TheManlyLadybug
Banned deucer.
Overview
########
• Has a small, but valuable niche in OU, which is passing Quiver Dances to its teammates.
• Sleep Powder, one of Venomoth's keys to success, received new mechanics that hinder it. These include being blocked by Overcoat, being blocked by any Grass type, and the removal of sleep turn reset upon switch.
• Has 2 good abilities-Tinted Lens and Wonder Skin-to choose from. Wonder Skin is the better choice, though, as it gives it a 50% chance to completely ignore Taunt and all forms of status, which is certainly notable.
• Lackluster defenses
• Decent 90 Special Attack, but it just doesn't cut it in OU.
• Okay Speed, can outspeed some threats
• Taunt bait
[When I write up the Overview in paragraph form, I'll list the Pros first and Cons last, or vice versa, instead of mixing them together]
Baton Pass
#########
Name: Baton Pass
move 1: Quiver Dance
move 2: Sleep Powder
move 3: Baton Pass
move 4: Bug Buzz
ability: Wonder Skin
item: Black Sludge
nature: Timid
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 Spe
Moves
======
• Quiver Dance is what lit the way for Venomoth's appearance in OU, and is valuable to Venomoth's success, boosting three stats at once.
• Baton Pass allows you to escape trouble and pass on boosts to a more capable sweeper.
• Sleep Powder provides valuable free turns, easing setup.
• Bug Buzz is to take out any threats to its team, and for Venomoth to take advantage of the boosts itself. It also prevents Venomoth from becoming helpless when Taunted.
Set Details
========
• HP EVs give it some decent bulk
• Timid nature and Speed EVs are to tie with fully invested base 90s.
• Wonder Skin stops annoying support moves like Thunder Wave and Taunt cold 50% of the time, which, although not to be relied upon, can certainly come in handy.
• Black Sludge to recover some health here and there. Used instead of Leftovers to give Trick users a nasty surprise.
[EVs can be changed up for Venomoth, it probably doesn't need all this Speed with Ninjask and Scolipede running around]
Usage Tips
==========
• Sleep Powder is crucial to this set's success, make full use of it.
• If possible, try to attain a Quiver Dance boost before using Sleep Powder, so that you are able to get 2 or more boosts.
Team Options
============
• This set should only be used on a QuickPass team, a playstyle where you set up with big-time boosting moves and pass the boosts to Pokemon that can better take advantage of said boosts. Recipients include:
- Thundurus
- Thundurus-T
- Keldeo
- Mega Gardevoir
- Mega Charizard Y
- Latios
Other Options
==========
• A Quiver Dance sweeping set with Sleep Powder, BB, Quiver Dance, and Psychic is an option. With Tinted Lens as its ability, Venomoth achieves perfect neutral coverage with just 2 attacks. However, Venomoth is mostly outclassed by Volcarona, as Volcarona has better bulk, power, movepool, and generally does the role of sweeping better than Venomoth.
• Sludge Bomb is an option to replace Bug Buzz, as it has some merit to it, like taking out certain Fairy types such as non-CM Clefable.
• Tinted Lens allows Venomoth to get past some of the Pokemon that could normally take a couple hits from it, but it just isn't worth giving up Wonder Skin.
Checks And Counters
==============
• Flying priority from Talonflame and Mega Pinsir, and priority in general.
• Ditto copies Venomoth, allowing it to pass Quiver Dances to its teammates as well. Another thing to note is that most people probably won't prepare to counter their own Pokemon in case of Ditto, another reason why it is effective check.
• Bulky phazers such as Skarmory, Mandibuzz, Gyarados, Dragonite, Heatran, and the occasional Goodra can all take Bug Buzzes from Venomoth get rid of any boosts it has accumulated, messing up the opponent's game plan. Mandibuzz in particular can both Taunt and Whirlwind Venomoth, while being immune to Sleep Powder because of Overcoat's new mechanics.
• Taunt, especially Prankster Taunt from foes such as Sableye, Klefki, or Thundurus, have the potential to completely shut down Venomoth. Only trouble is, Wonder Skin blocks Taunt half the time, so only use it if you wall Venomoth[like Klefki] or can take a hit or two[like Tornadus or Thundurus].
• Bulky Grass types with a secondary typing like Chesnaught and Whimsicott may not seem like a good option at first, but look closer, and you'll see why they are effective at neutering Venomoth. They both are immune to Sleep Powder, and each have a way of shutting it down, with Roar and Prankster Taunt respectively.
########
• Has a small, but valuable niche in OU, which is passing Quiver Dances to its teammates.
• Sleep Powder, one of Venomoth's keys to success, received new mechanics that hinder it. These include being blocked by Overcoat, being blocked by any Grass type, and the removal of sleep turn reset upon switch.
• Has 2 good abilities-Tinted Lens and Wonder Skin-to choose from. Wonder Skin is the better choice, though, as it gives it a 50% chance to completely ignore Taunt and all forms of status, which is certainly notable.
• Lackluster defenses
• Decent 90 Special Attack, but it just doesn't cut it in OU.
• Okay Speed, can outspeed some threats
• Taunt bait
[When I write up the Overview in paragraph form, I'll list the Pros first and Cons last, or vice versa, instead of mixing them together]
Baton Pass
#########
Name: Baton Pass
move 1: Quiver Dance
move 2: Sleep Powder
move 3: Baton Pass
move 4: Bug Buzz
ability: Wonder Skin
item: Black Sludge
nature: Timid
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 Spe
Moves
======
• Quiver Dance is what lit the way for Venomoth's appearance in OU, and is valuable to Venomoth's success, boosting three stats at once.
• Baton Pass allows you to escape trouble and pass on boosts to a more capable sweeper.
• Sleep Powder provides valuable free turns, easing setup.
• Bug Buzz is to take out any threats to its team, and for Venomoth to take advantage of the boosts itself. It also prevents Venomoth from becoming helpless when Taunted.
Set Details
========
• HP EVs give it some decent bulk
• Timid nature and Speed EVs are to tie with fully invested base 90s.
• Wonder Skin stops annoying support moves like Thunder Wave and Taunt cold 50% of the time, which, although not to be relied upon, can certainly come in handy.
• Black Sludge to recover some health here and there. Used instead of Leftovers to give Trick users a nasty surprise.
[EVs can be changed up for Venomoth, it probably doesn't need all this Speed with Ninjask and Scolipede running around]
Usage Tips
==========
• Sleep Powder is crucial to this set's success, make full use of it.
• If possible, try to attain a Quiver Dance boost before using Sleep Powder, so that you are able to get 2 or more boosts.
Team Options
============
• This set should only be used on a QuickPass team, a playstyle where you set up with big-time boosting moves and pass the boosts to Pokemon that can better take advantage of said boosts. Recipients include:
- Thundurus
- Thundurus-T
- Keldeo
- Mega Gardevoir
- Mega Charizard Y
- Latios
Other Options
==========
• A Quiver Dance sweeping set with Sleep Powder, BB, Quiver Dance, and Psychic is an option. With Tinted Lens as its ability, Venomoth achieves perfect neutral coverage with just 2 attacks. However, Venomoth is mostly outclassed by Volcarona, as Volcarona has better bulk, power, movepool, and generally does the role of sweeping better than Venomoth.
• Sludge Bomb is an option to replace Bug Buzz, as it has some merit to it, like taking out certain Fairy types such as non-CM Clefable.
• Tinted Lens allows Venomoth to get past some of the Pokemon that could normally take a couple hits from it, but it just isn't worth giving up Wonder Skin.
Checks And Counters
==============
• Flying priority from Talonflame and Mega Pinsir, and priority in general.
• Ditto copies Venomoth, allowing it to pass Quiver Dances to its teammates as well. Another thing to note is that most people probably won't prepare to counter their own Pokemon in case of Ditto, another reason why it is effective check.
• Bulky phazers such as Skarmory, Mandibuzz, Gyarados, Dragonite, Heatran, and the occasional Goodra can all take Bug Buzzes from Venomoth get rid of any boosts it has accumulated, messing up the opponent's game plan. Mandibuzz in particular can both Taunt and Whirlwind Venomoth, while being immune to Sleep Powder because of Overcoat's new mechanics.
• Taunt, especially Prankster Taunt from foes such as Sableye, Klefki, or Thundurus, have the potential to completely shut down Venomoth. Only trouble is, Wonder Skin blocks Taunt half the time, so only use it if you wall Venomoth[like Klefki] or can take a hit or two[like Tornadus or Thundurus].
• Bulky Grass types with a secondary typing like Chesnaught and Whimsicott may not seem like a good option at first, but look closer, and you'll see why they are effective at neutering Venomoth. They both are immune to Sleep Powder, and each have a way of shutting it down, with Roar and Prankster Taunt respectively.
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