NFE Fast HazardStack (Whirlipede) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Spikes
- Toxic Spikes
- Poison Jab / Protect
- Endeavor
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Optional Move(s):
- N/A
Optional Item(s):
- N/A
Optional Ability:
- N/A
Optional EV/IV(s):
- 208 HP / 252 Def / 48 Spe (Bold)
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Overview: Whirlipede acts as a decent hazard setter for hyper offensive teams thanks to Speed Boost and good bulk. However, Whirlipede is very passive, making it setup bait for Pokemon such as Monferno, Metang, Fraxure, and Pawniard. In addition, it lacks reliable recovery, which limits both its longevity and its ability to reliably check and threaten Pokemon. This makes it outclassed by both Roselia and Quilladin as Spikes users except on hyper offensive teams.
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SpDef HazardStack: The bulkier set gets hazards up, but it can also pseudo-trap and chip Pokemon down if needed in exchange for being less effective at hazard stacking. Spikes damage the opponent's Pokemon every time they switch in. Toxic Spikes inflicts the Poison status to grounded Pokemon when they switch in, excluding Poison- and Steel-types. Infestation traps opposing Pokemon for 4-5 turns and deals 12.5% of chip damage per turn. Toxic deals damage over time and works well in conjunction with Infestation and Protect.
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Fast HazardStack: The fast set prioritizes getting up hazards. Poison Jab gives Whirlipede some form of offensive presence, hitting Fairy- and Grass-types such as Clefairy, Servine, and Togetic for reasonable damage. Protect lets Whirlipede accumulate more speed boosts against faster threats so it can outspeed them and set up more hazards. Endeavor weakens opposing Pokemon when Whirlipede is low on health.
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Checks and Counters: Ferroseed, Mareanie, and Roselia wall Whirlipede since they are immune to Toxic and have reliable recovery, which negates chip damage from Infestation. However, they all let Whirlipede get hazards up. Offensively, Haunter and Misdreavus completely wall and exploit Whirlipede if carrying Substitute, since that makes them immune to Infestation and Toxic. Pokemon such as Kadabra, Monferno, Metang, Combusken, and Staravia can also hit Whirlipede hard. Offensive Steel-types such as Pawniard and Klang can set up on Whirlipede. Most Defog users in the tier such as Servine, Togetic, Vullaby, and Vibrava can remove Whirlipede's Spikes once its been knocked out and also have the longevity to negate chip damage from Infestation, although none of the aforementioned Pokemon appreciate Toxic. Grounded Poison-types such as Roselia, Alolan Grimer, and Mareanie can also remove any Toxic Spikes set by Whirlipede by just coming on the field.
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