[Overview]
<p>
[remove space]One of three new monkeys introduced in B/W, Simisage is just as mediocre as its siblings. Being clearly outclassed in RU by Sceptile, Simisage's only hope was to thrive in NU. Unfortunately, Simisage's spot as a strong and speedy Grass-type is still highly contested in NU: Serperior has higher speed, more bulk, and a more diverse movepool than Simisage. However, Simisage's
attack offensive coverage is better than Serperior's and it still has more than enough Speed to outrun most of NU. Simisage also has higher offensive stats, and when you combine that with Nasty Plot, you've found yourself a dangerous sweeper.</p>
[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Energy Ball
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Rock
item: Life Orb
ability: Gluttony
nature: Timid
[space]/
[space]Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[remove one line]
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This is Simisage's most powerful set and what seperates it from the other Grass-types in NU
(except Shiftry, js). Simisage gets Nasty Plot, a move that all special sweepers wish they had. This instantly makes Simisage a deadly sweeper, as
it Nasty Plot raises its Special Attack by two stages. Simisage also has the coverage to abuse the boost; unfortunately, its strongest reliable STAB move
is has only 80 base power. Focus Blast is a good coverage move to have so
you Simisage can take out most Steel-type Pokemon that can tank
your its Grass-type attack. Last but not least, a Hidden Power rounds out the set with added coverage: Hidden Power Ice and Rock will both target Flying-types which often switch in on Simisage. Hidden Power Ice is the preferred choice, as you will be guarenteed to at least speed tie
with other opposing Simi
sage, Simisear, and Simipour monkeys. It also allows Simisage to deal a lot of damage to other Grass- and Dragon-types. Hidden Power Rock, on the other hand, will help against Fire- and Bug-types.</p>
[remove one line]
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Life Orb provides much needed power for Simisage, as the primary STAB move for this set only has 80 base power. Leaf Storm could be used to provide more immediate power but it will
basically negate the effects of Nasty Plot and hinder a potential sweep. Potential partners for Simisage include Miltank, Camerupt, and Probopass; Miltank can handle the super effective Fire- and Ice-type moves aimed at Simisage and provide paralysis and Heal Bell support. Camerupt and Probopass both offer good defensive synergy
,[add comma] while being able to set up
hazards Stealth Rock as well. Probopass can also offer Thunder Wave support to give Simisage more chances to
setup set up (setup is the noun version). If you choose to run Hidden Power Rock, it is wise to run another sweeper that can take out Dragon-
types and Grass-types. Jynx
would be is a good offensive candidate due to its ability to take out both
typings of these types and offer
Sleep sleep support.</p>
[SET]
name: SubSeed
move 1: Leech Seed
move 2: Substitute
move 3: Energy Ball / Leaf Storm
move 4: Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Fire / Taunt
item: Leftovers
ability: Gluttony
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[remove one line]
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set is fairly similar to Serperior's SubSeed set, but trades off bulk for more firepower. Since Simisage has a 101 base Speed, max Speed EVs are required to maintain its
speed creep advantage over base 100s. With maximum Special Attack EVs, Simisage can actually deal some damage, rather than just relying on Substitute and Leech Seed. Energy Ball can be used to deal consistent damage but the lack of power is really noticeable. If you plan on having Simisage do more than SubSeed, Leaf Storm is recommended as a good hit and run move. For the last moveslot, Hidden Power Fire and Hidden Power Ice are the primary options to hit Grass-types, who are immune to Leech Seed. Hidden Power Fire also gives Simisage a way to deal some damage to Steel- and Bug-types, who would otherwise completely wall it. Hidden Power Ice, however, allows
you Simisage to break through Dragon- and Flying-types more easily. Taunt shouldn't be overlooked either
,[add comma] as it can prevent Simisage from being phazed
away and stop the opponent from healing.</p>
[remove one line]
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>
[remove space]If you run Taunt, it is wise to pack a Fire-type, such as Camerupt, Rapidash, or Emboar, to take
the Ice- and Fire-type moves
aimed at Simisage and destroy opposing Grass-types, as the lack of a Hidden Power leaves
you Simisage completely walled by Grass-types. A SubSeed set really appreciates
entry hazards, especially Toxic Spikes, due to the ability of this set to force switches. Having Toxic Spikes also gives a way for Taunt Simisage to beat opposing Grass-types that are not part Poison. Garbodor can set up both Toxic Spikes and Spikes
,[add comma] while removing Toxic Spikes on your side of the field at the same time. Camerupt offers a good Fire-type resistance for Simisage and can also set up Stealth Rock. Probopass resists Ice-type
d attacks, offers paralysis support, and can also set up Stealth Rock. Simisage also has the option to run HP EVs instead of Special Attack EVs so that its Substitutes can
live withstand weaker attacks, but Serperior would run a bulkier set much better.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Simisage doesn't really have many other effective sets. Nasty Plot is the best way for Simisage to deal major damage but since it has Work Up and an identical base Attack stat, a mixed set is possible. Simisage gets
Seed Bomb, Acrobatics, Brick Break, and Rock Slide on the physical side
,[add comma] but it pretty much offers the same coverage as the Nasty Plot set with just weaker power since the EVs will be split between Special Attack and Attack. A Choice item set is an option, but once your opponent catches on to it, Simisage just becomes
set up set-up bait. The Nasty Plot set offers more power and flexibility after one boost, so Choice Specs is an inferior option. A Choice Scarf set just doesn't have the power for revenge killing. GrassWhistle can cripple the opposing Pokemon
,[add comma] but the
low accuracy is just not worth it. However, it might be able to work with a Hone Claws set
,[add comma] but it is quite gimmicky and has fairly bad coverage. </p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Depending on the Hidden Power
it carries, Simisage will have different checks and counters. However, all counters should get in quickly when facing the Nasty Plot set. Simisage running Hidden Power Rock are countered by most Grass-types that have some way of dealing with Simisage. Vileplume and Exeggutor can both hit Simisage for a lot of damage and they don't take much damage from Hidden Power Rock. Altaria and Mantine can shrug off an unboosted Hidden Power Rock but
,[add comma] if Simisage is at +2 Special Attack, a Timid Simisage has a very good chance of 2HKOing Mantine without Stealth Rock support and will automatically 2HKO Altaria.
Those Simisage with Hidden Power Ice can be handled by Shuckle and Mantine. Both can easily use Toxic and outstall Simsiage. If Vileplume is healthy, it can come in before Simisage gets a boost in and force it out by threatening it with Sludge Bomb. Even Altaria can switch into a resisted move and survive an unboosted Hidden Power Ice. Muk is the best option to wall Simisage since it stops all Nasty Plot sets with its high Special Defense
,[add comma] and can counter with a Posion-type move. The SubSeed set can be easily shut down by Murkrow and Volbeat, who can both stop Simisage with Prankster Taunt and Encore
, respectively. Duosion is immune to Leech Seed and can set up on the SubSeed set easily. Vileplume and
Sap Sipper Miltank
with Sap Sipper can handle any attacking moves that SubSeed Simisage has with their great bulk and reliable recovery, while being immune to Leech Seed at the same time. When it comes to revenge killing, faster
opponents and Choice Scarf Pokemon can beat Simisage easily due to its frail defenses.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Overgrow
would will be more useful
than Gluttony for
the extra power
on Simisage's Grass-type moves
get when
Simisage it finds itself on low health. However, when
the pinch berries are released
,[add comma] Gluttony will have some use.</p>
