Braviary
Traits: Keen Eye | Sheer Force | Defiant
100 | 123 | 75 | 57 | 75 | 80
With 123 Attack, Flying STAB, fantastic coverage, and above-average bulk for an offensive Pokemon, Braviary is one of the most feared attackers in NU. Before it was always seen as a powerful choice attacker other than the occasional noob using Life Orb Braviary, now with bw2, it got Roost as a tutor move, opening up more set possibilities. Roost Braviary is still fairly unexplored with most people still clinging on to the old Choice Band Braviary, but nevertheless it's still an interesting new option.
Braviary @ Choice Band
Trait: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spd / 4 Def
Adamant / Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- Return
- Superpower
- U-turn
CB Braviary can basically 2HKO everything. It's the reason why a Flying-type resist is almost mandatory in NU if you're not running some kind of HO team, otherwise you just get destroyed by CB Brave Bird. It's fairly easy to check however with its mediocre base Speed, the inability to switch moves, Stealth Rock, and Brave Bird and Superpower's negative effects.
Braviary @ Life Orb
Trait: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spd / 4 Def
Adamant / Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- Return
- Superpower
- Roost
3 attacks + Roost Braviary is my favorite Roost Braviary. It uses its ability to threaten Pokemon out and more than usable bulk to Roost off damage when it's weakened. It may not have the firepower that CB has, but it's still a very potent set.
Braviary @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spd / 4 Def
Adamant Nature
- Brave Bird
- Return
- Superpower
- U-turn
Braviary's depressingly weak power without LO/CB can easily be seen through Scarf Braviary; as such, most users hardly use Scarf Braviary. Nevertheless it's still a good set when you need a Choice Scarf user in a pinch and Braviary fits your team, but most of the time the fast Flying-type niche can be done better by Swellow. I have gotten a few "sweeps" with this set before, though.
Braviary @ Leftovers
Trait: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spd / 4 Def
Adamant Nature
- Bulk Up / Substitute
- Roost
- Brave Bird
- Superpower
I haven't tested this set much yet, but from my experiences using and facing it, it has been fairly mediocre so far. Return is always a very useful move for Electric-types and the fact that it has no negative effect at all is nice too. Also, the lack of LO/CB makes this set quite weak. Still, this Braviary can survive a lot longer than other Braviary sets, and Bulk Up has the potential to sweep weakened bulky teams as long as it avoids status.
So what do you guys think of Braviary? How much of a threat is it in this meta? What sets utilizing Roost have you been using to success lately?
Discuss; I can't wait to see the discussion that comes out of this!