~~SUN~~
Adapted and updated from DTC 's original thread; Discussion points stolen from Rowan ; approved by macle
Sun is commonly considered to be the most powerful and offensive weather. Not only is the common Vulpix + Bellsprout core incredibly threatening, but those two Pokemon alone can be thrown onto any team to instantly apply large amounts of offensive pressure onto the opponent. Other common Pokemon can have Sunny Day slapped onto their standard set and support a Sun team, some even making use of Sun’s signature item, Heat Rock, which extends the duration of Sun from 5 turns to 8 turns. The Fire-type power boost that comes along with Sun's presence can turn already threatening Fire-type sweepers into complete monsters and Sun also weakens Water-type attacks, allowing said Fire-types to survive super effective hits they otherwise would not.
Setters
Unlike Rain, Sun setters can make good use of the weather's signature item, Heat Rock, to allow Chlorophyll sweepers plenty of time to clean through the opposing team.
Vulpix
Vulpix is the center of any Sun-based offense thanks to its ability, Drought, which instantly summons Sun upon switch in. Its solid Speed and Special Attack stats only further enhance Vulpix’s viability and Sun boosts the power of its Fire-type STAB moves. It can also extend Drought's effects via Heat Rock, to provide even more support for its Sun abusing brethren.
Mienfoo
Mienfoo can make use of its good bulk and pivoting capabilities to set up a Sunny Day and proceed to cripple an opposing wall with Knock Off or U-turn into one of Little Cup’s various threatening Sun sweepers. 17 Speed lets it outspeed a majority of the metagame and the unexpectedness of Sunny Day Mienfoo can effectively destroy an opponent's mind.
Cottonee
Cottonee’s access to Prankster allow it to efficiently set up Sunny Day prior to an opponent’s attack and the variety of other support moves Cottonee has to offer (Stun Spore, Encore, Taunt, Memento, etc.) make it a fantastic option on any Sun team. It can also hit 17 Speed, a great Speed tier which allows Cottonee to outpace even a maximum Speed Fletchling’s priority Acrobatics, and can make great use of Heat Rock in tandem with Prankster.
Riolu / Purrloin
Riolu and Purrloin have access to a +1 Sunny Day thanks to Prankster; however, neither Pokemon can provide the same level of support as Cottonee. Both of these Pokemon can effectively run Heat Rock though to extend Sun’s duration and continuously provide quick Sun support throughout a game.
Sweepers
Little Cup is home to a plethora of Grass- and Fire-type Pokemon that can abuse Sun to plow through opposing teams.
Bellsprout
Bellsprout is the most common Sun sweeper and for good reason. Chlorophyll boosts Bellsprout’s Speed stat to a blistering 26 Speed and it has access to Sludge Bomb, Sleep Powder, a 1-turn Solarbeam, and a 150 base power Fire-type move (Weather Ball).
Oddish / Bulbasaur
Both Oddish and Bulbasaur have access to Chlorophyll and possess significantly more bulk than Bellsprout, as well as more Special Attack and more Speed, respectively. However, both Oddish and Bulbasaur have to rely on Hidden Power Fire, an inferior option to Weather Ball, for coverage. Do note, however, that Hidden Power Fire can deal damage to Chespin, while Weather Ball is rendered useless by the ability Bulletproof.
Ponyta
Ponyta can make great use of Sun, abusing its 19 Speed and access to Solarbeam to deal with Pokemon that otherwise threaten it, such as bulky Water- and Rock-types. It can also run a bulky wall set that makes use of Morning Sun’s added recovery under the Sun to sustain Ponyta’s longevity.
Charmander
Charmander is unique under the Sun due to its ability, Solar Power. As the only Pokemon in Little Cup to have Solar Power and its STAB Fire-type moves boosted, Charmander can effectively plow through opposing teams with its combination of power and 17 Speed.
Larvesta
Larvesta is a great pivot and, under the Sun, its already powerful Flare Blitz gets further boosted. It can act as a check to bulky Fighting-types, thanks to Flame Body, that can otherwise shrug off a hit from Bellsprout and other common Chlorophyll sweepers.
Other
Sun, just like other weathers, has some key weaknesses that can be neutralized simply by including one or two of the following Pokemon on a Sun team.
Archen
Archen is a fantastic addition to any Sun team because it doesn't fall prey to the common FletchDig core that plagues the Fire- and Grass-types that intend to abuse Sun. It also has its Electric-, Ice-, and Water-type weaknesses covered by said Fire- and Grass-types and can provide both hazard setting and removal via Stealth Rock and Defog, respectively.
Unlike Rain, Sun setters can make good use of the weather's signature item, Heat Rock, to allow Chlorophyll sweepers plenty of time to clean through the opposing team.
Vulpix is the center of any Sun-based offense thanks to its ability, Drought, which instantly summons Sun upon switch in. Its solid Speed and Special Attack stats only further enhance Vulpix’s viability and Sun boosts the power of its Fire-type STAB moves. It can also extend Drought's effects via Heat Rock, to provide even more support for its Sun abusing brethren.
Mienfoo can make use of its good bulk and pivoting capabilities to set up a Sunny Day and proceed to cripple an opposing wall with Knock Off or U-turn into one of Little Cup’s various threatening Sun sweepers. 17 Speed lets it outspeed a majority of the metagame and the unexpectedness of Sunny Day Mienfoo can effectively destroy an opponent's mind.
Cottonee’s access to Prankster allow it to efficiently set up Sunny Day prior to an opponent’s attack and the variety of other support moves Cottonee has to offer (Stun Spore, Encore, Taunt, Memento, etc.) make it a fantastic option on any Sun team. It can also hit 17 Speed, a great Speed tier which allows Cottonee to outpace even a maximum Speed Fletchling’s priority Acrobatics, and can make great use of Heat Rock in tandem with Prankster.
Riolu and Purrloin have access to a +1 Sunny Day thanks to Prankster; however, neither Pokemon can provide the same level of support as Cottonee. Both of these Pokemon can effectively run Heat Rock though to extend Sun’s duration and continuously provide quick Sun support throughout a game.
Sweepers
Little Cup is home to a plethora of Grass- and Fire-type Pokemon that can abuse Sun to plow through opposing teams.
Bellsprout is the most common Sun sweeper and for good reason. Chlorophyll boosts Bellsprout’s Speed stat to a blistering 26 Speed and it has access to Sludge Bomb, Sleep Powder, a 1-turn Solarbeam, and a 150 base power Fire-type move (Weather Ball).
Both Oddish and Bulbasaur have access to Chlorophyll and possess significantly more bulk than Bellsprout, as well as more Special Attack and more Speed, respectively. However, both Oddish and Bulbasaur have to rely on Hidden Power Fire, an inferior option to Weather Ball, for coverage. Do note, however, that Hidden Power Fire can deal damage to Chespin, while Weather Ball is rendered useless by the ability Bulletproof.
Ponyta can make great use of Sun, abusing its 19 Speed and access to Solarbeam to deal with Pokemon that otherwise threaten it, such as bulky Water- and Rock-types. It can also run a bulky wall set that makes use of Morning Sun’s added recovery under the Sun to sustain Ponyta’s longevity.
Charmander is unique under the Sun due to its ability, Solar Power. As the only Pokemon in Little Cup to have Solar Power and its STAB Fire-type moves boosted, Charmander can effectively plow through opposing teams with its combination of power and 17 Speed.
Larvesta is a great pivot and, under the Sun, its already powerful Flare Blitz gets further boosted. It can act as a check to bulky Fighting-types, thanks to Flame Body, that can otherwise shrug off a hit from Bellsprout and other common Chlorophyll sweepers.
Other
Sun, just like other weathers, has some key weaknesses that can be neutralized simply by including one or two of the following Pokemon on a Sun team.
Archen is a fantastic addition to any Sun team because it doesn't fall prey to the common FletchDig core that plagues the Fire- and Grass-types that intend to abuse Sun. It also has its Electric-, Ice-, and Water-type weaknesses covered by said Fire- and Grass-types and can provide both hazard setting and removal via Stealth Rock and Defog, respectively.
If you guys have any other ideas on viable Sun setters / abusers / supporters, let me know and I will add them to this list.
Some discussion points:
- What support Pokemon need to be added to help with your main sweeper(s)?
- Is it viable to have more than 1 dedicated Sun sweeper on a team?
- Is it viable to have more than 1 dedicated Sun setter on a team?
- What are some good Pokemon (with sets!) that can work well against Sun teams?
- Is Sun too predictable and easy to work around?
- Is Sun viable? lol yes
I also plan to continue these types of threads with Sand and Hail, so if there are any non-obvious ideas or concepts that you feel I should include, please let me know so I can take them into consideration when typing up the threads.
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