|
-
Swarm
- Boosts power of Bug-type moves by 50% when at 1/3 HP or less.
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Sniper
- Critical hits do 3x damage instead of 2x.
|
Level 50 Statistics (see level 5, 50, 100)
|
Min- |
Min |
Max |
Max+ |
| HP |
65
|
- |
140 |
172 |
- |
| Atk |
80
|
90 |
100 |
132 |
145 |
| Def |
40
|
54 |
60 |
92 |
101 |
| SpA |
45
|
58 |
65 |
97 |
106 |
| SpD |
80
|
90 |
100 |
132 |
145 |
| Spe |
75
|
85 |
95 |
127 |
139 |
Overview
To say that Beedrill has its work cut out for it is an understatement. At a glance, its Attack and (crucially) its Speed stats are both average, while its physical Defense leave a lot to be desired. On top of all this, Beedrill's unfortunate typing gives it a big Stealth Rock weakness. That said, Beedrill has a few tricks up its sleeve to make you reconsider before you dismiss it entirely. Firstly, it has access to great utility and support moves in U-turn, Toxic Spikes, and Roost. Secondly, there is a silver lining to Beedrill's typing in the form of a natural absorption of Toxic Spikes. This isn't to stay that Beedrill will be the most valuable Pokemon on your (or any) team, but there are redeeming factors that grant it a few uses, and if played correctly, can provide invaluable support to the right NU teams.
With the given EVs and a Jolly nature, Beedrill reaches 273 Speed, giving it enough time to set up one layer of Toxic Spikes at the very least. In addition, a second layer is guaranteed if Beedrill leads, thanks to Focus Sash. U-turn gives you the option to strike with STAB and withdraw Beedrill for later use, either to be sacrificed at a key moment, or to scout out the opposing team. Knock Off is essential for throwing a spanner in the works for Eviolite users. X-Scissor and Pursuit are down to preference here: X-Scissor gives Beedrill a stronger STAB attack than U-turn, whereas Pursuit lets you nail Psychic-types that flee from your insectile wrath, such as Exeggutor. The choice isn't worth agonizing over too much; this set takes into account Beedrill's fragile defenses and employs it primarily as a Toxic Spikes kamikaze pilot.
Team Options & Additional Comments >>>
This set needs support from Pokemon that can eliminate the common grounded Poison-types such as Skuntank. Without it, Beedrill has a hard time setting up Toxic Spikes. Rapid Spin support is essential to keep hazards at bay that would otherwise render Focus Sash useless. It cannot be stressed enough how fragile Beedrill is. Leftovers and Life Orb are possible alternatives to Focus Sash for a little more longevity or stopping power, respectively, but bear in mind with Life Orb how delicate Beedrill already is. This could be counteracted to an extent by running Roost with Life Orb to keep Beedrill trucking a little longer.
It would be possible to give Beedrill a longevity boost with a bulkier EV spread of 252 Speed, 84 HP and 172 Defense EVs, and ensure an extra layer of Toxic Spikes or one last hit, but bear in mind that Beedrill is never going to be truly bulky.
Other Options
A full-out attacking set with Choice Band or Life Orb can be used, but there are many, many, many Pokemon with better coverage, Speed, and Attack that do this much better. Baton Pass can be used alongside Agility to pass boosts onto other, more powerful sweepers. In truth, however, there are other Pokemon with access to Baton Pass that can do this job much more efficiently; Beedrill's inability to take hits comfortably makes a single hitch in Baton Passing effectively a waste of a slot on your team. It might also be worth considering Tailwind in Beedrill's moveset, giving it a Speed boost that it does not need to survive to pass on. That said, since it expires in three turns, Agility is probably more favourable for Beedrill alone, but there is potential for the right teammates to take advantage of this move. Beedrill also rather curiously (and perhaps inexplicably) has access to Sunny Day. This might fit well on a variant of the Toxic Spikes set, treating Beedrill as a utility or support Pokemon, able to lay down some hazards for the opposition, and boost the firepower of its teammates before being disposed of.
Checks and Counters
In terms of checks, Beedrill has a fair few names to watch out for. Most notably, some of the Pokemon Beedrill ought to threaten are actually dangerous in return—Tangela only takes 27-33% from the Choice Scarf set's X-Scissor, despite the STAB, and as such is capable of walling Beedrill. In addition, thanks to Beedrill's paper-thin defenses, anything with access to priority moves, holding a Choice Scarf, or simply a base Speed higher than 75 with even average physical firepower dispatches Beedrill with little trouble. For the most part, Steel-, Rock-, Ground-, and Fire-types should all send it packing. This vast number of threats makes establishing Beedrill incredibly difficult if it isn't your lead—and even then, it needs to be careful not to be flattened from the outset.
