Vaporeon
May 16, 2012 17:47:15 GMT -8
Post by GGFan on May 16, 2012 17:47:15 GMT -8
Stats
HP: 463
Attack: 228
Defense: 218
Speed: 228
Special: 318
Overview
Whereas Jolteon is blessed with Speed and Flareon with (useless) Attack, Vaporeon boasts the 4th highest HP stat in the game. To put into perspective how excellent Vaporeon's HP is, Raichu, who has by no means bad Special, can't 2HKO him unless he uses Thunder--that's incredible, really (in fact, Vaporeon still might survive). Furthermore, Vaporeon can bolster his low Defense with Acid Armor, which will increase it to a sturdy 436 after one use.
Unfortunately, however, Vaporeon didn't observe the failures of his aquatic peers; that is, address his shallow movepool. Vaporeon is helpless against Pokemon such as Chansey, Starmie, and Slowbro because,not only does he not have any effective means of hitting them, but is a self-centered Pokemon as well. Vaporeon's only useful support move is Body Slam--but as that comes off a meager 218 Attack--it's not that desirable. Vaporeon's dearth of available moves simply puts him into an untenable position in vying for a spot in OU. In UU, Vaporeon is much more effective, as there are less Pokemon that can handle Vaporeon's attacks with impunity and wall him.
OU strategy
Special tank
~Hydro Pump
~Blizzard
~Body Slam
~Acid Armor/Sand-Attack
Hydro Pump is Vaporeon's strongest attack, 2HKOing Tauros and 3HKOing Snorlax. Don't bother using the safer but inferior Surf--you're using Vaporeon in OU, after all. It will also 2HKO Alakazam with a CH, who otherwise paralyzes Vaporeon and safely alternates between Psychic and Recover. Blizzard does a good 46% or so to Exeggutor. Because many Pokemon can safely switch into Vaporeon, you'll definitely want Body Slam to at least paralyze them. Acid Armor is great against Tauros and especially Snorlax, because it will deter the latter from using Selfdestruct immediately. However, its use is limited because Vaporeon will be leaving the battlefield often, making Sand-Attack a sensible choice for the fourth slot; for Sand-Attack, unlike Body Slam, is a guaranteed way of lowering your switch-in's chance of getting hit.
As I described in the overview, Vaporeon cannot touch Chansey and Starmie. The best he can do is paralyze them with Body Slam and switch out.
Other options
Rest is an obvious choice. It isn't that useful, but can work quite well in certain situations if Acid Armor is up. Mimic because Vaporeon's movepool is awful.
Favorable match-ups
Anything that can't absorb Vaporeon's strongest attacks and/or can't recover the damage does not want to mess with Vaporeon. That Hydro Pump is strong.
Counters
As mentioned, Vaporeon is useless against that can take his attacks and paralyze him. In OU, this encompasses quite a few Pokemon.
HP: 463
Attack: 228
Defense: 218
Speed: 228
Special: 318
Overview
Whereas Jolteon is blessed with Speed and Flareon with (useless) Attack, Vaporeon boasts the 4th highest HP stat in the game. To put into perspective how excellent Vaporeon's HP is, Raichu, who has by no means bad Special, can't 2HKO him unless he uses Thunder--that's incredible, really (in fact, Vaporeon still might survive). Furthermore, Vaporeon can bolster his low Defense with Acid Armor, which will increase it to a sturdy 436 after one use.
Unfortunately, however, Vaporeon didn't observe the failures of his aquatic peers; that is, address his shallow movepool. Vaporeon is helpless against Pokemon such as Chansey, Starmie, and Slowbro because,not only does he not have any effective means of hitting them, but is a self-centered Pokemon as well. Vaporeon's only useful support move is Body Slam--but as that comes off a meager 218 Attack--it's not that desirable. Vaporeon's dearth of available moves simply puts him into an untenable position in vying for a spot in OU. In UU, Vaporeon is much more effective, as there are less Pokemon that can handle Vaporeon's attacks with impunity and wall him.
OU strategy
Special tank
~Hydro Pump
~Blizzard
~Body Slam
~Acid Armor/Sand-Attack
Hydro Pump is Vaporeon's strongest attack, 2HKOing Tauros and 3HKOing Snorlax. Don't bother using the safer but inferior Surf--you're using Vaporeon in OU, after all. It will also 2HKO Alakazam with a CH, who otherwise paralyzes Vaporeon and safely alternates between Psychic and Recover. Blizzard does a good 46% or so to Exeggutor. Because many Pokemon can safely switch into Vaporeon, you'll definitely want Body Slam to at least paralyze them. Acid Armor is great against Tauros and especially Snorlax, because it will deter the latter from using Selfdestruct immediately. However, its use is limited because Vaporeon will be leaving the battlefield often, making Sand-Attack a sensible choice for the fourth slot; for Sand-Attack, unlike Body Slam, is a guaranteed way of lowering your switch-in's chance of getting hit.
As I described in the overview, Vaporeon cannot touch Chansey and Starmie. The best he can do is paralyze them with Body Slam and switch out.
Other options
Rest is an obvious choice. It isn't that useful, but can work quite well in certain situations if Acid Armor is up. Mimic because Vaporeon's movepool is awful.
Favorable match-ups
Anything that can't absorb Vaporeon's strongest attacks and/or can't recover the damage does not want to mess with Vaporeon. That Hydro Pump is strong.
Counters
As mentioned, Vaporeon is useless against that can take his attacks and paralyze him. In OU, this encompasses quite a few Pokemon.