Seviper to C-
Seviper is outclassed by most other special attackers, but it's ability to beat ClefTang is nice, and it more or less has no counters outside of Lickilicky. As a pure wallbreaker, it does just fine, so it should be enough for C-, and certainly is at least as useful as Wigglytuff or Cherrim.
Lampent to E
What does this do? Check fire-types? No, it can't because Ninetales runs either Dark Pulse or HP Ground most of the time, and Rapidash runs Drill Run. Great Wallbreaker? Not really, because 95 SpA isn't so threatening especially when you have to hold an eviolite. Sweeper with Sub CM? Ninetales, Misdreavus, and even Drifblim outclass it in the sweeper role almost entirely. Trick Room? Missy and Dusknoir both learn it. Status Spreader? Nearly all ghost and fire-types learn Will-o-wisp, Lampent certainly isn't unique in this aspect. There's just really no reason to use Lampent- not only does it lack a niche, it doesn't do anything well either.
Linoone to B+
This pokemon is ridiculously underused as it gets a reputation of being a "noob" pokemon; however it is actually a very threatening sweeper, and simply having it on the field changes the entire mindset of the match for your advantage. First of all, it gets much more set-up opportunities than you would expect. It sets up on Scarf Mime, on Zebstrika before and after Overheat, on Roselia without Sleep Powder, on Kadabra without T-wave, on Leftovers Ninetales, on Mightyena, on Simisage after Leaf Storm, on Rotom-F locked into Blizzard, on Duosion, on Mono-Knock off Lickilicky, on Scarf Sawsbuck, and more. Meanwhile, the amount of actual counters it has are few in comparison- Tangela, Probopass, Avalugg, Klang. (Keep in mind that Tangela can be bypassed by Gunk Shot). Pawniard may seem troubling but takes >75% from E-speed, therefore a Rocky Helmet pokemon can easily get it out of the way. However, a smart player can find even more opportunities to set-up with very well played sacks. For example, sacking an intimidate Arbok onto a Torterra suddenly turns Torterra into set-up bait. Or sacking your low-health Grumpig into a Lickilicky's Knock Off suddenly lets Linoone set-up on Lickilicky even though the opponent never intended to stay in. A smartly-timed Encore from Kadabra or Jumpluff can also be extremely useful- for example, encoring a Stunfisk into Earth Power and letting it kill you. Kadabra also has a very unique move called Safeguard that can be used before sacking it to a Status-User like Clefairy or Gourgeist- turning them into set-up bait. The Linoone user always has the mental advantage and can turn around the battle easily at any point. Even when Linoone doesn't get a chance to sweep it is still putting in work. It changes the entire tempo of the battle, forcing the opponent to constantly play offensive and not send in passive pokemon, preventing them from using Scarf users and moves that lower Special Attack, and constantly putting pressure on them not to use their few Linoone counters. And the final perk of Linoone- it is an amazing Pseudo-Pursuit trapper: What I mean by this is that it can pick off any offensive pokemon with <50% health with Extreme Speed, however, the pokemon cannot switch out, because then it would give Linoone a free turn to Belly Drum.
Diglett to D
I want this ranked for this set, because it is such an incredible partner to Linoone. It basically can trap, outspeed and Memento any faster pokemon and render them set-up bait for Linoone (Ursaring, Rapidash, Stoutland, Simipour, etc) It also eliminates Probopass. If Natu can be ranked in D solely for being a necessity to Shedinja, than this should be ranked as well for being the best partner to Linoone and basically guaranteeing it a win against offense.
Diglett @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Arena Trap
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant/Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Memento
- Filler
- Filler
