[SET]
name: SubSeed
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Leech Seed
move 3: Leaf Storm
move 4: Hidden Power Fire
item: Leftovers
ability: Contrary
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Substitute shields Serperior from status effects from Rotom-W, Necturna, Mega Sableye, Chansey, Tomohawk, Garchomp, Gliscor, Slowbro, Clefable, and Ferrothorn and weak attacks from opposing walls. Leech Seed wears down opposing walls like specially defensive Heatran, Chansey, defensive Cyclohm, Unaware Clefable, specially defensive Jirachi, and Skarmory, Pokemon that Serperior struggles against with its other sets. Leaf Storm is Serperior's strongest STAB attack and boosts Serperior's Special Attack after using it, allowing it to break past worn-down walls and offensive Pokemon. Hidden Power Fire is Serperior's best coverage move, hitting Pokemon that take minimal damage from Leaf Storm like Scizor, Ferrothorn, Necturna, Kitsunoh, Cawmodore, and Mega Metagross super effectively. Hidden Power Ground is a decent coverage move that 2HKOes specially defensive Heatran and has a chance to OHKO tank Mollux after a Leaf Storm boost, but it leaves Serperior walled by Flying-types and the Steel-types that are hit super effectively by Hidden Power Fire.
Set Details
========
252 Speed EVs and a Timid nature allow Serperior to outspeed as many threats as possible, outspeeding base 110 Pokemon such as Mega Diancie and Kitsunoh and Speed tying with other Hidden Power Fire Serperior; however, note that it cannot outspeed Mega Crucibelle. 252 Special Attack EVs allow Serperior to hit as hard as possible because without a Life Orb, Serperior needs every ounce of power it can get. Leftovers allows Serperior to make more Substitutes and mitigate damage dealt by walls.
Usage Tips
========
Switch Serperior into resisted hits or weak attacks. If switching into a wall, try not to get hit by a status effect. Double switches or safe switches through U-turn, Volt Switch, and Baton Pass also help Serperior get in safely. Using Substitute is generally the best first course of action after Serperior switches in, as it shields Serperior from status effects. Against a wall, Leech Seed's passive recovery helps heal off the HP lost from setting up a Substitute. Leaf Storm should then be used if Serperior will not be forced out. Save Leaf Storm's PP until after Unaware Clefable and Haze Tomohawk have been removed from play. The former can heal off damage from Leech Seed and Leaf Storm, while the latter can alternate between Rapid Spin, which frees it from Leech Seed, and Haze, which removes Serperior's boosts. Wear down Tomohawk until it is forced to Roost, and take advantage of the turn it does so to use an unresisted Leaf Storm. Do not overestimate Serperior's firepower, as the lack of a Life Orb makes Serperior not very threatening unless it has a few boosts under its belt. This set should be used primarily to stallbreak; however, it can hold its own against offensive teams too. Hidden Power is Serperior's best move to use when wearing down a wall, as the other three moves' PP are precious.
Team Options
========
Offensive teams appreciate Serperior's Grass-type STAB attacks and ability to wear down opposing walls. Because Talonflame, Tornadus-T, and Tomohawk annoy this set, Electric-type Pokemon are great teammates. Notable examples include Cyclohm and Rotom-W, which resist these counters' Flying-type STAB moves. In return, Serperior removes Ground-types like Colossoil and walls like Cyclohm, which give these Pokemon trouble. In particular, VoltTurn teams help Serperior switch in more easily and appreciate Serperior's ability to remove opposing walls. Crucibelle and Rotom-W can deal with Flying-types such as Tornadus-T, Tomohawk, and Talonflame. The former can either threaten these Flying-types with STAB Head Smash or set up with Coil, but it must be wary of Superpower from Life Orb Tornadus-T and Earth Power from Tomohawk, whereas the latter must be wary of Life Orb Focus Blast Tornadus-T and Life Orb Aura Sphere Tomohawk. Both have access to U-turn and Volt Switch, respectively, allowing safe switches for Serperior. They also act as good switch-ins to Fire-types like Mollux and Heatran. Paralysis inducers like Clefable, Thundurus, and Cyclohm are good teammates for Serperior, as they allow Serperior to outspeed faster offensive Pokemon like Choice Scarf Volkraken, Mega Crucibelle, and Syclant.
name: SubSeed
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Leech Seed
move 3: Leaf Storm
move 4: Hidden Power Fire
item: Leftovers
ability: Contrary
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Substitute shields Serperior from status effects from Rotom-W, Necturna, Mega Sableye, Chansey, Tomohawk, Garchomp, Gliscor, Slowbro, Clefable, and Ferrothorn and weak attacks from opposing walls. Leech Seed wears down opposing walls like specially defensive Heatran, Chansey, defensive Cyclohm, Unaware Clefable, specially defensive Jirachi, and Skarmory, Pokemon that Serperior struggles against with its other sets. Leaf Storm is Serperior's strongest STAB attack and boosts Serperior's Special Attack after using it, allowing it to break past worn-down walls and offensive Pokemon. Hidden Power Fire is Serperior's best coverage move, hitting Pokemon that take minimal damage from Leaf Storm like Scizor, Ferrothorn, Necturna, Kitsunoh, Cawmodore, and Mega Metagross super effectively. Hidden Power Ground is a decent coverage move that 2HKOes specially defensive Heatran and has a chance to OHKO tank Mollux after a Leaf Storm boost, but it leaves Serperior walled by Flying-types and the Steel-types that are hit super effectively by Hidden Power Fire.
Set Details
========
252 Speed EVs and a Timid nature allow Serperior to outspeed as many threats as possible, outspeeding base 110 Pokemon such as Mega Diancie and Kitsunoh and Speed tying with other Hidden Power Fire Serperior; however, note that it cannot outspeed Mega Crucibelle. 252 Special Attack EVs allow Serperior to hit as hard as possible because without a Life Orb, Serperior needs every ounce of power it can get. Leftovers allows Serperior to make more Substitutes and mitigate damage dealt by walls.
Usage Tips
========
Switch Serperior into resisted hits or weak attacks. If switching into a wall, try not to get hit by a status effect. Double switches or safe switches through U-turn, Volt Switch, and Baton Pass also help Serperior get in safely. Using Substitute is generally the best first course of action after Serperior switches in, as it shields Serperior from status effects. Against a wall, Leech Seed's passive recovery helps heal off the HP lost from setting up a Substitute. Leaf Storm should then be used if Serperior will not be forced out. Save Leaf Storm's PP until after Unaware Clefable and Haze Tomohawk have been removed from play. The former can heal off damage from Leech Seed and Leaf Storm, while the latter can alternate between Rapid Spin, which frees it from Leech Seed, and Haze, which removes Serperior's boosts. Wear down Tomohawk until it is forced to Roost, and take advantage of the turn it does so to use an unresisted Leaf Storm. Do not overestimate Serperior's firepower, as the lack of a Life Orb makes Serperior not very threatening unless it has a few boosts under its belt. This set should be used primarily to stallbreak; however, it can hold its own against offensive teams too. Hidden Power is Serperior's best move to use when wearing down a wall, as the other three moves' PP are precious.
Team Options
========
Offensive teams appreciate Serperior's Grass-type STAB attacks and ability to wear down opposing walls. Because Talonflame, Tornadus-T, and Tomohawk annoy this set, Electric-type Pokemon are great teammates. Notable examples include Cyclohm and Rotom-W, which resist these counters' Flying-type STAB moves. In return, Serperior removes Ground-types like Colossoil and walls like Cyclohm, which give these Pokemon trouble. In particular, VoltTurn teams help Serperior switch in more easily and appreciate Serperior's ability to remove opposing walls. Crucibelle and Rotom-W can deal with Flying-types such as Tornadus-T, Tomohawk, and Talonflame. The former can either threaten these Flying-types with STAB Head Smash or set up with Coil, but it must be wary of Superpower from Life Orb Tornadus-T and Earth Power from Tomohawk, whereas the latter must be wary of Life Orb Focus Blast Tornadus-T and Life Orb Aura Sphere Tomohawk. Both have access to U-turn and Volt Switch, respectively, allowing safe switches for Serperior. They also act as good switch-ins to Fire-types like Mollux and Heatran. Paralysis inducers like Clefable, Thundurus, and Cyclohm are good teammates for Serperior, as they allow Serperior to outspeed faster offensive Pokemon like Choice Scarf Volkraken, Mega Crucibelle, and Syclant.
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