Vileplume Movesets & Competitive Sets

Set Details Strength Sap is one of Vileplume's biggest assets to check Pokemon like Copperajah and Stakataka. Corrosive Gas removes the item of common switch-ins like Escavalier, Copperajah, and Salazzle. Alternatively, Sleep Powder can be used to put common switch-ins to sleep, making it safer for Vileplume to switch out on them. Black Sludge gives Vileplume extra recovery, but running no item is better for checking Knock Off and Poltergeist users like Drapion and Golurk. Vileplume is weak to Flying-types, so Steel- and Rock-types such as Stakataka, Copperajah, and Diancie that can check Talonflame and Braviary are appreciated. In return, Vileplume can check Rotom-C, Decidueye, and Vaporeon for them. Vileplume struggles against strong Psychic-types such as Starmie and Galarian Articuno; therefore, partners like Escavalier and Copperajah are great. Vileplume in return checks Fighting-types such as Passimian for them. Vileplume dislikes Fire-types like Salazzle, so Mantine and Vaporeon are great partners for it. Vileplume and Guzzlord form a great core, since they are able to wall physical and special attackers while canceling out each other's weaknesses; Vileplume helps with Fighting- and Fairy-types, and Guzzlord helps with Psychic-types. Offensive teammates like Silvally-Ground and Starmie both target Poison-types and Arcanine, which Vileplume has trouble with.

Vileplume's best set allows it barely check common physical attackers like Virizion and Golisopod with Poisonium Z. Vileplume can put them to sleep with Sleep Powder, then lower their offenses while keeping itself healthy with Strength Sap and Giga Drain. While it has a slightly better offensive presence, Vileplume is still largely outclassed by Tangela, which has a superior defensive presence. Unlike Tangela, Vileplume is very vulnerable to Metagross, since Metagross is immune to Strength Sap thanks to Clear Body and can heavily damage Vileplume.

Moves Giga Drain is a decently strong STAB move that lets Vileplume restore some HP. Moonlight provides Vileplume with reliable recovery, allowing it to heal itself when damaged and come in more easily throughout the match. Sludge Bomb is Vileplume's strongest STAB move and has a decent 30% chance to poison the foe, thus punishing switch-ins. Sleep Powder puts common switch-ins such as Garbodor, Charizard, Weezing, and Klinklang to sleep, letting Vileplume safely switch out to a teammate and generate free turns. Synthesis can be run alongside Moonlight to increase the amount of recovery Vileplume has, helping it significantly in longer games. Worry Seed is a useful option that turns the foe's ability into Insomnia, preventing Malamar from setting up with Superpower, and Calm Mind Mega Audino from using Rest. Hidden Power Fire hits Steel-types such as Ferroseed, Magnet Rise Klinklang, and Mawile, all of which would otherwise be able to set up on Vileplume or lay entry hazards. Hidden Power Ground is an alternative option that hits Poison-types, specifically Garbodor and Skuntank, while retaining coverage on Steel-types with the exception of Ferroseed. Set Details The given EV spread and a Bold nature maximize physical bulk, allowing Vileplume to sponge hits from threats such as Primeape, Hariyama, Barbaracle, Shiftry, and Samurott. Black Sludge gives Vileplume passive recovery, making it even harder to wear down. Effect Spore punishes physical attackers, letting Vileplume potentially inflict a status ailment upon the foe, and it can also work well in conjunction with Rocky Helmet. Vileplume can run a fully specially defensive spread to better wall Water-, Grass-, and Electric-types; however, this greatly detracts from its physical bulk, meaning you will need a better check for Fighting-types. Usage Tips Vileplume can pivot into strong physical hits, such as Primeape and Hariyama's Close Combat, Samurott's Waterfall, Steelix's Heavy Slam, and Barbaracle's Razor Shell. Thanks to its typing, Vileplume can also comfortably switch into most status moves such as Sleep Powder and Toxic. Take advantage of switches to heal back HP with Moonlight if Vileplume has taken significant amounts of damage. However, use Moonlight conservatively, as it is a low-PP move, and Vileplume wants to be able to heal up often throughout the course of a match. Both of Vileplume's STAB moves are very spammable, with Sludge Bomb in particular having good power and a high chance to poison the foe. Vileplume can also use Sleep Powder on switch-ins looking to take advantage of it, such as Garbodor, Klinklang, Mawile, and Haunter. Worry Seed should be used discreetly, as Malamar and Mega Audino are less likely to begin setting up if they know Vileplume has Worry Seed in its arsenal. When running Hidden Power Fire, try to catch Ferroseed on the switch so you can prevent it from setting up entry hazards. Alternatively, with Hidden Power Ground, Vileplume can lure in Poison-types such as Garbodor and Skuntank and deal large amounts of damage to them. Team Options Pokemon that resist Fire and Ice partner up very nicely with Vileplume, namely bulky Water-types such as Lanturn, Mantine, Prinplup, and Carracosta. Thick Fat users such as Grumpig and Hariyama also have fantastic synergy with Vileplume, resisting those types while also checking most special attackers in general. Moreover, Pokemon that resist Flying-type attacks, such as Regirock, Rhydon, Omastar, and Steelix, are extremely useful, the former three also providing a handy resistance to Fire-types. Furthermore, Dark-types such as Shiftry, Skuntank, and Liepard check most Psychic-types and appreciate Vileplume checking Fighting- and Fairy-types. The latter two can also provide Vileplume with Pursuit support to dispose of Xatu, Mesprit, and other Psychic-types.

Moves Giga Drain is a relatively strong STAB move that lets Vileplume restore some HP in the process. Sludge Bomb is Vileplume's strongest STAB move, hitting extremely hard while also having a solid 30% chance to poison the foe. Moonlight provides Vileplume with consistent recovery, allowing it to maintain its role as an offensive tank throughout the match. Hidden Power Ground hits Poison-types, specifically Garbodor and Skuntank, while also hitting most Steel-types with the exception of Ferroseed. Alternatively, Hidden Power Fire lets Vileplume 2HKO Steel-types such as Klinklang, Steelix, Mawile, and Ferroseed. Set Details The given EV spread and a Modest nature maximize Vileplume's offensive pressure while also maintaining its ability to tank hits. Black Sludge gives Vileplume a source of passive recovery. Toxic Plate is an option that lets Vileplume deal huge amounts of damage with Sludge Bomb; however, it comes at the cost of passive recovery, and it can hinder Vileplume's ability to switch into Pokemon it is meant to check. 52 Speed EVs allow Vileplume to outspeed uninvested Torterra as well as base 55s and below, such as Hariyama, Mega Audino, Regirock, Gourgeist-XL, and Omastar. Usage Tips Vileplume should pivot into resisted hits from the likes of Samurott, Primeape, and Barbaracle and proceed to fire off powerful attacks. Furthermore, Vileplume can prey on bulky Water-, Ground-, Rock-, and Grass-types, such as Lanturn, Gastrodon, Rhydon, Omastar, Regirock, and Gourgeist-XL. Vileplume should use its dual STAB moves to punch holes into the opposing team in order to catch switch-ins off guard. This Vileplume set is best fitted onto more offensively oriented teams that need a switch-in for common Fighting- and Water-types that doesn't lose much momentum. If the opponent has a Fire-type such as Magmortar or Pyroar, it is best to throw out a Sludge Bomb rather than allow them a safe switch. Finally, take advantage of the switches forced against Water- and Grass-types to heal up with Moonlight. Team Options Pokemon that can pivot into Fire- and Ice-type attacks, such as Hariyama, Magmortar, Prinplup, Lanturn, and Mantine, make great partners, while in return, Vileplume can cover any weaknesses to Rock-, Ground-, Grass-, Water-, and Fighting-types. Dark-types such as Skuntank and Liepard can check and Pursuit trap Psychic-types while also appreciating Vileplume's ability to switch into Fighting- and Fairy-types. Water-types such as Swords Dance Samurott and Shell Smash Barbaracle are good partners, as they can take advantage of the Fire-types that Vileplume tends to lure in, such as Charizard, Pyroar, and Magmortar.

An offensive set might seem odd given Vileplume's low base Speed; however, it has a few key features over its competitors: great bulk, access to a reliable recovery move, Sleep Powder, and a surprisingly high Special Attack. Sleep Powder is one Vileplume's main perks, as it allows it to cripple any Pokemon resistant to its attacks, such as Golbat, Weezing, and Skuntank. Giga Drain forms an exceptional combination with Life Orb given its capability to nullify recoil damage and keep the offensive momentum going. Sludge Bomb is Vileplume's most powerful Poison-type STAB and can serve as a battering ram when dealing with Grass-type resists such as Roselia, Sawsbuck, and Charizard. With Moonlight, Vileplume can act more as a defensive tank, not being worn out by either Life Orb recoil or entry hazard damage. The EV spread is designed to outspeed minimum Speed Tangela and other uninvested base 60s. The EVs maximize Special Attack while the remainder is put into HP so that Vileplume can function as a bulky attacker of sorts. Vileplume has one other option it could use: Hidden Power Ground. With Hidden Power Ground, Vileplume can maim Skuntank and Metang on the switch, two Pokemon that wall it otherwise. Vileplume's appreciation for Stealth Rock support couldn't be any more pronounced. With the pointed stones up, Vileplume has the capability to OHKO Jynx, Swellow, and Charizard on the switch with Sludge Bomb. Not only that, but with Stealth Rock jabbing away at its opponent, it can OHKO offensive Regirock with Giga Drain and Skuntank with Hidden Power Ground. Supportive variations of Carracosta and Seismitoad both make excellent partners to set up Stealth Rock and generally have good synergy with Vileplume. While Skuntank is normally considered a nemesis, it can form a superb partnership with Vileplume, as its Pursuit trapping utility can come in handy when dealing with Psychic-types such as Hypno, Gardevoir, and Musharna. In exchange, Vileplume can destroy opposing Ground-types that trouble Skuntank. Finally, Spikes support from the likes of Scolipede isn't quite necessary, but Vileplume can pose an even bigger offensive threat with it, as it can then OHKO defensive Regirock and Ludicolo with Giga Drain and Sludge Bomb, respectively.

With a good typing, reliable recovery, and solid resistances, Vileplume can run an effective physically defensive set. Moonlight is a given, as it allows Vileplume to heal itself throughout the course of the match and works great in ensuring that it outlives what it checks and counters. Aromatherapy is geared towards more stall-orientated teams; waking a teammate that has previously used Rest and removing the dreaded poison, but it can be just as effective on offensive teams by ridding fast sweepers such as Kangaskhan of paralysis and removing crippling burns on physical attackers. Sleep Powder is an excellent status move, as it allows Vileplume to often cripple a potential threat for the remainder of the match. Giga Drain is Vileplume's best defensive STAB, inflicting respectable amounts of damage on threats such as Samurott while simultaneously regaining health. Sludge Bomb deals with most Pokemon resistant or immune to Vileplume's Grass-type STAB, including Tangela, Sap Sipper Sawsbuck, and Charizard. Most of the EVs go into Defense so that Vileplume can reliably take advantage of its Fighting-type resistance to beat Sawk and Primeape. The 44 Special Defense EVs allow Vileplume to take random Ice Beams more effectively. For example, Vileplume will always survive Life Orb Gorebyss's Ice Beam, even after Stealth Rock. Grumpig is one of Vileplume's best defensive partners, given its ability to tank Fire-, Psychic-, and Ice-type attacks, which lets it walk all over Jynx and Torkoal. It also appreciates status affliction relief that Vileplume can provide with Aromatherapy. Piloswine also works as an effective partner, as it can set up Stealth Rock and sponge any Ice-type moves. In return, Vileplume can take Grass-, Fighting-, and Water-type moves aimed at it. Another Ground-type that pairs well with Vileplume is Camerupt. Camerupt can roast troublesome Steel- and Ice-types, while Vileplume can sap the life out of opposing Water-types. Alomomola also works as a fine partner by tanking physical Fire- and Flying-type attacks, while Vileplume can return the favor by sponging physical Electric-, Fighting-, and Grass-type attacks. Finally, Regirock and Regice can beat Pokemon that trouble Vileplume; Regirock can take on Swellow, Braviary, and Charizard, while Regice has no difficulty inflicting pain on Rotom-S, Haunter, and Golbat. Vileplume can also work just as effectively on more balanced teams. Here, offensive partners such as Sawk work well for their ability to demolish opposing Ice- and Steel-types that trouble Vileplume. Skuntank also makes a good partner, given its ability to Pursuit trap pesky Psychic-types. Vileplume can even aid Skuntank with Aromatherapy support or act as a shock absorber for Fighting- and Ground-type attacks. Carracosta and Seismitoad also appreciate Vileplume's ability to tank Grass-type attacks aimed at them. Another Water-type that's fond of Vileplume's presence is Samurott; they cover each other's weaknesses well and, as a result, can appropriately deal with each other's checks and counters.

Vileplume's nice support movepool and above-average bulk make it a natural fit for a defensive role. It's one of the few viable Pokemon in NU with access to a reliable sleep-inducing move, and it can back that up with reliable recovery and two complementary STAB attacks powered by a solid base 100 Special Attack. Vileplume can't take on NU's top attackers, such as Charizard, Medicham, and Jynx, so you shouldn't rely on it to be your primary defensive Pokemon, but it pairs very well with other common defensive Pokemon. In particular, the combination of Slowking, Regirock, and Vileplume is a popular and effective defensive core. Whether it's as part of that core or in some other team composition, Vileplume brings a lot to the table with its ability to counter Grass-types such as Shiftry, check most other physical attackers, put a dangerous Pokemon to sleep, and absorb Toxic Spikes. It's important to note that defensive Vileplume faces some competition from Meganium, which has better defenses and arguably a better defensive typing for NU, and Roselia, which is one of the few Pokemon in the tier that can set up Spikes. However, Meganium is significantly weaker offensively and lacks a secondary STAB move to discourage Fire- and Grass-types from switching in, and Roselia's much lower HP and Defense stats leave it unable to take on any of the physical attackers that Vileplume beats. Furthermore, neither of them can use a reliable sleep-inducing move (unless Roselia forgoes Spikes, but that would mean giving up its biggest selling point). Vileplume's balanced combination of Sleep Powder, good defenses, and just enough offense makes it the best choice for many teams. The nature and EV spread focus on Defense because Vileplume's typing is better suited to taking on physical attackers in a tier where Fire, Psychic, and Ice are all common special attacking types. However, you can switch to a more specially defensive spread of 252 HP / 60 Def / 196 SpD with a Calm nature if you want Vileplume to be able to better take on Haunter and Water-type special attackers such as Gorebyss and Golduck. The 60 Defense EVs in that spread allow Vileplume to always survive Choice Band Tauros's Double-Edge after Stealth Rock and respond by putting it to sleep. Vileplume learns several other useful support moves, most notably Aromatherapy and Stun Spore, but it's difficult to find a place for them on this set. Although Sleep Powder is probably Vileplume's best move, you can drop it for another support move if your team is built around spreading paralysis or poison or if you're using another sleep inducer, such as Jynx, on your team. Dropping Sludge Bomb is also an option, but this makes Vileplume a less effective counter to offensive Grass-types and also makes it easier for opposing Fire- and Flying-types to switch in. Vileplume can also use Leech Seed in place of Moonlight for a more aggressive type of healing at the expense of reliable longevity. This set needs teammates that can counter the powerful Fire- and Psychic-types that dominate NU, such as Charizard, Medicham, and Jynx, as well as the more powerful physical attackers that Vileplume can't switch into, such as Tauros and Dodrio. As mentioned earlier, Slowking and Regirock can counter all of those threats and more, and they also appreciate Vileplume's ability to counter Grass-types and absorb Toxic Spikes. Other good options for defensive teammates include Hypno, Gligar, and Dusclops.

Although Vileplume is most commonly seen in a defensive role, it can also turn itself into an offensive threat by setting up Sunny Day. In the sun, Vileplume outspeeds every relevant unboosted Pokemon in the tier and gains access to a much more powerful STAB move in Solar Beam. With Sludge Bomb for coverage on Fire- and Grass-types and Sleep Powder to put a counter out of commission, Vileplume can be very difficult to handle for teams that lack a Choice Scarf user that can OHKO it. The biggest flaw of this set, and the reason it isn't more commonly seen, is that Victreebel can run the same set but with a higher Speed stat that allows it to outspeed Choice Scarf users and a powerful Weather Ball that allows it to OHKO a few Pokemon that Vileplume misses out on, such as Skuntank, Drifblim, and opposing defensive Vileplume. Sunny Day Vileplume's only tangible advantage over Victreebel is its much greater bulk, which allows it to survive a hit before setting up Sunny Day in situations where Victreebel would be unable to. Vileplume also has some surprise factor going for it, as it usually runs a more defensive set, which means the opponent is more likely to make a passive play such as switching out to bring in sleep fodder, inadvertently giving Vileplume the chance to set up Sunny Day for free. Victreebel, on the other hand, virtually always runs an offensive Sunny Day set, meaning the opponent is more likely to attempt to OHKO it before it gets a chance to set up. Overall, Vileplume can work quite well as a mid- or late-game standalone sweeper, but make sure that Victreebel isn't a better fit for your team. The EV spread maximizes Vileplume's power and gives it enough Speed to outspeed every unboosted Pokemon in the tier except Electrode, with the leftover EVs going into HP to reinforce Vileplume's natural bulkiness. Switching to a Timid nature with maximum Speed investment allows it to outspeed Choice Scarf users with base 80 Speed, such as Medicham and Drifblim, but if you want a sun sweeper that can outspeed Choice Scarf users, you're usually better off choosing Victreebel. Hidden Power Fire can replace Sleep Powder in order to OHKO a few of the Pokemon that resist both of Vileplume's STAB moves, such as Magneton and Venomoth, especially if your team has another sleep inducer or is focused on spreading other statuses, but the ability to put a counter to sleep is a big part of what makes Vileplume dangerous. You could also use Hidden Power Fire over Sludge Bomb, but this makes Vileplume completely dependent on Sleep Powder to take on Fire-types and leaves it without a dependable attack to use in cases where it doesn't have a chance to set up Sunny Day, so it's not recommended. A fast Fire-type such as Choice Scarf Typhlosion is a good partner for this set thanks to its ability to clean up with sun-boosted STAB Fire Blast or Eruption if the opponent manages to force out or KO Vileplume before Sunny Day expires. You should also have a solid counter for the same fast Fire-types in order to prevent them from coming in after a KO and turning the tables on you with a sun-boosted sweep of their own. Regirock handles Fire-types very well and can also set up Stealth Rock to help weaken the opposing team's Fire-, Flying-, and Bug-types that resist Solar Beam, making it easier for Vileplume to sweep. Slowking is even more of a hard stop to Fire-types thanks to its high Special Defense, access to instant recovery, and resistance to most Fire-types' main coverage move in Focus Blast, but keep in mind that Sunny Day halves the power of its Surf.

Utility Vileplume, probably one of your best bets in both UU and standard if you're looking for a more sturdy Electric or Grasser counter. Works a bit like Venusaur, but with Aromatherapy. Leech Seed works well with Spikes and helps your team, and Moonlight keeps Vileplume alive as long as Sand Stream isn't raging. While it doesn't do much damage, this set makes a great supporter. Make sure to use a nature that reduces the attacking stat you're not using. An alternative way of EVing this Vileplume are shifting Special Defense to Defense and using Impish or Bold, depending on which attacking stat you're not using. Stacking the attacking stat isn't a bad idea either, especially if you're running Sludge Bomb, as Hidden Power Grass is mostly for things that are already weak to Grass, like Walrein and Quagsire.

This set is useful in UU play only, Exeggutor outclasses this in OU. Try to bring in Vileplume on something that doesn't do much damage to it, and is likely going to switch out. Start disabling your counters by wearing them down with Hidden Power or putting one of them to Sleep with Sleep Powder. You will likely want to wait with using Sunny Day when you can OHKO most things your opponent has left, or if you can beat them one on one without dying the process. When the time is right, use Sunny Day to double speed, power up Hidden Power Fire and turn Solar Beam into a one-turn attack. Hidden Power Fire gets rid of Steels like Metagross and Skarmory in two shots, Salamence will nearly always die to one Hidden Power Ice. In UU play, Solar Beam already puts a big dent in Gligar (the only thing really worth using Hidden Power Ice for), so you'll probably want to use Hidden Power Fire for other Grassers like Meganium. Paralysis negates your speed boost, making sweeping practically impossible, so that's why Lum Berry is an option. Leftovers is generally the better choice though, because it often means difference between life and death.

In standard, this set has no chance at all, and in UU it will be too easy to resist by Gligar. If anywhere you should use this set against ubers when paired with Groudon, but then it's just a worse Victreebel. If you're doing that, put Solar Beam in the last moveslot. Despite Sludge Bomb being a very cool move, Poison is one of the worst attacking types in the game. In addition, Vileplume is slow and its Attack is only average. Either way, the idea is to find some place to Swords Dance--preferably against a Water or a fellow Grasser-and then attack away, using Moonlight when needed. You can try to put one counter to Sleep with Sleep Powder. Moonlight is replaceable for another attacking move. Hidden Power Fighting has a chance to OHKO Aggron after a Swords Dance, Hidden Power Ground helps for Metagross and still puts a dent in Tyranitar if you're using this in OU. Then you could use a Grass move (Razor Leaf, Giga Drain or Hidden Power Grass) for Grounds like Sandslash, Quagsire, and again, Tyranitar.

Use Leech Seed on whatever comes in, and if you think it isn't a RestTalk user, put it to sleep. Use Moonlight for recovery and Sludge Bomb as an attack.