Dunsparce is one of the real gems that was introduced in Pokémon Gold & Silver. While not celebrated for its competitive use, this “land snake” Pokémon certainly gets marks for its unique appearance and elusiveness in-game.
Stats
- HP: 100
- Attack: 70
- Defense: 70
- Special Attack: 65
- Special Defense: 65
- Speed: 45
With stats like these, Dunsparce isn’t going to stand up to top-tier battlers, but there are a few highlights. Its rather high HP helps out with the low Defense and Special Defense stats and its slow speed could be a boon for Trick Room teams.
Ability
- Serene Grace: Doubles the secondary effect of a move (ex: chance of burning or paralyzing opponent)
- Run Away: Guarantees an escape from wild Pokémon
- Rattled (Hidden Ability): Raises the Pokémon’s speed by one stage when hit by a Bug, Dark, or Ghost-type attack
Serene Grace is really the only recommendable ability, as it doesn’t have enough defenses to take repeated hits for Rattled and the latter is out-classed by Serene Grace anyway.
Strategy
- Ability: Serene Grance / Nature: Careful (Sp Def+, Sp Atk-) / Item: Leftovers or Rocky Helmet
- Roost or Headbutt
- Coil
- Glare or Body Slam
- Rock Slide or Headbutt
Such a unique Pokémon deserves a unique range of strategies, but sadly there’s really just one way to win with Dunsparce: paralyze, then flinch. Battles should start out with a Glare, a paralysis inducing move which can even affect pesky Ground-types. From there you’re free to boost your Attack, Defense and Accuracy with Coil and then let loose with Rock Slide or Headbutt. Serene Grace kicks in giving you a high chance to flinch your opponent and they may end up losing their turn to paralysis if they manage to avoid it.
Leftovers gives you nice passive HP recovery each turn and could allow one to forgo Roost in favor of having both Rock Slide and Headbutt in order to achieve greater coverage. Rocky Helmet is another option if you’re planning to tank some hits as it will whittle down your opponent faster. The extra damage may not kick in if the para-flinching is working well, however.
What do you think? Are you willing to give this little guy a chance? Try it out and tell us how it goes!
<3 PJ
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ps- Did you hear about Nintendo’s E3 plans?!