Overview Gen 6 brought the competitive field several new Ubers who have had a profound impact on the metagame, and as the mascot of Pokemon Y, Yveltal takes the Valhalla battlefield of Pokemon Asgard like a storm. Like its origins - Veðrfölnir who sits atop the World Tree Yggdrasil in all its supremacy - Yveltal sits over the metagame as it destroys Stall and Offense alike. With both offenses sitting at 131, great offensive typing in Dark/Flying, STAB priority in Sucker Punch, Dark Aura to boost the aforementioned STAB, Yveltal is a threat to be feared. Its might does not stop there however, as the largest benefit an Yveltal brings to the team is the capability to break down many walls helpless. With Taunt to stop walls at their tracks and Oblivion Wing to recover off damage whilst attacking, a lot of common choices on Stall teams struggle to even touch the dark eagle. Not everything is good about Yveltal however, as Xerneas is omnipresent in the tier, its flying typing brings a crippling Stealth Rock weakness to the table, and it is vulnerable to most forms of status. Rock/Elec/Ice/Fairy weaknesses kinda hurt it as well. Not only that, the metagame has adapted to the threat of Yveltal, and many forms of stall has changed to fit at least 2 answers to the bird. However, if your team is struggling to break down powerful walls such as Lugia, Giratina, Chansey or the like, look no further than Yveltal. Offensive Yveltal @ Life Orb OR Leftovers Trait: Dark Aura Nature: Naive OR Rash EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd - Taunt - Sucker Punch - Dark Pulse / Foul Play - Oblivion Wing A threat to Stall and Offense alike, this set of Yveltal is arguably the most suited to the current Ubers metagame. Taunt+Oblivion Wing is the most obvious choice to spell doom to many common stall players, as it turns many walls such as Chansey, Specially Defensive Ferrothorn who would normally wall it to fodder. The one important point that sets this Yveltal from other Stallbreakers is that it can prove deadly to opposing Offense as well, as STAB LO Dark Aura boosted Dark Pulse and Sucker punch is nothing to laugh at. For example, against common Choice Scarf users such as Genesect, a non-invested Sucker Punch does up to 77-92% of damage. Against the likes of Palkia, 69-82% of damage is achieved. Not only that, 99 base speed, while lacking out on the 100 cutline, is still more than enough to outpace many deadly threats in Ubers sitting on 90-95, such as Groudon, Kyogre, Rayquaza, and Kyurem-W. Rash can be used to boost damage, while Naive can be used to outpace Timid/Jolly base 95s. EV spreads can be changed to outpace certain threats, as Naive +220 speed allows it to get past 95s, and 184 can be used to outpace the 90s. In this case, the rest of the EVs should be invested onto Attack to boost the power of Sucker Punch. Dark Pulse is the STAB Special Dark move of choice, but Foul Play can be used to give a scary beatdown on Banded Ho-oh and Extreme Killer Arceus. Defensive Yveltal @ Leftovers Trait: Dark Aura Nature: Impish OR Jolly OR Timid OR Bold EVs: 252 Hp / 252Def / 4 SAtk OR 252 Hp / 252 Spd / 4 SAtk - Taunt - Foul Play - Sucker Punch/Toxic - Oblivion Wing/Roost While the defensive stallbreaker Yveltal does not carry the offensive pressure the Offensive Stall Breaker set does, it gets a much higher durability to come into walls many times and stay alive. Foul Play is the obvious choice of STAB, as it will generally deal more damage as this Yveltal does not invest in Attack or Special Attack. It still does a very good job of breaking down Extreme Killer Arceus or Banded Ho-oh. Toxic can completely ruin Support Arceus (bar Steel and Poison), and Chansey cannot spam Heal Bell as it gets stopped by Taunt. Oblivion Wing is a choice to recover health while dealing damage, but Roost is perfectly usable as it provides a more reliable recovery. Bold nature with max defense investments can be used as a good physical wall, while max speed sets can take down many offensive mons with some prior damage, such as Rayquaza while outpacing the normal Lugia as well. Choice Scarf Yveltal @ Choice Scarf Trait: Dark Aura Nature: Modest/Timid EVs: 252 Satk / 252 Spd / 4 HP - U-turn - Dark Pulse - Oblivion Wing/Hurricane - Foul Play/Focus Blast With a Choice Scarf attached, Yveltal becomes a very decent revenge killer and momentum grabber. Dark Pulse has high base power thanks to Dark Aura's boost, and can hit many psychic/ghost types that reside in Ubers effectively. Oblivion Wing and Hurricane comes to a battle between Power or Reliability. Hurricane has notably higher power, but is prone to missing outside of Rain. Oblivion Wing is weaker, but does not miss and can offer a form of valuable recovery to get back health lost from Stealth Rocks. U-turn is the crux of the set, as many Pokemon that enjoy switching into Yveltal, such as Xerneas or Clefable, are easily trapped by Mega Gengar. It also helps grab momentum even if a Mega Gengar is not used. Focus Blast can hit Ferrothorn as well as other steel types hard, while Foul Play nails powerful physical attackers such as Zekrom or SD Arceus. Modest for more power, Timid to outpace opposing scarfers such as Kyurem-W, Kyogre, or Zekrom. Good Partners Carrying a Stealth Rock weakness, Defog/Spin support is highly appreciated when utilizing Yveltal. Support Arceus forms, Giratina (both Origin and Alternate) are great defoggers, while Excadrill and Forretress can provide Spin support. Mega Gengar is perhaps the best possible partner to Yveltal, especially on sets that run U-turn. Not only it can take advantage of the free switch, most Pokemon that enjoy swapping into Yveltal are trapped helpless by Gengar. As the omnipresent Xerneas can get problematic if it switches onto a Taunt from Yveltal, Specially bulky Steel-types such as Scizor, Bronzong, Heatran, Dialga, Jirachi, or Aegislash is appreciated. Ho-oh is usable as well. As most forms of Yveltal can abuse Sticky Web very well due to Taunt blocking Defog, Sticky Web users such as Smeargle or Galvantula are possible. Other Options U-turn is viable on every set instead of Taunt, as the threat of Taunt will force switchs. This will let you trap more Pokemon with Mega Gengar. Rock Slide Nails Ho-oh. Foul Play and Sucker Punch can beat weakened ones rather easily however. Focus Blast can beat Tyranitar, Ferrothorn, and deal more damage to Klefki. Physical mix utilizing Sucker Punch/Rock Slide/OblivionWing/Taunt is usable as Sucker punch turns into something that crushes most scarfers/things that outpace such as Genesect or Palkia. Sub/Disable is usable, but requires heavy prediction. Specs can be used as well. However, purely physical not recommended since no abusable full set of moves besides Acrobatics(no flying gem so hard to activate) and Sky Attack. Checks and Counters Ho-oh is a good choice to tank many of Yveltal's Special moves and dish them back, but cannot tank Foul Play unless Physically Defensive, and will fall to 2 Specs Hurricanes. It does not appreciate Sucker Punch too. For the Offensive Stall Breaker set, Defensive Xerneas/FairyCeus/Sylveon/Clefable counters it completely as it can switch freely and 2HKO with STAB of choice. Klefki can switch in on all moves but Life Orb Focus Blast, and paralyze it. However, due to its low bulk and lack of recovery, repeated hits will take their tolls. Offensive Xerneas kills it rather easily with STAB Moonblast, but may not switch in freely. If it did switch on a taunt, it can force it out to deal more SRock damage. Specially Defensive Arceus forms not SE by its STABs. RockCeus comes to mind, but must be wary of Focus Blast. The newly added Diancie as well as the old-timer Tyranitar works decently to beat Yveltal, but Tyranitar must be wary of Focus Blast. Finally, setting up Stealth Rocks and keeping it there is the priority when facing an Yveltal.
Looks good mostly, I have a few more suggestions - A spread of 72 Atk / 252 SAtk / 184 Spd lets you beat base 90s and powers up Sucker Punch quite a lot - Foul Play on the offensive set is a fun option for ekiller trying to set up after you get a kill, and also hits Ho-oh hard - You can use Dread Plate or Rocky Helmet on the defensive set to OHKO +2 ekiller - Mention Sticky Web support because this is one of the best abusers, hits hard and stops Defog - Maybe add a scarf set?
Ty Fixed for those recommendations. Added your EV spread, and 220 speed is usable to just pace 95s as well imo. Foul Play also added on Offensive sets. Lefties is kinda important seeing as Bulky Stallbreaker kinda likes the passive recovery tho. Especially if SRocks are up. Scarf Set can be added, I never saw it on the metagame nor used it myself so my knowledge may be lacking tho. I guess similar EV spread/moves to the Specs Set? Also bump since I made a written analysis. I wish more people could give me opinions. I'm an attention wh*re I normally base these analysis based on my experience on the tier, and the stats on the PO page, but you all know that stats for PO Ubers are screwed up lol. I'd like more criticism and more recommendations please :)
Yveltal @ Leftovers or Life orb Trait: Dark Aura Nature: Timid EVs: 46 Hp / 242 Satk / 224 Spd - Disable - Substitute - Dark Pulse - Oblivion Wing Not the most amazing set in the world, but it functions quite similar to the subdisable set of Gengar commonly used in past generations. Once you get a substitute up and running, Choiced users and mono attacks (such as the common supportceus sets which only run judgement), are trolled epically. EVs can be played with, but I've EV'd it to outspeed positive base 95s and the HP EVs are for 404 subs, rest are thrown into SATk. It's a nice set to include in analysis I think. Thoughts? Also, Disable can be replaced with Focus Blast and Life orb over leftovers if you want to try sub + 3 attacks set, which is another set you could consider including.
Specially defensive Clefable deserves a mention as CC. Can take on any yveltal set and kill it with moonblast. Nothing Fancy , standard Clefable set Clefable @ Leftovers Ability: Unaware EVs: 252 SDef / 252 HP / 4 SAtk Calm Nature - Wish - Protect - Moonblast - Toxic Also checks xerneas but that is irrelevant Edit: Dies to sets 2 3 and 4... Checks offenisve LO though sorry for exaggerating Edit 2: Ninjad
@ Whatzin That set definitely deserves a mention, as it has enough niches in the metagame. I'll write an analysis based on it. Of course, credits to you. @Dreams The above Whatzin's SubDisable set as well as the Specs set can make Clefable bleed tho. However, still mentioning it in Checks/Counters since it's a good choice for the Offensive Stall Breaker. Defensive Stall Breaker can taunt+toxic+spam Roost on it since it only gets 3hkoed by Clefable's Moonblast. 252 SpA Choice Specs Yveltal Hurricane vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Clefable: 210-247 (53.2 - 62.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery 4 SpA Clefable Moonblast vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Yveltal: 204-240 (44.7 - 52.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery ty for the suggestions both of you.
I'm not sold on sub disable. It seems more like a gimmick than an actual usable set. Specs yveltal is meh. I was curious about using it at the beginning of this gen, but iirc the only advantage it has over lo is the 2hko on ho oh and some more obscure threats. I'd put it into oo. edit Here are some calcs to illustrate my point: 252+ SpA Life Orb Dark Aura Yveltal Dark Pulse vs. 252 HP / 200 SpD Dialga: 208-246 (51.4 - 60.8%) -- 92.2% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery 252+ SpA Choice Specs Dark Aura Yveltal Dark Pulse vs. 252 HP / 200 SpD Dialga: 238-282 (58.9 - 69.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery Both 2hko 252+ SpA Life Orb Dark Aura Yveltal Dark Pulse vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Palkia: 216-255 (67 - 79.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO 252+ SpA Choice Specs Dark Aura Yveltal Dark Pulse vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Palkia: 247-292 (76.7 - 90.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO Both 2hko, but Specs can't Sucker for the kill so it has to take a Thunder before killing Palk (~70%) 252+ SpA Life Orb Dark Aura Yveltal Dark Pulse vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Groudon: 274-324 (67.8 - 80.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery 252+ SpA Choice Specs Dark Aura Yveltal Dark Pulse vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Groudon: 315-372 (77.9 - 92%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery Both 2hko Without Sucker, Specs Yveltal is much easier to revenge kill as well 252 SpA Kyogre Water Spout (150 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Yveltal in Rain: 415-490 (105.5 - 124.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO On the other hand, Sucker lets you get some damage off before you die or if they tried to switch into a dark pulse, net the KO 4 Atk Life Orb Dark Aura Yveltal Sucker Punch vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Kyogre: 208-246 (60.8 - 71.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock If you want to run Choice Yveltal, Scarf will be better 90% of the time I'll explain why I don't like Sub Disable tomorrow if I can be bothered
I'd change the defensive stallbreaker set to: Yveltal @ Leftovers Trait: Dark Aura Bold Nature (+Def -Atk) EV: 248 HP / 168 Def / 96 Spd Taunt Toxic Roost Dark Pulse 92 Spd lets it outrun 0 Spd Lugia. 248 HP maximises bulk while keeping HP odd (I personally prefer keeping HP odd if I can help it), with the rest in defence. You're quite right to aim for physical bulk: with 3 of Yveltal's 4 weaknesses being specially based, physically defensive is more effective. And Ho-Oh does specially defensive better anyway. Dark Pulse is more reliable than Foul Play. I think you could mention a simple Roost + 3 attacks set - with perfect netural coverage (well on anything you'd ever likely see in Ubers) in Dark Pulse, Hurricane/Oblivion Wing and Focus Blast it makes a great offensive pivot. It goes like: Yveltal @ Life Orb Trait: Dark Aura Timid Nature (+Spd -Atk) EV: 4 Def / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd Dark Pulse Hurricane/ Oblivion Wing Focus Blast Roost
Specs trades two of Yveltal's defining characteristics (a strong as fuck Sucker Punch and Taunt) for some extra power which only results in one or two extra KOs. Not worth it imo. On the other hand, Scarf is a very neat set with U-Turn, neat typing etc.
Just recently tested out SubDisable, and I've come to the conclusion it should be in Other Options. (yay for free time which I should have been studying my uni stuff tbh) Specs worked fine for me when I ran it alongside Spdef Ogre, but seeing PG's calcs, I get the idea I could prolly have achieved the same with a LO Offensive set. @Dr.Doom The problem with Dark pulse is that it really doesn't hit anything TOO notable, while Foul Play can nail Ho-oh and ExtremeKiller. Foul Play actually is more usable since the Mewtwo forms take more damage from them mostly. Lugia can't do anything to Yveltal with Taunt anyways. LO Offensive set could use a Roost slash in tho. as well as Hurricane.
Okay, let's get this done. Add Choice Scarf as a main set. With a good deal of power from Dark Pulse and the use of U-turn, it becomes a pretty effective revenge killer. Yveltal @ Choice Scarf Trait: Dark Aura Modest Nature (+SAtk -Atk) EV: 4 Atk / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd Dark Pulse U-turn Hurricane / Oblivion Wing Foul Play Dark Pulse and Hurricane / Oblivion Wing for main STAB attacks. Hurricane is preferred because it has significantly more power and nets important kills such as Mega Mewtwo X. Oblivion Wing if you want more consistency and/or some form of recovery. Foul Play along with the Dark Aura boost can revenge kill things with a big Attack stat or any SD Arceus forms.
GENGAR IN PARTNERS U-turn U-turn U-turn U-turn No Hurricane in main set Focus Blast either in main set or OO Tyranitar and Diancie in CC Sucker Punch slashed on defensive (I'd even argue for main slash) Mention how defensive Ho-oh doesn't even care about Foul Play Don't put Clefable so high up in CC as it's pretty bad You don't really destroy stall as well as you say because every stall carries 2 counters now
Outdated analysis is outdated. rip 6 month+ old analysis. Changelogs: 'Breakdown of Stall' => 'Expertly deals with many common choice of mons in stall' U-turn and Focus Miss in OO, Mega Gengar in Partners, revised CC with tyrenitr, Phys def ho and the new gem princess thingie.
choice specs needs a bigger mention in cc and just get rid of that physical set that looks atrocious omj i think u-turn deserves a slash next to taunt on the main set. taunt is so common, most pokemon will just attack you or switch out for the fear of it. u-turn + mega gengar is just gross as well. get rid of leftovers on the offensive set it's bad. slash blackglasses maybe or just mention it because u-turn + lo is kinda dumb. mention is probably better defensive should never run owing just get rid of that slash and i'd slash sucker punch next to taunt as well. choosing 2 out of taunt, sucker punch and toxic is really team dependent and there's not really a "bad" choice. get rid of the fast speed, the max def one is the only way to go. also for the love of god get rid of the galvantula mention you should probably read over this again in general to see if there's some other outdated stuff i missed