QC: Megazard / Anty / TONE114
GP: The Dutch Plumberjack / P Squared
[OVERVIEW]
Thanks to Vullaby's great defensive typing along with potent defense stats and reliable recovery in Roost, it is able to check common threats in PU such as Grumpig and Stoutland. It also has access to Defog, which isn't very common in PU, making it a great choice for teams without entry hazard removal; additionally, it has access to U-turn, making it a great defensive pivot. On the downside, Vullaby has a very poor matchup against the most common Stealth Rock setters, namely Stunfisk and Golem, and is weak to the entry hazard, meaning it takes 25% every time it switches in. Vullaby is also greatly crippled by Pokemon with Knock Off such as Pawniard and Audino, as it loses a great amount of bulk and its ability to check Pokemon such as Stoutland and Ursaring. On top of this, Vullaby is weak to very common offensive types such as Ice and Electric in the form of Pokemon such as Regice and Zebstrika.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Foul Play
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Roost
move 4: Defog
item: Eviolite
ability: Overcoat
nature: Impish
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Foul Play is important for taking on strong physical attackers such as Stoutland and Arbok; additionally, it discourages Pokemon such as Fraxure and Bouffalant from setting up. Alternatively, Knock Off can be used to cripple Pokemon such as Electabuzz and Clefairy as they switch in. U-turn allows Vullaby to pivot out of undesirable matchups against faster Pokemon such as Monferno and gain momentum. Roost allows Vullaby to recover HP and stay healthy throughout a battle. Defog lets Vullaby get rid of entry hazards from Pokemon such as Roselia and Gabite, making it easier to switch in and out throughout a battle.
Set Details
========
Maximum Defense investment along with 248 HP EVs and an Impish nature maximizes Vullaby's physical bulk with the help of Eviolite and minimizes Stealth Rock damage. Overcoat grants Vullaby an immunity to sand as well as moves such as Sleep Powder, making it a guaranteed counter to Pokemon such as Jumpluff.
Usage Tips
========
Vullaby can be switched into Pokemon it beats, such as Grumpig and Kadabra, and threaten them with Foul Play. It can also be used to pivot in and out of foes with U-turn, allowing a Pokemon with a more favorable matchup to come into play. Once Vullaby is in against a Pokemon it can take on, it can use Defog to get rid of opposing entry hazards. Vullaby can also be used as death fodder in order to get off a last-ditch Defog, clearing up the battlefield for its teammates. Be wary of lures such as Life Orb Dazzling Gleam Kadabra and Choice Band Bouffalant that can be used to 2HKO Vullaby.
Team Options
========
Pokemon weak to entry hazards such as Ninjask, Rotom-F, and Ninetales all appreciate Vullaby's ability to clear the field and prevent them from taking unnecessary damage. Vullaby pairs well with bulky Ground-types such as Stunfisk and Golem for their ability to take Rock- and Electric-type moves from Pokemon such as Relicanth and Zebstrika; additionally, they can prevent the foe from gaining momentum with Volt Switch. Audino is a good partner for Vullaby for its ability to check special attackers that threaten Vullaby such as Rotom-F, heal its status afflictions with Heal Bell, and restore its health with Wish. Vullaby also appreciates checks to Ice-type Pokemon such as Grumpig and Metang, as they can prevent Pokemon such as Rotom-F and Regice from taking advantage of it. Teams weak to physical attackers appreciate Vullaby's ability to take hits and KO the foe with Foul Play. Vullaby pairs well with Pokemon such as Monferno and Stunfisk that don't mind Knock Off, as then it doesn't have to lose its item.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Brave Bird allows Vullaby to take on Pokemon such as Roselia, Monferno, and Machoke, though it forces it to miss out on U-turn, which is important for gaining momentum. Taunt can be used to prevent foes such as Grumpig, Audino, and Bouffalant from using moves such as Toxic, Wish, and Substitute, respectively; however, it is very situational and outclassed by U-turn. Whirlwind can be used to phaze threatening setup sweepers such as Fraxure and Duosion, though Vullaby can usually check those foes thanks to its physical bulk and its access to Foul Play. Toxic can be used to wear down common switch-ins to Vullaby such as Stunfisk and Golem, though it is often less useful than the momentum that U-turn can offer. Tailwind can be very beneficial to Vullaby's teammates, as Vullaby can use Tailwind and then pivot out with U-turn, allowing a Pokemon to get a free turn with doubled Speed. A specially defensive EV spread of 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD allows Vullaby to check Pokemon such as Kadabra and Roselia more effectively, though it loses its ability to check physical attackers.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Super Effective Moves**: While Vullaby is very bulky with the help of Eviolite, it has a lot of weaknesses, leaving it vulnerable to a large number of moves. For example, Ice-type STAB moves from Pokemon such as Regice as well as other Pokemon's coverage moves such as Floatzel's Ice Beam can deal a lot of damage to it. Electric-types such as Rotom-F and Zebstrika can heavily threaten Vullaby and can also pick up momentum with Volt Switch, while Fairy-type moves such as Mr. Mime's Dazzling Gleam as well as the less common Dazzling Gleam from Kadabra are able to KO Vullaby. Golem is also able to threaten Vullaby with Stone Edge or Rock Blast, preventing it from using Defog.
**Status**: Toxic and burn from Pokemon such as Prinplup and Gourgeist-XL put Vullaby on a timer, limiting its longevity and ability to check foes as well as remove entry hazards with Defog.
**Offensive Pressure**: Because Vullaby is weak to Stealth Rock and often switches into it to remove it with Defog, it can be easily pressured after switching in multiple times. Pawniard in particular can heavily pressure Vullaby because it also discourages it from using Defog.
Last edited by a moderator:
