QC: Spirit / Molk / -kal-
GP: Snobalt / The Dutch Plumberjack
[OVERVIEW]
Braviary finds its place in RU as a good physical attacker with solid neutral coverage on the metagame and decent bulk that is capable of taking on a couple of different roles, such as a sweeper and revenge killer. Defiant allows Braviary to take advantage of not only Intimidate users, such as Granbull and Qwilfish, but also Defog users such as Flygon, making it a good choice for Sticky Web and other entry hazard-reliant teams. Unfortunately, Braviary is a bit lacking in the Speed department; many common offensive threats such as Mega Glalie, Meloetta, and Rotom-C can outpace Braviary if it's not carrying a Choice Scarf. To make things worse, it has trouble breaking through prominent Rock- and Steel-types such as Tyrantrum and Mega Steelix as well as tough physical walls such as Alomomola, all of which are fairly common in the current RU metagame. Many Pokemon can take a hit from Braviary and retaliate with ease, especially from the Choice Scarf set. Moreover, Braviary is not a very consistent Pokemon due to its subpar Speed and susceptibility to residual damage, and its low number of resistances can make it hard for many players to incorporate Braviary into their teams.
[SET]
name: Substitute + Bulk Up
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Bulk Up
move 3: Roost
move 4: Brave Bird
item: Leftovers
ability: Defiant
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 168 SpD / 88 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Substitute mainly shields Braviary from status moves such as Toxic and Will-O-Wisp while also easing prediction. Bulk Up boosts Braviary's Attack and Defense, preparing it for a sweep and making it harder to break. Roost offers a reliable form of recovery, healing off damage taken from Substitute, Brave Bird, and opposing attacks. Brave Bird is the preferred STAB move for this set, attaining good coverage on the metagame, and unlike Return, no Pokemon are immune to it. If Braviary's team has Pursuit support or another reliable way of dealing with Ghost-types, Return can be used in place of Brave Bird, as it hits Jolteon and Eelektross neutrally and doesn't wear Braviary down with recoil damage; however, it is noticeably weaker than Brave Bird.
Set Details
========
Leftovers lets Braviary recover a bit of health every turn and helps to make up for the HP lost from using Substitute and Brave Bird. Maximum HP investment is used so that Registeel can't break Braviary's Substitute with Seismic Toss. 88 EVs in Speed let Braviary outrun uninvested Golbat and Meloetta, as well as neutral-natured Clawitzer and Scrafty. Running 164 Speed EVs is also an option if you want Braviary to get the jump on maximum Speed Scrafty and Omastar as well as neutral-natured Exploud. The rest of the EVs go into Special Defense alongside a Careful nature, which allows Braviary to set up on weaker special attackers such as Amoonguss, Aromatisse, Seismitoad, and Alomomola, as well as take some hits from special attackers looking to revenge kill it.
Usage Tips
========
This set's primary goal is to break through most balance cores. Braviary should aim to set up on passive Pokemon such as Alomomola, Amoonguss, and Aromatisse, though you should try not to directly switch into the former two, as they might use a status move and cripple Braviary before it can do anything. Do not begin setting up if the opponent is carrying phazers such as Rhyperior and Mega Steelix. In practice, all Rock-, Electric-, Steel-, and Ice-types should be KOed, weakened, or crippled in some way before attempting a sweep. Braviary can also stall out low-PP moves such as Stone Edge with the combination of Substitute and Roost. Try to keep Braviary away from sound-based moves from the likes of Exploud, Meloetta, Chatot, and Aurorus, as they hit through Substitute. Additionally, it's a good idea, though not mandatory, to remove Stealth Rock from the playing field before attempting a sweep.
Team Options
========
Ground-types such as Rhyperior, Quagsire, and Torterra can take out the Rock-, Steel-, and Electric-types such as Tyrantrum, Mega Steelix, and Jolteon that hinder Braviary's ability to sweep. Clerics such as Aromatisse and Mega Audino can give Braviary a second chance to sweep if it gets afflicted with a status condition. Likewise, Healing Wish support from Pokemon such as Mesprit can change the tide of a game, giving Braviary a second chance to sweep if it was crippled earlier in the match. Qwilfish, Omastar, Drapion, and Weezing can set up Toxic Spikes, which works in combination with Substitute and Roost to wear down and stall out slower Pokemon such as Rhyperior. Stealth Rock may prevent Braviary from switching in to sweep, so entry hazard removers, such as Hitmonlee and Flygon, generally pair well with it. Hitmonlee and Flygon can also check Rock- and Steel-types, and Flygon is also able to switch into and threaten Electric-types such as Jolteon. Grass-types such as Tangrowth and Rotom-C can also handle Rock- and Electric-types while being able to OHKO Quagsire, which otherwise walls this set due to Unaware. Mega Abomasnow is in a similar boat, as it can check Jolteon and nail Water-types with its Grass-type STAB moves. Bulky Water-types such as Seismitoad, Gastrodon, Alomomola, and Slowking can burn or weaken most of Braviary's checks. Other Flying-types, such as Fletchinder and Chatot, can wear down Braviary's counters with the right coverage moves and set the stage for a late-game sweep.
[SET]
name: Physical Attacker
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Return
move 3: Superpower
move 4: U-turn / Roost
item: Choice Band / Sharp Beak
ability: Defiant
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Brave Bird is Braviary's most powerful STAB move and attains solid coverage on the RU metagame. Return should be used when Braviary can't afford to take recoil damage or when against an Electric-type such as Eelektross. Superpower is nice for nailing Rock- and Steel-types such as Rhyperior and Mega Steelix on the switch, wearing them down for later in the match. U-turn is an excellent momentum grabber and doubles as a useful tool for both bringing in frailer attackers and wearing down Braviary's checks. On the other hand, Roost is a decent option to heal off chip damage, but it should not be used when running Choice Band.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Attack and Speed along with an Adamant nature allows Braviary to hit as hard as possible while outpacing a good portion of the metagame. Jolly is still a viable option, though, (AC) tying with other positive-natured base 80 Speed Pokemon such as Shiftry and Gallade while outrunning neutral-natured Hitmonlee and Sawk. Choice Band boosts Braviary's Attack and doesn't wear it down with recoil damage. Alternatively, Sharp Beak is an option if switching moves is important, and a Sharp Beak-boosted Brave Bird still 2HKOes Alomomola after Stealth Rock damage, forcing it to use Protect and giving a free switch to a teammate. Life Orb is a feasible option, as it gives a large boost to all of Braviary's attacks without locking it in; however, the recoil damage adds up quickly alongside Brave Bird recoil and possibly Stealth Rock damage.
Usage Tips
========
This set's main role is to generally break down balance teams, especially for a teammate. It is best to remove Stealth Rock from the field before sending Braviary into battle, as it will be switching in and out a lot. U-turn is a key facet of this set and should be used often in order to wear down Braviary's checks and gain momentum. Braviary's STAB moves are rather spammable most of the time, unless the opponent is carrying a threatening check such as Tyrantrum or Mega Steelix. In that case, it's best to either U-turn out or hit the foe on the switch with Superpower. Roost should only be used when Braviary is very low on health or to stall another Pokemon out of PP; otherwise, attacking directly or pivoting out with U-turn is usually its best bet.
Team Options
========
Due to Braviary's ability to force switches, Dugtrio makes for a great partner, being able to come in after U-turn and trap Braviary's checks. Sticky Web support from Smeargle is very useful, helping to mitigate Braviary's lackluster Speed and opening up sweeping opportunities against more offensive teams. In return, Braviary can deter Defoggers from removing entry hazards by virtue of its ability Defiant. Moreover, because entry hazards can help guarantee some OHKOs and 2HKOs for Braviary and wear down its checks in conjunction with U-turn, Braviary works well on most entry hazard-stacking teams. Pokemon that can remove Stealth Rock from the field, such as Hitmonlee and Flygon, are basically mandatory if Braviary is going to be a force throughout the match. Both Pokemon can also take care of Rock- and Steel-types. Flying-types such as Fletchinder and Swellow can weaken Braviary's counters to help it sweep the opposing team, and Braviary can take down theirs in return. Grass-type Pokemon such as Rotom-C and offensive Tangrowth can handle Rhyperior and Mega Steelix well. Torterra is more of a niche option, but it can set up Stealth Rock as well as take care of most Rock- and Steel-types. Additionally, Meloetta, Mega Abomasnow, and Exploud can lure in checks to Braviary, such as Rhyperior and Registeel, and weaken or KO them with a coverage move. Pokemon like Eelektross, Jolteon, Meloetta, Rotom-C, and Flygon can form a nice VoltTurn core with Braviary. Seismitoad and Slowking can switch into Rock- and Steel-types and proceed to either burn or KO them; Seismitoad also has access to Stealth Rock. Finally, Pursuit support from the likes of Houndoom and Drapion can be useful to trap troublesome Ghost-types such as Rotom and Mega Banette.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Return
move 3: Superpower
move 4: U-turn
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Defiant
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Brave Bird makes for a strong and reliable STAB move, notably targeting Pokemon like Virizion, Accelgor, Durant, Choice Scarf Emboar, and +1 Scrafty. Return mainly covers Jolteon, but it also has use in picking off weakened Pokemon that resist Flying. Superpower rounds out Braviary's coverage, allowing it to revenge kill Choice Scarf Tyrantrum and +2 Rhyperior while smacking other Rock- and Steel-types on the switch. U-turn is a useful tool for grabbing momentum if you predict that the foe will switch out, giving Braviary a chance to switch into an answer to the incoming Pokemon.
Set Details
========
The EV spread allows Braviary to hit as hard and as fast as possible. Choice Scarf fixes Braviary's middling Speed and transforms it into a fearsome revenge killer. A Jolly nature is chosen so that Braviary can outpace Jolteon and Choice Scarf Tyrantrum while Speed tying with other Choice Scarf base 80 Speed Pokemon. Running an Adamant nature is an option to boost Braviary's damage output, as Braviary will still outrun Dugtrio and Choice Scarf Emboar; however, it will miss out on the previously mentioned threats, all of which are relatively common.
Usage Tips
========
This set's primary mission is to revenge kill weakened and frail offensive Pokemon; once Braviary is no longer needed, however, it can attempt a late-game sweep. Try to remove Stealth Rock from the playing field before Braviary switches in, as it may have to come in multiple times throughout the match. U-turn should be used often on predicted switches in order to gather momentum, but be sure not to make a costly overprediction. This should go without saying, but Braviary shouldn't attempt to KO healthy Pokemon with decent Defense, such as Durant, because of this set's lack of a boosting item. Due to its limited opportunities to enter the battlefield, Braviary should aim to come in after a teammate goes down or from Volt Switch or U-turn from a teammate like Rotom-C or Flygon. If you're switching Braviary into Flygon to take advantage of Defog, you should be wary of Flygon's Dragon-type STAB moves, as they can remove a good chunk of Braviary's health.
Team Options
========
Entry hazard support from the likes of Smeargle, Accelgor, Qwilfish, Omastar, and Rhyperior is especially important for this set; apart from offering a deterrent to Defog users, Braviary loses much of its power without a boosting item, making entry hazard support essential to achieve some OHKOs and 2HKOs. For example, Stealth Rock guarantees the OHKO on Jolteon and Delphox with Return and Brave Bird, respectively. Bulky Ground-, Fighting-, and Water-types such as Torterra, Seismitoad, Poliwrath, Slowking, and Alomomola can take on or wear down the majority of Braviary's checks, helping it sweep later; the latter can also provide Wish support, while the former two can set up Stealth Rock. Grass-types such as Rotom-C and Tangrowth can threaten most Rock- and Electric-types as well as Mega Steelix and Alomomola. Wallbreakers such as Meloetta, Emboar, and Exploud can weaken Braviary's checks and open up possibilities for a late-game sweep. Mega Abomasnow also deserves a mention due to its wallbreaking prowess and ability to check Jolteon, Rotom-C, and most bulky Water-types. Finally, entry hazard removal from the likes of Hitmonlee, Flygon, and Hitmontop is appreciated to prevent Braviary from taking unnecessary Stealth Rock damage.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=========
Defog is a great support option, but Braviary can't find a place for it on any of its sets. An offensive Substitute + Roost set is somewhat viable, allowing Braviary to stall out foes while maintaining offensive pressure. Toxic allows Braviary to cripple and wear down defensive checks such as Alomomola and Rhyperior, though it doesn't affect Steel-types. Sheer Force could be used on either the physical attacker or Choice Scarf set alongside moves such as Crush Claw, Rock Slide, and Heat Wave. Tailwind fixes Braviary's middling Speed for a few turns and helps out slower teammates such as Emboar and Exploud, making it a plausible option on the physical attacker set if not running Choice Band. Braviary can utilize some different Normal-type STAB moves; Thrash is more powerful than Return but locks Braviary in for a couple turns, Retaliate gives Braviary a one-time 140-Base Power attack after a teammate faints, and Facade allows Braviary to benefit from a stray Toxic. Sleep Talk adds to Braviary's ability to check Grass-types such as Amoonguss and Tangrowth, allowing it to take sleep-inducing moves without much worry.
Checks and Counters
============
**Rock- and Steel-types**: Rock- and Steel-types such as Rhyperior, Tyrantrum, Mega Steelix, Registeel, and Bronzong can take most hits from Braviary thanks to their resistance to Flying and tremendous physical bulk and can either set up Stealth Rock, cripple it with status, or hit it hard. However, the latter two are setup bait for the Substitute + Bulk Up set, and all of them should be wary of Superpower at low health and U-turn.
**Physical Walls**: Physically bulky Pokemon such as Alomomola, Cofagrigus, and Rhyperior can take hits from Braviary without too much trouble, although the latter two are setup bait for the Substitute + Bulk Up set.
**Electric-types**: Electric-types such as Jolteon, Rotom-C, and Eelektross are some of the best offensive checks to Braviary. The former two can outspeed non-Choice Scarf Braviary and KO it, while all three can take hits from the Substitute + Bulk Up set and 2HKO it.
**Quagsire**: Quagsire can take hits from most of Braviary's sets and retaliate with Scald or set up with Curse. However, the Choice Band set can break through it, and without Curse, Quagsire only manages to PP stall the Substitute + Bulk Up set.
**Infiltrator Users**: Pokemon with Infiltrator such as Golbat and Spiritomb can bypass Braviary's Substitute and don't take much damage from Brave Bird. However, they must be switched in before Braviary attains too many boosts.
**Faster Offensive Pokemon and Priority Users**: Due to Braviary's middling Speed, offensive Pokemon such as Jolteon, Delphox, Durant, Meloetta, and Choice Scarf Tyrantrum can outspeed and threaten to OHKO it. Pokemon that wield priority moves, especially Ice Shard users such as Mega Abomasnow and Mega Glalie, can also pick off Braviary if it is sufficiently weakened.
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