[OVERVIEW]
**Normal**:
Heliolisk is very underrated on Normal-type teams; however, this Pokemon possesses several strong points that make it viable. Its impressive base 109 Speed stat allows it to outspeed Pokemon such as Keldeo, Garchomp, and Landorus and to easily gain momentum against opposing Pokemon that are unable to outspeed it with Volt Switch, escaping situations where it would otherwise be KOed by a threat. Heliolisk's part Electric typing allows it check Flying- and Water-types, both of which are prevalent in the Monotype metagame, which makes matchups easier for Normal. Its base 109 Special Attack stat gives it a great offensive presence, allowing it to hit hard with even its coverage moves. Heliolisk has access to great coverage moves such as Surf, Grass Knot, and Focus Blast, allowing it to check types such as Dark, Ground, Ice, Normal, and Steel. Heliolisk is gifted with the wonderful ability Dry Skin, which grants it immunity to and therefore a free switch into any Water-type moves.
Unfortunately, Heliolisk has paper-thin defenses, making it vulnerable to any hard-hitting attacks. Its Electric / Normal typing comes with a cost: while being immune to Ghost-type attacks, Heliolisk stacks another Fighting-type weakness on Normal-type teams. Heliolisk faces a lot of competition from Mega Pidgeot and Meloetta, as they both have higher Special Attack stats and wider movepools. However, Heliolisk is better at pivoting, checks Flying- and Water-types, and survives a Bullet Punch from Mega Scizor after a Swords Dance boost.
[SET]
name: Offensive Pivot (Normal)
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Volt Switch
move 3: Grass Knot
move 4: Focus Blast / Hidden Power Ice / Surf
item: Choice Specs / Life Orb
ability: Dry Skin
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Thunderbolt is a great STAB move that can hit most types for neutral damage as well as 2HKO Pokemon such as Cobalion, Sableye, and specially defensive Drapion. Thunderbolt also has a chance to OHKO Mandibuzz, Mega Medicham, and Bisharp. Volt Switch allows Heliolisk to deal damage before switching out to a more reasonable counter to the opposing threat, gaining momentum for its team. Grass Knot is Heliolisk's way of checking Ground-types, as the move OHKOes Mega Swampert, Mamoswine, and Gastrodon. Focus Blast hits Dark-, Ice-, and Steel-types such as Tyranitar, Hydreigon, Avalugg, and Magnezone. Hidden Power Ice can be used instead of Focus Blast, as it allows Heliolisk to hit Dragon-types such as Garchomp and Latios super effectively, as well as hitting Landorus-T and Gliscor. Surf can be used instead of Focus Blast or Hidden Power Ice, allowing Heliolisk to OHKO Mega Diancie.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed EVs along with a Timid nature allow Heliolisk to be as fast as possible, allowing it to outspeed Pokemon such as Mega Pinsir, Garchomp, Keldeo, and Landorus. Maximum Special Attack increases Helolisk's damage output. Dry Skin is preferred, as the ability grants Heliolisk immunity to Water-type moves. Choice Specs is preferred over Life Orb for more power but locks Heliolisk into a move. It notably allows Heliolisk to OHKO Mega Gyarados after Stealth Rock damage. Life Orb can be used instead of Choice Specs to have more freedom in using any move; however, after each successful attack, Heliolisk loses a bit of health.
Usage Tips
========
Heliolisk can function well as a dedicated lead due to its Speed and access to Volt Switch, which allow it to pivot in and out against powerful threats that could otherwise easily eliminate it. Despite being fast, Heliolisk should be wary of potential Choice Scarf Pokemon such as Kyurem-B, Gardevoir, Excadrill, and Terrakion. Depending on which Pokemon carries a Choice Scarf, switch out to Porygon2, Chansey, or defensive Staraptor. Due to its frailty, Heliolisk should come in after a fallen teammate or on a U-turn. Heliolisk should always use Volt Switch in matchups that are unfavorable to switch out to a more threatening Pokemon against the foe. For example, use Volt Switch on Mega Venusaur and switch into Staraptor. Heliolisk shouldn't attempt to stay in on specially defensive Pokemon that it can't beat, such as Zapdos, Mew, and Clefable, because Heliolisk won't be able to deal much damage. Heliolisk can take advantage of incoming Water-type attacks to get a safe switch thanks to Dry Skin. It's a great pivot early-game, but late-game, it can transition into being a cleaner once its checks are suitably weakened, thanks to its good Speed and Special Attack. Heliolisk needs to avoid status effects such as burn and poison, as these along with Life Orb damage can wear down Heliolisk very easily, making it even more vulnerable to priority moves.
Team Options
========
Physical attackers such as Mega Lopunny, Staraptor, and Diggersby can apply pressure on Pokemon such as Chansey, Mega Venusaur, and Zapdos, respectively. Mega Lopunny can clear the field of Steel-types such as Bisharp and Doublade while Staraptor can take on Bug-, Fighting-, and Grass-types such as Volcarona, Heracross, and Breloom. Staraptor deserves a special mention because it can be a reliable entry hazard remover with Defog, soften attacks for Heliolisk with Intimidate, and provide a neutrality to Fighting-type attacks thanks to its Flying typing. Porygon2 can switch into physical attacks aimed at Heliolisk. It can inflict status such as Toxic and Thunder Wave and check Swords Dance users such as Mega Scizor with Foul Play. It can also check Dragon-types very well, making it an incredibly important teammate for Heliolisk that lack Hidden Power Ice.
Entry hazard setters such as Chansey and Smeargle can set up Stealth Rock, which makes it easier for Heliolisk to KO other Pokemon and apply pressure with Volt Switch. Smeargle can also set up Sticky Web for Heliolisk to gain the Speed advantage over opposing Pokemon, especially Choice Scarf users such as Terrakion, Heracross, Victini, Gardevoir, and Kyurem-B, along with Mega Swampert in the rain. Chansey is able to sponge special attacks for Heliolisk and is a great status absorber thanks to Natural Cure. It also has access to Heal Bell in case Heliolisk does get poisoned, burned, or frozen, and just like Porygon2, it can use Toxic and Thunder Wave on other foes. Other special attackers such as Mega Pidgeot, Meloetta, and Porygon-Z are all great partners for Heliolisk, as they can help in dealing with physical walls such as Skarmory, Ferrothorn, Porygon2, and Armaldo. Specifically, Meloetta can take on Ghost- and Psychic-types such as Gengar, Doublade, and Mew. Porygon-Z has access to a plethora of coverage moves that allow it to check several types. Heliolisk has trouble against Mega Scizor and Ferrothorn, but Mega Pidgeot can eliminate both of these Pokemon with Heat Wave.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
**Normal**:
Hyper Voice gives Heliolisk a secondary STAB move, which hits the majority of types for neutral damage; however, Heliolisk needs to rely on its coverage moves to check other types that threaten it. Expert Belt is useful for bluffing a Choice item while still increasing damage for super effective hits; however, it doesn't deal as much damage as Choice Specs. Dark Pulse gives Heliolisk coverage to hit Ghost- and Psychic-types such as Doublade, Mew, and Victini; however, Dark Pulse isn't too useful because Meloetta has Shadow Ball to hit both types, Heliolisk prefers to use its other coverage moves, and Dark Pulse can't 2HKO Mew. Hidden Power Fire is great for reliably checking Mega Scizor. Choice Scarf gives Heliolisk the extra Speed to outpace Pokemon such as Mega Lopunny, Mega Aerodactyl, Mega Sceptile, Weavile, and Thundurus, along with Choice Scarf users such as Victini, Kyurem-B, Terrakion, and Hoopa-U; however, Heliolisk will miss the extra damage it can deal with Choice Specs.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Normal**:
**Revenge Killers**: Heliolisk is frail, which makes it a prime target for Choice Scarf users such as Victini, Latios, Hoopa-U, Kyurem-B, Heracross, and Terrakion, all of which can KO it.
**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Zapdos is only 3HKOed by Thunderbolt and Hidden Power Ice and can stall out Heliolisk with Toxic + Roost, Clefable can use Heliolisk as a setup fodder with Calm Mind + Soft-Boiled, and Mew can burn it with Will-O-Wisp and begin to stall with Roost. Mega Venusaur also gives Heliolisk trouble, as the only move that Heliolisk is able to hit it with is Hyper Voice. Even that isn't enough to stop Mega Venusaur, as it can recover back health with Synthesis.
**Fighting-types**: All Fighting-types are an issue for Heliolisk, as they can easily KO it with their STAB moves. Choice Scarf Heracross and Terrakion can eliminate Heliolisk with Close Combat, Hawlucha outspeeds and KOes with High Jump Kick, Infernape carries Focus Sash, which will allow it to survive a hit from Heliolisk's attacks and KO it back with Close Combat, and Mega Medicham can get chip damage with Fake Out and KO it with its STAB attacks.
**Dragon-types**: Many Dragon-types such as Latios, Latias, Kyurem-B, and Hydreigon resist Heliolisk's Electric-type STAB attacks, while Garchomp is immune to them. This makes Heliolisk heavily reliant on Hidden Power Ice to KO them.
**Priority**: Heliolisk is vulnerable to Breloom and Conkeldurr's Mach Punch as well as Bisharp's Sucker Punch. It also needs to be wary of Choice Band Dragonite due to its access to Extreme Speed.
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