Fireflame
Silksong when
QC: Hilomilo / AD Thunderboy / Berks
GP: P Squared / The Dutch Plumberjack
[OVERVIEW]
Ekans carves itself a niche in LC as the only viable Coil sweeper, and it has quite an offensive presence after Coil boosts. Its expansive movepool includes many coverage moves like Earthquake and Sucker Punch to hit specific threats as well as utility options like Glare, and its typing grants it resistances to common Fighting-type moves as well as Fairy- and Poison-type moves, allowing it to check Pokemon like Timburr, Mienfoo, Spritzee, and Foongus. Furthermore, Ekans has great abilities in Intimidate, which lowers the foe's Attack, and Shed Skin, which can cure Ekans of status, easing its setup opportunities. These traits allow it to function well on offensive teams. Unfortunately, Ekans is fairly weak without Coil boosts, meaning it is easily played around. Ekans's main STAB move, Gunk Shot, has very low PP, so it has to worry about that when sweeping. Its typing leaves it vulnerable to common Ground-types like Diglett, which can trap and OHKO Ekans, as well as Mudbray and Onix. Ekans also is somewhat slow, so its sweeps can be stopped by fast, powerful attackers like Gastly and Abra. Lastly, Ekans faces competition from other Poison-types like Alolan Grimer and Croagunk, with the former having Poison Touch, Knock Off, and a better typing and the latter having a better typing, more setup opportunities, and greater power.
[SET]
name: Coil Sweeper
move 1: Coil
move 2: Gunk Shot
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Sucker Punch
item: Berry Juice
ability: Intimidate / Shed Skin
nature: Careful
evs: 156 HP / 84 Def / 244 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Coil boosts Ekans's Attack, Defense, and accuracy, allowing it to sweep weakened teams. STAB Gunk Shot dents anything that doesn't resist it. After a Coil boost, Gunk Shot is 100% accurate and can OHKO frail Pokemon and 2HKO bulky Pokemon like Mienfoo and Staryu. Earthquake is used to hit Steel-types that are immune to Gunk Shot such as Ferroseed, Magnemite, and Pawniard, as well as Rock-types that resist Gunk Shot like Tirtouga and Onix. Sucker Punch gives Ekans priority and hits Gastly and Abra hard as well as faster weakened foes like Doduo. Glare is an alternative that can cripple faster threats, including Ground-types, allowing Ekans to set up on them; however, Sucker Punch is too valuable for hitting Pokemon like Gastly, Frillish, and Abra.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread gives Ekans 22 / 12 / 16 bulk, letting it take several decently powerful neutral hits while hitting a Defense number that allows it to efficiently boost with Coil. Intimidate drops the foe's Attack, allowing Ekans to force switches and have an easier time setting up. The given bulk along with Intimidate allows Ekans to take hits like offensive Vullaby's Brave Bird and Ponyta's Flare Blitz. Shed Skin can also be run to get rid of annoying status ailments that can deter Ekans's sweeps. Berry Juice gives Ekans more longevity and can heal it to full HP after it takes a hit when sweeping. A Careful nature is used to increase Ekans's special bulk because Coil already boosts Defense.
Usage Tips
========
It is best for Ekans to be used as a mid- or late-game sweeper when its checks have been weakened or removed, such as fast, powerful attackers like Carvanha and bulky Steel- and Ground-types like Ferroseed and Mudbray. Ekans can be switched into neutral and resisted physical attacks thanks to Intimidate, but it should not switch into powerful attacks like Life Orb Pawniard's Knock Off and Magnemite's Thunderbolt. Be careful against Diglett, as it can trap Ekans and OHKO it with Earthquake, and it has a faster Sucker Punch. Also be wary against Pawniard, as if Ekans is running Intimidate, its switch into Pawniard will give it a +1 Attack boost due to Defiant. Ekans can be switched into common Fighting-types like Mienfoo and Timburr thanks to Intimidate as well as into Fairy-types like Spritzee and Cottonee due to its Poison typing. It can then proceed to set up a Coil or use Glare on a predicted switch. Gunk Shot should be used conservatively due to its low PP until all Steel-types are removed, in which case it can use it liberally when sweeping. Earthquake should be used to hit Steel-types like Pawniard when sweeping. Sucker Punch should be used to KO Gastly and Abra as well as hit faster Pokemon before Ekans goes down. Glare can be used before setting up, as the paralysis will make it easier for Ekans to sweep.
Team Options
========
Fighting-types such as Mienfoo, Scraggy, and Timburr appreciate Ekans's ability to handle Fairy-types, while they can weaken Steel-types for Ekans in return. Other Steel-type answers such as Diglett, Ponyta, and Mudbray can further pressure Steel-types and allow Ekans to have an easier time sweeping late-game. Water-types like Staryu and Carvanha can defeat Ground-types for Ekans, while it can check Grass-types for them in return. Ekans values Wish support from the likes of Spritzee, as Ekans can be worn down over the course of the match by switching into moves with Intimidate. In return, Ekans can take the Poison-type moves aimed at Spritzee. Ekans functions much better with Sticky Web support, as it will be able to threaten a wider range of foes; good Sticky Web users are Spinarak and Surskit. Knock Off users like Pawniard and Alolan Grimer can get rid of Eviolite on bulkier foes, allowing Ekans to take them out more easily when sweeping.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Ekans can act as a specialized Choice Scarf user and revenge killer due to its great movepool and decent 24 Speed when fully invested. This set would have Gunk Shot and Earthquake and would utilize coverage options like Seed Bomb, Sucker Punch, and Aqua Tail depending on team needs and what Ekans needs to revenge kill. Ekans can revenge kill Gastly, Abra, all Dragon Dance sweepers at +1, and common Shell Smash users like Tirtouga with a Choice Scarf and specific coverage moves. However, Ekans doesn't appreciate being locked into a move, and it lacks power without Coil boosts. Ekans can utilize a defensive support set due to its access to both Glare and Toxic along with interesting options like Haze, Acid Spray, Gastro Acid, Disable, and Infestation. However, this set faces extremely heavy competition from Mareanie, Foongus, and Koffing, leading it to be inferior to the Coil set. Aqua Tail hits Ground-types like Mudbray and Hippopotas harder than Gunk Shot and can be used to deal with Archen as well. Toxic can be run on the Coil set to cripple defensive switch-ins to Ekans that can tank its attacking moves, such as Spritzee, Munchlax, Archen, and Vullaby. However, Ekans more often than not won't have room for the move. Furthermore, Toxic damage takes a while to rack up due to Pokemon in LC having low health. Ekans can threaten Abra and Gastly out with a potential Sucker Punch and surprise them with Pursuit, but since Ekans can easily be KOed, running Pursuit is very unreliable. Also, Pawniard and Alolan Grimer are much better users of the move due to them having a STAB bonus on it. Ekans has access to decent special moves such as STAB Sludge Wave and Sludge Bomb, Dark Pulse, and Giga Drain; however, it's best for Ekans to stick to physical moves, as its Special Attack is very low. Rest + Shed Skin can be run to act as pseudo-reliable recovery, but the inconsistency of Shed Skin renders it risky to use.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ground-types**: Offensive Ground-types such as Diglett and offensive Mudbray can outspeed and KO Ekans with their super effective STAB moves. They can also revenge kill Ekans even when it is boosted. Defensive Ground-types like Hippopotas and defensive Mudbray can easily switch into Ekans because they resist Gunk Shot, take Ekans's other attacks, and KO it with their STAB moves.
**Abra and Gastly**: If Ekans is not running Sucker Punch, Abra can easily outspeed Ekans and KO it with Psychic, while Gastly can revenge kill Ekans once it is weakened. However, Ekans can OHKO both of them with Sucker Punch at +1 and can also outspeed and revenge kill them when holding a Choice Scarf.
**Rock-types**: Rock-types like Onix, Dwebble, and Tirtouga resist Gunk Shot and can force Ekans out. Archen is especially problematic, as it also is immune to Earthquake, making it a reliable answer to Ekans. It can also 2HKO Ekans with Earthquake, though it must be careful of Glare or Toxic. These Rock-types are hit hard by Earthquake, and some need to be careful of Ekans's rarer coverage moves like Aqua Tail and Seed Bomb.
**Steel-types**: Steel-types like Pawniard and Magnemite are immune to Ekans's Poison moves and can take at least one Earthquake due to decent bulk and Sturdy, respectively. Ferroseed only takes neutral damage from Earthquake and can easily come in on even a boosted Ekans and use it to set entry hazards.
**Physical Walls**: Slowpoke, Hippopotas, Foongus, and Munchlax can easily take Ekans's main attacking moves.
**Fast and Powerful Attackers**: Fast, powerful attackers like offensive Pawniard, Carvanha, and Duduo can revenge kill Ekans and stop it from sweeping. They do not like switching into Ekans's attacks in general, though.
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