[OVERVIEW]
Wailord is one of the best Pokemon in ADV NU. Offensively, it can pressure many traditional checks to Water-types like Roselia, Dewgong, and opposing Wailord with its great coverage and power. Defensively, it handles many prominent metagame threats such as special Flareon, Huntail, and Chimecho. Although Wailord's Speed tier isn't amazing, with minimal investment it can still outspeed many defensive threats such as Roselia, Flareon, and Chimecho, further improving its offensive potency. While Wailord may face slight competition with Dewgong as a bulky Water-type due to the latter's access to Encore and comparable defensive capabilities, Wailord's lack of weaknesses to Fighting and Rock combined with better offensive capabilities generally leave it as the superior choice. However, Wailord can be heavily pressured by wallbreakers like Haunter, Pikachu, and physical Flareon and is extremely passive if not invested in its offenses. Additionally, Wailord can be easily taken advantage of when asleep by Pokemon like Pikachu, Bellossom, and Roselia.
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Hydro Pump / Surf
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Hidden Power Electric / Hidden Power Grass
move 4: Self-Destruct
item: Leftovers
ability: Water Veil
nature: Modest / Mild
evs: 252 SpA / 212 SpD / 44 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Hydro Pump is generally used as Wailord's Water-type attack for its ability to 2HKO Pokemon like Chimecho, bulky Hitmonchan, and Vigoroth after one layer of Spikes. However, Surf can be used if Hydro Pump's accuracy isn't desired at the cost of significant power. Ice Beam 2HKOes Roselia most of the time and prevents other Grass-types like Bellossom and Cacturne from taking advantage of Wailord. Hidden Power Electric and Hidden Power Grass both target opposing Water-types, although Hidden Power Electric is usually preferred for its damage versus Pelipper. Self-Destruct lets Wailord lure in and remove special walls like Kecleon and Lickitung, as well as take out bulky Water-types like Dewgong and opposing Wailord more reliably. 44 Speed EVs let Wailord outspeed base 65 Pokemon like Roselia, Flareon, and Chimecho, with the remaining EVs making Wailord stronger and more capable of checking Pokemon like special Flareon and Huntail. Wailord can also choose to hit different Speed benchmarks, with outspeeding Dewgong, Bellossom, and Pupitar being notable options. If you're using Wailord as a lead, running 216 Speed EVs is an option to outspeed lead Choice Band Relicanth. A Mild nature can be used over Modest if weakening Self-Destruct's power isn't wanted. Although mostly useless, Water Veil protects against potential burns from Fire-type attacks as well as Will-O-Wisp.
The key to using this set is making the most out of Wailord's coverage. It's imperative to catch Pokemon like Roselia and Dewgong on the switch with Ice Beam and Hidden Power Electric so Wailord can have an easier time using its STAB attack later in the game. Getting Wailord onto the field safely is also important so it can wallbreak. Bring it in versus Pokemon like special Crawdaunt, Seadra, and special Flareon that don't pose a great threat to it. Additionally, don't haphazardly use Self-Destruct, especially if the opponent hasn't revealed their full team yet, as this risks having a Steel- or Ghost-type come in on it. Doing so also risks losing to an unrevealed sweeper that Wailord could have kept in check.
Team Options
========
Spikes support from Glalie and Roselia benefits Wailord greatly, securing the 2HKO on opposing Roselia with Ice Beam while making it easier to get past specially defensive Pokemon like Dewgong, Kecleon, and opposing Wailord. Roselia also helps take on Electric- and Grass-types like Pikachu, Plusle, and Bellossom and benefits from Wailord checking Fire-types like Flareon and Torkoal. Wailord also appreciates having teammates like Murkrow, Pidgeot, and Diglett that can pressure dedicated special walls, with Diglett being able to trap and eliminate weakened ones as well as Pikachu. In return, Wailord can heavily pressure physically defensive Pokemon like Mawile, Torkoal, and Chimecho. Wailord also benefits from Baton Pass support from Mawile and Flareon, which can get it in against Pokemon like Metang, Torkoal, and Relicanth.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Surf
move 2: Rest
move 3: Sleep Talk
move 4: Roar
item: Leftovers
ability: Water Veil
nature: Calm
evs: 212 Def / 252 SpD / 44 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Surf is Wailord's most consistent Water-type attacking option and lets it take out Fire- and Rock-types like Flareon, Torkoal, and Sudowoodo. Rest gives Wailord a boost in longevity, letting it consistently switch into threats like Flareon, Huntail, Chimecho, and Metang. Sleep Talk prevents Wailord from being entirely passive when asleep. Roar lets Wailord stop setup sweepers like Calm Mind Chimecho and Swords Dance Crawdaunt while also disrupting Baton Pass chains. 44 Speed EVs let Wailord outspeed base 65 Pokemon like Flareon and Roselia, while the remaining EVs make Wailord much bulkier. A Bold nature is viable so Wailord better checks Pokemon like physical Flareon, Hitmonchan, Choice Band Relicanth, and Pupitar. Although mostly useless, Water Veil protects against potential burns from Fire-type attacks as well as Will-O-Wisp.
Using Wailord is very straightforward: switch it into Pokemon it checks such as Flareon and Octillery and force them out. While Wailord is a good check to Pokemon such as Torkoal and Metang, play around them with caution, as they can easily remove it with Explosion. It's also important to keep Wailord at a good amount of health with Rest, as between Spikes and super effective coverage moves, it risks losing to Pokemon it's supposed to check if it accumulates too much chip damage. Although Wailord isn't entirely passive when asleep thanks to Sleep Talk, keep in mind that certain Pokemon like Roselia, Bellossom, and Cacturne can still easily take advantage of it during those turns.
Team Options
========
Roselia and Cacturne are great partners for Wailord; they can check Electric-types like Pikachu and Plusle, and Spikes from them synergizes well with Wailord's ability to phaze foes with Roar. Roselia can also provide cleric support with Aromatherapy. In return, Wailord provides a sturdy Fire-type check. Because Wailord isn't great at pivoting into Normal- and Flying-types like Raticate, Pidgeot, and Murkrow, Ghost- and Steel-types like Haunter, Sableye, and Mawile pair excellently with it. Wailord is extremely passive without offensive investment; teammates like Hitmonchan, Choice Band Golbat, and offensive Flareon can make up for this. Hitmonchan can also provide Rapid Spin support to prevent Wailord from being worn down by Spikes, while Golbat and Flareon are good checks to Grass-types.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Curse can make Wailord a potential wincon if opposing phazers, Electric-types, and Explosion- and Self-Destruct-using Pokemon have been removed, but the need to meet these conditions makes it unreliable. Other physical variants of Wailord may seem appealing due to their stronger Self-Destruct and ability to run Earthquake to beat Plusle and Minun more reliably, but special sets are much more consistent. Wailord can run Toxic over Roar on its defensive set to slightly make up for passivity issues, but it's then complete setup fodder for Heal Bell + Calm Mind Chimecho and unable to do much versus Baton Pass teams. Water Spout may seem appealing for its great power when Wailord's at full health, 2HKOing Bulk Up Vigoroth, Lickitung after one layer of Spikes, and specially defensive Kecleon after three layers of Spikes. However, since Wailord will be pivoting into offensive threats often, this will rarely be the case, making it incredibly unreliable.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Special Walls**: Although they can be taken out by Self-Destruct with minimal chip damage, Pokemon like Dewgong, opposing Wailord, Kecleon, and Lickitung can easily switch into Wailord and force it out.
**Grass- and Electric-types**: Roselia can generally switch into Wailord and set Spikes, although it must fear Ice Beam on the switch in. Bellossom outspeeds Wailord and can put it to sleep with Sleep Powder, letting it safely set Sunny Day and wreak havoc. Pikachu and Plusle can't switch into Wailord reliably at all, but they both threaten heavy damage with Thunderbolt, while Plusle can potentially lock defensive Wailord variants into Rest with Encore.
**Physical Wallbreakers**: Even when invested in Defense, Wailord can be overwhelmed by physical wallbreakers like Choice Band Flareon, Hitmonchan, Pidgeot, and Raticate.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Rabia, 336073]]
- Quality checked by: [[Bughouse, 52547], [Watchog, 288832]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [deetah, 297659]]
Wailord is one of the best Pokemon in ADV NU. Offensively, it can pressure many traditional checks to Water-types like Roselia, Dewgong, and opposing Wailord with its great coverage and power. Defensively, it handles many prominent metagame threats such as special Flareon, Huntail, and Chimecho. Although Wailord's Speed tier isn't amazing, with minimal investment it can still outspeed many defensive threats such as Roselia, Flareon, and Chimecho, further improving its offensive potency. While Wailord may face slight competition with Dewgong as a bulky Water-type due to the latter's access to Encore and comparable defensive capabilities, Wailord's lack of weaknesses to Fighting and Rock combined with better offensive capabilities generally leave it as the superior choice. However, Wailord can be heavily pressured by wallbreakers like Haunter, Pikachu, and physical Flareon and is extremely passive if not invested in its offenses. Additionally, Wailord can be easily taken advantage of when asleep by Pokemon like Pikachu, Bellossom, and Roselia.
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Hydro Pump / Surf
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Hidden Power Electric / Hidden Power Grass
move 4: Self-Destruct
item: Leftovers
ability: Water Veil
nature: Modest / Mild
evs: 252 SpA / 212 SpD / 44 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Hydro Pump is generally used as Wailord's Water-type attack for its ability to 2HKO Pokemon like Chimecho, bulky Hitmonchan, and Vigoroth after one layer of Spikes. However, Surf can be used if Hydro Pump's accuracy isn't desired at the cost of significant power. Ice Beam 2HKOes Roselia most of the time and prevents other Grass-types like Bellossom and Cacturne from taking advantage of Wailord. Hidden Power Electric and Hidden Power Grass both target opposing Water-types, although Hidden Power Electric is usually preferred for its damage versus Pelipper. Self-Destruct lets Wailord lure in and remove special walls like Kecleon and Lickitung, as well as take out bulky Water-types like Dewgong and opposing Wailord more reliably. 44 Speed EVs let Wailord outspeed base 65 Pokemon like Roselia, Flareon, and Chimecho, with the remaining EVs making Wailord stronger and more capable of checking Pokemon like special Flareon and Huntail. Wailord can also choose to hit different Speed benchmarks, with outspeeding Dewgong, Bellossom, and Pupitar being notable options. If you're using Wailord as a lead, running 216 Speed EVs is an option to outspeed lead Choice Band Relicanth. A Mild nature can be used over Modest if weakening Self-Destruct's power isn't wanted. Although mostly useless, Water Veil protects against potential burns from Fire-type attacks as well as Will-O-Wisp.
The key to using this set is making the most out of Wailord's coverage. It's imperative to catch Pokemon like Roselia and Dewgong on the switch with Ice Beam and Hidden Power Electric so Wailord can have an easier time using its STAB attack later in the game. Getting Wailord onto the field safely is also important so it can wallbreak. Bring it in versus Pokemon like special Crawdaunt, Seadra, and special Flareon that don't pose a great threat to it. Additionally, don't haphazardly use Self-Destruct, especially if the opponent hasn't revealed their full team yet, as this risks having a Steel- or Ghost-type come in on it. Doing so also risks losing to an unrevealed sweeper that Wailord could have kept in check.
Team Options
========
Spikes support from Glalie and Roselia benefits Wailord greatly, securing the 2HKO on opposing Roselia with Ice Beam while making it easier to get past specially defensive Pokemon like Dewgong, Kecleon, and opposing Wailord. Roselia also helps take on Electric- and Grass-types like Pikachu, Plusle, and Bellossom and benefits from Wailord checking Fire-types like Flareon and Torkoal. Wailord also appreciates having teammates like Murkrow, Pidgeot, and Diglett that can pressure dedicated special walls, with Diglett being able to trap and eliminate weakened ones as well as Pikachu. In return, Wailord can heavily pressure physically defensive Pokemon like Mawile, Torkoal, and Chimecho. Wailord also benefits from Baton Pass support from Mawile and Flareon, which can get it in against Pokemon like Metang, Torkoal, and Relicanth.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Surf
move 2: Rest
move 3: Sleep Talk
move 4: Roar
item: Leftovers
ability: Water Veil
nature: Calm
evs: 212 Def / 252 SpD / 44 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Surf is Wailord's most consistent Water-type attacking option and lets it take out Fire- and Rock-types like Flareon, Torkoal, and Sudowoodo. Rest gives Wailord a boost in longevity, letting it consistently switch into threats like Flareon, Huntail, Chimecho, and Metang. Sleep Talk prevents Wailord from being entirely passive when asleep. Roar lets Wailord stop setup sweepers like Calm Mind Chimecho and Swords Dance Crawdaunt while also disrupting Baton Pass chains. 44 Speed EVs let Wailord outspeed base 65 Pokemon like Flareon and Roselia, while the remaining EVs make Wailord much bulkier. A Bold nature is viable so Wailord better checks Pokemon like physical Flareon, Hitmonchan, Choice Band Relicanth, and Pupitar. Although mostly useless, Water Veil protects against potential burns from Fire-type attacks as well as Will-O-Wisp.
Using Wailord is very straightforward: switch it into Pokemon it checks such as Flareon and Octillery and force them out. While Wailord is a good check to Pokemon such as Torkoal and Metang, play around them with caution, as they can easily remove it with Explosion. It's also important to keep Wailord at a good amount of health with Rest, as between Spikes and super effective coverage moves, it risks losing to Pokemon it's supposed to check if it accumulates too much chip damage. Although Wailord isn't entirely passive when asleep thanks to Sleep Talk, keep in mind that certain Pokemon like Roselia, Bellossom, and Cacturne can still easily take advantage of it during those turns.
Team Options
========
Roselia and Cacturne are great partners for Wailord; they can check Electric-types like Pikachu and Plusle, and Spikes from them synergizes well with Wailord's ability to phaze foes with Roar. Roselia can also provide cleric support with Aromatherapy. In return, Wailord provides a sturdy Fire-type check. Because Wailord isn't great at pivoting into Normal- and Flying-types like Raticate, Pidgeot, and Murkrow, Ghost- and Steel-types like Haunter, Sableye, and Mawile pair excellently with it. Wailord is extremely passive without offensive investment; teammates like Hitmonchan, Choice Band Golbat, and offensive Flareon can make up for this. Hitmonchan can also provide Rapid Spin support to prevent Wailord from being worn down by Spikes, while Golbat and Flareon are good checks to Grass-types.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Curse can make Wailord a potential wincon if opposing phazers, Electric-types, and Explosion- and Self-Destruct-using Pokemon have been removed, but the need to meet these conditions makes it unreliable. Other physical variants of Wailord may seem appealing due to their stronger Self-Destruct and ability to run Earthquake to beat Plusle and Minun more reliably, but special sets are much more consistent. Wailord can run Toxic over Roar on its defensive set to slightly make up for passivity issues, but it's then complete setup fodder for Heal Bell + Calm Mind Chimecho and unable to do much versus Baton Pass teams. Water Spout may seem appealing for its great power when Wailord's at full health, 2HKOing Bulk Up Vigoroth, Lickitung after one layer of Spikes, and specially defensive Kecleon after three layers of Spikes. However, since Wailord will be pivoting into offensive threats often, this will rarely be the case, making it incredibly unreliable.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Special Walls**: Although they can be taken out by Self-Destruct with minimal chip damage, Pokemon like Dewgong, opposing Wailord, Kecleon, and Lickitung can easily switch into Wailord and force it out.
**Grass- and Electric-types**: Roselia can generally switch into Wailord and set Spikes, although it must fear Ice Beam on the switch in. Bellossom outspeeds Wailord and can put it to sleep with Sleep Powder, letting it safely set Sunny Day and wreak havoc. Pikachu and Plusle can't switch into Wailord reliably at all, but they both threaten heavy damage with Thunderbolt, while Plusle can potentially lock defensive Wailord variants into Rest with Encore.
**Physical Wallbreakers**: Even when invested in Defense, Wailord can be overwhelmed by physical wallbreakers like Choice Band Flareon, Hitmonchan, Pidgeot, and Raticate.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Rabia, 336073]]
- Quality checked by: [[Bughouse, 52547], [Watchog, 288832]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [deetah, 297659]]
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