Hey guys this is my first attempt at an analysis so let me know the best ways to improve it!
snakes r cool
[Overview]
• First thing you notice is its high base speed, which outspeeds some of the most prominent threats in the current metagame including the two most important: Jynx and Scolipede
• Niche as fast, decently bulky offensive grass type with access to set up moves to remedy its modest attacking stats in Calm Mind and Coil
• Access to a ton of support options from Taunt and glare to Leech Seed and Dual Screens
• May not seem like a great offensive threat but it is thanks to its combined attributes
• Downsides include it’s relatively shallow movepool,
• It gets worn down rather easily through Spikes and Toxic Spikes
• Cannot hit hard right off the bat
[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Giga Drain
move 3: Substitute / Taunt
move 4: Hidden Power Rock
item: Life Orb
ability: Overgrow
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
• This set aims to set up on any Pokemon Serperior can force out, such as Defensive Seismitoad
• Great for late-game sweeping
• The main draw to Serperior lies in its wonderful speed allowing it to set up rather easily
• Its meager Special Attack stat is patched up by Calm Mind which also increases its special bulk, making its substitute (if used) more durable against special attackers who think they can wreak havoc like Jynx or Rotom-S
• Substitute is generally the better option as it blocks certain status moves that others will try to lay on it, as well as putting it into Overgrow range
• Taunt pushes away status moves as well without cutting into Seperior's valuable HP. It also helps in preventing SR from getting set up, which further aids its temamates who may be weak to it
• Giga Drain is the most important move because it is STAB and it recovers the health Serp will lose, and in Overgrow range with Life Orb it reaches an astounding 135 BP without STAB factored in
• Hidden Power Rock looks unappealing because of the 30 Speed IVs it requires, but it still outspeeds Scolipede who just misses out on Serp.
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
• HP Fire and HP Ice are both good options, but thanks to Scolipede and Jynx’s omnipresence in the metagame and Serperior’s ability to take them out, Rock is preferred. It also nails Flying types that resist Serperior’s STAB, especially Charizard who is only hit neutrally by HP Ice.
• Serperior needs its counters out of the way to be able to sweep like every good set up sweeper. Metang does not care about this set at all as it resist grass and rock and is very bulky with eviolite. For this reason an offensive fire type such as Charizard or Simisear would make a good teammate wile also having good type synergy with Serperior.
• Stealth Rock is almost mandatory in every game, and it’s no different for Serperior, guaranteeing the KO on Scolipede at +1 and birds such as scarf Braviary and Swellow are hit by rocks unlike spikes. A good setter such as Golurk or Golem is important. Golem has sturdy which almost guarantees rocks, while Golurk is a solid choice who *can come in easily with its many resistances and immunities.
• Since Spikes are very viable in this metagame, Scolipede makes a good teammate, also taking on Primeape’s U-turn and some bug type attacks aimed towards Serperior. Spikes help wear down the likes of Sawk, who could otherwise take on Serperior rather well. Scolipede has the extra privelage of absorbing toxic spikes in the case that they find their way on your side of the field.
• Serperior takes on electric and grass types well and has a tough time with some fire types, so pairing it with a water type like Samurott provides decent offensive and defensive synergy.
• Life Orb offers much needed power to its attacks, but leftovers are a good option if you want to have more time setting up, although Serperior will do much less damage this way.
[SET]
name: Dual Screens
move 1: Reflect
move 2: Light Screen
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Giga Drain
item: Light Clay
ability: Overgrow
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
• This set looks to support its teammates by cushioning the opponent’s attacks on both Serperior and its teammates
• Serperior is fast, and decently bulky so it makes a great candidate for Dual Screens
• This set works for offensive teams well, because it gets up screens fast and supports with a decent defensive typing for the team to fall back on
• Its speed almost guarantees a Reflect or Light Screen
• Dual Screens are found on many Pokemon, but the main reason to use Serperior is its greater speed and good bulk compared to other screen setters
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
• Since Serperior will be supporting the rest of the team, it is important to make sure it beats out other Taunt users such as Electrode with a teammate. Golurk and Golem can tank an HP Ice and OHKO back.
• Serperior puts the screens up quickly, and by that time a switch in will usually be there to break it down. Scarf Jynx appreciates the help from dual screens and can take on many threats to Serperior, like Scolipede and many other Jynx. Scarf Primeape can also be good for taking on other Jynx that try to send your team to Sleep thanks to Vital Spirit.
• A good addition would be a Pokemon to keep fire types in their place. Carracosta can set up rocks, or threaten them with Aqua Jet so it is a good teammate.
• A bulkier EV spread could be used, but it loses its value as a fast Dual Screens setter, and is less useful on offensive teams
• Serperior wants to help its team and its useful resistances are appreciated by Water types like the aforementioned Carracosta and Simipour. Serperior can also help Pokemon that are threatened by Ground type attacks, such as Zebstrika.
• Dragon Tail could be used with a Jolly nature to force out switch ins who think they can take on Serperior, but it lacks STAB and has negative priority which isn't very good for a Pokemon who wants to give support as quickly as it can.
[SET]
name: Coil
move 1: Coil
move 2: Leaf Blade
move 3: Dragon Tail / Aqua Tail
move 4: Substitute / Synthesis
item: Life Orb / Leftovers
ability: Overgrow
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
• Coil is a really cool set up move for Physical Serperior, as it increases physical bulk while also making it a lot stronger
• Might look inferior to Sawsbuck as a physical sweeper, but it has greater speed and bulk and access to dragon tail to force out its switch-ins
• Competes with Torterra as bulky physical attacker, but having good speed without having to set it up makes it different in this respect.
• Serperior also has good coverage with Aqua Tail to take down things like Physically Defensive Torkoal
• Coil is the main move to this set, as it is unique and Serperior is almost tailored to fit it with its average Attack and good Defense
• Leaf Blade is the only viable physical STAB that Serperior receives outside of Seed Bomb which has a lower BP
• Dragon Tail takes out Physical Serperior's common checks and counters like Tangela, forcing your opponent to play mind games with it
• Aqua Tail has great coverage, taking out Fire types
• The choice between Substitue and Synthesis is difficult, as Substitute blocks status and brings Serp to Overgrow range, but it is very easily worn down this way
• Synthesis finally gives physical Serperior reliable recovery thanks to the BW2 Move Tutors, but leaves it open to status moves like Taunt and Thunder Wave
• Leftovers can be used over Life Orb to set up more, but Synthesis helps retain its health without losing power
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
• EVs are standard for a physical sweeper, but a bulkier set could be used with leftovers for a more defensively oriented team
• Serperior has a shallow physical movepool, with its only other options including Return, Outrage, and Aerial Ace which don’t help Serperior out very much. AErial Ace could be used to hit opposing grass types, however.
• Help from Fire types to clear out grass types, like Tangela who walls this set really badly, as well as Steel types are always nice. Extra mention to Charizard goes here as one of the few really good offensive fire types.
• A cleric, such as Lickilicky, would be nice if running Synthesis, since Serperior will hate being statused, especially Paralyzed.
[Other Options]
• Despite shallow offensive movepool, Serperior has a ton of support options to utilize
• Glare is cool, but gimmicky as there are better parashufflers in the tier
• It gets Mean Look but has nothing else to go along with it to warrant a set
• Gastro Acid to force switches
• Knock off could be used on most sets, but Serperior has valuable moveslots and Knock Off is situational at best
• RestTalk is an option for phasing, but, again, there are other things that can shuffle better and Serperior does have reliable recovery in Synthesis
• Serperior receives Growth, but it’s done by Chlorophyll users who benefit more from the sun
• Aromatherapy was distributed, but requires a Hardy Nature which is bad for almost any Pokemon
• Swords Dance is cool option, but grass types like Sawsbuck and Leavanny do it better thanks to good coverage and Coil is better suited to Serperior’s stats
• A specially offensive set with Leaf Storm with Life Orb or Choice Specs could be used as it is strong, but it is way too easily worn down if hazards are taken into effect, and would be much better if Serperior had Contrary yet.
[Checks and Counters]
• Serperior lacks the ability to get past many grass types in the tier like Tangela and Roselia until it has accumulated a lot of boosts. Exeggutor is a good counter as it takes little damge from HP Rock and can hit back with STAB Psychic coming off 125 base SpA
• Skuntank is a great check to Serperior, taking little damage from any move the snake can throw at it, while also being able to Taunt or hit SE with Poison Jab
• Metang laughs at anything Serperior does
• Serperior hates Sap Sippers
• SubBU Braviary takes little damage from Serperior (even after a boost) and can Roost+BU and take out Serperior from there
• Anything that phazes is a pain for Serperior since it needs to set up most of the time to be really useful, but sets using taunt will not have to worry about this as it prevents phazers from doing their job
• Muk and Weezing can take on both sets well
• Serperior hates status and Toxic Spikes which both wear it down
• Dragonair is pretty resilient against Serperior and can use rest to laugh more at its attacks.
• Lickilicky and Zweilous are bulky and can both dragon tail Serperior out.
• Arbok takes on Serperior well with good bulk and resistance to its attacks, as well as a strong Gunk Shot that can take down Serperior.
[Unreleased]
<p>Contrary is an ability that we've been waiting a long time for Serperior to receive. It essentially inverts stat boosts and reductions, so +1 becomes -1 and vice versa. Serperior receives only one move to work well with Contrary: Leaf Storm. Gaining a +2 boost after a 140 BP STAB move makes Serperior a fearsome special sweeper that will likely crawl its way out of the Neverused tier. </p>

snakes r cool
[Overview]
• First thing you notice is its high base speed, which outspeeds some of the most prominent threats in the current metagame including the two most important: Jynx and Scolipede
• Niche as fast, decently bulky offensive grass type with access to set up moves to remedy its modest attacking stats in Calm Mind and Coil
• Access to a ton of support options from Taunt and glare to Leech Seed and Dual Screens
• May not seem like a great offensive threat but it is thanks to its combined attributes
• Downsides include it’s relatively shallow movepool,
• It gets worn down rather easily through Spikes and Toxic Spikes
• Cannot hit hard right off the bat
[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Giga Drain
move 3: Substitute / Taunt
move 4: Hidden Power Rock
item: Life Orb
ability: Overgrow
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
• This set aims to set up on any Pokemon Serperior can force out, such as Defensive Seismitoad
• Great for late-game sweeping
• The main draw to Serperior lies in its wonderful speed allowing it to set up rather easily
• Its meager Special Attack stat is patched up by Calm Mind which also increases its special bulk, making its substitute (if used) more durable against special attackers who think they can wreak havoc like Jynx or Rotom-S
• Substitute is generally the better option as it blocks certain status moves that others will try to lay on it, as well as putting it into Overgrow range
• Taunt pushes away status moves as well without cutting into Seperior's valuable HP. It also helps in preventing SR from getting set up, which further aids its temamates who may be weak to it
• Giga Drain is the most important move because it is STAB and it recovers the health Serp will lose, and in Overgrow range with Life Orb it reaches an astounding 135 BP without STAB factored in
• Hidden Power Rock looks unappealing because of the 30 Speed IVs it requires, but it still outspeeds Scolipede who just misses out on Serp.
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
• HP Fire and HP Ice are both good options, but thanks to Scolipede and Jynx’s omnipresence in the metagame and Serperior’s ability to take them out, Rock is preferred. It also nails Flying types that resist Serperior’s STAB, especially Charizard who is only hit neutrally by HP Ice.
• Serperior needs its counters out of the way to be able to sweep like every good set up sweeper. Metang does not care about this set at all as it resist grass and rock and is very bulky with eviolite. For this reason an offensive fire type such as Charizard or Simisear would make a good teammate wile also having good type synergy with Serperior.
• Stealth Rock is almost mandatory in every game, and it’s no different for Serperior, guaranteeing the KO on Scolipede at +1 and birds such as scarf Braviary and Swellow are hit by rocks unlike spikes. A good setter such as Golurk or Golem is important. Golem has sturdy which almost guarantees rocks, while Golurk is a solid choice who *can come in easily with its many resistances and immunities.
• Since Spikes are very viable in this metagame, Scolipede makes a good teammate, also taking on Primeape’s U-turn and some bug type attacks aimed towards Serperior. Spikes help wear down the likes of Sawk, who could otherwise take on Serperior rather well. Scolipede has the extra privelage of absorbing toxic spikes in the case that they find their way on your side of the field.
• Serperior takes on electric and grass types well and has a tough time with some fire types, so pairing it with a water type like Samurott provides decent offensive and defensive synergy.
• Life Orb offers much needed power to its attacks, but leftovers are a good option if you want to have more time setting up, although Serperior will do much less damage this way.
[SET]
name: Dual Screens
move 1: Reflect
move 2: Light Screen
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Giga Drain
item: Light Clay
ability: Overgrow
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
• This set looks to support its teammates by cushioning the opponent’s attacks on both Serperior and its teammates
• Serperior is fast, and decently bulky so it makes a great candidate for Dual Screens
• This set works for offensive teams well, because it gets up screens fast and supports with a decent defensive typing for the team to fall back on
• Its speed almost guarantees a Reflect or Light Screen
• Dual Screens are found on many Pokemon, but the main reason to use Serperior is its greater speed and good bulk compared to other screen setters
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
• Since Serperior will be supporting the rest of the team, it is important to make sure it beats out other Taunt users such as Electrode with a teammate. Golurk and Golem can tank an HP Ice and OHKO back.
• Serperior puts the screens up quickly, and by that time a switch in will usually be there to break it down. Scarf Jynx appreciates the help from dual screens and can take on many threats to Serperior, like Scolipede and many other Jynx. Scarf Primeape can also be good for taking on other Jynx that try to send your team to Sleep thanks to Vital Spirit.
• A good addition would be a Pokemon to keep fire types in their place. Carracosta can set up rocks, or threaten them with Aqua Jet so it is a good teammate.
• A bulkier EV spread could be used, but it loses its value as a fast Dual Screens setter, and is less useful on offensive teams
• Serperior wants to help its team and its useful resistances are appreciated by Water types like the aforementioned Carracosta and Simipour. Serperior can also help Pokemon that are threatened by Ground type attacks, such as Zebstrika.
• Dragon Tail could be used with a Jolly nature to force out switch ins who think they can take on Serperior, but it lacks STAB and has negative priority which isn't very good for a Pokemon who wants to give support as quickly as it can.
[SET]
name: Coil
move 1: Coil
move 2: Leaf Blade
move 3: Dragon Tail / Aqua Tail
move 4: Substitute / Synthesis
item: Life Orb / Leftovers
ability: Overgrow
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
• Coil is a really cool set up move for Physical Serperior, as it increases physical bulk while also making it a lot stronger
• Might look inferior to Sawsbuck as a physical sweeper, but it has greater speed and bulk and access to dragon tail to force out its switch-ins
• Competes with Torterra as bulky physical attacker, but having good speed without having to set it up makes it different in this respect.
• Serperior also has good coverage with Aqua Tail to take down things like Physically Defensive Torkoal
• Coil is the main move to this set, as it is unique and Serperior is almost tailored to fit it with its average Attack and good Defense
• Leaf Blade is the only viable physical STAB that Serperior receives outside of Seed Bomb which has a lower BP
• Dragon Tail takes out Physical Serperior's common checks and counters like Tangela, forcing your opponent to play mind games with it
• Aqua Tail has great coverage, taking out Fire types
• The choice between Substitue and Synthesis is difficult, as Substitute blocks status and brings Serp to Overgrow range, but it is very easily worn down this way
• Synthesis finally gives physical Serperior reliable recovery thanks to the BW2 Move Tutors, but leaves it open to status moves like Taunt and Thunder Wave
• Leftovers can be used over Life Orb to set up more, but Synthesis helps retain its health without losing power
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
• EVs are standard for a physical sweeper, but a bulkier set could be used with leftovers for a more defensively oriented team
• Serperior has a shallow physical movepool, with its only other options including Return, Outrage, and Aerial Ace which don’t help Serperior out very much. AErial Ace could be used to hit opposing grass types, however.
• Help from Fire types to clear out grass types, like Tangela who walls this set really badly, as well as Steel types are always nice. Extra mention to Charizard goes here as one of the few really good offensive fire types.
• A cleric, such as Lickilicky, would be nice if running Synthesis, since Serperior will hate being statused, especially Paralyzed.
[Other Options]
• Despite shallow offensive movepool, Serperior has a ton of support options to utilize
• Glare is cool, but gimmicky as there are better parashufflers in the tier
• It gets Mean Look but has nothing else to go along with it to warrant a set
• Gastro Acid to force switches
• Knock off could be used on most sets, but Serperior has valuable moveslots and Knock Off is situational at best
• RestTalk is an option for phasing, but, again, there are other things that can shuffle better and Serperior does have reliable recovery in Synthesis
• Serperior receives Growth, but it’s done by Chlorophyll users who benefit more from the sun
• Aromatherapy was distributed, but requires a Hardy Nature which is bad for almost any Pokemon
• Swords Dance is cool option, but grass types like Sawsbuck and Leavanny do it better thanks to good coverage and Coil is better suited to Serperior’s stats
• A specially offensive set with Leaf Storm with Life Orb or Choice Specs could be used as it is strong, but it is way too easily worn down if hazards are taken into effect, and would be much better if Serperior had Contrary yet.
[Checks and Counters]
• Serperior lacks the ability to get past many grass types in the tier like Tangela and Roselia until it has accumulated a lot of boosts. Exeggutor is a good counter as it takes little damge from HP Rock and can hit back with STAB Psychic coming off 125 base SpA
• Skuntank is a great check to Serperior, taking little damage from any move the snake can throw at it, while also being able to Taunt or hit SE with Poison Jab
• Metang laughs at anything Serperior does
• Serperior hates Sap Sippers
• SubBU Braviary takes little damage from Serperior (even after a boost) and can Roost+BU and take out Serperior from there
• Anything that phazes is a pain for Serperior since it needs to set up most of the time to be really useful, but sets using taunt will not have to worry about this as it prevents phazers from doing their job
• Muk and Weezing can take on both sets well
• Serperior hates status and Toxic Spikes which both wear it down
• Dragonair is pretty resilient against Serperior and can use rest to laugh more at its attacks.
• Lickilicky and Zweilous are bulky and can both dragon tail Serperior out.
• Arbok takes on Serperior well with good bulk and resistance to its attacks, as well as a strong Gunk Shot that can take down Serperior.
[Unreleased]
<p>Contrary is an ability that we've been waiting a long time for Serperior to receive. It essentially inverts stat boosts and reductions, so +1 becomes -1 and vice versa. Serperior receives only one move to work well with Contrary: Leaf Storm. Gaining a +2 boost after a 140 BP STAB move makes Serperior a fearsome special sweeper that will likely crawl its way out of the Neverused tier. </p>