Flygon. The OG Dragon and Ground Type Pokemon and a firm fan favorite until Garchomp’s introduction just one generation into the future. For the next three generations, the Mystic Pokemon had to be content with life under the shadow of its pseudo-legendary counterpart, until Generation VII finally gave it a new toy to play with: Dragon Dance. With its Base Attack and Speed at an awkward 100, the newfound access to Dragon Dance gives Flygon a much-needed boost to its strengths without being reliant on the use of a Choice Item.
With Levitate as its Ability, Flygon becomes a rather decent answer to the omnipresent Garchomp, considering that the latter isn’t expected to carry a Dragon Type STAB move on its own at the moment. As long as Dragon Claw can be reasonably excluded, Flygon serves as a relatively safe switch into Garchomp’s moves, since it either resists or is outright immune to them.
That said, Flygon’s awkwardly abysmal Base Stat distribution makes it a team choice that requires significant justification. A flat 80 across every Base Stat bar Attack and Speed means that it isn’t going to be taking many hits, and as mentioned earlier, Flygon is heavily dependent on setting up to either deal significant damage or outspeed the targets it intends to hit.
STRATEGIES
Tectonic Dance
Flygon @ Groundium Z
Ability: Levitate
Level: 50
EVs: 28 HP / 236 Atk / 36 Def / 84 SpD / 124 Spe
Adamant Nature
– Dig / Earthquake
– Dragon Claw / Flamethrower / Rock Slide
– Dragon Dance
– Protect
Damage Calc:
Offensive
Dig
236+ Atk Flygon Tectonic Rage (160 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Muk-Alola: 314-372 (148.1 – 175.4%) — guaranteed OHKO
236+ Atk Flygon Tectonic Rage (160 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Metagross: 200-236 (106.9 – 126.2%) — guaranteed OHKO
+1 236+ Atk Flygon Tectonic Rage (160 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 195-229 (106.5 – 125.1%) — guaranteed OHKO
236+ Atk Flygon Tectonic Rage (160 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Gigalith: 200-236 (104.1 – 122.9%) — guaranteed OHKO
-1 236+ Atk Flygon Tectonic Rage (160 BP) vs. 244 HP / 20 Def Arcanine: 194-230 (98.9 – 117.3%) — 93.8% chance to OHKO
+1 236+ Atk Flygon Tectonic Rage (160 BP) vs. 252 HP / 20 Def Tapu Fini: 162-192 (91.5 – 108.4%) — 50% chance to OHKO
+1 236+ Atk Flygon Dig vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Marowak-Alola: 170-204 (101.7 – 122.1%) — guaranteed OHKO
236+ Atk Flygon Dig vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Tapu Koko: 144-170 (98.6 – 116.4%) — 93.8% chance to OHKO
Earthquake
-1 236+ Atk Flygon Tectonic Rage (180 BP) vs. 244 HP / 20 Def Arcanine: 218-258 (111.2 – 131.6%) — guaranteed OHKO
+1 236+ Atk Flygon Tectonic Rage (180 BP) vs. 252 HP / 20 Def Tapu Fini: 181-214 (102.2 – 120.9%) — guaranteed OHKO
+1 236+ Atk Flygon Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Muk-Alola: 218-260 (102.8 – 122.6%) — guaranteed OHKO
+1 236+ Atk Flygon Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Marowak-Alola: 158-188 (94.6 – 112.5%) — 75% chance to OHKO
236+ Atk Flygon Earthquake vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Tapu Koko in Electric Terrain: 134-158 (91.7 – 108.2%) — 50% chance to OHKO
Dragon Claw
+1 236+ Atk Flygon Dragon Claw vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 194-230 (106 – 125.6%) — guaranteed OHKO
Flamethrower
0- SpA Flygon Flamethrower vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Kartana: 240-284 (177.7 – 210.3%) — guaranteed OHKO
Defensive
252 Atk Garchomp Dragon Claw vs. 28 HP / 36 Def Flygon: 158-188 (99.3 – 118.2%) — 93.8% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Tapu Koko Dazzling Gleam vs. 28 HP / 84 SpD Flygon: 134-158 (84.2 – 99.3%) — guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Thick Club Marowak-Alola Shadow Bone vs. 28 HP / 36 Def Flygon: 133-157 (83.6 – 98.7%) — guaranteed 2HKO
84 SpA Tapu Fini Moonblast vs. 28 HP / 84 SpD Flygon: 122-146 (76.7 – 91.8%) — guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Kartana Leaf Blade vs. 28 HP / 36 Def Flygon: 112-133 (70.4 – 83.6%) — guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Arcanine Flare Blitz vs. 28 HP / 36 Def Flygon: 57-68 (35.8 – 42.7%) — guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Garchomp Poison Jab vs. 28 HP / 36 Def Flygon: 26-31 (16.3 – 19.4%) — possible 6HKO
Teammates:
Salazzle
Salazzle’s job here is to buy Flygon the time it needs with Fake Out, and with its STAB options cover the opposing Ice and/or Fairy Type Pokemon that can easily OHKO Flygon.
Celesteela
Celesteela works well as a switch in for Salazzle after Flygon successfully sets up Dragon Dance since it is immune to the latter’s Earthquake. While not a direct answer, Celesteela can alleviate the team’s matchup against Tapu Fini by stalling it out with the combination of Leech Seed, Leftovers, and Protect. In return, Flygon helps Celesteela deal with the Electric and Fire Type Pokemon that threaten the Ultra Beast.
Explanation:
The EV distributions are meant to achieve the following:
- Speed: Outspeed Naughty Pheromosa after Dragon Dance
- HP + Special Defense: Survive Dazzling Gleam from Timid Choice Specs Tapu Koko
- Attack: Hit the highest possible jump point for Flygon
- Defense: Whatever is left
The recommended moves and Held Item(s):
- Dragon Dance (for obvious reasons)
- Protect (for obvious reasons)
- Ground Type STAB
- Dig
- Hits harder than Earthquake after spread damage reduction, though only lands on the second turn.
- Does not hit Flygon’s partner.
- Can be used in anticipation of Protect, especially after Dragon Dance, as opponents might want to defend themselves against an incoming +1 Tectonic Rage.
- Grants Flygon protection from expected Super Effective hits. Thanks to Levitate, Flygon does not need to worry about getting hit by Earthquake (unless Mold Breaker) while underground.
- Not affected by Grassy Terrain or Wide Guard.
- Earthquake
- Deals more damage as Tectonic Rage, which is crucial for guaranteeing certain OHKOs, as listed above.
- Instantaneous damage.
- More overall damage over 2 turns (2 hits over 2 turns vs 1 hit over 2 turns).
- Hits both opponents, though at the cost of striking Flygon’s partner as well.
- Not affected by Follow Me or Rage Powder.
- Dig
- Coverage
- Dragon Claw
- Hits opposing Garchomp.
- Flamethrower
- Hits opposing Kartana.
- Rock Slide
- Hits both opponents without hurting Flygon’s partner.
- Can be used after Dragon Dance to exploit the 30% Flinch rate.
- Dragon Claw
- Held Item
- Groundium Z
- Maximize Flygon’s damage output.
- Groundium Z
How to use:
- Set up Dragon Dance.
- Whack as hard as possible before Flygon gets knocked out.
- Profit.
V(Ch)oice of the Sands
Flygon @ Choice Band / Choice Specs
Ability: Levitate
Level: 50
EVs: 12 HP / 252 Atk or SpA / 20 Def / 4 SpD / 220 Spe
Jolly Nature / Timid Nature
– Dragon Claw / Dragon Pulse
– Earthquake / Earth Power
– Flamethrower
– Giga Impact / Boomburst
Damage Calc:
Offensive
Dragon Claw
252 Atk Choice Band Flygon Dragon Claw vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 180-212 (98.3 – 115.8%) — 81.3% chance to OHKO
Earthquake
252 Atk Choice Band Flygon Earthquake vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Tapu Koko in Electric Terrain: 186-218 (127.3 – 149.3%) — guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Choice Band Flygon Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Muk-Alola: 204-240 (96.2 – 113.2%) — 75% chance to OHKO
252 Atk Choice Band Flygon Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Marowak-Alola: 146-174 (87.4 – 104.1%) — 25% chance to OHKO
252 Atk Choice Band Flygon Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Metagross: 128-152 (68.4 – 81.2%) — guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Flygon Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Gigalith: 128-152 (66.6 – 79.1%) — guaranteed 2HKO
-1 252 Atk Choice Band Flygon Earthquake vs. 244 HP / 20 Def Arcanine: 122-146 (62.2 – 74.4%) — guaranteed 2HKO after Figy Berry recovery
Giga Impact (after Ion Deluge)
252 Atk Choice Band Flygon Giga Impact vs. 180 HP / 0 Def Celesteela: 210-248 (107.6 – 127.1%) — guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Choice Band Flygon Giga Impact vs. 252 HP / 20 Def Tapu Fini: 188-222 (106.2 – 125.4%) — guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Choice Band Flygon Giga Impact vs. 244 HP / 12+ Def Mandibuzz: 186-220 (86.1 – 101.8%) — 12.5% chance to OHKO
#
Boomburst (after Ion Deluge)
252 SpA Choice Specs Flygon Boomburst vs. 252 HP / 44 SpD Tapu Fini: 102-120 (57.6 – 67.7%) — guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Flygon Boomburst vs. 180 HP / 148+ SpD Celesteela: 102-122 (52.3 – 62.5%) — 98.8% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Flygon Boomburst vs. 244 HP / 252 SpD Mandibuzz: 106-126 (49 – 58.3%) — 60.2% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
Dragon Pulse
252 SpA Choice Specs Flygon Dragon Pulse vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Garchomp: 180-212 (98.3 – 115.8%) — 81.3% chance to OHKO
Earth Power
252 SpA Choice Specs Flygon Earth Power vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Koko: 212-252 (145.2 – 172.6%) — guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Flygon Earth Power vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Nihilego: 268-316 (144.8 – 170.8%) — guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Flygon Earth Power vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Torkoal: 222-264 (125.4 – 149.1%) — guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Flygon Earth Power vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Marowak-Alola: 204-240 (122.1 – 143.7%) — guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Flygon Earth Power vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Metagross: 182-216 (97.3 – 115.5%) — 81.3% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Flygon Earth Power vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Muk-Alola: 168-198 (79.2 – 93.3%) — guaranteed 2HKO after Gluttony Figy Berry recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Flygon Earth Power vs. 244 HP / 164+ SpD Arcanine: 152-180 (77.5 – 91.8%) — guaranteed 2HKO after Figy Berry recovery
Defensive
84 SpA Tapu Fini Moonblast vs. 12 HP / 20 SpD Flygon: 134-158 (85.3 – 100.6%) — 6.3% chance to OHKO
Teammates:
Murkrow
Murkrow provides Tailwind support to help Flygon outspeed faster targets. It is also able to use Haze to undo any Intimidate drops and Quash a target when both sides of the field have Tailwind up. Most importantly, for Choice Band variants, Murkrow is immune to Ground Type moves so Flygon can spam Earthquake freely.
Tapu Koko
Tapu Koko works well with Murkrow to bring Flygon into place, by virtue of Volt Switch. Being an Electric Type Pokemon also allows the Alolan Guardian to check common targets like Tapu Fini and Celesteela, which Flygon is usually unable to manage.
Emolga
Emolga is featured here as an honorable mention solely because of its access to Ion Deluge. When paired with Choice Band variants, Flygon can catch opposing Tapu Fini by surprise by landing a Super Effective Giga Impact. Choice Specs variants with Boomburst can also trigger Emolga’s Motor Drive Ability to make it even faster, which can help increase the damage output of Electro Ball. Outside of Ion Deluge, Emolga can utilize Nuzzle to mitigate Flygon’s Speed and is crucially immune to the latter’s Earthquake.
Explanation:
The EV distributions are meant to achieve the following:
- Speed: Outspeed Tapu Lele out of Tailwind (If there is Tailwind support, players can redistribute the EVs into bulk and adopt either Adamant Nature for Choice Band sets or Modest Nature for Choice Specs variants)
- HP: Survives Dazzling Gleam from Timid Life Orb Tapu Koko
- Attack or Special Attack: Maximum investment to optimize damage output
- Defense and Special Defense: Whatever is left
The recommended moves and Held Item(s):
- Dragon Type STAB (for obvious reasons)
- Dragon Claw
- For Choice Band variants.
- Dragon Pulse
- For Choice Specs variants.
- Chosen ahead of Draco Meteor due to its higher accuracy and relative lack of penalty.
- For Choice Specs variants.
- Dragon Claw
- Ground Type STAB (for obvious reasons)
- Earthquake
- For Choice Band variants.
- Chosen over Dig due to better overall efficiency and damage.
- For Choice Band variants.
- Earth Power
- For Choice Specs variants.
- Earthquake
- Coverage #1
- Flamethrower
- Hits opposing Kartana.
- Flamethrower
- Coverage #2
- Giga Impact (w/ Ion Deluge support)
- For Choice Band variants.
- Chosen over Return/Frustration in order to land the aforementioned OHKOs, though it comes at the cost of being immobilized for the subsequent turn.
- For Choice Band variants.
- Boomburst (w/ Ion Deluge support)
- For Choice Specs variants.
- Chosen over Hyper Beam as the latter is equally unable to net OHKOs required and does not immobilize Flygon for the following turn.
- Bypasses Substitute.
- Hits both opponents, though at the cost of striking Flygon’s partner as well.
- For Choice Specs variants.
- Giga Impact (w/ Ion Deluge support)
- Held Item
- Choice Band
- Higher overall damage due to Flygon having a higher Base Attack.
- Choice Specs
- Not affected by Intimidate.
- Not affected by Burn.
- Choice Band
How to use:
- Lead with it or bring in fresh, with Tailwind if possible.
- Whack as hard as possible before Flygon gets knocked out.
- Profit.
Scarfed Dragonfly
Flygon @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
Level: 50
EVs: 28 HP / 236 Atk or SpA / 36 Def / 84 SpD / 124 Spe
Adamant Nature / Modest Nature
– Dragon Claw / Draco Meteor
– Earthquake / Earth Power
– Flamethrower
– U-turn
Damage Calc:
Offensive
Dragon Claw
252+ Atk Flygon Dragon Claw vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 134-158 (73.2 – 86.3%) — guaranteed 2HKO
Earthquake
236+ Atk Flygon Earthquake vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Tapu Koko in Electric Terrain: 134-158 (91.7 – 108.2%) — 50% chance to OHKO
236+ Atk Flygon Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Muk-Alola: 146-174 (68.8 – 82%) — 52% chance to 2HKO after Gluttony Figy Berry recovery
236+ Atk Flygon Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Marowak-Alola: 108-128 (64.6 – 76.6%) — guaranteed 2HKO
236+ Atk Flygon Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Metagross: 92-110 (49.1 – 58.8%) — 98.4% chance to 2HKO
236+ Atk Flygon Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Gigalith: 92-110 (47.9 – 57.2%) — 90.6% chance to 2HKO
-1 236+ Atk Flygon Earthquake vs. 244 HP / 20 Def Arcanine: 90-108 (45.9 – 55.1%) — 52% chance to 2HKO after Figy Berry recovery
#
Draco Meteor
236+ SpA Flygon Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Garchomp: 200-236 (109.2 – 128.9%) — guaranteed OHKO
Earth Power
236+ SpA Flygon Earth Power vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Nihilego: 196-232 (105.9 – 125.4%) — guaranteed OHKO
236+ SpA Flygon Earth Power vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Koko: 152-182 (104.1 – 124.6%) — guaranteed OHKO
236+ SpA Flygon Earth Power vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Torkoal: 162-192 (91.5 – 108.4%) — 43.8% chance to OHKO
236+ SpA Flygon Earth Power vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Marowak-Alola: 146-174 (87.4 – 104.1%) — 25% chance to OHKO
236+ SpA Flygon Earth Power vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Metagross: 134-158 (71.6 – 84.4%) — guaranteed 2HKO
236+ SpA Flygon Earth Power vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Muk-Alola: 120-144 (56.6 – 67.9%) — guaranteed 3HKO after Gluttony Figy Berry recovery
236+ SpA Flygon Earth Power vs. 244 HP / 164+ SpD Arcanine: 110-132 (56.1 – 67.3%) — guaranteed 2HKO after Figy Berry recovery
236+ SpA Flygon Earth Power vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Gigalith in Sand: 98-116 (51 – 60.4%) — guaranteed 2HKO
Teammates:
Togedemaru
Togedemaru gives the team a Fake Out option, and helps Flygon out by threatening to 2HKO opposing Tapu Fini. With Togedemaru’s 4x Weakness to Ground Type moves, Flygon acts as a decent switch in so that players can conserve Fake Out for use in the late game, with the additional benefit of tanking any Fire Type move directed towards Togedemaru’s spot.
Arcanine
Flygon works well as a lead when armed with a Choice Scarf, since it can at the very least heavily damage common opposing leads. When faced against opponents it cannot handle, Flygon can utilize U Turn to bring in a Pokemon that can. In this instance, Arcanine serves as a decent choice to come in for the Mystic Pokemon, considering it resists just about everything that threatens the latter. Its entry also activates Intimidate, which can further weaken opposing Physical attackers.
Explanation:
The EV distributions match those listed under the Tectonic Dance set, with the EV investment in Attack and Special Attack being interchangeable.
The recommended moves and Held Item(s) match those listed under the V(Ch)oice of the Sands set, albeit with a slight alteration to account for the difference in Held Item:
- Coverage #2
- U Turn
- Allows the player to improve the board position and scout for opposing leads and/or switches, as mentioned above.
- U Turn
- Held Item
- Choice Scarf
- Allows Flygon to outspeed faster targets like Tapu Koko immediately.
- Choice Scarf
How to use:
- Lead with it or bring in fresh at the end game.
- Whack as hard as possible before Flygon gets knocked out, or use U Turn to bring in a better Pokemon against unfavorable matchups.
- Profit.
POKEMON TO WATCH OUT AGAINST
Disclaimer: This is not a comprehensive list. It lists the three most commonly seen Pokemon in VGC 2017 that Flygon struggles against.
- Alolan Ninetales
- Tapu Lele
- Tapu Fini
MYSVGC 