Drapion (QC 1/3)

QC: MrAldo //
CP:​

[OVERVIEW]

  • Bearing a good offensive and defensive typing, above average Speed, access to Swords Dance, and in tandem with useful coverage moves such as Aqua Tail or Earthquake, it carves itself a niche to break or sweep unprepared teams. Additionally, it's decent Speed allows it to outspeed common Pokemon like Gardevoir, Moltres and Roserade to exploit them super-effectively with either it's STAB attacks or convenient coverage moves.
  • With the introduction of Z-Moves, it gave Drapion a new tool to counter and exploit its weaknesses much easier. Specifically, being able to break down prominent bulky Ground types, for instance it can penetrate through common Stealth Rockers, such as Diance and Rhyperior.
  • While it has decent speed, without a Choice Scarf it falls short to the likes of Flygon exploiting it super-effectively with their STAB attacks. Additionally, due to it's low Special Defence, it's highly susceptible to strong Special Attackers that outpace it like Salazzle and Swellow.
  • It also struggles a great deal to break through many Defensive Pokemon such as Mantine, Quagsire, and Haze Milotic.
  • It inherently faces competition from other offensive Dark-tyes in the tier such as Zoroark, Sharpedo, Pangoro and Honchkrow, all having more offensive utility as well as fitting onto a lot of teams better. Additionally, due to it's somewhat lacklustre Attack stat in comparison to other Swords Dance users, it finds itself being outclassed by a sizeable amount of Pokemon in the tier.
  • Relies heavily on Swords Dance and Z-Moves to boost its damage output, sitting at a mediocre base 90 Attack is slightly underwhelming for a Sweeper or Breaker.

[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Poison Jab
move 4: Aqua Tail
item: Waterium Z
ability: Sniper
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

  • Swords dance is to boost Drapion's average Attack stat to greater levels, and to really fulfil the role of a sweeper breaking down bulkier opponents.
  • Knock Off is a very spammable, strong STAB-move which allows it to remove the opponent's item to sometimes cripple their niche, and deal massive damage to un-resisted foes.
  • Poison Jab is always a reliable, powerful STAB-move which threatens a lot of common threats, such as; Shaymin, Gardevoir, Florges, Comfey, Slurpuff, Chesnaught and Virizion. Poison Jab also has a 30% chance to poison opposing targets, which could really come in clutch in certain situations. Furthermore, Poison Jab hits opposing swith-ins into Knock Off for super effecitive damage, to the likes of; Florges, Virizion and Chesanught.
  • Aqua Tail is to try and take care of Drapion's only weakness, Ground-types. It provides amazing coverage towards its counters and checks, such as Nidoqueen, Gligar, Rhyperior, Mega Camerupt, and Donphan


Set Details
========

  • Maximum Attack and Speed EVs maximise Drapion's offensive presence.
  • Jolly is the mandatory nature in order for Drapion to outspeed base 85 and 90 Speed Pokemon such as Heracross, Rotom, Gardevoir and Roserade.
  • Waterium Z provides Drapion with the ability to lure in and OHKO Pokemon that would otherwise check it, such as bulky Ground-types.
  • Sniper can be used to power up Drapion's critical hits which can OHKO certain pokemon, to the likes of Doublade and Feraligatr.
  • Alternatively, Battle Armor can also be used, preventing Drapion from struck by a critical hit, which can be useful during setting up Swords Dance.
  • If there is already another Z-Stone user on your team, Shuca Berry lets Drapion halve damage from a super effective Ground-type attack from the likes of Gligar and Flygon, giving it an opportunity to set up Swords Dance or attack.
  • Lum Berry can also be utilised to cure Drapion from a Scald or Will-o-Wisp burn, which could stop a potential sweep.

Usage Tips
========

  • Drapion can be sent out first to chip away at bulkier hazard setters with Aqua Tail and Knock Off.
  • Can also be used late-game to really clean up the game once all of its dominant checks have been eliminated.
  • Due to being immune to Toxic, it can set up at ease against bulkier foes, but yet again be cautious of Paralysis, Burns and Foul Play.
  • Due to Drapion's extremely underwhelming special Defense, strong special attackers like Salazzle and Shaymin can outpace Drapion and dent it severely with their STAB attacks or super effective coverage moves, so it's advised to not stay in against these types of foes.
Team Options
========

  • Shaymin is a notable partner for Drapion, with its ability to take care of of rivalling Ground-types, resisting Ground moves, and being able to hit them super-effectively with it's STAB attacks.
  • Cresselia is also worth a good partner due to the fact that it has the ability levitate, and can provide healing wish support.
  • Due to its somewhat lacklustre speed stat compared to other sweepers, Sticky Webs are a viable play-style to support its role in sweeping.
  • Wallbreakers like Decidueye, Mega Abomasnow, Mold Breaker Pangoro, Roserade, and Ninetales can make nice partners for Drapion, as they can break through walls such as Quagsire, Umbreon, and Milotic.
  • Offensive Water-types to the likes of Feraligatr and Cloyster can be utilised well on a team including Drapion, since it can beat common Grass-types like Roserade and Rotom-C. These can beat other Ground-types and pressure Poison-resistances.
  • Pokemon that can beat Steel-types are also worthy partners for Drapion, such as; Ground-types to the likes of Flygon and Rhyperior, Fighting-types such as Heracross and Kommo-o and Fire-types like Rotom-Heat and Salazzle.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
================

  • Pursuit is also a viable choice, enabling it to trap opposing mons that are weak to its STAB attacks, some of which are; Mismagius, Espeon, Frosslass and Hoopa. Whereas other common Pursuit trappers tend to fulfil the role better, such as; Sneasel, Honchkrow and Zorark.
  • Choice Scarf is additionally a feasible set that can operate somewhat well, allowing it to out run the vast majority of the meta, meaning it can revenge kill frailer mons, namely; Zoroark, Sneasel, Scarf Gardevoir, Salazzle, Virizion and Shaymin. An Adamant nature is recommended with Scarf, enabling it to hit as hard as possible while still out speeding the majority of the meta.
  • Ice Fang is a very solid pick on the moveslot, as it enables Drapion to lure in Flygon, which is the only relevant ground type that isn't weak to Aqua Tail.
  • Aerial Ace could also be worth a slot, but only on a Choice Scarf set due to the fact that Choice Scarf is the item that Heracross frequently utilises the most. Being able to hit one of the top tier threats quad-effectively can be extremely niche. Although generally seem as a bit of a wasted slot.
  • Specially Defensive is another set that could be ran fairly efficiently, with it being able to remove Toxic Spikes upon switch-in and also being able to set them up.
  • Or alternatively, Earthquake could be ran over Aqua Tail for Steel-Types, Poison-types and some common Ground-types, but is generally underwhelming compared to Aqua Tail.

Checks and Counters
==================

**Faster Attackers**: Faster and hard hitting Pokemon can really halt and shut down its presence entirely, for example; Yanmega (at +1), Swellow, Salazzle, Flygon, Durant and Shaymin can both out speed and OHKO Drapion.

**Status Conditions**: Burns can cripple its ability to function as a hard hitter. Paralysis can also be very detrimental, hindering its effectiveness in truly sweeping, lowering its speed by 50%.

**Ground-types**: Even though Aqua Tail is utilised to try and better check Ground-types, some can still take an unboosted Hydro Vortex, like Donphan and Rhyperior and fire back with super-effective STAB Earthquakes.

**Unaware Pokemon**: Quagsire and Pyukumuku can completely shut down Swords Dance Drapion, the former of 2hko'ing it with Earthquake or burning it with Scald and the latter crippling it with Soak + Toxic.

**Pokemon with high Physically Defensive Stats**: Pokemon with sustainable bulk can check Drapion, such as; Mantine and Umbreon and offensive Pokemon with natural high Defence like Cloyster and Tyrantrum can take Drapion's hits and hit back harder.

**Poison-Types**: Poison-types resist one of Drapion's STAB-attacks and can struggle against the likes of Toxicroak and Dragalge if it were lacking the correct coverage. Salazzle and Venusaur in the sun can over overwhelm Drapion with their STAB attacks, coverage moves or cripple it with status infliction.
 
Last edited:

aVocado

@ Everstone
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Before you continue working on this I wanna tell you that this isn't the correct format at all. Read the stickied thread on this subforum and another "read this before you start" thread in the main SM C&C forum and then come back and work on it again, i dont have much time right now so im just letting you know so u dont wast any more time
 
Not qc but either way, let's go. Oh, update the thread tag to show it's QC ready

Overview
  • Should probably pin down on what Drapion actually does: function as an early game sweeper thanks to its speed, decent offensive and defensive typing + swords dance
  • Change Z-move tooltip about how it allows it to break down prominent bulky ground types such as nidoqueen and gligar for its teammates as well as other Stealth Rock users like Diancie (lol) and Gigalith.
  • Need to put how it's rather weak before setting up SD
  • While its speed tier is good, it also falls short against some offensive threats such as Shaymin and Flygon.
  • Mention it faces competition from zoroark as an SD user, which is both faster and stronger and has access to illusion
  • While it can pursuit, the job is honestly better left off to Sneasel and Drapion, both which are stronger and the former of is faster than drap.
Moves
  • Writing nitpick, but astronomical is just stretching it imo.
  • That ''It also hits target's Drapion switch-ins.''... no idea what it means
  • Just mention how Poison Jab hits switch-ins to Knock off such as Florges, Chesnaught, and Virizion to be more concise
  • Mention Ice Fang as it manages to lure Flygon, but it is the only Pokemon that Ice Fang hits which Aqua Tail already doesn't (this could also go in OO if QC deems so).
Usage Tips
  • Mention that you should set up on bulky Pokemon that can't really damage you consistently such as Umbreon and Cresselia.
  • Mention to be careful around Colbur Psychic-types such as Cress and Slowbro which can manage to lure Drapion and cripple it with Thunder Wave / Scald, etc
  • Also to be careful around Espeon / Gardevoir which could appropriately smack it with a coverage move like Dazzling Gleam / Moonblast.
OO
  • You don't even trap half the Pokemon mentioned of the list due to their sheer bulk / knock off being a better option to hit them
  • I'd say, just mention Choice Scarf Drapion with an Adamant Nature as a revenge killer / pursuit trapper to frail stuff like Espeon and Mismagius.
  • The Elemental Fangs tidbits is kinda pointless when you kinda just should be using EQ / Aqua Tail on your last slot for scarf
  • Expand a bit on what Specially Defensive Drapion kinda does for bulky teams (checks / pursuit traps hoopa and espeon, taunt / tspikes). Also why you should just use specially defensive umbreon for those.
  • Hazard Lead Drapion is a waste that should not be mentioned.
c&c
  • Yanmega isn't faster than Drapion. If you really wanna mention fast attacks you can bring up Flygon and Shaymin with Earth Power, Swellow, and Salazzle
  • Add paralysis to Status section
  • Remove that whole ''set-up'' section. None of those really check drapion since they don't really switch into it well, moreso than manage to revenge kill it.
 
Not QC either but adding onto what Rider said:

Should probably remove the part in the overview about providing pursuit/tspikes support, since both of those are oo at best.
Mention its good def in overview, its no wall but it can tank a hit decently, which can aid in setting up a sd.
Mention that while z moves give it a powerful coverage option, it also weakens its main stab attack - poison resistant mons carrying a z crystal can give it trouble
Actually, should have a section in c&c for z crystal mons. Durant in particuler has the bulk to take 65bp knock offs and just hone claws on you before killing you.
Change the mention of mesprit in team options to cresselia. Mesprit is no relevant and cress is better in pretty much every way.
Aerial ace should just be a part of the scarf mention, since it should only be run on scarf imo.
Don't think specially defensive is even worth a mention in oo, since the best grass type is shaymin who beats it with earth power and the best psychic type is reun who can setup on it if its electrium z.
 
I'll implement these changes soon, but for know I'll keep it as WIP until these changes have been made ;))
 

MrAldo

Hey
is a Social Media Contributoris a Community Contributoris a Tiering Contributoris a Contributor to Smogonis a Dedicated Tournament Hostis a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Forum Moderator Alumnus
- The overview is FAR too generous for Drapion since honestly it is a really niche Pokemon that fits on select teams, and many of the bulletpoints are just too vague. Overview should focus mainly on how Drapion works in the metagame, its viability, and its perks compared to other Dark-types. Dont dwell on the obvious. To be more precise:
  • You can mention how its Speed tier is nice and let it outspeed stuff like Gardevoir, Roserade and Moltres. Pokemon that it can beat naturally or with coverage
  • Then you can proceed to mention that Z-Moves gave it a new tool to overwhelm its checks more easily.
  • Then you can mention its typing combination and bulk let it switch into stuff more comfortably compared to other dark-types.
Then you mention its weaknesses. Prominence of Flygon and Shaymin, many new defensive Pokemon that it struggle to break through (Mantine, Umbreon), competition with stuff like Salazzle and Nidoqueen which makes for more effective breakers, lackluster attack and reliance on its Z-Move to effectively break stuff. You should follow that line of though, keep it simple. Phrases like "Satisfactory revenge killer", "STAB Knock Off", "Just one weakness" and "can be used into different team styles" (this last one isnt true) should be removed because these dont tell me anything that isnt obvious.

- Waterium Z should be only slash tbh. Too many ground types that can overwhelm it too easily to even slash Shuca Berry and it really needs the z-move to be worthwhile so remove Shuca Berry. You can keep the mention on Set Details tho.

- "Due to it's somewhat lacklustre speed stat compared to other sweepers, Sticky Webs are a viable play-style to support it's role in sweeping" This type of mentions doesnt go on usage tips, but on team options since it mentions how it supports Drapion. Put it on Team Options.

- Team Options need a lot of work. Special wallbreakers like Yanmega, Salazzle, Gardevoir should be mentioned since these will beat Physically sturdy Pokemon like Chesnaught, Torkoal, Donphan, Mantine and others which are Pokemon Drapion struggle to beat in reality. Mention Offensive Waters like Feraligatr, Kingdra and Cloyster since Drapion can beat Pokemon like Roserade while these beat other ground-type and pressure poison resists in return. Pokemon that beat Steel-types should also be added. Mention Ground-types like Flygon and Nidoqueen, fighting types like Kommo-o and Heracross and Fire-types like Rotom-Heat. Lot to add there so take your time.

- "Furthermore, if Drapion were to be holding a Choice Scarf, it will be able to revenge kill common threats in the current meta with different splash-able moves, like the Elemental Fangs, which take care of; Flygon, Durant, Mantine, Gliagar and Escavalier" Remove this. Just keep the mention of the Pokemon you can revenge kill with a choice scarf set in OO like you have on the second paragraph, you arent beating these with a scarf set anyways.

- Remove the choice scarf mention from the faster attackers bit in checks and counters. Unnecessary info. Add Durant to this section.

- The Opposing Z-Crystal Holders bit on checks and counters doesnt really tell me much and it is pretty vague since in essence too many things are weak to that in terms of using Knock Off and throughout the match since getting hit by a move could mean that. Remove it.

- Mention Poison-types like Dragalge and Toxicroak on checks and counters. Should still mention Ground-types as well since many can take an unboosted hydro vortex and retaliate. Different bulletpoints.

- Also Mention Pokemon with High Defense stat on checks and counters as well. Can mention defensive Pokemon like Mantine, Umbreon. And Offensive Pokemon with naturally high defense like Cloyster and Tyrantrum.

Lot of work to do but dont let this overwhelm you, it is your first time and that can be seen. If you need any help with anything be sure to contact me through Discord. But for now, take your time implementing this.

On second though, tag me when you are done so I can QC stamp.
 
Last edited:

MrAldo

Hey
is a Social Media Contributoris a Community Contributoris a Tiering Contributoris a Contributor to Smogonis a Dedicated Tournament Hostis a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Forum Moderator Alumnus
- Overview still needs a bit of work. First point is incorrect since it is not faster than stuff like Froslass with is a hazard lead and it loses to many other potential hazard leads 1v1 so just remove that.

- Work on the ordering of your overview so it is easier to follow. Selling points (good points) should go first then the bad points latter. The mention of the speed tier that allow it to outspeed Pokemon like Roserade and all the good points should go first so it is easier to follow.

- IMO to be more concise you should mention Pokemon that use SD and compete directly with it on that specific role. "Inherently facing competition from other wallbreakers such as Salazzle, Nidoqueen and Feraligatr" Instead of salazzle and nidoqueen mention stuff like Bruxish and Heracross since Drapion isnt a precisely a wallbreaker.

- "Has an admirable Defence stat, which can severely aid it in the process of setting up, but definitely don't expect it too take many hits" Remove this, unnecessary info.

- On Checks and Counters the **Physically Defensive Pokemon** doesnt work cause that would imply Cloyster and Tyrantrum run Physically Defensive sets which isnt true. The paragraph itself is fine but need to reword the main argument. You can use something like **Pokemon with High Defense stat** or something along those lines.

- Poison-types and Ground-types should be on different paragraphs. 1 for Poison-types and 1 for Ground-types on checks and counters please.

Good improvement. Please do this and put QC 1/3 after that, but after all of that.
 

aVocado

@ Everstone
is a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Tiering Contributor Alumnusis a Top Contributor Alumnus
  • Flying-type Pokemon, or Pokemon with access to levitate to switch in against opposing Earthquakes and Earth Power.
examples or delet


  • Shaymin is a notable partner for Drapion, with its ability to take care of of rivalling Ground-types, resisting Ground moves, and being able to hit them super-effectively with it's STAB attacks.


  • Cresselia is also worth a mention due to the fact that it has the ability levitate, and can provide healing wish support.



  • Due to its somewhat lacklustre speed stat compared to other sweepers, Sticky Webs are a viable play-style to support its role in sweeping.
i dontlike this just cuz sticky web isnt exactly /that/ relevant but it can stay I guess


  • Special Wall breakers like; Yanmega, Salazzle, Gardevoir and Hoopa can beat physically Defensive walls like; Registeel, Torkoal, Chesnaught, Donphan and Mantine which are all Pokemon that Drapion struggle to break down.
registeel is a spdef wall and drapion doesnt struggle vs it. chesnaught doesnt like +2 pjab, donphan is garbo (and hit by z-aqua tail), and mantine is no longer in the tier. rephrase entirely so it sounds like "wallbreakers (doesnt have to special) such as so and so help soften up walls such as x and y", where the walls can be milotic quag and umbreon, and while its not a wall, bewear as well. decidueye is good here since it does well vs all of them.


  • Offensive Water-types to the likes of Kingdra, Feraligatr and Cloyster can be utilised well on a team including Drapion, since it can beat common Grass-types like Roserade and Rotom-Mow. These can beat other Ground-types and pressure Poison-resistances.
delet kingdra, and i dont feel like cloyster is relevant enough for a mention but idc if u wanna keep it


  • Pokemon that can beat Steel-types are also worthy partners for Drapion, such as; Ground-types to the likes of Flygon and Rhyperior, Fighting-types such as Heracross and Kommo-o and Fire-types like Rotom-Heat and Salazzle.
delet this, drapion doesn't struggle vs steel types


In OO:
- Add Choice Band
- Remove EQ mention (knock off hits everything eq would hit)
- Remove aerial ace, hera is banned and its useless vs anything else


For C&C:
- Remove donphan, add gligar to ground types
- add zydog to faster attackers
- remove poison types
 

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