Hilomilo
High-low My-low
[OVERVIEW]
Larvitar has a great offensive STAB combination that hits almost the entire tier for neutral damage, as well as access to a great setup option in Dragon Dance, which allows it to pose a threat as a decent late-game sweeper. Larvitar's Guts ability further bolsters its offensive presence and allows it to absorb status fairly well and set up without worrying about burns. In addition to its unresisted STAB attacks, Larvitar also has access to powerful coverage options like Superpower and Crunch to hit specific targets harder. However, despite its typing's excellent offensive STAB coverage, it also leaves Larvitar 4x weak to the tier's common Grass- and Water-type attacks and weak to the ever so prevalent Fighting-types. Larvitar is also quite slow before a boost and very frail, meaning that it will struggle to take a hit before setting up, and even after a boost, Larvitar's low Speed and weaknesses to common priority attacks like Aqua Jet and Vacuum Wave leave it easily revenge killed. Furthermore, Larvitar is still quite slow and weak after a boost, meaning that it will be easily revenge killed by most moderately bulky foes. Lastly, Larvitar faces competition from a similar sweeper in Tyrunt, which has a better typing and ability for setting up and a higher Attack stat, and from Shell Smash users like Shellder and Tirtouga.
[SET]
name: Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Rock Slide / Stone Edge
move 4: Superpower
item: Eviolite
ability: Guts
nature: Jolly
evs: 244 Atk / 36 Def / 36 SpD / 188 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Dragon Dance boosts Larvitar's Attack and Speed stats by one stage and enables its sweep. Earthquake is Larvitar's most powerful Ground-type STAB attack and hits anything that doesn't resist it for sufficient damage after a Dragon Dance boost. Rock Slide is a powerful secondary STAB option that offers excellent coverage alongside Earthquake and has a decent chance to flinch Larvitar's foes. Stone Edge, however, can be used over Rock Slide for more power, hitting defensive threats such as Spritzee and Slowpoke for 2HKOs after two Attack boosts. This is, however, at the cost of accuracy. Superpower rounds off Larvitar’s excellent coverage, allowing it to hit the likes of Ferroseed and Munchlax for super effective damage.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Attack allows Larvitar to hit as hard as possible, while maximum investment in Speed with a Jolly nature allows Larvitar to outpace the entire unboosted metagame after one Dragon Dance boost. The remaining EVs are put into Defense and Special Defense to provide Larvitar with a bit more staying power alongside Eviolite. Flame Orb is an option over Eviolite, allowing Larvitar to receive an Attack boost from Guts, though the boost in defenses is usually more useful for ensuring a chance to set up. Guts is the preferred ability, as it allows Larvitar to reliably absorb otherwise threatening status conditions in poison and burn and use them to gain a 1.5x boost in Attack.
Usage Tips
========
Larvitar is best used as a late-game sweeper once its checks and counters have been removed. It can, however, be put to use early-game to punch some holes in the opponent's team for another teammate to sweep late-game. It is best that bulky Water-types like Slowpoke and Staryu and Grass-types such as Foongus and Cottonee are removed before Larvitar attempts to sweep, as they will usually be able to take a hit and OHKO Larvitar with super effective STAB attacks. Fighting-types like Mienfoo and Timburr are also important to remove from play before Larvitar tries sweeping for similar reasons. Larvitar often struggles to find setup opportunities and should thus capitalize on switches it forces to use Dragon Dance. As such, reliable setup targets include Larvesta, defensive Ponyta, and Alolan Grimer. Finally, Larvitar's general frailty means that it often won't be able to switch into attacks very reliably, meaning it is best brought out via pivot support from Pokemon like Magnemite and Vullaby or after a teammate has fainted.
Team Options
========
Pokemon capable of dealing with Water-types, such as Snivy, Elekid, and Chinchou, make good partners, as they allow Larvitar to more reliably sweep late-game. Grass-type checks, such as Rufflet, Vullaby, and Ponyta, are also generally good partners due to them being able to deal with Grass-types that would otherwise impede Larvitar's sweep. Abra, Snubbull, and Spritzee are also good partners, as they are all examples of Pokemon capable of checking the Fighting-types that Larvitar hates dealing with. Knock Off support from Pokemon like Kabuto, Pawniard, and Mienfoo is useful for removing Eviolites from bulkier foes and making it easier for Larvitar to sweep. Memento support from the likes of Cottonee and Alolan Grimer is useful for giving Larvitar a setup opportunity and, if Larvitar is holding a Flame Orb, more or less mandatory due to its poor bulk. Slow pivot support from the likes of Mienfoo, Vullaby, and Magnemite is also helpful to Larvitar, as it prevents Larvitar from taking too much damage before setting up by granting it free switches. Lastly, entry hazard support from Pokemon like Ferroseed and Onix is useful for allowing Larvitar to break past foes with the Sturdy ability, like Magnemite and Dwebble, as well as breaking past foes like Berry Juice Snivy more easily.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Crunch is an option to hit Pumpkaboo-XL and Slowpoke for sufficient damage, but it has limited use otherwise and leaves Larvitar walled by Ferroseed. Facade is a decently powerful attack once Guts is activated, though it is reliant on Larvitar getting inflicted with status and is almost always less valuable coverage than Superpower. A Choice Scarf set is an option but is usually done better by Cranidos, as Larvitar is rather weak unless Guts has been activated. Rock Polish is an option for outpacing every Choice Scarf user in the metagame after a boost. However, Larvitar will lack power unless inflicted with status and will be quite frail if holding a Flame Orb. Larvitar can make use of its access to Stealth Rock with a utility based set, but it is outclassed by Onix in this role. Poison Jab is an option for hitting Fairy-types. However, Spritzee and Snubbull are capable of tanking a boosted Poison Jab more often than not, while Cottonee can lock Larvitar into Dragon Dance with priority Encore. Lastly, Pursuit can be used to help Larvitar function as a revenge killer and trapper, though its Pursuit will severely lack in power and more often than not take up coverage.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Water-types**: Water-types such as Staryu, Slowpoke, and Shellder are all capable of taking any of Larvitar's attacks and OHKOing it with super effective STAB attacks in return. Corphish, Tirtouga, and Kabuto in particular can revenge kill Larvitar with priority Aqua Jet without taking any damage.
**Grass-types**: Grass-type Pokemon like Pumpkaboo-XL and Snivy are quite troublesome due to also being able to OHKO Larvitar with super effective STAB attacks after tanking a hit. Cottonee is particularly troublesome, as it can come in on Larvitar as it uses Dragon Dance and lock it into the move with Encore.
**Bulky Ground-types**: Bulky Ground-types such as Mudbray and Hippopotas are capable of taking any of Larvitar's boosted attacks, KOing it with STAB attacks, and recovering off any damage taken in the process with either Rest or Slack Off.
**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types like Mienfoo, Scraggy, and Pancham are all capable of switching in on Rock Slide, tanking any of Larvitar's other attacks, and KOing with their super effective STAB attacks. Timburr and Croagunk in particular can use their access to Mach Punch and Vacuum Wave, respectively, to revenge kill a weakened Larvitar without taking any damage.
**Fairy-types**: Spritzee and Snubbull are both bulky enough to tank even boosted hits from Larvitar and threaten it with powerful STAB attacks or super effective coverage in return. Cottonee is particularly troublesome, as its Grass-typing allows it to tank a hit and OHKO Larvitar with super effective STAB attacks, as well as lock it into Dragon Dance with Prankster Encore.
**Choice Scarf Users**: Even at +1, Larvitar is outsped and easily revenge killed by common Choice Scarf users like Magnemite, Pawniard, and Chinchou due to its frailty.
Larvitar has a great offensive STAB combination that hits almost the entire tier for neutral damage, as well as access to a great setup option in Dragon Dance, which allows it to pose a threat as a decent late-game sweeper. Larvitar's Guts ability further bolsters its offensive presence and allows it to absorb status fairly well and set up without worrying about burns. In addition to its unresisted STAB attacks, Larvitar also has access to powerful coverage options like Superpower and Crunch to hit specific targets harder. However, despite its typing's excellent offensive STAB coverage, it also leaves Larvitar 4x weak to the tier's common Grass- and Water-type attacks and weak to the ever so prevalent Fighting-types. Larvitar is also quite slow before a boost and very frail, meaning that it will struggle to take a hit before setting up, and even after a boost, Larvitar's low Speed and weaknesses to common priority attacks like Aqua Jet and Vacuum Wave leave it easily revenge killed. Furthermore, Larvitar is still quite slow and weak after a boost, meaning that it will be easily revenge killed by most moderately bulky foes. Lastly, Larvitar faces competition from a similar sweeper in Tyrunt, which has a better typing and ability for setting up and a higher Attack stat, and from Shell Smash users like Shellder and Tirtouga.
[SET]
name: Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Rock Slide / Stone Edge
move 4: Superpower
item: Eviolite
ability: Guts
nature: Jolly
evs: 244 Atk / 36 Def / 36 SpD / 188 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Dragon Dance boosts Larvitar's Attack and Speed stats by one stage and enables its sweep. Earthquake is Larvitar's most powerful Ground-type STAB attack and hits anything that doesn't resist it for sufficient damage after a Dragon Dance boost. Rock Slide is a powerful secondary STAB option that offers excellent coverage alongside Earthquake and has a decent chance to flinch Larvitar's foes. Stone Edge, however, can be used over Rock Slide for more power, hitting defensive threats such as Spritzee and Slowpoke for 2HKOs after two Attack boosts. This is, however, at the cost of accuracy. Superpower rounds off Larvitar’s excellent coverage, allowing it to hit the likes of Ferroseed and Munchlax for super effective damage.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Attack allows Larvitar to hit as hard as possible, while maximum investment in Speed with a Jolly nature allows Larvitar to outpace the entire unboosted metagame after one Dragon Dance boost. The remaining EVs are put into Defense and Special Defense to provide Larvitar with a bit more staying power alongside Eviolite. Flame Orb is an option over Eviolite, allowing Larvitar to receive an Attack boost from Guts, though the boost in defenses is usually more useful for ensuring a chance to set up. Guts is the preferred ability, as it allows Larvitar to reliably absorb otherwise threatening status conditions in poison and burn and use them to gain a 1.5x boost in Attack.
Usage Tips
========
Larvitar is best used as a late-game sweeper once its checks and counters have been removed. It can, however, be put to use early-game to punch some holes in the opponent's team for another teammate to sweep late-game. It is best that bulky Water-types like Slowpoke and Staryu and Grass-types such as Foongus and Cottonee are removed before Larvitar attempts to sweep, as they will usually be able to take a hit and OHKO Larvitar with super effective STAB attacks. Fighting-types like Mienfoo and Timburr are also important to remove from play before Larvitar tries sweeping for similar reasons. Larvitar often struggles to find setup opportunities and should thus capitalize on switches it forces to use Dragon Dance. As such, reliable setup targets include Larvesta, defensive Ponyta, and Alolan Grimer. Finally, Larvitar's general frailty means that it often won't be able to switch into attacks very reliably, meaning it is best brought out via pivot support from Pokemon like Magnemite and Vullaby or after a teammate has fainted.
Team Options
========
Pokemon capable of dealing with Water-types, such as Snivy, Elekid, and Chinchou, make good partners, as they allow Larvitar to more reliably sweep late-game. Grass-type checks, such as Rufflet, Vullaby, and Ponyta, are also generally good partners due to them being able to deal with Grass-types that would otherwise impede Larvitar's sweep. Abra, Snubbull, and Spritzee are also good partners, as they are all examples of Pokemon capable of checking the Fighting-types that Larvitar hates dealing with. Knock Off support from Pokemon like Kabuto, Pawniard, and Mienfoo is useful for removing Eviolites from bulkier foes and making it easier for Larvitar to sweep. Memento support from the likes of Cottonee and Alolan Grimer is useful for giving Larvitar a setup opportunity and, if Larvitar is holding a Flame Orb, more or less mandatory due to its poor bulk. Slow pivot support from the likes of Mienfoo, Vullaby, and Magnemite is also helpful to Larvitar, as it prevents Larvitar from taking too much damage before setting up by granting it free switches. Lastly, entry hazard support from Pokemon like Ferroseed and Onix is useful for allowing Larvitar to break past foes with the Sturdy ability, like Magnemite and Dwebble, as well as breaking past foes like Berry Juice Snivy more easily.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Crunch is an option to hit Pumpkaboo-XL and Slowpoke for sufficient damage, but it has limited use otherwise and leaves Larvitar walled by Ferroseed. Facade is a decently powerful attack once Guts is activated, though it is reliant on Larvitar getting inflicted with status and is almost always less valuable coverage than Superpower. A Choice Scarf set is an option but is usually done better by Cranidos, as Larvitar is rather weak unless Guts has been activated. Rock Polish is an option for outpacing every Choice Scarf user in the metagame after a boost. However, Larvitar will lack power unless inflicted with status and will be quite frail if holding a Flame Orb. Larvitar can make use of its access to Stealth Rock with a utility based set, but it is outclassed by Onix in this role. Poison Jab is an option for hitting Fairy-types. However, Spritzee and Snubbull are capable of tanking a boosted Poison Jab more often than not, while Cottonee can lock Larvitar into Dragon Dance with priority Encore. Lastly, Pursuit can be used to help Larvitar function as a revenge killer and trapper, though its Pursuit will severely lack in power and more often than not take up coverage.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Water-types**: Water-types such as Staryu, Slowpoke, and Shellder are all capable of taking any of Larvitar's attacks and OHKOing it with super effective STAB attacks in return. Corphish, Tirtouga, and Kabuto in particular can revenge kill Larvitar with priority Aqua Jet without taking any damage.
**Grass-types**: Grass-type Pokemon like Pumpkaboo-XL and Snivy are quite troublesome due to also being able to OHKO Larvitar with super effective STAB attacks after tanking a hit. Cottonee is particularly troublesome, as it can come in on Larvitar as it uses Dragon Dance and lock it into the move with Encore.
**Bulky Ground-types**: Bulky Ground-types such as Mudbray and Hippopotas are capable of taking any of Larvitar's boosted attacks, KOing it with STAB attacks, and recovering off any damage taken in the process with either Rest or Slack Off.
**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types like Mienfoo, Scraggy, and Pancham are all capable of switching in on Rock Slide, tanking any of Larvitar's other attacks, and KOing with their super effective STAB attacks. Timburr and Croagunk in particular can use their access to Mach Punch and Vacuum Wave, respectively, to revenge kill a weakened Larvitar without taking any damage.
**Fairy-types**: Spritzee and Snubbull are both bulky enough to tank even boosted hits from Larvitar and threaten it with powerful STAB attacks or super effective coverage in return. Cottonee is particularly troublesome, as its Grass-typing allows it to tank a hit and OHKO Larvitar with super effective STAB attacks, as well as lock it into Dragon Dance with Prankster Encore.
**Choice Scarf Users**: Even at +1, Larvitar is outsped and easily revenge killed by common Choice Scarf users like Magnemite, Pawniard, and Chinchou due to its frailty.
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