[WIP] Larvitar

Discussion in 'Gen 5 LC Analyses' started by Dr. Doom, Sep 30, 2013.

  1. Dr. Doom

    Dr. Doom Long time hater of stall

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    {{pokeheader}}
    {{TOC}}

    ==General==

    Larvitar isn't a Pokémon that sees all that much use, but that doesn't mean for a second it isn't worth using. Larvitar's typing does bring it an unfortunate 6 weaknesses, with 2 of those being X4 (Water and Grass) as well as to the common [[Mach Punch]]. However, said typing also gives it STAB EdgeQuake which hits most of the tier for neutral damage. Its ability Guts also gets Larvitar into an exclusive club: physical attackers that can beat defensive {{5glc|Misdreavus}}. Although Larvitar is straddled with average speed, it can quickly remedy this with either [[Dragon Dance]] or [[Rock Polish]]. While there is no question that Larvitar is flawed, and it needs a bit of babysitting to be able to perform at its peak, it is worth the effort.

    ==Physical Sweeper==

    {{set|name=Physical Sweeper|item=Flame Orb|nature=Jolly|nature2=Adamant|ability=Guts|ev=7 0 HP, 252 Atk, 188 Spd|move1=Dragon Dance|move11=Rock Polish|move2=Earthquake|move3=Stone Edge|move4=Crunch|move41=Superpower|move42=Facade}}

    Designed to clear up late game. The first move takes care of Larvitar's middling speed - Dragon Dance is usually the better option, since it also increases Larvitar's attack and at +1 it hits 21 speed, outrunning everything that isn't holding a [[Choice Scarf]]. However, Rock Polish lets Larvitar outrun Choice Scarfed Base 17 speed Pokémon even with an Adamant nature. Earthquake is the main STAB, and will 2HKO anything that doesn't resist it after a boost. Stone Edge is the alternate STAB that hits the Bug and Flying types that resist Earthquake for super effective damage. The last move is mostly filler, since most of the time Larvitar's STABs will get the job done. Crunch hits Ghost types a little bit harder than Stone Edge; Superpower OHKOs {{5glc|Ferroseed}} at +1; Facade is just a strong move in general.

    The EVs let Larvitar hit 14 Speed with a Jolly nature. Attack is maximised so it can hit as hard as possible. The leftovers are placed in HP for extra bulk. A Flame Orb is the best item to use since it triggers Guts, which makes it even more powerful. Since Larvitar's meant to stay in and sweep, a Flame Orb is better than a [[Toxic Orb]]. A Jolly nature is needed if using Dragon Dance to let Larvitar surpass 20 speed at +1. An Adamant nature is usually best if using Rock Polish, since the extra power makes up for the lack of a boost to the Attack stat. However, a Jolly nature lets Larvitar tie with Choice Scarfed base 19 speed Pokémon at +2, although they are rare.

    ==Synergy==

    As with most sweepers, Larvitar loves entry hazards to give it OHKOs it otherwise couldn't get. {{5glc|Ferroseed}} can switch in on the Grass and Water moves Larvitar draws and set up numerous layers - it can also remove pesky Water types. {{5glc|Croagunk}} is immune to Water moves and resists Grass and Fighting ones. It can also [[Bulk Up]] alongside {{5glc|Timburr}} and will eventually win since it resists both [[Payback]] and Fighting moves. It can also remove {{5glc|Ferroseed}}, which can survive a +1 [[Earthquake]] and OHKO back with [[Seed Bomb]]. {{5glc|Wynaut}} can remove Timburr and Croagunk, and it also gives Larvitar set up opportunities with [[Encore]]. {{5glc|Magnemite}} can trap and eliminate {{5glc|Bronzor}} and Ferroseed - Larvitar returns the favour by removing Chinchou. {{5glc|Mantyke}} is immune to Water and Ground type attacks, and can take out Timburr with [[Air Slash]] - it also beats non [[Recycle]] Bronzor one on one. Larvitar is also immune to the Electric moves Mantyke draws in.

    ==Other Options==

    An offensive [[Stealth Rock]] set is possible, but done better by {{5glc|Dwebble}} since it has no X4 weaknesses and it gets [[Spikes]] too. A RestTalk set with [[Eviolite]] is another way Larvitar can abuse Guts, but with 6 weaknesses it tends to get forced out very easily. A [[Life Orb]] can be run as the item, but [[Flame Orb]] gives Larvitar more power and an immunity to other status. [[Eviolite]] makes Larvitar bulkier, but it will sorely miss the power it can get from a Flame Orb. [[Rock Slide]] can be used over [[Stone Edge]] for the greater accuracy, although it is significantly weaker. Because Larvitar's STABs alone will get the job done most of the time you could run both boosting moves, using [[Dragon Dance]] for when you need the additional power and [[Rock Polish]] for when you need the speed. If you choose to do that, use a Jolly nature so Larvitar can still outrun the unboosted metagame after a Dragon Dance.

    ==Checks and Counters==

    {{5glc|Bronzor}} is the main enemy: it resists Larvitar's STABs, laughs at [[Crunch]] and OHKOs back with [[Flash Cannon]]. {{5glc|Ferroseed}} can revenge kill Larvitar very well with [[Seed Bomb]], since a +1 [[Guts]] boosted [[Earthquake]] only has a measly 6.25% chance to OHKO after [[Stealth Rock]] and 3 layers of [[Spikes]]. {{5glc|Staryu}} can handle Larvitar well enough if it hasn't boosted or been burned yet, but will be OHKOd by a +1 Guts boosted Earthquake. Even without a boost, a Guts boosted Earthquake will OHKO after 2 rounds of [[Stealth Rock]] damage. {{5glc|Timburr}} and {{5glc|Croagunk}} both 2HKO with their respective priority moves, although a +1 Guts boosted Earthquake will still OHKO both of them (Timburr after 1 layer of Spikes). {{5glc|Shroomish}} and {{5glc|Foongus}} can normally put a stop to Larvitar's games with [[Giga Drain]], although both will be 2HKOd by a +1 Stone Edge so neither can switch in.
     
    Last edited: Oct 1, 2013
  2. Rioku

    Rioku Not again.

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    I noticed that Chinchou and Staryu aren't in the Checks and Counters section, imo Staryu needs to be there but Chinchou is iffy. You should probably mention that Larvitar will smash Stunky and Larvesta. Slash in super power as it can OHKO Ferroseed at +1. Crunch can OHKO a bulky Missy at +1 and will after rocks. Imo RP should be in OO because Dragon dance makes it much more powerful. You should mention that it loves hazards because it falls just short of many OHKOs without rocks.

    255 +1 Atk Guts Larvitar Superpower vs 164 HP/188 Def Eviolite Ferroseed (+Def) : 95.65% - 121.74% (93.75% chance to OHKO)
    255 +1 Atk Guts Larvitar Crunch vs 0 HP/196 Def Eviolite Misdreavus (+Def) : 81.82% - 100% (6.25% chance to OHKO)

    Ok you may think I'm crazy but try this set:
    Larvitar (M) @ Eviolite
    Trait: Guts
    EVs: 164 Atk / 116 Def / 196 SDef / 28 Spd
    Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
    - Rest
    - Sleep Talk
    - Curse/Dragon Dance
    - Outrage/Stone Edge/Earthquake
    This one's fun. It has maximized EVs to probably the best spread it can run. It hits 21/21/21 defenses, and has a decent 15 attack. Curse makes it into a fairly potent physical tank, while enough dragon dances let it sweep. This set is based off of rest talk Dratini, but instead with Guts boosting attack instead of Marvel Scale boosting defense.
     
  3. Dr. Doom

    Dr. Doom Long time hater of stall

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    That set does look interesting, but due to Larvitar's numerous weaknesses it would be forced out quite easily. I'll mention it in OO. Will slash Superpower on the main set for Ferroseed.

    Chinchou is very shaky - Scarf Chinchou can outrun Dragon Dance Larvesta, but not Rock Polish. It also can't switch in since Earthquake's a clean OHKO on RestTalk Chinchou after Larvitar gets burned. Staryu can deal with unboosted and Rock Polish Larvitar well enough, but Dragon Dance will OHKO at +1 after a burn.
    Earthquake from + 1 Burned Jolly Guts 252 Atk Larvitar on 36 HP/0Def Eviolite Staryu: 110% - 135%