Shelmet @ Eviolite
Trait: Shell Armor
Level: 5
EVs: 116 HP / 156 Def / 236 SDef
Bold Nature
- Acid Armor
- Bug Buzz
- Recover
- Spikes
Scraggy is one of the most dangerous pokes in the tier, but Shelmet makes him want to crawl out of his skin. Scraggy can't touch Shelmet as he absorbs hits, boosts his defense, and recovers off any damage. For every DD Scraggy gets, Shelmet just boosts his defense another two stages, nullifying the effect of Scraggy's go-to setup move. Additionally, Shell Armor prevents critical hits which allows you to rest easy knowing hax won't come. Spikes is a great move for any defensive poke, as it allows its offensive teammates to net KOs easier. It also has very limited distribution which makes it all the more valuable. Usually, it is easy to set up a few layers as your opponent either switches Scraggy out or futilely attacks.
Shelmet doesn't just wall Scraggy though. In fact it takes nearly nothing from any Fighting type in the meta barring the rare Stone Edge Mienfoo and Head Smash Scraggy. However, both Mienfoo and Scraggy are able to use Knock Off, which annoys Shelmet and makea it a tad harder for him to wall other mons. Riolu often carries Roar, which phazes the Bug and causes him to lose his boosts. Stealth Rock also gives Shelmet trouble as he can't switch in repeatedly without losing big chunks of health.
By Nebuchadnezzar
Chinchou @ Eviolite
Trait: Volt Absorb
Level: 5
EVs: 76 HP / 132 Def / 228 SDef / 60 Spd
Calm Nature
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Scald
- Heal Bell
Everyone is probably familiar with this defensive set, perhaps one of the most well-known sets within the metagame. As the case may be, Chinchou may be one of the best defensive Pokemon in the whole tier, with an excellent defensive typing that completely halts any Murkrow that isn't carrying HP Grass and has access to a great combination of Rest / Sleep Talk / Heal Bell, both providing recovery and support for the other mons on your team. Scald of course also aids it in its quest to be a support mon, crippling opposing Pokemon with that (seemingly 9.9) 100% burn. Chinchou, again with its excellent typing, is easy to switch in as long as your opponent doesn't predict it (although this goes without saying.) All in all, Chinchou is one of the premier defensive threats in LC in its current state.
By
Feranfell
Lileep @ Eviolite
Trait: Storm Drain
Level: 5
EVs: 228 HP / 220 Def / 60 SDef
Bold Nature
- Giga Drain
- Recover
- Stealth Rock / Ancient Power
- Toxic
Quake in the presence of what surely is one of the best defensive tanks in Little Cup: Lileep. Commonly paired with Hippopotas, due to the Hippo's ability to summon Sandstorm, which, thanks to Lileep's secondary Rock-typing, grants it an invaluable boost to Special Defense. 66 / 77 / 87 is a mind blowing defensive spread for a Little Cup Pokemon; in conjunction with Eviolite and Sandstorm, it becomes really hard to kill. It manages to check some of the tier's top threats, partly due to its Storm Drain ability, meaning Water-types cannot hope fell this mighty pre-historic plant with their STABs, reduced to hurling weak Ice Beams its way, which Lileep can shrug off with Recover. Storm Drain's handy Special Attack boost suddenly turns Lileep into a reasonably hard-hitter, 2HKOing most of the many Water-types that reside in the tier. Recover is an invaluable move for Lileep, meaning it is incredibly hard to wear down. Reliable recovery is something many potentially fantastic defensive Pokemon wish they had (see: Misdreavus.) Alas, Lileep's Rock-typing is a double-edged sword, leaving it with an unfortunate weakness to Fighting, one of the most common attacking types in the tier. As long as you have this weakness patched up, (often by Hippopotas, capable of taking on a few things Lileep struggles with and vice versa) then you have on your hands a fantastic tank.
By
Icicle Fissh
Archen @ Eviolite
Trait: Defeatist
Level: 5
EVs: 236 HP / 100 Atk / 76 Def / 76 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Roost
- Rock Slide / Stone Edge
- Acrobatics
- U-turn / Stealth Rock
Archen is the only Flying resist in LC with reliable recovery outside of Rest. This alone is a huge asset as Murkrow can tear apart unprepared teams. Roost allows you to switch in more and also get yourself out of Defeatist range, which can cripple the archaic bird otherwise. Rock Slide is preferred for better accuracy as this is a defensive set, but Stone Edge can be used for greater damage. Acrobatics is a solid STAB move that gets powered up if your Eviolite gets Knocked Off. U-turn is good for momentum while Stealth Rock punishes the opponent for switching. Either move is great, honestly and it just depends on what your team needs.
This set is one of the few in all of Little Cup that walls LO MixKrow. That, in and of itself, is flat out incredible. Archen OHKOs with Rock Slide, while Murkrow helplessly attacks hoping for a critical hit. You have to be clever with Roosting though, as Sucker Punch is a clean 2HKO.
By
Nebuchadnezzar
Porygon @ Eviolite
Trait: Trace
Level: 5
EVs: 236 HP / 196 Def / 76 SAtk
Bold Nature
- Recover
- Thunder Wave
- Tri Attack
- Shadow Ball
Porygon, the nightmare of the Six hundred and eighty-five Japanese children which it hospitalized after the infamous anime episode "Electric Soldier Porygon." Alas, these children are not the only ones to suffer at the polygonal hands of the virtual Pokemon, most of the Little Cup community has felt the wrath of Porygon. It's fantastic Base Stat Total of 395 provides it with fantastic bulk and power, meaning it is one of the few Pokemon in the tier that belong to the exclusive "not-2HKOed-by-Life Orb-Murkrow," group, as most LO Krows carry Drill Peck. Alas, Brave Bird will normally 2HKO, but not before Porygon has crippled it with a Thunder Wave or even dealt a significant 72.72 - 86.36% with Tri-Attack, which also has a nifty 20% chance to inflict Murkrow with one of a freeze, a burn or a paralysis. It is not only the wallbreaking machine that is Life Orb Murkrow who struggles to break Porygon, much of the tier falls to its sheer bulk and access to the coveted Recover. Trace is the ace up Porygon's proverbial sleeve, meaning it copies the abilities of the Pokemon it switches into, and retaining them until Porygon relinquishes the battlefield. This opens up a whole world of possibilities, notably Prankster and Regenerator, two very common abilities in the tier, both of which further extenuate Porygon's utility.
There are two things that Porygon hates: status and powerful Fighting-types. Toxic in particular rains on its parade, rendering it somewhat useless. Thankfully, a partner that can deal with both of these things is defensive Misdreavus, able to Heal Bell away any status Porygon may be afflicted with as well as taking on those pesky Fighting-types. As long as one has all of Porygon's weaknesses covered, you will drive your opponet even more crazy than the parents who had to spend the night in A and E with their seizure-suffering children.
By
Icicle Fissh
Cottonee @ Eviolite
Trait: Prankster
Level: 5
EVs: 36 HP / 196 Def / 196 SDef / 76 Spd
Impish Nature
- Substitute / Protect
- Leech Seed
- Stun Spore
- Encore / Taunt
Cottonees acces to Prankster makes it a very annoying support Pokémon. It may not have the bulk that other Pokémon have in this thread but it makes up for it in its priority status moves. Leech Seed + Substitute give it priority 'Subseeding' letting it stall the opponent whilst gaining health back in return. Protect is also often used to scout what the opponent is going for without losing 25% of your health. If the opponent goes for a move like Substitute or Dragon Dance then either Taunt or Encore will help to shut it down. Although not too bulky Cottonee has decent defense factoring in Eviolite, and it resists the main moves of common Water-types like Chinchou and Staryu. Stun Spore allows Cottonee to cripple threats. In summary, it is practically impossible to get a set up sweeper to set up when Cottonee is around and that is the main reason why it deserves a spot on this list.
By
Superpowerdude
Bronzor @ Eviolite
Ability: Levitate
Level: 5
EVs: 220 HP, 4 Att, 68 Def, 4 SpAtt, 148 SpeDef, 16 Spe
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Toxic / Psychic
- Flash Cannon/ Stealth Rock
With its Steel/Psychic Typing and its ability, Levitate, Bronzor's sole weakness is fire. With the given spread, Bronzor's defense reaches 16, and its special defense reaches 17. Add in an eviolite, and you get a very very bulky wall. However, its mediocre attack and special attack stats mean that its main way of "dealing damage" is through toxic. Bronzor is bulky enough to set up both screens before passing it on to a sweeper like Cranidos or a Shell Smasher like Shellder or Tirtouga who are given ample time to set up and sweep. Flash Cannon provides another way to attack, and Stealth Rock for racking in some extra damage. Psychic also gains Stab and is useful for making sure that Bronzor is not complete taunt bait and it can hit Fighting-types super effectively.
Threats: Scraggy can come in and Dragon Dance for as long as it likes, for it doesn't fear toxic a lot due to shed skin. Misdreavus can Nasty Plot twice and 2HKO it (3HKO if Light Screen is up). Shell Smash Tirtouga, Swords Dance Drilbur, technically anything that can set up on this guy is a threat to him. Taunt also stops Bronzor in its tracks, as it relies mainly on status moves.
This set is good if you want a dual screener, however if you don't need screens then the standard tank set is better because it can use those moveslots with offensive options like Earthuake, Psychic, Flash Cannon, Hidden Power Ice
By
Cxinlee
Ferroseed @Eviolite
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 164 HP / 188 Def / 148 SDef
Relaxed / Impish Nature (+Def, -Spd)
- Protect / Stealth Rock / Thunder Wave
- Leech Seed
- Spikes
- Gyro Ball / Bullet Seed
Ferroseed is a very good candidate for a hazard setter, being able to set up both Stealth Rocks and Spikes. Its supporting options don't end there as Leech Seed and Protect hold back many situations, also recovers HP. Addtionally, Protect helps scout against Scarf Pokémon and punishes Pokémon like Mienfoo who are trying to hit Ferroseed super effectively with Hi Jump Kick. Spikes is the primary reason to use Ferroseed, Gyro Ball or Bullet Seed are good attacking moves. If one decides to use Thunder Wave to cripple the opponent then Bullet Seed is the better move choice then Gyro Ball. With Ferroseeds Grass-typing he can switch into Staryu and Chinchou easy letting it set up hazards. It is also one of the only hazard setters that doesn't have to worry about Staryu spinning since Ferroseed can threaten it with Bullet Seed (if it has it) while Staryu can't do much back. If running Gyro Ball you wan't to make it as powerful as possible so run a Relaxed Nature and 0 Spe Ivs however, if running Bullet Seed use an Impish Nature.
By
The Quasar
Hippopotas @ Eviolite
Trait: Sand Stream
Level: 5
EVs: 132 HP / 20 Atk / 212 Def / 100 SDef / 20 Spd
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Slack Off
- Stealth Rock
- Whirlwind
Hippopotas was, among its Little Cup friends, one of the most popular Pokemon in the playground. Everyone wanted to be on his team. The reason? Sand Stream. Everyone loved to play in the sand that Hippopotas summoned, especially Drilbur and Lileep, Sandshrew too. The sand gave them powers they could only dream of having before Hippopotas poked its absurdly huge nose into the Little Cup tier. But while the Hippo wallowed around in the mud, playing with his Ground- and Rock-type friends, on the other side of the playground, Hippopotas' nemesis, Snover, gathered his clique of outcasts to strike back against the reign (or sand) of terror that Hippopotas had enjoyed. But Hippopotas, being the excellent defensive Pokemon it is, would not have this. Superb 68 / 78 / 42 defenses, bolstered further by Eviolite, meant that Hippopotas would not go down easily. All of his teammates loved his ability to lay down Stealth Rock to damage foes as they switch in, wounding Snover for 25% every time it entered the battlefield. Slack Off is another trick up Hippopotas' proverbial sleeves, after taking a beating, it is able to recover its lost health, so its Sand Stream can stay around for longer. Whirlwind can dismiss foolish set-up sweepers who think they can grab a boost and demolish his team. And finally, Earthquake, though not the most powerful, is boosted by STAB and comes off Hippopotas' rather impressive base 72 Attack stat, will deal decent damage to many foes, including the Steel-types who are not damaged by the Sandstorm. Hippopotas is able to shrug off attacks from some of the most prevalent physical threats in the tier. SubRoost Offensive and Scarfed Murkrow are stopped in their tracks, dealing only 36 - 48% to Hippopotas, while the Hippo can simply Slack Off any damage done and Whirlwind away its Substitues. Hippopotas only fears Knock Off or Life Orb Hi Jump Kick from Mienfoo. Timburr will try to stealthily steal Hippopotas' health, but once more, Slack Off means it camouflaged exterior will not be penetrated. Scraggy cannot set-up due to Whirlwind. Larvesta will quickly fall to a combination of Stealth Rock, Flare Blitz damage and Sand damage. Alas, while Hippopotas is one of the most popular amoung its Little Cup brethen, it is one of the most hated among Little Cup players. As it sits there across the battle-field, twitching its nostrils indignantly, you will have to suppress an urge to punch it in the eyes. Anything to get its smug little face off your screen. For its Bulk, Utility, and most certainty its ability, Hippopotas stands out as a great defensive Little Cup Pokémon.
By
Icicle Fissh
Skorupi@Eviolite
Battle Armor
Bold
196 HP/100 Def/ 156 SpD/ 20 Spe
Toxic Spikes
X-Scissor/Taunt
Whirlwind
Knock Off
While hippopotas and snover were duking it out in the sand, skorupi was playing by himself under there thier feet thinking "If only someone would use me, they would see how good I am." Well that day is today. With this set, skorupi becomes my playmate and is actually pretty neat. It has good typing, and walls even the poke that defines LC. Yeah, it actually walls Mienfoo outside of SE but its sill a 2HKO giving it time to whirlwind him out. Wish support(does anything even get wish?) is smart to run becuase skorupi gets no recovery. It also survives 3 hits from gastly's shadowball.
By
Garchomp for president
Mienfoo @ Eviolite
Trait: Regenerator
EVs: 156 HP / 76 Atk / 196 Def / 76 Spd
Impish Nature
- Drain Punch
- U-turn
- Fake Out
- Knock Off
Mienfoo is a very effective pivot with U-turn and Regenerator restoring 1/3 of its health upon switching. Its also got very good defense with Eviolite, an Impish nature and the given ev spread letting it take many physical hits and be one of the more reliable checks to Scraggy out there. Drain Punch adds on to Mienfoos longetivity with it restoring HP as well as functioning as a decent powered Stab move. Knock Off, lets Mienfoo support its team mates by removing the opponents Eviolites, Choice Scarfs, etc. Fake Out breaks sashes, sturdies and just provides good priority. A well played Mienfoo will not die for a very long time and Mienfoo can fit on just about every Little Cup team.
By
Superpowerdude
Foongus @ Eviolite
Trait: Regenerator
Level: 5
EVs: 76 SAtk / 76 SDef / 76 Spd / 124 HP / 156 Def
Bold Nature
- Spore
- Giga Drain
- Stun Spore
- Clear Smog
Along Routes 6 and 7 of the Unova region, Foongus like to hide in tall grass, craftily disguised as items. One races joyfully to the supposed Pokeball, wondering what precious treasures are contained within it, only to have one's hopes crushed, as a Foongus rears it Pokeball-shaped head. The faces of children all over the world when the mushroom Pokemon appears suddenly in battle in this manner is the same as the faces of those on Pokemon simulators, where Foongus is just as mind-numbingly annoying. At first it is unclear what makes it so, sporting only an average defensive spread of 69/45/55. Its Grass-typing leaves it weak to the STABs of two very common Pokemon in Little Cup: Murkrow and Snover. Its secret is a gift from the Dream World: an ability that transforms the seemingly mediocre Foongus into a useful defensive pivot. Regenerator means that every time Foongus relinquishes itself from the battlefield, one third of its health is miraculously restored. To extenuate this annoying trait, Poison-typing is a godsend in a tier riddled with Fighting-types, meaning Foongus is one of the best checks to Timburr, Scraggy, Mienfoo (that lack Knock Off) and many more. Spore is a move that the Mushroom Pokemon adore, which, in tandem with the 5th generation's sleep mechanics, means that Foongus is capable of often completely removing a Pokemon from the opponent's team for the whole game. Stun Spore lets Foongus cripple many common switch-ins, such as Murkrow, who hates the paralysis that this move brings. Giga Drain further aids Foongus' recovery, while Clear Smog means Foongus is no longer set-up bait. It is a combination of ability, movepool, and to a certain extent, typing, that make Foongus the defensive threat is it. They ensure that Foongus will stay hated by foolhardy trainers on Routes 6 and 7, and by competitive battlers alike.
By
Icicle Fissh
Shroomish @ Eviolite
Trait: Poison Heal
EVs: 196 HP / 196 Def / 36 SAtk / 36 SDef
Bold Nature
- Spore
- Stun Spore / Toxic
- Giga Drain
- Synthesis / Hidden Power [Fire]
On a first glance, Shroomish may seem outclassed by Foongus as a bulky Grass-type and user of the friggin cheapest move in the game: Spore which is a 100% accurate sleep move. This is because Foongus has access to Regenerator and has a Fighting-type resistance. However, Shroomish has a few small advantages over it making it often worthy of a teamslot despite its few disadvantages to Foongus. The First one being a Ground-type resist. This lets Shroomish counter sand a little more reliably than Foongus since it resists Earthquake and can even take unboosted X-Scissors pretty well and recovery with Giga Drain! Poison Heal is also a great ability and further helps against sand by not allowing Lileep to spam Toxic. With Eviolite + a poisoned status, Shroomish is incredibly hard to take down. Spore and Stun Spore provide harmful status that helps support your team. Particularily strong set up sweepers like Scraggy, Misdreavus and shell smashers. However, Toxic is also a great support move for crippling switch-ins, particularily walls that wouldn't mind Stun Spore to much. Giga Drain is for Stab and recovery. The last slot is a toss up between Synthesis for recovery, and Hidden Power Fire mainly for coverage against Ferroseed and Snover switchins. I often see players using Toxic Orb on Shroomish and please don't, its stupid Eviolite provides more longetivity.
By
Superpowerdude