Vulpix (Analysis)

Calm Pokemaster said:

GP Checky.
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Red = Deletions
Blue = Corrections / Additions
Black (bold) = Comments

GP Check

[Overview]
<p>Since the days of Generation IV, In the fifth generation, Vulpix has received an exponential tremendous boost. In Generation V, Through the Dream World, it received Drought as an ability, something which is absolutely vital for all Sunny Day teams to have providing a tremendous boon to LC sun teams in the form of unending sun. It also retains all of its support moves, most notably Will-O-Wisp and Hypnosis. On the other hand, its offensive movepool remains relatively unchanged. Despite its ability to summon infinite harsh sunlight, it cannot switch in multiple times, since its it has a notable weakness to Stealth Rock which will be one of its biggest downfalls hurdles to overcome.</p>

[Set]
name: Sunny Day Lead
move 1: Flamethrower / Fire Blast
move 2: Will-O-Wisp
move 3: Hypnosis
move 4: Energy Ball
item: Oran Berry / Evolution Stone Evoli
ability: Drought
nature: Bold
evs: 132 HP / 196 Def / 36 SpA / 76 SpD

[Set Comments]
<p>Because of its ability, Drought, Vulpix went from an oddball to a celebrity in Little Cup. Since it's the only Pokémon that can set up perpetual Sunny Day infinite sunlight, Vulpix is the best Sunny Day sun supporter in the game. Flamethrower is its most reliable STAB attack, though Fire Blast hits harder. Both moves will receive a 1.5x 2.25x bonus as long as Drought is in effect, since the harsh sunlight and STAB bonus together boosts Vulpix's Fire-type attacks by one two stages when considering both sun and STAB. It should be noted that with the sun and STAB boosts, the difference in power between Fire Blast and Flamethrower is greatly widened, from a fair 25 point difference between 120 and 95, to a tremendous 56 point difference between 270 and 214. Will-O-Wisp burns set-up sweepers like Zurruggu Scraggy and Komotama Pawniard, and also reduces the efficiency of physically offensive supporters like Hippopotas. Hypnosis is another great move that Vulpix possesses, since it can incapacitate another would-be sweeper. Energy Ball gets good coverage alongside Fire-type attacks, which is why it should be in the last slot. Oran Berry is the primary option for extra longevity, but the Evolution Stone Evoli can be used for bulk. The EVs maximize Vulpix's Defense, as well as and give it an extra 2 HP. The remainder goes to Special Attack and Special Defense.</p>

[Additional Comments]
<p>The best teammates for this set are Sunny Day sweepers. Chlorophyll users, such as Oddish and Bellsprout, are great, but offensive Fire-types like Houndour are just as potent. Since this set functions best as a lead, Protect can be used over in any of the last three move slots in order to stop Fake Out users like Meditite and Meowth. (Use a move in a moveslot. Use a move over another move.) Something that can remove Hitomoshi Litwick is also good, since it will be able to walk all over this set, only fearing the inaccurate Hypnosis. Houndour is great, since it is immune to Fire-type attacks, and also resists Ghost-type attacks, and can dispatch Hitomoshi Litwick with a its STAB Dark-type attacks. Taunt Gligar easily stops this set cold, so Misdreavus would make a good partner to smack Gligar with Shadow Ball, or can use set up with Substitute and Nasty Plot against those lacking Toxic.</p>

[Set]
name: Choice
move 1: Overheat / Fire Blast
move 2: Energy Ball
move 3: Hypnosis
move 4: Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Ground
item: Choice Scarf / Choice Specs
ability: Drought / Flash Fire
nature: Timid
evs: 52 HP / 196 SpA / 236 Spe

[Set Comments]
<p>Vulpix's decent Speed and passable Special Attack allow it to run a special Choice set efficiently. Overheat is Vulpix's most powerful attack, receiving a double STAB bonus with Drought in play, reaching an incredible 315 power. Fire Blast does less is significantly weaker, but does not carry Overheat's burden of a -2 two-stage drops in Special Attack with each use. Energy Ball, once again, pairs well with Vulpix's STAB Fire-type attacks, and hits most Water-types for decent damage. However, Hypnosis can shut down a would-be check, like Munchlax. Hidden Power Ice hits Dragon-types, while Hidden Power Ground hits opposing Fire-types.</p>

[Additional Comments]
<p>The decision of using between Choice Scarf or and Choice Specs is entirely up to you. Choice Scarf allows Vulpix to outspeed Choice Scarf Snover, as well as all unboosted threats, like most Staryu. However, Choice Specs will allow Vulpix to hit like a truck, since Choice Specs will essentially give Vulpix’s Overheat three 1.5x boosts a third 1.5 boost (from STAB, Sunny Day, and Choice Specs). Dark Pulse is an interesting option over Hidden Power, but is illegal in tandem with Hypnosis.</p>

<p>Will-O-Wisp is an interesting option, as it can burn a physical attacker, like Munchlax, who which would be inclined to switch in on Vulpix. Drought powers up Fire-type attacks, but Flash Fire will do the same thing if Vulpix switches in on a Fire-type attack. A Timid nature and 236 Speed EVs maximizes its Speed. Gligar is a great teammate for this set as it can take Rock-type attacks and is immune to Ground-type attacks. Its weakness to Water-type attacks is also somewhat remedied by Drought.</p>

[Team Options]
<p>Sunny Day sweepers are great teammates for Vulpix as they can abuse the permanent Sunny Day sunlight. Pokémon with Giga Drain and Energy Ball are also handy at removing Hippopotas, which can remove the permanent sunlight with Sand Stream. Vulpix can remove Snover, the other auto-weather Pokémon, with ease, though a Fire-type teammate like Houndour is never a bad choice. Rapid Spinners like Pineco are also great teammates, as they can remove the entry hazards that screw Vulpix over greatly hinder Vulpix.</p>

[Optional Changes]
<p>Despite Vulpix's shallow movepool, there are actually quite a few options for it. It gets Magic Coat, and can use it as an anti-lead to bounce back entry hazards, but is the move is unfortunately illegal in tandem with Drought. The same goes for Dark Pulse, which can be used on the Choice Scarf set with Flash Fire for a super effective hit on Hitomoshi Litwick. Unfortunately, Dark Pulse is illegal with Hypnosis. Rest + Sleep Talk on a bulky variant could be effective, but like Magic Coat, is illegal with Drought.</p>

<p>Evil Eye can be a good complement to Will-O-Wisp and Hypnosis, since its power Base Power would double if the opposing Pokémon has a status condition. Nitro Charge is another new toy that Vulpix gets to play with in Generation V, allowing Vulpix to boost its Speed to a Choice Scarf level while allowing it to switch between moves without restraining itself with Choice Scarf. However, with all the considering the prevalence of priority moves in Little Cup, combined in tandem with Vulpix's mediocre defenses, it will be hard to find a time to successfully use Nitro Charge. Vulpix will be hard pressed to make good use of the boost from Nitro Charge.</p>

[Counters]
<p>Because Vulpix leans towards the support section roles, it technically has no "counters." It accomplishes its job simply byif it can successfully switching in and changing the weather. However, it does have quite a few checks. Regardless, there are many Pokemon that can check Vulpix itself. Ground-types like Gligar fare well against Vulpix as long as they avoid Will-O-Wisp. Hitomoshi Litwick is probably the best counter to Vulpix, and as the only way Vulpix can win is if it carries it is impervious to Vulpix's attacks unless the little fox carries Evil Eye and/or Hypnosis. Hippopotas ends Sunny Day and brings in Sandstorm, and with an Evolution Stone Evoli, can sponge an Energy Ball or two and KO Vulpix with an Earthquake. Most Water-types can take an Energy Ball, but Drought will reduce the potency of their attacks. The best way to take out Vulpix is passively through Stealth Rock and Spikes. If, since if it only has a limited of switch-ins, When its switch-ins are restricted, its usefulness diminishes greatly. Piplup can challenge Vulpix one-on-one and come out on top, and set up also setting up Stealth Rock.</p>

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Since there aren't too many changes to make, a copy-pastable version won't be of much use. While doing this proofread, I noticed some errors that I would like to point out in detail:

(1)It is Will-O-Wisp. "O" should be a capital letter.

(2)Water-type, Grass-type attacks. The type name should be followed by "-type". The exception to this rule is when you mention the typing of a Pokemon, as in "Skarmory's Steel typing; Garchomp Dragon typing" etc,

(3)I mentioned this in the GP check, but I would like to repeat it again. Remember, we use a move in a moveslot. We use a move over another move.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

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comatthew6 said:

THIS THREAD SHOULD BE MOVED TO L&O BECAUSE VULPIX WAS BANNED.

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