Bulk Up and Roost, backed by a solid Attack stat, make Rufflet a fantastic late-game sweeper and stallbreaker. Bulk Up boosts Rufflet's Attack and makes it difficult for physical attackers such as Raboot, Piloswine, and Fraxure to revenge kill it. Aerial Ace synergizes excellently with Hustle, as it receives the boost in power without the drawback of missing a foe. Substitute blocks status from Ferroseed and Hattrem. With the given EV spread, walls like Clefairy and Marshtomp are unable to break Substitute in one hit, and Rufflet is able to outspeed Adamant Piloswine. With a spread of 248 HP / 196 SpD / 64 Spe and a Careful Nature, and at the cost of setting up on walls, Agility lets Rufflet outpace fast special attackers such as Electabuzz, Galarian Linoone, Raboot, and Choice Scarf Lampent, which would otherwise revenge kill it.
Rufflet should aim to setup on passive Pokemon but must be wary of their status moves and Knock Off, so slow pivots such as Clefairy, Slowpoke, and Klang help to bring Rufflet in risk-free. It is easier to pull off sweeps once Ice- and Electric-types have been removed, so consider pairing Rufflet with Pokemon like Raboot, Lampent, Gurdurr, Piloswine, Roselia, and Tangela. Entry hazard support from Pokemon like Ferroseed, Metang, and Roselia increase Rufflet's sweeping potential by wearing down foes. Entry hazard removal from Vullaby, Hattrem, Gurdurr, and Wartortle clear Stealth Rock, which would otherwise limit Rufflet's setup opportunities. Since Aerial Ace is Rufflet's only attack, it will struggle against Steel-types like Klang and Lairon, so Fighting- and Ground-types like Machoke, Marshtomp, and Gabite make for good teammates.