ResidentSleeper
[OVERVIEW]
Venomoth finds a niche as one of the best status spreaders in the tier. Access to the valuable “Double Powder” combination of Sleep Powder and Stun Spore allows Venomoth to effectively support its teammates through status. Its Speed tier is incredibly valuable, outpacing top tier picks such as Nidoking and Speed typing Mr. Mime. Venomoth’s typing grants it defensive utility as a Toxic absorber, which can be huge for partial trappers such as Charizard, Rapidash, Ninetales, Moltres, Pinsir, and Dragonair. This lets it act as both a great lead and mid-game utility Pokemon, capable of facilitating its teammates' offensive pressure with status.
However, Venomoth's defensive utility is limited, as its typing leaves it vulnerable to common attacks such as Psychic, Fire Spin, and Fire Blast. Venomoth also has middling offensive power due to its lack of a STAB option and mediocre offensive stats. It is also physically frail, being 2HKOed by super effective attacks from relevant physical attackers such as Nidoking, Golem, and Fearow. Despite this, Venomoth is relevant in the tier due to its niche as arguably the best sleeper in RBY NU.
[SET]
name: Double Powder
move 1: Sleep Powder
move 2: Stun Spore
move 3: Psychic
move 4: Mega Drain / Double Edge
[SET COMMENTS]
This sets aims to primarily spread status, first by putting a foe to sleep and then threatening switch-ins with an attack or paralysis. Stun Spore works excellently with Sleep Powder, allowing Venomoth to cripple many fast offensive Pokemon like Charizard and Fearow. Psychic is a good coverage option for hitting Nidoking and opposing Venomoth super effectively, as well as hitting a majority of the tier for neutral damage. Mega Drain can 2HKO Golem and Kabutops after minor chip damage. However, Double Edge is a viable alternative option to target switch-ins with low Defense like Mr. Mime, Exeggcute, and Drowzee, which can take Venomoth's other coverage options.
Venomoth has little variation outside of the standard set. Toxic can be ran as a way to check partial trappers such as Charizard, Moltres, Pinsir, Dragonair, and Rapidash. Hyper Beam can be used as a last-ditch attack when Venomoth is low on HP to deal as much damage as possible to a foe, notably OHKOing Mr. Mime around 40% HP. However, it makes Venomoth even more vulnerable to Rock-types such as Golem.
Venomoth can serve the role of a lead exceptionally well, as it has enough bulk to survive at least one super effective hit from Fire-type leads such as Charizard and Rapidash and cripple them with Sleep Powder. Venomoth also has worth as a mid-game utility Pokemon, coming in on a Pokemon that has just used Rest such as Blastoise and crippling the resting Pokemon once it wakes up or a switch-in with either Sleep Powder or Stun Spore. Venomoth is vulnerable to Fire Spin leads such as Charizard and Rapidash, making teammates that can take them on for Venomoth are ideal. Blastoise provides great utility by absorbing Fire Spin and taking Rock-type moves from Golem and Nidoking. Golem also makes a good partner, being able to take attacks from the aforementioned Fire-types and make good use of Venomoth's paralysis. Partial trappers such as Charizard, Moltres, Rapidash, Ninetales, and Pinsir benefit from Venomoth absorbing Toxic and crippling foes with Stun Spore, allowing them to use Fire Spin or Bind with more ease.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[BreakthrU89, 487308]]
- Quality checked by: [[May, 236353], [pac, 520967]]
- Grammar checked by: [[DC, 449990]]
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