Vileplume
[Overview]
<p>While a very capable Pokemon on its own merits, Vileplume is rather uncommon because of the competition it faces for a teamslot. Exeggutor and Victreebel outclass it offensively, and Amoonguss, Tangela, and Torterra give it stiff competition as a defensive Grass-type. However, Vileplume's well-balanced stats, access to Aromatherapy, and new Dream World ability in Effect Spore help it establish its own unique niche as one of the best defensive Grass / Poison-types available in BW NU. While Vileplume remains plagued by its shallow movepool and terrible Speed stat, if played to its strengths and given the proper support, it can be an amazing asset for any team that needs a reliable cleric and Toxic Spikes absorber.</p>
[SET]
name: Cleric
move 1: Aromatherapy
move 2: Giga Drain
move 3: Sludge Bomb
move 4: Moonlight / Sleep Powder
item: Leftovers
ability: Effect Spore
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 108 Def / 144 SpA / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Vileplume's good defensive typing and access to Aromatherapy let it play the role of a potent team supporter. Aromatherapy is obviously the main selling point for Vileplume, as the only other competent Grass-type cleric in NU is Meganium. Aromatherapy is one of the best support moves in the game, and has limitless applications for both balanced and defensive teams alike, such as freeing a powerful sweeper from an unfortunate burn or a sturdy wall from crippling poison. Vileplume also makes a great cleric because its Poison typing allows it to absorb Toxic Spikes upon entering the battlefield. Giga Drain is a great STAB move for Vileplume, as it not only packs decent power and coverage coming off of Vileplume's good 100 base Special Attack stat, but also provides recovery. Sludge Bomb is a secondary STAB move for scaring off opposing Grass-types that would otherwise wall Vileplume, including Tangela. Sludge Bomb's superior power and chance to poison also makes it a good move to throw out when predicting switches.</p>
<p>Vileplume has two viable options for its final move, and the choice between the two depends on what one needs Vileplume to accomplish. Moonlight provides a reliable recovery move when Giga Drain doesn't cut it; however, Sleep Powder is very tempting as it can put out a potential counter for the rest of the match due to how crippling BW's sleep mechanics are. Unfortunately, Sleep Powder is completely ineffective against Vital Spirit Magmortar, Vileplume's most common switch-in, making Moonlight the superior choice most of the time. In addition, Sleep Powder has some awkward synergy issues with Effect Spore.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The listed EV spread is utilized to help Vileplume counter NU's many physical Fighting-types. The 108 Defense EVs ensure that Vileplume will never be 2HKOed by Choice Banded Sawk's Close Combat, allowing Vileplume to heal itself with Moonlight and KO Sawk after a few Defense drops. The Special Attack EVs guarantee a OHKO on Gorebyss with Giga Drain after Stealth Rock damage, and also provide Vileplume with enough of an offensive presence that set-up sweepers, such as Absol, will take a huge amount of damage if they try to use Vileplume as set-up fodder. A specially defensive spread of 252 HP and Special Defense EVs with a Calm nature is also usable to take advantage of Vileplume's naturally higher Special Defense stat, but Vileplume's unfortunate weaknesses hamper its effectiveness a bit.</p>
<p>This set is a good counter for bulky Water-types, especially Quagsire. The pressure Vileplume puts on Water-types is great for squeezing in a free Aromatherapy as the opponent switches. However, Vileplume isn't a one-mon army; it requires team support to help shield it from the very common Fire-, Flying-, and Psychic-types seen in NU. Camerupt is a good partner to counter Magmortar, who will otherwise roast Vileplume on sight. Camerupt's typing ensures that Magmortar can't do much damage to it with any of its usual attacks, and Camerupt can threaten it with STAB Earth Power in return. Vileplume also has decent synergy with Camerupt, as it can take Water-type attacks aimed at Camerupt. Other good partners include a sturdy physical wall, such as Alomomola, Regirock, and Probopass, to take on the Flying-types that make Vileplume's life miserable. Alomomola can also use Wish to heal Vileplume in a pinch if Sleep Powder is being used instead of Moonlight. It's also worth noting that most of Vileplume's counters are weak to Stealth Rock; the aformentioned Regirock and Probopass can set up Stealth Rock reliably while also covering Vileplume's weaknesses.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Vileplume's exceptionally barren movepool doesn't leave it with many other options. An offensive Chlorophyll set is completely outclassed by basically every other Chlorophyll user in NU, but Vileplume can make a decent Sunny Day setter with its decent bulk. Some moves are only compatible with Chlorophyll, such as Leech Seed, which can be used over Moonlight on the cleric set. Swords Dance is also worth noting as it is the only move Vileplume can use to increase its offensive power; however, Vileplume's awful Speed and type coverage make a Swords Dance set a novelty at best.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Magmortar is a huge threat to any Vileplume set due to its insanely powerful Fire Blast. In addition, its Dream World ability Vital Spirit, allows it to switch in freely on a predicted Sleep Powder. Swellow and Braviary also pose huge problems for Vileplume; Braviary in particular is a huge threat because it can threaten Vileplume's Rock-type teammates with Superpower. Substitute + Calm Mind Mesprit can potentially use Vileplume as set-up fodder, as after a few Special Defense boosts, Vileplume will be unable to break Mesprit's Substitutes with its attacks, and Mesprit can threaten it with STAB Psychic or Ice Beam. Taunt users in general are also an annoyance to Vileplume, as they can prevent it from using Aromatherapy when its team needs it the most.</p>
