money snake
Serperior is the fastest viable Grass-type in DOU, and thanks to Contrary, it has the ability to quickly attain boosts to its otherwise unremarkable Special Attack. Its high Speed and STAB Leaf Storm allow it to beat common threats such as Mega Diancie and Keldeo. Furthermore, its access to Glare in tandem with said Speed allows it to provide a fast form of speed control against opposing Ground-types such as Choice Scarf Landorus-T. However, Serperior is severely hindered by its significant lack of coverage options, forcing it to rely on different Hidden Power types to avoid being stopped cold by several common threats. Serperior's overall offensive impact is also held back by its abysmal initial attacking power, so it absolutely needs a boost or two before being able to pose any sort of real threat; however, when it gets just one boost, its Leaf Storm can OHKO Mega Kangaskhan and 2HKO Cresselia, which is very impressive for a neutrally effective attack.
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Leaf Storm
move 2: Dragon Pulse
move 3: Hidden Power Ground / Hidden Power Rock / Glare
move 4: Protect
item: Life Orb
ability: Contrary
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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Leaf Storm is the only notable STAB move that should ever be considered for Serperior, as it allows it to obtain considerable Special Attack boosts quickly. Dragon Pulse is a coverage move that allows Serperior to hit some Pokemon that resist Leaf Storm neutrally, such as Amoonguss, but it's primarily used to OHKO Dragon-types after a boost, particularly Latios and Hydreigon. Hidden Power Ground is another coverage option that can be utilized to OHKO Heatran and prevent Serperior from being walled by other Steel-types that often get in its way, such as Aegislash and Jirachi. However, Hidden Power Rock is an equally viable option that allows Serperior to beat Fire-types such as Mega Charizard Y and Rotom-H. Should Serperior have sufficient support against threats that these Hidden Power types are meant to provide coverage against, it can run Glare instead as a means of speed control to make speedy Pokemon, such as Landorus-T, less threatening. Protect is an all-around good move in Doubles, but Serperior especially needs it in order to stall out opposing field conditions, particularly Trick Room and Tailwind.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed EVs and a Timid nature allow Serperior to make full use of its Speed stat, letting it outspeed base 110 Speed Pokemon such as Mega Diancie and Latios as well as Pokemon that creep the 110 Speed tier, such as Thundurus and Mega Lucario. With maximum Special Attack EVs, Serperior can make the most of its average initial Special Attack; in conjunction with Life Orb, Serperior can OHKO both Mega Diancie and Azumarill with an unboosted Leaf Storm while also OHKOing Latios and Hydreigon with a +2 Dragon Pulse.
Usage Tips
========
Serperior is fairly one-dimensional; it has very underwhelming power before a Leaf Storm boost, so getting a boost is absolutely necessary in order to apply any amount of offensive pressure upon the opposing team with it. That being said, Serperior should usually be brought in against a foe that is within range to be OHKOed by an unboosted Leaf Storm. However, due to Serperior's middling defenses, it should also usually be brought in after a teammate faints.
Team Options
========
Landorus-T and Mega Diancie serve as excellent partners to Serperior for their ability to check both Talonflame and Thundurus as well as being able to put foes in Leaf Storm's OHKO range with their respective spread moves. Fire-types, such as Heatran, Talonflame, and Blaziken, are also great allies that can beat opposing Steel-types that Hidden Power Ground does not do enough damage to, such as Aegislash and Ferrothorn. They can also get rid of bulky Grass-types that Serperior can't deal with at all, particularly Amoonguss. Pokemon that can rid the field of Fire-types are also great to pair with Serperior. Water-types such as Keldeo and Azumarill are most effective at checking opposing Fire-types, but Dragon-types such as Latios and Hydreigon are also good picks for this role.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Serperior can utilize a defensive set in order to more effectively provide speed control with Glare while also providing support with either Reflect or Light Screen. Hidden Power Fire can be used if the rest of the team is susceptible to opposing Grass-types, but Hidden Power Rock and Ground are generally a lot more useful. Coba Berry can be used to survive Talonflame's Brave Bird and allow Serperior to OHKO it with Hidden Power Rock. Likewise, Focus Sash can be used to survive one super effective attack and preserve Serperior's acquired Leaf Storm boosts. However, forgoing Life Orb prevents Serperior from getting some valuable KOs on Azumarill and Mega Diancie before a boost.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Typing Advantage**: Generally, Fire-types such as Heatran, Rotom-H, Mega Charizard Y, and Talonflame beat Serperior easily, but they can sometimes be taken out by the appropriate Hidden Power after a Leaf Storm boost or two. Kyurem-B, Hydreigon, and Latios can switch in on an unboosted Serperior but have to watch out for boosted Dragon Pulse unless they have Choice Scarf or Haban Berry, although the latter is uncommon. Defensively, Serperior is walled by bulky Grass-types such as Amoonguss and Ferrothorn.
**Speed**: Faster Pokemon that can take advantage of Serperior's paltry bulk have no problem ousting it from the battlefield. In particular, speedy Pokemon such as Talonflame, Choice Scarf Landorus-T, Mega Gengar, and Deoxys-A are all threats that Serperior needs to watch out for.
**Speed Control**: All forms of opposing speed control, bar Icy Wind, mitigate Serperior's typically advantageous Speed tier and leave it very vulnerable due to its relatively low defenses.
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