Talk:Zangoose VS Seviper/@comment-24466042-20160218003025

Hm, what ability is Zangoose getting, as the two abilities it can get cancel eachother out. One makes it immune to being poisoned, while the other increases its attack stat, both give Zangoose quite a good advantage in the fight while Serviper's abilities don't really hinder Zangoose.

Going by level up moves, these two don't have moves super effective against the other, but do have some good stat boosting moves, such as Hone Claws for Zangoose and Coil for Serviper, which will certainly give them an edge.

Breaking down stats:

HP is a tie at the maximum for both being 350.

Attack has Zangoose > Serviper, with Zangoose at 361 maximum and Serviper at 328.

Defense is a tie at 240 maximum for both.

Special Attack has Zangoose < Serviper with Zangoose at 240 maximum, and Serviper at 328.

Special Defense is a tie at 240 maximum for both.

Speed has Zangoose > Serviper, with Zangoose at 306 maximum, and Serviper 251.

Zangoose has the edge in more stats here, though Serviper does have moves to put it at a disadvantage (Glare handling Speed, as well as paralysing Zangoose, Coil being able to make Serviper have better Attack, Defense and Accuracy, and Venom Drench lowering both stats Zangoose has the advantage in, as well as Special Attack.)

At the same time, Zangoose also have good moves dealing with stats, such as Swords Dance and Hone Claws to boost it even further, and Leer to lower Serviper's Defense. However, Zangoose also has two trump card moves up its sleeve; Taunt and Detect; Taunt would prevent Serviper from using any non damaging moves, which can allow for Zangoose to set up a lot more and put its stats at a much higher level than Serviper's, while Detect would let it completely be unaffected by moves, albeit it's wise to not abuse this privelege, only having 5 of them max, going by the standard amount.

Pokedex entries don't offer much to either side. For Zangoose it mentions it tearing through foes with it's sharp claws and having really good agility, while for Serviper it mentions it having a sword like tail and having a deadly posion (which either could help Zangoose in terms of power, or not affect it at all, depending on abilities.)

Overall I'd give this to Zangoose, with it having more stats that it excels in over Serviper, having abilities that negate one of Serviper's best advantages of poison and having more effective moves for winning this battle. While Serviper does have some decent tricks such as Glare, Venom Drench or Swagger, I don't see them being enough to put Zangoose down, but Serviper definitely won't go down without a fight.

I wish I put this much effort into school essays.