NFE Offensive (Servine) @ Eviolite
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Knock Off
- Glare / Synthesis
- Hidden Power [Fire]
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Optional Move(s):
- Giga Drain
- Hidden Power [Fighting]
- Hidden Power [Ground]
- Mirror Coat
Optional Item(s):
- Choice Scarf
- Life Orb
Optional Ability:
- N/A
Optional EV/IV(s):
- 100 HP / 252 SpD / 156 Spe (Calm)
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Overview: Blessed with an incredible ability in Contrary and access to Leaf Storm, Servine holds a fantastic position as one of the best offensive and defensive Pokemon in the metagame. Contrary lets Servine fully invest in its defences while still packing an offensive presence.
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SpDef Wall: Specially defensive Servine checks a large chunk of the special attackers in the tier including Clefairy, Electabuzz, Choice Scarf Frogadier, Kadabra, Mareanie, Misdreavus and Prinplup. It can also overwhelm or, at the very worst, 1v1 bulky Calm Mind setup Pokemon like Clefairy, Duosion and Misdreavus. Leaf Storm hits Ground- and Water-types such as Prinplup, Krokorok and Wartortle hard right away. However, boosted Leaf Storms are capable of severely denting even bulky neutral targets and Grass resists. Knock Off provides great utility, allowing Servine to weaken bulky walls reliant on Eviolite such as Roselia, Alolan Grimer and Ferroseed, either for itself or for a teammate. Glare lets it cripple faster offensive threats such as Monferno and Haunter on the switch-in and lets it potentially hax through certain defensive checks such as Alolan Grimer and Togetic. Defog removes hazards from the field, further adding to its utility. Hidden Power Fire hits Grass- and Steel-types like Roselia, opposing Servine, Ferroseed, Metang and Klang hard after boosts. Synthesis provides Servine with the crucial longevity it needs to continuously check offensive threats throughout a game.
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Offensive: The offensive set sacrifices bulk for stronger Leaf Storms and Hidden Power coverage, which lets it break through defensive checks easier. Servine's good Speed tier also lets it outspeed notable threats such as unboosted Monferno, Staravia and Gabite, making it harder to revenge kill.
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Checks & Counters: Specially defensive Roselia is a hard counter to defensive Servine sets, capable of shrugging off even boosted Leaf Storms with ease, tanking Hidden Power coverage unless at +6 and threatening Servine with Sludge Bomb. Sliggoo and Marill are also hard counters to Servine thanks to Sap Sipper. Defensive checks such as Alolan Grimer and opposing Servine can also switch into unboosted Leaf Storm once or twice and threaten Servine out with super effective STAB attacks or cripple it with Glare. Steel-types such as Klang, Metang and Ferroseed can also tank a Leaf Storm or two from defensive Servine sets not carrying Hidden Power Fire and threaten/cripple it.
Offensively, faster physical Fire- and Flying-types like Choice Scarf Monferno, Combusken, Choice Scarf Staravia and Torracat can revenge kill or force Servine out with their super effective STAB attacks. Haunter and Life Orb Frogadier also 2HKO all Servine sets. However, none of the above Pokemon appreciate switching into Servine.
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