Venomoth
----
Status: Gonna resume writing this up tomorrow. Overview+1 set and 25% of butterfly dance sweeper done.I am a fucking dumbass
[Overview]
<p> In the past, Venomoth has been often neglected in favor of its fellow bug types. Particularely Yanmega. It is safe to say however that the advent of the 5th generation has been very kind to it coutersy of the introduction to Butterfly Dance, arguably the best boosting move in the game. In combination with a suprisingly healthly amount of support options, Baton Pass, decent offensive stats, and more importantly, the ability to use Tinted Lens in combination with it, Venomoth can become a devestating threat that can turn the tides of the game if played correctly. </p>
<p> However, that is not so to say Venomoth lacks flaws either. The massive increase of the average power level in this new generation has left Venomoth's offenive stats be considered underwhelming. In addition of some of its fellow bugs, Venomoth faces particularely severe competiton with Urgamosu who sports better stats and a larger movepool by far. That said, in order to use Venomoth at it's fullest one must take advantage of its advantages over others such as it being among the only who can baton pass Butterfly Dance and a less severe weakness to entry hazards than most. </p>
[SET]
name: Baton Passer
move 1: Baton Pass
move 2: Butterfly Dance
move 3: Sleep Powder
move 4: Bug Buzz
item: Leftovers
ability: Tinted Lens
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p> With the introduction of Butterfly Dance in it's movepool, Venomoth now has the ability to baton pass the destructive boosts Butterfly Dance provides to another pokemon. Access to moves such as Sleep Powder allows it to successfuly gain atleast one boost as well, crippling the pokemon in the process. Despite the minimal EV investment, Venomoth can hit hit hard against certain pokemon that have the ability to trouble it, such as Boturusu and Eruffun. This is aided futhure by Butterfly Dance and Tinted Lens. The latter making the lack of coverage in this set a relative non-issue. </p>
<p> Sleep Powder is crucial to this set's success as it allows it to gurentee a boost and thus a possible free pass. Bug Buzz acts as its obgilatory STAB and allows it to defeat Eruffun and occasionaly Botorusu. An offensive EV spread may be utlized over the current spread listed, but Venomoth's purpose is mainly focused on Baton Passing and thus, in most situations usully do not require additional power to suceed in his goal. Similarely, Life Orb is mostly not recommened over Leftovers for the same reasons.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p> Most specially based pokemon, particularely slow pokemon who are often halted due to their low speed, greatly appreciates the boosts provided from Venomoth and thus, are typical recipients for Venomoth. In addition, pokemon such as Heatran or Magnezone not only are good recipients but can also take the majority of attacks aimed at Venomoth and safely sweep at their leisure. The former also gaining a additional boost from Fire-type attacks as well. Pokemon who can get rid of priority users are, too, a great aid for both the recipient and Venomoth in general. As this minimizes the risk of being revenge killed by certain pokemon. </p>
<p> Being a baton passer, there are no true counters for Venomoth, particularely with Sleep Powder allowing it to cripple and thwart most attempts of stopping it. Priority however, bypasses the boost provided from Butterfly Dance and can somewhat damage Venomoth. In addition, Pokemon such as Eruffun or Boroutorusu ignores any factor in speed and Taunts Venomoth, preventing it from baton passing. Although both will not really enjoy a Bug buzz from Venomoth, particularely the former and assuming if Venomoth has gained one boost under its belt. </p>
[SET]
name: Butterfly Dance Sweeper
move 1: Butterfly Dance
move 2: Sleep Powder
move 3: Bug Buzz
move 4: Hidden Power Ground / Psychic
item: Life Orb
ability: Tinted Lens
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p> This Venomoth takes the most advantages over its offenses and its fellow rivals such as Urgamosu, and turns into a potentially devestating threat if taken lightly. Due to Sleep Powder, most incoming switchins are forced to remain useless for the majority for the battle and at the same time grants Venomoth to get a boost and ultametively sweeping. Tinted Lens eliminates the lack of coverage that this set holds and sharply lowers the number of viable switch ins against Venomoth's devestating power. </p>
<p> The choice in the last slot is highly based on what do you want Venomoth to hit. Hidden Power Ground is Venomoth's best attack against Heatran whom acts as a full stop to this set. Psychic grants perfect neutral coverage alongside Bug Buzz factoring in Tinted Lens, and also provides an Attack to hit Skarmory. Hidden Power Fire or Rock are more usable options against the aforimental pokemon, it should be noted however that the former also decreases Venomoth's speed and special attack. Due to the fact Venomoth can attain more special bulk and thus manage easier against specially biased pokemon, Leftovers is by no means a bad option either. </p>
Teammates and Counters:
- Pokemon that can take down certain Steel-types can be a welcoming aid for Venomoth. Such as Heatran
- Tyranitar has decent synergy with Venomoth and can take down most of Venomoth's counters. Sandstorm will take its toll on Venomoth, though.
- A Specially Defensive Skarmory can easily wall most of Venomoth's moveset with ease, and can proceed to whirlwind it out or take its time to set up spikes.
- Bilssey or Chansey has no problems walling it out either.
- Heatran holding a balloon can dispatch Venomoth provided it doesn't switch into an attack which shall pop the balloon.
- Venomoth's damage output, while respectable, isn't strong enough to do really major damage. Take note of that as well
[Team Options]
- As a mainly offensive pokemon, Venomoth appreciates the aid of entry hazards... and the spinning of it from its side as well.
- Water Pokemon are valuable assists as they all take common attacks aimed at Venomoth while Venomoth dispatches the Grass types that threaten them.
- While sandstorm is bothersome, Tyranitar can synergize with Venomoth decently, can can take down most of Venomoth's counters.
[Optional Changes]
- Sludge Bomb can be utilized as Venomoth's secondary STAB.
- Venomoth has a surprisingly decent amount of support options, and can run a support set. But Venomoth is just too frail to make effective use of it.
- Due to decent offensive stats and Tinted Lens, one can consider a Choice Specs set. But Yanmega makes better use of it.
[Counters]
- Because of the potential risk of being slept, Venomoth is surprisingly annoying to counter. Once Sleep Clause is in effect though, countering Venomoth becomes far easier.
- Bilssey and Chansey are all full stops for Venomoth and can take any attack that Venomoth can throw at it. It cannot prevent it from Baton Passing, though.
- A Specially Defensive Skarmory not only walls most of Venomoth's moveset, but can whirlwind Venomoth.
- Unless its running Hidden Power Ground, Heatran should handle it well.
- While they aren't counters by any means, Boutorosu and Errufun can prevent any attempts of Baton Passing.
[Dream World]
- Venomoth gets Miracle Skin from the Dream World
- Rather situational, although halving chance of paralysis from common serene gracers (Such as Body Slam Jirachi) is favorable.
