
[OVERVIEW]
With its great typing, amazing bulk, and numerous utility options, Vileplume acts as a check to common Pokemon in the tier such as Mienshao, Flygon, Dhelmise, and Golisopod. Its great Poison / Grass typing and reliable recovery options make Vileplume difficult for opposing teams to wear down. With Effect Spore, it has a chance to passively punish physical attackers and pivots. Vileplume's natural strength and unique combination of STAB moves in Giga Drain and Sludge Bomb make it difficult to switch into. Vileplume can also serve as a great tool against bulky Steel-types like Copperajah and Bronzong, as Corrosive Gas removes their held items and Sleep Powder puts them to sleep. However, Vileplume is slow and vulnerable to Psychic- and Fire-types as well as strong special attackers such as Goodra, Dragalge, and Exploud. Vileplume is also easily worn down by entry hazards, and it has difficulty switching into strong physical wallbreakers like Golurk and Tyrantrum.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Giga Drain
move 2: Sludge Bomb
move 3: Strength Sap
move 4: Corrosive Gas / Sleep Powder
item: Black Sludge / No Item
ability: Effect Spore
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
Strength Sap is one of Vileplume’s biggest assets to check Pokemon like Mienshao, Copperajah, and Golisopod. Corrosive Gas removes the item of common switch-ins like Bronzong, Copperajah, and Arcanine. Alternatively, Sleep Powder can be used to put common switch-ins such as Talonflame and Arcanine to sleep, making it safer for Vileplume to switch out on them. Black Sludge gives Vileplume extra recovery, but running no item is better for checking Knock Off and Poltergeist users like Pangoro and Golurk.
Vileplume is weak to Flying-types, so Steel- and Rock-types such as Bronzong, Copperajah, and Diancie that can check Talonflame and Braviary are appreciated. In return, Vileplume can check Rotom-C, Decidueye, and Gastrodon for them. Vileplume struggles against strong Psychic-types such as Cresselia, Starmie, and Indeedee-F; therefore, partners like Bronzong and Copperajah are great. Vileplume in return checks Fighting-types such as Mienshao for them. Vileplume dislikes Fire-types like Salazzle, so Mantine and Goodra are great partners for it. Vileplume and Guzzlord form a great core, since they are able to wall physical and special attackers while canceling out each other's weaknesses; Vileplume helps with Fighting- and Fairy-types, and Guzzlord helps with Psychic-types. Offensive teammates like Flygon and Starmie both target Dragalge and Arcanine, which Vileplume has trouble with.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
Leech Seed inflicts residual damage on opposing Pokemon and gives Vileplume an option for more recovery. While having less PP than Leech Seed, Synthesis gives Vileplume consistent recovery. Moonblast can put out some extra damage on Fighting-, Dark-, and Dragon-types and nails Pangoro. Aromatherapy can be used if the team needs a cleric option. Growth can turn Vileplume into a wincon late-game at the cost of its utility in Corrosive Gas or Sleep Powder.
Checks and Counters
====
**Psychic-types**: Psychic-types such as Starmie, Cresselia, and Celebi threaten Vileplume with Psychic or Stored Power. They can force out Vileplume, but none of them want to get poisoned by Sludge Bomb.
**Flying-types**: Aerodactyl can dish out huge damage with Dual Wingbeat. Ninjask and Braviary resist Giga Drain, and Braviary also gains a Defiant boost from Strength Sap. However, all of them have to be wary about switching into Sludge Bomb and getting poisoned.
**Fire-types**: Salazzle, Talonflame, and Charizard can threaten out Vileplume with their strong STAB options, but switching into Corrosive Gas is problematic, as it removes their Heavy-Duty Boots.
**Strong Wallbreakers**: Choice Band users such as Tyrantrum and Bewear threaten Vileplume with Head Smash and Double-Edge, respectively. Dragalge, Guzzlord, and Exploud threaten Vileplume with their STAB moves and coverage.
**Strength Sap Blockers**: Xatu, Espeon, and Goodra can all block Vileplume's recovery from Strength Sap with Magic Bounce and Sap Sipper, limiting its ability to switch into Pangoro and Flygon.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Katy, 415305]]
- Quality checked by: [[poh, 298730], [Ho3nConfirm3d, 231074]]
- Grammar checked by: [[estronic, 240732]]
Last edited: