[OVERVIEW]
[SET]
name: Physical Attacker
move 1: Leaf Blade
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Stone Edge / Quick Guard / Taunt
move 4: Protect
item: Life Orb
ability: Justified
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Set Details
========
Usage Tips
========
Team Options
========
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Checks and Counters
===================
**Typing Advantage**: Pokemon such as Aegislash and Amoonguss serve as hard stops to Virizion, although Amoonguss needs to be carrying Sludge Bomb to threaten Virizion at all. Cresselia can tank any of Virizion's hits and 2HKO in return with Psyshock. Gourgeist is a more niche option which also performs this role, however it should be noted that if a team needs a specific check to Virizion it probably needs reconsidering as a whole. Latios, Venusaur, and Gengar are all offensive checks that don't really mind any of Virizion's STAB moves too much, while being able to hit back hard with super effective STAB moves. If Virizion is lacking Stone Edge, then Flying type Pokemon such as Mega Charizard-Y become hard stops to it.
**Intimidate and Burns**: Due to Virizion's low base Attack stat Intimidate and burns leave it severely crippled. Landorus-T and Gyarados both take any of Virizion's attacks quite comfortably; with Landorus-T doing heavy damage on even a resisted Earthquake due to Virizion's low bulk, and Gyarados being able to cripple Virizion with Thunder Wave. The main Will-o-wisp usesr Virizion needs to look out for are Talonflame and Gengar, but healthy Rotom Wash and Heat, or Mew and Gourgeist can also threaten a burn with this move.
**Speed**: A plethora of top threats in the metagame check Virizion. Base Speed 110s in particular such as Mega Metagross and Mega Diancie threaten Virizion massively. Pokemon even faster yet, such as Talonflame (which also boasts priority in Brave Bird), Deoxys-Attack, and Blaziken after a single turn of Speed Boost.
**Speed Control**: Virizion needs to move first to KO most of the Pokemon it checks, and opposing speed control prevents this and so flips the table. Pokemon such as Mega Kangaskhan and Heatran will enjoy attacking first greatly, and will take advantage of Virizion's lacking physical defense and poor defensive typing respectively. Cresselia and Gourgeist can freely set up Trick Room on Virizion if it lacks Taunt. Jirachi can use Icy Wind or Thunder Wave without taking too much damage, while also carrying the superior redirection Follow Me which Virizion cannot get around. Latios can setup Tailwind to help teammates out and can take hits from Virizion decently. Talonflame can also setup Tailwind some of the time due to it's massive offensive pressure onto teams, and in particular Virizion. Even bulkier Tailwind setters such as Togekiss and Suicune can setup Tailwind in a pinch against Virizion, with Togekiss also threatening a 4x super effective Air Slash as a bonus.
- Base 108 Speed Grass / Fighting type attacker, able to check common metagame threats such as Mega Kangaskhan, Heatran, Kyurem-B, Bisharp, and Rotom-W, and also others such as Mega Charizard-Y depending on the coverage move used.
- Faces competition from fellow musketeers Keldeo and Terrakion, but also Infernape and Breloom. Keldeo and Terrakion offer a different primary STAB type, while Breloom boasts Spore and a Technician boosted STAB Mach Punch. Virizion faces most contention for a team slot from Breloom, against whom Virizion needs a solid reason to be used over. Terrakion also completely outclasses Virizion in terms of a Beat Up recipient due to its STAB Rock Slide compared to Virizion's complete and utter lack of spread.
- Virizion carves itself a limited niche due to its unique combination of speed, typing, and possible coverage moves. For example, a team might prefer Virizion over Breloom since a fast Stone Edge helps the Mega Charizard-Y matchup.
- Virizion's poor offensive typing leaves it painstakingly vulnerable to Talonflame and Aegislash, and unable to threaten Amoonguss too much. The super common Landorus-T also gives Virizion problems with Intimidate.
- High special defense and Grass typing allows Virzion to quite easily switch in to most Water-types, Grass-types and Electric-types. This also lets Virzion switch in to Amoonguss quite freely with an immunity to both Spore and Rage Powder.
- Lack of reliable special Fighting-type STAB forces Virizion to be a physical attacker, leaving it susceptible to both burns and Intimidate.
- Low base 90 Attack stat means Virzion is restricted to carrying a Life Orb for it to OHKO Heatran and Mega Kangaskhan with Close Combat.
[SET]
name: Physical Attacker
move 1: Leaf Blade
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Stone Edge / Quick Guard / Taunt
move 4: Protect
item: Life Orb
ability: Justified
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
- Leaf Blade is Virizion's best Grass-type STAB move, with a decent Base 90 Power, and an increased chance to score critical hits which can be especially clutch if Virzion has been intimidated. With a Life Orb boost, Leaf Blade does over 80% to standard Rotom-W, and even has a small chance to 2HKO Suicune through Sitrus Berry.
- Close Combat is a stronger, Fighting-type STAB move that provides most of Virizion's offensive presence, and OHKOes Kangaskhan, Heatran, and the Dark-types of the tier such as Hydreigon and Hoopa-U.
- Stone Edge provides Virizion with means to hit opposing Flying-types for super effective damage, such as Thundurus and Mega Charizard-Y.
- Quick Guard is an excellent support option, blocking priority moves such as Fake Out and Talonflame's Brave Bird to assist teammates.
- Taunt allows Virizion to prevent Tailwind or Trick Room from going up, and in particular helps Virizion with its poor Aegislash matchup, by leaving it vulnerable in blade form and unable to use neither Substitute nor Wide Guard.
- Protect is a staple move in doubles for scouting attacks and stalling out field conditions, and in particular allows Virizion to stay on the field while its partner takes care of a faster threat such as Talonflame or Latios.
Set Details
========
- 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe with a Jolly nature allows Virizion to outspeed as much as possible and also speed-tie with Keldeo, Terrakion and Infernape. The remaining EVs are moved into Attack to maximize the much needed damage output.
- Life Orb allows Virizion to hit hard, and is necessary to get OHKOs on Mega Kangaskhan and Heatran with Close Combat.
Usage Tips
========
- Virizion can fare well as a lead due to its good matchup against Mega Kangaskhan, and also just against Fake Out users in general if carrying Quick Guard.
- Virizion generally works best early to mid game, where it can wear down the opponents Pokemon such as bulky Water types and Landorus-T to help teammates later on.
- Unless switching into a Dark-type, Water-type, Grass-type, or Electric-type attack, Virizion should be brought onto the field via U-Turn or free switches due to its poor defensive typing and pitiful Defense stat.
- Virizion is a great check to Mega Kangaskhan + Amoonguss or Azumarill + Amoonguss combinations, and should be used as such where possible.
- If Virizion is lacking Taunt, it should be wary of giving Pokemon such as Aegislash and Amoonguss free turns as it cannot touch them.
- Unlike Keldeo, Virizion can't freely spam Quick Guard against Talonflame, as it has to watch out for Flare Blitz, which Virizion is OHKOed by. Virizion can, however, Quick Guard against Thundurus much more safely to prevent Taunts or Thunder Waves from it.
Team Options
========
- Talonflame loves Virizion threatening opposing Water types, and wearing down Landorus-T for it. The combination of a -1 Life Orb Leaf Blade with a +0 Adamant Life Orb Brave Bird from Talonflame 2HKOes even 44 HP Landorus-T.
- Mega Metagross is a great Steel type partner, as it provides a fast option to take care of Fairy-type and Psychic-type Pokemon such as Mega Gardevoir. Mega Metagross can also swiftly remove Amoonguss for Virizion as well.
- Aegislash provides a slower option to check Fairy-types and Psychic-types for Virizion, with the added bonus of beating opposing Ghost types as well.
- Belly Drum Azumarill is another offensive partner for Virizion. Virizion can use Quick Guard to help protect it from Talonflame's Brave Bird or Mega Kangaskhan Fake Out, assisting Azumarill's sweep. Alternatively, Taunt helps stop Amoonguss from raining on the parade.
- Heatran is a fantastic teammate for Virizion, as Virizion removes Mega Kangaskhan and bulky Water types for Heatran, while Heatran beats Amoonguss and Aegislash, while having a positive matchup against Talonflame. Heatran also helps Virizion against the likes of Mega Metagross and non-HP Ground Latios.
- Rotom-W also pairs well with Virizion, as Rotom-W enjoys facing the likes of Talonflame, Landorus-T and Gyarados. It also does decently against Mega Metagross and Mega Diancie. However, this combination would highly appreciate having another member which beats Amoonguss and Aegislash.
- Virizion can be a cool option for rain teams, as it can outspeed and OHKO Mega Charizard-Y, while also hitting opposing Water-types for super effective damage.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
- Lum Berry allows Virizion to heal a single status such as para or burn, but the drop in power is noticeable and also misses out on vital KOs.
- Zen Headbutt can be used to do decent damage to Amoonguss and Venusaur, but otherwise it only hits Grass-type resists without the drops of Close Combat.
- Double Kick serves as a weaker, secondary Fighting type STAB that can beat Focus Sash users such as Bisharp and Weavile, and also kill heavily weakened Heatran and Kyurem-B behind a Substitute (although Double Kick is a roll to kill Kyurem-B's Substitute with the first hit).
- Safeguard is an interesting support option which gives Virizion and its teammates immunity to status for a few turns.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Typing Advantage**: Pokemon such as Aegislash and Amoonguss serve as hard stops to Virizion, although Amoonguss needs to be carrying Sludge Bomb to threaten Virizion at all. Cresselia can tank any of Virizion's hits and 2HKO in return with Psyshock. Gourgeist is a more niche option which also performs this role, however it should be noted that if a team needs a specific check to Virizion it probably needs reconsidering as a whole. Latios, Venusaur, and Gengar are all offensive checks that don't really mind any of Virizion's STAB moves too much, while being able to hit back hard with super effective STAB moves. If Virizion is lacking Stone Edge, then Flying type Pokemon such as Mega Charizard-Y become hard stops to it.
**Intimidate and Burns**: Due to Virizion's low base Attack stat Intimidate and burns leave it severely crippled. Landorus-T and Gyarados both take any of Virizion's attacks quite comfortably; with Landorus-T doing heavy damage on even a resisted Earthquake due to Virizion's low bulk, and Gyarados being able to cripple Virizion with Thunder Wave. The main Will-o-wisp usesr Virizion needs to look out for are Talonflame and Gengar, but healthy Rotom Wash and Heat, or Mew and Gourgeist can also threaten a burn with this move.
**Speed**: A plethora of top threats in the metagame check Virizion. Base Speed 110s in particular such as Mega Metagross and Mega Diancie threaten Virizion massively. Pokemon even faster yet, such as Talonflame (which also boasts priority in Brave Bird), Deoxys-Attack, and Blaziken after a single turn of Speed Boost.
**Speed Control**: Virizion needs to move first to KO most of the Pokemon it checks, and opposing speed control prevents this and so flips the table. Pokemon such as Mega Kangaskhan and Heatran will enjoy attacking first greatly, and will take advantage of Virizion's lacking physical defense and poor defensive typing respectively. Cresselia and Gourgeist can freely set up Trick Room on Virizion if it lacks Taunt. Jirachi can use Icy Wind or Thunder Wave without taking too much damage, while also carrying the superior redirection Follow Me which Virizion cannot get around. Latios can setup Tailwind to help teammates out and can take hits from Virizion decently. Talonflame can also setup Tailwind some of the time due to it's massive offensive pressure onto teams, and in particular Virizion. Even bulkier Tailwind setters such as Togekiss and Suicune can setup Tailwind in a pinch against Virizion, with Togekiss also threatening a 4x super effective Air Slash as a bonus.
[OVERVIEW]
Overshadowed by fellow musketeers Keldeo and Terrakion, as well as other Fighting-types such as Infernape and Breloom, Virizion struggles to find a solid niche in the Doubles metagame due to its inferior offensive stats. Similarly to Breloom, its STAB Grass- and Fighting-type attacks threaten many common Pokemon such as Mega Kangaskhan, Heatran, Bisharp, Kyurem-B, and Rotom-W. Virizion also boasts Rock-type coverage in Stone Edge to beat Mega Charizard Y and help against other opposing Flying types. However, its low Attack and bad typing also leave it vulnerable to many rampant threats such as Aegislash, Amoonguss, Mega Diancie, Mega Metagross, Latios, and Talonflame. The extremely common Landorus-T also causes major problems with Intimidate.
[SET]
name: Physical Attacker
move 1: Leaf Blade
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Stone Edge / Quick Guard / Taunt
move 4: Protect
item: Life Orb
ability: Justified
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Leaf Blade is Virizion's best Grass-type STAB move, with an increased chance to score clutch critical hits. With a Life Orb boost, Leaf Blade does over 80% to standard Rotom-W and even has a small chance to 2HKO Suicune through Sitrus Berry. Close Combat is a strong Fighting-type STAB move that provides most of Virizion's offensive presence, and with a Life Orb boost it OHKOes Fighting-weak Pokemon such as Mega Kangaskhan, Heatran, Hydreigon, and Bisharp. Stone Edge provides Virizion with a means to hit opposing Flying-types such as Thundurus and Mega Charizard Y for super effective damage. Quick Guard can be used instead as an excellent support option, blocking priority moves such as Fake Out and Talonflame's Brave Bird to assist teammates. Taunt is another support move that allows Virizion to prevent Tailwind or Trick Room from being set, and it also helps Virizion against Aegislash and Amoonguss. Protect is a staple move in Doubles for scouting attacks and stalling out field conditions, and in particular it allows Virizion to stay on the field while its partner takes care of a faster Pokemon threatening it such as Talonflame or Latios.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed EVs with a Jolly nature allow Virizion to outspeed as many Pokemon as possible and Speed tie with Keldeo, Terrakion, and Infernape. Maximum EVs are put into Attack to maximize the much-needed damage output. Life Orb is used, as it allows Virizion to hit hard and is necessary to get the OHKOs on Mega Kangaskhan and Heatran with Close Combat.
Usage Tips
========
Virizion can fare well as a lead due to its good matchup against Mega Kangaskhan and, if carrying Quick Guard, just Fake Out users in general. In general, Virizion works best early- and mid-game, where it can wear down the opponent's Pokemon such as bulky Water-types and Landorus-T to help teammates out later on. Virizion should only be brought onto the field via resisted special attacks or free switches; otherwise, it will lose a hefty chunk of health. Virizion can be used as a great check to common Amoonguss partners such as Mega Kangaskhan and Azumarill, as it can ignore Rage Powder to hit the targets super effectively and resists both Pokemon's priority attacks. If Virizion is lacking Taunt, it should be wary of giving Pokemon such as Aegislash and Amoonguss free turns, as it cannot touch them. Unlike Keldeo, Virizion can't freely spam Quick Guard against Talonflame, as it has to watch out for Flare Blitz, which OHKOes it. Virizion can, however, use Quick Guard against Thundurus much more safely to prevent priority Taunts or Thunder Waves from it.
Team Options
========
Virizion's ability to weaken opposing Water-types and Landorus-T makes it a nice partner for offensive Pokemon that appreciate them being worn down. Talonflame is exemplary of this, as it appreciates Rotom-W and Landorus-T in particular being removed. The combination of a -1 Life Orb-boosted Leaf Blade and a +0 Adamant Life Orb-boosted Brave Bird from Talonflame 2HKOes even 44 HP Landorus-T. Mega Metagross is a great offensive Steel-type partner, as it provides a fast option to take care of Fairy- and Psychic-type Pokemon such as Mega Gardevoir in return for Virizion beating down its checks such as Heatran, Landorus-T, and bulky Water-types. Mega Metagross can also swiftly remove Amoonguss for Virizion. Aegislash provides a slower Steel-type option to check Fairy- and Psychic-types for Virizion, with the added bonus of beating opposing Ghost-types as well.
Belly Drum Azumarill is an offensive partner that Virizion can assist with one of its support moves if running it. Virizion can use Quick Guard to help protect it from Talonflame's Brave Bird or Mega Kangaskhan's Fake Out, assisting Azumarill's sweep. Alternatively, Taunt helps stop Amoonguss from raining on the parade.
Virizion can also work well with bulkier Pokemon by both removing their checks and baiting in Pokemon they can take advantage of. Heatran is a fantastic teammate for Virizion, as Virizion removes Mega Kangaskhan and bulky Water-types for Heatran, while Heatran helps against Amoonguss, Aegislash, Mega Metagross, Latios, and Talonflame. Rotom-W also pairs well with Virizion, as Rotom-W has an easy time facing the likes of Talonflame, Landorus-T, and Gyarados while also doing decently against Mega Metagross and Mega Diancie. This combination would, however, struggle against Amoonguss and therefore would need to be supported accordingly.
Virizion can additionally be an interesting option for rain teams, as it can outspeed and Mega Charizard Y and OHKO it with Stone Edge while also hitting opposing Water-types for super effective damage, both of which are usually threats to rain teams.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Lum Berry is an option that allows Virizion to heal status such as paralysis or burn once, but the drop in power compared to Life Orb is noticeable, and Virizion also misses out on the vital KO on Mega Kangaskhan and Heatran. Zen Headbutt can be used as a coverage move to do decent damage to Amoonguss and Venusaur, but it otherwise only hits Grass-resistant foes without the drops of Close Combat. Double Kick can serve as a weaker, secondary Fighting-type STAB move that can OHKO Focus Sash users such as Bisharp and Weavile as well as KO heavily weakened Heatran and Kyurem-B behind a Substitute, although the first hit is not guaranteed to break Kyurem-B's Substitute. Safeguard is an interesting support option that gives both Virizion and its teammates an immunity to status for a few turns.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Typing Advantage**: Pokemon such as Aegislash and Amoonguss serve as hard stops to Virizion, although Amoonguss needs to carry Sludge Bomb to threaten Virizion at all. Cresselia can tank any of Virizion's attacks and 2HKO in return with Psyshock. Gourgeist is a more niche option that also performs this role; however, it should be noted that if a team needs a specific check to Virizion, it probably needs reconsidering as a whole. Latios, Venusaur, and Gengar are all offensive checks that don't really mind any of Virizion's STAB moves too much and are able to hit back hard with super effective STAB moves. If Virizion lacks Stone Edge, Flying-type Pokemon such as Mega Charizard Y become hard stops to it.
**Intimidate and Burns**: Due to Virizion's low base Attack stat, Intimidate and burns leave it severely crippled. Landorus-T and Gyarados both take any of Virizion's attacks quite comfortably; Landorus-T does heavy damage with even a resisted Earthquake due to Virizion's low phsyical bulk, and Gyarados can cripple Virizion with Thunder Wave. The main Will-O-Wisp users Virizion needs to look out for are Talonflame and Gengar, but healthy Rotom-W and Rotom-H or Mew and Gourgeist can also threaten to burn with this move.
**Speed**: A plethora of top threats in the metagame check Virizion. Base 110 Speed Pokemon in particular such as Mega Metagross and Mega Diancie threaten Virizion massively. Pokemon even faster yet, such as Talonflame (which also boasts priority in Brave Bird), Deoxys-A, and Blaziken after a single turn of Speed Boost also outspeed and KO Virizion.
**Speed Control**: Virizion needs to move first to KO most of the Pokemon it checks, and opposing speed control prevents this and thus flips the table. Pokemon such as Mega Kangaskhan and Heatran will enjoy attacking first greatly and will take advantage of Virizion's lacking Defense and poor defensive typing. Cresselia and Gourgeist can freely set up Trick Room on Virizion if it lacks Taunt. Jirachi can use Icy Wind or Thunder Wave without taking too much damage while also carrying the superior redirection move Follow Me, which Virizion cannot get around. Latios can set up Tailwind to help teammates out and can take hits from Virizion decently. Talonflame can also set up Tailwind some of the time due to its ability to put massive offensive pressure onto teams and, in particular, Virizion. Even bulkier Tailwind setters such as Togekiss and Suicune can set up Tailwind in a pinch against Virizion, with Togekiss also threatening it with a 4x super effective Air Slash as a bonus.
Last edited: