[OVERVIEW]
While its base stats might suggest otherwise, Vibrava's bulk and typing let it check certain popular Pokemon, such as Electric- and Fire-types. Its access to Defog and U-turn lets it function as a decent entry hazard remover for offensive and defensive teams alike. It has a resistance to Stealth Rock and an immunity to Spikes and Toxic Spikes, giving it a niche over other hazard removers such as Pelipper and Swanna. It also has reliable recovery in Roost. However, Vibrava is still a very passive Pokemon that is easily set up on and otherwise taken advantage of. Its extremely low uninvested physical bulk also means that it has trouble taking hits from a lot of common Pokemon in the PU metagame.
[SET]
name: Defog
move 1: Defog
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Roost
move 4: Earthquake
item: Eviolite
ability: Levitate
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Defog provides helpful support to Vibrava's team by removing entry hazards. U-turn lets Vibrava maintain momentum, and Roost lets Vibrava keep itself healthy. Earthquake lets Vibrava hurt some of the Pokemon it walls, such as Zebstrika, though it is rarely used, as most of the time pivoting out with U-turn is the better option. Toxic can be used to cripple bulky Pokemon such as Tangela and Grumpig, but Vibrava struggles to find room for it.
Set Details
========
A specially defensive spread is used to take on special attackers such as Ninetales and Probopass. Eviolite boosts Vibrava's defenses to a usable level. A physically defensive spread can also be used in order to take on Pokemon such as Golem, Rapidash, and Jumpluff.
Usage Tips
========
Switch Vibrava into something it walls, such as Zebstrika or Probopass, then use Defog if you need entry hazards gone; otherwise, most of the time Vibrava should be using U-turn so as not to give opponents free turns. Don't be afraid to sacrifice Vibrava in order to clear entry hazards, but if your opponent has a Pokemon that Vibrava can easily switch into, such as Stunfisk or Zebstrika, it is usually best to save it. In some situations, even when entry hazards are up, U-turn is the safer play, as Vibrava is easily set up on and relies on momentum to be a worthwhile member of its team. Use Roost when Vibrava is low on health and will be useful later in the match. Avoid switching Vibrava into physical attackers such as Ursaring and Stoutland, as it cannot take unresisted physical hits well at all.
Team Options
========
Vibrava is mainly only worth using alongside Pokemon that desperately need Stealth Rock gone in order to function properly. This includes Pokemon such as Articuno, Rock Polish Regice, and Life Orb Ninetales. On bulkier teams, pair Vibrava with physical walls such as Tangela. Ninjask especially appreciates Vibrava's support, as it needs Stealth Rock off the field at all times, and Vibrava can easily Defog on Pokemon, such as Probopass, that switch into Ninjask's U-turn. Additionally, Ninjask works best on VoltTurn teams, which are a good fit for Vibrava because of its access to U-turn. space Vibrava fits on both offensive and bulky teams because of its bulk, typing, and access to U-turn. Teams that need a check to Zebstrika and also have multiple Pokemon that are weak to Stealth Rock or otherwise worn down easily by entry hazards are also a decent fit for Vibrava. Pokemon that can deal with setup sweepers, including Kadabra, Choice Scarf Sawsbuck, and Choice Scarf Simipour are all good partners in case Vibrava is set up on. Pokemon that like being paired with a slow U-turn user are good teammates for Vibrava; examples include Ursaring and Rapidash. Pokemon that can handle Ice-types and other common switch-ins to Vibrava make for good partners.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Vibrava has the option of using a more physically defensive spread in order to check Pokemon such as Golem and Rapidash more easily. Tailwind is a viable option for giving Vibrava's teammates a boost in Speed for a few turns.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Physical Attackers**: Vibrava's physical bulk is abysmal, so most physical attackers other than Golem or Rapidash can beat it with little effort. Some examples include Stoutland, Ursaring, and Dodrio.
**Ice-type Coverage**: Hidden Power Ice variants of Zebstrika can surprise Vibrava and prevent it from doing its job. Additionally, while Vibrava has a decent matchup against most special attackers, Ice-types such as Regice and Rotom-F can easily get past it.
**Setup Sweepers**: Vibrava is easy setup fodder for sweepers such as Rain Dance Golduck, Carracosta, and Swords Dance Jumpluff, as it cannot do much damage to them and can only U-turn into a check.
**Offensive Pressure**: While Vibrava doesn't mind entry hazards at all, wearing it down quickly with attacks is a good way to keep it from removing hazards or having a chance to Roost.
While its base stats might suggest otherwise, Vibrava's bulk and typing let it check certain popular Pokemon, such as Electric- and Fire-types. Its access to Defog and U-turn lets it function as a decent entry hazard remover for offensive and defensive teams alike. It has a resistance to Stealth Rock and an immunity to Spikes and Toxic Spikes, giving it a niche over other hazard removers such as Pelipper and Swanna. It also has reliable recovery in Roost. However, Vibrava is still a very passive Pokemon that is easily set up on and otherwise taken advantage of. Its extremely low uninvested physical bulk also means that it has trouble taking hits from a lot of common Pokemon in the PU metagame.
[SET]
name: Defog
move 1: Defog
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Roost
move 4: Earthquake
item: Eviolite
ability: Levitate
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Defog provides helpful support to Vibrava's team by removing entry hazards. U-turn lets Vibrava maintain momentum, and Roost lets Vibrava keep itself healthy. Earthquake lets Vibrava hurt some of the Pokemon it walls, such as Zebstrika, though it is rarely used, as most of the time pivoting out with U-turn is the better option. Toxic can be used to cripple bulky Pokemon such as Tangela and Grumpig, but Vibrava struggles to find room for it.
Set Details
========
A specially defensive spread is used to take on special attackers such as Ninetales and Probopass. Eviolite boosts Vibrava's defenses to a usable level. A physically defensive spread can also be used in order to take on Pokemon such as Golem, Rapidash, and Jumpluff.
Usage Tips
========
Switch Vibrava into something it walls, such as Zebstrika or Probopass, then use Defog if you need entry hazards gone; otherwise, most of the time Vibrava should be using U-turn so as not to give opponents free turns. Don't be afraid to sacrifice Vibrava in order to clear entry hazards, but if your opponent has a Pokemon that Vibrava can easily switch into, such as Stunfisk or Zebstrika, it is usually best to save it. In some situations, even when entry hazards are up, U-turn is the safer play, as Vibrava is easily set up on and relies on momentum to be a worthwhile member of its team. Use Roost when Vibrava is low on health and will be useful later in the match. Avoid switching Vibrava into physical attackers such as Ursaring and Stoutland, as it cannot take unresisted physical hits well at all.
Team Options
========
Vibrava is mainly only worth using alongside Pokemon that desperately need Stealth Rock gone in order to function properly. This includes Pokemon such as Articuno, Rock Polish Regice, and Life Orb Ninetales. On bulkier teams, pair Vibrava with physical walls such as Tangela. Ninjask especially appreciates Vibrava's support, as it needs Stealth Rock off the field at all times, and Vibrava can easily Defog on Pokemon, such as Probopass, that switch into Ninjask's U-turn. Additionally, Ninjask works best on VoltTurn teams, which are a good fit for Vibrava because of its access to U-turn. space Vibrava fits on both offensive and bulky teams because of its bulk, typing, and access to U-turn. Teams that need a check to Zebstrika and also have multiple Pokemon that are weak to Stealth Rock or otherwise worn down easily by entry hazards are also a decent fit for Vibrava. Pokemon that can deal with setup sweepers, including Kadabra, Choice Scarf Sawsbuck, and Choice Scarf Simipour are all good partners in case Vibrava is set up on. Pokemon that like being paired with a slow U-turn user are good teammates for Vibrava; examples include Ursaring and Rapidash. Pokemon that can handle Ice-types and other common switch-ins to Vibrava make for good partners.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Vibrava has the option of using a more physically defensive spread in order to check Pokemon such as Golem and Rapidash more easily. Tailwind is a viable option for giving Vibrava's teammates a boost in Speed for a few turns.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Physical Attackers**: Vibrava's physical bulk is abysmal, so most physical attackers other than Golem or Rapidash can beat it with little effort. Some examples include Stoutland, Ursaring, and Dodrio.
**Ice-type Coverage**: Hidden Power Ice variants of Zebstrika can surprise Vibrava and prevent it from doing its job. Additionally, while Vibrava has a decent matchup against most special attackers, Ice-types such as Regice and Rotom-F can easily get past it.
**Setup Sweepers**: Vibrava is easy setup fodder for sweepers such as Rain Dance Golduck, Carracosta, and Swords Dance Jumpluff, as it cannot do much damage to them and can only U-turn into a check.
**Offensive Pressure**: While Vibrava doesn't mind entry hazards at all, wearing it down quickly with attacks is a good way to keep it from removing hazards or having a chance to Roost.
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