QC: Raiza / TONE114 / Magnemite
GP: Snobalt / The Dutch Plumberjack
[OVERVIEW]
Despite Sunflora's solid Special Attack stat paired with a unique movepool featuring moves such as Earth Power and Encore, as well as the ability to function as a wallbreaker under sun due to Solar Power, it is still outclassed. Sunflora also has decent special bulk, but its mediocre defensive typing and poor Defense stat leave it vulnerable to physical attackers. Due to its underwhelming Speed, Sunflora is often outclassed by the likes of Tangela and Simisage, and it can be taken out by faster attackers more easily. Even with Chlorophyll, Sunflora fails to reach 350 Speed under sun, making it slower than common Pokemon such as Jumpluff and Raichu and leaving it outclassed by the likes of Weepinbell and Leafeon. Sunflora could operate on Trick Room teams, although it isn't a relevant playstyle in the metagame and is hard to pull off.
[SET]
name: Synthesis + 3 Attacks
move 1: Leaf Storm / Giga Drain
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Fire / Sludge Bomb
move 4: Synthesis
item: Life Orb
ability: Solar Power
nature: Modest
evs: 92 HP / 252 SpA / 164 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Leaf Storm is Sunflora's strongest STAB move, but it lowers Sunflora's Special Attack after being used, leaving it susceptible to becoming setup fodder. Giga Drain is an option over Leaf Storm, as it lets Sunflora regain a bit of health, is fully accurate, and doesn't drop Sunflora's Special Attack, although it loses out on a lot of power. Earth Power allows Sunflora to take on Fire- and Steel-types a bit better, such as Rapidash and Probopass. Hidden Power Ice allows Sunflora to take on opposing Grass-types, as well as Flying-types. Hidden Power Fire allows Sunflora to hit Ice- and Grass-types for super effective damage. Sludge Bomb can be used to deal more damage to Grass-types such as Tangela, as well as Fairy-types such as Mr. Mime. Synthesis is used to restore Sunflora's HP.
Set Details
========
The given Speed EVs allow Sunflora to outpace the likes of Lickilicky, Piloswine, and unboosted Carracosta, while maximum Special Attack EVs paired with a Modest nature allow Sunflora to hit as hard as it can. Sunflora's HP investment grants it a little more bulk. Life Orb allows Sunflora to deal more damage with each attack, albeit while losing a bit of its health. Solar Power is only useful under sun, allowing Sunflora to hit even harder, although it wears it down fairly quickly in combination with Life Orb.
Usage Tips
========
Most of the time, Sunflora should use Leaf Storm if it wants to severely damage a foe, although it has to be wary of being made setup fodder after the Special Attack drop. When possible, use Synthesis to recover Sunflora's health, as Sunflora can easily be weakened by a combination of Life Orb damage, residual damage, and opposing attackers. Sunflora should be brought onto the field by a slow pivoting move such as Probopass's Volt Switch or Pelipper's U-turn. If you predict a Fire-type to switch into Sunflora's Grass-type STAB attack, Earth Power can be a good option to take the incoming foe on, although if you predict wrong, Sunflora can be taken out or severely weakened. On the same note, if you predict a Grass-type to switch into Earth Power or Leaf Storm, Hidden Power Ice or Sludge Bomb can be a good option to take them on, although this comes with the same risk.
Team Options
========
Volbeat, Onix, Golem, and other sun setters can use Sunny Day, activating Sunflora's Solar Power and making it a more effective wallbreaker. Sawsbuck, Leafeon, Weepinbell, and other Chlorophyll users pair well with Sunflora in weakening an opposing team while sun is up. Entry hazard setters such as Roselia, Carracosta, Piloswine, and Clefairy can break foes' Sturdy and Focus Sash with their entry hazards and can weaken incoming foes in general. Pokemon such as Regice, Sawsbuck, and Ninjask appreciate Sunflora's wallbreaking under sun to clean late-game. Rock-type Pokemon such as Golem, Probopass, and Barbaracle can take on Flying-, Fire-, and Ice-type Pokemon, which can deal severe damage to Sunflora. Electric-type Pokemon, such as Raichu, Rotom-F, and Zebstrika, can take on Flying-types for Sunflora and offer momentum to it by using Volt Switch. Zebstrika is an especially good partner, as it counters Jumpluff by virtue of Sap Sipper. Entry hazard removal from Vibrava, Pelipper, Vullaby, and Armaldo can keep pressure away from Sunflora. Grumpig also has the ability to take on Fire- and Ice-types by virtue of Thick Fat.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Sunflora could run Energy Ball in place of Leaf Storm or Giga Drain, but it has less power than the former, and it doesn't restore Sunflora's health like the latter. Encore can be used to lock a foe into a weak attack or setup move, although Sunflora is usually too slow to use it with any success. Grass Whistle can be used to put an unsuspecting foe to sleep. However, the exceedingly low accuracy of the move makes it hard to rely on. Chlorophyll can be run over Solar Power, although Sunflora is still too slow to utilize the Speed boost under sun.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Flying-types**: Jumpluff, Dodrio, Swanna, and other Flying-types can threaten Sunflora with their Flying-type moves, although they have to watch out for Hidden Power Ice.
**Fire-types**: Fire-types such as Rapidash, Ninetales, and Simisear can OHKO Sunflora with their Fire-type STAB moves, although they have to be wary of Earth Power.
**Faster Physical Attackers**: Pokemon such as Ursaring, Stoutland, Rapidash, and Dodrio can outpace Sunflora and deal massive damage to it with their STAB moves, although they can't switch into Sunflora well.
**Specially Defensive Walls**: Pokemon such as Lickilicky, Roselia, and Hypno can take any hit Sunflora wants to throw at them and fire back with chip damage or status.
**Residual Damage**: Even with access to Synthesis, Sunflora often finds itself worn down by a combination of Life Orb, entry hazards, and status, which can leave it vulnerable to faster Pokemon.
GP: Snobalt / The Dutch Plumberjack
[OVERVIEW]
Despite Sunflora's solid Special Attack stat paired with a unique movepool featuring moves such as Earth Power and Encore, as well as the ability to function as a wallbreaker under sun due to Solar Power, it is still outclassed. Sunflora also has decent special bulk, but its mediocre defensive typing and poor Defense stat leave it vulnerable to physical attackers. Due to its underwhelming Speed, Sunflora is often outclassed by the likes of Tangela and Simisage, and it can be taken out by faster attackers more easily. Even with Chlorophyll, Sunflora fails to reach 350 Speed under sun, making it slower than common Pokemon such as Jumpluff and Raichu and leaving it outclassed by the likes of Weepinbell and Leafeon. Sunflora could operate on Trick Room teams, although it isn't a relevant playstyle in the metagame and is hard to pull off.
[SET]
name: Synthesis + 3 Attacks
move 1: Leaf Storm / Giga Drain
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Fire / Sludge Bomb
move 4: Synthesis
item: Life Orb
ability: Solar Power
nature: Modest
evs: 92 HP / 252 SpA / 164 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Leaf Storm is Sunflora's strongest STAB move, but it lowers Sunflora's Special Attack after being used, leaving it susceptible to becoming setup fodder. Giga Drain is an option over Leaf Storm, as it lets Sunflora regain a bit of health, is fully accurate, and doesn't drop Sunflora's Special Attack, although it loses out on a lot of power. Earth Power allows Sunflora to take on Fire- and Steel-types a bit better, such as Rapidash and Probopass. Hidden Power Ice allows Sunflora to take on opposing Grass-types, as well as Flying-types. Hidden Power Fire allows Sunflora to hit Ice- and Grass-types for super effective damage. Sludge Bomb can be used to deal more damage to Grass-types such as Tangela, as well as Fairy-types such as Mr. Mime. Synthesis is used to restore Sunflora's HP.
Set Details
========
The given Speed EVs allow Sunflora to outpace the likes of Lickilicky, Piloswine, and unboosted Carracosta, while maximum Special Attack EVs paired with a Modest nature allow Sunflora to hit as hard as it can. Sunflora's HP investment grants it a little more bulk. Life Orb allows Sunflora to deal more damage with each attack, albeit while losing a bit of its health. Solar Power is only useful under sun, allowing Sunflora to hit even harder, although it wears it down fairly quickly in combination with Life Orb.
Usage Tips
========
Most of the time, Sunflora should use Leaf Storm if it wants to severely damage a foe, although it has to be wary of being made setup fodder after the Special Attack drop. When possible, use Synthesis to recover Sunflora's health, as Sunflora can easily be weakened by a combination of Life Orb damage, residual damage, and opposing attackers. Sunflora should be brought onto the field by a slow pivoting move such as Probopass's Volt Switch or Pelipper's U-turn. If you predict a Fire-type to switch into Sunflora's Grass-type STAB attack, Earth Power can be a good option to take the incoming foe on, although if you predict wrong, Sunflora can be taken out or severely weakened. On the same note, if you predict a Grass-type to switch into Earth Power or Leaf Storm, Hidden Power Ice or Sludge Bomb can be a good option to take them on, although this comes with the same risk.
Team Options
========
Volbeat, Onix, Golem, and other sun setters can use Sunny Day, activating Sunflora's Solar Power and making it a more effective wallbreaker. Sawsbuck, Leafeon, Weepinbell, and other Chlorophyll users pair well with Sunflora in weakening an opposing team while sun is up. Entry hazard setters such as Roselia, Carracosta, Piloswine, and Clefairy can break foes' Sturdy and Focus Sash with their entry hazards and can weaken incoming foes in general. Pokemon such as Regice, Sawsbuck, and Ninjask appreciate Sunflora's wallbreaking under sun to clean late-game. Rock-type Pokemon such as Golem, Probopass, and Barbaracle can take on Flying-, Fire-, and Ice-type Pokemon, which can deal severe damage to Sunflora. Electric-type Pokemon, such as Raichu, Rotom-F, and Zebstrika, can take on Flying-types for Sunflora and offer momentum to it by using Volt Switch. Zebstrika is an especially good partner, as it counters Jumpluff by virtue of Sap Sipper. Entry hazard removal from Vibrava, Pelipper, Vullaby, and Armaldo can keep pressure away from Sunflora. Grumpig also has the ability to take on Fire- and Ice-types by virtue of Thick Fat.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Sunflora could run Energy Ball in place of Leaf Storm or Giga Drain, but it has less power than the former, and it doesn't restore Sunflora's health like the latter. Encore can be used to lock a foe into a weak attack or setup move, although Sunflora is usually too slow to use it with any success. Grass Whistle can be used to put an unsuspecting foe to sleep. However, the exceedingly low accuracy of the move makes it hard to rely on. Chlorophyll can be run over Solar Power, although Sunflora is still too slow to utilize the Speed boost under sun.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Flying-types**: Jumpluff, Dodrio, Swanna, and other Flying-types can threaten Sunflora with their Flying-type moves, although they have to watch out for Hidden Power Ice.
**Fire-types**: Fire-types such as Rapidash, Ninetales, and Simisear can OHKO Sunflora with their Fire-type STAB moves, although they have to be wary of Earth Power.
**Faster Physical Attackers**: Pokemon such as Ursaring, Stoutland, Rapidash, and Dodrio can outpace Sunflora and deal massive damage to it with their STAB moves, although they can't switch into Sunflora well.
**Specially Defensive Walls**: Pokemon such as Lickilicky, Roselia, and Hypno can take any hit Sunflora wants to throw at them and fire back with chip damage or status.
**Residual Damage**: Even with access to Synthesis, Sunflora often finds itself worn down by a combination of Life Orb, entry hazards, and status, which can leave it vulnerable to faster Pokemon.
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