[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Triple Axel
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Ice Shard
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Pressure
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
===================
Weavile's stellar offensive typing, exceptional Speed tier, and high-powered STAB moves make it a capable wallbreaker, revenge killer, and late-game cleaner. Very few Pokemon check it for the long term, as they often only need their item removed by Knock Off and minimal chip damage for Weavile to muscle past them. Weavile's biggest shortcoming is the unreliability of Triple Axel, as it has a large chance to do negligible damage, or even none at all. A Jolly nature is preferred to outspeed Tornadus-T, Astrolotl, and Kerfluffle; however, if your team has adequate counterplay to these Pokemon, then an Adamant nature can be utilized to boost Weavile's damage output even further, giving it better chances at +2 to OHKO Clefable with Triple Axel and Dragapult and Choice Scarf Jumbao after Stealth Rock with Ice Shard.
Due to Weavile's subpar bulk, it appreciates Pokemon which can pivot into it to allow it opportunities to set up or deal damage, such as Landorus-T and Corviknight. While it can wear down most of its common checks like Buzzwole and Corviknight in the long term, a teammate which can force progress versus these checks such as Tapu Koko or Magnezone is valued. The latter in particular is an excellent teammate for Weavile, as it can trap and eliminate Steel-types Weavile struggles against while providing a slow Volt Switch to give Weavile more opportunities to come in. Pokemon that can provide entry hazard support like Ferrothorn and Heatran are great teammates for Weavile, giving it the ability to soften its checks faster and apply more pressure. At the same time, these Pokemon are able to check potential revenge killers for Weavile.
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Knock Off
move 2: Triple Axel / Icicle Crash
move 3: Ice Shard
move 4: Low Kick / Poison Jab
item: Choice Band
ability: Pressure
nature: Jolly
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
===================
A Choice Band set provides the advantages of immediate breaking power, being able to do large damage without the need to set up. On the other hand, its inability to change moves and susceptibility to entry hazards give the opponent clear options for counterplay. Triple Axel has the possibility to do devastating damage provided it hits, whereas Icicle Crash is a more reliable option that does not make contact and has a handy flinch chance. Low Kick is useful to hit the likes of Ferrothorn, Heatran, and Melmetal, whereas Poison Jab allows Weavile to easily break past Tapu Fini.
Because of its weakness to entry hazards, Choice Band Weavile appreciates hazard control; Pokemon like Corviknight, Zapdos, and Tornadus-T provide hazard removal while also being able to pivot into Weavile, which is normally unable to switch into attacks due to its poor bulk. Partners that can provide Future Sight support like Slowbro, Tapu Lele, and Victini are also greatly appreciated, as they help Weavile break through more consistent checks like Arghonaut and Tapu Fini. Pokemon that can set Spikes like Ferrothorn, Astrolotl, and Arghonaut are valuable to help break through the aforementioned bulky Water-types.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
===================
A Life Orb can be utilized on hyper offense builds to boost Swords Dance Weavile's damage output to astounding levels, being able to break past typical checks, such as Corviknight, Ferrothorn, and Toxapex, with even the smallest chip damage. However, a weakness to hazards coupled with Life Orb recoil means that it often lacks the longevity that is necessary on more balanced or bulky teams. Wide Lens sets can mitigate the unpredictability of Triple Axel, giving it near-perfect accuracy. Unfortunately, its lack of longevity and boosting power to the crippling level which Life Orb does pose more issues.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fighting-types**: Due to its defensive typing, willingness to absorb Knock Off, access to reliable recovery, and its ability in Unaware, Arghonaut is the perfect check to Weavile, being able to easily take any hit it throws out and OHKOing it with Circle Throw or taking the opportunity to set Spikes. Buzzwole is a more offensive check that, if kept healthy, is very valuable versus Weavile. Urshifu-R can take a hit from Weavile and OHKO it back.
**Bulky Water-types**: Tapu Fini's bulk and defensive typing lets it heavily threaten Weavile, with Choice Scarf variants in particular being especially valuable, as they can outspeed and OHKO Weavile while still having ample opportunities to switch in to. However, it must be wary of having its item removed via Knock Off, and its lack of reliable recovery makes it a poor check for the long term. Physically defensive Toxapex, especially one that has had its item removed, is a good check to Weavile, being able to remove its Swords Dance boosts with Haze and pressure it with the threat of a Scald burn. Colbur Berry Slowbro with Body Press is a niche but viable option.
**Bulky Steel-types**: Corviknight, Ferrothorn, and Skarmory all do not outright get KOed by Weavile and are able to OHKO it back with Body Press should they carry it, but they are prone to being chipped down through entry hazards and must be carefully preserved. These Pokemon can also punish Weavile's Triple Axel with either Rocky Helmet or Iron Barbs in the case of Ferrothorn. Heatran can survive any move at +2 but cannot safely switch directly in, (RC) and must rely on the unreliable Magma Storm to force Weavile out. Physically defensive Magnezone can take any hit from +2 Weavile and OHKO back with Body Press, making it a last-ditch check if it's required.
**Revenge Killers**: Weavile's poor bulk allows it to be revenged killed by Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Tapu Lele, Tapu Koko, (AC) and Zeraora, which cannot switch in on it but if given a free switch in can pick off Weavile. The latter two Pokemon need to be wary of taking too much chip damage, however, as Weavile's +2 Ice Shard does sizable damage on its own. Revenankh deserves a special mention, as its Triage Drain Punch outspeeds any attack of Weavile's and easily OHKOes it.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Earthflax, 515115]]
- Quality checked by: [[spoo, 251944], [dex, 277988]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Estronic, 240732]]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Triple Axel
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Ice Shard
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Pressure
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
===================
Weavile's stellar offensive typing, exceptional Speed tier, and high-powered STAB moves make it a capable wallbreaker, revenge killer, and late-game cleaner. Very few Pokemon check it for the long term, as they often only need their item removed by Knock Off and minimal chip damage for Weavile to muscle past them. Weavile's biggest shortcoming is the unreliability of Triple Axel, as it has a large chance to do negligible damage, or even none at all. A Jolly nature is preferred to outspeed Tornadus-T, Astrolotl, and Kerfluffle; however, if your team has adequate counterplay to these Pokemon, then an Adamant nature can be utilized to boost Weavile's damage output even further, giving it better chances at +2 to OHKO Clefable with Triple Axel and Dragapult and Choice Scarf Jumbao after Stealth Rock with Ice Shard.
Due to Weavile's subpar bulk, it appreciates Pokemon which can pivot into it to allow it opportunities to set up or deal damage, such as Landorus-T and Corviknight. While it can wear down most of its common checks like Buzzwole and Corviknight in the long term, a teammate which can force progress versus these checks such as Tapu Koko or Magnezone is valued. The latter in particular is an excellent teammate for Weavile, as it can trap and eliminate Steel-types Weavile struggles against while providing a slow Volt Switch to give Weavile more opportunities to come in. Pokemon that can provide entry hazard support like Ferrothorn and Heatran are great teammates for Weavile, giving it the ability to soften its checks faster and apply more pressure. At the same time, these Pokemon are able to check potential revenge killers for Weavile.
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Knock Off
move 2: Triple Axel / Icicle Crash
move 3: Ice Shard
move 4: Low Kick / Poison Jab
item: Choice Band
ability: Pressure
nature: Jolly
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
===================
A Choice Band set provides the advantages of immediate breaking power, being able to do large damage without the need to set up. On the other hand, its inability to change moves and susceptibility to entry hazards give the opponent clear options for counterplay. Triple Axel has the possibility to do devastating damage provided it hits, whereas Icicle Crash is a more reliable option that does not make contact and has a handy flinch chance. Low Kick is useful to hit the likes of Ferrothorn, Heatran, and Melmetal, whereas Poison Jab allows Weavile to easily break past Tapu Fini.
Because of its weakness to entry hazards, Choice Band Weavile appreciates hazard control; Pokemon like Corviknight, Zapdos, and Tornadus-T provide hazard removal while also being able to pivot into Weavile, which is normally unable to switch into attacks due to its poor bulk. Partners that can provide Future Sight support like Slowbro, Tapu Lele, and Victini are also greatly appreciated, as they help Weavile break through more consistent checks like Arghonaut and Tapu Fini. Pokemon that can set Spikes like Ferrothorn, Astrolotl, and Arghonaut are valuable to help break through the aforementioned bulky Water-types.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
===================
A Life Orb can be utilized on hyper offense builds to boost Swords Dance Weavile's damage output to astounding levels, being able to break past typical checks, such as Corviknight, Ferrothorn, and Toxapex, with even the smallest chip damage. However, a weakness to hazards coupled with Life Orb recoil means that it often lacks the longevity that is necessary on more balanced or bulky teams. Wide Lens sets can mitigate the unpredictability of Triple Axel, giving it near-perfect accuracy. Unfortunately, its lack of longevity and boosting power to the crippling level which Life Orb does pose more issues.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fighting-types**: Due to its defensive typing, willingness to absorb Knock Off, access to reliable recovery, and its ability in Unaware, Arghonaut is the perfect check to Weavile, being able to easily take any hit it throws out and OHKOing it with Circle Throw or taking the opportunity to set Spikes. Buzzwole is a more offensive check that, if kept healthy, is very valuable versus Weavile. Urshifu-R can take a hit from Weavile and OHKO it back.
**Bulky Water-types**: Tapu Fini's bulk and defensive typing lets it heavily threaten Weavile, with Choice Scarf variants in particular being especially valuable, as they can outspeed and OHKO Weavile while still having ample opportunities to switch in to. However, it must be wary of having its item removed via Knock Off, and its lack of reliable recovery makes it a poor check for the long term. Physically defensive Toxapex, especially one that has had its item removed, is a good check to Weavile, being able to remove its Swords Dance boosts with Haze and pressure it with the threat of a Scald burn. Colbur Berry Slowbro with Body Press is a niche but viable option.
**Bulky Steel-types**: Corviknight, Ferrothorn, and Skarmory all do not outright get KOed by Weavile and are able to OHKO it back with Body Press should they carry it, but they are prone to being chipped down through entry hazards and must be carefully preserved. These Pokemon can also punish Weavile's Triple Axel with either Rocky Helmet or Iron Barbs in the case of Ferrothorn. Heatran can survive any move at +2 but cannot safely switch directly in, (RC) and must rely on the unreliable Magma Storm to force Weavile out. Physically defensive Magnezone can take any hit from +2 Weavile and OHKO back with Body Press, making it a last-ditch check if it's required.
**Revenge Killers**: Weavile's poor bulk allows it to be revenged killed by Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Tapu Lele, Tapu Koko, (AC) and Zeraora, which cannot switch in on it but if given a free switch in can pick off Weavile. The latter two Pokemon need to be wary of taking too much chip damage, however, as Weavile's +2 Ice Shard does sizable damage on its own. Revenankh deserves a special mention, as its Triage Drain Punch outspeeds any attack of Weavile's and easily OHKOes it.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Earthflax, 515115]]
- Quality checked by: [[spoo, 251944], [dex, 277988]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Estronic, 240732]]
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