>>56250857>Pelipper is tankier physicallynot exactly, also there's little difference between 95 and 90 SpA. Pelipper has near-paper SpD, which can't be even closer to Politoed as it has good HP and SpD.
Pelipper also suffers from having an awful defensive typing, giving it more weakesses (and a x4 one).
252+ Atk Choice Band Tera Normal Dragonite Extreme Speed vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Pelipper: 159-187 (49 - 57.7%) -- 96.9% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Tera Normal Dragonite Extreme Speed vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Politoed: 190-225 (49.4 - 58.5%) -- 98.8% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Flutter Mane Moonblast vs. 252 HP / 252 SpD Pelipper: 237-279 (73.1 - 86.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Flutter Mane Moonblast vs. 252 HP / 252 SpD Politoed: 189-223 (49.2 - 58%) -- 98% chance to 2HKO
Politoed outclasses Pelipper stat-wise and type-wise. However, the main reason you use Pelipper over Politoed most of the time is due to Pelipper having recovery with Roost and utility with Tailwind and Wide Guard (and Defog in prior gens) and, indeed, STAB Hurricane also helps it a bit while keeping the rain up.
Politoed, despite looking outclassed due to lacking recovery and Tailwind, it can cripple when you less expect: while Pelliper can support the team, Politoed on the other hand can cripple the opposing team with Encore, Swagger and Perish Song (also being able to Perish-trap with Whirlpool). Also has Earth Power and Mud Shot to abuse Ground Tera-STAB (both mons opt for Ground as their tera type), and it can catch people by surprise when you don't expect it cooking a Belly Drum physical sweep.
Usually you might pick Pelipper over Politoed, but the latter might take you by surprise, and thus it shouldn't be underestimated either.
It's all up to your teambuilding.
