[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Triple Axel
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Ice Shard
move 4: Low Kick / Poison Jab
item: Choice Band
ability: Adaptability
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Adaptability Weavile is a threatening breaker capable of tearing holes through unprepared teams. Triple Axel is chosen over Icicle Crash due to the former higher power, netting 2HKOs on Pokemon like Swampert and Intimidate Corviknight if all 3 hits connect. Knock Off is Weavile's secondary STAB that hits Ice-resistant Pokemon like Heatran and Golisopod for big damage and removing otherwise annoying Rocky Helmets for switchins like Tapu Fini and Corviknight. Ice Shard allows Weavile to revenge kill weakened offensive Pokemon like Talonflame and Tapu Koko. Low Kick is a popular option for the 4th move to hit Cobalion and Zamazenta-C, who resist both of Weavile's STABs, while Poison Jab hits Tapu Fini, a splashable and common Weavile switchin.
Weavile struggles to break past bulky Water-types like Toxapex and Tapu Fini, so it appreciates partners such as Zapdos and Zarude that can threaten them. Zarude can help wear down shared switchins like Cobalion, while both can bring Weavile in on their checks, like Blissey and Kommo-O, with U-turn. Barraskewda is also a solid partner for outspeeding Pokemon naturally faster than Weavile, like Talonflame and Tapu Koko, and revenge killing them for Weavile. A defensive backbone that can cover Weavile's weaknesses with Pokemon like Dauntless Shield Mew and Chansey is important in case Weavile predicts incorrectly; in return, they can slow pivot Weavile in with Teleport.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Triple Axel / Low Kick / Poison Jab
move 4: Ice Shard / Low Kick / Poison Jab
item: Life Orb
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Swords Dance turns Weavile into a threatening sweeper, taking advantage of its checks being worn down over a match in order to sweep. Ice STAB isn't as important here due to how spammable Knock Off is, so coverage such as Low Kick and Poison Jab are options. However, the power of Triple Axel and Ice Shard's ability to bypass weaken offensive checks make them the recommended choices. Life Orb boosts all of Weavile's moves while not locking it like a Choice Band would. Magic Guard negates Stealth Rock damage, Rocky Helmet damage, and Life Orb damage, making it the premier ability for a Swords Dance Weavile.
Weavile heavily enjoys bulky Steel-types, such as Corviknight, being weakened enough so it can sweep; thus, Pokemon like Azelf and Heatran can help wear down these Steel-types and other Weavile switchins like Tapu Fini and Swampert. In return, Weavile can threaten out Chansey and Zapdos for them. Screens support from Pokemon like Tapu Koko and Regieleki is heavily appreciated in order to ease setup. On these types of teams, Weavile can help wear down shared checks like Toxapex for partners like Kommo-O.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Icicle Crash is an option over Triple Axel on all sets, as it is a more consistent option compared to Triple Axel. However, the loss is power is quite noticeable. Tough Claws boosts most of Weavile's moves with only a slightly smaller damage output when compared to Adaptability, but does not boost Ice Shard. On the Swords Dance set, Galvanize with Double-Edge and Heavy-Duty Boots allows Weavile to take advanatge of its standard checks, OHKOing Dauntless Shield Corviknight and Regenerator Tapu Fini with small chip. However, this relies heavily on surprise factor, and is overall less consistent than the Magic Guard + Life Orb set.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Tapu Fini**: With great physical bulk, Regenerator, and a typing that resists both of Weavile's STABs, Tapu Fini is a splashable and solid counter to Weavile, forcing it out with a powerful Moonblast or Knock Off limiting its breaking power. It must being wary of switching into Poison Jab though, as the possible poison chance can cripple Tapu Fini.
**Toxapex**: While not resisting Knock Off, Toxapex takes very little from Weavile's Ice STAB, has reliable recovery, does not care much about losing its item, and Prankster sets can remove any attack boosts with Haze. It can be worn down through Knock Off spam though.
**Steel-type Pokemon**: Corviknight and Skarmory are popular switchins that commonly run Dauntless Shield or Intimidate to limit Weavile's damage output, Body Press to always OHKO Weavile, reliable recovery in Roost, and ways of taking advantage of forcing it out with U-turn and Spikes, respectively. Cobalion and Zamazemta resist both of Weavile's STABs and force it out with super effective STAB moves, however they must be wary of Low Kick. Offensive Steel-types like Genesect and Heatran can take advantage of Choice Band Weavile locked into its Ice STAB or Poison Jab, but struggle to switch into anything else.
**Faster Pokemon**: Offensive checks such as Talonflame, Tapu Koko, and Barraskewda all outspeed Weavile and can revenge kill it, although the former two must be sure to stay above Ice Shard range, and all of them cannot switch into Weavile. Choice Scarf users such as Blacephalon and Genesect can also outspeed Weavile and force it out, but they do not enjoy being locked into the wrong move.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [Heracross2.0, 414072]]
- Quality checked by: [[Think, 375662], [username2, userid2]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1]]
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