Heysup, take a look at this.
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Raikou (Analysis)
- Thread starter Texas Cloverleaf
- Start date
Could a SD+Aromatherapy with some invested bulk work? Haven't done any calcs, but if it can stand up to Ice Beams from Slowbro/Milotic then it could be a decent bulky water counter.
I'm going to laugh so hard when GF trolls and this thing gets Head Butt, Body Slam and Blaze Kick in Pokemon Grey.
QC Approved (2/3)
QC Approved (2/3)
Edited Chou's and Heysup's fixes, added Dream world and Checks and Counters section.
UU analyses only need 2 checks as stated on the announcement so this is now in Copyediting stage.
Actually I forgot to make an announcement to the announcement. I really would rather we require 3 QC checks for this first round of QC since UU is still pretty new and most of the QC members atm don't agree on a lot and I like how it creates more input to put into the analysis. Also, it doesn't seem to be too much of a hassle to get 3 QC checks atm either since all of the QC members are pretty damn active.
Thanks Snunch, 1 QC to go. Will likely start writing up the analysis soon.
Roight....I think we should still mention the 232 SpA / 24 SpD / 252 Spe in AC for a more offensive set with Leftovers. It is the set that has the Substitute take a 236 SpA 95 base power special attack at +1. Note this is with Timid.
After that consider this approved 3/3.
Changes implemented, tag changed to GP
GP 1/2
Additions in Bold
Deletions in Red
Awesome write up!
Additions in Bold
Deletions in Red
[Overview]
<p>At first, Sawsbuck Sawsbuck, at first, seems like a weak choice due to the ban of on the ability Drought, which robs it of a chance of an easy speed boost thanks to Chlorophyll. However, Sawsbuck still has qualities that make it a viable contender in the Underused tier. Swords Dance and a good physical movepool allows Sawsbuck to still be a good physical sweeper, while Baton Pass gives it the option of supporting other Pokemon in sweeping. Sawsbuck becomes even more powerful if Sunny Day can be set up by a teammate by using the Chlorophyll ability, and Grass-type moves keeps Hippopotas from freely switching in to get rid of the sun. Sawsbuck may have been weakened with the loss of permanent sun, but it still remains a threat in the right hands and should not be underestimated.</p>
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Horn Leech
move 3: Return / Double-Edge
move 4: Nature Power / Jump Kick
item: Life Orb
ability: Sap Sipper
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Swords Dance makes Sawsbuck a dangerous sweeper, reaching 598 Attack after a single boost. This lets it do serious damage to many Pokemon who don't resist Horn Leech, which is Sawsbuck's best physical Grass-type move that heals while healing Sawsbuck as well. Return is the main choice for a secondary STAB move, getting a powerful neutral hit on most opponents. Double-Edge is an option for the higher base power, but has recoil, making it a secondary option. Horn Leech can alleviate that effect, however, so it can work if the extra power is desired. In the last slot, Nature Power is the main option. It has the same type and power of becomes Earthquake in a Wi-Fi environment, which allows Sawsbuck to hit most Steel-types super effectively. Jump Kick is a viable alternative, due to hitting the same targets while also doing damage to bulky Normal-types such as Snorlax and Blissey. If Jump Kick misses, however, Sawsbuck loses a large amount of HP, making it quite risky.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Sap Sipper is Sawsbuck's best choice for an ability, as Sunny Day is unreliable to count on. It also can get a free Attack boost on the odd chance that it switches in on a Grass-type move. If Sunny Day is present on a Pokemon on the team, however, Chlorophyll is a good option. Arcanine is one of a multitude of options that can set up Sunny Day reasonably well. It also does well against bulky Grass-types and Escavalier, which means it is a very good teammate for Sawsbuck in normal conditions. Slowbro has good synergy with Sawsbuck, resisting Fire-, Ice-, and Fighting-type attacks, and keeps Fire-types away in general.</p>
[SET]
name: Baton Pass
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Agility
move 3: Baton Pass
move 4: Horn Leech / Substitute
item: Lum Berry / Leftovers
ability: Sap Sipper
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Sawsbuck can pass stat boosts well both in and out of the sun, meaning it is a viable Pokemon to set up for a teammate that needs a boost. Swords Dance and Agility are both fantastic boosting moves both let Sawsbuck set up, making them staples on this set along with Baton Pass. Agility is especially useful, as it lets Sawsbuck pass the boosts to another Pokemon easily before getting hit. Horn Leech is listed in the last spot for an attacking move, meaning Sawsbuck can use the boosts itself if needed. Substitute can be used for protection if desired, but leaves Sawsbuck helpless to defend itself, especially if it is taunted. Lum Berry is the recommended item, as it protects Sawsbuck from a crippling status which could prevent it from doing its job. Leftovers can give Sawsbuck slight healing, which helps if Sawsbuck uses Substitute for status protection.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Sap Sipper is the best ability if Sawsbuck is used outside of sun, but Chlorophyll is superior if the sun is up. If Substitute is being used, an EV spread of 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe with a Jolly nature is the best choice, giving Sawsbuck maximum speed and bulk as its Attack stat isn't being used.</p>
<p>Sawsbuck can also pass Work Up, which can work for mixed sweepers such as Victini. The other boosts are usually superior, however. Espeon is a good partner, as it can set up Reflect and Light Screen, which significantly helps Sawsbuck's survivability. It can also be a good intermediate Pokemon between Sawsbuck and a sweeper, as Magic Bounce reflects Roar and Whirlwind as well. Fast physical Pokemon make good sweepers for Sawsbuck to pass to, as the Swords Dance boost can give them much-needed power. Some examples of these include Weavile, Flygon, and Aerodactyl. Slower Pokemon that have a high Attack stat also work well, as an Agility boost can allow them to sweep. Some good examples are Mamoswine, Heracross, Bisharp, and Azumarill. Donphan, Deoxys-D, and Registeel are also good teammates, as they can set up entry hazards which aid a sweep.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Sawsbuck has few viable moves other than those listed. Megahorn and Wild Charge are alternative coverage moves, but they have limited coverage compared to Sawsbuck's aforementioned other moves. Leech Seed and Aromatherapy are there, but these are best left to another, more defensive Pokemon such as Celebi. Grasswhistle can be used to put a Pokemon to sleep, but is unreliable due to its terrible accuracy. Sawsbuck also learns Thunder Wave and Light Screen, but it is much too frail to be supporting its team outside of Baton Passing. Sawsbuck also gets Sunny Day, but it would much rather have a teammate set it up.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Abomasnow is a good check, resisting Horn Leech and Nature Power while getting rid of sun just by switching in. Hitmontop can either revenge kill Sawsbuck with Mach Punch or switch in with Intimidate, making it able to take a hit then OHKO back. Escavalier can take every move Sawsbuck has, and Megahorn easily scores an OHKO on Sawsbuck. Dusclops has great bulk, making it able to take a hit and cripple Sawsbuck with Will-O-Wisp. Tangrowth can also take a hit and can work well if using Hidden Power Fire or Brick Break.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Sawsbuck gets Serene Grace from the Dream World, which is normally an amazing ability. However, Sawsbuck has no good moves that take advantage of it, however, making it inferior to Chlorophyll and Sap Sipper.</p>
<p>At first, Sawsbuck Sawsbuck, at first, seems like a weak choice due to the ban of on the ability Drought, which robs it of a chance of an easy speed boost thanks to Chlorophyll. However, Sawsbuck still has qualities that make it a viable contender in the Underused tier. Swords Dance and a good physical movepool allows Sawsbuck to still be a good physical sweeper, while Baton Pass gives it the option of supporting other Pokemon in sweeping. Sawsbuck becomes even more powerful if Sunny Day can be set up by a teammate by using the Chlorophyll ability, and Grass-type moves keeps Hippopotas from freely switching in to get rid of the sun. Sawsbuck may have been weakened with the loss of permanent sun, but it still remains a threat in the right hands and should not be underestimated.</p>
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Horn Leech
move 3: Return / Double-Edge
move 4: Nature Power / Jump Kick
item: Life Orb
ability: Sap Sipper
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Swords Dance makes Sawsbuck a dangerous sweeper, reaching 598 Attack after a single boost. This lets it do serious damage to many Pokemon who don't resist Horn Leech, which is Sawsbuck's best physical Grass-type move that heals while healing Sawsbuck as well. Return is the main choice for a secondary STAB move, getting a powerful neutral hit on most opponents. Double-Edge is an option for the higher base power, but has recoil, making it a secondary option. Horn Leech can alleviate that effect, however, so it can work if the extra power is desired. In the last slot, Nature Power is the main option. It has the same type and power of becomes Earthquake in a Wi-Fi environment, which allows Sawsbuck to hit most Steel-types super effectively. Jump Kick is a viable alternative, due to hitting the same targets while also doing damage to bulky Normal-types such as Snorlax and Blissey. If Jump Kick misses, however, Sawsbuck loses a large amount of HP, making it quite risky.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Sap Sipper is Sawsbuck's best choice for an ability, as Sunny Day is unreliable to count on. It also can get a free Attack boost on the odd chance that it switches in on a Grass-type move. If Sunny Day is present on a Pokemon on the team, however, Chlorophyll is a good option. Arcanine is one of a multitude of options that can set up Sunny Day reasonably well. It also does well against bulky Grass-types and Escavalier, which means it is a very good teammate for Sawsbuck in normal conditions. Slowbro has good synergy with Sawsbuck, resisting Fire-, Ice-, and Fighting-type attacks, and keeps Fire-types away in general.</p>
[SET]
name: Baton Pass
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Agility
move 3: Baton Pass
move 4: Horn Leech / Substitute
item: Lum Berry / Leftovers
ability: Sap Sipper
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Sawsbuck can pass stat boosts well both in and out of the sun, meaning it is a viable Pokemon to set up for a teammate that needs a boost. Swords Dance and Agility are both fantastic boosting moves both let Sawsbuck set up, making them staples on this set along with Baton Pass. Agility is especially useful, as it lets Sawsbuck pass the boosts to another Pokemon easily before getting hit. Horn Leech is listed in the last spot for an attacking move, meaning Sawsbuck can use the boosts itself if needed. Substitute can be used for protection if desired, but leaves Sawsbuck helpless to defend itself, especially if it is taunted. Lum Berry is the recommended item, as it protects Sawsbuck from a crippling status which could prevent it from doing its job. Leftovers can give Sawsbuck slight healing, which helps if Sawsbuck uses Substitute for status protection.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Sap Sipper is the best ability if Sawsbuck is used outside of sun, but Chlorophyll is superior if the sun is up. If Substitute is being used, an EV spread of 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe with a Jolly nature is the best choice, giving Sawsbuck maximum speed and bulk as its Attack stat isn't being used.</p>
<p>Sawsbuck can also pass Work Up, which can work for mixed sweepers such as Victini. The other boosts are usually superior, however. Espeon is a good partner, as it can set up Reflect and Light Screen, which significantly helps Sawsbuck's survivability. It can also be a good intermediate Pokemon between Sawsbuck and a sweeper, as Magic Bounce reflects Roar and Whirlwind as well. Fast physical Pokemon make good sweepers for Sawsbuck to pass to, as the Swords Dance boost can give them much-needed power. Some examples of these include Weavile, Flygon, and Aerodactyl. Slower Pokemon that have a high Attack stat also work well, as an Agility boost can allow them to sweep. Some good examples are Mamoswine, Heracross, Bisharp, and Azumarill. Donphan, Deoxys-D, and Registeel are also good teammates, as they can set up entry hazards which aid a sweep.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Sawsbuck has few viable moves other than those listed. Megahorn and Wild Charge are alternative coverage moves, but they have limited coverage compared to Sawsbuck's aforementioned other moves. Leech Seed and Aromatherapy are there, but these are best left to another, more defensive Pokemon such as Celebi. Grasswhistle can be used to put a Pokemon to sleep, but is unreliable due to its terrible accuracy. Sawsbuck also learns Thunder Wave and Light Screen, but it is much too frail to be supporting its team outside of Baton Passing. Sawsbuck also gets Sunny Day, but it would much rather have a teammate set it up.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Abomasnow is a good check, resisting Horn Leech and Nature Power while getting rid of sun just by switching in. Hitmontop can either revenge kill Sawsbuck with Mach Punch or switch in with Intimidate, making it able to take a hit then OHKO back. Escavalier can take every move Sawsbuck has, and Megahorn easily scores an OHKO on Sawsbuck. Dusclops has great bulk, making it able to take a hit and cripple Sawsbuck with Will-O-Wisp. Tangrowth can also take a hit and can work well if using Hidden Power Fire or Brick Break.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Sawsbuck gets Serene Grace from the Dream World, which is normally an amazing ability. However, Sawsbuck has no good moves that take advantage of it, however, making it inferior to Chlorophyll and Sap Sipper.</p>
Awesome write up!
Write-up started, amatuers feel free to GP check individual sections of the analysis as I'll be writing it up in portions.