https://www.smogon.com/dex/sm/pokemon/serperior/uu/

    Requested by: RowletHood 

      This pokemon is infamous in it's first stage evolution for being able to defeat Pikachu, which I call BS on because Pikachu had more experience, but for some reason Snivy could beat it since Zekrom zapped Pikachu, stealing it's powers and experience imo. But we're not here to talk about Snivy, so let's discuss the Pokemon that is a one trick pony. It's dropped from OUBL/OU to UU, since it was clearly outclassed by nearly everything in the tier, and gets walled by Heatran. It's got a good ability in Contrary that reverse all stat changes from negative to positive, and vice versa. Serperior's main defining trait is that ability and Leaf Storm, but there may some hope for this Pokemon...

    Leaf Storm is Serperior's way of setting up by increasing it's special attack every single time it uses it, but it's coverage is very limited. Dragon Pulse is relatively the only thing making Latias back off, but it's outmatched by Pokemon faster than it and Scizor. Scizor, being one of the most popular Steel types in the game, known for it's defense and offensive capabilities loves engaging into an easy battle. HP Fire is really predictable, so the opponent will often be trying to place pressure on switches during the intervals when there isn't an opening. Glare and Leech Seed, however, are excellent utility moves. Glare cripples sweepers and Pokemon of similar caliber in speed, while Leech Seed recovers HP for team members should the Pokemon stay in. 

    Unfortunately for Serperior, in OU, the main reason why it fell was because of Heatran. Heatran resists or is immune to all of it's moves, and absorbs HP Fire with Flash Fire. Faster Pokemon it absolutely despises, since a knockout blow can come faster than you can say Leaf Storm! Substitute is a great move for a decoy Serperior to be running around to take a blow, so it can use Glare to cripple a Pokemon in OU like Mega Pinsir or Greninja, but it doesn't work quite work on Tapu Koko. Zapdos is also quite the threat with Heat Wave and Discharge to paralyze or do some serious damage. Nearly everything in this tier is able to counter it with raw power, or because it's coverage is very poor, making it easy pickings for Volcarona or Tornadus. Those who have defensive typings are also great at fending off Serperior. Choice Scarfers can outspeed it, such as Landorus-T and drop off a U-Turn on Serperior's world. 

     As it turns out, there's actually another set that I originally did not know about until I checked the Smogon page on Serperior(UU) before writing this chapter. It's the Normalium Z set, with Hyper Beam. As mentioned before, Leaf Storm builds up Serperior's special attack, and then Breakneck Blitz breaks through most walls who don't resist it or Moltres! Taunt blocks off non attacking moves, but you could run Glare to cut the speed of switch ins in half, or even Synthesis. Hp fire will have to be on this set, of course for Scizor. One last thing before we discuss the weaknesses and flaws of the so called "Serperior" pokemon - it learns Aqua Tail and this can be used with a Waterium Z. A bit of an interesting check to Fire type Pokemon, but remember to unleash it at the right time. 

    Serperior's fighting style can be broken down - it relies too much on it's ability, Contrary. Think about it - what is the one defining move of Serperior? Well, that of course is Leaf Storm. Glare and Leech Seed are good moves, but do they really help against Blissey, who is ironically beaten by it's pre-evolution Chansey? Leech Seed does recover HP, but nothing can touch it too hard. Dragon types mock Serperior, knowing only Dragon Pulse can harm them seriously, plus it needs a boost to actually hurt them seriously. Mega Altaria scoffs at it, knowing that Serperior can only really GLARE at it. Even so, it is pretty fun to play with, provided that there aren't Pokemon like Blissey or Dragons around to toy with it.

   Score: 6.5/10