Flygon [QC 3/3 GP 2/2]

Flygon

[Overview]

<p>Dragon-types have always been a rare sight within the lower tiers, their excellence leaving the majority of them in the upper tiers. Dragon typing is strong offensively, as only one type resists it: Steel. Not to mention it has resistances to four common offensive types in Fire-, Water-, Grass-, and Electric-types attacks. Flygon holds a coveted spot of being one of the few viable Dragon-types in UU; it has just enough Speed to outpace common threats in UU, and enough Attack to make use of its high Base Power STAB moves. Thanks to Levitate and Ground typing, Flygon is immune to Toxic Spikes and Spikes, and resists Stealth Rock, making it a great hit-and-run attacker. Despite all of Flygon's fantastic attributes, it has a few drawbacks. Unlike its fellow UU Dragon-type Kingdra, it has no way of boosting its stats outside the mediocre Hone Claws. Defensively, Flygon's typing has a few faults to go with its strengths. While Ground typing gives Flygon a handy immunity to Electric-type attacks and resistance to Rock-type attacks, it also gives Flygon a painful 4x Ice-type weakness and rids it of Grass- and Water-type resistances. 80 / 80 / 80 defenses are mediocre at best, so while Flygon might not be frail, any powerful move can cripple or KO it. Nonetheless, Flygon is an excellent Pokemon and has certainly earned its place as a top threat of UU.</p>

[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Outrage
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Fire Punch
item: Choice Band
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>With a Choice Band equipped, Flygon becomes an excellent wallbreaker, as its great STAB coverage makes it notoriously hard for Pokemon to switch into it. Outrage is Flygon's most powerful move, denting walls and plowing through frailer Pokemon. Earthquake is almost as powerful as Outrage, and it comes with the benefit of hitting almost everything that resists Outrage for super effective damage. Earthquake can break holes in opposing teams almost as well as Outrage, and without locking Flygon in for 2-3 turns and the subsequent confusion&mdash;a notable benefit of which is switching out of would be revenge killers, such as Weavile. U-turn helps maintain momentum, allowing Flygon to scout potential switch-ins and switch out of unfavorable match-ups, provided the opposing Pokemon is slower. Fire Punch hits Bronzong, the only UU Pokemon to resist both of Flygon's STABs, for super effective damage. All but the most physically defensive of Bronzong are 2HKOed by a Choice Band-boosted Fire Punch. After Bronzong is removed, Flygon can safely use its powerful STABs without getting easily walled.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>The EVs on this set are very straightforward. Attack and Speed are maximized, ensuring Flygon hits as hard as it can, and outspeeds as much as it can. The Special Defense prevents Download Pokemon from getting their preferred Special Attack boost. As with many sets, this set faces the eternal question of power or speed when dealing with natures. Flygon's base 100 Speed is above that of many Pokemon in the tier, and requires a Jolly nature to be fully effective. However, the power offered by an Adamant nature should always be considered. Adamant secures a 2HKO against offensive Porygon2 without Stealth Rock damage, a 2HKO against defensive Slowbro&mdash;although Regenerator makes this less significant&mdash;and Suicune with Stealth Rock damage, and gives Flygon a good chance to OHKO Choice Band Snorlax.</p>

<p>Although VoltTurn in UU isn't as common as in OU, Volt Switch users still pair up well with Flygon. Zapdos and Raikou make fantastic teammates, as both of them can make quick work of Slowbro with their STAB Electric-type moves; however, Raikou is usually the better choice, as Zapdos shares an Ice weakness with Flygon. Flygon's success is often largely dependent on being supported with entry hazards; Spikes and Stealth Rock put targets into Flygon's KO range, and increases the chance of a late-game sweep. Roserade makes a great partner, as it can set up Spikes, destroy bulky Water-types that try to check Flygon, and remove crippling status with Aromatherapy. Magneton is also an exceptional teammate for Flygon, removing Steel-types for Flygon to spam Outrage, rather than having the need to predict and remove them with Earthquake&mdash;Magneton can also remove Bronzong, Flygon's best check, if it is using Magnet Rise. If Magneton is used, Fire Punch loses all purpose. Hence, Stone Edge becomes a decent alternative as it hits Flying-types without locking Flygon into Outrage. Kingdra is a potent partner for a double Dragon strategy. Due to the lack of Dragon counters in UU, the damage dealt by both Dragon-types can often take down the only Steel-type on the opposing team, allowing one of them to sweep.</p>

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Outrage
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Fire Punch / Stone Edge
item: Choice Scarf
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>This is one of the most common Flygon sets you'll encounter, and with good reason. With great Speed and decent attacking power, Flygon can utilize a Choice Scarf to outspeed a large portion of the tier while still dealing decent damage. This allows Flygon to not only revenge kill frail sweepers, but to sweep weakened teams itself. Earthquake and Outrage make use of Flygon's great STABs, hitting most of the tier for at least neutral damage. However, it is generally inadvisable to lock Flygon into Outrage early on, as not only are Pokemon that can survive the move and retaliate likely to be around, but Ice Shard users, such as Weavile, can revenge kill it. Access to U-turn is what allows Flygon to be one of the best Choice Scarf users in the tier; being able to switch while doing damage is an asset that should never be underestimated. Fire Punch is Flygon's best option for dealing damage to Bronzong, but it cannot even 2HKO the bulky bell. Stone Edge is a decent option as it allows Flygon to hit Flying-types without resorting to Outrage.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>The EVs on this set maximize Attack and Speed while preventing Download from giving a Special Attack boost. The use of a Jolly or Adamant nature depends on your team. Adamant allows Flygon to get a power boost, but misses out on getting the jump on numerous Pokemon. Flygon is in a sensitive Speed tier, and any positive-natured Pokemon in base 87 Speed and above at +1 will fail to be outsped. Some notable examples of Pokemon that Adamant Choice Scarf Flygon does not outspeed are Choice Scarf Darmanitan, Choice Scarf Krookodile, +1 Quiver Dance Venomoth, and Choice Scarf Porygon-Z. Furthermore, Adamant does not make any notable OHKOes or 2HKOes that Jolly misses.</p>

<p>Entry hazards are even more important to this set, as they make Flygon's job of cleaning up teams much easier. Roserade makes a great partner as it has Spikes and Aromatherapy. Moreover, Roserade's ability to counter bulky Water-types is even more valuable, as they can take Choice Scarf Flygon's attacks significantly easier than the Choice Band version. Kingdra, particularly one with Choice Specs, makes a good partner for this set. Kingdra can lure typical switch-ins for Flygon, such as Slowbro, and eliminate them with an extremely powerful Draco Meteor, opening Flygon's path to clean up.</p>

[SET]
name: Physical Life Orb
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Dragon Claw / Outrage
move 3: Roost
move 4: Fire Punch / Superpower
item: Life orb
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>While Flygon is normally seen as a Choice item user, Life Orb Flygon aims to make use of its access to Roost and the lessened need to predict relative to the Choice sets. With Spikes down on the opposing field, this set can be very hard for the opponent to handle without Gligar or Slowbro. Dragon Claw is the preferred Dragon move, as Outrage locks Flygon in, defeating the purpose of not using a Choice item; however, Outrage is 50% more powerful than Dragon Claw, and can still be used if the added power is really needed. Roost heals off the Life Orb recoil Flygon is sure to take over the course of the match, and thanks to Flygon being practically impervious to entry hazards, it need not use it every time it switches in. Superpower can be used over Fire Punch to allow Flygon to get past Porygon2 and Snorlax more easily, though the Attack and Defense drops will impede Flygon's ability to stay in battle. However, this is not a huge problem as Flygon's resistance to entry hazards makes switching in and out of battle relatively painless. If you are not using Outrage, Earthquake is Flygon's strongest STAB move&mdash;and even if you are, its most reliable&mdash; and almost perfectly complements Dragon Claw's coverage by hitting all Steel-types, except Bronzong, for at least neutral, and often super effective, damage.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>The EVs on this set maximize Attack and Speed while preventing a Special Attack boost from Download. Jolly is the preferred nature due to Flygon missing out on outspeeding or tying with a significant number of Pokemon otherwise. Adamant provides a little extra power, but it doesn't ensure any notable OHKOes or 2HKOes.</p>

<p>Bulky Arcanine is a great partner, as it can switch into Ice-types such as Weavile that force Flygon out of battle. Darmanitan also helps Flygon by checking fast Ice-types, but trades the ability to switch into them as easily for posing a considerably greater offensive threat. Shaymin and Flygon work very well together, as Shaymin can take out Gligar and bulky Water-types, such as Slowbro, which give Flygon trouble. Their Life Orb sets complement each other well, having both reliable recovery and moderate bulk.</p>

[Other Options]

<p>Flygon can attempt a mixed Life Orb set, as Draco Meteor, even with base 80 Special Attack, will KO Slowbro after an Earthquake, and do extremely heavy damage to Gligar, both prominent Flygon checks. However, with the right prediction, Choice Band Outrage can defeat everything the mixed set can, with the exception of Gligar. Moreover, the Choice Band set is generally more useful due to its lack of recoil and consistent damage. Crunch can get past Ghost-types with Levitate, but is weaker than STAB Outrage. Toxic, Roost, and Dragon Tail can be used in stalling or support sets, but Flygon's defenses are too low for this to be viable. Tailwind can help support teammates, but it peters out too quickly to be effective. Hone Claws can be used as a boosting move, but a +1 boost doesn't cut it with Flygon's average Attack stat. ThunderPunch can hit Water-types super effectively, but only deals as much damage as neutral STAB Earthquake.</p>

[Checks and Counters]

<p>Bronzong is the standard Flygon counter. Being resistant to one STAB and immune to the other, it can take on almost every Flygon. Choice Band Flygon can't even guarantee a 2HKO on Bronzong with Fire Punch, but the damage will stack up quickly if Bronzong continues to switch into that attack. Bronzong can also 2HKO Flygon with Gyro Ball with just minimal Attack investment. Bulky Water-types are effective checks to most Flygon. Flygon's only super effective move, ThunderPunch, deals less than its STAB Outrage, and most bulky Water-types can handle Flygon's Outrage and Earthquake off of its average Attack stat. They can then respond with Scald, which not only does decent damage, but also threatens a debilitating burn, or with a 4x super effective Ice Beam. However, the Choice Band-boosted Outrage will 2HKO Milotic and Blastoise without fail, and can 2HKO Suicune and Slowbro with some prior damage. Slowbro makes the best check among bulky Water-types due to Slack Off and Regenerator&mdash;should Flygon use U-turn on a predicted switch to Slowbro&mdash;healing racked up damage that would otherwise allow Flygon to get past it eventually. Regenerator is also useful in allowing Slowbro to switch into Earthquake or Outrage, then switching out immediately to an appropriate teammate. However, Choice Band U-turn&mdash;possibly in tandem with entry hazard damage&mdash; negates Regenerator's healing effect, and Slowbro too, can be worn down. Froslass outspeeds non-Choice Scarf sets and OHKOes with Ice Beam. Weavile is Flygon's best revenge killer, being able to OHKO it with Ice Shard should it be locked into Outrage, or Pursuit trap a Flygon fleeing Ice Shard. Gligar is not 2HKOed by any of physical Flygon's moves. It can recover off the damage using Roost, and stall Flygon out by using Toxic. Any Pokemon with reasonable bulk, such as Dusclops, can serve as a check to Flygon. However, it must be careful not to take too much residual damage, or it will risk being 2HKOed by Choice Band Flygon.</p>

A few things:

1. Please fix your formatting--right now it's really annoying to look at and read through.
2. The Choice Band set should probably be listed before the Scarf set. Yes, Scarf is more common on the ladder, but in higher lever play, Band is considered a better overall use of Flygon.
3. Don't slash Dragon Claw anywhere but the LO set. It's way too weak to do anything on the Scarf set and the Band set needs all its moves.
4. Superpower is pretty useless on the CB set, as Outrage does a ton to Porygon2. I would leave it as AC material, tbh. Scarf and LO Flygon can have it slashed after Fire Punch, though. I don't even know why you're considering ThunderPunch...

Alright, added the changes.

You still need to fix the formatting. There should be spaces on either side of slashes and stats need to be ordered and abbreviated as such: HP / Atk / Def / SpA / SpD / Spe. Your capitalization is all messed up too--I don't care about grammar in the bullet points during QC, but I do care in the actual [SET]s.

The 'leftover' 4 EVs should be in SpD, not HP, as this prevent Download Porygon2/Z from nabbing a SpA boost when they switch in on Flygon. Jolly should be listed before Adamant on all sets, as Flygon misses too many Speed benchmarks without it. The LO set should be named Life Orb, as it's no longer slashed with CB.

You also still need to expand your skeleton. You fail to describe the usefulness of each move and how they aid in accomplishing the set's goal. Your teammates sections are also lacking content.

Finally done with the changes... You sure are picky. -.- I could have added more detail in the beginning but seeing as how this is just a skeleton I didn't really feel the need to unless advised to do so.

If you are gonna include the LO Flygon set, it should be the Mixed set. Draco Meteor+Fire Blast allows Flygon to destroy it's usual counters, like Bronzong, Gligar, Slowbro, and Hitmontop, luring in and removing them so a sweeper like Sharpedo can sweep. The reason Choice Band is so good is because it has JUST enough power to break through it's usual counters, something that Physical Life Orb fails to do.

Flygon (F) @ Life Orb Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Naive Nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Earthquake
- Draco Meteor
- Fire Blast
- Roost/Outrage


This set is meant to lure in counters and destroy them, and Max Special attack is necessary to guarentee the KO on Gligar. Uninvested Earthquake still does more than a Scarfed EQ, and you can choose either Roost or Outrage for the last slot to hit hard even after a Special Attack drop. U-turn is also optional.

It's my job to be picky.

Anyway, I would never use a Special / Mixed LO Flygon because that SpA is pretty terrible, but I keep getting told that it works, so why not? It shouldn't replace the Physical LO set though--that one I've actually used and it works really well with Spikes down. Flygon's impeccable coverage, great Speed, nice Attack, and passable bulk + Roost make it really hard to play around unless you carry Slowbro or Gligar (which is why Shaymin is the best partner!)

So basically, you're going to need four sets:

1. Choice Band
2. Choice Scarf
3. Physical LO
4. Mixed LO

Also, there should be slashes between the EV spreads as well as the moves.

On the physical LO set, de-slash U-turn--you might as well use CB if you're using U-turn over Roost--and slash Superpower after Fire Punch.

Once that's done and you write the Mixed LO set (which can go either before or after the Physical LO set, I don't care either way), I'll be ready to approve this.

Mention Magneton as a teammate for the CB set as well, and note that Stone Edge is the superior choice over Fire Punch if you go that route, since it lets you hit Zapdos/Rotom-H/Crobat without using Outrage. Also, Stone Edge should just be slashed in with Fire Punch for the scarf set. (Superpower doesn't even 2HKO offensive P2)

I'll implement those changes asap. I've never used mix before, I don't really know how well that works, so I'd like so more information on it before I add it.
I guess I'll test it out myself and see how it goes. Other perspectives are helpful though.

It's main use is to take out it's counters to support another mon's sweep. For instance, it lures in and removes Gligar and Slowbro, clearing the way for a fighting type like Cobalion or Mienshao to sweep. Sharpedo, Heracross, and really anything else walled by Flygon's main counters all make good teammates.

Mixed is very effective in the right situation and in the hands of the right user. It takes a little more skill and knowledge to play well, but it certainly pays off. It's more of a lure than anything else. It's not really meant to sweep or w/e. Definitely worthy of a set (not to mention 2 QC members already told you to add it lol)...

EDIT: fuk u psych

Done, ready for final checks. One last thing, should I call the last set mixed life orb or wall breaker?

Shaymin should be mentioned as a partner for the Physical LO set as it easily beats both Slowbro and Gligar. Your Checks and Counters section also needs a bit more meat, but other than that this looks ok to write up now.

"Physical Life Orb" and "Mixed Life Orb" work as set names so use those unless someone comes up with something better.

QC Approved 1/3

I actually haven't used a mixed Flygon myself, so I might make it a point to test it. Thing is, LO Flygon is a set that seems much better situated for OU than UU to me. UU doesn't have as many specialized walls as OU does-- no Skarm, Ferro, or Foretress that you can easily 2HKO with Fire Blast. The physical walls/defensive Pokemon in UU have a more mixed bulk, and aren't weak to any of your Special Attacks (because with Darmanitan / Victini / Arcanine in the game, Pokemon like Tangrowth struggle in UU).

For reference, 252 SpA LO Draco Meteor +Speed does 61.1% - 72.2% to 252 HP Gligar (30.5% - 35.9% at -2, so you need SR to ensure the KO), and 65% - 76.9% to 252 HP Slowbro.

So, the only situation where Flygon is useful against either is when Flygon, for the first time, comes into battle (LO is not shown yet), predicts them switching in, and hits them with Draco Meteor. So, you only get one shot to make the hit, and you have to predict right. Any other time (once LO is revealed), and either Pokemon with just scout your Draco Meteor by using Roost / Recover. Furthermore, Slowbro has to be within KO range, or else it will just switch out and Regenerate. So Flygon's use against Slowbro seems pretty situational to me.

Mmm... Overall, I'm not sure why you wouldn't just use Choice Band... though it's not like it can't have a use. Like I said, I'll try playing it myself a bit.

Also, building a lure for Gligar isn't exactly hard. Any random Physical Sweeper with a moderate Sp.A using HP Ice for instance... Natural Gift Heracross lol...

That's really the whole point, it's meant to be used for the whole surprise factor scenario. Most uu players don't expect this set. I saw that the set had good implications by testing it out myself, plus two QC members told me to add it it anyway. Since you are going to test it, if you have any further suggestions please do mention it. Although if you tell me the set is bad i'm not sure whose opinion I should go on.

Earthquake + Draco Meteor 2HKOs Slowbro like 96% of the time after SR and since Gligar doesn't have Regenerator, it just can't afford to take one on the switch.

I honestly don't care if the set is included or not, but if it is, it should be because it's good. My suggestion is that you continue testing it.

No problems here. Just mention mixed's short comings (like after you use DM, you're now checked by things like Togekiss & Umbreon).

QC APPROVED (2/3)

I played a bunch of games using Flygon alongside SD Cobalion and Scarf Krookodile. Got to say, as of now, Gligar will switch in every time. There were a bunch of times I wished with all my might I had a Scarf U-Turn, but there were more than a few games where Flygon's wall breaking basically sealed the game.

One great thing about Gligar is that it's immune to EQ, so as long as you spam EQ against something it makes sense to EQ against, you don't have to predict the Gligar Switch-- Gligar will stay in and SR/Toxic while you blast the fuck out of it. Also, almost all the stuff that can switch into the second in-coming D. Meteor gets pretty fucked up by EQ.

Overall, Mix Flygon's power is about as unsatisfying as sex with a virgin girl, but then that goes for almost every Flygon set. I'm going to take back my previous doubts.

QC APPROVED (3/3)

(use hasty > naive to fuck up Porygon2's download... naive's only use is letting Flygon hold up to a LO Sucker Punch from Krow/Bisharp, but really, it's not a likely confrontation, or one you want to take on. If they're bringing in Krow/Bisharp into Flygon, just switch out)

Implemented final changes. I'll do the write up in about a day or so once my other analysis passes QC checks.

^ It's been almost a month. You have 48 hours to show progress or this analysis will be reassigned.

Alright, sorry for the wait, but ready for GP checks.

Last nitpick before GP gets their hands on this, make the natures on the mixed set Naive / Hasty, in that order, and explain the benefits of each one (Hasty prevents Download boosts to SpA and Naive lets it take priority better).

Sorry, but the prose is unacceptable right now. There are way too many grammar mistakes (not capitalizing Flygon, not hyphenating types, and basic spelling errors throughout the analysis) as well as no paragraph tags and random asterisks in the [SET]. GPing this would result in having to rewrite major chunks of the analysis, which shouldn't happen because the quality is really unacceptable. I suggest reading the Spelling and Grammar Standards and then rewriting this, or have someone reassign the analysis to someone else.

I could be wrong and be stepping out of line, but that's what I feel.

Yeah, reading through this... it really needs a lot of work before going through GP. They're supposed to help you out, not re-write the entire analysis for you.

Please look through the standards thread and make sure to meet all of them (or at least like ~90%). Fix capitalization errors, etc. While you're at it, make sure you give Superpower (which is not spelled Super Power) a good mention in the CB set's AC section, as its the only way Flygon's getting past defensive Porygon2.

Woops, sorry about that. I wrote this too quickly.

Btw, tornadus is guaranteed to come to uu next month, should I add it in somewhere to the analysis along with virizion or mew?