RU Drapion [QC 2/2] [GP 1/1]

[Plague von Karma]

[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Poison Jab
move 4: Earthquake / Aqua Tail
item: Shuca Berry / Black Sludge
ability: Battle Armor
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Drapion carves itself a strong niche as a wallbreaker in RU thanks to its decent Attack stat, great Speed and access to Swords Dance. Knock Off also provides excellent utility, removing opposing Pokemon's items and potentially crippling foes that rely on them, such as Charizard's Heavy-Duty Boots, while Poison Jab hits Fairy-types that resist it. In the fourth slot, Earthquake deals high damage to Steel-types like Steelix and Duraludon while also ensuring Drapion isn't walled by opposing Toxicroak. Alternatively, Aqua Tail is Drapion's best way to hit Rhydon and Mudsdale, which it can otherwise struggle with. Investing 36 EVs into Special Defense is an option that guarantees that Drapion survives Ninetales's Fire Blast. Shuca Berry allows Drapion to better combat Ground-types that have already been damaged, such as Mudsdale. Black Sludge can be used to give Drapion better matchups in the long-run, such as against Vileplume. Alternatively, Life Orb can be used to give Drapion immediate power, though Drapion falls to chip damage too easily for it to be reliable.

Drapion's Speed tier allows it to fit well onto offensive teams, with Knock Off's utility letting it break balance cores. Drapion pairs well with Fighting-types like Passimian, which appreciates its ability to easily take on Psychic-types. However, Drapion dislikes being burned, so an Aromatherapy user such as Vileplume or Aromatisse could be used to alleviate this. Vaporeon is also a good partner against Scald users thanks to Water Absorb and Heal Bell. It can also use Wish support to ensure Drapion stays healthy. Drapion also has issues handling faster attackers such as Virizion and Ninetales, so a Choice Scarf user such as Passimian can help on this front. Drapion also appreciates having opportunities to set up, so it appreciates safe entry via VolTurn support from Pokemon like Rotom-C and the aforementioned Passimian. Pokemon such as Boltund and Braviary appreciate Drapion's ability to beat their Ground-type checks, opening up the opponent for a sweep.

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Knock Off
move 2: Poison Jab
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Toxic Spikes / Aqua Tail
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Battle Armor
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Drapion can work as one of RU's better Choice Scarf users; its good Speed tier gives it great use as a revenge killer, and its natural defensive utility allows it to threaten foes such as Indeedee-M with the right prediction. However, such a set damage output is a far cry from boosting sets. Knock Off enables Drapion to remove items while pressuring Pokemon such as Indeedee-M and Alolan Raichu. Earthquake allows Drapion to revenge kill the tier's offensive Fire-types, OHKOing Salazzle and doing over 75% to Ninetales, while also giving it a way to hit common defensive switch-ins such as Steelix. The fourth moveslot depends on what the team needs; Toxic Spikes can be used to provide support to the team, while Aqua Tail is a guaranteed 2HKO on Rhydon that lack HP investment. An Adamant nature is usually preferred, as Drapion's damage output can be deceptively low. However, it should be noted that a Jolly nature allows Drapion to outspeed Choice Scarf Rotom-C and Rillaboom, as well as Speed tie with Choice Scarf Indeedee-M and +1 Speed Silvally. Regardless of the nature choice, however, Drapion will always outrun Braviary and Passimian with Choice Scarf while threatening with a Knock Off.

Choice Scarf Drapion works best on offensive teams, though it can be a momentum sink after landing a KO. Thus, a switch-in for its Ground-type weakness is appreciated. Rotom-C and Virizion make good choices, resisting common Ground-types' coverage options and threatening them with a KO. Vaporeon and Jellicent can be more effective, given their access to recovery moves and potential to spread burns with Scald. Fighting-types such as Bewear don't really care for Drapion's weak attacks and set up on it. Silvally-Fairy makes a good switch-in to them, usually forcing them out. Drapion can struggle with Vileplume, so checks to it such as Ninetales and Charizard are also useful. This set also despises burns, which render Drapion unable to revenge kill opposing sweepers, so Heal Bell support from Vaporeon can be useful.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Plague von Karma, 236353]]
- Quality checked by: [[Mavis, 469610], [Expulso, 202058]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]

 

[Plague von Karma]

Ready for QC, some outstanding notes from the WIP phase that I feel I think I'll need assistance on;
- Feels a bit long, may wanna cut down on some details
- Not 100% on EVs, maybe just going all out on special defense is a thing, or maybe just changing it completely. May need some help on this? EDIT: Updated second set with help from gorex in the RU Discord
- May need a Scarf set Expulso gave the go-ahead but it seems one set may be dropped(?)

 

[Plague von Karma]

Added a Choice Scarf set by request of a few people in the RU Discord; had the go-ahead by Expulso.

 

[Mavis]

ok, let's begin

[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Poison Jab
move 4: Earthquake / Aqua Tail
item: Life Orb / Shuca Berry
ability: Battle Armor
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Drapion carves itself a strong niche as a wallbreaker in RU thanks to its decent Attack stat, great Speed, and access to Swords Dance. It also sits in a very good Speed tier, getting speed ties with Non-Choice Scarf Indeedee-M and Silvally while threatening with STAB attacks. Knock Off also provides it excellent utility, removing opponent's items and potentially crippling them foes who rely on them, such as Charizard's Heavy-Duty Boots. This can be crucial against threats such as Charizard, who rely on their item. Pokemon such as Alolan Raichu can be OHKOed even without boosts. Poison Jab is a strong STAB that threatens many Grass- and Fairy-type Pokemon in the tier with OHKOs once boosted, such as Abomasnow and Silvally-Fairy. The fourth slot is relatively flexible and can change based on what Drapion wants to check. (a lot of this is filler and unnecessary, so I'm cutting it out) In the fourth slot, Earthquake guarantees 2HKOs on Duraludon and Drednaw unboosted deals high damage to Steel-types like Steelix and Duraludon, while also ensuring Drapion isn't walled by opposing Toxicroak. though it fears their strong STAB attacks. It also helps it not be walled by Poison-types such as Toxicroak. Alternatively, Aqua Tail guarantees a 2HKO on Charizard unboosted, though the accuracy lowers Drapion's consistency. Alternatively, Aqua Tail is It's also Drapion's best way to hit Rhydon and Mudsdale, who it otherwise struggles with. Drapion can potentially spare some EVs - namely Defense and Attack - to add Drapion can also invest in 36 SpD, which guarantees it survives a Ninetales Fire Blast.

Given that Drapion is capable of erasing Toxic Spikes upon switching in, teams that dislike being poisoned greatly appreciate it. Some Pokemon such as Hitmonlee fear Psychic-type attacks, which Drapion can also aid in alleviating given its immunity to them. Drapion partners well with Fighting-types like (example example example), who appreciate its ability to take on Psychic-types easily. However, Drapion really dislikes being burned, so Pokemon that don't care about them such as Ninetales are pivotal to its success. Water Absorb users such as Jellicent and Vaporeon could be used to deter Scald. While bulky, Drapion also has issues handling faster attackers like Virizion and Ninetales, so a Choice Scarf user such as Passimian can help on this front. Drapion also appreciates having opportunities to set up, so it appreciates safe entry via VoltTurn support from Pokemon like Rotom-C and the aforementioned Passimian. using methods such as Rotom-C's Volt Switch to get it in safely and check an opponent could aid in this. Drapion also tends to struggle against Vileplume, so a switch-in such as Salazzle, Copperajah or Charizard should be kept in mind.

[SET]
name: Toxic Spikes
move 1: Toxic Spikes
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Taunt / Toxic
item: Black Sludge
ability: Battle Armor
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 HP / 68 SpD / 188 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Drapion's well-rounded stats enable it to function as good utility in RU. With access to Toxic Spikes, Drapion can enable a unique playstyle for a team to capitalize on. Knock Off provides item removal utility to cripple opponents with Heavy-Duty Boots, while also serving as a very strong STAB. Earthquake deters common Poison-type switch-ins, such as other Drapion, which helps keep Toxic Spikes active. It also ensures threats such as Toxicroak, Salazzle or opposing Drapion can't set up on it for free. Toxic puts opponents on a timer if setting the spikes isn't favourable at the time, or if the opponent avoids Toxic Spikes through means such as Levitate. Taunt can be used to prevent Defoggers from getting rid of hazards, as well as generally helping against walls. The provided EV spread allows Drapion to outspeed Rotom and base 85 Pokemon with max investment while surviving Fire Blast from Ninetales and Salazzle. It will also make Choice Specs Indeedee-M's Dazzling Gleam a 3HKO at best, even with Stealth Rock damage.

Bulky offense teams make the best use of Toxic Spikes. Given the aim is to set them up, a SpinBlocker such as Decidueye or Sableye can help immensely. If not using Taunt, Sableye can also work as a stop to Defoggers through using Taunt itself. Pokemon that can punish Defoggers by threatening with strong STABs such as Indeedee-M and Rhydon are also very useful. Rhydon can also make Poison-types aiming to remove Toxic Spikes less comfortable by threatening with Earthquake. This set does struggle with Vileplume, so a counter to it such as Charizard or Salazzle should be used to alleviate this.

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Knock Off
move 2: Poison Jab
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Toxic Spikes / Aqua Tail
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Battle Armor
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Drapion can work as one of the few Choice Scarf users in the tier RU's better Choice Scarf users, thanks to its relatively good speed tier giving it great use as a revenge killer. Knock Off enables Drapion to remove items efficiently while pressuring Pokemon such as Indeedee-M and Alolan Raichu, who it OHKOs. Poison Jab functions as its secondary STAB, allowing it to 2HKO Silvally-Fairy and Virizion. Earthquake allows Drapion to 2HKO Turtonator and Ninetales, while OHKOing Salazzle. The fourth moveslot depends on what the team needs; Toxic Spikes can be used to enable Drapion to provide support to the team, while Aqua Tail is a guaranteed 2HKO on Rhydon without that lack HP investment. An Adamant nature is usually preferred, as Drapion's damage output can be deceptively low. However, it should be noted that a Jolly nature allows Drapion to outspeed Choice Scarf Rotom-Mow and Rillaboom, as well as Speed tie with Choice Scarf Indeedee-M and +1 Speed Silvally. Regardless of the nature choice, however, Drapion will always outrun Braviary and Gallade Passimian with Choice Scarf while threatening with a boosted Knock Off.

Choice Scarf Drapion works best on offensive teams, though it can be a momentum sink after landing a KO. As such, a switch-in for its Ground-type weakness is appreciated. Cramorant makes a good choice, switching in on potential STAB Ground-type attacks from threats such as Rhydon and Mudsdale and threatening with Surf. However, it should fear their Rock-type attacks. (mention other waters too, vapo especially since it can wish, but also jelli) Once Choice-locked, Drapion can potentially struggle with Poison- or Steel-types such as Weezing and Steelix, who can potentially wall it. A Ground-type switch-in is helpful here, such as Claydol Rhydon or Gastrodon. As with the previous sets, Drapion can struggle with Vileplume, so counters checks to it such as Ninetales and Charizard are also useful. This set also despises burns, so Heal Bell support from Vaporeon can be useful. Alternatively, using the aforementioned Gastrodon to absorb Scalds is viable.

implement everything then 1/2, lemme know on discord if u have any questions

 

[Plague von Karma]

the legend of the enormous snip

Implemented, pour one out for the Toxic Spikes set tho

 

[Expulso]

Plague von Karma please implement these changes; in particular, the teammates section of each is currently pretty inaccurate; having removed that, they're now very short and need some more content.

i'm also not sure about LO being the best item on SD drapion, so i'll go ask ppl about that. meanwhile, pls implement this thoroughly - ty!

add remove comments

qc check

[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Poison Jab
move 4: Earthquake / Aqua Tail
item: Life Orb / Shuca Berry **will get back to you on the item later**
ability: Battle Armor
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Drapion carves itself a strong niche as a wallbreaker in RU thanks to its decent Attack stat, great Speed and access to Swords Dance. Knock Off also provides it excellent utility, removing opponent's items and potentially crippling foes who rely on them, such as Charizard's Heavy-Duty Boots; Poison Jab hits the Fairy-types who resist it. [always think it's nice to not completely ignore a move, even if it is a stab attack] In the fourth slot, Earthquake deals high damage to Steel-types like Steelix and Duraludon, while also ensuring Drapion isn't walled by opposing Toxicroak. Alternatively, Aqua Tail is Drapion's best way to hit Rhydon and Mudsdale, who it otherwise struggles with. Drapion can also invest in 36 SpD, which guarantees it survives a Ninetales Fire Blast.

Given that Drapion is capable of erasing Toxic Spikes upon switching in, teams that dislike being poisoned greatly appreciate it. [this is irrelevant / fluff, you'd never add drapion to the team solely because of this.] [instead, add something about: - fitting good on bulky offense b/c of its good speed tier and how remove opposing items helps u break thru balance cores, but needing certain defensive staples (steelix/mudsdale) chipped to be an effective sweeper]. Drapion pairs well with Fighting-types like Passimian and Hitmonlee [it's not really used on HO, bewear is a better example], who appreciate its ability to easily take on Psychic-types. However, Drapion really dislikes being burned, so Pokemon that don't care about them such as Ninetales are pivotal to its success. [this is a misunderstanding of how drapion would get burned. most of the burns it takes are from water types' scald, so ninetales would take a lot of damage coming in. also, having something that can switch into a burn isnt helpful because sometimes drapion needs to take the risk of setting up vs Vaporeon, for example. instead, mention aromatherapy users.] Water Absorb users such as Jellicent and Vaporeon could be used to deter Scald. [mention heal bell and wish support from vaporeon] Drapion also has issues handling faster attackers such as Virizion and Ninetales, so a Choice Scarf user such as Passimian can help on this front. Drapion also appreciates having opportunities to set up, so it appreciates safe entry via VoltTurn support from Pokemon like Rotom-C and the aforementioned Passimian. Drapion also tends to struggle against Vileplume, so a switch-in such as Salazzle, Copperajah or Charizard should be kept in mind. [with SD this is only true if it has stun spore / sleep powder and we mentioned status healers above so i don't think this is necessary].

add:
- physically offensive pokemon that can chip the physically defensive walls it struggles with [steelix / mudsdale / rhydon] and appreciate them bring chipped by drapion. one example off the top of my head is braviary

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Knock Off
move 2: Poison Jab
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Toxic Spikes / Aqua Tail
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Battle Armor
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Drapion can work as one of RU's better Choice Scarf users, thanks to its relatively good speed tier giving it great use as a revenge killer. [as part of this intro sentence, if there is room briefly mention as a pro its ability to also provide defensive utility as a scarfer, being able to switch into and immediately threaten out stuff like indeedee/virizion with the right prediction] [definitely mention as a con its low power] Knock Off enables Drapion to remove items efficiently [fluff word] while pressuring Pokemon such as Indeedee-M and Alolan Raichu. Earthquake allows Drapion to 2HKO Turtonator and Ninetales, while OHKOing Salazzle revenge-kill the tier's offensive Fire-types, OHKOing Salazzle and doing over 75% to Ninetales, while also giving it a way to hit common defensive switch-ins such as Steelix. [even though revenging is part of its role, scarf drap still wants to be able to bop its common switch-ins/checks] The fourth moveslot depends on what the team needs; Toxic Spikes can be used to enable Drapion to provide support to the team, while Aqua Tail is a guaranteed 2HKO on Rhydon that lack HP investment. An Adamant nature is usually preferred, as Drapion's damage output can be deceptively low. However, it should be noted that a Jolly nature allows Drapion to outspeed Choice Scarf Rotom-Mow and Rillaboom, as well as Speed tie with Choice Scarf Indeedee-M and +1 Speed Silvally. Regardless of the nature choice, however, Drapion will always outrun Braviary and Passimian with Choice Scarf while threatening with a boosted Knock Off. [this sounds like it has an attack boost, which it doesnt].

Choice Scarf Drapion works best on offensive teams, though it can be a momentum sink after landing a KO. As such, a switch-in for its Ground-type weakness is appreciated. Cramorant makes a good choice, switching in on potential Ground-type attacks from threats such as Rhydon and Mudsdale and threatening with Surf. However, it should fear their Rock-type attacks. [1) cramorant isnt good 2) it gets killed by don stone edge 3) cramorant isnt good] [better pokemon to mention here: grass-types like Rotom-Mow, Decidueye, and Virizion]. Vaporeon and Jellicent can be more effective, given their access to recovery moves, and potential to burn with Scald. Once Choice-locked, Drapion can potentially struggle with Poison- or Steel-types such as Weezing and Steelix, who can potentially wall it. A Ground-type switch-in is helpful here, such as Rhydon or Gastrodon. [you wouldn't switch rhydon into weezing]. As with the previous sets, Drapion can struggle with Vileplume, so checks to it such as Ninetales and Charizard are also useful. This set also despises burns, so Heal Bell support from Vaporeon can be useful. Alternatively, using the aforementioned Gastrodon to absorb Scalds is viable. [gastrodon isn't really part of offensive teams, so eh].

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Plague von Karma, 236353]]
- Quality checked by: [[Mavis, 469610]], [[beep, boop]]
- Grammar checked by: [[beep, boop]]

 

[Plague von Karma]

Implemented! I changed a bit of sentence positioning (particularly pjab before knock) as well as a few other bits and bobs. I had a feeling something was up when I reread this last night but I wasn't sure.

 

[Expulso]

thoroughly implement this [pm / @ on discord if u have questions] and then qc 2/2.

add remove comments

[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Poison Jab
move 4: Earthquake / Aqua Tail
item: Life Orb / Shuca Berry Shuca Berry / Black Sludge
ability: Battle Armor
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Drapion carves itself a strong niche as a wallbreaker in RU thanks to its decent Attack stat, great Speed and access to Swords Dance. Poison Jab hits Fairy-types who resist it. Knock Off also provides it excellent utility, removing opponent's items and potentially crippling foes who rely on them, such as Charizard's Heavy-Duty Boots. In the fourth slot, Earthquake deals high damage to Steel-types like Steelix and Duraludon, while also ensuring Drapion isn't walled by opposing Toxicroak. Alternatively, Aqua Tail is Drapion's best way to hit Rhydon and Mudsdale, who it otherwise struggles with. Drapion can also invest in 36 SpD, which guarantees it survives a Ninetales Fire Blast. [mention shuca berry - lets u beat ground types after they've taken a little chip]. [mention black sludge - weak, but lets u stick around and stay healthy to switch into things like vileplume]. [finally, mention LO (but dont give it a slash) and talk about how it boosts power a lot but means you die to chip way too easily].

Drapion's Speed tier allows it to fit well onto offensive teams, with Knock Off's utility letting it break balance cores. Drapion pairs well with Fighting-types like Passimian, who appreciates its ability to easily take on Psychic-types. However, Drapion dislikes being burned, so an Aromatherapy user such as Vileplume or Aromatisse could be used to alleviate this. Vaporeon is also a good partner against Scald users thanks to Water Absorb and Heal Bell. It can also use Wish support to ensure it stays healthy. Drapion also has issues handling faster attackers such as Virizion and Ninetales, so a Choice Scarf user such as Passimian can help on this front. Drapion also appreciates having opportunities to set up, so it appreciates safe entry via Volturn support from Pokemon like Rotom-C and the aforementioned Passimian. [mention teammates that appreciate shuca sd drap "luring" and beating ground types. uh, boltund? for more viable mons, braviary also likes lix / rhydon beaten, so thats an option. if u can think of others pls add]



[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Knock Off
move 2: Poison Jab
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Toxic Spikes / Aqua Tail
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Battle Armor
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Drapion can work as one of RU's better Choice Scarf users; its good speed tier gives it great use as a revenge killer, and Drapion's natural defensive utility allows it to threaten opponents such as Indeedee-M with the right prediction. However, the damage output is a far cry from the Swords Dance set. Knock Off enables Drapion to remove items while pressuring Pokemon such as Indeedee-M and Alolan Raichu. Earthquake allows Drapion to revenge kill the tier's offensive Fire-types, OHKOing Salazzle and doing over 75% to Ninetales, while also giving it a way to hit common defensive switch-ins such as Steelix. The fourth moveslot depends on what the team needs; Toxic Spikes can be used to provide support to the team, while Aqua Tail is a guaranteed 2HKO on Rhydon that lack HP investment. An Adamant nature is usually preferred, as Drapion's damage output can be deceptively low. However, it should be noted that a Jolly nature allows Drapion to outspeed Choice Scarf Rotom-Mow and Rillaboom, as well as Speed tie with Choice Scarf Indeedee-M and +1 Speed Silvally. Regardless of the nature choice, however, Drapion will always outrun Braviary and Passimian with Choice Scarf while threatening with a Knock Off.

Choice Scarf Drapion works best on offensive teams, though it can be a momentum sink after landing a KO. As such, a switch-in for its Ground-type weakness is appreciated. Rotom-C and Virizion make good choices, resisting their coverage options and threatening with a KO. Vaporeon and Jellicent can be more effective, given their access to recovery moves, and potential to spread burns with Scald. Once Choice-locked, Drapion can potentially struggle with Poison- or Steel-types such as Weezing and Steelix, who can potentially wall it. A Ground-type switch-in is helpful here, such as Rhydon or Gastrodon. [first of all, both of these pokemon lose to weezing, and rhydon does not comfortably switch into steelix.] [instead, talk about 1) switch-ins to Fighting-types (SD Bewear, DD/BU Scrafty) that can set up on drap's weak attacks, esp. if it's locked into knock off] As with the previous sets, [don't cross-reference across sets, also sd drap definitely beats vileplume] Scarf Drapion can struggle with Vileplume, so checks to it such as Ninetales and Charizard are also useful. This set also despises burns, which render Drapion unable to revenge-kill opposing sweepers, so Heal Bell support from Vaporeon can be useful.

[the scarf set's section is well done!]

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Plague von Karma, 236353]]
- Quality checked by: [[Mavis, 469610]], [[Expulso, 202058]]
- Grammar checked by: [[beep, boop]]

 

[Expulso]

Seems good, QC 2/2

 

[Lumari]

remove add / fix (comments); (AC=add comma; RC=remove comma; SC=semicolon)
GP 1/1

check

[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Poison Jab
move 4: Earthquake / Aqua Tail
item: Shuca Berry / Black Sludge
ability: Battle Armor
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Drapion carves itself a strong niche as a wallbreaker in RU thanks to its decent Attack stat, great Speed, (AC) and access to Swords Dance. Poison Jab hits Fairy-types who resist it. Knock Off also provides it excellent utility, removing opponent's opposing Pokemon's items and potentially crippling foes who that rely on them, such as Charizard's Heavy-Duty Boots, while Poison Jab hits Fairy-types that resist it. In the fourth slot, Earthquake deals high damage to Steel-types like Steelix and Duraludon (RC) while also ensuring Drapion isn't walled by opposing Toxicroak. Alternatively, Aqua Tail is Drapion's best way to hit Rhydon and Mudsdale, which it can otherwise struggle with. Drapion can invest Investing in 36 EVs into Special Defense is an option that (RC) which guarantees that Drapion it survives a Ninetales's Fire Blast. Shuca Berry allows Drapion to better combat Ground-types that have already been damaged, such as Mudsdale. Black Sludge can be used to give Drapion better matchups in the long run, (RH) such as against Vileplume. However, it lowers its damage output. (it doesn't, not compared to Shuca at least) Alternatively, Life Orb can be used to give Drapion immediate power, though it Drapion falls to chip damage too easily for it to be reliable.

Drapion's Speed tier allows it to fit well onto offensive teams, with Knock Off's utility letting it break balance cores. Drapion pairs well with Fighting-types like Passimian, who which appreciates its ability to easily take on Psychic-types. However, Drapion dislikes being burned, so an Aromatherapy user such as Vileplume or Aromatisse could be used to alleviate this. Vaporeon is also a good partner against Scald users thanks to Water Absorb and Heal Bell. It can also use Wish support to ensure it Drapion stays healthy. Drapion also has issues handling faster attackers such as Virizion and Ninetales, so a Choice Scarf user such as Passimian can help on this front. Drapion also appreciates having opportunities to set up, so it appreciates safe entry via VoltTurn support from Pokemon like Rotom-C and the aforementioned Passimian. Pokemon such as Boltund and Braviary appreciate Drapion's ability to beat their Ground-type checks, opening up the opponent for a sweep.

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Knock Off
move 2: Poison Jab
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Toxic Spikes / Aqua Tail
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Battle Armor
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Drapion can work as one of RU's better Choice Scarf users; its good Speed tier gives it great use as a revenge killer, and Drapion's its natural defensive utility allows it to threaten opponents foes such as Indeedee-M with the right prediction. However, the such a set damage output is a far cry from the Swords Dance set boosting sets. Knock Off enables Drapion to remove items while pressuring Pokemon such as Indeedee-M and Alolan Raichu. Earthquake allows Drapion to revenge kill the tier's offensive Fire-types, OHKOing Salazzle and doing over 75% to Ninetales, while also giving it a way to hit common defensive switch-ins such as Steelix. The fourth moveslot depends on what the team needs; Toxic Spikes can be used to provide support to the team, while Aqua Tail is a guaranteed 2HKO on Rhydon that lack HP investment. An Adamant nature is usually preferred, as Drapion's damage output can be deceptively low. However, it should be noted that a Jolly nature allows Drapion to outspeed Choice Scarf Rotom-Mow Rotom-C and Rillaboom, as well as Speed tie with Choice Scarf Indeedee-M and +1 Speed Silvally. Regardless of the nature choice, however, Drapion will always outrun Braviary and Passimian with Choice Scarf while threatening them with a Knock Off.

Choice Scarf Drapion works best on offensive teams, though it can be a momentum sink after landing a KO. As such Thus, a switch-in for its Ground-type weakness is appreciated. Rotom-C and Virizion make good choices, resisting their common Ground-types' (?) coverage options and threatening them with a KO. Vaporeon and Jellicent can be more effective, given their access to recovery moves (RC) and potential to spread burns with Scald. Fighting-types such as Bewear don't really care for Drapion's weak attacks and set up on it. Silvally-Fairy makes a good switch-in to them, usually forcing them out. Drapion can struggle with Vileplume, so checks to it such as Ninetales and Charizard are also useful. This set also despises burns, which render Drapion unable to revenge kill opposing sweepers, (AC) so Heal Bell support from Vaporeon can be useful.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Plague von Karma, 236353]]
- Quality checked by: [[Mavis, 469610]], [[Expulso, 202058]]
- Grammar checked by: [[beep, boop]]

 

[Plague von Karma]

Edward Scissorhands was here

Implemented! Good catch on the damage output thing, it's a remnant of when the set had LO as the main item. You were right about the Ground-type Pokemon coverage thing too. Thanks as always!

Ready for upload!

 

[phantom]

uploaded