Fearow
Normal/Flying
I've been writing about this Pokémon.
QC - 2/2
(panamaxis)
(Setsuna)
[Overview]
<p>Fearow has always been an outclassed Pokémon. First by Dodrio, who is stronger, then by Swellow, who is much faster and has Guts, after that by Staraptor, who is much stronger and has access to Close Combat to deal with Rock- and Steel-types, and now by Wargle, who is much more powerful. They all have access to Brave Bird, a critical move that Fearow lacks. But Fearow is still a decent physical attacker. With his new ability Sniper, and his new move Drill Liner, Fearow can do some decent damage, but don't expect anything amazing.</p>
[SET]
name: Physical Sweeper
move 1: Return
move 2: Drill Peck
move 3: Drill Liner
move 4: U-turn
item: Choice Band / Life Orb
ability: Sniper
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Fearow can frighten his opponents with his strong critical hits thanks to Sniper. Drill Liner often gets critical hits and it's your best bet against Rock- and Steel-type Pokémon. Return is always a reliable STAB, capable of doing decent damage to Pokémon that don't resist it. Drill Peck is good against Grass-, Fighting-, and Bug-type Pokémon, and it also gets STAB. U-turn is great for scouting, and it's one of Fearow's few advantages over Dodrio.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The item choice depends on your personal taste. With a Choice Band you'll get more power, and with Life Orb you aren't locked into one attack. Fearow's low defenses make investing in them worthless, so Speed and Attack are maxed to make it all-out offensive. Sniper is the preferred ability as it allows Fearow to deal respectable damage if he gets a critical hit.<p>
[Team Options]
<p>Rapin Spin support is recommended. Forretress can use Rapid Spin properly and can also switch in against Ice-type attacks aimed at Fearow. Skarmory is Fearow's best counter, because of his huge physical defense, resistance to Fearow's STAB moves and immunity to Drill Liner. As such, Magnezone is a great partner for Fearow, as he resists Ice-, Electric- and Rock-type attacks and can trap Skarmory with Magnet Pull. Dugtrio is also a good partner because he can trap Choiced Electric Pokémon such as Jolteon and defeat them with Earthquake. Stealth Rock support is always good for a sweeper.</p>
[Optional Changes]
<p>Heat Wave is your best bet against Skarmory, but with Fearow's pitiful Special Attack stat it's not recommended. Steel Wing is an option, but it's outclassed by Drill Liner. Quick Attack is a usable option as it gets priority and STAB. Pursuit and Assurance are good options against Ghost- and Psychic-type Pokémon, but most of these Pokémon can outspeed and KO Fearow, and they can be hit just as hard with Fearow's other moves. Fearow can also Baton Pass Agility, Cheer Up, and Substitute, but he is outclassed by other Baton Passers such as Ninjask and Aianto. Cheer Up is an option to boost Fearow's attack, but Fearow is too frail to make good use of it and there are better options. You can use Scope Lens too, as with it, Fearow will get more critical hits boosted by Sniper.</p>
[Counters]
<p>Fearow has a lot of counters because he is not in the appropriate tier. Skarmory resists everything that Fearow can use, and can set up entry hazards with ease. Balloon Pokémon such as Doryuzu, Aggron and Tyranitar can switch in with impunity against Drill Liner, but they must be wary of doing so; if Fearow chooses any other attack their Balloon is gone. With Fearow's terrible defenses, almost everything will OHKO him. Choice Scarf users can outspeed him and attack easily. Latios, Latias, Raikou, Jolteon, Aerodactyl, Baokkie, Hiyakkie... are examples of Pokémon that outrun Fearow and can destroy him without problems.</p>
[Dream World]
<p> Sniper Fearow has already been released. Sniper is always the main option, as Keen Eye is useless, because accuracy-reducing moves are almost never seen. With Sniper, Fearow's critical hits become fearsome.</p>
Normal/Flying
I've been writing about this Pokémon.
QC - 2/2
[Overview]
<p>Fearow has always been an outclassed Pokémon. First by Dodrio, who is stronger, then by Swellow, who is much faster and has Guts, after that by Staraptor, who is much stronger and has access to Close Combat to deal with Rock- and Steel-types, and now by Wargle, who is much more powerful. They all have access to Brave Bird, a critical move that Fearow lacks. But Fearow is still a decent physical attacker. With his new ability Sniper, and his new move Drill Liner, Fearow can do some decent damage, but don't expect anything amazing.</p>
[SET]
name: Physical Sweeper
move 1: Return
move 2: Drill Peck
move 3: Drill Liner
move 4: U-turn
item: Choice Band / Life Orb
ability: Sniper
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Fearow can frighten his opponents with his strong critical hits thanks to Sniper. Drill Liner often gets critical hits and it's your best bet against Rock- and Steel-type Pokémon. Return is always a reliable STAB, capable of doing decent damage to Pokémon that don't resist it. Drill Peck is good against Grass-, Fighting-, and Bug-type Pokémon, and it also gets STAB. U-turn is great for scouting, and it's one of Fearow's few advantages over Dodrio.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The item choice depends on your personal taste. With a Choice Band you'll get more power, and with Life Orb you aren't locked into one attack. Fearow's low defenses make investing in them worthless, so Speed and Attack are maxed to make it all-out offensive. Sniper is the preferred ability as it allows Fearow to deal respectable damage if he gets a critical hit.<p>
[Team Options]
<p>Rapin Spin support is recommended. Forretress can use Rapid Spin properly and can also switch in against Ice-type attacks aimed at Fearow. Skarmory is Fearow's best counter, because of his huge physical defense, resistance to Fearow's STAB moves and immunity to Drill Liner. As such, Magnezone is a great partner for Fearow, as he resists Ice-, Electric- and Rock-type attacks and can trap Skarmory with Magnet Pull. Dugtrio is also a good partner because he can trap Choiced Electric Pokémon such as Jolteon and defeat them with Earthquake. Stealth Rock support is always good for a sweeper.</p>
[Optional Changes]
<p>Heat Wave is your best bet against Skarmory, but with Fearow's pitiful Special Attack stat it's not recommended. Steel Wing is an option, but it's outclassed by Drill Liner. Quick Attack is a usable option as it gets priority and STAB. Pursuit and Assurance are good options against Ghost- and Psychic-type Pokémon, but most of these Pokémon can outspeed and KO Fearow, and they can be hit just as hard with Fearow's other moves. Fearow can also Baton Pass Agility, Cheer Up, and Substitute, but he is outclassed by other Baton Passers such as Ninjask and Aianto. Cheer Up is an option to boost Fearow's attack, but Fearow is too frail to make good use of it and there are better options. You can use Scope Lens too, as with it, Fearow will get more critical hits boosted by Sniper.</p>
[Counters]
<p>Fearow has a lot of counters because he is not in the appropriate tier. Skarmory resists everything that Fearow can use, and can set up entry hazards with ease. Balloon Pokémon such as Doryuzu, Aggron and Tyranitar can switch in with impunity against Drill Liner, but they must be wary of doing so; if Fearow chooses any other attack their Balloon is gone. With Fearow's terrible defenses, almost everything will OHKO him. Choice Scarf users can outspeed him and attack easily. Latios, Latias, Raikou, Jolteon, Aerodactyl, Baokkie, Hiyakkie... are examples of Pokémon that outrun Fearow and can destroy him without problems.</p>
[Dream World]
<p> Sniper Fearow has already been released. Sniper is always the main option, as Keen Eye is useless, because accuracy-reducing moves are almost never seen. With Sniper, Fearow's critical hits become fearsome.</p>
