Statistics
|
Stat |
| HP |
80
|
363 |
| Atk |
105
|
308 |
| Def |
65
|
228 |
| Spc |
100
|
298 |
| Spe |
70
|
238 |
Victreebel has the attack stats to pull off a mixed sweeper role effectively-the problem lies in its mediocre Speed. If you save this for late-game or when the majority of the opponent's Pokémon are paralyzed, it will cause havoc. A Swords Danced Body Slam will cause huge damage to anything not named Golem or Rhydon, which Razor Leaf can take care of quite easily. Sleep Powder gives Victreebel a turn to Swords Dance while the opponent switches or stays in and does nothing.
The Body Slam versus Hyper Beam decision is entirely up to preference, but Body Slam has a slight edge. Hyper Beam is more powerful, but if it does not OHKO the opponent's Pokémon, Victreebel will be hurt during its charge up turn. Body Slam is a much more consistent attack, due to the lake of a charge up turn and the bonus of paralysis. Predicting a switch and inflicting paralysis with Body Slam keeps Victreebel alive and healthy to continue sweeping.
As said before, Victreebel is an amazing late-game Pokémon. Bring this in on any paralyzed Pokémon and proceed to use Wrap to whittle down your opponent's health until they are in range for a sure OHKO from Razor Leaf or Hyper Beam, rinse and repeat. Stun Spore is in this set to paralyze anything faster than Victreebel so that it can proceed to using Wrap all over again. This set relies heavily on the opponent being slower or paralyzed, since, if it isn't, Victreebel will be at a severe disadvantage and very ineffective for the most part.
Opinion
Victreebel is one of the best Grass-types due to its great Attack and Special, letting it hit opponents hard from both side of the attacking spectrum. It can use Swords Dance effectively with Body Slam and Hyper Beam, maxing its Attack after 2 uses of Swords Dance. Razor Leaf OHKOs Rock/Ground Pokemon that think they can wall Victreebel's Normal attacks, and will cause massive damage to any Water types. However, it is limited in its effectiveness due to it low Speed and weakness to Psychic. All in all, Victreebel is a great Pokémon to bring in on a paralyzed team, because of its ability to sweep with either of its sets quite easily.
Counters
Gengar completely walls Victreebel, since it resists Razor Leaf and is immune to Body Slam and Hyper Beam; it does not like being paralyzed by Victreebel's Stun Spore though. Zapdos, Moltres, and Articuno take very little damage from Razor Leaf and can hit back with a STAB super effective attack (Drill Peck, Fire Blast, Ice Beam respectively), although, just like for Venusaur, the three birds must beware of paralysis, especially Zapdos and Moltres. Psychic types (except Starmie and Slowbro) can come in on a Razor Leaf and can do massive damage to Victreebel with a STAB super effective Psychic.
