[OVERVIEW]
* Vikavolt is unique in the VGC 2017 metagame because of its typing accompanied by the Levitate ability and access to Electroweb.
* It has an incredibly efficient base stat spread, boasting a base 145 Special Attack stat and respectable 77/90/75 defenses. It sits at a bit of awkward base 43 Speed stat.
* Vikavolt can fill a variety of roles thanks to its diverse movepool. It can disrupt, act as a pivot with Volt Switch, control speed with Electroweb and String Shot or fire off high damage attacks.
* Thanks to Levitate it's one of the few Pokémon making the ancient Discharge + Earthquake combination possible in the VGC 2017 format.
[SET]
name: Assault Vest Attacker
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Bug Buzz
move 3: Discharge / Volt Switch / Electroweb
move 4: Electroweb / Hidden Power [Fire] / Hidden Power [Ice]
item: Assault Vest
ability: Levitate
nature: Modest
evs: 244 HP / 52 Def / 28 SpA / 180 SpD / 4 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Thunderbolt and Bug Buzz are the standard STAB moves for strong and reliable damage.
* Discharge can be used when paired with a Ground type such as Garchomp or Krookodile.
* Volt Switch lets Vikavolt to punish switches, fading in and out of battle while dealing respectable amounts of damage.
* Electroweb is an excellent speed control option that works with Assault Vest. You can chose to invest in Speed to outpace some Pokémon after a single Electroweb. Neutral Nature, uninvested Tapu Fini for example requires 60 Speed EVs.
* Hidden Power [Fire] or Hidden Power [Ice] can be used if you need more answers to Kartana or Garchomp on your team. Both can be omitted for triple Electric moves, as you still deal respectable damage to either Pokémon with Bug Buzz.
Set Details
========
* The defensive EV spread in combination with Assault Vest allow Vikavolt to survive a wide range of attacks and attack combinations.
* Special Attack investment is barely necessary because of the high base 145 stat combined with a Modest nature.
* Vikavolt's moveset can be adjusted to your team's needs, making this set incredibly versatile, finding a place on a variety of teams.
* The EV spread ensures that Porygon2 will receive an Attack boost with Download.
Usage Tips
========
* Vikavolt is an excellent defensive pivot, being able to switch in on many Pokémon, such as Garchomp, Kartana and Tapu Koko.
* When using Volt Switch, Vikavolt can bait counters like Arcanine and punish the opponent's switching.
* Hidden Power [Fire] can catch unsuspecting Kartana off-guard, knocking out even bulky Assault Vest variants.
* Keep in mind that once the opponent realizes that Assault Vest is the item used on Vikavolt, they might start to focus down on Vikavolt because of the lack of Protect.
Team Options
========
* Garchomp is the best partner available. Vikavolt can threaten many of Garchomps checks and counters such as Tapu Fini and Kartana, while Garchomp can use Earthquake freely because of Levitate.
* In the same vein, Krookodile is an excellent partner. Albeit slower, it can benefit from the speed control Electroweb provides, while Intimidate enhances Vikavolt's defensive capabilities even further.
* Vikavolt wants to have team members that can handle key threats such as Arcanine and Gigalith. Ground types do a fine job with that, but having a Water type such as Politoed, Pelipper, Tapu Fini or Gyarados is recommended.
[SET]
name: String Shot Support
move 1: Thunderbolt / Volt Switch
move 2: Bug Buzz
move 3: String Shot
move 4: Protect
item: Iapapa Berry
ability: Levitate
nature: Modest
evs: 252 HP / 68 Def / 28 SpA / 156 SpD / 4 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Thunderbolt and Bug Buzz are the standard STAB moves for strong and reliable damage.
* String Shot lowers the speed stat of both opposing Pokémon by 2 stages.
* Volt Switch is an option over Thunderbolt if you want to be more flexible, as String Shot will force a lot of switches
Set Details
========
* The EV spread is taken from SamVGC's Top 4 Dallas Regional team, hitting some important benchmarks such as surviving Arcanine Flamethrower.
* Special Attack investment is barely necessary because of the high base 145 stat combined with a Modest nature.
* Iapapa Berry gives Vikavolt an incredibly potent healing option, as it will oftentimes survive strong attacks with low amounts of HP thanks to it's great defenses.
Usage Tips
========
* String Shot heavily reduces the opposing team's speed, allowing Vikavolt to outspeed Pokémon such as Tapu Fini, Celesteela, Pelipper, Tapu Bulu and many others.
* Volt Switch allows Vikavolt to take advantage of the switches that String Shot forces.
* Not only does Vikavolt provide valuable speed control, it also checks many strong Pokémon such as Kartana and Garchomp.
* Iapapa Berry's healing can punish the opponent heavily for missing the one-hit knock out, forcing them to play around it.
Team Options
========
* Ground and Water types are recommended partners to help check or counter threats to Vikavolt such as Arcanine and Gigalith.
* String Shot encourages the use of Pokémon sitting in the middle of the speed tier, such as Tapu Fini and Tapu Fini, and gives the speed advantage to bulkier builds of fast Pokémon, such as Arcanine.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Energy Ball, Sky Drop, Mud Shot and Flash Cannon are other move options that may be useful for specific team compositions.
* Vikavolt can run a more aggressive set using damage boosting items such as Life Orb or Choice Specs, but is generally not recommended as these sets don't capitalize on its amazing defensive capabilities.
* Minimum Speed with a Quiet nature is an option for Trick Room teams, although it sits at a bit of an awkward speed tier for Trick Room.
* A Z-Crystal could be used for the String Shot set, giving access to Gigavolt Havoc or Savage Spin-Out
Checks and Counters
===================
**Arcanine**: Arcanine can knock out Vikavolt easily in one hit with Flare Blitz or a Z-move, unless it is Intimidated or Rain is on the field. Despite this, Vikavolt still hits it hard with Thunderbolt and Volt Switch, so Arcanine needs to secure the knock out to be an effective check.
**Gigalith**: Vikavolt can't really touch Gigalith, especially when Sand is up, while Vikavolt can get knocked out easily by Stone Edge or a Z-move. The best thing Vikavolt can do when up against Gigalith is use Volt Switch to bring in a check or counter.
**Porygon2**: Vikavolt will lose the encounter due to the Recovery option Porygon2, although it will be a very long and tiresome process of Vikavolt's defenses.
**Tapu Lele**: Tapu Lele checks Vikavolt as it can outspeed and knock it out with a Shattered Psyche while Psychic Terrain is up, even when Vikavolt is using the Assault Vest set.
**Nihilego**: Nihilego will force Vikavolt out because of Power Gem, while Vikavolt won't deal any significant damage because of Nihilego's high Special Defense stat.
* Vikavolt is unique in the VGC 2017 metagame because of its typing accompanied by the Levitate ability and access to Electroweb.
* It has an incredibly efficient base stat spread, boasting a base 145 Special Attack stat and respectable 77/90/75 defenses. It sits at a bit of awkward base 43 Speed stat.
* Vikavolt can fill a variety of roles thanks to its diverse movepool. It can disrupt, act as a pivot with Volt Switch, control speed with Electroweb and String Shot or fire off high damage attacks.
* Thanks to Levitate it's one of the few Pokémon making the ancient Discharge + Earthquake combination possible in the VGC 2017 format.
[SET]
name: Assault Vest Attacker
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Bug Buzz
move 3: Discharge / Volt Switch / Electroweb
move 4: Electroweb / Hidden Power [Fire] / Hidden Power [Ice]
item: Assault Vest
ability: Levitate
nature: Modest
evs: 244 HP / 52 Def / 28 SpA / 180 SpD / 4 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Thunderbolt and Bug Buzz are the standard STAB moves for strong and reliable damage.
* Discharge can be used when paired with a Ground type such as Garchomp or Krookodile.
* Volt Switch lets Vikavolt to punish switches, fading in and out of battle while dealing respectable amounts of damage.
* Electroweb is an excellent speed control option that works with Assault Vest. You can chose to invest in Speed to outpace some Pokémon after a single Electroweb. Neutral Nature, uninvested Tapu Fini for example requires 60 Speed EVs.
* Hidden Power [Fire] or Hidden Power [Ice] can be used if you need more answers to Kartana or Garchomp on your team. Both can be omitted for triple Electric moves, as you still deal respectable damage to either Pokémon with Bug Buzz.
Set Details
========
* The defensive EV spread in combination with Assault Vest allow Vikavolt to survive a wide range of attacks and attack combinations.
* Special Attack investment is barely necessary because of the high base 145 stat combined with a Modest nature.
* Vikavolt's moveset can be adjusted to your team's needs, making this set incredibly versatile, finding a place on a variety of teams.
* The EV spread ensures that Porygon2 will receive an Attack boost with Download.
Usage Tips
========
* Vikavolt is an excellent defensive pivot, being able to switch in on many Pokémon, such as Garchomp, Kartana and Tapu Koko.
* When using Volt Switch, Vikavolt can bait counters like Arcanine and punish the opponent's switching.
* Hidden Power [Fire] can catch unsuspecting Kartana off-guard, knocking out even bulky Assault Vest variants.
* Keep in mind that once the opponent realizes that Assault Vest is the item used on Vikavolt, they might start to focus down on Vikavolt because of the lack of Protect.
Team Options
========
* Garchomp is the best partner available. Vikavolt can threaten many of Garchomps checks and counters such as Tapu Fini and Kartana, while Garchomp can use Earthquake freely because of Levitate.
* In the same vein, Krookodile is an excellent partner. Albeit slower, it can benefit from the speed control Electroweb provides, while Intimidate enhances Vikavolt's defensive capabilities even further.
* Vikavolt wants to have team members that can handle key threats such as Arcanine and Gigalith. Ground types do a fine job with that, but having a Water type such as Politoed, Pelipper, Tapu Fini or Gyarados is recommended.
[SET]
name: String Shot Support
move 1: Thunderbolt / Volt Switch
move 2: Bug Buzz
move 3: String Shot
move 4: Protect
item: Iapapa Berry
ability: Levitate
nature: Modest
evs: 252 HP / 68 Def / 28 SpA / 156 SpD / 4 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Thunderbolt and Bug Buzz are the standard STAB moves for strong and reliable damage.
* String Shot lowers the speed stat of both opposing Pokémon by 2 stages.
* Volt Switch is an option over Thunderbolt if you want to be more flexible, as String Shot will force a lot of switches
Set Details
========
* The EV spread is taken from SamVGC's Top 4 Dallas Regional team, hitting some important benchmarks such as surviving Arcanine Flamethrower.
* Special Attack investment is barely necessary because of the high base 145 stat combined with a Modest nature.
* Iapapa Berry gives Vikavolt an incredibly potent healing option, as it will oftentimes survive strong attacks with low amounts of HP thanks to it's great defenses.
Usage Tips
========
* String Shot heavily reduces the opposing team's speed, allowing Vikavolt to outspeed Pokémon such as Tapu Fini, Celesteela, Pelipper, Tapu Bulu and many others.
* Volt Switch allows Vikavolt to take advantage of the switches that String Shot forces.
* Not only does Vikavolt provide valuable speed control, it also checks many strong Pokémon such as Kartana and Garchomp.
* Iapapa Berry's healing can punish the opponent heavily for missing the one-hit knock out, forcing them to play around it.
Team Options
========
* Ground and Water types are recommended partners to help check or counter threats to Vikavolt such as Arcanine and Gigalith.
* String Shot encourages the use of Pokémon sitting in the middle of the speed tier, such as Tapu Fini and Tapu Fini, and gives the speed advantage to bulkier builds of fast Pokémon, such as Arcanine.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Energy Ball, Sky Drop, Mud Shot and Flash Cannon are other move options that may be useful for specific team compositions.
* Vikavolt can run a more aggressive set using damage boosting items such as Life Orb or Choice Specs, but is generally not recommended as these sets don't capitalize on its amazing defensive capabilities.
* Minimum Speed with a Quiet nature is an option for Trick Room teams, although it sits at a bit of an awkward speed tier for Trick Room.
* A Z-Crystal could be used for the String Shot set, giving access to Gigavolt Havoc or Savage Spin-Out
Checks and Counters
===================
**Arcanine**: Arcanine can knock out Vikavolt easily in one hit with Flare Blitz or a Z-move, unless it is Intimidated or Rain is on the field. Despite this, Vikavolt still hits it hard with Thunderbolt and Volt Switch, so Arcanine needs to secure the knock out to be an effective check.
**Gigalith**: Vikavolt can't really touch Gigalith, especially when Sand is up, while Vikavolt can get knocked out easily by Stone Edge or a Z-move. The best thing Vikavolt can do when up against Gigalith is use Volt Switch to bring in a check or counter.
**Porygon2**: Vikavolt will lose the encounter due to the Recovery option Porygon2, although it will be a very long and tiresome process of Vikavolt's defenses.
**Tapu Lele**: Tapu Lele checks Vikavolt as it can outspeed and knock it out with a Shattered Psyche while Psychic Terrain is up, even when Vikavolt is using the Assault Vest set.
**Nihilego**: Nihilego will force Vikavolt out because of Power Gem, while Vikavolt won't deal any significant damage because of Nihilego's high Special Defense stat.
Last edited:
