[OVERVIEW]
With excellent raw power and two great STAB moves in Return and Head Charge, Bouffalant is a unique Normal-type Pokemon in PU. Bouffalant's access to Earthquake lets it hit many Normal-resistant Pokemon, such as Metang and Probopass, hard, and its great bulk allows it to check a variety of weaker attackers and Pursuit trap several threats. In addition, its access to Swords Dance enables it to break through most physical walls of the tier. Bouffalant's most useful ability, Sap Sipper, allows it to absorb Grass-type moves, particularly Sleep Powder, and Reckless is another option to give Head Charge insane power. Despite Bouffalant's bulk, its low Speed severely hinders it against offensive teams, and its lack of resistances and useful immunities apart from Grass means it has to rely on its raw bulk to take hits from most attackers. In addition, Bouffalant is stopped cold by the tier's most common Ghost-types, Misdreavus and Gourgeist-XL. Competition from other Normal-types makes it optimal on only certain teams; other Normal-types such as Stoutland and Dodrio are faster and don't struggle as much with Ghost-types.
[SET]
name: Tank
move 1: Return
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Pursuit
move 4: Megahorn
item: Assault Vest / Leftovers
ability: Sap Sipper
nature: Adamant
evs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Return is a powerful, reliable STAB move, and Earthquake provides good coverage alongside it, hitting most Rock- and Steel-types as well as Stunfisk for super effective damage. Pursuit forces damage onto many offensive threats that Bouffalant checks, such as Floatzel and Electrode, and is especially useful to break Kadabra's Focus Sash. Megahorn lets Bouffalant KO offensive Psychic-types such as Exeggutor and Grumpig and provides it with a good way to hit Solrock. Head Smash can be used over Return as a more powerful STAB move, but the recoil damage is costly, especially if Bouffalant carries Assault Vest. If using Leftovers, Toxic can be used to wear down several of Bouffalant's defensive checks such as Vullaby and Misdreavus.
Set Details
========
252 Attack EVs and an Adamant nature are used to maximize Bouffalant's Attack, granting it key KOs after Stealth Rock damage on targets such as Floatzel and Jumpluff. 252 HP EVs maximize Bouffalant's overall bulk, allowing it to take hits from these attackers more easily. 84 Speed EVs can be taken from HP to allow Bouffalant to outspeed uninvested base 65 Speed foes such as Roselia; 124 EVs can be transferred from HP to Speed to outspeed uninvested base 70 Pokemon, but this significantly decreases Bouffalant's bulk and gives opposing attackers an easier time beating it.
Assault Vest increases Bouffalant's Special Defense significantly, allowing it to eat up hits from powerful special attackers such as Choice Specs Floatzel, Choice Specs Exeggutor, and +2 Gorebyss. On the other hand, Leftovers provides Bouffalant with passive recovery, which can be useful in conserving its health throughout a game. Sap Sipper is the preferred ability to absorb threatening moves such as Sleep Powder from Jumpluff, Leaf Storm from Exeggutor, and Leaf Blade from Leafeon. Soundproof can be used as a surefire stop to Chatot.
Usage Tips
========
Tank Bouffalant fits well on bulky offensive teams that need a pivot into attackers such as Exeggutor and Raichu. Bouffalant can easily switch into many frail attackers and trap them with Pursuit; breaking Kadabra's Focus Sash can be extremely helpful in allowing a teammate such as Gorebyss to sweep. It should spam Return against offensive teams when there's no need to trap a target. Bouffalant can easily pivot into most Grass-types with Sap Sipper and act as a sleep absorber.
Team Options
========
Bulky Stealth Rock setters such as Stunfisk and Solrock pair well with Bouffalant, providing a physically defensive backbone that is particularly useful for checking Monferno, as well as providing entry hazard support. Teammates such as Monferno and Guts Machoke can switch into Misdreavus and Gourgeist-S, which Bouffalant cannot touch. Bouffalant needs support from wallbreakers such as Life Orb Simipour in order to break through sturdy physical walls such as Vullaby. Because Bouffalant is easily worn down against more offensive teams, faster teammates such as Electrode and Choice Scarf users can help alleviate this weakness. Entry hazard removal from teammates such as Vibrava and Pelipper is appreciated for the same reason.
[SET]
name: Substitute
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Swords Dance
move 3: Return
move 4: Earthquake
item: Leftovers
ability: Sap Sipper
nature: Adamant
evs: 248 HP / 136 Atk / 124 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Bouffalant can use Substitute to gain free turns against many common defensive Pokemon. Swords Dance allows Bouffalant to capitalize on a free Substitute when facing these defensive Pokemon and prevents them from stalling it out. Return and Earthquake provide Bouffalant with neutral coverage against the entire tier with the exception of Misdreavus, Gourgeist-XL, and Solrock, though the latter is easily beaten, as it cannot break Bouffalant's Substitute in one hit.
Set Details
========
Bouffalant needs 124 Speed EVs to outspeed uninvested base 70 Speed Pokemon, allowing it to use Substitute before opposing Pelipper, Politoed, and Solrock can inflict an unwanted status on it. Maximum investment in HP allows Bouffalant to set up Substitute more easily against defensive Pokemon, particularly giving its Substitute a great chance of surviving Solrock's Zen Headbutt without being broken. Running 136 Attack EVs with an Adamant nature provides Bouffalant with a useful increase in Attack. A bulkier spread of 248 HP / 16 Atk / 120 SpD / 124 Spe with an Adamant nature can be useful in order for Bouffalant to take on special attackers more easily; for example, with this EV spread, Pelipper's uninvested Scald cannot break Bouffalant's Substitute. Moving all of the Attack EVs to Special Defense and using a Careful nature is also an option to further increase Bouffalant's special bulk.
Leftovers replenishes Bouffalant's HP as it sets up, letting it accumulate more boosts or survive an attack from a potential revenge killer. Sap Sipper allows Bouffalant to check or set up on a wider range of threats, including Jumpluff and Exeggutor; however, Soundproof is an option to prevent sound-based moves from Pokemon like Chatot from revenge killing Bouffalant behind a Substitute.
Usage Tips
========
Swords Dance Bouffalant fares well against defensive teams, setting up on a huge number of defensive Pokemon; Roselia, Pelipper, Stunfisk, Solrock, Tangela, Probopass, and Lickilicky are all setup fodder for Bouffalant. Bouffalant can be brought in mid-game to set up against these Pokemon and do heavy damage to the opposing team. Against offensive teams where Bouffalant won't have the opportunity to set up, it should simply spam Return against the offensive threats that it can check with its bulk.
Team Options
========
Swords Dance Bouffalant fits well on balanced and bulky offensive teams as a way to break down defensive teams and cores in order for its faster teammates to clean up. For example, Pokemon such as Ninjask and Choice Scarf Dodrio love having physical walls weakened in order to sweep more easily. Misdreavus completely walls this set, so teammates such as Simisear, Mightyena, and Monferno are necessary to help break through it. Guts Machoke also works well as a partner, absorbing Will-O-Wisp and checking Misdreavus, providing Knock Off support, and checking threats such as Relicanth. Bouffalant also struggles with Vullaby and appreciates the support of Pokemon such as Zebstrika to pressure it. Stealth Rock support from the likes of Relicanth, Gabite, and Golem is needed, and Bouffalant can check the Grass-types and some of the Water-types that threaten these Pokemon. Toxic Spikes from Roselia or Venipede put huge pressure on the switches that Bouffalant forces, particularly helping to put offensive teams on a timer and giving it an easier time breaking through Gourgeist-XL. In addition, Roselia can absorb Toxic Spikes on its own side of the field so that Bouffalant can avoid the status.
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Head Charge
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Megahorn
move 4: Pursuit / Stone Edge
item: Choice Band
ability: Reckless
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Head Charge is an enormously powerful STAB move that 2HKOes everything that doesn't resist it. Earthquake provides super effective coverage on most Rock- and Steel-types. Megahorn hits Solrock super effectively, though Head Charge KOes other Psychic-types. Pursuit can be useful to trap some frailer threats and especially to break Kadabra's Focus Sash. Stone Edge is Bouffalant's strongest hit against Misdreavus, 2HKOing offensive variants. Return can be used, but it is noticeably weaker than Head Charge and Pokemon like Stoutland and Dodrio would better take on the role of a Normal-type wallbreaker; Bouffalant cannot 2HKO Vullaby or Stunfisk with Return.
Set Details
========
The EVs maximize Bouffalant's Attack and Speed, while Choice Band further boosts Bouffalant's power to terrifying levels. When used with Reckless, Bouffalant's Head Charge is capable of doing massive damage to any non-Ghost-type target. An Adamant nature is preferred to maximize Bouffalant's damage output; for example, with an Adamant nature, Bouffalant can OHKO Machoke after one layer of Spikes damage. However, a Jolly nature can be used to guarantee outspeeding foes such as Adamant Pawniard and offensive Roselia.
Usage Tips
========
Bouffalant can use its enormous power early- to mid-game to break through common defensive Pokemon, clearing the way for a faster but weaker teammate to sweep. Bouffalant should be spamming its insanely powerful Head Charge most of the time, though it can use a coverage move to nail predicted switch-ins such as Golem, Solrock, and Probopass. It can switch in freely against many defensive Pokemon, especially Grass-types, as the threat of Sap Sipper can prevent them from using Grass-type moves.
Team Options
========
Faster teammates such as Ninjask and setup sweepers such as Dragon Dance Fraxure both appreciate Bouffalant's ability to force damage onto an opposing team's defensive core. Bouffalant works well on hyper offensive teams, so entry hazard support from leads such as Golem works well with it. Sticky Web support from Leavanny is useful, slowing down would-be revenge killers such as Stoutland. Teammates to switch into Ghost-types alleviate the pressure that they put on Bouffalant; Simisear and Monferno can switch into the common Will-O-Wisp freely, while Murkrow and Pawniard can trap them with Pursuit. Monferno and Machoke can also KO Rock- and Steel-types so that Bouffalant can spam Head Charge more freely.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Superpower on non-Choice Band variants is an option to guarantee an OHKO on Pawniard, but it provides nothing outside of that, and the Attack and Defense drops make it an unattractive option. Wild Charge can be used to OHKO Pelipper. Sap Sipper on Choice Band variants can allow Bouffalant to gain more free opportunities to switch in, though it can easily bluff Sap Sipper while retaining the power of Reckless Head Charge. Stone Edge on the Swords Dance set can be used over Earthquake to hit Misdreavus, but Bouffalant can no longer touch Steel-types or Golem. Taunt and Toxic can wear down Pokemon such as Vullaby, but most defensive Pokemon are already beaten by Substitute + Swords Dance. Finally, a set of Return / Earthquake / Rest / Sleep Talk is an option to increase Bouffalant's longevity.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ghost-types**: None of Bouffalant's attacks do significant damage to Ghost-types; in particular, Misdreavus completely walls Bouffalant and beats it with Will-O-Wisp or Foul Play. Dusknoir, Drifblim, and Gourgeist-S all easily take Bouffalant's attacks, though the latter needs Foul Play to beat Substitute variants.
**Fighting-types**: Machoke and Monferno can easily KO Bouffalant with their Fighting-type moves; while both struggle to switch directly into Bouffalant, the former can easily survive any attack Bouffalant uses and KO back, whereas the latter outspeeds and OHKOes.
**Powerful Attackers**: Though it has good bulk, Bouffalant is susceptible to being KOed by powerful wallbreakers, especially physical attackers, such as Choice Band Dodrio.
**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Substitute + Swords Dance variants can break through many physical walls, but other variants of Bouffalant can be stopped by the likes of Vullaby and Solrock.
**Rock- and Steel-types**: Though they must be wary of switching into Earthquake, Rock- and Steel-types can deter Bouffalant from spamming its STAB moves. In particular, Relicanth can survive even an Earthquake from any set and threaten Bouffalant with Head Smash, and Armaldo can remove its item with Knock Off, wearing it down.
With excellent raw power and two great STAB moves in Return and Head Charge, Bouffalant is a unique Normal-type Pokemon in PU. Bouffalant's access to Earthquake lets it hit many Normal-resistant Pokemon, such as Metang and Probopass, hard, and its great bulk allows it to check a variety of weaker attackers and Pursuit trap several threats. In addition, its access to Swords Dance enables it to break through most physical walls of the tier. Bouffalant's most useful ability, Sap Sipper, allows it to absorb Grass-type moves, particularly Sleep Powder, and Reckless is another option to give Head Charge insane power. Despite Bouffalant's bulk, its low Speed severely hinders it against offensive teams, and its lack of resistances and useful immunities apart from Grass means it has to rely on its raw bulk to take hits from most attackers. In addition, Bouffalant is stopped cold by the tier's most common Ghost-types, Misdreavus and Gourgeist-XL. Competition from other Normal-types makes it optimal on only certain teams; other Normal-types such as Stoutland and Dodrio are faster and don't struggle as much with Ghost-types.
[SET]
name: Tank
move 1: Return
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Pursuit
move 4: Megahorn
item: Assault Vest / Leftovers
ability: Sap Sipper
nature: Adamant
evs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Return is a powerful, reliable STAB move, and Earthquake provides good coverage alongside it, hitting most Rock- and Steel-types as well as Stunfisk for super effective damage. Pursuit forces damage onto many offensive threats that Bouffalant checks, such as Floatzel and Electrode, and is especially useful to break Kadabra's Focus Sash. Megahorn lets Bouffalant KO offensive Psychic-types such as Exeggutor and Grumpig and provides it with a good way to hit Solrock. Head Smash can be used over Return as a more powerful STAB move, but the recoil damage is costly, especially if Bouffalant carries Assault Vest. If using Leftovers, Toxic can be used to wear down several of Bouffalant's defensive checks such as Vullaby and Misdreavus.
Set Details
========
252 Attack EVs and an Adamant nature are used to maximize Bouffalant's Attack, granting it key KOs after Stealth Rock damage on targets such as Floatzel and Jumpluff. 252 HP EVs maximize Bouffalant's overall bulk, allowing it to take hits from these attackers more easily. 84 Speed EVs can be taken from HP to allow Bouffalant to outspeed uninvested base 65 Speed foes such as Roselia; 124 EVs can be transferred from HP to Speed to outspeed uninvested base 70 Pokemon, but this significantly decreases Bouffalant's bulk and gives opposing attackers an easier time beating it.
Assault Vest increases Bouffalant's Special Defense significantly, allowing it to eat up hits from powerful special attackers such as Choice Specs Floatzel, Choice Specs Exeggutor, and +2 Gorebyss. On the other hand, Leftovers provides Bouffalant with passive recovery, which can be useful in conserving its health throughout a game. Sap Sipper is the preferred ability to absorb threatening moves such as Sleep Powder from Jumpluff, Leaf Storm from Exeggutor, and Leaf Blade from Leafeon. Soundproof can be used as a surefire stop to Chatot.
Usage Tips
========
Tank Bouffalant fits well on bulky offensive teams that need a pivot into attackers such as Exeggutor and Raichu. Bouffalant can easily switch into many frail attackers and trap them with Pursuit; breaking Kadabra's Focus Sash can be extremely helpful in allowing a teammate such as Gorebyss to sweep. It should spam Return against offensive teams when there's no need to trap a target. Bouffalant can easily pivot into most Grass-types with Sap Sipper and act as a sleep absorber.
Team Options
========
Bulky Stealth Rock setters such as Stunfisk and Solrock pair well with Bouffalant, providing a physically defensive backbone that is particularly useful for checking Monferno, as well as providing entry hazard support. Teammates such as Monferno and Guts Machoke can switch into Misdreavus and Gourgeist-S, which Bouffalant cannot touch. Bouffalant needs support from wallbreakers such as Life Orb Simipour in order to break through sturdy physical walls such as Vullaby. Because Bouffalant is easily worn down against more offensive teams, faster teammates such as Electrode and Choice Scarf users can help alleviate this weakness. Entry hazard removal from teammates such as Vibrava and Pelipper is appreciated for the same reason.
[SET]
name: Substitute
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Swords Dance
move 3: Return
move 4: Earthquake
item: Leftovers
ability: Sap Sipper
nature: Adamant
evs: 248 HP / 136 Atk / 124 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Bouffalant can use Substitute to gain free turns against many common defensive Pokemon. Swords Dance allows Bouffalant to capitalize on a free Substitute when facing these defensive Pokemon and prevents them from stalling it out. Return and Earthquake provide Bouffalant with neutral coverage against the entire tier with the exception of Misdreavus, Gourgeist-XL, and Solrock, though the latter is easily beaten, as it cannot break Bouffalant's Substitute in one hit.
Set Details
========
Bouffalant needs 124 Speed EVs to outspeed uninvested base 70 Speed Pokemon, allowing it to use Substitute before opposing Pelipper, Politoed, and Solrock can inflict an unwanted status on it. Maximum investment in HP allows Bouffalant to set up Substitute more easily against defensive Pokemon, particularly giving its Substitute a great chance of surviving Solrock's Zen Headbutt without being broken. Running 136 Attack EVs with an Adamant nature provides Bouffalant with a useful increase in Attack. A bulkier spread of 248 HP / 16 Atk / 120 SpD / 124 Spe with an Adamant nature can be useful in order for Bouffalant to take on special attackers more easily; for example, with this EV spread, Pelipper's uninvested Scald cannot break Bouffalant's Substitute. Moving all of the Attack EVs to Special Defense and using a Careful nature is also an option to further increase Bouffalant's special bulk.
Leftovers replenishes Bouffalant's HP as it sets up, letting it accumulate more boosts or survive an attack from a potential revenge killer. Sap Sipper allows Bouffalant to check or set up on a wider range of threats, including Jumpluff and Exeggutor; however, Soundproof is an option to prevent sound-based moves from Pokemon like Chatot from revenge killing Bouffalant behind a Substitute.
Usage Tips
========
Swords Dance Bouffalant fares well against defensive teams, setting up on a huge number of defensive Pokemon; Roselia, Pelipper, Stunfisk, Solrock, Tangela, Probopass, and Lickilicky are all setup fodder for Bouffalant. Bouffalant can be brought in mid-game to set up against these Pokemon and do heavy damage to the opposing team. Against offensive teams where Bouffalant won't have the opportunity to set up, it should simply spam Return against the offensive threats that it can check with its bulk.
Team Options
========
Swords Dance Bouffalant fits well on balanced and bulky offensive teams as a way to break down defensive teams and cores in order for its faster teammates to clean up. For example, Pokemon such as Ninjask and Choice Scarf Dodrio love having physical walls weakened in order to sweep more easily. Misdreavus completely walls this set, so teammates such as Simisear, Mightyena, and Monferno are necessary to help break through it. Guts Machoke also works well as a partner, absorbing Will-O-Wisp and checking Misdreavus, providing Knock Off support, and checking threats such as Relicanth. Bouffalant also struggles with Vullaby and appreciates the support of Pokemon such as Zebstrika to pressure it. Stealth Rock support from the likes of Relicanth, Gabite, and Golem is needed, and Bouffalant can check the Grass-types and some of the Water-types that threaten these Pokemon. Toxic Spikes from Roselia or Venipede put huge pressure on the switches that Bouffalant forces, particularly helping to put offensive teams on a timer and giving it an easier time breaking through Gourgeist-XL. In addition, Roselia can absorb Toxic Spikes on its own side of the field so that Bouffalant can avoid the status.
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Head Charge
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Megahorn
move 4: Pursuit / Stone Edge
item: Choice Band
ability: Reckless
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Head Charge is an enormously powerful STAB move that 2HKOes everything that doesn't resist it. Earthquake provides super effective coverage on most Rock- and Steel-types. Megahorn hits Solrock super effectively, though Head Charge KOes other Psychic-types. Pursuit can be useful to trap some frailer threats and especially to break Kadabra's Focus Sash. Stone Edge is Bouffalant's strongest hit against Misdreavus, 2HKOing offensive variants. Return can be used, but it is noticeably weaker than Head Charge and Pokemon like Stoutland and Dodrio would better take on the role of a Normal-type wallbreaker; Bouffalant cannot 2HKO Vullaby or Stunfisk with Return.
Set Details
========
The EVs maximize Bouffalant's Attack and Speed, while Choice Band further boosts Bouffalant's power to terrifying levels. When used with Reckless, Bouffalant's Head Charge is capable of doing massive damage to any non-Ghost-type target. An Adamant nature is preferred to maximize Bouffalant's damage output; for example, with an Adamant nature, Bouffalant can OHKO Machoke after one layer of Spikes damage. However, a Jolly nature can be used to guarantee outspeeding foes such as Adamant Pawniard and offensive Roselia.
Usage Tips
========
Bouffalant can use its enormous power early- to mid-game to break through common defensive Pokemon, clearing the way for a faster but weaker teammate to sweep. Bouffalant should be spamming its insanely powerful Head Charge most of the time, though it can use a coverage move to nail predicted switch-ins such as Golem, Solrock, and Probopass. It can switch in freely against many defensive Pokemon, especially Grass-types, as the threat of Sap Sipper can prevent them from using Grass-type moves.
Team Options
========
Faster teammates such as Ninjask and setup sweepers such as Dragon Dance Fraxure both appreciate Bouffalant's ability to force damage onto an opposing team's defensive core. Bouffalant works well on hyper offensive teams, so entry hazard support from leads such as Golem works well with it. Sticky Web support from Leavanny is useful, slowing down would-be revenge killers such as Stoutland. Teammates to switch into Ghost-types alleviate the pressure that they put on Bouffalant; Simisear and Monferno can switch into the common Will-O-Wisp freely, while Murkrow and Pawniard can trap them with Pursuit. Monferno and Machoke can also KO Rock- and Steel-types so that Bouffalant can spam Head Charge more freely.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Superpower on non-Choice Band variants is an option to guarantee an OHKO on Pawniard, but it provides nothing outside of that, and the Attack and Defense drops make it an unattractive option. Wild Charge can be used to OHKO Pelipper. Sap Sipper on Choice Band variants can allow Bouffalant to gain more free opportunities to switch in, though it can easily bluff Sap Sipper while retaining the power of Reckless Head Charge. Stone Edge on the Swords Dance set can be used over Earthquake to hit Misdreavus, but Bouffalant can no longer touch Steel-types or Golem. Taunt and Toxic can wear down Pokemon such as Vullaby, but most defensive Pokemon are already beaten by Substitute + Swords Dance. Finally, a set of Return / Earthquake / Rest / Sleep Talk is an option to increase Bouffalant's longevity.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ghost-types**: None of Bouffalant's attacks do significant damage to Ghost-types; in particular, Misdreavus completely walls Bouffalant and beats it with Will-O-Wisp or Foul Play. Dusknoir, Drifblim, and Gourgeist-S all easily take Bouffalant's attacks, though the latter needs Foul Play to beat Substitute variants.
**Fighting-types**: Machoke and Monferno can easily KO Bouffalant with their Fighting-type moves; while both struggle to switch directly into Bouffalant, the former can easily survive any attack Bouffalant uses and KO back, whereas the latter outspeeds and OHKOes.
**Powerful Attackers**: Though it has good bulk, Bouffalant is susceptible to being KOed by powerful wallbreakers, especially physical attackers, such as Choice Band Dodrio.
**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Substitute + Swords Dance variants can break through many physical walls, but other variants of Bouffalant can be stopped by the likes of Vullaby and Solrock.
**Rock- and Steel-types**: Though they must be wary of switching into Earthquake, Rock- and Steel-types can deter Bouffalant from spamming its STAB moves. In particular, Relicanth can survive even an Earthquake from any set and threaten Bouffalant with Head Smash, and Armaldo can remove its item with Knock Off, wearing it down.
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