Pawniard @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Defiant
Level: 5
EVs: 236 Atk / 36 Def / 36 SpD / 196 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- Iron Head
- Pursuit
- Brick Break / Sucker Punch
Roles: Revenge Killer, Wallbreaker, Physical Sweeper

What It Does: Pawniard is a phenomenal pokemon that is definitely a top tier threat. It's one of the most dominant Pokemon in LC. With this set, Pawniard acts as an amazing scarfer with lots of offensive and defensive utilities as it's able to revenge kill a plethora of threats. It provides Knock Off support throughout the game and can even trap threats by using Pursuit while checking several threats. STAB moves off an 18 Attack stat are extremely powerful, making Pawniard hard to switch into without a sturdy resistance. Knock Off is the move Pawniard will use most of the time as it's very powerful and removing items from switch-ins such as Mienfoo and Timburr can come handy for it and its partners. Knock off is a particularly crippling move since items are very important in a tier like LC where Eviolite and Berry Juice are very common. Iron Head is a great secondary STAB as it hits Spritzee, Cottonee and Snubbull for super-effective damage, and is Pawniard's most reliable move against fighting types, possibly 2hkoing them once they're knocked off and other dark resists such as Vullaby. Pursuit's aim is trapping Ghost-types as well as Abra, that would escape Knock Off and potentially preventing a weaken foe on low health from switching back in later and causing trouble. Then, in last slot, Pawniard has 2 options: Brick Break and Sucker Punch. The former lets Pawniard hit opposing Pawniard, Houndoor and Scraggy harder, OHKOing another Pawniard while OHKOing Offensive Houndour and 2HKO eviolite variant. However, Sucker Punch can be used in order to kill faster foes like Scarf Misdreavus, Scarf Gastly, Bellsprout under the Sun (after a round of LO and SR most of the time) and 13 speed Shell Smashers after a boost (i.e. Omanyte).
Pawniard is always a great addition to basically every kind of teams because it just does so many things at once. Thanks to its typing and bulk Pawniard can check numerous threats such as Misdreavus(be careful with HP Fighting and Will-o-Wisp though), Fletchling, Spritzee and Cottonee. From there, it can start removing items thanks to Knock Off. Even counters can be taken as advantage as Pawniard can knock off them, possibly allowing a partner to sweep. Pawniard can even take advantage of Defog and Sticky Web thanks to Defiant.

Good Teammates: Basically every teams enjoy the use of Pawniard as it does so many things really effectively. Sweepers like Carvanha, Scraggy and Tirtouga really enjoy the use of Pawniard. It really support them by removing Eviolite and Berry Juice with Knock Off. With items removed, it will be easier to do their jobs. On top of that, it can weaken fighting-types that counters these sweepers, making the sweep easier. Fighting-types are also notable teammate as they can form a double knock off with Pawniard and appreciate Pawniard's ability to get rid of Fairies-type. Eventually, an answer to fighting-types is important as they counter Pawniard. For this reason, Fletching and fairies type are great partners especially the former as it deals with Fighting-type and appreciates Knock Off support from Pawniard.

What Counters It: Fighting-types are great counters to Pawniard. They resist Knock Off and have the bulk to tank Iron Head and they obviously kill Pawniard (or can set-up in Scraggy's case). Trubbish does also fairly well, it can take 2 knock off and kill with Drain Punch. Moreover, it sets up Spikes and thus prevents Pawniard's coming on the field. For this reason, Dwebble and Ferroseed help in dealing with Pawniard as they both set up hazards.

Additional Info: Pawniard can also use an Eviolite set to great effect with Knock Off, Sucker Punch, Iron Head and Swords Dance and 156 Atk / 36 Def / 116 SpD / 196 Spe with a Jolly nature. While this set loses the speed of Scarf, it gains bulk thanks to Eviolite and has a priority in Sucker Punch to patch it. The aim of this set is simple, setting up a swords Dance, which isn't too hard thanks to Pawniard's bulk and typing and Eviolite. While Eviolite is the prefered item for the bulk it provides, Berry Juice can be used for longevity and Life Orb to give more power. Moreover, if Swords Dance isn't necessary, Pawniard as it's an amazing setter thanks to its bulk, typing and ability to deter Defog thanks to its ability and it can set up it throughout the game. Brick Break, just like Scarf is used to hit harder other Pawniard, Houndour and Scraggy.