Gummy
...three, smiles go for miles!
qc: hilo / xayah / op
gp: deathbywobbufett / fireflame
[OVERVIEW]
Purrloin finds a niche in the LC metagame because of its great support movepool with moves like Thunder Wave, Encore, Knock Off, Taunt, and U-turn. In combination with its ability, Prankster, this allows Purrloin to act as a disruptive pivot with good utility. However, Purrloin is heavily restricted by its mediocre bulk, even when invested, giving it few opportunities to utilize its movepool. It also has low offensive presence, restricting it to a support set. Prankster's inability to hit Dark-types also reduces Purrloin's niche significantly, making it unable to paralyze or use Encore on common Dark-type setup sweepers like Scraggy and Vullaby. A poor defensive typing makes Purrloin susceptible to extremely common Fighting-type priority like Mach Punch and Vacuum Wave. Purrloin faces heavy competition from Cottonee, another Prankster user with access to Memento, better bulk, and a better defensive typing, as well as from Alolan Meowth, a Dark-type pivot with better Speed and access to Parting Shot. However, Purrloin's ability to use both U-turn and Prankster gives it a small niche over these two Pokemon.
[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Encore
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Thunder Wave / Taunt
item: Eviolite / Berry Juice
ability: Prankster
nature: Careful
evs: 188 HP / 36 Atk / 140 Def / 60 SpD / 68 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Encore can create an opportunity for a teammate to switch in by forcing a foe to use a move like Stealth Rock or Rapid Spin repeatedly. It's also helpful for locking setup sweepers like Shellder into boosting moves. U-turn creates momentum and takes advantage of the free switches Purrloin sets up. Knock Off can soften up foes for the rest of Purrloin's team by removing items, allowing a teammate to sweep, as well as being its main STAB attack. Thunder Wave can cripple faster threats like Ponyta and Mienfoo, but its accuracy means that it isn't 100% reliable. Another option is Taunt, which can stop Stealth Rock from being set up, but Thunder Wave is usually a more helpful and permanent method for shutting down setup sweepers.
Set Details
========
Eviolite boosts Purrloin's mediocre bulk, allowing it to survive a +2 Vacuum Wave from Croagunk, while Berry Juice gives it a form of recovery and increases its longevity. Prankster is by far Purrloin's most useful ability, giving all of its status moves +1 priority. A Careful nature and 140 Defense EVs let Purrloin hit even numbers. This is important, since Eviolite rounds down when applying the boost; combined with 188 HP EVs, this gives it its maximum bulk at 23 / 12 / 12. 68 Speed EVs net Purrloin an extra Speed point, allowing it to Speed tie with Pokemon like Kabuto and Chinchou. The extra EVs are invested into Attack to slightly increase the power of Knock Off and U-turn. An alternative spread of 108 HP / 36 Atk / 60 Def / 60 SpD / 228 Spe allows Purrloin to hit its maximum Speed at 17, outspeeding Vullaby and Pawniard while Speed tying with Pokemon like Snivy, fast Mienfoo, and Berry Juice Chinchou. However, this makes Purrloin even frailer and more susceptible to Fighting-type priority, so it isn't the preferable EV spread.
Usage Tips
========
Using Encore on a foe to lock it into a status move or weak attack and then following up with U-turn can keep momentum on your side. Thunder Wave can be used freely once Ground- and Dark-types are eliminated, and it can help if your team is on the slow side. Remember that Dark-types are unaffected by Prankster, so resort to U-turn or Knock Off instead of using a utility move on Pokemon like Vullaby, Scraggy, and Pawniard. Thanks to Prankster, Purrloin can switch into moves like Shell Smash and Stealth Rock and use Encore without trouble. Finally, watch out for Pokemon like Croagunk and Timburr, which have access to Fighting-type priority. Timburr especially can use paralysis from Purrloin's Thunder Wave to gain a Guts boost or attack with a strong Mach Punch thanks to Iron Fist.
Team Options
========
Purrloin is a great partner for setup sweepers like Omanyte, Shellder, Scraggy, and Vullaby, greatly aiding their ability to set up by locking foes into status or boosting moves with Encore or removing items with Knock Off. Teams that lack priority or ways to deal with setup sweepers also appreciate Purrloin. Fighting-types like Mienfoo, Timburr, and Croagunk can threaten Dark-types, which prevent Purrloin from using its utility moves. Fairy-types like Spritzee and Snubbull can also help check Dark- and Fighting-types that Purrloin struggles with. Poison-type teammates like Foongus, Alolan Grimer, and Croagunk cover all of Purrloin's weaknesses, taking care of Fighting-, Bug-, and Fairy-types. Slow Volt Switch and U-turn users like Chinchou and Larvesta allow Purrloin to get in easier, disrupt the opposing team, and form a VoltTurn core.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Copycat receives priority thanks to Prankster, but Purrloin struggles to find room for it and is outclassed by Riolu as a Prankster Copycat user. Play Rough hits Fighting-types super effectively, and Gunk Shot hits Fairy-types, but due to Purrloin's low offensive presence they will rarely do enough to matter. Sucker Punch can be used to have a priority attack to hit Pokemon like Gastly but is also generally weak. Trick can be used with an item like Choice Specs or Choice Band to disrupt the opponent by forcing them to be locked into whatever move they use, but then Purrloin misses out on bulk or recovery without Eviolite or Berry Juice right off the bat. Sunny Day and Rain Dance get priority from Prankster, but teams based around these types of weather are gimmicky at best.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Pawniard, Vullaby, and Scraggy can all safely switch in on a status move and resisted Knock Off. Most only take neutral damage from U-turn as well. Scraggy in particular can hit back hard with a STAB Fighting-type move.
**Fighting-types**: Pokemon like Scraggy, Mienfoo, and Croagunk can hit Purrloin super effectively with their STAB moves. They resist both U-turn and Knock Off as well. They have to watch out for Thunder Wave, however. Timburr is especially threatening thanks to Mach Punch, Drain Punch, and Guts, allowing it to deal heavy damage to Purrloin and benefit from paralysis.
**Fairy-types**: Spritzee and Snubbull can easily take all of Purrloin's attacks and heal off paralysis with Aromatherapy or Heal Bell. They can hit hard with their STAB attacks in return. They both fear losing their item from Knock Off, however.
gp: deathbywobbufett / fireflame
[OVERVIEW]
Purrloin finds a niche in the LC metagame because of its great support movepool with moves like Thunder Wave, Encore, Knock Off, Taunt, and U-turn. In combination with its ability, Prankster, this allows Purrloin to act as a disruptive pivot with good utility. However, Purrloin is heavily restricted by its mediocre bulk, even when invested, giving it few opportunities to utilize its movepool. It also has low offensive presence, restricting it to a support set. Prankster's inability to hit Dark-types also reduces Purrloin's niche significantly, making it unable to paralyze or use Encore on common Dark-type setup sweepers like Scraggy and Vullaby. A poor defensive typing makes Purrloin susceptible to extremely common Fighting-type priority like Mach Punch and Vacuum Wave. Purrloin faces heavy competition from Cottonee, another Prankster user with access to Memento, better bulk, and a better defensive typing, as well as from Alolan Meowth, a Dark-type pivot with better Speed and access to Parting Shot. However, Purrloin's ability to use both U-turn and Prankster gives it a small niche over these two Pokemon.
[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Encore
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Thunder Wave / Taunt
item: Eviolite / Berry Juice
ability: Prankster
nature: Careful
evs: 188 HP / 36 Atk / 140 Def / 60 SpD / 68 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Encore can create an opportunity for a teammate to switch in by forcing a foe to use a move like Stealth Rock or Rapid Spin repeatedly. It's also helpful for locking setup sweepers like Shellder into boosting moves. U-turn creates momentum and takes advantage of the free switches Purrloin sets up. Knock Off can soften up foes for the rest of Purrloin's team by removing items, allowing a teammate to sweep, as well as being its main STAB attack. Thunder Wave can cripple faster threats like Ponyta and Mienfoo, but its accuracy means that it isn't 100% reliable. Another option is Taunt, which can stop Stealth Rock from being set up, but Thunder Wave is usually a more helpful and permanent method for shutting down setup sweepers.
Set Details
========
Eviolite boosts Purrloin's mediocre bulk, allowing it to survive a +2 Vacuum Wave from Croagunk, while Berry Juice gives it a form of recovery and increases its longevity. Prankster is by far Purrloin's most useful ability, giving all of its status moves +1 priority. A Careful nature and 140 Defense EVs let Purrloin hit even numbers. This is important, since Eviolite rounds down when applying the boost; combined with 188 HP EVs, this gives it its maximum bulk at 23 / 12 / 12. 68 Speed EVs net Purrloin an extra Speed point, allowing it to Speed tie with Pokemon like Kabuto and Chinchou. The extra EVs are invested into Attack to slightly increase the power of Knock Off and U-turn. An alternative spread of 108 HP / 36 Atk / 60 Def / 60 SpD / 228 Spe allows Purrloin to hit its maximum Speed at 17, outspeeding Vullaby and Pawniard while Speed tying with Pokemon like Snivy, fast Mienfoo, and Berry Juice Chinchou. However, this makes Purrloin even frailer and more susceptible to Fighting-type priority, so it isn't the preferable EV spread.
Usage Tips
========
Using Encore on a foe to lock it into a status move or weak attack and then following up with U-turn can keep momentum on your side. Thunder Wave can be used freely once Ground- and Dark-types are eliminated, and it can help if your team is on the slow side. Remember that Dark-types are unaffected by Prankster, so resort to U-turn or Knock Off instead of using a utility move on Pokemon like Vullaby, Scraggy, and Pawniard. Thanks to Prankster, Purrloin can switch into moves like Shell Smash and Stealth Rock and use Encore without trouble. Finally, watch out for Pokemon like Croagunk and Timburr, which have access to Fighting-type priority. Timburr especially can use paralysis from Purrloin's Thunder Wave to gain a Guts boost or attack with a strong Mach Punch thanks to Iron Fist.
Team Options
========
Purrloin is a great partner for setup sweepers like Omanyte, Shellder, Scraggy, and Vullaby, greatly aiding their ability to set up by locking foes into status or boosting moves with Encore or removing items with Knock Off. Teams that lack priority or ways to deal with setup sweepers also appreciate Purrloin. Fighting-types like Mienfoo, Timburr, and Croagunk can threaten Dark-types, which prevent Purrloin from using its utility moves. Fairy-types like Spritzee and Snubbull can also help check Dark- and Fighting-types that Purrloin struggles with. Poison-type teammates like Foongus, Alolan Grimer, and Croagunk cover all of Purrloin's weaknesses, taking care of Fighting-, Bug-, and Fairy-types. Slow Volt Switch and U-turn users like Chinchou and Larvesta allow Purrloin to get in easier, disrupt the opposing team, and form a VoltTurn core.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Copycat receives priority thanks to Prankster, but Purrloin struggles to find room for it and is outclassed by Riolu as a Prankster Copycat user. Play Rough hits Fighting-types super effectively, and Gunk Shot hits Fairy-types, but due to Purrloin's low offensive presence they will rarely do enough to matter. Sucker Punch can be used to have a priority attack to hit Pokemon like Gastly but is also generally weak. Trick can be used with an item like Choice Specs or Choice Band to disrupt the opponent by forcing them to be locked into whatever move they use, but then Purrloin misses out on bulk or recovery without Eviolite or Berry Juice right off the bat. Sunny Day and Rain Dance get priority from Prankster, but teams based around these types of weather are gimmicky at best.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Pawniard, Vullaby, and Scraggy can all safely switch in on a status move and resisted Knock Off. Most only take neutral damage from U-turn as well. Scraggy in particular can hit back hard with a STAB Fighting-type move.
**Fighting-types**: Pokemon like Scraggy, Mienfoo, and Croagunk can hit Purrloin super effectively with their STAB moves. They resist both U-turn and Knock Off as well. They have to watch out for Thunder Wave, however. Timburr is especially threatening thanks to Mach Punch, Drain Punch, and Guts, allowing it to deal heavy damage to Purrloin and benefit from paralysis.
**Fairy-types**: Spritzee and Snubbull can easily take all of Purrloin's attacks and heal off paralysis with Aromatherapy or Heal Bell. They can hit hard with their STAB attacks in return. They both fear losing their item from Knock Off, however.
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