Vikavolt Movesets & Competitive Sets

Vikavolt's passable bulk, useful defensive typing, and Roost allow it to set Sticky Web multiple times in a game when needed. Volt Switch deals super effective damage to most Defoggers, including Mandibuzz, non-Volt Absorb Corviknight, and Tapu Fini, allowing Vikavolt to heavily chip them should they try to clear Sticky Web. Bug Buzz nails Mew and also discourages Mandibuzz from using Roost. Thunder Wave instead cripples them and can be used in an emergency against setup sweepers like Kommo-o and Tapu Lele; however, it makes Vikavolt helpless against Ground-types. Focus Sash guarantees Vikavolt can set Sticky Web against wallbreakers that could OHKO it, namely Terrakion and Inteleon. However, Heavy-Duty Boots is also viable to let Vikavolt comfortably switch in and pivot repeatedly. Flash Fire helps Vikavolt deal with Heatran, Cinderace, and Talonflame, while Water Absorb Vikavolt handles Barraskewda and Inteleon, as well as blocking Flip Turn from Swampert. 16 Speed EVs outrun minimum Speed Corviknight; the rest go to Defense to help combat physical attackers like Zarude, Talonflame, and Kommo-o. Vikavolt fits on offense teams as a Sticky Web setter. Powerful but slow wallbreakers like Galarian Zapdos, Tapu Lele, and Mamoswine can take advantage of Sticky Web to punch holes in the opposing team. Chandelure and Dhelmise in particular can block Rapid Spin, with the latter having Rapid Spin itself to clear opposing entry hazards. Also, Heatran and Kommo-o can pack Taunt to shut down Defog. Pokemon that are immune to Sticky Web, including Flying-types like Talonflame and Zapdos and Heavy-Duty Boots users such as Cinderace and Volcarona, are problematic; it's recommended to have a teammate that can deal with them like Zapdos or Silvally-Dragon.

Moves Volt Switch allows Vikavolt to pivot in and out of battle as well as bring in a teammate safely thanks to its low Speed. Bug Buzz allows Vikavolt to threaten out Grass-types like Shaymin, Virizion, and Tsareena, which resist Volt Switch. Roost heals Vikavolt from prior damage and grants it more time to pivot. Energy Ball hits Ground-type switch-ins such as Rhyperior, Seismitoad, and Gastrodon for super effective damage. Set Details 60 EVs in Speed allow Vikavolt to outpace Registeel and uninvested Donphan. The rest of the EVs should be used to capitalize on Vikavolt's bulk. Rocky Helmet is the preferred item to punish physically offensive Pokemon like Machamp, Virizion, and Metagross for using contact moves, which Vikavolt can take easily. Usage Tips Vikavolt should use its resistances to Fighting, Grass, and Steel to safely come in against Pokemon like Machamp, Shaymin, and Metagross, which are usually threatened out thanks to its raw power putting a sizable dent into anything that doesn't resist its moves. It can also come in against Pokemon that are generally no threat to it such as Roserade, Passimian, and Virizion lacking Stone Edge. Because Vikavolt usually forces switches, it can be a good idea to use Roost to keep itself healthy. Volt Switch should be the move used the most so Vikavolt can pivot in and out of battle. Should a Ground-type switch-in like Rhyperior be anticipated, it is generally safe to use Energy Ball to heavily dent or OHKO it. While it is generally an offensive support Pokemon, Vikavolt can attempt to wallbreak early- to mid-game through punching holes in defensive Pokemon like Rhyperior, Metagross, and Slowbro for its teammates. Do not let Vikavolt get worn down too much; try to remove Stealth Rock so Vikavolt can pivot much more throughout the match, and avoid Toxic if you can, since being poisoned also chips away Vikavolt's decent bulk. Team Options Vikavolt can be used alongside other Volt Switch or U-turn users such as Raikou, Ribombee, and Mandibuzz. Teammates that can get rid of entry hazards such as Mega Blastoise, Florges, and Donphan are much appreciated by Vikavolt so it can pivot more often. Fire-resistant Pokemon such as Arcanine, Rhyperior, and Diancie also make good partners for Vikavolt. In return, Vikavolt can threaten out the Water- and Grass-types that plague them. Pokemon that can threaten Rock-types such as Zygarde-10%, Metagross, and Virizion are also good teammates for Vikavolt. Offensive Pokemon like Gardevoir, Shaymin, Swellow, and Goodra appreciate Vikavolt's ability to weaken Steel-types like Metagross so they can spam their powerful STAB moves more often. They also appreciate the slow Volt Switch Vikavolt provides so they can come into battle safely. Wallbreakers like Machamp, Tyrantrum, and Bewear also appreciate Vikavolt's slow Volt Switch. A cleric or Healing Wish user like Florges, Diancie, or Gardevoir can help heal Vikavolt in case it has been badly poisoned or worn down heavily by Stealth Rock and weak attacks. Diancie can also set Stealth Rock and appreciates Vikavolt's ability to switch into Steel-, Water-, and Ground-types.

Moves Thunderbolt and Bug Buzz are the standard STAB moves for strong and reliable damage. Discharge can be used when paired with a Ground-type such as Garchomp or Krookodile. Volt Switch lets Vikavolt punish switches, switching in and out of battle while dealing respectable amounts of damage. Electroweb is an excellent speed control option that works with Assault Vest. Alternatively, Hidden Power Fire or Hidden Power Ice can be used if you need more answers to Kartana or Garchomp on your team, respectively. Both can be omitted for triple Electric moves, as you still deal respectable damage to either Pokemon with Bug Buzz. Set Details Levitate gives Vikavolt an immunity to Ground-type moves. The defensive EV spread in combination with Assault Vest allows Vikavolt to survive a wide range of attacks, such as Gyarados's Hydro Vortex and Arcanine's Inferno Overdrive. It also ensures that Porygon2 will receive an Attack boost from Download. Special Attack investment is barely necessary because of Vikavolt's high Special Attack combined with a Modest nature. Usage Tips Vikavolt is an excellent defensive pivot that is able to switch in on many Pokemon, such as Garchomp, Kartana, and Tapu Koko. When using Volt Switch, Vikavolt can lure in counters like Arcanine and punish the opponent's switching. Hidden Power Fire can catch unsuspecting Kartana off-guard, knocking out even bulky Assault Vest variants. Keep in mind that once the opponent realizes that Assault Vest is the item used on Vikavolt, they might start to focus more on Vikavolt because of the lack of Protect. Team Options Garchomp is the best partner available. Vikavolt can threaten many of Garchomp's checks and counters such as Tapu Fini and Kartana, while Garchomp can use Earthquake freely because of Vikavolt's Levitate. In the same vein, Krookodile is an excellent partner. Although slower, it can benefit from the speed control Electroweb provides, while Intimidate enhances Vikavolt's defensive capabilities even further. Vikavolt wants to have team members that can handle key threats such as Arcanine and Gigalith. Ground-types do a fine job with that, but having a Water-type such as Politoed, Pelipper, Tapu Fini, or Gyarados is recommended. Vikavolt often struggles against the Tapu group, making Alolan Muk a good partner. Steel-types like Metagross and Kartana also handle the Tapu group, and they can take care of Rock-types as well.

Moves Thunderbolt and Bug Buzz are STAB moves that provide strong and reliable damage. Volt Switch is an option over Thunderbolt to take advantage of the forced switches caused by Bug Buzz's stat drops, and it helps you maintain momentum. String Shot lowers the Speed stat of both opposing Pokemon by two stages, forcing switches. Protect scouts for moves, stalls field conditions, allows Vikavolt to shield itself while an ally attacks, and punishes double targets. Set Details Levitate gives Vikavolt an immunity to Ground-type moves. The EV spread allows Vikavolt to OHKO Kartana with Bug Buzz, as well as survive Arcanine and Choice Specs Salamence's Flamethrower. Special Attack investment is barely necessary because of its high Special Attack combined with a Modest nature. Iapapa Berry or Sitrus Berry heals Vikavolt, which will oftentimes survive strong attacks with low HP thanks to its great defenses. Usage Tips String Shot heavily reduces the opposing team's Speed, allowing Vikavolt to outspeed Pokemon such as Tapu Fini, Celesteela, Pelipper, and Tapu Bulu. Volt Switch allows Vikavolt to take advantage of the switches that String Shot forces. Not only does Vikavolt provide valuable speed control, it also checks many strong Pokemon such as Kartana and Garchomp. Iapapa Berry's healing can punish the opponent heavily for missing the one-hit knock out, forcing them to play around it. Team Options Ground- and Water-types such as Garchomp and Tapu Fini are recommended partners to help check or counter threats to Vikavolt such as Arcanine and Gigalith. String Shot encourages the use of Pokemon sitting in the middle of the Speed tier, such as the aforementioned Tapu Fini, and gives the speed advantage to bulkier builds of fast Pokemon, such as Arcanine. Steel-types like Metagross and Kartana handle the Tapu group, and they can take care of Rock-types as well. Pokemon that appreciate the foe being slowed down, such as Metagross, Arcanine, Gyarados, and Tapu Lele, pair well with Vikavolt thanks to String Shot.