[OVERVIEW]
Bayleef is the only conceivably viable Grass-type that gets both Light Screen and Reflect. This, along with its status as one of the mere handful of Pokemon that has these moves, much less can afford to run them, grants Bayleef a unique niche in NU. It has quite a bit of natural bulk, and mono-Grass typing is usually useful in a tier full of Water-types. However, Bayleef's niche isn't always that useful in a tier that punishes passive Pokemon like itself with setup and is dominated by Toxic. Bayleef is also almost strictly outclassed by Wigglytuff as a straight dual screens setter, and the only major benefits to running it are it checking Huntail and having a better defensive typing. Furthermore, while Bayleef may be bulky, it has no offensive presence, gets shut down by Taunt, is neutered by Encore, and is easily taken advantage of. Bayleef is best used to set up dual screens quickly and allow a teammate to set up at reduced risk. The only reason you would ever consider running Bayleef is for Light Screen. Otherwise, just use Bellossom or Tangela for a Grass-type.
[SET]
name: Support
move 1: Light Screen
move 2: Hidden Power Grass
move 3: Synthesis
move 4: Reflect / Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Overgrow
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Light Screen and Reflect reduce damage the team takes for a few turns, and Bayleef can take advantage of its bulk to set them up versus many common Pokemon that don't hit it super effectively. Synthesis gives Bayleef reliable recovery to keep it healthy and set up dual screens multiple times if needed. Hidden Power Grass is a STAB attack that prevents Bayleef from being completely disabled by Taunt and allows it to beat Huntail and Pupitar more easily, but the move is extraordinarily weak in most situations.
The EV spread is extremely customizable, so its Special Defense and Defense EVs along with the nature can be altered to augment Bayleef's bulk according to whatever a particular team needs most. Calm is the suggested nature to lessen the damage received from a plethora of special attackers, including Flareon and Huntail. Bayleef should only be used with Pokemon that appreciate the ability to set up more easily, such as Crawdaunt, Lickitung, Hitmonchan, Huntail, Sableye, and Chimecho. Bayleef should not be used as a lead, however, as it loses to many common leads such as Glalie as well as other Taunt users and gets set up on by others. Bayleef is able to set dual screens versus some more passive variants of Pokemon like Wailord and Roselia, so it should try to find opportunities to do so throughout the match. Leech Seed is useful for providing passive recovery to teammates, as well as forcing switches to allow teammates to get in safely or set up freely. Taunt and Toxic can both render Bayleef completely useless, so they should be scouted for adequately.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Protect can be used with Leech Seed or Toxic to help rack up damage versus foes. Counter can make use of Bayleef's natural physical bulk to surprise many heavy hitters that think it cannot do anything in return. Grass Whistle has horrible accuracy issues, but it can be used to attempt to put opposing Pokemon to sleep. Safeguard can be an interesting option to protect Bayleef's teammates from being crippled by Toxic for a few turns, giving them more freedom to set up.
Checks and Counters
=============
**Taunt**: Taunt is the most effective counter to Bayleef, as its utility is almost completely dependent on the use of status moves. Taunt users like Vigoroth, Chimecho, and Golbat can all effectively prevent dual screens from going up.
**Flying-, Ice-, and Fire-types**: While Bayleef has excellent defenses, powerful super effective moves from attackers like Murkrow, Golbat, Glalie, and Flareon can put a huge dent into or even OHKO Bayleef, and it cannot do much in return.
**Substitute**: Pokemon such as Haunter and Mawile can effectively set up Substitute versus Bayleef, as it will likely not be able to break it with even Hidden Power Grass if it is running it. Once the opposing Pokemon has set up a Substitute, it is free to start setting up stat boosts or firing off attacks at Bayleef or its teammates.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[DurzaOffTopic, 357488]]
- Quality checked by: [[Oglemi, 40358]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [Rabia, 336073]]
Bayleef is the only conceivably viable Grass-type that gets both Light Screen and Reflect. This, along with its status as one of the mere handful of Pokemon that has these moves, much less can afford to run them, grants Bayleef a unique niche in NU. It has quite a bit of natural bulk, and mono-Grass typing is usually useful in a tier full of Water-types. However, Bayleef's niche isn't always that useful in a tier that punishes passive Pokemon like itself with setup and is dominated by Toxic. Bayleef is also almost strictly outclassed by Wigglytuff as a straight dual screens setter, and the only major benefits to running it are it checking Huntail and having a better defensive typing. Furthermore, while Bayleef may be bulky, it has no offensive presence, gets shut down by Taunt, is neutered by Encore, and is easily taken advantage of. Bayleef is best used to set up dual screens quickly and allow a teammate to set up at reduced risk. The only reason you would ever consider running Bayleef is for Light Screen. Otherwise, just use Bellossom or Tangela for a Grass-type.
[SET]
name: Support
move 1: Light Screen
move 2: Hidden Power Grass
move 3: Synthesis
move 4: Reflect / Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Overgrow
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Light Screen and Reflect reduce damage the team takes for a few turns, and Bayleef can take advantage of its bulk to set them up versus many common Pokemon that don't hit it super effectively. Synthesis gives Bayleef reliable recovery to keep it healthy and set up dual screens multiple times if needed. Hidden Power Grass is a STAB attack that prevents Bayleef from being completely disabled by Taunt and allows it to beat Huntail and Pupitar more easily, but the move is extraordinarily weak in most situations.
The EV spread is extremely customizable, so its Special Defense and Defense EVs along with the nature can be altered to augment Bayleef's bulk according to whatever a particular team needs most. Calm is the suggested nature to lessen the damage received from a plethora of special attackers, including Flareon and Huntail. Bayleef should only be used with Pokemon that appreciate the ability to set up more easily, such as Crawdaunt, Lickitung, Hitmonchan, Huntail, Sableye, and Chimecho. Bayleef should not be used as a lead, however, as it loses to many common leads such as Glalie as well as other Taunt users and gets set up on by others. Bayleef is able to set dual screens versus some more passive variants of Pokemon like Wailord and Roselia, so it should try to find opportunities to do so throughout the match. Leech Seed is useful for providing passive recovery to teammates, as well as forcing switches to allow teammates to get in safely or set up freely. Taunt and Toxic can both render Bayleef completely useless, so they should be scouted for adequately.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Protect can be used with Leech Seed or Toxic to help rack up damage versus foes. Counter can make use of Bayleef's natural physical bulk to surprise many heavy hitters that think it cannot do anything in return. Grass Whistle has horrible accuracy issues, but it can be used to attempt to put opposing Pokemon to sleep. Safeguard can be an interesting option to protect Bayleef's teammates from being crippled by Toxic for a few turns, giving them more freedom to set up.
Checks and Counters
=============
**Taunt**: Taunt is the most effective counter to Bayleef, as its utility is almost completely dependent on the use of status moves. Taunt users like Vigoroth, Chimecho, and Golbat can all effectively prevent dual screens from going up.
**Flying-, Ice-, and Fire-types**: While Bayleef has excellent defenses, powerful super effective moves from attackers like Murkrow, Golbat, Glalie, and Flareon can put a huge dent into or even OHKO Bayleef, and it cannot do much in return.
**Substitute**: Pokemon such as Haunter and Mawile can effectively set up Substitute versus Bayleef, as it will likely not be able to break it with even Hidden Power Grass if it is running it. Once the opposing Pokemon has set up a Substitute, it is free to start setting up stat boosts or firing off attacks at Bayleef or its teammates.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[DurzaOffTopic, 357488]]
- Quality checked by: [[Oglemi, 40358]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [Rabia, 336073]]
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