ADV 50 Analysis - Fearow

    Fearow
    Type: Normal / Flying
    Stats: 65 | 90 | 65 | 65 | 61 | 100
    Abilities: Keen Eye

    Introduction

    Most Normal-types in ADV 50 struggle with being Spikes bait for Forretress, at the very least, as well as the plethora of incredible normal-resistant walls such as Aggron, Golem, and Steelix. As such, Choice Band sets for Normal-types are usually eschewed for other sets that can maintain momentum against those sturdy walls. Furthermore, a Choice Band set on Fearow faces competition from Stantler, Scyther, and Crobat, and so in total, although Fearow should not be discounted as an effective cleaner when equipped with a Choice Band, it is a rarely seen and somewhat niche option for the bird. Although its typing is fairly limited defensively - its Grass-type resistance being its most useful resistance in practice, as it enables it to come into and set up against Meganium - its high speed, acceptable attacking stat, and access to Baton Pass make it a reasonably effective Pokemon in the metagame.

    Sets

    SubPass

    Fearow @ Leftovers
    Ability: Keen Eye
    EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
    Jolly Nature
    - Substitute
    - Baton Pass
    - Drill Peck
    - Hidden Power [Ground]

    Set Details

    SubPass Fearow can set up against Pokemon such as Forretresss and Meganium. Drill Peck and Hidden Power Ground have perfect neutral coverage together, and let it do significant damage to typical switch-ins such as Aggron. The EVs maximise its Speed and Attack - defensive EVs serve little purpose, and maximising attack and speed make it an effective revenge killer. Speed tieing with Pokemon such as Typhlosion and other Fearow can also be quite useful. Mixed Typhlosion in particular makes a great partner to SubPass Fearow, as it's strong, and its great coverage makes it difficult to switch into, ensuring that in most games it deals heavy damage in the process of being forced out.

    Choice Band

    Fearow @ Choice Band
    Ability: Keen Eye
    EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
    Jolly Nature
    - Drill Peck
    - Hidden Power [Ground]
    - Return / Double-Edge
    - Baton Pass / Quick Attack / Sleep Talk

    Set Details

    Choice Band Fearow is a decent cleaner, although it faces competition from Scyther, Stantler, and Crobat. Drill Peck provides STAB, and Hidden Power Ground has perfect neutral coverage alongside Drill Peck, hitting Flying-type resistances neutrally if not super-effectively. Return is a strong STAB option, and is stronger versus neutral targets than Drill Peck, although Double-Edge is even stronger - however, it does have recoil. The final slot is dedicated to a utility move: Baton Pass can generate momentum early-game, which is often more valuable than doing damage early on, Quick Attack can end attempted sweeps by Reversal and Flail users such as Hitmonlee, and Sleep Talk helps it to check the likes of Venomoth, Vileplume, and Jumpluff. The EVs simply maximise power and speed, maximising its potential as a cleaner.

    SubToxic

    Fearow @ Leftovers
    Ability: Keen Eye
    EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
    Jolly Nature
    - Substitute
    - Toxic
    - Drill Peck
    - Hidden Power [Ground]

    Set Details

    SubToxic Fearow is a Pokemon designed to act as a stand-alone sweeper, sacrificing the higher power of the Choice Band set for the ability to use its coverage, and Toxic, helping it to wear down Rock-types and bulky physical walls, such as Golem, Kabutops, and Whiscash. The EVs maximise speed and power.

    Other Options

    Another significant option for Fearow is an AgiliPass set, however Scizor and Scyther both can fill the role, and there are few Pokemon which really appreciate an Agility enough to merit the set being used. Hidden Power Fighting could be used instead of Hidden Power Ground on any of the sets; it hits Normal-types super-effectively, however Hidden Power Ground hits Ghost-types besides Misdreavus (which take nothing from Hidden Power Fighting, as well as Fearow's Normal-type STAB), and hits Electric-types super-effectively also (note that Electric-types resist Fearow's STAB Drill Peck). Thief is an option to steal Leftovers or Choice Band from Rock- and Steel-types.

    Checks and Counters

    Rock- and Steel-types such as Forretress, Steelix, and Kabutops are the best answers to it. Combining a Ghost- and an Electric-type, to have a Normal-type immunity and Flying-type resistance can provide a way of handling Choice Band Fearow. Substitute Fearow, meanwhile, can be punished hard by Rock Blast Golem, as the multi-hit attack can break through the substitute to KO Fearow. Physical tanks such as Whiscash and Torkoal can also check Fearow somewhat effectively.

	Analysis written by Disaster Area