Virizion Analysis

[Dimes]

Birijion/ Virizion
Type: Grass/Fighting
Ability: Righteous Heart
Base Stats: 91/90/72/90/129/108

Birjion's Movepool can be found here:

http://serebii.net/pokedex-bw/640.shtml

Average offense stats, average Hit Points, lower defense but a relatively high Speed and Special Defense is all that many people see in Birijion, however a keen mind may point out that Birijion is able to counter a variety of threats, notably Tyranitar, Bounce-less Gyarados, Doryuzuu and Landlos. Three of these Pokemon listed are very common on Sandstorm teams while Gyarados is a major threat in today's game. This, it's 108 base speed and it's options for boosting both Physical and Special (if you choose to use Calm Mind, you can boost it's Special Defense too) stats. While Breloom is the preferred option for Offense, don't let that giant shroom overshadow this magnificent Pokemon.

However, Birijion still has its faults. Notably, Choice Scarf Shanderaa can easily switch in on anything bar Stone Edge and OHKO with Overheat. Skamory also laughs at the little Deer as it easily walls every attack thrown at it and hits back with STAB Brave Bird. Roopushin also 2HKOs most sets of Birijion with Mach Punch.

Swords Dance:


Birijion:@ Life Orb
252 att, 252 speed, 6 spdef
Jolly nature
-Swords Dance
-Close Combat
-Leaf Blade
-Stone Edge

When it comes to Sword Dancing, Birijion has few reasons to be used over Terakion or Kobarion. However, what makes Birijion different is that it has a Grass Type STAB in Leaf Blade, meaning that it can easily KO Bulky Waters while not being beaten by Scizor. Because of this, Birijion is a better counter or check to Swampert, Suicune and Starmie, all of which are still common in Black and White's metagame. Close Combat is still that awesome 120 base stab move that hits most of the game for neutral, making Birijion a huge threat. Stone Edge compliments Close Combat for coverage and makes sure that you aren't set up on by Gyarados. If you are looking for a teammate for Birijion, Starmie fits the bill, beating most of Birijion's counters, such as Skarmory.

Calm Mind:


Birijion:@ Leftovers
252 Spatt, 252 spd, 6 spdef
Timid Nature
-Calm Mind
-Giga Drain
-Focus Blast
-Hidden Power Ice/ Hidden Power Fire

This is the set to turn to if you want to take on most of the threats in the game. Pokemon such as Rotom-W, Gliscor, Tyranitar, Excadrill, Dragonite, and Ferrothorn. Birijion's awesome Grass/Ice/Fighting coverage allows it to hit everything save Rotom-H and Chandelure. Focus Blast, though shaky in accuracy, is easily Birijion's strongest attack, plowing through virtually any sweeper even without a boost. Giga Drain is useful for beating common Water types, such as Vaporeon, Rotom-W, and Jellicent. Hidden Power Ice is great for taking care of Landorus, Gliscor, Salamence, and Garchomp.


Attacker:


Birijion:@ Life Orb
252 Spatt, 252 Spd, 6 Spdef
Timid Nature
-Focus Blast
-Hidden Power Ice/ Fire
-Energy Ball/Grass Knot
-Close Combat/Substitute

While 90 in both attacking stats is considered a little bit mediocre for OU standards, Birijion boasts unique coverage that can help clean up later in the game. While this set does have quite a few slashes, they all help Birijion with the task that you want it to complete. For most Pokemon, Focus Blast is enough to dent them or pick off weakened foes. Your first choice will be between Hidden Power Fire or Ice. Fire means that Scizor won't cause problems, but Ice is the preferred for beating down Dragonite and friends. Energy Ball may be used over Grass Knot to beat Vaporeon and Burunkeru, but Grass Knot is better for dealing with Suicune and Milotic. You're final choice will be either Close Combat or Substitute. Close Combat will still 2HKO Blissey, meaning that you won't be walled, but because Birijion can cause some big switches, Substitute can be used to help get another hit in.

Defensive

Birijion @ Leftovers
Jolly (+Spe, -SpA)
252 HP / 44 Def / 212 Spe
-Reflect
-Leaf Blade
-Stone Edge
-Close Combat

I had highly offensive moves to act as a counter as well as a supporter - Holy Sword, for instance, off his low uninvested Attack stat might not have killed off a Doryuuzu. Stone Edge is for ugly things like Gyarados and Zapdos, while Leaf Blade is the best STAB move (thanks to Def/SpD drops from CC) and hurts Waters.

I forget what the EV's are for, but they hit some number - I think it's to outspeed either Garchomp or base 100's, but I'm not sure...

Thanks a ton to Seth Vilo for this set. Now we have one of the greatest counters to Doryuzuu and Gyarados!

Other Options:

Birijion's 108 base speed and bulk makes it a great Pokemon to run Dual Screens, as opposed to Pokemon such as Azelf. Taunt is also a useful move that Birijion could employ to take care of pesky Phazers that try to stop a sweep. Also, Roar can be used if you want Birijion to do some of its own Phazing, being able to take on Jolteon and Rotom-W.

[steel dragons]

Isn't it Heart of Justice, instead of righteous heart?

I'm looking forward to this Dimes. The swords dance set in particular looks good to me.

[Dimes]

There are different translations. Righteous Heart seems to be the most accurate one, as Heart of Justice doesn't fit properly on the ability display on the Pokemon's status.

[Seth Vilo]

I haven't tested this idea, but is there a physically defensive set for this guy? I would think he'd be a great Doryuuzu counter, resisting the two moves he uses, and being able to fire back with his Fighting move of choice - Close Combat or Holy Sword - regardless of whether or not Dory has a Balloon. Just a thought, and I say again I haven't tested it, so have no idea how well it would work...

[Dimes]

done most of it now, anyone want to comment on the pokemon?

[Tastelesshat]

The SD set can be a ***** sometimes, but other then that I don't really think much of it.

[steel dragons]

How much does it take from Starmie's Ice beam? If Ice beam only 3HKOs or something like that, the swords dance set could actually set up on Starmie.

Also, small nitpick, but on the calm minder set, grass/fire/fighting DOES hit Rotom-H for neutral damage. (via focus blast, since Rotom-H isn't a ghost type)

Also, like Seth said, isn't a physically defensive set viable, or not? It can check some major threats, like gyarados and doryuuzu.

[Seth Vilo]

After paying around with a Defensive, I can say it's pretty effective overall. I only played with it for a while, since I wanted to move on to bigger better things (somebody'll probably quote that...), and it did well.

Here's what I used:

Birijion @ Leftovers
Jolly (+Spe, -SpA)
252 HP / 44 Def / 212 Spe
-Reflect
-Leaf Blade
-Stone Edge
-Close Combat

I had highly offensive moves to act as a counter as well as a supporter - Holy Sword, for instance, off his low uninvested Attack stat might not have killed off a Doryuuzu. Stone Edge is for ugly things like Gyarados and Zapdos, while Leaf Blade is the best STAB move (thanks to Def/SpD drops from CC) and hurts Waters.

I forget what the EV's are for, but they hit some number - I think it's to outspeed either Garchomp or base 100's, but I'm not sure...

[Dimes]

I am working on a Physically Defensive set, but I'm still toying with the evs.

[Dimes]

yeah so pretty much done here. I'd like more comments though