What it does
Supersweet Syrup triggers on the carrier's first entry into battle, lowering the evasion of every currently active opposing Pokémon by one stage (-1). In doubles, both opponents get hit. After that first entry, the ability goes silent — subsequent entries do nothing.
What does evasion -1 actually mean for accuracy? A move with 90% base accuracy against a -1 evasion target has an effective accuracy of 90% × (100/80) = 112.5%, which caps at 100%. For moves in the 85%–95% accuracy range, evasion -1 effectively makes them near-certain to land. The jump is smaller for moves that already have 100% accuracy — those don't benefit much.
In doubles, lowering both opposing Pokémon's evasion on a single entry is a real advantage — as long as those opponents aren't already running evasion boosts.
Who runs it
Hydrapple at ~28% usage in Champions. Hydrapple isn't a fast sweeper — it's a bulky attacker (106 HP, 80 Def, 110 Sp. Def) that sticks around. Its Speed of 44 makes it a Trick Room piece. The evasion drop on entry is the opening gift; afterward, Hydrapple does its work through sustained pressure with Dragon Pulse, Energy Ball, and Recover.
How to use it
Lead Hydrapple when you want the accuracy bonus active from turn 1. Both opponents start with evasion -1, your team's moves land more reliably throughout the early turns while the debuff holds.
The ability is single-use per game, so when you bring Hydrapple out matters. Leading it gives you the benefit immediately. Bringing it in mid-game means the first several turns happen without the boost — the entry window is spent, and it finally triggers when you have fewer turns left to capitalize.
Tips & strategy
Evasion -1 is less effective against opponents who have actively raised their evasion. If they've used Double Team or have a self-boosting ability like Moody, one stage reduction only partially offsets what they've stacked.
In doubles, the -1 applies separately to each opponent — each gets their own -1 stage reduction, not a combined -2. Two targets with evasion -1 each.
The ability pairs well with teammates that use slightly shaky-accuracy moves. If your partner runs Rock Slide (90% accuracy, two hits in doubles) or Hydro Pump (80% accuracy), getting both opponents to evasion -1 removes a lot of variance from those moves.