Oh god, why am I doing another Psychic-type with bare coverage? Been wanting to do this one for a while now, and after a little back-and forth on IRC with some other OU peeps, I decided "hey, why not?"
Status: DONE~
QC Approvals (3/3): (Dice) (PK Gaming) (ginganinja)
GP Approvals (2/2): (Rohail17) (Fuzznip)
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All these screens and I'm just sitting here smoking the bad stuff
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Psyshock / Psychic
move 2: Hidden Power Fire
move 3: Signal Beam / Grass Knot
move 4: Baton Pass / Protect
item: Life Orb
ability: Magic Bounce
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Although Espeon is typically seen and used as a support unit, this set takes advantage of its fantastic Special Attack and Speed stats, allowing Espeon to pose as a formidable special attacker while still being able to utilize Magic Bounce effectively. This variant also doesn't lose momentum as often as the other sets due to its splendid power and coverage, and offers a greater chance of luring and beating opponents that would normally stay in against Espeon. Psyshock is the preferred STAB move on this set as it reliably attains more kills against relevant threats; this includes an OHKO on Terrakion in sandstorm and Calm Mind Keldeo, and a 2HKO against special walls such as Gastrodon and Blissey. On the other hand, Psychic is an overall more powerful option for physical walls such as Gliscor and Hippowdon. Hidden Power Fire is nigh-mandatory; boosted by Life Orb and investment, it wipes out Steel-types such as Ferrothorn, Forretress, Skarmory, and Scizor, all of which are number one targets for this set.</p>
<p>In the third slot, Signal Beam is chosen as it has good coverage with Psyshock and hits Dark- and Psychic-types such as Hydreigon and Celebi super effectively. Grass Knot can be used over Signal Beam for a chance to 2HKO 252 HP/0 SpD Tyranitar and OHKO Gastrodon and Hippowdon, but note that Espeon should not risk staying in front of a healthy Tyranitar. The last slot ultimately determines how Espeon performs against its regular counters. Baton Pass allows Espeon to scout and virtually be immune to slower Pursuits, especially those coming from Tyranitar, Scizor, and Metagross. Protect is an equally useful alternative which eases prediction and scouts the opponent's next possible move; this is especially useful against Metagross, Scizor, and other priority users, most of whom might use their respective priority attacks rather than Pursuit or any other move.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>As far as other options go, Hidden Power Ground specifically hits Heatran, which walls this set otherwise, but leaves Espeon helpless against a host of important Steel-types this set was designed to win against. Calm Mind is another option to boost Espeon's offense even further, allowing it to break through some defensively-oriented threats and cores while preventing opponents attempting to accumulate Life Orb recoil. Keep in mind that Espeon might not find time to effectively utilize the boost as, without the protection of Protect or Baton Pass, its sweep is often stopped short by Choice Scarf users and priority.</p>
<p>Espeon should obviously be paired with teammates that benefit from the lack of entry hazards on its side of the field. Again, due to its expanded coverage and power, it is recommended to choose Pokemon that can clean up after it, namely late-game sweepers and attackers such as Choice Scarf Keldeo and Dragon Dance Dragonite. It should be noted that Espeon is hard-walled by Heatran and defensive Latias; reasonably bulky Water-types, such as Gyarados, Rotom-W, and Keldeo, can take care of Heatran, while specially defensive Jirachi easily handles Latias. Espeon also pairs well with teammates that can take moves such as Bullet Punch and Pursuit, as it can escape them with Protect or Baton Pass, respectively. Rotom-W, Cobalion, Gyarados, Keldeo, Jirachi, Volcarona, Magnezone, Scizor, and Heatran do not mind these two moves at all, and can also take most other forms of priority reasonably well. Bulky Volcarona in particular stands out, as it can set up on these moves easily and put immediate pressure on the opposing team after a Quiver Dance boost, and also appreciates Espeon's ability to keep Stealth Rock away.</p>
[SET COMMENTS]
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
Status: DONE~
QC Approvals (3/3): (Dice) (PK Gaming) (ginganinja)
GP Approvals (2/2): (Rohail17) (Fuzznip)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
All these screens and I'm just sitting here smoking the bad stuff
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Psyshock / Psychic
move 2: Hidden Power Fire
move 3: Signal Beam / Grass Knot
move 4: Baton Pass / Protect
item: Life Orb
ability: Magic Bounce
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Although Espeon is typically seen and used as a support unit, this set takes advantage of its fantastic Special Attack and Speed stats, allowing Espeon to pose as a formidable special attacker while still being able to utilize Magic Bounce effectively. This variant also doesn't lose momentum as often as the other sets due to its splendid power and coverage, and offers a greater chance of luring and beating opponents that would normally stay in against Espeon. Psyshock is the preferred STAB move on this set as it reliably attains more kills against relevant threats; this includes an OHKO on Terrakion in sandstorm and Calm Mind Keldeo, and a 2HKO against special walls such as Gastrodon and Blissey. On the other hand, Psychic is an overall more powerful option for physical walls such as Gliscor and Hippowdon. Hidden Power Fire is nigh-mandatory; boosted by Life Orb and investment, it wipes out Steel-types such as Ferrothorn, Forretress, Skarmory, and Scizor, all of which are number one targets for this set.</p>
<p>In the third slot, Signal Beam is chosen as it has good coverage with Psyshock and hits Dark- and Psychic-types such as Hydreigon and Celebi super effectively. Grass Knot can be used over Signal Beam for a chance to 2HKO 252 HP/0 SpD Tyranitar and OHKO Gastrodon and Hippowdon, but note that Espeon should not risk staying in front of a healthy Tyranitar. The last slot ultimately determines how Espeon performs against its regular counters. Baton Pass allows Espeon to scout and virtually be immune to slower Pursuits, especially those coming from Tyranitar, Scizor, and Metagross. Protect is an equally useful alternative which eases prediction and scouts the opponent's next possible move; this is especially useful against Metagross, Scizor, and other priority users, most of whom might use their respective priority attacks rather than Pursuit or any other move.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>As far as other options go, Hidden Power Ground specifically hits Heatran, which walls this set otherwise, but leaves Espeon helpless against a host of important Steel-types this set was designed to win against. Calm Mind is another option to boost Espeon's offense even further, allowing it to break through some defensively-oriented threats and cores while preventing opponents attempting to accumulate Life Orb recoil. Keep in mind that Espeon might not find time to effectively utilize the boost as, without the protection of Protect or Baton Pass, its sweep is often stopped short by Choice Scarf users and priority.</p>
<p>Espeon should obviously be paired with teammates that benefit from the lack of entry hazards on its side of the field. Again, due to its expanded coverage and power, it is recommended to choose Pokemon that can clean up after it, namely late-game sweepers and attackers such as Choice Scarf Keldeo and Dragon Dance Dragonite. It should be noted that Espeon is hard-walled by Heatran and defensive Latias; reasonably bulky Water-types, such as Gyarados, Rotom-W, and Keldeo, can take care of Heatran, while specially defensive Jirachi easily handles Latias. Espeon also pairs well with teammates that can take moves such as Bullet Punch and Pursuit, as it can escape them with Protect or Baton Pass, respectively. Rotom-W, Cobalion, Gyarados, Keldeo, Jirachi, Volcarona, Magnezone, Scizor, and Heatran do not mind these two moves at all, and can also take most other forms of priority reasonably well. Bulky Volcarona in particular stands out, as it can set up on these moves easily and put immediate pressure on the opposing team after a Quiver Dance boost, and also appreciates Espeon's ability to keep Stealth Rock away.</p>
Trades support attacks and bulk (bulk? What bulk?) for super good offensive coverage/presence.Psyshock is better than Psychic because of Terrakion in Sandstorm, CM Keldeo, Gastrodon (who faces a 2HKO) and the pink blobs. Psychic is for overall power and for powering through Gliscor + other physical wallsHidden Power Fire is mandatory because KOing Ferrothorn, Scizor, Forretress, and Skarmory ASAP is high priority with this set. It also 2HKOes Jirachi on the switch-in with prior damage.Signal Beam has good coverage with STAB Psychic-type move, and hits other Psychic-types like Celebi and Latios pretty well.Grass Knot is a hits Tyranitar (Modest Grass Knot = 44.3 - 52.72% on SpD T-Tar), Gastrodon, and Hippowdon much harder, but you shouldn't be facing Tyranitar anyway.Leftovers makes Espeon weakBaton Pass allows Espeon to escape Pursuit users, especially Tyranitar whom Espeon can't really hit hardEspeon can pull off MysticGar (Protect + Three Attacks) to predict + scout certain moves (will Scizor use Pursuit or Bullet Punch or U-turn, and what sort of Jirachi is that guy using?)
Timid nature to outrun Terrakion, Keldeo, and have a chance to tie with opposing Latios and EspeonHidden Power Ground for HeatranIn the last slot, Baton Pass can be used to escape Pursuit from TTar easier, though Espeon has a harder time predicting around Scizor.Calm Mind so Espeon can boost while predicting around opponents trying to stall with LO recoil. Can be used with HP Fighting, though Scizor and Ferrothorn become more of an issue.Good teammates that can take moves such as Pursuit and Bullet Punch when Espeon escapes them. Rotom-W, Cobalion, Keldeo, your own Scizor, and Heatran DGAF about these two moves. These Pokemon can also take Ice Shard reasonably well.Get offensive support for Heatran and Latias as well. Scizor and your own Heatran can take care of these assuming these threats don't carry specific moves.
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