churine
lunatic+
QC: levi / zeb / nine
GP: tdp / cryo
[OVERVIEW]
Dewpider is a very bulky Sticky Web setter able to easily switch in on many Fighting-, Ground-, Water-, and Fire-types such as Timburr, Mudbray, Corphish, and Ponyta to set up the entry hazard. An amazing ability in Water Bubble lets Dewpider threaten a large portion of the metagame with its Water-type attacks while preventing burns and halving Fire damage. Dewpider also has a nice movepool that includes Magic Coat to bounce back status moves like entry hazards and potentially function as a lead, Scald to burn and cripple physical attackers, and Giga Drain to hit Water-types and restore some HP. However, while Dewpider's typing grants it good resistances, it also leaves it vulnerable to common Flying-types like Vullaby and Doduo, which not only beat Dewpider but also are unaffected by Sticky Web's Speed reduction, Electric-types such as Chinchou and Elekid, Rock-types, and especially Stealth Rock, which chips away a quarter of its HP as it switches in. Dewpider's Stealth Rock weakness is compounded by its lack of consistent recovery and low Speed stat before Sticky Web is up, making it worn down pretty easily. Its low Speed also makes it face competition with Surskit as a Sticky Web setter, as Surskit's greater Speed lets it set up more consistently. Lastly, the prevalence of Snivy and Pawniard in the metagame make it hard to use Dewpider effectively, as they both have abilities that punish Sticky Web, with Snivy even being able to clear entry hazards with Defog.
[SET]
name: Special Sticky Web
move 1: Sticky Web
move 2: Scald
move 3: Magic Coat
move 4: Giga Drain / Ice Beam
item: Eviolite
ability: Water Bubble
nature: Modest
evs: 52 HP / 180 Def / 116 SpA / 20 SpD / 140 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Sticky Web supports Dewpider's team greatly in punching holes and cleaning. Scald is Dewpider's main STAB move, being able to 2HKO most neutral Pokemon due to Water Bubble while also having a chance to cripple physical attackers with a burn. Magic Coat is nice utility for bouncing back status moves such as entry hazards and status ailments from Pokemon such as Ferroseed and Mudbray. For the final slot, Giga Drain lets Dewpider threaten Water-types like Staryu, Corphish, and Kabuto, making for a nice Water-type switch-in while also providing some form of recovery. Ice Beam can be used to hit common Grass-types like Snivy and Foongus, however. Hidden Power Psychic is a more niche option that can 2HKO Croagunk, which otherwise walls Dewpider, if your team is weak to it.
Set Details
========
Water Bubble doubles the power of Dewpider's Scald while halving the damage of Fire-type moves. 180 Defense and 20 Special Defense EVs make Dewpider hit 14 in both defense stats, optimizing the use of its Eviolite, while 52 HP EVs are used to bump the stat up by one point, avoiding a Stealth Rock-weak number. 116 Special Attack EVs with a Modest nature ensure that Dewpider will always 2HKO defensive Staryu with Giga Drain or Eviolite Snivy with Ice Beam. The remaining EVs are invested into Speed to let Dewpider outspeed Pokemon such as Snubbull and Alolan Grimer normally and Pokemon like Corphish and uninvested Mienfoo with Sticky Web. If Hidden Power Psychic is opted for, the EV spread of 52 HP / 180 Def / 36 SpA / 20 SpD / 144 Spe should be run instead, since the required 30 Speed IV forces Dewpider to forgo Special Attack investment.
Usage Tips
========
Dewpider can make for an effective lead, as using Sticky Web early-game lets Dewpider's team make the most of the move. Dewpider can also use Magic Coat to reflect any entry hazards from opposing leads like Ferroseed and Dwebble, though it should only be used if you're sure the opponent will use a status move, as many of these Pokemon can also threaten or cripple Dewpider. Dewpider can also use its bulk to switch in on Pokemon such as Mudbray, Corphish, and Mienfoo mid-game and force a switch to set up Sticky Web. However, Dewpider could also come in on a free switch from a slow U-turn or after a KO on a Pokemon it outspeeds such as Mudbray or Spritzee to set up Sticky Web a lot more freely. If the opponent carries a Snivy or Pawniard, Dewpider's teammates should first try to get rid of it before trying to set Sticky Web, as it punishes Speed reduction with its ability. Dewpider should also not try to set up Sticky Web if entry hazard removers like Vullaby and Staryu are still present, so that they can't undermine Dewpider's work to switch in the first place. Once Sticky Web is set, Dewpider should shift its focus to poking holes and fishing for burns with its Water Bubble-boosted Scald.
Team Options
========
Dewpider's Sticky Web support helps many frailer, powerful attackers such as Rufflet, Bunnelby, and Archen, as reducing the foe's Speed stat lets them outspeed and dent the opposing team much more effectively. Faster wallbreakers such as Abra, Gastly, and Doduo can also outspeed and take care of Choice Scarf Pokemon such as Mienfoo, Chinchou, and Scraggy with Sticky Web. Onix, Kabuto, and Magnemite are all able to check Flying-type Pokemon, which are immune to Sticky Web and can easily beat Dewpider. These Pokemon are also often weak to Fighting- and Ground-types and appreciate Dewpider's ability to threaten them. Foongus, Vullaby, and Ponyta are all good Snivy checks, letting Dewpider set up Sticky Web without Snivy gaining a Speed boost. Likewise, checks to Pawniard such as Timburr, Croagunk, and Mienfoo can be very helpful. Spinblockers like Gastly and Pumpkaboo-XL or Defog deterrents like Pawniard discourage the opponent from trying to remove Sticky Web. Additionally, Pawniard's typing lets it soft check the two most common Defoggers in the tier, Snivy and Vullaby, though it must be careful of coverage moves.
[SET]
name: Physical Sticky Web
move 1: Sticky Web
move 2: Liquidation
move 3: Leech Life
move 4: Magic Coat
item: Eviolite
ability: Water Bubble
nature: Adamant
evs: 52 HP / 116 Atk / 180 Def / 20 SpD / 140 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Sticky Web lowers the Speed of all grounded Pokemon by one stage, allowing Dewpider's teammates to clean and wallbreak much more effectively. Thanks to Water Bubble, Liquidation is Dewpider's strongest attack, being able to 2HKO any Pokemon that don't resist it as well as lower Defense to potentially deal with very bulky Pokemon like Spritzee. Leech Life is a second STAB move that provides Dewpider a form of recovery and deals super effective damage to Grass-types such as Snivy. Magic Coat lets Dewpider bounce back status moves such as entry hazards and Taunt from Pokemon like Ferroseed and Onix.
Set Details
========
Water Bubble doubles the power of Dewpider's Liquidation and prevents it from being burned, making Dewpider much more threatening. 180 Defense EVs and 20 Special Defense EVs make Dewpider hit 14 in both stats, which optimizes the multiplier Eviolite grants for both stats, with 52 EVs being placed into HP avoiding a Stealth Rock-weak number in the process. 116 Attack EVs with an Adamant nature give Dewpider some much-needed power, giving it a chance to OHKO Berry Juice Snivy with Leech Life and Choice Scarf Pawniard with Liquidation after Stealth Rock. The remaining EVs are placed into Speed, which lets Dewpider outspeed Pokemon such as Alolan Grimer and Spritzee normally and slightly faster Pokemon like Dwebble and uninvested Mienfoo with Sticky Web.
Usage Tips
========
Dewpider can work as a lead to set up Sticky Web early-game to let its teammates take advantage of the Speed reduction as early as possible, and can also reflect entry hazards from other common leads like Ferroseed and Dwebble via Magic Coat. Magic Coat should be used only when predicting a status move, as these Pokemon can also threaten Dewpider with super effective moves or remove its Eviolite in Ferroseed's case. Dewpider can also be used mid-game to switch in on Pokemon whose attacks it resists and forces out, such as Mienfoo, Mudbray, and Ponyta, or it can make use of a slow U-turn to switch in on a slower Pokemon like Spritzee or Mudbray and set up Sticky Web more easily. Dewpider should hold off on switching in to set up Sticky Web until the opponent's entry hazard removers like Defog Vullaby and Staryu or Pokemon that take advantage of Sticky Web like Snivy and Pawniard are removed, as its low Speed Stat and Stealth Rock weakness make it hard to set up Sticky Web multiple times.
Team Options
========
Many wallbreakers such as Rufflet, Bunnelby, and Croagunk appreciate Sticky Web support, as it allows them to punch holes much more effectively by outspeeding many more Pokemon. Fast offensive Pokemon such as Abra, Doduo, and Gastly are able to revenge kill a multitude of common Choice Scarf Pokemon such as Mienfoo, Drilbur, and Chinchou using Sticky Web. Additionally, all the Pokemon mentioned can beat Croagunk, which walls Dewpider. Checks to Flying-types such as Onix, Magnemite, and Chinchou are necessary, since those Pokemon beat Dewpider and are immune to Sticky Web. Many Flying-type checks also appreciate Dewpider's ability to beat Ground-types and force out Fighting-types. Fighting-types such as Croagunk, Timburr, and Mienfoo are able to pressure and check Pawniard, which gains a +2 Attack boost from Sticky Web, with the former also two carrying priority to outpace Pawniard's Sucker Punch; they also beat Rock-types that could check Dewpider. Dewpider appreciates checks to Snivy such as Foongus, Ponyta, and Vullaby, as getting rid of Snivy means that Dewpider can set Sticky Web up without Snivy getting Speed boosts. Pawniard can also work as a Snivy switch-in, as it can punish Snivy for trying to use Defog to clear Sticky Web with a Defiant boost. Spinblockers like Gastly and Pumpkaboo-XL are also able to discourage the opponent from trying to remove Sticky Web.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Dewpider can run Waterium Z to fire off a Hydro Vortex that can OHKO Timburr, Mienfoo, and Alolan Grimer after Stealth Rock, though it does miss the added bulk from Eviolite. Lunge is an option on physical sets to try lowering the Attack stat of physical attackers switching in, but Dewpider prefers the recovery of Leech Life and utility of Magic Coat. Hidden Power Fire is an option for Dewpider to hit Ferroseed hard, which paired with Magic Coat can shut down Ferroseed, but Dewpider has more useful coverage options like Giga Drain. Dewpider has enough bulk to try a RestTalk set, providing much-needed recovery and a way to shrug off status, but such a set can be really passive, as it will often rely on Sleep Talk. Mirror Coat can be run with Berry Juice to reflect special attacks back to the opponent while healing up Dewpider, but it is often situational. While Focus Sash does ensure that Dewpider will always set up Sticky Web, Dewpider already has great natural bulk when holding an Eviolite, making Focus Sash unnecessary.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Flying-types**: Flying-types such as Doduo, Rufflet, and Vullaby are immune to Sticky Web and can easily get rid of Dewpider with their strong STAB moves, though they do not want to switch in on a Water-type move. Many of these Pokemon also carry Defog, which let them remove Sticky Web.
**Electric-types**: Elekid and Magnemite hit Dewpider hard with their Electric-type moves, but cannot switch in, as they are OHKOed after minor chip damage. Chinchou, however, is resistant to Water and can 2HKO Dewpider with Volt Switch.
**Water-resistant Pokemon**: Since Dewpider is so reliant on its Water-type moves, Pokemon that resist them, such as Foongus and Ferroseed, can tank hits from Dewpider and outdamage it. Staryu is also resistant to Water, can 2HKO Dewpider with Thunderbolt, and is able to clear Sticky Web with Rapid Spin. Croagunk is immune to Water because of Dry Skin, and outside of Hidden Power Psychic, it completely walls Dewpider and can use it as setup bait.
**Snivy**: Contrary Snivy can try to sweep because it gains a Speed boost from Sticky Web and can use Defog to remove Sticky Web and other entry hazards from the field, though it must watch out for Leech Life and Ice Beam.
**Rock-types**: Rock-types like Onix and Dwebble can outspeed Dewpider before Sticky Web and potentially OHKO it with Rock Blast, though they are wiped out by a Water-type move if their Sturdy is broken. Archen isimmune to Sticky Web and can OHKO Dewpider with Rock Slide after Stealth Rock; meanwhile, Kabuto can tank a hit to clear Sticky Web and gain a Weak Armor boost if hit by a physical move to hit hard with Rock Slide.
**Pawniard**: Pawniard poses a threat to Sticky Web teams, as it gains a +2 Attack boost from the move because of Defiant and can bypass the Speed reduction with Sucker Punch.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[crusty, 264307]]
- Quality checked by: [[Corporal Levi, 55063], [jake, 110102], [Nineage, 195129]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [CryoGyro, 331519]]
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