[SET]
Choice Specs (Sylveon) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Pixilate
EVs: 80 HP / 80 Def / 252 SpA / 96 Spe
Modest Nature
- Hyper Voice
- Hyper Beam
- Echoed Voice / Mystical Fire / Draining Kiss / Psyshock
- Mystical Fire / Echoed Voice / Draining Kiss / Psyshock
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=============
With Choice Specs, Sylveon can break out immensely powerful moves on the first turn of battle. Hyper Voice is a good move against frail Pokemon like Regieleki, common Substitute users like Dragapult and Whimsicott, and common Endure users like Garchomp. Hyper Beam OHKOes neutral targets like physically defensive Aromatisse and Landorus. Echoed Voice beats Substitute Zapdos variants lacking Eerie Impulse, as well as certain specially bulky Trick Cresselia sets. Mystical Fire is a coverage option that beats Ferrothorn. Psyshock handles Power Herb Nihilego, and Draining Kiss has niche usage against Kommo-o, which can block all of Sylveon's other moves with Substitute and Soundproof, as well as Custap Berry and Choice Scarf variants of Sawk, which cannot 2HKO Sylveon after it heals.
EVs
=============
The HP EVs allow Sylveon to tank a Sludge Wave from Choice Specs Landorus. Special Attack is maxed out to grant the best possible chances against targets like Assault Vest Goodra, Landorus, and non-Psychic Seed Tapu Lele. The Speed investment allows Sylveon to always outpace Adamant Rhyperior. The remainder is put in Defense for the best survival odds against Choice Band Garchomp's Earthquake.
Alternatively, Sylveon can run a bulky spread of 224 HP / 148 SpA / 136 SpD with a Calm nature. This allows it to tank Adamant Choice Band Dragapult's Phantom Force, as well as Choice Specs Naganadel's Sludge Wave. If ran alongside Psyshock, it notably allows Sylveon to tank a hit from any Nihilego set and OHKO it back.
Usage Tips
=============
In general, Choice Specs Sylveon has a simple gameplan: use Hyper Voice. Hyper Beam should be used against Pokemon which have the potential to KO Sylveon before it can attack a second time, such as Azumarill, Goodra, and Landorus-T. The remaining moves are very situational and should not be used outside of their listed matchups.
Choice Specs Sylveon commonly finds itself in uncertain matchups against Custap Berry users. Custap Berry Primarina, for instance, beats a Sylveon using Hyper Beam by opening with Endure. However, if Sylveon uses Hyper Voice, Primarina wins by using Moonblast followed by Endure then KOing with a Torrent-boosted Hydro Cannon. As such matchups are effectively coin flips, no advice allows for consistent victories.
[SET]
Custap Berry (Sylveon) @ Custap Berry
Ability: Pixilate
EVs: 232 Def / 252 SpA / 24 Spe
Modest Nature
- Endure
- Fake Tears
- Hyper Voice
- Hyper Beam
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=============
With Endure and a Custap Berry, Sylveon can survive powerful attacks like Choice Specs Porygon-Z's Hyper Beam, Choice Band Galarian Darmanitan's Giga Impact, and Choice Specs Naganadel's Sludge Wave, then retaliate with a powerful attack. Hyper Beam OHKOes the aforementioned Pokemon and helps against Goodra and Aromatisse. Hyper Voice is useful against Substitute users like Dragapult and Whimsicott and Sturdy Pokemon like Crustle and Sawk, while Fake Tears offers an anti-stall tool to be used against Sap Sipper Azumarill, defensive Chansey, and Cresselia sets without Trick or Skill Swap.
EVs
=============
Maximum Special Attack allows for optimal odds against Trick Togekiss and Tapu Koko. The Defense EVs allow Sylveon to always survive Adamant Life Orb Urshifu-R's Surging Strikes. The remainder of the EVs are put in Speed to try and outspeed other base 60s, like Primarina and other Sylveon, as well as possible.
Usage Tips
=============
Broadly speaking, Sylveon should use Hyper Voice or Fake Tears on turns it's not at risk of getting OHKOed, and it should go for Endure followed by Hyper Beam on turns where it is. However, against Pokemon with priority moves, like Azumarill and Urshifu-R, it is not possible to safely drop to 1 HP. Sylveon should also beware of using Hyper Beam on an opposing Endure from Pokemon like Tyranitar and Rhyperior; instead, it should use Fake Tears if you predict Endure. Unlike most Custap Berry users, Sylveon should use Endure turn one against Regieleki, as it will always survive and consume its Custap Berry next turn, whereas attacking runs the risk of fainting to Electro Ball. While Sylveon beats most Choice-locked Dragon types, it loses to Choice Scarf Dracovish and Dracozolt, as their signature moves' power is less on turns where Sylveon uses Endure, and it is consequently not put into Custap Berry range. The optimal play in these matchups is to use Endure twice in a row, giving Sylveon a 1/3 chance to activate its Custap Berry.
[SET]
Yawn (Sylveon) @ Mental Herb
Ability: Pixilate
EVs: 204 HP / 224 Def / 80 SpA
Modest Nature
- Yawn
- Protect
- Hyper Voice / Fake Tears
- Hyper Beam / Fake Tears
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=============
Sylveon is the best Yawn user and, in fact, the best sleep inducer in the whole SS 1v1 metagame, as it boasts good bulk, powerful attacks, and potentially a very solid setup move. A Mental Herb allows Sylveon to safely use Yawn versus Aromatisse, Primarina, Spectrier, Togekiss, Gardevoir, and other Taunt/Encore users. Hyper Voice is able to beat Substitute users like Dragapult and Whimsicott, but Hyper Beam's higher damage offers reliability versus Pokemon like Choice Scarf Galarian Darmanitan and Modest Porygon-Z without a boosting item. Fake Tears notably gives the set a shot at beating Maranga Berry Corviknight, which is otherwise a hard Sylveon counter. The move also helps versus walls like Tapu Koko and Sap Sipper Azumarill.
EVs
=============
The HP EVs allow Sylveon to survive Choice Specs Regieleki's Electro Ball. The Defense EVs let it tank Surging Strikes from Adamant Choice Band Urshifu-R. The remaining EVs have been put in Special Attack to improve odds versus Pokemon like Primarina and Togekiss.
Usage Tips
=============
When a foe is on their third sleep turn — thus guaranteed to wake up next turn — and is impossible to KO in a single move, it is usually advantageous for Sylveon to re-apply Yawn's drowsiness — using Protect against slower foes so they can wake up — as this yields several additional turns.
Beware of Pokemon potentially carrying Trick, like Togekiss, Porygon-Z, Cresselia, and Telepathy Tapu Fini, and do not use Yawn or Fake Tears against an unknown set. Protect may be used to scout for this eventuality, though at the risk of being set up on — it is often safer to simply attack.
Note that Tapu Koko's Electric Terrain and Tapu Fini's Misty Terrain both prevent sleep, making Yawn a waste of a turn against these Pokemon. Likewise, Yawn should not be used against Porygon-Z, as that Pokemon commonly runs Uproar. Finally, both Urshifu formes ignore Protect with their ability. Do not use Yawn against these Pokemon, as there is no guarantee Sylveon will be able to survive until the foe falls asleep.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Babiri Berry gives Yawn Sylveon a fighting chance against Pokemon like Choice Band Tyranitar, Aggron, Steelix, and Kartana, though the more popular Steel-types, such as Celesteela, Metagross, Ferrothorn, and Registeel, remain insurmountable walls.
Yawn sets with Fake Tears and Hyper Beam can run Life Orb for maximum offensive power. This set can punch holes in threats that ordinarily would wall Sylveon, beating bulky Ferrothorn and bulky Celesteela with two Fake Tears into Hyper Beam, though the foe might wake up early and you may have to play around a potential Endure. This option can also OHKO Pokemon that would normally be able to tank a single move, such as Azumarill and bulky Tapu Bulu. An EV spread of 224 HP / 148 SpA / 136 SpD with a Sassy nature lets Sylveon survive Modest Choice Specs Naganadel's Sludge Wave as well as a maximum Attack Relaxed Ferrothorn's Gyro Ball while maximizing chances to OHKO Azumarill with Hyper Beam.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/here-comes-team-charm.501918/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/glitched.579035/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/nunnbetter.501592
Grammar checked by:
[insert user link]
Choice Specs (Sylveon) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Pixilate
EVs: 80 HP / 80 Def / 252 SpA / 96 Spe
Modest Nature
- Hyper Voice
- Hyper Beam
- Echoed Voice / Mystical Fire / Draining Kiss / Psyshock
- Mystical Fire / Echoed Voice / Draining Kiss / Psyshock
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=============
With Choice Specs, Sylveon can break out immensely powerful moves on the first turn of battle. Hyper Voice is a good move against frail Pokemon like Regieleki, common Substitute users like Dragapult and Whimsicott, and common Endure users like Garchomp. Hyper Beam OHKOes neutral targets like physically defensive Aromatisse and Landorus. Echoed Voice beats Substitute Zapdos variants lacking Eerie Impulse, as well as certain specially bulky Trick Cresselia sets. Mystical Fire is a coverage option that beats Ferrothorn. Psyshock handles Power Herb Nihilego, and Draining Kiss has niche usage against Kommo-o, which can block all of Sylveon's other moves with Substitute and Soundproof, as well as Custap Berry and Choice Scarf variants of Sawk, which cannot 2HKO Sylveon after it heals.
EVs
=============
The HP EVs allow Sylveon to tank a Sludge Wave from Choice Specs Landorus. Special Attack is maxed out to grant the best possible chances against targets like Assault Vest Goodra, Landorus, and non-Psychic Seed Tapu Lele. The Speed investment allows Sylveon to always outpace Adamant Rhyperior. The remainder is put in Defense for the best survival odds against Choice Band Garchomp's Earthquake.
Alternatively, Sylveon can run a bulky spread of 224 HP / 148 SpA / 136 SpD with a Calm nature. This allows it to tank Adamant Choice Band Dragapult's Phantom Force, as well as Choice Specs Naganadel's Sludge Wave. If ran alongside Psyshock, it notably allows Sylveon to tank a hit from any Nihilego set and OHKO it back.
Usage Tips
=============
In general, Choice Specs Sylveon has a simple gameplan: use Hyper Voice. Hyper Beam should be used against Pokemon which have the potential to KO Sylveon before it can attack a second time, such as Azumarill, Goodra, and Landorus-T. The remaining moves are very situational and should not be used outside of their listed matchups.
Choice Specs Sylveon commonly finds itself in uncertain matchups against Custap Berry users. Custap Berry Primarina, for instance, beats a Sylveon using Hyper Beam by opening with Endure. However, if Sylveon uses Hyper Voice, Primarina wins by using Moonblast followed by Endure then KOing with a Torrent-boosted Hydro Cannon. As such matchups are effectively coin flips, no advice allows for consistent victories.
[SET]
Custap Berry (Sylveon) @ Custap Berry
Ability: Pixilate
EVs: 232 Def / 252 SpA / 24 Spe
Modest Nature
- Endure
- Fake Tears
- Hyper Voice
- Hyper Beam
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=============
With Endure and a Custap Berry, Sylveon can survive powerful attacks like Choice Specs Porygon-Z's Hyper Beam, Choice Band Galarian Darmanitan's Giga Impact, and Choice Specs Naganadel's Sludge Wave, then retaliate with a powerful attack. Hyper Beam OHKOes the aforementioned Pokemon and helps against Goodra and Aromatisse. Hyper Voice is useful against Substitute users like Dragapult and Whimsicott and Sturdy Pokemon like Crustle and Sawk, while Fake Tears offers an anti-stall tool to be used against Sap Sipper Azumarill, defensive Chansey, and Cresselia sets without Trick or Skill Swap.
EVs
=============
Maximum Special Attack allows for optimal odds against Trick Togekiss and Tapu Koko. The Defense EVs allow Sylveon to always survive Adamant Life Orb Urshifu-R's Surging Strikes. The remainder of the EVs are put in Speed to try and outspeed other base 60s, like Primarina and other Sylveon, as well as possible.
Usage Tips
=============
Broadly speaking, Sylveon should use Hyper Voice or Fake Tears on turns it's not at risk of getting OHKOed, and it should go for Endure followed by Hyper Beam on turns where it is. However, against Pokemon with priority moves, like Azumarill and Urshifu-R, it is not possible to safely drop to 1 HP. Sylveon should also beware of using Hyper Beam on an opposing Endure from Pokemon like Tyranitar and Rhyperior; instead, it should use Fake Tears if you predict Endure. Unlike most Custap Berry users, Sylveon should use Endure turn one against Regieleki, as it will always survive and consume its Custap Berry next turn, whereas attacking runs the risk of fainting to Electro Ball. While Sylveon beats most Choice-locked Dragon types, it loses to Choice Scarf Dracovish and Dracozolt, as their signature moves' power is less on turns where Sylveon uses Endure, and it is consequently not put into Custap Berry range. The optimal play in these matchups is to use Endure twice in a row, giving Sylveon a 1/3 chance to activate its Custap Berry.
[SET]
Yawn (Sylveon) @ Mental Herb
Ability: Pixilate
EVs: 204 HP / 224 Def / 80 SpA
Modest Nature
- Yawn
- Protect
- Hyper Voice / Fake Tears
- Hyper Beam / Fake Tears
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=============
Sylveon is the best Yawn user and, in fact, the best sleep inducer in the whole SS 1v1 metagame, as it boasts good bulk, powerful attacks, and potentially a very solid setup move. A Mental Herb allows Sylveon to safely use Yawn versus Aromatisse, Primarina, Spectrier, Togekiss, Gardevoir, and other Taunt/Encore users. Hyper Voice is able to beat Substitute users like Dragapult and Whimsicott, but Hyper Beam's higher damage offers reliability versus Pokemon like Choice Scarf Galarian Darmanitan and Modest Porygon-Z without a boosting item. Fake Tears notably gives the set a shot at beating Maranga Berry Corviknight, which is otherwise a hard Sylveon counter. The move also helps versus walls like Tapu Koko and Sap Sipper Azumarill.
EVs
=============
The HP EVs allow Sylveon to survive Choice Specs Regieleki's Electro Ball. The Defense EVs let it tank Surging Strikes from Adamant Choice Band Urshifu-R. The remaining EVs have been put in Special Attack to improve odds versus Pokemon like Primarina and Togekiss.
Usage Tips
=============
When a foe is on their third sleep turn — thus guaranteed to wake up next turn — and is impossible to KO in a single move, it is usually advantageous for Sylveon to re-apply Yawn's drowsiness — using Protect against slower foes so they can wake up — as this yields several additional turns.
Beware of Pokemon potentially carrying Trick, like Togekiss, Porygon-Z, Cresselia, and Telepathy Tapu Fini, and do not use Yawn or Fake Tears against an unknown set. Protect may be used to scout for this eventuality, though at the risk of being set up on — it is often safer to simply attack.
Note that Tapu Koko's Electric Terrain and Tapu Fini's Misty Terrain both prevent sleep, making Yawn a waste of a turn against these Pokemon. Likewise, Yawn should not be used against Porygon-Z, as that Pokemon commonly runs Uproar. Finally, both Urshifu formes ignore Protect with their ability. Do not use Yawn against these Pokemon, as there is no guarantee Sylveon will be able to survive until the foe falls asleep.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Babiri Berry gives Yawn Sylveon a fighting chance against Pokemon like Choice Band Tyranitar, Aggron, Steelix, and Kartana, though the more popular Steel-types, such as Celesteela, Metagross, Ferrothorn, and Registeel, remain insurmountable walls.
Yawn sets with Fake Tears and Hyper Beam can run Life Orb for maximum offensive power. This set can punch holes in threats that ordinarily would wall Sylveon, beating bulky Ferrothorn and bulky Celesteela with two Fake Tears into Hyper Beam, though the foe might wake up early and you may have to play around a potential Endure. This option can also OHKO Pokemon that would normally be able to tank a single move, such as Azumarill and bulky Tapu Bulu. An EV spread of 224 HP / 148 SpA / 136 SpD with a Sassy nature lets Sylveon survive Modest Choice Specs Naganadel's Sludge Wave as well as a maximum Attack Relaxed Ferrothorn's Gyro Ball while maximizing chances to OHKO Azumarill with Hyper Beam.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/here-comes-team-charm.501918/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/glitched.579035/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/nunnbetter.501592
Grammar checked by:
[insert user link]
Last edited:
