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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.

Rufflet is a powerful wallbreaker thanks to the combination of Choice Band and Hustle boosting the power of its attacks significantly. Brave Bird lets Rufflet net 2HKO on walls such as Mareanie and Galarian Corsola. Close Combat hits Steel-types such as Klang and Lairon. Aerial Ace is a weaker STAB attack, but its perfect accuracy means Rufflet can use it for guaranteed damage. Finally, U-turn punishes slower Pokemon like Tangela and Hattrem and lets Rufflet pivot, making it less vulnerable to revenge killers. Rufflet should mainly use Brave Bird and U-turn to pick up KOs or keep momentum, while Close Combat is used nail incoming Steel-types on a predicted switch. Rufflet struggles to switch in to attacks due to its frailty, so it is a good idea to pair it with pivots such as Galarian Linoone, Electabuzz, and Slowpoke. Entry hazard removal from Pokemon like Vullaby, Hattrem, Gurdurr, and Wartortle is much appreciated, as they prevent Stealth Rock from wearing down Rufflet. Pokemon with item removal like Tangela and Koffing can remove Eviolites from walls like Galarian Corsola and Marshtomp, letting Rufflet OHKO them with Brave Bird. Rufflet is able to break past bulky physical walls like Tangela and Koffing for cleaners like Swords Dance Thwackey and Fraxure.

Moves Brave Bird is Rufflet's strongest STAB move. You can run Aerial Ace if you do not want to risk missing, but the power loss is generally not worth it. Superpower hits most traditional Flying-type checks (Rock- and Steel-types). You can use Facade instead if you want to be able to safely set up on Pokemon like Ponyta and weaker Scald users like Mareanie, since being burned will not affect Rufflet as negatively as it would otherwise. Bulk Up allows Rufflet to gain massive Attack and Defense boosts and eventually sweep the opposing team. Roost is used to recover damage taken while setting up and attacking. Set Details Rufflet's EVs and an Impish nature give it 25 / 21 / 21 bulk with Eviolite. 21 Defense allows you to set up Bulk Up on Mudbray and Drilbur. It also lets Rufflet survive both High Jump Kick and Stone Edge after Stealth Rock from maximum Attack Mienfoo. 21 Special Defense is the highest amount Rufflet can have without a positive nature, and it lets Rufflet set up on weaker special attackers like Spritzee and Mareanie. The remaining EVs are invested in Attack and Speed so that Rufflet can still hit hard and outspeed Pokemon like Croagunk and Stufful. Hustle allows Rufflet to hit hard by boosting its Attack by 1.5. Usage Tips Rufflet is best used to wall physical attackers like Mudbray and then set up and sweep the opposing team. It can set up on Pokemon like Mudbray and Drilbur, although it is unable to switch in on Drilbur and set up. It is also able to set up on weaker special attackers like Spritzee. Once strong special attackers like Abra and Gastly are gone, Rufflet has a much easier time sweeping opposing teams. Rufflet also has utility outside of being a sweeper; it is a good soft check for Pokemon like Snivy and Scraggy, but after dealing with them it is likely that it will be weakened too much to fulfill its normal role as a sweeper. Team Options Rufflet greatly appreciates Electric-types being removed, so Diglett is a good partner, as it can trap and KO all non-Choice Scarf Electric-types. Rufflet also dislikes strong special attackers like Abra and Gastly, so Alolan Grimer and Stunky are good partners, as they can trap these Pokemon. Pokemon that resist or are immune to the types that Rufflet is weak to and can also hit them hard are good teammates. Some examples of these Pokemon are Mienfoo, Timburr, Chinchou, Diglett, and Drilbur. Other Flying-type Pokemon are good team options, as they can weaken Rufflet's checks and make it easier for Rufflet to sweep late-game. Rufflet is also a decent Pokemon on Sticky Web teams, as it benefits from all opposing grounded Pokemon having lowered Speed. It is also a good check to Snivy, which generally threatens Sticky Web teams.

Moves Brave Bird is Rufflet's most powerful attack, but it has the downside of causing Rufflet to take recoil damage. Superpower is Rufflet's main coverage move, as it allows it to hit Rock- and Steel- type Pokemon. U-turn is used to gain momentum and to add chip damage on opposing Pokemon. Return is Rufflet's other STAB attack, which allows it to hit Electric-types hard. However, it is not as important as Rufflet's other moves and can be replaced if necessary. Aerial Ace can be used if you want to use Rufflet's power without having to worry about missing, but it is a much weaker option and generally not as useful as Rufflet's other moves. Set Details Rufflet's EVs and nature allow it to outspeed 15 Speed Pokemon with a +1 boost. Notable examples of these are Scraggy after a Dragon Dance and Choice Scarf Magnemite. The majority of the other EVs are invested in Attack to allow Rufflet's moves to hit as hard as possible. The remaining EVs are put into Defense so that Rufflet takes less damage from priority moves like Sucker Punch and Mach Punch. Rufflet's ability Hustle boosts its Attack stat by 1.5 and allows it to hit very hard. Usage Tips Rufflet is best used as an early-game pivot and a late-game sweeper. Use Brave Bird and Return to secure KOs in the early-game and sweep up the remnants of your opponent's team in the late-game. Whenever you suspect that your opponent is going to switch in a Rock- or Steel-type, use Superpower. If you think that your opponent is going to send in a Pokemon that Rufflet cannot KO with any of its moves, you should almost always U-turn out. Team Options Honedge completely walls this set, so Pokemon that can check it like Mienfoo and Timburr are good partners. Shell Smash users also have an easy time setting up and sweeping your team if they come in on a resisted move like Brave Bird or Return. Therefore, Pokemon that can deal with set-up Shell Smash users like Timburr, Pawniard, and Focus Sash Abra are good partners. Other VoltTurn Pokemon like Mienfoo, Chinchou, and Magnemite are good partners for Rufflet, as they can form a VoltTurn core for your team. Pokemon that resist or are immune to the types that Rufflet is weak to and can also hit them hard are good teammates. Some examples of these Pokemon are Mienfoo, Timburr, Chinchou, Diglett, and Drilbur. Entry hazard removers like Staryu, Drilbur, and Sandshrew can help alleviate Rufflet's weakness to Stealth Rock by removing it from the field. Conversely, Rufflet benefits greatly from hazards wearing down its checks and U-turning out as they switch in, so setters like Omanyte and Dwebble are good partners as well. Other Flying-types like Doduo and Vullaby are also good teammates, as they can wear down each other's checks.

Moves Bulk Up boosts Rufflet's Attack and Defense, making it quite the tank after a boost. Aerial Ace is an ideal STAB move, as it retains perfect accuracy with Hustle, unlike Rufflet's other physical moves. Superpower provides coverage against Steel-types such as Ferroseed, Pawniard, and Magnemite. Return can be used as a powerful STAB attack, hitting very hard with Hustle and Bulk Up boosts. However, it doesn't provide very good coverage alongside Aerial Ace, unlike Superpower. Roost gives Rufflet reliable recovery, allowing it to heal off damage it may take from Stealth Rock or while it sets up. Substitute allows Rufflet to avoid status, which could otherwise cripple it and hamper its sweeping ability. Set Details This EV spread gives Rufflet good overall bulk and hits Eviolite numbers, giving it more setup opportunities. Hustle gives Rufflet 1.5x Attack at the cost of some accuracy, though Aerial Ace has perfect accuracy. The choice between Eviolite and Berry Juice depends on the move in the fourth slot. If using Roost, Eviolite should be used for the added bulk. If Substitute is used, Berry Juice is preferred so Rufflet has a form of recovery while it sets up. An alternate EV spread of 36 HP / 12 Atk / 36 Def / 196 SpD / 196 Spe with a Jolly nature can be used, trading some bulk for Speed and allowing it to outspeed would-be checks such as Chinchou. Usage Tips Rufflet should set up Bulk Up on Pokemon that can't 2HKO it, such as Spritzee, bulky Fighting-types, and various other walls. If running Substitute, set up Substitute on suspected status inducers like Ferroseed and use Bulk Up behind the Substitute. Once Rufflet obtains a boost or two, start attacking the foe with Rufflet's powerful Hustle-boosted attacks, healing off damage as needed. If Rufflet's checks are still healthy, be sure to keep Rufflet as healthy as possible with Roost or cleric support should it get forced out. Team Options Diglett is a great partner, as it can trap and remove Electric-, Steel-, and Rock-types, all of which threaten Rufflet. This is especially important if Rufflet isn't running Superpower. Cleric support from Pokemon such as Spritzee and Chinchou can rid Rufflet of status. Spritzee can also provide Rufflet with Wish support, and Chinchou provides a safe switch-in to Electric-types. Magnemite makes for a good partner, as it resists all of Rufflet's weaknesses, while Rufflet is immune to Ground attacks and can take on bulky Fighting-types for Magnemite. Because Rufflet is weak to Stealth Rock, Rapid Spin or Defog support helps ensure Rufflet enters the battle at full health and has more opportunities to set up with Bulk Up. Archen and Vullaby can be used for Defog support, while Drilbur and Staryu can be used for Rapid Spin support.

Moves Return is a powerful STAB move, hitting anything that doesn't resist it very hard. Aerial Ace is the weaker STAB move, but has perfect accuracy and hits Fighting- and Grass-types super effectively. Superpower provides great coverage against the Steel- and Rock-types that resist Rufflet's STAB combination. U-turn allows Rufflet to dent a potential counter and switch out into a teammate and is useful for scouting in general. Set Details With a Jolly nature and Choice Scarf, Rufflet hits 24 Speed, enough to outpace the entire unboosted metagame and several boosted threats, such as +1 Scraggy. The 1.5x Attack boost from Hustle along with 252 EVs in Attack lets Rufflet hit very hard. The leftover EVs give Rufflet a point in Defense so it can tank priority moves better. An alternate EV spread of 36 HP / 252 Atk / 36 Def / 36 SpD / 116 Spe with an Adamant nature can be used to increase Rufflet's damage output and bulk at the cost of some Speed. Rufflet hits 21 Speed with this spread, which is still enough to outpace the entire unboosted metagame. Do keep in mind that this spread can only switch into Stealth Rock three times, as opposed to the main spread, which can switch in four times. Usage Tips Rufflet can be used as needed for revenge killing, scouting, and potentially a late-game sweep if its checks and counters are removed. While Superpower is indeed useful for hitting Rock- and Steel-types, it has the nasty side effect of leaving Rufflet with -1 Attack and Defense afterward, which loses a lot of momentum for your team and can render Rufflet setup bait. If your opponent has a Ghost-type, such as Gastly, locking Rufflet into Superpower is not a good idea. When in doubt, especially early-game, use U-turn. Hustle coupled with Rufflet's high Attack means that its U-turns do a good chunk of damage. Team Options Rufflet is weak to Stealth Rock and will be doing a good bit of switching in and out, so Rapid Spin or Defog support is appreciated. Archen and Vullaby are good Defog users, while Drilbur and Staryu are good Rapid Spin users. Knock Off support from the likes of Pawniard or Mienfoo allows Rufflet a better shot at sweeping late-game. Hazard setters such as Onix or Dwebble can ensure Rufflet gets certain KOs, such as the OHKO on Mienfoo. Diglett is a very useful partner, removing Electric-, Steel-, and Rock-types, all of which threaten Rufflet. This gives Rufflet a much better shot at sweeping late-game. Drilbur also has good offensive synergy with Rufflet, threatening Electric-, Steel-, and Rock-types with Earthquake. With a Choice Scarf and U-turn, Rufflet works well in a VoltTurn team, so it can pair with Volt Switch users such as Chinchou and Magnemite or other U-turn users such as Mienfoo. Rufflet can also be paired up with other birds such as Fletchling and Doduo to form a Flying-type, or "birdspam," core. They'll can wear down each other's checks through sheer offensive pressure, allowing one of them to eventually sweep.

Rufflet can also run a Bulk Up set pretty well. The idea is to switch into a weak physical attacker such as Ferroseed and set up with Bulk Up. Roost lets Rufflet shrug off any damage it accumulates as it sets up, and lets Rufflet heal itself so it can continue to set up or attack. Substitute can also be used, as it makes it easier for Rufflet to set up, and protects it from nasty status as well as attacks that could otherwise KO it, meaning Rufflet won't be stopped by faster Pokemon. Return is Rufflet's main STAB attack, hitting anything that doesn't resist it very hard after a Bulk Up. Pluck is Rufflet's secondary STAB move, giving it some form of super effective coverage. It also allows Rufflet to cripple Pokemon that rely upon Oran Berry to avoid certain 2HKOs. The EV spread maximizes Rufflet's Speed and Special Defense, allowing it to set up more easily. The remaining EVs are invested in Attack, Defense, and HP to give Rufflet one more point in each of those stats. As Rufflet needs all the speed it can get to set up against the numerous Pokemon in its Speed tier, you should choose a Jolly nature. If Rufflet chooses to use Roost, it should carry an Eviolite, to provide it with a permanent boost in defenses that will help it sponge attacks as it sets up. If Rufflet chooses to run Substitute, an Oran Berry is the preferred option as it gives Rufflet a form of recovery, and ensures that its sweep won't be cut short by a critical hit. It goes without saying that Rufflet needs team support to pull off a sweep, as Steel- and Rock-types wall it completely. Magnemite can trap and KO most Steel-types with ease, and can exploit the low Special Defense of most Rock-types to check them as well. Choice Scarf Diglett, while unable to deal with Bronzor, can trap and eliminate Rock-types as well as other fast Choice Scarf users, such as Chinchou, that trouble Rufflet. Entry hazard support from Tentacool and Ferroseed also aids Rufflet enormously, as it loves having its checks weakened. The former can also remove Stealth Rock from the field with Rapid Spin, making it a great teammate.

With 16 Speed and access to U-turn, Rufflet can run a Choice Scarf set very well. Pluck and Return are Rufflet's best STAB moves, allowing it to hit a wide range of threats very hard. STAB Pluck is also a boon in a metagame in which Fighting-types such as Timburr and Mienfoo see a lot of usage. Superpower is Rufflet's way of hitting Rock- and Steel-types that would easily wall the rest of its moves. Rock Slide can be used instead of Superpower to hit Flying-types harder than Rufflet's other moves, as it is boosted by Sheer Force. It also ensures that Archen, who otherwise walls Rufflet, doesn't pose a big threat. U-turn is a given for any Choice Scarf set, giving Rufflet the ability to scout your opponent's switch-in. The EV spread is very simple. 252 Attack EVs maximize Rufflet's Attack, while 236 Speed EVs along with a Jolly nature give Rufflet 16 Speed, allowing it to tie with other Choice Scarf users having 16 Speed. However, if these Pokemon can be dealt with by Rufflet's teammates, an Adamant nature can be used to boost Rufflet's Attack further. The ability slash is based on the move selected in the last slot. If using Superpower, no move is boosted by Sheer Force, so Keen Eye is better. If using Rock Slide, Sheer Force is definitely superior. Thrash might appear to be a good alternative option for a Normal-type STAB, since it now has 120 Base Power, but Rufflet won't be able to switch out, meaning it will be used as setup bait by Steel-types such as Ferroseed, or KOed by faster Choice Scarf users such as Chinchou. Even though Rufflet checks a large number of threats, it needs team support to function properly. Because this set switches frequently, Stealth Rock will hinder it greatly, making Rapid Spin support a necessity. Sandshrew is a great choice, as it packs Rapid Spin, a useful immunity to the Electric-type attacks Rufflet fears, and STAB Earthquake to deal with the Rock-types that resist Rufflet's STAB moves. It does, however, add to Rufflet's Ice-type weakness. Staryu also packs Rapid Spin and a resistance to Ice-type moves, and can deal with Rock- and Steel-types that wall Rufflet with Surf and Hidden Power Fire, respectively. As mentioned earlier, Steel-types such as Bronzor give Rufflet a lot of grief, as they take almost no damage from all of its attacks other than Superpower, which turns Rufflet into setup bait. Magnemite aids Rufflet immensely in this regard, forming a potent combination by trapping and KOing the Steel-types that Rufflet lures in with Thunderbolt or Hidden Power Fire. Fire-types work well too, but they compound Rufflet's Rock-type weakness.