[SET]
name: Substitute + Swarm
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Quiver Dance
move 3: Bug Buzz
move 4: Flamethrower
item: Leftovers
ability: Swarm
nature: Timid
evs: 60 HP / 32 Def / 232 SpA / 184 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Substitute allows Volcarona to dodge common status moves such as Toxic from Heatran, which Volcarona can potentially beat one-on-one if it is able to avoid a Magma Storm. It also prevents revenge killing options like Sand Rush Excadrill and Choice Scarf Greninja if it is able to keep its Substitute after getting a KO. Quiver Dance allows Volcarona's Substitute to become even more formidable with Special Defense boosts, with uninvested Heatran's Magma Storm failing to break it after two Quiver Dances. Bug Buzz is powered up by Swarm significantly, being able to OHKO Garchomp at +1 with a Swarm boost.
Set Details
========
60 HP EVs in combination with Leftovers allow Volcarona to use Substitute five times from full health while also avoiding its Substitute being broken by Toxapex's Scald after a Quiver Dance. 32 Defense EVs allow Volcarona to survive +1 Knock Off from Kartana from full HP. 232 Special Attack EVs allow Volcarona to OHKO Tapu Koko with Flamethrower at +1. 184 Speed EVs let Volcarona outpace maximum Speed Landorus-T.
Usage Tips
========
Due to the nature of this set, which involves Volcarona sacrificing its own HP, it is advised to not bring Volcarona in early-game and to instead opt to wait for its checks to be whittled down. Volcarona can set up a Quiver Dance freely in front of common Grass- and Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Magearna; however, using Substitute first allows Volcarona to dodge status attempts such as Thunder Wave from Clefable and Ferrothorn and Toxic from Toxapex. When faced with a Pokemon that Volcarona can't outright OHKO with a non-Swarm Bug Buzz, it can repeatedly use Substitute to get into Swarm range. However, an unrevealed Substitute can be a lethal weapon, baiting Toxic from the likes of Heatran and Chansey as Volcarona sets up a surprise Substitute. Using this method, non-Taunt Heatran can be beaten one-on-one if Volcarona uses Quiver Dance as it comes in. Chansey is a much less straightforward battle, but Volcarona does have the potential to outplay even Toxic variants with the correct Substitute plays.
Team Options
========
This set is a great fit for hyper offense teams, being able to effortlessly clean up late-game against weakened teams. Entry hazard removal is essential, so pairing it with a Defog user that fits onto hyper offense like Landorus-T or Serperior is a good idea. Taunt Serperior is an especially great Defog user to partner Volcarona with, as it has the added benefit of being able to beat Chansey one-on-one. In addition to hazard removal, Volcarona appreciates a dedicated lead such as Taunt Mew, Imprison Landorus-T, or especially Mega Diancie being able to prevent opposing hazards on the opening turns. Another benefit of a dedicated lead is their consistency in setting up Stealth Rock, which chips down both Mega Charizard formes and Kyurem-B. Paralysis support from the likes of Thunder Wave Rotom-W and Glare Serperior is especially helpful to this variant, as Substitute allows Volcarona to take full advantage of potential full paralyses. Lunar Dance support from Cresselia gives Volcarona a second life, replenishing both its PP and the HP lost from the use of Substitute, which can allow Volcarona's Quiver Dance to outlast Haze's 48 PP.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/acneautist.569291/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/skypenguin.462413/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/solarbeam.470115/
name: Substitute + Swarm
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Quiver Dance
move 3: Bug Buzz
move 4: Flamethrower
item: Leftovers
ability: Swarm
nature: Timid
evs: 60 HP / 32 Def / 232 SpA / 184 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Substitute allows Volcarona to dodge common status moves such as Toxic from Heatran, which Volcarona can potentially beat one-on-one if it is able to avoid a Magma Storm. It also prevents revenge killing options like Sand Rush Excadrill and Choice Scarf Greninja if it is able to keep its Substitute after getting a KO. Quiver Dance allows Volcarona's Substitute to become even more formidable with Special Defense boosts, with uninvested Heatran's Magma Storm failing to break it after two Quiver Dances. Bug Buzz is powered up by Swarm significantly, being able to OHKO Garchomp at +1 with a Swarm boost.
Set Details
========
60 HP EVs in combination with Leftovers allow Volcarona to use Substitute five times from full health while also avoiding its Substitute being broken by Toxapex's Scald after a Quiver Dance. 32 Defense EVs allow Volcarona to survive +1 Knock Off from Kartana from full HP. 232 Special Attack EVs allow Volcarona to OHKO Tapu Koko with Flamethrower at +1. 184 Speed EVs let Volcarona outpace maximum Speed Landorus-T.
Usage Tips
========
Due to the nature of this set, which involves Volcarona sacrificing its own HP, it is advised to not bring Volcarona in early-game and to instead opt to wait for its checks to be whittled down. Volcarona can set up a Quiver Dance freely in front of common Grass- and Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Magearna; however, using Substitute first allows Volcarona to dodge status attempts such as Thunder Wave from Clefable and Ferrothorn and Toxic from Toxapex. When faced with a Pokemon that Volcarona can't outright OHKO with a non-Swarm Bug Buzz, it can repeatedly use Substitute to get into Swarm range. However, an unrevealed Substitute can be a lethal weapon, baiting Toxic from the likes of Heatran and Chansey as Volcarona sets up a surprise Substitute. Using this method, non-Taunt Heatran can be beaten one-on-one if Volcarona uses Quiver Dance as it comes in. Chansey is a much less straightforward battle, but Volcarona does have the potential to outplay even Toxic variants with the correct Substitute plays.
Team Options
========
This set is a great fit for hyper offense teams, being able to effortlessly clean up late-game against weakened teams. Entry hazard removal is essential, so pairing it with a Defog user that fits onto hyper offense like Landorus-T or Serperior is a good idea. Taunt Serperior is an especially great Defog user to partner Volcarona with, as it has the added benefit of being able to beat Chansey one-on-one. In addition to hazard removal, Volcarona appreciates a dedicated lead such as Taunt Mew, Imprison Landorus-T, or especially Mega Diancie being able to prevent opposing hazards on the opening turns. Another benefit of a dedicated lead is their consistency in setting up Stealth Rock, which chips down both Mega Charizard formes and Kyurem-B. Paralysis support from the likes of Thunder Wave Rotom-W and Glare Serperior is especially helpful to this variant, as Substitute allows Volcarona to take full advantage of potential full paralyses. Lunar Dance support from Cresselia gives Volcarona a second life, replenishing both its PP and the HP lost from the use of Substitute, which can allow Volcarona's Quiver Dance to outlast Haze's 48 PP.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/acneautist.569291/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/skypenguin.462413/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/solarbeam.470115/
Last edited:
