Statistics
|
Min- |
Min |
Max |
Max+ |
| HP |
75
|
- |
291 |
354 |
- |
| Atk |
80
|
176 |
196 |
259 |
284 |
| Def |
85
|
185 |
206 |
269 |
295 |
| SpA |
100
|
212 |
236 |
299 |
328 |
| SpD |
90
|
194 |
216 |
279 |
306 |
| Spe |
50
|
122 |
136 |
199 |
218 |
Vileplume's only ability is Chlorophyll, and as such one might call this moveset inevitable. The main strategy is simply to use Sunny Day to boost Vileplume's speed to outrun most things, using a Grass move for offense while having Sleep Powder handy to disable any counter-switches. SolarBeam becomes a solid choice as long as the sun is out, but messing with weather inevitably incurs the wrath of Tyranitar and Hippowdon's Sand Stream in Standard play. For that reason, Grass Knot is a solid choice to punish any Sand Streamer who thinks it can force you to charge SolarBeam, though Energy ball is better if you find yourself facing smaller, lighter Pokémon. Similarly, Abomasnow's Snow Warning can also be a problem to SolarBeam, though regardless of whether or not you are using it, a Hidden Power Fire or the more easily obtainable Sludge Bomb will cut Abomasnow down. Hidden Power Fire allows you to hit Steels, but Sludge Bomb is a reliable STAB move that won't leave you helpless against Fire-types. Note that when going Modest, Vileplume's max speed is still only 199 before Sunny Day, and if you're facing some particularly speedy opponents you may want to sacrifice some offensive might to boost your speed up to 218.
You may have heard stories about the sheer hatred Vileplume can instill in others, particularly while generating a 25% health dummy for redirecting attacks. The reason for this hatred is the ever-annoying Substitute + Leech Seed combo. A common strategy among many Grass-types, Vileplume actually fulfills a unique niche due to its typing, fairly solid defensive stats, and movelist. Vileplume wields a Sludge Bomb boosted by a Same Type Attack Bonus in order to inflict moderately heavy damage on those who are immune to Leech Seed, i.e. Grass Types. Stun Spore can make up for the fact that its low speed is a major problem when creating Substitutes. If you find yourself facing a Taunt user, you may want to replace Stun Spore with Body Slam instead to keep up the paralysis. Large Root tends to be impractical when you view the recovery gained compared to Leftovers, but it can be useful for healing allies quickly, especially if they have Leftovers, and will get the benefits of both that and a stronger Leech Seed due to Large Root.
An important note: Leech Seed on Vileplume can only be obtained as a gift from the New York Pokémon Center (or I guess, because this is international now, one of the Japan Pokémon Centers as well). As such, while this set is solid, you won't see it too often on Wi-Fi.
Inflicting status effects is what you expect Grass-types to do, and Vileplume comes with the full package. Your goal is to just use the right status move for the right situation and to cause switches and general chaos while occasionally sneaking in an Aromatherapy if you choose to use it.
Neither overly offensive or defensive, this Vileplume has a little bit of everything in it. While it may not be as specialized as the others, this Vileplume will keep opponents on their toes. Vileplume's good Special Attack makes its offensive capabilities more than an idle threat, but the real danger again comes from its Status attacks, or more specifically, the danger from not knowing for sure what disruptive moves Vileplume is packing.
While Sludge Bomb going Special was good for most Vileplume, the Swords Dancer has been left without a strong attack. Still, Swords Dance is an option, and Vileplume gets the interesting new Drain Punch in the deal. It's not a powerful attack by any means, but it can be an effective way of replacing HP lost while Swords Dancing. Even without Swords Dance, Drain Punch can restore a lot of HP if it hits a high-HP target such as Blissey.
Other Options
Giga Drain now boasts an improved 10-16 max PP, and if you need an extra bit of healing, or you can't access Leech Seed, then it becomes a fairly reliable method of healing. Synthesis and Moonlight are still more healing-based options, though they run the risk of being weakened by bad weather. Flash now has 100% accuracy, and can also be used to force switches to lead opponents into a Sleep Powder or other such move. If the critical hit fairy likes to knife you in your sleep, Lucky Chant will keep it at bay for at least a few turns.
EVs
Vileplume has decent to good stats in pretty much everything except speed, and as such it has no set EV plans. Vileplume tends to lean slightly more towards defense, but it's really a matter of where it places on your team.
Opinion
Solid stats hampered by low speed, a full range of support moves tempered by a narrow selection of offensive options, Vileplume can, for better or worse, be considered an archetypal Grass Pokémon. If you've been experiencing déjà vu while looking at the movesets, you're not alone; Vileplume has largely remained the same since the days of Red and Blue, and it has merely gained improved versions of what it has had all along. Vileplume will most likely find itself playing outside of Standards, but its stats are decent enough that it won't die immediately upon entering. It's more stable than Victreebel and Roserade, and unlike Venusaur it learns Stun Spore.
Counters
In Standard, Skarmory is a constant threat due to Drill Peck and resisting or being immune to nearly everything Vileplume throws out offensively. Heatran is another threat resisting both Grass and Poison, though it still runs the risk of being disabled by a status move. Cradily is a particularly nasty counter, as its immunity to Leech Seed and high Special Defense combined with its Rock-typing means even if you do carry Sludge Bomb or Hidden Power Fire, it won't be particularly threatened. Cradily however does have to watch out for the occasional Drain Punch. Roserade also takes Sludge Bombs like a champ. Tentacruel and Swalot both boast good Special Defense, resistance or immunity to most of Vileplume's attacks, and a nasty Liquid Ooze ability which will turn any Leech Seeds and Giga Drains against their owner.
