Gen 1 [PU] Butterfree [DONE]

[Gangsta Spongebob]

[OVERVIEW]
Despite its access to the powerful "Double Powder" combination, Butterfree has no place in PU. Its mediocre offenses and lack of decent STAB attacks mean it does pitiful damage despite its access to the excellent Psychic. It's overwhelmed by most physical attackers and 2HKOed by the plethora of Fire Blast, Blizzard, and Thunderbolt users thanks to its awful Bug / Flying typing. Additionally, while less common, Rock Slide from threats like Graveler easily OHKOes Butterfree. As a fast sleeper, it's completely outclassed by Gastly, which has a much better offensive presence and Speed tier. As a dual status spreader, Butterfree is outclassed by Drowzee, which does more damage and has fantastic defensive utility. Even fringe sleepers like Vileplume and Weepinbell still have more of a use thanks to their niche defensive utility. It is not advised to use Butterfree if your goal is to win.

[SET]
name: Double Powder
move 1: Sleep Powder
move 2: Stun Spore
move 3: Psychic
move 4: Mega Drain / Psywave

[SET COMMENTS]
Sleep Powder and Stun Spore let Butterfree spread status quite effectively. Psychic is Butterfree's most powerful attack, and it's serviceable against common threats like Nidoqueen and Machamp. Mega Drain serves as coverage against Omanyte and Graveler, though Butterfree will still lose versus the latter unless it's weakened beforehand. Alternatively, Psywave lets Butterfree deal decent but inconsistent damage to Psychic-types.

Butterfree struggles the most against Fire-types and Fearow, so checks to them like Omanyte and Graveler make good partners. This is particularly important if Butterfree is used as a lead, as these threats are themselves common leads. While most slower threats don't want to face Butterfree before Sleep Powder is used, afterwards Drowzee serves as a strong check that doesn't mind its attacks or paralysis, so wallbreakers like Pinsir and Fearow help out considerably. Butterfree is best used to put a foe to sleep as quickly as possible and then try to spread paralysis before being knocked out. Butterfree can notably switch into slower Earthquake users like Machamp and Graveler and then put them to sleep. However, it must be wary of their other attacks, most of which hit Butterfree super effectively or can paralyze it.

[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gangsta-spongebob.535530/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sabelette.583793/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sabelette.583793/

 

[Sabelette]

QC notes: You should mention that Butterfree outspeeds Machamp and can get in on an Earthquake click, this is probably its main niche in the tier. I would also note the Rock weakness - Rock Slide might not be a common threat but the fact that it OHKOes is significant. Implement those then I'll GP

 

[Sabelette]

QC/GP 1/1

Spoiler

[OVERVIEW]
Despite its access to the powerful "Double Powder" combination, Butterfree has no place in PU the metagame. Its mediocre offenses and lack of decent STAB attacks mean it does pitiful damage despite its access to the excellent Psychic. Meanwhile, its awful bulk leaves it It's overwhelmed by the majority most of the tier's physical attackers, (RC) while and 2HKOed by the plethora of Fire Blast, Blizzard, and Thunderbolt users thanks to its awful Bug / Flying (add spaces around the slash) typing makes it get 2HKOed by the tier's plethora of Fire Blasts, Blizzards, and Thunderbolts. Additionally, while less common, Rock Slide from threats like Graveler easily OHKOes Butterfree. As a fast sleeper, it's completely outclassed by Gastly, who which has a much better offensive presence and Speed tier. As a dual status spreader, Butterfree is outclassed by Drowzee, who which also does more damage and has fantastic defensive utility. Even fringe sleepers like Vileplume and Weepinbell still have more of a place in the tier use thanks to their niche defensive utility. It is not advised to use Butterfree if your goal is to win.

[SET]
name: Double Powder
move 1: Sleep Powder
move 2: Stun Spore
move 3: Psychic
move 4: Mega Drain / Psywave (watch the extra spaces)

[SET COMMENTS]
Double Powder Sleep Powder and Stun Spore lets Butterfree spread status quite effectively. Psychic is Butterfree's most powerful attack, and it's serviceably threatening thanks to certain serviceable against common threats like Nidoqueen and Machamp being weak to Psychic, as well as its chance to lower the target's Special. (dex info) Mega Drain serves as coverage against Omanyte and Graveler, though Butterfree will still lose versus the latter unless it's weakened beforehand. Alternatively, Psywave lets Butterfree deal decent but inconsistent damage to Psychic-types, though it's quite inconsistent.

Butterfree struggles the most against Fire-types and Fearow, so checks to them like Omanyte and Graveler make good partners. This is particularly important if Butterfree is used as a lead, as these threats are themselves common leads. While most slower threats don't want to face Butterfree before sleep Sleep Powder is used, afterwards Drowzee serves as a strong check by not minding any of that doesn't mind its attacks or paralysis, so wallbreakers like Pinsir and Fearow help out considerably. Butterfree is best used to land put a foe to sleep as quickly as possible, (RC) and then try to spread paralysis and act as fodder before being knocked out. Butterfree can notably switch into slower Earthquake users like Machamp and Graveler and then put them to sleep. However, it must be wary of their other attacks, most of which hits Butterfree super effectively or can paralyze it.

[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gangsta-spongebob.535530/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sabelette.583793/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sabelette.583793/