Because of its access to one of the most potent setup moves in the game, Quiver Dance, Vivillon is able to establish itself as one of the most threatening setup sweepers in the tier. However, this is not the only trait that makes Vivillon so strong; Vivillon also has access to a strong STAB move in Hurricane, a coverage move that complements Hurricane in Energy Ball, and a move that efficiently creates setup turns in Sleep Power. Vivillon's ability Compound Eyes also makes Hurricane much more accurate and Sleep Powder almost perfectly accurate. Unfortunately, Vivillon's poor defensive typing leaves it weak to a lot of common offensive types and gives it a crippling weakness to Stealth Rock. Vivillon's average Speed means it is typically overly dependent on Focus Sash for finding setup opportunities against offensive teams with common fast Pokemon, such as Floatzel, Archeops, and Scyther. Additionally, Vivillon is cursed with poor defenses, making it quite vulnerable to priority moves.
[SET]
name: Quiver Dance
move 1: Quiver Dance
move 2: Hurricane
move 3: Sleep Powder
move 4: Energy Ball
item: Focus Sash
ability: Compound Eyes
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
One Quiver Dance boost is enough to allow Vivillon to outspeed and threaten every common Pokemon in NU, with the exception of Choice Scarf Rotom. Hurricane is very powerful, even without a boost, and is fairly reliable with Compound Eyes boosting its accuracy. Sleep Powder incapacitates the foe so Vivillon can safely set up. Energy Ball is Vivillon's best coverage option for dealing damage to common Flying-resistant threats, such as Lanturn and Rhydon. If Vivillon has been knocked down to its Focus Sash, Endeavor weaken a safe Vivillon switch-in, such as Assault Vest Magmortar or Klinklang, for another teammate.
Set Details
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Maximum Special Attack and Speed investment with a Timid nature ensures Vivillon will be hitting as hard as possible while still outspeeding important threats, such as Sawk and Kabutops. Focus Sash gives Vivillon more set up opportunities by allowing it to survive most attacks at full HP. Sharp Beak, while allowing for fewer setup opportunities, awards Vivillon's Hurricane with a significant boost in power. Compound Eyes boosts the accuracy of Hurricane and Sleep Powder, making them far more reliable.
Usage Tips
========
Vivillon should use Sleep Powder to incapacitate the opposing Pokemon for at least a turn to set up with Quiver Dance. Vivillon has the choice to be played as a lead to disrupt the opponent's team or as a late-game sweeper. Don't let Vivillon take unnecessary damage in case it needs its Focus Sash to set up or the extra health to survive a priority attack from the likes of Kabutops, Skuntank, and Swellow. Vivillon will find more setup opportunities by creating offensive pressure on slower Pokemon weak to Hurricane, such as Vileplume, Gurdurr, and Torterra. Vivillon can also force out or set up on Choice-locked Fighting-types, such as Sawk and Primeape locked into Close Combat.
Team Options
========
Rapid Spin and Defog support from the likes of Shiftry and Sandslash is valued for Vivillon because of its Stealth Rock weakness. If you've forgone Sharp Beak on Vivillon, Stealth Rock and Spikes support is appreciated to assist in getting KOs Vivillon would fall short of, such as on Weezing and Vanilluxe. Torterra is a notable partner because of its ability to check a lot of the priority users that give Vivillon trouble, such as Kabutops, Kangaskhan, and Hariyama, while providing a useful Electric-type immunity, which helps it switch into Choice Scarf Rotom, another notable Vivillon check. Gurdurr is a nice offensive partner for Vivillon because of its ability to easily switch into common Vivillon checks, such as Piloswine and Klinklang. Offensive Normal-types, such as Tauros and Kangaskhan, work together with Vivillon to whittle down common switch-ins, such as Regirock and Piloswine.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Bug Buzz can be used if your team is weak to Malamar, but otherwise it provides no relevant coverage over Hurricane. Lum Berry gives Vivillon the ability to set up on Lilligant with Sleep Powder and Xatu with Thunder Wave. A set with Substitute and Leftovers allows Vivillon to avoid damage from priority attacks, if it finds an opportunity to set a Substitute up ahead of time. Additionally, it's a great option for outmaneuvering Sucker Punch users that try to revenge kill Vivillon. Life Orb can turn Vivillon into a more effective wallbreaker.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Stealth Rock**: Vivillon has a 4x weakness to Stealth Rock, meaning it will not only have its Focus Sash broken upon entry but also lose half of its health in the process.
**Revenge Killers**: Vivillon's mediocre defenses make it vulnerable to priority moves, such as Ice Shard from Piloswine, Fake Out from Kangaskhan, and Aqua Jet from Kabutops, and faster Pokemon, such as Scyther, Floatzel, and Archeops, but it's important to note that its Focus Sash must be broken ahead of time.
**Magmortar**: Magmortar can switch into Sleep Powder because of its ability Vital Spirit and it has a fair amount of bulk with Assault Vest. However, Magmortar needs to be at a high amount of HP to threaten Vivillon, as Hurricane has a strong chance to 2HKO Magmortar after Stealth Rock damage.
**Klinklang**: Vivillon struggles to deal damage to Klinklang if your opponent already has sleep fodder because it resists Vivillon's Hurricane and common coverage moves. Additionally, Vivillon's Focus Sash has no effect versus Klinklang because of Gear Grind.
**Electric-types**: Choice Scarf Rotom can switch into any of Vivillon's moves, except Sleep Powder, and threaten it by outspeeding and getting a KO with Thunderbolt. Electivire can switch into Sleep Powder because of Vital Spirit and resists Hurricane. Lanturn, while 2HKOed by +1 Vivillon's Energy Ball, can pressure Vivillon with Thunder Wave or Volt Switch. Rotom-S resists Hurricane and Vivillon's common coverage moves.
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