[OVERVIEW]
Pelipper's ability Drizzle makes it a staple on rain teams because it supports dangerous rain sweepers such as Mega Swampert, Kingdra, and Ash-Greninja. Pelipper's typing allows it to check Pokemon such as Mega Scizor, defensive Landorus-T, Mega Charizard Y, and Choice Scarf Keldeo, the latter two of which are huge problems for rain teams. Pelipper's solid STAB moves and wide support movepool mean it can assist rain teams in two ways. On one hand, Pelipper can break down conventional rain checks such as Toxapex and Ferrothorn with a Choice Specs set. On the other, Pelipper can run a defensive Damp Rock set to extend rain turns and provide help its teammates switch in freely with its slow U-turn.
Pelipper does have mediocre stats, however, which means it is easy to pressure and keep out with Pokemon such as Greninja, Zygarde, and Tapu Koko. Pelipper loses one-on-one to Tyranitar and Mega Charizard Y, which replace the rain with their own weather. Pelipper is also weak to Stealth Rock, which makes it an even more unreliable Defogger because it has to switch into the entry hazard to remove it.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Hurricane
move 3: Surf / Knock Off
move 4: U-turn
item: Choice Specs
ability: Drizzle
nature: Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Despite Pelipper's average Special Attack stat, this set is very threatening due to Pelipper's ability to summon rain and access to high-Base Power attacks. Hydro Pump's power is doubled in rain, which allows Pelipper to 2HKO some of the most specially defensive Pokemon in the tier, such as Celesteela and Assault Vest Magearna. Its massive damage output in general allows Pelipper to OHKO Pokemon such as Greninja, Mew, and Zygarde. Hurricane complements Hydro Pump as a 100% accurate Flying-type STAB move under rain that eliminates or 2HKOes nuisances to rain teams in Tangrowth, Toxapex, Ferrothorn, and Mantine. Surf is can be used when Pelipper does not need to risk a Hydro Pump miss, although Knock Off is an option to let Pelipper 2HKO Chansey with Hydro Pump. U-turn provides momentum for teammates when Pelipper does not need to waste a turn staying in itself. Scald seems like an appealing option over Surf, but Pelipper should focus more on wallbreaking than on fishing for burns. Defog can be run for emergency entry hazard removal, but using U-turn or a more powerful attack is usually more productive.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack EVs, Choice Specs, and a Modest nature are used so Pelipper can hit as hard as possible. There is no point in using a Rash or Mild nature because U-turn is there for its utility and not its power. The remaining EVs are invested into Speed in order to let Pelipper outpace and threaten Pokemon such as Mega Mawile, neutral-natured Tyranitar, Magnezone, and Mega Scizor. A Timid nature is attractive to let Pelipper get the jump on physically defensive Zapdos and neutral-natured Tapu Bulu and Mega Heracross, but this change prevents Pelipper from 2HKOing Pokemon such as Ferrothorn and specially defensive Toxapex.
Usage Tips
========
Pelipper is very frail without defensive investment, fainting to many special attacks such as Greninja's Choice Specs-boosted Dark Pulse and Tapu Lele's Psychic. Because of this, Pelipper should come in on Pokemon it has a good matchup against defensively, such as Mega Charizard Y, defensive Landorus-T, Mega Scizor, and Mew. Pelipper can use VoltTurn support to get in, too. While Hydro Pump is Pelipper's strongest attack, Hurricane is usually more threatening early-game because it threatens a lot of defensive pivots in the tier such as Toxapex and Tangrowth. While this variant of Pelipper only brings five turns of rain, it should still be preserved because teammates such as Mega Swampert and Kingdra depend on it.
Team Options
========
Swift Swim users such as Mega Swampert, Kingdra, and Kabutops are great teammates because Pelipper breaks down a lot of bulky Grass- and Water-types and provides rain for them. Mega Swampert also checks Electric-type attackers that threaten Pelipper. Ash-Greninja is another good teammate that appreciates Pokemon such as Toxapex and Tangrowth removed or weakened. Its ability Battle Bond is much easier to activate in rain, and it is nigh impossible to stop after its transformation, capable of OHKOing Pokemon such as Tapu Bulu and Garchomp with Hydro Pump and Water Shuriken, respectively. Tapu Koko and Tornadus-T take advantage of the rain because their Thunder and Hurricane become a 100% accurate. They can create a stallbreaking core with Pelipper as well due to their access to Taunt. Tapu Koko can also U-turn out of bulky Grass-types such as Tangrowth and Amoonguss for Pelipper to take advantage of. This set requires entry hazard removal because Stealth Rock limits the number of times Pelipper can set up rain. Latios, Mega Scizor, and the aforementioned Kabutops are prime options for hazard removers. Ferrothorn is a solid teammate because its Fire-type weakness is reduced under rain, and it can set up entry hazards to support rain sweepers.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Scald
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Roost
move 4: Defog / Hurricane
item: Damp Rock
ability: Drizzle
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 32 Def / 228 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Scald has decent power under the rain and a good chance to burn its target. U-turn is a fantastic move on a slow Pokemon such as Pelipper because it provides a rain sweeper a free switch. Roost is used to conserve Pelipper's health, which is instrumental to keep rain active. Defog is the preferred move in the last slot to remove entry hazards, most notably Sticky Web and Toxic Spikes, that are problems for many of Pelipper's grounded teammates. However, Hurricane can be used on teams with secondary entry hazard removal so Pelipper can punish Pokemon such as Tangrowth and Amoonguss. Alternatively, Scald can be dropped for Hurricane instead, but Scald's utility in burning annoying rain checks such as Ferrothorn and Toxapex makes it hard to forego. Finally, Knock Off can be run to remove items such as Tangrowth's Assault Vest and Chansey's Eviolite for teammates.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread and nature allow Pelipper to tank a Supersonic Skystrike from Landorus-T and avoid the 2HKO from Choice Scarf Keldeo's Hydro Pump. Special defense investment also helps Pelipper comfortably U-turn out of Mega Charizard Y. Damp Rock is the best item on this set because Pelipper's ability Drizzle will summon 8 eight turns of rain as opposed to five.
Usage Tips
========
Pelipper is a fine choice as a lead to set up rain right away. Pelipper is often paired with Mega Swampert, so leading with Pelipper does not lose much momentum if the opponent decides to lead with an Electric-type Pokemon. Pelipper should be played conservatively and should only be sacrificed for rain turns if its teammates can win the game with the remaining turns of rain. Because Pelipper is so important for rain teams to function, it should scout out potential Z-Moves that could eliminate it, such as Continental Crush from Landorus-T and Bloom Doom from Heatran. Roost should be used to keep Pelipper healthy so it can come in on Stealth Rock safely. It is often best to use U-turn more than Scald to keep momentum, unless a threat such as Celesteela or Ferrothorn needs to be burned so Pelipper's teammates can handle it better.
Team Options
========
Swift Swim users such as Mega Swampert, Kingdra, Kabutops, and Qwilfish take advantage of the rain that Pelipper sets. Mega Swampert has great synergy with Pelipper, as it can switch into Electric-type attacks, while Pelipper can take on Choice Scarf Keldeo and Mega Charizard Y for Mega Swampert. Ash-Greninja is another great teammate because Battle Bond is much easier to activate in rain, and its Water Shuriken and Hydro Pump have insane damage output after its transformation. Tornadus-T and Tapu Koko make good use of Pelipper's rain to fire off 100% accurate Hurricanes and Thunders. They can also support their team by pressuring bulkier teams with Taunt and regaining lost momentum with U-turn. Mega Garchomp is a good potential teammate, as it appreciates the rain boost to Aqua Tail in order to remove one of its best checks in defensive Landorus-T. Ferrothorn is a great teammate because its Fire-type weakness is reduced under rain, allowing it to stay in on Pokemon such as Zapdos. It can then support rain sweepers with Spikes and Knock Off. Mega Scizor and Latios are also good teammates that allow Pelipper to run another move over Defog. Mega Scizor brings more momentum to the table with U-turn, while Latios provides a secondary check to Keldeo and Mega Charizard Y, removing a lot of pressure from Pelipper.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Pelipper can run Rain Dance on defensive sets to make the matchup against Mega Charizard Y easier. Toxic can also be used on the defensive set as well to surprise Mantine and Mega Slowbro, which are major problems for rain teams.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Electric-types**: Electric-types such as Tapu Koko, Magnezone, Thundurus, Rotom-W, and Mega Manectric threaten Pelipper greatly with their 4x super effective STAB moves, and they can make use of Volt Switch to either KO Pelipper or generate momentum by forcing it out.
**Opposing Weather Setters**: Mega Charizard Y, Tyranitar, and Alolan Ninetales can all terminate Pelipper's rain upon entrance thanks to Drought, Sand Stream, and Snow Warning, thus making it difficult for Pelipper to consistently perform its role.
**Stealth Rock**: Stealth Rock is very troublesome for Pelipper, as it not only shortens its longevity but also KOes it before Drizzle can activate if Pelipper is below 25% of its maximum HP and switches in.
**Special Attackers**: Powerful special attackers such as Ash-Greninja, Latios, and Tapu Lele can all do massive damage to Pelipper due to its underwhelming Special Defense stat.
**Chansey**: Chansey hard walls Pelipper and puts it on a timer with Toxic. Pelipper can only break Chansey by using Knock Off and coming in later to 2HKO it with Hydro Pump.
Pelipper's ability Drizzle makes it a staple on rain teams because it supports dangerous rain sweepers such as Mega Swampert, Kingdra, and Ash-Greninja. Pelipper's typing allows it to check Pokemon such as Mega Scizor, defensive Landorus-T, Mega Charizard Y, and Choice Scarf Keldeo, the latter two of which are huge problems for rain teams. Pelipper's solid STAB moves and wide support movepool mean it can assist rain teams in two ways. On one hand, Pelipper can break down conventional rain checks such as Toxapex and Ferrothorn with a Choice Specs set. On the other, Pelipper can run a defensive Damp Rock set to extend rain turns and provide help its teammates switch in freely with its slow U-turn.
Pelipper does have mediocre stats, however, which means it is easy to pressure and keep out with Pokemon such as Greninja, Zygarde, and Tapu Koko. Pelipper loses one-on-one to Tyranitar and Mega Charizard Y, which replace the rain with their own weather. Pelipper is also weak to Stealth Rock, which makes it an even more unreliable Defogger because it has to switch into the entry hazard to remove it.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Hurricane
move 3: Surf / Knock Off
move 4: U-turn
item: Choice Specs
ability: Drizzle
nature: Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Despite Pelipper's average Special Attack stat, this set is very threatening due to Pelipper's ability to summon rain and access to high-Base Power attacks. Hydro Pump's power is doubled in rain, which allows Pelipper to 2HKO some of the most specially defensive Pokemon in the tier, such as Celesteela and Assault Vest Magearna. Its massive damage output in general allows Pelipper to OHKO Pokemon such as Greninja, Mew, and Zygarde. Hurricane complements Hydro Pump as a 100% accurate Flying-type STAB move under rain that eliminates or 2HKOes nuisances to rain teams in Tangrowth, Toxapex, Ferrothorn, and Mantine. Surf is can be used when Pelipper does not need to risk a Hydro Pump miss, although Knock Off is an option to let Pelipper 2HKO Chansey with Hydro Pump. U-turn provides momentum for teammates when Pelipper does not need to waste a turn staying in itself. Scald seems like an appealing option over Surf, but Pelipper should focus more on wallbreaking than on fishing for burns. Defog can be run for emergency entry hazard removal, but using U-turn or a more powerful attack is usually more productive.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack EVs, Choice Specs, and a Modest nature are used so Pelipper can hit as hard as possible. There is no point in using a Rash or Mild nature because U-turn is there for its utility and not its power. The remaining EVs are invested into Speed in order to let Pelipper outpace and threaten Pokemon such as Mega Mawile, neutral-natured Tyranitar, Magnezone, and Mega Scizor. A Timid nature is attractive to let Pelipper get the jump on physically defensive Zapdos and neutral-natured Tapu Bulu and Mega Heracross, but this change prevents Pelipper from 2HKOing Pokemon such as Ferrothorn and specially defensive Toxapex.
Usage Tips
========
Pelipper is very frail without defensive investment, fainting to many special attacks such as Greninja's Choice Specs-boosted Dark Pulse and Tapu Lele's Psychic. Because of this, Pelipper should come in on Pokemon it has a good matchup against defensively, such as Mega Charizard Y, defensive Landorus-T, Mega Scizor, and Mew. Pelipper can use VoltTurn support to get in, too. While Hydro Pump is Pelipper's strongest attack, Hurricane is usually more threatening early-game because it threatens a lot of defensive pivots in the tier such as Toxapex and Tangrowth. While this variant of Pelipper only brings five turns of rain, it should still be preserved because teammates such as Mega Swampert and Kingdra depend on it.
Team Options
========
Swift Swim users such as Mega Swampert, Kingdra, and Kabutops are great teammates because Pelipper breaks down a lot of bulky Grass- and Water-types and provides rain for them. Mega Swampert also checks Electric-type attackers that threaten Pelipper. Ash-Greninja is another good teammate that appreciates Pokemon such as Toxapex and Tangrowth removed or weakened. Its ability Battle Bond is much easier to activate in rain, and it is nigh impossible to stop after its transformation, capable of OHKOing Pokemon such as Tapu Bulu and Garchomp with Hydro Pump and Water Shuriken, respectively. Tapu Koko and Tornadus-T take advantage of the rain because their Thunder and Hurricane become a 100% accurate. They can create a stallbreaking core with Pelipper as well due to their access to Taunt. Tapu Koko can also U-turn out of bulky Grass-types such as Tangrowth and Amoonguss for Pelipper to take advantage of. This set requires entry hazard removal because Stealth Rock limits the number of times Pelipper can set up rain. Latios, Mega Scizor, and the aforementioned Kabutops are prime options for hazard removers. Ferrothorn is a solid teammate because its Fire-type weakness is reduced under rain, and it can set up entry hazards to support rain sweepers.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Scald
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Roost
move 4: Defog / Hurricane
item: Damp Rock
ability: Drizzle
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 32 Def / 228 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Scald has decent power under the rain and a good chance to burn its target. U-turn is a fantastic move on a slow Pokemon such as Pelipper because it provides a rain sweeper a free switch. Roost is used to conserve Pelipper's health, which is instrumental to keep rain active. Defog is the preferred move in the last slot to remove entry hazards, most notably Sticky Web and Toxic Spikes, that are problems for many of Pelipper's grounded teammates. However, Hurricane can be used on teams with secondary entry hazard removal so Pelipper can punish Pokemon such as Tangrowth and Amoonguss. Alternatively, Scald can be dropped for Hurricane instead, but Scald's utility in burning annoying rain checks such as Ferrothorn and Toxapex makes it hard to forego. Finally, Knock Off can be run to remove items such as Tangrowth's Assault Vest and Chansey's Eviolite for teammates.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread and nature allow Pelipper to tank a Supersonic Skystrike from Landorus-T and avoid the 2HKO from Choice Scarf Keldeo's Hydro Pump. Special defense investment also helps Pelipper comfortably U-turn out of Mega Charizard Y. Damp Rock is the best item on this set because Pelipper's ability Drizzle will summon 8 eight turns of rain as opposed to five.
Usage Tips
========
Pelipper is a fine choice as a lead to set up rain right away. Pelipper is often paired with Mega Swampert, so leading with Pelipper does not lose much momentum if the opponent decides to lead with an Electric-type Pokemon. Pelipper should be played conservatively and should only be sacrificed for rain turns if its teammates can win the game with the remaining turns of rain. Because Pelipper is so important for rain teams to function, it should scout out potential Z-Moves that could eliminate it, such as Continental Crush from Landorus-T and Bloom Doom from Heatran. Roost should be used to keep Pelipper healthy so it can come in on Stealth Rock safely. It is often best to use U-turn more than Scald to keep momentum, unless a threat such as Celesteela or Ferrothorn needs to be burned so Pelipper's teammates can handle it better.
Team Options
========
Swift Swim users such as Mega Swampert, Kingdra, Kabutops, and Qwilfish take advantage of the rain that Pelipper sets. Mega Swampert has great synergy with Pelipper, as it can switch into Electric-type attacks, while Pelipper can take on Choice Scarf Keldeo and Mega Charizard Y for Mega Swampert. Ash-Greninja is another great teammate because Battle Bond is much easier to activate in rain, and its Water Shuriken and Hydro Pump have insane damage output after its transformation. Tornadus-T and Tapu Koko make good use of Pelipper's rain to fire off 100% accurate Hurricanes and Thunders. They can also support their team by pressuring bulkier teams with Taunt and regaining lost momentum with U-turn. Mega Garchomp is a good potential teammate, as it appreciates the rain boost to Aqua Tail in order to remove one of its best checks in defensive Landorus-T. Ferrothorn is a great teammate because its Fire-type weakness is reduced under rain, allowing it to stay in on Pokemon such as Zapdos. It can then support rain sweepers with Spikes and Knock Off. Mega Scizor and Latios are also good teammates that allow Pelipper to run another move over Defog. Mega Scizor brings more momentum to the table with U-turn, while Latios provides a secondary check to Keldeo and Mega Charizard Y, removing a lot of pressure from Pelipper.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Pelipper can run Rain Dance on defensive sets to make the matchup against Mega Charizard Y easier. Toxic can also be used on the defensive set as well to surprise Mantine and Mega Slowbro, which are major problems for rain teams.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Electric-types**: Electric-types such as Tapu Koko, Magnezone, Thundurus, Rotom-W, and Mega Manectric threaten Pelipper greatly with their 4x super effective STAB moves, and they can make use of Volt Switch to either KO Pelipper or generate momentum by forcing it out.
**Opposing Weather Setters**: Mega Charizard Y, Tyranitar, and Alolan Ninetales can all terminate Pelipper's rain upon entrance thanks to Drought, Sand Stream, and Snow Warning, thus making it difficult for Pelipper to consistently perform its role.
**Stealth Rock**: Stealth Rock is very troublesome for Pelipper, as it not only shortens its longevity but also KOes it before Drizzle can activate if Pelipper is below 25% of its maximum HP and switches in.
**Special Attackers**: Powerful special attackers such as Ash-Greninja, Latios, and Tapu Lele can all do massive damage to Pelipper due to its underwhelming Special Defense stat.
**Chansey**: Chansey hard walls Pelipper and puts it on a timer with Toxic. Pelipper can only break Chansey by using Knock Off and coming in later to 2HKO it with Hydro Pump.
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