[OVERVIEW]
Carvanha is one of the most powerful Pokemon in Little Cup with a base 90 Attack. Carvanha's ability Speed Boost and its base 65 Speed allow it to perform as one of the best revenge killers or late-game cleaners in the tier. Destiny Bond, combined with Speed Boost, guarantees Carvanha at least one KO each match. Carvanha's Water- and Dark-type STAB attacks provide great neutral coverage that is only resisted by a handful of Pokemon. Unfortunately, Carvanha's defenses leave a lot to be desired, so it will lose a good chunk of its health from even resisted attacks, making it hard to switch Carvanha in safely without sacking an ally first. Carvanha is also often forced to run Protect to get a safe Speed boost, as there are a number of Pokemon that can outspeed it before a boost. Finally, Carvanha doesn't do well against teams that are extremely bulky, as it will be quickly KOed if it cannot OHKO or 2HKO a Pokemon.
[SET]
name: GOTTA GO FAST
move 1: Waterfall
move 2: Crunch
move 3: Aqua Jet / Zen Headbutt / Destiny Bond
move 4: Protect / Zen Headbutt / Destiny Bond
item: Life Orb
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Adamant
evs: 196 Atk / 36 Def / 36 SpD / 236 Spe
ivs: 0 HP
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Waterfall is Carvanha's most powerful Water-type attack, and it also comes with a nifty flinch chance. Crunch is Carvanha's most powerful Dark-type attack, and boasts a chance to drop the foe's Defense one stage. Aqua Jet is useful for picking off weakened Pokemon, and should be chosen in the third slot if Carvanha's main role is to sweep late-game. On the other hand, Zen Headbutt can be used over Aqua Jet to KO Croagunk, one of Carvanha's biggest threats. Zen Headbutt can also KO Mienfoo and Foongus after a Knock Off, making Carvanha one of best Pokemon to break Regenerator cores. Protect prevents Carvanha from being crippled by Fake Out spam and allows it to safely attain +1 Speed. Destiny Bond can be chosen over Protect in order to take out at least one Pokemon per match and can be used to remove a threat to another sweeper.
Set Details
========
An EV spread of 196 Atk / 36 Def / 36 SpD / 236 Spe allows Carvanha to hit 16 Speed, letting it outspeed threats such as Scraggy without a boost and hit 24 Speed at +1, outspeeding even a +2 Tirtouga. An Adamant nature increases power as much as possible, boosting Carvanha to 19 Attack. Life Orb turns Carvanha into a fearsome wallbreaker capable of 2HKOing some of the bulkiest Pokemon in LC. A 0 HP IV puts Carvanha at 19 HP, lowering Life Orb recoil to just 1 HP. Speed Boost is always the preferred ability, as it turns Carvanha into a fearsome late-game sweeper and its typing and poor defenses prevent it from properly utilizing Rough Skin.
Usage Tips
========
As Carvanha is not bulky at all, it is usually best used late-game. Carvanha can also be used as a wallbreaker, coming into battle early to break through common walls such as Porygon and Vullaby. If Carvanha is carrying Aqua Jet, it is also a potent revenge killer, notably able to pick off Sash-less Abra and low-health Sturdy Pokemon. If Carvanha carries Destiny Bond, lure in a common check or counter for another sweeper and use Destiny Bond to remove it.
Team Options
========
Carvanha often lures in Grass-types such as Ferroseed and Foongus, so Fire-type teammates such as Ponyta or Larvesta make for good teammates. Both of those Pokemon can also switch into Fighting-types that threaten Carvanha and deter them with a burn from Flame Body. If Carvanha carries Destiny Bond, one should choose a sweeper such as Corphish that benefits from the absence of Pokemon Carvanha often lures in. Carvanha appreciates Knock Off support from Pokemon such as Pawniard and Mienfoo, both of which have tools to remove bulky Pokemon that trouble Carvanha such as Spritzee or Porygon. Entry hazard setters such as Dwebble or Ferroseed aid Carvanha's sweep by providing entry hazards, which can break Sturdy and provide valuable residual damage. Slow Baton Passers such as Mienfoo or Aipom can pass Attack boosts to Carvanha while bringing it in unharmed.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Thief is a decent alternative to Crunch, as it allows Carvanha to be a one-time Knock Off absorber, but this severely cuts down on power. An Eviolite set allows Carvanha to lure in Pokemon such as Timburr and Croagunk and live their powerful priority attacks. However, the drop in power is noticeable, as Carvanha becomes unable to 2HKO Timburr without prior damage. Carvanha can viably run a special attacking set including Hydro Pump, Dark Pulse, and Ice Beam, which can be used to lure in Carvanha's common checks, such as Mienfoo, and KO them. Such a set also hits Timburr and Snubbull harder than any of its other options could. Poison Fang can be used to lure and KO Cottonee, but the slot for it is generally better filled by moves such as Zen Headbutt or Aqua Jet.
Checks & Counters
=============
**Croagunk**: Croagunk fears nothing but Zen Headbutt, as it is immune to Waterfall thanks to Dry Skin and resists Crunch. Croagunk also carries its own priority in Vaccuum Wave, OHKOing Carvanha before it has the chance to use Zen Headbutt.
**Fighting-types**: Bulky Fighting-types such as Timburr can switch into any of Carvanha's moves and retaliate with a powerful Mach Punch, but must be careful of switching in on Zen Headbutt, which is often a 2HKO. Mienfoo is similar to Timburr in that it can switch in on some moves, but lacks the priority Timburr provides.
**Fairy-types**: Bulky Fairy-types such as Spritzee and Snubbull are good checks to Carvanha, as the former has good all-around bulk and Wish to heal off any damage Carvanha inflicts, while the latter can utilize Intimidate, allowing it to drop Carvanha's Attack. Cottonee is also a good check, as it resists both of Carvanha's STAB types.
**Grass-types**: Grass-types such as Chespin, Foongus, and Ferroseed all threaten Carvanha. Foongus only fears an OHKO from Zen Headbutt if it loses its Eviolite, but otherwise is free to pivot in on Carvanha and put it to sleep with Spore or threaten it with Giga Drain. Ferroseed and Chespin wall and can set up entry hazards on Carvanha.
**Sturdy and Focus Sash**: Pokemon that can survive Carvanha's attacks are automatically threatening due to its minimal bulk. Pokemon that utilize either Sturdy or Focus Sash, such as Tirtouga or Abra, can survive any of Carvanha's attacks and threaten it with powerful attacks.
**Bulky Pokemon**: Pokemon such as Lileep, Vullaby, and Porygon all make good checks due to their bulk, but can be lured in and KOed by Destiny Bond. Lileep is particularly threatening thanks to its immunity to Water-type attacks and naturally high Defense stat.
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