this is the skeleton i will use when writing this. if qc has any qualms with the skeleton go ahead and post; otherwise, it doesn't need to go through qc again because it's more or less the same set.
Previous thread, by Lady Salamence
Volbeat
gp'd: sirn, mafeking
[Overview]
<p>At first glance, there is absolutely nothing redeemable about Volbeat. Its stats are pitiful, to say the least, ranging from poor 65 / 55 / 75 defenses to a pathetic base 47 Special Attack. Combined with a sparse movepool, it's apparent that Volbeat has almost nothing going for it. However, BW blessed Volbeat by upgrading Tail Glow to boost Special Attack by 3 stages, as well as granting Volbeat the ability it has always dreamed of: Prankster. Thanks to its new tools, Volbeat has the ability to transform any special attacker into a devastating force by utilizing priority Tail Glow and Baton Pass. In addition, Prankster provides priority to several other useful moves, including Encore, Thunder Wave, and weather-inducing moves.</p>
<p>However, while Prankster certainly gives Volbeat a niche, it by no means makes Volbeat perfect. Many common Pokemon in the tier, including Magmortar, Samurott, and Golem, can prey on its dismal defenses. Volbeat is also unable to stop opposing phazers or Taunt users, making a successful setup easier said than done against a prepared opponent. Volbeat is nothing to worry about on its own, but once it successfully passes a Tail Glow or sets up the weather, prepare to be swept away.</p>
[SET]
name: Baton Pass
move 1: Tail Glow
move 2: Baton Pass
move 3: Substitute
move 4: Thunder Wave / Encore
item: Leftovers
ability: Prankster
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Thanks to Prankster and a newly buffed Tail Glow, Volbeat is one of the best Baton Pass users available in NU. A +3 Special Attack boost is nothing to scoff at, especiallyonce handed off to a teammate who can take advantage of the massive power increase, such as Magmortar or Simipour. Baton Pass is rather self-explanatory, although it has a few other uses outside of passing Tail Glow, such as scouting for the opponent's Volbeat counter, and passing Substitutes to teammates. While Volbeat's Substitutes are rather meager, its teammates can take advantage of Substitute's ability to block status and set up on dangerous Pokemon. Priority Thunder Wave is a godsend to offensive teams, ending an opposing sweep and giving you a chance to retaliate. Encore helps Volbeat set up against opposing leads, who often carry non-damaging moves such as Stealth Rock or Spikes.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EV spread maximizes Volbeat's physical bulk and gives it an extra Substitute, taking Leftovers into account. A specially defensive spread may be used, but even with such a spread, Volbeat can still be easily taken advantage of by the likes of Magmortar. Despite Volbeat's pitiful base 47 Special Attack, it can still make marginal use of Tail Glow's boosts with Bug Buzz. When using Bug Buzz, a 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA spread with a Modest nature is an excellent idea, as it allows Volbeat to actually pack a punch. If Volbeat is being used purely as a lead, Focus Sash can be used to ensure that it will live the initial attack and successfully pass its boosts to a teammate.</p>
<p>As a Baton Pass user, Volbeat is only as good as its recipients. However, thanks to Volbeat's plethora of weaknesses, it's difficult to find a partner who synergizes perfectly with it. In general, specially offensive Pokemon with good coverage such as Magmortar, Electabuzz, and Gorebyss are effective teammates. A speedy partner is preferable, but not necessary, as Volbeat can spread paralysis with Thunder Wave. As such, slower behemoths can work just as well, but note that Exeggutor shares a Fire-type weakness with Volbeat. Gorebyss and Tangela have high Special Attack stats, and can take advantage of the bulky Rock- and Ground-types, namely Camerupt and Golem, that commonly switch in to Volbeat.</p>
<p>Dual screens is also an excellent form of support to limit the damage both Volbeat and the recipient will take. Musharna and Solrock are two of the best dual screen supporters, and also synergize well with Volbeat; the former has incredible bulk and a reliable recovery move, while the latter has much better synergy typewise and can set up Stealth Rock as well. Including a Rapid Spin user such as Wartortle or Cryogonal on your team is highly recommended, as Volbeat is vulnerable to every entry hazard in the game, and the extra damage will stack up quickly. Wartortle can handle the Rock- and Ground-types that trouble Volbeat, whereas Cryogonal is widely considered the best spinner available in NU, thanks to its reliable recovery and Levitate.</p>
{omicron's rd set shall go here}
[Other Options]
<p>Outside of the listed options, there isn't much going for Volbeat, due to its rather sparse movepool. Volbeat can set up Light Screen itself, but because it lacks Reflect, Light Screen often isn't worth the moveslot. Confuse Ray or Swagger can be used to spread confusion and hope for Lady Luck to give you a few free turns. U-turn is a potential option to get a Pokemon in untouched, but U-turn doesn't pass threatening Tail Glow boosts, and Volbeat is likely to be KOed before it gets to use U-turn anyway. Moonlight provides reliable recovery, but with its pitiful defenses, Volbeat will usually be losing more than half of its HP from a powerful neutral hit. If Taunt users are proving to be troublesome, Mental Herb can be used over Leftovers to catch them off-guard. Trick is a curious option, especially when coupled with Iron Ball. Thanks to Prankster, Volbeat can ignore Iron Ball's immense Speed cuts, and can Trick it away to an unsuspecting opponent.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>As Volbeat relies solely on non-attacking moves and doesn't have access to Taunt itself, a Taunt user of your own will usually end any and all of its shenanigans. Pokemon such as Camerupt have phazing moves to erase Volbeat's boosts and inflict more entry hazard damage on it. Speaking of which, maintaining entry hazards works wonders against Volbeat, as they will often preventit from attempting more than one Baton Pass per match. Rock Blast users such as Gigalith, Golem, and Cinccino will break through Volbeat's Substitute or Focus Sash and OHKO it. Priority users such as Samurott can outspeed Volbeat and finish off weakened ones before they can escape. Raichu and Jumpluff have Encore to lock Volbeat into Tail Glow, preventing it from successfully using Baton Pass. Volbeat itself isn't difficult to KO—it's Volbeat's teammates that you need to be worried about.</p>
Previous thread, by Lady Salamence
Volbeat
gp'd: sirn, mafeking
[Overview]
<p>At first glance, there is absolutely nothing redeemable about Volbeat. Its stats are pitiful, to say the least, ranging from poor 65 / 55 / 75 defenses to a pathetic base 47 Special Attack. Combined with a sparse movepool, it's apparent that Volbeat has almost nothing going for it. However, BW blessed Volbeat by upgrading Tail Glow to boost Special Attack by 3 stages, as well as granting Volbeat the ability it has always dreamed of: Prankster. Thanks to its new tools, Volbeat has the ability to transform any special attacker into a devastating force by utilizing priority Tail Glow and Baton Pass. In addition, Prankster provides priority to several other useful moves, including Encore, Thunder Wave, and weather-inducing moves.</p>
<p>However, while Prankster certainly gives Volbeat a niche, it by no means makes Volbeat perfect. Many common Pokemon in the tier, including Magmortar, Samurott, and Golem, can prey on its dismal defenses. Volbeat is also unable to stop opposing phazers or Taunt users, making a successful setup easier said than done against a prepared opponent. Volbeat is nothing to worry about on its own, but once it successfully passes a Tail Glow or sets up the weather, prepare to be swept away.</p>
[SET]
name: Baton Pass
move 1: Tail Glow
move 2: Baton Pass
move 3: Substitute
move 4: Thunder Wave / Encore
item: Leftovers
ability: Prankster
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Thanks to Prankster and a newly buffed Tail Glow, Volbeat is one of the best Baton Pass users available in NU. A +3 Special Attack boost is nothing to scoff at, especiallyonce handed off to a teammate who can take advantage of the massive power increase, such as Magmortar or Simipour. Baton Pass is rather self-explanatory, although it has a few other uses outside of passing Tail Glow, such as scouting for the opponent's Volbeat counter, and passing Substitutes to teammates. While Volbeat's Substitutes are rather meager, its teammates can take advantage of Substitute's ability to block status and set up on dangerous Pokemon. Priority Thunder Wave is a godsend to offensive teams, ending an opposing sweep and giving you a chance to retaliate. Encore helps Volbeat set up against opposing leads, who often carry non-damaging moves such as Stealth Rock or Spikes.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EV spread maximizes Volbeat's physical bulk and gives it an extra Substitute, taking Leftovers into account. A specially defensive spread may be used, but even with such a spread, Volbeat can still be easily taken advantage of by the likes of Magmortar. Despite Volbeat's pitiful base 47 Special Attack, it can still make marginal use of Tail Glow's boosts with Bug Buzz. When using Bug Buzz, a 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA spread with a Modest nature is an excellent idea, as it allows Volbeat to actually pack a punch. If Volbeat is being used purely as a lead, Focus Sash can be used to ensure that it will live the initial attack and successfully pass its boosts to a teammate.</p>
<p>As a Baton Pass user, Volbeat is only as good as its recipients. However, thanks to Volbeat's plethora of weaknesses, it's difficult to find a partner who synergizes perfectly with it. In general, specially offensive Pokemon with good coverage such as Magmortar, Electabuzz, and Gorebyss are effective teammates. A speedy partner is preferable, but not necessary, as Volbeat can spread paralysis with Thunder Wave. As such, slower behemoths can work just as well, but note that Exeggutor shares a Fire-type weakness with Volbeat. Gorebyss and Tangela have high Special Attack stats, and can take advantage of the bulky Rock- and Ground-types, namely Camerupt and Golem, that commonly switch in to Volbeat.</p>
<p>Dual screens is also an excellent form of support to limit the damage both Volbeat and the recipient will take. Musharna and Solrock are two of the best dual screen supporters, and also synergize well with Volbeat; the former has incredible bulk and a reliable recovery move, while the latter has much better synergy typewise and can set up Stealth Rock as well. Including a Rapid Spin user such as Wartortle or Cryogonal on your team is highly recommended, as Volbeat is vulnerable to every entry hazard in the game, and the extra damage will stack up quickly. Wartortle can handle the Rock- and Ground-types that trouble Volbeat, whereas Cryogonal is widely considered the best spinner available in NU, thanks to its reliable recovery and Levitate.</p>
{omicron's rd set shall go here}
[Other Options]
<p>Outside of the listed options, there isn't much going for Volbeat, due to its rather sparse movepool. Volbeat can set up Light Screen itself, but because it lacks Reflect, Light Screen often isn't worth the moveslot. Confuse Ray or Swagger can be used to spread confusion and hope for Lady Luck to give you a few free turns. U-turn is a potential option to get a Pokemon in untouched, but U-turn doesn't pass threatening Tail Glow boosts, and Volbeat is likely to be KOed before it gets to use U-turn anyway. Moonlight provides reliable recovery, but with its pitiful defenses, Volbeat will usually be losing more than half of its HP from a powerful neutral hit. If Taunt users are proving to be troublesome, Mental Herb can be used over Leftovers to catch them off-guard. Trick is a curious option, especially when coupled with Iron Ball. Thanks to Prankster, Volbeat can ignore Iron Ball's immense Speed cuts, and can Trick it away to an unsuspecting opponent.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>As Volbeat relies solely on non-attacking moves and doesn't have access to Taunt itself, a Taunt user of your own will usually end any and all of its shenanigans. Pokemon such as Camerupt have phazing moves to erase Volbeat's boosts and inflict more entry hazard damage on it. Speaking of which, maintaining entry hazards works wonders against Volbeat, as they will often preventit from attempting more than one Baton Pass per match. Rock Blast users such as Gigalith, Golem, and Cinccino will break through Volbeat's Substitute or Focus Sash and OHKO it. Priority users such as Samurott can outspeed Volbeat and finish off weakened ones before they can escape. Raichu and Jumpluff have Encore to lock Volbeat into Tail Glow, preventing it from successfully using Baton Pass. Volbeat itself isn't difficult to KO—it's Volbeat's teammates that you need to be worried about.</p>
