[SET]
name: Bulky
move 1: Recycle
move 2: Will-O-Wisp
move 3: Acrobatics
move 4: Substitute / Knock Off
item: Berry Juice
ability: Unburden
nature: Jolly
evs: 36 HP / 36 Atk / 84 Def / 84 SpD / 196 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Recycle, when used in conjunction with Berry Juice, gives Drifloon a form of recovery so that it can stall out its foes; it also lets Drifloon activate Unburden multiple times throughout the match. Will-O-Wisp cripples a variety of common switch-ins and lets Drifloon continually use Recycle to slowly wear them down. Acrobatics is a decently powerful STAB move that allows Drifloon to check a greater variety of threats, notably Fighting-types, and is necessary so that Drifloon is not a sitting duck to foes that don't mind burns. Substitute eases prediction, blocks status, and helps Drifloon activate Berry Juice. Knock Off cripples certain switch-ins that could otherwise prevail against Drifloon, such as Electric-types and Porygon. Defog can be run in the last slot, as Drifloon can make good use of it with its decent bulk and ability to cripple Pawniard with Will-O-Wisp.
Set Details
========
The given EVs and nature let Drifloon outspeed standard Eviolite Pawniard and hit the notable 17 Speed tier. 26 / 11 / 12 bulk allows Drifloon to survive most neutral attacks without much trouble; it also ensures that Porygon's Download boosts its Attack instead of its Special Attack. The remaining EVs are dumped into Attack because 12 Attack drastically benefits rolls in general compared to 11 Attack, such as against Timburr that has lost its Eviolite. An EV spread of 36 HP / 36 Atk / 164 Def / 164 SpD / 36 Spe is also viable, as it allows Drifloon to better handle Fighting-types and Abra, among other threats; however, this will leave it unable to defeat Pawniard in a one-on-one scenario or Speed tie with Archen, Drilbur, and fast Mienfoo. Unburden gives Drifloon the means to outspeed the entire metagame once it's been activated, which is useful for dealing with Gastly, Abra, and various Choice Scarf users. Berry Juice is the best item for Drifloon due to its synergy with Unburden, Acrobatics, and Recycle.
Usage Tips
========
While stalling out Knock Off users, make sure that Drifloon is below half health when using Recycle so that they do not remove its Berry Juice with Knock Off, which will prevent it from being Recycled. Non-Choice Scarf variants of Pawniard and Vullaby are reliably beaten by using Substitute until Berry Juice is activated, burning the foe, and then using Recycle whenever Drifloon is below half health, as Pawniard and Vullaby cannot OHKO Drifloon while they are burnt; if Substitute is not run, Drifloon will need to have its Berry Juice activated beforehand. Archen should be hit with Will-O-Wisp on the switch so that Drifloon can stall it out without much difficulty; otherwise, Drifloon will have to rely on a Speed tie to get the burn off. Take advantage of Stealth Rock on Drifloon's side of the field to activate Berry Juice; this is especially important if Substitute is not run. Predicted switches into attacks that do not OHKO Drifloon to activate Berry Juice allow Drifloon to act as a potent revenge killer. If Substitute is run, use it to activate Berry Juice for a more powerful Acrobatics when necessary. Feel free to switch out after Unburden has been activated, as you can always Recycle Berry Juice back later to reactivate it. If Knock Off is run, use it to cripple switch-ins that don't mind Will-O-Wisp; these include Ponyta and Chinchou.
Team Options
========
Drifloon needs very little support to function; instead, it is better to consider how it supports its teammates. Rapid Spin and Defog support from the likes of Drilbur and Stunky to get rid of Stealth Rock could help Drifloon to avoid certain OHKOs, but Drifloon sometimes appreciates taking damage from Stealth Rock to let it activate Berry Juice more easily. Entry hazard-stacking and Sticky Web teams greatly appreciate Drifloon's presence as a fairly bulky spinblocker due to its immense utility and decent offensive presence. Flying- and Ghost-type partners such as Vullaby and Gastly enjoy having their checks worn down by Drifloon. Teammates in need of Pawniard or Vullaby removed, such as Snubbull and Foongus, can take advantage of Drifloon's ability to take them out. If Defog is used, Pokemon that dislike hazards like Larvesta and Sturdy Magnemite make for good teammates for Drifloon.
name: Bulky
move 1: Recycle
move 2: Will-O-Wisp
move 3: Acrobatics
move 4: Substitute / Knock Off
item: Berry Juice
ability: Unburden
nature: Jolly
evs: 36 HP / 36 Atk / 84 Def / 84 SpD / 196 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Recycle, when used in conjunction with Berry Juice, gives Drifloon a form of recovery so that it can stall out its foes; it also lets Drifloon activate Unburden multiple times throughout the match. Will-O-Wisp cripples a variety of common switch-ins and lets Drifloon continually use Recycle to slowly wear them down. Acrobatics is a decently powerful STAB move that allows Drifloon to check a greater variety of threats, notably Fighting-types, and is necessary so that Drifloon is not a sitting duck to foes that don't mind burns. Substitute eases prediction, blocks status, and helps Drifloon activate Berry Juice. Knock Off cripples certain switch-ins that could otherwise prevail against Drifloon, such as Electric-types and Porygon. Defog can be run in the last slot, as Drifloon can make good use of it with its decent bulk and ability to cripple Pawniard with Will-O-Wisp.
Set Details
========
The given EVs and nature let Drifloon outspeed standard Eviolite Pawniard and hit the notable 17 Speed tier. 26 / 11 / 12 bulk allows Drifloon to survive most neutral attacks without much trouble; it also ensures that Porygon's Download boosts its Attack instead of its Special Attack. The remaining EVs are dumped into Attack because 12 Attack drastically benefits rolls in general compared to 11 Attack, such as against Timburr that has lost its Eviolite. An EV spread of 36 HP / 36 Atk / 164 Def / 164 SpD / 36 Spe is also viable, as it allows Drifloon to better handle Fighting-types and Abra, among other threats; however, this will leave it unable to defeat Pawniard in a one-on-one scenario or Speed tie with Archen, Drilbur, and fast Mienfoo. Unburden gives Drifloon the means to outspeed the entire metagame once it's been activated, which is useful for dealing with Gastly, Abra, and various Choice Scarf users. Berry Juice is the best item for Drifloon due to its synergy with Unburden, Acrobatics, and Recycle.
Usage Tips
========
While stalling out Knock Off users, make sure that Drifloon is below half health when using Recycle so that they do not remove its Berry Juice with Knock Off, which will prevent it from being Recycled. Non-Choice Scarf variants of Pawniard and Vullaby are reliably beaten by using Substitute until Berry Juice is activated, burning the foe, and then using Recycle whenever Drifloon is below half health, as Pawniard and Vullaby cannot OHKO Drifloon while they are burnt; if Substitute is not run, Drifloon will need to have its Berry Juice activated beforehand. Archen should be hit with Will-O-Wisp on the switch so that Drifloon can stall it out without much difficulty; otherwise, Drifloon will have to rely on a Speed tie to get the burn off. Take advantage of Stealth Rock on Drifloon's side of the field to activate Berry Juice; this is especially important if Substitute is not run. Predicted switches into attacks that do not OHKO Drifloon to activate Berry Juice allow Drifloon to act as a potent revenge killer. If Substitute is run, use it to activate Berry Juice for a more powerful Acrobatics when necessary. Feel free to switch out after Unburden has been activated, as you can always Recycle Berry Juice back later to reactivate it. If Knock Off is run, use it to cripple switch-ins that don't mind Will-O-Wisp; these include Ponyta and Chinchou.
Team Options
========
Drifloon needs very little support to function; instead, it is better to consider how it supports its teammates. Rapid Spin and Defog support from the likes of Drilbur and Stunky to get rid of Stealth Rock could help Drifloon to avoid certain OHKOs, but Drifloon sometimes appreciates taking damage from Stealth Rock to let it activate Berry Juice more easily. Entry hazard-stacking and Sticky Web teams greatly appreciate Drifloon's presence as a fairly bulky spinblocker due to its immense utility and decent offensive presence. Flying- and Ghost-type partners such as Vullaby and Gastly enjoy having their checks worn down by Drifloon. Teammates in need of Pawniard or Vullaby removed, such as Snubbull and Foongus, can take advantage of Drifloon's ability to take them out. If Defog is used, Pokemon that dislike hazards like Larvesta and Sturdy Magnemite make for good teammates for Drifloon.
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