[OVERVIEW]
Serperior acts as a powerful sweeper thanks to its great Special Attack and Speed as well as its access to Contrary, which allows Serperior to boost its Special Attack by two stages every time it uses its strongest STAB move in Leaf Storm. Serperior's decent Speed tier also allows it to outspeed Pokemon like Thundurus, Latios, Mega Diancie, and Mega Metagross. Serperior also has access to a decent number of utility moves; Glare allows it to cripple fast offensive threats such as Tornadus-T, Mega Latias, and Talonflame, and Leech Seed can help stall out and cripple Pokemon like Heatran if run alongside Substitute. However, due to a lack of special coverage moves, Serperior is forced to use Hidden Power Fire to hit Pokemon like Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor or Hidden Power Ground to hit Heatran. Although Serperior has decent typing, its resistances are undermined by common secondary STAB moves from Water-types like Keldeo's Secret Sword and Azumarill's Play Rough. Serperior is definitely a big threat in ORAS OU, but it still has a few hard counters that it cannot deal with.
[SET]
name: Utility Attacker
move 1: Leaf Storm
move 2: Hidden Power Fire
move 3: Glare / Leech Seed
move 4: Substitute / Knock Off / Synthesis
item: Leftovers
ability: Contrary
nature: Timid
evs: 56 HP / 200 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Leaf Storm alongside Contrary boosts Serperior's Special Attack by two stages each time it is used. Hidden Power Fire is used to hit Steel-types like Skarmory, Mega Scizor, and Ferrothorn. Hidden Power Ground is also an option to hit Heatran. Glare can be used to paralyze switch-ins to Serperior such as Tornadus-T and Talonflame. Alternatively, Leech Seed allows Serperior to whittle down common checks like Heatran while also restoring its HP. Substitute lets Serperior avoid status moves like Toxic and Thunder Wave and eases prediction against switches. Knock Off is also an option to remove items like Chansey's Eviolite or Tornadus-T's Assault Vest. Synthesis can also be run to help Serperior stay healthy.
Set Details
========
56 HP EVs stop Rotom-W's Hydro Pump from breaking Serperior's Substitutes. 252 Speed EVs with a Timid nature allow Serperior to be as fast as possible, and the rest of the EVs are dumped into Special Attack to make Serperior hit as hard as possible. An alternative spread of 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe is an option to maximize Serperior's breaking power. Leftovers is used to give Serperior more longevity and help it stay as healthy as possible. Contrary is always chosen to allow Serperior to get a boost every time it uses Leaf Storm.
Usage Tips
========
Serperior cannot consistently switch into attacks, so it prefers to come in freely via methods such as a teammate fainting, a pivot move like Volt Switch or U-turn, a double switch, or a switch into a Pokemon that cannot threaten it like Rotom-W. Be aware of Leaf Storm's limited PP. Glare can be used to catch Serperior's checks on the switch like Tornadus-T, Heatran, and Talonflame. A common strategy with Serperior is setting up Substitute on the switch, using Leech Seed the next turn, and spamming Substitute to slowly wear down the foe's health. Hidden Power Fire should be used on Steel-types like Skarmory and Ferrothorn after Serperior gets a boost with Leaf Storm so it can do more damage to them.
Team Options
========
Serperior struggles with Fire- and Flying-types that can stomach its hits and threaten it back. Keldeo is a good partner, as it's able to take on Fire-types like Heatran while also appreciating Serperior's ability to take on Water-types like Slowbro and Starmie that eat up Keldeo's Water-type moves. Tyranitar can also help remove or weaken Pokemon like Latios, Latias, Heatran, and Talonflame to help Serperior sweep. Weavile has a similar role as Tyranitar in the sense that it has access to Pursuit, but, more importantly, it is able to check Tornadus-T and Grass-types like Amoonguss. VoltTurn users like Rotom-W and Tornadus-T help Serperior to switch in. Mega Charizard Y is a good partner because it is able to wear down Heatran with Focus Blast while also lowering the accuracy of Tornadus-T's Hurricane due to setting sun.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Hidden Power Ice can be used to catch Pokemon that are 4x weak to Ice such as Landorus-T, Gliscor, and Garchomp. Taunt is also an option to prevent entry hazards, setup, recovery, and status moves.
[SET]
name: Dual Screens
move 1: Light Screen
move 2: Reflect
move 3: Leaf Storm
move 4: Glare
item: Light Clay
ability: Contrary
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Light Screen reduces damage from special attackers such as Latios, Keldeo, and Hydreigon, while Reflect reduces damage from physical attackers such as Mega Lopunny, Mega Metagross, and Excadrill. Glare is chosen in the last slot to cripple fast threats and make it easier for Serperior's teammates to KO or set up on foes.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed investment with a Timid nature allows Serperior to be as fast as possible, outspeeding Pokemon like Latios, Mega Diancie, and Thundurus. Maximum HP investment allows Serperior to be as bulky as possible, as the goal of the set is to survive and set up dual screens to support the rest of the team. Light Clay is used to increase the duration of Light Screen and Reflect.
Usage Tips
========
Make sure Serperior can comfortably set up both Light Screen and Reflect as early as possible in order for its teammates to take as little damage as possible as they set up later. After setting up either one or both, send out a teammate that can set up to take advantage. If only one screen can be set up, you need to determine whether the opponent has more physical attackers or special attackers. Preserving Serperior is smart too, as you don't want to waste turns with it on the field, and you can also use it again to set the screens back up.
Team Options
========
Setup sweepers such as Quiver Dance Volcarona, Swords Dance Bisharp, and Swords Dance Mega Scizor are good partners, as they appreciate dual screens making it easier for them to set up. Crawdaunt also appreciates the dual screens that Serperior provides while also checking Fire-types like Heatran for Serperior.
Other Options
========
Taunt is a viable alternative to Glare to prevent foes from using Defog, setting up, spreading status, and setting entry hazards.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Flying-types**: Talonflame can consistently take attacks from Serperior thanks to Roost and threaten it back with Brave Bird. Tornadus-T can take any hit from Serperior and retaliate back with either Hurricane or Heat Wave or gain momentum on it with U-turn. Serperior can, however, cripple Tornadus-T with Glare on the switch. Mega Pinsir can easily pivot into Serperior and threaten it back with Return or Quick Attack.
**Fire-types**: If Serperior lacks Hidden Power Ground, Heatran is able to hard wall it. Mega Charizard Y can take any hit from Serperior as well and threaten it back with a Fire-type move. Serperior can, however, use Glare or Leech Seed on the switch and spam Substitute, which can cripple these checks. Like Mega Charizard Y, Volcarona is able to take any hit from Serperior and retaliate back with a super effective STAB move. However, Serperior is unable to utilize Substitute against Volcarona, as Bug Buzz goes through it, although it can still cripple Volcarona with Glare.
**Amoonguss**: Amoonguss resists Leaf Storm and can take a +2 Hidden Power Fire. It is also able to hit Serperior with either a strong Sludge Bomb or Clear Smog, which is super effective and removes the boosts from Leaf Storm.
**Chansey**: Chansey is able to hard wall Serperior while stalling out Leaf Storm's 8 PP. Variants of Serperior carrying either Taunt or Substitute + Leech Seed are able to beat Chansey, however.
**Dragon-types**: Latios, Latias, and Mega Altaria resist Serperior's Leaf Storm. Latios and Latias are able to threaten Serperior back with a Psychic- or Dragon-type attack, while Mega Altaria is able to beat Serperior one-on-one with the combination of Dragon Dance and Roost. Do keep in mind that Serperior outspeeds most Dragon-types outside of rare Choice Scarf variants, and that it can also cripple them on the switch with Glare.
**Revenge Killers**: Fast threats like Mega Lopunny, Weavile, and Choice Scarf Landorus-T are able to outspeed and finish off Serperior. Serperior is, however, able to cripple them with Glare or do a lot of damage on the switch if they do decide to hard switch in.
**Status**: If Serperior gets burned or badly poisoned, it gets put on a timer and into range of enemy attacks. If paralyzed, Serperior will not be able to utilize its excellent Speed and will be easier to revenge kill.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[ez, 233669]]
- Quality checked by: [[Splash, 437289], [jonfilch, 472436]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Estronic, 240732], [Finland, 517429]]
Serperior acts as a powerful sweeper thanks to its great Special Attack and Speed as well as its access to Contrary, which allows Serperior to boost its Special Attack by two stages every time it uses its strongest STAB move in Leaf Storm. Serperior's decent Speed tier also allows it to outspeed Pokemon like Thundurus, Latios, Mega Diancie, and Mega Metagross. Serperior also has access to a decent number of utility moves; Glare allows it to cripple fast offensive threats such as Tornadus-T, Mega Latias, and Talonflame, and Leech Seed can help stall out and cripple Pokemon like Heatran if run alongside Substitute. However, due to a lack of special coverage moves, Serperior is forced to use Hidden Power Fire to hit Pokemon like Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor or Hidden Power Ground to hit Heatran. Although Serperior has decent typing, its resistances are undermined by common secondary STAB moves from Water-types like Keldeo's Secret Sword and Azumarill's Play Rough. Serperior is definitely a big threat in ORAS OU, but it still has a few hard counters that it cannot deal with.
[SET]
name: Utility Attacker
move 1: Leaf Storm
move 2: Hidden Power Fire
move 3: Glare / Leech Seed
move 4: Substitute / Knock Off / Synthesis
item: Leftovers
ability: Contrary
nature: Timid
evs: 56 HP / 200 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Leaf Storm alongside Contrary boosts Serperior's Special Attack by two stages each time it is used. Hidden Power Fire is used to hit Steel-types like Skarmory, Mega Scizor, and Ferrothorn. Hidden Power Ground is also an option to hit Heatran. Glare can be used to paralyze switch-ins to Serperior such as Tornadus-T and Talonflame. Alternatively, Leech Seed allows Serperior to whittle down common checks like Heatran while also restoring its HP. Substitute lets Serperior avoid status moves like Toxic and Thunder Wave and eases prediction against switches. Knock Off is also an option to remove items like Chansey's Eviolite or Tornadus-T's Assault Vest. Synthesis can also be run to help Serperior stay healthy.
Set Details
========
56 HP EVs stop Rotom-W's Hydro Pump from breaking Serperior's Substitutes. 252 Speed EVs with a Timid nature allow Serperior to be as fast as possible, and the rest of the EVs are dumped into Special Attack to make Serperior hit as hard as possible. An alternative spread of 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe is an option to maximize Serperior's breaking power. Leftovers is used to give Serperior more longevity and help it stay as healthy as possible. Contrary is always chosen to allow Serperior to get a boost every time it uses Leaf Storm.
Usage Tips
========
Serperior cannot consistently switch into attacks, so it prefers to come in freely via methods such as a teammate fainting, a pivot move like Volt Switch or U-turn, a double switch, or a switch into a Pokemon that cannot threaten it like Rotom-W. Be aware of Leaf Storm's limited PP. Glare can be used to catch Serperior's checks on the switch like Tornadus-T, Heatran, and Talonflame. A common strategy with Serperior is setting up Substitute on the switch, using Leech Seed the next turn, and spamming Substitute to slowly wear down the foe's health. Hidden Power Fire should be used on Steel-types like Skarmory and Ferrothorn after Serperior gets a boost with Leaf Storm so it can do more damage to them.
Team Options
========
Serperior struggles with Fire- and Flying-types that can stomach its hits and threaten it back. Keldeo is a good partner, as it's able to take on Fire-types like Heatran while also appreciating Serperior's ability to take on Water-types like Slowbro and Starmie that eat up Keldeo's Water-type moves. Tyranitar can also help remove or weaken Pokemon like Latios, Latias, Heatran, and Talonflame to help Serperior sweep. Weavile has a similar role as Tyranitar in the sense that it has access to Pursuit, but, more importantly, it is able to check Tornadus-T and Grass-types like Amoonguss. VoltTurn users like Rotom-W and Tornadus-T help Serperior to switch in. Mega Charizard Y is a good partner because it is able to wear down Heatran with Focus Blast while also lowering the accuracy of Tornadus-T's Hurricane due to setting sun.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Hidden Power Ice can be used to catch Pokemon that are 4x weak to Ice such as Landorus-T, Gliscor, and Garchomp. Taunt is also an option to prevent entry hazards, setup, recovery, and status moves.
[SET]
name: Dual Screens
move 1: Light Screen
move 2: Reflect
move 3: Leaf Storm
move 4: Glare
item: Light Clay
ability: Contrary
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Light Screen reduces damage from special attackers such as Latios, Keldeo, and Hydreigon, while Reflect reduces damage from physical attackers such as Mega Lopunny, Mega Metagross, and Excadrill. Glare is chosen in the last slot to cripple fast threats and make it easier for Serperior's teammates to KO or set up on foes.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed investment with a Timid nature allows Serperior to be as fast as possible, outspeeding Pokemon like Latios, Mega Diancie, and Thundurus. Maximum HP investment allows Serperior to be as bulky as possible, as the goal of the set is to survive and set up dual screens to support the rest of the team. Light Clay is used to increase the duration of Light Screen and Reflect.
Usage Tips
========
Make sure Serperior can comfortably set up both Light Screen and Reflect as early as possible in order for its teammates to take as little damage as possible as they set up later. After setting up either one or both, send out a teammate that can set up to take advantage. If only one screen can be set up, you need to determine whether the opponent has more physical attackers or special attackers. Preserving Serperior is smart too, as you don't want to waste turns with it on the field, and you can also use it again to set the screens back up.
Team Options
========
Setup sweepers such as Quiver Dance Volcarona, Swords Dance Bisharp, and Swords Dance Mega Scizor are good partners, as they appreciate dual screens making it easier for them to set up. Crawdaunt also appreciates the dual screens that Serperior provides while also checking Fire-types like Heatran for Serperior.
Other Options
========
Taunt is a viable alternative to Glare to prevent foes from using Defog, setting up, spreading status, and setting entry hazards.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Flying-types**: Talonflame can consistently take attacks from Serperior thanks to Roost and threaten it back with Brave Bird. Tornadus-T can take any hit from Serperior and retaliate back with either Hurricane or Heat Wave or gain momentum on it with U-turn. Serperior can, however, cripple Tornadus-T with Glare on the switch. Mega Pinsir can easily pivot into Serperior and threaten it back with Return or Quick Attack.
**Fire-types**: If Serperior lacks Hidden Power Ground, Heatran is able to hard wall it. Mega Charizard Y can take any hit from Serperior as well and threaten it back with a Fire-type move. Serperior can, however, use Glare or Leech Seed on the switch and spam Substitute, which can cripple these checks. Like Mega Charizard Y, Volcarona is able to take any hit from Serperior and retaliate back with a super effective STAB move. However, Serperior is unable to utilize Substitute against Volcarona, as Bug Buzz goes through it, although it can still cripple Volcarona with Glare.
**Amoonguss**: Amoonguss resists Leaf Storm and can take a +2 Hidden Power Fire. It is also able to hit Serperior with either a strong Sludge Bomb or Clear Smog, which is super effective and removes the boosts from Leaf Storm.
**Chansey**: Chansey is able to hard wall Serperior while stalling out Leaf Storm's 8 PP. Variants of Serperior carrying either Taunt or Substitute + Leech Seed are able to beat Chansey, however.
**Dragon-types**: Latios, Latias, and Mega Altaria resist Serperior's Leaf Storm. Latios and Latias are able to threaten Serperior back with a Psychic- or Dragon-type attack, while Mega Altaria is able to beat Serperior one-on-one with the combination of Dragon Dance and Roost. Do keep in mind that Serperior outspeeds most Dragon-types outside of rare Choice Scarf variants, and that it can also cripple them on the switch with Glare.
**Revenge Killers**: Fast threats like Mega Lopunny, Weavile, and Choice Scarf Landorus-T are able to outspeed and finish off Serperior. Serperior is, however, able to cripple them with Glare or do a lot of damage on the switch if they do decide to hard switch in.
**Status**: If Serperior gets burned or badly poisoned, it gets put on a timer and into range of enemy attacks. If paralyzed, Serperior will not be able to utilize its excellent Speed and will be easier to revenge kill.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[ez, 233669]]
- Quality checked by: [[Splash, 437289], [jonfilch, 472436]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Estronic, 240732], [Finland, 517429]]
Last edited: