Hello everyone, it's time to speak about Flying type
I) Introduction:
Flying type is one of types lost a lot in this metagame:
- Electric neutral/immunities:
It's simple, beside Noivern/Rotom-F, Flying type doesn't have Electric neutrality or even immunities.
This simple fact made Flying type very frail in front of Rotom's, Heliolisk, Dracozolt,...
- Loss of Hazards:
Not having Hazards makes Flying even frail in front of Electric Pokemon because this Pokemon Scarfed is able to Volt Switch free during all the game.
That's the second big point of Flying Fall.
But, let's be optimistic, in this meta, Flying gained some things to:
- Flying doesn't have to care about Gravity.
- Flying can Defog easier with Heavy Duty Boots (Prevents the effects of traps set on the battlefield.).
II) Flying playstyle:
Bulky-Offense: With Bulky Flying Pokemon (we will see next), this is one of the main Flying playstyle.
Hyper Offense: To give more pain against teams with Electric Pokemon, Flying HO is decent.
Flying Rain: Surprising but because of the lack of solutions and the presence of Rain Water teams, this way to play Flying is became decent and fun to play another kind of Flying.
Stall: No because of the loss of Hazards.
III) Pokémon:
- Support Pokemon:
Xatu:
Description: Xatu is useful when it's paired with set up Pokemon (like Gyarados, Hawlucha, Togekiss,...) because of its ability (Magic Bounce) and its access to screens. Beside that, Xatu isn't really usefull except to annoy very passive Pokemon like Toxapex and Pokemon using Toxic and not having Poison type (like Seismitoad by example) trying to empoison others support/passive flying Pokemon.
+ : Magic Bounce, Screens
- : Not enough bulky against some threats.
Mantine
Description: Mantine is really useful in this meta. It's 2 ways to play it, the most classic is in bulky flying team, it gives you a good neutral against ice (still be careful to Freeze Dry). It's a potential Defogger but it's more useful with Haze and to stop Dracovish/Barraskewda and others rain abusers.
In addition of that, in this gen, it may be played as Rain Abuser in Flying Rain teams, next some calculs:
+ : Dracovish/Rain check, Ice neutral damage, Haze access, Sp.Def sponge, potential rain flying sweeper.
- : Electric moves
Mandibuzz
Description: Here is one of the bulkiest Pokemon in the meta, Mandibuzz is really helpfull in Bulky Offense, With Heavy Duty Boot as item, it's a great Defogger to let to Corvi a wallbreaker role. It doesn't stop at this, Mandibuzz is bulky enough to tank Electric scarfed Pokemon (Except Dracozolt) and is able to Knock off to allow you next to outspeed this last Pokemon. In addition of that, it's one of the one no-Poison typed to get access to Toxic. Its Dark type allows you to resist to ghost in a meta where Ghost are very common.
+ : Access to Knock Off, Toxic, Defog, Great Bulk, Dark type.
- : In some cases, maybe too passive.
- Offensive Pokemon
Charizard
Description: Charizard is a good way Flying gets to annoy Steel team when it's played as Scarf or even with Heavy Duty Boots, it gives a lot of issue to this type. Scarfed outspeeds Darmanitan-galar and 0HKO it and as Darm-g is really annoying to face, it's a good answer.
In addition of that, Charizard may fit well in Rain Flying to eliminate Water/Flying resistances before put the Rain and is able to be used under the rain with Hurricane/Weather Ball/Focus Blast access.
Sometimes people will play it as Draco Dancer but that's worse than others sets.
+ : Great against Steel and Ice types
- : Weak against Stealth Rock pressure
Gyarados
Description: Gyarados really likes playing with Xatu as teammate, with screen, it's able to live to one electric move and to all others moves.
Gyarados gained Power Whip this generation, which makes it stronger than before because it's able now to defeat Quagsire/Seismitoad/Gastrodon with a good 0HKO in its faces. Gyarados is a really dangerous Pokemon able to make some holes in opponent teams.
It's a good Pokemon in Rain Flying team.
+ : Great Draco Dancer, Neutral Ice Dammage, Great abilities, Good coverage.
- : 0HKO by Electric move
Pelipper
Description: Pelipper is only played in Rain Flying team, it's the one Rain setter (with Mantine if played with Life Orb), it can be played defensively or offensively. Scarf, Specs, Heavy Duty Boots and Leftovers are all viable on it depending of the job you give it.
+ : Rain setter, decent physical bulk
- : Not enough Fast or Strong
Togekiss
Description: Togekiss lost Roost this generation, which makes it played more offensively than before. With global speed meta fall, 80base speed scarf is became average and stronger than in USUM.
Its strong is it can be played many ways: Scarf, Nasty Plot, Para Haxx with Morning Sun instead Roost, it got a good coverage with Flamethrower/Air Slash/Dazzling Gleam when it's scarfed and Trick is really helpfull sometimes. In addition of that, it outspeed Dracozolt and 0HKO it with Dazzling Gleam which is really good as Dracozolt is a huge threat for Flying type because of no Electric immunity.
And the most important, who need skill when you can win due to haxx? ( Anttya's skills).
+ : Don't need skill when you can hax to win, Fairy typing, versatile Pokemon, Good coverage.
- : Loss of Roost
Rotom-F
Description: Rotom-F utility in Flying is helpfull against Rain team and it's able to fit well in Rain Water team.
Neutral electric damage may look good but it can't really hit strongly Electric opponents, at best, it gets Shadow Ball/Dark Pulse which can't really hurt others Rotom's in other different types.
+ : Neutral Electric Damage, Nasty Plot (Potential Rain Sweeper).
- : No recovery move anymore
Sigilpyh
Description: Sigilyph is a good surprise and heart stroke for me this generation, indeed in Bulky offense Flying team, it's really good to pair with its teammates (like Mandibuzz and Mantine), it can absorb Toxic and WoW and is a good answer to Toxapex and poison type in general.
Its movepool is also great: Psychic, Heat Wave, Ice Beam, Energy Ball, Calm Mind, Roost, Cosmic Power, Stored Power, Psycho Shift.
It gives issue to steel teams (Free set up on Ferro if not Thunder Wave) and Heat Wave (Only Aegislash and Corvi can live next one Calm Mind (with Life Orb as item)). Ice Beam/Energy Ball completes well the coverage against Ground by example.
+ : Great abilities, Good coverage, Decent speed
- : Need a little more bulk
Hawlucha
Description: Hawlucha big buff is to not rely on terrain anymore to active unburden, indeed, with Close Combat and White Herb, it can set up alone now. In addition of that, having it on his team is great to face Dark and Normal (Especially when u broke possible sash and able to active Unburden, you've a possible sweep with it (As Dubwool is useless if you play Taunt)). It helps against other type like Steel, Ground but sadly, it's pretty useless against Ghost because not able to active Unburden the way I've described.
Adamant or Jolly nature can be played but both have advantage and inconvenient.
+ : Unburden, Doesn't rely on terrain to active Unburden
- : Not good enough to break Electric type.
Noivern
Description: So, without being rude with our Noivern friend, when you notice that your best answer to Electric is it, it shows how Flying gets a huge issue with this type.
However, Noivern can deal with special electric moves from scarfed Pokemon like Rotom by example.
But its job doesn't stop here, in HO team, it's one of the best defogger with Taunt/Defog/Roost.
Otherwise, it can be played as LO or Specs and doing great damage to every Pokemon slower than it.
+ : Best electric answer, great speed, decent movepool, Infiltrator
- : Bulk isn't good enough to tank LO/Specs electric moves.
Corviknight
Description: Did you know this Pokemon exist? Great surprise, I just discovered it when I start to interest to Flying type!
Ok, stop joking, everyone knows how powerful is this King Bird and I already made a post about it some times ago so...
2 ways to play it: Wallbreaker or Support
Wallbreaker is the most common set with Bulk up/Roost/Taunt + Power Trip or Iron Head
Support set is in the case you choose to play it with Defog. I dislike playing Defog instead taunt in the set above, it loses a lot if we do that, so, here is a decent defog set: Iron Defense, Body Press, Defog, Roost. It's helpful against Ice type, next on Iron Def, it's able to live peacefully to Darmanitan-Galar and 0HKO it, a great way to destroy Ice type with one Pokemon if Avalugg isn't played with Iron Def.
+ : Great typing and abilities one of the strongest Pokemon in the current meta, complete well the bulky Flying core (Mantine/Mandi), many ways to play it.
- : Electric
Others Pokemon outclassed (in my opinion):
Togetic, Driftblim, Swoobat, Braviary, Unfeazant and Cramorant.
IV - Flying Weaknesses
I'm going to class weaknesses by type with small explanation/key words:
Steel: Duraludon (Tbolt), Bisharp (Stealth Rock + Defiant), Durant (Rock Slide/Thunder Fang), Togedemaru (Electric moves).
Fighting: /
Dragon: Dracozolt (Doesn't need explanation), Goodra (Boltbeam (Thunderbolt + Icebeam)), Duraludon (Tbolt),
Water: Rotom-Wash (Volt Switch spam, electric moves), Cloyster (Shell Smash), Crawdaunt (Crabhammer 2HKO Mandi and Knock Off hurt a lot Mantine).
Electric: Honnestly, u can't win against a good Electric team.
Fairy: Mimikyu (SD/Shadow Claw/Play Rough is able to hurt a lot Flying if it gets a free set up), Gardevoir (if played with Tbolt).
Fire: Arcanine (Wild Charge), Rotom-Heat (Volt Switch spam, electric moves).
Ice: Darmanitan-galar, Cloyster, Mamoswine, Freeze dry users.
Bug: Galvantula/Vikavolt (Electric spam), Durant (Rock Slide), Frosmoth is check by Mantine with Haze.
Normal: Heliolisk (Volt Switch spam).
Grass: Rotom-M (Volt Switch spam)
Poison: Toxtricity (Shift Gear/Overdrive).
Psychic: /
Rock: Tyranitar (Draco Dance, Stone Edge), Barbaracle (Shell Smash), Rhyperior (Rock Polish Weakness Policy).
Ground: Mamoswine (Band), Excadrill (Swords Dance Rock Slide), Stealth rock.
Ghost: Polteageist (if not Mandibuzz because of Shell Smash), Mimikyu.
Dark: Tyranitar (Stone Edge, Draco Dance), Bisharp (Defiant + Stealth Rock)
Flying: Rotom-F (Volt Switch spam + Electric moves).
V - Conclusion
Flying is a good/decent type but handicaped a lot against Electric Pokemon and doesn't have any chance against Electric type.
So, all this type has to do is waiting Gliscor, Landorus or Zapdos come back to struggle again against that.
Many ways to play it in function of your playstyle.
Feel free to share your opinion or maybe some points I've forgotten, nobody is perfect.
I) Introduction:
Flying type is one of types lost a lot in this metagame:
- Electric neutral/immunities:
It's simple, beside Noivern/Rotom-F, Flying type doesn't have Electric neutrality or even immunities.
This simple fact made Flying type very frail in front of Rotom's, Heliolisk, Dracozolt,...
- Loss of Hazards:
Not having Hazards makes Flying even frail in front of Electric Pokemon because this Pokemon Scarfed is able to Volt Switch free during all the game.
That's the second big point of Flying Fall.
But, let's be optimistic, in this meta, Flying gained some things to:
- Flying doesn't have to care about Gravity.
- Flying can Defog easier with Heavy Duty Boots (Prevents the effects of traps set on the battlefield.).
II) Flying playstyle:
Bulky-Offense: With Bulky Flying Pokemon (we will see next), this is one of the main Flying playstyle.
Hyper Offense: To give more pain against teams with Electric Pokemon, Flying HO is decent.
Flying Rain: Surprising but because of the lack of solutions and the presence of Rain Water teams, this way to play Flying is became decent and fun to play another kind of Flying.
III) Pokémon:
- Support Pokemon:
Xatu:
Description: Xatu is useful when it's paired with set up Pokemon (like Gyarados, Hawlucha, Togekiss,...) because of its ability (Magic Bounce) and its access to screens. Beside that, Xatu isn't really usefull except to annoy very passive Pokemon like Toxapex and Pokemon using Toxic and not having Poison type (like Seismitoad by example) trying to empoison others support/passive flying Pokemon.
+ : Magic Bounce, Screens
- : Not enough bulky against some threats.
Xatu @ Light Clay
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Impish Nature
- Roost
- U-turn / Teleport
- Light Screen
- Reflect
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Impish Nature
- Roost
- U-turn / Teleport
- Light Screen
- Reflect
Mantine
Description: Mantine is really useful in this meta. It's 2 ways to play it, the most classic is in bulky flying team, it gives you a good neutral against ice (still be careful to Freeze Dry). It's a potential Defogger but it's more useful with Haze and to stop Dracovish/Barraskewda and others rain abusers.
In addition of that, in this gen, it may be played as Rain Abuser in Flying Rain teams, next some calculs:
252+ SpA Choice Specs Mantine Hurricane vs. 252 HP / 128 SpD Ferrothorn: 169-199 (48 - 56.5%) -- 32.4% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Choice Specs Mantine Hurricane vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Toxapex: 157-186 (51.6 - 61.1%) -- 94.1% chance to 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery
252+ SpA Choice Specs Mantine Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Dracozolt: 312-368 (97.1 - 114.6%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Mantine Hurricane vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Seismitoad: 270-318 (65.2 - 76.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Choice Specs Mantine Hydro Pump vs. +1 252 HP / 4 SpD Clefable in Rain: 234-276 (59.3 - 70%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Choice Specs Mantine Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Mandibuzz in Rain: 336-396 (79.2 - 93.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Mantine Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 252 SpD Eviolite Corsola-Galar in Rain: 169-199 (52.1 - 61.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Mantine Hurricane vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Toxapex: 157-186 (51.6 - 61.1%) -- 94.1% chance to 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery
252+ SpA Choice Specs Mantine Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Dracozolt: 312-368 (97.1 - 114.6%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Mantine Hurricane vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Seismitoad: 270-318 (65.2 - 76.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Choice Specs Mantine Hydro Pump vs. +1 252 HP / 4 SpD Clefable in Rain: 234-276 (59.3 - 70%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Choice Specs Mantine Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Mandibuzz in Rain: 336-396 (79.2 - 93.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Mantine Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 252 SpD Eviolite Corsola-Galar in Rain: 169-199 (52.1 - 61.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+ : Dracovish/Rain check, Ice neutral damage, Haze access, Sp.Def sponge, potential rain flying sweeper.
- : Electric moves
Mantine Sweeper (Mantine) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Hurricane
- Scald
Mantine Support (Mantine) @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 248 HP / 96 Def / 164 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Haze
- Roost
- Ice Beam/Air Slash
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Hurricane
- Scald
Mantine Support (Mantine) @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 248 HP / 96 Def / 164 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Haze
- Roost
- Ice Beam/Air Slash
Mandibuzz
Description: Here is one of the bulkiest Pokemon in the meta, Mandibuzz is really helpfull in Bulky Offense, With Heavy Duty Boot as item, it's a great Defogger to let to Corvi a wallbreaker role. It doesn't stop at this, Mandibuzz is bulky enough to tank Electric scarfed Pokemon (Except Dracozolt) and is able to Knock off to allow you next to outspeed this last Pokemon. In addition of that, it's one of the one no-Poison typed to get access to Toxic. Its Dark type allows you to resist to ghost in a meta where Ghost are very common.
+ : Access to Knock Off, Toxic, Defog, Great Bulk, Dark type.
- : In some cases, maybe too passive.
Mandibuzz (F) @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Overcoat
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Knock Off/Foul Play
- Roost
- Defog
- Toxic/Taunt
The spread may be oriented physically def or even mixxed.
Ability: Overcoat
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Knock Off/Foul Play
- Roost
- Defog
- Toxic/Taunt
The spread may be oriented physically def or even mixxed.
- Offensive Pokemon
Charizard
Description: Charizard is a good way Flying gets to annoy Steel team when it's played as Scarf or even with Heavy Duty Boots, it gives a lot of issue to this type. Scarfed outspeeds Darmanitan-galar and 0HKO it and as Darm-g is really annoying to face, it's a good answer.
In addition of that, Charizard may fit well in Rain Flying to eliminate Water/Flying resistances before put the Rain and is able to be used under the rain with Hurricane/Weather Ball/Focus Blast access.
Sometimes people will play it as Draco Dancer but that's worse than others sets.
+ : Great against Steel and Ice types
- : Weak against Stealth Rock pressure
Charizard @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Focus Blast
- Fire Blast/Flamethrower
- Hurricane
- Weather Ball (if played in Rain) or Dragon Pulse
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Focus Blast
- Fire Blast/Flamethrower
- Hurricane
- Weather Ball (if played in Rain) or Dragon Pulse
Gyarados
Description: Gyarados really likes playing with Xatu as teammate, with screen, it's able to live to one electric move and to all others moves.
Gyarados gained Power Whip this generation, which makes it stronger than before because it's able now to defeat Quagsire/Seismitoad/Gastrodon with a good 0HKO in its faces. Gyarados is a really dangerous Pokemon able to make some holes in opponent teams.
It's a good Pokemon in Rain Flying team.
+ : Great Draco Dancer, Neutral Ice Dammage, Great abilities, Good coverage.
- : 0HKO by Electric move
Gyarados @ Heavy-Duty Boots/Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate or Moxie
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Earthquake
- Waterfall
- Power Whip/Substitute/Taunt
Ability: Intimidate or Moxie
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Earthquake
- Waterfall
- Power Whip/Substitute/Taunt
Pelipper
Description: Pelipper is only played in Rain Flying team, it's the one Rain setter (with Mantine if played with Life Orb), it can be played defensively or offensively. Scarf, Specs, Heavy Duty Boots and Leftovers are all viable on it depending of the job you give it.
+ : Rain setter, decent physical bulk
- : Not enough Fast or Strong
Defensive (Pelipper) @ Leftovers or Heavy Duty Boots
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 248 HP / 164 Def / 96 SpD
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Roost
- U-turn
- Hurricane/Tailwind
Offensive (Pelipper) @ Choice Specs or Choice Scarf
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Hurricane
- Ice Beam
- U-turn
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 248 HP / 164 Def / 96 SpD
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Roost
- U-turn
- Hurricane/Tailwind
Offensive (Pelipper) @ Choice Specs or Choice Scarf
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Hurricane
- Ice Beam
- U-turn
Togekiss
Description: Togekiss lost Roost this generation, which makes it played more offensively than before. With global speed meta fall, 80base speed scarf is became average and stronger than in USUM.
Its strong is it can be played many ways: Scarf, Nasty Plot, Para Haxx with Morning Sun instead Roost, it got a good coverage with Flamethrower/Air Slash/Dazzling Gleam when it's scarfed and Trick is really helpfull sometimes. In addition of that, it outspeed Dracozolt and 0HKO it with Dazzling Gleam which is really good as Dracozolt is a huge threat for Flying type because of no Electric immunity.
And the most important, who need skill when you can win due to haxx? ( Anttya's skills).
+ : Don't need skill when you can hax to win, Fairy typing, versatile Pokemon, Good coverage.
- : Loss of Roost
Scarf (Togekiss) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fire Blast
- Air Slash
- Dazzling Gleam
- Trick
Para Flinch (Togekiss) @ Leftovers
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 248 HP / 80 Def / 180 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Morning Sun
- Air Slash
- Dazzling Gleam/Nasty Plot
- Thunder Wave
Nasty Plot (Togekiss) @ Leftovers
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpA / 252 Spe or 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Air Slash
- Dazzling Gleam
- Flamethrower
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fire Blast
- Air Slash
- Dazzling Gleam
- Trick
Para Flinch (Togekiss) @ Leftovers
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 248 HP / 80 Def / 180 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Morning Sun
- Air Slash
- Dazzling Gleam/Nasty Plot
- Thunder Wave
Nasty Plot (Togekiss) @ Leftovers
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpA / 252 Spe or 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Air Slash
- Dazzling Gleam
- Flamethrower
Rotom-F
Description: Rotom-F utility in Flying is helpfull against Rain team and it's able to fit well in Rain Water team.
Neutral electric damage may look good but it can't really hit strongly Electric opponents, at best, it gets Shadow Ball/Dark Pulse which can't really hurt others Rotom's in other different types.
+ : Neutral Electric Damage, Nasty Plot (Potential Rain Sweeper).
- : No recovery move anymore
Rotom-Fan @ Choice Scarf or Choice Specs
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt / Thunder (in Rain Flying team)
- Volt Switch
- Dark Pulse / Air Slash
- Trick
Sub/Nasty Plot may be played instead Volt Switch and Trick.
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt / Thunder (in Rain Flying team)
- Volt Switch
- Dark Pulse / Air Slash
- Trick
Sub/Nasty Plot may be played instead Volt Switch and Trick.
Sigilpyh
Description: Sigilyph is a good surprise and heart stroke for me this generation, indeed in Bulky offense Flying team, it's really good to pair with its teammates (like Mandibuzz and Mantine), it can absorb Toxic and WoW and is a good answer to Toxapex and poison type in general.
Its movepool is also great: Psychic, Heat Wave, Ice Beam, Energy Ball, Calm Mind, Roost, Cosmic Power, Stored Power, Psycho Shift.
It gives issue to steel teams (Free set up on Ferro if not Thunder Wave) and Heat Wave (Only Aegislash and Corvi can live next one Calm Mind (with Life Orb as item)). Ice Beam/Energy Ball completes well the coverage against Ground by example.
+ : Great abilities, Good coverage, Decent speed
- : Need a little more bulk
Calm Mind + 3 moves (Sigilyph) @ Life Orb
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Psychic
- Ice Beam/Energy Ball
- Heat Wave
Psycho Shift + Flame Orb (Sigilyph) @ Flame Orb
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Cosmic Power or Calm Mind
- Psycho Shift
- Stored Power
- Roost
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Psychic
- Ice Beam/Energy Ball
- Heat Wave
Psycho Shift + Flame Orb (Sigilyph) @ Flame Orb
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Cosmic Power or Calm Mind
- Psycho Shift
- Stored Power
- Roost
Hawlucha
Description: Hawlucha big buff is to not rely on terrain anymore to active unburden, indeed, with Close Combat and White Herb, it can set up alone now. In addition of that, having it on his team is great to face Dark and Normal (Especially when u broke possible sash and able to active Unburden, you've a possible sweep with it (As Dubwool is useless if you play Taunt)). It helps against other type like Steel, Ground but sadly, it's pretty useless against Ghost because not able to active Unburden the way I've described.
Adamant or Jolly nature can be played but both have advantage and inconvenient.
+ : Unburden, Doesn't rely on terrain to active Unburden
- : Not good enough to break Electric type.
Hawlucha @ White Herb
Ability: Unburden
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature (Or Adamant)
- Close Combat
- Acrobatics or Brave Bird
- Swords Dance
- Taunt
Ability: Unburden
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature (Or Adamant)
- Close Combat
- Acrobatics or Brave Bird
- Swords Dance
- Taunt
Noivern
Description: So, without being rude with our Noivern friend, when you notice that your best answer to Electric is it, it shows how Flying gets a huge issue with this type.
However, Noivern can deal with special electric moves from scarfed Pokemon like Rotom by example.
But its job doesn't stop here, in HO team, it's one of the best defogger with Taunt/Defog/Roost.
Otherwise, it can be played as LO or Specs and doing great damage to every Pokemon slower than it.
+ : Best electric answer, great speed, decent movepool, Infiltrator
- : Bulk isn't good enough to tank LO/Specs electric moves.
Support (Noivern) @ Leftovers or Heavy Duty Boots
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Defog
- Roost
- Taunt / Flamethrower
- Dragon Pulse
Offensive (Noivern) @ Life Orb / Choice Specs
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Flamethrower
- Hurricane / U-Turn / Roost / Air Slash
- Boomburst / U-Turn / Roost
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Defog
- Roost
- Taunt / Flamethrower
- Dragon Pulse
Offensive (Noivern) @ Life Orb / Choice Specs
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Flamethrower
- Hurricane / U-Turn / Roost / Air Slash
- Boomburst / U-Turn / Roost
Corviknight
Description: Did you know this Pokemon exist? Great surprise, I just discovered it when I start to interest to Flying type!
Ok, stop joking, everyone knows how powerful is this King Bird and I already made a post about it some times ago so...
2 ways to play it: Wallbreaker or Support
Wallbreaker is the most common set with Bulk up/Roost/Taunt + Power Trip or Iron Head
Support set is in the case you choose to play it with Defog. I dislike playing Defog instead taunt in the set above, it loses a lot if we do that, so, here is a decent defog set: Iron Defense, Body Press, Defog, Roost. It's helpful against Ice type, next on Iron Def, it's able to live peacefully to Darmanitan-Galar and 0HKO it, a great way to destroy Ice type with one Pokemon if Avalugg isn't played with Iron Def.
+ : Great typing and abilities one of the strongest Pokemon in the current meta, complete well the bulky Flying core (Mantine/Mandi), many ways to play it.
- : Electric
Wallbreaker (Corviknight) @ Leftovers
Ability: Mirror Armor or Pressure
EVs: 248 HP / 240 SpD / 20 Spe
Careful Nature
- Taunt
- Roost
- Power Trip or Iron Head
- Bulk Up
Support (Corviknight) @ Leftovers
Ability: Mirror Armor
EVs: 248 HP / 240 SpD / 20 Spe
Careful Nature
- Iron Defense
- Body Press
- Defog
- Roost
Ability: Mirror Armor or Pressure
EVs: 248 HP / 240 SpD / 20 Spe
Careful Nature
- Taunt
- Roost
- Power Trip or Iron Head
- Bulk Up
Support (Corviknight) @ Leftovers
Ability: Mirror Armor
EVs: 248 HP / 240 SpD / 20 Spe
Careful Nature
- Iron Defense
- Body Press
- Defog
- Roost
Others Pokemon outclassed (in my opinion):
Togetic, Driftblim, Swoobat, Braviary, Unfeazant and Cramorant.
IV - Flying Weaknesses
I'm going to class weaknesses by type with small explanation/key words:
Steel: Duraludon (Tbolt), Bisharp (Stealth Rock + Defiant), Durant (Rock Slide/Thunder Fang), Togedemaru (Electric moves).
Fighting: /
Dragon: Dracozolt (Doesn't need explanation), Goodra (Boltbeam (Thunderbolt + Icebeam)), Duraludon (Tbolt),
Water: Rotom-Wash (Volt Switch spam, electric moves), Cloyster (Shell Smash), Crawdaunt (Crabhammer 2HKO Mandi and Knock Off hurt a lot Mantine).
Electric: Honnestly, u can't win against a good Electric team.
Fairy: Mimikyu (SD/Shadow Claw/Play Rough is able to hurt a lot Flying if it gets a free set up), Gardevoir (if played with Tbolt).
Fire: Arcanine (Wild Charge), Rotom-Heat (Volt Switch spam, electric moves).
Ice: Darmanitan-galar, Cloyster, Mamoswine, Freeze dry users.
Bug: Galvantula/Vikavolt (Electric spam), Durant (Rock Slide), Frosmoth is check by Mantine with Haze.
Normal: Heliolisk (Volt Switch spam).
Grass: Rotom-M (Volt Switch spam)
Poison: Toxtricity (Shift Gear/Overdrive).
Psychic: /
Rock: Tyranitar (Draco Dance, Stone Edge), Barbaracle (Shell Smash), Rhyperior (Rock Polish Weakness Policy).
Ground: Mamoswine (Band), Excadrill (Swords Dance Rock Slide), Stealth rock.
Ghost: Polteageist (if not Mandibuzz because of Shell Smash), Mimikyu.
Dark: Tyranitar (Stone Edge, Draco Dance), Bisharp (Defiant + Stealth Rock)
Flying: Rotom-F (Volt Switch spam + Electric moves).
V - Conclusion
Flying is a good/decent type but handicaped a lot against Electric Pokemon and doesn't have any chance against Electric type.
So, all this type has to do is waiting Gliscor, Landorus or Zapdos come back to struggle again against that.
Many ways to play it in function of your playstyle.
Feel free to share your opinion or maybe some points I've forgotten, nobody is perfect.
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