Taking this over from BloodAce0107
[OVERVIEW]
Pawniard is a solid attacker due to its great offensive typing, decent Attack stat, and access to Swords Dance and STAB Sucker Punch to function as a threatening physical sweeper. Moreover, STAB Knock Off and Iron Head enable Pawniard to break down bulkier Pokemon such as Bronzor, Beheeyem, and Granbull. Defensively, Pawniard's Dark / Steel typing lets it check threats such as Muk and Leafeon. Despite this, Pawniard's middling bulk and Speed leave it overly reliant on Sucker Punch to handle faster attackers and limit its setup opportunities. Furthermore, Pawniard has a poor matchup against common Defog users such as Silvally-Fighting and Silvally-Water, which limits its effectiveness as Defog deterrent. Lastly, common Pokemon such as Combusken and Sandslash can switch in and scare Pawniard off, while other offensive Pokemon such as Rapidash and Pinsir can take a Sucker Punch and threaten to OHKO back.
[SET]
name: Physical Attacker
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Iron Head
item: Eviolite
ability: Defiant
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Knock Off is Pawniard's primary STAB move that also has the added benefit of removing items, crippling Eviolite users such as Mareanie and Machoke. Sucker Punch enables Pawniard to clean weakened teams once it has set up with Swords Dance. Iron Head allows Pawniard to hit Fairy-types such as Granbull for super effective damage and chip away at Dark- and Fighting-types such as Silvally-Dark and Machoke, which would otherwise easily switch into it.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack investment and an Adamant nature allow Pawniard to sweep as easily as possible, guaranteeing an OHKO against Electivire after Stealth Rock damage with +2 Sucker Punch, which it can not attain with a Jolly nature. Defiant allows Pawniard to discourage the use of Defog and Parting Shot from the likes of Silvally-Dark and to take advantage of Intimidate Mawile and Granbull, two go-to Dark-type switch-ins.
Usage Tips
========
Swords Dance should be used early- and mid-game to help Pawniard break through defensive Pokemon such as Mareanie and Lickilicky or to sweep late-game. Pawniard can set up late-game against Pokemon such as Leafeon or on forced switches against Choice Scarf users such as Electivire and Silvally. It is vital that entry hazards be set and the opposing team weakened to help Pawniard sweep. For example, Stealth Rock damage ensures revenge killers such as Choice Scarf Rapidash, Electivire, and Swanna faint to +2 Sucker Punch and that slower Pokemon such as Marowak, Lickilicky, and Bellossom are OHKOed by +2 Knock Off or Iron Head. Knock Off should be used to cripple defensive cores by removing items such as Eviolite and Leftovers from Pokemon such as Machoke and Komala. In addition, Pawniard can bait in Knock Off switch-ins and double switch to a teammate to keep up momentum. Pawniard can switch into an expected Defog to gain a +2 boost from Defiant, but it must be wary of certain coverage moves from common Defog users such as Flamethrower from Altaria and Scald from Swanna, as the opponent may predict Pawniard coming in. By the same token, Pawniard must be careful of getting trapped by Magnet Pull trappers such as Alolan Golem and Probopass, which can prevent a sweep or render Pawniard useless early. As such, Pawniard should double switch to avoid getting trapped by these Pokemon until they are sufficiently weakened.
Team Options
========
Entry hazard setters such as Golem and Crustle are crucial partners due to their ability to wear down Pawniard's checks with Stealth Rock and Spikes. Also, Shuckle and Leavanny can support Pawniard with Sticky Web, which allows it to outspeed Pokemon such as Electivire and Pinsir that would otherwise revenge kill it. In return, Pawniard can deter Defog users from removing the entry hazards. Wallbreakers such as Life Orb Electivire and Z-Mirror Move Swanna also make for good teammates because they appreciate Pawniard's ability to pressure Defog users. Moreover, these wallbreakers can check Silvally-Water, Floatzel, and Silvally-Fighting for Pawniard and pave a way for it to sweep late-game. Similarly, wallbreakers such as Choice Specs Beheeyem and Choice Band Granbull can also break through Pawniard's checks such as Silvally-Fighting. In return, Pawniard takes advantage of Pokemon such as Bronzor. On the other hand, Fighting-type checks such as Mareanie can help check Pokemon that threaten Pawniard such as Combusken, Monferno, and Silvally-Fighting. Mareanie also has the benefit of providing Pawniard with Toxic Spikes support to wear down its checks even further.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Life Orb can be used over Eviolite on more offensive entry hazard stacking or Sticky Web teams to allows Pawniard to clean more easily late-game. For example, Life Orb Pawniard can OHKO Mr. Mime and Chatot with Sucker Punch after slight chip damage. Darkinium Z can be utilized instead of Eviolite to increase Pawniard's wallbreaking capabilities and to more easily beat Colbur Berry Gourgeist-XL. Steelium Z may also be used to nail Dark-type switch-ins such as Silvally-Fighting and Machoke. However, the lack of Eviolite leaves Pawniard with notably less bulk and an inability to check Pokemon such as Leafeon and Shiftry. In addition, Pawniard needs Eviolite to avoid the OHKO from attacks such as Earthquake from Electivire and Dazzling Gleam from Mr. Mime. This also uses up the team's Z-Crystal, which limits teambuilding. Pursuit can be used over Swords Dance to trap Pokemon such as Bronzor, Choice Specs Beheeyem, and Dusclops. While Pawniard loses the ability to sweep without Swords Dance, it has little competition as a Pursuit trapper and can capitalize on the switches it forces because of Knock Off. Low Kick enables Pawniard to OHKO Probopass and 2HKO Alolan Golem, but it is very situational and generally inferior to Swords Dance. Taunt can be used to prevent the use of moves such as Will-O-Wisp from Gourgeist-XL and Recover from Pyukumuku, but Pawniard generally appreciates other moves instead.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fighting-types and Fighting-type Coverage**: Fighting-types such as Combusken, Silvally-Fighting, and Monferno can OHKO Pawniard with their STAB moves. Monferno and Combusken resist both of Pawniard's STAB moves, and Silvally-Fighting has the bulk to easily switch into Pawniard's attacks multiple times. Other Pokemon with Fighting-type coverage such as Focus Blast Floatzel and Jump Kick Sawsbuck only need to watch out for Sucker Punch.
**Faster Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon that can withstand +2 Sucker Punch such as Pinsir and Silvally-Dragon can revenge kill Pawniard after minimal chip damage. However, these Pokemon fail to revenge kill Pawniard if they have already taken too much prior damage, especially Pinsir, which has a high chance of getting OHKOed by +2 Pawniard after Stealth Rock damage.
**Will-O-Wisp Users**: Will-O-Wisp users such as Colbur Berry Gourgeist-XL can take a hit from Pawniard and cripple it. Firium Z Rapidash can also pivot into Pawniard and threaten to cripple it with Will-O-Wisp. However, Gourgeist-XL needs to keep its Colbur Berry intact in order to handle Pawniard, and Rapidash should be wary of chip damage.
**Ground-types**: Ground-types such as Sandslash, Gabite, and Silvally-Ground can check Pawniard and threaten it with their STAB attacks. However, Gabite dislikes switching directly into Pawniard in fear of losing its Eviolite.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[BloodAce, 435539], [5gen, 296755]]
- Quality checked by: [[Aaronboyer, 239454], [5gen, 296755], [DurzaOffTopic, 357488]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [, ]]
[OVERVIEW]
Pawniard is a solid attacker due to its great offensive typing, decent Attack stat, and access to Swords Dance and STAB Sucker Punch to function as a threatening physical sweeper. Moreover, STAB Knock Off and Iron Head enable Pawniard to break down bulkier Pokemon such as Bronzor, Beheeyem, and Granbull. Defensively, Pawniard's Dark / Steel typing lets it check threats such as Muk and Leafeon. Despite this, Pawniard's middling bulk and Speed leave it overly reliant on Sucker Punch to handle faster attackers and limit its setup opportunities. Furthermore, Pawniard has a poor matchup against common Defog users such as Silvally-Fighting and Silvally-Water, which limits its effectiveness as Defog deterrent. Lastly, common Pokemon such as Combusken and Sandslash can switch in and scare Pawniard off, while other offensive Pokemon such as Rapidash and Pinsir can take a Sucker Punch and threaten to OHKO back.
[SET]
name: Physical Attacker
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Iron Head
item: Eviolite
ability: Defiant
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Knock Off is Pawniard's primary STAB move that also has the added benefit of removing items, crippling Eviolite users such as Mareanie and Machoke. Sucker Punch enables Pawniard to clean weakened teams once it has set up with Swords Dance. Iron Head allows Pawniard to hit Fairy-types such as Granbull for super effective damage and chip away at Dark- and Fighting-types such as Silvally-Dark and Machoke, which would otherwise easily switch into it.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack investment and an Adamant nature allow Pawniard to sweep as easily as possible, guaranteeing an OHKO against Electivire after Stealth Rock damage with +2 Sucker Punch, which it can not attain with a Jolly nature. Defiant allows Pawniard to discourage the use of Defog and Parting Shot from the likes of Silvally-Dark and to take advantage of Intimidate Mawile and Granbull, two go-to Dark-type switch-ins.
Usage Tips
========
Swords Dance should be used early- and mid-game to help Pawniard break through defensive Pokemon such as Mareanie and Lickilicky or to sweep late-game. Pawniard can set up late-game against Pokemon such as Leafeon or on forced switches against Choice Scarf users such as Electivire and Silvally. It is vital that entry hazards be set and the opposing team weakened to help Pawniard sweep. For example, Stealth Rock damage ensures revenge killers such as Choice Scarf Rapidash, Electivire, and Swanna faint to +2 Sucker Punch and that slower Pokemon such as Marowak, Lickilicky, and Bellossom are OHKOed by +2 Knock Off or Iron Head. Knock Off should be used to cripple defensive cores by removing items such as Eviolite and Leftovers from Pokemon such as Machoke and Komala. In addition, Pawniard can bait in Knock Off switch-ins and double switch to a teammate to keep up momentum. Pawniard can switch into an expected Defog to gain a +2 boost from Defiant, but it must be wary of certain coverage moves from common Defog users such as Flamethrower from Altaria and Scald from Swanna, as the opponent may predict Pawniard coming in. By the same token, Pawniard must be careful of getting trapped by Magnet Pull trappers such as Alolan Golem and Probopass, which can prevent a sweep or render Pawniard useless early. As such, Pawniard should double switch to avoid getting trapped by these Pokemon until they are sufficiently weakened.
Team Options
========
Entry hazard setters such as Golem and Crustle are crucial partners due to their ability to wear down Pawniard's checks with Stealth Rock and Spikes. Also, Shuckle and Leavanny can support Pawniard with Sticky Web, which allows it to outspeed Pokemon such as Electivire and Pinsir that would otherwise revenge kill it. In return, Pawniard can deter Defog users from removing the entry hazards. Wallbreakers such as Life Orb Electivire and Z-Mirror Move Swanna also make for good teammates because they appreciate Pawniard's ability to pressure Defog users. Moreover, these wallbreakers can check Silvally-Water, Floatzel, and Silvally-Fighting for Pawniard and pave a way for it to sweep late-game. Similarly, wallbreakers such as Choice Specs Beheeyem and Choice Band Granbull can also break through Pawniard's checks such as Silvally-Fighting. In return, Pawniard takes advantage of Pokemon such as Bronzor. On the other hand, Fighting-type checks such as Mareanie can help check Pokemon that threaten Pawniard such as Combusken, Monferno, and Silvally-Fighting. Mareanie also has the benefit of providing Pawniard with Toxic Spikes support to wear down its checks even further.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Life Orb can be used over Eviolite on more offensive entry hazard stacking or Sticky Web teams to allows Pawniard to clean more easily late-game. For example, Life Orb Pawniard can OHKO Mr. Mime and Chatot with Sucker Punch after slight chip damage. Darkinium Z can be utilized instead of Eviolite to increase Pawniard's wallbreaking capabilities and to more easily beat Colbur Berry Gourgeist-XL. Steelium Z may also be used to nail Dark-type switch-ins such as Silvally-Fighting and Machoke. However, the lack of Eviolite leaves Pawniard with notably less bulk and an inability to check Pokemon such as Leafeon and Shiftry. In addition, Pawniard needs Eviolite to avoid the OHKO from attacks such as Earthquake from Electivire and Dazzling Gleam from Mr. Mime. This also uses up the team's Z-Crystal, which limits teambuilding. Pursuit can be used over Swords Dance to trap Pokemon such as Bronzor, Choice Specs Beheeyem, and Dusclops. While Pawniard loses the ability to sweep without Swords Dance, it has little competition as a Pursuit trapper and can capitalize on the switches it forces because of Knock Off. Low Kick enables Pawniard to OHKO Probopass and 2HKO Alolan Golem, but it is very situational and generally inferior to Swords Dance. Taunt can be used to prevent the use of moves such as Will-O-Wisp from Gourgeist-XL and Recover from Pyukumuku, but Pawniard generally appreciates other moves instead.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fighting-types and Fighting-type Coverage**: Fighting-types such as Combusken, Silvally-Fighting, and Monferno can OHKO Pawniard with their STAB moves. Monferno and Combusken resist both of Pawniard's STAB moves, and Silvally-Fighting has the bulk to easily switch into Pawniard's attacks multiple times. Other Pokemon with Fighting-type coverage such as Focus Blast Floatzel and Jump Kick Sawsbuck only need to watch out for Sucker Punch.
**Faster Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon that can withstand +2 Sucker Punch such as Pinsir and Silvally-Dragon can revenge kill Pawniard after minimal chip damage. However, these Pokemon fail to revenge kill Pawniard if they have already taken too much prior damage, especially Pinsir, which has a high chance of getting OHKOed by +2 Pawniard after Stealth Rock damage.
**Will-O-Wisp Users**: Will-O-Wisp users such as Colbur Berry Gourgeist-XL can take a hit from Pawniard and cripple it. Firium Z Rapidash can also pivot into Pawniard and threaten to cripple it with Will-O-Wisp. However, Gourgeist-XL needs to keep its Colbur Berry intact in order to handle Pawniard, and Rapidash should be wary of chip damage.
**Ground-types**: Ground-types such as Sandslash, Gabite, and Silvally-Ground can check Pawniard and threaten it with their STAB attacks. However, Gabite dislikes switching directly into Pawniard in fear of losing its Eviolite.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[BloodAce, 435539], [5gen, 296755]]
- Quality checked by: [[Aaronboyer, 239454], [5gen, 296755], [DurzaOffTopic, 357488]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [, ]]
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