RU Vikavolt [QC 2/2] [GP 1/1]

Expulso

Morse code, if I'm talking I'm clicking
is a Community Contributoris a Contributor to Smogonis a Social Media Contributor Alumnusis a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a defending SPL Champion
[SET]
name: Sticky Web Pivot
move 1: Sticky Web
move 2: Volt Switch
move 3: Roost
move 4: Bug Buzz / Energy Ball
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Levitate
nature: Modest
evs: 104 HP / 172 SpA / 232 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Vikavolt is a bulky, strong pivot that provides excellent team support due to its Sticky Web, good bulk, and ability to gain momentum by using Volt Switch while dissuading Ground-types from switching in to block it. Setting up Sticky Web should be a priority for Vikavolt; it puts pressure on the other team from the very beginning of the match, making some foes too slow to defeat the Pokemon they are meant to check. Throughout the match, Vikavolt can switch in on resisted attacks, weak neutral attacks, and Defog users, then Volt Switch to get momentum, use Bug Buzz or Energy Ball to weaken a Ground-type switching in to block Volt Switch, or set up Sticky Web. Roost augments Vikavolt's respectable natural bulk, helping Vikavolt set up Sticky Web multiple times if necessary and enabling it to serve a secondary purpose as a Fighting-type check. The EV spread and nature ensure that Vikavolt can 2HKO maximum HP Rhydon and Vileplume while outspeeding maximum Speed Adamant Rhydon. Heavy-Duty Boots works excellently with Vikavolt's role as a pivot that switches in multiple times during a match.

Vikavolt fits into VoltTurn cores that build momentum, pairing well with other Electric-types like Rotom and U-turn users like Passimian and Rillaboom. Silvally formes fit well into VoltTurn cores and take little damage from Knock Off; since Vikavolt benefits enormously from its item, Silvally is a great partner. These VoltTurn cores also work well alongside powerful wallbreakers that appreciate Vikavolt's ability to bring them into battle safely such as Choice Specs Indeedee and Gallade. Most of RU's Choice Scarf users are grounded, so Sticky Web can be extremely threatening when paired with fast, powerful sweepers that the other team can no longer outspeed. Some examples are Nasty Plot Alolan Raichu, Swords Dance Virizion, and Nasty Plot Salazzle. Fire-types are often prime checks to Sticky Web because they typically run Heavy-Duty Boots, so teammates that run Knock Off or can beat Fire-types Pokemon are helpful. Although Vikavolt can still be used on teams with Defog, it appreciates teammates that use Rapid Spin instead of Defog for hazard removal so that it doesn't need to re-set Sticky Web as often. Morpeko, Dhelmise, and Claydol are all good Rapid Spin users.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Expulso, 202058]]
- Quality checked by: [[phantom, 180300], [MrAldo, 227521]]
- Grammar checked by: [[CryoGyro, 331519]]
 
Last edited:
I accidentally wrote it in a non preview format so I'll copy-paste that into this comment so that it isn't lost in case we write a vikavolt analysis post DLC!

[OVERVIEW]
  • Sticky Web is great
  • Roost + Boots + good bulk lets it stick around throughout the match to re-set Webs if needed rather than being a suicide lead
  • Its ability to hit Ground types hard and dissuade them from blocking Volt Switch helps it give your team momentum
  • Good Special Attack
  • Doesnt like Knock Off being everywhere or more rockers running Rock coverage for Centi (e.g. Lix)
  • Its speed is not exceptional
  • Lots of Defoggers might hurt sticky web's viability as a playstyle

[SET]
name: Sticky Web Pivot
move 1: Sticky Web
move 2: Volt Switch
move 3: Roost
move 4: Bug Buzz
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 96 HP / 180 SpA / 232 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Sticky Web is Sticky Web - slows down grounded, non-Boots mons.

Volt Switch is Volt Switch - gains momentum, very clickable against non-ground types. You can usually click it without worrying about ground types coming in to block your momentum, since VIka has levitate and can hit ground types hard. Watch out for Rock coverage though, which is more common on Mudsdale / Steelix now that Centiskorch is in the tier.

Roost helps Vikavolt stay alive throughout the match and works well with its decent bulk, making it able to eat up resisted attacks and be a long-term Fighting check rather than just being on the field to click Sticky Web and die.

Bug Buzz is a secondary STAB and hits grass types that resist electric super effectively (except RU's most common ones, Viriz/Plume, are neutral). It hits ground types neutrally; paired with its naturally good special attack, this is enough to wear them down and prevent them from switching into Vikavolt to block Volt Switch.

Other option is Energy Ball > Bug Buzz, which blows up ground types while also having a decent chance to drop special attack. However, this means you can't hit Grass Types and depends on you having teammates that benefit from being brought in against Viriz / Vileplume thru Volt Switch.

Set Details
========

232 Speed and a Timid nature ensure that Vikavolt outspeeds the fastest common Stealth Rock setter, Jolly Rhydon. This prevents Rhydon from switching in, since Vikavolt can 2HKO it with Bug Buzz or OHKO with Energy Ball. 180 Special Attack is sufficient for Vikavolt to always 2HKO Rhydon with no HP or Special Defense investment and also lets it 2HKO max HP Vileplume if Stealth Rocks are up. This helps it punish common switch-ins to Volt Switch, weakening them so that it can more easily spam Volt Switch later in the game to. The remaining 96 Evs are thrown into HP to maximize Vikavolt's impressive mixed bulk.

A slower yet stronger spread of 24 HP / 252 SpA / 232 Spe with a Modest nature still outspeeds the more common Adamant Rhydon while giving you a good chance to 2HKo the more bulky Virizion with Bug Buzz, making Vikavolt even harder to switch into at the cost of some speed and bulk.

A bulkier spread of 220 HP / 56 SpA / 232 Speed with a Timid Nature can 2HKO and outspeed Jolly Rhydon while relying on Volt Switch to a partner like Salazzle to seriously damage Grass-types.

Usage Tips
========

Get Vikavolt in as a lead or by switching it into a Ground-type or Fighting-type attack. (don't switch into Rhydon, though, since Rock STAB)
Setting up Webs should be a priority, as having it up puts pressure on the other team from the very beginning of the match, especially if it means they cannot revenge a fast sweeper you have.
Then, Volt Switch out.

Throughout the match it can come in on resisted attacks, weak neutral attacks, or Defog users. Vikavolt can either Volt Switch to get momentum, use Bug Buzz or Energy Ball to weaken a ground-type switching in to block Volt Switch, or set webs back up against the Defog user.

Team Options
========

Most scarfers are grounded, so the archetype of Webs can be extremely threatening when paired with fast sweepers that can outspeed the entire opposing team* when Webs are up.
- Examples: Barraskewda, Sneasel, Raichu-Alola, Virizion, Salazzle, Ninetales

*Fire type checks because they often run Boots and are thus immune to webs.
e.x. Water types, Fire types of your own like Turtonator (idk what checks Centi so...)

Answers to Defiant Pass, although Vika is a decent one

Something that can switch into Rhydon - vika can 2hko but cant switch into it despite levitate

Volt Turn cores - other electrics like Rotom can work well, since Vika can eliminate ground types that block Volt Switch and then they can spam it freely

stuff that appreciates being brought in against Grass/Dragon types that are likely to switch into Volt Switch once the ground type dies. Salazzle, Tales, or Centiskorch does great against grass types like Viriz/Plume, Silv-Fairy does well against the rare Dragon type, and Ice-types like Sneasel do well against both.

Rapid Spin instead of Defog on your team is nice so webs stay up when you remove hazards - Hitmonlee/Dhelm/Mr. Rime


[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Specs would be very powerful when combined with Vika's 145 Special Attack. However, other Electric-types like Rotom do the role better, and locking into a move eliminates Vikavolt's greatest advantages: its ability to set Webs, recover health, and switch moves to beat the Ground-types that might switch in to block Volt Switch. Agility may seem threatening in conjunction with Vikavolt's high Special Attack, but Vikavolt still isn't faster than most Choice Scarf users at +2.

Vikavolt's pivot set is by far its most viable option in RU, and it performs this one role extremely well.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Knock Off**: Knock Off damages Vikavolt's durability by removing its Boots, making it less able to switch into threats later in the match and reducing its ability to keep webs up long-term. Fighting-types such as Passimian often run Knock Off, which is unfortunate since Vikavolt is able to switch into Fighting-type attacks very well and would often switch into Pass but for Knock Off.

**Status**: Toxic also damages Vikavolt's durability, and many of the Ground types Vikavolt switches into carry it.

**Ground-types**: Ground types block Volt Switch, meaning that they check Vika, especially if they carry Rock-type moves. However, Vikavolt is able to get around most of them pretty well with its strong Bug Buzz or even Energy Ball. Steelix is most difficult for Vikavolt to damage, since its Steel typing helps it resist Bug Buzz and Energy Ball. Rhydon is also difficult if Vikavolt does not Bug Buzz it as it switches in, since it OHKOs Vikavolt with Stone Edge. The rare Golurk is a problem since it is faster than Vikavolt, resists Bug Buzz, and sometimes carries Stone Edge, although Energy Ball severely damages it.

**Volt Absorb / Lightning Rod**: Lanturn, Togedemaru, Jolteon, Manectric, and Raichu can block Volt Switch with their abilities. However, they are uncommon, and only the extremely rare Manectric is able to do significant damage to Vikavolt in return.

**Fire Types**: Fire types can hit Vikavolt super effectively while not being weak to any of its moves, although those which do not have recovery do not like switching into a Volt Switch. They often carry Heavy-Duty Boots, making them immune to Vikavolt's Sticky Web.

**Dragon Types**: Although they are rare in RU, Dragon types resist Volt Switch and are able to set up a Dragon Dance or Swords Dance or fire off a powerful Draco Meteor. However, they all take significant damage from Bug Buzz.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Expulso]]
- Quality checked by: [[, ], [, ], [, ]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]
 
mention wallbreakers as teammates, specs indeedee is a good one. maybe barraskewda?

do the EV stuff discussed on discord and remove extra mentions of EVs in set details, it should be simplified

there's some problems with the write-up but i'll leave that for GP. just know that it's U-turn (small t), and no abbreviations when it comes to items/moves/names in general (Nasty Plot vs NP, Heavy-Duty Boots instead of Boots, Sticky Web vs Webs etc)
 
aVocado I fixed and simplified the EV spread and changed most of the abbreviations to proper words. Thanks for the feedback!
 
GP 1/1
[SET]
name: Sticky Web Pivot
move 1: Sticky Web
move 2: Volt Switch
move 3: Roost
move 4: Bug Buzz / Energy Ball
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Levitate
nature: Modest
evs: 104 HP / 172 SpA / 232 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Vikavolt is a bulky, strong pivot that provides excellent team support due to its access to Sticky Web, good bulk, and ability to gain momentum by using Volt Switch while dissuading Ground-types from switching in to block it. Setting up Sticky Web should be a priority for Vikavolt; Sticky Web it puts pressure on the other team from the very beginning of the match, making some checks foes too slow to defeat the Pokemon they are meant to check. Throughout the match, Vikavolt can switch in on resisted attacks, weak neutral attacks, or and Defog users., (comma) then It can either use Volt Switch to get momentum, use Bug Buzz or Energy Ball to weaken a Ground-type switching in to block Volt Switch, or set up Sticky Web if it is not yet up or has been removed. Roost augments Vikavolt's respectable natural bulk, helping Vikavolt set up Sticky Web multiple times if necessary and enabling it to serve a secondary purpose as a Fighting-type check. The EV spread and nature ensure that Vikavolt can 2HKO maximum HP Rhydon and Vileplume while outspeeding maximum Speed Adamant Rhydon. Heavy-Duty Boots works excellently with Vikavolt's role as a pivot that switches in multiple times during a match, making Vikavolt immune to Stealth Rock damage unless its Heavy-Duty Boots are knocked off.

Vikavolt fits well into VoltTurn cores that build momentum, pairing well with other Electric-types like Rotom or and U-turn users like Passimian and Rillaboom. Silvally formes fit well into VoltTurn cores and take little damage from Knock Off; since Vikavolt benefits enormously from its item, Silvally is a great partner. These VoltTurn cores also work well alongside powerful wallbreakers such as Specs Indeedee and Barraskewda that appreciate Vikavolt's ability to bring them into battle safely such as Choice Specs Indeedee and Barraskewda. Most of RU's Choice Scarf users are grounded, so the archetype of Webs Sticky Web can be extremely threatening when paired with fast, powerful sweepers that the other team cannot outspeed while Webs are up. Some examples are Nasty Plot Alolan Raichu-Alola, Swords Dance Virizion, and Nasty Plot Salazzle. Fire-types are often de facto prime checks to Sticky Web because they typically run Heavy-Duty Boots, so teammates that run Knock Off or can beat Fire-types Pokemon are helpful. Although Vikavolt can still be used on teams with Defog, Vikavolt it appreciates teammates that use Rapid Spin instead of Defog for hazard removal so that Vikavolt it doesn't need to re-set Sticky Web as often. Hitmonlee, Dhelmise, and Morpeko are good offensive Rapid Spin users.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Expulso, 202058]]
- Quality checked by: [[phantom, 180300], [MrAldo, 227521]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ]]
 
Implemented! This is now ready to upload. Thanks to everyone who reviewed this!
 
I mentioned Barraskewda 1 time and Centiskorch 0 times.

"These VoltTurn cores also work well alongside powerful wallbreakers that appreciate Vikavolt's ability to bring them into battle safely such as Choice Specs Indeedee and Barraskewda."

I replaced the mention of Barraskewda with Gallade, which is powerful but gets worn down fairly easily and has low physical defense. If you have a suggestion you would prefer, please say so!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top