Community POTW #19

[Serebii]

Reno's busy writing the last one so here's the next one



This week we'll be doing Leavanny, one of the new Gen V Pokémon

http://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/542.shtml

As Leavanny is new, many new strategies are likely. It's one of the many new Bug-types

Go nuts.

[Whitelightning]

heres my favorite move set for leavanny

Moveset
leaf blade
X-scissor
Shadow claw
Poison jab

Admant nature
Swarm
focus sash
EVs 252 atk 252 speed 4 def

[Rudruma]

Awseome looking pokemon, suprisingly crap moveset and absolutely **** type covrage... eat you heart out boys

[Lucario At Service]

Leavanny

Ability: Overcoat/Swarm
Hold Item: (not sure)

Nature: Jolly
EVs: 4 HP/ 252 Atk/ 252 Spd

- Swords Dance
- Leaf Blade
- X-scissor
- Return/Shadow Claw

[stenli]

Baton Pass
Leavanny @ Focus Sash
Trait: Chlorophyll
Nature: Jolly (+Spe -Spa)
- Agility
- Baton Pass
- Swords Dance / Substitute
- X-Scissors / Substitute

Generic Baton Pass set. X-Scissors is preferred than any other attacking moves to hit Prankster Whimsicott while hes taunting you. Substitute is usable if your opponent is slower than Leavanny. Substitute blocks taunt and grants your Baton Pass receiver a free switch in.

[ShafikLight]

Well the pokemon is cool looking although it has nothing to show in terms of competitive play because of its mediocre stats and lackluster speed however can be done as a decentish physical sweeper in sunlight but 4 times weakness to fire is a big problem especially with volcarona about and leavanny not being able to do nothing to him

Nature:Adamant
Ability:Chlorophyll
Item:Focus Sash
Evs:252 Atk, 252 Spd, 4HP
Moveset:
Swords dance
Leaf Blade
X-Scissor
Baton Pass

A bit of an odd set when I look at it but mainly to be used in conjunction with sunlight or more specifically drought.
Focus sash for it to survive any first hit so it can perform a swords dance without worry then either start trying to attack and sorta sweep or use baton pass to give the any amounts of attack boost onto another pokemon that can withstand whatever would be coming your way.
Leaf Blade is strongest stab move with possible critical hit which could often be a life saver plus if going up against a Drizzle based set then Leaf Blade can prove deadly with our opponents water types especially when competing for weather coverage and can anticipate the opponents switch in.
Then X-scissor for other stab move and can cover psychics and dark types however shadow claw could be used but less power non-stab, covers ghost types instead of dark but again much less power but if some sort of critical hit support could be added it could work nicely with leaf blade.
252 Atk for max Atk and one swords dance can set it up quite nicely.
252 Spd so that when played with a drought/sunlight set can outrun most choice scarf pokemon

Another set that could be utilized without sunlight is an agility baton passer.
Nature:Adamant
Ability: Swarm
Item: Focus Sash
Evs: 252 Atk, 252 Spd, 4HP
Moveset:
Agility
Baton Pass
X-scissor
Flail/return

Agility to increase speed for obvious reasons. Baton pass if speed increase is wanted to be passed on. X-scissor for stab and hopefully swarm after one hit so 80x1.5x1.5=180 which is pretty good and then flail since it is expected leavanny should be on 1 hp after first turn or return could be used for more massive damage
252 with adamant for max attack, without any stat increase on attack it can still pack a good punch, 252 speed with the neutral so one agility will make it outrun nearly every choice scarfed pokemon and then can relaxingly baton out

However Leavanny is not difficult to beat, one attack and a priority will take it out although the priority will have to be somin like mach punch etc although any fake out pokemon will make both these sets useless but again stat increase and batoning can be pulled off without to much effort as long as you can predict correctly when to do it.

[Firebrand]

I'd say the best partner for leavany is ninetails with drought. The typings can cover each other, and ninetails can get the sun out.

[Diaglio]

Leavanny @ Focus Sash
Overcoat/Swarm
Adamant/Jolly/Impish/Careful
252 Atk 252 Hp 4 Speed
-Leaf Blade
-X-Scissor
-Shadow Claw
-Arial Ace

Since both defenses drop when it evolves from Swadloon, a nature boosting a defense while lowering Sp. Attack can work just fine. Pretty standard set. Leaf Blade and X-Scissor for STAB. Shadow Claw and Arial Ace for coverage.

[Serebii]

Since Swadloon with Eviolite would be fairly decent, feel free to add bits for Swadloon

[Zachmac]

I would do dual screens but I see one up above..

Nurturing Passer
Jolly, Chlorophyll, Leftovers, 252 Atk, 252 Speed, 4 HP
- X-Scissors / Leaf Blade / Swords Dance / Agility / Hone Claws / Calm Mind /Grasswistle / Substitute[/B]
- X-Scissors / Leaf Blade / Swords Dance / Agility / Hone Claws / Calm Mind /Grasswistle] Substitute
- X-Scissors / Leaf Blade / Swords Dance / Agility / Hone Claws / Calm Mind /Grasswistle / Substitute
- Baton Pass

Grass Whistle could help you set up, and Substitute is also worthy of Baton Pass.

Entrainment: Place an undesirable ability on an enemy.

What I was looking at is sunlight in double battles+That on a teammate.

Since Swadloon with Eviolite would be fairly decent, feel free to add bits for Swadloon

Not really. X4 weaknesses to Flying and Fire, along with X2 to ice, rock and bug make it lose all hopes of being a wall.

LeavHONAGE!!!

Leavanny @ Life Orb
Adamant / Any Ability
-Hone Claws
-Leaf Blade
-X-Scissor
-Shadow Claw
EV's: 4 HP, 252 Atk, 252 Speed

Boost, sweep. Simple. Hone Claws for a boost, X-S and LB for STABS. SC cause there's no other good choice. Life Orb racks up even MORE damage. I wish this guy got Rock Slide... he's GOT 2 4x weaknesses.

And why hone claws? They already have good accuracy. Use swords dance.

[Blazios]

Not really. X4 weaknesses to Flying, Rock, and Fire, along with X2 to ice and bug make it lose all hopes of being a wall.

Nitpicking here, but it's 2x weak to Rock. Still, the point stands.

[Blue Harvest]

Since Swadloon with Eviolite would be fairly decent

No it wouldn't lol. It doesn't have any recovery, no Spikes and no offense. I guess you could try a defensive Calm Minder but you're just going to get slaughtered by Fire, Taunt or "good" players every time.

[WeatherEffectRain]

Actually Blue Harvest, Swadloon has the risky Manaphy copy. Leaf Guard+Sunny Day+Rest= 100% Recovery with a huge weakness. But, I guess its still usable, 'cause it'd die from a fire-type move anyway.

[Blue Harvest]

Actually Blue Harvest, Swadloon has the risky Manaphy copy. Leaf Guard+Sunny Day+Rest= 100% Recovery with a huge weakness. But, I guess its still usable, 'cause it'd die from a fire-type move anyway.

No its a shitty Manaphy copy. Ok, Leaf Guard + Rest is cool but its still garbage compared to pretty much everything else.

Its like saying Iron Defense Metapod is good at walling Breloom because of Shed Skin, Evolite and resistance to its STABs. Just because it "does something" doesn't make it usable.

[Mr. Marowak]

LeavHONAGE!!!

Leavanny @ Life Orb
Adamant / Any Ability
-Hone Claws
-Leaf Blade
-X-Scissor
-Shadow Claw
EV's: 4 HP, 252 Atk, 252 Speed

Boost, sweep. Simple. Hone Claws for a boost, X-S and LB for STABS. SC cause there's no other good choice. Life Orb racks up even MORE damage. I wish this guy got Rock Slide... he's GOT 2 4x weaknesses.

[TimmahX]

Does anyone else find it odd that a "Nurturing" pokemon has the base stats for an okay physical sweeper?

Traits

Swarm: The ideal route for non-sun team variations of Leavanny. Boosts the power of X-Scissors when HP is below 1/3. X-Scissors is one of your two main attacks, so this is great... until you take into account how frail Leavanny is.
Chlorophyll: The only real benefit of using Chlorophyll Leavanny over Leafeon on the offensive front, is STAB X-Scissors. If you're going for for a Sun Sweeper, you have a better option. If you want a supportive Chlorophyll user, Leafeon is still there. But unlike Leafeon, Leavanny can actually run Dual Screens. This gives it a nice niche in sun teams that need defensive support.
Overcoat: Leavanny is probably winding up in UU or NU because of its two x4 weaknesses and low bulk (Outside of Screen Sets), so protecting it from Hail and Sandstorm really isn't that necessary.

Nurturing Killer
Jolly, Swarm, Life Orb, 252 Atk, 252 Spd, 4 HP
- X-Scissors
- Leaf Blade
- Aerial Ace / Shadow Claw
- Swords Dance

If you're going to have an awful type combination, you might as well use the STABs that it does give you. X-Scissors and Leaf Blade have some nice coverage, and make a good number of Bulky Water and Grass Types flee in terror. Of course, you still need to take the Poison/Grass types, so Aerial Ace is one of your two backup options. With your alternative being Shadow Claw for Ghost coverage, which is not nearly as useful. Finally, Swords Dance sends your power to higher levels.

Nurturing Shelter
Jolly, Swarm / Chlorophyll, Light Clay, 252 Atk, 252 Speed, 4 HP
- X-Scissors
- Leaf Blade
- Light Screen
- Reflect

Leavanny has a nice niche by being the only Dual Screener with Chlorophyll, making it a fantastic addition to a sun team. As I said before though, sun sweeper variants are entirely outclassed by one particular other Grass Type. X-Scissors and Leaf Blade give you offensive options, since you still have a very useable attack stat, and a crazy high speed if Chlorophyll is in effect. Light Screen and Reflect bring Leavanny's defenses to useable levels, and provide awesome team support.

This set is useable with Swarm instead of Chlorophyll on non-sun teams. But there are much better Dual Screeners in that circumstance. The Chlorophyll niche is the selling point to this variation.

Nurturing Passer
Jolly, Chlorophyll, Leftovers, 252 Atk, 252 Speed, 4 HP
- X-Scissors / Leaf Blade / Swords Dance / Agility / Hone Claws / Calm Mind / Substitute / Grasswhistle
- X-Scissors / Leaf Blade / Swords Dance / Agility / Hone Claws / Calm Mind / Substitute / Grasswhistle
- X-Scissors / Leaf Blade / Swords Dance / Agility / Hone Claws / Calm Mind / Substitute / Grasswhistle
- Baton Pass

Pick what you want to pass, and make sure you take at least one attack so you're not Taunt bait. Again, Chlorophyll offers a nice niche, but Leafeon gets that in Dream World, so that niche is out the window.

Inferiority Complex

Leafeon: Makes a better Chlorophyll Sweeper and Passer. Leafeon can't Dual Screen though.
Serperior: Without Chlorophyll Serperior is largely superior as a Dual Screener under the Grass type label.
Meganium: Speaking of better Dual Screening options.
Cryogonal, Claydol, Forretress: Dual Screens and Rapid Spin support. Even more team support. Given, with Sun, Leavanny does 1 Up them. But it doesn't have Rapid Spin.

Other Options

Entrainment: Place an undesirable ability on an enemy, or Chlorophyll on an ally for sun teams. This can be a really effective strategy that makes a lot more pokemon viable in sun teams.
Toxic: Ticks out Bulky opponents, but doesn't really work well with Leavanny because every move slots has a direct purpose already and no set can really afford to sacrifice space for it.
Camouflage: Turns Leavanny's type to Normal... which removes its STAB, but in turn, makes its typing more viable.
Return: Higher base damage that Aerial Ace / Shadow Claw, but no coverage really, but does catch STAB with Camouflage.
Screech: A nice little fear factor to provoke switches.

Double / Triple Battle Partners

A Taunt magnet would be lovely, or something fast with Taunt that can outrun other Taunt carrying leads. Sableye, Murkrow and Whimsicott all work. Stuff with high agro factors, like entry hazards, give Leavanny time to set itself up.

Countering Leavanny

Flying and Fire attacks inflict x4 damage. So lets go with that. Burn is also fatal, taking out its Physical attack factor. Even though most sets will be running support, it will need some for of damage output. Taunt stops Screening and Passing as well.



Responses to other Strategies

Bone Cold Marowak Guy: Why would you run Hone Claws on a set that has three 100% accuracy moves, on a pokemon with Swords Dance?

Whitelightning: Poison Jab has inferior coverage to X-Scissors, and no STAB. Aerial Ace or Swords Dance would be more viable 4th slot options.

Zachmac: Thanks for the catches, I edited in some of the changes.

[Mr. Marowak]

Responses to other Strategies

Bone Cold Marowak Guy: Why would you run Hone Claws on a set that has three 100% accuracy moves, on a pokemon with Swords Dance?

Whitelightning: Poison Jab has inferior coverage to X-Scissors, and no STAB. Aerial Ace or Swords Dance would be more viable 4th slot options.

Zachmac: Thanks for the catches, I edited in some of the changes.

Whoops. I didn't see Swords Dance. (facepalm away, folks!)

[UsernameSayWha?]

Swadloon @ Eviolite
Ability: Overcoat
EVs: 252 HP/252 Def/4 SDef
Nature: Calm
- Calm Mind
- Hidden Power Rock
- Grasswhistle
- Energy Ball

Switch into a resisted Choice attack and use Calm Mind when your opponent switches out. Then use Grasswhistle so you can get 1 or 2 more Calm Minds. And then "Sweep". Energy Ball for STAB and Hidden Power Rock for coverage against types that are strong against Swadloon.

[Lord Zoroark]

...I'm really shocked and disgusted at myself for saying this...but Leavanny sucks. It has an O.K. movepool, but its Attack stat (or, more accurately, its drop-dead-Lord-save-me-I'm-gonna-die/horrid,horrid, HORRID Special Attack stat) cut its options in two. Not to metion its somewhat-O.K.-leveling-at-mediocre Speed. Levanny can't play the brave defender, either, due to 1) its mediocre physical Defense, 2) its lousy Special Defense, and 3) its slew of weaknesses out there (especially the ever-commonly carried Fire-Type) turns it into a joke that fellow joke (like Unfezzant and Audino) could sneer at (if Audinos can sneer, or like sneering). But there is a small chance that Leavanny has at redemption: Baton Passing. Here's a possibility:

Leavanny
Whatever nature you see fit
Focus Sash

Substitute
Swords Dance
Grasswhistle/Agility
Baton Pass

This will help you set up a physical Sweeper.

Substitute to get a free turn for the dude/chick you're Baton Passing to (or for Leavanny if the opponent wakes up early),
Agility to boost Speed for Leavanny and [insert Sweeper's name here],
Swords Dance to boost Attack for Leavanny and You-Know-Who,
and Baton Pass to hand over the stat changes.

Also, you could possibly do Grasswhistle to make 'em fall asleep (lousy accuracy, though) in exchange for Agility, or X-Scissor to deal with a Prankster Whimsicott who just Taunted you (also in exchange for Agility).

Allies:
This thing dies so quick that I won't bother to list possible pals for Little Miss Deadweight.

Counters:
If you're carrying Archeops with any of his STAB moves, Levanny dies. If you're carrying Volcarona, Levanny dies. If you're carrying any Fire- or Flying-types in existance, Leavanny instantly dies. Make Leavanny do her thing quickly, or she will instantly be destroyed in a blaze of holy fire. And if the opponent pulls a Whimsicott out of their armpit, and your Leavanny isn't carrying X-Scissor, get the heck outta there.

Overall opinion: Leavanny was made for nursing babies. Her battling abilties prove that. Oh, Nintendo, what the heck were you thinking...

[TurboMechaElgyem]

Leavany
-substitute
-swords dance/agility
-Leaf blade
-x-scissor
4 hp 252 atk 252 speed
Swarm
Salac/leichi berry
Jolly/adamant

The strategy here is to use substitute until the berry activates. In between substitutes, use either swords dance or agility. Once that is done, proceed to sweep with x-scissor and leaf blade. You should run salac and jolly if you have swords dance and leichi and adamant if you run agility.