5Dots
Metronome
vibes
[SET]
name: Defog
move 1: Defog
move 2: Roost
move 3: Earthquake / Earth Power
move 4: U-turn / Toxic
item: Eviolite
ability: Levitate
nature: Impish / Bold
evs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Vibrava is a premier Defogger, distinguishing itself through its resistance to Stealth Rock, Volt Switch immunity, and unique defensive profile. Earthquake is the preferred STAB move, 2HKOing Electabuzz and Magmar. Earth Power makes it more consistent against Lairon, always OHKOing it, though Earth Power is mainly used for that matchup, and Earthquake's superior power makes it the inferior move otherwise. U-turn enables Vibrava to escape bad matchups against Pokemon like Simipour, Simisage, and Scraggy. Toxic cripples bulky threats like Politoed and Servine, preventing them from walling it. 16 Speed EVs enable Vibrava to outspeed maximum Speed Adamant Lairon.
Teammates weak to Stealth Rock, like Jumpluff and Magmar, enjoy Vibrava's bulk and pivoting combined with its ability to consistently remove Stealth Rock. Special walls like Meganium and defensive Klang work well with it, with the former being a great Knock Off absorber and cleric, while the latter resists all of Vibrava's weaknesses, is immune to Toxic, and can pivot with Volt Switch. In turn, Vibrava covers their Fire weaknesses and can give them an easier time switching in through Defog. Vibrava's great bulk and mediocre Speed make it a great VoltTurn candidate, pairing well with other pivots like Electabuzz, Frogadier, and Furfrou, enabling them to hit the field more safely. If running Toxic, setup deterrents like Jumpluff and Volbeat can prevent Vibrava from being turned into setup fodder. In return, Vibrava can check physically offensive Pokemon like Pignite, Lairon, and Gigalith, the last two of which can otherwise consistently set up Stealth Rock. As it is immune to Volt Switch, it can halt momentum from Volt Switch users like defensive Klang and Hidden Power Grass variants of Electabuzz, though it must be wary of Toxic and Ice-type coverage.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A specially defensive spread makes it more consistent at pivoting against special attackers like Servine and Swoobat, though this set has less value due to pivoting against a smaller amount of targets, and Electabuzz and Magmar can still 2HKO it with Hidden Power Ice.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ice-types and Ice-type Coverage**: Vibrava's 4x weakness to Ice means Ice-types like Vanilluxe and Glalie can threaten to OHKO it. Some Pokemon, like Electabuzz and Magmar, sport Ice-type coverage and can 2HKO it, preventing it from being a safe switch-in to them.
**Wallbreakers**: Even with full defensive investment, Vibrava has mediocre stats, meaning that wallbreakers like Servine, Simipour, and Simisage can easily muscle through it and 2HKO or even OHKO it with Ice-type coverage.
**Setup Sweepers**: With Vibrava's only options of deterring setup being U-turn and Toxic, setup sweepers like Huntail, Scraggy, and Duosion can easily spiral out of control through their boosts, able to use it as a free setup opportunity.
**Status**: Toxic and burn from Pokemon like Gigalith, Lairon, and Gourgeist formes limit Vibrava's longevity and stifle its effectiveness as both a Defogger and pivot.
**Fairy-types**: While uncommon, Wigglytuff and Carbink can 2HKO Vibrava with their STAB options; however, offensive Carbink variants are less reliable and can get 2HKOed back by Vibrava's STAB moves.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/5dots.543866/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/jett.226429/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sleid.601970/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/solarbeam.470115/
Last edited: