Pokémon Sylveon

[Vengeance417]

Approved by Alexwolf

Typing: Fairy
Ability: Cute Charm / Pixilate (Hidden Ability)
Stats: 95 HP/ 65 Atk/ 65 Def/ 110 SpA/ 130 SpD/ 60 Spe

Notable Moves (STABs in Bold):
Hyper Voice (with the Pixilate Ability)
Wish
Heal Bell
Psyshock
Shadow Ball
Reflect
Light Screen
Calm Mind
Magic Coat
Baton Pass (learned only as an Eevee)
Stored Power
Yawn

Banned moves:

Moonblast (never use this garbage. Ever.)

Overview:

I realize that there is already a thread for Sylveon, but unfortunately, that one is highly outdated and is not a clear representation of Sylveon and how she is to be used in ORAS.

While Sylveon didn't necessarily GAIN anything new in ORAS, our Fairy-type Eeveelution has acquired more targets to obliterate with her vastly powerful Pixilate-boosted Hyper Voice. The premier stall mons of OU at the moment, Mega Sableye and Mega Slowbro, tremble in fear when facing Sylveon's famous Choice Specs set. Also, Mega Lopunny, Mega Sceptile, Mega Latias and Mega Altaria, mons that oftentimes like to set up Substitute, are not safe from a Super Effective Hyper Voice.

Clefable is the only other defensive non-Mega Fairy type Sylveon has to contend with for a team slot, but what separates Sylveon from Clefable is a much higher SpDef and SpA and the ability Pixilate, which gives even its offensively-uninvested Hyper Voice in her Cleric set more oomph than Clefable's uninvested Moonblast ever would. Also, being able to hit Pokemon BEHIND a substitute is an amazing plus.

Possible sets:

Choice Specs

Sylveon @ Choice Specs
Ability: Pixilate
EVs: 244 HP / 252 SpA / 12 Spe
Modest Nature
- Hyper Voice
- Psyshock
- Shadow Ball
- Baton Pass/ Hidden Power Ground/ Hidden Power Fire

The infamous Choice Specs set, arguably Sylveon's best ORAS set atm. What makes Sylveon such an amazing choice for a Fairy-type wallbreaker is the fact it doesn't use up a mega slot, unlike Mega Altaria, Mega Gardevoir and Mega Diancie, allowing you to run another Mega Evolution such as Mega Metagross and Mega Gallade who love the removals of Mega Sableye and Mega Slowbro. Even Pokemon that resist Sylveon's Hyper Voice sometimes wish not to switch in to this monstrously-powerful attack.

The EV spread is the standard spread that maximizes bulk as much as possible while gaining enough speed to outpace minimum-speed Tyranitar, but as T-Tar's usage has relatively declined in ORAS, the Speed EVs can be adjusted to whatever your Sylveon wishes to outpace, such as running enough speed to outrun minimum speed Skarmory and the standard Specs Magnezone stread by running 168 HP/ 252 SpA/ 88 Spe.

Notable Calculations for Specs Hyper Voice:

Hide

252+ SpA Choice Specs Pixilate Sylveon Hyper Voice vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Slowbro: 334-394 (84.7 - 100%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO

252+ SpA Choice Specs Pixilate Sylveon Hyper Voice vs. +1 252 HP / 4 SpD Slowbro: 223-264 (56.5 - 67%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ SpA Choice Specs Pixilate Sylveon Hyper Voice vs. +1 252 HP / 0 SpD Mega Sableye: 332-392 (109.2 - 128.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252+ SpA Choice Specs Pixilate Sylveon Hyper Voice vs. +2 248 HP / 0 SpD Mega Latias: 198-234 (54.5 - 64.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ SpA Choice Specs Pixilate Sylveon Hyper Voice vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Skarmory: 186-219 (55.6 - 65.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

252+ SpA Choice Specs Pixilate Sylveon Hyper Voice vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Excadrill: 198-234 (54.8 - 64.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ SpA Choice Specs Pixilate Sylveon Hyper Voice vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Bisharp: 375-442 (137.8 - 162.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252+ SpA Choice Specs Pixilate Sylveon Hyper Voice vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Mega Altaria: 390-462 (110.4 - 130.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252+ SpA Choice Specs Pixilate Sylveon Hyper Voice vs. 28 HP / 80 SpD Gengar: 160-189 (59.7 - 70.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery

252+ SpA Choice Specs Pixilate Sylveon Hyper Voice vs. 172 HP / 0 SpD Magnezone: 153-180 (47.2 - 55.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock

Baton Pass is an excellent choice for Specs Sylveon, as it allows you to gain perfect switch momentum when an obvious, undesirable switch in, such as Heatran, is coming.

Most people when using Specs Sylveon see its coverage options as filler, but let me tell you that such a notion has changed for the ORAS metagame. With powerful Steel-type threats like Mega Metagross, Jirachi and Magnezone running around, it might just be worth it to use that Shadow Ball or HP Ground on the predicted switch.

Notable Calcs for Specs Sylveon's coverage options:

Hide

When running Shadow Ball:
252+ SpA Choice Specs Sylveon Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Metagross: 278-328 (92.3 - 108.9%) -- 50% chance to OHKO

252+ SpA Choice Specs Sylveon Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Mega Metagross: 236-278 (78.4 - 92.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ SpA Choice Specs Sylveon Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Jirachi: 184-218 (45.5 - 53.9%) -- 2% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

252+ SpA Choice Specs Sylveon Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Bronzong: 166-196 (49.1 - 57.9%) -- 97.7% chance to 2HKO

252+ SpA Choice Specs Sylveon Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Victini: 254-300 (74.4 - 87.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

When running Psyshock:

252+ SpA Choice Specs Sylveon Psyshock vs. 232 HP / 0 Def Mega Venusaur: 214-254 (59.6 - 70.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO (calc was used on offensive Mega Venusaur, as its defensive variants are outclassed with Mega Sableye and Mega Slowbro being the premier stall megas right now, but even then:)

252+ SpA Choice Specs Sylveon Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 240+ Def Mega Venusaur: 160-190 (43.9 - 52.1%) -- 17.6% chance to 2HKO

252+ SpA Choice Specs Sylveon Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Amoonguss: 230-272 (53.2 - 62.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recover

When running Hidden Power Ground:

252+ SpA Choice Specs Sylveon Hidden Power Ground vs. 248 HP / 220+ SpD Heatran: 272-324 (70.6 - 84.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

252+ SpA Choice Specs Sylveon Hidden Power Ground vs. 172 HP / 0 SpD Magnezone: 420-496 (129.6 - 153%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252+ SpA Choice Specs Sylveon Hidden Power Ground vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Mega Camerupt: 184-218 (53.6 - 63.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ SpA Choice Specs Sylveon Hidden Power Ground vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Empoleon: 136-162 (36.5 - 43.5%) -- 99.1% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery (not much Empoleon can do back since they normally don't run Flash Cannon)

When running Hidden Power Fire:

252+ SpA Choice Specs Sylveon Hidden Power Fire vs. 252 HP / 168+ SpD Ferrothorn: 268-316 (76.1 - 89.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

252+ SpA Choice Specs Sylveon Hidden Power Fire vs. 248 HP / 100 SpD Mega Scizor: 348-412 (101.4 - 120.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

From the above calcs, we see that HP Ground is generally the more preferred Hidden Power to run, as HP Fire really only hits two targets for maximum damage.

Cleric:

Sylveon @ Leftovers
Ability: Pixilate
EVs: 252 HP / 220 Def / 36 SpD
Bold Nature
- Hyper Voice
- Heal Bell
- Wish
- Protect

Sylveon's cleric set is still a viable option, as even uninvested Hyper Voice hits decently hard for a defensive Pokemon. The set does not need much explanation, as loads of wish passers generally run the same thing no matter the tier.

The Defensive EVs are there to avoid the 2HKO from Latios's Psyshock and simply give Sylveon some added Defensive bulk in general so it can safely switch in on weaker Attacking moves, while the rest of the EVs go in to its HP and SpDef.

Good Teammates:

Regarding the Cleric set, Steel types in general are excellent partners for Sylveon, such as Ferrothorn, Heatran and Bronzong since they either resist or are immune to the types that are strong against Fairy. Dragon types such as the Latis, Mega Charizard X and Dragonite love having a Dragon-immune Pokemon on the team for a relatively safe switch in. Ground types or Pokemon with Ground-type coverage are also needed to break through Heatran, as the defensive Sylveon set is hard-walled by it.

On more offensive Sylveon builds utilizing the Choice Specs variant, Pokemon that appreciate someone that can deal with Mega Sableye and Mega Slowbro, such as Mega Gallade and Mega Metagross, love Sylveon's devastating Fairy-type strength. These two Megas also provide great synergy with Sylveon, as Mega Gallade can punish the Steel types that give Sylveon some trouble while Mega Metagross is immune to Poison and also use EQ, Zen Headbutt and Hammer Arm to hurt the Poisons and Steels in the tier.

Sylveon also likes Pokemon that can handle Mega Beedrill, so priority users like Bisharp's Sucker Punch, Azumarill's Aqua Jet and Scizor and Metagross's Bullet Punch are effective ways of killing Beedrill off.

That's all for now. Please comment on anything else that can add to the discussion of Sylveon :]


​

 

[Karxrida]

Baton Pass should be slashed with the Hidden Powers. It helps regain momentum on forced switches, plus Spec Hyper Voice still dents resists that aren't Heatran so the coverage loss isn't huge. Plus you can always just hit it with Shadow Ball.

 

[Vengeance417]

Baton Pass should be slashed with the Hidden Powers. It helps regain momentum on forced switches, plus Spec Hyper Voice still dents resists that aren't Heatran so the coverage loss isn't huge. Plus you can always just hit it with Shadow Ball.

Added :]

 

[MangleyMan]

With all the new ORAS megas arriving to the overused teir, Sylveon is starting to die out. Ever since the announcement of Mega Beedril, I have seen 2 or 3 Sylveon while laddering. Don't judge me, but I belive that Sylveon is about to be mover to BL or Underused.

 

[Seru]

Well, even with HP Ground on set Heatran still gets a free turn for Stealth Rock/Toxic

252+ SpA Choice Specs Sylveon Hidden Power Ground vs. 248 HP / 220+ SpD Heatran: 272-324 (70.6 - 84.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

Edit: also is very easy to predict a Second HP Ground on the next turn and switch to some Flying/Levitate mon, or something bulky like a Scizor.

 

[Burt Racecar]

Agree with Karxrida. Baton Pass is a great addition to the specs set, I'd say it's the second most used move on my Specs Sylveon, haha.
I typically use it to lure opposing Heatran out, so rather than double switch with the risk of predicting wrong Baton Pass allows for certainty, as it occurs after the switch, either way it provides certain momentum.

I don't know about it being worse than before though. We've got Mega-Lopunny, Mega-Sceptile, Mega-Altaria, that all suffer badly to a pixiliate Hyper Voice. Furthermore, they all commonly carry substitute, which is completely bypassed by Hyper Voice. Plus Sableye's one true weakness in Fairy is never more true now it's got a Mega form, a fairy move is quite invaluable on teams.
Yeah, it does have new threats Megagross, Megadrill, Gunk Shot Greninja, but I really can't see it dropping to UU based on this.

Try it out if you're uncertain, cos Specs Sylveon rocks.

 

[MangleyMan]

Agree with Karxrida. Baton Pass is a great addition to the specs set, I'd say it's the second most used move on my Specs Sylveon, haha.
I typically use it to lure opposing Heatran out, so rather than double switch with the risk of predicting wrong Baton Pass allows for certainty, as it occurs after the switch, either way it provides certain momentum.

I don't know about it being worse than before though. We've got Mega-Lopunny, Mega-Sceptile, Mega-Altaria, that all suffer badly to a pixiliate Hyper Voice. Furthermore, they all commonly carry substitute, which is completely bypassed by Hyper Voice. Plus Sableye's one true weakness in Fairy is never more true now it's got a Mega form, a fairy move is quite invaluable on teams.
Yeah, it does have new threats Megagross, Megadrill, Gunk Shot Greninja, but I really can't see it dropping to UU based on this.

Try it out if you're uncertain, cos Specs Sylveon rocks.

You are right about it not droping to UU. I was overexagerating. I think it will go down to BL. Like you said, Metagross, Megadrill, and Greninja are threats. Excadrill and Scizor are also threats, and a lot of people use them now. I agree that UU is not where Sylveon belongs but I defineatly think that it s close to BL.

 

[Karxrida]

Specs Sylveon is a hard counter to Mega Sableye, as Sylveon can OHKO a +1 Sableye (and 2HKOs a +2 one), while Sableye has to be running Shadow Ball to kill Sylveon immediately.

Bold Mega Sableye
252+ SpA Choice Specs Pixilate Sylveon Hyper Voice vs. +1 252 HP / 252 SpD Sableye: 270-318 (88.8 - 104.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ SpA Choice Specs Pixilate Sylveon Hyper Voice vs. +2 252 HP / 0 SpD Sableye: 248-294 (81.5 - 96.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Pixilate Sylveon Hyper Voice vs. +3 252 HP / 4 SpD Sableye: 200-236 (65.7 - 77.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Calm Mega Sableye
252+ SpA Choice Specs Pixilate Sylveon Hyper Voice vs. +1 252 HP / 252+ SpD Sableye: 246-290 (80.9 - 95.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Pixilate Sylveon Hyper Voice vs. +2 252 HP / 252+ SpD Sableye: 186-218 (61.1 - 71.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Pixilate Sylveon Hyper Voice vs. +3 252 HP / 252+ SpD Sableye: 150-176 (49.3 - 57.8%) -- 95.3% chance to 2HKO

+6 0 SpA Sableye Dark Pulse vs. 244 HP / 0 SpD Sylveon: 120-141 (30.6 - 35.9%) -- 48.7% chance to 3HKO
+6 4 SpA Sableye Shadow Ball vs. 244 HP / 0 SpD Sylveon: 240-283 (61.2 - 72.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[56k]

Maybe my paranoia is showing but I use a slightly different setup for the cleric set, but, I'd only reccomend it on a full stall team:

Sylveon @ Leftovers
Ability: Pixilate
EVs: 224 HP / 236 Def / 48 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hyper Voice
- Heal Bell
- Wish
- Protect

The point of the speed evs is to actually outspeed gothitelle if it gave you a choice scarf and suppress any boosting shenanigans. Sylveon is otherwise so hilariously slow that even with a scarf it's slower, and goth can get up a calm mind and proceed to rest.

Again, this is only an issue for certain stall teams that can't otherwise outspeed or OHKO a fully boosted gothitelle. But after running around with sylveon for so long I noticed it was almost always a target of shadow taggers and since shed shell takes away crucial leftovers that you need to actually wall latios like you're supposed to, I went with this instead. The hp and def still secures the 2hko from latios.

I know someone is going to come in here and say that rest gothitelle is terrible yeah whatever, it's terrible against the 90% of offensive teams out there, but it's ridiculous for stall teams (which I almost always choose to play) and some other people out there might want to consider dropping a tiny bit of bulk into speed just to have peace of mind against that threat.

 

[Vengeance417]

I asked Haunter about this but he said I shouldn't make a thread rip
Mention Hidden Power Fighting on the Specs set. This helps nail Bisharp on the predicted switch, since it's a pretty good switch in to defensive Sylveon. I guess it's not too good outside of that but w / e
Also, don't even mention Moonblast in the OP. It's not EVER worth using over Hyper Voice, and it really bothers me when people use it.

252+ SpA Choice Specs Pixilate Sylveon Hyper Voice vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Bisharp: 375-442 (137.8 - 162.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

HP Fighting really isn't worth it when Pixilate Hyper Voice OHKOs anyway, and is damned worthless to use on the cleric set.

 

[Kurona]

Yasss, this thing FINALLY gets an accurate thread rather than shit pre-bank whatever.
I'm really looking forward to using this thing as a Wallbreaker alongside Gallade and Bish; for some reason no-one's mentioned what it can do to Mega Slowbro yet.

252+ SpA Choice Specs Pixilate Sylveon Hyper Voice vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Slowbro: 334-394 (84.7 - 100%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Pixilate Sylveon Hyper Voice vs. +1 252 HP / 4 SpD Slowbro: 223-264 (56.5 - 67%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Mind you, this counts for both Slowbro and Mega Slowbro as they both have the same base SpD, and I'm not sure if they run any more special defence than that. But you get the idea; Sylveon's just completely WRECKING them here. And what can Slowbro do back?

0 SpA Slowbro Scald vs. 244 HP / 0 SpD Sylveon: 87-103 (22.1 - 26.2%) -- 10.8% chance to 4HKO
+1 0 SpA Slowbro Scald vs. 244 HP / 0 SpD Sylveon: 129-153 (32.9 - 39%) -- 99.5% chance to 3HKO

Incredible.

 

[Vengeance417]

Yasss, this thing FINALLY gets an accurate thread rather than shit pre-bank whatever.
I'm really looking forward to using this thing as a Wallbreaker alongside Gallade and Bish; for some reason no-one's mentioned what it can do to Mega Slowbro yet.

252+ SpA Choice Specs Pixilate Sylveon Hyper Voice vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Slowbro: 334-394 (84.7 - 100%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Pixilate Sylveon Hyper Voice vs. +1 252 HP / 4 SpD Slowbro: 223-264 (56.5 - 67%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Mind you, this counts for both Slowbro and Mega Slowbro as they both have the same base SpD, and I'm not sure if they run any more special defence than that. But you get the idea; Sylveon's just completely WRECKING them here. And what can Slowbro do back?

0 SpA Slowbro Scald vs. 244 HP / 0 SpD Sylveon: 87-103 (22.1 - 26.2%) -- 10.8% chance to 4HKO
+1 0 SpA Slowbro Scald vs. 244 HP / 0 SpD Sylveon: 129-153 (32.9 - 39%) -- 99.5% chance to 3HKO

Incredible.

The premier stall mons of OU at the moment, Mega Sableye and Mega Slowbro, tremble in fear when facing Sylveon's famous Choice Specs set.​

The infamous Choice Specs set, arguably Sylveon's best ORAS set atm. What makes Sylveon such an amazing choice for a Fairy-type wallbreaker is the fact it doesn't use up a mega slot, unlike Mega Altaria, Mega Gardevoir and Mega Diancie, allowing you to run another Mega Evolution such as Mega Metagross and Mega Gallade who love the removals of Mega Sableye and Mega Slowbro. Even Pokemon that resist Sylveon's Hyper Voice sometimes wish not to switch in to this monstrously-powerful attack.

On more offensive Sylveon builds utilizing the Choice Specs variant, Pokemon that appreciate someone that can deal with Mega Sableye and Mega Slowbro, such as Mega Gallade and Mega Metagross, love Sylveon's devastating Fairy-type strength.

rood ;-;
​

 

[Kurona]

​

rood ;-;
​

sorrydarlingwonthappenagain

Really though I was mostly referring to calcs; I just found it really odd that specific calcs weren't listed to show how it fares against Mega Slowbro -- one of the two biggest reasons to use Sylveon -- especially when you have calcs for shit like lolbronzong.

 

[Vengeance417]

sorrydarlingwonthappenagain

Really though I was mostly referring to calcs; I just found it really odd that specific calcs weren't listed to show how it fares against Mega Slowbro -- one of the two biggest reasons to use Sylveon -- especially when you have calcs for shit like lolbronzong.

Yeah, I know lol

I'ma put those in the OP just to let the people know of the power that is the bows-of-flesh-eon.

 

[Norne]

I'm honestly loving BP on the last slot over HP ground, the amount of times it allows you to gain momentum is ridiculous to be honest. Bonus points for ruining some trappers day.

 

[Vengeance417]

I'll add this to the OP as well, but there's something I'd also like to point out. You know that famous Sub/Roost/Calm Mind/Stored Power Mega Latias?

252+ SpA Choice Specs Pixilate Sylveon Hyper Voice vs. +2 248 HP / 0 SpD Mega Latias: 198-234 (54.5 - 64.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

#notsafe

Edit: Updated the OP with more calcs regarding Specs Hyper Voice.

 

[Scattered mind]

HP Fire is even good ? I think that one of the reasons to go for Sylveon over Clefable is that Sylveon can handle with Heatran with a CS HP Ground or gain momentum

 

[Vengeance417]

HP Fire is even good ? I think that one of the reasons to go for Sylveon over Clefable is that Sylveon can handle with Heatran with a CS HP Ground or gain momentum

It's an option. Not the best option (that's why I have it slashed last instead of first like BP), but it's something if you REALLY hate Scizor and Ferrothorn.

 

[Vengeance417]

http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-192828430

Not denying Baton Pass's excellent momentum-bringing capabilities or anything, but what I've noticed that could be a potential issue for the strat is when you have any stat drops on Sylveon, they're brought with you when you baton pass. In this replay, I completely forgot about how Intimidate drops are brought with you when switching via BP, and I was stuck with a -2 Attack Mega Gallade at one point. There was even an instance where I got the Special Attack drop from Moonblast AND the Intimidate drop from Mega Manectric, so I had to go to a middle ground where it really didn't matter all that much.

Just something to look out for when using BP on Specs Sylveon for the sake of momentum.