Holiday
on my best behavior
Wow. I cannot believe I've felt the need to talk about something related to Pokemon 1,000 times. As much as the angst-filled and "I'm too cool for this" wants to come out, I have truly cherished my time as a part of this community. I am beyond thankful for the kindness that users have shown me over the past 2.5 years on Smogon and the almost 4 years on PS! While I've bounced between a few tiers throughout the generation and have met a plethora of amazing users in the various communities, I feel that my heart has always been with the Little Cup community. Although the ladder is terrible and there have been a fair amount of questionable people involved in LC, I am overjoyed that the largest percentage of my posts and interactions have been in the LC room and on the LC subforum. The competitive atmosphere and amazing staff has always made LC an incredibly welcoming community and the friends I have made in it have truly impacted my life. As enjoyable as my offline life has been, it would be a lie to say that I could just drop competitive Pokemon and be truly content, as a part of me will always feel connected to this site. No one can ever truly be sure when they'll be done with Pokemon (as seen with me taking a 3 month break thinking I'd be done forever) but whenever I do walk away, I know that I can safely say I won't regret my time on this site. Like many users before me, my 1k post will be an RMT of a Hyper Offense team that I have enjoyed using ever since the first days of ORAS Little Cup, which some users might recognize as one of my signature teams.
The Team
Taillow @ Toxic Orb
Ability: Guts
Level: 5
EVs: 236 Atk / 36 Def / 236 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Quick Attack
- U-turn
- Facade
- Brave Bird
As previously stated, the basis of this team is Taillow Hyper Offense, and the best place to start with that would be Taillow! While yes, Fletchling is inherently better than Taillow (so if you're doing rates don't put that lol) Taillow has the ability to smash most Fletchling checks with a Guts-boosted STAB Facade. Quick Attack gives Taillow a rather powerful priority move that allows it to chip out weakened opponents, U-turn is excellent to grab momentum on predicted Steel-type switchins, Facade is the main STAB of the set which demolishes all Pokemon that don't resist Normal, and Brave Bird is the secondary STAB to hit Ghost-types, though it should be used sparingly due to recoil + Toxic racking up quick damage.
Stunky @ Eviolite
Ability: Aftermath
Level: 5
EVs: 12 HP / 12 Atk / 60 Def / 108 SpD / 244 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Pursuit
- Sucker Punch
- Sludge Bomb
- Fire Blast
A lot of people say that Stunky is very matchup oriented, and while they certainly aren't wrong, I feel as if this Stunky set pulls its weight in every battle. Being able to trap certain Pokemon as well as deal solid damage to Pawniard and Spritzee is very nice for a Taillow teammate. Pursuit obviously is required on Stunky to deal with Gastly and Abra, Sucker Punch is strong priority, Sludge Bomb is a strong STAB that can 2HKO Spritzee after SR with no investment, with Fire Blast doing the same to Pawniard. The EV spread may look a little weird, but it basically focuses on Speed and SpD which allows Stunky to reliably check Gastly and Abra. The minimal investment in Attack and none in SpA makes Stunky a tad bit weak overall, but its specialty is to KO weakened Pokemon which it does well.
Pawniard (LC Standard)
Fire Blast - 47.6 - 57.1% - 12.1% chance to 2HKO
Pawniard (LC Choice Scarf)
Fire Blast - 66.6 - 85.7% - guaranteed 2HKO
Spritzee (LC Defensive)
Sludge Bomb - 44.4 - 51.8% - 0.4% chance to 2HKO
Fire Blast - 47.6 - 57.1% - 12.1% chance to 2HKO
Pawniard (LC Choice Scarf)
Fire Blast - 66.6 - 85.7% - guaranteed 2HKO
Spritzee (LC Defensive)
Sludge Bomb - 44.4 - 51.8% - 0.4% chance to 2HKO
Staryu @ Life Orb
Ability: Natural Cure
Level: 5
EVs: 196 SpA / 76 SpD / 236 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Psychic
- Ice Beam
- Rapid Spin
Life Orb Staryu has faded a little bit in the current metagame, but it still definitely packs a punch. Given its excellent coverage and ability to spin away hazards, it has found a spot on this team as an offensive Rapid Spinner. STAB Hydro Pump backed by Life Orb will hurt anything that doesn't resist it, with Psychic and Ice Beam tagging the likes of Fighting-types (especially Croagunk), Chinchou, Grass-types not named Ferroseed, and Flying-types (so you don't risk HPump miss) while Rapid Spin is mandatory. Once it manages to keep hazards off the field, Staryu will more often thannot just punch holes in a team with Hydro Pump until it goes down, giving Taillow a free switchin.
Mienfoo @ Eviolite
Ability: Regenerator
Level: 5
EVs: 196 Def / 36 SpD / 236 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Drain Punch
- Taunt
- U-turn
- Knock Off
Sometimes the simplest set is the best set. FastFoo has been a tried and true set for any team needing a check to Pawniard as well as an all-purpose Pokemon, being able to provide Knock Off support, U-turn momentum, and Taunt to stop hazards or slow Pokemon from setting up. Mienfoo has cemented its place as the King of Little Cup and its hard to see a change to that anytime soon in the ORAS metagame. For those that don't know, the EVs allow you to live Fletchling's Acrobatics at full HP, while the moveset is standard. Acrobatics and Stone Edge are both viable options over Taunt to OHKO most Fighting-types when you exchange Knock Offs or to nail Ponyta and Larvesta on the switch.
Magnemite @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Analytic
Level: 5
EVs: 240 SpA / 236 Spe
Modest Nature
- Volt Switch
- Flash Cannon
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ground]
Choice Scarf Magnemite forces a lot of switches and hits very hard due to Analytic activating on switchins. Along with Mienfoo's U-turn, a "slow" Volt Switch or U-turn will often be your best way to get Taillow onto the battlefield unscathed. Flash Cannon is a strong Steel-type STAB that lets Magnemite nail Ground-types attempting to absorb an Electric-type move, while Thunderbolt allows Magnemite to sweep late game with an Electric-type STAB that doesn't require it to pivot. HP Ground hits opposing Magnemite and Chinchou on the switch, but does require a bit of prediction in order for it to be effective. While a Modest Nature provides more power, Timid lets it speed tie with scarf 15s and SS Tirtouga after it has set up.
Abra @ Focus Sash
Ability: Magic Guard
Level: 5
EVs: 240 SpA / 68 SpD / 200 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Hidden Power [Fighting]
- Energy Ball
- Knock Off
Arguably one of the best revenge killers in Little Cup, Focus Sash Abra blanket checks a large portion of set up sweepers and can easily eliminate weakened Pokemon. While normally I would opt for Life Orb, using both LO Staryu and Abra led to some early sweeps if something set up. The moveset is very standard with Knock Off being mostly utility for removing walls such as Porygon and Spritzee's Eviolites which makes both Abra and Taillow's job much easier.
annnnd that's pretty much it! 1,000 posts down, I can't wait for another thousand! I'll kick off my next 1k posts with shoutouts beneath this :)
Taillow @ Toxic Orb
Ability: Guts
Level: 5
EVs: 236 Atk / 36 Def / 236 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Quick Attack
- U-turn
- Facade
- Brave Bird
Stunky @ Eviolite
Ability: Aftermath
Level: 5
EVs: 12 HP / 12 Atk / 60 Def / 108 SpD / 244 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Pursuit
- Sucker Punch
- Sludge Bomb
- Fire Blast
Staryu @ Life Orb
Ability: Natural Cure
Level: 5
EVs: 196 SpA / 76 SpD / 236 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Psychic
- Ice Beam
- Rapid Spin
Mienfoo @ Eviolite
Ability: Regenerator
Level: 5
EVs: 196 Def / 36 SpD / 236 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Drain Punch
- Taunt
- U-turn
- Knock Off
Magnemite @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Analytic
Level: 5
EVs: 240 SpA / 236 Spe
Modest Nature
- Volt Switch
- Flash Cannon
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ground]
Abra @ Focus Sash
Ability: Magic Guard
Level: 5
EVs: 240 SpA / 68 SpD / 200 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Hidden Power [Fighting]
- Energy Ball
- Knock Off
Ability: Guts
Level: 5
EVs: 236 Atk / 36 Def / 236 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Quick Attack
- U-turn
- Facade
- Brave Bird
Stunky @ Eviolite
Ability: Aftermath
Level: 5
EVs: 12 HP / 12 Atk / 60 Def / 108 SpD / 244 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Pursuit
- Sucker Punch
- Sludge Bomb
- Fire Blast
Staryu @ Life Orb
Ability: Natural Cure
Level: 5
EVs: 196 SpA / 76 SpD / 236 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Psychic
- Ice Beam
- Rapid Spin
Mienfoo @ Eviolite
Ability: Regenerator
Level: 5
EVs: 196 Def / 36 SpD / 236 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Drain Punch
- Taunt
- U-turn
- Knock Off
Magnemite @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Analytic
Level: 5
EVs: 240 SpA / 236 Spe
Modest Nature
- Volt Switch
- Flash Cannon
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ground]
Abra @ Focus Sash
Ability: Magic Guard
Level: 5
EVs: 240 SpA / 68 SpD / 200 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Hidden Power [Fighting]
- Energy Ball
- Knock Off
Last edited: