Unsuspected, "unviable" Niche Pokémon of the Day

[Raphetty]

think of it like this:
if a move involves the pokemon making contact with the foe (giga impact (keyword: impact), double kick, pound, heart stamp etc.), it's probably physical
if it does not (psychic, magic leaf etc.), it's probably special


there may well be exceptions to this but it is a quarter to eight in the morning so you'll have to find them yourself because i am not doing it

Draining Kiss is an example of a special contact attack.

[Richard and Blaziken]

Grass Knot is the only commonly used competitive special attack that makes contact, so it's the only one you really have to remember.

[Raphetty]

Grass Knot is the only commonly used competitive special attack that makes contact, so it's the only one you really have to remember.

Well Infestation is usable as a 100% accurate trapping move with a little damage thrown in. Not sure what Pokémon would use it though.

[Kerou 犠牲]

I'm surprised Swoobat's Special Attack is so small, I'm not surprised at all based on that that you have to run Calm Mind though. That thing isn't packing a punch without it, unfortunately =[

interesting read as usual =]

[SirBlaziken]

Draining Kiss is special and makes contact. Stone edge and Earthquake are physical but make no contact.

Just have to look a bit.

[Delicious_Scout]

You were supposed to discuss about the Pokémon, not contact moves. XD

Talking about contact...

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Today's Pokémon can not stand a single hit most of the times, but it is very infamous due to one of its deadly combos. May your h4x be overwhelmed by Fingercat the Liepard!

Credit to MetaSprite. No pun today.

Do you want a Pokémon frailer than Swoobat? Take a look at this:

Liepard

HP: 64 | Attack: 88 | Defence: 50 | Special Attack: 88 | Special Defence: 50 | Speed: 106

Are you not convinced of its frailty yet?

44+ Atk Technician Mega Scizor Bullet Punch vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Liepard: 180-213 (66.9 - 79.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

While...

252 SpA Expert Belt Liepard Hidden Power Fire vs. 248 HP / 100 SpD Mega Scizor: 216-259 (62.9 - 75.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Yes, Liepard is pretty much 2HKOed or OHKOed by almost any attack, which is not good at all. Abilities in Limber and Unburden do not help it either due to the lack of power of the Pokémon. Nevertheless, its usefulness lies in other ability, Prankster. With Prankster and decent offensive capabilities, along its good STAB in Dark, make Fingercat a good companion. And it is cute.

Finga stole mah set!



First SwagPlayer ever lol The Prank Life Chose me

Liepard @ Focus Sash/Dread Plate
Jolly Nature (+Spe, -SpA)
EV: 252 Att/4 Def/252 Spe or same Speed with 248 HP and 8 Def
Ability: Prankster

Knock Off
U-Turn
Encore
Thunder Wave/Sucker Punch/Pursuit

Knock Off is a very useful STAB that removes the item of any non-mega Pokémon while dealing decent damage thanks to its STAB and adequate base 88 Attack (how Nazi of them!). A fast U-Turn is the responsible for making Liepard staying alive, provided there are no entry hazards. These two moves are only resisted by a few Pokémon, but do not expect to OHKO many Pokémon with these moves.

In order not to be totally outclassed by any genie, Encore has to be chosen, easing strategies due to this move being the one to usually strike first, thus using it during a bad moment for the opponent is not that hard (if Fingercat survivies).
To outspeed Mega Pinsir, a Jolly Nature along 252 EV in Speed are chosen to marginally outspeed the Pokémon mentioned before, and paralysing it with Thunder Wave. If you want to go more offensive, Sucker Punch and Pursuit do work; Sucker Punch compromises Latios, while Pursuit traps many Pokémon that are unaware of Fingercat's attacks.

A Focus Sash is vital for Liepard to make its job, but if you feel lucky or Barbarian enough, Dread Plate is an option that helps Fingercat finishing off some weakened rivals; keep in mind, though, that it will be likely that, without a Sash, it will not be able to do anything, but Knock Off does need Power, and Scouting while paralysing and later dealing the last blow is something Liepard can do, especially with Encore. Foul Play is an option if using the bulkiest spread, and this EV idstribution should be used to, mainly, ensure Encores.

Keep always in mind that there are Pokémon that can do better than Fingercat, but they are not as cute. Hence, my advise is that you should be extremely careful, but at least you are not weak to Stealth Rock.

Liepard, the Finger! The Finger! The Fingercat Pokémon. Go ahead if you can; it is not just hard, but in case you are behind, you are likely going to have a ruined day.

__________

So, what do you think about Liepard? Is it absolutely outclassed by Thundurus? More in the next article!

[Raphetty]

With Liepard I would try to find a way to abuse Prankster Assist. Spore, Dark Void, V-Create etc. The rest of the team is built with other Assist users and moves that Assist can't call up. See if you can find the YouTube video where someone uses a Contrary Spinda using V-Create via Assist. Yes it's novelty and not of much value but still fun.

[Delicious_Scout]

Yes, I have bigger plans for Assist, for example, writing a whole guide on trolling. Talking about trolling...

__________

I'm sorry, but Sappy did not kill anything else interesting other than... Sex Corn, also known as Serperior.

Yes, Serperior (drawn by MetaSprite) is looking at my article, disappointed.

I might sound like a bad person by now, but what Serperior has now is not enough: as a Dual Screener with Paralysis support, a very specialised role, Klefki is superior due to its typing, ability, and movepool.

No, Serperior has to play dirty by now. If you are naughty enough, you will be able to transfer a Snivy with Contrary (currently it "only" has Overgrow) into "Pokémon X" and "Y", then you might as well breed until you get a perfect offspring with its Hidden Ability, thus being legal. But do not tell anybody I have told you this. And trust me when I say Contrary is really important on Serperior, especially with stats like these:

Serperior

HP: 75 | Attack: 75 | Defence: 95 | Special Attack: 75 | Special Defence: 95 | Speed: 113

Let's see why Contrary is so important.



YOU SHALL NOT SNEAK!

Serperior @ Leftovers
Timid Nature (+Spe, -Att)
EV: 252 HP/96 SpA/160 Spe
Ability: H4X Contrary

Leaf Storm
Hidden Power Ice/Fire
Dragon Tail/Synthesis/Glare
Substitute/Synthesis

Without being totally defensive and thus being granted a +Speed Nature, this is what Serperior should be doing. Leaf Storm is the main STAB, adding two stages to its Special Attack after using this move, thus allowing Serperior to actually tank. The second slot is hard to choose, mostly because both Hidden powers are equally important: while Hidden Power Ice eliminates Dragons, Landorus, Thundurus, and Gliscor (assuming you have set up), Hidden Power Fire targets Scizor and Ferrothorn, which would otherwise wall Serperior (make sure to move 4 EV from SpA to Spe if opting for HP Fire due to the Speed Drop). If you are trying to eliminate Heatran, choose Hidden Power Ground.

The third slot and fourth one are for support and longevity. If one wants to get rid of a set up sweeper or this kind of elements, Dragon Tail should be chosen, with the added bonus of forcing the switch of Pokémon that you are unable to maim with your HP of choice; if you are looking for a more cooperative modus operandi, Glare paralyses all Pokémon but Electric Types (and being Thundurus Serperior's biggest enemy, you should be extremely careful), while Synthesis is recovery in those cases you want to stay.

After having chosen the third slot, one can opt for Substitute or Synthesis: if Synthesis has been chosen before, Substitute is the natural choice, thus being a sturdy, reliable tank. If not, both options should be considered: Substitute eliminates the chance of being statused (be wary of Pranksters) at the cost of some health that can be recovered via Leftovers, while Synthesis is solid recovery, especially recommended if one wants to go offensive with this set.

Serperior, due to its typing and apparent docile look, will lure many opponents, especially those carrying super effective attacks against it, so be very careful while taking hits: although it can stand many powerful strikes (Overheat from Timid Maximum SpA Manectric never OHKOs when it is not a critical hit), Serperior migth be unable to use the boosts granted via Leaf Storm, so never overestimate your opponent.

A Timid nature with 160 EV in Speed is required to outspeed Maximum Speed, Naïve Landorus, while 252 EV in HP grant maximum recovery with Leftovers (and Synthesis), while being able to resist one hit form Landorus, thus counterattacking reliably. Outspeeding Thundurus does not make much sense because of Prankster and the loss of bulk and power. If you want to go slower with a Defence or Special Defence boosting nature with Glare as the key for your success, go ahead; it is not bad at all.

Serperior, the Smugleafing Pokémon. Should you not eat your sex corn, you might find yourself in trouble very soon, for example commiting suicide in from of Colander.

__________

So, what do you think about Sex Corn? Is it fabulous? Would you like one as your pet/car? Don't hesitate to read the next issue, which is on Sappy himself!

[Raphetty]

No, Serperior has to play dirty by now. If you are naughty enough, you will be able to transfer a Snivy with Contrary (currently it "only" has Overgrow) into "Pokémon X" and "Y", then you might as well breed until you get a perfect offspring with its Hidden Ability, thus being legal.

But it still won't be legal. And how do you know that it won't be blocked on transfer?

[Delicious_Scout]

But do not tell anybody I have told you this.

Dang it, Raphetty! XD

I could tell you, but then I would be breaking the rules. I just told you that it might be possible, not how to. Shhhht...

[If not one else comments, this will be reserved for Sappy]

[Spriter]

I'm looking forward to Sappy's article [and the running order beyond that].

I guarantee Self-Destruct will be one of his moves because of the deaths in the nuzlocke.

[Delicious_Scout]

Oh, how you know him. And talking about h4x...

__________

... today, as expected, we will cover the man of the week. Please proceed to a round of applause to Sappy/Lewis!

Credit to The Pokémon Company.

Sappy is Overpowered. Period. We could finish this article like that, but I am pretending I am paid per line written, so I will keep going on with this issue. Maybe you are wondering "Why is Sappy/Lewis so powerful?". Very easy, laddie; Lewis has access to the sacred Powersave, which basically grants Sappy the almighty Sappynite, which makes Sappy evolve into Mega Sappy. Don't you believe me? Check the stats:

Sappy

HP: 101 | Attack: 100 | Defence: 100 | Special Attack: 169 | Special Defence: 129 | Speed: 101

Yes, Base 101 Speed is very trollish in Über, where he belongs. And now take a look at Mega Sappy, which, I guarantee, comes with a little surprise:

Mega Sappy

HP: 200 | Attack: 200 | Defence: 200 | Special Attack: 200 | Special Defence: 200 | Speed: 200

That's right, he is the only living being whose total stats during a Mega Evolution are increased by more than 100 and whose HP increase. If he weren't OP enough with abilities in Speed Boost and Huge Power, Sappy gets Wonder Guard (abusing a Normal/Ghost type) as his Ability during his Mega Evolution, thus making the writer wonder whether Sappy has abused of Powersaving too much.

Let's see what shenanigans Sappy has to offer.



An exciting Mega Lesbian!

Sappy @ Sappynite
Naughty Nature (+Kinky, -Mercy)
EV: 252 Att/252 SpA/4 Spe
Ability: (Speed Boost/Huge Power) → Wonder Guard

Shadow Ball
Hyper Voice
Close Combat
Gunk Shot

As suggestive as it might sound, this is a great way of abusing Sappy('s rivals). For example, if the opponent is being especially annoying during your battle, Sappy will not hesitate for a moment and he will use Shadow Ball to make sure the opponent is busy chewing something. Then, Hyper Voice turns Sappy into the loudest man of the game. If that wasn't enough, Close Combat takes a more personal approach, and it combines very well with Gunk Shot, eventually finishing the opponent and releasing all your stress on them.

The nature and EV are very straightforward to hit as hard as possible, while the initial ability is a not very relevant matter: Speed Boost allows you to grab a non-very-necessary Speed Boost (Ha!), while Huge Power helps revenge killing something.



Sappypass

Sappy @ Choice Band
Adamant Nature (+Fix, -Variable)
EV: 252 Att/4 Def/252 Spe
Ability: Huge Power

Flare Blitz
Double Edge
Wood Hammer
Self-Destruct

Due to the fact Sappy will receive a lot of Recoil Damage and Huge Power is more or less the same as Mega Sappy, with the benefit of running a Choice Band, this set stays in his regular forme. Because most people in-chat and during the streams will get hasty, you need to heat them up so that they buy even more from you: Flare Blitz is a very clever idea, and they might even get burnt, thus seeing themselves in a position such that they will either die or buy a Burn Heal from you. Double Edge is for innuendos, powerful enough to plug through moralist users such as Del-Serious or ShinyBlaziken. Wood Hammer is for those occasions when his lustiest start screaming out of emotion, while receiving a very special present. And, of course, because of his odd Internet and tendency to commit suicide, Self-Destruct is a must in this set, virtually annihilating the entire rooster.

The EV Spread, with an Adamant nature, allow Sappy to outspeed a good part of the Metagame while murdering anything on its path, including himself at the end. ):



Friendly Relationzone

Sappy @ Sappynite
Jolly Nature (+♥, -Sadness)
EV: 248 HP/8 SpD/252 Spe
Ability: Huge Power → Wonder Guard

Encore
Charm
Knock Off
Pound

Before starting, I must say that this set requires Mega Sappy because women do not like men in 2D; although most prefer one D, a Three-Dimensional D is usually better. In any event, Encore forces his next target to actually date him, this encoring the victim to go on a dinner, for example. During the date, Charm is vital to keep Sappy sexy enough for the following turns of the battle, which will be, of course, very intense. Talking about intense things, after the dinner, if the date has been successful (we are talking about Sappy, what can go wrong?), Knocking Off your clo... prejudices regarding... "anything (?)" should help you both achieving the ultimate goal of life, 42 eternal happiness. For some reason, Arceus decided that Sappy had to reach this using Pound, so here he goes and comes.

The Nature and EV are tricky: 248 in HP ensure Sappy can actually stand her piercing questions while being able to switch into Stealth Menstruation a total of Eight times; although illogical at some stages of life and bed, 252 EV in Speed with a Jolly Nature allow Sappy to quickly answer any pervasive question she might ask, and the Speed does not affect his performance in other matters. The other 8 EV are placed into Special Defence to further tank these questions; Sappy's damage output is so high that he does not need to invest in it.

LewLew/Sappy/Lewis, the Lewd Sapphire Cornflakes user. Just trust me on this one: never turn your back to him, or else you will be in a sticky and dangerous situation. But, seriously, check his videos, they are a lot of fun.

__________

So, what do you think about Sappy? Should he get banned from Über? Will Mega Gengar and Sappy be friends? These and more in the next issue!

Schedule: I don't even know.

[SirBlaziken]

The only way you can even touch him is a dark type move, the only thing that can touch him. Good luck.

[Sappy]

Sappynite would be banned from Ubers faster than Mega Blaziken was from OU.

Great stuff Scout, enjoyed the last one in particular. Although it's more like Quick Attack instead of Pound

[E.C.A.M.B.S.]

Please do Stantler.