Overview
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At first glance, the first Bug-type you meet iVivillon XY seems to be a bit of a pushover, just like almost every other generation's generic Bug-types Pokemon. However, Vivillon breaks this trend with its access to a 97%n accurate Sleep Powder and 91% accurate Hurricane outside of rain courtesy of its Compoundeyes ability, as well as an incredible boosting move in Quiver Dance, securing this multi-patterned butterflyVivillon a spot in UU as a deadly sweeper and wallbreaker. Unfortunately, Vivillon is hampered by relatively severe downfalls. Vivillon's base stats are nothing to write home about, and as such, it heavily relies upon Quiver Dance to fulfill its role. Despite Vivillon's immunity to Sticky Web and Spikes, it loses half of its health upon switching into Stealth Rock, limiting its longevity. Its defensive typing doesn't do it any favors either, with weaknesses to common Fire-, Flying-, and Rock-type attacks. Vivillon is also extremely susceptible to status afflictions; paralysis essentially clipmakes its wing useless, while poison and burn breaks its Focus Sash and wears it down. In addition to this, Vivillon can be played around relatively easily, due to only having one viable set to runuse and being extremely one-dimensional in that regard. Overall, while Vivillon is certainly a threat to be prepared for, it is not by any means unstoppable.
Quiver Dance Wallbreaker
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name: Quiver Dance Wallbreaker
move 1: Sleep Powder
move 2: Quiver Dance
move 3: Hurricane
move 4: Bug Buzz
ability: Compoundeyes
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
item: Life Orb / Focus Sash
nature: Timid
Moves
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Vivillon's signature set primarily relies on its first three moves; Sleep Powder, Quiver Dance, and Hurricane. Sleep Powder nearly guarantees a free Quiver Dance on any non-Grass-type or Overcoat user, and with 97% accuracy, it doesn't rely much on chance. Quiver Dance is essential, boosting Vivillon's Special Attack and Speed stats to more threatening levels, allowing it to start dishing outdeal heavy damage to the opponent's Pokemon. Hurricane is the Vivillon's strongest STAB move available to Vivillon, and combined with its 91% accuracy and decent coverage, it is a very spammable move and can deal heavy damage even when resisted. Bug Buzz provides a ngreat secondary STAB move, hitting most Flying-type resists for neutral damage, along with a chance of lowering Special Defense and bypassing Substitutes. Substitute can used over Bug Buzz to ease prediction and block status, as mono-Flying-type coverage is a great offensive typcoverage on its own.
Set Details
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The given EV spread maximizes Vivillon's Special Attack and Speed stats, as it needs all the power and sSpeed it can get to begin and keepcontinue sweeping. A Timid nature is crucial forto outspeeding Choice Scarf Heracross after a Quiver Dance boost, allowing Vivillon to takeOHKO it out with a 4x super effective Hurricane. The four leftover EVs are tossed into Special Defense, asince Quiver Dance boosts it anyways and Vivillon is already horrendously frail on the physical side. The items both have their benefits; Life Orb allows Vivillon to effectively break through special walls;, something it cannot do with any other item, while Focus Sash ensures that Vivillon will be able to either put somethe opposing Pokemon to sleep or set up. Alternatively, a Lum Berry can be used to give Vivillon a layer of protection against debilitating status afflictions.
Usage Tips
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Vivillon surprisingly forces a large amount of switches, especially if the opponent's Pokemon is a wall or a win condition, so capitalize on this properly and Vivillon can find itself with more than one Quiver Dance boost under its belt. Vivillon's one-dimensional nature can also be used to its advantage; double-switch into a favorable match-up, set up a Quiver Dance, or go straight for a Hurricane as the opponent brings in their Grass-type to absorb the predicted Sleep Powder. Using Quiver Dance on the switch is often the best play, as Vivillon can usually outspeed most unscarfed Grass-types lacking a Choice Scarf and hit even harder at +1 Special Attack. However, do be cautious of Overcoat users; due to its new mechanics, Overcoat users, as they can now absorb pswitch into Sleep Powder moves. However, twith no repercussion. The common Choice Scarf Victini and Darmanitan will stillalso outspeed Vivillon even after a Quiver Dance, so be wary if the opponent has either of thoese two Pokemon in histheir team. Taunt also cripples Vivillon due to it being unable to use Sleep Powder or Quiver Dance, so keep it away from common users of this move such as Aerodactyl. Vivillon can also be used on heavyper offensive teams; send it in after your team's suicide lead has been KOed to prevent the setting up or the removal of entry hazards by the opponent.
Team Options
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A defogger or spinner is nearly essential, as Vivillon hates losing half of its health from Stealth Rock upon switching in; Empoleon, Blastoise, and Starmie fit this role relatively well, spongtaking Fire-type attacks relatively well and Starmie can even act as a status absorber with Natural Cure. A dDefensive Defog Flygon works wonders with Vivillonis an excellent partner, walling pretty much any physical Fire-type while clearing entry hazards. Vivillon also pairs well with setup sweepers such as Toxicroak and Azelf, whoich can easily dispatch the Grass-types that Vivillon attracts[How does Vivillon attract Grass-types when they are weak to both of its STAB moves?]. Volt Switch or U-turn users also benefit Vivillon, allowing it to enter the battlefield unscathed if used well. Trappers such as Dugtrio can also work well with Vivillon, eliminating the various Electric- and Steel-types that bother it; one notable partner is Dugtrio. Pokemon that also appreciate special walls gone are also great teammates, as Vivillon functions well as a wallbreaker with the combination of Sleep Powder and Quiver Dance.
Other Options
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Roost can be used on a mono-attacking set with Leftovers for a more sustained assault. A dual Sscreens set can be used to some effect, but itVivillon performs its designatedmuch better as a wallbreaking role better and Klefki can set these up dual screens more reliably with Prankster. Aromatherapy can also be placed in the last slot to act as a cleric, but Vivillon needs to make full use of every turn in order to set up and wallbreak. Powder is a very intriguing move that allows itVivillon to counter Pokemon locked into a Fire-type move, like such as the afopreviously mentioned Choice Scarf Victini and Darmanitan. Powder cancels out the opponent's actionFire-type moves and deals 25% of their max HP as damage, effectively forcing a switch.
Checks & Counters
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**Status**: Most status effects cripple Vivillon; paralysis basicessentially removes all sthe Speed boosts gained from Quiver Dance, while poison and burn slowly whittle down itVivillon's HP. Prankster Thunder Wave or Stun Spore is especially dangerous, coming from Klefki and Whimsicott, respectively.
**Phazers**: Most phazers such as Milotic or Empoleon have the bulk to take a boosted Hurricane, and can then proceed to nullify Vivillon's boosts with Roar, Whirlwind, or Dragon Tail.
**Taunt**: Taunt blocks Sleep Powder and Quiver Dance, which are both mandatory for Vivillon to actually be of use. Prominent users include Aerodactyl, Sableye, and Whimicott.
**Faster Pokemon**: Most faster Pokemon can OHKO Vivillon due to its paper-thin defenses, unless aits Focus Sash is helused. Choice Scarfed Darmanitan and Victini in particular are extremely threatening, outspeeding Vivillon even at +1 and taking it out with a STAB Fire-type move.
**Overcoat users**: Overcoat users generally check Vivillon well, as they don't have to worry about an incoming Sleep Powder. Forretress and Assualt Vest Escavalier serve as roadblocks to Vivillon, gaining momentum with Volt Switch orand using it for setup fodder, respectively.
**Mega Aerodactyl**: Mega Aerodactyl resists both of Vivillon's STAB moves, while also being able to outspeed and Taunt Vivillon before it can use Sleep Powder. Both of Mega Aerodactyl's STAB moves also hit Vivillon for super effective damage.[Couldn't this section be put under faster Pokemon?]