Natan
...
Linoone has unique access to Belly Drum and Extreme Speed, making up for its mediocre Attack stat and allowing it to OHKO most of the tier after a Belly Drum. Gluttony in tandem with Figy Berry allows Linoone to recover half of its HP, allowing it to set up virtually always if it endures a hit. It also has access to useful coverage options such as Stomping Tantrum, Seed Bomb, and Throat Chop, enabling it to hit most of the Rock-, Steel-, and Ghost-types in the tier. Linoone also has a decent Speed stat, outspeeding most Pokemon in the tier without maximum investments. However, its mediocre bulk makes it harder for Linoone to set up against most offensive teams without dual screens or Memento support. Even at +6, Linoone has some problems breaking the bulkiest Pokemon in the tier such as Mega Steelix and Doublade, and it's not able to cover the entire tier with only 3 attacks. It's usually deadweight against stall teams, since it can't break some bulky Pokemon and loses to Quagsire.
[SET]
name: Belly Drum
move 1: Belly Drum
move 2: Extreme Speed
move 3: Stomping Tantrum
move 4: Seed Bomb
item: Figy Berry
ability: Gluttony
nature: Adamant
evs: 148 HP / 252 Atk / 108 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Belly Drum maximizes Linoone's Attack, allowing it to OHKO most of the Pokemon in the tier. STAB Extreme Speed has decent power and high priority that lets Linoone beat any faster Pokemon that don't resist it. Stomping Tantrum allows Linoone to hit most Steel-type Pokemon in the tier, 2HKOing Mega Steelix and KOing Registeel after some prior damage. Seed Bomb enables Linoone to OHKO Milotic and non-Rindo Berry Rhyperior at +6 and 2HKO Quagsire. Throat Chop is an option that allows Linoone to OHKO Bronzong and Decidueye and needs less chip damage to OHKO Doublade, having a decent chance after Stealth Rock and one layer of Spikes.
Set Details
========
The given Speed EVs are used to make Linoone faster than Hoopa and Decidueye, and maximum Attack investment with an Adamant nature increases its power. The remaining EVs are put into HP to increase its bulk. Linoone can opt for a 124 HP / 252 Atk / 132 Spe EV spread and an Adamant nature if using Throat Chop to outspeed Jolly Tsareena and OHKO it after Stealth Rock damage. Figy Berry is used alongside Gluttony to recover half of Linoone's maximum HP, allowing it to set up more easily.
Usage Tips
========
Linoone should be used late-game once its checks such as Doublade, Mega Steelix, Durant, Tyrantrum, Quagsire, and Escavalier are KOed or weakened to a point where it can set up and win. If Linoone has a teammate with Memento, it should be used once the opposing team is weakened and against a Pokemon that can't KO, status, or phaze Linoone to give it a free setup opportunity.
Team Options
========
Pokemon such as Feraligatr, Necrozma, and Pangoro can weaken the opposing team, making it easier for Linoone to clean. Linoone appreciates Pokemon like Gardevoir and Espeon, as they can lure Steel-types, notably Mega Steelix and Doublade, weakening them and enabling Linoone to sweep. Spikes setters such as Mega Glalie, Froslass, and Roserade can set Spikes, making it easier to weaken the opposing team. Similarly, Stealth Rock setters such as Nidoqueen and Necrozma also help Linoone. Uxie can support Linoone with Stealth Rock, dual screens, and Memento, making it easier for Linoone to set up and win the game.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Linoone's only niche in RU is Belly Drum, and it fails to do anything else. Play Rough is an option that OHKOes Bewear most of the time after Stealth Rock as well as Chesnaught, but it gives an inferior coverage compared to Throat Chop and Seed Bomb, and it isn't very hard to weaken these Pokemon to allow Linoone to beat them.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Normal-resistant Pokemon**: Pokemon such as Durant and Choice Scarf Tyrantrum can take a +6 Extreme Speed and OHKO Linoone with Superpower, though they have to be careful with their HP, since Linoone can defeat them after they're weakened. Tsareena has Queenly Majesty, which blocks Extreme Speed, resists Stomping Tantrum and Seed Bomb, and is able to OHKO Linoone with High Jump Kick. Mismagius can pick off Linoone if it's very weakened, as it outspeeds Linoone and is immune to Extreme Speed.
**Bulky Pokemon**: Pokemon such as Rindo Berry Rhyperior, Escavalier, Doublade, Mega Steelix, and Chesnaught can take any boosted hit from Linoone, bar the uncommon Play Rough in Chesnaught's case, and beat Linoone after some prior damage with their STAB moves. Quagsire can beat Linoone one-on-one thanks to Unaware and Curse, Bronzong can beat Linoone sets without Throat Chop, and Milotic can use Haze on non-Seed Bomb sets if it hasn't taken Stealth Rock damage
**Mega Banette**: Mega Banette can use the combination of Destiny Bond and a slower attack to force Linoone to KO it and faint as well.
[SET]
name: Belly Drum
move 1: Belly Drum
move 2: Extreme Speed
move 3: Stomping Tantrum
move 4: Seed Bomb
item: Figy Berry
ability: Gluttony
nature: Adamant
evs: 148 HP / 252 Atk / 108 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Belly Drum maximizes Linoone's Attack, allowing it to OHKO most of the Pokemon in the tier. STAB Extreme Speed has decent power and high priority that lets Linoone beat any faster Pokemon that don't resist it. Stomping Tantrum allows Linoone to hit most Steel-type Pokemon in the tier, 2HKOing Mega Steelix and KOing Registeel after some prior damage. Seed Bomb enables Linoone to OHKO Milotic and non-Rindo Berry Rhyperior at +6 and 2HKO Quagsire. Throat Chop is an option that allows Linoone to OHKO Bronzong and Decidueye and needs less chip damage to OHKO Doublade, having a decent chance after Stealth Rock and one layer of Spikes.
Set Details
========
The given Speed EVs are used to make Linoone faster than Hoopa and Decidueye, and maximum Attack investment with an Adamant nature increases its power. The remaining EVs are put into HP to increase its bulk. Linoone can opt for a 124 HP / 252 Atk / 132 Spe EV spread and an Adamant nature if using Throat Chop to outspeed Jolly Tsareena and OHKO it after Stealth Rock damage. Figy Berry is used alongside Gluttony to recover half of Linoone's maximum HP, allowing it to set up more easily.
Usage Tips
========
Linoone should be used late-game once its checks such as Doublade, Mega Steelix, Durant, Tyrantrum, Quagsire, and Escavalier are KOed or weakened to a point where it can set up and win. If Linoone has a teammate with Memento, it should be used once the opposing team is weakened and against a Pokemon that can't KO, status, or phaze Linoone to give it a free setup opportunity.
Team Options
========
Pokemon such as Feraligatr, Necrozma, and Pangoro can weaken the opposing team, making it easier for Linoone to clean. Linoone appreciates Pokemon like Gardevoir and Espeon, as they can lure Steel-types, notably Mega Steelix and Doublade, weakening them and enabling Linoone to sweep. Spikes setters such as Mega Glalie, Froslass, and Roserade can set Spikes, making it easier to weaken the opposing team. Similarly, Stealth Rock setters such as Nidoqueen and Necrozma also help Linoone. Uxie can support Linoone with Stealth Rock, dual screens, and Memento, making it easier for Linoone to set up and win the game.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Linoone's only niche in RU is Belly Drum, and it fails to do anything else. Play Rough is an option that OHKOes Bewear most of the time after Stealth Rock as well as Chesnaught, but it gives an inferior coverage compared to Throat Chop and Seed Bomb, and it isn't very hard to weaken these Pokemon to allow Linoone to beat them.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Normal-resistant Pokemon**: Pokemon such as Durant and Choice Scarf Tyrantrum can take a +6 Extreme Speed and OHKO Linoone with Superpower, though they have to be careful with their HP, since Linoone can defeat them after they're weakened. Tsareena has Queenly Majesty, which blocks Extreme Speed, resists Stomping Tantrum and Seed Bomb, and is able to OHKO Linoone with High Jump Kick. Mismagius can pick off Linoone if it's very weakened, as it outspeeds Linoone and is immune to Extreme Speed.
**Bulky Pokemon**: Pokemon such as Rindo Berry Rhyperior, Escavalier, Doublade, Mega Steelix, and Chesnaught can take any boosted hit from Linoone, bar the uncommon Play Rough in Chesnaught's case, and beat Linoone after some prior damage with their STAB moves. Quagsire can beat Linoone one-on-one thanks to Unaware and Curse, Bronzong can beat Linoone sets without Throat Chop, and Milotic can use Haze on non-Seed Bomb sets if it hasn't taken Stealth Rock damage
**Mega Banette**: Mega Banette can use the combination of Destiny Bond and a slower attack to force Linoone to KO it and faint as well.
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