PU Pawniard [GP 2/2]

[UberSkitty]

QC: Drumstick / Megazard / Yogurt
GP: Fireflame / Dutch Plumberjack

[OVERVIEW]

Pawniard has a unique typing that allows it to hit almost the entire metagame for neutral damage and serve as a switch-in to a decent number of Pokemon such as physical Skuntank and Sableye. Defiant allows Pawniard to take advantage of Defog and other stat-lowering moves, which furthers its ability to switch into physical Skuntank and other Defog users, though it struggles against many other common Defog users such as Swanna and Silvally-Fairy, which can 2HKO it if they can predict a switch. It also has a good movepool, with access to Knock Off, priority in the form of Sucker Punch, and Swords Dance, which gives it a form of setup. These moves allow Pawniard to serve as a decent wallbreaker and sweeper. However, Pawniard's stats can be overall very underwhelming, including its Attack, which often requires a Swords Dance boost to break through many foes. Its bulk is mediocre even with Eviolite, and especially without, leaving it struggling to switch into even resisted hits from foes such as Oricorio-G and Haunter too many times. Finally, Pawniard’s low Speed often hinders it when sweeping, although its access to Sucker Punch can somewhat make up for that. Fighting-types give Pawniard a lot of trouble and can put a stop to its sweep with relative ease, with many having higher Speed or access to Mach Punch. Bulky Ground-types also concern Pawniard, as they can take hits before OHKOing in return. It also receives a good amount of competition from other Swords Dance users such as Alolan Raticate and Absol due to their higher Attack and Speed stats. Nonetheless, Pawniard maintains its niche with its great ability in Defiant and a unique typing with some nice coverage and resistances.

[SET]
name: Swords Dance
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
========

Swords Dance boosts Pawniard’s Attack stat, allowing it to more easily sweep and break through bulkier foes such as Regirock and Audino. Knock Off serves as Pawniard’s main STAB move and can also be used to cripple Pokemon by removing items such as Ferroseed's Eviolite, Weezing's Black Sludge, and Gastrodon's Leftovers. Sucker Punch provides priority, which allows Pawniard to hit faster foes such as Swanna, Alolan Raichu, and Pyroar and more easily sweep through weakened teams. Iron Head is Pawniard's secondary STAB move that hits foes that resist Knock Off, such as Skuntank and Silvally-Fairy. It can also be used to hit Fighting-types such as Hitmonchan on the switch for decent damage.

Set Details
========

252 EVs in Attack and Speed combined with an Adamant nature maximize Pawniard's offensive presence, allowing it to wallbreak and sweep more easily. A Jolly nature is an alternative option that enables Pawniard to outspeed certain Pokemon such as Timid Aurorus and Jolly Golurk. However, this is at the cost of the preferred power, missing out on certain KOs such as the potential OHKO on Archeops with +2 Sucker Punch. Defiant is Pawniard's only good ability, as it lets Pawniard take advantage of Defog users such as physical Skuntank and other stat-lowering moves such as Alolan Persian’s Parting Shot. Eviolite gives Pawniard some bulk that allows it to more easily switch in and potentially set up on Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Mesprit and Shiftry.

Usage Tips
========

Pawniard serves as an average wallbreaker that can defeat walls such as Type: Null and Sableye, which allows teammates to more easily clean up after it. Pawniard often scares out many of these walls, as they can do little in return, which it can use as an opportunity to set up a Swords Dance. This can also be accomplished against Pokemon it resists moves from such as Mesprit. Pawniard can also utilize Swords Dance along with Sucker Punch to serve as a late-game sweeper. In this instance, it prefers to have its threats such as Primeape and Gurdurr taken out beforehand, as they can stop it from sweeping. However, Pawniard can lure these foes in early-game and take advantage of Knock Off to remove their items and cripple them. Pawniard should be switched in against a predicted move such as Skuntank's Defog or Silvally-Ghost's Parting Shot in order to activate Defiant. This leads to opponents having to decide between the risk of activating Pawniard's Defiant or leaving the entry hazards. However, be wary that the opponent may instead go for an attack or switch into a better matchup in attempt to take out Pawniard. This can be accomplished by opponents relatively easily, too, due to Pawniard's low defenses. It is because of this that Pawniard often prefers to be brought onto the field without having to take a hit, ideally after a teammate has been KOed or through a slow pivot such as Mesprit's U-turn. If you're using Sucker Punch, the opponent may take advantage of it to set up a Substitute, so watch out for Substitute users such as Alolan Dugtrio. Finally, if Pawniard shows little threat to the opposing team, it can be used to take out a specific foe such as Oricorio-G or Sableye before being sacrificed.

Team Options
========

Special wallbreakers such as Aurorus and Drampa can help break down physically bulky Pokemon such as Weezing and Gourgeist-XL, while Pawniard can help against specially bulky Pokemon such as Clefairy and Audino. Both can also take Will-O-Wisps for Pawniard. Faster Pokemon such as Archeops and Floatzel also benefit from Pawniard's wallbreaking, as it allows them to more easily come in and clean up the match. They can also help against faster threats for Pawniard such as Pyroar. Fighting-types can stop Pawniard in its tracks with relative ease, so Fighting checks such as Swanna, Oricorio-G, and Silvally-Fairy are vital. Swanna can also help against Ground-types, as can other Ground checks such as Eelektross and Gastrodon. Weezing can deal with both Fighting- and Ground-types and appreciates Pawniard’s ability to handle certain Psychic-types and stop Defog users from removing its Toxic Spikes. Mesprit can also serve as a check for Fighting- and Ground-types. It can also support Pawniard with Stealth Rock, a slow U-turn, and Healing Wish and appreciates Pawniard's ability to dissuade the removal of its Stealth Rock. Other hazard setters such as Regirock, Golurk, Smeargle, and Shuckle also benefit from Pawniard’s Defiant. Furthermore, Stealth Rock allows Pawniard to OHKO Pokemon such as Pyroar with +2 Sucker Punch, while Sticky Web can help against faster threats such as Stoutland and Kingler. Furthermore, Ghost-types can form a core with Pawniard that punishes both forms of hazard removal.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Pawniard can hold a Life Orb for more damage output but prefers Eviolite due to its lackluster natural defenses, and without it, setting up and sweeping is immensely more difficult. Pursuit can help trap Ghost- and Psychic-types such as Oricorio-G and Jynx and leads to mind games when combined with Sucker Punch. Low Kick can hit Steel-types such as Aggron and Probopass for super effective damage but has little usage outside of that, so it is overall very situational. Stealth Rock can be run over Swords Dance if your team needs the support, but it leads to Pawniard struggling much more to wallbreak and sweep. Substitute makes Pawniard immune to status conditions, allowing it to use Weezing and physical Spiritomb as setup fodder, and also makes it more difficult to revenge kill. Taunt is another option for stopping Will-O-Wisp and can also be used to disable certain other moves such as Type: Null's Rest and Swords Dance. However, both Substitute and Taunt take up a moveslot that can be better utilized. Finally, Magnet Rise is a very situational option that gives Pawniard a much better matchup against Pokemon such as Archeops and Torterra, although has to be used before Archeops is brought in to have much effect.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Fighting-types and Fighting Coverage**: Fighting-types such as Primeape, Hitmonchan, and Gurdurr can OHKO Pawniard with their respective STAB moves. The former also outspeeds Pawniard, while the latter two have Mach Punch, and they all resist Sucker Punch. Pokemon such as Stoutland and Choice Scarf Jynx can also carry Fighting-type coverage, although Jynx has to watch out for Sucker Punch unless it can target Pawniard on the switch.

**Ground-types**: Bulky Ground-types such as Gastrodon, Mudsdale, and Torterra can take any hit from Pawniard and OHKO it in return. Alolan Dugtrio can bait out Sucker Punch and set up a Substitute to safely pick up the KO, but it cannot take +2 Sucker Punch otherwise. Colbur Berry Claydol can take +2 Sucker Punch and OHKO Pawniard with Earth Power.

**Will-O-Wisp**: Faster Will-O-Wisp users such as Haunter and Gourgeist-S can heavily cripple Pawniard without the fear of Sucker Punch. However, neither appreciates taking +2 Knock Off, even from a burned Pawniard, which still OHKOes Haunter. Bulkier Will-O-Wisp users such as Weezing and Colbur Berry Gourgeist-XL can take a hit before crippling Pawniard.

**Faster Pokemon**: If they can take +2 Sucker Punch, faster Pokemon such as Pyroar, special Skuntank, and Timid Aurorus can come in against Pawniard and OHKO it. However, all fear having taken too much prior damage and Timid Aurorus must stay wary of Jolly Pawniard. Certain other Pokemon such as Silvally-Fairy and Alolan Persian can serve as revenge killers but require a good amount of prior damage on Pawniard to KO it.

**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Aggron and Probopass can take a hit from Pawniard and OHKO with Earthquake and Earth Power, although they take a good amount of damage from Knock Off in the process. Alolan Sandslash outspeeds Pawniard and can OHKO it with Earthquake if holding a Life Orb.

 

[asa]

QC: ? / ? / ?
GP: ? / ?
Not a major problem, but spacing is off at multiple parts of the analysis.

[OVERVIEW]

• Pawniard has a unique typing that offensively allows it to hit almost the entire meta for STAB neutral damage and serve as a resist to a lot Pokemon such as physical Skuntank and Sableye. (put a bit less emphasis on it resisting stuff since its defensive typing is not the main reason to use pawniard. still give it a brief mention, though.)
• Defiant allows Pawniard to abuse Defog and other stat-lowering moves, which furthers its ability to switch into physical Skuntank and other Defog users. This can be combined with Swords Dance to allow Pawniard to serve as a nice sweeper and wallbreaker. (it struggles versus common users of defog and is overly reliant on sucker punch.) (something about knock off being a broken good utility move should go here.)
• However, Pawniard’s stats can be overall very underwhelming, starting with its Attack, which often requires the Swords Dance boost to break through many opponents. Its bulk is mediocre even with Eviolite, leaving it struggling to switch into even resisted opponents such as Oricorio-G and Haunter too many times. Finally, Pawniard’s low Speed often hinders it when sweeping, although its access to priority in Sucker Punch can somewhat make up for that. (though you do handwave its poor bulk even when eviolite-augmented, a mention about how it's even more fragile without it could go here.)
• Fighting- and Ground-types give Pawniard a lot of trouble and can put a stop to its sweep with relative ease. (elaborate. most fighting mons are either fast or either carry mach punch, and it really only struggles with bulkier ground-types.)
• It also receives a good amount of competition from other Swords Dance users such as Alolan Raticate and Absol, with their higher Attack and Speed stats, and the alternative Defiant user in Primeape. (primeape's not really all that comparable to pawniard despite them sharing an ability. the raticate and absol comparisons are fine, though.)

[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Knock Off
move 2: Sucker Punch
move 3: Iron Head
move 4: Swords Dance (if the set is called swords dance, swords dance should be the first move.)
item: Eviolite
ability: Defiant
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

• Knock Off serves as Pawniard’s main STAB move and can also be used to remove items such as Ferroseed’s Eviolite. (also cripples mons such as gastrodon and weezing by ridding them of their item.)
• Sucker Punch provides priority, which allows Pawniard to hit faster opponents such as Swanna, Alolan Raichu, and Magmortar. (mention how after an sd, it can be good versus weakened teams.)
• Iron Head is Pawniard’s secondary STAB move that hits foes that resist Knock Off, such as Clefairy and Skuntank. (maybe something about how it hits fighting-types that resist knock off for neutral.) (also, while clefairy does resist knock off, it doesn't want its eviolite knocked off, so it's not really the best example.)
• Swords Dance boosts Pawniard’s Attack stat, allowing it to more easily sweep and break through bulkier foes such as.... (change order of moves here to reflect above change.)

Set Details
========

• 252 EVs in Attack and Speed maximizes Pawniard's offensive presence.
• Adamant further raises its Attack, so it can more easily sweep. (combine with above bullet.)
• Jolly is an alternate option that instead raises Pawniard’s Speed, allowing it to outspeed certain Pokemon such as Timid Aurorus and Jolly Golurk. However, this is at the cost of the preferred power, missing out on certain KOes such as the potential OHKO of +2 Sucker Punch on Archeops and Magmortar.
• Defiant lets Pawniard take advantage Defog users such as physical Skuntank and other stat-lowering moves such as Alolan Persian’s Parting Shot. (also its only good ability.)
• Eviolite gives Pawniard some bulk that allows it to more easily switch in and potentially set up on Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Mesprit and Shiftry. (unless you specifically mean choice scarf shiftry, this probably isn't the best example since shiftry carries knock off.)

Usage Tips
========

• Pawniard is a good mid- to late-game sweeper. It prefers to have its threats such as Primeape and Gurdurr taken out beforehand, as they can stop it from sweeping. (possibly mention how it can just use knock off to remove their respective items on the switch early-game since it baits both of these pokemon in.)
• As a wallbreaker, it can defeat walls such as Clefairy and Sableye so teammates can ideally clean up the match after it. (reword this to mention that is also capable of acting as a wallbreaker since these two points sort of contradict one another.)
• Pawniard often scares out many of these walls, as they can do little in return otherwise, which it can use as an opportunity to set up a Swords Dance. Similar can be accomplished against Pokemon it resists such as physical Skuntank (this has been a recurring mention throughout the analysis, and a new one would be better in place of it.) and Pokemon Choice Locked into a resisted move such as Choice Scarf Jynx locked into Psychic or Ice Beam. (this is information you've mentioned already.)
• Pawniard should be switched in against a predicted move such as Skuntank's Defog or Silvally-Ghost's Parting Shot in order to activate Defiant. However, be wary that Pawniard’s presence alone could make the opponent hesitant to use those moves, and instead just attack in attempt to KO Pawniard. (only special skunk can KO it, whereas phys skunk cannot.)
• You repeat a lot of the same information and don't expand on much here. Mention how it can force opponents into a situation where they have to risk using Defog and give it +2 or just leave the hazards be.)

Team Options
========

• Special wallbreakers such as Magmortar and Aurorus can help break down physically bulky Pokemon such as Weezing and Gourgeist-XL, while Pawniard can help against specially bulky Pokemon such as Clefairy. (clefairy's been mentioned enough in this analysis, it can break other stuff too.) (mention how mag absorbs wisp for pawniard while aurorus doesn't care much about it.)
• Faster Pokemon such as Archeops and Pyroar also benefit from Pawniard’s wallbreaking, as it allows them to more easily come in and clean up the match. (what do these pokemon outspeed for pawniard in particular, there's a giant difference in their speed tiers.)
• Fighting-types can stop Pawniard in its tracks with relative ease, so Fighting checks such as Swanna, Oricorio-G and Silvally-Fairy are vital. Ghost-types can also form a core with Pawniard that blocks both forms of hazard removal. (pawniard doesn't block defog, it just punishes opponents for predicting incorrectly.)
• Swanna can also help against Ground-types, as can other Ground checks such as Eelektross and Gastrodon. (merge with the above bullet.)
• Weezing can deal with both Fighting- and Ground-types, and appreciates Pawniard’s ability to handle certain Psychic-types and stop Defog users from removing its Toxic Spikes.
• Mesprit can also serve as a check for Fighting- and Ground-types. While its defensive set can support Pawniard with Stealth Rock and slow U-turn, its Choice Specs set can serve as special wallbreaker, and its Choice Scarf set as a cleaner. These sets can also give Pawniard a potential second chance to sweep with Healing Wish. (the first point about hazard support and u-turn is fine, and the last point about hw is fine. the stuff in the middle is kinda useless information.)
• Other hazard setters such as Regirock, Golurk and Smeargle also benefit from Pawniard’s Defiant. Furthermore, Stealth Rock allows Pawniard to OHKO Pokemon such as Pyroar with a +2 Sucker Punch, while Sticky Web can help against faster threats such as....

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

• Pawniard can hold a Life Orb for more damage output, but prefers the Eviolite due to it its lackluster natural defenses. (doing this makes it harder and/or impossible to use sd and attempt to sweep.)
• Pawniard has various alternate options for its moveset that it simply struggles to fit on over its standard moves. (remove this point, it's the definition of other options.)
• Pursuit can help trap Ghost- and Psychic-types such as Oricorio-G and Jynx, and can lead to mind games when combined with Sucker Punch. (giving up a move for this can be hard.)
• Low Kick can hit Steel-types such as Ferroseed, Aggron, and Probopass for super effective damage, but has little usage outside of that, so it is overall very situational. (same as above.) (ferroseed already hates losing its eviolite to knock off.)
• Stealth Rock can be run over Swords Dance if your team needs the support, but leads to Pawniard struggling much more to sweep and wallbreak. (it's not really a wallbreaker anymore if you do this. just offensive support.)
• Finally, Substitute makes Pawniard immune to status conditions, allowing it to use Weezing as setup fodder, and also makes Pawniard more difficult to revenge kill. (this can be annoying to give up a move for as well.)
• Taunt
• ig magnet rise

Checks and Counters
===================

**Fighting-types Attacks**: Fighting-types such as Primeape, Life Orb Hitmonchan, and Timid Combusken outspeed Pawniard, resist Sucker Punch, and can OHKO with their respective STABs. Slower Fighting-types such as Gurdurr and Assault Vest Hitmonchan can also OHKO with Mach Punch. Poliwrath resists both of Pawniard’s STABs and OHKOes with Vacuum Wave or Circle Throw, depending on its set. (just summarize this all as 'Fighting-types such as x, y, and z can OHKO Pawniard with their respective STAB moves.' as it prevents this point from dragging on and on.Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Jynx and Oricorio-G can also carry Fighting-type coverage in Focus Blast and Hidden Power Fighting (oricorio doesn't really run this often enough for a mention.) respectively, although have to watch out for Sucker Punch if not hitting Pawniard on the switch.

**Ground-types**: Bulky Ground-types such as Colbur Berry Palossand, Gastrodon, Mudsdale, and Torterra can live any hit from Pawniard and OHKO it in return. Alolan Dugtrio can bait out the Sucker Punch and set up a Substitute to safely pick up the KO, but can not take a +2 Sucker Punch otherwise. Colbur Berry Claydol can take a +2 Sucker Punch and OHKO Pawniard with Earth Power.

**Will-O-Wisp**: Faster WIll-O-Wisp users such as Pyroar (bad example, would just go for fire move unless it's at +2, but it doesn't OHKO with sucker at full.) and Haunter can largely cripple Pawniard without the fear of Sucker Punch. However, neither appreciate taking a +2 Knock Off, even from a Burned Pawniard, and Haunter is even OHKOed. Bulkier Will-O-Wisp users such as Weezing and Colbur Berry Gourgeist-XL can take a hit before also crippling Pawniard.

**Faster Pokemon**: If they can live a +2 Sucker Punch, certain faster Pokemon such as Stoutland, special Skuntank, and Timid Aurorus can come in against Pawniard and pick up the OHKO. Certain others such as Silvally-Fairy and Alolan Persian can serve as revenge killers but require a good amount of previously acquired damage. (aurorus has to be wary of a potential jolly pawniard since it can ohko with iron head.)

**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Aggron and Probopass can take a hit from Pawniard and OHKO with Earthquake and Earth Power, although take a good amount from Knock Off in the process. Alolan Sandslash outspeeds Pawniard and can OHKO it if holding a Life Orb. If Togedemaru can switch into a predicted Swords Dance, it can lock Pawniard into it with Encore. (remove toge example, too soft of a check.)

1/3.

 

[MZ]

[OVERVIEW]

• Pawniard has a unique typing that offensively allows it to hit almost the entire meta for neutral damage and serve as a resist to a decent amount of Pokemon such as physical Skuntank and Sableye.
• Defiant allows Pawniard to abuse Defog and other stat-lowering moves, which furthers its ability to switch into physical Skuntank and other Defog users. However, it struggles against many common Defog users such as Swanna and Silvally-Fairy, who can pick up a 2HKO if they can predict a switch.
• It also has a good movepool, with access to Knock Off and its good utility, priority in the form of Sucker Punch, and Swords Dance, which gives it an alternate form of setup. These allow Pawniard to serve as a decent sweeper and wallbreaker.
• However, Pawniard’s stats can be overall very underwhelming, starting with its Attack, which often requires the Swords Dance boost to break through many opponents. Its bulk is mediocre even with Eviolite, and especially without, leaving it struggling to switch into even resisted opponents such as Oricorio-G and Haunter too many times. Finally, Pawniard’s low Speed often hinders it when sweeping, although its access to priority in Sucker Punch can somewhat make up for that.
• Fighting-types give Pawniard a lot of trouble and can put a stop to its sweep with relative ease, with many having higher Speed or access to Mach Punch. Bulky Ground-types also concern Pawniard as they can take hits before OHKOing in return.
• It also receives a good amount of competition from other Swords Dance users such as Alolan Raticate and Absol, with their higher Attack and Speed stats. yeah this would be a good place to really emphasize that defiant and having a few weird resists are the only mild niches it has over those 2 far better mons

[SET]
name: Swords Dance
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
========

• Swords Dance boosts Pawniard’s Attack stat, allowing it to more easily sweep and break through bulkier foes such as Regirock and Audino.
• Knock Off serves as Pawniard’s main STAB move and can also be used to cripple Pokemon by remove items such as Ferroseed’s Eviolite, Weezing's Black Sludge, and Gastrodon's Leftovers.
• Sucker Punch provides priority, which allows Pawniard to hit faster opponents such as Swanna, Alolan Raichu, and Magmortar. This furthermore allows Pawniard to more easily sweep through weakened teams.
• Iron Head is Pawniard’s secondary STAB move that hits foes that resist Knock Off, such as Skuntank and Silvally-Fairy. It can also be used to hit Fighting-types such as Hitmonchan on switchin for decent damage.

Set Details
========

• 252 EVs in Attack and Speed combined with an Adamant nature maximizes Pawniard's offensive presence, allowing it to sweep more easily.
• Jolly is an alternate option that instead raises Pawniard’s Speed, enabling it to outspeed certain Pokemon such as Timid Aurorus and Jolly Golurk. However, this is at the cost of the preferred power, missing out on certain KOes such as the potential OHKO of +2 Sucker Punch on Archeops and Magmortar.
• Defiant is Pawniard's only good ability, s sssss it lets Pawniard take advantage Defog users such as physical Skuntank and other stat-lowering moves such as Alolan Persian’s Parting Shot.
• Eviolite gives Pawniard some bulk that allows it to more easily switch in and potentially set up on Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Mesprit and Shiftry.

Usage Tips
========

• Pawniard is a good mid- to late-game sweeper honestly it's rly more of a breaker and annoyer or somth, if ur getting swept by sucker punch in 2018 then lol. also if u need a gurdurr ded to work, it's officially lategame. It prefers to have its threats such as Primeape and Gurdurr taken out beforehand, as they can stop it from sweeping. However, Pawniard can lure these foes in early-game and take advantage of Knock Off to remove their items and cripple them.
• Pawniard can also be utilized as a wallbreaker, as it defeats walls such as Type: Null and Sableye, which ideally allows teammates to more easily clean up after it.
• Pawniard often scares out many of these walls, as they can do little in return otherwise, which it can use as an opportunity to set up a Swords Dance. Similar can be accomplished against Pokemon it resists such as Mesprit and Choice Band Spiritomb.
• Pawniard should be switched in against a predicted move such as Skuntank's Defog or Silvally-Ghost's Parting Shot in order to activate Defiant. This leads opponents having to decide between the risk of activating Defiant or leaving the hazards. However, be wary that the opponent may instead go for an attack or switch into a predicted better matchup in attempt to take out Pawniard.

this is definitely a bit short and lacking, some stuff about how its bulk kinda sucks so be careful about how u pivot into things since it'll get worn down fast, or about how ppl are very prepped for sucker so look out for sub users, or how u might wanna just end up using pawn to check one random mon like sensu that happens to get bopped by it and then let it die, and maybe more stuff too

Team Options
========

• Special wallbreakers such as Magmortar and Aurorus can help break down physically bulky Pokemon such as Weezing and Gourgeist-XL, while Pawniard can help against specially bulky Pokemon such as Clefairy and Miltank. Both can also take Will-O-Wisps for Pawniard.
• Faster Pokemon such as Archeops and Floatzel also benefit from Pawniard’s wallbreaking, as it allows them to more easily come in and clean up the match. They can also help against faster threats for Pawniard such as Pyroar.
• Fighting-types can stop Pawniard in its tracks with relative ease, so Fighting checks such as Swanna, Oricorio-G and Silvally-Fairy are vital. Ghost-types can also form a core with Pawniard that punishes both forms of hazard removal. Swanna can also help against Ground-types, as can other Ground checks such as Eelektross and Gastrodon.
• Weezing can deal with both Fighting- and Ground-types, and appreciates Pawniard’s ability to handle certain Psychic-types and stop Defog users from removing its Toxic Spikes.
• Mesprit can also serve as a check for Fighting- and Ground-types. It can also support Pawniard with Stealth Rock, slow U-turn, and can give Pawniard a potential second chance to sweep with Healing Wish.
• Other hazard setters such as Regirock, Golurk and Smeargle also benefit from Pawniard’s Defiant. Furthermore, Stealth Rock allows Pawniard to OHKO Pokemon such as Pyroar with a +2 Sucker Punch, while Sticky Web can help against faster threats such as Magmortar and Kingler.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

• Pawniard can hold a Life Orb for more damage output, but prefers the Eviolite due to it its lackluster natural defenses as without it makes setting up and sweeping immensely harder.
• Pursuit can help trap Ghost- and Psychic-types such as Oricorio-G and Jynx, and can lead to mind games when combined with Sucker Punch.
• Low Kick can hit Steel-types such as Aggron and Probopass for super effective damage, but has little usage outside of that, so it is overall very situational.
• Stealth Rock can be run over Swords Dance if your team needs the support, but leads to Pawniard struggling much more to sweep.
• Substitute makes Pawniard immune to status conditions, allowing it to use Weezing and physical Spiritomb as setup fodder, and also makes Pawniard more difficult to revenge kill.
• Taunt is another option for stopping Will-O-Wisps, and can also be used to disable certain other moves such as Type: Null's Rest and Swords Dance.
• Finally, Magnet Rise is a very situational option gives Pawniard a much better matchup against Pokemon such as Archeops or Torterra, although has to be used before Archeops is brought in to have much effect.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Fighting-types Attacks**: Fighting-types such as Primeape, Hitmonchan, and Gurdurr can OHKO with their respective STAB moves. The primary also outspeeds Pawniard, while the later two have Mach Punch, all while resisting Sucker Punch. Pokemon such as Stoutland and Choice Scarf Jynx can also carry Fighting-type coverage in Focus Blast, although Jynx to watch out for Sucker Punch if not hitting Pawniard on the switch.

**Ground-types**: Bulky Ground-types such as Colbur Berry Palossand, Gastrodon, Mudsdale, and Torterra can live any hit from Pawniard and OHKO it in return. Alolan Dugtrio can bait out the Sucker Punch and set up a Substitute to safely pick up the KO, but can not take a +2 Sucker Punch otherwise. Colbur Berry Claydol can take a +2 Sucker Punch and OHKO Pawniard with Earth Power.

**Will-O-Wisp**: Faster WIll-O-Wisp users such as Haunter and Gourgeist-S can largely cripple Pawniard without the fear of Sucker Punch. However, neither appreciate taking a +2 Knock Off, even from a Burned Pawniard, which still OHKOes Haunter. Bulkier Will-O-Wisp users such as Weezing and Colbur Berry Gourgeist-XL can take a hit before also crippling Pawniard.

**Faster Pokemon**: If they can live a +2 Sucker Punch, faster Pokemon such as Pyroar, special Skuntank, Assault Vest Magmortar, and Timid Aurorus can come in against Pawniard and pick up the OHKO. However, all fear having taken too much previously acquired damage and Timid Aurorus must stay wary of Jolly Pawniard. Certain others such as Silvally-Fairy and Alolan Persian can serve as revenge killers but require a good amount of previously acquired damage.

**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Aggron and Probopass can take a hit from Pawniard and OHKO with Earthquake and Earth Power, although take a good amount from Knock Off in the process. Alolan Sandslash outspeeds Pawniard and can OHKO it with Earthquake if holding a Life Orb.

2/3

 

[yogi]

Me and Allstar already talked when they were doing QC 1/3, so a lot of my thoughts have already been included. QC 3/3.

 

[asa]

be sure to remove all palossand / miltank mentions

 

[asa]

also remove magmortar mention(s)

 

[Fireflame]

1. Remember to address the above post and remove Magmortar mentions. Replace them with other examples if necessary.
2. Change all curly apostrophes ( ’ ) to straight ones ( ' ). Curly apostrophes mess up the dex formatting on-site.

Remove Add Comments (AC)= add comma (RC)= remove comma (AH)= add hyphen (RH)= remove hyphen

Hide

[OVERVIEW]

Pawniard has a unique typing that offensively allows it to hit almost the entire metagame for neutral damage and serve as a resist switch-in to a decent amount number ("number" for countable things (in this case Pokemon); "amount" for non-countable things) of Pokemon such as physical Skuntank and Sableye. Defiant allows Pawniard to abuse take advantage of Defog and other stat-lowering moves, which furthers its ability to switch into physical Skuntank and other Defog users,(AC) though.(period) However,(RC) it struggles against many other common Defog users such as Swanna and Silvally-Fairy, who can pick up a which can 2HKO it if they can predict a switch. It also has a good movepool, with access to Knock Off and its good utility, priority in the form of Sucker Punch, and Swords Dance, which gives it an alternate a form of setup. These moves allow Pawniard to serve as a decent wallbreaker and sweeper. However, Pawniard’s stats can be overall very underwhelming, starting with including its Attack, which often requires the a Swords Dance boost to break through many opponents foes. Its bulk is mediocre even with Eviolite, and especially without, leaving it struggling to switch into even resisted opponents hits from foes such as Oricorio-G and Haunter too many times. Finally, Pawniard’s low Speed often hinders it when sweeping, although its access to priority in Sucker Punch can somewhat make up for that. Fighting-types give Pawniard a lot of trouble and can put a stop to its sweep with relative ease, with many having higher Speed or access to Mach Punch. Bulky Ground-types also concern Pawniard,(AC) as they can take hits before OHKOing in return. It also receives a good amount of competition from other Swords Dance users such as Alolan Raticate and Absol,(RC) with due to their higher Attack and Speed stats. Nonetheless, Pawniard maintain's maintains its niche with its great ability in Defiant and a unique typing with some nice coverage and resistances.

[SET]
name: Swords Dance
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
========

Swords Dance boosts Pawniard’s Attack stat, allowing it to more easily sweep and break through bulkier foes such as Regirock and Audino. Knock Off serves as Pawniard’s main STAB move and can also be used to cripple Pokemon by removing items such as Ferroseed’s Eviolite, Weezing's Black Sludge, and Gastrodon's Leftovers. Sucker Punch provides priority, which allows Pawniard to hit faster opponents foes such as Swanna, Alolan Raichu, and Magmortar.(period) This furthermore allows Pawniard to and more easily sweep through weakened teams. Iron Head is Pawniard’s secondary STAB move that hits foes that resist Knock Off, such as Skuntank and Silvally-Fairy. It can also be used to hit Fighting-types such as Hitmonchan on switchin the switch for decent damage.

Set Details
========

252 EVs in Attack and Speed combined with an Adamant nature maximizes maximize Pawniard's offensive presence, allowing it to wallbreak and sweep more easily. A Jolly nature is an alternate alternative option that instead raises Pawniard’s Speed, enabling it enables Pawniard to outspeed certain Pokemon such as Timid Aurorus and Jolly Golurk. However, this is at the cost of the preferred power, missing out on certain KOes KOs such as the potential OHKO of +2 Sucker Punch on Archeops and Magmortar with +2 Sucker Punch. Defiant is Pawniard's only good ability, as it lets Pawniard take advantage of Defog users such as physical Skuntank and other stat-lowering moves such as Alolan Persian’s Parting Shot. Eviolite gives Pawniard some bulk that allows it to more easily switch in and potentially set up on Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Mesprit and Shiftry.

Usage Tips
========

Pawniard serves as an average wallbreaker,(RC) in which it that can defeat walls such as Type: Null and Sableye, which allows teammates to more easily clean up after it. Pawniard often scares out many of these walls, as they can do little in return otherwise, which it can use as an opportunity to set up a Swords Dance. Similar This can also be accomplished against Pokemon it resists moves from such as Mesprit and Choice Band Spiritomb. Pawniard can also utilize Swords Dance,(RC) along with Sucker Punch,(RC) to serve as a late-game sweeper. In this instance, it prefers to have its threats such as Primeape and Gurdurr taken out beforehand, as they can stop it from sweeping. However, Pawniard can lure these foes in early-game and take advantage of Knock Off to remove their items and cripple them. Pawniard should be switched in against a predicted move such as Skuntank's Defog or Silvally-Ghost's Parting Shot in order to activate Defiant. This leads opponents having to decide between the risk of activating Pawniard's Defiant or leaving the entry hazards. However, be wary that the opponent may instead go for an attack or switch into a predicted better matchup in attempt to take out Pawniard. This can be accomplished by the opponents relatively easily, too, due to Pawniard's low defenses. It is because of this that Pawniard often prefers to be brought onto the field without having to take a hit, so ideally after a teammate has been KOed or through a slow pivot such as Mesprit's U-turn. If using Sucker Punch, the opponent may take advantage of it to set up a Substitute, so watch out for Substitute users such as Alolan Dugtrio. Finally, if Pawniard shows little threat to the opposing team, it can be used to take out a specific foe such as Oricorio-G or Sableye before being sacked off sacrificed.

Team Options
========

Special wallbreakers such as Magmortar and Aurorus can help break down physically bulky Pokemon such as Weezing and Gourgeist-XL, while Pawniard can help against specially bulky Pokemon such as Clefairy and Miltank. Both Aurorus (changed for the Magmortar mention unless your new example (if you decide to add one) also can take Will-O-Wisp) can also take Will-O-Wisps for Pawniard. Faster Pokemon such as Archeops and Floatzel also benefit from Pawniard’s wallbreaking, as it allows them to more easily come in and clean up the match. They can also help against faster threats for Pawniard such as Pyroar. Fighting-types can stop Pawniard in its tracks with relative ease, so Fighting checks such as Swanna, Oricorio-G,(AC) and Silvally-Fairy are vital. Furthermore, Ghost-types can also form a core with Pawniard that punishes both forms of hazard removal. (moved for better flow, though it can also be put before the "Fighting-types" sentence or the "Faster Pokemon" sentence) Swanna can also help against Ground-types, as can other Ground checks such as Eelektross and Gastrodon. Weezing can deal with both Fighting- and Ground-types,(RC) and appreciates Pawniard’s ability to handle certain Psychic-types and stop Defog users from removing its Toxic Spikes. Mesprit can also serve as a check for Fighting- and Ground-types. It can also support Pawniard with Stealth Rock, a slow U-turn, and Healing Wish and appreciates Pawnaird's ability to dissuade the removal of its Stealth Rock (flows into the next sentence better and also a good point to add anyway). Other hazard setters such as Regirock, Golurk, Smeargle, and Shuckle also benefit from Pawniard’s Defiant. Furthermore, Stealth Rock allows Pawniard to OHKO Pokemon such as Pyroar with a +2 Sucker Punch, while Sticky Web can help against faster threats such as Magmortar and Kingler. Furthermore, Ghost-types can form a core with Pawniard that punishes both forms of hazard removal.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Pawniard can hold a Life Orb for more damage output,(RC) (dependent clause) but prefers the Eviolite due to it its lackluster natural defenses,(AC) and as without it,(AC) makes setting up and sweeping is immensely harder. Pursuit can help trap Ghost- and Psychic-types such as Oricorio-G and Jynx,(RC) and can lead to mind games when combined with Sucker Punch. Low Kick can hit Steel-types such as Aggron and Probopass for super effective damage,(RC) but has little usage outside of that, so it is overall very situational. Stealth Rock can be run over Swords Dance if your team needs the support, but it leads to Pawniard struggling much more to wallbreak or and sweep. Substitute makes Pawniard immune to status conditions, allowing it to use Weezing and physical Spiritomb as setup fodder, and also makes Pawniard more difficult to revenge kill. Taunt is another option for stopping Will-O-Wisps,(RC) Will-O-Wisp and can also be used to disable certain other moves such as Type: Null's Rest and Swords Dance. Finally, Magnet Rise is a very situational option that gives Pawniard a much better matchup against Pokemon such as Archeops or and (we're talking about multiple Pokemon, not just 1, so it's "and") Torterra, although has to be used before Archeops is brought in to have much effect.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Fighting-types Attacks and Fighting Coverage**: Fighting-types such as Primeape, Hitmonchan, and Gurdurr can OHKO Pawniard with their respective STAB moves. The primary former also outspeeds Pawniard, while the later latter two have Mach Punch, and they all while resisting resist Sucker Punch. Pokemon such as Stoutland and Choice Scarf Jynx can also carry Fighting-type coverage, although Jynx has to watch out for Sucker Punch if not hitting Pawniard on the switch.

**Ground-types**: Bulky Ground-types such as Colbur Berry Palossand, Gastrodon, Mudsdale, and Torterra can live any hit from Pawniard and OHKO it in return. Alolan Dugtrio can bait out the Sucker Punch and set up a Substitute to safely pick up the KO, but can not it cannot take a +2 Sucker Punch otherwise. Colbur Berry Claydol can take a +2 Sucker Punch and OHKO Pawniard with Earth Power.

**Will-O-Wisp**: Faster WIll-O-Wisp users such as Haunter and Gourgeist-S can largely heavily cripple Pawniard without the fear of Sucker Punch. However, neither appreciates taking a +2 Knock Off, even from a burned Pawniard, which still OHKOes Haunter. Bulkier Will-O-Wisp users such as Weezing and Colbur Berry Gourgeist-XL can take a hit before also crippling Pawniard.

**Faster Pokemon**: If they can live a +2 Sucker Punch, faster Pokemon such as Pyroar, special Skuntank, Assault Vest Magmortar, and Timid Aurorus can come in against Pawniard and pick up the OHKO it. However, all fear having taken too much previously acquired prior damage and Timid Aurorus must stay wary of Jolly Pawniard. Certain others other Pokemon such as Silvally-Fairy and Alolan Persian can serve as revenge killers but require a good amount of previously acquired prior damage on Pawniard to KO it.

**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Aggron and Probopass can take a hit from Pawniard and OHKO with Earthquake and Earth Power, although they take a good amount of damage from Knock Off in the process. Alolan Sandslash outspeeds Pawniard and can OHKO it with Earthquake if holding a Life Orb.

GP 1/2

Solid writing overall!

 

[Lumari]

remove add / fix (comments); (AC=add comma; RC=remove comma; SC=semicolon)
GP 2/2

check

[OVERVIEW]

Pawniard has a unique typing that allows it to hit almost the entire metagame for neutral damage and serve as a switch-in to a decent number of Pokemon such as physical Skuntank and Sableye. Defiant allows Pawniard to take advantage of Defog and other stat-lowering moves, which furthers its ability to switch into physical Skuntank and other Defog users, though it struggles against many other common Defog users such as Swanna and Silvally-Fairy, which can 2HKO it if they can predict a switch. It also has a good movepool, with access to Knock Off, priority in the form of Sucker Punch, and Swords Dance, which gives it a form of setup. These moves allow Pawniard to serve as a decent wallbreaker and sweeper. However, Pawniard’s Pawniard's stats can be overall very underwhelming, including its Attack, which often requires a Swords Dance boost to break through many foes. Its bulk is mediocre even with Eviolite, and especially without, leaving it struggling to switch into even resisted hits from foes such as Oricorio-G and Haunter too many times. Finally, Pawniard’s low Speed often hinders it when sweeping, although its access to priority in Sucker Punch can somewhat make up for that. Fighting-types give Pawniard a lot of trouble and can put a stop to its sweep with relative ease, with many having higher Speed or access to Mach Punch. Bulky Ground-types also concern Pawniard, as they can take hits before OHKOing in return. It also receives a good amount of competition from other Swords Dance users such as Alolan Raticate and Absol due to their higher Attack and Speed stats. Nonetheless, Pawniard maintains its niche with its great ability in Defiant and a unique typing with some nice coverage and resistances.

[SET]
name: Swords Dance
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
========

Swords Dance boosts Pawniard’s Attack stat, allowing it to more easily sweep and break through bulkier foes such as Regirock and Audino. Knock Off serves as Pawniard’s main STAB move and can also be used to cripple Pokemon by removing items such as Ferroseed’s Ferroseed's Eviolite, Weezing's Black Sludge, and Gastrodon's Leftovers. Sucker Punch provides priority, which allows Pawniard to hit faster foes such as Swanna, Alolan Raichu, and Pyroar and more easily sweep through weakened teams. Iron Head is Pawniard’s Pawniard's secondary STAB move that hits foes that resist Knock Off, such as Skuntank and Silvally-Fairy. It can also be used to hit Fighting-types such as Hitmonchan on the switch for decent damage.

Set Details
========

252 EVs in Attack and Speed combined with an Adamant nature maximize Pawniard's offensive presence, allowing it to wallbreak and sweep more easily. A Jolly nature is an alternative option that enables Pawniard to outspeed certain Pokemon such as Timid Aurorus and Jolly Golurk. However, this is at the cost of the preferred power, missing out on certain KOs such as the potential OHKO on Archeops with +2 Sucker Punch. Defiant is Pawniard's only good ability, as it lets Pawniard take advantage of Defog users such as physical Skuntank and other stat-lowering moves such as Alolan Persian’s Parting Shot. Eviolite gives Pawniard some bulk that allows it to more easily switch in and potentially set up on Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Mesprit and Shiftry.

Usage Tips
========

Pawniard serves as an average wallbreaker that can defeat walls such as Type: Null and Sableye, which allows teammates to more easily clean up after it. Pawniard often scares out many of these walls, as they can do little in return, which it can use as an opportunity to set up a Swords Dance. This can also be accomplished against Pokemon it resists moves from such as Mesprit and Choice Band Spiritomb. Pawniard can also utilize Swords Dance along with Sucker Punch to serve as a late-game sweeper. In this instance, it prefers to have its threats such as Primeape and Gurdurr taken out beforehand, as they can stop it from sweeping. However, Pawniard can lure these foes in early-game and take advantage of Knock Off to remove their items and cripple them. Pawniard should be switched in against a predicted move such as Skuntank's Defog or Silvally-Ghost's Parting Shot in order to activate Defiant. This leads to opponents having to decide between the risk of activating Pawniard's Defiant or leaving the entry hazards. However, be wary that the opponent may instead go for an attack or switch into a better matchup in attempt to take out Pawniard. This can be accomplished by opponents relatively easily, too, due to Pawniard's low defenses. It is because of this that Pawniard often prefers to be brought onto the field without having to take a hit, ideally after a teammate has been KOed or through a slow pivot such as Mesprit's U-turn. If you're using Sucker Punch, the opponent may take advantage of it to set up a Substitute, so watch out for Substitute users such as Alolan Dugtrio. Finally, if Pawniard shows little threat to the opposing team, it can be used to take out a specific foe such as Oricorio-G or Sableye before being sacrificed.

Team Options
========

Special wallbreakers such as Aurorus and Drampa can help break down physically bulky Pokemon such as Weezing and Gourgeist-XL, while Pawniard can help against specially bulky Pokemon such as Clefairy and Miltank. Both can also take Will-O-Wisps for Pawniard. Faster Pokemon such as Archeops and Floatzel also benefit from Pawniard’s Pawniard's wallbreaking, as it allows them to more easily come in and clean up the match. They can also help against faster threats for Pawniard such as Pyroar. Fighting-types can stop Pawniard in its tracks with relative ease, so Fighting checks such as Swanna, Oricorio-G, and Silvally-Fairy are vital. Swanna can also help against Ground-types, as can other Ground checks such as Eelektross and Gastrodon. Weezing can deal with both Fighting- and Ground-types and appreciates Pawniard’s ability to handle certain Psychic-types and stop Defog users from removing its Toxic Spikes. Mesprit can also serve as a check for Fighting- and Ground-types. It can also support Pawniard with Stealth Rock, a slow U-turn, and Healing Wish and appreciates Pawniard's ability to dissuade the removal of its Stealth Rock. Other hazard setters such as Regirock, Golurk, Smeargle, and Shuckle also benefit from Pawniard’s Defiant. Furthermore, Stealth Rock allows Pawniard to OHKO Pokemon such as Pyroar with +2 Sucker Punch, while Sticky Web can help against faster threats such as Stoutland and Kingler. Furthermore, Ghost-types can form a core with Pawniard that punishes both forms of hazard removal.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Pawniard can hold a Life Orb for more damage output but prefers Eviolite due to its lackluster natural defenses, and without it, setting up and sweeping is immensely more difficult. Pursuit can help trap Ghost- and Psychic-types such as Oricorio-G and Jynx and lead to mind games when combined with Sucker Punch. Low Kick can hit Steel-types such as Aggron and Probopass for super effective damage but has little usage outside of that, so it is overall very situational. Stealth Rock can be run over Swords Dance if your team needs the support, but it leads to Pawniard struggling much more to wallbreak and sweep. Substitute makes Pawniard immune to status conditions, allowing it to use Weezing and physical Spiritomb as setup fodder, and also makes Pawniard it more difficult to revenge kill. Taunt is another option for stopping Will-O-Wisp and can also be used to disable certain other moves such as Type: Null's Rest and Swords Dance. Finally, Magnet Rise is a very situational option that gives Pawniard a much better matchup against Pokemon such as Archeops and Torterra, although has to be used before Archeops is brought in to have much effect.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Fighting-types and Fighting Coverage**: Fighting-types such as Primeape, Hitmonchan, and Gurdurr can OHKO Pawniard with their respective STAB moves. The former also outspeeds Pawniard, while the latter two have Mach Punch, and they all resist Sucker Punch. Pokemon such as Stoutland and Choice Scarf Jynx can also carry Fighting-type coverage, although Jynx has to watch out for Sucker Punch if not hitting unless it can target Pawniard on the switch.

**Ground-types**: Bulky Ground-types such as Colbur Berry Palossand, Gastrodon, Mudsdale, and Torterra can livetake any hit from Pawniard and OHKO it in return. Alolan Dugtrio can bait out Sucker Punch and set up a Substitute to safely pick up the KO, but it cannot take +2 Sucker Punch otherwise. Colbur Berry Claydol can take +2 Sucker Punch and OHKO Pawniard with Earth Power.

**Will-O-Wisp**: Faster WIll-O-Wisp Will-O-Wisp users such as Haunter and Gourgeist-S can heavily cripple Pawniard without the fear of Sucker Punch. However, neither appreciates taking +2 Knock Off, even from a burned Pawniard, which still OHKOes Haunter. Bulkier Will-O-Wisp users such as Weezing and Colbur Berry Gourgeist-XL can take a hit before crippling Pawniard.

**Faster Pokemon**: If they can live take +2 Sucker Punch, faster Pokemon such as Pyroar, special Skuntank, and Timid Aurorus can come in against Pawniard and OHKO it. However, all fear having taken too much prior damage and Timid Aurorus must stay wary of Jolly Pawniard. Certain other Pokemon such as Silvally-Fairy and Alolan Persian can serve as revenge killers but require a good amount of prior damage on Pawniard to KO it.

**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Aggron and Probopass can take a hit from Pawniard and OHKO with Earthquake and Earth Power, although they take a good amount of damage from Knock Off in the process. Alolan Sandslash outspeeds Pawniard and can OHKO it with Earthquake if holding a Life Orb.

 

[UberSkitty]

Implemented and ready for upload baby.


I don't know who the baby in this situation is.