QC: Spirit / passion / EonX
GP: fleurdyleurse / The Dutch Plumberjack
[OVERVIEW]
Vivillon is an offensive Bug / Flying-type that primarily functions as a setup sweeper and a late-game cleaner. Its decent movepool, features one of the strongest Flying-type moves, Hurricane, as well as Quiver Dance and Sleep Powder. Its decent Speed tier allows it to outspeed threats such as Venusaur, Medicham, and Hitmonlee without any boosts, and its ability Compound Eyes is very helpful, as the increased accuracy it grants benefits Hurricane and Sleep Powder. Because of these traits, Vivillon works best on hyper offensive and bulky offensive builds. Unfortunately, because of Vivillon's typing, it is 4x weak to Stealth Rock and weak to a plethora of common types including Ice, Rock, Fire, Flying, and Electric. Additionally, its low bulk makes almost any neutral attack bring it down to its Focus Sash; thus, it needs entry hazard control to keep its Focus Sash intact so that it can work effectively.
[SET]
name: Setup Sweeper
move 1: Quiver Dance
move 2: Hurricane
move 3: Energy Ball
move 4: Sleep Powder
item: Focus Sash
ability: Compound Eyes
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Quiver Dance allows Vivillon to boost its Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed by 1 stage. Hurricane hits Fighting-, Bug-, and Grass-types super effectively. It also has a decent chance to confuse the foe and a 110 Base Power, which makes it so spammable. Energy Ball hits Rock-, Ground-, and Water-types super effectively and is most important for hitting Rock-types, such as Rhyperior, which resist Hurricane. Finally, Sleep Powder works in conjunction with Quiver Dance to put an opposing Pokemon to sleep, allowing Vivillon to set up easily.
Set Details
========
Due to Vivillon being an offensive Pokemon, maximum Special Attack and Speed EVs are used to maximize offensive presence. A Focus Sash is required, as any decently strong attack will bring Vivillon down to 1 HP, and it needs to be able to use Sleep Powder on faster Pokemon to set up. Compound Eyes is the preferred ability, as it increases the accuracy of Sleep Powder and Hurricane. A Timid nature is preferred over Modest to outspeed Timid Rotom-C, Timid Venusaur, Jolly Life Orb Medicham, and maximum Speed Jolly Braviary. Furthermore, a Timid nature also lets Vivillon outspeed Choice Scarf Jolly Medicham, Choice Scarf Jolly Hitmonlee, and Choice Scarf Adamant Flygon at +1, unlike a Modest nature.
Usage Tips
========
Vivillon should not be brought in when Stealth Rock is present due to its crippling weakness to Rock. Do not set up with Quiver Dance until Steel-types, such as Registeel, are out of play, as they resist both of Vivillon's attacks. Make sure to use Sleep Powder before trying to set up with Quiver Dance, as keeping the Focus Sash intact is very important. Try to keep Vivillon at full health until opposing priority users, such as Sneasel and Fletchinder, are gone, as they can easily pick off Vivillon once it is weakened. In particular, Fletchinder should be dealt with before switching Vivillon in due to its Flying-type priority STAB move. Be wary of VoltTurn cores, as they can easily take advantage of Vivillon by dropping it to 1% with Volt Switch and then switching into a Pokemon with Lum Berry or a Grass-type to absorb Sleep Powder. Take caution against Choice Scarf users such as Jolly Flygon and Delphox, as they can easily revenge kill +1 Vivillon. Against offensive teams, it is recommended to put something to sleep then to spam Hurricane, as this does a lot of damage on its own due to the lack of walls. Vivillon will have difficulty sweeping if there are excessive priority users or a fast Choice Scarf user.
Team Options
========
Entry hazard removers such as Blastoise and Flygon are heavily recommended because Vivillon is 4x weak to Stealth Rock. Pokemon that can take down Steel-types, such as Registeel and Steelix, are good partners; prime examples are, strong Fighting- and Ground-types such as Scrafty, Emboar, Virizion, Flygon, and Rhyperior. Dugtrio is especially a good team partner, as it traps specially defensive walls such as Diancie and Registeel, which easily check Vivillon. VoltTurn Pokemon and Baton Pass users are good teammates, because Vivillon is frail and likes to come in freely. Pokemon that can check or counter Vivillon checks, such as Fletchinder and Ice Shard variants of Sneasel are good; other such partners include Rhyperior, Blastoise, and Alomomola.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Endeavor can be used over Energy Ball to wear down Pokemon once Vivillon is at 1% HP; however, Vivillon prefers dual coverage to help with Pokemon that resist Flying. Bug Buzz can be used over Energy Ball to hit Psychic- and Electric-types harder. U-turn can be used to make Vivillon a pivot because the opponent usually won't let their Flying-resistant Pokemon fall asleep; therefore, Vivillon can put another Pokemon to sleep and then U-turn out against their Flying switch-in into something that beats it, such as Dugtrio. Even with all of this, U-turn is reliant on having the proper support and the right matchup to support it; therefore, it is not preferable. Substitute and Leftovers can be used over Energy Ball to function as a mono-attacking sweeper with some insurance against priority users; however, Vivillon needs Focus Sash to function most effectively. Tailwind can possibly be used to assist other Pokemon in sweeping late-game. Finally, Giga Drain can be used over Energy Ball to regain health and to make Focus Sash intact. However, the drop in power is usually not worth it for something this situational.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Priority Users**: Priority users can easily pick off Vivillon when it is not at full health, the most threatening being Fletchinder, as its STAB move is super effective and has +1 priority. Sneasel, Mega Glalie, and Piloswine are also threatening priority users because of their super effective STAB moves.
**Steel-types**: Steel-types resist both of Vivillon's moves and can threaten it. In particular, Registeel's high Special Defense makes it a huge threat, and it can inflict status or deal damage to Vivillon with Seismic Toss. Steelix and Bronzong can also effectively check Vivillon, while Escavalier is immune to sleep, isn't 2HKOed by Hurricane, and can KO Vivillon in return.
**Rock-types**: Rock-types are problematic due to them resisting Vivillon's Flying-type STAB moves. Diancie is a specially defensive threat that can take Vivillon's attacks easily and retaliate with Diamond Storm. Aerodactyl and Aggron can beat a +1 Vivillon after it has put a Pokemon to sleep, survive any attack after Stealth Rock damage, and KO back.
**Electric-types**: Electric-types such as Jolteon, Manectric, and Eelektross can all take a hit at +1 and KO due to them resisting Vivillon's Flying-type STAB moves and Energy Ball doing little damage. Magneton, in particular, resists Energy Ball and 4x resists Hurricane, making it an even bigger threat to Vivillon.
**Stealth Rock**: Vivillon is 4x weak to Stealth Rock and coming in on it makes it take 50%, rendering Focus Sash useless. Therefore, entry hazards should be cleared before you send out Vivillon.
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