Status: Awaiting Proof reads, general comments
Changes made since original: 16/11: Completely overhauled SC, added other sections
http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/larvitar
______________________________________
[SET]
name: Boosting Brute
move 1: Rock Polish / Dragon Dance
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Stone Edge / Rock Slide
move 4: Crunch
item: Flame Orb
nature: Adamant / Jolly
ability: Guts
evs: 36 HP / 244 Atk / 36 Def / 188 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Larvitar's claim to fame lies in its ability to boost both its Attack and Speed to phenomenal levels in just one turn. Rock Polish is the preferred option as it allows Larvitar to outspeed all Choice Scarf users which have 17 Speed or less while maintaining a respectable 25 Attack. Dragon Dance puts you at 21 Speed after one use, outrunning every non-boosted Pokémon in Little Cup, and allows you to reach an astronomical attack stat of 36. Earthquake, a very powerful move in Little Cup that also comes with STAB, makes an obvious choice on the moveset. However, choosing between Stone Edge and Rock Slide all depends on power and accuracy, though Stone Edge is generally the better option as Larvitar wants to deal as much damage as it can before getting KOed. Crunch makes for great filler, being able to hit the Ghost-types of Little Cup, while being your most effective move against Bronzor.</p>
<p>Toxic Orb does less damage than Flame Orb over the first two turns, equal damage on the third turn and starts to do more damage each subsequent turn after that. As Larvitar tends to stay in and sweep for as long as it can, Toxic Orb is generally more of a hassle than a benefit.</p>
<p>Priority is the bane of Larvitar. Common priority users such as Croagunk, Carvanha, and Squirtle cut Larvitar's sweep short and should be dealt with before bringing Larvitar in. Mantyke in particular is extremely effective at removing the most common of the above, Croagunk, with Hidden Power Flying. Mantyke also has great synergy with Larvitar, possessing immunities to Water- and Ground-type attacks, while taking pitiful damage from most Grass-type attacks due to its impressive Special Defense. Mantyke can also punch holes in the opponent's physical walls, making Larvitar's sweep easier. A Croagunk of your own can also greatly help Larvitar in its sweep by absorbing Water- and Grass-type attacks, as well as finish off Pokémon which barely survive Larvitar's onslaught. Choice Scarf Magnemite can remove Bronzor from the game, who is never 2HKOed by Crunch through Oran Berry. Wynaut is a great teammate to Larvitar, as it provides the important set up turn with the help of Encore. Wynaut can also remove Choice Scarf users, which is helpful if you are using Dragon Dance instead of Rock Polish. Finally, dual screen support is appreciated, as it may allow Larvitar to set up two turns in a row, though finding time to set up may prove to be a challenge.</p>
[Team Options]
<p>Larvitar needs teammates that can dispose of Croagunk and Aqua Jet users. Mantyke is a great lure for Croagunk, and also has great synergy with Larvitar, as it can absorb Water- and Ground-type attacks aimed at it. Mantyke can also proceed to sweep on its own after Larvitar has weakened the opposition after an Agility or Dragon Dance. Choice Scarf Magnemite is also a great partner to Larvitar, due to its ability to remove Bronzor, who is the only Little Cup wall not 2HKOed by Larvitar's moves after it is set up. Magnemite can also revenge kill Water-types which may give Larvitar nightmares with Aqua Jet.</p>
<p>Wynaut is perhaps the most important teammate to Larvitar though, simply due to the free set up turn it can create for Larvitar. Wynaut also does a great job at removing Choice Scarf users, easing a Dragon Dance Larvitar's sweep. Dual screens will further help Larvitar set up on resisted hits if Wynaut can't find a place on your team. Stealth Rock support, as always, is always appreciated to nullify Focus Sash. Sandstorm may increase Larvitar's mediocre Special Defense, but is more likely to be a hindrance than a help to the rest of the team.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Sadly, Larvitar does not have much of a movepool apart from what has been mentioned already. Outrage may be used for great neutral coverage, although the undesirable side effect discourages usage. Superpower hits Bronzor harder than any other move, but the Attack drop is usually not worth it. Larvitar can try and pull off a Curse set, but with the huge amount of weaknesses it possesses, Larvitar won't be staying around long enough to make full use of it.</p>
[EVs]
<p>The EVs are straightforward: maximum Attack and maximum Speed with the remaining EVs in HP and Defense. An Adamant nature should be used with Rock Polish to maximize damage output, whereas Jolly is needed for Dragon Dance to reach 21 Speed after one Dragon Dance.</p>
[Opinion]
<p>Larvitar is one of the more underrated Little Cup Pokémon. While many think of it to be in the shadow of other status abusers such as Taillow and Teddiursa, Larvitar can be a formidable physical sweeper with correct support. Although its weaknesses to common priority moves reduce its effectiveness, much like Tyranitar in OU, the little dinosaur can rip holes in unprepared teams with little difficulty.</p>
[Counters]
<p>Larvitar's only true counter is Bronzor. Resistance to its STAB attacks alongside the ability to OHKO Larvitar with Gyro Ball solidify its place as a Larvitar counter. Besides Bronzor, priority users such as Croagunk and Carvanha can also check Larvitar with ease. Effectively, anything with a super effective priority move can be considered a decent check to the little dinosaur.</p>
Changes made since original: 16/11: Completely overhauled SC, added other sections
http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/larvitar
______________________________________
[SET]
name: Boosting Brute
move 1: Rock Polish / Dragon Dance
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Stone Edge / Rock Slide
move 4: Crunch
item: Flame Orb
nature: Adamant / Jolly
ability: Guts
evs: 36 HP / 244 Atk / 36 Def / 188 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Larvitar's claim to fame lies in its ability to boost both its Attack and Speed to phenomenal levels in just one turn. Rock Polish is the preferred option as it allows Larvitar to outspeed all Choice Scarf users which have 17 Speed or less while maintaining a respectable 25 Attack. Dragon Dance puts you at 21 Speed after one use, outrunning every non-boosted Pokémon in Little Cup, and allows you to reach an astronomical attack stat of 36. Earthquake, a very powerful move in Little Cup that also comes with STAB, makes an obvious choice on the moveset. However, choosing between Stone Edge and Rock Slide all depends on power and accuracy, though Stone Edge is generally the better option as Larvitar wants to deal as much damage as it can before getting KOed. Crunch makes for great filler, being able to hit the Ghost-types of Little Cup, while being your most effective move against Bronzor.</p>
<p>Toxic Orb does less damage than Flame Orb over the first two turns, equal damage on the third turn and starts to do more damage each subsequent turn after that. As Larvitar tends to stay in and sweep for as long as it can, Toxic Orb is generally more of a hassle than a benefit.</p>
<p>Priority is the bane of Larvitar. Common priority users such as Croagunk, Carvanha, and Squirtle cut Larvitar's sweep short and should be dealt with before bringing Larvitar in. Mantyke in particular is extremely effective at removing the most common of the above, Croagunk, with Hidden Power Flying. Mantyke also has great synergy with Larvitar, possessing immunities to Water- and Ground-type attacks, while taking pitiful damage from most Grass-type attacks due to its impressive Special Defense. Mantyke can also punch holes in the opponent's physical walls, making Larvitar's sweep easier. A Croagunk of your own can also greatly help Larvitar in its sweep by absorbing Water- and Grass-type attacks, as well as finish off Pokémon which barely survive Larvitar's onslaught. Choice Scarf Magnemite can remove Bronzor from the game, who is never 2HKOed by Crunch through Oran Berry. Wynaut is a great teammate to Larvitar, as it provides the important set up turn with the help of Encore. Wynaut can also remove Choice Scarf users, which is helpful if you are using Dragon Dance instead of Rock Polish. Finally, dual screen support is appreciated, as it may allow Larvitar to set up two turns in a row, though finding time to set up may prove to be a challenge.</p>
[Team Options]
<p>Larvitar needs teammates that can dispose of Croagunk and Aqua Jet users. Mantyke is a great lure for Croagunk, and also has great synergy with Larvitar, as it can absorb Water- and Ground-type attacks aimed at it. Mantyke can also proceed to sweep on its own after Larvitar has weakened the opposition after an Agility or Dragon Dance. Choice Scarf Magnemite is also a great partner to Larvitar, due to its ability to remove Bronzor, who is the only Little Cup wall not 2HKOed by Larvitar's moves after it is set up. Magnemite can also revenge kill Water-types which may give Larvitar nightmares with Aqua Jet.</p>
<p>Wynaut is perhaps the most important teammate to Larvitar though, simply due to the free set up turn it can create for Larvitar. Wynaut also does a great job at removing Choice Scarf users, easing a Dragon Dance Larvitar's sweep. Dual screens will further help Larvitar set up on resisted hits if Wynaut can't find a place on your team. Stealth Rock support, as always, is always appreciated to nullify Focus Sash. Sandstorm may increase Larvitar's mediocre Special Defense, but is more likely to be a hindrance than a help to the rest of the team.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Sadly, Larvitar does not have much of a movepool apart from what has been mentioned already. Outrage may be used for great neutral coverage, although the undesirable side effect discourages usage. Superpower hits Bronzor harder than any other move, but the Attack drop is usually not worth it. Larvitar can try and pull off a Curse set, but with the huge amount of weaknesses it possesses, Larvitar won't be staying around long enough to make full use of it.</p>
[EVs]
<p>The EVs are straightforward: maximum Attack and maximum Speed with the remaining EVs in HP and Defense. An Adamant nature should be used with Rock Polish to maximize damage output, whereas Jolly is needed for Dragon Dance to reach 21 Speed after one Dragon Dance.</p>
[Opinion]
<p>Larvitar is one of the more underrated Little Cup Pokémon. While many think of it to be in the shadow of other status abusers such as Taillow and Teddiursa, Larvitar can be a formidable physical sweeper with correct support. Although its weaknesses to common priority moves reduce its effectiveness, much like Tyranitar in OU, the little dinosaur can rip holes in unprepared teams with little difficulty.</p>
[Counters]
<p>Larvitar's only true counter is Bronzor. Resistance to its STAB attacks alongside the ability to OHKO Larvitar with Gyro Ball solidify its place as a Larvitar counter. Besides Bronzor, priority users such as Croagunk and Carvanha can also check Larvitar with ease. Effectively, anything with a super effective priority move can be considered a decent check to the little dinosaur.</p>
