Vespiquen Movesets & Competitive Sets

With this set, Vespiquen attempts to slowly chip down at the foe with Toxic while avoiding status and stalling the foe's PP thanks to Pressure. However, this set is unreliable due to Vespiquen's common weaknesses, and it's completely walled by common Steel-types such as Alolan Sandslash. As a Flying-type with defensive utility, Oricorio-E, Altaria, and Articuno outclass Vespiquen due to their better utility options, defensive typing, and even offensive presence in the case of Oricorio-E and Articuno.

Moves Tailwind doubles Vespiquen's team's Speed for several turns, allowing it to outspeed almost every unboosted Pokemon in PU while also providing team support. Bug Buzz is Vespiquen's strongest STAB move, and Air Slash provides a secondary STAB and a way to hit Fighting-, Flying-, and Fire-types such as Monferno, Pelipper, and Rapidash. Destiny Bond allows Vespiquen to get a surprise KO on a foe it cannot KO when weakened. Targets include Ninetales, Probopass, and Pelipper. Set Details Maximum Special Attack investment allows Vespiquen to hit as hard as possible, and maximum Speed investment with a Timid nature allows Vespiquen to outspeed Pokemon such as Zebstrika and Floatzel under Tailwind. The last 4 EVs are not placed into HP so Vespiquen can switch into Stealth Rock twice and still survive. Life Orb increases Vespiquen's power significantly but inflicts recoil, which, when combined with Stealth Rock damage, severely limits its longevity; however, it can be helpful with Destiny Bond. Alternatively, Insect Plate only boosts Vespiquen's main STAB move but does not have any negative effects. Pressure is used because it is Vespiquen's most relevant ability. Usage Tips Vespiquen should be used either late-game to try to clean up or early- to mid-game to provide wallbreaking teammates with support or take out a threatening foe. It should avoid switching in on anything if Stealth Rock is set up and should be brought in after a KO or by a slow pivot; however, it can switch in on Pokemon that it walls, such as Tangela. Tailwind should be set up on Pokemon Vespiquen walls or forces out, such as Tangela and Grumpig. Destiny Bond should only be used when Vespiquen is definitely going to be KOed, and it should be kept hidden to try to surprise the opponent. Vespiquen should be also careful of the opponent switching around their Pokemon to try stalling out Tailwind. Team Options Vespiquen greatly appreciates entry hazard removal from Pokemon such as Vibrava and Armaldo, as otherwise it loses half its health to Stealth Rock. Conversely, entry hazards from Pokemon such as Metang and Roselia help weaken the opposing team for Vespiquen to possibly clean. Ground-types such as Gabite and Stunfisk can provide entry hazard support while also checking Electric- and Steel-types that threaten Vespiquen, whereas Rock-types such as Golem and Probopass also provide entry hazards and can check Fire- and Flying-type. Grumpig and Water-types such as Floatzel and Simipour, all of which also appreciate Tailwind support, check Fire- and Ice-types, and Grumpig can switch in more easily due to its superior bulk. Wallbreakers such as Simipour and Simisage can weaken the opponent's team to the point where Vespiquen might be able to clean. Vespiquen only works on offensive teams, especially with slower wallbreakers such as Stoutland and Mawile, which appreciate Tailwind support.

Vespiquen's greatest niche is its ability Pressure, which can turn threatening scenarios in its favor. For example, Close Combat can only be used four times, greatly helping Vespiquen's survivability. Protect is the most important move, as it stalls the opponent's PP and gains Leftovers recovery. Roost adds on to the longevity, granting Vespiquen more walling opportunities. Toxic is its most reliable damaging source, seriously crippling many Pokemon that switch into Vespiquen. Attack Order prevents Vespiquen from being Taunt bait, and it has decent power for a wall. The most important thing to recognize when supporting Vespiquen is that it needs Rapid Spin support to function decently as a wall; Wartortle is the best option because its typing synergizes the best with Vespiquen out of all the NU Rapid Spinners. Cleric support is also highly recommended, as residual damage will drastically limit Vespiquen's walling capabilities; Audino is a great partner for this job, since Vespiquen can take Fighting-type attacks aimed at it. Garbodor, the Toxic Spikes setter that synergizes best with Vespiquen, is a helpful partner since Toxic Spikes support saves Vespiquen many extra turns to heal itself instead of using Toxic. Misdreavus is a cool partner that fits the stall playstyle well because it offers a fast Taunt that can keep Stealth Rock off the field. Partners with phazing moves, such as Bastiodon, make great partners, as they can force out sweepers that set up on Vespiquen. One last, great partner is defensive Seismitoad, as its typing covers almost all of Vespiquen's weaknesses while Vespiquen 4x resists its Grass-type weakness.

This set is the best way to take advantage of Vespiquen's above-average bulk, Pressure ability, and reliable recovery. Vespiquen can switch in on a resisted Choice attack such as Earthquake, Close Combat, or Leaf Storm, forcing the opponent to switch out and giving Vespiquen the opportunity to set up a Substitute. Behind a Substitute, Vespiquen is protected from status and super effective attacks such as Stone Edge and Fire Blast, which she is able to stall out of PP by repeatedly using Substitute to abuse Pressure. If the opposing Pokemon lacks such dangerous moves, Vespiquen can hit it with Toxic and proceed to stall it out with Substitute and Roost. Slow, bulky Water-types that Vespiquen outspeeds, such as Slowbro and Quagsire, are easily defeated with this strategy if they lack Rest. Finally, Vespiquen can use her signature move, Attack Order, to counter certain frail special sweepers. Life Orb Alakazam and Choice Specs Sceptile are both OHKOed, and neither one can 2HKO Vespiquen with any of their standard attacks. The given EVs maximize Vespiquen's special bulk, allowing her to repeatedly switch in on special attackers who lack powerful super effective moves. HP is not maximized to prevent Vespiquen from fainting on the second switch into Stealth Rock, although Rapid Spin support is highly recommended when using Vespiquen as it will make keeping her healthy significantly easier. The remaining EVs are placed in Defense to slightly reduce the damage taken from resisted physical attacks Vespiquen may switch into. Poison- and Steel-types are immune to Toxic and resist Attack Order, meaning they can just about switch into this set for free. Aggron, Toxicroak, and Drapion will all gladly come in on any move and set up while Vespiquen is forced to switch out. To discourage this, Vespiquen could run Hidden Power Ground over one of her other moves. Even with a hindering nature and no EV investment, Aggron will be easily 2HKOed and Toxicroak and Drapion are both 3HKOed, which is enough to limit a sweep and prevent further set-up if Vespiquen hits them as they switch in. An easier solution is to provide Vespiquen with a Ground-type teammate who can smash Poison- and Steel-types with STAB Earthquake. Donphan can check Aggron, Toxicroak, and Drapion very well, and also provides Rapid Spin support to prevent Vespiquen from losing half of her HP each time she switches in. Vespiquen and Donphan also have good defensive synergy, as Donphan can tank Flare Blitz and Stone Edge all day, while Vespiquen can easily switch in on Leaf Storm aimed at Donphan. Hitmontop is another reliable spinning partner for Vespiquen. He resists Rock, has solid physical defense alongside Intimidate, and can hit Steel-types hard with Close Combat. He also appreciates Vespiquen's ability to take on Psychic-types such as Alakazam and Slowbro. Though not a necessity, having Toxic Spikes support would allow Vespiquen to drop Toxic from her moveset, making room for another move such as Hidden Power Ground or Defend Order. Nidoqueen and Drapion are both solid choices to provide this, but Nidoqueen has the bonus of being able to hit many of Vespiquen's counters hard with Earth Power or Ice Beam. For offensive teams, Vespiquen's biggest contribution will be eliminating Slowbro or Quagsire, so Pokemon who appreciate their removal are good partners. Kabutops and Blaziken can easily power through a team once the opposing bulky Water is defeated, making them both excellent partners.