[OVERVIEW]
At first glance, Alolan Vulpix seems like an amazing Pokemon thanks to its access to Snow Warning. However, it has a few flaws holding it back, as it faces intense competition from other hail setters such as Amaura and Snover, which have a better typing and better stats overall. Its offenses are nothing to brag about either, and its weakness to Stealth Rock limits its longevity. Its low bulk also doesn't help, leaving it easily revenge killed by priority or faster Pokemon. However, it has a niche in being the best user of Aurora Veil in LC, which is a great support move that can only be used in hail and is much easier to set up thanks to Snow Warning. Unless you're using Alolan Vulpix for its niche, you're better off with another hail setter.
[SET]
name: Hail Support
move 1: Aurora Veil
move 2: Blizzard
move 3: Freeze-Dry
move 4: Hidden Power Ground / Hidden Power Fighting
item: Light Clay
ability: Snow Warning
nature: Timid
evs: 52 HP / 196 SpA / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Aurora Veil is the main purpose of this set, as it is an amazing support move that halves all damage taken by allies, giving Alolan Vulpix's teammates more setup opportunities. Blizzard is a strong 110-Base Power STAB move that has perfect accuracy in hail. Freeze-Dry is a STAB move that hits Water-types such as Chinchou and Staryu super effectively. Hidden Power Ground grants Alolan Vulpix perfect coverage while also dealing with troublesome Steel-types. However, Hidden Power Fighting can also be used in this slot to lure Pawniard and OHKO it.
Set Details
========
A Timid nature alongside maximum Speed investment allows Alolan Vulpix to reach 17 Speed, outspeeding foes such as Pawniard. 52 HP EVs allow it to switch into Stealth Rock one more time. Light Clay is used to extend the duration of Aurora Veil to eight turns. If need be, Icy Rock can be used in its place for dedicated hail teams, but this means that Aurora Veil gets reduced to five turns, which hinders Alolan Vulpix's effectiveness.
Usage Tips
========
Alolan Vulpix's main purpose is to set up Aurora Veil for its allies. If you have a Slush Rush user on your team, make sure to pivot in Alolan Vulpix carefully to set up hail and keep it healthy. It's recommended that you avoid switching Alolan Vulpix into non-resisted attacks, as its bulk is awful. Aurora Veil should also be used with caution when the opponent has a weather setter like regular Vulpix, as it can only be used when hail is up, thereby giving them a free switch if they predict an Aurora Veil.
Team Options
========
As it is weak to Stealth Rock, Alolan Vulpix appreciates having a Rapid Spin or Defog user as a teammate to get rid of entry hazards that are on its side of the field. Mold Breaker Drilbur is a great choice, as it can get rid of Fire- and Steel-types, including Levitate Bronzor. Vullaby is also a great choice, as it can use Defog to get rid of entry hazards on the field, and it also has a great matchup against sun teams, as well as not getting damaged by hail thanks to Overcoat. Setup sweepers such as Shellder and Nasty Plot Vullaby benefit greatly from Alolan Vulpix's ability to set up Aurora Veil, as it makes it easier for them to grab a boost. Aurora Veil also makes those setup sweepers harder to revenge kill. Bulk Up Timburr in particular benefits from Aurora Veil greatly, as it enables it to beat many of its checks like Vullaby, Doduo, and Croagunk. Alolan Sandshrew appreciates Aurora Veil, and it can use Rapid Spin to clear Stealth Rock away in return. It also appreciates Alolan Vulpix's ability to set up hail, as it doubles its Speed thanks to Slush Rush. Diglett traps the Fire- and Steel-types that Alolan Vulpix is weak to. It also traps regular Vulpix in particular, allowing Alolan Vulpix to set up hail freely.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Ice Shard is a priority move that can be used to finish off weakened Pokemon, but it's very weak in general. Encore can be used to lock a foe into a status move, though Alolan Vulpix is a bit too frail to use it effectively. Hidden Power Fire is an option to hit Ferroseed harder. Hypnosis is an option to temporarily disable a foe, allowing Alolan Vulpix to set up Aurora Veil more easily. However, its shaky accuracy, coupled with Alolan Vulpix's bad bulk, makes it too much of a risk to run. Moonblast ensures that Alolan Vulpix 2HKOes Timburr and Mienfoo, though it isn't great for much else. Icy Wind can be used as a utility move to lower the foe's Speed, though there is a severe cut on power.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Pokemon with high Special Defense such as Munchlax and Bronzor easily take any of Alolan Vulpix's attacks. Munchlax can utilize Thick Fat to tank any hit from Alolan Vulpix, while Bronzor takes any hit thanks to its typing, which makes it resist Alolan Vulpix's Ice-type STAB moves.
**Fire-types**: Fire-types such as Larvesta and Ponyta resist Alolan Vulpix's Ice-type STAB moves. Larvesta can take anything that Alolan Vulpix throws at it and OHKOes with Flare Blitz. Ponyta can also fire off a Fire Blast to take care of it as well.
**Faster Pokemon**: Any Pokemon that is faster than Alolan Vulpix is a threat. Pokemon like Gastly and Diglett outspeed and KO with their respective STAB moves.
**Weather Setters**: Opposing weather setters like Vulpix and Hippopotas can get rid of hail, which prevents Alolan Vulpix from setting up Aurora Veil, forcing it to switch out. Vulpix in particular can KO Alolan Vulpix with a Drought-boosted Fire Blast. Hippopotas, however, cannot switch in directly, as it gets 2HKOed by Freeze-Dry.
**Screen Removers**: Pokemon that run Defog, such as Vullaby, are a problem, as they remove Aurora Veil from the field. Carvanha, if running Psychic Fangs, also gets rid of Aurora Veil. It can also OHKO Alolan Vulpix with its other moves unless Aurora Veil is up; then it gets OHKOed by Freeze-Dry. Brick Break Pawniard forces Alolan Vulpix out unless it's running Hidden Power Fighting and can use Brick Break to clear Aurora Veil away.
**Steel-types**: Steel-types like Ferroseed, Pawniard, and Honedge all resist Alolan Vulpix's Ice-type STAB moves and take almost nothing from Hidden Power Ground. Additionally, they can OHKO it with their respective Steel-type STAB moves. However, Ferroseed and Pawniard need to be wary of Hidden Power Fire and Hidden Power Fighting variants, respectively.
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