch into Deerling's attacks. Mienfoo's Fake Out is an issue for Deerling, while Timburr's Mach Punch will easily KO even a healthy Deerling. Croagunk's Vacuum Wave is also troublesome, though Croagunk will take a large amount of damage if it switches into Return or Double Edge.

[CREDITS]
Written by: [[Drew, 381336], [Fiend, 208173]]
Quality checked by: [[Corporal Levi, 55063], [Merritty, 213064], [Coconut, 150971]]
Grammar checked by: [[<username1>, <userid1>], [<username2>, <userid2>]]

GP 1/2

 

[Fiend]

implemented.

 

[frostration]

add remove comments

check

[OVERVIEW]

Deerling's ability Sap Sipper provides it with an important niche as an offensive check to Snivy. It is also blessed with a fantastic Speed tier, outspeeding the likes of Mienfoo, Onix, and most importantly Snivy, and with a unique STAB combination [RC] that is nicely complemented by Jump Kick. However, Deerling's defensive typing is horrible in Little Cup, leaving it with many weaknesses to common types, notably Fighting-, Flying-, and Poison-types. This is coupled with rather poor defensive stats, meaning it can be easily KOed by even neutral attacks. Finally, even with a Life Orb, Deerling's attacks aren't really very powerful, so common bulky Pokemon like Vullaby, Ferroseed, and Mienfoo can easily wall it.

[SET]
name: Life Orb
move 1: Return / Double-Edge
move 2: Seed Bomb
move 3: Jump Kick
move 4: Substitute / Wild Charge
item: Life Orb
ability: Sap Sipper
nature: Jolly
evs: 36 HP / 196 Atk / 36 Def / 236 Spe

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

Return is a powerful STAB move and hits most Pokemon for neutral damage. Double-Edge can also be used for some extra power, but the recoil can be quite troublesome in combination with Life Orb. Seed Bomb is Deerling's other STAB attack and can hit the Rock-types that resist Return super effectively, with Onix and Tirtouga being the most common. Jump Kick hits Steel-types such as Pawniard and Ferroseed, which shrug off Deerling's STAB moves. Substitute allows Deerling to protect itself on forced switches and avoid revenge killers. Wild Charge can be used to hit Vullaby and Rufflet for acceptable damage and deal a large amount to Gastly as it switches in, but this will greatly reduce Deerling's longevity.

Set Details
========

Sap Sipper allows Deerling to be an offensive check to Grass-types, especially Snivy. Deerling's Speed stat is maximized in order to allow it to effectively check Snivy and Onix. 196 Attack EVs and a Life Orb supplement its Attack stat without Sap Sipper boosts. The rest of its EVs are poured into its Defense and HP to help it survive attacks such as Mudbray's Heavy Slam and Onix's Rock Blast, although it is still quite frail.

Usage Tips
========

When trying to take advantage of Sap Sipper, be very careful, as nearly every relevant Grass-type has a way of crippling Deerling. Ferroseed has Thunder Wave, Foongus has Sludge Bomb, and Snivy has Hidden Power Ice and Glare. Deerling should primarily be used as an early- or mid-game wallbreaker, dealing heavy damage to foes so its teammates can clean up later. Additionally, it should not be switched in directly in most cases, as it is incredibly frail. Instead, bring it in via a slow Volt Switch or U-turn user such as Chinchou or Mienfoo. Substitute should be employed chiefly to either avoid Pawniard's Sucker Punch or predict a switch. Baton Pass can also be used on predicted switches to give you an edge over your opponent by letting you switch after them.

Team Options
========

Deerling fits very well on Sticky Web teams, as it can check Snivy while also being able to keep an offensive presence. Pokemon that can set entry hazards can break opposing Sturdy users, and many common Stealth Rock setters such as Onix, Pawniard, and Tirtouga can also check Flying-types. Additionally, Kabuto, Staryu, and Vullaby can remove entry hazards for Deerling to help stop it from being whittled down easily. Water-types like Corphish and Tirtouga can bait in Grass-types, which Deerling can take care of if it predicts correctly, as well as take care of Fire-types. Mienfoo, Vullaby, and Magnemite are all good pivots to pair with Deerling, as getting it in while taking minimum damage is important. If it is using Baton Pass, these pivots can also form a pivoting core with Deerling. Offensive checks to Fighting-types, such as Abra and Vullaby, can remove Fighting-types for Deerling, while Mudbray can remove Fire- and Poison-types.

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

Deerling can effectively run a paraflinch set with Serene Grace, Thunder Wave, and Headbutt, although it is luck based and fairly weak. A Flyinium Z set with Bounce can deal heavy damage to incoming Fighting-types, but it lacks the overall power granted by Life Orb and is typically unideal. Feint Attack is an option to hit most Ghost-types harder, although Wild Charge tends to be sufficient, as Gastly is the most common target. Aromatherapy can cure teammates of their status conditions, but Deerling isn't suited to a defensive role, nor can its moveset afford it. Deerling can run a full Baton Pass set with Work Up and Agility, but its weak defensive stats and poor typing often mean that this is better left to more consistent options such as Mienfoo.

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

**Faster Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon such as Abra, Ponyta, Gastly, and Ice Beam Staryu can all easily revenge kill Deerling. Gastly has the added bonus of easily switching into Deerling's common attacks. Choice Scarf Pokemon such as Rufflet, Mienfoo, and Pawniard can also easily dispose of Deerling and usually can switch into at least one of Deerling's attacks comfortably.

**Vullaby**: Vullaby is able to easily handle Deerling with any of its common sets. Weak Armor variants can switch into Deerling rather easily and gain a Speed boost to better deal with it, while Eviolite + Roost sets can easily stomach anything other than Wild Charge. Choice Scarf sets are also troubling, but they struggle to switch in.

**Defensive Poison-types**: Foongus, Alolan Grimer, and Mareanie all have the bulk to easily switch into Deerling and KO it. Foongus and Mareanie easily stay sufficiently healthy with Regenerator and recovery moves, while Alolan Grimer can Pursuit trap Deerling and quickly remove it from the match.

**Fighting-types**: Mienfoo, Timburr, and Croagunk have the bulk to switch into Deerling's attacks. Mienfoo's Fake Out is an issue for Deerling, while Timburr's Mach Punch will easily KO even a healthy Deerling. Croagunk's Vacuum Wave is also troublesome, though Croagunk will take a large amount of damage if it switches into Return or Double Edge.

GP 2/2

 

[Merritt]

reminder to remove mentions of BP before this is uploaded