Persian is one of those few "hit and run" Pokemon that don't really do anything, so it was hit pretty badly by the Hypnosis accuracy drop. So, with this revamp, I not only will be lowering bad sets, but also putting Hypnosis with slashes and the like. The Other Options was full of clutter and gimmicks, and the Opinion was a bit lacking as well, as was the EV section.
http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/persian
[SET]
name: Free Hits
move 1: Fake Out
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Hypnosis / Taunt
move 4: Bite / Return
item: Silk Scarf / Life Orb
ability: Technician
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>A set where Persian isn't trying to sweep, but rather attempting to hit-and-run, takes the most advantage of its modest attacking power, great speed, and Technician. Fake Out nets Persian some free damage, and with Technician and STAB, its base power is boosted up to 90, allowing for a nice leading move. Then, if facing an opponent you don't want to deal with, either use Hypnosis to incapacitate them, or U-turn out to a suitable counter and cause some damage as well on the switch. Bite allows for better coverage as it hits the Ghost-types that are immune to your Fake Out, but Return is a good STAB attack to have if you don't want to switch or use Hypnosis.</p>
<p>Taunt is an option over Hypnosis if you don't like Hypnosis's 60% accuracy, and can stop opponents like Curse Steelix from setting up on Persian. Silk Scarf is nice if you feel like you want Persian to survive a little longer, or if you are using it as a lead, but Life Orb provides needed power to the set. Wide Lens is another option if you want to help Hypnosis's accuracy.</p>
[SET]
name: Special Sweeper
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Hypnosis / Substitute
move 3: Swift
move 4: Water Pulse / Hidden Power Fighting
item: Life Orb / Salac Berry
ability: Technician
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
ivs: 30 Def / 28 SpA / 30 SpD / 30 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set is perfect for Persian, because it takes some moves that are normally never used and turns them into a sweeping force. Swift and Water Pulse are both 60 base power and are thus boosted by Technician, Water Pulse getting to 90 base power, and Swift being boosted to 135 due to STAB. Water and Normal also provide great coverage and can surprise a lot of physical Persian's counters, like Probopass. Nasty Plot is obvious, as it gives Persian the boosts it needs to OHKO many common frailer Pokemon that Persian outspeeds, as well as getting the 2HKO on Steelix. Hidden Power Fighting can also be used to OHKO Probopass and hit Clefable, but you are utterly walled by Ghost-types if you decide to use it.</p>
<p>Substitute is a good option over Hypnosis if you don't want to risk a miss or want protection from status. Substitute also has another advantage, enabling to get Persian to activate the Salac Berry, which lets Persian get to 541 Speed, which outspeeds almost everything in the UU metagame. If you get a Nasty Plot in, you will still be hurting opponents, but without the sometimes helpful boost from Life Orb.</p>
<p>The EVs on this set are straightfoward, maximum Speed to outspeed most of the UU tier, and max Special Attack to give the most power to your attacks. The 4 HP EVs are for using Substitute, as you will activate the Salac Berry in 3 Substitutes instead of 4. The given IVs allow for a 59 base power Hidden Power Fighting if you decide to use it.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Switcheroo
move 2: Return
move 3: Night Slash
move 4: U-turn
item: Choice Band
ability: Limber
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>With Switcheroo and Persian's decent Attack stat, this can cause some trouble for the opponent. Return provides solid STAB, and Night Slash hits the Ghost-types that Return gets walled by. Now, if you predict correctly and your opponent sends out their Steel or Rock-type wall, use Switcheroo to give them an unwanted Choice Band, destroying their strategy. After that, feel free to use U-turn to switch out to an appropriate counter, and then you have a battle-ready Persian to use later on in the match. U-turn is also useful if you still have the Choice Band to switch out from walls like Golem or Steelix and still cause some damage. Limber is useful over Technician on this set because you can switch into things like Clefable's Thunder Wave and use Switcheroo on whatever comes in, or disable Clefable if it stays in.</p>
[SET]
name: Rain Dance Support
move 1: Rain Dance
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Hypnosis
move 4: Taunt
item: Damp Rock / Focus Sash
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Persian is the fastest Pokemon in UU that can use Rain Dance and Hypnosis, meaning you can set up a free Rain Dance and immobilize one of your opponent's Pokemon with sleep, allowing for a safe switch-in to one of your Rain Dance abusing Pokemon, and Persian can get out unscathed.</p>
<p>U-turn is a great option on this set because it allows you to see your opponent's switch from the sleeping Pokemon, so you can react accordingly. Taunt is another good choice as it allows Persian to stop any set-up Pokemon, and any attempts to use Sleep Talk. It also allows Persian to be free of status. Fake Out is the better choice when leading with this set though, as it allows Persian to break Focus Sashes and inflict some small damage.</p>
<p>Damp Rock is the preferred option, as 8 turns of Rain is extremely helpful for Swift Swim sweepers such as Kabutops, but Focus Sash is an attractive option to keep Persian from being OHKOed by the opponent's moves, especially from priority moves.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>On the physical side, Iron Tail stands out as it allows Persian to hit those annoying Rock-types that wall all of your attacks, such as Golem. Double Edge does more damage than Return on the Choice Band set, but the recoil is unattractive. Aerial Ace hits harder than Return with Fighting and Grass-types, but it is hard to give up a STAB 102 base power move. Payback is a possibility over Night Slash, but not quite as viable, since Persian's best stat is its speed, and it needs to be used for it to be viable. Punishment is an option for Pokemon with massive amount of stat-ups which Persian did not Taunt. For Special options, Dark Pulse and Shadow Ball hit Ghost-types that wall your Swifts, and hit Rotom harder than any other options. Thunderbolt can hurt bulky Water-types like Mantine, and Icy Wind provides good coverage with that as well as lowering Speed and taking out Altaria. Hidden Power Rock is also a good option for hitting Flying-types and Fire-types.</p>
<p>Persian has a multitude of gimmicky options, namely Assist, Snatch, and Psych Up, but they will rarely amount to much use. Charm can support the team by lowering an opponent like Altaria's Attack stat. Sunny Day is also an option if you want to build a team around it. If using it, put it on the Rain Dance Support Set over Rain Dance.</p>
<h2>Technician Hidden Powers</h2>
<p>When using the Special Sweeping set, you might want to use a Hidden Power for a certain type of coverage on the set. If using one, be sure to set your IVs to the ones listed below, as they allow for a base power of 59, which gets boosted to 88 by Technician. The reason you want to use 59 base power over 60 if because using a 60 base power Hidden Power will lower Persian's Speed IV by 2, not letting it outpace certain Pokemon.</p>
[EVs]
<p>Always maximize Speed, as is Persian's best and most useful stat, reaching a nice Speed of 361, outspeeding most of UU. Then, maximize the attacking stat you are using. On the Special Attacking set, if you are using Substitute, make sure to use 4 HP EVs, as it allows you to activate the Salac Berry in 3 Substitutes.</p>
[Opinion]
<p>Cursed with low attacking stats, Persian isn't going to be sweeping teams anytime soon. Luckily, Persian excels in Speed which aids in being a support lead that can inflict fair amounts of damage, and can thwart a few Pokemon with surprise Special attacks and Switcheroo. In short, Persian is better at using moves that support the team like U-turn and Hypnosis rather than attempting to sweep.</p>
[Counters]
<p>Steel and Rock-types like Steelix and Probopass are the best counters for the physical sets, as they resist all of the moves, and can cause some serious damage with Gyro Ball and Earthquake. Omastar, Relicanth, Golem, and even Mawile stop Persian cold, but watch out for Hidden Power Fighting. Hitmontop is also a good counter due to Intimidate and being able to pick off Persian with Mach Punch.</p>
<p>The special set is harder to counter, as you won't know which moves Persian happens to be carrying. If it doesn't carry Dark Pulse or Shadow Ball, Hypno and Grumpig are great counters and as is Mantine if Persian lacks Thunderbolt. Clefable is another counter, as it is 2HKOed by Hidden Power Fighting and Swift and can OHKO back with a Facade or immobilze Persian with Thunder Wave. Shedinja also counters the normal set, as it can't be touched by Swift or Water Pulse.</p>
http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/persian
[SET]
name: Free Hits
move 1: Fake Out
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Hypnosis / Taunt
move 4: Bite / Return
item: Silk Scarf / Life Orb
ability: Technician
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>A set where Persian isn't trying to sweep, but rather attempting to hit-and-run, takes the most advantage of its modest attacking power, great speed, and Technician. Fake Out nets Persian some free damage, and with Technician and STAB, its base power is boosted up to 90, allowing for a nice leading move. Then, if facing an opponent you don't want to deal with, either use Hypnosis to incapacitate them, or U-turn out to a suitable counter and cause some damage as well on the switch. Bite allows for better coverage as it hits the Ghost-types that are immune to your Fake Out, but Return is a good STAB attack to have if you don't want to switch or use Hypnosis.</p>
<p>Taunt is an option over Hypnosis if you don't like Hypnosis's 60% accuracy, and can stop opponents like Curse Steelix from setting up on Persian. Silk Scarf is nice if you feel like you want Persian to survive a little longer, or if you are using it as a lead, but Life Orb provides needed power to the set. Wide Lens is another option if you want to help Hypnosis's accuracy.</p>
[SET]
name: Special Sweeper
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Hypnosis / Substitute
move 3: Swift
move 4: Water Pulse / Hidden Power Fighting
item: Life Orb / Salac Berry
ability: Technician
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
ivs: 30 Def / 28 SpA / 30 SpD / 30 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set is perfect for Persian, because it takes some moves that are normally never used and turns them into a sweeping force. Swift and Water Pulse are both 60 base power and are thus boosted by Technician, Water Pulse getting to 90 base power, and Swift being boosted to 135 due to STAB. Water and Normal also provide great coverage and can surprise a lot of physical Persian's counters, like Probopass. Nasty Plot is obvious, as it gives Persian the boosts it needs to OHKO many common frailer Pokemon that Persian outspeeds, as well as getting the 2HKO on Steelix. Hidden Power Fighting can also be used to OHKO Probopass and hit Clefable, but you are utterly walled by Ghost-types if you decide to use it.</p>
<p>Substitute is a good option over Hypnosis if you don't want to risk a miss or want protection from status. Substitute also has another advantage, enabling to get Persian to activate the Salac Berry, which lets Persian get to 541 Speed, which outspeeds almost everything in the UU metagame. If you get a Nasty Plot in, you will still be hurting opponents, but without the sometimes helpful boost from Life Orb.</p>
<p>The EVs on this set are straightfoward, maximum Speed to outspeed most of the UU tier, and max Special Attack to give the most power to your attacks. The 4 HP EVs are for using Substitute, as you will activate the Salac Berry in 3 Substitutes instead of 4. The given IVs allow for a 59 base power Hidden Power Fighting if you decide to use it.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Switcheroo
move 2: Return
move 3: Night Slash
move 4: U-turn
item: Choice Band
ability: Limber
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>With Switcheroo and Persian's decent Attack stat, this can cause some trouble for the opponent. Return provides solid STAB, and Night Slash hits the Ghost-types that Return gets walled by. Now, if you predict correctly and your opponent sends out their Steel or Rock-type wall, use Switcheroo to give them an unwanted Choice Band, destroying their strategy. After that, feel free to use U-turn to switch out to an appropriate counter, and then you have a battle-ready Persian to use later on in the match. U-turn is also useful if you still have the Choice Band to switch out from walls like Golem or Steelix and still cause some damage. Limber is useful over Technician on this set because you can switch into things like Clefable's Thunder Wave and use Switcheroo on whatever comes in, or disable Clefable if it stays in.</p>
[SET]
name: Rain Dance Support
move 1: Rain Dance
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Hypnosis
move 4: Taunt
item: Damp Rock / Focus Sash
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Persian is the fastest Pokemon in UU that can use Rain Dance and Hypnosis, meaning you can set up a free Rain Dance and immobilize one of your opponent's Pokemon with sleep, allowing for a safe switch-in to one of your Rain Dance abusing Pokemon, and Persian can get out unscathed.</p>
<p>U-turn is a great option on this set because it allows you to see your opponent's switch from the sleeping Pokemon, so you can react accordingly. Taunt is another good choice as it allows Persian to stop any set-up Pokemon, and any attempts to use Sleep Talk. It also allows Persian to be free of status. Fake Out is the better choice when leading with this set though, as it allows Persian to break Focus Sashes and inflict some small damage.</p>
<p>Damp Rock is the preferred option, as 8 turns of Rain is extremely helpful for Swift Swim sweepers such as Kabutops, but Focus Sash is an attractive option to keep Persian from being OHKOed by the opponent's moves, especially from priority moves.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>On the physical side, Iron Tail stands out as it allows Persian to hit those annoying Rock-types that wall all of your attacks, such as Golem. Double Edge does more damage than Return on the Choice Band set, but the recoil is unattractive. Aerial Ace hits harder than Return with Fighting and Grass-types, but it is hard to give up a STAB 102 base power move. Payback is a possibility over Night Slash, but not quite as viable, since Persian's best stat is its speed, and it needs to be used for it to be viable. Punishment is an option for Pokemon with massive amount of stat-ups which Persian did not Taunt. For Special options, Dark Pulse and Shadow Ball hit Ghost-types that wall your Swifts, and hit Rotom harder than any other options. Thunderbolt can hurt bulky Water-types like Mantine, and Icy Wind provides good coverage with that as well as lowering Speed and taking out Altaria. Hidden Power Rock is also a good option for hitting Flying-types and Fire-types.</p>
<p>Persian has a multitude of gimmicky options, namely Assist, Snatch, and Psych Up, but they will rarely amount to much use. Charm can support the team by lowering an opponent like Altaria's Attack stat. Sunny Day is also an option if you want to build a team around it. If using it, put it on the Rain Dance Support Set over Rain Dance.</p>
<h2>Technician Hidden Powers</h2>
<p>When using the Special Sweeping set, you might want to use a Hidden Power for a certain type of coverage on the set. If using one, be sure to set your IVs to the ones listed below, as they allow for a base power of 59, which gets boosted to 88 by Technician. The reason you want to use 59 base power over 60 if because using a 60 base power Hidden Power will lower Persian's Speed IV by 2, not letting it outpace certain Pokemon.</p>
[EVs]
<p>Always maximize Speed, as is Persian's best and most useful stat, reaching a nice Speed of 361, outspeeding most of UU. Then, maximize the attacking stat you are using. On the Special Attacking set, if you are using Substitute, make sure to use 4 HP EVs, as it allows you to activate the Salac Berry in 3 Substitutes.</p>
[Opinion]
<p>Cursed with low attacking stats, Persian isn't going to be sweeping teams anytime soon. Luckily, Persian excels in Speed which aids in being a support lead that can inflict fair amounts of damage, and can thwart a few Pokemon with surprise Special attacks and Switcheroo. In short, Persian is better at using moves that support the team like U-turn and Hypnosis rather than attempting to sweep.</p>
[Counters]
<p>Steel and Rock-types like Steelix and Probopass are the best counters for the physical sets, as they resist all of the moves, and can cause some serious damage with Gyro Ball and Earthquake. Omastar, Relicanth, Golem, and even Mawile stop Persian cold, but watch out for Hidden Power Fighting. Hitmontop is also a good counter due to Intimidate and being able to pick off Persian with Mach Punch.</p>
<p>The special set is harder to counter, as you won't know which moves Persian happens to be carrying. If it doesn't carry Dark Pulse or Shadow Ball, Hypno and Grumpig are great counters and as is Mantine if Persian lacks Thunderbolt. Clefable is another counter, as it is 2HKOed by Hidden Power Fighting and Swift and can OHKO back with a Facade or immobilze Persian with Thunder Wave. Shedinja also counters the normal set, as it can't be touched by Swift or Water Pulse.</p>
