Little Cup Analysis

[Thorns]

Little Cup Metagame

Little Cup is a fun, fast-paced sub-metagame where you only use Lv5 Pokemon that are the first in their evolution chain. Before I get to the in-depth stuff, here are some rules.

LC Rules

- Sleep Clause

- Only Pokemon hatched from eggs are eligible.

- Eligible Pokemon must be able to evolve, and be the first in an evolution chain. So, no Lv5 Skarm, or Lv5 Blissey.

- Item Clause is in effect.

- All Pokemon used MUST be Lv5.

- Selfdestruct Clause is on.

- Sonicboom and Dragon Rage are banned.

- Evasion/accuracy moves are NOT allowed.

- OHKO moves are NOT allowed.

- Hax items are banned.

Useable Pokemon

R/B/Y Generation

Bulbasaur
Charmander
Squirtle
Caterpie
Weedle
Pidgey
Ratatta
Spearow
Ekans
Sandshrew
Nidoran F & M
Vulpix
Zubat
Oddish
Paras
Venonat
Diglett
Meowth
Psyduck
Mankey
Growlithe
Poliwag
Abra
Machop
Bellsprout
Tentacool
Geodude
Ponyta
Slowpoke
Magnemite
Doduo
Seel
Grimer
Shellder
Gastly
Onix
Drowzee
Krabby
Voltorb
Exeggcute
Cubone
Koffing
Rhyhorn
Horsea
Goldeen
Staryu
Magikarp
Eevee
Porygon
Omanyte
Kabuto
Dratini


G/S/C Generation

Chikorita
Cyndaquil
Totodile
Sentret
Hoothoot
Ledyba
Spinarak
Chinchou
Pichu
Cleffa
Igglybuff
Togepi
Natu
Mareep
Hoppip
Sunkern
Wooper
Pineco
Snubbull
Teddiursa
Slugma
Swinub
Remoraid
Houndour
Phanpy
Tyrogue
Smoochum
Elekid
Magby
Larvitar

R/S/E Generation

Treecko
Torchic
Mudkip
Poochyena
Zigzagoon
Wurmple
Lotad
Seedot
Taillow
Wingull
Ralts
Surskit
Shroomish
Slakoth
Nincada
Whismur
Makuhita
Azurill
Skitty
Aron
Meditite
Electrike
Gulpin
Carvanha
Wailmer
Numel
Spoink
Trapinch
Cacnea
Swablu
Barboach
Corphish
Baltoy
Lileep
Amorith
Feebas
Shuppet
Duskull
Snorunt
Spheal
Clamperl
Bagon
Beldum

Banned Pokemon

Every metagame also has their set list of banned Pokemon, and again LC is no different.

Scyther
Meditite
Cubone
Clamperl
Chansey
Wynaut
~~~~~~~~~~~~.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~

Now let’s get to the strategic analysis of this fun high-pace metagame.

Every metagame has Pokemon that stand out as useable (Standards) and Little Cup is no different. I will also take liberty of adding movesets by me and/or contributors to the respective poke. Don't complain if a moveset in here is your own, this is because that person contributed first to this analysis.


Standards:
Thorns
Larvitar @ Sitrus Berry
Trait: Guts
EVs: 36 HP / 196 Atk / 196 Spd
Jolly Nature(+Spd, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- Facade
- Rock Slide
- Dragon Dance
This is basically the DDTar you know and hate from ADV. Note that Facade is there to take advantage of Guts.

Thorns
Abra@Lum Berry
Trait: Synchronize
196 SAtk / 196 Spd / 64 HP
Modest Nature
- Ice Punch
- Fire Punch/HP Water
- Thunderpunch
- Psychic
The main special sweeper of LC, Ice/Thunderpunch has no resistance, other than Magnemite and Chinchou, which both go down to a Fire Punch/HP Water/Psychic. Speaking of which, HP Water is generally preferred over Fire Punch.

Dr. Donut Man
Azurill @ Choice Band
Trait: Huge Power
EVs: 118 HP/196 Atk/196 Spd
Naive Nature(+Spd, -SDef)
- Double-Edge
- Iron Tail
- Surf
- filler
This is the PRIME CBer of LC, OHKOing anything that doesn't resist with STAB Double-Edge, 30 Attack is nothing to mess with. Surf for Aron.

Thorns
Diglett @ Soft Sand/Choice Band
EVs: 118 HP / 196Atk / 196 Spd
Jolly Nature(+Spd, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Aerial Ace
- Sludge Bomb
Diglett, one of the most prevalent Pokes in LC. It kills anything in the game not named Gastly in one hit. Don't laugh at Soft Sand, in Little Cup the extra power helps.

Dr. Donut Man
Voltorb @ Lum Berry
Trait: Static
EVs: 196 Atk / 196 Spd / 116 SAtk
Hasty Nature(+Spd, -Def)
- Explosion
- Hidden Power [Grass/Ice]
- Thunder Wave
- Thunderbolt
Don't mess with the fastest Explosion in LC. Basically, Thunder Wave a poke and beat up on it with Thunderbolt. When you're at low health, just explode.

Thorns
Elekid @ Lum Berry/Oran Berry
Trait: Static
EVs: 38 Atk / 236 SAtk / 236 Spd
Naive Nature(+ Spd, - SDef)
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Punch
- Thunder Wave/Psychic
- Quick Attack
Fast, high SAtk, low defenses, say hello to one of the best mixed sweepers of LC. Psychic is weird, but can be used to counter Chinchou.

Thorns
Aron @ Oran Berry/Salac Berry
Trait: Rock Head
EVs: 236 Atk / 236 Def / 118 SDef
Impish Nature(+Def, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Iron Tail
- Double-Edge
This absorbs Azurill Double-Edge and OHKOs back with Double-Edge (rock head). STAB on Rock Slide and Iron Tail never hurt.

Thorns
Houndour @ Oran Berry
Trait: Early Bird
EVs: 118 HP / 236 SAtk / 236 Spd
Timid Nature(+Spd, -Atk)
- Flamethrower
- Crunch
- Will-O-Wisp
- Hidden Power Electric/Grass
Abra giving you problems? Switch this in, hope that it doesn't have HP Water, KO. STAB Flamethrower hurts too.

evolutia
Taillow @ Choice Band
EVs: 36 HP / 236 Atk / 236 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Double-Edge
- Hidden Power [Ground]
- Quick Attack/Facade
- Aerial Ace
Guts. Facade. Speed. Choice Band. Another prime CBer, switch it in on Houndour WoW, or a Thunder Wave, and Facade to victory.

evolutia
Gastly @ Oran Berry
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 118 Def / 196 Spd / 196 SAtk
Naive Nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Thunderbolt
- Hypnosis
- Explosion
Immune to Normal and Fighting, two very common attack types in LC. Its defense is high enough to take a Rock Slide from Diglett, and OHKO with HP Ice.

Trapinch
See Diglett, but Quick Attack over Sludge Bomb to OHKO Flail/Reversalers.

Thorns
Doduo @ Salac Berry
Trait: Early Bird
EVs: 38 HP / 236 Atk / 236 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Flail
- Endure/Substitute
- Drill Peck
- Quick Attack
Endflailer, what more do I have to say?

Thorns
Ponyta @ Sitrus Berry
Trait: Flash Fire
EVs: 156 Atk / 196 Spd / 158 SAtk
Mild Nature (+SAtk, -Def)
- Hypnosis
- Overheat
- Iron Tail
- Double Kick
Highest Stat Total in LC. Next.

Thorns
Staryu @ Oran Berry
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 78 HP / 236 Spd / 196 SAtk
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Surf
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
- Psychic
Takes on everything in LC with this moveset.

Bit
Numel (M) @ Sitrus Berry
EVs: 116 Hp / 192 SAtk / 196 SDef
Modest Nature (+SAtk , -Atk)
- Earthquake
- Flamethrower/Fire Blast
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Protect
Defensive Fire Type? What? No seriously, this thing rules in LC, with great defenses and STAB Earthquake.

Thorns
Bagon @ Oran Berry
Trait: Rock Head
EVs:33 HP / 236 Atk / 200 Spd
Adamant Nature(+Atk, -SAtk)
- Aerial Ace
- Double-Edge
- Dragon Dance
- Rock Slide
DDMence. Double-Edge is great, with Rock Head. Lack of Earthquake hurts it somewhat.

evolutia
Smoochum @ Oran Berry
Trait: Oblivious
EVs: 236 Spd / 236 SAtk / 36 SDef
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Ice Beam
- Sing
- Substitute
Sing, CM up, Ice Beam everything to death.

evolutia
Chinchou @ Sitrus Berry
Trait: Volt Absorb
EVs: 156 HP / 52 Def / 4 Spd / 148 SAtk / 148 SDef
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Confuse Ray
- Surf
- Thunder Wave
- Thunderbolt
Great boltbeam resist, Confuse Ray and Thunder Wave practically immobilize the enemy.

Bit
Horsea @ Lum Berry
Trait: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Spd / 252 SAtk
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Ice Beam
- Rain Dance
- Surf
Swift Swimmers actually work in LC, this is no Kingdra, but it comes close.

Bit
Lileep (M) @ Sitrus Berry
Trait: Suction Cups
EVs: 196 HP / 116 Atk / 196 SDef
Careful Nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Confuse Ray
- Mirror Coat
- Recover
- Rock Slide
Annoy, Annoy, Annoy seems to be the job of Lileep. It survives Diglett Quake, and thats saying something.

Items

Here I will list useful items in LC. Remember there is an Item Clause.

Sitrus Berry - Pretty much fully heals anything below half HP. Use it on your Belly Drummer.

Choice Band - Azurill, Taillow, Diglett.

Oran Berry - A crap Sitrus Berry. Put it on your sweeper.

Lum Berry - Use this on something that doesn't like status.

Salac Berry - For your Endrevver, or something else.

Petaya Berry - Chuck this on your fast special sweeper.

Liechi Berry - This is put on your fast physical sweeper.

Type Boosting Items (Charcoal, Soft Sand, etc.) - They actually do something in LC. Use them if you're bored.

Conclusion
Basically, LC is a very fast paced sub-metagame, and is a brilliant break from today's era of Skarmbliss and Curselax.

 

[Mekkah]

I'm trying to leave it as it is as much as possible, but I cannot help to change some things.

- changed all "LC" to "Little Cup" since abbreviations are annoying
- removed the hax item ban since I feel it makes little sense at all and it helps the diversity. If you can actually provide me with a good reason why you would neglect Choice Band, Sitrus Berry or some other godly item for a 19% chance to go first or a 6.25% extra chance to dodge state so here.
- put the names from the sets into a general credit section
- changed some set descriptions since they look somewhat unprofessional, such as stuff like "thats saying something" or "Endflailer, what more do I have to say?". Remember this kind of guide is to help people who are basically new to Little Cup, and could very well be new to competitive Pokemon.
- since the introduction and the conclusion are basically the same, I changed the conclusion a little
- EVs and nature are in a seperate paragraph for each standard because it kind of clogs the set. / seperations have spaces before and behind them. SpAtk and SpDef should always be SpA and SpD.
- the banned Pokemon are just marked in the list now instead of listed after the list, and they're also added to the rules. I allowed Cubone and Clamperl on the condition that they're not using their personal items...I doubt they're that broken without them. Of course Chansey, Scyther and Meditite remain banned.

EDIT: There you go.

 

[sanjay120]

EDIT: nvm.

 

[monkfish]

On Abra's analysis [on the smogon article] it says fire punch instead of ice punch when quoting boltbeam.

also

Spoink (F) @ Sitrus Berry ** do not want
Trait: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 HP / 196 SDef
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Psychic
- Substitute
Abra counter! Resists Psychic and Ice Punch so it works well against Abra... Not so good against Houndour, unfortunately.

also Hard Stone is an option for Diglett since Rockslide is the move you will be using your 'surprise tactic' with the most

 

[Deucalion2]

Shouldn't Sneasel be banned? Its stats are just so much better than most of the other Pokemon on that list, it is way to powerful to handle. Anything with more base stat total more than Ponyta is unfair, really. Things like Onix/Sneasel/Tangela just sweep this metagame.

 

[Mekkah]

This is about Advance. Sneasel doesn't evolve here.

 

[Deucalion2]

Whoops! Okay.