[OVERVIEW]
With a great offensive typing, powerful STAB move in Close Combat, and good Attack stat, Primeape is a potent offensive threat. Primeaple's unique access to U-turn separates it from other Fighting-types, letting it maintain momentum and progressively weaken its switch-ins. Although its Speed tier puts Primeape below common offensive Pokemon such as Scyther, Tauros, and Archeops, it allows Primeape to outspeed the likes of Lilligant, Kangaskhan, and Chatot, unlike the similar Sawk. Defiant even allows Primeape get past Intimidate users such as Granbull and Mawile, and it can also be used to punish Defog to an extent. Unfortunately, massive competition from Sawk— which, though slower and lacks U-turn, boasts significantly more firepower, Knock Off, and a more useful ability in Sturdy—keeps it from being a top choice in the tier. In addition, middling bulk keeps Primeape from possessing any defensive utility. Moreover, Primeape struggles against the common bulky Poison- and Ghost-types of the tier.
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Close Combat
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Stone Edge
item: Choice Band
ability: Defiant
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Close Combat is Primeape's hardest-hitting move, with few drawbacks. U-turn is one of Primeape's biggest niches over other Fighting-types, maintaining momentum and even having the bonus of hitting Psychic-types super effectively. Earthquake nails some Poison-types, particularly Garbodor, which is otherwise very problematic for Primeape, and KOes Skuntank without making contact. Stone Edge lets Primeape hit Flying-types such as Scyther, Rotom-S, and Xatu. Ice Punch gives Primeape a way to hit both Vileplume and Gourgeist in addition to hitting Flying-types super effectively, though this comes at the price of missing the OHKO on Scyther if it tries to switch in. Gunk Shot hits Mega Audino, Granbull, and Tangela super effectively, but Granbull and offensive Tangela are both 2HKOed by Close Combat after Stealth Rock.
Set Details
========
Primeape sports a standard offensive spread of maximum Attack and Speed investment, with a Jolly nature letting it outspeed base 90 Speed Pokemon such as Lilligant, which is one of Primeape's main perks over Sawk. Choice Band gives Primeape the power needed to be a threat. Defiant punishes Intimidate and Defog users.
Usage Tips
========
Primeape should typically be brought in with VoltTurn or Baton Pass support or through double switches, as Primeape doesn't want to directly switch into anything. It also makes for a potent lead thanks to its access to U-turn and good matchup against most Stealth Rock setters. After coming in, Primeape is best played as a wallbreaker to weaken opposing teams so that a teammate can sweep later on in the match. Close Combat is very spammable, but if the opponent has a good Pokemon that resists Fighting such as Vileplume or Gourgeist, it's best to simply U-turn to gain momentum. Though it requires prediction, Primeape can also catch checks such as Garbodor and Scyther on the switch with the right coverage. Primeape can be brought in on predicted Defogs from Pokemon such as Shiftry and Prinplup, which it can beat one-on-one, to nab a +2 boost to its Attack and become insanely threatening; if they choose to attack instead, Primeape will likely be left KOed or with a burn, though simply preventing the foe from using Defog can sometimes be more beneficial.
Team Options
========
Spikes-stacking support from the likes of Ferroseed and Garbodor pairs excellently with U-turn to quickly wear down Primeape's switch-ins, and Primeape can even act as a Defog deterrent to keep them up. In general, Primeape fits best on VoltTurn offense; Volt Switch, U-turn, and Baton Pass users such as Rotom-S, Lanturn, Scyther, Xatu, and Mawile are all good partners. The likes of Magmortar, Rhydon, Lapras, and Shiftry can be brought in safely through Primeape's U-turn and take advantage of its common switch-ins. Skuntank is a nice partner for its ability to Pursuit trap the Ghost- and Psychic-types that switch into Primeape. Sweepers such as Tauros, Klinklang, and Lilligant appreciate Primeape's ability to wear down physical walls, or in Lilligant's case, overlapping switch-ins such as Garbodor and Xatu.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Choice Scarf set is usable as a fast revenge killer that can keep up momentum, but it's weak and thus generally not very threatening. Running Encore with Fist Plate is a cool option to both punish Pokemon trying to set up or recover health on Primeape and bluff a Choice item, but it requires some prediction and the lack of a Choice Band makes it rather weak. Punishment is a coverage option against Ghost- and Psychic-types, especially if the latter have set up with Calm Mind.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Poison-types**: Bulky Poison-types such as Weezing, Vileplume, and Garbodor take Close Combats with ease, and the former two are even immune and neutral to Earthquake, respectively. Vileplume and Garbodor can even punish U-turn with Effect Spore and Rocky Helmet, respectively, though they should be wary of Ice Punch and Earthquake.
**Ghost-types**: Ghost-types such as Rotom, Mismagius, Gourgeist, and Golurk are immune to Close Combat and aren't weak to any of Primeape's common coverage options, though even the former two's defensive sets are 2HKOed by Stone Edge, and Gourgeist and Golurk fear the occasional Ice Punch.
**Flying-types**: Flying-types such as Scyther and Rotom-S can reliably switch into Close Combat, but they're maimed by Stone Edge and susceptible to Stealth Rock.
**Psychic-types:** Psychic-types such as Musharna and Mesprit are decent checks due to their resistance to Close Combat and good bulk, but they're weak to U-turn and are thus worn down quickly.
**Faster Pokemon**: Although Primeape boasts a decent Speed tier, common offensive Pokemon such as Archeops, Tauros, and Floatzel outspeed and OHKO it with their STAB moves.
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