sanguine
friendly fire
[OVERVIEW]
Sylveon is one of the best clerics in the tier thanks to its mono-Fairy typing allowing it to switch into strong and powerful Dragon-, Dark-, and Fighting-type moves such as Latias and Hydreigon's Draco Meteor, Krookodile's Knock Off, and Infernape's Close Combat. It also has access to Wish and Heal Bell, which allows it to keep its teammates healthy throughout a match and get rid of potentially damaging status conditions. Additionally, it can take most unboosted special attacks due to its superb special bulk and can retaliate with a strong Pixilate-boosted Hyper Voice. However, some special attackers such as Volcanion and Primarina can 2HKO Sylveon in spite of its bulk. Latias in particular can beat Sylveon with a combination of Calm Mind and Roost. Sylveon is further held back by its mediocre base 65 Defense stat,, which means it is 2HKOed by some physical attackers, such as Choice Band Infernape and Terrakion, even with maximum investment. Furthermore, it also has weaknesses to common Poison- and Steel-type moves in the tier from the likes of Scizor and Mega Beedrill. It also faces competition from Florges, which trades a lower Defense stat and weaker attacks for more Speed and access to a one-turn recovery move.
[SET]
name: Cleric
move 1: Hyper Voice
move 2: Wish
move 3: Protect
move 4: Heal Bell / Hidden Power Fire
item: Leftovers
ability: Pixelate
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Even uninvested, Hyper Voice hits decently hard thanks to Pixilate and can land some KOs on frailer Pokemon such as Mega Sceptile and Mega Absol, and as such, it is the main attacking move. Additionally, it can hit through Substitute, which can be useful to deal with Pokemon such as Raikou or Terrakion. Wish is Sylveon's only reliable recovery option and can also heal up teammates. Protect is used to scout for foes' sets and heal Sylveon up safely. Heal Bell gets rid of status conditions for teammates consistently, as Sylveon is often able to come in many times due to its bulk, while also letting it last longer in a match by preventing it from being worn down by status. Hidden Power Fire is used to 2HKO bulky Scizor and OHKO offensive Scizor while also nailing Mega Abomasnow, which may try to set up on Sylveon due to its Soundproof ability before Mega Evolving.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP and Defense investment allows Sylveon to pass larger Wishes to its teammates as well as better check Dragon- and Dark-types such as Mega Sceptile, Mega Altaria, and Mega Sharpedo. Leftovers gives Sylveon a form of passive recovery. Pixilate is the ability of choice, allowing it to hit as hard as possible with Hyper Voice.
Usage Tips
========
Come in on a Pokémon Pokemon that Sylveon walls such as Mega Sceptile and Hydreigon, use Wish if you need to replenish the HP of Sylveon, or use Hyper Voice to chip down more frailer switch-ins like Mega Beedrill if this is not the case. Be careful of when clicking Protect, however, as it could allow offensive threats such as Nidoking or Scizor to switch in freely. You(consistency) should avoid having Sylveon take too much damage, so use Hidden Power Fire on a predicted Scizor switch-in, not in one-on-one situations. Lastly, be careful not to let Sylveon take stronger physical attacks such as those from Choice Band Infernape, Mamoswine, and Terrakion due to its middling Defense stat.
Team Options
========
Sylveon generally fits on more bulky or balanced teams that appreciate that Wish support and its useful defensive typing. Bulky Water-types such as Swampert, Mega Blastoise, and Suicune can take on Steel-types such as Mega Steelix and Klefki as well as Fire-types. In return, Sylveon takes on prominent Dragon-types like Mega Sceptile, Hydreigon, and Latias while also keeping them healthy with Wish, something the aforementioned bulky Water-types would struggle with due to their lack of recovery. Tentacruel is especially good, since it resists Poison- and Steel-type attacks and is especially good at keeping entry hazards off the field, thus taking pressure off Sylveon to keep itself healthy. Sylveon also likes Psychic-types such as Celebi and Latias, which can surprise Scizor with Hidden Power Fire as well as get rid of Poison-types such as Amoonguss and Tentacruel. Steel-types such as Mega Steelix, Mega Aggron, and Scizor make good partners because they resist both of Sylveon's weaknesses, and enjoy Sylveon's ability to keep them healthy with Wish and take on Fighting-types, and can stomach most physical attacks, which Sylveon struggles with due to its low Defense stat. Offensive Pokemon such as Mega Latias, Talonflame, and Cobalion like Sylveon's ability to keep them healthy as well.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Choice Specs set is usable, but Primarina outclasses Sylveon at this role due to its stronger STAB combination and ability to beat common Steel-types like Scizor and Cobalion. A Calm Mind set with Rest, Snore, and Hyper Voice holding a Pixie Plate can be used, but it takes too long to set up and Sylveon doesn't have the Speed or bulk to pull it off consistently.. Psyshock can be used in place of Hidden Power Fire or Heal Bell, allowing Sylveon to OHKO or 2HKO offensive Poison-types such as Crobat, Nidoking, and Mega Beedrill, but it isn't generally as useful as the two aforementioned moves.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Steel-types**: Steel-types like Scizor, Mega Steelix, and Empoleon can switch in freely and either wall Sylveon or KO it with a super effective move. Scizor, however, must be wary of being 2HKOed by Hidden Power Fire.
**Poison-types**: Bulky Poison-types such as Amoonguss and Tentacruel can wall Sylveon and wear it down with their super effective moves.
**Physical Attackers**: Due to Sylveon's poor Defense, strong physical attackers like Choice Band Infernape, Cobalion, and Mamoswine can easily 2HKO Sylveon with their attacks
**Residual Damage**: Sylveon is very prone to being worn down by residual damage such as entry hazards, status conditions, and U-turn from Pokemon such as Hydreigon and Scizor, especially after Stealth Rock. In addition, common hazard setters such as Klefki, Tentacruel, and Empoleon can take advantage of Sylveon's inability to meaningfully damage them as an opportunity to set up their hazards, thus limiting Sylveon's ability to be effective later in the game.
Sylveon is one of the best clerics in the tier thanks to its mono-Fairy typing allowing it to switch into strong and powerful Dragon-, Dark-, and Fighting-type moves such as Latias and Hydreigon's Draco Meteor, Krookodile's Knock Off, and Infernape's Close Combat. It also has access to Wish and Heal Bell, which allows it to keep its teammates healthy throughout a match and get rid of potentially damaging status conditions. Additionally, it can take most unboosted special attacks due to its superb special bulk and can retaliate with a strong Pixilate-boosted Hyper Voice. However, some special attackers such as Volcanion and Primarina can 2HKO Sylveon in spite of its bulk. Latias in particular can beat Sylveon with a combination of Calm Mind and Roost. Sylveon is further held back by its mediocre base 65 Defense stat,, which means it is 2HKOed by some physical attackers, such as Choice Band Infernape and Terrakion, even with maximum investment. Furthermore, it also has weaknesses to common Poison- and Steel-type moves in the tier from the likes of Scizor and Mega Beedrill. It also faces competition from Florges, which trades a lower Defense stat and weaker attacks for more Speed and access to a one-turn recovery move.
[SET]
name: Cleric
move 1: Hyper Voice
move 2: Wish
move 3: Protect
move 4: Heal Bell / Hidden Power Fire
item: Leftovers
ability: Pixelate
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Even uninvested, Hyper Voice hits decently hard thanks to Pixilate and can land some KOs on frailer Pokemon such as Mega Sceptile and Mega Absol, and as such, it is the main attacking move. Additionally, it can hit through Substitute, which can be useful to deal with Pokemon such as Raikou or Terrakion. Wish is Sylveon's only reliable recovery option and can also heal up teammates. Protect is used to scout for foes' sets and heal Sylveon up safely. Heal Bell gets rid of status conditions for teammates consistently, as Sylveon is often able to come in many times due to its bulk, while also letting it last longer in a match by preventing it from being worn down by status. Hidden Power Fire is used to 2HKO bulky Scizor and OHKO offensive Scizor while also nailing Mega Abomasnow, which may try to set up on Sylveon due to its Soundproof ability before Mega Evolving.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP and Defense investment allows Sylveon to pass larger Wishes to its teammates as well as better check Dragon- and Dark-types such as Mega Sceptile, Mega Altaria, and Mega Sharpedo. Leftovers gives Sylveon a form of passive recovery. Pixilate is the ability of choice, allowing it to hit as hard as possible with Hyper Voice.
Usage Tips
========
Come in on a Pokémon Pokemon that Sylveon walls such as Mega Sceptile and Hydreigon, use Wish if you need to replenish the HP of Sylveon, or use Hyper Voice to chip down more frailer switch-ins like Mega Beedrill if this is not the case. Be careful of when clicking Protect, however, as it could allow offensive threats such as Nidoking or Scizor to switch in freely. You(consistency) should avoid having Sylveon take too much damage, so use Hidden Power Fire on a predicted Scizor switch-in, not in one-on-one situations. Lastly, be careful not to let Sylveon take stronger physical attacks such as those from Choice Band Infernape, Mamoswine, and Terrakion due to its middling Defense stat.
Team Options
========
Sylveon generally fits on more bulky or balanced teams that appreciate that Wish support and its useful defensive typing. Bulky Water-types such as Swampert, Mega Blastoise, and Suicune can take on Steel-types such as Mega Steelix and Klefki as well as Fire-types. In return, Sylveon takes on prominent Dragon-types like Mega Sceptile, Hydreigon, and Latias while also keeping them healthy with Wish, something the aforementioned bulky Water-types would struggle with due to their lack of recovery. Tentacruel is especially good, since it resists Poison- and Steel-type attacks and is especially good at keeping entry hazards off the field, thus taking pressure off Sylveon to keep itself healthy. Sylveon also likes Psychic-types such as Celebi and Latias, which can surprise Scizor with Hidden Power Fire as well as get rid of Poison-types such as Amoonguss and Tentacruel. Steel-types such as Mega Steelix, Mega Aggron, and Scizor make good partners because they resist both of Sylveon's weaknesses, and enjoy Sylveon's ability to keep them healthy with Wish and take on Fighting-types, and can stomach most physical attacks, which Sylveon struggles with due to its low Defense stat. Offensive Pokemon such as Mega Latias, Talonflame, and Cobalion like Sylveon's ability to keep them healthy as well.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Choice Specs set is usable, but Primarina outclasses Sylveon at this role due to its stronger STAB combination and ability to beat common Steel-types like Scizor and Cobalion. A Calm Mind set with Rest, Snore, and Hyper Voice holding a Pixie Plate can be used, but it takes too long to set up and Sylveon doesn't have the Speed or bulk to pull it off consistently.. Psyshock can be used in place of Hidden Power Fire or Heal Bell, allowing Sylveon to OHKO or 2HKO offensive Poison-types such as Crobat, Nidoking, and Mega Beedrill, but it isn't generally as useful as the two aforementioned moves.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Steel-types**: Steel-types like Scizor, Mega Steelix, and Empoleon can switch in freely and either wall Sylveon or KO it with a super effective move. Scizor, however, must be wary of being 2HKOed by Hidden Power Fire.
**Poison-types**: Bulky Poison-types such as Amoonguss and Tentacruel can wall Sylveon and wear it down with their super effective moves.
**Physical Attackers**: Due to Sylveon's poor Defense, strong physical attackers like Choice Band Infernape, Cobalion, and Mamoswine can easily 2HKO Sylveon with their attacks
**Residual Damage**: Sylveon is very prone to being worn down by residual damage such as entry hazards, status conditions, and U-turn from Pokemon such as Hydreigon and Scizor, especially after Stealth Rock. In addition, common hazard setters such as Klefki, Tentacruel, and Empoleon can take advantage of Sylveon's inability to meaningfully damage them as an opportunity to set up their hazards, thus limiting Sylveon's ability to be effective later in the game.
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