Vaporeon Movesets & Competitive Sets

Vaporeon carves out a niche from competitors such as Milotic and Gastrodon through its ability to provide Wish and potentially cleric support to its teammates. Milotic and Gastrodon do still provide heavy competition; Milotic can more easily fit Flip Turn, while Gastrodon has a useful Ground typing and better coverage, making them significantly less passive. Furthermore, Vaporeon faces heavy competition as a cleric from Umbreon due to its typing and superior bulk, which allow Umbreon to check Chandelure better, as an example. Wish provides recovery for both Vaporeon and its teammates, while Protect ensures it can take advantage of Wish while also scouting Choice item users like Chandelure. While Heal Bell is standard, Flip Turn lets Vaporeon pivot and safely pass Wish to its teammates instead. Leftovers provides Vaporeon with passive recovery, which can be crucial throughout a long game, while Heavy-Duty Boots gives it more longevity on teams with weak or no hazard removal. Alternate EV spreads are possible for Vaporeon: 56 Speed EVs allow it to outspeed maximum Speed Rhyperior, while 96 Speed EVs outspeed Alolan Marowak. Vaporeon fits best on bulky balance teams, as they have the staying power to take advantage of Wish and cleric support. Bulky Steel-types like Steelix and Registeel appreciate Wish and Vaporeon switching into Fire-type moves aimed at them, while they can take advantage of the Grass-types that come in on Vaporeon. Furthermore, wallbreakers such as Lucario, Alolan Marowak, and Choice Band Flygon also switch into Grass-types, as well as Electric-types. They can also take advantage of Vaporeon's Wish and Flip Turn support. Diancie can act as the team's cleric, freeing Vaporeon to use Flip Turn's slow pivoting, which is extremely potent combined with Wish. Additionally, an entry hazard remover like Crobat is a great partner, as it frees Vaporeon to run Leftovers and switches into Grass-types like Roserade.

With a Defense donation, Vaporeon becomes a sturdy physical wall that withstands attacks from dangerous threats like Necrozma-DM, Pheromosa, and Zygarde-10%. Its high HP aIso means it can pass beefy Wish to teammates. Protect is mandatory to ensure Vaporeon can recover HP against switch-ins that threaten to KO it like Tapu Koko and Magnezone, as well as scout against Choice-item users, notably Rillaboom. Scald prevents Vaporeon from becoming complete Taunt bait and threatens a burn on potential switch-ins such as Kartana. In the last moveslot, Flip Turn provides a slow pivot option and turns Vaporeon into a good Wish passer. Toxic cripples bulky Water-types, in particular Gastrodon and Volcanion, that completely wall Vaporeon otherwise. Heal Bell is another option for teams that appreciate a cleric. Heavy-Duty Boots is usually the item of choice for more safety against hazard stack, but Leftovers is an option as it synergizes well with Protect. If Vaporeon runs Flip Turn, minimum Speed investment should be run to allow a teammate to get Wish safely. Vaporeon is usually seen on balance and bulky offense builds that appreciate its ability to heal teammates and pivot with Flip Turn while compensating for its momentum drain. Gods with high Defense like Dialga and Necrozma-DM make Vaporeon bulky enough to even handle strong physical threats, particularly Rayquaza, but even a lower donation from Kyurem-W or Ho-Oh is valuable. Weavile and Zygarde-10% can more comfortably trade damage with opposing walls with Vaporeon giving them a second wind, while Landorus-T and Dialga's lack of recovery is remedied. Grass-types in Rillaboom and Tangrowth handle Electric-types like Tapu Koko and Zeraora which trouble Vaporeon. In return, Vaporeon answers Fire-types such as Ho-Oh and Choice Scarf Blacephalon for them. Grass-types themselves give Vaporeon problems, making Skarmory, Buzzwole, and the aforementioned Fire-types great partners as well, while Vaporeon can absorb Water-type attacks aimed at them. Vaporeon tends to invite special setup sweepers like Galarian Moltres and Galarian Slowking in due to its tendency to use Protect, so answers to them such as Tapu Koko and Necrozma-DM are necessary.

Vaporeon's impressive HP stat coupled with the ability to slow pivot makes it a desirable Wish passer. Flip Turn + Wish enables Vaporeon to avoid being a momentum sink as it passes a Wish to teammates like Tapu Lele, Zygarde-C, and Dauntless Shield Kommo-o, which would otherwise have a difficult time staying healthy over the course of a battle. Protect allows Vaporeon to reliably heal itself with Wish if needed, as well as scout against Choice-locked users, particularly those running Trick such as Azelf. Heal Bell is a great option that turns Vaporeon into a cleric, clearing status for offensive partners like Garchomp and Zapdos. Scald helps Vaporeon deal more damage to Talonflame while also threatening to burn physical attackers and Regenerator Pokemon trying to capitalize on a Wish pass or Heal Bell, and Haze prevents Vaporeon from being setup fodder. If the utility of the other moves is deemed unnecessary, Toxic can be used to poison opposing Regenerator Pokemon like Swampert and Tapu Fini. Heavy-Duty Boots ensures that Vaporeon can avoid entry hazard damage and keep itself healthy enough to avoid having to use Wish to heal itself, but Leftovers can be used to supplement Regenerator recovery. Minimum Speed investment makes it so Vaporeon can Flip Turn as slowly as possible, increasing the odds that it can safely pass a Wish to its team. Vaporeon primarily excels on balance teams that appreciate its services as a Wish passer. Power Construct Zygarde-10% benefits immensely from Heal Bell variants shortening its Rest duration post-transformation and providing it with Wish support. The aforementioned Kommo-o is able to forgo Regenerator for Dauntless Shield, relying on Vaporeon to keep it healthy throughout a battle. Kommo-o is also an excellent check to Grass-types like Zarude, Dhelmise, and Tapu Bulu, which would otherwise threaten Vaporeon. Wallbreakers like Galarian Zapdos, Adaptability Zygarde-10%, and Zarude appreciate Vaporeon's ability to alleviate the effects of passive damage and status for them. Because Vaporeon checks Water-type Pokemon like Barraskewda, Inteleon, and Volcanion, Desolate Land users weak to them, such as Heatran and Moltres, are great teammates. Vaporeon is deadweight against common Desolate Land users like Volcarona, Heatran, and Cinderace as it cannot use Flip Turn against them, so Fire-resistant Pokemon like Garchomp and Primordial Sea Zapdos make excellent partners. Additionally, entry hazard removal from Dhelmise and Corviknight can prevent Vaporeon from being worn down if it loses its Heavy-Duty Boots.

Moves Scald is Vaporeon's main attack and has a good chance to burn. Wish lets Vaporeon have some recovery and heal teammates. Protect improves Wish's reliability and lets Vaporeon scout against Choice item users like Tyrantrum. Heal Bell lets Vaporeon act as a cleric, healing any status that has been inflicted on the team. Although Vaporeon is typically helpless against Pokemon like Toxicroak, Roserade, and Virizion, Ice Beam can help with this, damaging them all decently on the switch. Set Details 252 HP and 252 Special Defense EVs and a Calm nature make Vaporeon as specially bulky as possible, letting it avoid the 2HKO from Pokemon like Choice Specs Yanmega and Choice Specs Swellow after Stealth Rock and giving it as much insurance as possible against the biggest threat in the tier, Mega Blastoise. Leftovers gives it passive recovery. Water Absorb lets it heal when hit by Water-type attacks from Pokemon like Mantine and Mega Blastoise. Usage Tips Support teammates, especially those lacking recovery, with Wish. Position Vaporeon against slow, passive Pokemon so as to seamlessly pass Wishes. Fish for burns with Scald as physical attackers like Virizion switch into you, as once they're burned they'll have next to no use. Use Protect to effectively heal Vaporeon with Wish, scout against potential Choice-locked attackers, hamper the power of Z-Moves, and take full advantage of Leftovers. Hit Grass-types such as Roserade and Shaymin on the switch with Ice Beam, and take advantage of them being forced to use Synthesis to get a free switch to a teammate. Try to avoid Knock Off, as once Vaporeon loses Leftovers, it'll be chipped very easily from weak attacks and Stealth Rock. Consequently, you'll have to focus more on healing Vaporeon with Wish as opposed to passing Wish. Team Options Sturdy Steel-types like Stealth Rock Bronzong greatly appreciate Vaporeon's Wish support. If you opt for Ice Beam over Heal Bell, make sure to pair Vaporeon with teammates such as Guts Machamp that don't struggle with status users such as Registeel. Venusaur in particular is a fantastic partner, being able to take on Grass-types and Electric-types that Vaporeon can't deal with as well as cripple Steel-types such as Registeel and Bronzong with Knock Off. Fire-types like Ninetales and Arcanine appreciate Wish support to help with their Stealth Rock weakness, and they bust through Steel-types and Roserade in return. Vaporeon can take on Rock- and Ground-types for them as well.

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Taking into account its low Speed, high defenses, and good Special Attack, Vaporeon is a natural candidate for Trick Room and rain hybrid teams. Hydro Pump, while inaccurate, has a large chance of OHKOing Tyranitar in sandstorm and, factoring in a Water Gem boost, deals heavy damage to anything that takes at least neutral damage from it, including even specially defensive Cresselia. Muddy Water is only slightly more accurate, but it has the ability to hit two Pokemon at once without harming your own and comes with a nice 47% chance to lower at least one of the opposing Pokemon's accuracy. Scald, while weaker or unable to hit two Pokemon at once, has the perk of a 30% chance to burn and perfect accuracy. Ice Beam is a staple coverage move for any Water-type, and Vaporeon is no exception. Besides Ferrothorn and pure Water-types, Ice Beam and your choice of a Water-type STAB move grant Vaporeon great neutral coverage, as well as putting the ever-dangerous Dragon-types on ice. Helping Hand is naturally a great doubles support move, as it allows moves such as Thunder and Draco Meteor to climb to unimaginable levels of power. Normally, Vaporeon is completely walled by other Water-types, notably Gastrodon and Rotom-W; a quick and easy solution to this is Hidden Power Grass. However, against Rotom-W, it's not a guaranteed 2HKO, as it can outspeed and either OHKO or 2HKO Vaporeon outside of Trick Room. The last move depends on the ability of choice. If you want a good Water-type Trick Room sweeper, want to use Surf to restore Vaporeon's HP, or simply aren't interested in Hydration, Detect is the fourth move of choice alongside Water Absorb as Vaporeon's ability. Rest is obviously best used with Hydration, though if you don't need Helping Hand or Hidden Power Grass, Detect can fit snugly in the third slot. The EVs ensure that Vaporeon isn't OHKOed by Latios's Draco Meteor while accommodating for the drop in IVs when using Hidden Power Grass. 76 Special Defense EVs can be used to prevent Vaporeon from being OHKOed by Latios as well, but HP investment is generally better to improve Vaporeon's overall bulk. If you're not using Vaporeon in Trick Room, switch to a Modest nature and use a 31 Speed IV. As for items, a Wacan Berry fends off Electric-type moves such as Thunder for a turn, which is especially useful with Rest healing Vaporeon back up to full health while its partner takes care of the aggressor. If you're not interested in the insurance of a Wacan Berry nor power of a Water Gem, a Sitrus Berry is useful for instant healing so that Vaporeon don't have to immediately use Rest to recover from a move that would 2HKO it, such as Latios's Draco Meteor. As a slow Pokemon, Vaporeon appreciates Trick Room support. Jellicent can be Vaporeon's partner in crime, as they can utilize each other's Water Absorb abilities in a Surf-spamming free-for-all, though their weaknesses overlap. Gallade can hit Ferrothorn hard with Close Combat, set up Trick Room, and support Vaporeon with moves such as Helping Hand and Will-O-Wisp. Dusclops performs a similar role, though its main form of offense is Night Shade. If you're using rain alongside Trick Room, Level 1 Whimsicott is a valuable teammate, as sandstorm and hail won't break its Focus Sash, allowing it to Endeavor or set up Trick Room in relative safety. Pokemon such as Reuniclus and Porygon2 are also good teammates that can complement Vaporeon's coverage with moves such as Thunder or Energy Ball. Other Trick Room abusers with the Lightningrod ability, such as Rhyperior and Marowak, make great partners as they synergize well with Vaporeon by taking care of Electric-type moves that may threaten Vaporeon. When you want to use Hydration, the number one partner for the job is none other than Politoed. Though they have overlapping weaknesses, Politoed's rain support activates Hydration, and Vaporeon appreciates a boost to its Water-type moves. Despite Rotom-W and Ferrothorn being top threats to Vaporeon, they also make good teammates. Rotom-W can tackle the opposing Water-types that get in Vaporeon's way, while Ferrothorn is Hydration + Rest Vaporeon's partner in crime; together, they often stall out the 15 minute timer with their constant recovery and respectable bulk. Scizor works well in and out of Trick Room and can chow down on various threatening Grass-types with Bug Bite, as well as checking Abomasnow and Tyranitar, allowing you to keep your rain active.

Set Description Growth raises Vaporeon's Special even higher, allowing it to increase its special bulk and the power of its STAB Surf. Surf 2HKOes Tauros, Persian, and often Jolteon at +1, though bulkier foes, such as Snorlax, Zapdos, and Hypno require two Growth boosts to 2HKO. Acid Armor lets Vaporeon boost up its measly base 60 Defense, taking paltry damage at +2 from even the strongest physical attacks; it's 6HKOed at +2 by Snorlax's Body Slam, and 7HKOed by Tauros's Body Slam, allowing Vaporeon to shrug off the damage and use Rest with ease, although Tauros's high critical hit rate makes using Rest in front of it risky, as Vaporeon takes 52.9% minimum from a critical hit Body Slam. Acid Armor also has 61PP, which, in combination with Growth, gives Vaporeon a staggering 122PP at its disposal without cutting into Surf and Rest PP, letting it PP stall any foe with ease. Rest lets Vaporeon heal off any stray hits it may take while setting up. Acid Armor can be dropped within reason, as it isn't always needed for Vaporeon to be an effective sweeper. Ice Beam hits Grass and Flying-types for super effective damage, and at +1 Vaporeon is heavily favored to 2HKO Zapdos and Exeggutor. Body Slam allows Vaporeon to paralyze non-Normal-types, but it deals very little damage. Hydro Pump hits much harder than Surf, notably 2HKOing Tauros and Persian unboosted and 2HKOing Snorlax, Alakazam, and Gengar at +1. However, it's often unreliable due to its low accuracy and PP. Substitute can be used to protect Vaporeon from stray critical hits and grant safety when using Rest, as a +1 Vaporeon's Substitute is not broken by Starmie or Chansey's Thunderbolt; Gengar's Thunderbolt is also not favored to break it. Vaporeon should be used on a team with good paralysis support, as it lacks any meaningful way to paralyze Starmie, Alakazam, and Chansey, which might otherwise pose issues to it. Vaporeon can also use Growth and Acid Armor to reapply the speed drop from paralysis, letting it outspeed a paralyzed Starmie or Alakazam even if paralyzed itself. Vaporeon needs physical attacking support to help break through special walls like Chansey and Starmie, so it benefits from partners like a Lovely Kiss or all-out attacking Snorlax, as well as Explosion users such as Exeggutor and Golem, as they can neutralize foes that may cause Vaporeon issues with Explosion or status.