[OVERVIEW]
With a good ability and a relatively good movepool, Fletchling theoretically should be one of the best revenge killers in Little Cup as well as a good setup sweeper. Its relatively good offensive stats help it even more with this. However, it's held back by a weakness to Stealth Rock and is mostly outclassed by the many other good Flying-types in the tier. Although it is a shadow of its former self, it still has a niche as a sweeper and revenge killer with its good priority.
[SET]
name: Bulky Sweeper
move 1: Acrobatics
move 2: Swords Dance
move 3: U-turn / Flame Charge
move 4: Substitute / Overheat / Hidden Power Grass
item: Berry Juice
ability: Gale Wings
nature: Adamant
evs: 196 Atk / 92 Def / 180 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Acrobatics is Fletchling's best STAB move and takes advantage of Gale Wings to make Fletchling a better sweeper. Swords Dance helps Fletchling sweep by boosting its Attack. U-turn helps Fletchling pivot on some of its common switch-ins such as Chinchou and Mudbray. Flame Charge lets Fletchling boost its Speed to continue a sweep after its Gale Wings is deactivated and allows it to hit Ferroseed. Substitute allows Fletchling to activate its Berry Juice on demand. Overheat is used to hit Steel-types such as Ferroseed and Magnemite and is a powerful move in general. Hidden Power Grass hits Rock-types such as Tirtouga and Onix as well as certain other problematic Pokemon like Mudbray and Chinchou.
Set Details
========
Berry Juice enables Fletchling to restore its HP to full when it is damaged to less than half HP, but an item can be completely left out so that Fletchling can automatically have a maximum-power Acrobatics. The Speed EV investment maximizes the Speed gained from Flame Charge and allows Fletchling to outspeed Croagunk and certain Timburr variants. It also has near-maximum Attack and an Adamant nature so it can eliminate more threats such as Croagunk that have taken Stealth Rock damage and faster Mienfoo while also having a much better chance to OHKO Snivy. The rest is put into Defense so Fletchling can survive longer. If using Overheat or Hidden Power Grass, be sure to use an EV spread of 76 HP / 200 Atk / 12 Def / 40 SpA / 180 Spe with an Adamant nature. The Gale Wings ability is Fletchling's main niche, giving it priority on Acrobatics, and should always be used.
Usage Tips
========
Setting up a Swords Dance on a Pokemon you know cannot OHKO Fletchling is usually a good option, as if Berry Juice is consumed, Fletchling may find an opening to sweep. If Stealth Rock is not up, Fletchling makes for quite a good revenge killer. Conserving Fletchling for the late-game is usually a good idea, as it benefits greatly from opposing Pokemon being weakened. Use U-turn on predicted switches to help gain momentum. Be wary of using Flame Charge on Pokemon that can KO Fletchling, as it isn't a very powerful move. Flame Charge is more suited to getting a hit for a guaranteed KO or being used on a target that's weak to it and isn't weak to Acrobatics such as Ferroseed (be aware that Iron Barbs damage will nullify Gale Wings, however). Don't use Substitute if Berry Juice has been consumed, as you can't get Fletchling back up to full health easily, and when using it, it is a good idea to set up a Swords Dance after doing so. It is almost never a good idea to carelessly switch Fletchling into attacks due to its poor bulk and ruining Gale Wings. However, if Fletchling has already taken damage, switching it back in to activate Berry Juice can have the reverse effect.
Team Options
========
Although they are niche, Pokemon using Z-Memento or Z-Parting Shot can bring Fletchling back up to full health and restore its Gale Wings ability. Rapid Spin and Defog users are almost essential to keep Fletchling healthy; Drilbur in particular can check Electric- and Rock-types for it, but Staryu is more consistent. Fletching pairs well with other offensive Flying-types such as Rowlet and Doduo, as they can wear down each other's checks. Slow U-turn and Volt Switch users such as Mienfoo and Chinchou are extremely helpful, as they can get Fletchling in without taking any damage. Knock Off support from Pawniard and the aforementioned Mienfoo can help cripple opposing walls for Fletchling to more easily deal with them. Slowpoke and Chinchou can use Thunder Wave on opposing Pokemon so Fletchling can outspeed many more threats as well as potentially obtain a free turn. Diglett can eliminate Steel-, Electric-, and Rock-types that can be a very big problem for Fletchling.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Fletchling can set up a Tailwind easily, but it doesn't last long enough to really be worth wasting a moveslot. Using Natural Gift with Salac or Apicot Berry to lure in and remove Rock-types has a very small niche, but it isn't recommended because it takes up a move and item slot. Taunt can be used to stop other Pokemon from setting up on Fletchling, but it can't do much afterwards. Steel Wing could be used to hit an incoming Archen, but it doesn't hit many other threats. Snatch can take the setup moves of common Shell Smash users that like to set up on Fletchling, but it doesn't do much more than Taunt does.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Electric-types**: Common attackers such as Magnemite and Chinchou can switch into Fletchling easily unless it is running Overheat or Hidden Power Grass (although this still doesn't do much damage to it), respectively, and easily OHKO it in return. Electric-types also provide great momentum to the opponent with Volt Switch.
**Rock-types**: Most Rock-types are bulky and can switch into everything Fletchling can use bar Hidden Power Grass and defeat it in return, but even frailer Rock-types like Cranidos can revenge kill it easily. Many Rock-types also set up Stealth Rock, which is a very big problem for Fletchling because it nullifies Gale Wings.
**Steel-types**: Similarly to Rock-types, Steel-types are usually bulky, can take most moves Fletchling uses other than Overheat, and are generally troublesome. Pawniard and Honedge in particular are troublesome with Stealth Rock and Swords Dance, respectively.
**Physically Bulky Pokemon**: Mudbray, Mareanie, and even Ferroseed when Fletchling isn't carrying Flame Charge can be troublesome to break through without being assisted by wallbreakers.
**Passive Damage**: All passive damage can break Gale Wings. Sand, hail, and Ferroseed's Iron Barbs are good examples. Stealth Rock especially is extremely hard for Fletchling to deal with and is extremely potent in Little Cup.
With a good ability and a relatively good movepool, Fletchling theoretically should be one of the best revenge killers in Little Cup as well as a good setup sweeper. Its relatively good offensive stats help it even more with this. However, it's held back by a weakness to Stealth Rock and is mostly outclassed by the many other good Flying-types in the tier. Although it is a shadow of its former self, it still has a niche as a sweeper and revenge killer with its good priority.
[SET]
name: Bulky Sweeper
move 1: Acrobatics
move 2: Swords Dance
move 3: U-turn / Flame Charge
move 4: Substitute / Overheat / Hidden Power Grass
item: Berry Juice
ability: Gale Wings
nature: Adamant
evs: 196 Atk / 92 Def / 180 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Acrobatics is Fletchling's best STAB move and takes advantage of Gale Wings to make Fletchling a better sweeper. Swords Dance helps Fletchling sweep by boosting its Attack. U-turn helps Fletchling pivot on some of its common switch-ins such as Chinchou and Mudbray. Flame Charge lets Fletchling boost its Speed to continue a sweep after its Gale Wings is deactivated and allows it to hit Ferroseed. Substitute allows Fletchling to activate its Berry Juice on demand. Overheat is used to hit Steel-types such as Ferroseed and Magnemite and is a powerful move in general. Hidden Power Grass hits Rock-types such as Tirtouga and Onix as well as certain other problematic Pokemon like Mudbray and Chinchou.
Set Details
========
Berry Juice enables Fletchling to restore its HP to full when it is damaged to less than half HP, but an item can be completely left out so that Fletchling can automatically have a maximum-power Acrobatics. The Speed EV investment maximizes the Speed gained from Flame Charge and allows Fletchling to outspeed Croagunk and certain Timburr variants. It also has near-maximum Attack and an Adamant nature so it can eliminate more threats such as Croagunk that have taken Stealth Rock damage and faster Mienfoo while also having a much better chance to OHKO Snivy. The rest is put into Defense so Fletchling can survive longer. If using Overheat or Hidden Power Grass, be sure to use an EV spread of 76 HP / 200 Atk / 12 Def / 40 SpA / 180 Spe with an Adamant nature. The Gale Wings ability is Fletchling's main niche, giving it priority on Acrobatics, and should always be used.
Usage Tips
========
Setting up a Swords Dance on a Pokemon you know cannot OHKO Fletchling is usually a good option, as if Berry Juice is consumed, Fletchling may find an opening to sweep. If Stealth Rock is not up, Fletchling makes for quite a good revenge killer. Conserving Fletchling for the late-game is usually a good idea, as it benefits greatly from opposing Pokemon being weakened. Use U-turn on predicted switches to help gain momentum. Be wary of using Flame Charge on Pokemon that can KO Fletchling, as it isn't a very powerful move. Flame Charge is more suited to getting a hit for a guaranteed KO or being used on a target that's weak to it and isn't weak to Acrobatics such as Ferroseed (be aware that Iron Barbs damage will nullify Gale Wings, however). Don't use Substitute if Berry Juice has been consumed, as you can't get Fletchling back up to full health easily, and when using it, it is a good idea to set up a Swords Dance after doing so. It is almost never a good idea to carelessly switch Fletchling into attacks due to its poor bulk and ruining Gale Wings. However, if Fletchling has already taken damage, switching it back in to activate Berry Juice can have the reverse effect.
Team Options
========
Although they are niche, Pokemon using Z-Memento or Z-Parting Shot can bring Fletchling back up to full health and restore its Gale Wings ability. Rapid Spin and Defog users are almost essential to keep Fletchling healthy; Drilbur in particular can check Electric- and Rock-types for it, but Staryu is more consistent. Fletching pairs well with other offensive Flying-types such as Rowlet and Doduo, as they can wear down each other's checks. Slow U-turn and Volt Switch users such as Mienfoo and Chinchou are extremely helpful, as they can get Fletchling in without taking any damage. Knock Off support from Pawniard and the aforementioned Mienfoo can help cripple opposing walls for Fletchling to more easily deal with them. Slowpoke and Chinchou can use Thunder Wave on opposing Pokemon so Fletchling can outspeed many more threats as well as potentially obtain a free turn. Diglett can eliminate Steel-, Electric-, and Rock-types that can be a very big problem for Fletchling.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Fletchling can set up a Tailwind easily, but it doesn't last long enough to really be worth wasting a moveslot. Using Natural Gift with Salac or Apicot Berry to lure in and remove Rock-types has a very small niche, but it isn't recommended because it takes up a move and item slot. Taunt can be used to stop other Pokemon from setting up on Fletchling, but it can't do much afterwards. Steel Wing could be used to hit an incoming Archen, but it doesn't hit many other threats. Snatch can take the setup moves of common Shell Smash users that like to set up on Fletchling, but it doesn't do much more than Taunt does.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Electric-types**: Common attackers such as Magnemite and Chinchou can switch into Fletchling easily unless it is running Overheat or Hidden Power Grass (although this still doesn't do much damage to it), respectively, and easily OHKO it in return. Electric-types also provide great momentum to the opponent with Volt Switch.
**Rock-types**: Most Rock-types are bulky and can switch into everything Fletchling can use bar Hidden Power Grass and defeat it in return, but even frailer Rock-types like Cranidos can revenge kill it easily. Many Rock-types also set up Stealth Rock, which is a very big problem for Fletchling because it nullifies Gale Wings.
**Steel-types**: Similarly to Rock-types, Steel-types are usually bulky, can take most moves Fletchling uses other than Overheat, and are generally troublesome. Pawniard and Honedge in particular are troublesome with Stealth Rock and Swords Dance, respectively.
**Physically Bulky Pokemon**: Mudbray, Mareanie, and even Ferroseed when Fletchling isn't carrying Flame Charge can be troublesome to break through without being assisted by wallbreakers.
**Passive Damage**: All passive damage can break Gale Wings. Sand, hail, and Ferroseed's Iron Barbs are good examples. Stealth Rock especially is extremely hard for Fletchling to deal with and is extremely potent in Little Cup.
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