Larvitar Movesets & Wettbewerbs-Sets

Moves Rock Slide is Larvitar's preferred Rock-type STAB move because of its higher accuracy and PP along with the additional chance to flinch it has. Stone Edge, despite being more powerful, has lower accuracy as well as a low PP of only 8; however, it 2HKOes bulky Vullaby, which Rock Slide fails to do, and has a high critical hit ratio. Earthquake is Larvitar's strongest STAB move that deals good damage to neutral foes, and it notably OHKOes Chinchou's Berry Juice set and 2HKOes its RestTalk set. Earthquake also OHKOes Ponyta and Pawniard after Stealth Rock damage and 2HKOes Skrelp, Omanyte, and Honedge, as well as Foongus after its Eviolite has been Knocked Off. Superpower provides coverage for popular bulky Pokemon in the metagame like Munchlax, Porygon, and Ferroseed, as well as Scraggy, all of which are 2HKOed by Superpower. Crunch is used mainly to handle Pumpkaboo-XL, which is 3HKOed by Crunch; it also hurts other bulky Ghost-types, such as Frillish. Pursuit can be used to get chip damage on Fletchling and damage Pokemon that are likely to switch out of Larvitar, such as Gastly. It can also be used to activate Guts by making contact with Pokemon with Flame Body, such as Larvesta and Ponyta, both of which are likely to switch out of Larvitar as well. Pursuit can also be used to break Abra's Focus Sash. Set Details The given EV spread, nature, and Choice Scarf maximize Lavitar's Attack and Speed, allowing it to outspeed the entire unboosted metagame and potentially OHKO Ponyta, Chinchou, Archen, and Larvesta, as well as 2HKO Pokemon such as Vullaby, Skrelp, Honedge, Ferroseed, Scraggy, Munchlax, Porygon, Omanyte, and Croagunk. Guts lets Larvitar absorb status, such as burn and poison, and boost its Attack by 1 stage. The remaining EVs are distributed to HP and Defense to increase Larvitar's longevity and to slightly decrease the chances of it being KOed by priority moves like Sucker Punch, Mach Punch, and Vacuum Wave after it has been weakened by chip damage from the burn. Usage Tips Larvitar should never be left to face Water- or Grass-types unless it can KO them, as even the weakest STAB Grass- or Water-type moves can OHKO it. It should switch out immediately if faced with an Aqua Jet user, such as Corphish or Carvanha. Switch Larvitar into a Will-O-Wisp to make it even more effective offensively. If there are Flying-types or Pokemon with Levitate in the opponent's team, predict carefully to avoid incorrectly locking Larvitar into Earthquake and wasting a turn having to switch it out. As this set lacks bulk and may be weakened by chip damage from burn or poison, it's important to make accurate predictions when switching it in, especially against Pokemon that have access to coverage that might KO Larvitar. Larvitar could be switched into Poison- or Normal-type moves, which it resists. Weakened Pokemon that could be switching out can be trapped using Pursuit. Team Options It is essential to pair Larvitar with Pokemon that resist Grass, Water, and Fighting, so Croagunk, Foongus, Sewaddle, and Cottonee make for ideal partners, as they resist all three types. Other checks can also be used, such as Vullaby, Ponyta, and Larvesta, which resist Grass; Snubbull, Gothita, and Spritzee, which resist Fighting; and Snivy and Ferroseed, which resist Water. Pokemon with access to Knock Off also make for good teammates, as they weaken foes for Larvitar. Likewise, Pokemon that prefer not facing Fire-, Flying-, Steel-, and Rock-types and want them out of the way can benefit from Larvitar's presence, as it can beat such foes easily.

Moves After one Dragon Dance, Larvitar can outspeed the entire unboosted metagame. Rock Slide is a reliable STAB move, though Stone Edge may be used for more power at the cost of accuracy. Earthquake takes the next slot, as it is a nice STAB move and synergizes well with Rock Slide. Superpower allows Larvitar to nail Ferroseed, Porygon, and Lileep, which all have the bulk to take Larvitar's STAB moves even after a boost. Set Details 244 Attack EVs and 188 Speed EVs are used to reach Larvitar's maximum potential. The rest of the EVs are put into Defense and Special Defense to hit Eviolite numbers. Eviolite is used to let Larvitar take more hits and set up more reliably. Flame Orb, however, can be used to ensure Guts activates and gives Larvitar more initial power. Jolly Larvitar reaches 14 Speed, allowing it to outspeed the entire unboosted metagame after a Dragon Dance. With an Adamant nature, Larvitar only reaches 13 Speed, meaning that after a boost it Speed ties with 19 Speed Pokemon, such as Ponyta and Abra, and can be outsped by 20 Speed Pokemon, such as Diglett and Elekid. Usage Tips With Eviolite, Larvitar can tank weak neutral or resisted hits, such as Fletchling's and Taillow's STAB moves. Trubbish is great setup bait as well, as it is threatened by a STAB Earthquake. Larvitar must watch out for super effective hits, however. Larvitar is best used mid- or late-game when its checks and counters have been worn down or KOed. Team Options Cottonee is the best partner for Larvitar, resisting Fighting-, Ground-, Water-, and Grass-type moves. In return, Larvitar resists Fire- and Poison-type moves for Cottonee. They both share a Steel weakness, however. Memento support gives Larvitar more opportunities to set up and is an absolute must if you opt for Flame Orb, as Larvitar doesn't have the bulk to take hits without Eviolite and can only reliably set up on Taillow and Fletchling. Knock Off users, such as Pawniard and Mienfoo, are imperative, as they knock off Eviolite and Berry Juice, allowing Larvitar to power through walls that can avoid the OHKO or 2HKO. Entry hazard support is useful for Larvitar, breaking Sturdy and weakening opponents in general. Archen in particular is a good partner as it can Defog away hazards as well as set them. Surskit and Spinarak are good Sticky Web users, and Larvitar appreciates the Speed drop to the opponent.

As a set-up sweeper, Larvitar can run a threatening boosting set with either Dragon Dance or Rock Polish as its boosting move. Dragon Dance is the preferred option, as it allows Larvitar to muscle through Pokemon holding an Eviolite. However, you can also use Rock Polish to outspeed all Choice Scarf users that have 17 Speed or less. When using Dragon Dance, a Jolly nature is recommended as Larvitar will hit 21 Speed after a Dragon Dance, which is enough to outspeed every unboosted Pokemon, while still reaching a huge 36 Attack stat. However, when using Rock Polish, an Adamant nature is recommended, as Larvitar needs all the power it can get. A Jolly nature is still an option, though, to at least tie with all Choice Scarf users with 19 Speed or less. Earthquake is Larvitar's most reliable STAB move and a staple on any set. Stone Edge is the main option in the third moveslot because of its high Base Power which is further boosted by STAB. Rock Slide can also be used instead of Stone Edge for the higher accuracy it provides, but it loses out on a lot of power. Crunch is a more reliable move for hitting Misdreavus, but Facade is also a great option in the last slot, as its Base Power is doubled to a huge 140 when Larvitar is afflicted with a status condition. Larvitar is extremely weak to Water- and Fighting-type priority attacks, often getting OHKOed by them. An Eviolite can be used to help survive priority attacks, but Larvitar will lose out on a lot of power and struggle to break through the defenses of bulky Pokemon. You can also use a Toxic Orb if you think Larvitar is going to stay in for three turns or less, but as Larvitar is meant to stay in, set up, and sweep for as long as possible, Flame Orb is usually the better choice. When using Larvitar, having teammates that can switch into Water- and Fighting-type attacks is recommended. Croagunk is a great teammate, as it also has a resistance to Grass-type attacks and can set up Bulk Up on the opponent's switch. Frillish and Mantyke can also switch into Fighting- and Water-type attacks, while also having a resistance to Bullet Punch. Wynaut is a great teammate for Larvitar as it can trap and Encore opponents, giving Larvitar time to set up; Encore support will give Larvitar one free turn to set up either Dragon Dance or Rock Polish.

Larvitar's claim to fame lies in its ability to boost both its Attack and Speed to phenomenal levels in just one turn. Rock Polish is the preferred option as it allows Larvitar to outspeed all Choice Scarf users who have 17 Speed or less while maintaining a respectable 25 Attack. Dragon Dance puts Larvitar at 21 Speed after one use, outrunning every non-boosted Pokemon in Little Cup, and also allows Larvitar to reach an astronomical Attack stat of 36. Earthquake, a very powerful move in Little Cup that also comes with STAB, makes an obvious choice on the moveset. However, choosing between Stone Edge and Rock Slide all depends on power and accuracy, though Stone Edge is generally the better option as Larvitar wants to deal as much damage as it can before getting KOed. Crunch makes for great filler, being able to hit the Ghost-types of Little Cup, while being your most effective move against Bronzor. Toxic Orb does less damage than Flame Orb over the first two turns, equal damage on the third turn, and starts to do more damage on each subsequent turn after that. As Larvitar tends to stay in and sweep for as long as it can, Toxic Orb is generally less useful than Flame Orb. Priority is the bane of Larvitar. Common priority users such as Croagunk, Carvanha, and Squirtle cut Larvitar's sweep short and should be dealt with before bringing Larvitar in. Mantyke in particular is extremely effective at removing the most common of the above, Croagunk, with Hidden Power Flying. Mantyke also has great synergy with Larvitar, possessing immunities to Water- and Ground-type attacks, while taking pitiful damage from most Grass-type attacks due to its impressive Special Defense. Mantyke can also punch holes in the opponent's physical walls, making Larvitar's sweep easier. A Croagunk of your own can also greatly help Larvitar in its sweep by absorbing Water- and Grass-type attacks, as well as finish off Pokemon who barely survive Larvitar's onslaught. Choice Scarf Magnemite can remove Bronzor from the game, who is never 2HKOed by Crunch through Oran Berry. Wynaut is a great teammate to Larvitar, as it provides the important set up turn with the help of Encore. Wynaut can also remove Choice Scarf users, which is helpful if you are using Dragon Dance instead of Rock Polish. Finally, dual screen support is appreciated, as it may allow Larvitar to set up two turns in a row, though finding time to set up may prove to be a challenge.