Anty
let's drop
[OVERVIEW]
Despite its high defensive stats, Vespiquen is a terrible wall, as its typing provides multiple common weaknesses, including a 4x weakness to Stealth Rock. This leaves it outclassed by Pokemon such as Pelipper, which not only has a better typing but also provides support with Defog. Vespiquen also struggles offensively due to average offensive stats and horrible Speed. Although Tailwind somewhat patches up its low Speed and Destiny Bond allows it to get a surprise KO, both of these are hard to pull off due to Vespiquen's poor defensive typing and the move's predictability, respectively. It is also easily revenge killed by Choice Scarf users such as Raichu and Sawsbuck and priority users such as Piloswine. Other Pokemon such as Barbaracle and Ninjask are better cleaners, as they are not limited on turns and are stronger, and Pelipper is better at supporting a team with Tailwind.
[SET]
name: Offensive Utility
move 1: Tailwind
move 2: Bug Buzz
move 3: Air Slash
move 4: Destiny Bond
item: Life Orb / Insect Plate
ability: Pressure
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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Tailwind doubles Vespiquen's teams' Speed for several turns, allowing it to outspeed almost every unboosted Pokemon in PU while also providing team support. Bug Buzz is Vespiquen's strongest STAB move, and Air Slash provides a secondary STAB and a way to hit Fighting-, Flying-, and Fire-types such as Machoke, Pelipper, and Rapidash. Destiny Bond allows Vespiquen to get a surprise KO on a foe it cannot KO when weakened. Targets include Ninetales, Probopass, and Pelipper.
Set Details
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Maximum Special Attack investment allows Vespiquen to hit as hard as possible, and maximum Speed investment with a Timid nature allows Vespiquen to outspeed Pokemon such as Zebstrika and Floatzel under Tailwind. The last 4 EVs are not placed into HP so Vespiquen can switch into Stealth Rock twice and still survive. Life Orb increases Vespiquen's power significantly but inflicts recoil, which, when combined with Stealth Rock damage, severely limits its longevity; however, it can be helpful with Destiny Bond. Alternatively, Insect Plate only boosts Vespiquen's main STAB move but does not have any negative effects. Pressure is used because it is Vespiquen's most relevant ability.
Usage Tips
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Vespiquen should be used either late-game to try to clean up or early- to mid-game to provide wallbreaking teammates with support or take out a threatening foe. It should avoid switching in on anything if Stealth Rock is set up and should be brought in after a KO or by a slow pivot; however, it can switch in on Pokemon that it walls, such as Tangela. Tailwind should be set up on Pokemon Vespiquen walls or forces out, such as Tangela, Grumpig, and Machoke. Destiny Bond should only be used when Vespiquen is definitely going to be KOed, and it should be kept hidden to try to surprise the opponent. Vespiquen should be also careful of the opponent switching around their Pokemon to try stalling out Tailwind.
Team Options
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Vespiquen greatly appreciates entry hazard removal from Pokemon such as Vibrava and Armaldo, as otherwise it loses half its health to Stealth Rock. Conversely, entry hazards from Pokemon such as Metang and Roselia help weaken the opposing team for Vespiquen to possibly clean. Ground-types such as Piloswine and Stunfisk can provide entry hazard support while also checking Electric- and Steel-types that threaten Vespiquen, whereas Rock-types such as Golem and Probopass also provide entry hazards and can check Fire- and Flying-type. Grumpig and Water-types such as Floatzel and Simipour, all of which also appreciate Tailwind support, check Fire- and Ice-types, and Grumpig can switch in more easily due to its superior bulk. Wallbreakers such as Simipour and Simisage can weaken the opponent's team to the point where Vespiquen might be able to clean. Vespiquen only works on offensive teams, especially with slower wallbreakers such as Stoutland, Flareon, and Machoke, which appreciate Tailwind support.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
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A bulky set with Defend Order, Toxic, and Roost could be used as a slow sweeper; however, even with several boosts, Vespiquen takes a lot from super effective attacks, and the set is stopped by a critical hit. Vespiquen could run a specially defensive set to check Grass-types such as Tangela and Roselia, but its many weaknesses mean that it can only check a few Pokemon. A set running Custap Berry with Destiny Bond and Hidden Power Ground or Power Gem to hit Fire-types and either Probopass or Flying-types can also get a surprised KO, but it is easily KOed when outside of Custap Berry range. A set running Attack Order and Acrobatics without an item could be used to bait in special walls, but such a set's inability to make use of an item leaves Vespiquen walled by physically bulky Pokemon such as Carracosta and Golem.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Pokemon**: Specially defensive Pokemon such as Stunfisk and Lickilicky can easily take any hit, recover off the damage, and paralyze Vespiquen to avoid mind games with Destiny Bond. Clefairy can freely set up with Calm Mind, and Vigoroth can set up with Bulk Up and prevent Destiny Bond with Taunt.
**Faster Pokemon**: Due to its low Speed and many weaknesses, the best way to stop Vespiquen is by KOing it before it has set up, which can easily be done by strong Pokemon such as Stoutland, Raichu, and Rapidash. Choice Scarf users such as Sawsbuck, Mr. Mime, and Dodrio can all revenge kill Vespiquen even if Tailwind has been set up.
**Steel-types**: Probopass resists both Vespiquen's STAB moves and can set up Stealth Rock and weaken it with Volt Switch; however, this does not KO even after Stealth Rock. Klang also resists its STAB moves and can set up with Shift Gear and Rest off any damage taken.
**Passive Damage**: Vespiquen is easily worn down by Life Orb recoil along with Stealth Rock, which takes off half of its HP. However, it should be noted that this damage can help Vespiquen score a KO with Destiny Bond.
**Fire-types**: Fire-type Pokemon such as Rapidash and Simisear can survive a hit and KO Vespiquen or outspeed it if Tailwind is not set up. Ninetales's high special bulk allows it to set up with Nasty Plot and stall out Destiny Bond with Substitute.
**Status**: Toxic and burns from Pokemon such as Carracosta and Misdreavus not only wear Vespiquen down, but they also can KO it while bypassing Destiny Bond. Paralysis from Stunfisk and Clefairy leaves Vespiquen easily revenge killed.
**Priority**: Because Vespiquen is easily worn down, strong priority moves such as Piloswine's Ice Shard, Dusknoir's Shadow Sneak, and Basculin's Aqua Jet can revenge kill Vespiquen.
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