Item Assault Vest

[Deleted User [105998]]

I've been using Luxray with Assualt Vest as a bulky pivot (Intimidate + AV + Volt Switch = Yes Please)

Luxray @ Assault Vest
252 HP/ 208 Atk / 48 SpD
Adamant Nature

-Wild Charge
-Fire Fang/Ice Fang
-Crunch
-Volt Switch

It has surprising bulk (90/79/79 defenses + Intimidate) and only one weakness. Its slow volt switch (I'm running adamant because I prefer to speed creep sub 70 threats and the momentum is more important that the damage IMO) lets you switch into your sweeper safely, its intimidate neuters the burd and other threats with struggle to 2HKO it if they lack EQ. It doesn't have a healing move but Intimidate really eases Wish support and makes the incoming switch easier to stomach. I've found that Luxray has the bulk and the coverage to take out pokemon that dare stay in on it and can volt switch out on things that scare it out. I used to think that Luxray was useless but he has been actually really good. He is basically a slower Arcanine with a better typing and access to volt switch

 

[imaloony80]

I've been having a lot of success with Assault Vest Metagross. It makes him extremely tanky on both ends of the spectrum with no investment, allowing you you make him a heavy hitter with Att investment in EVs and Nature.

Metagross @ Assault Vest
Adamant Nature
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP/252 Att/4 Def
- Hammer Arm
- Bullet Punch
- Rock Slide
- Zen Headbutt

The moveset looks weird, and trust me, it is. This is just the Metagross I use on my personal team because it provides coverage where I need it. Of course, you can run Thunder Punch, Meteor Mash, Earthquake, Ice Punch, or whatever you need thanks to his generous movepool, and Metagross can dish out the pain.

 

[Stantler]

If you absolutely have to have a special wall with a paralysis move and U-turn, wouldn't Uxie, the Rotom forms, Celebi, Mespirit, Probopass or Jirachi be a better choice? They all have even more bulk than Pachirisu and most of them have useful resistances and don't need to rely on Super Fang to deal damage.

Pachirisu may have only one weakness, but it doesn't have many good resistances to take advantage of, either, which is more important. Nuzzle is an interesting niche, but Thundurus works better if you wnat an untauntable Thunder Wave. It doesn't have any way of restoring its health, nor does it have any resistances to entry hazards.

Personally, I run Nuzzle, Swagger, Flash and Protect/Attract on my Pachirisu.

But Super Fang is an epic move, imo. It can hit everything (except Ghost) for nice damage. If you predict a switch (or when not and your opponent is special-oriented) just use Super Fang. If you use Thundurus or whatever your opponent can easily switch out in something that counters it or is resistant to its attacks. Super Fang hits everything (except Ghost), as mentioned, even Wall's.

And Whimsicott (one of the main Prankster users) is faster than Thundurus. Nuzzle + Super Fang is just perfect on Pachirisu because of its low attacking stats and to avoid Taunt and that combo is unique to Pachirisu. Also, it is unexpected.
Super Fang is a really good move not many Pokemon that get it can make use of. Pachirisu makes good use of it... but you should rarely stay in against a physical Attacker.
Maybe Wish support would be nice for Pachirisu. :P

I think Flash and Attract are not only bad for Pachirisu, but bad overall. Unreliable and bad.

 

[EyeDentist]

Landorus-T with assault vest has to have been mentioned, but I'll bring it up again, because it's pretty great.

Landorus-Therian (M) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 HP / 4 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Knock Off
- U-turn

This is what I've been using. Originally I was using an Assault Vest Goodra in my team, but I needed a better answer to physical attackers, mainly fighting types. Landorus scares them off with a devastating EQ, and lures in scarfers, usually. Knock Off is always the right answer, as it cripples some Pokemon to the point of being worthless. Heatran's balloon is the only thing keeping it alive from this guy, as for Heatran's scarf. I've knocked off Leftovers, Eviolites, etc. It works well in stopping defensive Pokemon and offensive Pokemon alike with Knock Off. Earthquake kills a lot of Pokemon easily, but that's a given. What's great about this Pokemon set is that it combines the Assault Vest and Intimidate, which essentially gives it a boost in both defenses.

http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-84677595

This is a good demonstration of how Landorus-T uses an Assault Vest effectively. It survived an Alakazam's HP Ice with ease, and it can also OHKO Tyranitar. What more could you ask for?

~ A flying move that doesn't suck (I would take Aerial Ace, but it doesn't even get it.)
~ Use of support moves
~ Better speed

Okay, well there's that, but other than those things, what more could you ask for?

 

[-NLMRY-]

What relevant attacks besides Hidden Power can AV Landorus take though? Looking at the most used Special attackers it doesn't look like much. Then there's the question of what he can out speed, and whether he can do anything back to those threats.

Gengar's Shadow Ball becomes 4HKO

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252 SpA Gengar Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Landorus-T: 157-186 (41 - 48.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
(157, 159, 160, 163, 165, 166, 168, 171, 172, 174, 175, 178, 180, 181, 183, 186)

252 SpA Gengar Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Assault Vest Landorus-T: 105-124 (27.4 - 32.4%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
(105, 106, 108, 109, 109, 111, 112, 114, 115, 117, 117, 118, 120, 121, 123, 124)

Aegislash's Shadow Ball becomes a 3HKO, but obviously he would not stay in.

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252+ SpA Aegislash-Blade Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Landorus-T: 192-226 (50.2 - 59.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
(192, 193, 196, 198, 201, 202, 205, 207, 210, 211, 214, 216, 219, 220, 223, 226)

252+ SpA Aegislash-Blade Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Assault Vest Landorus-T: 127-151 (33.2 - 39.5%) -- 100% chance to 3HKO
(127, 129, 130, 132, 133, 135, 136, 138, 139, 141, 142, 144, 145, 147, 148, 151)

4SpA Rotom-W still gets a 2HKO and Landorus can do nothing back (U-Turn is ~33% if calm, ~24% if MAX+bold).

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4 SpA Rotom-W Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Assault Vest Landorus-T: 200-236 (52.3 - 61.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
(200, 200, 204, 206, 210, 212, 212, 216, 218, 222, 224, 224, 228, 230, 234, 236)

252 SpA Rotom-W Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Assault Vest Landorus-T: 248-294 (64.9 - 76.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
(248, 252, 254, 258, 260, 264, 266, 270, 272, 276, 278, 282, 284, 288, 290, 294)

Let's not even think about this one.

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252 SpA Life Orb Protean Greninja Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Landorus-T: 785-925 (205.4 - 242.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
(785, 795, 801, 811, 816, 832, 842, 847, 858, 863, 879, 889, 894, 905, 910, 925)

252 SpA Life Orb Greninja Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Landorus-T: 478-564 (125.1 - 147.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
(478, 484, 491, 494, 502, 507, 510, 517, 523, 530, 533, 541, 546, 554, 556, 564)

252 SpA Life Orb Greninja Dark Pulse vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Landorus-T: 175-207 (45.8 - 54.1%) -- 45.3% chance to 2HKO
(175, 177, 179, 181, 183, 185, 187, 188, 191, 192, 195, 196, 199, 200, 203, 207)

Or this one...

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+1 252 SpA Genesect Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Assault Vest Landorus-T: 448-528 (117.2 - 138.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
(448, 452, 456, 464, 468, 472, 480, 484, 488, 496, 500, 504, 512, 516, 520, 528)

+1 252 SpA Genesect Flamethrower vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Landorus-T: 166-196 (43.4 - 51.3%) -- 8.2% chance to 2HKO
(166, 168, 170, 172, 174, 176, 178, 180, 182, 184, 186, 188, 190, 192, 194, 196)

Or this one...

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252 SpA Mega Charizard Y Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Landorus-T in Sun: 375-442 (98.1 - 115.7%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO
(375, 379, 384, 388, 393, 397, 402, 406, 411, 415, 420, 424, 429, 433, 438, 442)

252 SpA Mega Charizard Y Solar Beam vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Landorus-T: 182-215 (47.6 - 56.2%) -- 84.4% chance to 2HKO
(182, 184, 187, 189, 191, 193, 195, 197, 199, 202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212, 215)

If he's supposed to act like a pivot he has to be able to switch into some of these attacks, and by the looks of it he can't.

 

[EyeDentist]

Assault Vest wouldn't keep it from being killed by Ice Beam, dude, I'm not saying that. I'm just saying that it gets great bulk, making it able to survive moves other than ones that would obviously OHKO it.

 

[-NLMRY-]

Assault Vest wouldn't keep it from being killed by Ice Beam, dude, I'm not saying that. I'm just saying that it gets great bulk, making it able to survive moves other than ones that would obviously OHKO it.

I didn't claim you were saying that it could take Ice Beam's, which is why I asked what relevant attacks from what relevant monsters it can take. Did I only show calcs for Ice Beam? Did you look at them? The only one's it really tanks Gengar's and Aegislash's Shadow Balls, meaning Assault Vest sucks on it. The most relevant special attackers in OU still 2HKO, if not 1HKO it. On top of that, what is it going to do back? Switch in to Greninja's Dark Pulse, it'll still outspeed and KO before you can hit it, so why switch into it? Etcetera etcetera...

 

[EyeDentist]

Here are some damage calculations.

252 SpA Mega Alakazam Psychic vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Assault Vest Landorus-T: 148-175 (38.7 - 45.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Mega Alakazam Psychic vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Landorus-T: 220-261 (57.5 - 68.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Landorus-T Earthquake vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Mega Alakazam: 277-327 (109.9 - 129.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Mega Charizard Y Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Assault Vest Landorus-T in Sun: 252-297 (65.9 - 77.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Mega Charizard Y Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Landorus-T in Sun: 375-442 (98.1 - 115.7%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Landorus-T Stone Edge vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Mega Charizard Y: 636-752 (213.4 - 252.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252+ SpA Goodra Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Assault Vest Landorus-T: 308-364 (80.6 - 95.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Goodra Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Landorus-T: 460-544 (120.4 - 142.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Landorus-T Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Goodra: 261-307 (67.9 - 79.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

4 SpA Heatran Lava Plume vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Assault Vest Landorus-T: 87-103 (22.7 - 26.9%) -- 42.3% chance to 4HKO
252+ Atk Landorus-T Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 120-142 (31 - 36.7%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery

252+ SpA Adaptability Mega Lucario Flash Cannon vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Assault Vest Landorus-T: 162-192 (42.4 - 50.2%) -- 1.2% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Adaptability Mega Lucario Flash Cannon vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Landorus-T: 222-262 (58.1 - 68.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Landorus-T Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Mega Lucario: 434-512 (154.4 - 182.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

4 SpA Rotom-W Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Assault Vest Landorus-T: 200-236 (52.3 - 61.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
4 SpA Rotom-W Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Landorus-T: 296-350 (77.4 - 91.6%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Landorus-T U-turn vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Rotom-W: 86-102 (28.2 - 33.5%) -- 92.6% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery

252 SpA Choice Specs Latios Draco Meteor vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Assault Vest Landorus-T: 255-301 (66.7 - 78.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Latios Draco Meteor vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Landorus-T: 382-450 (100 - 117.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Landorus-T Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Latios: 304-358 (100.6 - 118.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252+ SpA Mega Venusaur Giga Drain vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Assault Vest Landorus-T: 103-123 (26.9 - 32.1%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252+ SpA Mega Venusaur Giga Drain vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Landorus-T: 154-183 (40.3 - 47.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Landorus-T Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mega Venusaur: 163-193 (44.7 - 53%) -- 29.7% chance to 2HKO

252 SpA Deoxys-S Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Assault Vest Landorus-T: 256-304 (67 - 79.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Deoxys-S Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Landorus-T: 380-448 (99.4 - 117.2%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Landorus-T Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Deoxys-S: 213-252 (70 - 82.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

I think these kinda show how effective the assault vest is. It gives you extra defense, allowing you to kill most of the stuff on here.

 

[Subject 18]

I like the idea but I feel like running 252 HP 252 Atk isn't efficient at all for this type of set. I would try and 248 HP, enough to avoid being 2HKOed by Aegislash's Shadow Ball and Mega Lucario's Flash Cannon. Then dump the rest into defense or attack to give it some more oomph on its attacks. This way you get more out of the Assault Vest and makes the overall bulk much better.

 

[Careful]

29 pages later and yet no one has still fixed Tornadus-T's Assault Vest set. It doesn't get Aero Blast at all, so yeah, change that to Air Slash. I'm surprised no one has said Machamp yet, dat bulk with dat DynamicPawnch. Here are some other suggestions: Golurk (with Klutz lets Golurk get the bonus of AV, but can use other moves besides attacks), Mew, Arcanine, and Gyarados.

 

[Porce]

29 pages later and yet no one has still fixed Tornadus-T's Assault Vest set. It doesn't get Aero Blast at all, so yeah, change that to Air Slash. I'm surprised no one has said Machamp yet, dat bulk with dat DynamicPawnch. Here are some other suggestions: Golurk (with Klutz lets Golurk get the bonus of AV, but can use other moves besides attacks), Mew, Arcanine, and Gyarados.

Klutz seriously lets you get the SpD boost without the side effect?

 

[Toljik]

That can't be right. It's not like Klutz users get the power boost of Choice Band without any side effects.

Also, I can't wait until someone seriously suggests Assault Vest Sharpedo. With maximum investment, it survives Mega-Venusaur's Giga Drain!

 

[Riptide Reaper]

Not quite sure if it's already been suggested somewhere in this thread or not. But I've seen quite a bit of success with assault vest Gogoat.

Gogoat @ Assault Vest
Ability: Sap Sipper
EVs: 40 Atk / 252 HP / 216 Sp. Def
Careful Nature
- Earthquake
- Horn Leech
- Rock slide
- Wild Charge

Gogoat already spots pretty decent natural bulk with 123/62/81 defensive stats. Obviously it won't be taking physical hits too well, but that's irrelevant since it's being used as a special wall and pivet. Very solid coverage; hitting everything for at least neutral damage and scoring many super effective hits on the metagame. Combined with a strong base 100 attack stat and 40 Atk ev investment, nothing really enjoys taking hits from gogoat. Access to STAB'd Horn Leech offers gogoat a very coveted recovery move on an assault vest set.

Behold how well it can handle a certain troublesome matchup:

252 SpA Mega Charizard Y Flamethrower vs. 252 HP / 216+ SpD Assault Vest Gogoat in Sun: 290-344 (64.4 - 76.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Mega Charizard Y Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 216+ SpD Assault Vest Gogoat in Sun: 356-422 (79.1 - 93.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Mega Charizard Y Air Slash vs. 252 HP / 216+ SpD Assault Vest Gogoat: 164-194 (36.4 - 43.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

In the sun! Gogoat can survive anything the ever common Timid Mega Charizard Y can throw at it. Even after rocks, only Fire Blast has 43.8% chance of achieving the OHKO. Gogoat likes those odds considering....

40 Atk Gogoat Rock Slide vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Mega Charizard Y: 276-328 (92.6 - 110%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO


Other common matchups:

Modest Assault Vest Goodra-
252+ SpA Goodra Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 216+ SpD Assault Vest Gogoat: 134-158 (29.7 - 35.1%) -- 16.1% chance to 3HKO
252+ SpA Goodra Dragon Pulse vs. 252 HP / 216+ SpD Assault Vest Gogoat: 78-93 (17.3 - 20.6%) -- possible 5HKO

Timid Gengar-
252 SpA Gengar Sludge Bomb vs. 252 HP / 216+ SpD Assault Vest Gogoat: 168-200 (37.3 - 44.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252 SpA Choice Specs Gengar Sludge Bomb vs. 252 HP / 216+ SpD Assault Vest Gogoat: 254-300 (56.4 - 66.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Timid Greninja-
252 SpA Life Orb Protean Greninja Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 216+ SpD Assault Vest Gogoat: 187-221 (41.5 - 49.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

Timid Noivern-
252 SpA Choice Specs Noivern Flamethrower vs. 252 HP / 216+ SpD Assault Vest Gogoat: 136-162 (30.2 - 36%) -- 43.1% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Noivern Draco Meteor vs. 252 HP / 216+ SpD Assault Vest Gogoat: 148-175 (32.8 - 38.8%) -- 99.5% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Noivern Hurricane vs. 252 HP / 216+ SpD Assault Vest Gogoat: 252-296 (56 - 65.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Scarfed Timid Hydreigon-
252 SpA Hydreigon Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 216+ SpD Assault Vest Gogoat: 134-158 (29.7 - 35.1%) -- 16.1% chance to 3HKO

Modest Volcarona-
252+ SpA Volcarona Fiery Dance vs. 252 HP / 216+ SpD Assault Vest Gogoat: 168-200 (37.3 - 44.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252+ SpA Life Orb Volcarona Fiery Dance vs. 252 HP / 216+ SpD Assault Vest Gogoat: 218-260 (48.4 - 57.7%) -- 94.5% chance to 2HKO

Calm Heatran-
4 SpA Heatran Lava Plume vs. 252 HP / 216+ SpD Assault Vest Gogoat: 126-150 (28 - 33.3%) -- 0% chance to 3HKO



AND THESE ARE JUST IT'S BAD MATCHUPS!

Assuming equal starts, Gogoat actually wins all of the above except against Choice Specs Gengar's Sludgebomb and Choice Specs Noivern's Hurricane (assuming it doesn't miss).

 

[Hitsusen]

Weezing @ Assault Vest
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 132 Def / 120 Sp. Def
Sassy Nature (0 IV Speed)
- Clear Smog / Slugde Bomb
- Payback
- Fire Blast
- HP Ice

HP Ice forces Gliscor to run, Clear Smog lacks of raw power but it's secondary effect worth it. Payback will hit hard Ghosts and psychics and Fire Blast against steel types. The lost of burn hax and Black Slugde recover are heavy and we'll not see this build doing much work on higher tiers at all.

Feraligatr @ Assault Vest
Ability: Torrent / Sheer Force(If ever comes out)
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
Adamant Nature
- Aqua Jet
- Waterfall
- Ice Punch
- Superpower / Brick Break / Chunch

Again lacks of a recovery move (if he had Drain Punch...), but still can tank some super efectives hit on the special side very well, like:

252 SpA Choice Specs Latios Draco Meteor vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Feraligatr: 247-292 (66 - 78%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Latios Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Feraligatr: 230-272 (61.4 - 72.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
4 SpA Rotom-W Volt Switch vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Feraligatr: 122-146 (32.6 - 39%) -- 99.7% chance to 3HKO
252+ SpA Mega Venusaur Giga Drain vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Feraligatr: 204-240 (54.5 - 64.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+1 252 SpA Genesect Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Feraligatr: 216-256 (57.7 - 68.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Goodra Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Feraligatr: 150-178 (40.1 - 47.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+2 252 SpA Adaptability Mega Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Feraligatr: 288-340 (77 - 90.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Greninja Dark Pulse vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Feraligatr: 113-134 (30.2 - 35.8%) -- 37% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Protean Greninja Grass Knot (80 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Feraligatr: 226-268 (60.4 - 71.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Gengar Sludge Bomb vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Feraligatr: 115-136 (30.7 - 36.3%) -- 58.2% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Mega Charizard Y Solar Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Feraligatr: 238-280 (63.6 - 74.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[Agent Gibbs]

I'm actually a pretty big fan of Assault Vest Landorus-T myself. I personally use a very similar set, albeit with a 248 HP / 56 Atk / 204 SDef Adamant EV spread. There is a pretty big loss of power, but it still hits a jump point and is enough to do things like OHKO Dragonite after Stealth Rock with Stone Edge, 2HKO 248/0 Scizor with Earthquake, and OHKO Thundurus(-T) with Stone Edge. Meanwhile, the extra bulk is pretty impressive. In addition to the calcs that EyeDentist mentioned, it can also survive a Life Orb Thundurus-T's HP Ice after 2 previous switches into Stealth Rock, take 2 LO Shadow Balls from a Quiet Aegislash after Stealth Rock (and a HP Ice after Stealth Rock if it's running that), take anything from an unboosted Genesect before returning 69.9 - 82.6% damage with Earthquake (assuming a Hasty Genesect), and even take a +1 Life Orb Fire Blast from a Modest Volcarona outside of Sun. Meanwhile, it still has enough physical bulk to perform feats such as surviving two Stone Edges from a non-Choice Band Terrakion and surviving a Sharp Beak Talonflame's Swords Dance-boosted Brave Bird.

You also have to remember that Assault Vest Landorus-T is different in that it acts as a lure of sorts, attracting Pokemon that could normally check it while surviving their attacks and KOing back. That LO Thundurus thought it would just blow past you with HP Ice, only to have you survive and KO with Stone Edge. Your opponent's Genesect though it could easily force you out with the threat of Ice Beam, only to fail and have their Genesect picked off by Earthquake. That Latios that thought it could guarantee a kill with a Specs Draco Meteor suddenly finds itself on the wrong end of a Knock Off when it can't finish the job. Assault Vest Landorus-T also makes a fantastic answer to boosting variants of Mega Lucario without Ice Punch. While Swords Dance sets without Ice Punch are used to switching out of Landorus-T, Nasty Plot sets (arguably the harder ones to counter) can usually wipe out Landorus-T with a +2 Flash Cannon. The Assault Vest allows Landorus-T to survive the hit and cream Mega Lucario with Earthquake, removing a very dangerous sweeper from the game entirely. This makes Assault Vest Landorus-T one of the few Pokemon to be able to actually counter most Mega Lucario sets (again, barring SD sets with Ice Punch).

But yeah, Assault Vest Landorus-T is pretty nice, so I'm glad to see that it's getting some love.

 

[qwazz]

Why assault vest conk is not in the suggested sets is beyond me.
AV conk is literally the only set now, and it's fairly common. I think it should be in the featured sets. Anyways, I'd like to point out that rhyperior makes good use of this item. Some support is required for him but it packs quite a punch. His ability, solid rock, really pairs well with the assault vest, allowing him to tank hits quite well.
Rhyperior @ assault vest
Ability: solid rock
EVs: 252 Hp / 160 Atk / 92 SDef
Adamant nature
- Earthquake
- Stone edge
- Ice punch/Fire punch
- Iron head/poison jab/Megahorn

Rhyperior has decent coverage within his movepool, so you can change his moves around to fit whatever your team needs. There's no real reason for the EVs at the moment, I just sorta slapped them together. It looked good to me, so I went with it. In a battle I used this thing, and he took less than 50% from focus blast coming off of megazard y. Pretty impressive. Also sandstorm support really gives rhyperior a sexy boost.
EDIT: I just found out rhyperior gets the elemental punches...

 

[StonekingZ]

That can't be right. It's not like Klutz users get the power boost of Choice Band without any side effects.

Also, I can't wait until someone seriously suggests Assault Vest Sharpedo. With maximum investment, it survives Mega-Venusaur's Giga Drain!

It's not right.
Lopunny doesn't get the boost. So, neither does Golurk.

Lopunny is better in my opinion for leads. How's that (semi)useless Ferrothorn/Smeargle?

 

[Folex]

Slowking and Reuniclus are quite good candidates for the assault vest. With high base Special Defence, you can invest it all on HP and offensive stats to serve as an offensive pivot that can sponge in special attacks that are even super effective and with the ability regenerator you can gain health back whenever you switch out.

Slowking @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef
Calm Nature
- Surf
- Psyshock/Psychic
- Fire Blast
- Grass Knot

Unfortunately, Slowking's vast movepool doesn't contain Hydro Pump, but Surf still does plenty of damage to anything that doesn't resist it and serves as a good STAB move. Psyshock is preferred as the Psychic STAB because it lets Slowking deal with special walls and Pokemon with high special defence. Fire blast gets rid of Grass types and adds more coverage. Grass knot hits water types and is basically there because you can't have use status moves with the Assault Vest.

Reuniclus @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SAtk
Modest Nature
- Focus Blast
- Psyshock/Psychic
- Shadow Ball
- Energy Ball/Thunder

Focus Blast is needed to hit Dark-types and Steel-types hard. Psyshock is need to get past Rock Pokemon in a sandstorm and Pokemon with high special defence such as Gastrodon, Blissey and Chansey. Shadow ball helps get rid of other psychic Pokemon. Thunder is an option to hit Water-type Pokemon for massive damage. Energy Ball is a more accurate option.

 

[Kingpoleon]

Assault Vest Hitmontop sounds decent. How about
Hitmontop@Assault Vest 252 HP/252 Attack/4 SpDer Intimidate
- Rapid Spin
- Close Combat
- Bullet Punch
- Sucker Punch.

 

[Porce]

I like assault vest Hitmontop a lot as well, I think the best move spread is close combat, rapid spin, fake out, and stone edge/sucker punch. It makes a good sort of pivoty pokemon. Hitmonchan is also really good with AV: despite having poor physical bulk, its special bulk is just as good as Hitmontop's and it has access to drain punch, and a higher attack stat+Iron Fist.

 

[green gadgets]

I tested Terrakion with Assault Vest, it's ok, but the real Thing is with Tyranitar/Hippo for Sandstorm. That's bulky

 

[LoDart210]

What's with the rage with adding an AV to every possible sweeper and pointing out how it survives certain threats?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that it won't work or anything, but its not optimal.

For example someone posted feraligatr... Why? Doing so makes him lose out on a damage boosting item and dragon dance, for the sake of... Taking special hits better.

Assault Vest works best for bulky defensive Pokemon that could use a special defense boost to help, like that hitmontop post suggested.

Or for making a tank or lure that much more bulky allowing it to sponge another hit, and thus, dish out another hit, like AV metagross.


And lastly, AV is great for Pokemon that have secondary regeneration like the ability regenerator (which is why slowbro and tangrowth are such great AV users) or drain punch (like Gallade)


Again, to sum up, this is not an attack on people's post, just against the trend to slap it onto a Pokemon that doesn't do much with it besides lose a critical non attacking move, speed investment, for the sake of taking another hit.

 

[scooter4000]

What's with the rage with adding an AV to every possible sweeper and pointing out how it survives certain threats?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that it won't work or anything, but its not optimal.

For example someone posted feraligatr... Why? Doing so makes him lose out on a damage boosting item and dragon dance, for the sake of... Taking special hits better.

Assault Vest works best for bulky defensive Pokemon that could use a special defense boost to help, like that hitmontop post suggested.

Or for making a tank or lure that much more bulky allowing it to sponge another hit, and thus, dish out another hit, like AV metagross.


And lastly, AV is great for Pokemon that have secondary regeneration like the ability regenerator (which is why slowbro and tangrowth are such great AV users) or drain punch (like Gallade)


Again, to sum up, this is not an attack on people's post, just against the trend to slap it onto a Pokemon that doesn't do much with it besides lose a critical non attacking move, speed investment, for the sake of taking another hit.

Totally agree with this. What's next Assault Vest Weavile, Talonflame? Has anyone mention Torterra yet. It's something that begs for an Assault Vest set.

Torterra@Assault Vest
Nature: Adamant
Ability: Shell Armor
EVs: 252 Hp/Att, 4 Def
Earthquake
Stone Edge
Wood Hammer/Seed Bomb
Crunch/ Iron Head/Super Power

Earthquake is you main stab. Stone Edge is for those flying types. Wood Hammer has the power but if you don't like the recoil go with Seed Bomb. The last slot is filler but I think Crunch is the better of the three

 

[Mitchhhhhh]

I'm actually a pretty big fan of Assault Vest Landorus-T myself. I personally use a very similar set, albeit with a 248 HP / 56 Atk / 204 SDef Adamant EV spread. There is a pretty big loss of power, but it still hits a jump point and is enough to do things like OHKO Dragonite after Stealth Rock with Stone Edge, 2HKO 248/0 Scizor with Earthquake, and OHKO Thundurus(-T) with Stone Edge. Meanwhile, the extra bulk is pretty impressive. In addition to the calcs that EyeDentist mentioned, it can also survive a Life Orb Thundurus-T's HP Ice after 2 previous switches into Stealth Rock, take 2 LO Shadow Balls from a Quiet Aegislash after Stealth Rock (and a HP Ice after Stealth Rock if it's running that), take anything from an unboosted Genesect before returning 69.9 - 82.6% damage with Earthquake (assuming a Hasty Genesect), and even take a +1 Life Orb Fire Blast from a Modest Volcarona outside of Sun. Meanwhile, it still has enough physical bulk to perform feats such as surviving two Stone Edges from a non-Choice Band Terrakion and surviving a Sharp Beak Talonflame's Swords Dance-boosted Brave Bird.

You also have to remember that Assault Vest Landorus-T is different in that it acts as a lure of sorts, attracting Pokemon that could normally check it while surviving their attacks and KOing back. That LO Thundurus thought it would just blow past you with HP Ice, only to have you survive and KO with Stone Edge. Your opponent's Genesect though it could easily force you out with the threat of Ice Beam, only to fail and have their Genesect picked off by Earthquake. That Latios that thought it could guarantee a kill with a Specs Draco Meteor suddenly finds itself on the wrong end of a Knock Off when it can't finish the job. Assault Vest Landorus-T also makes a fantastic answer to boosting variants of Mega Lucario without Ice Punch. While Swords Dance sets without Ice Punch are used to switching out of Landorus-T, Nasty Plot sets (arguably the harder ones to counter) can usually wipe out Landorus-T with a +2 Flash Cannon. The Assault Vest allows Landorus-T to survive the hit and cream Mega Lucario with Earthquake, removing a very dangerous sweeper from the game entirely. This makes Assault Vest Landorus-T one of the few Pokemon to be able to actually counter most Mega Lucario sets (again, barring SD sets with Ice Punch).

But yeah, Assault Vest Landorus-T is pretty nice, so I'm glad to see that it's getting some love.

M-Luke isn't long for this world, but it wouldn't stay in on a Lando-T that lacks leftovers anyway as it would assume it to be scarfed.

I feel like the best Lando-T sets are the bulky SR setting pivot and the scarf set, as evidenced by all the calcs here, AV Landorus-T still can't switch in to a lot of special moves as most things outspeed it and can still 2hko and even if they can't they can just switch out and you're left predicting what they'll switch into with knockoff as your best option usually.

I just don't think it's worth slapping an AV on something that has better things to do like setting up rocks or being a real threat with a choice scarf.

 

[Pyritie]

What are some good dark types besides ttar that do well with an AV?

Intimidate scrafty with drain punch maybe?