LC Speed Tiers

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Little Cup Speed Tiers
Orginally made by Ray Jay and Ssin, updated by Hawkstar

Introduction

As Pokemon in Little Cup are at level 5, there is a narrower range of Speed stats that are present than in Smogon’s other metagames, and this often makes the decision of whether or not to maximize the Speed stat a far more difficult one. Furthermore, Pokemon with a variety of base Speed stats sometimes reach the same maximum Speed due to the fact that it takes more than 4 EVs to increase the stat by one point. Below, you will find each Speed stat that LC Pokemon reach based on the sets in their analyses, along with how many EVs the Pokemon needs to acquire that stat.

A Pokemon's name is bolded at the speed it is most likely to be running when it switches in. For example, Snover is at both 21 and 9 Speed on the list, but 99% of the time will be at 21 Speed with a Choice Scarf. The 19 Speed tier itself is bolded, because everything there will definitely want to be hitting that number unless they have a Scarf. Not all Pokemon are bolded at least once (Pawniard for example), because they either have equally popular sets or are not run enough to have a community consensus.

Tier 1 (33 - 40 Spe)

Speed Stat / Pokemon / Base Speed / Nature / EVs / Boost / IVs (where applicable)
38 / Buizel / 85 / + Speed / 236 / +2
36 / Buizel / 85 / Neutral / 236 / +2
... / Blitzle / 76 / + Speed / 232 / +2
... / Anorith, Deerling / 75 / + Speed / 236 / +2
35 / Torchic / 45 / Neutral / 236 / +3
34 / Drifloon / 70 / + Speed / 196 / +2
... / Drilbur / 68 / + Speed / 212 / +2
... / Surskit / 65 / + Speed / 236 / +2

Analysis: Tier 1 is reserved for Pokemon that reach the highest stats of practical importance in Little Cup. Buizel at +2 is the highest included because anything beyond that occurs due to repeated Speed Boosts or uses of boosting moves and is ultimately trivial. The Pokemon in this tier all need to be at least at +2 to reach these stats, but all of the Pokemon here do this passively through an ability rather than by setting up. These Pokemon are, for the most part, very frail, and typically handled through strong priority attacks.

Tier 2 (26 - 32 Spe)
32 / Tympole / 64 / Neutral / 244 / +2
... / Dwebble, Kabuto / 55 / + Speed / 236 / +2
30 / Elekid / 95 / + Speed / 236 / +1
... / Horsea / 60 / Neutral / 196 / +2
... / Cranidos / 58 / Neutral / 212 / +2
... / Venipede / 57 / Neutral / 220 / +2
... / Dwebble, Kabuto / 55 / Neutral / 236 / +2
... / Bulbasaur / 45 / + Speed / 236 / +2
28 / Elekid / 95 / Neutral / 236 / +1
... / Misdreavus, Taillow / 85 / + Speed / 236 / +1
... / Binacle, Dratini, Mantyke / 50 / Neutral / 196 / +2
... / Bulbasaur, Torchic / 45 / Neutral / 236 / +2
... / Bellsprout, Exeggcute, Shellder / 40 / + Speed / 196 / +2
... / Cherubi, Cubone, Golett, Omanyte / 35 / + Speed / 236 / +2
27 / Misdreavus, Taillow / 85 / Neutral / 236 / +1
... / Gastly / 80 / + Speed / 196 / +1
... / Blitzle / 76 / + Speed / 232 / +1
... / Doduo / 75 / + Speed / 240 / +1
26 / Bellsprout, Exeggcute, Porygon, Shellder / 40 / Neutral / 196 / +2
... / Cherubi, Golett, Omanyte / 35 / Neutral / 236 / +2
... / Clamperl / 32 / + Speed / 180 / +2
... / Aron, Oddish, Petilil / 30 / + Speed / 196 / +2
... / Rhyhorn / 25 / + Speed / 236 / +2

Analysis: This tier is mostly composed of slower Pokemon who can quickly elevate their Speed (Cranidos, Shellder, Omanyte, Dwebble) and the rest of the Pokemon who have an ability that doubles their Speed in certain weather conditions. This tier is mostly important for finding the maximum stat each of these Pokemon can hit; most of the time, however, weather sweepers or Shell Smash sweepers opt to use a nature that boosts Attack or Special Attack, as the only things that can outspeed them are typically other set-up sweepers. It is worthy of noting that 19 Speed Pokemon such as Misdreavus, when equipped with Choice Scarf, can at least Speed tie a good majority of these Pokemon, even when the latter are at +2.

Tier 3 (19 - 25 Spe)

25 / Doduo, Minccino / 75 / Neutral / 240 / +1
... / Froakie / 71 / + Speed / 188 / +1
... / Archen, Mankey / 70 / + Speed / 196 / +1
... / Charmander, Cyndaquil, Houndour, Mienfoo, Vulpix / 65 / + Speed / 236 / +1
24 / Chinchou / 67 / Neutral / 224 / +1
... / Carvanha, Charmander, Mienfoo, Remoraid, Sandile, Smoochum / 65 / Neutral / 236 / +1
... / Barboach, Karrablast, Pawniard / 60 / + Speed / 196 / +1
... / Cranidos / 58 / + Speed / 212 / +1
... / Axew, Bunnelby / 57 / + Speed / 220 / +1
... / Larvesta / 55 / + Speed / 236 / +1
... / Krabby / 50 / Neutral / 36 / +2
... / Clamperl / 32 / Neutral / 180 / +2
... / Aron, Oddish, Petilil / 30 / Neutral / 196 / +2
... / Rhyhorn / 25 / Neutral / 236 / +2
22 / Cranidos / 58 / Neutral / 212 / +1
... / Axew, Bunnelby / 57 / Neutral / 220 / +1
... / Larvesta / 55 / Neutral / 236 / +1
... / Bagon, Darumaka, Dratini, Krabby / 50 / + Speed / 196 / +1
... / Scraggy / 48 / + Speed / 212 / +1
... / Amaura / 46 / + Speed / 228 / +1
... / Gothita, Inkay, Magnemite, Torchic / 45 / + Speed / 236 / +1
... / Numel / 35 / Neutral / 76 / +2
... / Honedge / 28 / Neutral / 132 / +2
... / Tirtouga / 22 / Neutral / 180 / +2
21 / Skiddo / 52 / Neutral / 180 / +1
... / Bagon, Binacle, Darumaka, Dratini, Krabby / 50 / Neutral / 196 / +1
... / Scraggy / 48 / Neutral / 212 / +1
... / Amaura / 46 / Neutral / 228 / +1
... / Gothita, Inkay, Magnemite, Torchic / 45 / Neutral / 236 / +1
... / Larvitar / 41 / + Speed / 188 / +1
... / Frillish, Shellder, Snover, Teddiursa / 40 / + Speed / 196 / +1
... / Deino / 38 / + Speed / 212 / +1
... / Corphish, Machop / 35 / + Speed / 236 / +1
20 / Voltorb / 100 / + Speed / 196 / None
... / Diglett, Elekid / 95 / + Speed / 236 / None
19 / Abra, Meowth, Poliwag, Ponyta / 90 / + Speed / 196 / None
... / Aipom, Buneary, Buizel, Glameow, Misdreavus, Staryu, Taillow, Wingull / 85 / + Speed / 236 / None
... / Magby / 83 / + Speed / 252 / None

Analysis: This tier represents the fastest unboosted Pokemon in the metagame and what other Pokemon hit in their attempts to outspeed them. The "19" Speed stat is considered just about legendary in Little Cup, and many titans of the metagame have been banned or are very strong partly due to it. However, there are three Pokemon that can actually outspeed all of these unboosted as they hit 20 Speed. 21 is therefore the minimum stat for a Choice Scarf Pokemon to hit if it wants to outspeed the entire unboosted metagame. Many of the Pokemon above at +1 are listed as they are commonly seen with a Choice Scarf, due to their effectiveness in handling the 19 Speed Pokemon or for revenge killing anything else in the tier that does not boost Speed.

Tier 4 (15 - 18 Spe)

18 / Feebas, Gastly, Magikarp / 80 / + Speed / 196 / None
... / Blitzle / 76 / + Speed / 228 / None
... / Anorith, Deerling, Doduo, Minccino / 75 / + Speed / 236 / None
... / Stunky / 74 / + Speed / 244 / None
17 / Litleo, Rattata, Woobat / 72 / + Speed / 180 / None
... / Froakie / 71 / + Speed / 188 / None
... / Archen, Combee, Drifloon, Helioptile, Mankey, Natu, Onix, Spearow, Treecko / 70 / + Speed / 196 / None
... / Drilbur, Espurr / 68 / + Speed / 212 / None
... / Chinchou / 67 / + Speed / 220 / None
... / Finneon, Purrloin / 66 / + Speed / 228 / None
... / Charmander, Cyndaquil, Electrike, Finneon, Houndour, Joltik, Mienfoo, Remoraid, Sandile, Skorupi, Smoochum, Surskit, Trubbish, Vulpix, Zorua / 65 / + Speed / 236 / None
... / Pansage, Pansear, Panpour / 64 / + Speed / 244 / None
... / Goldeen, Snivy / 63 / + Speed / 252 / None
16 / Helioptile / 70 / Neutral / 196 / None
... / Carvanha / 65 / Neutral / 236 / None
... / Tympole / 64 / Neutral / 244 / None
... / Chimchar / 61 / + Speed / 188 / None
... / Barboach, Fennekin, Horsea, Karrablast, Pawniard, Rufflet, Spoink, Starly, Tynamo, Vullaby, Zigzagoon / 60 / + Speed / 196 / None
... / Cranidos / 58 / + Speed / 212 / None
... / Axew, Bunnelby, Venipede / 57 / + Speed / 220 / None
... / Pidgey, Pumpkaboo-Small / 56 / + Speed / 228 / None
... / Ducklett, Dwebble, Eevee, Ekans, Kabuto, Lillipup, Noibat, Zubat / 55 / + Speed / 236 / None
15 / Drifloon / 70 / Neutral / 116 / None
... / Horsea / 60 / Neutral / 196 / None
... / Bunnelby / 57 / Neutral / 180 / None
... / Skiddo / 52 / + Speed / 180 / None
... / Pumpkaboo-Average / 51 / + Speed / 188 / None
... / Bagon, Binacle, Darumaka, Krabby, Mantyke, Skitty, Swablu, Swinub / 50 / + Speed / 196 / None
... / Scraggy, Tyrunt / 48 / + Speed / 212 / None
... / Amaura, Pumpkaboo-Large / 46 / + Speed / 228 / None
... / Bulbasaur, Gothita, Inkay, Magnemite, Seel, Torchic / 45 / + Speed / 236 / None
... / Clauncher / 44 / + Speed / 244 / None

Analysis: This is the tier in which the vast majority of unboosted Little Cup resides. In these tiers, it is often easy for Pokemon to get lost among the crowd and not have any real desire to run maximum Speed, so similarly to tier 2, this is merely to demonstrate what the absolute maximum Speed these Pokemon could potentially be at. Important to note is the fact that although 19 Speed is typically regarded as the number to hit, there aren't many Pokemon that hit a maximum of 18 Speed, so this stat is statistically only slightly less advantageous.

Tier 5 (11 - 14 Spe)

14 / Archen, Tentacool / 70 / Neutral / 36 / None
... / Chinchou / 67 / Neutral / 60 / None
... / Mienfoo / 65 / Neutral / 76 / None
... / Vullaby / 60 / Neutral / 116 / None
... / Skiddo / 52 / Neutral / 180 / None
... / Bagon, Binacle, Dratini / 50 / Neutral / 196 / None
... / Scraggy, Tyrunt / 48 / Neutral / 212 / None
... / Bulbasaur, Magnemite, Tepig, Torchic / 45 / Neutral / 236 / None
... / Flabébé, Gible / 42 / + Speed / 180 / None
... / Larvitar / 41 / + Speed / 188 / None
... / Bellsprout, Frillish, Goomy, Porygon, Shellder, Snover, Teddiursa / 40 / + Speed / 196 / None
... / Deino, Phantump / 38 / + Speed / 212 / None
... / Cacnea, Corphish, Cubone, Golett, Machop, Omanyte / 35 / + Speed / 236 / None
... / Chespin / 33 / + Speed / 252 / None
13 / Stunky / 74 / Neutral / 0 / None
... / Cottonee / 66 / Neutral / 0 / None
... / Larvesta, Vullaby, Zigzagoon / 60 / Neutral / 36 / None
... / Dratini / 50 / Neutral / 116 / None
... / Bellsprout, Porygon, Shellder / 40 / Neutral / 196 / None
... / Corphish, Omanyte / 35 / Neutral / 236 / None
... / Clamperl / 32 / + Speed / 180 / None
... / Oddish / 30 / + Speed / 196 / None
... / Honedge / 28 / + Speed / 212 / None
... / Rhyhorn / 25 / + Speed / 236 / None
12 / Fletchling / 62 / Neutral / 0 / None
... / Growlithe, Mime Jr., Riolu / 60 / Neutral / 0 / None
... / Ekans, Kabuto / 55 / Neutral / 0 / None
... / Croagunk, Krabby / 50 / Neutral / 36 / None
... / Aron, Oddish, Spinarak / 30 / Neutral / 196 / None
... / Rhyhorn / 25 / Neutral / 236 / None
11 / Tyrunt / 48 / Neutral / 0 / None
... / Amaura / 46 / Neutral / 0 / None
... / Pumpkaboo-Super / 41 / Neutral / 28 / None
... / Exeggcute, Goomy, Sandshrew / 40 / Neutral / 36 / None
... / Numel / 35 / Neutral / 76 / None
... / Honedge / 28 / Neutral / 132 / None
... / Tirtouga / 22 / Neutral / 180 / None

Analysis: This tier holds many Pokemon looking to boost their Speed through items, abilities, or moves, such as Choice Scarf, Chlorophyll, and Shell Smash. Seeing as how 14 Speed is considered the "magic" stat for Choice Scarf users, that number is particularly cramped. Those that aren't boosting their Speed tend to be Pokemon working mainly with their priority moves, or Pokemon that are more defensively oriented that happen to have a high base Speed. Most of the dangerous sweepers in the tier start out here, becoming very hard to stop if they manage to get their Speed boosts, but are vulnerable to being crippled before they set up.

Tier 6 (<11 Speed)

10 / Sewaddle / 42 / Neutral / 0 / None
... / Frillish, Porygon / 40 / Neutral / 0 / None
... / Phantump / 38 / Neutral / 0 / None
... / Cacnea, Golett, Elgyem, Koffing, Numel, Shroomish, Timburr / 35 / Neutral / 0 / None
... / Shellos / 34 / Neutral / 4 / None
... / Hippopotas / 32 / Neutral / 20 / None
... / Aron, Skrelp, Snubbull / 30 / Neutral / 36 / None
... / Honedge / 28 / Neutral / 52 / None
... / Togepi / 20 / Neutral / 116 / None
9 / Croagunk / 50 / - Speed / 0 / None
... / Pancham / 43 / - Speed / 0 / None
... / Snover / 40 / - Speed / 0 / None
... / Lickitung, Nosepass, Shieldon, Skrelp, Snubbull / 30 / Neutral / 0 / None
... / Duskull, Grimer, Paras, Shelmet / 25 / Neutral / 0 / None
... / Bronzor, Spritzee, Wynaut / 23 / Neutral / 12 / None
8 / Bronzor, Lileep / 23 / Neutral / 0 / None
... / Geodude, Solosis, Togepi / 20 / Neutral / 0 / None
... / Foongus, Pineco, Slowpoke / 15 / Neutral / 0 / None
... / Ferroseed / 10 / Neutral / 36 / None
7 / Aron / 30 / - Speed / 0 / None / 0
... / Tirtouga / 22 / - Speed / 0 / None
... / Wooper / 15 / - Speed / 0 / None
... / Munchlax / 5 / Neutral / 0 / None
6 / Azurill, Solosis / 20 / - Speed / 0 / None / 0

Analysis: Here's where the slowest Pokemon in LC have their benchmarks. All of these Pokemon would rather invest in their defenses and offenses than their pitiful Speed stats, except when EVs are left over or if they need to be faster than a specific Pokemon. Also here are Pokemon who want to move second for various purposes, such as Trick Room, Metal Burst, or U-turn and its variants. The Pokemon here are the bulkiest in the tier, and can usually hit hard as well as a trade-off for being so slow.

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All the bolded Speeds are based off of my own experience and off of the analyses on-site and in writing, and are not set in stone. If you see something you'd like to change, please post in the thread and if others agree, I'll update the list. Likewise, if you don't see a Pokemon at a Speed it should be at, then point that out as well.
 
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Please add mienfoo in the 14 speed tier, while the defensive set has fallen out of fashion because it checks pawniard less efficiently and isn't as strong with knock off and drain punch. It is still a valuable pivot able to spread knock off and u-turn out, while taking less damage than the normal set does, allowing regen to create lasting health for late-game.
Also 15 speed fletch to outspeed defensive chou/archen so you can u-turn, and outspeed most DDers before the boost so u-turning doesn't cost you a live instead of KOing vs like scraggy.
 
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Also defensive ponyta should be put in 18 speed, as 19 isn't that much of an important benchmark when losing 1 speed helps you tank hits from mienfoo and the fighting types, while checking pawniard better. (Offensive pony is kick ass at 19, don't get me wrong)
 

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