Serperior (Update) QC [3/3] GP [2/2]

[soulgazer]

http://www.smogon.com/bw/pokemon/serperior
'Treecko and WhiteDMist are the greatest and cutest person in da world'

[Overview]

<p>Serperior is a solid Pokemon in NU for a few reasons. Thanks to its high Speed, Serperior can outpace and check common threats such as Jynx, Scolipede, Charizard, Tauros, and Primeape, and its well-rounded stats and decent movepool allow it to function as an effective attacker and supporter. Serperior's great Speed gives it the opportunity to set up before the opponent can stop it. Unfortunately, with below-average offensive stats and low Base Power attacks, Serperior is typically forced to boost its stats in order to sweep teams. While it has a good support movepool, Serperior's offensive coverage options leave it walled by many common defensive Pokemon, such as Audino and Metang.</p>

[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Taunt / Substitute
move 3: Giga Drain
move 4: Hidden Power Rock
item: Life Orb
ability: Overgrow
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>Serperior's high base Speed makes it a viable Calm Mind user, giving it the ability to boost its Special Attack to clean up later in the game. Taunt is used to keep Serperior from becoming setup fodder, prevent entry hazards from being set, and keep the opponents from statusing or phazing it, making Serperior a team player as well. Substitute, on the other hand, can be used to help Serperior get to Overgrow range or to keep it from being taken out by faster opponents, but without Taunt, Serperior struggles against other Calm Mind users such as Musharna. Giga Drain is the best STAB option for Serperior, as it provides a way to recover health. Finally, Hidden Power Rock is used for coverage to hit the Fire-, Bug-, and Flying-type Pokemon, such as Charizard, Scolipede, and Mandibuzz, that would wall Serperior otherwise.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Hidden Power Fire can be used over Hidden Power Rock if your team needs coverage against Steel- and Grass-types, such as Metang and Roselia, but Hidden Power Rock's coverage against specific threats is almost always more useful. Hidden Power Ice can also be used to hit opposing Grass- and Flying-types, but it suffers from the same problem that Hidden Power Fire does. Life Orb is the item of choice to give Serperior the much-needed power.</p>

<p>Seismitoad pairs well with Serperior, as it can set up Stealth Rock and take on the Steel-types that wall Serperior, while Serperior resists Seismitoad's only weakness. Stealth Rock support helps Serperior a lot because most types that resist its STAB are weak to Rock. Garbodor is also a great partner, as it provide Spikes and Toxic Spikes, which helps Serperior by wearing down Steel- and Grass-types, Lickilicky, and Audino, all of which give Serperior a lot of trouble. Garbodor also resists Bug- and Poison-type moves, giving it opportunities to set up entry hazards against Serperior's checks, and can also remove Toxic Spikes. Offensively, Charizard is an amazing partner, easily taking out Grass-, Bug-, and Steel-types for Serperior, while Serperior can easily weaken Rock- and Water-types with Giga Drain. Finally, Probopass can also be a good partner, as it can easily take any Flying-type move from Swellow, which outspeeds Serperior, trap Steel-types with its Magnet Pull ability, and provides a slow Volt Switch to bring in its teammates safely, while Serperior can kill Ground-types trying to take out Probopass.</p>

[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]

<p>Serperior's high Speed, great bulk, and access to Taunt make it a good dual screens user. This particular set faces competition with Gardevoir, which has access to Memento, but Serperior's greater Speed gives it an easier time setting up Reflect and Light Screen. Taunt is used to protect Serperior and its partners from status and phazing, while also preventing Stealth Rock from being set up by common leads and preventing opponents from trying to set up alongside Serperior. Finally, Giga Drain is a filler move which gets STAB and can help Serperior recover some health.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Max Speed investment is used to outspeed Scolipede and other slower Pokemon. This is to assure Serperior can set up Reflect and Light Screen reliably before opponents can get a hit on it. The rest goes in HP to let Serperior live more repeated hits. Light Clay is used to boost Reflect and Light Screen up to 8 turns, giving Serperior's teammates more turns to set up. While Giga Drain is mostly here to keep Serperior from becoming complete Taunt bait and to recover some health, Safeguard could be used over it to further support its team.</p>

<p>This set should mainly be used with setup sweepers such as Pinsir, Zangoose, Carracosta, Fraxure, Linoone, and Gorebyss, as they love dual screens support to set up safely. Entry hazards setters such as Custap Berry Golem and Focus Sash Scolipede are also great partners, as they can provide quick entry hazards which makes it easier for the team to sweep your opponents.</p>

[Other Options]

<p>Despite its poor coverage options, Serperior still has some good support moves up its leaves. Access to Leech Seed, Glare, Safeguard, and Dragon Tail might give you the impression that Serperior can pull out a good support set, but such a set would be outclassed by Roselia, Vileplume, and Tangela, as they have better support movepools, bulk, and abilities. Aromatherapy is a great support move that most other Grass-types can't fit on their sets, but it is only legal on Serperior with a Hardy nature, making it completely worthless. Serperior also has access to some other offensive options, such as Sword Dance, Coil, Aqua Tail, and Dragon Tail, but Serperior has awful coverage options on the physical side. Finally, Leaf Storm could be used with a Life Orb to OHKO Piloswine, but Serperior needs Calm Mind to work decently and sweep late-game.</p>

[Checks and Counters]

<p>Although Serperior is bulky and fast, it can be easily walled by many Pokemon. Sap Sipper Miltank and Sawsbuck both hard wall Serperior and receive an Attack boost if it tries to use Giga Drain against them. Steel-types and Poison-types also take on Serperior well, as they resists its STAB while taking very little from its most common coverage moves. Muk can check both sets, as it has Brick Break to take out Reflect and Light Screen set by Serperior, rendering it useless. Toxic Spikes greatly hinder Serperior, keeping it from staying healthy with Giga Drain. Liepard and Volbeat can Encore or Taunt Serperior with the help of Prankster. Bastiodon and Zweilous can easily take a hit and phaze Serperior out to weaken it with entry hazards. Finally, fast Pokemon such as Swellow or fast Choice Scarf users such as Jynx, Primeape, Braviary, Rotom-A, and Charizard can easily outspeed Serperior and OHKO it with the appropriate move, but keep in mind Serperior can play around with some of them by using Substitute.</p>

• Hide

  [Overview]
  [*]

  • Amazing speed, able to outspeed some dangerous threat such as Jynx, Scolipede, Primeape, Tauros, and Charizard, and great bulk.
  • Main roles in the metagame: Calm Mind sweeper and supporting offensive teams with Dual Screens.
  • Usable special attack stat.
  • Needs to boost to inflict good damage and reliance to Giga Drain as its strongest move.
  • Plethora of support options.
  • Sparse offensive movepool. Steel-, Dragon-, and Fire-types wall Serperior depending of the Hidden Power used.

  [*][SET]
  name: Calm Mind
  move 1: Calm Mind
  move 2: Taunt / Substitute
  move 3: Giga Drain
  move 4: Hidden Power Rock
  item: Life Orb
  ability: Overgrow
  nature: Timid
  evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
  
  [SET COMMENTS]
  [*]

  • Base 113 Speed lets Serperior outspeed most of the threats in the metagame, such as Jynx, Primeape, Sawk, Scolipede, Tauros, Charizard, and more.
  • Calm Mind to boost Serperior's special attack and special defense, which can make setting up easier for Serperior against some special attackers.
  • Substitute to block status and protect Serperior from Choice Scarf users. Taunt to prevent opponents to set up alongside Serperior and prevent Stealth Rock, as Serperior match up well against common leads.
    
  • Substitute and Taunt play differently: Substitute is mainly used to support Serperior itself by going down to Overgrow range and protecting itself from revenge killing, while Taunt is used to win against other Calm Mind sweeper such as Musharna and prevent opponents to set up alongside Serperior, helping its teamates in the process.
    
  • Giga Drain for STAB and recovery.
  • Hidden Power Rock gives Serperior the best coverage possible as some of the Steel-type in NU are neutral to Grass moves. Hitting Fire-, Bug-, and Flying-type such as Charizard, Scolipede, and Mandibuzz, which could wall it otherwise.

  [*][ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
  [*]

  • Hidden Power Fire can be used over Hidden Power Rock if your team needs coverage against Steel- and Grass-type.
  • Life Orb gives Serperior much needed power.
  • Garbodor is a good partner with Toxic Spikes support, as it help Serperior by wearing down some walls like Lickylicky and Audino.
  • Seismitoad pairs well with Serperior, as it can set up Stealth Rock and kill most Steel-type with its STAB, while Serperior resist Seismitoad's only weakness. Stealth Rock helps Serperior a lot since most types who resist Serperior's STAB are weak to Stealth Rock.
  • Charizard is also a great partner for Serperior, killing Grass- and Steel-type to ease Serperior's job, while Serperior can weaken most Charizard's checks with Giga Drain.
  • Probopass is also a good partner, as it is able to take any Flying-type moves from Swellow, which outspeed Serperior, and trap Steel-type with its ability Magnet Pull, while Serperior can kill Ground-types trying to kill Probopass.

  [*]•[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]
  [*]

  • With its high speed, great bulk, and access to Taunt makes Serperior a good dual screen user.
  • Unlike its other set, this one is mainly used to support its teamates by setting up Reflect and Light Screen, which gives frailer teamates the ability to set up safely.
  • This particuliar set face competition with Gardevoir, which has access to Memento, but Serperior's Speed gives it an easier time to set up Reflect and Light Screen.
  • Reflect and Light Screen to help sweepers to set up.
  • Taunt to protect Serperior and its teamates from status and phazing. Taunt also prevent Stealth Rock against common leads while also preventing anything from seting up alongside it.
  • Giga Drain for STAB and decent recovery.

  [*][ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
  [*]

  • Light Clay is used to have Reflect and Light Screen up for 8 turns.
  • Serperior is running max Speed investments to outspeed Scolipede and other slower Pokemon. This is to assure Serperior can set up Reflect and Light Screen. The rest goes in HP to let Serperior live more repeated hits.
  • Giga Drain is mostly used to not be Taunt bait.
  • Safeguard could be used over Giga Drain to further support your team.
  • Set up sweepers such as Pinsir, Zangoose, Carracosta, Fraxure, Linoone, and Gorebyss loves Dual Screen support. Never used this set, so any input is welcome!
  • Entry hazard setter such as Custap Berry Golem and Focus Sash Scolipede are great partner as they can quickly provide entry hazard support to the team, making it easier for your team to sweep the opponent.

  [*][Other Options]
  [*]

  • Leech Seed, but Serperior has difficulty dealing with opponent's Grass-type.
  • Glare.
  • Dragon Tail.
  • Aqua Tail.
  • Sword Dance and Coil.
  • Safeguard.
  • Dragon Pulse.

  [*][Checks and Counters]
  [*]

  • Toxic Spikes
  • Sap Sipper Miltank and Sawsbuck.
  • Metang and Klang.
  • Swellow.
  • Scarf users such as Jynx, Primeape, Rotom-S, Charizard, and Tauros.
  • Roselia, Vileplume, Skuntank, Garbodor, and Muk which can also use Brick Break to break Reflect and Light Screen.
  • Pokemon able to take a hit easily and phaze Serperior, such as Bastiodon and Zweilous.
  • Liepard and Volbeat can Taunt or Encore Serperior with the help of Prankster.

 

[ebeast]

[Overview]
Tie up point 1 with point 4; it's Speed is amazing because it outspeeds those threats. Talk about its bulk in a separate point. Speaking of which I would use great over amazing when referring to its bulk. 75/95/95 is definitely great, but not amazing. Add how its roles in the metagame are: being a Calm Mind sweeper and supporting offensive teams with Dual Screens.

[Set] (Calm Mind)
Name the set: Calm Mind and have the set as follows: Calm Mind, Substitute / Taunt, Giga Drain, Hidden Power Rock. Since Taunt is going to be slashed with Substitute, calling it SubCM makes no sense. And since the set's name is now just Calm Mind, pushing CM up to moveslot 1 makes sense. The reason to slash Taunt with Substitute is that it lets Serperior prevent setup from moves like SR, (since its typing means it has a good match up vs most SR mons) status, and lets it beat other CM Pokemon 1v1. (Musharna, Duosion, Gardy, Gothi)

Make Life Orb the only item on Serp too. It really needs the power and Giga Drain's healing makes up for the LO recoil anyways.

[Set Comments] (Calm Mind)
Mention why Serperior's Speed tier is so good. Add mention of Taunt here and remove talk of Lefties. Add an extra point talking about how Substitute and Taunt sets play a little differently. Serp uses Substitute to support itself in setting up Calm Minds as well as give itself the ability to control Overgrow by Subbing down until it gets in range. Serp uses Taunt to also support itself by preventing status, but it's mainly there to provide utility outside of setting up. This includes preventing set up such as Stealth Rock or opponent boosting up.

[Additional Comments] (Calm Mind)
No need to talk about the EV spread since its just a simple 252/252 one and you talk about its Speed in Set Comments. Remove mention of HP Fire. Rock is superior to both Ice and Fire, but Ice at least lets you hit both Grass-types and Dragon-types at once. You miss out on Steels, but you lose to Metang regardless with HP Fire and Probo and Bastiodon are basically set up fodder and hit neutrally by Giga. Add on Carracosta to Samurott's mention and add on that it's SD Samurott. Add Tangela alongside the list of Alomomola, since Serp can make set up fodder out of that as well for Carra/Samu.

[Set Comments] (Dual Screens)
Add at the top how its high Speed, access to Taunt, and great bulk make Serp a really good Dual Screener. On Taunt's mention add how it prevents Stealth Rock against common leads while also preventing anything from trying to set up alongside it.

[Additional Comments] (Dual Screens)
No need to mention the EVs, since it's a simple 252/252. I wouldn't mention Glare, I think that every move on this set is irreplaceable. Add how it needs to be used on offensive teams that could use the screens to set up. Mention Linoone as well, that's a good end all sweeper that loves screens. Serp also wears down Rock-types for it to sweep easier too.

Make the [Other Options] tag look like that. The only tags that are not capitalized are: [Overview], [Other Options], and [Checks and Counters].

[Checks and Counters]
Add Sawsbuck as a check, since Serperior doesn't use HP Ice almost ever compared to Rock and Sawsbuck can hit hard with Double-Edge. When talking about Bronzor mention how Taunt variants of Serperior shut it down completely. Add Charizard and Rotom-A to the list of Scarf mons that can beat Serp.

Implement and I can stamp later.

 

[watashi]

i think hp fire deserves a slash beside hp rock instead of ac since it still hits scolipede and jynx but also metang and grass-types, making it the better choice for some teams which needs those threats weakened. imo they're both equally useful since fire-types are fairly rare. hp ice on the other hand isn't as good since flying-types are not /that/ common and if you need to hit them hp rock is usually better.

 

[soulgazer]

Implemented everything @ebeast . If I forgot something, tell me!

EDIT: I would like more discussion around Hp Fire for the CM set, as some of you believe its good while other don't.

 

[ebeast]

Ok looking back at Hidden Power stuff: Ice is worse than Fire. HP Fire did more to Metang than I remembered and still hitting Jynx/Pede is good. Idk why I said HP Ice was good for Dragons since most of them suck anyways lol. Especially Altaria. But I do not think it should be a slash regardless, HP Rock is basically better in almost every situation and HP Fire only on a few teams that would like to wear down. This relegates HP Fire to AC imo.

So in the end remove mention of HP Ice and add a mention of HP Fire and this is good.

QC Approved 1/3

 

[soulgazer]

Implemented the Hidden Power change.

 

[jake]

honestly i think taunt is far better than sub on the cm set, and i think it should be slashed first. taunt allows it to beat / set up on musharna which is an enormous selling point, considering that being able to set up on musharna is something that most pokemon (re: every other pokemon bar scraggy) can't do. taunt also keeps away rocks, as well as preventing status and other similar moves. sub is really only advantageous when you don't want to guess whether to play safe or not vs alomomola. it helps keep away revenge-killers i guess, but you can also nail most pokemon that outspeed you and would ko with hp rock (scarf jynx, scarf braviary, swellow, scarf haunter) or with giga drain (scarf primeape, scarf sawk).

sub "helps" you get into overgrow range if you need it, but frankly there are no common situations where you'll need the overgrow boost to KO something. you also slice off 25% of its HP every time you sub and get forced out, which is really obnoxious since serp is weak enough without a boost to make that happen. taunting poison-types like roselia / garbodor that come in seems a much better option than subbing and then being forced to switch (or you can attack and do literally nothing lol) as they just spikestack on you.

i wouldn't really mention piloswine as a counter.. it gets 2HKOed by unboosted giga drain, and ice shard does roughly half so serperior will always win barring a crit + sr damage. i would also mention muk as a counter since it gives ~0 fucks about anything serp does.

 

[soulgazer]

After some discussion on IRC (again :rolleyes:), Substitute and Taunt simply plays too differently to choose which one is better, so I'll keep this order and make sure in the writting process to mention that Substitute and Taunt are equally good on their own, but they do different things.

 

[ebeast]

Bumping this so it gets attention and more QC checks. This analysis in particular has been well overdue as the previous writer had some trouble on getting time to work on it. Getting this done asap would be great.

 

[Blast]

In Set Comments of CM, don't forget to mention Serp can boost his SpD to make setup easier. Also probably mention what HP Rock gets coverage (Zard, Scoli, etc, etc.)

In AC, maybe Probopass > Metang for partners? Serp + Metang stack weaknesses to Fire :I

 

[soulgazer]

I've added Probopass in the partners of set 1 and the SpD boost mention to the AC.

 

[ryan]

[Overview]

• The only bad thing you've mentioned about Serperior is that its offensive movepool is bad. This is true, but there are other (serious) disadvantages to using Serperior. It really doesn't hit very hard, so it needs a boost in order to do a lot of damage. Its moves have low Base Power—relying on Giga Drain as your sole STAB and strongest move on an offensive Pokemon can suck. Give us more reasons why Serperior isn't used more. Right now it sounds like you can pair it with something to beat the types that wall its Hidden Power and then easily sweep.

[SET COMMENTS] (Calm Mind)

• When you talk about HP Rock, mention what types it hits (Flying, Fire, Bug). You can say something like, "Hidden Power Rock hits Flying-, Fire-, and Bug-types, such as Mandibuzz, Charizard, and Scolipede, which resist its STAB."
  
• Move the mention of Life Orb to Additional Comments.

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS] (Calm Mind)

• Mention HP Ice along with HP Fire. It hits Ice-, Grass-, and Dragon-types, so it's another decent option.
• I think you should remove the mention of Spikes. It's a given that Serperior is going to like Spikes support—what Pokemon doesn't?—but the main types of Pokemon that switch into Scolipede are weak to Stealth Rock. You don't really need a wall to beat Serperior. From my experiences, it's much easier to just bring in a Grass resist that can either outspeed Serperior or take an unboosted HP Rock and just kill it.
• On that same note, when you mention Stealth Rock support, specifically mention that all of the Pokemon that resist Serperior's STAB are weak to Stealth Rock, which makes it significantly easier for Serperior to do some damage.
• I wouldn't mention SD Samurott or Shell Smash Carracosta as good partners because "Serperior weakens their checks and counters" because no one is going to keep in an Alomomola on a Serperior (and the same probably goes for Tangela, which can't do a whole lot to Serperior after being Taunted, has crap Special Defense, and absolutely loses if you're running HP Fire/Ice instead of Rock). Yes, one-on-one, Serperior can and likely will beat these Pokemon. But if they're not staying in against it, Serperior is not beating them.

[SET] (Dual Screen)

• Change the name to "Dual Screens"

[SET COMMENTS] (Dual Screens)

• You've told us what Dual Screens Serperior's moves do, but not how to actually use it. Dual Screens Serperior has awesome Speed, which gives it the opportunity to get up quick screens against the opponent for offensive/hyper offensive teams. Screens give teammates the ability to set up against a wider variety of things, and they let frailer teammates take a couple of hits while they're trying to sweep. You can also note that this particular set faces competition from Gardevoir, which also has Taunt, Light Screen, and Reflect, as well as Memento/Healing Wish to give opponents an even easier time setting up or a second chance to sweep, as well as a free switch in. But Serperior separates itself with its significantly better Speed which makes it difficult for opponents to prevent it from getting up at least one of Light Screen/Reflect. Obviously don't just c/p this, but take the important bits out and try to sum up my verbosity.
• Mention of Light Clay->Additional Comments.

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS] (Dual Screens)

• Cut the first point. This will inherently be covered in the teammates section.
• Mention why the EVs are used. Looking at this set, newer players might wonder why it's not physically/specially defensive, so mentioning why this set uses max Speed is important. A fast set makes it easier to take hits while setting up screens, getting them up before the opponent can attack, and it also lets you Taunt the opponent before you can be Taunted yourself.
• Mention Safeguard>Giga Drain to help teammates even further in setting up.
• You said that Serperior can wear down Rock-types to help its teammates set up, but this isn't really the case (especially when the only teammate you mentioned that really needs Rock-types worn down is Linoone). Giga Drain is mostly just to keep it from being Taunt bait and to give it a way of picking down very weakened opponents.
• Unlike the previous set, you can mention Spikes and Stealth Rock support for this set. Setup sweepers always love hazards to help them get specific KOs, and a team with dual screens Serperior should have at least one or two sweepers. Sash Scolipede and Sturdy Stealth Rock users (Golem, Carracosta, Metal Burst Bastiodon I guess lol) are the best for this because they're nearly guaranteed to set up hazards.

[Other Options]

• Mention that SubSeed is not good because Serperior has trouble beating most Grass-types.
• Leaf Storm is awful for Serperior because it's so weak, so if you are planning on mentioning it, specifically state this.

[Checks and Counters]

• Remove Piloswine for the reasons Zeb stated.
• Cut the mention of Bronzor; you said yourself that Taunt shuts it down, so it's just major setup fodder for Serp.
• Make Toxic Spikes the very first thing you mentioned. They absolutely ruin Calm Mind Serperior, especially because it doesn't have Leftovers to make up for poison damage.
• Mention priority Taunt/Encore users—Liepard, Volbeat—for their ability to fuck with the dual screens set.
• When you mention Poison-types, give a specific shoutout to Muk; Brick Break Muk beats both sets easily.

 

[Celever]

Not QC don't have to include etc. etc.
[Overview]
"Sparse offensive movepool. Steel-, Dragon-, and Fire-types wall Serperior depending of the Hidden Power used."
Small nitpick but Grass-Type Pokemon should also be included here.

With the Dual Screens set I think it is worth noting that without one of the screens up Serperior isn't awfully bulky, leaving it susceptible to Choice Scarf users.

Just a couple of nitpicks as I didn't want to repeat Treecko, and I'm probably bad at this. :x

 

[soulgazer]

Implemented everything @Treecko , tell me if I forgot something or need to change something.

 

[ebeast]

Treecko Raseri tennisace WhiteDMist or whoever else hasn't stamped it yet, can any of you look over to see if the check was implemented correctly and give out the 2nd stamp so this analysis can move on to the write up? I already stamped it before so I can't stamp again. :'(

 

[Blast]

I think Leaf Storm should still be mentioned in OO. I made this really random Serp set a while back but never bothered to test it, something like Leaf Storm / Giga / HP Rock / Taunt. Anyway, I ran a few calcs and found out LO Leaf Storm lets it OHKO Piloswine, which lets it fare better as a Taunt lead. It's still pretty weak though, but I feel it's at least worth an OO mention.

Also cut Scarf Rotom-S from C&C and add Braviary instead. Rotom's Air Slash doesn't kill after +1 while you kill it back after rocks.

Other than that,
QC Approved 2/3 Go write this up :)

 

[soulgazer]

Made the change, still debating if i'll eventually write it up or let Serperior get taken over too.

 

[soulgazer]

Serperior is writed. Treecko tennisace Raseri pls don't let it rot longer

 

[ryan]

I promise I'll check this. I'm about to take a nap, but I'll QC it when I wake up.

 

[WhiteDMist]

Before Treecko checks, make sure you fully explain how the slashed moves on the CM set work. Add to your Taunt mention that it prevents your opponent from statusing you as well, but that it doesn't protect from revenge killing. Substitute does protect against most kinds of status, but Serperior has trouble winning Calm Mind wars due to it relying on Giga Drain for recovery. For the Dual Screens set, I feel like you should explain why Serperior uses max Speed instead of investing in one of its defenses. Just a sentence about how max Speed allows Serperior to actually set up a screen and survive a normally fatal attack and set up the other screen, while if it were slower many common, faster Pokemon would have a chance to KO it before it can set up more than a single screen. I'm sure you can work this all in well enough.

 

[soulgazer]

WhiteDMist Could you tell me if I mentionned correctly those stuff now :>

 

[ryan]

ᕕ(ᐛ)ᕗ 3/3
I editing some minor changes into the OP. Feel free to hit me up on IRC if you have any questions. :)

 

[soulgazer]

Treecko implemented the changes, ready for GP~

 

[piikachuu]

amcheck
Additions
Removals
Comments

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[Overview]

<p>Serperior is a solid Pokemon in NU thanks to its high Speed, which allows it to outpace common threats such as Jynx, Scolipede, Charizard, Tauros, (you'll see why I added this here) and Primeape. Serperior's has well-rounded stats and decent movepool which allow it to function as an effective attacker or supporter. Serperior's great Speed gives it the opportunity to set up before the opponent can stop it. Unfortunately, with below-(hyphen)average offensive stats and low Base Power attacks, Serperior is typically forced to boost its stats in order to sweep teams. While it has a good support movepool, Serperior's offensive coverage options leave it walled by many common defensive Pokemon.</p>

[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Taunt / Substitute
move 3: Giga Drain
move 4: Hidden Power Rock
item: Life Orb
ability: Overgrow
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>Serperior's high Speed gives it the ability to outpace most of the metagame, including Primeape, Jynx, Scolipede, Tauros, and Charizard. Calm Mind is the most important part of the set, Serperior's high base Speed makes it a viable Calm Mind user, (the first sentence was literally already stated in the overview, and calm mind is obviously the most important part of the set, seeing as the set is called 'calm mind'. by combining the two, I feel that it makes everything flow better. your choice though.) giving Serperior the ability to boost its Special Attack to clean later in the game. Taunt is used to keep Serperior from becoming set up fodder, to prevent entry hazards from being set, and to keep the opponents from statusing or phazing it, which makes Serperior more of a team player. Substitute, on the other hand, can be used to help Serperior get to Overgrow range or to keep it from being taken out by faster opponents, but without Taunt, struggles against other Calm Mind users such as Musharna. Giga Drain is the best STAB option for Serperior, as it provides a way to recover health. Finally, Hidden Power Rock is used for coverage to hit the Fire-, Bug-, and Flying-type Pokemon, such as Charizard, Scolipede, and Mandibuzz, that would wall Serperior otherwise.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Hidden Power Fire can be used over Hidden Power Rock if your team needs coverage against Steel- and Grass-types, such as Metang and Roselia, but Hidden Power Rock's coverage against specific threats such as Charizard and Mandibuzz is almost always more useful. Hidden Power Ice can also be used to hit opposing Grass- and Flying-types, but it suffers from the same problem that Hidden Power Fire does. Life Orb is the item of choice to give Serperior much-needed power.</p>

<p>Seismitoad pairs well with Serperior, as it can set up Stealth Rock and take on the Steel-types that wall Serperior, while Serperior resists Seismitoad's only weakness. Stealth Rock support helps Serperior a lot because most types that resist its STAB are weak to Rock. Garbodor is also a great partner, as it provide Spikes and Toxic Spikes which helps Serperior quite a lot by wearing down Steel- and Grass-types, Lickyilicky, and Audino, all of which give Serperior a lot of trouble. Garbodor also resists Bug- and Poison-type moves, giving it opportunities to set up entry hazards against Serperior's checks (mention that it removes toxic spikes maybe?). Offensively, Charizard is an amazing partner, easily taking out Grass-, Bug-, and Steel-types for Serperior, while Serperior can easily weaken Rock- and Water-types with Giga Drain. Finally, Probopass can also be a good partner, as it can easily take any Flying-type move from Swellow, which outspeeds Serperior, and trap Steel-types with its Magnet Pull ability, while Serperior can kill Ground-types trying to take out Probopass (slow volt switch = safe switch in for serperior).</p>

[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]

<p>Serperior's high sSpeed, great bulk, and access to Taunt make Serperior a good dual screens user. This particular set faces competition with Gardevoir, which has access to Memento, but Serperior's greater Speed gives it an easier time setting up Reflect and Light Screen. Serperior supports its team by setting up dual screens, which gives frailer teammates the chance to set up safely. (assume they have basic Pokemon knowledge, or at least know the purpose of using screens) Taunt is used to protect Serperior and its partners from status and phazing, while also preventing Stealth Rock from being setting up by common leads and preventing opponents from trying to set up alongside Serperior. Finally, Giga Drain is a filler move which gets STAB and can help Serperior recover some health.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Max Speed investment is used to outspeed Scolipede and other slower Pokemon. This is to assure Serperior can set up Reflect and Light Screen reliably before opponents can get a hit on it. The rest goes in HP to let Serperior live more repeated hits. Light Clay is used to boost Reflect and Light Screen up to 8 turns, giving its teammates more turns to set up. While Giga Drain is mostly here to keep Serperior from becoming complete Taunt bait and to recover some health, Safeguard could be used over it to further support its team.</p>

<p>This set should mainly be used with set(remove space)up sweepers such as Pinsir, Zangoose, Carracosta, Fraxure, Linoone, and Gorebyss, as they love dual screens support to set up safely. Entry hazards setters such as Custap Berry Golem and Focus Sash Scolipede are also great partners, as they can provide quick entry hazards which makes it easier for the team to sweep your opponents while still being threatening offensively.</p>

[Other Options]

<p>Despite its poor coverage options, Serperior still has some good support moves up its leaves (ugh). Access to Leech Seed, Glare, Safeguard, and Dragon Tail might give you the impression that Serperior can pull out a good support set, but such a set would be outclassed by Roselia, Vileplume, and Tangela, as they have better support movepools, bulk, and abilities. Aromatherapy is a great support move that most other Grass-types can't fit on their sets, but it is only legal on Serperior with a Hardy nature, making it completely worthless. Serperior also has access to some other offensive options, such as Sword Dance, Coil, Aqua Tail, and Dragon Tail, but Serperior has awful coverage options on the physical side. Finally, Leaf Storm could be used with a Life Orb to OHKO Piloswine, but Serperior needs Calm Mind to work decently and sweep late game.</p>

[Checks and Counters]

<p>Although Serperior is bulky and fast, it can be easily walled by many Pokemon. Sap Sipper Miltank and Sawsbuck both hard wall Serperior and receive an Attack boost if it tried tries to use Giga Drain against them. Steel-types and Poison-types also take on Serperior well, as they resists its STAB while taking very little from its most common coverage moves. Muk can check both sets, as it has Brick Break to take out Reflect and Light Screen set by Serperior, rendering it useless. Toxic Spikes greatly hinder Serperior, keeping it from staying healthy with boosted Giga Drain. Liepard and Volbeat can Encore or Taunt Serperior with the help of Prankster. Bastiodon and Zweilous can easily take a hit and phaze Serperior out to weaken it with entry hazards. Finally, fast Pokemon like Swellow or fast Choice Scarf users such as Jynx, Primeape, Braviary, Rotom-A, and Charizard can easily outspeed Serperior and OHKO it with the appropriate move, but keep in mind Serperior can play around with some of them by using Substitute.</p>

edit: feel free to ignore any qc related advice; i play nu like once a month

 

[soulgazer]

Implemented the amcheck, thanks!