NFE Rufflet [DONE]

[Jett]

[SET]
name: Bulk Up
move 1: Bulk Up
move 2: Aerial Ace
move 3: Roost
move 4: Substitute / Agility
item: Eviolite
ability: Hustle
nature: Jolly
evs: 248 HP / 156 SpD / 104 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
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 Kadabra, Galarian Mr. Mime, 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 Magmar, Raboot, Gabite 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 Gurdurr, Wartortle, and Galarian Mr. Mime 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.

[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Aerial Ace
move 4: U-turn
item: Eviolite
ability: Hustle
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
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 Golbat, Wartortle, and Galarian Mr. Mime is much appreciated, as they prevent Stealth Rock from wearing down Rufflet. Pokemon with item removal like Tangelaand 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.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Rufflet may opt for a Choice Scarf set with a Jolly Nature to act as a revenge killer, but this gives up the wallbreaking potential of its Choice Band set. Rufflet can also utilize Normal-type moves like Facade and Retaliate, but they require specific situations in order to match the sheer power of Brave Bird.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Electabuzz**: Electabuzz is faster than Rufflet and threaten it with Volt Switch. However, it cannot risk switching into an attack from Choice Band Rufflet.

**Flying-resistant Foes**: Klang, Lairon, Metang, and Carkol can check Choice Band Rufflet if it is locked into a move that isn't Close Combat. However, it should be noted that only Klang can reliably break past Substitute Rufflet; Rufflet can PP stall Lairon's inaccurate Head Smash with Substitute and Roost, and use Metang and Carkol as setup fodder. Honedge walls all of Rufflet's attacks and has Sacred Sword, which ignores Rufflet's Bulk Up boosts.

**Taunt and Encore Users**: Taunt Golbat, Magmar, and Electabuzz and Encore Kadabra all outspeed and stop Rufflet from setting up. Golbat has Infiltrator to bypass Substitute, while Magmar and Electabuzz have Flame Body and Static to cripple Rufflet.

**Residual Damage**: Stealth Rock limits the number of times Choice item Rufflet can switch in and forces Bulk Up sets to use Roost instead of setting up. Brave Bird recoil and, to a lesser extent, Gabite's Rough Skin and Ferroseed's Iron Barbs also wear down Rufflet,making it easier to revenge kill.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Jett, 226429]]
- Quality checked by: [[S1nn0hC0nfirm3d, 231074], [Greybaum, 407249]]
- Grammar checked by: [[DC, 449990]]

 

[S1nn0hC0nfirm3d]

Comments in Bold and Strikethrough

[SET]
name: Bulk Up
move 1: Bulk Up
move 2: Aerial Ace
move 3: Roost
move 4: Substitute / Agility
item: Eviolite
ability: Careful
nature: Hustle
evs: 248 HP / 196 SpD / 64 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Access to Bulk Up and Roost, backed by a solid Attack stat, make Rufflet a fantastic late-game sweeper and wallbreaker stallbeaker (wallbreaker is reserved for immediately powerful Pokemon, not setup based ones). Bulk Up not only boosts Rufflet's Attack but also makes it difficult for physical attackers such as Raboot, Piloswine, and Fraxure to revenge kill Rufflet. Aerial Ace synergizes excellently with Hustle as it receives the boost in power without the drawback of missing a foe. Substitute blocks status attempts from Ferroseed, (Remove comma) and Hattrem. and with With the given EV spread, lets it advantage of Galarian Corsola's, Clefairy's, and Marshtomp's inability walls like Galarian Corsola, Clefairy, and Marshtomp are unable to break it Substitute in one hit (The previous sentence was too long + confusing, split it up into two). With the Speed investment, (add a phrase here in regards to the Substitute tradeoff. Maybe "and at the cost of setting up on walls,") Agility lets Rufflet outpace fast special attackers such as Kadabra, Galarian Mr. Mime, and Magmar, 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, (Remove comma) help to bring Rufflet in risk-free. It is easiest to pull off sweeps once Ice- and Electric-types have been removed, so consider pairing Rufflet with Gabite, Tangela, Magmar, and Raboot (swap these examples, you listed the Ice weak mons first), which deal with these respectively. (spacing) Entry hazard support from Pokemon like Ferroseed, Metang, and Roselia aid in Rufflet's sweeping potential by wearing down foes. Rapid Spin users, such as Wartortle and Galarian Mr. Mime, clear away 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 Lairon and Klang (swap for VR relevancy), so Fighting- and Ground-types like Machoke, Marshtomp, and Gabite make for good teammates.

[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Aerial Ace
item: Eviolite
ability: Adamant
nature: Hustle
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Rufflet is a powerful wallbreaker thanks to 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, (RC) such as Klang and Ferroseed, which resist its STAB attack (ferro doesn't resist flying, just keep that its for Steels). U-turn lets Rufflet get momentum off of expected switch-ins (Im not convinced that u-turn is for switch-ins when practically nothing can afford to come into CB Ruff. Any in mind? List them, or otherwise rephrase this to show how U-turn punishes slower targets like Tangela and Hattrem while pivoting out so that Rufflet isn't vulnerable to revenge killers). Finally, Aerial Ace is a weaker STAB attack but more reliable STAB move as it doesn't have the chance to miss (fluff; really stress the importance of its perfect accuracy for when Rufflet just needs guaranteed damage rather than the power and recoil of Brave Bird).

Rufflet should mainly use Brave Bird and U-turn to pick up KOes or to keep momentum, while Close Combat should only be used when Steel-types are in range to be KOed (i'm kind of confused by this, what's wrong with predicting the Klang switch-in and using CC to eliminate it? try to make this point more clear, or avoid definitive teams like "should only"). Rufflet can struggle 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. Rufflet lacks any recovery is worn down by Stealth Rock and Brave Bird recoil, so Wish and Healing Wish users such as Clefairy and Hattrem increase its longevity. Entry hazard removal from Pokemon like Golbat, Wartortle, and Galarian Mr. Mime is much appreciated as it prevent Stealth Rock from wearing down Rufflet. Pokemon with item removal like Thwackey, Tangela, and Koffing can remove Eviolites which help Rufflet to perform its wallbreaking role from Galarian Corsola and Marshtomp so that Rufflet OHKOes with Brave Bird (more specific). (Mention that Rufflet is able to break even the bulkiest of physical walls for cleaners like Swords Dance Thwackey and Fraxure)

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Rufflet may opt for a Choice Scarf set with a Jolly Nature instead so it can act as a revenge killer, but this gives up the wallbreaking potential of its Choice Band set and lacks the bulk of its Bulk Up set.(spacing)

Checks and Counters
===================

**Electric-types**: Both Electabuzz and Pikachu are both faster than Rufflet and can threaten it out and even gain momentum from it (fluff) with Volt Switch. However, they cannot risk switching into an attack from Choice Band Rufflet.

**Flying-type Resists**: Lairon, Klang, Metang, and Carkol (dont the latter 2 lose to sub BU? And CB Larion will have accuracy issues with Sub and Roost making that unlikely as a check too. This section might be hard to explain but I wouldn't use "wall setup Rufflet" and instead explain these limitations) are able to wall setup Rufflet and can switch into most of the attacks of Choice Band Rufflet but they must be careful of Rufflet's Close Combat.

**Taunt and Encore user Users**: Taunt Golbat and Electabuzz and Encore Kadabra, (Remove comma) all outspeed Rufflet and can stop Rufflet from setting up.

**Stealth Rock Residual Damage**: Stealth Rock limits the number of times Choiced Rufflet can switch in, and forced Bulk Up sets to Roost up instead of setting up. (Add brave bird recoil and to a lesser extent Gabite's Rough Skin) (SR is huge but goes hand in hand with BB recoil for limiting Rufflet's wallbreaking and making it easier to revenge kill, at least for CB)

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Jett, 226429]]
- Quality checked by: [[username1, userid1], [username2, userid2]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1], [username2, userid2]]

QC 1/2!

 

[Jett]

Comments in Bold and Strikethrough

[SET]
name: Bulk Up
move 1: Bulk Up
move 2: Aerial Ace
move 3: Roost
move 4: Substitute / Agility
item: Eviolite
ability: Careful
nature: Hustle
evs: 248 HP / 196 SpD / 64 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Access to Bulk Up and Roost, backed by a solid Attack stat, make Rufflet a fantastic late-game sweeper and wallbreaker stallbeaker (wallbreaker is reserved for immediately powerful Pokemon, not setup based ones). Bulk Up not only boosts Rufflet's Attack but also makes it difficult for physical attackers such as Raboot, Piloswine, and Fraxure to revenge kill Rufflet. Aerial Ace synergizes excellently with Hustle as it receives the boost in power without the drawback of missing a foe. Substitute blocks status attempts from Ferroseed, (Remove comma) and Hattrem. and with With the given EV spread, lets it advantage of Galarian Corsola's, Clefairy's, and Marshtomp's inability walls like Galarian Corsola, Clefairy, and Marshtomp are unable to break it Substitute in one hit (The previous sentence was too long + confusing, split it up into two). With the Speed investment, (add a phrase here in regards to the Substitute tradeoff. Maybe "and at the cost of setting up on walls,") Agility lets Rufflet outpace fast special attackers such as Kadabra, Galarian Mr. Mime, and Magmar, 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, (Remove comma) help to bring Rufflet in risk-free. It is easiest to pull off sweeps once Ice- and Electric-types have been removed, so consider pairing Rufflet with Gabite, Tangela, Magmar, and Raboot (swap these examples, you listed the Ice weak mons first), which deal with these respectively. (spacing) Entry hazard support from Pokemon like Ferroseed, Metang, and Roselia aid in Rufflet's sweeping potential by wearing down foes. Rapid Spin users, such as Wartortle and Galarian Mr. Mime, clear away 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 Lairon and Klang (swap for VR relevancy), so Fighting- and Ground-types like Machoke, Marshtomp, and Gabite make for good teammates.

[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Aerial Ace
item: Eviolite
ability: Adamant
nature: Hustle
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Rufflet is a powerful wallbreaker thanks to 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, (RC) such as Klang and Ferroseed, which resist its STAB attack (ferro doesn't resist flying, just keep that its for Steels). U-turn lets Rufflet get momentum off of expected switch-ins (Im not convinced that u-turn is for switch-ins when practically nothing can afford to come into CB Ruff. Any in mind? List them, or otherwise rephrase this to show how U-turn punishes slower targets like Tangela and Hattrem while pivoting out so that Rufflet isn't vulnerable to revenge killers). Finally, Aerial Ace is a weaker STAB attack but more reliable STAB move as it doesn't have the chance to miss (fluff; really stress the importance of its perfect accuracy for when Rufflet just needs guaranteed damage rather than the power and recoil of Brave Bird).

Rufflet should mainly use Brave Bird and U-turn to pick up KOes or to keep momentum, while Close Combat should only be used when Steel-types are in range to be KOed (i'm kind of confused by this, what's wrong with predicting the Klang switch-in and using CC to eliminate it? try to make this point more clear, or avoid definitive teams like "should only"). Rufflet can struggle 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. Rufflet lacks any recovery is worn down by Stealth Rock and Brave Bird recoil, so Wish and Healing Wish users such as Clefairy and Hattrem increase its longevity. Entry hazard removal from Pokemon like Golbat, Wartortle, and Galarian Mr. Mime is much appreciated as it prevent Stealth Rock from wearing down Rufflet. Pokemon with item removal like Thwackey, Tangela, and Koffing can remove Eviolites which help Rufflet to perform its wallbreaking role from Galarian Corsola and Marshtomp so that Rufflet OHKOes with Brave Bird (more specific). (Mention that Rufflet is able to break even the bulkiest of physical walls for cleaners like Swords Dance Thwackey and Fraxure)

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Rufflet may opt for a Choice Scarf set with a Jolly Nature instead so it can act as a revenge killer, but this gives up the wallbreaking potential of its Choice Band set and lacks the bulk of its Bulk Up set.(spacing)

Checks and Counters
===================

**Electric-types**: Both Electabuzz and Pikachu are both faster than Rufflet and can threaten it out and even gain momentum from it (fluff) with Volt Switch. However, they cannot risk switching into an attack from Choice Band Rufflet.

**Flying-type Resists**: Lairon, Klang, Metang, and Carkol (dont the latter 2 lose to sub BU? And CB Larion will have accuracy issues with Sub and Roost making that unlikely as a check too. This section might be hard to explain but I wouldn't use "wall setup Rufflet" and instead explain these limitations) are able to wall setup Rufflet and can switch into most of the attacks of Choice Band Rufflet but they must be careful of Rufflet's Close Combat.

**Taunt and Encore user Users**: Taunt Golbat and Electabuzz and Encore Kadabra, (Remove comma) all outspeed Rufflet and can stop Rufflet from setting up.

**Stealth Rock Residual Damage**: Stealth Rock limits the number of times Choiced Rufflet can switch in, and forced Bulk Up sets to Roost up instead of setting up. (Add brave bird recoil and to a lesser extent Gabite's Rough Skin) (SR is huge but goes hand in hand with BB recoil for limiting Rufflet's wallbreaking and making it easier to revenge kill, at least for CB)

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Jett, 226429]]
- Quality checked by: [[username1, userid1], [username2, userid2]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1], [username2, userid2]]

QC 1/2!


View attachment 316346

thanks and implemented.

 

[Greybaum]

Hide

[SET]
name: Bulk Up
move 1: Bulk Up
move 2: Aerial Ace
move 3: Roost
move 4: Substitute / Agility
item: Eviolite
ability: Careful Jolly
nature: Hustle
evs: 248 HP / 196 SpD / 64 Spe 248 HP / 156 SpD / 104 Spe
New spread creeps max speed Adamant Piloswine and everything below it, allowing you to use it as setup bait (assuming you BU as it switches in)
[SET COMMENTS]
Access to Bulk Up and Roost, backed by a solid Attack stat, make Rufflet a fantastic late-game sweeper and stallbeaker. Bulk Up not only boosts Rufflet's Attack but also makes it difficult for physical attackers such as Raboot, Piloswine, and Fraxure to revenge kill Rufflet. Aerial Ace synergizes you bolded the z oops excellently with Hustle as it receives the boost in power without the drawback of missing a foe. Substitute blocks status attempts from Ferroseed and Hattrem. With the given EV spread, walls like Galarian Corsola, Clefairy, and Marshtomp are unable to break Substitute in one hit you're thinking old meta; corsola doesn't ever break this set anyway because nobody runs ice beam anymore. new example pls. . With the Speed investment, and at the cost of setting up on walls, Agility lets Rufflet outpace fast special attackers such as Kadabra, Galarian Mr. Mime, and Magmar, which would otherwise revenge kill it. mention the old EV spread here and say you'll need it if you're running agility. also, in your examples specifically mention choice scarf lampent because it's what you're actually creeping; kadabra/ebuzz are super relevant examples but you're creeping them by 5 points here because scarf lampent is faster and you want that crept too.

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 easiest to pull off sweeps once Ice- and Electric-types have been removed, so consider pairing Rufflet with pokemon like Magmar, Raboot, Gabite and Tangela, which deal with these respectively. Entry hazard support from Pokemon like Ferroseed, Metang, and Roselia aid in Rufflet's sweeping potential by wearing down foes. Rapid Spin users, such as Wartortle and Galarian Mr. Mime, clear away Stealth Rock which would otherwise limit Rufflet's setup opportunities we have non-flying defoggers now (i.e. gurdurr) so i'd rather this be hazard control in general rather than specifically rapid spin. 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.

[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Aerial Ace
item: Eviolite
ability: Adamant
nature: Hustle
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Rufflet is a powerful wallbreaker thanks to 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 Ferroseed ferro isn't taking a neutral BB hit comfortably (although iron barbs + recoil is a lot tbf) go back to lairon. U-turn punishes slower Pokemon like Tangela and Hattrem while pivoting out so that Rufflet isn't vulnerable to revenge killers. Finally, Aerial Ace is a weaker STAB attack but its perfect accuracy means Rufflet can use it when only the guaranteed damage needed.

Rufflet should mainly use Brave Bird and U-turn to pick up KOes or to keep momentum, while Close Combat is used to predict incoming Steel-types. Rufflet can struggle 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. Rufflet lacks any recovery is worn down by Stealth Rock and Brave Bird recoil, so Wish and Healing Wish users such as Clefairy and Hattrem increase its longevity. ngl i don't think wish pairs particularly well with choiced rufflet, would prefer this sentence removed Entry hazard removal from Pokemon like Golbat, Wartortle, and Galarian Mr. Mime is much appreciated as it prevent Stealth Rock from wearing down Rufflet. Pokemon with item removal like Pikachu, Tangela, and Koffing can remove Eviolites from walls like Galarian Corsola and Marshtomp so that Rufflet OHKOes with Brave Bird. Rufflet is able to break past the bulkiest of physical walls like Tangela and Koffing for cleaners like Swords Dance Thwackey and Fraxure.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Rufflet may opt for a Choice Scarf set with a Jolly Nature instead so it can act as a revenge killer, but this gives up the wallbreaking potential of its Choice Band set and lacks the bulk of its Bulk Up set. BU is kinda irrelevant to situations where you'd use scarf
might be worth mentioning retaliate or thrash here as options over u-turn but just say rufflet tends to value being able to weaken things with pivoting more than having a normal stab (particularly with thrash locking you in).

Checks and Counters
===================

**Electric-types**: Both Electabuzz and Pikachu are faster than Rufflet and can threaten it out with Volt Switch. However, they cannot risk switching into an attack from Choice Band Rufflet.

**Flying-type Resists**: Klang, Lairon, Metang, and Carkol can check Rufflet's Choice Band set, if it locked into a move which isn't Close Combat. It should be noted that only Klang can reliably break past Rufflet's Substitute set; Rufflet can PP stall Lairon's innaccurate Head Smash with Substitute and Roost, and use Metang and Carkol as setup fodder. i think this is one of those rare situations where a super relevant pokemon below b- should be mentioned; honedge walls every single move rufflet can use and ignores BU boosts with sacred sword.

**Taunt and Encore Users**: Taunt Golbat and Electabuzz and Encore Kadabra all outspeed and stop Rufflet from setting up. golbat is especially notable for hitting through sub via infiltrator. probably worth noting because personally infiltrator bat is like the #1 reason i never use rufflet anymore. also may be worth mentioning ebuzz and magmar's access to static/flame body respectively? not only can they taunt but rufflet finds it hard to AA them on the switchin because of the risk of proc'ing the abilities.

**Residual Damage**: Stealth Rock limits the number of times Choiced Rufflet can switch in, and forced Bulk Up sets to Roost up instead of setting up. Brave Bird recoil and to a lesser extent Gabite's Rough Skin iron barbs ferro also wear down Rufflet making it easier to revenge kill.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Jett, 226429]]
- Quality checked by: [[Ho3nConfirm3d, 231074], [username2, userid2]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1], [username2, userid2]]

2/2 nice work genius

 

[DC]

Remove Add Comments
AC = Add Comma, RC = Remove Comma, AH = Add Hyphen, RH = Remove Hyphen

Broken Bird

[SET]
name: Bulk Up
move 1: Bulk Up
move 2: Aerial Ace
move 3: Roost
move 4: Substitute / Agility
item: Eviolite
ability: Hustle
nature: Jolly
evs: 248 HP / 156 SpD / 104 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Access to Bulk Up and Roost, backed by a solid Attack stat, make Rufflet a fantastic late-game sweeper and stallbeaker stallbreaker. Bulk Up not only boosts Rufflet's Attack but also and makes it difficult for physical attackers such as Raboot, Piloswine, and Fraxure to revenge kill Rufflet it. Aerial Ace synergizes excellently with Hustle,(AC) as it receives the boost in power without the drawback of missing a foe. Substitute blocks status attempts from Ferroseed and Hattrem. With the given EV spread, walls like Clefairy and Marshtomp are unable to break Substitute in one hit,(AC) 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 Kadabra, Galarian Mr. Mime, and Choice Scarf Lampent, which would otherwise revenge kill it.

Rufflet should aim to setup on passive Pokemon,(RC) 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 easiest easier to pull off sweeps once Ice- and Electric-types have been removed, so consider pairing Rufflet with Pokemon like Magmar, Raboot, Gabite and Tangela,(RC) which deal with these respectively. Entry hazard support from Pokemon like Ferroseed, Metang, and Roselia aid in increase Rufflet's sweeping potential by wearing down foes. Entry hazard removal from Gurdurr, Wartortle, and Galarian Mr. Mime,(RC) clear away Stealth Rock,(AC) 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.

[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Aerial Ace
move 4: U-turn
item: Eviolite
ability: Hustle
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
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,(AC) but its perfect accuracy means Rufflet can use it when only the for guaranteed damage needed. Finally, U-turn punishes slower Pokemon like Tangela and Hattrem while pivoting out so that Rufflet isn't vulnerable to revenge killers and lets Rufflet pivot, making it less vulnerable to revenge killers.

Rufflet should mainly use Brave Bird and U-turn to pick up KOes KOs or to keep momentum, while Close Combat is used to predict incoming Steel-types to nail incoming Steel-types on a predicted switch. Rufflet can 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 Golbat, Wartortle, and Galarian Mr. Mime is much appreciated,(AC) as it they prevent Stealth Rock from wearing down Rufflet. Pokemon with item removal like Tangela,(RC) and Koffing can remove Eviolites from walls like Galarian Corsola and Marshtomp,(AC) so that Rufflet OHKOes letting Rufflet OHKO them with Brave Bird. Rufflet is able to break past the bulkiest of bulky physical walls like Tangela and Koffing for cleaners like Swords Dance Thwackey and Fraxure.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Rufflet may opt for a Choice Scarf set with a Jolly Nature instead so it can to act as a revenge killer, but this gives up the wallbreaking potential of its Choice Band set. Rufflet can also utilise utilize Normal-type moves like Facade and Retaliate,(AC) but they require specific situations in order to match the sheer power of Brave Bird.(Add period)

Checks and Counters
===================

**Electabuzz**: Electabuzz is faster than Rufflet and can threaten it out with Volt Switch. However, it cannot risk switching into an attack from Choice Band Rufflet.

**Flying-type Resists Flying-resistant Foes**: Klang, Lairon, Metang, and Carkol can check Rufflet's Choice Band set,(RC) Choice Band Rufflet if it is locked into a move which that isn't Close Combat. However,(AC) it(lowercase) should be noted that only Klang can reliably break past Rufflet's Substitute set Substitute Rufflet; Rufflet can PP stall Lairon's innaccurate inaccurate Head Smash with Substitute and Roost,(RC) and use Metang and Carkol as setup fodder. Honedge walls all of Rufflet's attacks and has Sacred Sword,(AC) which ignores Rufflet's Bulk Up boosts.

**Taunt and Encore Users**: Taunt Golbat, Magmar, and Electabuzz and Encore Kadabra all outspeed and stop Rufflet from setting up. Golbat has Infiltrator(capitalize) to bypass Substitute, while Magmar and Electabuzz have Flame Body and Static respectively that force Rufflet to risk activating their abilities to cripple Rufflet.

**Residual Damage**: Stealth Rock limits the number of times Choiced Choice item Rufflet can switch in,(RC) and forced forces Bulk Up sets to use Roost up instead of setting up. Brave Bird recoil and,(AC) to a lesser extent,(AC) Gabite's Rough Skin and Ferroseed's Iron Barbs also wear down Rufflet,(AC) making it easier to revenge kill.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Jett, 226429]]
- Quality checked by: [[Ho3nConfirm3d, 231074], [Greybaum, 407249]] - Change Name
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1], [username2, userid2]]

GP 1/1. [DC, 449990]

 

[Tuthur]

https://www.smogon.com/dex/ss/pokemon/rufflet/