Statistics
|
Min- |
Min |
Max |
Max+ |
| HP |
80
|
- |
301 |
364 |
- |
| Atk |
105
|
221 |
246 |
309 |
339 |
| Def |
65
|
149 |
166 |
229 |
251 |
| SpA |
100
|
212 |
236 |
299 |
328 |
| SpD |
60
|
140 |
156 |
219 |
240 |
| Spe |
70
|
158 |
176 |
239 |
262 |
Once you get Sunny Day up, Victreebel's low Speed is no longer an issue thanks to Chlorophyll, leaving him free to attempt a sweep with SolarBeam. Hidden Power Fire is more powerful against other Grass/Poison types, compared to Sludge Bomb, but your secondary STAB attack does more to most Flying types and Fires. Hidden Power Ice is also an option if you want to seriously maim Altaria, but Sleep Powder is very useful for crippling a counter, giving you a chance to set up Sunny Day, or continue your sweep.
Speed EVs put Victreebel at 210 Speed initially, which makes him faster than Max Speed Electrode with Sunny Day active.
Sadly, boosting Victreebel is now using the lower of his attacking stats, and with Growth instead of Swords Dance, he doesn't power up as quickly. Still, it is not all bad news, as Growth boosts the power of both STAB moves.
If you don't think you'll have time to set up, drop Growth for HP Ice to hammer Altaria switch-ins. Sleep Powder is the more useful status option, but catching a few speedy attackers with Stun Spore can improve your chances of sweep. Don't count on it though.
If you don't want to attempt setting up Victreebel, slap a set of Choice Specs on him. Leaf Storm packs plenty of power with boosts from STAB and base 100 Special Attack. Sludge Bomb covers Grass types and does decent damage to most Fires and Flying types too. Hidden Power Ice takes out Altaria, and hurts other Grass/Poisons and most Flying types a little more than Sludge Bomb. Besides using Energy Ball or Giga Drain, there are no other special attacks to occupy the last slot. Sleep Powder is good for leading off with, since it sends your counter to sleep, provided it isn't Hypno.
If you're using Victreebel in a supportive role, abuse Knock Off as it's the one notable advantage he has over his more defensive counterpart, Vileplume. You can drop either STAB move and use Stun Spore for a "Double Powder" set, but Victreebel likes his type coverage.
Other Options
Teeter Dance works ok alongside Stun Spore. Encore is useful for allowing a team mate to set up or get a free switch in. Reflect gives more team support. Gastro Acid and Worry Seed can mess with those who rely on their ability. Synthesis provides healing, but Victreebel is rather fragile so he doesn't make great of use it. Swords Dance is a poor option now, with only Razor Leaf for STAB and Return for "type coverage". If you want a Swords Dancing Grass type, Carnivine or Tropius are better options.
EVs
Modest and max Special Attack is recommended for any Victreebel. 180 Speed EVs allows him to outrun base 60 Speed opponents. Put everything else into HP.
Opinion
Due his low Speed, poor Defenses and few type resists, Victreebel can often prove to be quite difficult to switch in. However, his status attacks and good Special Attack mean that he can be a valuable addition to a UU team. Losing Swords Dance as a viable option in the ADV to DP transition was a real shame, but Victreebel still has enough in his locker to compete in the lower tiers.
Counters
Since his defenses are rather poor, anything with a super effective attack should kill him off easily. Fire types and Flying types are good choices, just be careful of status or repeated hits from Sludge Bomb. Altaria does well if Victreebel lacks Hidden Power Ice, plus she doesn't mind status too much thanks to Natural Cure. Hypno and Grumpig do ok, but Choice Specs Leaf Storm and Sludge Bomb can start to take their toll. Hypno also has the advantage of being immune to Sleep Powder. Muk is a great option as he resists both STAB moves and isn't risking being poisoned by Sludge Bomb, also Sticky Hold negates Knock Off.
