[OVERVIEW]
Vikavolt distinguishes itself as a powerful Sticky Web setter, pressuring Hattrem and entry hazard removers like Sandslash, Braviary, and Lurantis with its STAB and coverage moves. Levitate and a Bug / Electric typing make Vikavolt a surprisingly good tank against common Grass-types like Rotom-C, Shaymin, and Virizion. Vikavolt's offensive typing, powerful special attacks, and coverage even let it deter opposing hazard setters like Mesprit, Sandslash, and Orthworm. What's more, Vikavolt's special wallbreaking potential enables it to capitalize on its own Sticky Web. However, Vikavolt's poor Speed is a major hindrance, leaving it easily outsped and picked off once it's weakened. Taunt leads like Froslass and Primeape can prevent Vikavolt from setting up Sticky Web and get their own hazards up. Fire-types like Charizard, Typhlosion, and Oricorio-F are major specially offensive threats that take advantage of Vikavolt's lower special bulk and lack of recovery. Special walls like Snorlax and Cryogonal can withstand Vikavolt's strong attacks, and the latter can even remove Sticky Web with Rapid Spin. Beyond Sticky Web, Vikavolt tends to compete with other Electric-types like Jolteon, Rotom-C, and Lanturn, which offer more Speed, utility, and defensive value, respectively.
[SET]
Sticky Web Lead (Vikavolt) @ Focus Sash / Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Levitate
Tera Type: Ghost / Steel
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Sticky Web
- Volt Switch / Thunderbolt
- Bug Buzz
- Energy Ball / Thunderbolt
[SET COMMENTS]
Vikavolt is a threatening Sticky Web lead thanks to its offensive typing and massive Special Attack. Volt Switch enables Vikavolt to bring a partner in safely once it's set Sticky Web, and Vikavolt's low Speed makes it more likely that it can bring its teammates in without forcing them to take a hit. Volt Switch also helps break the Focus Sash of a Taunt lead like Primeape or Froslass so one of Vikavolt's teammates can come in and dispose of them. Thunderbolt's advantage over Volt Switch is that it doesn't force Vikavolt to switch out against Pokemon it wants to threaten, such as Passimian, Articuno, and Clawitzer. Energy Ball covers Electric-immune Pokemon like Sandslash and Volt Absorb Lanturn, and it nails Regirock. Vikavolt can opt for Thunderbolt over Energy Ball so that it doesn't have to choose between a pivot move and a reliable Electric-type STAB move across matchups against foes like Orthworm, Muk, and Weezing. Additionally, Vikavolt's STAB moves already hit most of the metagame for neutral damage. Tera Ghost turns Vikavolt into a spinblocker, ensuring its Sticky Web stays up against spinners like Sandslash, Cryogonal, and Hitmontop. Alternatively, Tera Steel has defensive synergy with Levitate, makes Vikavolt a good check to Psychic- and Fairy-types like Mesprit and Whimsicott, and turns the tables on Regirock for a key turn. Focus Sash makes Vikavolt a dedicated lead, while Heavy-Duty Boots makes Vikavolt more flexible throughout the game as a Sticky Web setter and pivot.
Vikavolt can feature on hyper offense teams thanks to Sticky Web, but it's a good fit for offense and bulky offense teams as well due to the speed control Sticky Web offers. Wallbreakers like Floatzel, Charizard, and Typhlosion thrive with Sticky Web up, and they also benefit from being brought in safely by Vikavolt's Volt Switch. Slower wallbreakers like Clawitzer, Glastrier, and Brute Bonnet are especially appreciative of Sticky Web compensating for their poor Speed. Setup sweepers with middling Speed like Mesprit and Hisuian Qwilfish also benefit from the ability to outspeed more threats. Knock Off users like Passimian, Mesprit, and Sandslash help ensure Heavy-Duty Boots is removed from all foes so that the entire opposing team is subjected to Sticky Web, and the item removal support they offer helps against checks to Vikavolt like Snorlax and Cryogonal. Ghost-types like Mismagius and Froslass act as spinblockers to keep up Vikavolt's Sticky Web, while Defiant Pokemon, such as Passimian, Braviary, and Primeape, can deter and punish Defoggers. Spinners like Hitmontop, Cryogonal, and Sandslash help keep opposing entry hazards off the field without removing Vikavolt's Sticky Web. Vikavolt's poor matchups against Fire-types make teammates like Regirock and Snorlax vital.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Tera Electric leaves Vikavolt free of weaknesses and powers up Vikavolt's STAB Electric-type attacks, but it doesn't offer as much defensive utility as the resistances and immunities of Tera types like Ghost and Steel. Tera Dragon helps Vikavolt catch Fire-types like Charizard off guard, and it even improves Vikavolt's matchups against Water-types like Floatzel while retaining Vikavolt's Grass and Electric resistances. Vikavolt can aim to be a sweeper with Agility and Throat Spray, but it requires multiple turns of setup to be threatening compared to setup sweepers like Oricorio-F, Jolteon, and Mesprit. Vikavolt's poor Speed, both before and after Agility, is also a major hindrance to it as a sweeper.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Special Walls**: Muk can tank Vikavolt's attacks, Snorlax can use Vikavolt as setup fodder with Curse, and Cryogonal can remove Vikavolt's Sticky Web. On top of that, Tera Fairy Volt Absorb Lanturn walls Vikavolt outright.
**Fire-types**: Charizard, Oricorio-F, and Typhlosion melt Vikavolt with their Fire-type STAB moves, though they don't switch into its Electric-type attacks safely.
**Faster Attackers**: Fast wallbreakers like Floatzel, Sneasel, and Mismagius pressure Vikavolt and can pick it off with just a bit of prior damage. Even attackers with middling Speed like Alolan Exeggutor, Clawitzer, and Hitmontop can blow past Vikavolt.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/missangelic.452572/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sleid.601970/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/5dots.543866/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/powerofmemes.583607/
Vikavolt distinguishes itself as a powerful Sticky Web setter, pressuring Hattrem and entry hazard removers like Sandslash, Braviary, and Lurantis with its STAB and coverage moves. Levitate and a Bug / Electric typing make Vikavolt a surprisingly good tank against common Grass-types like Rotom-C, Shaymin, and Virizion. Vikavolt's offensive typing, powerful special attacks, and coverage even let it deter opposing hazard setters like Mesprit, Sandslash, and Orthworm. What's more, Vikavolt's special wallbreaking potential enables it to capitalize on its own Sticky Web. However, Vikavolt's poor Speed is a major hindrance, leaving it easily outsped and picked off once it's weakened. Taunt leads like Froslass and Primeape can prevent Vikavolt from setting up Sticky Web and get their own hazards up. Fire-types like Charizard, Typhlosion, and Oricorio-F are major specially offensive threats that take advantage of Vikavolt's lower special bulk and lack of recovery. Special walls like Snorlax and Cryogonal can withstand Vikavolt's strong attacks, and the latter can even remove Sticky Web with Rapid Spin. Beyond Sticky Web, Vikavolt tends to compete with other Electric-types like Jolteon, Rotom-C, and Lanturn, which offer more Speed, utility, and defensive value, respectively.
[SET]
Sticky Web Lead (Vikavolt) @ Focus Sash / Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Levitate
Tera Type: Ghost / Steel
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Sticky Web
- Volt Switch / Thunderbolt
- Bug Buzz
- Energy Ball / Thunderbolt
[SET COMMENTS]
Vikavolt is a threatening Sticky Web lead thanks to its offensive typing and massive Special Attack. Volt Switch enables Vikavolt to bring a partner in safely once it's set Sticky Web, and Vikavolt's low Speed makes it more likely that it can bring its teammates in without forcing them to take a hit. Volt Switch also helps break the Focus Sash of a Taunt lead like Primeape or Froslass so one of Vikavolt's teammates can come in and dispose of them. Thunderbolt's advantage over Volt Switch is that it doesn't force Vikavolt to switch out against Pokemon it wants to threaten, such as Passimian, Articuno, and Clawitzer. Energy Ball covers Electric-immune Pokemon like Sandslash and Volt Absorb Lanturn, and it nails Regirock. Vikavolt can opt for Thunderbolt over Energy Ball so that it doesn't have to choose between a pivot move and a reliable Electric-type STAB move across matchups against foes like Orthworm, Muk, and Weezing. Additionally, Vikavolt's STAB moves already hit most of the metagame for neutral damage. Tera Ghost turns Vikavolt into a spinblocker, ensuring its Sticky Web stays up against spinners like Sandslash, Cryogonal, and Hitmontop. Alternatively, Tera Steel has defensive synergy with Levitate, makes Vikavolt a good check to Psychic- and Fairy-types like Mesprit and Whimsicott, and turns the tables on Regirock for a key turn. Focus Sash makes Vikavolt a dedicated lead, while Heavy-Duty Boots makes Vikavolt more flexible throughout the game as a Sticky Web setter and pivot.
Vikavolt can feature on hyper offense teams thanks to Sticky Web, but it's a good fit for offense and bulky offense teams as well due to the speed control Sticky Web offers. Wallbreakers like Floatzel, Charizard, and Typhlosion thrive with Sticky Web up, and they also benefit from being brought in safely by Vikavolt's Volt Switch. Slower wallbreakers like Clawitzer, Glastrier, and Brute Bonnet are especially appreciative of Sticky Web compensating for their poor Speed. Setup sweepers with middling Speed like Mesprit and Hisuian Qwilfish also benefit from the ability to outspeed more threats. Knock Off users like Passimian, Mesprit, and Sandslash help ensure Heavy-Duty Boots is removed from all foes so that the entire opposing team is subjected to Sticky Web, and the item removal support they offer helps against checks to Vikavolt like Snorlax and Cryogonal. Ghost-types like Mismagius and Froslass act as spinblockers to keep up Vikavolt's Sticky Web, while Defiant Pokemon, such as Passimian, Braviary, and Primeape, can deter and punish Defoggers. Spinners like Hitmontop, Cryogonal, and Sandslash help keep opposing entry hazards off the field without removing Vikavolt's Sticky Web. Vikavolt's poor matchups against Fire-types make teammates like Regirock and Snorlax vital.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Tera Electric leaves Vikavolt free of weaknesses and powers up Vikavolt's STAB Electric-type attacks, but it doesn't offer as much defensive utility as the resistances and immunities of Tera types like Ghost and Steel. Tera Dragon helps Vikavolt catch Fire-types like Charizard off guard, and it even improves Vikavolt's matchups against Water-types like Floatzel while retaining Vikavolt's Grass and Electric resistances. Vikavolt can aim to be a sweeper with Agility and Throat Spray, but it requires multiple turns of setup to be threatening compared to setup sweepers like Oricorio-F, Jolteon, and Mesprit. Vikavolt's poor Speed, both before and after Agility, is also a major hindrance to it as a sweeper.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Special Walls**: Muk can tank Vikavolt's attacks, Snorlax can use Vikavolt as setup fodder with Curse, and Cryogonal can remove Vikavolt's Sticky Web. On top of that, Tera Fairy Volt Absorb Lanturn walls Vikavolt outright.
**Fire-types**: Charizard, Oricorio-F, and Typhlosion melt Vikavolt with their Fire-type STAB moves, though they don't switch into its Electric-type attacks safely.
**Faster Attackers**: Fast wallbreakers like Floatzel, Sneasel, and Mismagius pressure Vikavolt and can pick it off with just a bit of prior damage. Even attackers with middling Speed like Alolan Exeggutor, Clawitzer, and Hitmontop can blow past Vikavolt.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/missangelic.452572/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sleid.601970/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/5dots.543866/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/powerofmemes.583607/
Last edited:
