Finishing this up for Chuckaboomboom
_-_Pokemon_X_and_Y.png/120px-Vivillon_(Poke_Ball)_-_Pokemon_X_and_Y.png)
[OVERVIEW]
With access to Sleep Powder, Compound Eyes, and Quiver Dance, Vivillon can be an effective setup sweeper. Notably, Compound Eyes boosts Hurricane's accuracy from 70 to 91 percent and Sleep Powder's accuracy from 75 to 97 percent, making Vivillon's moves more reliable to use. Unfortunately, Vivillon's bulk is very mediocre, which leaves it to be easily revenge killed by several powerful threats in the metagame such as Mega Kangaskhan, Garchomp, Mega Salamence, Thundurus, and Mamoswine. Vivillon is easily walled by Electric-, Rock-, and Steel-types such as Zapdos, Rotom-W, Tyranitar, Heatran, and Aegislash due to the fact that it usually only runs Hurricane for damage output and would have to rely on Quiver Dance to deal more damage with its coverage moves. Not being able to utilize Roost due to its poor bulk, and with a limited number of Substitutes that can be made, Vivillon is easily worn down. Even though Stealth Rock is an uncommon move in Battle Spot Singles, it will significantly hinder Vivillon's effectiveness due to its Bug / Flying typing making it lose half of its health when it switches in. Additionally, opponents have a tendency to send in their Stealth Rock setter when they see Vivillon in Team Preview. Vivillon faces tough competition from Volcarona, which has much better bulk and thus can set up Quiver Dance much more easily. Vivillon sits at an unique Speed tier of 89, which unfortunately leave it outsped by some common threats in the metagame such as Blaziken, Thundurus, and Talonflame.
[SET]
name: Quiver Dance Sweeper
move 1: Quiver Dance
move 2: Sleep Powder
move 3: Hurricane
move 4: Substitute
item: Leftovers
ability: Compound Eyes
nature: Timid
evs: 44 HP / 212 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Quiver Dance is required on Vivillon due to its lack of offensive presence, boosting its Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed to respectable levels. Sleep Powder allows Vivillon to neuter a threat temporarily and put it to sleep so that it can get a free turn to set up or get behind a Substitute. Hurricane is a strong STAB move that hits several types for neutral damage. Substitute protects Vivillon from status moves and allows it to survive a hit and put the foe to sleep again if it wakes up. It also gives Vivillon an easier time setting up Quiver Dance and works well in conjunction with Leftovers.
Set Details
========
44 HP EVs maximize recovery from Leftovers. Maximum Speed EVs boosts Vivillon's underwhelming Speed to let it outpace Pokemon such as Modest Hydreigon, Modest Volcarona, Jolly Gyarados, and Modest Mega Gardevoir before setting up Quiver Dance. It also outspeeds Adamant Choice Scarf Landorus-T after one Quiver Dance boost. The remaining 212 EVs go into Special Attack to boost its damage output as much as possible. Compound Eyes boosts the accuracy of Vivillon's Sleep Powder and Hurricane to utilize them more reliably. Leftovers gives Vivillon passive recovery and allows it to create more Substitutes.
Usage Tips
========
Vivillon's main priority is putting opposing Pokemon to sleep, especially slower and defensive Pokemon such as Cresselia and Porygon2. While the foe is asleep, Vivillon should always set up Substitute afterwards. That way it can freely set up Quiver Dance for a turn or two. With Leftovers, Vivillon can regain health and use that to its advantage by setting up more Substitutes if the opposing threat has broken one. After setting up one or two Quiver Dances, Vivillon can outspeed several Pokemon and thus continue to put foes to sleep. Without Sleep Clause, Vivillon can put to sleep as many threats as it can. After setting up enough Quiver Dances, Vivillon can deal more damage to the opponent's team with Hurricane. If there's a potential Grass-type on your opponent's team, Vivillon should set up quickly, as it is more important than putting foes to sleep with Sleep Powder. Vivillon should never try to switch into a threat unless the opposing threat is Choice locked into Earthquake such as Garchomp or Landorus-T.
Team Options
========
Greninja is a great partner for Vivillon, as it works effectively as a lead and can deal with threats that beat Vivillon with its coverage moves such as Zapdos, Heatran, and Aegislash. In turn, Vivillon can eliminate annoying Grass-types such as Mega Venusaur. Water-types such as Suicune, Rotom-W, and Gyarados can help check Fire-types such as Mega Blaziken, Heatran, and Talonflame. Rotom-W in particular resists both of Talonflame's STAB moves. Gyarados can make for a great Talonflame and Mamoswine check thanks to Intimidate. Mega Gyarados also appreciates Vivillon clearing the field of Fighting-types such as Conkeldurr and breaking Breloom's Focus Sash. Mega Mawile can threaten Dragon-types such as Garchomp, Dragonite, and Mega Salamence with Intimidate prior to Mega Evolving and can defeat each of them with a STAB Play Rough. In turn, Vivillon can take on Hippowdon for Mega Mawile.
Fire-types such as Mega Blaziken and Talonflame can deal with Steel-types. Mega Blaziken can easily get rid of Heatran with High Jump Kick, and specially defensive variants of Talonflame can defeat Aegislash. Vivillon can check Cresselia and Suicune for Mega Blaziken and Talonflame if Suicune hasn't already set up with Calm Mind. Vivillon appreciates Chansey being gone, so Mega Gengar can be a great partner for it, especially Taunt variants that prevent Chansey from using Thunder Wave or recovering with Soft-Boiled. Cresselia can handle physical attackers that Vivillon has trouble setting up Quiver Dance on such as Choice Scarf Landorus-T, Mega Blaziken, and Garchomp. With access to Lunar Dance, Cresselia can give Vivillon another chance to sweep. Mega Kangaskhan is always a good partner, being able to break through many teams with its powerful attacks, making it easier for Vivillon to sweep. Vivillon appreciates Stealth Rock support from Garchomp to break Focus Sash on Pokemon such as Breloom, especially Rock Tomb variants. It can also be a nice wallbreaker with either Choice Band or Choice Scarf acting as a great wallbreaker or outspeeding positive-natured Pokemon such as Mega Kangaskhan. Additionally, Garchomp can switch into predicted Electric-type moves for Vivillon.
[SET]
name: Focus Sash Lead
move 1: Sleep Powder
move 2: Quiver Dance
move 3: Hurricane
move 4: Endeavor / Hidden Power Ground
item: Focus Sash
ability: Compound Eyes
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Quiver Dance is Vivillon's boosting move, letting it deal more damage to its threats and outspeed Adamant Choice Scarf Pokemon such as Landorus-T and Garchomp. Sleep Powder allows Vivillon to cripple the foe and get a couple of turns to set up. Hurricane is Vivillon's main attacking move, hitting every Pokemon hard that doesn't resist move. With several hard-hitting threats in the metagame, Vivillon can make perfect use of Endeavor with its subpar bulk and Focus Sash, which allows Vivillon to bring the foe down to 1 HP for a teammate to finish off. The move works very well against Pokemon that resist its STAB attacks such as Heatran and Zapdos. Alternatively, Hidden Power Ground gives Vivillon some coverage against Rock-, Electric-, and Steel-types such as Tyranitar, Mega Manectric, Heatran, and Aegislash.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack and Speed EVs with a Timid nature are needed for Vivillon to hit as hard as it can while outspeeding Choice Scarf Pokemon such as Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Hydreigon after a Quiver Dance boost. Focus Sash allows Vivillon to get a Sleep Powder or Endeavor off against a powerful, faster threat. Compound Eyes is absolutely necessary for Vivillon to have a higher chance to hit its target with Hurricane or Sleep Powder.
Usage Tips
========
Vivillon works as a solid lead, as it survives any hit so that it can cripple a threat with Sleep Powder or set up with Quiver Dance. Vivillon can't afford to take much damage when it switches into a threat because of its poor bulk. Sleep Powder is usually the safe move to go for, especially if the opponent lacks any Grass-types; additionally, you can make the foe use its Lum Berry and then go for a second Sleep Powder if Vivillon is faster or the foe goes for a non-attacking move. However, in some situations, it may be helpful to bring Vivillon in on a Fighting-type Pokemon such as Mega Heracross or Conkeldurr when it's using a STAB attack, as Vivillon is 4x resistant to Fighting and can retaliate with a Hurricane. Still, be careful because their other coverage moves can bring Vivillon down to its Focus Sash. Vivillon can also come into Choice-locked Ground-types such as Garchomp and Landorus-T. That way, it can get a free Sleep Powder or Quiver Dance as the foe switches out. Use Endeavor when Vivillon is about to faint so that its teammate can have an easier time taking down the opposing threat.
Team Options
========
Azumarill threatens the Dragon-types such as Garchomp and Mega Salamence that outspeed Vivillon while also beating Landorus-T and Mamoswine with its powerful Water-type STAB move of choice. In turn, Azumarill appreciates Mega Venusaur and Serperior gone. Steel-types such as Aegislash and Excadrill are decent with Vivillon. Aegislash is a complete counter to Breloom, particularly with Safety Goggles equipped, while Mold Breaker Choice Scarf Excadrill makes quick work of the common Rotom formes, specifically Rotom-W and Rotom-H. Additionally, it can even late-game clean by making foes flinch with Iron Head if need be.
Greninja is a powerful lead that can beat other common leads such as Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Mamoswine with its superior coverage and priority. Vivillon appreciates dedicated walls such as Cresselia, Porygon2, and Mega Sableye, as they can switch into Mega Kangaskhan and remove it. Ground-types such as Garchomp and Landorus-T make for decent checks to a lot of Fire-types that threaten Vivillon, such as Talonflame and Blaziken. They also make for great Stealth Rock setters that help break Focus Sash Pokemon such as Breloom and prevent the Fire-types such as Talonflame, Blaziken, Charizard, and Volcarona from coming in safely.
Rotom-W is excellent at removing Talonflame from the field, as it resists both of its STAB moves and can retaliate with its own STAB attacks. Suicune and Slowbro can also take on Talonflame and other Fire-types such as Mega Blaziken and Heatran. Mega Gengar can help get rid of annoying Pokemon such as Chansey. Fighting-types such as Mega Blaziken and Conkeldurr are great partners for Vivillon due to their ability to get rid of Rock- and Steel-types such as Tyranitar and Heatran. Cresselia is a bulky switch-in to most physical attackers that give Vivillon a tough time and can bring Vivillon back to full health with Lunar Dance, which is especially useful if it's below full health and hasn't used its Focus Sash yet.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Bug Buzz is a secondary STAB move that can be used to bypass Substitute. However, Flying and Bug don't grant great coverage together and Vivillon needs Hidden Power Ground to gain coverage on Heatran, Aegislash, and Mega Mawile. Hidden Power Fire, Ice, Rock are alternate types that can be used. Hidden Power Fire is usable to get rid of Scizor and Ferrothorn. Hidden Power Ice allows Vivillon to remove Mega Salamence, Garchomp, and Landorus-T from the field if it has enough Quiver Dance boosts. Hidden Power Rock enables Vivillon to check Talonflame and Mega Charizard Y. Roost provides Vivillon with some reliable recovery; however, Vivillon's poor bulk doesn't grant it many opportunities to use the move. for Vivillon and its teammates before it faints.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Strong and Fast Attackers**: Powerful and fast attackers such as Garchomp, Mega Salamence, Thundurus, and Greninja don't have much of a problem with dealing with Vivillon, as they can all revenge kill it.
**Steel-types**: Safety Goggles Aegislash and Heatran take little damage from Vivillon's STAB moves. Both can threaten Vivillon with their powerful STAB attacks and Aegislash even has priority Shadow Sneak, as it can take out Vivillon when it's down to its Focus sash. However, both need to be wary of Hidden Power Ground if Vivillon has enough boosts from Quiver Dance to KO them.
**Tyranitar**: Tyranitar renders Vivillon's Focus Sash useless due to Sand Stream and can easily OHKO it with its Rock-type STAB move of choice. Tyranitar is also a very common Lum Berry user, which makes Sleep Powder useless against it. Also, Tyranitar doesn't take much damage from Bug Buzz due to the Special Defense boost from sand.
**Electric-types**: Zapdos can easily come in on any move Vivillon has, as it resists its STAB moves and OHKO it with Thunderbolt or one of its coverage moves. Calm Mind Raikou can set up Substitute to block Sleep Powder and easily proceed to set up alongside Vivillon. Thundurus can shut down Vivillon with Prankster Taunt, preventing it from using Sleep Powder or setting up Quiver Dance even if it's behind a Substitute. Thundurus also resists Vivillon's STAB moves and can OHKO it with Thunderbolt.
**Priority Attackers**: Breloom wins one-on-one regardless of what Vivillon is holding thanks to Mach Punch, Rock Tomb, and its own Focus Sash, and Talonflame can easily revenge kill Leftovers variants, while Lum Berry variants can absorb Sleep Powder.
**Fire-types**: Both Mega Charizard formes, Volcarona, and Blaziken can outspeed Vivillon, and the Focus Sash set can be unreliable, especially if you're unlucky with the sleep turns. Howerver Volcarona and Blaziken need to be wary of Hurricane, and Vivillon outspeeds Modest Volcarona and Adamant Mega Blaziken. It can also take advantage of Mega Blaziken's Protect by boosting before it gains the Speed advantage or setting up a Substitute.
**Mega Kangaskhan**: Jolly Mega Kangaskhan can outspeed Vivillon before a Quiver Dance boost and OHKO it with one of its STAB moves.
**Breloom and Ferrothorn**: Both Breloom and Ferrothorn are immune to Sleep Powder. Breloom usually carries Focus Sash and can use Rock Tomb to gain the Speed advantage over Vivillon if it hasn't used Quiver Dance already. Ferrothorn can deal significant damage with Gyro Ball due to its low Speed.
**Attacks that Bypass Substitute**: Vivillon needs to be wary of Hyper Voice users such as Sylveon, Mega Gardevoir, Mega Altaria, and Mega Salamence. Notably, Sylveon can continue to threaten Vivillon with Snore while it's asleep. Jolly Gardevoir also deserves a mention because some variants carry Taunt. Also, Vivillon needs to watch out for multi-hit moves such as Mamoswine's and Focus Sash Cloyster's Icicle Spear. Additionally, Lum Berry variants of Cloyster can defeat Sleep Powder Vivillon. Mega Kangaskhan can also bypass Vivillon's Substitute and Focus Sash due to Parental Bond.
_-_Pokemon_X_and_Y.png/120px-Vivillon_(Poke_Ball)_-_Pokemon_X_and_Y.png)
With access to Sleep Powder, Compound Eyes, and Quiver Dance, Vivillon can be an effective setup sweeper. Notably, Compound Eyes boosts Hurricane's accuracy from 70 to 91 percent and Sleep Powder's accuracy from 75 to 97 percent, making Vivillon's moves more reliable to use. Unfortunately, Vivillon's bulk is very mediocre, which leaves it to be easily revenge killed by several powerful threats in the metagame such as Mega Kangaskhan, Garchomp, Mega Salamence, Thundurus, and Mamoswine. Vivillon is easily walled by Electric-, Rock-, and Steel-types such as Zapdos, Rotom-W, Tyranitar, Heatran, and Aegislash due to the fact that it usually only runs Hurricane for damage output and would have to rely on Quiver Dance to deal more damage with its coverage moves. Not being able to utilize Roost due to its poor bulk, and with a limited number of Substitutes that can be made, Vivillon is easily worn down. Even though Stealth Rock is an uncommon move in Battle Spot Singles, it will significantly hinder Vivillon's effectiveness due to its Bug / Flying typing making it lose half of its health when it switches in. Additionally, opponents have a tendency to send in their Stealth Rock setter when they see Vivillon in Team Preview. Vivillon faces tough competition from Volcarona, which has much better bulk and thus can set up Quiver Dance much more easily. Vivillon sits at an unique Speed tier of 89, which unfortunately leave it outsped by some common threats in the metagame such as Blaziken, Thundurus, and Talonflame.
[SET]
name: Quiver Dance Sweeper
move 1: Quiver Dance
move 2: Sleep Powder
move 3: Hurricane
move 4: Substitute
item: Leftovers
ability: Compound Eyes
nature: Timid
evs: 44 HP / 212 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Quiver Dance is required on Vivillon due to its lack of offensive presence, boosting its Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed to respectable levels. Sleep Powder allows Vivillon to neuter a threat temporarily and put it to sleep so that it can get a free turn to set up or get behind a Substitute. Hurricane is a strong STAB move that hits several types for neutral damage. Substitute protects Vivillon from status moves and allows it to survive a hit and put the foe to sleep again if it wakes up. It also gives Vivillon an easier time setting up Quiver Dance and works well in conjunction with Leftovers.
Set Details
========
44 HP EVs maximize recovery from Leftovers. Maximum Speed EVs boosts Vivillon's underwhelming Speed to let it outpace Pokemon such as Modest Hydreigon, Modest Volcarona, Jolly Gyarados, and Modest Mega Gardevoir before setting up Quiver Dance. It also outspeeds Adamant Choice Scarf Landorus-T after one Quiver Dance boost. The remaining 212 EVs go into Special Attack to boost its damage output as much as possible. Compound Eyes boosts the accuracy of Vivillon's Sleep Powder and Hurricane to utilize them more reliably. Leftovers gives Vivillon passive recovery and allows it to create more Substitutes.
Usage Tips
========
Vivillon's main priority is putting opposing Pokemon to sleep, especially slower and defensive Pokemon such as Cresselia and Porygon2. While the foe is asleep, Vivillon should always set up Substitute afterwards. That way it can freely set up Quiver Dance for a turn or two. With Leftovers, Vivillon can regain health and use that to its advantage by setting up more Substitutes if the opposing threat has broken one. After setting up one or two Quiver Dances, Vivillon can outspeed several Pokemon and thus continue to put foes to sleep. Without Sleep Clause, Vivillon can put to sleep as many threats as it can. After setting up enough Quiver Dances, Vivillon can deal more damage to the opponent's team with Hurricane. If there's a potential Grass-type on your opponent's team, Vivillon should set up quickly, as it is more important than putting foes to sleep with Sleep Powder. Vivillon should never try to switch into a threat unless the opposing threat is Choice locked into Earthquake such as Garchomp or Landorus-T.
Team Options
========
Greninja is a great partner for Vivillon, as it works effectively as a lead and can deal with threats that beat Vivillon with its coverage moves such as Zapdos, Heatran, and Aegislash. In turn, Vivillon can eliminate annoying Grass-types such as Mega Venusaur. Water-types such as Suicune, Rotom-W, and Gyarados can help check Fire-types such as Mega Blaziken, Heatran, and Talonflame. Rotom-W in particular resists both of Talonflame's STAB moves. Gyarados can make for a great Talonflame and Mamoswine check thanks to Intimidate. Mega Gyarados also appreciates Vivillon clearing the field of Fighting-types such as Conkeldurr and breaking Breloom's Focus Sash. Mega Mawile can threaten Dragon-types such as Garchomp, Dragonite, and Mega Salamence with Intimidate prior to Mega Evolving and can defeat each of them with a STAB Play Rough. In turn, Vivillon can take on Hippowdon for Mega Mawile.
Fire-types such as Mega Blaziken and Talonflame can deal with Steel-types. Mega Blaziken can easily get rid of Heatran with High Jump Kick, and specially defensive variants of Talonflame can defeat Aegislash. Vivillon can check Cresselia and Suicune for Mega Blaziken and Talonflame if Suicune hasn't already set up with Calm Mind. Vivillon appreciates Chansey being gone, so Mega Gengar can be a great partner for it, especially Taunt variants that prevent Chansey from using Thunder Wave or recovering with Soft-Boiled. Cresselia can handle physical attackers that Vivillon has trouble setting up Quiver Dance on such as Choice Scarf Landorus-T, Mega Blaziken, and Garchomp. With access to Lunar Dance, Cresselia can give Vivillon another chance to sweep. Mega Kangaskhan is always a good partner, being able to break through many teams with its powerful attacks, making it easier for Vivillon to sweep. Vivillon appreciates Stealth Rock support from Garchomp to break Focus Sash on Pokemon such as Breloom, especially Rock Tomb variants. It can also be a nice wallbreaker with either Choice Band or Choice Scarf acting as a great wallbreaker or outspeeding positive-natured Pokemon such as Mega Kangaskhan. Additionally, Garchomp can switch into predicted Electric-type moves for Vivillon.
[SET]
name: Focus Sash Lead
move 1: Sleep Powder
move 2: Quiver Dance
move 3: Hurricane
move 4: Endeavor / Hidden Power Ground
item: Focus Sash
ability: Compound Eyes
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Quiver Dance is Vivillon's boosting move, letting it deal more damage to its threats and outspeed Adamant Choice Scarf Pokemon such as Landorus-T and Garchomp. Sleep Powder allows Vivillon to cripple the foe and get a couple of turns to set up. Hurricane is Vivillon's main attacking move, hitting every Pokemon hard that doesn't resist move. With several hard-hitting threats in the metagame, Vivillon can make perfect use of Endeavor with its subpar bulk and Focus Sash, which allows Vivillon to bring the foe down to 1 HP for a teammate to finish off. The move works very well against Pokemon that resist its STAB attacks such as Heatran and Zapdos. Alternatively, Hidden Power Ground gives Vivillon some coverage against Rock-, Electric-, and Steel-types such as Tyranitar, Mega Manectric, Heatran, and Aegislash.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack and Speed EVs with a Timid nature are needed for Vivillon to hit as hard as it can while outspeeding Choice Scarf Pokemon such as Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Hydreigon after a Quiver Dance boost. Focus Sash allows Vivillon to get a Sleep Powder or Endeavor off against a powerful, faster threat. Compound Eyes is absolutely necessary for Vivillon to have a higher chance to hit its target with Hurricane or Sleep Powder.
Usage Tips
========
Vivillon works as a solid lead, as it survives any hit so that it can cripple a threat with Sleep Powder or set up with Quiver Dance. Vivillon can't afford to take much damage when it switches into a threat because of its poor bulk. Sleep Powder is usually the safe move to go for, especially if the opponent lacks any Grass-types; additionally, you can make the foe use its Lum Berry and then go for a second Sleep Powder if Vivillon is faster or the foe goes for a non-attacking move. However, in some situations, it may be helpful to bring Vivillon in on a Fighting-type Pokemon such as Mega Heracross or Conkeldurr when it's using a STAB attack, as Vivillon is 4x resistant to Fighting and can retaliate with a Hurricane. Still, be careful because their other coverage moves can bring Vivillon down to its Focus Sash. Vivillon can also come into Choice-locked Ground-types such as Garchomp and Landorus-T. That way, it can get a free Sleep Powder or Quiver Dance as the foe switches out. Use Endeavor when Vivillon is about to faint so that its teammate can have an easier time taking down the opposing threat.
Team Options
========
Azumarill threatens the Dragon-types such as Garchomp and Mega Salamence that outspeed Vivillon while also beating Landorus-T and Mamoswine with its powerful Water-type STAB move of choice. In turn, Azumarill appreciates Mega Venusaur and Serperior gone. Steel-types such as Aegislash and Excadrill are decent with Vivillon. Aegislash is a complete counter to Breloom, particularly with Safety Goggles equipped, while Mold Breaker Choice Scarf Excadrill makes quick work of the common Rotom formes, specifically Rotom-W and Rotom-H. Additionally, it can even late-game clean by making foes flinch with Iron Head if need be.
Greninja is a powerful lead that can beat other common leads such as Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Mamoswine with its superior coverage and priority. Vivillon appreciates dedicated walls such as Cresselia, Porygon2, and Mega Sableye, as they can switch into Mega Kangaskhan and remove it. Ground-types such as Garchomp and Landorus-T make for decent checks to a lot of Fire-types that threaten Vivillon, such as Talonflame and Blaziken. They also make for great Stealth Rock setters that help break Focus Sash Pokemon such as Breloom and prevent the Fire-types such as Talonflame, Blaziken, Charizard, and Volcarona from coming in safely.
Rotom-W is excellent at removing Talonflame from the field, as it resists both of its STAB moves and can retaliate with its own STAB attacks. Suicune and Slowbro can also take on Talonflame and other Fire-types such as Mega Blaziken and Heatran. Mega Gengar can help get rid of annoying Pokemon such as Chansey. Fighting-types such as Mega Blaziken and Conkeldurr are great partners for Vivillon due to their ability to get rid of Rock- and Steel-types such as Tyranitar and Heatran. Cresselia is a bulky switch-in to most physical attackers that give Vivillon a tough time and can bring Vivillon back to full health with Lunar Dance, which is especially useful if it's below full health and hasn't used its Focus Sash yet.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Bug Buzz is a secondary STAB move that can be used to bypass Substitute. However, Flying and Bug don't grant great coverage together and Vivillon needs Hidden Power Ground to gain coverage on Heatran, Aegislash, and Mega Mawile. Hidden Power Fire, Ice, Rock are alternate types that can be used. Hidden Power Fire is usable to get rid of Scizor and Ferrothorn. Hidden Power Ice allows Vivillon to remove Mega Salamence, Garchomp, and Landorus-T from the field if it has enough Quiver Dance boosts. Hidden Power Rock enables Vivillon to check Talonflame and Mega Charizard Y. Roost provides Vivillon with some reliable recovery; however, Vivillon's poor bulk doesn't grant it many opportunities to use the move. for Vivillon and its teammates before it faints.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Strong and Fast Attackers**: Powerful and fast attackers such as Garchomp, Mega Salamence, Thundurus, and Greninja don't have much of a problem with dealing with Vivillon, as they can all revenge kill it.
**Steel-types**: Safety Goggles Aegislash and Heatran take little damage from Vivillon's STAB moves. Both can threaten Vivillon with their powerful STAB attacks and Aegislash even has priority Shadow Sneak, as it can take out Vivillon when it's down to its Focus sash. However, both need to be wary of Hidden Power Ground if Vivillon has enough boosts from Quiver Dance to KO them.
**Tyranitar**: Tyranitar renders Vivillon's Focus Sash useless due to Sand Stream and can easily OHKO it with its Rock-type STAB move of choice. Tyranitar is also a very common Lum Berry user, which makes Sleep Powder useless against it. Also, Tyranitar doesn't take much damage from Bug Buzz due to the Special Defense boost from sand.
**Electric-types**: Zapdos can easily come in on any move Vivillon has, as it resists its STAB moves and OHKO it with Thunderbolt or one of its coverage moves. Calm Mind Raikou can set up Substitute to block Sleep Powder and easily proceed to set up alongside Vivillon. Thundurus can shut down Vivillon with Prankster Taunt, preventing it from using Sleep Powder or setting up Quiver Dance even if it's behind a Substitute. Thundurus also resists Vivillon's STAB moves and can OHKO it with Thunderbolt.
**Priority Attackers**: Breloom wins one-on-one regardless of what Vivillon is holding thanks to Mach Punch, Rock Tomb, and its own Focus Sash, and Talonflame can easily revenge kill Leftovers variants, while Lum Berry variants can absorb Sleep Powder.
**Fire-types**: Both Mega Charizard formes, Volcarona, and Blaziken can outspeed Vivillon, and the Focus Sash set can be unreliable, especially if you're unlucky with the sleep turns. Howerver Volcarona and Blaziken need to be wary of Hurricane, and Vivillon outspeeds Modest Volcarona and Adamant Mega Blaziken. It can also take advantage of Mega Blaziken's Protect by boosting before it gains the Speed advantage or setting up a Substitute.
**Mega Kangaskhan**: Jolly Mega Kangaskhan can outspeed Vivillon before a Quiver Dance boost and OHKO it with one of its STAB moves.
**Breloom and Ferrothorn**: Both Breloom and Ferrothorn are immune to Sleep Powder. Breloom usually carries Focus Sash and can use Rock Tomb to gain the Speed advantage over Vivillon if it hasn't used Quiver Dance already. Ferrothorn can deal significant damage with Gyro Ball due to its low Speed.
**Attacks that Bypass Substitute**: Vivillon needs to be wary of Hyper Voice users such as Sylveon, Mega Gardevoir, Mega Altaria, and Mega Salamence. Notably, Sylveon can continue to threaten Vivillon with Snore while it's asleep. Jolly Gardevoir also deserves a mention because some variants carry Taunt. Also, Vivillon needs to watch out for multi-hit moves such as Mamoswine's and Focus Sash Cloyster's Icicle Spear. Additionally, Lum Berry variants of Cloyster can defeat Sleep Powder Vivillon. Mega Kangaskhan can also bypass Vivillon's Substitute and Focus Sash due to Parental Bond.
Last edited:
