[OVERVIEW]
Weavile often faces competition from the more popular Mamoswine as an Ice-type, lacking the flexibility and utility that Mamoswine provides. Weavile sets itself apart with a fantastic Dark / Ice typing backed up by one of the highest Speed stats in the game, making it a powerful lead and late-game cleaner capable of tackling some of the format's most popular threats. Access to great priority moves in Fake Out and Ice Shard allows it to effectively take down opposing leads and function as a reliable revenge killer that outpaces opposing priority users such as Thundurus due to its high base 125 Speed. A dangerous STAB combination and access to Knock Off and Icicle Crash also allow Weavile to clean up later in the game when its anti-lead capabilities are not necessary.
However, Weavile is incredibly frail, so if it's not KOing the foe, it will almost surely be KOed in return. As a result, priority users that can shrug off a hit from Weavile such as Azumarill and Conkeldurr are very problematic. Weavile also suffers from a poor defensive typing with common weaknesses to Fire, Rock, and Fighting, so it has a difficult time finding opportunities to come in if it doesn't lead. Weavile also lacks access to many coverage moves beyond Low Kick and Poison Jab, so it finds itself struggling against anything that isn't weak to one of its moves.
[SET]
name: Physical Attacker
move 1: Fake Out / Ice Shard
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Low Kick
move 4: Ice Shard / Icicle Crash
item: Life Orb / Focus Sash
ability: Pressure
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Fake Out lets Weavile get relatively safe chip damage on the foe, breaking potential Focus Sash leads and possibly bringing the foe down to KO range for one of Weavile's other moves. Knock Off is Weavile's primary STAB move and is useful for taking down Gengar, Aegislash, and Cresselia or removing items from foes that might switch in as a result of the offensive pressure Weavile provides. Unless the opposing team has a Mega Evolution that doesn't mind Dark-type moves, Knock Off is generally a very safe move to use. Low Kick provides great coverage alongside Knock Off, threatening Rock-types such as Tyranitar as well as hitting Mega Kangaskhan and Mamoswine harder than Weavile's STAB moves. Low Kick can also KO Mega Kangaskhan variants that don't invest in bulk after a bit of prior damage, which Fake Out can provide. Ice Shard is commonly used in the final slot for beating boosted Mega Salamence, Choice Scarf Landorus-T, and Choice Scarf Garchomp, which all KO Weavile otherwise. Ice Shard is also necessary to beat lead Breloom before it can OHKO Weavile back with Mach Punch, and it's generally a great move for picking off a weakened foe without fear of being revenge killed.
Alternatively, Icicle Crash is a more powerful Ice-type STAB move that can take on sturdier Pokemon that otherwise can take an Ice Shard and threaten to KO back, such as Zapdos and Hippowdon. It also gives Weavile a strong STAB attack that doesn't make contact or rely on the foe having an item. However, Fake Out can be dropped to run both Ice Shard and Icicle Crash at the cost of being unable to effectively threaten opposing leads.
Set Details
========
The EV spread is designed to maximize Weavile's offensive potential. Maximum investment in Attack and Speed with a Jolly nature is needed to outpace base 110 Speed Pokemon such as Latios and Gengar. Life Orb is the preferred item because Weavile wants all the power it can get without having to compromise its important Speed tier, and it won't be able to take a hit if the foe survives anyway, so the recoil isn't a huge concern. Focus Sash is an alternative that can help Weavile reliably revenge kill at least one threat, although the loss in power is significant.
Usage Tips
========
Weavile is best used as an anti-lead with Fake Out to pick off Focus Sash leads such as Garchomp, Mamoswine, and Breloom. However, be careful not to mindlessly click Fake Out if the foe might have Rocky Helmet, as that can result in Weavile taking more damage than Fake Out does to the foe. Dark / Ice coverage forces a lot of switches, so don't be afraid to click Knock Off or even switch out to take advantage of the offensive pressure that Weavile provides.
If Weavile doesn't lead, it can still function as an effective late-game cleaner or revenge killer. However, while it is capable of cleaning weakened teams on its own, remember that Weavile is very frail and will struggle to break through bulkier Pokemon on its own. Unless you're sure it can sweep, don't rely on Weavile to be your sweeper. Weavile also depends greatly on type advantage to do its job effectively. If the opposing team isn't particularly weak to Weavile's STAB moves, Weavile should probably sit out for the battle.
Team Options
========
Weavile greatly appreciates Stealth Rock support from Hippowdon or Garchomp to help it secure KOs on threats such as Mega Kangaskhan and Greninja. Weavile is also capable of KOing Talonflame with the combination of Fake Out and Ice Shard after Stealth Rock damage. Hippowdon and Garchomp also threaten Blaziken, which fears little from Weavile. Talonflame itself pairs well with Weavile, threatening the Fighting-types that give Weavile trouble. Fire-types that threaten Mawile and Skarmory also make for strong partners, while Weavile can take on Ground-types such as Landorus-T and Garchomp in return. In particular, Mega Charizard Y and Heatran also beat Aegislash reliably, which is important because Weavile can't OHKO Shield forme Aegislash with Knock Off and risks facing King's Shield or activating Weakness Policy. Grass-types such as Serperior help with Weavile's fear of Azumarill while also threatening the other bulky Water-types that Weavile struggles to break. In return, Weavile can deal with Mega Salamence and other Flying-types that keep Grass-types away. Weavile also appreciates support from slow U-turn and Volt Switch users to give it an easier time coming in if it doesn't lead. Rotom-W in particular deals with Talonflame, while Weavile threatens Grass-types that will want to switch into Rotom-W.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Due to Pressure, Weavile can run a disruptive PP stalling set utilizing Substitute, Protect, and Spite with Leftovers to drain low-PP moves such as Close Combat and Fire Blast. This can be critical for giving a partner an easier setup opportunity on a foe that might otherwise threaten it, but the lack of offensive presence reduces its usefulness. Weavile can also opt to give up Fake Out to run Choice Band, but it sacrifices the ability to effectively deal with opposing leads. Counter can be used on a Focus Sash set to surprise Weavile's usual checks such as Blaziken and Talonflame, but fitting it onto a moveset is difficult without sacrificing an important STAB attack or coverage move. Swords Dance lets Weavile take on the role of a boosting sweeper thanks to its solid Speed tier, though its typing makes it difficult to find setup opportunities.
Poison Jab lets Weavile deal with some of its usual counters such as Azumarill and Clefable, although it still struggles to break through Clefable without the Life Orb boost. Similarly, Aerial Ace lets it punish the Fighting-type switch-ins that aren't covered by Icicle Crash, particularly Blaziken and Heracross. Ice Punch is a more accurate alternative to Icicle Crash if you're worried about misses, although it's generally an inferior option due to its low Base Power. Unlike Icicle Crash, Ice Punch makes contact, so Rocky Helmet and Rough Skin become more problematic.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types such as Klefki, Azumarill, and Mawile are among Weavile's strongest counters, as they resist both Ice and Dark while easily KOing it or forcing it out. Azumarill can also take advantage of the free switch for an opportunity to set up Belly Drum in front of it, while Mawile is immune to the occasional Poison Jab. Sylveon, Togekiss, and Gardevoir can also take a hit from Weavile and KO it in return, but none of them can afford to switch into Icicle Crash or Poison Jab.
**Fighting-types**: Most Fighting-types can switch into Knock Off and KO Weavile back. Blaziken in particular resists both of Weavile's STAB types and can either set up with Swords Dance or KO it outright. Likewise, Mega Lopunny is the only other Fighting-type that can outspeed Weavile, although it must be careful of switching into Low Kick. Mega Heracross also isn't bothered much by Weavile's attacks beyond the odd Aerial Ace and immediately threatens to KO with Pin Missile or Close Combat. Breloom threatens Weavile with Mach Punch but needs to be wary because it loses if Weavile is running both Fake Out and Ice Shard.
**Fire-types**: Fire-types such as Volcarona and both Mega Charizard formes give Weavile a difficult time and threaten to KO it with any Fire-type attack. Mega Charizard X in particular doesn't have to worry about anything aside from the occasional Icicle Crash and can proceed to set up or immediately KO Weavile.
**Priority Attackers**: Weavile's frailty makes it a prime target for priority moves. Talonflame, Scizor, Conkeldurr, and Lucario can all check Weavile with their respective priority moves without worrying about Ice Shard.
**Mega Kangaskhan**: Mega Kangaskhan avoids being OHKOed by Weavile's Low Kick and can KO it with any STAB move, or it can use Power-Up Punch to get a quick boost. Mega Kangaskhan's Fake Out also does a minimum of 50%, so it can pick off a weakened Weavile and avoid any damage. However, it must be mindful of Fake Out from Weavile itself and the occasional Stealth Rock, as the damage can put it in KO range for Low Kick.
**Bulky Pokemon**: The best Weavile can do to Pokemon such as Suicune and Rotom-W is Knock Off, so both can safely burn it with Scald and Will-O-Wisp, respectively. Thanks to Thick Fat, Mega Venusaur also beats Weavile by stalling until Life Orb recoil KOes it. Similarly, Ferrothorn forces Weavile to take huge amounts of recoil damage and KOes with Gyro Ball, but it doesn't take Low Kick well.
**Faster Pokemon**: If Weavile doesn't have the Speed advantage, it often struggles to win due to its poor defenses. Mega Manectric in particular can Intimidate Weavile to take a hit better, after which it can outspeed it and OHKO with Flamethrower or Overheat. Choice Scarf users that don't mind Ice Shard are also reliable options to take out Weavile. Rotom-W and Excadrill don't mind Ice Shard and can easily KO Weavile with their respective STAB moves, although both hate switching in due to the risk of losing their Choice Scarf.
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