Vulpix
[Overview]
<p>In the fifth generation, Vulpix received a tremendous boost; through the Dream World, it received Drought as an ability, providing a tremendous boon to Little Cup sun teams. It also retains all of its support moves, most notably Will-O-Wisp and Hypnosis while its offensive movepool remains relatively unchanged as well. Despite its ability to summon infinite sunlight, Vulpix unfortunately cannot switch in multiple times, since it has a notable weakness to Stealth Rock, which will be one of its biggest hurdles to overcome.</p>
[Set]
name: Sunny Day Lead
move 1: Flamethrower / Fire Blast
move 2: Will-O-Wisp
move 3: Hypnosis
move 4: Energy Ball
item: Oran Berry / Evoli
ability: Drought
nature: Bold
evs: 132 HP / 196 Def / 36 SpA / 76 SpD
[Set Comments]
<p>Because of its ability, Drought, Vulpix went from oddball to celebrity in Little Cup; since it's the only Pokemon that can set up infinite sunlight, Vulpix is the best sun supporter in the game. Flamethrower is its most reliable STAB attack, though Fire Blast hits harder. Both moves will be insanely powerful considering both sun and STAB. Will-O-Wisp burns set-up sweepers like Scraggy and Pawniard, and also reduces the efficiency of physically offensive supporters like Hippopotas. Hypnosis is another great move that Vulpix possesses, since it can incapacitate another would-be sweeper. Energy Ball gets good coverage alongside Fire-type attacks. Oran Berry is the primary option for extra longevity, but Eviolite can be used for bulk. The EVs maximize Vulpix's Defense and give it an extra 2 HP. The remainder goes into Special Attack and Special Defense.</p>
[Additional Comments]
<p>The best teammates for this set are Sunny Day sweepers. Chlorophyll abusers, such as Oddish and Bellsprout, are great, but offensive Fire-types like Houndour are just as potent. Since this set functions best as a lead, Protect can be used in any of the last three move slots in order to stop Fake Out users like Meditite and Meowth. Something that can remove Litwick is also good, since it will walk all over this set, only fearing the inaccurate Hypnosis. Houndour is great, since it is immune to Fire-type attacks, resists Ghost-type attacks, and can dispatch Litwick with its STAB Dark-type attacks. Taunt Gligar easily stops this set cold, so Misdreavus would make a good partner to smack Gligar with Shadow Ball, or set up with Substitute and Nasty Plot against those lacking Toxic. Rapid Spinners are also good partners, as they remove the entry hazards which Vulpix absolutely loathes.</p>
[Set]
name: Choice
move 1: Overheat / Fire Blast
move 2: Energy Ball
move 3: Hypnosis
move 4: Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Ground
item: Choice Scarf / Choice Specs
ability: Drought / Flash Fire
nature: Timid
evs: 52 HP / 196 SpA / 236 Spe
[Set Comments]
<p>Vulpix's decent Speed and passable Special Attack allow it to run a special Choice set effectively. Overheat is Vulpix's most powerful attack, receiving a double bonus with Drought in play. Fire Blast is significantly weaker, but does not carry Overheat's burden of two-stage drops in Special Attack with each use. Energy Ball, once again, pairs well with Vulpix's STAB Fire-type attacks, and hits most Water-types for decent damage. However, Hypnosis can shut down a would-be check, like Munchlax. Hidden Power Ice hits Dragon-types, while Hidden Power Ground hits opposing Fire-types.</p>
[Additional Comments]
<p>The decision between Choice Scarf and Choice Specs is entirely up to you. A Choice Scarf allows Vulpix to outspeed Choice Scarf Snover, as well as all unboosted threats. However, Choice Specs will allow Vulpix to hit like a truck, since Choice Specs will essentially give Vulpix’s Overheat a third 1.5x boost. Dark Pulse is an interesting option over Hidden Power, but is illegal in tandem with Hypnosis.</p>
<p>Will-O-Wisp is an interesting option, as it can burn a physical attacker, like Munchlax, which would be inclined to switch in on Vulpix. Drought powers up Fire-type attacks, but Flash Fire will do the same thing if Vulpix switches in on a Fire-type attack. A Timid nature and 236 Speed EVs maximizes Vulpix's Speed. Gligar is a great teammate for this set as it can take Rock-type attacks and is immune to Ground-type attacks. Its weakness to Water-type attacks is also somewhat remedied by Drought.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Despite Vulpix's shallow movepool, there are actually quite a few options for it. It gets Magic Coat, and can use it as an anti-lead to bounce back entry hazards, but the move is unfortunately illegal in tandem with Drought. The same goes for Dark Pulse, which can be used on the Choice Scarf set with Flash Fire for a super effective hit on Litwick. Unfortunately, Dark Pulse is illegal with Hypnosis. Restalk could be effective with a defensive spread, but like Magic Coat, it is illegal with Drought.</p>
<p>Evil Eye can be a good complement to Will-O-Wisp and Hypnosis, since its Base Power would double if the opposing Pokémon has a status condition. Nitro Charge is another new toy that Vulpix gets to play with in Generation V, allowing Vulpix to boost its Speed without restraining itself with Choice Scarf. However, considering the prevalence of priority moves in Little Cup and Vulpix's mediocre defenses, Vulpix will be hard pressed to make good use of the boost from Nitro Charge.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Because Vulpix leans towards support roles, it technically has no "counters." It accomplishes its job simply by switching in and changing the weather. Regardless, there are many Pokemon that can check Vulpix itself. Ground-types like Gligar fare well against Vulpix as long as they avoid Will-O-Wisp. Litwick is probably the best counter to Vulpix, as it is impervious to Vulpix's attacks unless the little fox carries Evil Eye and/or Hypnosis. Hippopotas ends Sunny Day and brings in sandstorm, and with Eviolite, can even sponge an Energy Ball or two and KO Vulpix with Earthquake. Most Water-types can take an Energy Ball, but Drought will reduce the potency of their attacks. The best way to take out Vulpix is passively through Stealth Rock and Spikes. When its switch-ins are restricted, its usefulness diminishes greatly. Piplup can challenge Vulpix one-on-one and come out on top, while also setting up Stealth Rock.</p>
[Overview]
<p>In the fifth generation, Vulpix received a tremendous boost; through the Dream World, it received Drought as an ability, providing a tremendous boon to Little Cup sun teams. It also retains all of its support moves, most notably Will-O-Wisp and Hypnosis while its offensive movepool remains relatively unchanged as well. Despite its ability to summon infinite sunlight, Vulpix unfortunately cannot switch in multiple times, since it has a notable weakness to Stealth Rock, which will be one of its biggest hurdles to overcome.</p>
[Set]
name: Sunny Day Lead
move 1: Flamethrower / Fire Blast
move 2: Will-O-Wisp
move 3: Hypnosis
move 4: Energy Ball
item: Oran Berry / Evoli
ability: Drought
nature: Bold
evs: 132 HP / 196 Def / 36 SpA / 76 SpD
[Set Comments]
<p>Because of its ability, Drought, Vulpix went from oddball to celebrity in Little Cup; since it's the only Pokemon that can set up infinite sunlight, Vulpix is the best sun supporter in the game. Flamethrower is its most reliable STAB attack, though Fire Blast hits harder. Both moves will be insanely powerful considering both sun and STAB. Will-O-Wisp burns set-up sweepers like Scraggy and Pawniard, and also reduces the efficiency of physically offensive supporters like Hippopotas. Hypnosis is another great move that Vulpix possesses, since it can incapacitate another would-be sweeper. Energy Ball gets good coverage alongside Fire-type attacks. Oran Berry is the primary option for extra longevity, but Eviolite can be used for bulk. The EVs maximize Vulpix's Defense and give it an extra 2 HP. The remainder goes into Special Attack and Special Defense.</p>
[Additional Comments]
<p>The best teammates for this set are Sunny Day sweepers. Chlorophyll abusers, such as Oddish and Bellsprout, are great, but offensive Fire-types like Houndour are just as potent. Since this set functions best as a lead, Protect can be used in any of the last three move slots in order to stop Fake Out users like Meditite and Meowth. Something that can remove Litwick is also good, since it will walk all over this set, only fearing the inaccurate Hypnosis. Houndour is great, since it is immune to Fire-type attacks, resists Ghost-type attacks, and can dispatch Litwick with its STAB Dark-type attacks. Taunt Gligar easily stops this set cold, so Misdreavus would make a good partner to smack Gligar with Shadow Ball, or set up with Substitute and Nasty Plot against those lacking Toxic. Rapid Spinners are also good partners, as they remove the entry hazards which Vulpix absolutely loathes.</p>
[Set]
name: Choice
move 1: Overheat / Fire Blast
move 2: Energy Ball
move 3: Hypnosis
move 4: Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Ground
item: Choice Scarf / Choice Specs
ability: Drought / Flash Fire
nature: Timid
evs: 52 HP / 196 SpA / 236 Spe
[Set Comments]
<p>Vulpix's decent Speed and passable Special Attack allow it to run a special Choice set effectively. Overheat is Vulpix's most powerful attack, receiving a double bonus with Drought in play. Fire Blast is significantly weaker, but does not carry Overheat's burden of two-stage drops in Special Attack with each use. Energy Ball, once again, pairs well with Vulpix's STAB Fire-type attacks, and hits most Water-types for decent damage. However, Hypnosis can shut down a would-be check, like Munchlax. Hidden Power Ice hits Dragon-types, while Hidden Power Ground hits opposing Fire-types.</p>
[Additional Comments]
<p>The decision between Choice Scarf and Choice Specs is entirely up to you. A Choice Scarf allows Vulpix to outspeed Choice Scarf Snover, as well as all unboosted threats. However, Choice Specs will allow Vulpix to hit like a truck, since Choice Specs will essentially give Vulpix’s Overheat a third 1.5x boost. Dark Pulse is an interesting option over Hidden Power, but is illegal in tandem with Hypnosis.</p>
<p>Will-O-Wisp is an interesting option, as it can burn a physical attacker, like Munchlax, which would be inclined to switch in on Vulpix. Drought powers up Fire-type attacks, but Flash Fire will do the same thing if Vulpix switches in on a Fire-type attack. A Timid nature and 236 Speed EVs maximizes Vulpix's Speed. Gligar is a great teammate for this set as it can take Rock-type attacks and is immune to Ground-type attacks. Its weakness to Water-type attacks is also somewhat remedied by Drought.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Despite Vulpix's shallow movepool, there are actually quite a few options for it. It gets Magic Coat, and can use it as an anti-lead to bounce back entry hazards, but the move is unfortunately illegal in tandem with Drought. The same goes for Dark Pulse, which can be used on the Choice Scarf set with Flash Fire for a super effective hit on Litwick. Unfortunately, Dark Pulse is illegal with Hypnosis. Restalk could be effective with a defensive spread, but like Magic Coat, it is illegal with Drought.</p>
<p>Evil Eye can be a good complement to Will-O-Wisp and Hypnosis, since its Base Power would double if the opposing Pokémon has a status condition. Nitro Charge is another new toy that Vulpix gets to play with in Generation V, allowing Vulpix to boost its Speed without restraining itself with Choice Scarf. However, considering the prevalence of priority moves in Little Cup and Vulpix's mediocre defenses, Vulpix will be hard pressed to make good use of the boost from Nitro Charge.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Because Vulpix leans towards support roles, it technically has no "counters." It accomplishes its job simply by switching in and changing the weather. Regardless, there are many Pokemon that can check Vulpix itself. Ground-types like Gligar fare well against Vulpix as long as they avoid Will-O-Wisp. Litwick is probably the best counter to Vulpix, as it is impervious to Vulpix's attacks unless the little fox carries Evil Eye and/or Hypnosis. Hippopotas ends Sunny Day and brings in sandstorm, and with Eviolite, can even sponge an Energy Ball or two and KO Vulpix with Earthquake. Most Water-types can take an Energy Ball, but Drought will reduce the potency of their attacks. The best way to take out Vulpix is passively through Stealth Rock and Spikes. When its switch-ins are restricted, its usefulness diminishes greatly. Piplup can challenge Vulpix one-on-one and come out on top, while also setting up Stealth Rock.</p>
