[SET]
name: Special Attacker
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Dark Pulse
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Protect
item: Life Orb
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Modest
evs: 236 SpA / 36 SpD / 236 Spe
ivs: 0 HP
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hydro Pump is Carvanha's primary STAB move; when backed by Life Orb and Carvanha's respectable Special Attack, it's strong enough to 2HKO some of LC's premier walls, such as Spritzee and Porygon. Dark Pulse is a more reliable STAB move that hits most Water-types for neutral damage, on top of heavily damaging Slowpoke and Frillish. Ice Beam provides coverage against Grass-types such as Foongus and Cottonee. Protect guarantees that Carvanha reaches at least +1, which is helpful given that 16 Speed is not particularly great for an offensive Pokemon. Destiny Bond is a decent choice over Protect if Carvanha is used as part of a Water spam core and needs to guarantee the KO on shared checks; however, the unexpected power of Hydro Pump usually does the trick. Blizzard is usable over Ice Beam to OHKO Cottonee and offensive Vullaby; however, its dismal accuracy outside of hail is offputting. Carvanha can also make use of several different Hidden Power types; Hidden Power Fire, Psychic, and Fighting, respectively, are options to OHKO Ferroseed, Croagunk, and Pawniard.
Set Details
========
The given EVs maximize Carvanha's damage output while allowing it to outspeed 15 Speed Choice Scarf users after one turn. A Modest nature is necessary to net some significant KOs, such as the 2HKO on full-health Spritzee with Hydro Pump. Life Orb is the best item for Carvanha, because the recoil does not noticeably hinder Carvanha's already low bulk and it drastically amplifies its damage output while still allowing it to switch moves. Reducing Carvanha's HP IVs to 0 lowers its HP to 19 so that it only takes 1 HP from Life Orb recoil. The remaining EVs are put into Special Defense so that Porygon's Download boosts its Attack; Carvanha has no business taking priority attacks it doesn't resist, anyway, so any investment in Defense is pointless.
Usage Tips
========
Special Carvanha is a powerful wallbreaker and cleaner. Its effectiveness stems from the surprise factor of the set; most opponents will assume Carvanha is a physical attacking set and play around it accordingly, only to have their check 2HKOed or OHKOed by Hydro Pump. Carvanha works very well if brought out as early as possible; its sheer power is very useful for weakening walls. However, this set is extremely vulnerable to priority attacks because it lacks Aqua Jet, meaning even weak priority attacks can greatly threaten Carvanha; thus, great care must be taken when the opponent has a priority attack user such as Fletchling when using this set.
Team Options
========
Carvanha is a fairly self-sufficient cleaner and wallbreaker, but like all offensive Pokemon, it appreciates entry hazards to wear its checks down and secure additional KOes. Snover and Snow Warning Amaura allow Carvanha to take advantage of Blizzard more safely. Switch-ins to common answers to Carvanha such as Timburr, Croagunk, and Fletchling are helpful, especially if Carvanha is sent out early in a match. Good examples of these are Pokemon such as Spritzee and Archen. This set pairs extremely well with other offensive Water-types, such as Corphish and Tirtouga, due to its ability to smash through their shared traditional checks.
name: Special Attacker
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Dark Pulse
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Protect
item: Life Orb
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Modest
evs: 236 SpA / 36 SpD / 236 Spe
ivs: 0 HP
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hydro Pump is Carvanha's primary STAB move; when backed by Life Orb and Carvanha's respectable Special Attack, it's strong enough to 2HKO some of LC's premier walls, such as Spritzee and Porygon. Dark Pulse is a more reliable STAB move that hits most Water-types for neutral damage, on top of heavily damaging Slowpoke and Frillish. Ice Beam provides coverage against Grass-types such as Foongus and Cottonee. Protect guarantees that Carvanha reaches at least +1, which is helpful given that 16 Speed is not particularly great for an offensive Pokemon. Destiny Bond is a decent choice over Protect if Carvanha is used as part of a Water spam core and needs to guarantee the KO on shared checks; however, the unexpected power of Hydro Pump usually does the trick. Blizzard is usable over Ice Beam to OHKO Cottonee and offensive Vullaby; however, its dismal accuracy outside of hail is offputting. Carvanha can also make use of several different Hidden Power types; Hidden Power Fire, Psychic, and Fighting, respectively, are options to OHKO Ferroseed, Croagunk, and Pawniard.
Set Details
========
The given EVs maximize Carvanha's damage output while allowing it to outspeed 15 Speed Choice Scarf users after one turn. A Modest nature is necessary to net some significant KOs, such as the 2HKO on full-health Spritzee with Hydro Pump. Life Orb is the best item for Carvanha, because the recoil does not noticeably hinder Carvanha's already low bulk and it drastically amplifies its damage output while still allowing it to switch moves. Reducing Carvanha's HP IVs to 0 lowers its HP to 19 so that it only takes 1 HP from Life Orb recoil. The remaining EVs are put into Special Defense so that Porygon's Download boosts its Attack; Carvanha has no business taking priority attacks it doesn't resist, anyway, so any investment in Defense is pointless.
Usage Tips
========
Special Carvanha is a powerful wallbreaker and cleaner. Its effectiveness stems from the surprise factor of the set; most opponents will assume Carvanha is a physical attacking set and play around it accordingly, only to have their check 2HKOed or OHKOed by Hydro Pump. Carvanha works very well if brought out as early as possible; its sheer power is very useful for weakening walls. However, this set is extremely vulnerable to priority attacks because it lacks Aqua Jet, meaning even weak priority attacks can greatly threaten Carvanha; thus, great care must be taken when the opponent has a priority attack user such as Fletchling when using this set.
Team Options
========
Carvanha is a fairly self-sufficient cleaner and wallbreaker, but like all offensive Pokemon, it appreciates entry hazards to wear its checks down and secure additional KOes. Snover and Snow Warning Amaura allow Carvanha to take advantage of Blizzard more safely. Switch-ins to common answers to Carvanha such as Timburr, Croagunk, and Fletchling are helpful, especially if Carvanha is sent out early in a match. Good examples of these are Pokemon such as Spritzee and Archen. This set pairs extremely well with other offensive Water-types, such as Corphish and Tirtouga, due to its ability to smash through their shared traditional checks.
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