[SET]
name: No Step On Snek
move 1: Leaf Storm
move 2: Hidden Power Fire
move 3: Substitute
move 4: Glare
item: Leftovers
ability: Contrary
nature: Timid
evs: 56 HP / 200 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Serperior plays a unique role in the metagame, as its Speed and ability in Contrary allow it to quickly threaten a sweep through repeated Leaf Storms granting it +2 Special Attack on each use, and combined with it's ability to reliably dish out paralysis to its checks, it's both crucial team support and a threatening late-game sweeper. Hidden Power Fire ensures Serperior is not walled by Ferrothorn, Mega Scizor, and Corviknight. Substitute allows Serperior to either capitalize on switches forced by Leaf Storm, or take advantage of more passive Water-types such as Toxapex and Slowking, easing prediction. Glare is generally preferred, as paralysis is key in crippling its checks, such as Corviknight and Amoonguss, and allows Serperior to support slow wallbreakers, but Leech Seed is an option to more safely break through Blissey and Heatran while remaining safe behind Substitute. 56 HP EVs are used so that Rotom-W's Hydro Pump and Ferrothorn's Power Whip don't break Substitute.
Generally, Serperior pairs well with Pokemon that benefit from the paralysis support, as it lets them bypass their low speed, and it pressures their checks. Thus, Pokemon like Mega Medicham, Choice Band Tyranitar, and Mega Mawile make excellent partners. Tyranitar in particular works well with Serperior, as paralysis forces targets like Heatran and Mega Latias to switch, making for easy pickings with Pursuit, clearing the way for Serperior. Melmetal also abuses the paralysis on checks such as Heatran and Corviknight, being able to outspeed and KO them after they have been crippled, and Double Iron Bash's flinch rate paired with paralysis can put any slower foe into a sticky situation. Garchomp and Mega Garchomp are both potent wallbreakers by themselves, but appreciate the paralysis to set up on Heatran more easily and pressure Corviknight more. On hyper offense teams, Manaphy appreciates Glare, as potentially crippling Mega Latias lets Manaphy wallbreak more easily, and a paralyzed Heatran turns into Tail glow setup fodder. On Sticky Web teams, Serperior's snowballing ability is compounded with Sticky Web slowing down any would-be revenge killer, while Contrary deters the use of Defog, as it would boost Serperior’s evasion instead. When faced with a wall like Corviknight, teammates like Bisharp and Thundurus-T can take advantage of it and set up.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A set opting for Synthesis over Substitute and Grassium Z can be used, but without a Substitute, getting off a Glare becomes much riskier on top of Serperior losing much of its ability to punish passive Pokemon like Toxapex. Hidden Power Ground may be used to target Heatran, but leaves Serperior walled by many of the metagame's common Grass-type resists with the only target being Heatran. A set consisting of Leech Seed, Glare, Leaf Storm, and Substitute also seems potent, but requires much more support to function properly and still leaves Serperior walled by many bulky Grass resists.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Corviknight**: Corviknight's Pressure cuts into Leaf Storm's low PP, and it can pivot out on a +2 Hidden Power Fire with relative ease to a revenge killer or respond with heavy damage from Brave Bird. While it's not immune to paralysis, its longevity with Roost can make it a nuisance to remove.
**Fire-types**: Heatran, Volcarona, and Mega Charizard Y can take repeated Leaf Storms and are able to KO Serperior back with their respective STAB move. However, Heatran lacking Leftovers can fall apart after being crippled by Glare, and Volcarona and Mega Charizard Y both dislike the Speed drop.
**Bulky Grass Resists** Mega Latias, Amoonguss, and Mega Venusaur can all take repeated Leaf Storms, don't mind +2 Hidden Power Fires much, and can damage Serperior back with Psyshock or Sludge Bomb, respectively. Amoonguss is even able to wall Serperior by removing boosts with Clear Smog. However, Mega Latias lacking Refresh still greatly fears paralysis.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[MudkipBeans, 498577]]
- Quality checked by: [[Solaros & Lunaris, 471780], [Zneon, 487629]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Bandkrook, 301217]]
name: No Step On Snek
move 1: Leaf Storm
move 2: Hidden Power Fire
move 3: Substitute
move 4: Glare
item: Leftovers
ability: Contrary
nature: Timid
evs: 56 HP / 200 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Serperior plays a unique role in the metagame, as its Speed and ability in Contrary allow it to quickly threaten a sweep through repeated Leaf Storms granting it +2 Special Attack on each use, and combined with it's ability to reliably dish out paralysis to its checks, it's both crucial team support and a threatening late-game sweeper. Hidden Power Fire ensures Serperior is not walled by Ferrothorn, Mega Scizor, and Corviknight. Substitute allows Serperior to either capitalize on switches forced by Leaf Storm, or take advantage of more passive Water-types such as Toxapex and Slowking, easing prediction. Glare is generally preferred, as paralysis is key in crippling its checks, such as Corviknight and Amoonguss, and allows Serperior to support slow wallbreakers, but Leech Seed is an option to more safely break through Blissey and Heatran while remaining safe behind Substitute. 56 HP EVs are used so that Rotom-W's Hydro Pump and Ferrothorn's Power Whip don't break Substitute.
Generally, Serperior pairs well with Pokemon that benefit from the paralysis support, as it lets them bypass their low speed, and it pressures their checks. Thus, Pokemon like Mega Medicham, Choice Band Tyranitar, and Mega Mawile make excellent partners. Tyranitar in particular works well with Serperior, as paralysis forces targets like Heatran and Mega Latias to switch, making for easy pickings with Pursuit, clearing the way for Serperior. Melmetal also abuses the paralysis on checks such as Heatran and Corviknight, being able to outspeed and KO them after they have been crippled, and Double Iron Bash's flinch rate paired with paralysis can put any slower foe into a sticky situation. Garchomp and Mega Garchomp are both potent wallbreakers by themselves, but appreciate the paralysis to set up on Heatran more easily and pressure Corviknight more. On hyper offense teams, Manaphy appreciates Glare, as potentially crippling Mega Latias lets Manaphy wallbreak more easily, and a paralyzed Heatran turns into Tail glow setup fodder. On Sticky Web teams, Serperior's snowballing ability is compounded with Sticky Web slowing down any would-be revenge killer, while Contrary deters the use of Defog, as it would boost Serperior’s evasion instead. When faced with a wall like Corviknight, teammates like Bisharp and Thundurus-T can take advantage of it and set up.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A set opting for Synthesis over Substitute and Grassium Z can be used, but without a Substitute, getting off a Glare becomes much riskier on top of Serperior losing much of its ability to punish passive Pokemon like Toxapex. Hidden Power Ground may be used to target Heatran, but leaves Serperior walled by many of the metagame's common Grass-type resists with the only target being Heatran. A set consisting of Leech Seed, Glare, Leaf Storm, and Substitute also seems potent, but requires much more support to function properly and still leaves Serperior walled by many bulky Grass resists.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Corviknight**: Corviknight's Pressure cuts into Leaf Storm's low PP, and it can pivot out on a +2 Hidden Power Fire with relative ease to a revenge killer or respond with heavy damage from Brave Bird. While it's not immune to paralysis, its longevity with Roost can make it a nuisance to remove.
**Fire-types**: Heatran, Volcarona, and Mega Charizard Y can take repeated Leaf Storms and are able to KO Serperior back with their respective STAB move. However, Heatran lacking Leftovers can fall apart after being crippled by Glare, and Volcarona and Mega Charizard Y both dislike the Speed drop.
**Bulky Grass Resists** Mega Latias, Amoonguss, and Mega Venusaur can all take repeated Leaf Storms, don't mind +2 Hidden Power Fires much, and can damage Serperior back with Psyshock or Sludge Bomb, respectively. Amoonguss is even able to wall Serperior by removing boosts with Clear Smog. However, Mega Latias lacking Refresh still greatly fears paralysis.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[MudkipBeans, 498577]]
- Quality checked by: [[Solaros & Lunaris, 471780], [Zneon, 487629]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Bandkrook, 301217]]
Last edited:
