[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Foul Play / Knock Off
move 2: U-turn / Snarl
move 3: Defog
move 4: Roost
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Dark Aura
nature: Careful
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Specially defensive Yveltal is one of the most useful Pokemon in the metagame due to it checking Calyrex-S, one of the biggest threats in the tier, like no other. Foul Play deals heavy damage to physically offensive Pokemon such as Zacian-C, Marshadow, and Groudon, while Knock Off cripples Ho-Oh, Yveltal, Ferrothorn, and Eternatus. U-turn allows Yveltal to maintain momentum, providing opportunities for teammates to come in safely. Snarl allows it to counter SubSeed Calyrex-S and check specially offensive Pokemon such as Eternatus and Life Orb Yveltal. Heavy-Duty Boots prevents Yveltal from getting worn down by Stealth Rock. Maximum Special Defense investment and 248 HP EVs with a Calm nature ensure that it can tank attacks from Life Orb Calyrex-S and specially offensive Yveltal as well as possible, while 8 Defense EVs allow Yveltal to survive Close Combat from +1 Jolly Life Orb Marshadow. Alternatively, 32 Attack EVs with an Adamant nature ensure that Yveltal breaks Calyrex-S's Substitute with U-turn. A fast spread of 248 HP / 8 Def / 68 SpD / 184 Spe allows Yveltal to switch into Life Orb Groudon as it uses Swords Dance and use Foul Play before it can attack, threatening to OHKO it unless it Dynamaxes.
Yveltal best fits on balance teams, and its defensive presence is appreciated by Pokemon vulnerable to Calyrex-S such as Necrozma-DM and Eternatus. Necrozma-DM, in return, checks Zacian-C and Xerneas, which are common threats to Yveltal, while Eternatus is able to check Kyogre and relieve some pressure on checking special Yveltal. Blissey is able to check threats to Yveltal such as Kyogre, Meteor Beam Eternatus, and Xerneas. Ferrothorn also limits Kyogre and Xerneas, while Yveltal can support Ferrothorn's entry hazards by removing Heavy-Duty Boots with Knock Off and preventing Defog if carrying Taunt. Physically defensive walls such as Lunala and Zygarde-C can check physically offensive Pokemon such as Groudon and Zekrom, which pose a huge threat to non-Foul Play Yveltal. Ho-Oh can be useful to pressure opposing Ferrothorn and Yveltal, pivot into Zacian-C, and absorb status, and it has the option to use a more offensive set with Yveltal fulfilling the Defogger role. Wallbreakers such as Calyrex-S, Zacian-C, Choice Specs Kyogre, and Marshadow take advantage of Yveltal's U-turn. Calyrex-S in particular appreciates Yveltal Imposter-proofing its team and pressuring opposing Yveltal with Knock Off or Taunt. In return, Calyrex-S forces out Zacian-C and Eternatus, can use Aromatherapy, and checks many boosted threats with its Choice Scarf set.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Taunt can be used to prevent recovery, status, setup, and entry hazards from other defensive Pokemon like Yveltal, Ferrothorn, Zygarde-C and Necrozma-DM. However, Yveltal has to sacrifice its second or third moveslot for it. Sucker Punch can be used on a three attacks set with U-turn in order to potentially KO boosted Calyrex-S, which would otherwise overwhelm Yveltal with Max Starfall, as well as pick off or weaken foes like Marshadow and Dragon Dance Necrozma-DM. However, it can be scouted with Substitute Calyrex-S and is easily exploitable once the opponent is aware of it. Toxic can cripple opposing specially defensive Yveltal and Ho-Oh better but is not recommended due to it possibly making Yveltal too passive.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Physically Offensive Pokemon**: Physically offensive Pokemon such as Zacian-C, Groudon, setup Zygarde-C, and Zekrom force Yveltal out and can potentially use non-Foul Play variants as setup fodder.
**Xerneas**: As a powerful Fairy-type, Xerneas is one of the biggest threats to Yveltal. Xerneas can also capitalize on Yveltal being passive with Geomancy and pose a large sweeping threat. Xerneas should be careful switching into Knock Off Yveltal, though, as it will risk losing Power Herb.
**Knock Off**: Yveltal has to watch out for Knock Off from opposing Yveltal, Necrozma-DM, and Ferrothorn, as it becomes a lot easier to wear down with Stealth Rock , which is amplified by it very often being the only Defogger on teams. Losing Heavy-Duty Boots also makes it significantly more susceptible to Calyrex-S and entry hazard stacking cores.
**Status**: Walls such as Ho-Oh, Eternatus, Zygarde-C, and Toxic Ferrothorn can pressure Yveltal with the status moves they carry. Ho-Oh in particular can still cripple Taunt Yveltal with Sacred Fire, while Ferrothorn can stack up entry hazards, compelling Yveltal to come in more often and get worn down more quickly. However, both must be wary of getting their items removed by Knock Off.
**Special Wallbreakers**: Pokemon such as Kyogre and Eternatus can heavily damage Yveltal and force it to switch out. Choice Specs Kyogre and Meteor Beam Eternatus have the potential to greatly harm or OHKO Yveltal, while bulky Calm Mind Kyogre can set up on it and Life Orb Eternatus can force it to repeatedly use Roost while fishing for poison with Sludge Bomb.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Frozoid, 532881]]
- Quality checked by: [[Rotten, 491896], [baconeatinassassin, 367227]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429], [CryoGyro, 331519]]
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