Item Assault Vest

[Magcargo]

(Please take note that this is just a speculation thread and is based off of my personal ideas)

Assault Vest

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XY Flavour Text: An item to be held by a Pokémon. This offensive vest raises Sp. Def but prevents the use of status moves.

In-Depth Effect: When held by a Pokémon, it increases the Sp. Defense stat by 50% but requires the Pokémon to only use damaging attacks.

Competitive Use​

The Assualt Vest is an interesting item to say the least. At first glance, the monstrous 50% increase in Special Defense indicates that this item will be preferred on physically bulky walls with low Special Defense, such as Skarmory and Hippowdon. However, this item suffers the major drawback of making the holder unable to use status moves. Thus, I believe that this item would be preferred on bulky offensive Pokemon, as many of them do not require the use of support moves and appreciate the extra bulk the the Assault Vest gives them the ability to check various threats.

Potential Users​

Tyranitar: With the Assault Vest, Sandstream, and maximum Special Defense investment, Tyranitar reaches a monstrous 738 Special Defense, allowing it to take even ridiculously powerful attacks such as Mega Charizard Y's Focus Blast. Using its increased Special Defense, Tyranitar can function as the ultimate check to threats such as Latios, Double Dance Thundurus, and Volcarona. If needed, Tyranitar can even function as a last resort check to Mega Gengar, as it is not OHKOed by Focus Blast (Assuming SR is not present) and can OHKO Gengar with Crunch. The only major drawback of the Assault Vest is that it limits Tyranitar longevity due to the lack of Leftovers.

Heatran: With the Assault Vest, Heatran can blend its Specially Defensive and offensive set to function as a decent offensive pivot. This is especially useful for offensive teams, as Heatran can function as an amazing check to threats such as Gardevoir, Sylveon, Alakazam, Talonflame and Latios. Heatran also has the ability to check Charizard Y relatively well, as it only has a 2% chance to OHKO Assault Vest Heatran if it is running maximum HP. However, like Tyranitar, Heatran suffers the problem of being unable to run other items. At times, Heatran really misses the recovery that Leftovers provides or the ability to check Mega Charizard X and Garchomp with the Air Balloon equipped.

*Credit to alexwolf for additional Assualt Vest Users*

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Tornadus-T @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 92 HP / 192 SpA / 8 SpD / 216 Spe
Nature: Timid / Hasty
- Air Slash / Hurricane
- Heat Wave
- U-turn
- Superpower / Grass Knot / Knock Off

Enough SpA to OHKO Keldeo after Stealth Rock, enough Speed to outrun Choice Scarf Tyranitar, and rest in HP and SpD to avoid the 2HKO from Choice Scarf Genesect's Ice Beam and round down the damage from SR. A Timid nature is preferred even with Superpower as you don't gain or miss any extra OHKO/2HKOes in comparison with a Hasty nature and not lowering your Defense is great because it allows Tornadus-T to be a great switch-in to any Scizor set bar offensive SD variants with Life Orb / Metal Coat, easily taking U-turn and Superpower from choiced sets or scouting for Bullet Punch (with Regenerator you can take one and then switch out) and avoiding the OHKO even from a +2 Adamant Bullet Punch and OHKOing back with Heat Wave. Also, not lowering your Defense helps in general against priority users and allows Tornadus-T to avoid the OHKO from CB Talonflame most of the time. However, if you don't care about Talonflame and Scizor, go with Hasty. On the last slot, Grass Knot is for teams that struggle against Hippowdon, while Knock Off is a great move to annoy your checks and counters and works great on Tornadus-T because it has the means to outlast its counters with U-turn + Regenerator.

This set makes for a great check to Pokemon such as Gengar, Keldeo, Sheer Force Landorus, Scizor, Genesect, Alakazam without Psyshock, and Starmie, while being a great offensive Pokemon in general, with solid power, coverage, speed, U-turn, and of course the godlike Regenerator. Here are some calcs:

• 252 SpA Keldeo Hydro Pump vs. 100 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Tornadus-T: 130-154 (40.1 - 47.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
• 252 SpA Life Orb Keldeo Hydro Pump vs. 100 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Tornadus-T: 169-200 (52.1 - 61.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
• 252 SpA Gengar Shadow Ball vs. 100 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Tornadus-T: 96-114 (29.6 - 35.1%) -- 14.6% chance to 3HKO
• 252 SpA Life Orb Gengar Shadow Ball vs. 100 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Tornadus-T: 125-148 (38.5 - 45.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
• 252+ SpA Life Orb Sheer Force Landorus Sludge Wave vs. 100 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Tornadus-T: 130-153 (40.1 - 47.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
• 252 SpA Genesect Ice Beam vs. 92 HP / 8 SpD Assault Vest Tornadus-T: 136-160 (42.2 - 49.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
• +1 252+ SpA Expert Belt Genesect Ice Beam vs. 92 HP / 8 SpD Assault Vest Tornadus-T: 266-314 (82.6 - 97.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
• +1 252+ SpA Life Orb Genesect Ice Beam vs. 92 HP / 8 SpD Assault Vest Tornadus-T: 289-341 (89.7 - 105.9%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO
• +2 252+ Atk Technician Scizor Bullet Punch vs. 92 HP / 0 Def Tornadus-T: 259-306 (80.4 - 95%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
• 252 SpA Alakazam Psychic vs. 92 HP / 8 SpD Assault Vest Tornadus-T: 109-130 (33.8 - 40.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

And here are Rotom-W and Excadrill:

Excadrill @ Assault Vest
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 SpD
Nature: Adamant
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Shadow Claw
- Rock Slide / Iron Head

Max Atk is needed in order to have the best possible chance at getting past Trevenant with Shadow Claw and getting the spin off (96.1% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock) and SpD is maximized because Excadrill gains more special bulk by investing in SpD rather than in HP due to its very high HP stat. Going more speedy or more bulky are both options, but this is the the best spread in general.

Rotom-W @ Assault Vest
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 140 HP / 160 SpA / 208 Spe
Nature: Timid
- Volt Switch
- Hydro Pump
- Thunderbolt / Signal Beam
- Hidden Power Fire / Hidden Power Ice

Enough SpA to OHKO Naive Genesect with Hidden Power Fire after SR, as well as 2HKO most Ferrothorn, enough Speed to outrun everything up to Jolly Mamoswine, and rest to HP.

Tangrowth @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Nature: Relaxed
- Giga Drain
- Knock Off
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Fire / Rock Slide

With this EV spread Tangrowth has 404 HP / 315 Def / 298 SpD bulk, which is crazy, especially when coupled with Regenerator. Tangrowth just checks so many shit it's crazy. Excadrill, Azumarill, Keldeo, Rotom-W, Landorus, Landorus-T, Aegislash, Garchomp, Mega DD Gyarados, Alakazam, Gengar without a Poison move, Starmie, Thundurus, Thundurus-T, you name it. Knock Off is the reason why this set works and it's not just a weak piece of shit to switch into, getting rid of items and providing actual coverage, OHKOing Gengar and dealing a great deal of damage to bulky Psychic-types such as Celebi and Latias. Earthquake is a must to 2HKO Excadrill, OHKO or dent Heatran that want to switch in, and have a strong move for Aegislash after you have got rid of its item with Knock Off. Hidden Power Fire hits a lot of Pokemon that like to switch into Tangrowth, such as Scizor, Genesect, and Ferrothorn, while Hidden Power Ice handles Garchomp, Thundurus, Thundurus-T, Landorus, and Landorus-T, Pokemon that Tangrowth checks. Finally, Rock Slide is Tangrowth's strongest option against Talonflame, Volcarona, regular Gyarados, Mega Pinsir, Thundurus, and Thundurus-T, although it's better not to go with three physical attacks as Tangrowth is a great switch-in to Rotom-W, which often carries WoW.

I am using this Tangrowth in a Volt-turn team and so far it has been working great. Just make sure you have good anti-hazards measures, as Tagnrowth often gets burned by Rotom-W, and taking 25% damage every time you switch in (SR + burn) limits Tagnrowth's potential and prevents it from checking threats that it otherwise could.

Community Set Ideas

Drapion by Dekzeh

Goodra by Bribery; Additional Comments by Molk

Scizor by Chou Toshio; Addition Comments by Chou Toshio and The Loser Of RU
Magnezone by The Reptile
Conkeldurr by Jaroda
Slowking by Screw-On Head
Scrafty by Ice-Master
Metagross by Boudoche
Serperior by Shadow-XIII

Conclusion​

Overall, I believe that while the Assault Vest isn't the most useful item, it still has its uses on bulky offensive Pokemon to check various threats. Do you believe that this item will affect the metagame? Are there any other potential abusers of this item? Discuss!

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[Wizarus]

Thick Fat Snorlax becomes a great tank, not scared of Focus Blasts at all now.

May also pair well with moves like Power-up Punch and Charge Beam.

 

[Edgar81539]

Maybe it has some uses on stalling pokes weak on the special side, but then, stalling pokes love Leftovers recovery. Time will tell.

 

[ElegantLilligant]

Maybe Milotic? I can see something tanky working pretty well, though no recovery hurts it.

 

[Stratos]

conkeldurr

conk is this item's best friend, with 110 hp and 95 def but only 55 spd, and access to healing anyways through Drain Punch. Assault Vest should really help conkeldurr make a splash in gen VI, since it unlike most other users doesn't need lefties that bad

 

[Magcargo]

Maybe it has some uses on stalling pokes weak on the special side, but then, stalling pokes love Leftovers recovery. Time will tell.

Stall Pokemon are not effective users of this item, as they cannot use support moves due to this item preventing them from.

 

[dekzeh]

Drapion (M) @ Assault Vest
Trait: Battle Armor
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SDef
Careful Nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Crunch
- Pursuit
- Poison Jab
- Earthquake

Closest thing to Mega Gengar 'counter'. Counters psychics in general (Alakazam, Starmie, Reuniclus, Celebi, etc), great counter to Contrary Seviper too. Checks just about every Special Attacker, it can switch into Protean Greninja and beat it one on one, for example.

 

[Bribery]

This could be viable on Goodra as well. It has a huge offensive movepool but lacks supportive moves. It has 100/110 attack/SpA along with 90/70/150 defenses. It could be a decent offensive pivot since its pure Dragon typing lets it resist Fire, Water, Grass, and Electric attacks which are commonly special-based. Gooey will probably deter some physical attackers from attacking it since it lowers their speed if they use a contact move.

Maybe something like:

Goodra @ Assault Vest
Trait: Gooey
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SAtk / 8 Def
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Draco Meteor / Dragon Pulse
- Fire Blast
- Thunderbolt
- Focus Blast / Sludge Bomb

This set has excellent type coverage, hitting 10/18 types super-effectively if you use Focus Blast. Sludge Bomb for Fairies, though Thunderbolt already hits Azumarril and Togekiss super-effectively. Goodra also gets Ice Beam and Earthquake which might be viable options.

 

[Siggu]

While it's not available until december, could Meloetta be a nice user of Assault Vest? It has very good special defenses on her Aria Forme and a typing with next to no specially-based weaknesses

 

[Zabel Zarock]

Maybe Milotic? I can see something tanky working pretty well, though no recovery hurts it.

Milotic can learn Recover if recovery is a necessity. RestTalk even since it does get a Defense boost with Marvel Scale.

 

[ElegantLilligant]

She can, but she can't use it with an Assault Vest.

 

[ghana.7]

Milotic can learn Recover if recovery is a necessity. RestTalk even since it does get a Defense boost with Marvel Scale.

Milotic can't use any of those moves with assualt vest

EDIT: greninja'd

 

[Edgar81539]

Stall Pokemon are not effective users of this item, as they cannot use support moves due to this item preventing them from.

Sorry, I forgot that the moment I read "Tyranitar", XD. Well, this makes it less of a case for me, high defenses without ways to recover are no good.

 

[Chaoswalker]

Grab your tanks, kids! Anything with serene grace could cheat and use the likes of body slam to inflict status. A few pokemon could abuse auto recovery from poison heal and dry skin with this. Some Drain Punch and Giga Drainers would like it.
Mons that interest me:
Ferrothorn (Have you ever gyroballed a garchomp?)
Conkeldurr can't bulk up, but power up punch might work with Drain Punch.
Rhyperior can hit a stable 343 special defense with this. It loses out on the sheer power of a choice band for survivability.

EDIT: Upon further thought, I can see this being a big deal in double where recover moves and items are often considered too slow.

 

[Zabel Zarock]

She can, but she can't use it with an Assault Vest.

Excuse me while I get my eyes checked.

The only pokemon I can think of that would love Assault Vest is Aurorus which would be dumb to give to in the first place.

 

[EtherDrive]

yeah heatran and t-tar and Drain punchers are the only thing I see using this item

 

[EpixAura]

The best part about Assault Vest is that the opponent won't know you have it until it's too late. On paper, it doesn't seem that useful, but the surprise factor goes a long way.
Pokemon with at least semi-decent bulk that have common specially-offensive counters that barely OHKO them are great candidates (Pokemon weak to Choice Scarf Keldeo should come to mind). Of course this is niche as all get-out, but I feel like this could work. Nothing immediately comes to mind, but I'm sure we could come up with some ideas pretty quickly, and I'm sure if we started running some calcs we would find a lot more uses for it.
It's certainly rather gimmicky, but even if Assault Vest doesn't always give this best possible result, it IS still +1 SpDef, so it's not quite as bad as people are making it out to be, it's just not the best option in most cases.

 

[Ash Borer]

jirachi does it alright, a typical flinch paralyze set with body slam / iron head / ice punch / fire punch or something might aprpeciate the sdef more than lefties.

A correction on the OP. Tyranitar acheive a 2.25x boost with sanstorm and assault vest, not a 2x, so it hits 738 sdef I think.

 

[ghana.7]

I just thought of a new Pokemon to utilize this: Zygarde (If it drops to OU which seems likely)


Zygarde @ Assault Vest
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 HP / 4 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Whatever physical dragon move it gets
- Earthquake
- Crunch
- Return/Ice Fang if it gets/Fire Fang if it gets


These EVs plus an Assault Vest make Zygarde pretty hard to take down, bar ice moves. The four first slashed moves together give neutral coverage, and you don't care as much about OHKOs because you are tanking many hits. This Zygarde also loves Sticky Web support (prepare to hear that line alot in Gen 6 analyses) so it can also outspeed many things that it normally wouldn't. The two slashed fangs, Ice Fang and Fire Fang (if it gets fangs) help Zygarde increase its SE coverage by alot, but they can't make first slash until we know they are legal.

 

[Siggu]

With Assault Vest, Sandstorm and max Special Defense investment, Tyranitar reaches the equivalent of an impossible base 286 Special Defense

In fact, it has more special defenses than the standard Gen V BLISSEY! (404/738 over 651/405. About 13.08% bulkier)

 

[Colonel M]

Rhyperior could use something like this with its sets. While the loss of Leftovers is bad, being under the sand makes him pretty bulky on Special Defense.

Then again, Weakness Policy might be better for offensive sets like Rock Polish.

The item looks useful overall, but the question is if it's worth the loss of Leftovers or even Shed Skin. I think having a recovery move would be the best option for a Pokemon using this item.

 

[Tribute]

When I saw it screamed conk.

Bulk up build with a 4th coverage and spam punch

 

[Tsplodey]

Bulk up

prevents the use of status moves

 

[Tactical]

I think he suggested replacing Bulk Up itself with a 4th coverage move (or Power Up Punch) while retaining the EV distribution.

 

[Magcargo]

The item looks useful overall, but the question is if it's worth the loss of Leftovers or even Shed Skin.

I personally believe that this depends on what the role of the Pokemon is. Heatran, for example, makes a fine user of this item, as its role is to serve as an offensive check to threats such as Volcarona, Gardevoir, and Charizard Y, which it does better when using this item. However, I believe that this item will not be useful on Pokemon that absolutely need Leftovers recovery or support moves to function. This is why this item isn't useful on Stall Pokemon, Setup sweepers, or tanks that are very vulnerable to status moves like Toxic. I personally think this is why this item is only useful on bulky offensive Pokemon, as the added Special Defense boost allows them to check certain threats better.