Servine

false

maybe this is heaven
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[OVERVIEW]

The only viable Contrary user that PU has to offer, Servine's combination of good mixed bulk, a decent Speed tier, and a STAB move that boosts its Special Attack two stages make it a threatening Pokemon for many balanced teams to deal with. Unfortunately, Servine is relatively predictable, due to a limited number of possible set variations. As such, Servine is hard walled by a number of very common metagame threats such as Muk and Altaria, as well as by most Fire-types. Servine's uninvested base 60 Special Attack stat is very low for an offensive Pokemon, and thus Servine can be weak, even after a Leaf Storm boost. Leaf Storm also suffers from a low number of PP, and seeing that it is usually Servine's only STAB move, it must be used wisely in order to not risk running out. Lastly, Servine suffers competition from other Grass-types. Offensive Grass-types such as Simisage offer more immediate breaking power, more coverage, and a better Speed tier. Defensive Pokemon such as Tangela and Quilladin possess better defensive abilities and more bulk.

[SET]
name: Substitute + Synthesis
move 1: Leaf Storm
move 2: Hidden Power Fire
move 3: Substitute
move 4: Synthesis
item: Eviolite
ability: Contrary
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=======

Leaf Storm is Servine's main STAB move, increasing its Special Attack by two stages while also being a generally powerful attack. Hidden Power Fire hits Steel- and Grass-types such as Pawniard, Metang, and Leafeon. Substitute allows Servine to set up on weaker attacks such as Audino's Knock Off, Clefairy's Moonblast, and Duosion's Psyshock, but it can also be set up on forced switches when facing Pokemon such as Golem and Relicanth. Synthesis keeps Servine healthy. Servine's HP investment in combination with Eviolite makes it somewhat bulky in comparison to other offensive Pokemon, making it potentially tough to KO in combination with Synthesis.

Set Details
======

Maximum HP investment gives Servine good mixed bulk, avoiding the 2HKO from Choice Specs Mr. Mime. Maximum Speed investment allows Servine to outspeed offensive Pokemon such as Gabite and Monferno. Contrary is Servine's ability of choice, enabling it to act as a threatening wallbreaker when facing balanced teams.

Usage Tips
=======

Servine comes in relatively freely on Water- and Ground-types, as long as you are wary of Toxic or Scald burns, and can proceed to force them out, setting up a Substitute or pressuring the defensive Pokemon that is switched in with Leaf Storm. Don't bother using Leaf Storm if a Muk, Bouffalant, or Altaria is still on the opposing team. Pokemon such as those will easily wall Servine no matter how many boosts it acquires, so it is in your best interest not to waste the limited Leaf Storm PP that you have available. Servine possesses the ability to handle a decent number of offensive Pokemon, avoiding the 2HKO from offensive threats such as Choice Specs Mr. Mime, so don't be afraid to switch it in in situations like this.

Team Options
=======

Trapinch is able to trap Muk, Ninetales, and Arbok, three of Servine's hardest counters, and thus makes for a great supportive partner. Stoutland can be used to bust through the special walls that Servine cannot break while also boasting the ability to Pursuit trap faster offensive threats that Servine may struggle with. In return, Servine deals with bulky Rock- and Ground-types such as Golem, Relicanth, and Stunfisk while also setting up on Gourgeist and Vullaby. Entry hazard support from Pokemon such as Relicanth and Golem can be useful to wear down Fire-types as well as Muk. SpeedPass Combusken is a good partner for Servine, as it appreciates the extra Speed to deal with offensive Pokemon such as Floatzel and Dodrio.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Knock Off can be used to remove Eviolite or Leftovers from defensive Pokemon, making them easier to break through. It can also remove damage-boosting items such as Stoutland's Choice Band, which is useful, since Stoutland cannot 2HKO Servine without its Choice Band equipped. Glare can be used as a form of speed control, crippling faster offensive Pokemon. Taunt enables Servine to better handle defensive Pokemon such as Calm Mind Clefairy or Grumpig with Calm Mind or a status-inflicting move. Giga Drain can be used to give Servine a secondary Grass STAB move, making up for Leaf Storm's low PP, while Hidden Power Ice can also be run in that slot to nail would-be counter Altaria. A Choice Scarf set is also a possibility. However, Servine's only average base Speed, leaving it outsped by other Choice Scarf users such as Rotom-F and Dodrio, combined with the fact that Servine is somewhat weak without boosts means that this set is usually underwhelming.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Fire-types**: Rapidash, Ninetales, and Simisear all resist Leaf Storm and are immune to or resist Hidden Power Fire. They all outspeed Servine and can OHKO it with their Fire-type STAB moves.

**Poison-types**: Curse Muk is the single hardest counter to Servine that exists, taking next to nothing from any of its attacks and dealing heavy damage with Poison Jab. Arbok can also be used as an offensive check, since it resists Leaf Storm and threatens Servine with Gunk Shot.

**Ice-types**: Articuno outspeeds Servine and resists its STAB Leaf Storm, threatening it in return with moves such as Hurricane, Ice Beam, and Freeze-Dry. Rotom-F acts as an offensive check with both its Choice Scarf and Substitute sets, which both outspeed Servine and threaten to OHKO it with Blizzard.

**Flying-types**: Flying-types such as Dodrio, Ninjask, and Jumpluff can deal big damage to Servine with their STAB moves. Ninjask and Jumpluff also have the Infiltrator ability, allowing them to hit Servine through its Substitute.

**Sap Sipper**: With their ability granting them an immunity to Grass-type moves, Bouffalant, Gogoat, and Sliggoo are all solid defensive answers to Servine. Zebstrika can act as an offensive check, although it can be worn down by Life Orb, entry hazards, or simply switching into Hidden Power Fire.
 
Last edited:

MZ

And now for something completely different
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[OVERVIEW]

  • Contrary lets it abuse Leaf Storm
  • Weak w/o boosts
  • Leaf Storm only has 8 PP, and it's Servine's only STAB, so use it wisely
  • Max HP + Eviolite gives Servine fantastic mixed bulk
  • Works well as a SpeedPass recipient
  • Relatively predictable due to little possible set variation
  • Hard walled by one of the best Pokemon in the tier: muk
  • Hard checked by almost all fire-type pokemon
  • works far better when facing defensive teams (as long as they dont have a muk)
because they often do have a muk as well as alt idk that it's better vs stall/defensive than balanced teams that get hard pressured by its unique setup
id mention its competition since we have so many grasses and maybe just stress that it can be seriously hit or miss based on mu (muk, alt, bouff, etc)


[SET]
name: SubSynth
move 1: Leaf Storm
move 2: Hidden Power Fire
move 3: Substitute
move 4: Synthesis
item: Eviolite
ability: Contrary
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=======

  • Leaf Storm boosts Servines SpA by 2 stages, while being a generally powerful STAB move
  • HP Fire hits Steel/Grasses that resist Leaf Storm (Pawniard, Metang, Leafeon)
  • Substitute takes advantage of Servines good mixed bulk. can sub on weaker attacks (Audino Knock Off, Clefairy Moonblast, Duosion Psyshock), but also on forced switches (ie sub vs golem/reli)
  • Synthesis keeps Servine healthy. Servine avoids the 2hko from a lot of neutral hits so its tough to KO

Set Details
======

  • Max HP for bulk (252 HP is better because it doesn't hit a HP value divisible by 8) avoids the 2HKO from Specs Mime's Psyshock.
  • 4 SpD makes Rotom-F Blizzard a 50/50 roll
  • Max Speed allows it to outpace Gabite and Monferno
  • Contrary makes it a threatening breaker vs defensive teams w/o muk

Usage Tips
=======

  • Servine comes in pretty freely on grounds/waters (watch out for toxic) and can proceed to force them out, either setting up a sub, or leaf storming to pressure the defensive pokemon that is brought in
  • Servine has the utility to wall a decent number of Pokemon, don't be afraid to switch it into things like scarf mr. mime or non status grumpig. it can beat pokemon like that 1v1
feels short but i cant think of much else to say either, maybe just dont bother setting up when they still have one of those counters

Team Options
=======

  • SpeedPass Combusken's a good partner. Servine works well on SpeedPass to break down defensive Pokemon. Appreciates the extra Speed for offensive Pokemon (Float, Dodrio)
  • Trapinch removes Muk (probably the hardest counter), Arbok, Ninetales etc
  • Stout busts through Muk, Pursuit traps other frailer offensive pokemon. appreciates servines ability to beat up bulky ground/rocks, and set up on gourgeist
alt checks? other bird checks? fire checks? also spikes can be useful for wearing down muk etc

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

  • Glare can be used to catch offensive Pokemon and paralyse them
  • Knock Off removes eviolites and leftovers as well as choice items (u can knock stout and avoid the 2hko from frustration
  • HP Ice hits flying types, specifically altaria
  • Giga Drain can be used as a secondary stab since leaf storm only has 8pp and can run out quickly
  • Taunt prevents fatter pokemon from recovering or trying to status servine. can help it stallbreak a bit

Checks and Counters
===================

**Fire-types**: Rapidash, Ninetales, and Simisear all resist Leaf Storm, and are immune to or resist Hidden Power Fire. They all outspeed Servine and can OHKO it with their Fire-type STAB moves.

**Poison-types**: Curse Muk is the single hardest counter to Servine that exists; taking next to nothing from any of its attacks and dealing heavy damage with Poison Jab. Arbok can also be used as an offensive check since it resists Leaf Storm, and threatens Servine with Gunk Shot.

**Ice-types**: Articuno outspeeds Servine and resists its STAB Leaf Storm, threatening it in return with moves such as Hurricane, Ice Beam, and Freeze Dry. Rotom-F acts as an offensive check with both its Choice Scarf and Substitute sets, which both outspeed and threaten to OHKO Servine with Blizzard.

**Flying-types**: Flying-types such as Dodrio, Ninjask, and Jumpluff can deal big damage to Servine with their STAB moves. Ninjask and Jumpluff also have the Infiltrator ability, allowing them to hit Servine through its Substitute.

I'd do a fifth section for sap sipper
qcstamp.gif
1/3, stop taking everything e.e
 

Anty

let's drop
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[OVERVIEW]

  • Contrary lets it abuse Leaf Storm
  • Weak w/o boosts
  • Leaf Storm only has 8 PP, and it's Servine's only STAB, so use it wisely
  • Max HP + Eviolite gives Servine fantastic mixed bulk fantastic is a bit of an overstatement tbh
  • Works well as a SpeedPass recipient i wouldnt put that here
  • Relatively predictable due to little possible set variation
  • Hard walled by one of the best Pokemon in the tier: muk
  • Hard checked by almost all fire-type pokemon
  • works best facing defensive balance teams (struggles vs stall bc they pack muk/alt etc) this worth mentioning here either
  • suffers competition from other grasses such as simisage (provides more immediate breaking power and better speed tier) or defensive mons like tangela which has regen mention specifically why u'd use servine over other wallbreaking grasses

[SET]
name: SubSynth
move 1: Leaf Storm
move 2: Hidden Power Fire
move 3: Substitute
move 4: Synthesis
item: Eviolite
ability: Contrary
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=======

  • Leaf Storm boosts Servines SpA by 2 stages, while being a generally powerful STAB move
  • HP Fire hits Steel/Grasses that resist Leaf Storm (Pawniard, Metang, Leafeon)
  • Substitute takes advantage of Servines good mixed bulk. can sub on weaker attacks (Audino Knock Off, Clefairy Moonblast, Duosion Psyshock), but also on forced switches (ie sub vs golem/reli)
  • Synthesis keeps Servine healthy. Servine avoids the 2hko from a lot of neutral hits so its tough to KO

Set Details
======

  • Max HP for bulk (252 HP is better because it doesn't hit a HP value divisible by 8) avoids the 2HKO from Specs Mime's Psyshock.
  • 4 SpD makes Rotom-F Blizzard a 50/50 roll
  • Max Speed allows it to outpace Gabite and Monferno
  • Contrary makes it a threatening breaker vs defensive teams w/o muk

Usage Tips
=======

  • Servine comes in pretty freely on grounds/waters (watch out for toxic) and can proceed to force them out, either setting up a sub, or leaf storming to pressure the defensive pokemon that is brought in
  • Servine has the utility to wall a decent number of Pokemon, don't be afraid to switch it into things like scarf mr. mime or non status grumpig. it can beat pokemon like that 1v1 Change Grumpig as if u switch in on a CM w/ rocks up they then 2HKO
  • don't bother setting up if a muk, bouff, alt (if ur not hp ice) is still on the field. they will easily wall you no matter how many boosts you acquire. dont waste leaf storms.

Team Options
=======

  • SpeedPass Combusken's a good partner. Servine works well on SpeedPass to break down defensive Pokemon. Appreciates the extra Speed for offensive Pokemon (Float, Dodrio) i'd put this near the end of TO, as this is more specific whereas stuff to pressure muk are essential
  • Trapinch removes Muk (probably the hardest counter), Arbok, Ninetales etc
  • Stout busts through Muk, Pursuit traps other frailer offensive pokemon. appreciates servines ability to beat up bulky ground/rocks, and set up on gourgeist
  • hazards are nice to wear down muk + fires
  • golem/reli set rocks, checks muk, checks birds, checks fires, servine beats waters
here is where u talk about what team it fits on

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

  • Glare can be used to catch offensive Pokemon and paralyse them
  • Knock Off removes eviolites and leftovers as well as choice items (u can knock stout and avoid the 2hko from frustration
  • HP Ice hits flying types, specifically altaria
  • Giga Drain can be used as a secondary stab since leaf storm only has 8pp and can run out quickly
  • Taunt prevents fatter pokemon from recovering or trying to status servine. can help it stallbreak a bit
scarf?

Checks and Counters
===================

**Fire-types**: Rapidash, Ninetales, and Simisear all resist Leaf Storm, and are immune to or resist Hidden Power Fire. They all outspeed Servine and can OHKO it with their Fire-type STAB moves.

**Poison-types**: Curse Muk is the single hardest counter to Servine that exists; taking next to nothing from any of its attacks and dealing heavy damage with Poison Jab. Arbok can also be used as an offensive check since it resists Leaf Storm, and threatens Servine with Gunk Shot.

**Ice-types**: Articuno outspeeds Servine and resists its STAB Leaf Storm, threatening it in return with moves such as Hurricane, Ice Beam, and Freeze Dry. Rotom-F acts as an offensive check with both its Choice Scarf and Substitute sets, which both outspeed and threaten to OHKO Servine with Blizzard.

**Flying-types**: Flying-types such as Dodrio, Ninjask, and Jumpluff can deal big damage to Servine with their STAB moves. Ninjask and Jumpluff also have the Infiltrator ability, allowing them to hit Servine through its Substitute.

**Sap Sipper**: With their ability granting them an immunity to Grass-type moves; Bouffalant, Gogoat and Sliggoo Not relevant enough to worth mentioning are all solid defensive answers to Servine, while Zebstrika can act as an offensive check, although it can be worn down by Life Orb, hazards, or simply switching into Hidden Power.
good shizzle 2/3
 

Lumari

empty spaces
is a Site Content Manageris a Top Social Media Contributoris a Member of Senior Staffis a Community Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Top Smogon Media Contributoris an Administrator Alumnus
TFP Leader
remove add / fix (comments); (AC=add comma; RC=remove comma; SC=semicolon)
GP 1/2
[OVERVIEW]

The only viable Contrary user that PU has to offer, Servine's combination of good mixed bulk, a decent Speed tier, and a STAB move that boosts its Special Attack two stages make it a threatening Pokemon for many balanced teams to deal with. Unfortunately, (AC) Servine has a number of shortcomings that hold it back from being a top-tier threat. Firstly, Servine is relatively predictable, due to a limited number of possible set variations. As such, Servine is hard walled by a number of very common metagame threats such as Muk and Altaria, as well as by most Fire-types. Servine's uninvested 60 base Special Attack stat is very low for an offensive Pokemon, and thus Servine can be weak, even after a Leaf Storm boost. Leaf Storm also suffers from a low number of PP, seeming and seeing that it is usually Servine's only STAB move, it must be used wisely in order to not risk running out. Lastly, Servine suffers competition from other Grass-types. Offensive Grass-types such as Simisage offer more immediate breaking power, more coverage, and a better Speed tier. Defensive Pokemon such as Tangela and Quilladin possess better defensive abilities (RC) and more bulk.

[SET]
name: SubSynth Substitute + Synthesis
move 1: Leaf Storm
move 2: Hidden Power Fire
move 3: Substitute
move 4: Synthesis
item: Eviolite
ability: Contrary
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=======

Leaf Storm is Servine's main STAB move, increasing its Special Attack by two stages (RC) while also being a generally powerful STAB move attack. Hidden Power Fire hits Steel- and Grass-types such as Pawniard, Metang, and Leafeon. Substitute allows Servine to set up on weaker attacks such as Audino's Knock Off, Clefairy's Moonblast, or and Duosion's Psyshock, but it can also be used to gain a Substitute set up on forced switches when facing Pokemon such as Golem and Relicanth. Synthesis keeps Servine healthy. Servine's HP investment in combination with Eviolite makes it somewhat bulky in comparison to other offensive Pokemon, thus it can be making it potentially tough to KO in combination with Synthesis.

Set Details
======

Maximum HP investment gives Servine good mixed bulk, avoiding the 2HKO from Choice Specs Mr. Mime. Maximum Speed investment allows Servine to outspeed offensive Pokemon such as Gabite and Monferno. Contrary is Servine's ability of choice, enabling it to act as a threatening wallbreaker when facing balanced teams.

Usage Tips
=======

Servine comes in relatively freely on Water- and Ground-types, as long as you are wary of Toxic or Scald burns, and can proceed to force them out, setting up a Substitute or Leaf Storming to pressure pressuring the defensive Pokemon that is switched in with Leaf Storm. Don't bother using Leaf Storm if a Muk, Bouffalant, (AC) or Altaria is still on the opposing team. Pokemon such as those will easily wall you Servine no matter how many boosts you acquire it acquires, so it is in your best interest not to waste the limited Leaf Storm PP that you have available. Servine possesses the ability to handle a decent number of offensive Pokemon, avoiding the 2HKO from offensive threats such as Choice Scarf Mr. Mime, so don't be afraid to switch it in in situations like this.

Team Options
=======

Trapinch is able to trap Muk, Ninetales, and Arbok, three of Servine's hardest counters, (AC) and thus makes a great supportive partner. Stoutland can be used to bust through the special walls that Servine cannot break (RC) while also boasting the ability to Pursuit trap faster offensive threats that Servine may struggle with. In return, Servine deals with bulky Rock- and Ground-types such as Golem, Relicanth, and Stunfisk (RC) while also setting up on Gourgeist and Vullaby. Entry hazard support from Pokemon such as Relicanth and Golem can be useful to wear down Fire-types as well as Muk. SpeedPass Combusken is a good partner for Servine, as it appreciates the extra Speed to deal with offensive Pokemon such as Floatzel and Dodrio.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Knock Off can be used to remove Eviolite or Leftovers from defensive Pokemon, making them easier to break through. Knock Off It can also be utilized to remove damage-boosting (AH) items such as Stoutland's Choice Band, (AC) which is useful, (AC) since Stoutland cannot 2HKO Servine without its Choice Band equipped. Glare can be used as a form of speed control, crippling faster offensive Pokemon. Taunt enables Servine to better handle defensive Pokemon such as Calm Mind Clefairy or Grumpig with Calm Mind or a status-inflicting (AH) move. Giga Drain can be used to give Servine a secondary Grass STAB move, making up for Leaf Storm's low PP, while Hidden Power Ice can also be run in that slot to nail would-be counter Altaria. A Choice Scarf set is also a possibility. However, the combination of Servine's only average base Speed, leaving it outsped by other Choice Scarf users such as Rotom-F and Dodrio, combined with the fact that Servine is somewhat weak without boosts means that this set is usually underwhelming.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Fire-types**: Rapidash, Ninetales, and Simisear all resist Leaf Storm (RC) and are immune to or resist Hidden Power Fire. They all outspeed Servine and can OHKO it with their Fire-type STAB moves.

**Poison-types**: Curse Muk is the single hardest counter to Servine that exists, (comma) taking next to nothing from any of its attacks and dealing heavy damage with Poison Jab. Arbok can also be used as an offensive check, (AC) since it resists Leaf Storm (RC) and threatens Servine with Gunk Shot.

**Ice-types**: Articuno outspeeds Servine and resists its STAB Leaf Storm, threatening it in return with moves such as Hurricane, Ice Beam, and Freeze-Dry. (AH) Rotom-F acts as an offensive check with both its Choice Scarf and Substitute sets, which both outspeed Servine and threaten to OHKO Servine it with Blizzard.

**Flying-types**: Flying-types such as Dodrio, Ninjask, and Jumpluff can deal big damage to Servine with their STAB moves. Ninjask and Jumpluff also have the Infiltrator ability, allowing them to hit Servine through its Substitute.

**Sap Sipper**: With their ability granting them an immunity to Grass-type moves, (comma) Bouffalant, Gogoat, (AC) and Sliggoo are all solid defensive answers to Servine. (AP) while Zebstrika can act as an offensive check, although it can be worn down by Life Orb, entry hazards, or simply switching into Hidden Power.
 
Last edited:
add remove comments
[OVERVIEW]

The only viable Contrary user that PU has to offer, Servine's combination of good mixed bulk, a decent Speed tier, and a STAB move that boosts its Special Attack two stages make it a threatening Pokemon for many balanced teams to deal with. Unfortunately, Servine is relatively predictable, due to a limited number of possible set variations. As such, Servine is hard walled by a number of very common metagame threats such as Muk and Altaria, as well as by most Fire-types. Servine's uninvested 60 base 60 Special Attack stat is very low for an offensive Pokemon, and thus Servine can be weak, even after a Leaf Storm boost. Leaf Storm also suffers from a low number of PP, and seeing that it is usually Servine's only STAB move, it must be used wisely in order to not risk running out. Lastly, Servine suffers competition from other Grass-types. Offensive Grass-types such as Simisage offer more immediate breaking power, more coverage, and a better Speed tier. Defensive Pokemon such as Tangela and Quilladin possess better defensive abilities and more bulk.

[SET]
name: Substitute + Synthesis
move 1: Leaf Storm
move 2: Hidden Power Fire
move 3: Substitute
move 4: Synthesis
item: Eviolite
ability: Contrary
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=======

Leaf Storm is Servine's main STAB move, increasing its Special Attack by two stages while also being a generally powerful attack. Hidden Power Fire hits Steel- and Grass-types such as Pawniard, Metang, and Leafeon. Substitute allows Servine to set up on weaker attacks such as Audino's Knock Off, Clefairy's Moonblast, and Duosion's Psyshock, but it can also be set up on forced switches when facing Pokemon such as Golem and Relicanth. Synthesis keeps Servine healthy. Servine's HP investment in combination with Eviolite makes it somewhat bulky in comparison to other offensive Pokemon, making it potentially tough to KO in combination with Synthesis.

Set Details
======

Maximum HP investment gives Servine good mixed bulk, avoiding the 2HKO from Choice Specs Mr. Mime. Maximum Speed investment allows Servine to outspeed offensive Pokemon such as Gabite and Monferno. Contrary is Servine's ability of choice, enabling it to act as a threatening wallbreaker when facing balanced teams.

Usage Tips
=======

Servine comes in relatively freely on Water- and Ground-types, as long as you are wary of Toxic or Scald burns, and can proceed to force them out, setting up a Substitute or pressuring the defensive Pokemon that is switched in with Leaf Storm. Don't bother using Leaf Storm if a Muk, Bouffalant, or Altaria is still on the opposing team. Pokemon such as those will easily wall Servine no matter how many boosts it acquires, so it is in your best interest not to waste the limited Leaf Storm PP that you have available. Servine possesses the ability to handle a decent number of offensive Pokemon, avoiding the 2HKO from offensive threats such as Choice Scarf Mr. Mime, (doesnt it make more sense to mention specs instead of scarf? usually you go with the worst case scenario when talkig about XHKOs ) so don't be afraid to switch it in in situations like this.

Team Options
=======

Trapinch is able to trap Muk, Ninetales, and Arbok, three of Servine's hardest counters, and thus makes for a great supportive partner. Stoutland can be used to bust through the special walls that Servine cannot break while also boasting the ability to Pursuit trap faster offensive threats that Servine may struggle with. In return, Servine deals with bulky Rock- and Ground-types such as Golem, Relicanth, and Stunfisk while also setting up on Gourgeist and Vullaby. Entry hazard support from Pokemon such as Relicanth and Golem can be useful to wear down Fire-types as well as Muk. SpeedPass Combusken is a good partner for Servine, as it appreciates the extra Speed to deal with offensive Pokemon such as Floatzel and Dodrio.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Knock Off can be used to remove Eviolite or Leftovers from defensive Pokemon, making them easier to break through. It can also remove damage-boosting items such as Stoutland's Choice Band, which is useful, since Stoutland cannot 2HKO Servine without its Choice Band equipped. Glare can be used as a form of speed control, crippling faster offensive Pokemon. Taunt enables Servine to better handle defensive Pokemon such as Calm Mind Clefairy or Grumpig with Calm Mind or a status-inflicting move. Giga Drain can be used to give Servine a secondary Grass STAB move, making up for Leaf Storm's low PP, while Hidden Power Ice can also be run in that slot to nail would-be counter Altaria. A Choice Scarf set is also a possibility. However, Servine's only average base Speed, leaving it outsped by other Choice Scarf users such as Rotom-F and Dodrio, combined with the fact that Servine is somewhat weak without boosts means that this set is usually underwhelming.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Fire-types**: Rapidash, Ninetales, and Simisear all resist Leaf Storm and are immune to or resist Hidden Power Fire. They all outspeed Servine and can OHKO it with their Fire-type STAB moves.

**Poison-types**: Curse Muk is the single hardest counter to Servine that exists, taking next to nothing from any of its attacks and dealing heavy damage with Poison Jab. Arbok can also be used as an offensive check, since it resists Leaf Storm and threatens Servine with Gunk Shot.

**Ice-types**: Articuno outspeeds Servine and resists its STAB Leaf Storm, threatening it in return with moves such as Hurricane, Ice Beam, and Freeze-Dry. Rotom-F acts as an offensive check with both its Choice Scarf and Substitute sets, which both outspeed Servine and threaten to OHKO it with Blizzard.

**Flying-types**: Flying-types such as Dodrio, Ninjask, and Jumpluff can deal big damage to Servine with their STAB moves. Ninjask and Jumpluff also have the Infiltrator ability, allowing them to hit Servine through its Substitute.

**Sap Sipper**: With their ability granting them an immunity to Grass-type moves, Bouffalant, Gogoat, and Sliggoo are all solid defensive answers to Servine. Zebstrika can act as an offensive check, although it can be worn down by Life Orb, entry hazards, or simply switching into Hidden Power. Power Fire.

2/2
 

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