5Dots
Chairs
ZU Titan
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Knock Off
move 2: Sludge Bomb
move 3: Giga Drain / Leech Seed
move 4: Synthesis
item: Eviolite
ability: Chlorophyll
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 144 Def / 112 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Armed with excellent bulk and solid utility options, Ivysaur stands out as an elite defensive Pokemon. Knock Off cripples walls and checks like Dustox, Bronzor, and Quilladin, Pokemon that would otherwise freely switch into it. Giga Drain makes Ivysaur more consistent against Grass-weak targets like Gigalith, Huntail, and Krokorok, while Leech Seed can force the aforementioned checks as well as Steel-types like Klang to switch out and supplies Ivysaur additional recovery. The EV spread prevents a 2HKO from Politoed's Ice Beam and a 3HKO from non-Choice Band Krokorok. While Chlorophyll is situational, under sun, Ivysaur can outspeed everything up to Murkrow.
Ivysaur fits best on bulky and balance teams that appreciate its bulk and typing, checking Pokemon like Servine, Electabuzz, and Gigalith. Offensive wallbreakers like Pignite and Simipour appreciate Ivysaur removing items through Knock Off, making it easier to break through checks like Carbink and Dustox later in the game. Ivysaur's passivity leaves it vulnerable to Fire-types like Pignite and Magmar and wallbreakers like Frogadier and Swoobat, so other walls like Politoed and defensive Klang are appreciated. Outside of Knock Off and Leech Seed, Ivysaur fails to threaten Steel-types, so checks to them like Krokorok and Magmar are appreciated as well. Knock Off absorbers like Carbink and Wigglytuff are also appreciated to maintain its usefulness as a wall.
[SET]
name: Sun Sweeper
move 1: Growth
move 2: Sludge Bomb
move 3: Solar Beam / Giga Drain
move 4: Hidden Power Fire
item: Eviolite
ability: Chlorophyll
nature: Bold
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Ivysaur is a staple on sun teams thanks to its great bulk bolstered by Eviolite, solid power, and variety of coverage moves. Growth augments its offensive potential, making it even scarier to face off against. Solar Beam is preferred thanks to its massive damage output under sun; Giga Drain can be used outside of sun and gives Ivysaur additional longevity. Hidden Power Fire is Ivysaur's strongest option against foes resistant to its STAB moves, like Dustox, Bronzor, and Klang.
Sun setters like Volbeat and Graveler are essential to allow Ivysaur opportunities to wallbreak or sweep under sun; Volbeat can cripple checks with Thunder Wave and Encore, while Graveler can provide Stealth Rock and momentum with Explosion. Other sun sweepers like Sawsbuck and Jumpluff are also useful partners, appreciating Ivysaur weakening checks like Swalot and Bronzor. In turn, they can help take on Fire-types and defensive Duosion, checks that Ivysaur struggles to get past. Fire-types like Magmar and Pignite stand out as great partners, weakening the aforementioned checks so Ivysaur can have an easier time cleaning late-game. In turn, Ivysaur can help break through Water- and Rock-types that they struggle against.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Sleep Powder can be used as an alternative over Leech Seed or Giga Drain to deal with checks and is Ivysaur's most effective way of crippling Swalot. However, Leech Seed is more effective in most other matchups, and this makes Ivysaur shakier against the Pokemon it wants to check, like Politoed, Krokorok, and Huntail. An EV spread of 248 HP / 164 SpA / 96 Spe turns Ivysaur into more of a stallbreaker, more consistent at checking Grass-types like Servine and Gogoat at the cost of giving up some of its bulk.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Poison-types**: Ivysaur struggles to make progress against Poison-types like Swalot and Dustox; Swalot can repeatedly whittle its Synthesis PP down with various attacks, while Dustox can freely pivot to another check or even phaze it with Whirlwind. Spikes setters like Trubbish and Whirlipede aren't threatened too much by its STAB moves and can freely set up Spikes against it. However, all of them can get overwhelmed by its sun sweeper set.
**Steel-types**: Steel-types like Klang, Bronzor, and Lairon resist Ivysaur's STAB combination and can set up on it or attack it outright even when it runs Knock Off and Leech Seed, though none of them enjoy dealing with offensive Ivysaur.
**Fire-types**: Fire-types like Magmar and Pignite resist Giga Drain and can threaten massive damage against Ivysaur with their STAB moves. They don't like getting poisoned by Sludge Bomb or losing their Eviolite, however.
**Knock Off Users**: Without its Eviolite, Ivysaur can struggle to stomach hits; Knock Off users like Scraggy, Simisage, and Krokorok can lower its effectiveness as a wall.
**Strong Attackers**: Ivysaur can get overwhelmed by super effective coverage from attackers like Frogadier, Swoobat, and Vanilluxe. However, all of them struggle against offensive Ivysaur.
**Residual Damage**: Even with terrific bulk and a Toxic immunity, Ivysaur is vulnerable to entry hazards and burn, both of which can cripple its longevity and can make it harder for it to perform as a wall, which is made worse by Synthesis's low PP. Hippopotas's Sand Stream cuts Synthesis's effectiveness, stacks up residual damage, and removes sun, negating much of Ivysaur's offensive presence.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/5dots.543866/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/jett.226429/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sleid.601970/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/solarbeam.470115/
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