[OVERVIEW]
Dewpider's unique Water / Bug typing gives it a niche in the Little Cup metagame as a counter to common Fire- and Fighting-type Pokemon such as Ponyta, Mienfoo, and Timburr. Furthermore, Dewpider's signature ability, Water Bubble, grants it a surprisingly strong offensive presence for a defensive Pokemon and helps it maintain enough HP to properly perform its duties over the course of the match. Nevertheless, Dewpider's typing, although useful in many situations, leaves it with unfortunate weakness to the common Electric-, Rock-, and Flying-type attacks found in the Little Cup metagame. Dewpider is also reliant on Rest to keep itself healthy, which leaves it prone to being worn down fairly quickly, a problem that is compounded by its vulnerability to entry hazards, especially Stealth Rock. Finally, Dewpider has underwhelming offensive stats, which result in very low damage output from attacks not bolstered by Water Bubble, causing it to be walled by most Pokemon that are resistant or immune to Water-type attacks.
[SET]
name: RestTalk
move 1: Rest
move 2: Sleep Talk
move 3: Scald
move 4: Infestation
item: Eviolite
ability: Water Bubble
nature: Modest
evs: 212 HP / 180 Def / 36 SpA / 20 SpD / 60 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Rest is necessary for Dewpider to heal itself of damage and harmful status conditions, therefore allowing it to counter strong Fire- and Fighting-type Pokemon such as Ponyta and Timburr multiple times throughout a match. Sleep Talk lets Dewpider act while asleep, preventing it from being completely passive; this also makes Dewpider a splendid sleep absorber. Scald is a strong STAB attack that is further boosted by Water Bubble and carries a solid chance to cripple a significant portion of the metagame with a burn, making it a very safe move to pressure foes with. Finally, Infestation is chosen due its utility and the fact that Dewpider's underwhelming damage output when not using Water-type attacks means that its low power, compared to Dewpider's other options, will rarely be relevant. Infestation is also useful for wearing down the opponent's defensive core through passive damage and easing prediction by trapping foes for Dewpider's teammates.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread lets Dewpider perfect its physical bulk while hitting Eviolite-optimal numbers in both of its defenses. Eviolite is necessary for bolstering Dewpider's bulk to impressive levels. The given Speed investment allows Dewpider to outspeed Pokemon with 8 Speed, most notably Foongus. The remaining EVs and a Modest nature are used to bolster Special Attack, which helps Dewpider offensively threaten more Pokemon. Water Bubble is chosen for Dewpider's ability because of the massive power boost it gives to Scald, allowing Dewpider to have a strong offensive presence in addition to a defensive one. Dewpider is also entirely dependent on Water Bubble for it to be a viable Pokemon, so Water Absorb should never be considered.
Usage Tips
========
Dewpider hits very hard for a defensive Pokemon thanks to its Water Bubble-boosted Scald, which makes it difficult to switch into after it has been successfully brought onto the field. This coupled with Dewpider's low Special Attack and weak Bug-type STAB move means that Dewpider should mainly be using Scald unless an opponent has a Pokemon that is immune to Water. Dewpider should be brought into the field against strong Fighting-, Fire-, and Ground-type Pokemon due to its unique typing allowing it to switch into their STAB attacks with relative impunity; Dewpider can also force these Pokemon out with the threat of its powerful Scald and take the opportunity to pressure switches or heal itself with Rest. Try to avoid Knock Off whenever possible because Dewpider's utility will suffer a noticeable drop if it loses the bulk granted by Eviolite. Dewpider is a fantastic status absorber given that it can cure itself of harmful status conditions with Rest and act while asleep, making it a good choice to switch into a predicted attack that could inflict status on one of its teammates. Unlike most Water-types, Dewpider can go toe-to-toe with bulky Grass-types, at which point it can choose to chip away at their health with Infestation and potential Scald burns or trap its target and switch to an appropriate teammate. Finally, try to lure Dewpider's counters and hit them with Infestation on the switch; after the target has been successfully trapped, you can switch to an appropriate trapper or sweeper to eliminate the opponent's Pokemon or attempt to set up to win the game.
Team Options
========
Magnemite has exceptional synergy with Dewpider and can bring it in safely with Volt Switch; Magnemite's unique typing lets it resist all of Dewpider's weaknesses, and in turn, Dewpider resists Magnemite's weaknesses. Additionally, Magnemite's STAB Electric-type attacks allow it to break through bulky Water-type Pokemon that trouble Dewpider. Steel-types such as Ferroseed, Honedge, and Pawniard synergize well with Dewpider defensively, and many of them, notably including Pawniard and Ferroseed, can use entry hazards to help Dewpider secure KOs and pressure the opposing team. Dewpider appreciates support from Ground-types such as Hippopotas, Onix, and Mudbray because they can handle the Electric- and Rock-type Pokemon that give Dewpider trouble; Onix covers Dewpider's Flying-type weakness as well as the aforementioned types, making it especially useful. Dewpider helps with Water- and Ice-type Pokemon in return. Drilbur and Diglett are particularly noteworthy teammates because of the additional utility they provide; the former possesses the ability to remove entry hazards, and the latter is able to trap and remove threats to Dewpider such as Croagunk and Choice-locked Electric-type Pokemon. Dewpider can help break walls for strong Water-type attackers such as Corphish and Carvanha, forming an effective Water-type spam core. Due to its Bug typing, Dewpider appreciates support from Pokemon that can remove entry hazards such as Drilbur and Staryu because Stealth Rock cuts its survivability by a significant amount. Pokemon that appreciate a counter to Fighting-types, such as Ferroseed, Pawniard, Carvanha, and Munchlax, pair well with Dewpider. Similarly, teams that are weak to Fire-types should consider using Dewpider, as its sufficient bulk and immunity to burns make it a viable choice to counter many prominent Fire-type attackers. Fire-types themselves, such as Ponyta and Houndour, synergize well with Dewpider and can form the beginning of a Fire / Water / Grass core. Bulky Grass-types such as Foongus and Ferroseed can put pressure on the bulky Water-type Pokemon that wall Dewpider, and they can also begin to form a Fire / Water / Grass core with Dewpider. Finally, trappers such as Diglett, Trapinch, and Alolan Grimer appreciate Dewpider's ability to secure their potential targets with Infestation. The last two also have enough bulk to directly switch into the field once Infestation is in effect, which is useful in situations where it would be unfavorable to sacrifice Dewpider.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Dewpider can utilize a wallbreaking set with mild success, but it is somewhat outclassed by Corphish due to Corphish's access to Swords Dance and priority attacks. Corphish's coverage attacks are also notably stronger than Dewpider's, allowing it to more effectively dispatch targets that receive little damage from Water-type attacks. Surf is Dewpider's strongest attack and may be used in place of Scald to hit marginally harder, but the utility provided by Scald's burn chance makes it a generally better choice. A physically offensive variation on any set can be used, with Liquidation, Leech Life, and Lunge as possible attacks, but the power difference is virtually unnoticeable between Dewpider's Water-type options and Dewpider lacks the strength necessary for using other attacking types to constitute such a change. Nevertheless, if you choose to do so, Scald can be used on physically oriented sets as a means to inflict decent damage on Pokemon with high physical bulk and to spread burns among your opponent's team. Ice Beam and Poison Jab are coverage options that hit Grass-, Flying-, and Fairy-types super effectively, but because Dewpider relies on Water Bubble for its offensive presence, these two options are generally too weak to be worth using.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Pokemon Immune to Water**: Pokemon such as Croagunk and Water Absorb Frillish are immune to Dewpider's Water-type STAB moves and resist all of its coverage options. Croagunk can also remove Dewpider's Eviolite, reducing its effectiveness for the remainder of the match, and Frillish can burden Dewpider by bestowing it with a Choice Scarf. Although incredibly uncommon, Water Absorb Chinchou is also dangerous, as it is immune to Dewpider's primary method of dealing damage and can threaten Dewpider with its super effective Electric-type STAB attacks. Nevertheless, these threats must be wary of Infestation, or else they risk being trapped by Dewpider and threatened or KOed by Dewpider's teammates.
**Flying-types**: Although they cannot switch into Dewpider, strong Flying-type attackers such as Doduo, Rufflet, and offensive Vullaby can outspeed Dewpider and threaten to KO it with their STAB attacks. Wingull, although rare, can switch into Dewpider and threaten to KO it as well.
**Electric-types**: Strong Electric-type attackers such as Chinchou, Magnemite, and Elekid can revenge kill or threaten Dewpider out if they are brought in safely. Those that carry Volt Switch are able to circumvent Infestation and thus are not as susceptible to Dewpider's method of momentum control. Chinchou is especially dangerous, as it can utilize its strong Water-type STAB attacks to punish Ground-types that may attempt to switch into a predicted Volt Switch.
**Ferroseed**: Ferroseed's unique typing allows it to completely wall Dewpider, although it must be wary of being burned. Furthermore, Ferroseed can use Dewpider as fodder to set entry hazards against, putting more pressure on Dewpider and its team.
**Stealth Rock**: Stealth Rock deals significant damage to Dewpider, inhibiting its defensive capabilities and preventing it from properly checking or countering many offensive threats. Common offensive Stealth Rock setters such as Onix and Archen are able to force Dewpider out with strong super effective attacks, and bulkier users of the move such as Ferroseed are able to shrug off Dewpider's attacks and set hazards with ease. Finally, Rock-type Pokemon that can use Stealth Rock, such as Onix, Dwebble, and Archen, are especially threatening to Dewpider; if one is safely switched in, they will immediately force Dewpider out with the threat of their strong super effective STAB moves.
Dewpider's unique Water / Bug typing gives it a niche in the Little Cup metagame as a counter to common Fire- and Fighting-type Pokemon such as Ponyta, Mienfoo, and Timburr. Furthermore, Dewpider's signature ability, Water Bubble, grants it a surprisingly strong offensive presence for a defensive Pokemon and helps it maintain enough HP to properly perform its duties over the course of the match. Nevertheless, Dewpider's typing, although useful in many situations, leaves it with unfortunate weakness to the common Electric-, Rock-, and Flying-type attacks found in the Little Cup metagame. Dewpider is also reliant on Rest to keep itself healthy, which leaves it prone to being worn down fairly quickly, a problem that is compounded by its vulnerability to entry hazards, especially Stealth Rock. Finally, Dewpider has underwhelming offensive stats, which result in very low damage output from attacks not bolstered by Water Bubble, causing it to be walled by most Pokemon that are resistant or immune to Water-type attacks.
[SET]
name: RestTalk
move 1: Rest
move 2: Sleep Talk
move 3: Scald
move 4: Infestation
item: Eviolite
ability: Water Bubble
nature: Modest
evs: 212 HP / 180 Def / 36 SpA / 20 SpD / 60 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Rest is necessary for Dewpider to heal itself of damage and harmful status conditions, therefore allowing it to counter strong Fire- and Fighting-type Pokemon such as Ponyta and Timburr multiple times throughout a match. Sleep Talk lets Dewpider act while asleep, preventing it from being completely passive; this also makes Dewpider a splendid sleep absorber. Scald is a strong STAB attack that is further boosted by Water Bubble and carries a solid chance to cripple a significant portion of the metagame with a burn, making it a very safe move to pressure foes with. Finally, Infestation is chosen due its utility and the fact that Dewpider's underwhelming damage output when not using Water-type attacks means that its low power, compared to Dewpider's other options, will rarely be relevant. Infestation is also useful for wearing down the opponent's defensive core through passive damage and easing prediction by trapping foes for Dewpider's teammates.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread lets Dewpider perfect its physical bulk while hitting Eviolite-optimal numbers in both of its defenses. Eviolite is necessary for bolstering Dewpider's bulk to impressive levels. The given Speed investment allows Dewpider to outspeed Pokemon with 8 Speed, most notably Foongus. The remaining EVs and a Modest nature are used to bolster Special Attack, which helps Dewpider offensively threaten more Pokemon. Water Bubble is chosen for Dewpider's ability because of the massive power boost it gives to Scald, allowing Dewpider to have a strong offensive presence in addition to a defensive one. Dewpider is also entirely dependent on Water Bubble for it to be a viable Pokemon, so Water Absorb should never be considered.
Usage Tips
========
Dewpider hits very hard for a defensive Pokemon thanks to its Water Bubble-boosted Scald, which makes it difficult to switch into after it has been successfully brought onto the field. This coupled with Dewpider's low Special Attack and weak Bug-type STAB move means that Dewpider should mainly be using Scald unless an opponent has a Pokemon that is immune to Water. Dewpider should be brought into the field against strong Fighting-, Fire-, and Ground-type Pokemon due to its unique typing allowing it to switch into their STAB attacks with relative impunity; Dewpider can also force these Pokemon out with the threat of its powerful Scald and take the opportunity to pressure switches or heal itself with Rest. Try to avoid Knock Off whenever possible because Dewpider's utility will suffer a noticeable drop if it loses the bulk granted by Eviolite. Dewpider is a fantastic status absorber given that it can cure itself of harmful status conditions with Rest and act while asleep, making it a good choice to switch into a predicted attack that could inflict status on one of its teammates. Unlike most Water-types, Dewpider can go toe-to-toe with bulky Grass-types, at which point it can choose to chip away at their health with Infestation and potential Scald burns or trap its target and switch to an appropriate teammate. Finally, try to lure Dewpider's counters and hit them with Infestation on the switch; after the target has been successfully trapped, you can switch to an appropriate trapper or sweeper to eliminate the opponent's Pokemon or attempt to set up to win the game.
Team Options
========
Magnemite has exceptional synergy with Dewpider and can bring it in safely with Volt Switch; Magnemite's unique typing lets it resist all of Dewpider's weaknesses, and in turn, Dewpider resists Magnemite's weaknesses. Additionally, Magnemite's STAB Electric-type attacks allow it to break through bulky Water-type Pokemon that trouble Dewpider. Steel-types such as Ferroseed, Honedge, and Pawniard synergize well with Dewpider defensively, and many of them, notably including Pawniard and Ferroseed, can use entry hazards to help Dewpider secure KOs and pressure the opposing team. Dewpider appreciates support from Ground-types such as Hippopotas, Onix, and Mudbray because they can handle the Electric- and Rock-type Pokemon that give Dewpider trouble; Onix covers Dewpider's Flying-type weakness as well as the aforementioned types, making it especially useful. Dewpider helps with Water- and Ice-type Pokemon in return. Drilbur and Diglett are particularly noteworthy teammates because of the additional utility they provide; the former possesses the ability to remove entry hazards, and the latter is able to trap and remove threats to Dewpider such as Croagunk and Choice-locked Electric-type Pokemon. Dewpider can help break walls for strong Water-type attackers such as Corphish and Carvanha, forming an effective Water-type spam core. Due to its Bug typing, Dewpider appreciates support from Pokemon that can remove entry hazards such as Drilbur and Staryu because Stealth Rock cuts its survivability by a significant amount. Pokemon that appreciate a counter to Fighting-types, such as Ferroseed, Pawniard, Carvanha, and Munchlax, pair well with Dewpider. Similarly, teams that are weak to Fire-types should consider using Dewpider, as its sufficient bulk and immunity to burns make it a viable choice to counter many prominent Fire-type attackers. Fire-types themselves, such as Ponyta and Houndour, synergize well with Dewpider and can form the beginning of a Fire / Water / Grass core. Bulky Grass-types such as Foongus and Ferroseed can put pressure on the bulky Water-type Pokemon that wall Dewpider, and they can also begin to form a Fire / Water / Grass core with Dewpider. Finally, trappers such as Diglett, Trapinch, and Alolan Grimer appreciate Dewpider's ability to secure their potential targets with Infestation. The last two also have enough bulk to directly switch into the field once Infestation is in effect, which is useful in situations where it would be unfavorable to sacrifice Dewpider.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Dewpider can utilize a wallbreaking set with mild success, but it is somewhat outclassed by Corphish due to Corphish's access to Swords Dance and priority attacks. Corphish's coverage attacks are also notably stronger than Dewpider's, allowing it to more effectively dispatch targets that receive little damage from Water-type attacks. Surf is Dewpider's strongest attack and may be used in place of Scald to hit marginally harder, but the utility provided by Scald's burn chance makes it a generally better choice. A physically offensive variation on any set can be used, with Liquidation, Leech Life, and Lunge as possible attacks, but the power difference is virtually unnoticeable between Dewpider's Water-type options and Dewpider lacks the strength necessary for using other attacking types to constitute such a change. Nevertheless, if you choose to do so, Scald can be used on physically oriented sets as a means to inflict decent damage on Pokemon with high physical bulk and to spread burns among your opponent's team. Ice Beam and Poison Jab are coverage options that hit Grass-, Flying-, and Fairy-types super effectively, but because Dewpider relies on Water Bubble for its offensive presence, these two options are generally too weak to be worth using.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Pokemon Immune to Water**: Pokemon such as Croagunk and Water Absorb Frillish are immune to Dewpider's Water-type STAB moves and resist all of its coverage options. Croagunk can also remove Dewpider's Eviolite, reducing its effectiveness for the remainder of the match, and Frillish can burden Dewpider by bestowing it with a Choice Scarf. Although incredibly uncommon, Water Absorb Chinchou is also dangerous, as it is immune to Dewpider's primary method of dealing damage and can threaten Dewpider with its super effective Electric-type STAB attacks. Nevertheless, these threats must be wary of Infestation, or else they risk being trapped by Dewpider and threatened or KOed by Dewpider's teammates.
**Flying-types**: Although they cannot switch into Dewpider, strong Flying-type attackers such as Doduo, Rufflet, and offensive Vullaby can outspeed Dewpider and threaten to KO it with their STAB attacks. Wingull, although rare, can switch into Dewpider and threaten to KO it as well.
**Electric-types**: Strong Electric-type attackers such as Chinchou, Magnemite, and Elekid can revenge kill or threaten Dewpider out if they are brought in safely. Those that carry Volt Switch are able to circumvent Infestation and thus are not as susceptible to Dewpider's method of momentum control. Chinchou is especially dangerous, as it can utilize its strong Water-type STAB attacks to punish Ground-types that may attempt to switch into a predicted Volt Switch.
**Ferroseed**: Ferroseed's unique typing allows it to completely wall Dewpider, although it must be wary of being burned. Furthermore, Ferroseed can use Dewpider as fodder to set entry hazards against, putting more pressure on Dewpider and its team.
**Stealth Rock**: Stealth Rock deals significant damage to Dewpider, inhibiting its defensive capabilities and preventing it from properly checking or countering many offensive threats. Common offensive Stealth Rock setters such as Onix and Archen are able to force Dewpider out with strong super effective attacks, and bulkier users of the move such as Ferroseed are able to shrug off Dewpider's attacks and set hazards with ease. Finally, Rock-type Pokemon that can use Stealth Rock, such as Onix, Dwebble, and Archen, are especially threatening to Dewpider; if one is safely switched in, they will immediately force Dewpider out with the threat of their strong super effective STAB moves.
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