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What makes a good lead off pokemon?
- Thread starter Fersnachi
- Start date
Yeah, trap-passing is largely considered to be somewhat dangerous within the current environment: Too many times, you won't be able to pull off a trap before the opponent crushes Umbreon.
This has been my problem with a lot of the "set up lead" type Pokemon that I've tried so far. Ninjask, while it does an excellent job (and the new X-scissor attack gives him far more aggressive viability), is largely sacrificing itself and all future viability in the match in order to swords dance once with Focus Sash, OR is engaged in a futile effort to pass one speed boost to something. In the case of the Dancer, it can have SOME level of viability, but if it has to switch, it will almost NEVER return in the match due to Sandstorm/Spike type things.
Umbreon suffers from largely the same problem: Yes, it trap passes... once. Essentially trading itself for one foe's Pokemon, if it's lucky and the opponent doesn't disable it. Those kinds of sacrificial risks are ineffective in an extremely aggressive environment, and largely suited for disabling a stalling/defensive environment... which I imagine COULD appear as a result of all the aggro currently around, but it's not particularly viable at this moment in time.
Status inducing leads on the other hand are exceptionally good: They disable opposing leads, and can wreck havoc if returned later to induce status during a stat-up attempt in preparation of a sweep. I'm having a lot of success with Jolteon (although you have to watch out for Electivire sweeping off a switch into Thunder Wave), and also mixed success with Milotic (as it can usually take a hit and Hypnosis/recover its way to victory).
Milotic might not actually be the best choice, but it's what I have trained right now. =P
In the case of passing an Intimidate, I don't think that's altogether a problem, as the best way to go after him from a trapped position would probably be a special attacker with Bolt. Still, the complaint stands: Most things destroy Umbreon, or cripple him, before he's effective.
I think in general the best definition of a 'good lead pokemon' is just something that can get momentum swinging in your favor from turn one.
I know of a lot of people who lead Choice Scarf Pokemon, and while that tends to reduce your surprise factor for the rest of the match, it can get you off to an early lead when your opponent expects to be faster and isn't.
Another way a lot of people like to start battles is with a Pokemon armed with a sleep move(Gengar, Breloom, Crobat, some Choice Scarf users like Venusaur) to try and get an early edge that way.
Focus Sash users are often lead Pokemon too, since it allows them to get in at least once without worrying about Stealth Rock making their item useless, and reduces the probability of Tyranitar or Hippowdon coming in and ruining it with Sandstream. I think in many cases these are unreliable leads since you are trying to win with a gimmick which doesn't normally work in the long term, but there is definitely merit here.
Another thing you definitely want to keep in mind as far as the 'start off at an advantage' idea is that you want to be able to handle other common leads. Being weak to something like Weavile or Salamence or Gengar is probably not a quality you want with a lead Pokemon.
Even something like Slaking that forces your opponent to reveal some of the defensive aspects of his team on turn one can help you, anything that puts you at an advantage, either with momentum or knowledge, can be useful.
This is just some stuff to keep in mind I guess!
I know of a lot of people who lead Choice Scarf Pokemon, and while that tends to reduce your surprise factor for the rest of the match, it can get you off to an early lead when your opponent expects to be faster and isn't.
Another way a lot of people like to start battles is with a Pokemon armed with a sleep move(Gengar, Breloom, Crobat, some Choice Scarf users like Venusaur) to try and get an early edge that way.
Focus Sash users are often lead Pokemon too, since it allows them to get in at least once without worrying about Stealth Rock making their item useless, and reduces the probability of Tyranitar or Hippowdon coming in and ruining it with Sandstream. I think in many cases these are unreliable leads since you are trying to win with a gimmick which doesn't normally work in the long term, but there is definitely merit here.
Another thing you definitely want to keep in mind as far as the 'start off at an advantage' idea is that you want to be able to handle other common leads. Being weak to something like Weavile or Salamence or Gengar is probably not a quality you want with a lead Pokemon.
Even something like Slaking that forces your opponent to reveal some of the defensive aspects of his team on turn one can help you, anything that puts you at an advantage, either with momentum or knowledge, can be useful.
This is just some stuff to keep in mind I guess!
A good lead is a Pokemon in which can set your opponent back a turn. This is done by sleep/intimidate/starting with a counter to common leads. Sleep leads set back any kind of Pokemon, and can capitalize with an effective switch in move (Focus Punch/set-up/Paralyzing). Intimidate leads are decent because of the common physical starters (ie. Weavile/Salamence). In a metagame with certain common leads, your lead Pokemon should be able to take on common leads, forcing a switch or a KO.
I would always use a lead that shows me at least two of an opponent's Pokemon, either by a swift kill or a switch.
I would always use a lead that shows me at least two of an opponent's Pokemon, either by a swift kill or a switch.
Almost all lead Salamence are of the Choice Specs variety. The trainer, leading with an Intimidator, knows that others do it too. So going with a CB variant would be screwed up by other Intimidators. Specsmence is not affected by Intimidate. Intimidate is mostly for Weavile and Gyarados.
