An amateur GP check
REMOVE CHANGE COMMENTS
REMOVE CHANGE COMMENTS
[Overview]
<p>Despite somewhat common typing and overall seeming mediocrity, one shouldn't be deceived by Durant. Good offensive stats, a great Speed tier, and two very useful abilities give it its niche is the Dream World metagame. What niche? Durant can allow Chandelure, Gothitelle or Dugtrio to set up on any Pokemon using its ability, Truant. Although that is its primary stratagey, Durant can also set up using Hone Claws to further increase its stats, possibly leading to a sweep. What Durant truly has going for it, (add comma) though, is its unorthodox appearance in the DW metagame. Many teams don't pack counters to Durant, giving several normally carried Pokemon trouble.</p>
<p>Happy days may exist for Durant, but there are most surly some grim ones, (add comma) too. Durant, although rare, is highly predictable. Entrainment is a known gimmick and can be bypassed several ways. The Hone Claws set, if unboosted, has terrible accuracy due to Hustle and is weak enough to be walled by common threats. The ant also compounds upon many teams' weaknesses with another 4x Fire weakness that many Pokemon (Ferrothorn, Scizor, Forretress) also share. Among these problems also lies Durant's overall underwhelming bulk. 58 / 112 / 48 defensive stats are quite poor compared to the many other options available, and Durant's lacking special side means he will get OHKOed by even strong resisted attacks, not to mention Durant's susceptibility to Scarf Chandelure making it worse. Overall, Durant is a Pokemon meant to annoy or surprise the opponent. Its lackluster defenses and predicable strategy let it down tremendously, and, along with accuracy and power issues, are the main reasons for its lack of use. Being discouraged by this is unwise though, as Durant is a formidable foe.</p>
[SET]
name: Entrainment
move 1: Entrainment
move 2: Thunder Wave
move 3: X-Scissor
move 4: Superpower / Stone Edge
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Truant
nature: Hasty
evs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe
ivs: 0 HP / 0 Def / 0 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set's only goal is to give Chandelure, Dugtrio, or Gothitelle a chance to boost and set up. How is this done? By dying quickly. The plan is to use Entrainment, giving your foe Truant. They will (hopefully) OHKO you, letting you bring in your trapper to spam Protect or Substitute on the turns they can actually attack while using a boosting move on the other ones. Examples are Chandelure with Calm Mind and Protect, Gothitelle with the former and Substitute and Hone Claws Dugtrio.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Nearly useless without activating Entrainment, Durant's other moves are there in case of a dire emergency. Thunder Wave can try to stop an opposing sweep, although Entrainment can be used in the case of a last resort to stop a sweeper, (add comma) too. X-Scissor is used for STAB move and Superpower compliments its coverage gives good coverage with it. Stone Edge is an alternative to the latter, but usually doesn't provide any better coverage when locked in. 0 defensive IVs means Durant dies fast and hard. Modifications can be made to any move on the set not called Entrainment, but they should rarely be used because they are not this set's focus.</p>
<p>Entry hazard support is highly advised for Durant, as Entrainment will often cause switching. Other forms of team support are usually unneeded, as Durant's primary objective is to die after passing on Truant.</p>
[SET]
name: Hustla'
move 1: Hone Claws
move 2: X-Scissor
move 3: Stone Edge
move 4: Superpower
item: Life Orb / Shed Shell
ability: Hustle
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p> Durant is an incredibly capable sweeper, practically designed to use Hustle. Its modestly capable Attack, great Speed, (add comma) and ability to boost both accuracy and Attack in the same turn is great piled on top of Life Orb and Hustle. This is done by using Hone Claws, a move nearly tailored for this ant's use. X-Scissor provides a stable, powerful STAB move the packs a punch behind it even at +1. Stone Edge hits many things Durant's STAB moves cannot, notably Chandelure, Ninetails, Inferanpe, (add comma) and other miscellaneous Fire-types. Superpower completes the set's coverage, letting Durant hit Steel-types that would normally wall him. This gives Durant a fighting chance against Pokemon such as Terrakion, Heatran, (add comma) and Excadrill. However, Superpower's Attack and Defense drops can be extremely harmful to Durant, and should only be used when there is no other option.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Durant's choice of item comes from the fear, or lack there of, of being trapped by Chandelure. Obviously Life Orb gives Durant the power it needs to sweep through many walls (why it's the primary option), but a Shed Shell allows Durant to escape from Scarf Chandelure. The EV spread allows for maximum power and speed to go along with either item, and Jolly allows for outpacing Terrakion and Virizion. Despite having an utterly barren movepool, Durant has one other another move option. Iron Head grants Durant another STAB move, although the coverage is nothing significant. The Fighting / Rock coverage given by Superpower and Stone Edge is much more preferable than Iron Head.</p>
<p>Good teammates for a sweeping Durant are ones that can take out its main checks, namely Scarf Chandelure, Tornadus-T and faster Pokemon. For both scenarios, (add comma) Scarf Rotom-W serves as an excellent check because it's faster and can break down a few physical walls that stop Durant. It also has access to Volt Switch, letting Durant get in easier. Another good teammate is Excadrill, although only in sand. It can outspeed and OHKO many faster Pokemon, soften up walls for Durant, and even spin away hazards. On the same note, Scarf Thundurus-T is also a fast 'mon that can also outspeed threats to Durant as well as soften up physical walls. Tyranitar has good special bulk and can hit many of Durant's counters hard, (add comma) as well as provide sand support. </p>
[Other Options]
<p>With literally only a two other options, Durant is not one for versatility. It can run a choice set, consisting of X-Scissor, Iron Head, Stone Edge, and Superpower with either a Choice Band or Scarf. The only reason either is viable is because of Hustle boosting the attacks' power. It is unnecessary to say Durant's EVs in this case should be maxed Attack and Speed. (Wat) Both sets are walled easily and lack punching power and the ability to switch moves many other successful Choice users have. Durant's other viable option is a Baton Pass set consisting of one or two boosting moves, Baton Pass and attacks to fill in the remaining slot, or slots.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>When using Entrainment, Durant's primary focus aren't things that cannot kill it. Instead, the primary counters to Durant in the way are Pokemon that don't kill Durant on the first turn it is out. Any Pokemon can do this by simply using Protect when Durant attempts to use Entrainment or the foe simply fails to kill Durant, meaning Durant must then either switch out or die without passing on Truant. Another thing Durant can run into is the VoltTurn strategy, which means the opponent can take the Entrainment, attack, (add comma) and switch out, (add comma) at the same time effectively neutralizing the entire plan. Other than game play methods, Durant's primary counters are those that are faster and carry Taunt or pack priority Taunt (as in the case or both Tornadus and Thundurus). When sweeping, Durant is easily beaten with faster sweepers or Scarf Chandelure. Tornadus-T excels in the former role, being faster and hitting Durant's pitiful Special Defense. As mentioned, Scarf Chandelure is pretty much a hard stop to Durant lacking Shed Shell, as is Choice Scarf Magnezone.</p>
<p>Despite somewhat common typing and overall seeming mediocrity, one shouldn't be deceived by Durant. Good offensive stats, a great Speed tier, and two very useful abilities give it its niche is the Dream World metagame. What niche? Durant can allow Chandelure, Gothitelle or Dugtrio to set up on any Pokemon using its ability, Truant. Although that is its primary stratagey, Durant can also set up using Hone Claws to further increase its stats, possibly leading to a sweep. What Durant truly has going for it, (add comma) though, is its unorthodox appearance in the DW metagame. Many teams don't pack counters to Durant, giving several normally carried Pokemon trouble.</p>
<p>Happy days may exist for Durant, but there are most surly some grim ones, (add comma) too. Durant, although rare, is highly predictable. Entrainment is a known gimmick and can be bypassed several ways. The Hone Claws set, if unboosted, has terrible accuracy due to Hustle and is weak enough to be walled by common threats. The ant also compounds upon many teams' weaknesses with another 4x Fire weakness that many Pokemon (Ferrothorn, Scizor, Forretress) also share. Among these problems also lies Durant's overall underwhelming bulk. 58 / 112 / 48 defensive stats are quite poor compared to the many other options available, and Durant's lacking special side means he will get OHKOed by even strong resisted attacks, not to mention Durant's susceptibility to Scarf Chandelure making it worse. Overall, Durant is a Pokemon meant to annoy or surprise the opponent. Its lackluster defenses and predicable strategy let it down tremendously, and, along with accuracy and power issues, are the main reasons for its lack of use. Being discouraged by this is unwise though, as Durant is a formidable foe.</p>
[SET]
name: Entrainment
move 1: Entrainment
move 2: Thunder Wave
move 3: X-Scissor
move 4: Superpower / Stone Edge
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Truant
nature: Hasty
evs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe
ivs: 0 HP / 0 Def / 0 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set's only goal is to give Chandelure, Dugtrio, or Gothitelle a chance to boost and set up. How is this done? By dying quickly. The plan is to use Entrainment, giving your foe Truant. They will (hopefully) OHKO you, letting you bring in your trapper to spam Protect or Substitute on the turns they can actually attack while using a boosting move on the other ones. Examples are Chandelure with Calm Mind and Protect, Gothitelle with the former and Substitute and Hone Claws Dugtrio.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Nearly useless without activating Entrainment, Durant's other moves are there in case of a dire emergency. Thunder Wave can try to stop an opposing sweep, although Entrainment can be used in the case of a last resort to stop a sweeper, (add comma) too. X-Scissor is used for STAB move and Superpower compliments its coverage gives good coverage with it. Stone Edge is an alternative to the latter, but usually doesn't provide any better coverage when locked in. 0 defensive IVs means Durant dies fast and hard. Modifications can be made to any move on the set not called Entrainment, but they should rarely be used because they are not this set's focus.</p>
<p>Entry hazard support is highly advised for Durant, as Entrainment will often cause switching. Other forms of team support are usually unneeded, as Durant's primary objective is to die after passing on Truant.</p>
[SET]
name: Hustla'
move 1: Hone Claws
move 2: X-Scissor
move 3: Stone Edge
move 4: Superpower
item: Life Orb / Shed Shell
ability: Hustle
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p> Durant is an incredibly capable sweeper, practically designed to use Hustle. Its modestly capable Attack, great Speed, (add comma) and ability to boost both accuracy and Attack in the same turn is great piled on top of Life Orb and Hustle. This is done by using Hone Claws, a move nearly tailored for this ant's use. X-Scissor provides a stable, powerful STAB move the packs a punch behind it even at +1. Stone Edge hits many things Durant's STAB moves cannot, notably Chandelure, Ninetails, Inferanpe, (add comma) and other miscellaneous Fire-types. Superpower completes the set's coverage, letting Durant hit Steel-types that would normally wall him. This gives Durant a fighting chance against Pokemon such as Terrakion, Heatran, (add comma) and Excadrill. However, Superpower's Attack and Defense drops can be extremely harmful to Durant, and should only be used when there is no other option.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Durant's choice of item comes from the fear, or lack there of, of being trapped by Chandelure. Obviously Life Orb gives Durant the power it needs to sweep through many walls (why it's the primary option), but a Shed Shell allows Durant to escape from Scarf Chandelure. The EV spread allows for maximum power and speed to go along with either item, and Jolly allows for outpacing Terrakion and Virizion. Despite having an utterly barren movepool, Durant has one other another move option. Iron Head grants Durant another STAB move, although the coverage is nothing significant. The Fighting / Rock coverage given by Superpower and Stone Edge is much more preferable than Iron Head.</p>
<p>Good teammates for a sweeping Durant are ones that can take out its main checks, namely Scarf Chandelure, Tornadus-T and faster Pokemon. For both scenarios, (add comma) Scarf Rotom-W serves as an excellent check because it's faster and can break down a few physical walls that stop Durant. It also has access to Volt Switch, letting Durant get in easier. Another good teammate is Excadrill, although only in sand. It can outspeed and OHKO many faster Pokemon, soften up walls for Durant, and even spin away hazards. On the same note, Scarf Thundurus-T is also a fast 'mon that can also outspeed threats to Durant as well as soften up physical walls. Tyranitar has good special bulk and can hit many of Durant's counters hard, (add comma) as well as provide sand support. </p>
[Other Options]
<p>With literally only a two other options, Durant is not one for versatility. It can run a choice set, consisting of X-Scissor, Iron Head, Stone Edge, and Superpower with either a Choice Band or Scarf. The only reason either is viable is because of Hustle boosting the attacks' power. It is unnecessary to say Durant's EVs in this case should be maxed Attack and Speed. (Wat) Both sets are walled easily and lack punching power and the ability to switch moves many other successful Choice users have. Durant's other viable option is a Baton Pass set consisting of one or two boosting moves, Baton Pass and attacks to fill in the remaining slot, or slots.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>When using Entrainment, Durant's primary focus aren't things that cannot kill it. Instead, the primary counters to Durant in the way are Pokemon that don't kill Durant on the first turn it is out. Any Pokemon can do this by simply using Protect when Durant attempts to use Entrainment or the foe simply fails to kill Durant, meaning Durant must then either switch out or die without passing on Truant. Another thing Durant can run into is the VoltTurn strategy, which means the opponent can take the Entrainment, attack, (add comma) and switch out, (add comma) at the same time effectively neutralizing the entire plan. Other than game play methods, Durant's primary counters are those that are faster and carry Taunt or pack priority Taunt (as in the case or both Tornadus and Thundurus). When sweeping, Durant is easily beaten with faster sweepers or Scarf Chandelure. Tornadus-T excels in the former role, being faster and hitting Durant's pitiful Special Defense. As mentioned, Scarf Chandelure is pretty much a hard stop to Durant lacking Shed Shell, as is Choice Scarf Magnezone.</p>
