[OVERVIEW]
Pelipper shines as the best rain setter in OU thanks to its ability Drizzle, useful defensive typing, and great movepool, with access to Roost, U-turn, and other utility moves such as Knock Off and Defog. Its rain lets it support a multitude of teammates ranging from Ferrothorn and Magearna having their Fire weakness decreased to enabling dangerous threats such as Mega Swampert, Ash-Greninja, and Manaphy. Rain boosts the power of Pelipper's Scald and boosts the accuracy of Hurricane from Tornadus-T and Thunder from Tapu Koko, letting them use these moves without worrying about missing. Drizzle is also useful against opposing weather teams, letting it hinder Pokemon such as Mega Charizard Y and Excadrill. However, its Water / Flying typing leaves a lot to be desired; Stealth Rock cuts into its HP, reducing its ability to take physical attacks such as Mega Lopunny's Frustration, and it is vulnerable to common offensive types such as Electric and Rock. Additionally, its base stats aside from its Defense are below average at best, making it easy for special attackers such as Ash-Greninja, Tornadus-T, and Tapu Lele to pressure and force it out. Pelipper also loses to Mega Tyranitar and Mega Charizard Y one-on-one, should they come in and replace the rain with their respective weathers.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Toxic can be used to cripple the likes of Slowbro and Gastrodon. Pursuit is another option to trap the rare Shedinja, which is otherwise very troublesome to teammates such as Mega Swampert, Manaphy, and Tapu Koko. However, the use of these moves for these matchups is very specific, and Pelipper must give up more consistent options like Knock Off, Defog, and Hurricane to use them. A Choice Specs set with a Modest nature can catch opponents by surprise, drastically powering up Pelipper's Water-type STAB moves and ensuring that Hurricane has a favorable roll to 2HKO Toxapex after Stealth Rock damage. However, Pelipper needs to drop Damp Rock, leading to rain teams having fewer turns to threaten the opposing team and reducing the consistency of teammates like Mega Swampert and Manaphy that rely on rain.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Electric-type Pokemon and Coverage Moves**: Electric-types such as Tapu Koko, Rotom-W, Thundurus-T, and Zapdos pose a major threat to Pelipper with their super effective STAB moves. They can also force out Pelipper with Volt Switch to generate momentum. Pelipper must also watch out for unexpected Electric-type coverage such as Thunder from Clefable and Thunder Punch from Kommo-o.
**Rock-type Pokemon and Coverage Moves**: Rock-types such as Tyranitar, Mega Diancie, and the rare Mega Aerodactyl are faster than Pelipper and threaten it with their Rock-type STAB moves. Tyranitar can replace the rain and potentially punish Pelipper with Pursuit. Pelipper must be wary of Pokemon that may have Rock-type coverage moves such as Stone Edge from the likes of Landorus-T and Garchomp.
**Opposing Rain Sweepers**: Offensive Water-types such as Ash-Greninja and Volcanion can turn Pelipper's rain against it by powering up their Water-type STAB moves to use against it and its teammates. Pokemon like Tornadus-T and Mega Latias can also use the rain to fire off Hurricane and Thunder without the risk of missing.
**Opposing Weather Setters**: Tyranitar and Mega Charizard Y can replace Pelipper's rain with sand and sun, respectively, making it more difficult for Pelipper to maintain the rain turns for its team. Tyranitar can also potentially punish Pelipper with Pursuit, which leaves Pelipper with fewer opportunities to come back in and reset the rain.
**Passive Damage**: The presence of Stealth Rock is very troublesome for Pelipper, as it limits its ability to come in and reset the rain. If Pelipper is below 25% of its health, it will be KOed before it can activate the rain. Status conditions like Toxic and even burn compound with entry hazard damage and give Pelipper a much harder time sticking around.
**Item Removal**: The loss of Damp Rock is detrimental for Pelipper because it limits the number of rain turns that it can provide for its teammates.
**Special Attackers**: Due to Pelipper's below average Special Defense, powerful special attackers such as Ash-Greninja, Tapu Lele, Magearna, and Mega Alakazam can threaten it with heavy damage.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/favmon-garchomp.653095/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/zinnias.569291/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/diyusi.519886/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/adorluigi.528364/
Pelipper shines as the best rain setter in OU thanks to its ability Drizzle, useful defensive typing, and great movepool, with access to Roost, U-turn, and other utility moves such as Knock Off and Defog. Its rain lets it support a multitude of teammates ranging from Ferrothorn and Magearna having their Fire weakness decreased to enabling dangerous threats such as Mega Swampert, Ash-Greninja, and Manaphy. Rain boosts the power of Pelipper's Scald and boosts the accuracy of Hurricane from Tornadus-T and Thunder from Tapu Koko, letting them use these moves without worrying about missing. Drizzle is also useful against opposing weather teams, letting it hinder Pokemon such as Mega Charizard Y and Excadrill. However, its Water / Flying typing leaves a lot to be desired; Stealth Rock cuts into its HP, reducing its ability to take physical attacks such as Mega Lopunny's Frustration, and it is vulnerable to common offensive types such as Electric and Rock. Additionally, its base stats aside from its Defense are below average at best, making it easy for special attackers such as Ash-Greninja, Tornadus-T, and Tapu Lele to pressure and force it out. Pelipper also loses to Mega Tyranitar and Mega Charizard Y one-on-one, should they come in and replace the rain with their respective weathers.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Toxic can be used to cripple the likes of Slowbro and Gastrodon. Pursuit is another option to trap the rare Shedinja, which is otherwise very troublesome to teammates such as Mega Swampert, Manaphy, and Tapu Koko. However, the use of these moves for these matchups is very specific, and Pelipper must give up more consistent options like Knock Off, Defog, and Hurricane to use them. A Choice Specs set with a Modest nature can catch opponents by surprise, drastically powering up Pelipper's Water-type STAB moves and ensuring that Hurricane has a favorable roll to 2HKO Toxapex after Stealth Rock damage. However, Pelipper needs to drop Damp Rock, leading to rain teams having fewer turns to threaten the opposing team and reducing the consistency of teammates like Mega Swampert and Manaphy that rely on rain.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Electric-type Pokemon and Coverage Moves**: Electric-types such as Tapu Koko, Rotom-W, Thundurus-T, and Zapdos pose a major threat to Pelipper with their super effective STAB moves. They can also force out Pelipper with Volt Switch to generate momentum. Pelipper must also watch out for unexpected Electric-type coverage such as Thunder from Clefable and Thunder Punch from Kommo-o.
**Rock-type Pokemon and Coverage Moves**: Rock-types such as Tyranitar, Mega Diancie, and the rare Mega Aerodactyl are faster than Pelipper and threaten it with their Rock-type STAB moves. Tyranitar can replace the rain and potentially punish Pelipper with Pursuit. Pelipper must be wary of Pokemon that may have Rock-type coverage moves such as Stone Edge from the likes of Landorus-T and Garchomp.
**Opposing Rain Sweepers**: Offensive Water-types such as Ash-Greninja and Volcanion can turn Pelipper's rain against it by powering up their Water-type STAB moves to use against it and its teammates. Pokemon like Tornadus-T and Mega Latias can also use the rain to fire off Hurricane and Thunder without the risk of missing.
**Opposing Weather Setters**: Tyranitar and Mega Charizard Y can replace Pelipper's rain with sand and sun, respectively, making it more difficult for Pelipper to maintain the rain turns for its team. Tyranitar can also potentially punish Pelipper with Pursuit, which leaves Pelipper with fewer opportunities to come back in and reset the rain.
**Passive Damage**: The presence of Stealth Rock is very troublesome for Pelipper, as it limits its ability to come in and reset the rain. If Pelipper is below 25% of its health, it will be KOed before it can activate the rain. Status conditions like Toxic and even burn compound with entry hazard damage and give Pelipper a much harder time sticking around.
**Item Removal**: The loss of Damp Rock is detrimental for Pelipper because it limits the number of rain turns that it can provide for its teammates.
**Special Attackers**: Due to Pelipper's below average Special Defense, powerful special attackers such as Ash-Greninja, Tapu Lele, Magearna, and Mega Alakazam can threaten it with heavy damage.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/favmon-garchomp.653095/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/zinnias.569291/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/diyusi.519886/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/adorluigi.528364/
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