Bouffalant Movesets & Competitive Sets

Moves Head Charge is a great STAB move here that can OHKO Lickilicky after Stealth Rock damage. Earthquake lets Bouffalant hit the Rock- and Steel-types of the tier, most notably 2HKOing both Golem and Metang and OHKOing Probopass and Pawniard. Toxic is a nice option to poison certain Pokemon that Bouffalant cannot normally hit very well at all like Gourgeist-XL and Dusclops. Facade hits harder than Head Charge if Bouffalant is crippled with status and is a nice move to spam once the Rock-, Steel-, and Ghost-types are gone from the opposing team. Pursuit traps frail Pokemon that are susceptible to Dark-type moves like Beheeyem, Grumpig, and Kadabra and also hits pivots like Volt Switch Electivire and U-turn Silvally-Water, both of which cannot OHKO Bouffalant. Set Details Choice Band, along with an Adamant nature, Reckless ability, and the EV spread of 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe allow Bouffalant to hit its absolute hardest. Usage Tips Choice Band Bouffalant's main role is to simply deal damage. Ghost-types like Gourgeist-XL and Dusclops are a problem when it comes to spamming STAB Head Charge or Facade; this is where Toxic comes into play. Once opposing Ghost-types are poisoned, Bouffalant can switch out to preserve its status by avoiding a burn or Toxic poison. Grass-types like Leafeon and Jumpluff don't want to give Sap Sipper Bouffalant that extra Attack boost, so switching into these Pokemon could potentially help Bouffalant. However, the former two typically carry Knock Off and may end up getting rid of Bouffalant's Choice Band. Bringing Bouffalant in from a slow U-turn or Volt Switch is always a good idea to maintain its longevity and avoid any unwanted burns from the aforementioned Ghost-types and Scald users like Mareanie and Swanna. Since Bouffalant is a wallbreaker, if the opposing team has a Ghost-type on it, it will likely switch it into Bouffalant every time, so it is important to utilize Toxic in those situations until they're gone. Reckless-boosted Head Charge's heavy recoil damage should always be taken into account; getting worn down is always going to be a problem for Bouffalant, since it's usually getting hit before it can deliver a hit itself. Team Options While this moveset covers the tier pretty well, it doesn't cover a few threats. Gourgeist-XL, for example, is a huge problem for Bouffalant, and having a specially attacking partner like Zebstrika or Combusken helps it out. Bronzor is also a problem, so having a Dark-, Ghost-, or Fire-type around to deal with it certainly helps; options include Pawniard, Dusknoir, and Simisear. Since Bouffalant is going to want to be switched in safely every single time, having a slow U-turn or Volt Switch user like bulky Silvally-Poison or Probopass is a must. Since Bouffalant will be locked into a move, usually Head Charge or Facade, setup sweepers like Crustle and Pawniard can come in for free and take advantage of it. Partners that can deal with these Pokemon include Pyukumuku and Silvally-Fighting. Having a partner to deal with Rock- and Steel-types like Golem, Crustle, Bronzor, and Mawile make Bouffalant's job easier; such partners include Floatzel, Electivire, and Combusken. Entry hazard setters like Crustle and Mareanie also give Bouffalant an easier time by wearing down the opposing team. Hazard control from Pokemon like Mareanie, Sandslash, and Silvally-Poison can help keep Bouffalant around longer. Toxic Spikes in particular will wear down Bouffalant quickly, especially when combined with Head Charge's recoil damage.

Moves Return is a nice STAB move that hits most of the meta for decent damage. Earthquake allows Bouffalant to hit the Rock- and Steel-types that Return won't like Golem and Metang. Facade is a nice move to fall back on if Bouffalant becomes crippled with status. Bouffalant can trap Pokemon like Beheeyem and Kadabra with Pursuit to remove their ability to deal serious damage. It also traps pivots that don't like being worn down and can't OHKO Bouffalant like Electivire and Chatot. Set Details Assault Vest allows Bouffalant to tank attacks from powerful specially offensive threats, like Simisear and Exeggutor. Max EVs in HP and Attack along with an Adamant nature give Bouffalant the most bulk it can and hit as hard as it can. Usage Tips Since this set aims to utilize Bouffalant's Special Defense, it has to be wary of strong physical wallbreakers. Bouffalant can still function as a physical tank with this set and hits the physically frail threats that can't hit it back hard such as Kadabra, Mr. Mime, and Simisear. Also, since Bouffalant has no recovery, is slow, and wants to conserve its HP, bringing it in safely via a slow U-turn or Volt Switch is crucial. Bouffalant serves as a specially defensive pivot, and as such, its job involves switching it into special attackers and possibly retaliating. It shouldn't be switching into special attackers that could be running Focus Blast like Combusken, however. It can switch directly into Grass-types like Bellossom to get a Sap Sipper boost, but it should avoid Leafeon, which can carry Knock Off. Team Options Since Bouffalant is going to be trying to take special attacks, physical attacks will be an issue, especially Fighting-type moves; having a Psychic- or Fairy-type on the team like Beheeyem or Granbull relieves Bouffalant of some of that stress. Since Sap Sipper allows Bouffalant to deal with Grass-types more easily, partners that appreciate them gone such as Golem, Basculin, and Electivire work well with it. A strong special wallbreaker such as Simipour or Servine to go with Bouffalant is critical, since physically bulky Pokemon will give it a hard time. Slow pivots like Mareanie and Rotom-S can bring in Bouffalant without it taking damage. Entry hazard setters like Golem, Crustle, and Mawile make for great partners to give Bouffalant an easier time taking down opposing Pokemon. Conversely, entry hazard removers also help to keep Bouffalant's HP up and avoid poison from Toxic Spikes. Possible spinners include Sandslash, while potential Defoggers include Altaria and Rotom-F. Partners that don't have the best special bulk appreciate Bouffalant coming in to take those special attacks. Ideal partners are Gourgeist-XL, Metang, and Pinsir; Gourgeist-XL in particular works well thanks to ability to deal with physically attackers like Golem and Komala.

Moves Swords Dance, in tandem with Substitute and Toxic, is what allows Bouffalant to function as a stallbreaker and break through tanks like Lickilicky and Golem. Alternatively, Earthquake can be run in its place to hit Rock-, Steel-, and Ghost-types, but Bouffalant loses out on the much-wanted Attack boost and the ability to wallbreak or sweep teams. Toxic is a way to punish switch-ins that would otherwise wall Bouffalant such as Gourgeist-XL, Golem, Crustle, and Pyukumuku. Lastly, Substitute lets Bouffalant capitalize on potential switches made by the opponent and avoid a potential burn from Gourgeist-XL or a Toxic from Lickilicky or Bronzor. Set Details 176 Speed EVs let Bouffalant outspeed base 45 Speed Pokemon like Adamant Golem. 84 Attack EVs and an Adamant nature maximize Bouffalant's Attack while the rest of the EVs goes into HP for added bulk. Leftovers gives Bouffalant that much-needed passive recovery to help maintain its longevity. Usage Tips As the name suggests, this set's goal is to deal with stall, and because of this, keeping Bouffalant behind its Substitute is key. Getting badly poisoned or burned before using Substitute will ruin any chance Bouffalant has of doing its job. For this reason, switching into Pokemon like Pyukumuku and Gourgeist-XL is a bad idea. Utilizing Toxic is important in wearing the opposing team down; multiple Pokemon in the tier can wall Bouffalant completely or set up on it like Gourgeist and Crustle, and Toxic can potentially put a stop to those plans and make it easier for Bouffalant's teammates to take them on. If Bouffalant is behind a Substitute, the opposing team will want to get rid of it quickly before Bouffalant starts setting up and dealing damage. As a stallbreaker, Bouffalant can break a balance team and play as a tank if Substitute isn't needed. Most of the time, Swords Dance should be used behind a Substitute or when all Ghost-types are gone. Team Options Bronzor is a huge issue with this variant of Bouffalant, since it walls everything Bouffalant throws at it. However, Bronzor does require high damage rolls on its Psywave to break Bouffalant's Substitute to prevent a Swords Dance boost. Having a Fire- or Dark-type like Simisear or Pawniard helps greatly. As mentioned before, Gourgeist-XL is also a problem; in addition to Pawniard helping here, other Pokemon like Combusken and Swanna make for great partners for this set. A Pokemon that can deal with Steel-types like Bronzor and Mawile gives Bouffalant an easier time; Alolan Golem is a prime example thanks to its Magnet Pull ability. Toxic Spikes gives Bouffalant trouble, so a reliable entry hazard remover is critical. These partners include Silvally-Fighting, Silvally-Water, and Altaria for Defog and Sandslash for Rapid Spin. Since poison is an issue, bringing in a Poison- or Steel-type to absorb any move that can Poison, particularly Toxic, will relieve Bouffalant of a lot of pressure. Good teammates that can do this include Muk, Mareanie, and Bronzor. Teammates that can threaten and dispose of Ghost-types work very with Bouffalant, such as Pawniard. Since entry hazards wear down the opposing team, bring teammates able to set them do just that; Mareanie works well here thanks to its access to Toxic Spikes.

Moves Return is a powerful, reliable STAB move, and Earthquake provides good coverage alongside it, hitting most Rock- and Steel-types as well as Stunfisk for super effective damage. Pursuit forces damage onto many offensive threats that Bouffalant checks, such as Floatzel and Electrode, and is especially useful to break Kadabra's Focus Sash. Facade means Bouffalant is no longer useless if its burnt, helping it check Pokemon such as Rotom-f. Head Charge can be used over Return as a more powerful STAB move, but the recoil damage is costly, especially if Bouffalant carries Assault Vest. Set Details 252 Attack EVs and an Adamant nature are used to maximize Bouffalant's Attack, granting it key KOs after Stealth Rock damage on targets such as Floatzel and Jumpluff. 252 HP EVs maximize Bouffalant's overall bulk, allowing it to take hits from these attackers more easily. 84 Speed EVs can be taken from HP to allow Bouffalant to outspeed uninvested base 65 Speed foes such as Roselia; 124 EVs can be transferred from HP to Speed to outspeed uninvested base 70 Pokemon, but this significantly decreases Bouffalant's bulk and gives opposing attackers an easier time beating it. Assault Vest increases Bouffalant's Special Defense significantly, allowing it to eat up hits from powerful special attackers such as Choice Specs Floatzel and +2 Gorebyss. Sap Sipper is the preferred ability to absorb threatening moves such as Sleep Powder from Jumpluff and Leaf Blade from Leafeon. Soundproof can be used as a surefire stop to Chatot. Usage Tips Tank Bouffalant fits well on bulky offensive teams that need a pivot into special attackers such as Floatzel and Raichu. Bouffalant can easily switch into many frail attackers and trap them with Pursuit; breaking Kadabra's Focus Sash can be extremely helpful in allowing a teammate such as Gorebyss to sweep. It should spam Return against offensive teams when there's no need to trap a target. Bouffalant can easily pivot into most Grass-types with Sap Sipper and act as a sleep absorber. Team Options Bulky Stealth Rock setters such as Stunfisk and Solrock pair well with Bouffalant, providing a physically defensive backbone that is particularly useful for checking Monferno, as well as providing entry hazard support. Teammates such as Monferno can switch into Misdreavus and Gourgeist-S, which Bouffalant cannot touch. Bouffalant needs support from wallbreakers such as Life Orb Simipour in order to break through sturdy physical walls such as Vullaby. Because Bouffalant is easily worn down against more offensive teams, faster teammates such as Electrode and Choice Scarf users can help alleviate this weakness. Entry hazard removal from teammates such as Vibrava and Swanna is appreciated for the same reason.

Moves Bouffalant can use Substitute to gain free turns against many common defensive Pokemon such as Clefairy. Swords Dance allows Bouffalant to capitalize on a free Substitute when facing these defensive Pokemon and prevents them from stalling it out. Return and Earthquake provide Bouffalant with neutral coverage against the entire tier with the exception of Misdreavus, Gourgeist-XL, and Solrock. Set Details Bouffalant needs 124 Speed EVs to outspeed uninvested base 70 Speed Pokemon, allowing it to use Substitute before opposing Politoed and Solrock can inflict an unwanted status on it, though be weary that those Pokemon may run Speed creep. Maximum investment in HP allows Bouffalant to set up Substitute more easily against defensive Pokemon. Running 136 Attack EVs with an Adamant nature provides Bouffalant with a useful increase in Attack. A bulkier spread can be useful in order for Bouffalant to take on special attackers more easily. Moving all of the Attack EVs to Special Defense and using a Careful nature is also an option to further increase Bouffalant's special bulk. Leftovers replenishes Bouffalant's HP as it sets up, letting it accumulate more boosts or survive an attack from a potential revenge killer. Sap Sipper allows Bouffalant to check or set up on a wider range of threats, including Jumpluff and Tangela; however, Soundproof is an option to prevent sound-based moves from Pokemon like Chatot from revenge killing Bouffalant behind a Substitute. Usage Tips Swords Dance Bouffalant fares well against defensive teams, setting up on a huge number of defensive Pokemon; Roselia, Clefairy, Stunfisk, Tangela, and Probopass are all setup fodder for Bouffalant. Bouffalant can be brought in mid-game to set up against these Pokemon and do heavy damage to the opposing team. Team Options Swords Dance Bouffalant fits well on balanced and bulky offensive teams as a way to break down defensive teams and cores in order for its faster teammates to clean up. For example, Pokemon such as Ninjask and Choice Scarf Dodrio love having physical walls weakened in order to sweep more easily. Misdreavus completely walls this set, so teammates such as Simisear, and Monferno are necessary to help break through it. Bouffalant also struggles with Vullaby and appreciates the support of Pokemon such as Mr. Mime to pressure it. Stealth Rock support from the likes of Relicanth, Gabite, and Golem is needed, and Bouffalant can check the Grass-types and some of the Water-types that threaten these Pokemon. Toxic Spikes from Roselia or Venipede put huge pressure on the switches that Bouffalant forces, particularly helping to put offensive teams on a timer and giving it an easier time breaking through Gourgeist-XL. In addition, Roselia can absorb Toxic Spikes on its own side of the field so that Bouffalant can avoid the status.

Moves Head Charge is an enormously powerful STAB move that 2HKOes everything that doesn't resist it. Earthquake provides super effective coverage on most Rock- and Steel-types. Megahorn hits Solrock super effectively and is Bouffalant's strongest attack against Tangela and Gourgeist-XL, though Head Charge KOes other Psychic-types. Pursuit can be useful to trap some frailer threats and especially to break Kadabra's Focus Sash. Stone Edge is Bouffalant's strongest hit against Misdreavus, 2HKOing offensive variants. Return can be used, but it is noticeably weaker than Head Charge and Pokemon like Stoutland and Dodrio would better take on the role of a Normal-type wallbreaker; Bouffalant cannot 2HKO Vullaby or Stunfisk with Return. Set Details The EVs maximize Bouffalant's Attack and Speed, while Choice Band further boosts Bouffalant's power to terrifying levels. When used with Reckless, Bouffalant's Head Charge is capable of doing massive damage to any non-Ghost-type target. An Adamant nature is preferred to maximize Bouffalant's damage output; for example, with an Adamant nature, Bouffalant can OHKO Audino after one round of Stealth Rock damage. However, a Jolly nature can be used to guarantee outspeeding foes such as Adamant Pawniard and offensive Roselia. Usage Tips Bouffalant can use its enormous power early- to mid-game to break through common defensive Pokemon, clearing the way for a faster but weaker teammate to sweep. Bouffalant should be spamming its insanely powerful Head Charge most of the time, though it can use a coverage move to nail predicted switch-ins such as Golem, Solrock, and Probopass. It can switch in freely against many defensive Pokemon, especially Grass-types, as the threat of Sap Sipper can prevent them from using Grass-type moves. Team Options Faster teammates such as Ninjask and setup sweepers such as Dragon Dance Fraxure both appreciate Bouffalant's ability to force damage onto an opposing team's defensive core. Bouffalant works well on hyper offensive teams, so entry hazard support from leads such as Golem works well with it. Sticky Web support from Leavanny is useful, slowing down would-be revenge killers such as Stoutland. Teammates to switch into Ghost-types alleviate the pressure that they put on Bouffalant; Simisear and Monferno can switch into the common Will-O-Wisp freely, while Murkrow and Pawniard can trap them with Pursuit. Monferno and Combusken can also KO Rock- and Steel-types so that Bouffalant can spam Head Charge more freely.

This Bouffalant doesn't hit as hard as the Swords Dance version, but saves it the trouble of setting up and, even if it doesn't hit as hard, it does 2HKO the most common walls in the tier. Head Charge is your main move and deals heavy damage. Earthquake covers the Steel- and Rock-types that resist Head Charge, while Pursuit and Wild Charge hit Mismagius and Aerodactyl, who resist both Head Charge and Earthquake. Pursuit also punish fleeing opponents, especially frail sweepers. Megahorn is mostly a filler move, but hits Slowbro and Tangrowth slightly harder than Head Charge. The EVs do the same as for the Swords Dance set, except Bouffalant won't last as long without Leftovers, and without Lum Berry, is vulnerable to status. The same alternate EV spread of 132 HP / 252 Atk / 124 Spe can be applied to this set to outspeed some faster defensive Pokemon such as Walrein and Hitmontop. This allow Bouffalant to knock both of them out before they can do anything to it. If you want to outspeed Milotic, move 212 EVs to Speed. Support in form of entry hazards is needed, as Bouffalant won't hit as hard without Swords Dance. Once again, Roserade is a great teammate, as it can use Spikes and resists the Fighting-type moves to which Bouffalant is weak to. Screen support can help Bouffalant take some hits that would KO it otherwise. Uxie or other Psychic-types that can set up dual screens are good teammates as well, as they also resist Fighting-type moves. Bulky Flying- and Ghost-types make great teammates, as they can take super effective Fighting-type moves directed at Bouffalant. Dark-type Pokemon help by taking down Ghost-types, which can get in Bouffalant's way.

Although Swords Dance may imply that this set is meant to sweep, it lacks the Speed to do so. Instead, Bouffalant can break slower Pokemon and walls, KOing them with ease with a Reckless-boosted Head Charge. Any Pokemon foolish enough to switch into a Head Charge from Bouffalant is going to bite the grass, and even if it resists the move, it is still going to take a lot of damage. The other moves complement Head Charge well. Earthquake hits Rock- and Steel-types that resist Head Charge, while Wild Charge hits Mismagius and Aerodactyl, who resist Head Charge and Earthquake. Taunt renders walls who try to status Bouffalant useless, as they aren't powerful enough to do any significant damage back to Bouffalant. Megahorn hits Mew really hard, while also hitting Slowbro and Tangrowth slightly harder than Head Charge; it is capable of OHKOing Slowbro after a Swords Dance. You can also opt to use Sap Sipper over Reckless to gain immunity to the most common sleep-inducing move, Sleep Powder, and other Grass-type moves, which will raise Bouffalant's Attack stat. You can use Return over Head Charge if you opt to use Sap Sipper to avoid the recoil damage. The EVs listed let Bouffalant hit as hard and last as long as possible. Technician Hitmontop won't be able to OHKO Bouffalant with Mach Punch, even without EV investment in Defense, only 2HKOing it with some luck. Close Combat, however, OHKOes Bouffalant. An alternate EV spread of 132 HP / 252 Atk / 124 Spe can be used to outspeed some faster defensive Pokemon, such as Walrein and Hitmontop. If you want to outspeed Milotic, use 212 Speed EVs instead. To showcase Bouffalant's offensive capabilities, here are some damage calculations, all with the listed EVs, Reckless, and Swords Dance boost. Head Charge vs. 252/252+ Suicune 74.5% - 87.6% Head Charge vs. 252/252+ Slowbro 78.6% - 92.6% Head Charge vs. 252/252+ Zapdos 95.8% - 112.7% Head Charge vs. 252/252+ Snorlax 93.7% - 110.1% Head Charge vs. 252/252+ Hitmontop 112.5% - 132.6% Head Charge vs. 252/252+ Tangrowth 70.3% - 82.7% Head Charge vs. 252/252+ Milotic 97.7% - 114.7% Since you are faster than all of these Pokemon bar Suicune, Zapdos, Hitmontop, and Milotic, you will be able to Taunt them and get a Swords Dance boost. The choice of item is up to preference. Leftovers lets Bouffalant recover the recoil damage from Head Charge, while Lum Berry, the preferred choice, keeps you safe from status. Life Orb can also be used to hit harder, but it will wear Bouffalant down really quickly. As far as support goes, dual screens from Pokemon such as Uxie and Cresselia help Bouffalant to last longer. Psychic-types such as the aforementioned Pokemon make excellent teammates for Bouffalant, resisting the Fighting-type moves it is weak to. Behind screens, even Choice Band Heracross can't OHKO Bouffalant at full health. Entry hazards can help Bouffalant score some extra OHKOs. Roserade is a great teammate for Bouffalant, as it resists Fighting-type moves and can set up Toxic Spikes. In addition to screens, Uxie can set up Stealth Rock. Bulky Ghost- and Flying-types, such as Dusclops and Zapdos, help take Fighting-type moves directed at Bouffalant. Dark-types, such as Weavile and Zoroark, can help take down Ghost-types, which are immune to Head Charge. Zoroark's Illusion ability can help early on in the battle, letting it disguise itself as Bouffalant to lure out Ghost-types that predict a Head Charge. This set can also be used on a Trick Room team, with no alterations needed to the moveset. However, a Brave nature with 0 Speed IVs is needed to make Bouffalant as slow as possible. Even though Bouffalant becomes faster than most Pokemon with Trick Room in effect, it's still outrun by Pokemon such as Slowbro and Escavalier. Although Slowbro can't do much to Bouffalant, Escavalier can hit it hard. Pokemon that are good at setting up Trick Room are needed. Uxie and Slowbro do this well, and they also resist Fighting-type moves.

Bouffalant's STAB Head Charge does huge damage to most Pokemon, and with Reckless, its power is increased to an incredible level, scoring a large number of OHKOs with a Life Orb attached. Earthquake allows Bouffalant to hit the Rock- and Steel-types that resist Head Charge for super effective damage, while Wild Charge gets a boost from Reckless and allows Bouffalant to hit Tornadus and Jellicent for super effective damage. Protect gives Bouffalant's partner a turn to set up Trick Room or Tailwind, allowing it to bypass many of the Fighting-types that give it trouble. A Brave nature along with 252 HP EVs allow Bouffalant to hit as hard as possible while still retaining its decent bulk, even taking an unboosted Conkeldurr's Drain Punch, and to outspeed everything up to Scrafty under Trick Room. Rock Slide is a viable option over Earthquake; although Bouffalant loses the ability to hit Rock- and Steel-types for super effective damage, Rock Slide does hit the genies and Chandelure for super effective damage, and does not hit Bouffalant's partner. An EV spread of 140 HP / 252 Atk / 116 Spe with an Adamant nature should be used if Bouffalant is being used in Tailwind, to allow it to outspeed the genies under Tailwind, and still give it good bulk. Sap Sipper can also be a useful ability, due to the popularity of Amoonguss. Although Bouffalant loses the ability to abuse Reckless Head Charge, with Sap Sipper it can take a Spore aimed at it to increase its Attack by 1 stage, and OHKO most Amoonguss in return with a Life Orb Head Charge. A Chople Berry allows Bouffalant a turn to take out the many Fighting-types that can stop it in its tracks. If using Bouffalant in Tailwind, Tornadus is an excellent partner, KOing or doing severe damage to Fighting-types with Acrobatics, and setting up Tailwind to allow Bouffalant to sweep. A Psychic-type partner such as Musharna or Reuniclus is similarly useful for Trick Room teams, setting up Trick Room and KOing most Fighting-types with their STAB Psychic. Bouffalant fails to do significant damage to most Rock- and Steel-types. As such, a Fighting-type such as Conkeldurr or Scrafty can help tremendously, doing severe damage with their STAB Fighting-type moves, and working well in either Trick Room or Tailwind. Ghost-types are also a problem, as they are immune to Head Charge, so Chandelure makes an excellent partner, doing massive damage with its powerful STAB Shadow Ball while also being able to set up Trick Room for Bouffalant. Chandelure's STAB Fire-type moves also allow it to KO the Steel-types that would otherwise wall Bouffalant.

Due to its low Speed stat and high Attack, Bouffalant's only viable set is that of a physical Trick Room attacker. Head Charge is a powerful STAB which hits everything that doesn't resist it for large amounts of damage. Wild Charge provides super effective coverage against Water- and Flying-types, such as Politoed and Tornadus. Earthquake hits Steel-types, such as Metagross, that resist Head Charge. Because Earthquake affects everything on the field, use it with caution to avoid damaging your own Pokemon. Rock Slide is a weaker alternative over Earthquake which only hits opposing Pokemon and has a nifty flinch rate. Lastly, Protect is used mainly for scouting purposes and to avoid Fake Out. It is also used to shield Bouffalant from damage on the turn its teammate attempts to set up Trick Room. The EVs are quite simple: they give Bouffalant as much Attack as possible while maxing out HP to give some bulk, also making sure it takes less from its recoil moves. A Brave nature increases Bouffalant's Attack and reduces its Speed, which makes it faster when Trick Room is up. There are two options for Bouffalant's ability: Sap Sipper and Reckless. Sap Sipper gives Bouffalant an immunity to Grass-type moves, as well as an Attack boost when hit by one, allowing it to easily switch into Amoonguss's Spore. Reckless, on the other hand, gives Bouffalant's recoil moves a nice power boost. Life Orb is the preferred item as it gives Bouffalant a much-needed power boost, but decreases Bouffalant's longevity. Teammates that can set up Trick Room, such as Cresselia, are essential because, without Trick Room up, Bouffalant is not much of a threat. Fighting-types that work well in Trick Room, such as Conkeldurr and Hariyama, are good teammates to have, as they can take out Steel- and Rock-type Pokemon that trouble Bouffalant. Ghost-types such as Dusclops and Sableye are also very good teammates because they can burn opponents that threaten Bouffalant. Chandelure is a good teammate as it can both provide support with Trick Room and take down Pokemon that trouble Bouffalant, such as Cresselia, Sableye, and Steel-types (bar Heatran).