Friday, December 19, 2014

Hell, it's about time!

Gen 5 starters with hidden abilities. It's finally happening. What else can I say? January 9, the day Serperior finally becomes usable. Of course we're talking about a Japanese event here, but most serious battlers use Showdown anyway, where this isn't an issue. And as a questionable bonus, all three starters come with Hold Back. Do you think Contrary will be enough to propel it to OU, or will its lack of special moves be its undoing?

14 comments:

  1. Why is Game Freak distributing Hold Back so much? Is it Masuda's new favourite move or something?

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    1. I dunno, maybe they think we're using it in Doubles to proc something or other. My actual question is why HB even exists when it's literally a clone of False Swipe.

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    2. Well, in theory Hold Back could be given to Pokemon that anatomically wouldn't be able to use a move like False Swipe. But of the Pokemon it's been given to so far, only Beldum really fits that mold...

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  2. Serperior: Sure it becomes a nuke when Leaf Storm keeps on boosting its Special Attack, but grass really isn't a good offensive type. I think that and a lack of special movepool will hinder it. It may make it up to UU though.

    Emboar: Reckless will be a noticeable improvement for Emboar, though how high up it will go I don't know.

    Samurott: Meh, its ability won't be very useful really.

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  3. And it comes out the day I turn 25.
    I would care if I was actually playing Gen6, but yeah, still, gotta like it finally happening.

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  4. Sap Sipper isn't that common in OU. Maybe the occasional Goodra. Give it Choice Specs or Scarf. Not much will like taking a boosted Leaf Storm to the face. Maybe BorderLine, given that it'll be predictable...

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  5. Males can pass on DW Abilities now, so maybe the Japanese will breed them and GTS/Wonder Trade them...

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  6. Well, all Serperior has on the special side is grass moves + Dragon Pulse. I'm hardly an expert on Gen 6 OU, but I doubt that will cut it. It'll be very powerful, but also extremely predictable.

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    1. I'm lenient and am guessing Borderline. Keep in mind that it inherently gets destroyed by Talonflame, and there's not much many Pokemon can do about that...

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    2. Yep, with scarf it's only a 2HKO
      +6 252+ SpA Serperior Leaf Storm vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Talonflame: 218-257 (73.4 - 86.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
      However with specs
      +6 252+ SpA Choice Specs Serperior Leaf Storm vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Talonflame: 327-385 (110.1 - 129.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
      But Serperior is slower then Talonflame, along with Gale Wings which gives of course as you know, a +1 priority to Flying moves, which Serperior can't beat

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    3. Oh and this is assuming Serperior has the +6 already, which might be a problem and still just 2HKOs at +4 even with specs

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    4. To be fair, anything frail or Grass type has issues with Talonflame. That's why many people use Rotom...

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    5. Why would you give it a scarf? Serperior's plenty fast as is.

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  7. And yet, Feraligatr still doesn't have Sheer Force.

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