BP
Upper Decky Lip Mints
He looks pissed because he knows Bagon is better
[SET]
name: Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Rock Slide
move 4: Hidden Power Bug / Facade
item: Soft Sand / Lum Berry
ability: Guts
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Larvitar sets itself apart from Bagon as a Dragon Dance user thanks to its resistance to Normal-type moves. This allows it to set up a Dragon Dance against Aipom that is locked into Double Edge or Delcatty, which can only hope to paralyze Larvitar with Body Slam. After one Dragon Dance, Larvitar is able to outspeed and OHKO most base 85 Speed attackers with either of its STAB moves. Earthquake OHKOes faster attackers such as Staryu, Mankey, and Aipom if Larvitar is holding Soft Sand while threatening Rock- and Electric-types such as Rhyhorn, Chinchou, and Magnemite. Rock Slide provides Larvitar with an option against Flying-types such as Delibird, Pidgeotto, Taillow, and Butterfree while also threatening Dustox. Hidden Power Bug threatens bulky Grass-types such as Bayleef and Exeggcute, which otherwise OHKO Larvitar with their Grass-type STAB moves. Alternatively, Larvitar can use Facade to grant it a more powerful option when inflicted with status due to its ability Guts. Soft Sand allows Larvitar to always OHKO Aipom with Earthquake when at +1 instead of relying on a 93% chance to do so without it. Alternatively, Larvitar can hold a Lum Berry in order to prevent it from being paralyzed by Delcatty when it tries to set up, though this can be counterproductive if Larvitar is using Facade.
Larvitar does its best work on offense teams that rely on special attackers. These teams appreciate Larvitar's usefulness in threatening common special walls like Dustox and Delcatty. Pokemon like Elekid, Chinchou, Staryu, and Croconaw all appreciate Larvitar for these reasons. These special attackers threaten Koffing, which otherwise walls Larvitar and has a chance to OHKO it with Hidden Power Grass. Chinchou is notable as a teammate, as its access to Thunder Wave can create more opportunities for Larvitar to set up or remove threats by remedying its poor Speed. Secondary sweepers that appreciate the removal of special walls and Aipom, such as Growlithe, Masquerain, and Butterfree, pair well with Larvitar. Butterfree's access to Sleep Powder makes it an incredible partner, as it provides Larvitar with more opportunities to set up Dragon Dance. Growlithe is worth noting, as it threatens Grass-types like Bayleef, which allows Larvitar to more safely use Facade over Hidden Power Bug. Larvitar fails to outspeed Elekid, Luvdisc, and Voltorb when at +1, so Pokemon that can check them, such as Castform and Dustox, are appreciated.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Larvitar can use Substitute alongside a Lum Berry to turn Delcatty into setup fodder, but this means it has to drop Hidden Power Bug or Facade.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Koffing**: Koffing has a 12% chance to OHKO Larvitar with Hidden Power Grass and completely walls it at +1 if Guts is not active. Koffing must be wary of Larvitar if it has been inflicted with status, as Facade can 2HKO Koffing at +1.
**Pokemon with Over Base 85 Speed**: Elekid, Voltorb, and Luvdisc are all able to outspeed and OHKO it even at +1 with Hidden Power Grass or Hydro Pump.
**Bulky Grass-types**: Lileep and Bayleef can counter Larvitar if it lacks Hidden Power Bug and OHKO it with their Grass-type STAB moves. If Larvitar has been inflicted with status, it can 2HKO Bayleef at +1 with Facade and Lileep with Earthquake.
**Faster Attackers**: Pokemon that outspeed Larvitar can prevent it from using Dragon Dance. Water-types such as Chinchou, Seaking, and Croconaw all outspeed and threaten Larvitar with their Water-type STAB moves. Both Butterfree and Masquerain outspeed Larvitar and can OHKO it with their Grass-type coverage.
**Cubone**: Larvitar does outspeed Cubone; however, it only has a 37% to 2HKO Cubone with Earthquake when it's not at +1. This allows Cubone to answer back with an OHKO from Earthquake.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/bp.272450/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gangsta-spongebob.535530/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sleid.601970/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/zastra.558636/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/autumn.384270/
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