Original Analysis: https://www.smogon.com/forums/threads/oras-serperior.3701409/
[SET]
name: SubSeed
move 1: Leech Seed
move 2: Protect
move 3: Substitute
move 4: Leaf Storm
item: Leftovers
ability: Contrary
nature: Timid
evs: 184 HP / 72 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=============
Serperior uses its great Speed tier to set Leech Seed and gain passive recovery at the end of the turn. Then, Serperior alternates between Protect and Substitute, chipping the opponent and stalling turns; this allows it to beat many top threats, such as Garchomp and Mega Metagross. To round out the set, Serperior uses Leaf Storm, which gains power with each use thanks to Contrary; this allows Serperior to beat stall Pokemon, such as Mega Sableye, Manaphy, and Mega Slowbro.
EVs
=============
Serperior needs maximum Speed investment to outspeed base-110 Speed threats, most notably Mega Diancie, Mega Metagross, and non-Choice Scarf Archeops; this lets it fare well against other Serperior. The HP and Defense investment allows it to take an Outrage from Jolly Choice Band Garchomp while maximizing its HP.
Usage Tips
=============
Versus Sableye, Serperior can use Protect on turn one to avoid Taunt, which will still be a priority move due to Prankster when they Mega Evolve. This will allow Serperior to get a Substitute off against Mega Sableye to avoid potential Metal Burst damage. If they use Calm Mind, use Leaf Storm. However, if they choose not to Mega Evolve, they preserve Prankster Taunt, and the matchup becomes a toss-up between Leaf Storm on Taunt or Substitute on Metal Burst. However, it should be noted that many Sableye do not carry Metal Burst. Versus various targets that are weak to Grass, such as Mega Diancie, Mega Gyarados, and Mega Slowbro, Serperior should use Leaf Storm repeatedly instead of setting Leech Seed. In most other matchups, using Leech Seed on turn one before alternating between Protect and Substitute provides the best chances of winning, provided Serperior survives the foe's initial attack.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Assault Vest with Mirror Coat and Hidden Power Ground can also be used in order to lure in Choice Specs Greninja, non-Choice item Heatran, Meloetta, and non-Choice Specs Porygon-Z; this set fails to be reliable, however, because of Serperior's weak HP and Special Defense stats even after investment, making many matchups item-dependent. Serperior may use Worry Seed, stopping Registeel from using Rest by replacing its ability with Insomnia. Worry Seed also beats Mega Mawile by removing Huge Power and Dragon Dance Mega Altaria by removing Pixilate. Taunt beats stall Pokemon as well and gains other matchups such as Taunt Mega Aggron and Shell Smash Crustle. These moves, because they require dropping Protect, often lose more matchups than Worry Seed or Taunt will gain. Serperior can also use Occa Berry over Leftovers for Fire-types like Choice Specs or Weakness Policy Victini and non-Choice Scarf Heatran; this, however, loses out on the Leftovers recovery, which is pivotal in allowing Serperior to stall out Pokemon indefinitely.
[CREDITS]
[CREDITS]
- Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/itchy.518399/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/pqs.425798/
- Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/crucify.437679/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/deg.234355/
- Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ut.523866/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sunny004.197240/
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