Snover Movesets & Competitive Sets

Snover finds a niche in LC thanks to Snow Warning enabling a threatening sweeper in Alolan Sandshrew. Giga Drain complements Blizzard by hitting Water-types like Frillish and Staryu. Ice Shard revenge kills weakened foes like Abra, while Protect allows Snover to block Mienfoo's Fake Out and scout Choice-locked Pokemon like Mudbray. Mareanie is a notable partner on hail teams due to its ability to check Fire- and Fighting-types, like Ponyta and Mienfoo, in one teamslot. Trappers like Diglett and Wynaut can remove threats like Staryu, Mareanie, and Timburr.

Moves Snover's primary move is Blizzard, which gains perfect accuracy in hail and is a very powerful and spammable STAB move that can deal massive damage to neutral targets and certain Pokemon such as Vullaby, Mudbray, and Foongus. Giga Drain serves as a secondary STAB move that can hit Pokemon such as Drilbur, Chinchou, and Tirtouga, although the Pokemon it hits with Giga Drain might carry Rock-type moves, which Snover needs to be careful of. Giga Drain also is a decently reliable recovery source. Ice Shard allows Snover to clean weakened Pokemon that it might not be able to outspeed such as Choice Scarf Doduo and Rufflet. Hidden Power Ground is Snover's most effective coverage move, as it can hit most of Snover's checks super effectively such as Pawniard, Ponyta, and Magnemite; although, it most likely cannot KO them in a one-on-one situation, so it is most effective on an expected switch. Hidden Power Fire is an alternative option,but the only additional Pokemon it hits is Ferroseed, which switches into Snover quite easily otherwise. Set Details Snover's Speed investment combined with Choice Scarf and a Naive nature allow Snover to reach 21 Speed, which allows it to outspeed the entire unboosted metagame and some other Choice Scarf users. The drawback to this is that Snover's Special Defense is lowered by the effect of the Naive nature, although it doesn't really take a toll, since Snover's Attack and Special Attack are more important, and most moves aimed at it are physical anyway. 104 Attack and 184 Special Attack EVs make Snover's moves much more powerful and allow Snover to sweep more easily, especially with Ice Shard. Snover's offensive EVs allow it to OHKO Doduo and Eviolite Staryu with Ice Shard and Giga Drain, respectively, after they take Stealth Rock and hail damage. Snow Warning allows Snover to set up hail automatically and gain a perfectly accurate Blizzard while nullifying other weather effects; it also provides useful chip damage by weakening opposing Pokemon every turn and also breaking their Focus Sash. Usage Tips Snover is a moderate sweeper that should be sent in early-game to weaken its checks, which are mostly important pivots, so that if they're eliminated, it would be easier for Snover's teammates to sweep. When all of the Pokemon that resist Blizzard such as Fire- and Steel-types are eliminated, Snover can freely spam Blizzard to inflict heavy damage neutrally or super effectively. Snover can switch into resisted moves from Pokemon that don't have any good moves to check it with, and then Snover can revenge kill them if they don't switch out, although Snover needs to be extremely wary of coverage moves because it is rather frail. Snover can use this method against most Chinchou variants, but Snover needs to watch out for Ice Beam. Snover shouldn't directly use Hidden Power Ground against one of its checks in a one-on-one situation because it will most likely lose; however, if they are frail enough, Snover can 2HKO them if it hits them on the switch and outspeeds them later. Team Options Snover's half Ice typing makes it weak to the common Stealth Rock that chips away important fractions of its health, so strong spinners such as Staryu and Drilbur are much appreciated to help preserve Snover's health to allow it to sweep longer; Staryu especially can deal with Rock- and Fire-types for Snover, while it deals with Grass-types for Staryu, forming decent synergy. Pokemon that can deal with Fire- and Steel-types are appreciated because they solidly wall Snover and can KO it easily, so Pokemon such as Staryu and Onix or Ponyta and Mienfoo can take them out, respectively. Knock Off users like Vullaby, Timburr, and Mienfoo are also helpful because they can remove the opposing Pokemon's Eviolite, which leaves them more vulnerable to Snover's sweeping capabilities. Fighting-types are a problem for Snover because they can take a Blizzard, mostly take a few neutral Giga Drains, and KO Snover easily, so Pokemon that can check Fighting-types such as Abra and Doduo are appreciated. Entry hazard setters help Snover sweep more easily; hazards break Focus Sashes on opposing Pokemon and lower their health so Snover has a better chance of sweeping.

Moves Blizzard is a very powerful STAB move that hits 100% of the time in hail and hits Pokemon such as Foongus, Drilbur, and Rufflet super effectively, as well as doing heavy neutral damage. Giga Drain is Snover's other STAB move that hits Water-types that resist Blizzard. Ice Shard is Snover's important priority move that can be used to clean weakened Pokemon, especially if they're faster than Snover such as Doduo or Vullaby after a Weak Armor boost. Hidden Power Ground is generally used as a coverage move to hit Fire- and Steel-types, which otherwise wall Snover, although it shouldn't be used in a one-on-one situation, as it can't OHKO them; it is best used on the switch. Hidden Power Fire has the same purpose as Hidden Power Ground, although it only hits Steel-types, especially Ferroseed, which is a common switch-in to Snover. Set Details Snover's defensive EV investments alongside its Eviolite grant it reasonable bulk, which allows it to tank more neutral or powerful resisted moves such as Hydro Pump and Psychic from Staryu and Abra, respectively. Snover's offensive EVs and a Quiet nature allow it to hit reasonably hard with its STAB moves and Ice Shard, giving it a balance in offense and defense, although the Quiet nature makes Snover a little sluggish. However, Snover's offensive capabilities and its bulk are much more important than its Speed, as it was already slow without the nature already. Snover's offensive EVs also allow it to OHKO Doduo and Eviolite Staryu with Ice Shard and Giga Drain, respectively, after hail and Stealth Rock damage. Snow Warning provides useful chip damage for Snover, as the opposing team gets weakened every turn, which leaves it vulnerable to Snover's strong STAB moves. It also breaks Focus Sashes. Usage Tips With its balance between defense and offense, Snover can be used as a pivot and switch into Pokemon that it resists and possibly take them out with super effective STAB moves. Pokemon that Snover can switch into and take out include Staryu and Chinchou, although Snover needs to watch out for the latter's Ice Beam if they run it. Snover should not be carelessly pivoted because if its switches into Knock Off, it loses an important portion of its bulk and is left more vulnerable, allowing it to be KOed by its faster checks. Snover should also be careful when pivoting, as the opponent can predict Snover switching in and hit it with a super effective coverage move; unexpected status moves are also risky to switch into, so be careful when pivoting Snover, and beware for status and coverage moves. As the Choice Scarf set is more commonly known and used, Snover can bluff being Choice-locked and surprise the opposing Pokemon that resists the previously used move with an other super effective move; an example of this is if Snover uses Blizzard when Staryu switches in and then surprises Staryu with Giga Drain. Snover should only use Hidden Power Ground if it predicts that one of its checks are going to switch in so it can deal super effective damage, although if Snover cannot outspeed that check, it needs to switch out because it will get KOed. You should never use Hidden Power Ground in a one-on-one situation against Snover's checks because mostly all of them can easily take a Hidden Power Ground and KO Snover. Team Options Snover appreciates powerful spinners and Defog users due to Stealth Rock taking its important health away; it affects this variant even more, since pivots need to switch in and out quite often, so Pokemon such as Staryu and Archen that can help remove Stealth Rock make for great partners. Archen especially is useful, as it can take out Flying- and Fire-types for Snover, while it takes out Water-types that threaten Archen. Pokemon that can deal with Fire-, Fighting-, and Flying-type Pokemon are great partners, as the aforementioned types except for Flying can wall most of Snover's moves and can outspeed and KO it, although Flying-types are in trouble if Snover lives their attack. Pokemon such as Onix, Staryu, and Archen can take out Fire-types, Abra and Doduo can take out the Fighting-types, and Elekid and Kabuto can take out faster Flying-types. Pokemon that appreciate Snover's automatic hail setting such as Alolan Sandshrew and Cubchoo are good teammates, as they both have access to Slush Rush and can sweep the opposing team and some of Snover's checks, including Flying-types. Snover can also help wear down and take out mutual checks. Steel-type checks are also appreciated, as Snover can't take out most of them with Hidden Power Ground alone, unless it hits a frailer Steel-type Pokemon on the switch that it outspeeds and can later 2HKO it. Pokemon such as Timburr, Ponyta, and Diglett are good teammates in this situation.

Moves Blizzard is a very powerful STAB move that has perfect accuracy in hail. Giga Drain is the best option for a secondary STAB move, as it keeps Snover healthy throughout the match and nails Water-types that resist Blizzard. Ice Shard is a useful move, picking off opposing Pokemon that are faster than Snover and have been significantly weakened. Keep in mind that Eviolite Snover can't take on max Speed Fletchling with Ice Shard as Snover is slower. The Hidden Power of choice goes in the last slot. This choice depends on Snover's teammates and what types of Pokemon are the biggest problem for your team. Hidden Power Rock hits most Fire-types hard. Hidden Power Ground nails Magnemite, and Hidden Power Fire hits Steel-types, especially Ferroseed, extremely hard. Set Details The investment in bulk gives Snover even numbers in its defenses, taking the best advantage of Eviolite. The remaining EVs are placed in both attacking stats, with Special Attack being maxed. As Snover needs investment in both offensive and defensive stats, a Speed-lowering nature is used. The EV spread also allows for any Hidden Power listed to be used without trouble. Usage Tips Bulky Snover makes use of its typing to repeatedly switch into Water-, Electric-, and Ground-types and heal up with Giga Drain. This makes it an especially good switch-in for Chinchou, as Chinchou rarely carries Hidden Power Fire. This Snover variant can also bluff being Choice-locked, as many people expect Snover to be a Choice Scarf variant. For example, it can surprise Water-types with Giga Drain if the opponent thinks Snover is locked into Blizzard. Team Options Snover appreciates a Rapid Spin or Defog user, such as Drilbur, Vullaby, or Staryu. Archen is a good partner as it carries Defog and can take on Pokemon such as Fletchling and Houndour. Snover can take on the Water- and Electric-types that threaten Archen. Fighting-types are a problem for Snover, so Flying-types such as Fletchling and Doduo make good offensive teammates.

Moves Blizzard is the best STAB move on a hail inducer. It hits a lot of the tier, most notably Flying-types, extremely hard. Giga Drain hits Water-type switch-ins, healing Snover in the process. Ice Shard might seem a bit strange on a Choice Scarf set, but it provides Snover with a method of defeating opposing priority users that have been weakened, specifically Fletchling. The last slot provides coverage against common switch-ins to Blizzard. Hidden Power Fire nails opposing Steel-types, particularly Ferroseed. It is also the most effective choice for dealing with opposing Snover. Hidden Power Rock hits opposing Fire-types, such as Larvesta and Vulpix, on the switch. Hidden Power Ground hits Magnemite the hardest. It also hits a mix of Fire- and Steel-types super effectively, including Ponyta, Vulpix, and Honedge, but it lacks super effective coverage on Ferroseed, Bronzor, and Larvesta. Set Details Maximum Speed investment with a boosting nature gives Snover 14 Speed, allowing it to hit 21 Speed with Choice Scarf and outspeed the unboosted metagame. Special Attack is then maxed out to make Snover's attacks hit as hard as possible. A Naive nature increases Speed at the expense of Special Defense, meaning that Snover must try to avoid special attacks. Usage Tips Choice Scarf Snover is best used late-game when it can safely spam Blizzard. A prediction gone wrong early- or mid-game can spell doom for Snover. However, it can revenge kill reasonably well. If you bring Snover in on something weak to Ice-type attacks, such as Archen, while your opponent has an Ice-resistant Pokemon in reserve, prediction becomes important. Use Giga Drain or the appropriate Hidden Power to punish the switch-in. Team Options As it is weak to Stealth Rock, Snover appreciates the help of a Rapid Spin or Defog user. Fortunately, many of these Pokemon pair well with Snover. Mold Breaker Drilbur can easily take on the Fire- and Steel-types that trouble Snover, including Pokemon with Levitate such as Bronzor. Vullaby can Defog entry hazards away and remove Eviolites with Knock Off, softening up the opposition for Snover. Staryu can take on the Fire-types that give Snover trouble. Archen provides Defog support and helps wall Flying-types such as Fletchling, which are a huge problem for Snover.