Building the Ultimate Team Around Serperior: A Comprehensive Guide
The “best” team for Serperior isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer, but rather depends on the format (singles or doubles), the tier (OU, UU, etc.), and your overall strategy. However, a general principle holds true: Serperior thrives on teams that can support its offensive capabilities while covering its weaknesses. Ideally, your team will alleviate pressure from common threats like Fire, Flying, Poison, Bug, and Ice-type attacks, and provide opportunities for Serperior to sweep. A strong Serperior team typically includes partners that can remove entry hazards, deal with Steel-types that resist Leaf Storm, and provide speed control or support moves like Glare. Some fantastic teammates are Magearna, Mega Medicham, and Heatran, which can pressure opponents and break down teams.
Understanding Serperior’s Strengths and Weaknesses
Before building a team, it’s crucial to understand what Serperior brings to the table and where it falls short. Serperior’s key asset is its Contrary ability, which turns stat drops from moves like Leaf Storm into stat boosts. This makes it a terrifying special sweeper.
Strengths
- Contrary Ability: Leaf Storm becomes a +2 Special Attack boost, making Serperior incredibly potent.
- High Speed: Serperior is naturally fast, allowing it to outspeed a large portion of the unboosted metagame.
- Offensive Pressure: Can force switches and apply immense pressure with boosted Leaf Storms.
- Glare Support: Paralyzing key threats can cripple opposing teams and set up sweeps.
- Water Resistance: Valuable in a format often dominated by Water-type attacks.
Weaknesses
- Vulnerable to Priority: Moves like Mach Punch and Ice Shard can cut Serperior’s sweep short.
- Dependence on Leaf Storm: While powerful, being locked into a Grass-type attack can be disadvantageous against certain types.
- Weaknesses to Common Types: Serperior’s Grass typing makes it weak to several prevalent attack types.
- Limited Coverage: Serperior’s movepool is somewhat limited, making it predictable at times.
- Susceptible to Entry Hazards: Stealth Rock significantly hinders Serperior’s ability to switch in and out.
Core Team Members and Synergies
Now let’s explore specific teammates that complement Serperior’s strengths and mitigate its weaknesses:
Hazard Removal: The Essential Safety Net
Entry hazards like Stealth Rock, Spikes, and Toxic Spikes can severely hinder Serperior’s ability to switch in and out. Therefore, a reliable hazard remover is paramount.
- Excadrill: A fast spinner with access to Mold Breaker, allowing it to bypass abilities like Magic Bounce. Also provides offensive pressure against Steel-types.
- Defoggers: Pokemon like Mandibuzz or Rotom-Wash can clear hazards, though they may struggle against dedicated hazard setters.
Steel-Type Coverage: Breaking the Wall
Steel-types resist Grass-type attacks, stopping Serperior cold. Having a teammate that can reliably handle them is essential.
- Magerna: A powerful Special attacker that can take a hit and then take a hit and then retaliate with a devastating Steel-type attack.
- Heatran: A Fire/Steel-type offers excellent defensive synergy and can threaten opposing Steel-types with powerful Fire-type attacks.
- Fighting-types: Conkeldurr, Mega Medicham or Buzzwole offer strong physical offense to break through walls.
Speed Control: Ensuring Serperior Moves First
While Serperior is fast, it can still be outsped by boosted opponents or Choice Scarf users. Speed control measures are valuable.
- Thunder Wave users: Pokemon like Jolteon can paralyze faster threats, allowing Serperior to outspeed them.
- Trick Room setters: While less common, Trick Room can create opportunities for slower teammates to shine and potentially disrupt opposing strategies.
Bulky Offense Pivot: Status Spreaders
Bulky offense pivots are important, and they have the capacity to spread status, which is essential for Serperior teams.
- Rotom-Wash: A versatile pivot that can spread burns with Will-O-Wisp and maintain momentum with Volt Switch.
Example Team Compositions
Here are a couple of example team compositions showcasing these principles:
Sample Team 1 (Offensive Balance)
- Serperior @ Life Orb Ability: Contrary EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe Timid Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Dragon Pulse
- Hidden Power Fire
- Glare
- Excadrill @ Life Orb Ability: Mold Breaker EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Iron Head
- Rapid Spin
- Swords Dance
- Heatran @ Leftovers Ability: Flash Fire EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 SpD Calm Nature
- Lava Plume
- Earth Power
- Stealth Rock
- Protect
- Conkeldurr @ Assault Vest Ability: Guts EVs: 252 Atk / 252 HP / 4 SpD Adamant Nature
- Drain Punch
- Mach Punch
- Knock Off
- Ice Punch
- Rotom-Wash @ Leftovers Ability: Levitate EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Def Bold Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Volt Switch
- Will-O-Wisp
- Pain Split
- Jolteon @ Choice Specs Ability: Volt Absorb EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
- Shadow Ball
- Hidden Power Ice
Sample Team 2 (Bulky Offense)
- Serperior @ Leftovers Ability: Contrary EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe Timid Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Dragon Pulse
- Giga Drain
- Glare
- Mandibuzz @ Leftovers Ability: Overcoat EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD Careful Nature
- Foul Play
- Defog
- Roost
- U-Turn
- Magnezone @ Choice Scarf Ability: Magnet Pull EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe Timid Nature
- Volt Switch
- Thunderbolt
- Flash Cannon
- Hidden Power Fire
- Clefable @ Leftovers Ability: Magic Guard EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA Bold Nature
- Moonblast
- Wish
- Protect
- Heal Bell
- Buzzwole @ Leftovers Ability: Beast Boost EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD Adamant Nature
- Leech Life
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
- Roost
- Tapu Fini @ Leftovers Ability: Misty Surge EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA Bold Nature
- Moonblast
- Defog
- Scald
- Protect
General tips on building your Serperior Team
Teambuilding is a dynamic process
This means that your team is an evolving entity, and the only way you can make it better is to battle other people.
Study the matchups
Make sure you understand each of the common matchup types so you can adjust your team for what your battling opponents are most likely to use.
Serperior teams need to be balanced
It’s crucial to have a range of types covered on your team, so you can beat opponents with any team that they are going to field against you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Serperior viable in competitive Pokémon?
Yes, Serperior is highly viable, particularly in tiers where its threats are manageable. Its Contrary ability and high speed make it a potent sweeper.
2. What are Serperior’s best moves?
Leaf Storm (for STAB and Contrary boosts), Dragon Pulse (for coverage against Dragons), Hidden Power Fire (for Steel and Bug-types), Glare (for paralysis), and Giga Drain (for sustain) are all excellent options.
3. What is the best nature for Serperior?
Timid is generally the best nature, maximizing its speed to outspeed as many opponents as possible.
4. What items are good on Serperior?
Life Orb (for increased damage output), Leftovers (for passive recovery), and Choice Specs (for immediate power) are all viable choices.
5. How do I deal with priority moves against Serperior?
Priority moves are a major threat. Use teammates that can discourage priority users or provide speed control.
6. What are the best abilities to support Serperior?
Abilities that provide hazard control, such as Mold Breaker or Magic Bounce, are invaluable. Abilities that cripple Serperior’s opponents, such as Intimidate can also be helpful.
7. What types of teams does Serperior fit best on?
Serperior works well on offensive balance and bulky offense teams that can support its sweeping potential.
8. How important is hazard removal for a Serperior team?
Hazard removal is essential. Stealth Rock severely limits Serperior’s ability to switch in and out effectively.
9. Can Serperior be used as a defensive Pokémon?
While Serperior has decent defenses, its strength lies in its offensive capabilities. It’s best used as a sweeper.
10. How do I counter opposing Serperior?
Faster Pokémon with strong Fire, Flying, Poison, Bug, or Ice-type moves can threaten Serperior. Pokémon with priority moves or abilities like Gale Wings can also be effective.
11. Is Serperior better than Venusaur?
Serperior and Venusaur have different strengths. Serperior is faster and has Contrary, while Venusaur has better bulk and access to different support options. The better choice depends on your team’s needs.
12. How does Glare support Serperior?
Glare paralyzes faster threats, allowing Serperior to outspeed them and potentially sweep.
13. What is the best Gen 5 team for competitive play?
A strong Gen 5 team often includes Landorus, Conkeldurr, Ferrothorn, Excadrill, Hydreigon, and Keldeo, but the specific composition depends on the format and your strategy.
14. How important is prediction when using Serperior?
Prediction is crucial. Knowing when to use Leaf Storm versus a coverage move can make or break a sweep.
15. Where can I learn more about competitive Pokémon strategies?
Websites like Smogon University, forums, and educational YouTube channels provide in-depth analyses and guides for competitive Pokémon. The Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org also researches how people learn through games and game culture which may help one better improve as a Pokemon Player. You can learn more about Games Learning Society and their mission on their website at: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.