[SET]
name: Substitute Salac
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Swords Dance
move 3: Hidden Power Bug
move 4: Sludge Bomb
item: Salac Berry
ability: Swarm
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 112 Def / 144 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Beedrill's access to Swords Dance, excellent attack, and access to Swarm cements it as one of the most frightening setup sweepers. Substitute is integral as it provides Beedrill with a more reliable way to activate its Salac Berry and more opportunities to use Swords Dance. Swords Dance allows Beedrill to OHKO Pokemon it otherwise wouldn't such as Seaking, Aipom, and Flaaffy. Hidden Power Bug packs a huge punch when Swarm is active and allows Beedrill to sweep effectively. Sludge Bomb makes it difficult for would be switchins like Wartortle, Graveler, and Onix to come in unscathed due to its high chance to inflict poison. It also provides Beedrill with a more consistent STAB option if Swarm has not been activated. The EV spread allows Beedrill's Substitute to withstand a Sludge Bomb from Gloom and Koffing while outspeeding max Speed Voltorb with a Salac boost.
Beedrill fits best on balance and offense teams in need of a dedicated cleaner or win condition. Pokemon who are resistant to Fire-types such as Wartortle, Seaking, and Flash Fire Ponyta all pair well with Beedrill. Wartortle is a notable teammate as it can remove Spikes for Beedrill while reliably checking both Ponyta and Quilava. Physical wallbreakers such as Aipom, Seaking, and Doduo make for excellent partners as they are able to weaken Beedrill's defensive checks like Wartortle, Onix, and Graveler. Choice Band Seaking is a notable partner as it can act as a complimentary breaker for Beedrill with its resistance to Fire-types. Aipom also makes a fantastic partner as its Speed allows it to function as a secondary cleaner. Secondary sweepers that appreciate the removal of special walls such as Spoink, Smoochum, and Porygon pair well with Beedrill. Spoink is an excellent partner as its able to reliably check Quilava for Beedrill.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Beedrill can opt to use Agility over Substitute and Lum Berry over Salac Berry but due to its mediocre bulk it struggles to activate Swarm safely. Brick Break can be used to threaten Graveler and Onix though this requires dropping Hidden Power Bug which heavily limits Beedrill's capacity to sweep.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-types**:
**Physical Walls**:
**Rock- and Ground-types**:
**Faster Attackers**:
**Priority** If Beedrill is not behind a Substitute Pokemon with access to Quick Attack such as Ponyta and Doduo can prevent Wartortle from sweeping after Salac Berry has been used.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/bp.272450/
Quality checked by:
Grammar checked by:
name: Substitute Salac
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Swords Dance
move 3: Hidden Power Bug
move 4: Sludge Bomb
item: Salac Berry
ability: Swarm
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 112 Def / 144 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Beedrill's access to Swords Dance, excellent attack, and access to Swarm cements it as one of the most frightening setup sweepers. Substitute is integral as it provides Beedrill with a more reliable way to activate its Salac Berry and more opportunities to use Swords Dance. Swords Dance allows Beedrill to OHKO Pokemon it otherwise wouldn't such as Seaking, Aipom, and Flaaffy. Hidden Power Bug packs a huge punch when Swarm is active and allows Beedrill to sweep effectively. Sludge Bomb makes it difficult for would be switchins like Wartortle, Graveler, and Onix to come in unscathed due to its high chance to inflict poison. It also provides Beedrill with a more consistent STAB option if Swarm has not been activated. The EV spread allows Beedrill's Substitute to withstand a Sludge Bomb from Gloom and Koffing while outspeeding max Speed Voltorb with a Salac boost.
Beedrill fits best on balance and offense teams in need of a dedicated cleaner or win condition. Pokemon who are resistant to Fire-types such as Wartortle, Seaking, and Flash Fire Ponyta all pair well with Beedrill. Wartortle is a notable teammate as it can remove Spikes for Beedrill while reliably checking both Ponyta and Quilava. Physical wallbreakers such as Aipom, Seaking, and Doduo make for excellent partners as they are able to weaken Beedrill's defensive checks like Wartortle, Onix, and Graveler. Choice Band Seaking is a notable partner as it can act as a complimentary breaker for Beedrill with its resistance to Fire-types. Aipom also makes a fantastic partner as its Speed allows it to function as a secondary cleaner. Secondary sweepers that appreciate the removal of special walls such as Spoink, Smoochum, and Porygon pair well with Beedrill. Spoink is an excellent partner as its able to reliably check Quilava for Beedrill.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Beedrill can opt to use Agility over Substitute and Lum Berry over Salac Berry but due to its mediocre bulk it struggles to activate Swarm safely. Brick Break can be used to threaten Graveler and Onix though this requires dropping Hidden Power Bug which heavily limits Beedrill's capacity to sweep.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-types**:
**Physical Walls**:
**Rock- and Ground-types**:
**Faster Attackers**:
**Priority** If Beedrill is not behind a Substitute Pokemon with access to Quick Attack such as Ponyta and Doduo can prevent Wartortle from sweeping after Salac Berry has been used.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/bp.272450/
Quality checked by:
Grammar checked by: