Does this little guy still have a place in competitive play? (Trapinch discussion)

[Bologo]

http://www.serebii.net/pokedex-dp/328.shtml

I'm talking about Trapinch, the first in the Flygon line. He was used back in Advance play for one reason only, 100 base attack and Arena Trap, so does this matter anymore?

Trapinch

HP - 45
Attack - 100
Defense - 45
Special Attack - 45
Special Defense - 45
Speed - 10

Traits

Arena Trap - Opponent cannot switch unless they are a Flying type or have the trait Levitate.

Hyper Cutter - Attack cannot be reduced.

Physical Moves

Earthquake
Crunch
Return
Rock Slide
Quick Attack
Feint (possibly)

Not great, but it gets the two moves it's mainly going to use anyway (Earthquake and Quick attack)

Special Moves

Hyper Beam
Earth Power
Hidden Power
Solar Beam

This is not going to work.

Support Moves

Substitute
Endure
Toxic
Protect

Not great either. You probably wouldn't end up using any of these because Trapinch really should have choice band unless you are trying to counter something like Slaking.

Ok, so Trapinch really needs choice band if it wants to do any damage. It's not exactly the easiest thing to switch in unless it is on an electric attack. If it is however a Choice Specs or Choice Scarf electric attack, the attacking pokemon will not survive, unless they are flying, have levitate or beautiful skin attached, which is possibly the best use of Trapinch, it is kind of unfortunate that it lost hidden power though, but it did gain crunch. However with 10 base speed, it will probably be using either quick attack the most, or its STABed Earthquake.

A good moveset that I can think of would be this:

Trapinch @Choice Band
Trait: Arena Trap
EVs 252 attack/172 defense/40 both defenses
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)

- Earthquake
- Crunch
- Return/Rock Slide
- Quick Attack

Use something with a major weakness to electric like, for example, Gyarados (obviously not in UU) to lure in a Choice Glasses pokemon to use an electric attack and the trap them with Trapinch. Crunch and Return/Rock slide are really just fillers.

I can't imagine this possibly being anything other than UU/NU, but I believe it still has a place in competitive play.

What do you think? Let us discuss this little guy.

 

[Surgo]

Trapinch has a base attack of 100, a great trait, and moves at a blinding base speed of 10. This makes it an excellent Trick Room trapper, as I believe Deck Knight used in one of his teams; it's pretty much guaranteed to always go first in a Trick Room.

 

[alakazam9891]

http://www.serebii.net/pokedex-dp/328.shtml

I'm talking about Trapinch, the first in the Flygon line. He was used back in Advance play for one reason only, 100 base attack and Arena Trap

That's two reasons.

With Trick Room and Choice Band, I think Trapinch could see quite a bit of play. He could easily take out 1-2 Pokemon, and that's not bad at all.

 

[Elminster12]

It's a shame he doesn't get Stone Edge. I personally would go with Rock Slide over return...for coverage and TR flinch hax(lol...Trapinch flinch haxing). Trapinch should probably be hitting as much as possible SE. Everything else has already been said...

 

[Easton]

I'm thinking.............. could a Endure/Flail set with Trick Room work? Trapinch could probably take out a lot of pokemon if worked.