OK, I know what you're thinking. "What the heck does Bellossom do that Tangrowth, Leafeon, Venusaur, Victreebel, or Vileplume already do?" And the answer is simple, not much. To me, there is only one set that Bellossom is capable of doing that isn't completely outclassed by those mentioned.
http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/bellossom
Plans:
- Remove everything
- Add Sunny Day Support set
[Overview]
<p>Unfortunately for Bellossom, she's the epitome of the average Grass-type; from her average stats, her average ability, her average movepool, and even her average typing, Bellossom has almost nothing over her competition. Don't be fooled though, as this doesn't make Bellossom a bad Pokemon. Her stats are placed perfectly to allow Bellossom to abuse her ability, Chlorophyll, and her movepool has all the right moves to ensure she won't be a disappointment if you use her correctly.</p>
[SET]
name: Sunny Day Support
move 1: Sunny Day
move 2: Sleep Powder
move 3: Hidden Power Fire / Moonlight
move 4: SolarBeam / Leaf Storm
item: Heat Rock / Life Orb
nature: Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set is about as good as it gets for Bellossom, and is the most useful role that she can fulfill in UU. The main idea is to come in on a Pokemon that poses little threat to Bellossom, such as Milotic or Rotom, set up Sunny Day, cripple an opponent with Sleep Powder, and switch out to a teammate that can abuse the remaining six turns of sun. Bellossom works great early in the game if Sunny Day hasn't been revealed yet and some of the opponent's team has been scouted. The last two slots give Bellossom some auxiliary support to ensure she isn't completely hapless against the enemy. Hidden Power Fire gets a pseudo-STAB boost under the sun, and pairs well with the Grass-type attack in the last slot for neutral coverage. SolarBeam is the primary choice in the last slot as its synchronicity with Sunny Day is pretty much a given.</p>
<p>Moonlight can be used in place of Hidden Power Fire to give Bellossom much more survivability, and allow her to set up Sunny Day many more times during the battle. As a bonus, Moonlight heals 2/3 of her health under the sun. Leaf Storm can be used in place of SolarBeam to give Bellossom a one-time power shot at the enemy, but with sun up, SolarBeam is far more reliable. Hidden Power Rock can be used in place of Hidden Power Fire to damage any Fire-types looking to take advantage of the sun Bellossom provides, and it handily eliminates Moltres, a common Bellossom switch-in.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EVs are designed to give Bellossom as much Special Attack as possible, while also giving her enough Speed to reach a Speed stat of 396, which outspeeds Jolly Swellow under the sun. Alternatively, Bellossom can invest in Special Defense with a Calm nature to make her a more bulky supporter. However, the disparity in power is enormous, and Bellossom becomes more of a liability to your team than an asset.</p>
<p>As a supporter, the best teammates for Bellossom are those that can take advantage of the sun and sleep Bellossom provides. Fire-types such as Arcanine and Blaziken make great partners to Bellossom, as they cover her Ice- and Fire-type weaknesses, while enjoying the huge power boost that the sun grants their STAB Fire-type moves. In turn, Bellossom covers their Water-type weakness, and can switch into Milotic and Slowbro with impunity. While pairing Bellossom exclusively with other Chlorophyll users such as Exeggutor and Shiftry is not advised, Bellossom is able to switch into any weak Ice-type attacks aimed at them, and allows them to use another coverage move in place of Sleep Powder. Bellossom's other weaknesses include Bug-, Flying-, and Poison-type attacks, so using Pokemon who can cover them, such as Regirock and Rhyperior, is recommended.</p>
[Team Options]
<p>Bellossom is best as a Sunny Day starter, so Pokemon who can make the most use of the sun she provides make the best teammates for her. Fire-types are the best as they are able to switch into Ice- and Fire-type attacks aimed at her, and in return she can switch into any Ground-type attacks they may encounter. Other Chlorophyll users such as Shiftry, Exeggutor, Tangrowth, and Sunflora make good teammates as they can switch in for free once Bellossom has put an opposing Pokemon to sleep with Sleep Powder. Bellossom should avoid being put on teams with more than two other Chlorophyll users, as she shares the same weaknesses as them and only offers her ability to switch into Milotic's Ice Beam with impunity. Rhyperior makes a good partner as it's able to switch into Fire- and Flying-type attacks aimed at Bellossom, while she can absorb the Ground- and Water-type attacks aimed at it.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Bellossom doesn't have many other options, as her movepool is extremely shallow. Bellossom can use a straight SunnyBeamer set of Sunny Day / SolarBeam / Hidden Power Fire / Moonlight that plays as a bulkier sweeper; however, she is easily walled and has no other coverage moves (unlike her Chlorophyll brethren). She has Stun Spore, Teeter Dance, and Sleep Powder, which are useful on double platform and Parafusion sets; however, her lack of offense and Speed is an issue. Bellossom can make use of a Swords Dance set utilizing Leaf Blade, Return, and Drain Punch, but the same dilemma occurs as the SunnyBeamer set. She has access to a SubSeed set, but she is too slow and can only use it while sun is in play, which isn't always possible. Finally, equipping Bellossom with Choice Specs can give her a lot more power, but her coverage moves end at Leaf Storm, Sludge Bomb, and Hidden Power Fire.</p>
[Counters]
<p>RestTalk Spiritomb makes an awesome counter to Bellossom, as it takes little damage from even a full-powered Leaf Storm, absorbs Sleep Powder, doesn't care about paralysis, and threatens Bellossom with Pursuit if she attempts to switch out. Opposing Fire-types are a great danger to Bellossom, as they take advantage of the sun she provides and can proceed to OHKO her easily with any Fire-type attack. Caution should be taken when attacking Bellossom with a Fire-type move however, as she may be switching to a teammate with the ability Flash Fire as well. Altaria and Chansey are almost perfect counters to Bellossom as they are not harmed in the slightest by Leaf Storm and SolarBeam, and can heal themselves of whatever status Bellossom may inflict on them thanks to their ability, Natural Cure; meanwhile, they can threaten the rest of Bellossom's teammates by either setting up or with status attacks, respectively.</p>
http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/bellossom
Plans:
- Remove everything
- Add Sunny Day Support set
[Overview]
<p>Unfortunately for Bellossom, she's the epitome of the average Grass-type; from her average stats, her average ability, her average movepool, and even her average typing, Bellossom has almost nothing over her competition. Don't be fooled though, as this doesn't make Bellossom a bad Pokemon. Her stats are placed perfectly to allow Bellossom to abuse her ability, Chlorophyll, and her movepool has all the right moves to ensure she won't be a disappointment if you use her correctly.</p>
[SET]
name: Sunny Day Support
move 1: Sunny Day
move 2: Sleep Powder
move 3: Hidden Power Fire / Moonlight
move 4: SolarBeam / Leaf Storm
item: Heat Rock / Life Orb
nature: Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set is about as good as it gets for Bellossom, and is the most useful role that she can fulfill in UU. The main idea is to come in on a Pokemon that poses little threat to Bellossom, such as Milotic or Rotom, set up Sunny Day, cripple an opponent with Sleep Powder, and switch out to a teammate that can abuse the remaining six turns of sun. Bellossom works great early in the game if Sunny Day hasn't been revealed yet and some of the opponent's team has been scouted. The last two slots give Bellossom some auxiliary support to ensure she isn't completely hapless against the enemy. Hidden Power Fire gets a pseudo-STAB boost under the sun, and pairs well with the Grass-type attack in the last slot for neutral coverage. SolarBeam is the primary choice in the last slot as its synchronicity with Sunny Day is pretty much a given.</p>
<p>Moonlight can be used in place of Hidden Power Fire to give Bellossom much more survivability, and allow her to set up Sunny Day many more times during the battle. As a bonus, Moonlight heals 2/3 of her health under the sun. Leaf Storm can be used in place of SolarBeam to give Bellossom a one-time power shot at the enemy, but with sun up, SolarBeam is far more reliable. Hidden Power Rock can be used in place of Hidden Power Fire to damage any Fire-types looking to take advantage of the sun Bellossom provides, and it handily eliminates Moltres, a common Bellossom switch-in.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EVs are designed to give Bellossom as much Special Attack as possible, while also giving her enough Speed to reach a Speed stat of 396, which outspeeds Jolly Swellow under the sun. Alternatively, Bellossom can invest in Special Defense with a Calm nature to make her a more bulky supporter. However, the disparity in power is enormous, and Bellossom becomes more of a liability to your team than an asset.</p>
<p>As a supporter, the best teammates for Bellossom are those that can take advantage of the sun and sleep Bellossom provides. Fire-types such as Arcanine and Blaziken make great partners to Bellossom, as they cover her Ice- and Fire-type weaknesses, while enjoying the huge power boost that the sun grants their STAB Fire-type moves. In turn, Bellossom covers their Water-type weakness, and can switch into Milotic and Slowbro with impunity. While pairing Bellossom exclusively with other Chlorophyll users such as Exeggutor and Shiftry is not advised, Bellossom is able to switch into any weak Ice-type attacks aimed at them, and allows them to use another coverage move in place of Sleep Powder. Bellossom's other weaknesses include Bug-, Flying-, and Poison-type attacks, so using Pokemon who can cover them, such as Regirock and Rhyperior, is recommended.</p>
[Team Options]
<p>Bellossom is best as a Sunny Day starter, so Pokemon who can make the most use of the sun she provides make the best teammates for her. Fire-types are the best as they are able to switch into Ice- and Fire-type attacks aimed at her, and in return she can switch into any Ground-type attacks they may encounter. Other Chlorophyll users such as Shiftry, Exeggutor, Tangrowth, and Sunflora make good teammates as they can switch in for free once Bellossom has put an opposing Pokemon to sleep with Sleep Powder. Bellossom should avoid being put on teams with more than two other Chlorophyll users, as she shares the same weaknesses as them and only offers her ability to switch into Milotic's Ice Beam with impunity. Rhyperior makes a good partner as it's able to switch into Fire- and Flying-type attacks aimed at Bellossom, while she can absorb the Ground- and Water-type attacks aimed at it.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Bellossom doesn't have many other options, as her movepool is extremely shallow. Bellossom can use a straight SunnyBeamer set of Sunny Day / SolarBeam / Hidden Power Fire / Moonlight that plays as a bulkier sweeper; however, she is easily walled and has no other coverage moves (unlike her Chlorophyll brethren). She has Stun Spore, Teeter Dance, and Sleep Powder, which are useful on double platform and Parafusion sets; however, her lack of offense and Speed is an issue. Bellossom can make use of a Swords Dance set utilizing Leaf Blade, Return, and Drain Punch, but the same dilemma occurs as the SunnyBeamer set. She has access to a SubSeed set, but she is too slow and can only use it while sun is in play, which isn't always possible. Finally, equipping Bellossom with Choice Specs can give her a lot more power, but her coverage moves end at Leaf Storm, Sludge Bomb, and Hidden Power Fire.</p>
[Counters]
<p>RestTalk Spiritomb makes an awesome counter to Bellossom, as it takes little damage from even a full-powered Leaf Storm, absorbs Sleep Powder, doesn't care about paralysis, and threatens Bellossom with Pursuit if she attempts to switch out. Opposing Fire-types are a great danger to Bellossom, as they take advantage of the sun she provides and can proceed to OHKO her easily with any Fire-type attack. Caution should be taken when attacking Bellossom with a Fire-type move however, as she may be switching to a teammate with the ability Flash Fire as well. Altaria and Chansey are almost perfect counters to Bellossom as they are not harmed in the slightest by Leaf Storm and SolarBeam, and can heal themselves of whatever status Bellossom may inflict on them thanks to their ability, Natural Cure; meanwhile, they can threaten the rest of Bellossom's teammates by either setting up or with status attacks, respectively.</p>
