[SET]
name: Physically Defensive Pivot
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Will-O-Wisp
move 4: Morning Sun
item: Eviolite
ability: Flame Body
nature: Impish
evs: 76 HP / 236 Def / 156 SpD / 36 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Larvesta has a defensive niche in LC for shutting down the fearsome Mienfoo and Grookey more reliably than any other counter thanks to its reliable healing, ability to punish careless attacks with Flame Body burns, and great defensive typing without many common weakness. U-turn lets Larvesta slow pivot on opposing Pokemon or the switches it forces, safely bringing in powerful teammates. Will-O-Wisp guarantees a burn on targets that have not been burned by Flame Body, which is invaluable for rendering physical attackers useless. The given EV spread lets Larvesta almost always avoid the OHKO from Life Orb Diglett's Rock Slide, and it has enough Speed to outpace standard Koffing.
Entry hazard control is absolutely necessary when using Larvesta, as Stealth Rock deals 50% damage to it. Staryu is almost mandatory, as it can reliably use Rapid Spin and has great defensive synergy with Larvesta. Alternatively, Timburr is a reliable Defog user. To complement hazard removal, Natu can prevent teams from setting Stealth Rock with Magic Bounce, notably shutting down Ferroseed, which Staryu struggles against. Grookey-weak Pokemon like Staryu, Mudbray, and Onix appreciate Larvesta countering and burning Grookey. Fast, frail attackers like Abra, Carvanha, and Choice Scarf Porygon appreciate Larvesta's ability to switch into Grookey and its slow U-turn. Diglett can trap Ponyta and Water-types like Mareanie and Staryu, especially after U-turn.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Larvesta can run a Choice Scarf set with more Speed investment to take advantage of its fast and strong U-turn and Flare Blitz, and this set can even carry Morning Sun to serve as a defensive pivot once it loses its item; however, this set is especially vulnerable to Stealth Rock because of its difficulty recovering. A set with 9 Speed is an option to underspeed Timburr and Koffing to bring in frail attackers with U-turn, but this set is more vulnerable to Koffing and Mareanie. Zen Headbutt hits Fighting- and Poison-types for super effective damage, which is especially useful against Mareanie and Koffing. Wild Charge does solid damage to Water-types.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Stealth Rock**: Stealth Rock greatly limit Larvesta's ability to take hits. Larvesta should always be paired with entry hazard removers and controllers like Staryu and Natu to make setting Stealth Rock difficult.
**Diglett**: Diglett outspeeds and traps weakened Larvesta with Earthquake or Rock Slide. Though Diglett cannot switch in, it can take advantage of Mienfoo's or Grookey's U-turn to surprise and eliminate Larvesta. However, even Rock Slide does not OHKO Eviolite Larvesta without prior chip damage.
**Water-types**: Staryu, Mareanie, and Frillish hit Larvesta super effectively without fearing Flare Blitz or a burn, and the latter two also resist U-turn. Larvesta can turn the tables on Staryu and Mareanie, though, by using U-turn into Diglett, and the rare Wild Charge hits all three for major damage.
**Ponyta**: Ponyta cannot be burned, takes very little from Larvesta's attacks, and can use Flame Charge or deal heavy damage to Larvesta with Flare Blitz. However, it must watch out for Larvesta's ability to pivot into a trapper with U-turn.
**Rock-types**: Onix outspeeds Larvesta, OHKOes it with Rock Blast or Head Smash, and reliably sets Stealth Rock. Tyrunt also outspeeds standard Larvesta, can OHKO it with Rock Blast, and can set up with Dragon Dance on a forced switch. Both are greatly weakened by a burn, though, and can be taken advantage of by U-turn.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[KSG, 32350]]
- Quality checked by: [[Acehunter1, 430377], [DC, 449990]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517249]]
name: Physically Defensive Pivot
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Will-O-Wisp
move 4: Morning Sun
item: Eviolite
ability: Flame Body
nature: Impish
evs: 76 HP / 236 Def / 156 SpD / 36 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Larvesta has a defensive niche in LC for shutting down the fearsome Mienfoo and Grookey more reliably than any other counter thanks to its reliable healing, ability to punish careless attacks with Flame Body burns, and great defensive typing without many common weakness. U-turn lets Larvesta slow pivot on opposing Pokemon or the switches it forces, safely bringing in powerful teammates. Will-O-Wisp guarantees a burn on targets that have not been burned by Flame Body, which is invaluable for rendering physical attackers useless. The given EV spread lets Larvesta almost always avoid the OHKO from Life Orb Diglett's Rock Slide, and it has enough Speed to outpace standard Koffing.
Entry hazard control is absolutely necessary when using Larvesta, as Stealth Rock deals 50% damage to it. Staryu is almost mandatory, as it can reliably use Rapid Spin and has great defensive synergy with Larvesta. Alternatively, Timburr is a reliable Defog user. To complement hazard removal, Natu can prevent teams from setting Stealth Rock with Magic Bounce, notably shutting down Ferroseed, which Staryu struggles against. Grookey-weak Pokemon like Staryu, Mudbray, and Onix appreciate Larvesta countering and burning Grookey. Fast, frail attackers like Abra, Carvanha, and Choice Scarf Porygon appreciate Larvesta's ability to switch into Grookey and its slow U-turn. Diglett can trap Ponyta and Water-types like Mareanie and Staryu, especially after U-turn.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Larvesta can run a Choice Scarf set with more Speed investment to take advantage of its fast and strong U-turn and Flare Blitz, and this set can even carry Morning Sun to serve as a defensive pivot once it loses its item; however, this set is especially vulnerable to Stealth Rock because of its difficulty recovering. A set with 9 Speed is an option to underspeed Timburr and Koffing to bring in frail attackers with U-turn, but this set is more vulnerable to Koffing and Mareanie. Zen Headbutt hits Fighting- and Poison-types for super effective damage, which is especially useful against Mareanie and Koffing. Wild Charge does solid damage to Water-types.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Stealth Rock**: Stealth Rock greatly limit Larvesta's ability to take hits. Larvesta should always be paired with entry hazard removers and controllers like Staryu and Natu to make setting Stealth Rock difficult.
**Diglett**: Diglett outspeeds and traps weakened Larvesta with Earthquake or Rock Slide. Though Diglett cannot switch in, it can take advantage of Mienfoo's or Grookey's U-turn to surprise and eliminate Larvesta. However, even Rock Slide does not OHKO Eviolite Larvesta without prior chip damage.
**Water-types**: Staryu, Mareanie, and Frillish hit Larvesta super effectively without fearing Flare Blitz or a burn, and the latter two also resist U-turn. Larvesta can turn the tables on Staryu and Mareanie, though, by using U-turn into Diglett, and the rare Wild Charge hits all three for major damage.
**Ponyta**: Ponyta cannot be burned, takes very little from Larvesta's attacks, and can use Flame Charge or deal heavy damage to Larvesta with Flare Blitz. However, it must watch out for Larvesta's ability to pivot into a trapper with U-turn.
**Rock-types**: Onix outspeeds Larvesta, OHKOes it with Rock Blast or Head Smash, and reliably sets Stealth Rock. Tyrunt also outspeeds standard Larvesta, can OHKO it with Rock Blast, and can set up with Dragon Dance on a forced switch. Both are greatly weakened by a burn, though, and can be taken advantage of by U-turn.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[KSG, 32350]]
- Quality checked by: [[Acehunter1, 430377], [DC, 449990]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517249]]
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