QC check #1 by: Gary
QC check #2 by: Leo
QC check #3 by: Subject 18
GP check #1 by: DeathbyWobbuffet
GP check #2 by: GMars
name: SubSwarm
move 1: Bug Buzz
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Quiver Dance
move 4: Substitute
item: Buginium Z
ability: Swarm
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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Bug Buzz reaches jaw-dropping levels of power when boosted by Swarm and a couple of Quiver Dances. It can be powered up to a 175-Base Power Savage Spin-Out, which, when boosted by Swarm, can always OHKO Keldeo, Mega Charizard X, and Mega Camerupt at +1, always OHKO Toxapex at +2, and often OHKO Chansey at +3. Bug Buzz also helps against Tyranitar, Latios, and Latias, Pokemon that are notoriously able to check Volcarona when it doesn't run the move. Fire Blast is mandatory for hitting Magearna, Celesteela, and other Pokemon that resist Bug Buzz. Quiver Dance enables Volcarona to sweep through teams with relative ease due to the boost it gives to Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed, while Substitute is used to shield Volcarona from Choice Scarf revenge killers like Greninja and Keldeo that can switch directly into it, forcing them to break its Substitute and allowing Volcarona to deal a decent amount of damage to them in the process; it is also helpful for easing setup on foes that can't break its Substitute or that have status moves, such as Toxapex and Clefable, and can also help Volcarona activate Swarm if facing a slower foe.
Set Details
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Swarm provides a huge boost to Volcarona's Bug-type moves, making it essential to the success of this set along with Buginium Z, which enables Volcarona to use a one-time Savage Spin-Out. Maximum Speed and Special Attack EVs along with a Timid nature ensure that Volcarona can outrun Pokemon like Scarf Tapu Lele and Scarf Landorus-T as well as sweep more reliably.
Usage Tips
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First and foremost, remove all Pokemon that could stop Volcarona before attempting to sweep with it; any potential Choice Scarf user must be removed unless you can guarantee that Volcarona can get two Quiver Dances or a Substitute up. Scout for Pokemon that commonly run Choice Scarf sets, such as Greninja, Keldeo, Terrakion, and Latios, and if they are confirmed as Choice Scarf users, try to take them down before trying to sweep. Similarly, Hawlucha, Mega Swampert, and Kingdra can also outspeed +1 Volcarona if their abilities are successfully triggered, so keep that in mind. Furthermore, if your opponent switches one of the aforementioned Pokemon on Volcarona, go for Substitute as they switch in; that way Volcarona guarantees some chip damage on said revenge killer and can weaken it for its own sweep later throughout the match. Additionally, watch out for potential priority users such as Sucker Punch Mega Mawile, Quick Attack Mega Pinsir, and Water Shuriken Greninja that can stop Volcarona from sweeping; always be aware of potential priority users and try to figure out their sets to leave enough HP to tank said priority moves.
As for setup opportunities, Volcarona can easily set up on Chansey: use Quiver Dance as Chansey switches in, then use Substitute as Chansey uses Toxic. Just use Quiver Dance two more times and OHKO the Chansey with Savage Spin-Out; while there can still be some mind games, Volcarona can still beat it one-on-one most of the time. Volcarona can also set up on Toxapex lacking Haze, as Scald can't even break its Substitute after a Quiver Dance, while Volcarona only needs two Quiver Dances to OHKO it; mind games may also happen, but once again Volcarona has the upper hand. Finally, don't recklessly switch Volcarona into moves or into hazards if it is your only win condition, as it should always try to maintain its health for it to sweep late-game.
Team Options
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Hazard removal is crucial for Volcarona to be able to set up. Teammates like Mew, Mega Scizor, Mantine, Latios, and Tapu Fini are great options for that reason. On more offensive teams, Kartana and Excadrill can also remove hazards for Volcarona. Additionally, Pokemon that can lure and KO Heatran are very important, since Heatran is pretty much the ultimate answer to this set: good options include Focus Punch Mega Mawile, which also helps with Toxapex if running Thunder Punch, Earthquake Mew, and Surf Latios, both of which can also remove hazards for Volcarona. Also, answers to the typical Volcarona revenge killers are important, since most of them can prevent a Volcarona sweep. Tapu Fini deals with Greninja, Keldeo, and Kingdra and provides the aforementioned Defog support. Mega Diancie deserves a special mention due to its ability to bounce back Stealth Rock and catch Heatran off-guard with Earth Power if played well. Tapu Lele protects Volcarona against priority, which is especially useful for this set, since Volcarona relies on being at low health to sweep with Swarm. It can also lure Heatran and then KO it with All-Out Pummeling. Ground-types like Zygarde, Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Excadrill are also great picks thanks to their ability to deal with both Heatran and Toxapex, the two biggest roadblocks to this set.
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