QC Approvals: 3/3
GP Approvals: 2/2
[SET]
name: Hydration Wall
move 1: Rest
move 2: Scald
move 3: Roar / Wish
move 4: Toxic / Ice Beam
item: Leftovers
ability: Hydration
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>While the previous set attempts to use Hydration for its offensive potential, this set aims to use the combination of Hydration and Rest to turn Vaporeon into an unbreakable wall. The purpose of this set is to take incoming attacks, support the team, and deal out decent damage. With this physically defensive spread, Vaporeon's defenses become nearly balanced, allowing her to wall threats on both ends of the spectrum with extreme proficiency. Additionally, her fantastic recovery in Rest combined with her immunity to status makes her a surprisingly effective stallbreaker, since wearing her down over time is futile. Just remember that she is slower than most threats, so use Rest early and often.</p>
<p>Rest is the absolute crux of this set, and it cannot function without it. Scald is her main STAB, which hits very hard for a defensive Pokemon. This is thanks to her impressive base 110 Special Attack and the boost Scald acquires from the rain. The burn chance is an added boon that can greatly increase her walling potential. The choice between Roar and Wish is a tough one, and mainly hinges on what your team needs more. If you need a reliable shuffler and phazer, Roar is the way to go. If you need a near invincible team healer, Wish is the move you should choose. Toxic is usually the preferred option in the final slot, allowing it to beat the likes of Blissey and Porygon2 in a stall war while also making it much easier to wear down other Pokemon. Ice Beam is also an option, as it gives you that extra bit of security against the omnipresent Ice-type weak Pokemon that fill the OU tier, should you need it.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Hydration Stall Vaporeon is a greatly underestimated defensive threat. Since she can recover all its HP in one move with Rest, she has the ability to wall any Pokemon that cannot OHKO her, while all the other walls in the tier can only wall Pokemon that fail to 2HKO them. As such, the number of Pokemon it can wall is extremely high, as these calculations demonstrate. Even super effective attacks are possible to wall. All the below calculations include Leftovers recovery.</p>
<ul class="damage_calculation">
<li>252 SpAtk Choice Scarf Rotom-W Volt Switch vs 252 HP/0 SpDef Vaporeon: 44.61% - 53.02%
3HKO</li>
<li>252 SpAtk Choice Specs Rotom-W Volt Switch vs 252 HP/0 SpDef Vaporeon: 66.59% - 78.88%
2HKO</li>
<li>252 Atk Conkeldurr Drain Punch vs 252 HP/252+ Def Vaporeon: 30.39% - 35.78%
4HKO</li>
<li>252 +1 Atk Conkeldurr Drain Punch vs 252 HP/252+ Def Vaporeon: 45.26% - 53.23%
2-3HKO</li>
<li>252 Atk Haxorus Outrage vs 252 HP/252+ Def Vaporeon: 50% - 59.05%
2-3HKO</li>
<li>252 Atk Choice Band Haxorus Outrage vs 252 HP/252+ Def Vaporeon: 75% - 88.58%
2HKO</li>
<li>8 SpAtk (Defensive Calm Mind) Virizion Giga Drain vs 252 HP/0 SpDef Vaporeon: 33.62% - 40.09%
3-4HKO</li>
<li>8 +1 SpAtk (Defensive Calm Mind) Virizion Giga Drain vs 252 HP/0 SpDef Vaporeon: 51.08% - 60.13%
2-3HKO</li>
<li>252 SpAtk Choice Specs Latios Draco Meteor vs 252 HP/0 SpDef Vaporeon: 76.94% - 90.73%
2HKO</li>
</ul>
<p>Vaporeon is gifted with a wide array of useful moves to abuse. While Rest is non-negotiable, all the other moves can be substituted out for other options. Surf is viable over Scald for the minor power boost (which is amplified by the rain). However, it usually lands the same OHKOs and 2HKOs that Scald lands, and that burn chance is hard to give up. The final two moveslots are where you can get really creative. Haze can be used over Roar, especially if you don't have much in the way of hazard support. Haze allows Vaporeon to crush Baton Pass teams built around Espeon, and also gives you an edge in those tricky last Pokemon situations. Acid Armor can be used with a specially defensive EV spread, turning Vapreon from a bulky water into an immovable object. However, in order to do this you have to give up either an attacking or support option to make room for Acid Armor. Baton Pass can aid in Wish passing and pass Acid Armor boosts, so it is worth a look if you're running either move. Rain Dance can be used to effectively mess with opposing weather inducers as they switch in, but is dead weight against teams without weather. There are many other moves Vaporeon can use effectively in the last two slots, so it can be worth the time to take a look at her movepool and pick whatever moves work best for your team. The 4 EVs in Speed are specifically used to outspeed Jellicent and Toxic it before it can Taunt you, so if you're not running Toxic you can move the Speed EVs into Special Defense.</p>
<p>It goes without saying that Drizzle Politoed is absolutely vital for using this set effectively, as without rain, Rest is more of a liability than a benefit. In order to ensure that Politoed and Vaporeon's roles don't overlap, it is recommended you run a Choice item on Politoed. The other kinds of support that Vaporeon needs largely depends on what moves you choose to use. If she has Roar, hazard support is great, since this Vaporeon is an extremely effective shuffler. If Toxic is not used, then Toxic Spike support is nearly vital. Even when she does have Toxic, Toxic Spikes can give her the ability to beat threats she normally would not be able to get an attack in against, such as Choice Band Haxorus. Forretress can lay all sorts of entry hazards and covers Vaporeon’s Grass-type weakness, so it fills that roll well. If you don't have Roar then something to deal with stat boosters is vital, as Vaporeon becomes set-up bait for many of them. In terms of type synergy, Virizon and specially Defensive Jirachi make great teammates, being able to absorb the powerful Electric- and Grass-type attacks aimed at Vaporeon, while she absorbs the Fire-type and physical attacks aimed at them. Virizon is also a great counter to Ferrothorn, who causes Vaporeon a lot of trouble. Ferrothorn is a great ally in addition to being a formidable enemy, as it can lay entry hazards for Vaporeon to abuse as well as resisting her weaknesses. Tentacruel and Toxicroak completely wall Vaporeon and can use her as setup fodder, so a Psychic-type attacker can make a great partner. Latias and Latios make great partners in this respect, as they also have great type synergy with Vaporeon, though they need to watch out for a boosted Sucker Punch from Toxicroak. Rain abusing Dragonite can also help deal with those two if you give it Thunder and Hurricane, and can shrug off any Grass-type moves thrown at Vaporeon. Ground-types can also threaten both Toxicroak and Tentacruel with their STAB moves and take those dangerous Electric-type attacks, but be careful not to amplify your Grass-type weakness too much when picking one.</p>
Alright, I've written up the anaylsis. I tried to follow the guidelines as closely as possible, but this is my first one so I'm bound to have made a few mistakes. Also I'm still open to changing some of the options and stuff I've put, but you had better have a good argument for the change.
EDIT: OH and also the "Other Options" section is going to need to be changed, but I'm not really sure how to go about that seeing as I didn't write the other analysis'. If anyone can give me some direction on that issue, it'd be greatly appreciated.
EDIT2: I've made changes refering to the first check, however they were not all exactly as perscribed. If you want to see my reasoning for the changes I made differently see post #49
GP Approvals: 2/2
[SET]
name: Hydration Wall
move 1: Rest
move 2: Scald
move 3: Roar / Wish
move 4: Toxic / Ice Beam
item: Leftovers
ability: Hydration
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>While the previous set attempts to use Hydration for its offensive potential, this set aims to use the combination of Hydration and Rest to turn Vaporeon into an unbreakable wall. The purpose of this set is to take incoming attacks, support the team, and deal out decent damage. With this physically defensive spread, Vaporeon's defenses become nearly balanced, allowing her to wall threats on both ends of the spectrum with extreme proficiency. Additionally, her fantastic recovery in Rest combined with her immunity to status makes her a surprisingly effective stallbreaker, since wearing her down over time is futile. Just remember that she is slower than most threats, so use Rest early and often.</p>
<p>Rest is the absolute crux of this set, and it cannot function without it. Scald is her main STAB, which hits very hard for a defensive Pokemon. This is thanks to her impressive base 110 Special Attack and the boost Scald acquires from the rain. The burn chance is an added boon that can greatly increase her walling potential. The choice between Roar and Wish is a tough one, and mainly hinges on what your team needs more. If you need a reliable shuffler and phazer, Roar is the way to go. If you need a near invincible team healer, Wish is the move you should choose. Toxic is usually the preferred option in the final slot, allowing it to beat the likes of Blissey and Porygon2 in a stall war while also making it much easier to wear down other Pokemon. Ice Beam is also an option, as it gives you that extra bit of security against the omnipresent Ice-type weak Pokemon that fill the OU tier, should you need it.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Hydration Stall Vaporeon is a greatly underestimated defensive threat. Since she can recover all its HP in one move with Rest, she has the ability to wall any Pokemon that cannot OHKO her, while all the other walls in the tier can only wall Pokemon that fail to 2HKO them. As such, the number of Pokemon it can wall is extremely high, as these calculations demonstrate. Even super effective attacks are possible to wall. All the below calculations include Leftovers recovery.</p>
<ul class="damage_calculation">
<li>252 SpAtk Choice Scarf Rotom-W Volt Switch vs 252 HP/0 SpDef Vaporeon: 44.61% - 53.02%
3HKO</li>
<li>252 SpAtk Choice Specs Rotom-W Volt Switch vs 252 HP/0 SpDef Vaporeon: 66.59% - 78.88%
2HKO</li>
<li>252 Atk Conkeldurr Drain Punch vs 252 HP/252+ Def Vaporeon: 30.39% - 35.78%
4HKO</li>
<li>252 +1 Atk Conkeldurr Drain Punch vs 252 HP/252+ Def Vaporeon: 45.26% - 53.23%
2-3HKO</li>
<li>252 Atk Haxorus Outrage vs 252 HP/252+ Def Vaporeon: 50% - 59.05%
2-3HKO</li>
<li>252 Atk Choice Band Haxorus Outrage vs 252 HP/252+ Def Vaporeon: 75% - 88.58%
2HKO</li>
<li>8 SpAtk (Defensive Calm Mind) Virizion Giga Drain vs 252 HP/0 SpDef Vaporeon: 33.62% - 40.09%
3-4HKO</li>
<li>8 +1 SpAtk (Defensive Calm Mind) Virizion Giga Drain vs 252 HP/0 SpDef Vaporeon: 51.08% - 60.13%
2-3HKO</li>
<li>252 SpAtk Choice Specs Latios Draco Meteor vs 252 HP/0 SpDef Vaporeon: 76.94% - 90.73%
2HKO</li>
</ul>
<p>Vaporeon is gifted with a wide array of useful moves to abuse. While Rest is non-negotiable, all the other moves can be substituted out for other options. Surf is viable over Scald for the minor power boost (which is amplified by the rain). However, it usually lands the same OHKOs and 2HKOs that Scald lands, and that burn chance is hard to give up. The final two moveslots are where you can get really creative. Haze can be used over Roar, especially if you don't have much in the way of hazard support. Haze allows Vaporeon to crush Baton Pass teams built around Espeon, and also gives you an edge in those tricky last Pokemon situations. Acid Armor can be used with a specially defensive EV spread, turning Vapreon from a bulky water into an immovable object. However, in order to do this you have to give up either an attacking or support option to make room for Acid Armor. Baton Pass can aid in Wish passing and pass Acid Armor boosts, so it is worth a look if you're running either move. Rain Dance can be used to effectively mess with opposing weather inducers as they switch in, but is dead weight against teams without weather. There are many other moves Vaporeon can use effectively in the last two slots, so it can be worth the time to take a look at her movepool and pick whatever moves work best for your team. The 4 EVs in Speed are specifically used to outspeed Jellicent and Toxic it before it can Taunt you, so if you're not running Toxic you can move the Speed EVs into Special Defense.</p>
<p>It goes without saying that Drizzle Politoed is absolutely vital for using this set effectively, as without rain, Rest is more of a liability than a benefit. In order to ensure that Politoed and Vaporeon's roles don't overlap, it is recommended you run a Choice item on Politoed. The other kinds of support that Vaporeon needs largely depends on what moves you choose to use. If she has Roar, hazard support is great, since this Vaporeon is an extremely effective shuffler. If Toxic is not used, then Toxic Spike support is nearly vital. Even when she does have Toxic, Toxic Spikes can give her the ability to beat threats she normally would not be able to get an attack in against, such as Choice Band Haxorus. Forretress can lay all sorts of entry hazards and covers Vaporeon’s Grass-type weakness, so it fills that roll well. If you don't have Roar then something to deal with stat boosters is vital, as Vaporeon becomes set-up bait for many of them. In terms of type synergy, Virizon and specially Defensive Jirachi make great teammates, being able to absorb the powerful Electric- and Grass-type attacks aimed at Vaporeon, while she absorbs the Fire-type and physical attacks aimed at them. Virizon is also a great counter to Ferrothorn, who causes Vaporeon a lot of trouble. Ferrothorn is a great ally in addition to being a formidable enemy, as it can lay entry hazards for Vaporeon to abuse as well as resisting her weaknesses. Tentacruel and Toxicroak completely wall Vaporeon and can use her as setup fodder, so a Psychic-type attacker can make a great partner. Latias and Latios make great partners in this respect, as they also have great type synergy with Vaporeon, though they need to watch out for a boosted Sucker Punch from Toxicroak. Rain abusing Dragonite can also help deal with those two if you give it Thunder and Hurricane, and can shrug off any Grass-type moves thrown at Vaporeon. Ground-types can also threaten both Toxicroak and Tentacruel with their STAB moves and take those dangerous Electric-type attacks, but be careful not to amplify your Grass-type weakness too much when picking one.</p>
Alright, I've written up the anaylsis. I tried to follow the guidelines as closely as possible, but this is my first one so I'm bound to have made a few mistakes. Also I'm still open to changing some of the options and stuff I've put, but you had better have a good argument for the change.
EDIT: OH and also the "Other Options" section is going to need to be changed, but I'm not really sure how to go about that seeing as I didn't write the other analysis'. If anyone can give me some direction on that issue, it'd be greatly appreciated.
EDIT2: I've made changes refering to the first check, however they were not all exactly as perscribed. If you want to see my reasoning for the changes I made differently see post #49
