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[OVERVIEW]
The Intertwining Pokemon shows off its amazing Fairy typing, which gives it only weaknesses to Poison and Steel as well as an immunity to Dragon-type moves, allowing Sylveon to check Mega Salamence in the Battle Spot metagame. Sylveon is very straightforward and an easy-to-use Pokemon with Choice Specs. It has an excellent Special Attack stat and has great special bulk, which helps it deal enormous damage while taking hits from other special attackers. Sylveon also has access to Pixilate, which changes its Normal-type moves to Fairy, thus giving them STAB. This allows it to utilitze a boosted Hyper Voice to hammer through many threats that don't resist it such as Garchomp and offensive Landorus-T.
However, Sylveon's Poison- and Steel-type weaknesses are exploited by many threats such as Mega Gengar, Aegislash, Excadrill, Mega Mawile, and Scizor. Despite Sylveon's impressive health, its physical bulk is too poor for it to take several powerful physical attacks. Sylveon also lacks a wide movepool, leaving its options limited and predictable against other players. Sylveon's Speed is very low as well, and it normally doesn't run much Speed investment either, so even defensive threats such as Heatran, Venusaur, and Suicune can outspeed it.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs Wallbreaker
move 1: Hyper Voice
move 2: Psyshock
move 3: Shadow Ball
move 4: Hidden Power Fire / Hidden Power Ground
item: Choice Specs
ability: Pixilate
nature: Modest
evs: 236 HP / 12 Def / 248 SpA / 12 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Pixilate-boosted STAB Hyper Voice allows Sylveon to hit many Pokemon hard, especially the Dark-, Dragon-, and Fighting-types weak to it, such as Tyranitar, Mega Salamence, Garchomp, Mega Altaria, and Conkeldurr. Additionally, Hyper Voice can go through Substitute, hitting Pokemon such as Gliscor more reliably Psyshock provides Sylveon a nice way to check Poison-types such as Mega Venusaur and Mega Gengar, and by targeting Defense, it's also useful against Chansey, which would otherwise wall Sylveon. Shadow Ball is used to hit Aegislash and the uncommon Chandelure. Hidden Power Fire can assist Sylveon in eliminating problematic Steel-types such as Ferrothorn, Scizor, Skarmory, and Klefki. However, Hidden Power Ground can be used instead to hit Fire-types that completely wall Sylveon, such as Heatran.
Set Details
========
236 HP EVs give Sylveon needed bulk in order to take attacks better. For example, it can survive Mega Gengar's Sludge Bomb. 12 Defense EVs are added in order to keep a full health Sylveon from being OHKOed by Choice Band Talonflame. 248 Special Attack EVs with a Modest nature give Sylveon more damage output, 12 Speed EVs let Sylveon outspeed Aegislash and Porygon2. Pixilate is needed, as it turns Normal-type moves into Fairy-type moves and boosts their power by 33%. Choice Specs is used to give Sylveon the extra power needed to deal enormous damage to Pokemon that don't resist Fairy. Additionally, it increases the power of its coverage moves.
Usage Tips
========
Usually, use Hyper Voice on Pokemon that don't resist it. Sylveon shouldn't be staying in on Steel-types such as Excadrill and the uncommon Bisharp because Iron Head is an easy OHKO, unless you predict them to Swords Dance, in which case Hyper Voice OHKOes Bisharp and 2HKOes Excadrill. The opponent can use the fact that Sylveon has a shallow movepool and will usually be carrying Choice Specs to their advantage; however, you can turn that around by looking at Team Preview. If you suspect your opponent will switch out to a more reasonable counter to Sylveon, that'll give you a chance to predict the switch and go into a counter of your own. Against Steel- and Poison-types that resists Fairy, make sure you go for coverage moves instead, such as Hidden Power Ground and Psyshock to deal with Aegislash, Excadrill, Heatran, and Mega Venusaur. Sylveon makes a decent lead as well, putting pressure on some common leads seen in the metagame such as Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Hippowdon.
Team Options
========
Mega Kangaskhan with Double-Edge can help Sylveon deal with powerful threats. Mega Kangaskhan also has access to Earthquake, which can help get rid of pesky Steel-types. In return, Sylveon can switch into Dark- and Fighting-type moves and eliminate Pokemon that give Mega Kangaskhan trouble, such as Mega Sableye and Conkeldurr. Garchomp and Hippowdon are also great partners for Sylveon, helping to eliminate Poison- and Steel-types such as Mega Gengar, Heatran, and Aegislash with STAB Earthquake. They are superb Stealth Rock users as well, turning potential 2HKOs into OHKOs for Sylveon. An example is non-Assault Vest variants of Azumarill. In return, Sylveon can punish Dragon-types for Garchomp, such as Hydreigon, Dragonite, and opposing Garchomp. Fire-types such as Mega Charizard X and Y, Heatran, Rotom-H, and Talonflame can deal with Steel-types that threaten Sylveon. Additionally, Talonflame can help take on Grass-types such as Mega Venusaur and Serperior.
Rotom-H and Rotom-W are great for taking Flying-type attacks from Pokemon such as Talonflame and the rare Mega Pinsir. They can both utilize Will-O-Wisp to burn physical attackers, which helps mitigate Sylveon's low Defense. Ferrothorn can switch into Steel-type moves with ease and is immune to Poison, giving it good synergy with Sylveon. Magnezone is helpful in trapping other Steel-types with Magnet Pull, such as Scizor, Ferrothorn, and the uncommon Bisharp. Aegislash is a great partner for its ability to come in freely on some threats that take out or threaten Sylveon, such as Chansey, Mega Venusaur, Dragalge, and Mega Metagross. Sylveon appreciates Thunder Wave support from the likes of Thundurus and Cresselia, as it ruins many physical attackers' ability to check it. Cresselia deserves a special mention because it can tank physical attacks very well and switch into Mega Kangaskhan and Mega Salamence.
[SET]
name: Calm Mind + Rest
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Rest
move 3: Hyper Voice
move 4: Snore / Psyshock / Hidden Power Fire
item: Chesto Berry / Leftovers
ability: Pixilate
nature: Modest
evs: 244 HP / 172 Def / 68 SpA / 4 SpD / 20 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Calm Mind boosts Sylveon's Special Attack and Special Defense by one stage, making it bulkier and increasing its damage output. Rest is Sylveon's only reliable way of recovery, replenishing its health and removing status. Pixilate-boosted Hyper Voice gives Sylveon STAB and much needed power for hitting anything that doesn't resist it. Snore is used together with Rest to ensure that Sylveon's sleep turns don't go to waste. Additionally, it also gets a Pixilate boost. It's a nice way to surprise a foe that thinks it could use those turns to set up. Alternatively, Psyshock could be used as it let Sylveon hit Poison-types such as Mega Gengar and Mega Venusaur. Also, it's needed for Sylveon to deal more damage to Chansey. Hidden Power Fire can also be used to hit Steel-types that shrug off Sylveon's STAB moves, such as Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor.
Set Details
========
244 HP and 172 Defense EVs give Sylveon some physical bulk, allowing it a chance to survive Jolly Mega Kangaskhan's Double Edge. 68 Special Attack EVs increase Sylveon's damage output. 20 Speed EVs allow Sylveon to outspeed uninvested base 60 Speed Pokemon such as Clefable, Porygon2, and Aegislash. The remaining 4 EVs go to Special Defense so none are wasted. A Chesto Berry is needed to effectively use Rest, giving Sylveon a greater chance of sweeping with Calm Mind.
Modest is the preferred nature over Bold because the extra power is needed for Sylveon to KO foes. However, Bold can still be used so that Sylveon can take more hits from physical attackers, and when it's used with maximum HP and Defense investment, this set can become a late-game win condition. Leftovers offers much appreciated passive recovery. Sylveon almost always has to use Snore if it's holding Leftovers to avoid dead turns while asleep from Rest.
Usage Tips
========
Sylveon should set up Calm Mind on defensive Pokemon, such as Hippowdon, Porygon2, Rotom-W, and Zapdos, that can't touch it. With Rest, Sylveon is able to replenish its health and get rid of any status. However, be wary of Rotom-W, as they are likely to carry Trick, which will cripple Sylveon and prevent it from setting up. It's better for Sylveon to switch in on predicted non-damaging moves, a Dragon-type attack, or after a teammate has fainted, because it cannot afford to risk taking any damage. If Sylveon has a couple of Calm Minds set up and Chesto Berry is gone, it's best to continue using Snore because it's Sylveon's only attacking option while asleep and can surprise the opponent. Calm Mind is usually a safe option to use when predicting a switch because even if Sylveon stays in on a resisted critical hit or status move, it can easily replenish itself with Rest. Sylveon is better kept for later stages of the match when most of the Steel-types, especially Heatran, have been eliminated.
Team Options
========
Heatran is very helpful for switching into Poison- and Steel-type attacks, and Sylveon can handle bulky Ground-types such as Hippowdon that trouble Heatran. Mega Lucario is also a great partner, having a Poison-type immunity and the ability to get rid of opposing Fairy-types such as Sylveon and Clefable. Landorus-T and Gyarados can come into predicted Ground-type moves and get an Intimidate off for Sylveon to sponge a physical attack. Additionally, Landorus-T can switch into Electric-type moves such as Thunder Wave and Thunderbolt as well as get rid of troubling Electric-, Poison-, and Steel-types. However, if Landorus-T isn't running Choice Scarf or Assault Vest, it must be wary that some Electric-types carry Hidden Power Ice, such as Mega Manectric, Raikou, and Thundurus. Gyarados on the other hand assists Sylveon by clearing the field of Fire-types such as Talonflame and Heatran; in return, Sylveon can set up on Conkeldurr, one of the Pokemon Mega Gyarados really struggles with. More defensive variants can provide much appreciated Thunder Wave and Rocky Helmet support against physical attackers, giving Sylveon more chances to set up Calm Mind. Similarly, Thunder Wave support from Thundurus is much appreciated. Talonflame can annihilate Grass-types such as Mega Venusaur and Serperior with its STAB Brave Bird.
Latios and Latias are considered good partners for Sylveon because they can deal with Poison-types such as Mega Venusaur. Latias deserves a special mention, as it can paralyze foes with Thunder Wave and provide Sylveon with Healing Wish support, getting rid of any status problems it may have and fully replenishing its health. Also, as Mega Latias, it'll be able to survive a Shadow Ball from Mega Gengar and KO it back with its STAB Psychic-type move. Uncommon Choice Scarf variants of Latios can also be used to deal with Mega Gengar. In return, Sylveon can switch into predicted Dragon-type moves. Ferrothorn appreciates the removal of Fighting-types such as Breloom, Conkeldurr, and Mega Lopunny, while being able to set up Stealth Rock and potentially Thunder Wave a few threats before it goes down, so Sylveon can come in for free. Mamoswine also appreciates the removal of the aforementioned Fighting-types and can set up Stealth Rock, while Sylveon can set up on the defensive Water-types that wall Mamoswine such as non-Trick variants of Rotom-W and Slowbro lacking Calm Mind.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Pixie Plate is an alternative for Sylveon to still get a power boost for its Fairy-type moves, allowing Sylveon to bluff Choice Specs and fool the threat to stay in so that it can get a free hit. However, Choice Specs is a much stronger option to utilize, as it lets Sylveon deal more damage with all of its coverage moves. Yawn can come in handy to pressure the opponent into switching out. Additionally, there's no sleep clause, meaning Sylveon can put multiple foes to sleep. However, Sylveon misses out on coverage moves and it doesn't have enough physical bulk to deal with physical attackers. Quick Attack is used to pick off weakened or frail threats, and it also gets a boost from Pixilate. Use it with a Pixie Plate and a Quiet nature. Rocky Helmet deals passive damage against physical attackers, but once again, Sylveon's low physical bulk makes this a subpar option.
A bulky spread of max HP and Defense should be used if using Rocky Helmet. Stored Power can be used alongside Calm Mind to have a huge power boost after setting up, but Psyshock is much more useful, particularly hitting Chansey for more damage. Protect is useful for scouting the foe's move and help Sylveon switch into a more reasonable counter. Additionally, it can be used alongside Wish and Leftovers for the much-needed recovery, but then Sylveon will lose out on its coverage moves to check other threats. Toxic sets a timer on defensive Pokemon such as Cresselia, Porygon2, Zapdos, Rotom-W, and Rotom-H. Pixilate-boosted Hyper Beam can be used as a great and powerful finisher to many threats as a chance to get a KO. However, Sylveon will have to recharge on the next turn, giving the foe the upper hand. Sleep Talk is viable, as many threats such as Breloom and Hippowdon use Spore and Yawn. However, the randomness of Sleep Talk and boosted power of Snore make this less useful.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Steel-types**: Heatran generally carries Flash Cannon and completely walls Sylveon if it's not carrying Hidden Power Ground. Aegislash can KO Sylveon with Iron Head or Flash Cannon and is able to survive a coverage move from it. Excadrill can easily take it down with Iron Head. Ferrothorn can take out Sylveon with Gyro Ball, but it needs to watch out for Hidden Power Fire.
**Poison-types**: Mega Venusaur completely resists Sylveon's Hyper Voice. With Thick Fat, it can also take a Hidden Power Fire very well and retaliate with Sludge Bomb. Mega Gengar can threaten Sylveon out with Sludge Bomb as well, but it does need to be wary of Psyshock or Shadow Ball.
**Mega Mawile**: Mega Mawile resists Sylveon's STAB moves and can easily KO it with its STAB Iron Head. However, it should be wary of Hidden Power Fire.
**Azumarill**: Azumarill has a large chance to survive Hyper Voice. It can proceed to KO Sylveon with the combination of Play Rough and Aqua Jet. Choice Band variants are able to KO Sylveon with Play Rough, while Assault Vest variants can survive a Hyper Voice.
**Strong Physical Attackers**: Mega Kangaskhan and Mega Salamence are able to OHKO Sylveon with STAB Double Edge. Adamant Mega Blaziken can get a Speed Boost from Protect and KO Sylveon with Flare Blitz. Greninja can make quick work of Sylveon with STAB Protean Gunk Shot. Choice Band variants of Talonflame have a low chance to OHKO Sylveon with Flare Blitz or Brave Bird.
**Status**: Unless it runs the uncommon Heall Bell, Sylveon is crippled by Thunder Wave, Will-O-Wisp, and Toxic from Pokemon such as Thundurus, Rotom-W, and Chansey, unless it's using the Calm Mind + Rest set.
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