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Swarm
- Boosts power of Bug-type moves by 50% when at 1/3 HP or less.
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Chlorophyll
- Speed doubles in sun.
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Overcoat
- Grants immunity to damage from weather effects.
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Level 100 Statistics (see level 5, 50, 100)
|
Min- |
Min |
Max |
Max+ |
| HP |
75
|
- |
291 |
354 |
- |
| Atk |
103
|
217 |
242 |
305 |
335 |
| Def |
80
|
176 |
196 |
259 |
284 |
| SpA |
70
|
158 |
176 |
239 |
262 |
| SpD |
70
|
158 |
176 |
239 |
262 |
| Spe |
92
|
198 |
220 |
283 |
311 |
Overview
The tendency of introducing a swarm of Bug-types each generation has never disappeared. BW brought a rather interesting Bug-type in the form of Leavanny. With a somewhat unique Bug and Grass typing, nice 103 base Attack and 92 Speed stats, and access to Swords Dance, Leavanny can pose a threat with some additional team support. While its Bug and Grass typing leaves it with a quadruple weakness to Fire- and Flying-type moves, which are rather common types in the NU metagame, it also provides a 4x resistance to Grass- and Ground-type attacks, as well as 2x resistance to Fighting-, Electric-, and Water-type moves. Sadly, Leavanny is weak to Stealth Rock, losing 25% of its health every time it switches in, hindering its availability in battle. That aside, Leavanny offers adequate damage output even when unboosted; however, its tiny movepool obstructs the green mantis, making it difficult to get past bulky Pokemon that resist its STAB moves. Despite its flaws, Leavanny can pluck through weakened foes with its decent Attack and Speed, as long as several Pokemon are eliminated before the mantis's onslaught.
Leavanny's typing allows it to hit a variety of Pokemon in the tier, hitting Rock-, Water-, Ground-, Dark-, Psychic-, and Grass-type Pokemon for super effective damage. Leaf Blade is Leavanny's strongest STAB move and it also has a high critical hit ratio. X-Scissor offers secondary STAB and hits Musharna, Torterra, and a plethora of other threats, super effectively. Swords Dance gives Leavanny a chance to boost its Attack stat even higher, meaning your opponent will most likely have to sacrifice at least one of their Pokemon to beat it. Return is slashed in the last moveslot since it's one of the few options Leavanny has left. Return also lets it hit Fire-, Flying-, and Poison-types, that otherwise resist its STAB moves. Baton Pass another option in last moveslot; almost all Steel-types wall Leavanny, regardless of the moveset, giving it a safe escape route out of the battlefield, and a possible +2 Attack boost to a teammate such as Golem or Sawk.
Team Options & Additional Comments >>>
The EV spread takes advantage of Leavanny's great Speed and Attack stats. Jolly is the preferred nature, since Leavanny sits in a nice Speed tier, allowing it to outspeed Pokemon such as Braviary and Sawk, something Leavanny would be unable to do with an Adamant nature. Life Orb is the item of choice, as it lends Leavanny more power, considering that it hits 6 types super effectively with its dual STAB moves. An Adamant nature might be used for more power, but its downside is the loss of Speed, which prevents it from scoring some important OHKOs. Swarm should always be its default ability as it makes sure Leavanny hits Pokemon, such as bulky Exeggutor, Leafeon, and Calm Mind Duosion, much harder than Leafeon, which otherwise has better stats, a better movepool, and superior defensive typing. Chlorophyll should be only be used if you plan on using Leavanny on a Sunny Day team, where Chlorophyll plays prior role, doubling Leavanny's Speed and outspeeding every non-Choice Scarf Pokemon in the tier, bar faster Chlorophyll users, namely Jumpluff and Leafeon.
Leavanny requires a lot of team support to work properly. Entry hazards are given priority as they help weaken common switch-ins, such as Charizard. Stealth Rock and Spikes are needed to break through Golem, Sawk, and Gigalith's Sturdy, while Braviary and Regirock are OHKOed by +2 Leaf Blade after switching into Return and taking Stealth Rock damage. Garbodor pairs with Leavanny perfectly; the synergy between these Pokemon is nearly fantastic. Leavanny can switch into Ground-type attacks and take out Psychic-types that plague Garbodor, while Garbodor can help Leavanny by laying both Spikes and Toxic Spikes; furthermore, Garbodor's Poison typing removes Toxic Spikes its side of field. Torkoal and Armaldo can lay Stealth Rock and use Rapid Spin, which are necessary for Leavanny, while hard hitters, such as Charizard and Sawk, can get rid of Steel-types that wall it.
Other Options
Leavanny's movepool is really meager, and its remaining physical moves consist of Aerial Ace, Bug Bite, Poison Jab, Payback, and Shadow Claw—none of them give Leavanny coverage against Steel-types. On the special side, however, Leavanny's movepool looks pretty vivid. Air Slash, Bug Buzz, Energy Ball, Hidden Power, Leaf Storm, and Silver Wind, as well as access to Calm Mind may look attractive; however, Leavanny's 70 base Special Attack stat, paired with its poor 75 / 80 / 70 defenses mean it will rarely have the chance to set up. Leavanny has a few interesting support moves; a dual screen set is viable, while GrassWhistle allows it to put foes to sleep. Heal Bell is an interesting option to cure both Leavanny and its team of status. Sunny Day can be used to support its teammates, and a Baton Pass set can be used with Swords Dance and Agility. Sadly, too many factors hinder Leavanny's opportunities to use those moves with success.
Checks and Counters
Since Leavanny has no way of hitting Steel-types, they automatically become Leavanny's best counters. Drifblim can set up in Leavanny's face thanks to its resistance to Grass- and Bug-type moves and immunity to Return. Torkoal is another sturdy wall that can take anything Leavanny can throw at it, while it can set up Stealth Rock or KO Leavanny with Lava Plume. Faster Pokemon, such as Swoobat, Swellow, and Choice Scarf Braviary can revenge kill Leavanny with super effective moves. Muk is another Pokemon that has no problem countering Leavanny; it can start using Curse or KO Leavanny with a super effective Poison-type move. Weezing can switch into all of Leavanny's attacks and render it useless with Will-O-Wisp or kill it with a super effective STAB move.
