5Dots
Chairs
Purrfection
[SET]
name: Revenge Killer
move 1: Fake Out
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Return
item: Silk Scarf
ability: Technician
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
As the tier's fastest unboosted Pokemon, Persian establishes itself as an elite revenge killer. Technician-boosted Fake Out chips away at fast attackers like Jumpluff, Frogadier, and Simipour, which can put them into KO range of Return. Knock Off cripples defensive switch-ins like Bronzor, Gigalith, and Lairon, while U-turn pivots away from the aforementioned Pokemon.
Persian's excellent Speed and utility movepool enable it to fit on a variety of VoltTurn teams. Volt Switch and U-turn users like Electabuzz, Pikachu, and Frogadier stand out as great examples of fast pivots that can build up momentum against the opposition. Slow pivots like Dustox, Vibrava, and defensive Klang enable Persian to hit the field more safely, with the first two even reducing Persian's susceptibility to entry hazards via Defog. Even with Knock Off and U-turn, Persian severely struggles against Rock- and Steel-types like Gigalith and Klang; checks to them like Hippopotas and Pignite can address these weaknesses. Physical walls like Ivysaur and Hippopotas can be difficult for Persian to break down, even with Knock Off, so wallbreakers like Choice Specs Vanilluxe and Magmar can give Persian an easier time cleaning late-game.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Taunt can surprise walls like Bronzor and Quilladin, preventing them from using their utility moves, though it is difficult to drop one of Persian's coverage moves. Double-Edge can be used over Return for the extra power, achieving benchmarks like OHKOing Vanilluxe and Magmar after Stealth Rock and Spikes and also having more favorable damage rolls against offensive Pokemon like Simipour and Swoobat, though the recoil damage cuts into Persian's already low bulk. Leftovers makes Persian fare better in entry hazard-stacking matchups, though Persian doesn't tank hits well enough for it to be useful. Nasty Plot sets can surprise anticipated switch-ins like Lairon and Hippopotas with Technician-boosted coverage in Hidden Power Fighting and Water Pulse. Shadow Ball helps Persian punch through Gourgeist-L. However, Persian still lacks sufficient power at +2, struggles with setup due to its low bulk, and often cannot fit the coverage it needs.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Rock-types**: Rock-types like Gigalith, Carbink, and Lairon are Persian's worst matchups, taking a pittance from any of its attacks and setting up Stealth Rock or retaliating with their STAB moves. Offensive variants of the last two can even use it as setup fodder.
**Ghost-types**: While not as immediately threatening as the aforementioned Rock-types, Ghost-types like Gourgeist formes and Dusclops can still easily switch into Persian's attacks and cripple it with Will-O-Wisp or whittle it away with utility options like Seismic Toss
**Steel-types**: While Steel-types like Lairon, Klang, and Bronzor do not appreciate Knock Off, they have the bulk and power to shrug off anything Persian does and can make use of their utility options. Klang and Bronzor also run Rest to negate any damage Persian can inflict on them, forcing it to pivot out.
**Physical Walls**: Defensive behemoths like Swalot, Quilladin, and Hippopotas can use their naturally high bulk to weather Persian's attacks, chip it down with their STAB moves, use their recovery moves to increase their longevity, and take advantage of it with their utility options.
**Choice Scarf Users**: While Persian is the fastest unboosted attacker in the metagame, it falls short of Choice Scarf users that can outpace it. Choice Scarf users like Simipour, Simisage, and Magmar can take it out with some prior damage.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/5dots.543866/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sleid.601970/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/5gen.296755/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/zinnias.569291/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/solarbeam.470115/
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