Swellow's got GUTS!
[Overview]
When looking at Swellow one thing may jump out at you, it's speed. With a great 125 base speed it out speeds almost all Pokemon, with a select few having the privilege of higher speed. Then you come to the rest of it's stats, and notice it's horrific defenses, and decent attack. But with a little help it's way past decent... It has access to Guts, and Facade.
[SET]
Name: Swellow's got GUTS!
Move 1: Brave Bird
Move 2: Facade
Move 3: U-Turn
Move 4: Protect
Item: Flame Orb/Toxic Orb
Ability: Guts
Nature: Jolly
Ev's: 252 Atk / 4 SpDef / 252 Speed
[SET COMMENTS]
This set's goal is to deal as much damage as possible with Facade. A STAB, double power, GUTS boosted Facade deals so much damage right off the bat. It just destroys everything that does'nt resist it. So this is pretty much the go-to move that will make you happy, and your opponent sad. Brave Bird is almost as strong as Facade, and is just as effective. It is a guaranteed OHKO, against anything that is weak, so long as it is not carrying a sash. U-Turn serves as it's third option being able to do a number of things that will make it really useful. U-Turn is not only good for a hit and run, but it is also good for clever strategy. Against a Metagross, let's face it Swellow does'nt have a chance. However if it switches out to a Pokemon that can say take Metagross out, it will work better than trying to Facade in vain. Also with a Guts boost, and being able to hit Tyranitar, and Cresselia for Super-effective damage, while switching out at the same time to survive a potential OHKO. Then for it's final move Protect. It has two functions. 1. Stall while Flame Orb/Toxic Orb kicks in. 2. Scout for a move/wait for a partner to take out a threat.
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
As you may know Flame Orb activates Guts, which is not hampered by a burn. Then the burn also doubles Swellow's Facade to make it a strong move, and the 252 into attack makes it even better. I gave the option of Toxic Orb just because of Swellow's limited bulk, it won't really last that long so the additional damage won't really matter, but Flame Orb is also to. Then 252 into Speed is just so it can out-speed almost everything in VGC, and to essentially "sweep."You should put 4 into Special Defense to give Swellow a little coverage over common special moves. Or you could put it into HP, it does'nt really matter though. Also Swellow may seem outclassed by Ursaring, but it has a few niches that makes it all the more better. First off, it has much, much higher speed, so it does'nt need Trick Room support to use effectively so it can sweep. And second it has access to strong flying type moves such as Brave Bird, and the useful U-Turn, and Ursaring does'nt have either. Speaking of Brave Bird, the recoil, combined with the damage from Flame Orb, can add up, and leave it available to be finished off by a priority move. So that is something to watch for. Swellow can work well with many Pokemon, a priority based Pokemon like Hitmontop works really well, as Swellow can deal massive amounts of damage with Facade, and Hitmontop can finish it off with Mach Punch. It is also good for countering those Steel types which Swellow does'nt like. Or you can go for a Pokemon with a decent priority move, or just a plain fighting type with access to fake out, so Swellow can maybe pull of a U-Turn, and deal damage, instead of just switching. A fire type also works well as it also helps to counter steel types. Garchomp works well as it's high speed, and ground typing, leaves trouble for Swellow's potential assassins. Anything fast works well too, allowing you to keep up a strong offensive pressure over the opponent.
[Other Options]
There are'nt really any other options that Swellow can utilize. You could always give it a Focus Sash, and Endeavor, to strike FEAR into your opponent's heart. As well as maybe a support move to start turn 1 off, before it gets attacked since the likeliness of it moving first is pretty high. Or you can replace U-Turn with Quick Attack, since it receives STAB, and the Guts boost which makes it an effective way off 'finishing off' those with little HP left.
[Checks and Counters]
A scarfed mon means trouble for Swellow, because if Swellow can't move first it really can't be used well and the chances of it doing anything are very slim. Cresselia also means big trouble, as Swellow can survive an Icy Wind, but it lowers it's speed which Swellow thrives on. Tailwind also means trouble because the likeliness of Swellow outspeeding a Pokemon on your opponent's team is 0. Trick Room serves a similar issue, but worse since it lasts a turn longer. Swellow dislikes all steel types, but two of the main steel types you'll come across are Scizor, and Metagros. Who has the ability to OHKO it with Zen Headbutt. And Scizor can deal massive damage to it with Bullet Punch. It also runs into a similar problem with Hitmontop's Technician boosted Mach Punch. (Does'nt do as much damage though.) Zapdos is a little problem, but a Facade should take care of it.
