I was originally going to post 2 sets, one Sword Dance and this, but J7r probably wants to do the Sword Dance set so I'll leave that to him. Anyway, I've been using this set on the UU ladder to a lot of success and I thought it deserved a mention since Venusaur is quite powerful in UU with this set. Anyway, here it is. Credit for the second set to J7r, I just added it to my post for the sake or organization.
http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/venusaur
[SET]
name: Sub Salac
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Growth
move 3: Energy Ball
move 4: Hidden Power Rock
item: Salac Berry
ability: Overgrow
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
ivs: 30 HP
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set takes advantage of Venusaur's ability to force switches due to the opponent fearing either a Choice Specs Leaf Storm or Sleep Powder. Ideally Venusaur should Substitute on the switch and proceed by using Growth, which raises Venusaur's respectable Special Attack one stage. Often Venusaur will find itself capable of using Growth more then once because of its defensive bulk. Venusaur should then Substitute down activating the Salac Berry and Overgrow and proceed to sweep with boosted STAB Energy Ball. Hidden Power Rock complements this set by allowing Venusaur to damage Flying and Fire types such as Altaria and Ninetales.</p>
<p>The given EVs are a basic sweeper spread and the 30 HP IV allows for the Salac Berry to activate after 3 Substitutes. Modest can also be used over Timid for extra power but the loss in Speed rarely makes it worth it. A Petaya Berry is a decent option over a Salac Berry but without any Speed boosts Venusaur's ability to sweep will be hindered. A different Hidden Power is, of course, usable over Hidden Power Rock if hitting a particular target is more important.</p>
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Sleep Powder
move 2: Swords Dance
move 3: Seed Bomb
move 4: Earthquake / Double-Edge
item: Leftovers / Life Orb
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Speed
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>With Venusaur's often overlooked physical movepool, this set can wreak quite a bit of havoc if your opponent is unprepared. In the lower tiers, where Venusaur shines, its 80 base Speed and nearly unique physical type coverage change Venusaur from a Special-based tank into an attacking monster that is very difficult to stop.</p>
<p>The basic strategy with this set is to use Sleep Powder on your first turn, as soon as you get in. By boosting Venusaur's speed through EVs and nature, you will find yourself faster than a large percentage of lower-tiered pokemon, making this much easier. Once your opponent is asleep, use the free turn to Swords Dance as your opponent either switches or waits helplessly as their pokemon is asleep. Once you have that +2 Atk boost, just take aim at your opponent and fire away. Seed Bomb is the move of choice as it gets STAB and has its power boosted even more by Venusaur's ability, Overgrow. Earthquake is for most things that resist Grass such as Vileplume, Muk, other Venusaur and especially Steel and Fire-types.</p>
<p>Even though this set has very good type coverage, there are a few common threats that can counter it quite handily. The most notable counter is Altaria, who is immune to Earthquake and has a 4x resistance to Seed Bomb. Meganium, Cacturne and Shiftry also resist both moves on this set. These few problem Pokemon can all be taken care of if you opt to use Double-Edge as the last move over Earthquake. Even though you will lose coverage against Poison and Fire-types, the ability to hit your counters for neutral damage may be more appealing. Be careful if you choose that route, as it compromises Venusaur's excellent defenses by giving recoil damage.</p>
<p>Maxing out Attack and Speed on this set is the best option. You will need all the Attack you can get, and maximizing Speed is very beneficial in the lower tiers. The item you choose is entirely a style preference. If you aren't comfortable with just 82 base Attack, Life Orb can be a great option to give your moves some extra power. Even though it detracts from Venusaur's great defenses, some recoil damage may actually help in some cases due to Venusaur's Overgrow. Leftovers is the recommended item, though, as it actually lets Venusaur maintain some of the defensive prowess that makes this set such a threat to begin with.</p>
[Counters]
<p>Most Steel types can switch in relatively easily, only having to watch out for the occasional super-effective Hidden Power. Heatran is the number one counter here, resisting it's STAB attacks, and only has to fear the very rare HP Ground. Jirachi, Metagross, Skarmory, Lucario, Scizor, and Bronzong are all able to switch into Venusaur's Grass and Poison attacks with no problem at all and begin their respective set-ups. Gengar is an excellent Venusaur counter as it resists its entire offensive arsenal and can status Venusaur. Other Poison types like Weezing are also problematic but less so since many of them are slow and can be slept and then Leech Seeded (with the obvious exception of Crobat). Salamence and Dragonite are not bothered by anything but Hidden Power Ice and Choice Specs Sludge Bomb and will force Venusaur to switch as well. Celebi can come in on Leaf Storm or Leech Seed and compel you to flee with the threat of Psychic; however, it should be noted that Celebi will be 2HKO'd by Sludge Bomb. Blissey can wall every special set but is susceptible to Leech Seed and the Sword Dance set. Cresselia can beat any set and wear it down with Ice Beam or Psychic. The rather obscure Moltres beat Venusaur soundly as well.</p>
<p>In UU, true counters are more difficult to find because of Venusaur's unpredictability. Drifblim is an all around good counter to most sets although it's vulnerable to Leech Seed. For the Sword Dance set, Rotom can come in on an unboosted Seed Bomb and burn Venusaur with Will-O-Wisp. Jumpluff can come in on a Seed Bomb and Encore it or put it to sleep. Special sets are harder to counter, particularly the Choice Specs set, and generally are beaten by prediction. Articuno is an excellent counter and will beat most sets with it's ability to Roost off any damage it takes. Altaria is a good counter to any special set, sporting a 4x Grass resist, but will fall to HP Ice. Ninetales can come in as well with its Grass resistance and good Special Defense, but it can be 2HKO'd by a Growth boosted HP Rock. Flareon can switch into the Choice Specs or Scarf set but will struggle against any other variant. For the Growth set, Clefable can Encore either Substitute or Growth and proceed to set up itself or force Venusaur out. Noctowl's great Special Defense and resistant to Grass makes it an ideal counter to special Venusaur. Noctowl also has the ability to Whirlwind away Venusaur's Growth's. Muk can switch into most variants of Venusaur, but must be careful not to switch into an Earthquake, and works particularly well if it's carrying Ice Punch.</p>
http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/venusaur
[SET]
name: Sub Salac
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Growth
move 3: Energy Ball
move 4: Hidden Power Rock
item: Salac Berry
ability: Overgrow
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
ivs: 30 HP
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set takes advantage of Venusaur's ability to force switches due to the opponent fearing either a Choice Specs Leaf Storm or Sleep Powder. Ideally Venusaur should Substitute on the switch and proceed by using Growth, which raises Venusaur's respectable Special Attack one stage. Often Venusaur will find itself capable of using Growth more then once because of its defensive bulk. Venusaur should then Substitute down activating the Salac Berry and Overgrow and proceed to sweep with boosted STAB Energy Ball. Hidden Power Rock complements this set by allowing Venusaur to damage Flying and Fire types such as Altaria and Ninetales.</p>
<p>The given EVs are a basic sweeper spread and the 30 HP IV allows for the Salac Berry to activate after 3 Substitutes. Modest can also be used over Timid for extra power but the loss in Speed rarely makes it worth it. A Petaya Berry is a decent option over a Salac Berry but without any Speed boosts Venusaur's ability to sweep will be hindered. A different Hidden Power is, of course, usable over Hidden Power Rock if hitting a particular target is more important.</p>
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Sleep Powder
move 2: Swords Dance
move 3: Seed Bomb
move 4: Earthquake / Double-Edge
item: Leftovers / Life Orb
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Speed
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>With Venusaur's often overlooked physical movepool, this set can wreak quite a bit of havoc if your opponent is unprepared. In the lower tiers, where Venusaur shines, its 80 base Speed and nearly unique physical type coverage change Venusaur from a Special-based tank into an attacking monster that is very difficult to stop.</p>
<p>The basic strategy with this set is to use Sleep Powder on your first turn, as soon as you get in. By boosting Venusaur's speed through EVs and nature, you will find yourself faster than a large percentage of lower-tiered pokemon, making this much easier. Once your opponent is asleep, use the free turn to Swords Dance as your opponent either switches or waits helplessly as their pokemon is asleep. Once you have that +2 Atk boost, just take aim at your opponent and fire away. Seed Bomb is the move of choice as it gets STAB and has its power boosted even more by Venusaur's ability, Overgrow. Earthquake is for most things that resist Grass such as Vileplume, Muk, other Venusaur and especially Steel and Fire-types.</p>
<p>Even though this set has very good type coverage, there are a few common threats that can counter it quite handily. The most notable counter is Altaria, who is immune to Earthquake and has a 4x resistance to Seed Bomb. Meganium, Cacturne and Shiftry also resist both moves on this set. These few problem Pokemon can all be taken care of if you opt to use Double-Edge as the last move over Earthquake. Even though you will lose coverage against Poison and Fire-types, the ability to hit your counters for neutral damage may be more appealing. Be careful if you choose that route, as it compromises Venusaur's excellent defenses by giving recoil damage.</p>
<p>Maxing out Attack and Speed on this set is the best option. You will need all the Attack you can get, and maximizing Speed is very beneficial in the lower tiers. The item you choose is entirely a style preference. If you aren't comfortable with just 82 base Attack, Life Orb can be a great option to give your moves some extra power. Even though it detracts from Venusaur's great defenses, some recoil damage may actually help in some cases due to Venusaur's Overgrow. Leftovers is the recommended item, though, as it actually lets Venusaur maintain some of the defensive prowess that makes this set such a threat to begin with.</p>
[Counters]
<p>Most Steel types can switch in relatively easily, only having to watch out for the occasional super-effective Hidden Power. Heatran is the number one counter here, resisting it's STAB attacks, and only has to fear the very rare HP Ground. Jirachi, Metagross, Skarmory, Lucario, Scizor, and Bronzong are all able to switch into Venusaur's Grass and Poison attacks with no problem at all and begin their respective set-ups. Gengar is an excellent Venusaur counter as it resists its entire offensive arsenal and can status Venusaur. Other Poison types like Weezing are also problematic but less so since many of them are slow and can be slept and then Leech Seeded (with the obvious exception of Crobat). Salamence and Dragonite are not bothered by anything but Hidden Power Ice and Choice Specs Sludge Bomb and will force Venusaur to switch as well. Celebi can come in on Leaf Storm or Leech Seed and compel you to flee with the threat of Psychic; however, it should be noted that Celebi will be 2HKO'd by Sludge Bomb. Blissey can wall every special set but is susceptible to Leech Seed and the Sword Dance set. Cresselia can beat any set and wear it down with Ice Beam or Psychic. The rather obscure Moltres beat Venusaur soundly as well.</p>
<p>In UU, true counters are more difficult to find because of Venusaur's unpredictability. Drifblim is an all around good counter to most sets although it's vulnerable to Leech Seed. For the Sword Dance set, Rotom can come in on an unboosted Seed Bomb and burn Venusaur with Will-O-Wisp. Jumpluff can come in on a Seed Bomb and Encore it or put it to sleep. Special sets are harder to counter, particularly the Choice Specs set, and generally are beaten by prediction. Articuno is an excellent counter and will beat most sets with it's ability to Roost off any damage it takes. Altaria is a good counter to any special set, sporting a 4x Grass resist, but will fall to HP Ice. Ninetales can come in as well with its Grass resistance and good Special Defense, but it can be 2HKO'd by a Growth boosted HP Rock. Flareon can switch into the Choice Specs or Scarf set but will struggle against any other variant. For the Growth set, Clefable can Encore either Substitute or Growth and proceed to set up itself or force Venusaur out. Noctowl's great Special Defense and resistant to Grass makes it an ideal counter to special Venusaur. Noctowl also has the ability to Whirlwind away Venusaur's Growth's. Muk can switch into most variants of Venusaur, but must be careful not to switch into an Earthquake, and works particularly well if it's carrying Ice Punch.</p>
