LC Vullaby


QC Checks: Corkscrew / Heysup / macle
GP Checks: Kangaaroo / Ender
Overview
########
Vullaby has newfound viability this generation, thanks to its access to Defog and its Dark / Flying typing, giving it a plethora of resistances. It sports excellent 70 / 75 / 65 defenses, a recovery move in Roost, and Knock Off to support its team. Vullaby can check Fighting-types with its STAB Flying-type attacks, or it can run offensive sets to take advantage of its excellent coverage, although it must invest heavily in offenses before it can deal respectable damage, typically making it setup bait. Vullaby dislikes any sort of residual damage, which is a problem because it is weak to Stealth Rock, while also being weak to Fairy-type moves, Archen, and Chinchou.


Defog
########
name: Defog
move 1: Defog
move 2: Roost
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Brave Bird / U-turn
ability: Overcoat
item: Eviolite
evs: 116 HP / 236 Def / 76 SDef / 36 Spe
nature: Impish

Moves
========

Defog allows Vullaby to remove entry hazards, reducing pressure on its teammates. Roost gives Vullaby recovery and goes fantastically well with Vullaby's excellent bulk. Knock Off can deter setup and support its teammates, although it deals pitiful damage without investment or asuper effective hit. Brave Bird is another STAB option that lets Vullaby deal damage to Fighting-types, although the recoil will cut into Vullaby's longevity. U-turn can be used over Brave Bird to maintain momentum on VoltTurn teams. Heat Wave can be used to deter Pawniard from switching in on Defog, given that it is a 2HKO. Air Slash is an option instead of Brave Bird if you don't like the recoil, but Brave Bird generally hits harder.

Set Details
========

The HP EVs hit a Stealth Rock number to minimize residual damage, while the rest are put into both defenses to hit Eviolite numbers and enhance Vullaby's bulk. The leftover EVs are put in Speed to outspeed uninvested base 53-62 Speed Pokemon, such as Fletchling. A Relaxed nature should be chosen if Vullaby is running Air Slash or Heat Wave, and any EVs in Speed should be moved to Attack or Special Attack. Eviolite gives enhanced bulk, since Vullaby already has recovery.

Usage Tips
========
The main idea of this set is to use Defog as needed and check various Pokemon including Croagunk, Foongus, and Drilbur. Avoid using Defog if there is a Pawniard on the opposing team. This set fits best on balance and stall teams or wherever an offensive presence isn't completely necessary. Overcoat lets Vullaby switch into powder moves, so don't neglect the opportunity switch in and get a free Defog or Knock Off.

Team Options
========

Sturdy users and Pokemon that are weak to Stealth Rock, such as Tirtouga, Onix, Larvesta, and Ponyta appreciate Vullaby's hazard removal. Chinchou has near perfect synergy with Vullaby, resisting Ice- and Electric-type attacks and helping against certain Rock-types. Vullaby can switch in on Ground-types for Chinchou and take out Grass-types and Croagunk. Mienfoo also appreciates the removal of Grass-types and Crogunk, and it can beat Pawniard and Sturdy users that threaten Vullaby; however, the two share a weakness to Fairy-types.


Nasty Plot
########
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 3: Dark Pulse
move 3: Air Slash
move 4: Hidden Power Fighting / Heat Wave
ability: Weak Armor
item: Eviolite
evs : 116 HP / 240 SAtk / 120 Spe
nature: Modest

Moves
========
Use Nasty Plot when Vullaby's main checks and counters have been weakened or removed. Dark Pulse is the obligatory STAB move and hits Pokemon such as Archen, Chinchou, Misdreavus, and Drilbur. Air Slash is the secondary STAB move and hits Fighting-types and other Pokemon that resist Dark Pulse. Dark Pulse and Air Slash have a useful flinch chance as well, which can help in a pinch. Hidden Power Fighting and Heat Wave serve the purpose of hitting Pawniard. Hidden Power Fighting hits bulky Normal-types like Porygon and Lickitung whereas Heat Wave hits Ferroseed harder.

Set Details
========

The EVs maximize Vullaby's Special Attack and give Vullaby 14 Speed, letting it outspeed the entire unboosted metagame after Weak Armor activates. The leftover EVs are thrown into HP to give Vullaby even better bulk. Eviolite is chosen to give Vullaby better survivability so that it can set up much more easily, even though this set lacks recovery. Weak Armor is chosen so Vullaby can get +1 Speed against physical attackers. This is key to Vullaby's ability to sweep.

Usage Tips
========

This set fits best on bird spam teams and offensive teams in general. Vullaby should be saved for a mid- to late-game sweep to break down the opposing team or clean up after something else.
Only set up on physical attackers like Timburr, Mienfoo that lack Taunt, Croagunk, Trubbish, Ponyta, and Pawniard. You can set up on Archen, but offensive sets will win and Vullaby can't switch in directly on any other set. In general, Vullaby's natural bulk will aid it immensely in setting up against offensive threats.

Team Options
========

Flying-types, including Fletchling, Archen, and Doduo, are the top partners for Vullaby since it can set up on and defeat several Flying-type checks. Misdreavus is a good partner, as Vullaby beats Pawniard and can weaken bulky Normal-types, some of Misdreavus's best checks. Pawniard is another helpful teammate that can weaken Spritzee and bulky Normal-types for an easier sweep. Slow pivots like Mienfoo and Chinchou help Vullaby get into battle safer so it doesn't have to take a hit with -1 Defense while it sets up.


Offensive
########
name: Offensive
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Roost
move 4: Hidden Power Fighting / U-turn
ability: Overcoat
item: Eviolite
evs: 116 HP / 156 Atk / 80 SpA / 120 Spe
nature: Jolly

Moves
========

Brave Bird is a powerful STAB move with great offensive coverage. Knock Off is a STAB move that can cripple Flying-type checks and other bulky switch-ins. Roost grants Vullaby longevity and can alleviate hazard damage. Hidden Power Fighting is used to lure and beat Pawniard for Fletchling, possibly paving the way for a lategame sweep. If Diglett is a teammate, U-turn is preferred over Hidden Power Fighting to allow for easier trapping and conservation of momentum.

Set Details
========

The given EVs grant Vullaby enough power and Speed to outrun 60 Speed neutral Chinchou and 2HKO the Berry Juice variant with Knock Off. Eviolite is chosen to enhance Vullaby's bulk and is the best item option considering Vullaby has Roost. Overcoat is the best ability choice and lets Vullaby switch into powder moves, though they can be somewhat rare.

Usage Tips
========

This set isn't as bulky as the first set, so try to avoid stronger neutral attacks. It is meant for bird spam teams as a means of weakening Fletchling checks, so offensive teams work best. The idea is to consistently use Knock Off and Brave Bird and heal with Roost as necessary.

Team Options
========

This set is designed for bird spam teams, so Fletchling is the number one partner. Diglett can be run alongside Vullaby to beat Pawniard. This set doesn't have Defog, so entry hazard removers, such as Archen or Drilbur, are appreciated, especially considering Fletchling is commonly run in tandem.


Other Options
########

Toxic stall is an option given that Vullaby has reliable recovery and excellent bulk. Whirlwind can be used to deter stat boosters from setting up. Taunt is an option to block hazards and recovery, but Vullaby doesn't usually have room for it or the Speed to run it.


Checks & Counters
########

**Rock-types**: Rock-types, Tirtouga and Dwebble in particular, can hit Vullaby super effectively with Stone Edge and Rock Blast, respectively. Dwebble also has access to hazards. Archen and Solid Rock Tirtouga can also just switch back in to reset Stealth Rock after Defog.

**Pawniard**: Pawniard can switch in on Vullaby's Defog and activate Defiant, allowing Pawniard to 2HKO Vullaby with Iron Head or hamper it with Knock Off.

**Spritzee**: Spritzee and other Fairy-types can take Vullaby's moves with ease and KO with their STAB attacks.

**Bulky Normal-types**: Munchlax, Porygon, and Lickitung all easily wall Vullaby's Nasty Plot set. They can paralyze it as well with Thunder Wave or Body Slam, cutting Vullaby's sweep short. However, Vullaby can hit Porygon super effectively with Hidden Power Fighting.

**Passive-damage**: Passive damage, such as entry hazards, burn, and Toxic really wears down Vullaby.

**Electric-types**: Electric-types, namely Chinchou and Magnemite, can switch in and threaten to KO with their STAB attacks and can tank Vullaby's Flying-type STAB. Both must be wary of Knock Off and a boosted Dark Pulse, however.

**Knock Off**: If Vullaby gets hit by Knock Off, the number of things it can wall drops drastically. This is why it is imperative to always be wary of Knock Off, especially if Vullaby is needed to wall something dangerous.


QC Checks: Corkscrew / Heysup / macle
GP Checks: --- / ---
Overview
########
  • Great defogger with excellent bulk
  • STAB knock off, not that strong though thanks to meh attack
  • reliable recovery in roost, helps it defog with consistently
  • flying-type STAB gives it a use against fighting-types
Defog
########
name: Defog
move 1: Roost
move 2: Defog
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Brave Bird / U-turn
ability: Overcoat
item: Eviolite
evs: 116 HP / 236 Def / 76 SDef / 36 Spe
nature: Impish
Moves
========
  • Roost offers reliable recovery
  • Defog removes entry hazards
  • Brave Bird hits fighting-types
  • Air Slash is an option if you don't like the recoil, but brave bird hits fighting-types harder.
  • Knock Off deprives foes of items, nice with stab
  • U-turn keeps momentum, which is cool for a defogger, and can be used on VoltTurn teams
  • Heat Wave is an option to 2HKO Pawniard without investment, keeping it from checking you.
Set Details
========
  • EVs let your HP hit a Stealth Rock number, while hitting Eviolite numbers in your defenses. The leftover evs are put in Speed to outspeed uninvested base 53-62 speed pokemon
  • Relaxed nature should be chosen if Vullaby is running Air Slash or Heat Wave. If you do, the speed evs can be moved into Atk or SAtk.
  • Eviolite gives enhanced bulk, since you already have recovery.
Usage Tips
========
  • Fits best on balanced and stall teams where offensive presence isn't completely necessary.
  • Basically defog as needed, and use it to check stuff like croagunk, Foongus, drilbur, and Misdreavus lacking dazzling gleam or tbolt.
  • try not to sack it early in the match, it's meant to last a while
  • Overcoat lets you switch into powder moves, so don't neglect the opportunity switch in and get in a free defog or knock off.
Team Options
========
  • Sturdy mons, like Magnemite; Tirtouga; Dwebble, appreciate the removal of hazards that break their sturdy
  • SR weak mons, like Larvesta, appreciate the removal of entry hazards
  • Chinchou has good synergy with Vullaby. Vullaby can beat Grass-types and Croagunk, and switch in on ground-type moves. Chinchou can assist in beating electric types and Rock types for Vullaby. The two can even form a VoltTurn core together.
  • Mienfoo appreciates Vullaby beating Foongus and Croagunk whereas Mienfoo can beat Pawniard and Sturdy Pokemon, and they can work together in a VoltTurn core.
Nasty Plot
########
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 3: Dark Pulse
move 3: Air Slash
move 4: Hidden Power Fighting / Heat Wave
ability: Weak Armor
item: Eviolite
evs : 116 HP / 240 SAtk / 120 Spe
nature: Modest
Moves
========
  • Nasty Plot is the main move on this set, use it when you are ready to set up
  • Dark Pulse is your main STAB move and hits Pokemon such as Archen, Chinchou, Misdreavus, Drulbur, etc.
  • Air Slash is your secondary STAB move and hits Fighting-types and other Dark Pulse resists.
  • Dark Pulse and Air Slash have a useful flinch chance as well and can help in a pinch
  • Hidden Power Fighting and Heat Wave serve the purpose of hitting Pawniard. Your choice depends on what other threats your team is weak against. Hidden Power Fighting hits bulkier Normal-types like Porygon and Lickitung whereas Heat Wave hits Ferroseed harder. Other than that your choice is purely preference.
Set Details
========
  • The EVs on the set maximize Vullaby's Special Attack and give Vullaby 14 Speed, letting it outspeed the unboosted metagame after Weak Armor activates. The leftover EVs are thrown into HP to give Vullaby even better bulk.
  • Eviolite is chosen to give Vullaby better bulk to let it set up much easier, even though this set lacks recovery.
  • Weak Armor is chosen so Vullaby can get +1 Speed against physical attackers. This is key to Vullaby's ability to sweep.
Usage Tips
========
  • This thing fits well on bird spam teams and offensive teams in general
  • Save this guy for midgame, it's meant to break down your opponent's team for something else to clean up afterwards.
  • Vullaby's natural bulk will aid you immensely in setting up against offensive threats
  • Only set up on physical attackers. The big things you can set up on are Timburr, Mienfoo that lack Taunt, Croagunk, Trubbish, Ponyta, and Pawniard. You can set up on Archen, but offensive sets will beat you and you can't switch in directly on any support or defensive set.
Team Options
========
  • Flying-types are the top partners for Vullaby since it can set up on and defeat several Flying-type checks. These include Fletchling, Archen, and Doduo.
  • Misdreavus is a good partner, since Vullaby beats Pawniard and can weaken bulky Normal-types, some of Misdreavus's best checks.
  • Slow pivots like Mienfoo and Chinchou help Vullaby get in to battle safer so it doesn't have to take a hit with -1 Defense.
Offensive Bird
########
name: Offensive Bird
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Roost
move 4: Hidden Power Fighting / U-turn
ability: Overcoat
item: Eviolite
evs: 116 HP / 156 Atk / 80 SpA / 120 Spe
nature: Jolly
Moves
========
  • brave bird is powerful stab
  • knock off for crippling stuff
  • roost for longevity
  • hp fight nails pawniard for fletch
  • u-turn
Set Details
========
  • the given evs grant Vullaby power and enough speed to outrun 60 speed neutral Chinchou and hit it with knock off. it even has enough power to 2HKO Berry juice Chinchou with no prior damage
  • Eviolite is chosen to enhance Vullaby's bulk and is best considering Vullaby has roost
  • overcoat is the best ability choice and lets you switch into powder moves, albeit rare
Usage Tips
========
  • this set is meant for bird spam teams as a means of weakening fletchling checks, so offensive teams work best
  • basically just spam knock off and brave bird and heal with roost as necessary
  • this set isn't as bulky as the first set so try to avoid stronger neutral attacks
Team Options
========
  • this set is designed for bird spam teams, so obviously fletchling is the number one partner
  • you can run this alongside Diglett to beat pawniard. if you do you can just run u-turn and move the spa evs into special defense
  • this set doesn't have defog, so a way of removing hazards is nice, especially considering your using fletchling alongside this, and sometimes even focus sash diglett
Other Options
########
  • toxic I guess
  • whirlwind can be used to deter stat boosters from setting up
  • taunt can be cool to block hazards and recovery, but Vullaby doesn't usually have room for it or the speed to run it.
  • a weak armor + nasty plot set can be used. heat wave, dark pulse, and air slash gets decent coverage and weak armor makes it kinda fast.
Checks & Counters
########
**Rock-types**: Rock-types hit it super-effectively, namely Tirtouga; who can beat it with Stone Edge and Dwebble; who can beat it with Rock Blast and continue to set up hazards. Archen and Bulky Tirtouga can also just switch back in to reset Stealth Rock.
**Pawniard**: Pawniard can switch in on Vullaby's Defog and activate Defiant, forcing it to be wary around it. If Pawniard gets in on defog, it can hit it with Knock Off and beat it down with Iron Head.
**Spritzee**: Spritzee and other fairies can take Vullaby's moves with ease, and KO with their STAB.
**Passive-damage**: Passive damage really wears down Vullaby. Stealth Rock, Burns, and Toxic are the primary examples.
**Electric-types**: Electric-types, namely Chinchou, can switch in and threaten to KO with their STAB and tank it's flying stab.
**Knock Off**: If Vullaby gets hit by Knock Off, the number of things it can wall drops drastically. Take care not to let Vullaby get hit by Knock Off, especially if you need it to wall something dangerous.
 
Last edited:
Haven't really used vullaby a lot however there should be a mention of nasty plot either in a set or in oo as it can pair well with weak armor
 

The Avalanches

pokemon tcg
is a Contributor Alumnusis a Smogon Media Contributor Alumnus
Nasty Plot should get its own set, I think. At +2, you KO things like Slowpoke and Eviolite Mienfoo, plus both your STABs are haxxy as hell, getting flinches a bunch. Overcoat is my preferred ability cause fuck Foongus.
 
I don't think I'll be giving Nasty Plot a set. It has base 45 spatk, which is quite horrible tbh, even after Nasty Plot. Besides, analyses are supposed to outline the sets used at high level competitive play, which for Vullaby means defog.
 
Well, it's at least deserving of OO, then.
I don't know about that either. If QC thinks it should go into OO, I'll put it there, but for now, I don't think it's even good enough for OO. It's basically an inferior CM Murkrow, which isn't even that good to begin with.
 
I'm not putting that in there. Vullaby's role is to clear hazards for its team and check things. Besides, why use it over Misdreavus, who hits 36 SAtk after a Nasty Plot, and can afford to run Life Orb to further supplement it's power, and it hits all the important stuff Vullaby could hit, and more (I.e. it can hurt pawniard, spritzee, etc). Vullaby's speed tier is less than ideal as well, and downright inferior compared to Misdreavus or Murkrow.
 

The Avalanches

pokemon tcg
is a Contributor Alumnusis a Smogon Media Contributor Alumnus
You've got a point there. While I have had some cool battles with NP Vullaby, the Defogger set with Knock Off makes it the Swiss Army Buzzard I like so much.
 

Goddess Briyella

Banned deucer.
Hi Kavatika!

I noticed you still have this set as WIP and it has been idle for quite some time now. If you're finished, you need to go ahead and change the tag to Quality Control. If not, you need to wrap this up as soon as you can so we can move on with the C&C process for this analysis. If you're unable to finish this, let me know. ♥
 

Rowan

The professor?
is a Community Leader Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Tiering Contributor Alumnusis a Contributor Alumnus
MOVES:
not sure about slashes here, I think Knock Off deserves its own slash in slot 3, with the last 3 sharing the final moveslot.
Can you elaborate more on the differences between Brave Bird and Air Slash? Does Air Slash do more damage to anything, or are you purely just going to use it if you don't like recoil?
Mention Heatwave as an option. Pawniard pretty much always switches into Vullaby, and Pawn can't do much back beside make Vullaby lose its eviolite. Don't give it a slash just mention it.
0 SpA Vullaby Heat Wave vs. 0 HP / 36 SpD Eviolite Pawniard: 10-14 (47.6 - 66.6%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO
(10, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 14)

OTHER OPTIONS:
Whirlwind. beats torchic, and random boosters.
Taunt is cool sometimes
Weak Armour+Nasty Plot deserves an OO mention imo. Dark Pulse, Heat Wave, Air Slash should have decent enough coverage, and weak armour makes it pretty fast. Also resists sucker punch from the likes of Pawniard and Krow.

C&C
mention that Rock-types can often switch in and just reset SR, like Archen and bulky tirt.
Toxic or burn really annoy it as it hates passive damage
if it gets knocked off, it can't wall nearly as many things, so mention that.

QC 1/3
 
Possible noob question: Why run Relaxed nature with Spd EVs? I'm not a huge LC player, so maybe it's different, but that doesn't make sense to me.
 
  • Relaxed nature should be chosen if Vullaby is running Air Slash or Heat Wave. If you do, the speed evs can be moved into Atk or SAtk.
If you pick relaxed, you're supposed to move the speed evs to an offense.
 

Rowan

The professor?
is a Community Leader Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Tiering Contributor Alumnusis a Contributor Alumnus
Since you have no Special moves on the set, remove Relaxed. Mention it in Set Details if you do run Air Slash/Heat Wave but they're not slashed, so Relaxed shouldn't be slashed.
 

absdaddy

Banned deucer.
  • a weak armor + nasty plot set can be used. heat wave, dark pulse, and air slash gets decent coverage and weak armor makes it kinda fast.
That is not enough. NP Vullaby is ridiculously easy to set up, has same coverage as Krow(np vulla>cm krow), two haxy high flinch stabs, great amount of bulk and can still afford to run evio or something else to maintain the bulk even after drop. It's just so good and unexpected, deserves a set imo.
236 SpA / 76 SpD / 196 Spe timid are evs for that iirc. Swept some of players with that(not ladder scrubs, although these fell on their knees too).
Just try it out for yourself to see how ridiculous it is. i can see this set being used more and more after infamous other black bird leaves the meta
 
That is not enough. NP Vullaby is ridiculously easy to set up, has same coverage as Krow(np vulla>cm krow), two haxy high flinch stabs, great amount of bulk and can still afford to run evio or something else to maintain the bulk even after drop. It's just so good and unexpected, deserves a set imo.
236 SpA / 76 SpD / 196 Spe timid are evs for that iirc. Swept some of players with that(not ladder scrubs, although these fell on their knees too).
Just try it out for yourself to see how ridiculous it is. i can see this set being used more and more after infamous other black bird leaves the meta
alright. ill give it a shot, and let qc discuss it too.
 
I gotta say that this needs a somewhat offensive set with Brave Bird / Knock Off / Roost / [Heat Wave / Hidden Power Fighting / U-turn]. I've had some pretty good success with it. It can either lure Pawniard and KO it or U-turn to Diglett or something with Fletchling in the wings. It sort of functions similar to Doduo and MixKrow in that regard, but Eviolite and Roost give it longevity.
 
so here's what I'm thinking for that:

Tank
########
name: Tank
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Roost
move 4: Hidden Power Fighting / U-turn
ability: Overcoat
item: Eviolite
evs: 156 HP / 156 Atk / 80 Def / 80 SDef
nature: Impish

I'm a little iffy on including Heat Wave because of this:

0- SpA Vullaby Hidden Power Fighting vs. 0 HP / 116 SpD Eviolite Pawniard: 12-16 (57.1 - 76.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
(12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 16)

0- SpA Vullaby Heat Wave vs. 0 HP / 116 SpD Eviolite Pawniard: 8-10 (38 - 47.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
(8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 10)
You have to invest in Special Attack to have a good chance at a 2HKO with Heat Wave. You only need 12 SAtk to achieve it, but you're forced to sacrifice bulk or power, which Vullaby really wants.
 
Well I guess that's an interesting direction to take it but I have actually been using this:

Offensive Bird
########
name: Offensive Bird
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Roost
move 4: Hidden Power Fighting / U-turn
ability: Overcoat
item: Eviolite
evs: 116 HP / 156 Atk / 80 SpA / 120 Spe
nature: Jolly

I'm not totally sure about the EV spread yet, but it's worked really well so far. It honestly doesn't need the bulk if you're using it like a slightly more useful Doduo and you can actually still switch into Mienfoo which is huge.
 
Well I guess that's an interesting direction to take it but I have actually been using this:

Offensive Bird
########
name: Offensive Bird
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Roost
move 4: Hidden Power Fighting / U-turn
ability: Overcoat
item: Eviolite
evs: 116 HP / 156 Atk / 80 SpA / 120 Spe
nature: Jolly

I'm not totally sure about the EV spread yet, but it's worked really well so far. It honestly doesn't need the bulk if you're using it like a slightly more useful Doduo and you can actually still switch into Mienfoo which is huge.
all right I'll go ahead and add that
 

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