Yveltal, The Destruction Pokémon. When this legendary Pokémon's wings and tail feathers spread wide and glow red, it absorbs the life force of living creatures. When its life comes to an end, it absorbs the life energy of every living thing and turns into a cocoon once more.
Overview
Ah Yveltal. You are one of my favourite cover legendaries. Rather than having the now generic Dragon-type, you have gone for an unconventional Dark/Flying-type and a decent movepool, decent ability and decent stat spreads. Yveltal is known as the Destruction Pokémon in the mythology, and that reputation is certainly granted. It has a fantastic signature move in Oblivion Wing, and its ability makes its Dark-type moves hit harder than it has any right in doing. If you're running a team with legendary Pokémon in, then Yveltal is definitely one that you should absolutely consider
Positives
+131 in both Attack stats is great
+Dark Aura boosting Dark-type attacks, including Knock Off and Foul Play? Yowzah
+Its defences are equally solid with a 126/95/98 spread
+Its Speed is average, but should be decent enough to outspeed most.
+The ORAS Move Tutors made it even more viable
+Its signature move is Oblivion Wing...a moderately powerful move that restores 75% of the damage inflicted.
+Its shiny form looks like bacon
Negatives
-The type coverage of its movepool could be better, considering its capabilities
-It is outsped a lot by various Pokémon that can check it.
-Its shiny form is unobtainable
Abilities
Dark Aura: Powers up every Pokémon in play's Dark-type moves by 33.3%. Even though you don't have a choice in what ability to use, I'd pick this one. Stacking with items and STAB means its Dark-type moves hit HARD
Movesets
The Bringer of Death
-Dark Pulse
-Oblivion Wing / Roost
-Hyper Voice / Taunt/ Sucker Punch
-Focus Blast
Item Attached: Life Orb
Ability: Dark Aura
EVs and Nature:
EVs: 252 Spd / 252SAtk / 4 Atk
Modest or Timid Nature
In a rather unusual state, the Pokémon that causes destruction and death brings the Life Orb to the fold and can be an utter cretin with it, all thanks to its Dark Aura ability. Using Dark Aura and Dark Pulse teamed with the Life Orb, Yveltal should be able to, theoretically, 2HKO most things in the game that don't resist it.
252+ SpA Life Orb Dark Aura Yveltal Dark Pulse vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Giratina: 429-507 (85.2 - 100.7%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO
252+ SpA Life Orb Dark Aura Yveltal Dark Pulse vs. 248 HP / 220+ SpD Heatran: 179-212 (46.4 - 55%) -- 9.8% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Life Orb Dark Aura Yveltal Dark Pulse vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Arceus: 214-253 (48.1 - 56.9%) -- 91% chance to 2HKO
252+ SpA Life Orb Dark Aura Yveltal Dark Pulse vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Mega Mewtwo X: 253-298 (71.4 - 84.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Life Orb Dark Aura Yveltal Dark Pulse vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Mega Mewtwo Y: 432-510 (122 - 144%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ SpA Life Orb Dark Aura Yveltal Dark Pulse vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Mega Rayquaza: 251-296 (71.5 - 84.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Life Orb Dark Aura Yveltal Dark Pulse vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Reshiram: 216-255 (63.3 - 74.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
That's not to say it's perfect as many things can resist it and Yveltal is slow so will receive some decent damage in doing so. That's where Oblivion Wing and Roost come in. Oblivion Wing can do some decent damage, but recovery is dependant solely upon the damage you inflict with it whereas Roost just lets you recover and removes your Flying-type for the remainder of the turn. In your third slot, you have a choice. Hyper Voice does decent damage, and bypasses Substitutes which is always handy. Sucker Punch gives you potential priority, but does rely on you being able to guess what the opponent is doing and Taunt can stop the opponent setting up Swords Dance and other moves. Finally, Focus Blast is another move that hits completely hard against the opponent.
Y have a Scarf?
-Dark Pulse
-Oblivion Wing
-Foul Play / Hurricane
-U-turn
Item Attached: Choice Scarf
Ability: Dark Aura
EVs and Nature:
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 Spd / 4 Atk
Modest Nature
Why are we choosing the Choice Scarf? Well that's relatively simple. Yveltal's speed is average and is outsped by a lot of its threats. However, with the Choice Scarf, it suddenly is able to outspeed many of them and can still do some serious damage. Dark Pulse is a fantastic move as standard, but with STAB and Dark Aura in effect, it can do ridiculous damage. Oblivion Wing is a great option too, and helps you recover which is a fantastic thing when you're locked into using the same move over and over. Foul Play allows you to use the strengths of your opponent against them, especially if they Sword Danced and you just sent it out. Hurricane is an option because it hits hard, even though it lacks accuracy. Finally, U-turn can be used for you to do some damage and then retreat as much as you possibly can.
Y-Cable
-Foul Play
-Roost
-Taunt
-Sucker Punch
Item Attached: Leftovers
Ability: Dark Aura
EVs and Nature:
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpDef
Impish Nature
It may seem odd to use a defensive set on something with as good mixed attacking stats as Yveltal, but Yveltal's solid 126/95/98 defenses make it more durable than one might think. Foul Play is the crux of this set, which, when boosted by Dark Aura, lets it absolutely decimate numerous physical threats whose attacks it can take with this setup. This set checks things like Deoxys-A (countering it entirely if it lacks Ice Beam), all three variants of Mewtwo (again having Ice Beam be the only thing that can penetrate Yveltal), Dragon Dance Rayquaza, and Swords Dance Arceus. With Yveltal's solid bulk, it can survive even some boosted attacks, and then let Foul Play rip into the target. Roost affords Yveltal reliable recovery to keep itself alive longer, while Taunt lets it shut down more defensive Pokemon such as Deoxys-D, Giratina, and Lugia. Sucker Punch can let Yveltal pick off weakened, faster threats, such as the aforementioned Mewtwos who might try to Ice Beam you, as it still hits them hard even without investment due to Dark Aura and a high base attack. The EVs and nature maximize Yveltal's physical bulk while also minimizing its Stealth Rock damage as well. Keep in mind that to reach its full defensive potential, it rally wants Stealth Rock to be off the field, or else it'll find itself cutting it a little close.
Other Options
Air Slash, Dragon Pulse, Physical Sets, Heat Wave, Knock Off
Air Slash is an option to take advantage of the Flying-type STAB and maybe make the opponent flinch, but as it's mostly being outsped, chances of that are slim.
Dragon Pulse can provide further coverage, especially in the age of Rayquaza.
Physical sets can be a decent option, but given Yveltal's Special movepool, you'd be a bit mad to run just Physical rather than mixed
Heat Wave is another option that can provide decent coverage, being Yveltal's only attacking Fire-type move
Finally Knock Off is a fantastic option that can be used. Thanks to the Dark Aura boost, it's even more brutal than it already is this generation.
Double & Triple Battle Options
The Pokedex classifies Yveltal as the Destruction Pokemon. That was no lie. How many Pokemon do you know that threaten all Mewtwo? Yveltal couldn't have been created in a better Generation since Steel lost its resistance to Dark, leaving only other Dark, Fighting and Fairy types to resist it. Fortunately, not too many Dark types threaten Yveltal, and Fighting Types are just Oblivion Wing bait. Remember feeling discouraged when a Gym Leader or E4 Member used a Full Restore on their Pokemon? Imagine if that Full Restore also did damage and KOed one of your Pokemon. THAT is why Fighting types will steer far from Yveltal. That leaves Fairy to worry about. It's not recommended to attempt to beat Xerneas by Yveltal alone, though it is possible. But Mega Mawile was/still is a huge threat to Yveltal... until ORAS gave Yveltal Heat Wave, still be cautious.
Did I mention that Yveltal has the strongest Sucker Punch in the game? It also has the strongest Knock Off too!
Myrderer
Sucker Punch
Dark Pulse
Oblivion Wing
Protect
Item Attached: Life Orb
Ability: Dark Aura
EVs and Nature:
EVs: 24 HP/ 8 Atk / 252 SAtk / 224 Speed
Naive / Hasty Nature
This set is straightforward with the offense. With the Speed Boosting nature and heavy EV investment in speed, Yveltal will always be faster than non Scarfed base 95's (Kyurem), Max Special attack is to get the most out of Oblivion Wing and Dark Pulse when Sucker Punch isn't your best option. There are minimal attack EVs because with Life Orb, Dark Aura and STAB factored in, Sucker Punch still OHKOes Mewtwo without an absurd amount of HP and Physical Defense. Also investing a lot into attack is a little risky when Intimidate and Primal Groudon exist. At Level 100, the HP EVs lessen the recoil damage from Life Orb and provide a little negligible bulk.
Anno' Ying
Protect
Disable
Oblivion Wing / Knock Off / Snarl
Tailwind / Snarl
Item Attached: Life Orb
Ability: Dark Aura
EVs and Nature:
EVs: 28HP / 228Atk / 252 Speed OR
28 HP / 228 SAtk / 252 Speed
Naive / Hasty / Jolly Nature OR Timid Nature
This set strays away from heavy offense and instead goes toward being disruptive. Protect and Disable go hand in hand, if you know the opposing Mega Mawile is going to Play Rough you, protect that turn, then follow up the next turn with Disable, and for the next 4 turns they're out of a way to OHKO Yveltal unless they switch. Considering how much quicker games are finished in doubles, stopping your opponent from using a crucial move on their Pokemon can set up many opportunities for victory. The third move is dependent on what you value more, taking advantage of Dark Aura and removing items from Pokemon like Ferrothorn or restoring HP to stay on the field longer. It's a tough choice considering how common Primal Groudon and other Megas are. The last slot is for support, Tailwind is a great choice for just about any team, but Snarl lowers both opponent's special attack which can combo very well with Intimidate. If your set is only using Special Attacks, use the Timid Nature, if you're going for a mix or just using Knock Off as your attacking move, use the nature that won't impede your attacking power. Speed is top priorty as to outspeed as much as possible to make Protect/Disable work without speed control like Tailwind.
Yveltal's Dark Aura invite many other Dark type Pokemon to take advantage of STAB Dark Aura boosted moves. Bisharp is an excellent partner for Yveltal considering the amount of mind games you can play with the opponent with TWO Sucker Punchers on the field. Bisharp also deters Intimidate AND can threaten Xerneas with Iron Head. Taunt users will work well with the first set allowing for safer Sucker Punches, so Thundurus or Liepard wouldn't be bad choices either. Liepard can work well with the second set too considering Priority Encores combo devilishly with Yveltal's disable and Swagger + Foul Play will deal absurd ammounts of damage with Dark Aura factored in. But do take care that your team is very well prepared for Pixilate Hyper Voices, Dazzling Gleams and others of the such.
Yveltal's downfalls are that Xerneas and the other Fairies exist, and base 99 speed is a let down, mostly because it ties with Xerneas. If only Yveltal was just a smidge faster.... Also, Yveltal has quite the case of 4 moveslot syndrome. It almost has TOO MANY excellent moves to chose from. But to make that easier, build your team first, then fit Yveltal into it rather than building your team around Yveltal.
Because Yveltal has a lot going for it in terms of moves and niche sets it can run, it can be very easy to build a set that's all over the place that hardly accomplishes anything. By taking a step back and realizing what you need out of Yveltal your sets will focus and Yveltal will begin exceeding expectations. Never underestimate it. Yveltal is awkward to handle at times but it's very very destructive when it's used effectively WITH the team, not as a stand alone threat say like.. Power Herb Geomancy Xerneas.
Countering Yveltal
It's relatively easy to counter Yveltal. If you're using it, then you're either using fan tiers where Yveltal is thrown together with the likes of Arceus, or official competitions where it's also facing other legendary Pokémon including Mega Rayquaza. Compared to its other powerful legendary bretheren, Yveltal is somewhat slow meaning that while it can get off hits, it will be hit first and most likely severely damaged. A key Pokémon to use against Yveltal is Xerneas. Even before a Geomancy boost, Xerneas can OHKO Yveltal with a simple Moonblast. Most Pokémon that can let off a Moonblast can do severe damage, too. Even a simple Sylveon can absorb hits from Yveltal and take it out. Alternatively, hitting hard with powerful Rock, Electric or Ice moves can also dent Yveltal quite expertly.
Locations in Games
Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald:
Not in game
FireRed/LeafGreen:
Not in game
Colosseum/XD:
Not in game
Diamond/Pearl/Platinum:
Not in game
HeartGold/SoulSilver:
Not in game
Black/White:
Not in game
Black 2/White 2:
Not in game
X/Y:
Team Flare HQ (Y)
Trade from Y (X)
Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire:
Trade from Y
Animé Appearences
|
Yveltal has made a few appearances in the anime. In it, it started attacking the nearby areas, turning lots of wild Pokémon and people into stone
|
|