[OVERVIEW]
Vileplume is a fantastic defensive pivot thanks to its great typing coupled with solid defenses, and its easy access to recovery options in both Giga Drain and Moonlight enhances its durability and capacity to handle many offensive Pokemon. Effect Spore is a great ability, punishing contact move users such as Kangaskhan, Primeape, Hitmonchan, Tauros, and Hariyama, further aiding Vileplume's matchup against physical attackers. Unlike most other defensively inclined Pokemon, Vileplume has a great Special Attack stat that allows it to hit hard even without investment. Unfortunately, its typing gives it weaknesses to many common special attacking types, such as Ice, Fire, and Psychic. These common weaknesses in conjunction with its low Speed leave Vileplume easily forced out early-game and can make its role as a defensive pivot a bit more difficult.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Giga Drain
move 2: Moonlight
move 3: Sludge Bomb
move 4: Sleep Powder / Hidden Power Fire / Worry Seed
item: Black Sludge
ability: Effect Spore
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Giga Drain is a decently strong STAB move that lets Vileplume restore some HP. Moonlight provides Vileplume with reliable recovery, allowing it to heal itself when damaged and come in more easily throughout the match. Sludge Bomb is Vileplume's strongest STAB move and has a decent 30% chance to poison the foe, thus punishing switch-ins. Sleep Powder puts common switch-ins such as Garbodor, Charizard, Weezing, and Klinklang to sleep, letting Vileplume safely switch out to a teammate and generate free turns. Hidden Power Fire hits Steel-types such as Ferroseed, Magnet Rise Klinklang, and Mawile, all of which would otherwise be able to set up on Vileplume or lay entry hazards. Hidden Power Ground is an alternative option that hits Poison-types, specifically Garbodor and Skuntank, while retaining coverage on Steel-types with the exception of Ferroseed. Lastly, Worry Seed is a useful option that turns the foe's ability into Insomnia, preventing Malamar from setting up with Superpower, and Calm Mind Mega Audino from using Rest.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread and a Bold nature maximize physical bulk, allowing Vileplume to sponge hits from threats such as Primeape, Hariyama, Barbaracle, Shiftry, and Samurott. Black Sludge gives Vileplume passive recovery, making it even harder to wear down. Effect Spore punishes physical attackers, letting Vileplume potentially inflict a status ailment upon the foe, and it can also work well in conjunction with Rocky Helmet. Vileplume can run a fully specially defensive spread to better wall Water-, Grass-, and Electric-types; however, this greatly detracts from its physical bulk, meaning you will need a better check for Fighting-types.
Usage Tips
========
Vileplume can pivot into strong physical hits, such as Primeape and Hariyama's Close Combat, Samurott's Waterfall, Steelix's Heavy Slam, and Barbaracle's Razor Shell. Thanks to its typing, Vileplume can also comfortably switch into most status moves such as Sleep Powder and Toxic. Take advantage of switches to heal back HP with Moonlight if Vileplume has taken significant amounts of damage. However, use Moonlight conservatively, as it is a low-PP move, and Vileplume wants to be able to heal up often throughout the course of a match. Both of Vileplume's STAB moves are very spammable, with Sludge Bomb in particular having good power and a high chance to poison the foe. Vileplume can also use Sleep Powder on switch-ins looking to take advantage of it, such as Garbodor, Klinklang, Mawile, and Haunter. Worry Seed should be used discreetly, as Malamar and Mega Audino are less likely to begin setting up if they know Vileplume has Worry Seed in its arsenal. When running Hidden Power Fire, try to catch Ferroseed on the switch so you can prevent it from setting up entry hazards. Alternatively, with Hidden Power Ground, Vileplume can lure in Poison-types such as Garbodor and Skuntank and deal large amounts of damage to them.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that resist Fire and Ice partner up very nicely with Vileplume, namely bulky Water-types such as Lanturn, Mantine, Prinplup, and Carracosta. Thick Fat users such as Grumpig and Hariyama also have fantastic synergy with Vileplume, resisting those types while also checking most special attackers in general. Moreover, Pokemon that resist Flying-type attacks, such as Regirock, Rhydon, Omastar, and Steelix, are extremely useful, the former three also providing a handy resistance to Fire-types. Furthermore, Dark-types such as Shiftry, Skuntank, and Liepard check most Psychic-types and appreciate Vileplume checking Fighting- and Fairy-types. The latter two can also provide Vileplume with Pursuit support to dispose of Xatu, Mesprit, and other Psychic-types.
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Giga Drain
move 2: Sludge Bomb
move 3: Moonlight
move 4: Hidden Power Ground / Hidden Power Fire
item: Black Sludge
ability: Effect Spore
nature: Modest
evs: 204 HP / 252 SpA / 52 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Giga Drain is a relatively strong STAB move that lets Vileplume restore some HP in the process. Sludge Bomb is Vileplume's strongest STAB move, hitting extremely hard while also having a solid 30% chance to poison the foe. Moonlight provides Vileplume with consistent recovery, allowing it to maintain its role as an offensive tank throughout the match. Hidden Power Ground hits Poison-types, specifically Garbodor and Skuntank, while also hitting most Steel-types with the exception of Ferroseed. Alternatively, Hidden Power Fire lets Vileplume 2HKO Steel-types such as Klinklang, Steelix, Mawile, and Ferroseed.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread and a Modest nature maximize Vileplume's offensive pressure while also maintaining its ability to tank hits. Black Sludge gives Vileplume a source of passive recovery. Toxic Plate is an option that lets Vileplume deal huge amounts of damage with Sludge Bomb; however, it comes at the cost of passive recovery, and it can hinder Vileplume's ability to switch into Pokemon it is meant to check. 52 Speed EVs allow Vileplume to outspeed uninvested Torterra as well as base 55s and below, such as Hariyama, Mega Audino, Regirock, Gourgeist-XL, and Omastar.
Usage Tips
========
Vileplume should pivot into resisted hits from the likes of Samurott, Primeape, and Barbaracle and proceed to fire off powerful attacks. Furthermore, Vileplume can prey on bulky Water-, Ground-, Rock-, and Grass-types, such as Lanturn, Gastrodon, Rhydon, Omastar, Regirock, and Gourgeist-XL. Vileplume should use its dual STAB moves to punch holes into the opposing team in order to catch switch-ins off guard. This Vileplume set is best fitted onto more offensively oriented teams that need a switch-in for common Fighting- and Water-types that doesn't lose much momentum. If the opponent has a Fire-type such as Magmortar or Pyroar, it is best to throw out a Sludge Bomb rather than allow them a safe switch. Finally, take advantage of the switches forced against Water- and Grass-types to heal up with Moonlight.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that can pivot into Fire- and Ice-type attacks, such as Hariyama, Magmortar, Prinplup, Lanturn, and Mantine, make great partners, while in return, Vileplume can cover any weaknesses to Rock-, Ground-, Grass-, Water-, and Fighting-types. Dark-types such as Skuntank and Liepard can check and Pursuit trap Psychic-types while also appreciating Vileplume's ability to switch into Fighting- and Fairy-types. Water-types such as Swords Dance Samurott and Shell Smash Barbaracle are good partners, as they can take advantage of the Fire-types that Vileplume tends to lure in, such as Charizard, Pyroar, and Magmortar.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Aromatherapy instead of Sleep Powder or Hidden Power allows defensive Vileplume to act as a cleric for its team. Stun Spore allows Vileplume to annoy common Fire-type switch-ins and cripple them for the rest of the match. Finally, a standalone Chlorophyll sweeper set could potentially be used; however, it sacrifices the defensive capabilities of Vileplume, and despite its better bulk, it is mostly outclassed by Victreebel.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-types**: Fire-types such as Combusken, Charizard, Magmortar, and Pyroar are solid answers to Vileplume, being able to switch into Giga Drain comfortably, and in Magmortar's case, into Sleep Powder too. These Pokemon can also outspeed Vileplume and threaten to OHKO it with their STAB moves. However, they do not appreciate switching into a Sludge Bomb, particularly disliking the poison chance, which can severely hamper their longevity.
**Psychic-types**: Psychic-types including Mesprit, Musharna, and Jynx force Vileplume out or threaten to KO it with Psychic. Due to their typically high Special Defense, they can also switch into Vileplume directly in a pinch; however, none of them want to be poisoned, and Jynx will have a hard time switching in, especially with Stealth Rock up.
**Ice-types**: Ice-types such as Aurorus, Jynx, and Abomasnow can easily KO Vileplume if it chooses to stay in, although they hate getting poisoned by Sludge Bomb. Abomasnow and Aurorus are particularly annoying for Vileplume, as the hail they set reduces the amount of HP Moonlight recovers, and it also negates any healing Vileplume would be receiving from Black Sludge.
**Flying-types**: Flying-types such as Scyther, Archeops, Vivillon, and Rotom-S aren't weak to Vileplume's common coverage moves and can KO it back with their super effective STAB moves. However, they must be wary of switching into Sleep Powder.
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