Dratini [QC: 3/3] [GP 1/2]

dcae

plaza athénée
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RBY LC Dragon

[Overview]

<p>With the transition to BW2, other Little Cup Dragon-types such as Axew got new moves to use from tutors. Dratini's stats are also disappointing when compared to the other Dragon-types. However, Dratini enjoys some exclusive features other Dragon-types can't even dream of having; Shed Skin, a great ability for a setup sweeper, permits Dratini to virtually ignore status, and ExtremeSpeed gives it a unique tool to pick off opposing threats. Despite not getting new tutor moves like Axew and the other Dragon-types, Dratini already has all it needs in a movepool almost the size of its big brother, Dragonite. In spite of Dratini's low base stats and hatred of getting locked into Outrage, it has many advantages that can earn it a spot on your team.</p>

[SET]
name: Offensive Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Outrage
move 3: ExtremeSpeed
move 4: Fire Blast
item: Life Orb / Eviolite
ability: Shed Skin
nature: Lonely / Hasty
evs: 244 Atk / 36 SpA / 196 Spe
ivs: 0 HP

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>With this set, Dratini can act as an excellent sweeper, using the perfect coverage of Outrage accompanied by Fire Blast to steamroll through teams. ExtremeSpeed is the move that sets Dratini apart from other Dragon-types, allowing it to pick off faster Choice Scarf users that either have been weakened or are frail. Shed Skin allows it to set up without fear of status conditions. Life Orb is the item of choice here to maximize Dratini's offensive potential. If the Life Orb makes it difficult to set up however, you can run Eviolite instead. The additional bulk gives Dratini more setup opportunities against various Grass-, Fire-, and Water-type attacks. However, this comes at the cost of lower damage output, which means Dratini needs more Dragon Dance boosts to sweep.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Lonely is generally the preferable nature when holding a Life Orb because it still enables Dratini to attain 14 Speed before Dragon Dance, which means that at +1, it hits the special number, 21, needed to outspeed all unboosted Pokemon in the metagame. Hasty is always an option in order to outspeed Choice Scarf Pokemon that also aim to hit 21 Speed. However, Hasty is best when using Eviolite because ExtremeSpeed cannot KO Choice Scarf Snover without Life Orb and Lonely. Keep in mind that when using Life Orb, using 0 HP IVs is necessary in order to reduce Life Orb damage to 1 HP per hit instead of 2.</p>

<p>As with most setup sweepers, Dratini greatly appreciates entry hazard support, so Pokemon such as Dwebble aid greatly in the sweeping process. When holding Life Orb, Dratini especially likes dual screen support in order to set up more often without worrying about being KOed. Knock Off is also very important because it removes the high defensive ability of certain threats by getting rid of Eviolite, letting Dratini make up for the KOs it lacks when using Eviolite itself due to not carrying Life Orb. Because Dratini uses Fire Blast as coverage and it is not boosted by Dragon Dance, it prefers having Steel-types weakened if they have the bulk to take a Fire Blast.</p>

<p>Following this idea of weakening common answers to Dratini, wallbreaking support is also useful to enhance Dratini's sweeps. For example, the most common wallbreaker in the tier, the dreaded MixKrow, aids this set a lot by punching holes in common defensive cores and weakening them to the point where Dratini can just sweep at +1.</p>

[SET]
name: RestTalk Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Outrage
move 3: Rest
move 4: Sleep Talk
item: Eviolite
nature: Jolly
ability: Marvel Scale
EVs: 108 HP / 4 Atk / 76 Def / 196 SpD / 116 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>This set can be very dangerous due to its ability to accumulate Dragon Dance boosts thanks to Dratini's top-notch bulk and resistances. The key to Dratini's ease in setting up lies in part in its Dragon typing, which resists several common attacks. Marvel Scale, however, is the real gem of the set. When using Rest, Marvel Scale sends Dratini's Defense sky-high, allowing it to shrug off many physical moves. Because of this, setting up on many common Pokemon, such as Lileep and RestTalk Chinchou, is a breeze. This set is a mono-attacking set, but getting locked into Outrage is irritating despite how powerful it is. This set is an excellent choice to deal with Fire / Water / Grass cores due to its resistances and focus on bulk, allowing it to shut down a lot of defensive cores.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>With the given EVs, Dratini takes hits like a champ, making its setup job easier. Because this is a mono-attacking set, it really likes having Steel-types out of the way or weakened. Thus, one of the best support Pokemon for this set is Magnemite, which traps and removes Steel-types easily. If Magnemite is not used, Knock Off is helpful to weaken Steel-types so they crumple in the face of +6 Outrages. Other useful Pokemon to pair with this Dratini set are hazard setters, which generally have a field day setting up in the face of Steel-types that switch into Dratini. One excellent hazard setter that partners well with Dratini is Ferroseed, as this set can switch into Fire-type attacks easily, and Ferroseed handles its Dragon-type weakness.</p>

[Other Options]

<p>A mixed Dratini set can be employed thanks to its decent offensive stats as well as its access to ExtremeSpeed. Another possibility is a defensive set that fully takes advantage of Dratini's excellent mono-Dragon typing. A parashuffling set is quite viable, seeing as Dratini has access to both Thunder Wave and Dragon Tail. Dratini can also make more use of its resistances on the offensive Dragon Dance set and run a bulkier EV spread instead.</p>

[Checks and Counters]

<p>Due to Outrage and Fire Blast's unresisted coverage, Dratini is very hard to counter. However, as with all Dragon-types, once it is locked into Outrage, any Steel-type with some bulk can easily take a hit and then take it out, with Bronzor being a great example of such. Along these lines, massively physically bulky Pokemon such as Hippopotas can also take a hit and then Whirlwind Dratini out or deal massive damage with a STAB move. Two specific Pokemon that don't care about any of Dratini's moves are Aron and Shieldon, thanks to their bulk and neutrality to Fire Blast, making them near perfect counters.</p>

<p>Dratini has a few checks that are actually quite common. The most common of these is the standard pivot Mienfoo, which has enough bulk to survive a +1 Outrage and can use a combination of Fake Out and Drain Punch to take Dratini out. The other checks are generally bulkier Choice Scarf Pokemon that outspeed Dratini at +1, which is not a hard task, and that can take an ExtremeSpeed. Thus, Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Misdreavus are excellent answers to Dratini.</p>

 
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Celestavian

Smooth
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I'd like to see some mention of a RestTalk + Marvel Scale defensive DD set, either by slashing it in with the defensive set in the skeleton or by mentioning it in OO. Dratini has weaknesses to only three common Pokemon in Snover, Axew, and other Dratini, so it does very well at walling almost everything else such as Mienfoo and bulky Waters like Chinchou. The EV spread for the other bulky DD set would work the best for something like this.

Briefly cover some of Dratini's weaknesses in the overview, such as how much it hates being locked into Outrage vs. Steel-types and Pokemon faster than it at +1. As it is now, the Overview looks pretty sparse.

Other than those things, good work so far!

[qc]1/3[/qc]
 

apt-get

it's not over 'til it's over
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Resttalk DD with marvel scale/shed skin is like the best set in this meta, I don't see how it's not first. Offensive DD dratini can't even reliably OHKO foo (
+1 244+ Atk Life Orb Dratini Outrage vs. 156 HP / 196+ Def Eviolite Mienfoo: 19-23 (82.6 - 100%) -- 6.25% chance to OHKO), and what's the point of using extremespeed? It's not like lots of things are gonna be faster than you, and you don't even OHKO scarf Murkrow/Mienfoo. Might be better to run something like Aqua Tail since you have no chance of beating Drilbur anyway, and with AT you can hurt hippo a bit more.

+1 244+ Atk Life Orb Dratini Aqua Tail vs. 132 HP / 212+ Def Eviolite Hippopotas: 16-21 (64 - 84%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
(16, 16, 16, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 21)
+1 244+ Atk Life Orb Dratini Outrage vs. 132 HP / 212+ Def Eviolite Hippopotas: 16-19 (64 - 76%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
(16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 19)
 

Rowan

The professor?
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Dratini @ Eviolite
Jolly | Marvel Scale
evs: 108 HP / 4 Atk / 76 Def / 196 SpD / 116 Spe
-Dragon Dance
-Outrage
-Rest
-Sleep Talk


I know I'm not QC but I honestly think this is the best Dratini set. Fantastic counter to FWG cores, absorbing Status from Foongus/Shroomish and setting up on common pokemon like Chou/Staryu etc... Marvel Scale + Rest makes it very bulky on the physical side which the bulky EVs help to do as well. It also doesn't give a crap about Bronzor... it just sets up to +6 if the opponent stays in.

EDIT: @ Apt-Get... why Aqua Tail? If Hippo is alive you shouldn't be sweeping anyway because: "20 Atk Hippopotas Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0- Def Dratini: 16-21 (84.21 - 110.52%) -- 50% chance to OHKO.' Or Hippo could just Whirlwind. With E-Speed you do a min of 54% to LO Drilbur maybe allowing you to sweep if it is weakened late game. It does a minimum of 60% to LO/CS Krow who is well-known for racking up residual damage. Aqua Tail hits... nothing really.
 

apt-get

it's not over 'til it's over
is a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Tiering Contributor Alumnus
Dratini @ Eviolite
Jolly | Marvel Scale
evs: 108 HP / 4 Atk / 76 Def / 196 SpD / 116 Spe
-Dragon Dance
-Outrage
-Rest
-Sleep Talk


I know I'm not QC but I honestly think this is the best Dratini set. Fantastic counter to FWG cores, absorbing Status from Foongus/Shroomish and setting up on common pokemon like Chou/Staryu etc... Marvel Scale + Rest makes it very bulky on the physical side which the bulky EVs help to do as well. It also doesn't give a crap about Bronzor... it just sets up to +6 if the opponent stays in.

EDIT: @ Apt-Get... why Aqua Tail? If Hippo is alive you shouldn't be sweeping anyway because: "20 Atk Hippopotas Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0- Def Dratini: 16-21 (84.21 - 110.52%) -- 50% chance to OHKO.' Or Hippo could just Whirlwind. With E-Speed you do a min of 54% to LO Drilbur maybe allowing you to sweep if it is weakened late game. It does a minimum of 60% to LO/CS Krow who is well-known for racking up residual damage. Aqua Tail hits... nothing really.
Nvm I forgot about Suckerpunch krow sry.
 

Electrolyte

Wouldn't Wanna Know
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Alright, this is pretty good, nice job.

In terms of information, I would try to beef up that overview, like Hawkstar said. Be sure to include some of Dratini's flaws, mainly, its low base stats in comparison to other Dragon-types. Then, when answering your question of 'why use Dratini', be sure to mention its wide movepool, which makes it hard for Steel-types to wall.

In set comments for both sets, explain specifically the function and use of each move and slash. Dragon Dance is what makes Dratini competitively viable in the first place, so be sure to mention that. Outrage is insanely powerful STAB, FBlast is coverage, and ESpeed is priority.

In additional comments for both sets, be sure to add specific teammates. Primarily, Magnemite, who can deal with nearly all of Dratini's offensive and defensive counters. Specific hazard layers such as Ferroseed, who can set up on Dratini's Steel-type walls as well as support with hazards, should also be mentioned. Don't forget wallbreakers and knock off users that support Dratini offensively by weakening walls.

Also, item description goes in AC, not SC.

Not going to stamp it yet, as Charmander still has a few words to say regarding the RestTalk Marvel Scale DD set. Make my changes, let Charmander speak, and we'll take it from there.

Nice first analysis!
 
I spoke to Electrolyte on IRC and we both agree (along with a lot of others apparently) that the Bulky Dragon Dance set sucks. Replace it with Corkscrew's set and you're good to go.

Oh also mention Aron and Shieldon as checks just cause their typing is perfect vs Dratini and they suck so much that it isn't worth running a Water-type move just to hit them.

edit: ok add Electrolyte's stuff too and this is
[qc]2/3[/qc]
 
You should definitely mention Snover in the C & C paragraph since it is very common in the metagame and can easily revenge kill a dratini that hasn't had a chance to set up.

Your C & C paragraph seems to mention tanks alot... Do you think you could put those all under one category. This phrase, "Physical walls like Hippopotas, Bronzor, Aron, and Shieldon can make it hard for Dratini to sweep," would work. I'm just saying this because writing three separate sentences about the same thing might get redundant. I'm sure you were going to fix it anyway though. Good luck with the analysis.
 
I actually disagree with Snover being mentioned as a check or counter because many Pokemon, like Snover, can come in on Dratini before it sets up and OHKO it, and being able to take Dratini down before it sets up does not make a Pokemon a check. Scraggy, Mienfoo, Murkrow, Drilbur, and even Gastly come to mind, just to name a few. Snover isn't even a good one because ExtremeSpeed does 50.00% - 63.64% to scarf versions (and I assume scarf is what we are looking at as a Pokemon that can revenge kill Dratini) and Fire Blast OHKOs Eviolite variants. Snover does tie with Lonely +1 Dratini but it risks being OHKOd by ES after Stealth Rock and obviously OHKOd by Outrage or Fire Blast if the Speed tie is lost or Dratini is Hasty.
 

Arkian

this is the state of grace
is a Contributor Alumnus
I think the RestTalk Dragon Dance set should be renamed to Mono Attacker.
Reason: RestTalk DD is a bit of a long name, and this set only has one attacking option anyway.
 

Governess

A Beautiful Blossom Waiting to Bloom
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Hihi, first official GP check! :) Great job on this.

Additions / Changes
Removes
Comments

[Overview]

[Overview]

<p>With the move over the transition to Black and White 2 BW2, other Little Cup dragons like such as Axew got new toys moves to use from the tutors. Dratini's stats are also unseemly disappointing when compared with to the other dragons Dragon-types. However, Dratini enjoys some exclusive features other dragons can't even dream of having. The original dragon has; Shed Skin, a great ability for a setup sweeper, as it permits it Dratini to virtually ignore status. It also has access to ExtremesSpeed, a unique tool to pick off opposing threats. Despite Axew and the like other Dragon-types getting new tutor moves, Dratini already has all it needs in a movepool almost the size of its bigger brother, (AC) Dragonite. Despite In spite of Dratini's low base stats and hatred of getting locked into Outrage, it has so many advantages that let earn it merit a slot spot on one's your team.</p>

[SET](no space)
name: Offensive Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Outrage
move 3: ExtremesSpeed
move 4: Fire Blast
item: Life Orb / Eviolite
ability: Shed Skin
nature: Lonely / Hasty
evs: 244 Atk / 36 SpA / 196 Spe
ivs: 0 HP

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>This is Dratini's bread and butter Dragon Dance set, using the tried and true formula of using a set-up move along with three attacks. (I feel that this statement is really redundant, as it pretty much states what's already known.) In Tthis set, (AC) Dratini can acts as is an excellent sweeper, and it uses the perfect coverage of Outrage accompanied by Fire Blast to steamroll through teams. ExtremesSpeed is the move that places sets Dratini apart from its fellow dragons other Dragon-types, because as it allows it Dratini to pick off faster Scarfers Choice Scarf users that have either been weakened, (RC) or are already frail. Shed Skin allows it to set up unrestrained by Burns and Paralyze status conditions. Life Orb is the item of choice here to maximize Dratini's offensive potential, making moves like Outrage and Extremespeed extremely powerful. (Kind of a redundant statement, as you already mention that Dratini's offensive potential is maximized.) If the Life Orb makes set-up it difficult to set up, one you can always run Eviolite over Life Orb. The additional bulk gives it Dratini many more set-up setup opportunities against on the various Grass-, Fire-, and Water-type attacks thrown around. However, this comes at the compromise of having a weaker damage output, which means Dratini needs more bulk Dragon Dance boosts to sweep.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>As with most Pokemon, Dratini you must choose whether it Dratini wants needs to increase its damage output sweeping potential with an Lonely or Hasty natureattack favoring nature, or a speed favoring one. (I switched that around because Hasty doesn't really affect Dratini's damage output.) Lonely is generally preferable on the when holding a Life Orb set because Dratini attains 14 Speed before Dragon Dance, which means that at +1, it hits the special number, (AC) 21. Thus At 21 Speed, it can outspeeds all unboosted Pokemon in the metagame. Hasty is always an option, (RC) in order to outspeed Choice Scarfed Pokemon that also aim to hit 21 Speed. However, Hasty is best on the Eviolite set because ExtremesSpeed cannot KO Choice Scarf Snover without Life Orb and Lonely. Keep in mind that when using the Life Orb, 0 HP IVs is necessary in order to reduce the LO Life Orb damage to 1 HP per hit instead of 2, since as LO Life Orb damage rounds down.</p>

<p>As with most set-up setup sweepers, Dratini greatly appreciates hazards support, so Pokemon like such as Dwebble aid greatly in the sweeping process. The When holding the Life Orb, (AC) Dratini set especially likes Ddual Sscreen support in order to set up more boosts often without worrying about being KOed. Knock Off is also very important because it removes the high defensive ability by getting rid of Eviolite, letting the Eviolite set (Im not exactly sure what mean in this sentence, as it is not complete. The next GP can look it over, but finish the sentence so we can understand the full content of it.) Since Because Dratini uses Fire Blast as coverage, and it is not boosted by Dragon Dance, it prefers having Steel-types weakened if they have the bulk to take a Fire Blast.</p>

<p>Following this idea of weakening common answers to Dratini, wallbreaking support is also useful to enhance Dratini's sweeps. For example, the most common wallbreaker in the tier, the dreaded MixKrow, aids this set a lot by punching holes in common defensive cores and weakening them to the point where Dratini can just sweep at +1.</p>

[SET]
name: RestTalk Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Outrage
move 3: Rest
move 4: Sleep Talk
item: Eviolite
nature: Jolly
ability: Marvel Scale
EVs: 108 HP / 4 Atk / 76 Def / 196 SpD / 116 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>This set is very uncommon, but this means nowhere near doesn't mean that it being is worse than the standard Dragon Dance. Arguably, this set is much more dangerous due to its ability to accumulate Dragon Dance boosts thanks to Dratini's top-notch bulk and resistances. The key to this Dratini's ease in setting up is lies in its Dragon typing, which already resists a handful of common attacks. Marvel Scale, however, is the real gem of the set. Using RestTalk, the already high dDefense goes skyhigh, allowing it to shrug off physical moves too. Thus Because of this, this Dratini has a breeze setting up on many common Pokemon, such as Lileep, (RC) and RestTalk Chinchou, (RC) etc. This set is a mono-attacking set, a la SubRoost Dragonite, (RC) but getting locked into Outrage is irritating, (RC) despite how powerful it is. This set is an excellent choice to deal with FWG Fire / Water / Grass cores due to its resistances and focus on bulk, allowing it to shut down a lot of defensive cores.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>With the given EVs, Dratini takes hits like a champ, rendering making its set-up setup job easier. These EVs once again allow it to shut down FWG cores with no problems. (Already mentioned earlier, so it's a bit redundant here.) Dratini sets up easily on common defensive mons and then focuses on amassing the max amount of Dragon Dances possible before sweeping. (You've already mentioned this in the SC, so I don't see a reason to mention it here again.) However, since because this is a mono-attacking set, it really likes having Steel-types out of the way or weakened. Thus, one of the best support Pokemon for this set is Magnemite, which traps and removes Steel-types easily. If Magnemite is not used, Knock Off is helpful to weaken Steel-types so they crumple in the face of +6 Outrages. Other useful Pokemon to pair with this Dratini set are hazard setters, which generally have a field day setting up in the face of Steel-types that switch into Dratini.(Maybe list some good examples here that display good synergy with Dratini?)</p>

[Other Options]

<p>Dratini has such a wide movepool that several more options are possible. A mixed Dratini set, (RC) along the lines of ChainChomp or MixMence in the higher tiers can be employed, (RC) thanks to its access to decent offensive stats on both sides of the spectrum as well as its access to ExtremesSpeed, its largest niche. Another possibility, although lesser used, is a defensive set that fully takes advantage of Dratini's excellent mono Dragon typing. A parashuffling set is quite viable, seeing as Dratini has access to both Thunder Wave and Dragon Tail. Dratini can also make more use of its resistances on the offensive Dragon Dance set and thus instead run a bulkier EV spread instead.</p>

[Checks and Counters]

<p>Due to unresisted attacks by virtue of Outrage and Fire Blast, Dratini is very hard to counter. However, as with all dragons Dragon-types, once it is locked into Outrage, any Steel-type with some bulk can easily take a hit and then take out the Dratini, (AC) with Bronzor being a great example of such. One of these Steels that can easily remove Dratini after an Outrage is Bronzor, a decently common presence in LC. Along these lines, massively physically bulky Pokemon such as Hippopotas can also take a hit then Whirlwind Dratini out or deal massive damage with a STAB move. Two specific Pokemon that don't care about any of Dratini's moves are Aron and Shieldon, by virtue thanks to of their bulk and neutrality to Fire Blast, rendering making them near perfect counters.</p>

<p>Dratini has a few checks that are actually quite common. The most common of these is the standard pivot Mienfoo, which has enough bulk to survive a +1 Outrage and uses a combination of Fake Out and Drain Punch to take it out. The other checks are generally bulkier Choice Scarfed Pokemon which outspeed Dratini at +1, which is not a hard task, and that take an ExtremesSpeed. Thus, Pokemon like such as Choice Scarf Misdreavus are excellent answers to Dratini.</p>


1/2
 
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Treecko can look at this too if he really wants to, but I'm going to check this now. You added a weird space in your <p> tags that shouldn't be there I think when implementing Governess's check, which you should watch out for in the future.
Additions in Blue
Subtractions in Red
Comments in Purple
[Overview]

[Overview]

< p><p>With the transition to BW2, other Little Cup dragons Dragon-types such as Axew got new moves to use from tutors. Dratini's stats are also disappointing when compared to the other Dragon-types. However, Dratini enjoys some exclusive features other dragons Dragon-types can't even dream of having; Shed Skin, a great ability for a setup sweeper, as it permits Dratini to virtually ignore status. (change to comma) It also has access to and ExtremeSpeed, (remove comma) gives it a unique tool to pick off opposing threats. Despite not getting new tutor moves like Axew and the other Dragon-types getting new tutor moves, Dratini already has all it needs in a movepool almost the size of its bigger big brother, Dragonite. In spite of Dratini's low base stats and hatred of getting locked into Outrage, it has so many advantages that can earn it a slot spot on your team.</p>

[SET]
name: Offensive Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Outrage
move 3: ExtremeSpeed
move 4: Fire Blast
item: Life Orb / Eviolite
ability: Shed Skin
nature: Lonely / Hasty
evs: 244 Atk / 36 SpA / 196 Spe
ivs: 0 HP

[SET COMMENTS]

< p>In <p>With this set, Dratini can act as an excellent sweeper, and it uses using the perfect coverage of Outrage accompanied by Fire Blast to steamroll through teams. ExtremeSpeed is the move that sets Dratini apart from other Dragon-types, as it allows Dratini allowing it to pick off faster Choice Scarf users that either have either been weakened or are already frail. Shed Skin allows it to set up unrestrained by without fear of status conditions. Life Orb is the item of choice here to maximize Dratini's offensive potential. If the Life Orb makes it difficult to set up however, you can run Eviolite over Life Orb instead. The additional bulk gives Dratini more setup opportunities against various Grass-, Fire-, and Water-type attacks thrown around. However, this comes at the compromise of having a weaker cost of lower damage output, which means Dratini needs more Dragon Dance boosts to sweep.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

< p>As with most Pokemon, you must choose whether Dratini needs to increase its sweeping potential with a Lonely or Hasty. Lonely is generally the preferable on the nature when holding a Life Orb set because it still enables Dratini attains to attain 14 Speed before Dragon Dance, which means that at +1, it hits the special number, 21. (change to comma) At 21 Speed, it outspeeds needed to outspeed all unboosted Pokemon in the metagame. Hasty is always an option in order to outspeed Choice Scarf Pokemon that also aim to hit 21 Speed. However, Hasty is best on the when using Eviolite set because ExtremeSpeed cannot KO Choice Scarf Snover without Life Orb and Lonely. Keep in mind that when using the Life Orb, using 0 HP IVs is necessary in order to reduce the Life Orb damage to 1 HP per hit instead of 2, as Life Orb damage rounds down.</p>

< p><p>As with most setup sweepers, Dratini greatly appreciates entry hazard support, so Pokemon such as Dwebble aid greatly in the sweeping process (if there's anything specific hazards help with, it would be good to give an example or two here). When holding the Life Orb, Dratini especially likes dual screen support in order to set up more often without worrying about being KOed. Knock Off is also very important because it removes the high defensive ability of certain threats by getting rid of Eviolite, letting the Eviolite set Dratini make up for the KOs it lacks when using Eviolite itself due to not carrying Life Orb. Because Dratini uses Fire Blast as coverage, (remove comma) and it is not boosted by Dragon Dance, it prefers having Steel-types weakened if they have the bulk to take a Fire Blast.</p>

< p><p>Following this idea of weakening common answers to Dratini, wallbreaking support is also useful to enhance Dratini's sweeps. For example, the most common wallbreaker in the tier, the dreaded MixKrow, aids this set a lot by punching holes in common defensive cores and weakening them to the point where Dratini can just sweep at +1.</p>

[SET]
name: RestTalk Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Outrage
move 3: Rest
move 4: Sleep Talk
item: Eviolite
nature: Jolly
ability: Marvel Scale
EVs: 108 HP / 4 Atk / 76 Def / 196 SpD / 116 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

< p>This set is very uncommon, but this doesn't mean that it is worse than the standard Dragon Dance. Arguably, this set is much more <p>This set can be very (sets are supposed to be written independent of each other to make moving around / deleting them easier if the metagame ever shifts and their effectiveness changes) dangerous due to its ability to accumulate Dragon Dance boosts thanks to Dratini's top-notch bulk and resistances. The key to Dratini's ease in setting up lies in part in its Dragon typing, which already resists a handful of several common attacks. Marvel Scale, however, is the real gem of the set. Using RestTalk When using Rest, the Marvel Scale sends Dratini's already high dDefense goes skyhigh Defense sky-high, allowing it to shrug off most/many/a word you think fits better physical moves. Because of this, this Dratini has a breeze setting up on many common Pokemon, such as Lileep and RestTalk Chinchou (add comma) is a breeze. This set is a mono-attacking set, but getting locked into Outrage is irritating, (RC) despite how powerful it is. This set is an excellent choice to deal with Fire / Water / Grass cores due to its resistances and focus on bulk, allowing it to shut down a lot of defensive cores.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

< p><p>With the given EVs, Dratini takes hits like a champ, making its setup job easier. However, because Because this is a mono-attacking set, it really likes having Steel-types out of the way or weakened. Thus, one of the best support Pokemon for this set is Magnemite, which traps and removes Steel-types easily. If Magnemite is not used, Knock Off is helpful to weaken Steel-types so they crumple in the face of +6 Outrages. Other useful Pokemon to pair with this Dratini set are hazard setters, which generally have a field day setting up in the face of Steel-types that switch into Dratini. One excellent hazard setter that partners well with Dratini is Ferroseed, as this set can switch into Fire-type attacks easily, and Ferroseed handles its Dragon-type weakness.</p>

[Other Options]

< p>Dratini has such a wide movepool that several more options are possible. <p>A mixed Dratini set can be employed thanks to itsdecent its decent offensive stats as well as its access to ExtremeSpeed, its largest niche. Another possibility, although lesser used, is a defensive set that fully takes advantage of Dratini's excellent mono Dragon mono-Dragon typing. A parashuffling set is quite viable, seeing as Dratini has access to both Thunder Wave and Dragon Tail. Dratini can also make more use of its resistances on the offensive Dragon Dance set and thus run a bulkier EV spread instead.</p>

[Checks and Counters]

< p><p>Due to unresisted attacks by virtue of Outrage and Fire Blast Blast's unresisted coverage, Dratini is very hard to counter. However, as with all Dragon-types, once it is locked into Outrage, any Steel-type with some bulk can easily take a hit and then take it out the Dratini, with Bronzor being a great example of such. Along these lines, massively physically bulky Pokemon such as Hippopotas can also take a hit and then Whirlwind Dratini out or deal massive damage with a STAB move. Two specific Pokemon that don't care about any of Dratini's moves are Aron and Shieldon, thanks to their bulk and neutrality to Fire Blast, making them near perfect counters.</p>

< p><p>Dratini has a few checks that are actually quite common. The most common of these is the standard pivot Mienfoo, which has enough bulk to survive a +1 Outrage and uses can use a combination of Fake Out and Drain Punch to take it Dratini out. The other checks are generally bulkier Choice Scarf Pokemon which that outspeed Dratini at +1, which is not a hard task, and that can take an ExtremeSpeed. Thus, Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Misdreavus are excellent answers to Dratini.</p>


GP: 2/2
 

Electrolyte

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Shoot, Governess's first GP check was made for this analysis. Chop chop, Dcae, come on, edit it so we can put it up :P
 

GatoDelFuego

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I can make a C/P version of this so it's easier to upload

NixHex

[Overview]

<p>With the transition to BW2, other Little Cup Dragon-types such as Axew got new moves to use from tutors. Dratini's stats are also disappointing when compared to the other Dragon-types. However, Dratini enjoys some exclusive features other Dragon-types can't even dream of having; Shed Skin, a great ability for a setup sweeper, permits Dratini to virtually ignore status, and ExtremeSpeed gives it a unique tool to pick off opposing threats. Despite not getting new tutor moves like Axew and the other Dragon-types, Dratini already has all it needs in a movepool almost the size of its big brother, Dragonite. In spite of Dratini's low base stats and hatred of getting locked into Outrage, it has many advantages that can earn it a spot on your team.</p>

[SET]
name: Offensive Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Outrage
move 3: ExtremeSpeed
move 4: Fire Blast
item: Life Orb / Eviolite
ability: Shed Skin
nature: Lonely / Hasty
evs: 244 Atk / 36 SpA / 196 Spe
ivs: 0 HP

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>With this set, Dratini can act as an excellent sweeper, using the perfect coverage of Outrage accompanied by Fire Blast to steamroll through teams. ExtremeSpeed is the move that sets Dratini apart from other Dragon-types, allowing it to pick off faster Choice Scarf users that either have been weakened or are frail. Shed Skin allows it to set up without fear of status conditions. Life Orb is the item of choice here to maximize Dratini's offensive potential. If the Life Orb makes it difficult to set up however, you can run Eviolite instead. The additional bulk gives Dratini more setup opportunities against various Grass-, Fire-, and Water-type attacks. However, this comes at the cost of lower damage output, which means Dratini needs more Dragon Dance boosts to sweep.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Lonely is generally the preferable nature when holding a Life Orb because it still enables Dratini to attain 14 Speed before Dragon Dance, which means that at +1, it hits the special number, 21, needed to outspeed all unboosted Pokemon in the metagame. Hasty is always an option in order to outspeed Choice Scarf Pokemon that also aim to hit 21 Speed. However, Hasty is best when using Eviolite because ExtremeSpeed cannot KO Choice Scarf Snover without Life Orb and Lonely. Keep in mind that when using Life Orb, using 0 HP IVs is necessary in order to reduce Life Orb damage to 1 HP per hit instead of 2.</p>

<p>As with most setup sweepers, Dratini greatly appreciates entry hazard support, so Pokemon such as Dwebble aid greatly in the sweeping process. When holding Life Orb, Dratini especially likes dual screen support in order to set up more often without worrying about being KOed. Knock Off is also very important because it removes the high defensive ability of certain threats by getting rid of Eviolite, letting Dratini make up for the KOs it lacks when using Eviolite itself due to not carrying Life Orb. Because Dratini uses Fire Blast as coverage and it is not boosted by Dragon Dance, it prefers having Steel-types weakened if they have the bulk to take a Fire Blast.</p>

<p>Following this idea of weakening common answers to Dratini, wallbreaking support is also useful to enhance Dratini's sweeps. For example, the most common wallbreaker in the tier, the dreaded MixKrow, aids this set a lot by punching holes in common defensive cores and weakening them to the point where Dratini can just sweep at +1.</p>

[SET]
name: RestTalk Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Outrage
move 3: Rest
move 4: Sleep Talk
item: Eviolite
nature: Jolly
ability: Marvel Scale
EVs: 108 HP / 4 Atk / 76 Def / 196 SpD / 116 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>This set can be very dangerous due to its ability to accumulate Dragon Dance boosts thanks to Dratini's top-notch bulk and resistances. The key to Dratini's ease in setting up lies in part in its Dragon typing, which resists several common attacks. Marvel Scale, however, is the real gem of the set. When using Rest, Marvel Scale sends Dratini's Defense sky-high, allowing it to shrug off many physical moves. Because of this, setting up on many common Pokemon, such as Lileep and RestTalk Chinchou, is a breeze. This set is a mono-attacking set, but getting locked into Outrage is irritating despite how powerful it is. This set is an excellent choice to deal with Fire / Water / Grass cores due to its resistances and focus on bulk, allowing it to shut down a lot of defensive cores.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>With the given EVs, Dratini takes hits like a champ, making its setup job easier. Because this is a mono-attacking set, it really likes having Steel-types out of the way or weakened. Thus, one of the best support Pokemon for this set is Magnemite, which traps and removes Steel-types easily. If Magnemite is not used, Knock Off is helpful to weaken Steel-types so they crumple in the face of +6 Outrages. Other useful Pokemon to pair with this Dratini set are hazard setters, which generally have a field day setting up in the face of Steel-types that switch into Dratini. One excellent hazard setter that partners well with Dratini is Ferroseed, as this set can switch into Fire-type attacks easily, and Ferroseed handles its Dragon-type weakness.</p>

[Other Options]

<p>A mixed Dratini set can be employed thanks to its decent offensive stats as well as its access to ExtremeSpeed. Another possibility is a defensive set that fully takes advantage of Dratini's excellent mono-Dragon typing. A parashuffling set is quite viable, seeing as Dratini has access to both Thunder Wave and Dragon Tail. Dratini can also make more use of its resistances on the offensive Dragon Dance set and run a bulkier EV spread instead.</p>

[Checks and Counters]

<p>Due to Outrage and Fire Blast's unresisted coverage, Dratini is very hard to counter. However, as with all Dragon-types, once it is locked into Outrage, any Steel-type with some bulk can easily take a hit and then take it out, with Bronzor being a great example of such. Along these lines, massively physically bulky Pokemon such as Hippopotas can also take a hit and then Whirlwind Dratini out or deal massive damage with a STAB move. Two specific Pokemon that don't care about any of Dratini's moves are Aron and Shieldon, thanks to their bulk and neutrality to Fire Blast, making them near perfect counters.</p>

<p>Dratini has a few checks that are actually quite common. The most common of these is the standard pivot Mienfoo, which has enough bulk to survive a +1 Outrage and can use a combination of Fake Out and Drain Punch to take Dratini out. The other checks are generally bulkier Choice Scarf Pokemon that outspeed Dratini at +1, which is not a hard task, and that can take an ExtremeSpeed. Thus, Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Misdreavus are excellent answers to Dratini.</p>


GP: 2/2


Two months later, a GP check is implemented...
 
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