[SET]
name: Offensive Pivot
move 1: Fake Out
move 2: Return / Double-Edge
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Taunt / Knock Off / Bite
item: Silk Scarf
ability: Technician
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Flaunting the highest Speed stat in the tier, a deep movepool, and decent offensive stats paired with the incredible ability Technician, Persian takes its place at the top of the metagame as an incredible revenge killer and wallbreaker. Technician-boosted Fake Out is the lynchpin of this Persian set, giving it a strong priority attack that racks up damage with its guaranteed flinch as well as allowing Persian to pick off weakened Speed-boosted Pokemon like Shelgon or Choice Scarf users. The choice of STAB move between Return and Double-Edge comes down to the pacing of the team, as more aggressive teams might need the improved damage of Double-Edge, while more balanced teams can afford to let Persian play more conservatively with its HP. U-turn allows Persian to keep momentum on predicted switches as well as chip important targets like Solrock and Lairon with the help of Stealth Rock. Taunt is an overall good utility move that lets Persian deny status moves such as Thunder Wave and Will-O-Wisp as well as prevent recovery moves from Pokemon that Persian needs to keep at low HP. Knock Off is another good option that lets Persian ruin unevolved walls like Clefairy and Hippopotas while being generally difficult to switch in against. The final common option that Persian makes use of is Bite, which lets Persian muscle through a relatively hard counter in Frillish, while still outputting good damage against Solrock. Despite no other Pokemon in BW ZU approaching Persian's Speed tier, maximum Speed investment is used in order to outspeed Jolly Whiscash after a boost as well as to tie with other Persian.
This Persian set fits best on balance and offensive teams. Balance appreciates Persian's ability to revenge kill and force out a variety of attackers as well as wear down other balance and defensive teams through attacks, U-turn, and its disruption moves. Mienfoo is a stellar partner as its Regenerator and U-turn form a solid pivot core; Persian appreciates such a reliable answer to Lairon, while Mienfoo can cripple Eviolite-reliant walls such as Hippopotas, as well as pivot Persian in for opportunities to throw out attacks. Persian really appreciates Stealth Rock in order to make the constant switches it forces more painful, and Pokemon like Solrock, Wormadam-S, Clefairy, and Lairon are all excellent setters. Persian is also a great facilitator of powerful wallbreakers like Simisear and Glaceon, which lack opportunities to directly switch in. If Persian is being used on a more offensive team, Persian is great at baiting in Pokemon that resist Double-Edge like Solrock and Lairon for certain setup sweepers such as Substitute Leafeon and Dragon Dance Whiscash, respectively.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Persian has an enormous suite of tools, but many of its other options are not worthwhile. Persian could opt for Leftovers over Silk Scarf to remain healthy in the face of Stealth Rock and Rocky Helmet, but it appreciates the power boost from Silk Scarf a lot. Persian could make use of Choice Band to immediately threaten OHKOs with its Double-Edge, but Silk Scarf has higher damage, if the foe takes a Fake Out and Double-Edge, and Slaking effectively outclasses it. Nasty Plot seems appealing to turn the fastest Pokemon in the tier into a setup threat, but Persian lacks reliable setup opportunities and is completely stuffed by common specially defensive Pokemon like Clefairy and Muk. Substitute on a predicted sacrificial switch Pokemon could potentially be very rewarding, but Persian appreciates all of its moveslots, and it still gets walled easily based on its coverage. Sun is a notably less consistent option than Rain, but on Sun teams, Persian is invaluable support for its speedy Sunny Day and U-turn.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Rock and Steel-types**: Persian is checked very reliably by Rock- or Steel-types like Lairon, Solrock, and Graveler. However, all 3 take significant damage from Water Pulse, and Lairon is terrified of Hidden Power Ground. Wormadam-S is an excellent counter that is only afraid of Hidden Power Fire. Even if it is running its wallbreaking set, it cannot threaten to immediately knock them out if they switch into a Normal-type attack or are healthy.
**Physical Walls**: Physically bulky Pokemon can tank its attacks and fire back against the frail Persian. Leafeon, Shelgon, and defensive Mienfoo can easily threaten to KO Persian, while walls like Hippopotas and Ivysaur are only afraid of Knock Off on the switch.
**Choice Scarf Users**: While most Choice Scarf users can't switch into Persian's powerful attacks, they can use the Speed boost to threaten Persian out. Persian's tendency to use Fake Out and Taunt frequently might invite a risky switch from the opponent looking to take momentum back. Slaking deserves special mention thanks to being able to tank Persian's attacks and threaten it with either a STAB attack or Pursuit.
**Priority**: While Fake Out almost always goes first in the priority bracket, Pokemon that are able to tank a Fake Out and threaten back with powerful priority deny Persian its goal of revenge killing. Arbok with a Coil or two of boosts can comfortably tank Fake Out and do huge damage back with Sucker Punch. Pikachu's Extreme Speed turns the tables on a Persian that has just gotten a KO, and its gigantic attacking stats mean that it is very difficult to switch into. In endgame situations, other Persian are able to use their Fake Out to potentially force a KO on Persian or its teammates.
**Residual Damage**: Persian's tendency to throw out many "free" attacks leads to Rocky Helmet Solrock being its most common check, which is able to damage Persian even if it switches out with U-turn. Persian also weaves in and out of battle to make the most out of Fake Out and U-turn, which accumulates a lot of chip damage from Stealth Rock.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/monai.482455/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gangsta-spongebob.535530/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/btboy.528652/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ken.594478/
name: Offensive Pivot
move 1: Fake Out
move 2: Return / Double-Edge
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Taunt / Knock Off / Bite
item: Silk Scarf
ability: Technician
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Flaunting the highest Speed stat in the tier, a deep movepool, and decent offensive stats paired with the incredible ability Technician, Persian takes its place at the top of the metagame as an incredible revenge killer and wallbreaker. Technician-boosted Fake Out is the lynchpin of this Persian set, giving it a strong priority attack that racks up damage with its guaranteed flinch as well as allowing Persian to pick off weakened Speed-boosted Pokemon like Shelgon or Choice Scarf users. The choice of STAB move between Return and Double-Edge comes down to the pacing of the team, as more aggressive teams might need the improved damage of Double-Edge, while more balanced teams can afford to let Persian play more conservatively with its HP. U-turn allows Persian to keep momentum on predicted switches as well as chip important targets like Solrock and Lairon with the help of Stealth Rock. Taunt is an overall good utility move that lets Persian deny status moves such as Thunder Wave and Will-O-Wisp as well as prevent recovery moves from Pokemon that Persian needs to keep at low HP. Knock Off is another good option that lets Persian ruin unevolved walls like Clefairy and Hippopotas while being generally difficult to switch in against. The final common option that Persian makes use of is Bite, which lets Persian muscle through a relatively hard counter in Frillish, while still outputting good damage against Solrock. Despite no other Pokemon in BW ZU approaching Persian's Speed tier, maximum Speed investment is used in order to outspeed Jolly Whiscash after a boost as well as to tie with other Persian.
This Persian set fits best on balance and offensive teams. Balance appreciates Persian's ability to revenge kill and force out a variety of attackers as well as wear down other balance and defensive teams through attacks, U-turn, and its disruption moves. Mienfoo is a stellar partner as its Regenerator and U-turn form a solid pivot core; Persian appreciates such a reliable answer to Lairon, while Mienfoo can cripple Eviolite-reliant walls such as Hippopotas, as well as pivot Persian in for opportunities to throw out attacks. Persian really appreciates Stealth Rock in order to make the constant switches it forces more painful, and Pokemon like Solrock, Wormadam-S, Clefairy, and Lairon are all excellent setters. Persian is also a great facilitator of powerful wallbreakers like Simisear and Glaceon, which lack opportunities to directly switch in. If Persian is being used on a more offensive team, Persian is great at baiting in Pokemon that resist Double-Edge like Solrock and Lairon for certain setup sweepers such as Substitute Leafeon and Dragon Dance Whiscash, respectively.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Persian has an enormous suite of tools, but many of its other options are not worthwhile. Persian could opt for Leftovers over Silk Scarf to remain healthy in the face of Stealth Rock and Rocky Helmet, but it appreciates the power boost from Silk Scarf a lot. Persian could make use of Choice Band to immediately threaten OHKOs with its Double-Edge, but Silk Scarf has higher damage, if the foe takes a Fake Out and Double-Edge, and Slaking effectively outclasses it. Nasty Plot seems appealing to turn the fastest Pokemon in the tier into a setup threat, but Persian lacks reliable setup opportunities and is completely stuffed by common specially defensive Pokemon like Clefairy and Muk. Substitute on a predicted sacrificial switch Pokemon could potentially be very rewarding, but Persian appreciates all of its moveslots, and it still gets walled easily based on its coverage. Sun is a notably less consistent option than Rain, but on Sun teams, Persian is invaluable support for its speedy Sunny Day and U-turn.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Rock and Steel-types**: Persian is checked very reliably by Rock- or Steel-types like Lairon, Solrock, and Graveler. However, all 3 take significant damage from Water Pulse, and Lairon is terrified of Hidden Power Ground. Wormadam-S is an excellent counter that is only afraid of Hidden Power Fire. Even if it is running its wallbreaking set, it cannot threaten to immediately knock them out if they switch into a Normal-type attack or are healthy.
**Physical Walls**: Physically bulky Pokemon can tank its attacks and fire back against the frail Persian. Leafeon, Shelgon, and defensive Mienfoo can easily threaten to KO Persian, while walls like Hippopotas and Ivysaur are only afraid of Knock Off on the switch.
**Choice Scarf Users**: While most Choice Scarf users can't switch into Persian's powerful attacks, they can use the Speed boost to threaten Persian out. Persian's tendency to use Fake Out and Taunt frequently might invite a risky switch from the opponent looking to take momentum back. Slaking deserves special mention thanks to being able to tank Persian's attacks and threaten it with either a STAB attack or Pursuit.
**Priority**: While Fake Out almost always goes first in the priority bracket, Pokemon that are able to tank a Fake Out and threaten back with powerful priority deny Persian its goal of revenge killing. Arbok with a Coil or two of boosts can comfortably tank Fake Out and do huge damage back with Sucker Punch. Pikachu's Extreme Speed turns the tables on a Persian that has just gotten a KO, and its gigantic attacking stats mean that it is very difficult to switch into. In endgame situations, other Persian are able to use their Fake Out to potentially force a KO on Persian or its teammates.
**Residual Damage**: Persian's tendency to throw out many "free" attacks leads to Rocky Helmet Solrock being its most common check, which is able to damage Persian even if it switches out with U-turn. Persian also weaves in and out of battle to make the most out of Fake Out and U-turn, which accumulates a lot of chip damage from Stealth Rock.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/monai.482455/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gangsta-spongebob.535530/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/btboy.528652/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ken.594478/
Last edited: