[OVERVIEW]
Vanillite is the only Ice-type Pokemon with access to Autotomize, which doubles its Speed and, along with its decent Special Attack, allows it to function as a late-game sweeper. It has also access to Ice Shard, which can be helpful to hit faster threats even when unboosted. Vanillite has poor bulk, though, which makes it vulnerable to priority moves after using Autotomize and to powerful attacks when unboosted. It also has a limited special movepool, being outclassed by Amaura in terms of coverage and power; however, unlike Amaura, Vanillite isn't OHKOed by Fighting-type priority moves. Its two abilities are useless: Ice Body doesn't give Vanillite any special advantage, while Weak Armor even is detrimental because it makes Vanillite weaker to priority moves.
[SET]
name: Autotomize
move 1: Autotomize
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Hidden Power Ground
move 4: Ice Shard / Taunt
item: Eviolite
ability: Ice Body
nature: Mild / Modest
evs: 240 SpA / 244 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Autotomize allows Vanillite to double its Speed, making it a good late-game sweeper. Ice Beam is Vanillite's go-to move and deals a good amount of damage to neutral targets. Hidden Power Ground helps deal with Fire-types, Steel-types, Skrelp, and Chinchou, which Vanillite wouldn't be able to hit in a relevant way otherwise. Ice Shard helps deal some damage to priority users and play around Sucker Punches. Taunt can prevent status moves such as Thunder Wave, Will-O-Wisp, and Recover from being used.
Set Details
========
240 EVs are used to maximize Vanillite's Special Attack, and 244 Speed EVs are useful to outspeed almost all other Pokemon after Autotomize, including 17 Speed Pokemon with Choice Scarf. Eviolite gives Vanillite decent bulk that helps it set up Autotomize without being KOed by almost every attack. Use a Modest nature if you aren't running Ice Shard. Vanillite's ability doesn't give it any particular advantages, but Weak Armor makes it more susceptible to priority moves, so Ice Body is the best choice.
Usage Tips
========
Because of its subpar bulk, Vanillite can't switch into any attacks, so it needs to switch in when something on your team is KOed or only when you are sure it is able to tank the opposing attack with ease and that the foe doesn't have any coverage move that can hit Vanillite super effectively. In addition to Vanillite's subpar bulk, its lack of useful resistances heavily limits its opportunities to switch in and set up. Even against Pokemon Vanillite can theoretically "force out" and try to set up on, such as some Grass- or Flying-types, it still must be wary of the foe staying in and attacking due to its low defensive stats, potentially putting it into easy KO range for a revenge killer later. Use Autotomize when there are no strong counters or revenge killers on the opponent's team. Be aware that Vanillite can fail to set up and can be OHKOed because of its mediocre bulk, even if it holds Eviolite.
Team Options
========
Vanillite appreciates entry hazard support from the likes of Ferroseed, Drilbur, Dwebble, and Trubbish to weaken bulkier Pokemon that it wouldn't be able to deal with otherwise. Memento users such as Cottonee and Stunky can help Vanillite set up by forcing a switch or simply weakening the foe. Gothita pairs well with Vanillite because it is able to deal with bulky Water-types, Fighting-types, and bulky Pokemon such as Porygon and Spritzee. Bulky Pokemon such as Spritzee, Trubbish, Croagunk, and Vullaby can be switched into priority moves and Knock Off, especially from Fighting-types, which threaten Vanillite. Fighting-types can handle bulky Normal-types and provide Knock Off support, making it easier for Vanillite to sweep. Wallbreakers, such as Snivy and Mienfoo, along with Knock Off support, are very good to weaken the opposing team, including Vanillite's checks.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Flash Cannon hits Spritzee and the rare Ice-types in the tier, but it forces Vanillite to give up more useful coverage. Frost Breath can be used over Ice Beam, as it gets better damage rolls in several cases—for instance, it has a much better chance of OHKOing Foongus after Stealth Rock and has the utility of always landing a critical hit, which can be (situationally) useful against Calm Mind users. The downside is its imperfect accuracy. Water Pulse hits Fire- and Rock-types while leaving a free moveslot for another type of Hidden Power to deal with Steel- or Water-types. Magic Coat can prevent status moves, but Taunt is a better option because it prevents the foe from setting up as well. Signal Beam can hit Slowpoke and Abra super effectively. Hidden Power Fighting can be used to KO Pawniard.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Fighting-types**: Timburr, Mienfoo, and Croagunk are all bulky enough to switch into Vanillite's attacks, and they can easily KO it with their STAB moves. Timburr and Croagunk also have access to priority moves to finish off Vanillite when it's weakened.
**Bulky Pokemon With Recovery**: Porygon, Spritzee, and Munchlax take very little damage from Vanillite's attacks and are all able to stall out or 2HKO Vanillite without taking any damage thanks to their recovery moves. They must be wary of Vanillite carrying Taunt, though.
**Bulky Water-types**: Staryu and Slowpoke resist Vanillite's main STAB move and take little damage from Hidden Power Ground. Defensive Chinchou can be a good check, but it has to be wary of Hidden Power Ground.
**Pawniard**: Pawniard is faster than unboosted Vanillite and can OHKO it with Iron Head, while it takes little damage from Hidden Power Ground if holding an Eviolite; in addition, it can revenge kill boosted Vanillite with Sucker Punch.
**Revenge Killers**: Almost every faster Pokemon with a powerful STAB move that Vanillite doesn't resist is able to KO it before it sets up due to its lackluster defenses. Priority users, such as Timburr, Pawniard, and Fletchling, are able to finish off Vanillite once it's weakened, even after a boost.
**Fire-types**: Pokemon such as Larvesta, Ponyta, and Vulpix can stomach a hit from Vanillite and easily KO back. Larvesta is particularly notable, as it's only hit neutrally by Hidden Power Ground.
Vanillite is the only Ice-type Pokemon with access to Autotomize, which doubles its Speed and, along with its decent Special Attack, allows it to function as a late-game sweeper. It has also access to Ice Shard, which can be helpful to hit faster threats even when unboosted. Vanillite has poor bulk, though, which makes it vulnerable to priority moves after using Autotomize and to powerful attacks when unboosted. It also has a limited special movepool, being outclassed by Amaura in terms of coverage and power; however, unlike Amaura, Vanillite isn't OHKOed by Fighting-type priority moves. Its two abilities are useless: Ice Body doesn't give Vanillite any special advantage, while Weak Armor even is detrimental because it makes Vanillite weaker to priority moves.
[SET]
name: Autotomize
move 1: Autotomize
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Hidden Power Ground
move 4: Ice Shard / Taunt
item: Eviolite
ability: Ice Body
nature: Mild / Modest
evs: 240 SpA / 244 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Autotomize allows Vanillite to double its Speed, making it a good late-game sweeper. Ice Beam is Vanillite's go-to move and deals a good amount of damage to neutral targets. Hidden Power Ground helps deal with Fire-types, Steel-types, Skrelp, and Chinchou, which Vanillite wouldn't be able to hit in a relevant way otherwise. Ice Shard helps deal some damage to priority users and play around Sucker Punches. Taunt can prevent status moves such as Thunder Wave, Will-O-Wisp, and Recover from being used.
Set Details
========
240 EVs are used to maximize Vanillite's Special Attack, and 244 Speed EVs are useful to outspeed almost all other Pokemon after Autotomize, including 17 Speed Pokemon with Choice Scarf. Eviolite gives Vanillite decent bulk that helps it set up Autotomize without being KOed by almost every attack. Use a Modest nature if you aren't running Ice Shard. Vanillite's ability doesn't give it any particular advantages, but Weak Armor makes it more susceptible to priority moves, so Ice Body is the best choice.
Usage Tips
========
Because of its subpar bulk, Vanillite can't switch into any attacks, so it needs to switch in when something on your team is KOed or only when you are sure it is able to tank the opposing attack with ease and that the foe doesn't have any coverage move that can hit Vanillite super effectively. In addition to Vanillite's subpar bulk, its lack of useful resistances heavily limits its opportunities to switch in and set up. Even against Pokemon Vanillite can theoretically "force out" and try to set up on, such as some Grass- or Flying-types, it still must be wary of the foe staying in and attacking due to its low defensive stats, potentially putting it into easy KO range for a revenge killer later. Use Autotomize when there are no strong counters or revenge killers on the opponent's team. Be aware that Vanillite can fail to set up and can be OHKOed because of its mediocre bulk, even if it holds Eviolite.
Team Options
========
Vanillite appreciates entry hazard support from the likes of Ferroseed, Drilbur, Dwebble, and Trubbish to weaken bulkier Pokemon that it wouldn't be able to deal with otherwise. Memento users such as Cottonee and Stunky can help Vanillite set up by forcing a switch or simply weakening the foe. Gothita pairs well with Vanillite because it is able to deal with bulky Water-types, Fighting-types, and bulky Pokemon such as Porygon and Spritzee. Bulky Pokemon such as Spritzee, Trubbish, Croagunk, and Vullaby can be switched into priority moves and Knock Off, especially from Fighting-types, which threaten Vanillite. Fighting-types can handle bulky Normal-types and provide Knock Off support, making it easier for Vanillite to sweep. Wallbreakers, such as Snivy and Mienfoo, along with Knock Off support, are very good to weaken the opposing team, including Vanillite's checks.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Flash Cannon hits Spritzee and the rare Ice-types in the tier, but it forces Vanillite to give up more useful coverage. Frost Breath can be used over Ice Beam, as it gets better damage rolls in several cases—for instance, it has a much better chance of OHKOing Foongus after Stealth Rock and has the utility of always landing a critical hit, which can be (situationally) useful against Calm Mind users. The downside is its imperfect accuracy. Water Pulse hits Fire- and Rock-types while leaving a free moveslot for another type of Hidden Power to deal with Steel- or Water-types. Magic Coat can prevent status moves, but Taunt is a better option because it prevents the foe from setting up as well. Signal Beam can hit Slowpoke and Abra super effectively. Hidden Power Fighting can be used to KO Pawniard.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Fighting-types**: Timburr, Mienfoo, and Croagunk are all bulky enough to switch into Vanillite's attacks, and they can easily KO it with their STAB moves. Timburr and Croagunk also have access to priority moves to finish off Vanillite when it's weakened.
**Bulky Pokemon With Recovery**: Porygon, Spritzee, and Munchlax take very little damage from Vanillite's attacks and are all able to stall out or 2HKO Vanillite without taking any damage thanks to their recovery moves. They must be wary of Vanillite carrying Taunt, though.
**Bulky Water-types**: Staryu and Slowpoke resist Vanillite's main STAB move and take little damage from Hidden Power Ground. Defensive Chinchou can be a good check, but it has to be wary of Hidden Power Ground.
**Pawniard**: Pawniard is faster than unboosted Vanillite and can OHKO it with Iron Head, while it takes little damage from Hidden Power Ground if holding an Eviolite; in addition, it can revenge kill boosted Vanillite with Sucker Punch.
**Revenge Killers**: Almost every faster Pokemon with a powerful STAB move that Vanillite doesn't resist is able to KO it before it sets up due to its lackluster defenses. Priority users, such as Timburr, Pawniard, and Fletchling, are able to finish off Vanillite once it's weakened, even after a boost.
**Fire-types**: Pokemon such as Larvesta, Ponyta, and Vulpix can stomach a hit from Vanillite and easily KO back. Larvesta is particularly notable, as it's only hit neutrally by Hidden Power Ground.
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