Innovative/Underrated sets in VGC

Introduction

VGC is a tier with an abundance of viable Pokémon. This is especially true of the 2015 metagame, which has very lax rules about the Pokémon that can be used. Due to the nature of this fast-paced four-on-four metagame, small and quirky decisions in teambuilding and minor variations on your Pokémon can be monumental to the results of the game. Sometimes, one little edge is all you need to overcome your opponent. The following strategies are underrated innovations that are all effective in their own right. They are intended to provide inspiration and to show the hidden gems of VGC 2015.

Support Chesnaught

Chesnaught @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Bulletproof
EVs: 224 HP / 60 Atk / 44 Def / 180 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Super Fang
- Feint
- Helping Hand
- Low Kick

Description

Due to Chesnaught's exceptional physical bulk and Fighting typing, it is a good check to Mega Kangaskhan. With Super Fang and Helping Hand, the grass behemoth can assist its teammates in getting an assured KO. Its natural bulk along with defensive investment means that Chesnaught can stay on the field for quite some time. The EVs on this set allow Chesnaught to survive Life Orb Heatran's Heat Wave. It can also survive Life Orb Mamoswine's Icicle Crash 75% of the time. Offensively, Low Kick does around 60% to Mega Kangaskhan, making it a 2HKO. Chesnaught's ability, Bulletproof, is in no way superb, but it does allow Chesnaught to be immune to Sludge Bomb. This means that, to an extent, Chesnaught can wall Venusaur and proceed to take away half of Venusaur's HP with Super Fang.

Usage Tips

Super Fang does 50% to the target, leaving it in KO range for Chesnaught's teammates. Feint is used to guarantee that a major threat on the field cannot protect itself, resulting in the threat receiving heavy damage from a teammate. Feint also ensures that a weakened Pokémon cannot protect itself and is KOed if need be. Alternatively, you can experiment with Spiky Shield, Leech Seed, Quick Guard, and Synthesis. Spiky Shield is basically an upgrade of Protect. Leech Seed can be used to amplify Chesnaught's bulk and provide chip damage. Quick Guard allows Chesnaught to stop priority moves, most notably Talonflame's Brave Bird. Finally, Synthesis provides good recovery and can help Chesnaught stay healthy.

Cons

Chesnaught has several notable flaws. It has a 4x weakness to Flying and is OHKOed by Talonflame's priority Brave Bird. The green biped is outclassed in terms of offense by Breloom and Virizion, and some teams may prefer Breloom's Spore over Chesnaught's support options. Additionally, Chesnaught struggles against Ghost-type Pokémon, because three of its moves do not affect Ghost-types. However, it does have the option of using Helping Hand to boost its teammate's damage against Ghost-type Pokémon.

Wide Guard Swampert

Swampert @ Expert Belt
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 228 SpA / 4 SpD / 20 Spe
Nature: Modest
- Ice Beam
- Earth Power
- Scald
- Wide Guard

Description

Swampert sets itself apart from Gastrodon in that it has access to Wide Guard. The current VGC metagame has rampant users of Intimidate, and Swampert naturally attracts burns. For those reasons, this Swampert runs special attacks. Thankfully, this does not compromise Swampert's offensive pressure. It is a hard counter to major metagame threats such as Thundurus and Heatran, and it can pick up unexpected KOs. It can OHKO Landorus-T, 2HKO Thundurus, OHKO Heatran, OHKO non-bulky Mega Mawile, 2HKO all variants of Mega Mawile, OHKO Mega Salamence, and OHKO Garchomp. With defensive investment and a solid typing, Swampert isn't a slouch defensively either.

Usage Tips

Swampert's claim to fame is Wide Guard, and you should make the most of it. Using it along with Pokémon that appreciate Wide Guard support such as Talonflame can maximize Swampert's abilities. This special Swampert can be a nasty surprise for unsuspecting targets such as Landorus-T or Mega Salamence, both of which get OHKOed by Ice Beam. Teammates that appreciate the removal of threats such as Landorus-T or Mega Salamence enjoy Swampert as a partner. Potential teammates include Heatran, which enjoys the removal of Landorus, and Venusaur, which enjoys the removal of Mega Salamence. In turn, Swampert appreciates team members such as Mega Venusaur that can get rid of Grass-type Pokémon and deal with bulky Water-type Pokémon.

Cons

Swampert's Achilles' Heel is its 4x weakness to Grass. Thankfully, there aren't too many Grass-type Pokémon in the current metagame. Additionally, Swampert struggles against specially invested Water-types because it can't do much damage to them. Furthermore, Rotom-W and Swampert mutually wall each other, though Rotom-W tends the have the advantage in the match-up, as its attacks do more damage.

Trick Room Gengar

Gengar @ Focus Sash
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Trick Room
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Bomb
- Will-O-Wisp

Description

The move Trick Room might have caught your eye, as Trick Room is usually used in tandem with slow Pokémon. Despite Trick Room Gengar being a bit of an oxymoron (Gengar has a high base Speed of 110) this is a very usable tactic when Gengar is on a team with a Sand Stream or Snow Warning user. It is unexpected and allows the player to have two options.

If the player chooses to use Trick Room, do the following: on the first turn, send out Gengar with the Sand Stream or Snow Warning user. Click Trick Room. Hopefully, Gengar receives a hard hit and is knocked down to its Focus Sash. It can survive with the Foucs Sash, set up Trick Room, and faint to the hazardous weather, thus letting a slow and hard-hitting Trick Room Pokémon come in. If Gengar is still alive after setting up Trick Room, allow the Gengar to be knocked out in the following turn so that you can bring in a Trick Room Pokémon safely. Alternatively, the player can use Gengar outside of Trick Room for speedy offense.

Usage Tips

As soon as Team Preview begins, the player must determine whether to go with Trick Room or regular mode. Of course, the player might have to adapt during the battle and switch from one mode to the other, but he or she should have a general game plan of what is going to happen. If the player wants to go with Trick Room mode, he or she should check to see if the opponent's team has a Pokémon with Scrappy Fake Out or a Taunt user. Either of the two above conditions present a risk to the Trick Room strategy. Trick Room Gengar functions best when it is used in tandem with a Snow Warning or Sand Stream user, meaning that the player's team should have an Abomasnow, a Hippopowdon, or a Tyranitar. Furthermore, the team built around this Gengar should function in and out of Trick Room. Thus, it is necessary to have a few versatile Pokémon that can fit into both game plans. You might want to consider Pokémon such as Azumarill, Heatran, and Hariyama as additional team members, all of which function relatively well in and out of Trick Room.

Cons

By using Trick Room as the fourth move, Gengar is missing out on an important coverage or support move (e.g. Taunt, Icy Wind, Protect, Focus Blast). Additionally, when the player using this Gengar decides to go with Trick Room mode, the player's entire strategy could come to a premature end if Gengar is double targeted and KOed as a result.

Mega Charizard X

Charizard @ Charizardite X
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Protect
- Dragon Claw
- Flare Blitz
- Dragon Dance

Description

Almost all Charizards are Mega Charizard Ys. According to Pokémon Global Link's Battle Spot Doubles statistics, 94.5% of Charizards hold the Y Mega Stone, whereas 4.9% Charizards hold the X Mega Stone. A Mega Charizard X provides a huge surprise factor, and an untimely Dragon Dance or an unexpected KO can be very effective against unprepared opponents. Passive benefits of Mega Charizard X include the fact that it loses its weakness to Electric-type attacks. Upon Mega Evolving, Electric-type attacks go from being super effective to not very effective. Additionally, Mega Charizard X is pseudo-immune to Ground-type attacks on the turn of mega evolving. Opponents will most likely assume that the Charizard is of the more popular Y variant, and will not be firing off a Ground-type attack.

Usage Tips

The turn when Charizard Mega Evolves is the turn when you have the advantage of surprise, and you should capitalize on it. On that turn, it resists Electric-type attacks and is pseudo-immune to Ground-type attacks. This means that you can surprise Pokémon such as Raikou and Garchomp. In the case of the former, Raikou would've most likely used Thunderbolt and be surprised by the attack being resisted. In the case of the latter, Garchomp would've expected much more damage from a Rock Slide, would not have gone for Earthquake, and could have been KOed by an unexpected Dragon Claw. Under the previous circumstances, you could deal unexpected damage with your attacks or set up a Dragon Dance. After a Dragon Dance, Mega Charizard X's offense and Speed are boosted to a high level. However, even after a Dragon Dance, Fire and Dragon coverage means that Charizard can't do too much to Pokémon such as Heatran. Charizard will need the help of teammates to bring down those threats.

Cons

Heatran and Azumarill are common threats in VGC 2015, and both Pokémon can wall Mega Charizard X to the moon and back. Heatran is dealt with in singles by Mega Charizard X with Earthquake, but Mega Charizard X really appreciates having Protect and can't really afford to lose it. Mega Charizard X can't touch Azumarill at all, and it will need the help of a teammate to bring down the water bunny. Additionally, Mega Charizard X has a slightly awkward Speed stat of 100, which causes it to Speed tie with a substantial amount of the metagame. However, its Speed can be boosted to a respectable level after a Dragon Dance.

Mixed Blaziken

Blaziken @ Life Orb
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs: 44 Atk / 220 SpA / 244 Spe
Naive Nature
- Fire Blast
- Superpower
- Hidden Power Ice
- Protect

Description

This Blaziken outspeeds Adamant Landorus-T, and, after one Speed boost, can outspeed the Choice Scarf version. Offensively, it can OHKO most variants of Landorus-T, OHKO Mega Salamence, and OHKO all Mega Kangaskhans up to 252 HP / 0 Def. This particular Blaziken acts as an effective lure to the likes of Landorus-T and Salamence and is a somewhat reliable check to Mega Kangaskhan.

Usage Tips

Mega Blaziken is a glass cannon. It could lead you to a blazing victory, but it could just as easily burn up your chances of winning. Because this Hoenn starter is rather frail and can't afford to take hits, make sure to anticipate any Protects from your foes and act accordingly. Additionally, Blaziken appreciates support in the form of redirection and works well with the likes of Togekiss or Clefable. One of the highlights of this Blaziken is the fact that it lures in unsuspecting Landorus-T and Salamence, so pairing it with partners that have trouble against the aforementioned threats maximizes Blaziken's effectiveness. Examples of partners include Mega Mawile and Aegislash, neither of which enjoy the presence of Landorus-T.

Cons

The fiery Hoenn starter can't do much against bulky Water-type Pokémon such as Rotom-W, Suicune, and Milotic. VGC 2015 has seen an increase in bulky Water-type Pokémon, and this is rather unfortunate for Blaziken. As the previous section stated, Blaziken is a glass cannon and is very frail. Stats-wise, Blaziken's defenses are subpar, and its base 80 Speed is underwhelming before a Speed Boost. As a result, Blaziken might be forced to use a predictable Protect on the first turn.

Substitute Mega Metagross

Metagross @ Metagrossite
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Substitute
- Protect
- Meteor Mash
- Zen Headbutt

Description

According to Battle Spot Doubles' statistics, Substitute is not one of the top ten most-used moves by Metagross. However, Substitute works nicely with Mega Metagross's natural bulk and can be hard to get rid of. A well-timed Substitute can shift the battle in your favor and create momentum. This set is very versatile and can easily fit onto most Mega Metagross teams. It should see an increase in usage in due course.

Usage Tips

Substitute can be set up when you predict a switch, Protect, or Sucker Punch. You might also want to set up a Substitute when the opposing Pokémon can't do too much to Mega Metagross, or when you predict a Will-O-Wisp or Thunder Wave from a Pokémon Mega Metagross outspeeds, such as Rotom-W. Similar to running Substitute on Heatran, Substitute is a safe move to use during a game and can change the tides of battle.

Cons

The main drawback of running Substitute on Mega Metagross is the loss of another attack. Mega Metagross enjoys having Bullet Punch, Ice Punch, or Hammer Arm. However, the tradeoff between one of these moves and Substitute can be well worth it and is definitely something that players should try.

Support Clefairy

Clefairy @ Eviolite
Ability: Friend Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 218 Def / 36 SpD
Bold Nature
- Follow Me
- Icy Wind
- Helping Hand
- Heal Pulse / Moonlight / Encore

Description

For players that are unfamiliar with Clefairy, it has access to the elusive ability Friend Guard, which reduces damage done to allies by 25%. This ability is its piéce de résistance and allows Clefairy to passively support its teammates. For example, suppose that you lead with Clefairy and a 4 HP / 0 Def Tyranitar while your opponent leads with a 252+ Atk Life Orb Garchomp and something else. If Clefairy was not present and Earthquake was a double target, Tyranitar has a 75% chance of being OHKOed. On the other hand, if Clefairy was present and Earthquake was a double target, Earthquake cannot OHKO Tyranitar. This ability in unison with Eviolite sets Clefairy apart from Clefable, Clefairy's older sibling. Like Clefable, Clefairy provides redirection support, as it has access to Follow Me with enough bulk to make use of it. In addition, Clefairy has access to a deep support movepool that includes, but is not limited to, Icy Wind, Moonlight, Heal Pulse, Thunder Wave, Helping Hand, and Encore. The set provided survives a 252+ SpA non-Life Orb Aegislash's Flash Cannon and 252+ Atk Life Orb Bisharp's Iron Head.

Usage Tips

The only reason why Clefairy is used at all in VGC 2015 is because of its ability, Friend Guard. As a result, pair Clefairy with Pokémon that appreciate the extra bulk. You might recall from the previous section that a 4 HP / 0 Def Tyranitar is guaranteed to live a 252+ Attack Life Orb Garchomp's Earthquake with Friend Guard, an attack which normally has a 75% chance of OHKOing Tyranitar. This is one of the many examples in which you can utilize Friend Guard. During battle, Clefairy can support its teammates with Helping Hand and control Speed with Icy Wind and Thunder Wave. It has a myriad of other support moves that can be experimented with so to suit your team. During battle, be vary of Taunts and Knock Offs from your foes. Clefairy's attacking stats are dreadful and cannot provide offense, meaning that it is Taunt bait. Knock Off will remove Clefairy's lifeline, Eviolite, and Clefairy's defenses are egregious without it.

Cons

Clefairy faces huge competition from its evolved sibling, Clefable. Unlike Clefable, Clefairy is Taunt bait and cannot provide offense. Even when it's holding an Eviolite, Clefairy's defense is one base point less than Clefable, and its special defense is only slightly better than Clefable (in this example, we are disregarding EVs). Unless your team can make great use of Friend Guard, Clefable is the better option.

Conclusion

As a final thought, don't be timid about trying out these sets. Please forgive my cliché, but imitation really is the best form of flattery. Each of these innovations have something unique about them that make them useful. They are creative in nature and can prove troublesome for the naive opponent. All of them have undergone serious testing and can become effective members for your team.

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