Approved: 2/2:
(eric the espeon)
(Dracoyoshi8)
GP Checks: 3/3:
(bugmaniacbob)
(uragg)
(Flora)
Hi C&C, here is my Poochyena analysis! After clearing up some of my LC analyses, I can finally post this one! All feedback is welcome! Thank you!
http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/poochyena
[Overview]
<p>At first glance, Poochyena may seem outclassed by Stunky, who has higher stats across the board; however, Poochyena has some tricks up his sleeve as well, such as access to Quick Feet and a fairly large movepool. Even though Poochyena has a decent Attack stat, its mediocre other stats lead many people to overlook him. However, Poochyena has a rare ability in Quick Feet and hits 14 Speed, allowing him to outspeed all Pokemon who don’t carry a Choice Scarf once Quick Feet is activated. Overall, Poochyena can be a dangerous threat when given the proper scenario.</p>
[SET]
name: Physical Quick Feet
move 1: Sucker Punch
move 2: Facade
move 3: Ice Fang
move 4: Protect / Crunch / Howl
item: Toxic Orb
ability: Quick Feet
nature: Jolly
evs: 236 Atk / 36 SpD / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set utilizes a combination of Toxic Orb and Quick Feet to remedy Poochyena’s average Speed stat by boosting it from 14 to 21, which allows Poochyena to outspeed all non-Choice Scarf Pokemon. With boosted Speed, Poochyena can then put some major dents in the opponent’s team with the respective attacks. Poochyena has access to STAB Sucker Punch, one of the strongest priority moves in the game which allows him to pick off weakened Pokemon. Once Toxic Orb activates, Facade's Base Power doubles to 140, making Poochyena an extremely tough Pokemon to counter. Ice Fang lets Poochyena hit Gligar, who would normally wall this set, for super effective damage. Protect allows Toxic Orb to be activated without Poochyena getting attacked, and is also useful for scouting. Crunch is a reliable STAB option in the last slot that can additionally lower the target's Defense 20% of the time. Howl is also an option, as it allows Poochyena to boost his Attack.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Poochyena should be sent in on a weakened Pokemon who can be picked off with Sucker Punch. This allows Poochyena to activate Toxic Orb while KOing the opposing Pokemon with Sucker Punch. Moreover, Poochyena can forgo Protect in this case for Crunch or Howl. It should be noted that Facade, when Poochyena has a status affliction, deals more damage to a neutral target than STAB Sucker Punch. Ghost-types are immune to Facade, but cannot check Poochyena because they are threatened by Sucker Punch and Crunch. The EV spread gives Poochyena maximum Attack and Speed, while boosting its Special Defense by one point with the remaining EVs.</p>
[Team Options]
<p>Gligar is an excellent teammate, as he is able to eliminate bulky Steel-type Pokemon such as Aron with Earthquake. As a plus, Gligar has U-turn to scout the opponent’s team, letting Poochyena’s Toxic Orb activate for free by bringing Poochyena in after using U-turn on a predicted switch. Gligar also resists Fighting- and Bug-type attacks that Poochyena is weak to. Last but not least, Magnemite is a good teammate, as the magnet can trap Bronzor with Magnet Pull and take him out with Thunderbolt.</p>
[Optional Changes]
<p>Fire Fang can be used if you want Poochyena to hit Steel-type Pokemon, but the most common Steel-type, Bronzor, is only 3HKOed. A mixed set consisting of Dark Pulse, Hidden Power Ice, Sucker Punch, and Thunder Fang could work due to its power and decent coverage. However, a special set is not mentioned because Poochyena's pitiful special movepool is limited to Dark Pulse and Hidden Power. Pursuit can be used to surprise Pokemon who are trying to escape; it is particularly useful against Ghost-types such as Gastly, who can be placed in a checkmate position if they are at 60% health or under since they will be KOed regardless of whether or not they switch out. Rock Smash allows Poochyena to beat Aron, who would otherwise freely set up on Poochyena, as well as soften up switch-ins with its 50% chance of lowering the opponent's Defense. Lastly, Snatch can be used against Pokemon who try to counter Poochyena with Substitute, stealing their Substitutes if they don't attack, as Poochyena threatens to hit them hard with Sucker Punch if they do choose to attack.</p>
[Counters]
<p>Bronzor counters Poochyena rather well, as he is only afraid of Fire Fang, which only 3HKOes Bronzor at best; as such, Bronzor can comfortably switch in, set up Stealth Rock, and strike back with Gyro Ball. Choice Scarf Mankey and Machop are great checks to Poochyena, since both are able to OHKO him with Close Combat and do not fear taking a resisted Sucker Punch; Mankey is especially effective, as he can deal lots of damage with U-turn while scouting for a potential switch-in at the same time. Though not a counter, Gastly is immune to Facade and can set up a Substitute while Poochyena uses Sucker Punch, allowing Gastly to take out Poochyena the next turn with Sludge Bomb. Though not a particularly effective strategy, Poochyena’s opponents can play mind games with him by using non-damaging moves when Poochyena uses Sucker Punch, making him waste precious turns while Toxic damage slowly accumulates. Poochyena is very frail, so any priority move that he does not resist will deal huge amounts of damage even if it does not outright KO.</p>
...
GP Checks: 3/3:
Hi C&C, here is my Poochyena analysis! After clearing up some of my LC analyses, I can finally post this one! All feedback is welcome! Thank you!
http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/poochyena
[Overview]
<p>At first glance, Poochyena may seem outclassed by Stunky, who has higher stats across the board; however, Poochyena has some tricks up his sleeve as well, such as access to Quick Feet and a fairly large movepool. Even though Poochyena has a decent Attack stat, its mediocre other stats lead many people to overlook him. However, Poochyena has a rare ability in Quick Feet and hits 14 Speed, allowing him to outspeed all Pokemon who don’t carry a Choice Scarf once Quick Feet is activated. Overall, Poochyena can be a dangerous threat when given the proper scenario.</p>
[SET]
name: Physical Quick Feet
move 1: Sucker Punch
move 2: Facade
move 3: Ice Fang
move 4: Protect / Crunch / Howl
item: Toxic Orb
ability: Quick Feet
nature: Jolly
evs: 236 Atk / 36 SpD / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set utilizes a combination of Toxic Orb and Quick Feet to remedy Poochyena’s average Speed stat by boosting it from 14 to 21, which allows Poochyena to outspeed all non-Choice Scarf Pokemon. With boosted Speed, Poochyena can then put some major dents in the opponent’s team with the respective attacks. Poochyena has access to STAB Sucker Punch, one of the strongest priority moves in the game which allows him to pick off weakened Pokemon. Once Toxic Orb activates, Facade's Base Power doubles to 140, making Poochyena an extremely tough Pokemon to counter. Ice Fang lets Poochyena hit Gligar, who would normally wall this set, for super effective damage. Protect allows Toxic Orb to be activated without Poochyena getting attacked, and is also useful for scouting. Crunch is a reliable STAB option in the last slot that can additionally lower the target's Defense 20% of the time. Howl is also an option, as it allows Poochyena to boost his Attack.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Poochyena should be sent in on a weakened Pokemon who can be picked off with Sucker Punch. This allows Poochyena to activate Toxic Orb while KOing the opposing Pokemon with Sucker Punch. Moreover, Poochyena can forgo Protect in this case for Crunch or Howl. It should be noted that Facade, when Poochyena has a status affliction, deals more damage to a neutral target than STAB Sucker Punch. Ghost-types are immune to Facade, but cannot check Poochyena because they are threatened by Sucker Punch and Crunch. The EV spread gives Poochyena maximum Attack and Speed, while boosting its Special Defense by one point with the remaining EVs.</p>
[Team Options]
<p>Gligar is an excellent teammate, as he is able to eliminate bulky Steel-type Pokemon such as Aron with Earthquake. As a plus, Gligar has U-turn to scout the opponent’s team, letting Poochyena’s Toxic Orb activate for free by bringing Poochyena in after using U-turn on a predicted switch. Gligar also resists Fighting- and Bug-type attacks that Poochyena is weak to. Last but not least, Magnemite is a good teammate, as the magnet can trap Bronzor with Magnet Pull and take him out with Thunderbolt.</p>
[Optional Changes]
<p>Fire Fang can be used if you want Poochyena to hit Steel-type Pokemon, but the most common Steel-type, Bronzor, is only 3HKOed. A mixed set consisting of Dark Pulse, Hidden Power Ice, Sucker Punch, and Thunder Fang could work due to its power and decent coverage. However, a special set is not mentioned because Poochyena's pitiful special movepool is limited to Dark Pulse and Hidden Power. Pursuit can be used to surprise Pokemon who are trying to escape; it is particularly useful against Ghost-types such as Gastly, who can be placed in a checkmate position if they are at 60% health or under since they will be KOed regardless of whether or not they switch out. Rock Smash allows Poochyena to beat Aron, who would otherwise freely set up on Poochyena, as well as soften up switch-ins with its 50% chance of lowering the opponent's Defense. Lastly, Snatch can be used against Pokemon who try to counter Poochyena with Substitute, stealing their Substitutes if they don't attack, as Poochyena threatens to hit them hard with Sucker Punch if they do choose to attack.</p>
[Counters]
<p>Bronzor counters Poochyena rather well, as he is only afraid of Fire Fang, which only 3HKOes Bronzor at best; as such, Bronzor can comfortably switch in, set up Stealth Rock, and strike back with Gyro Ball. Choice Scarf Mankey and Machop are great checks to Poochyena, since both are able to OHKO him with Close Combat and do not fear taking a resisted Sucker Punch; Mankey is especially effective, as he can deal lots of damage with U-turn while scouting for a potential switch-in at the same time. Though not a counter, Gastly is immune to Facade and can set up a Substitute while Poochyena uses Sucker Punch, allowing Gastly to take out Poochyena the next turn with Sludge Bomb. Though not a particularly effective strategy, Poochyena’s opponents can play mind games with him by using non-damaging moves when Poochyena uses Sucker Punch, making him waste precious turns while Toxic damage slowly accumulates. Poochyena is very frail, so any priority move that he does not resist will deal huge amounts of damage even if it does not outright KO.</p>
...
