We will talk today about an underrated threat of UU that can also function very well in OU.
While its sprite suggests otherwise, Weavile is indeed an Ice-type.
The main reason people avoid Weavile is that its Choice Band set absolutely sucks and after using CB Weavile for a few battles they would already change it to something like Scizor. However, Weavile is prized for his Life Orb set. It has access to two very good utility moves: Pursuit and Ice Shard. With Pursuit, Weavile can trash a lot of Psychic-types and some Ghosts(Gengar is a prime example). Ice Shard helps him in taking out Choice Scarf Salamence and his friends, as well as taking out heavily weakened threats. Weavile can also take the role of a late-game cleaner with Swords Dance.
Weavile's problems are his Stealth Rock weakness, below average bulk and pretty weak STAB moves. Let's hope, however, that Pokemon X and Y will finally give Weavile two 100 or 120-power STAB moves or Technician/Adaptability.
Weavile's stats are as follows...
HP: 70
Attack: 120
Defense: 65
Sp. Attack: 45
Sp. Defense: 85
Speed: 125
As for its sets:
#1. Best sets
#1.1 Life Orb Attacker
Weavile @ Life Orb
EVs: 252 Atk / 32 SDef / 224 Spe
Nature: Jolly
Ability: Pressure
- Ice Shard
- Pursuit
- Ice Punch / Night Slash
- Low Kick
The EV spread allows Weavile to always outspeed max Speed Tornadus-T. Life Orb is the best item for Weavile, as it allows to switch attacks while losing 10% of its HP, which isn't a big deal thanks to Weavile's subpar bulk. Ice Shard is extremely useful for Weavile, KOing many unsuspecting threats like Choice Band Dragonite. Pursuit its Weavile's other main attraction, punishing predicted switches and destroying threats like Gengar, Starmie and Latios. Low Kick is invaluable for Weavile. It can OHKO Terrakion and other threats like offensive Heatran, while 2HKOing Scizor after Stealth Rock damage(it is recommended to switch out, however, because Scizor might OHKO it with Bullet Punch). The final slot is occupied by Ice Punch or Night Slash. It depends how your team handles specific Dark- or Ice-type weak enemy Pokemon.
#2. Viable sets
#2.1 Swords Dance
Weavile @ Life Orb / Lum Berry
EVs: 252 Atk / 32 SDef / 224 Spe
Nature: Jolly
Ability: Pressure
- Swords Dance
- Night Slash
- Ice Punch / Ice Shard
- Low Kick
Again, the same EV spread. Life Orb is again the preffered item, though Lum Berry can also be used to clear Weavile of burn or paralysis. Weavile would appreciate a 372 Attack stat, but it absolutely needs to use a Jolly nature. Swords Dance is the crux of this set, allowing Weavile to 2HKO almost everything at +2 with its STAB moves. However, due to Weavile's lack of defenses and by extension, relatively low number of chances to set up, it's best to keep its function as a revenge killer in mind earlier in the game and attempt a sweep only when its counters have been cleared or at least weakened, especially Scizor. Low Kick is again neccesary to KO heavy threats like Terrakion. If you have problems with Choice Scarf users, Ice Shard can eliminate or at least hurt them.
#3. Other options
1. Fake Out + Counter = an anti-lead set that can work, but it's a gimmick at best.
2. Choice Band = It is even stronger than Life Orb, but I've explained in the "Pokemon sets to avoid" post why not to use it.
3. Aerial Ace = can hit Conkeldurr harder, but there's no point in staying on a Fighting-type.
4. Taunt = can be used to shut down some walls.
Counters
Weavile's counters depend on which set is it using. Scizor is a threat to both of them, OHKOing Weavile with Bullet Punch. However, Scizor will be 2HKOed by Low Kick after Stealth Rock. Jirachi can also KO Weavile with Iron Head, but needs to be wary of the Swords Dance set. Some Choice Scarf users like Heatran can revenge kill it, but watch out for Ice Shard or, in the case of Heatran, Low Kick. Bulky waters can also wall Weavile if it doesn't have Taunt or is not packing the Swords Dance + Lum Berry combination. Finally, Fighting-types like Conkeldurr can take its STABs and pick it off with Mach Punch or Close Combat.
