Paras Movesets & Competitive Sets

Moves Paras is one of only three Pokemon in Little Cup with access to the 100% accurate Spore, allowing Paras to reliably put a foe to sleep as long as it isn't immune to powder moves or sleep. Knock Off allows Paras to cripple Pokemon that switch into it by removing their items and ensures that Paras isn't dead weight against opposing Grass-types. Bullet Seed hits reasonably hard coming off Paras's base 70 Attack and provides Paras with a useful STAB move as well as a method of dealing with Focus Sash, Sturdy, and Substitute users. Aromatherapy can be used instead to heal Paras and its teammates of status. Synthesis allows Paras to stay healthy throughout the match so that it can continue to check Water- and Fighting-types. Set Details 76 HP EVs let Paras hit 21 HP, allowing it to switch into Stealth Rock four times without fainting. An Impish nature and 236 Defense EVs give Paras good physical bulk, allowing it to act as a good check to Fighting-types. The remaining EVs are put into Special Defense and Attack to boost Paras's bulk and damage output. Dry Skin gives Paras a useful immunity to Water-type moves at the cost of an even larger weakness to Fire-type attacks, but this is hardly a drawback, as Paras is OHKOed by every relevant Fire-type attack regardless of Dry Skin. Usage Tips Paras should try to switch into Water-type moves such as Scald if possible, as these moves will heal Paras thanks to Dry Skin. In addition to its Water immunity, Paras has plenty of other resistances that it can take advantage of when it switches in, such as Ground, Grass, and Fighting. Be wary of switching into potential U-turn or Volt Switch users, however, as Paras has very exploitable weaknesses and is easily forced out. Spore should be used as soon as possible to take an opposing Pokemon out of commission. Keep in mind that Grass-types, as well as Overcoat users such as Vullaby, are immune to Spore, so Paras should use Knock Off against these potential switch-ins to remove their items. After a foe has been put to sleep by Spore, the free turn can be used to heal up with Synthesis, use Aromatherapy, cripple the switch-in with Knock Off, or switch to a teammate. Team Options Pokemon that appreciate solid switch-ins to Fighting-types, such as Pawniard, have good synergy with Paras. Pokemon that resist Fire- and Flying-type moves, such as Archen and Chinchou, pair well with Paras, as they can patch up its biggest weaknesses. In return, Paras can cover Archen's weaknesses to Electric- and Water-type moves, as well as Chinchou's weaknesses to Ground- and Grass-type moves. Houndour is a great teammate, as it gains a Flash Fire boost from Fire-type moves aimed at Paras and can easily take down the Grass-type Pokemon that give Paras trouble. However, keep in mind that the two share a weakness to Rock-type moves. Teammates that can remove entry hazards, such as Vullaby and Drilbur, make for good teammates, as Paras is vulnerable to all entry hazards and weak to Stealth Rock.

Being the only 100% accurate sleep-inducing move, Spore is one of the best moves in the game. Having the ability to completely remove one of the opposing team's Pokemon is a superb tool to have, especially in a metagame that is as fast-paced as Little Cup. This set attempts to use all of Paras's strengths to its advantage: its good Attack and defenses, Spore, and its access to reliable recovery. This set can be used to take out troublesome Pokemon, as well as help set up other Pokemon due to the switching that it forces. Paras is the best user of Spore out of the small pool of Pokemon that learn it. Bug Bite is a good STAB option, since it allows Paras to heal itself using the opponent's Berry. Bullet Seed hits through Substitute, Focus Sash, and Sturdy, causing significant damage over several hits, whilst Synthesis is Paras's only reliable recovery move. Paras can attempt a double status set by using Stun Spore in the last slot. Stun Spore takes advantage of the switches that Spore causes, allowing Paras to either hit an incoming opponent hard using its STAB moves or cripple it with status, rendering it useless. Due to the fact that Paras resists most priority attacks, it can take advantage of the paralysis it spreads and outspeed Pokemon which it would normally have difficulty beating. X-Scissor is a stronger STAB option for the second moveslot if you feel that Paras does not need the added boost provided by Berries or you dislike using the prediction involved in getting the boosts. Oran Berry is the better item if you choose to run Stun Spore over Synthesis, as it gives Paras a form of recovery. However, when running Synthesis, the added bulk provided by Eviolite is preferable. The EVs provided maximize physical bulk and survivability while giving Paras an offensive edge.

This set is a more offensive take on Paras. After a single Agility, Paras reaches 26 Speed, which is more than enough to outpace all unboosted Pokemon and most Choice Scarf users. Paras's good bulk and immunity to Water-type attacks give it ample opportunity to set up unimpeded. Additionally, Spore allows Paras to completely remove a potential counter from the match or give itself time to set up if it needs to. Bug Bite is an option over X-Scissor, though the added power generally makes the latter a better option. Seed Bomb is also an option over Bullet Seed if you don't like the varying damage outputs and don't care about Substitute. The choice of item is a matter of preference. Life Orb gives Paras better sweeping capabilities but the recoil severely lowers Paras's survivability. Alternatively, Oran Berry does result in less immediate sweeping power, but allows for far greater survivability.

Paras is quite a popular Pokemon in Little Cup, and for a good reason. Spore is one of the best moves in the game, being a 100% accurate sleep-inducing move. Taking a Pokemon out of combat is an excellent tool to have, especially in a metagame where every turn counts. This set uses all of Paras' strengths: its decent defenses, its above average Attack, and of course, Spore. This set comes with a couple of options, first being the second attacking move. Seed Bomb is a nice STAB move; however, while Aerial Ace is not very powerful, it hits other Paras and more importantly Croagunk. Bug Bite is a great move to use in Little Cup, with Oran Berry being the most common item in the metagame, even though X-Scissor will hit a little harder. With Paras' decent Attack stat, it can put the hurt on Pokemon switching in. Synthesis is recommended in the last move slot because of the many Pokemon who use Protect; Paras will likely get at least a couple chances to heal himself. Alternatively, Paras can use the double status approach by using Stun Spore in the last slot. The strategy is fairly simple, starting off with Spore. After the opponent is asleep, you can either predict their incoming switch and Stun Spore, or hit the sleeping Pokemon with a powerful STAB attack. Paras laughs at most priority attacks, so you don't need to worry about those outpacing you. This is the main reason Paras really benefits from using paralysis to outpace its opponent. This set does not need cover Croagunk, because Paras can generally take him out with paralysis and strong STAB attacks. With its monstrous Fire-type weakness, Paras will lure out Fire-type attackers, and as such, needs something to sponge those hits. Pokemon like Ponyta and Houndour work very well with Paras, as Paras' weakness reliably gets them Flash Fire boosts. Paras also has a huge weakness to Flying-type attacks, which will mainly come from Pokemon like Taillow, Gligar, and Doduo. These Pokemon are much easier to wall, because their STABs are all resisted by the same types. An example is Bronzor, who resists Normal-, Flying-, and Ground-type attacks. Paras has a terribly annoying Rock weakness, meaning it can only switch in a certain amount of times before it gets knocked out by Stealth Rock. Paras works best with Rapid Spin support from Pokemon such as Squirtle or Anorith, especially since, if your opponent uses Gastly (a common switch-in to Paras due to it resisting both STABs), their Ghost-type will likely get put to sleep or weakened by Paras. This gives Squirtle and Anorith a much better chance to rid the battlefield of Stealth Rock. If you opt for Stun Spore, many slow and powerful Pokemon benefit from paralysis support. Cubone is a great example; with its monstrous Attack and great coverage it will surely land a few KOs as long as it outspeeds the opponents. Substitute sweepers can also take advantage of paralysis, using Substitute until the foe is unable to attack, followed by either KOing that Pokemon or setting up. Paras also has a very unique ability that should be taken advantage of, especially with Stealth Rock being so common. Using Pokemon like Rhyhorn or Onix with Paras is an extremely good tactic for luring Water-type attacks that heal Paras up during the battle, allowing it to keep on taking the hits it needs to be taking for your team.