Introduction
Virizion is one of, if not the most versatile Pokémon in the January meta. Its good bulk and well-rounded stats afford it the versatility to be any of the following: decent physical, special, mixed wallbreaker and late game sweeper, or Bulky calm mind sweeper. The 2nd fastest Pokémon in the meta, alongside Infernape, at 108, Virizion is only outsped by Wugtrio (which it beats anyways). The Justified ability allows it to switch into Knock Off users, predominantly Crawdaunt, and get a +1 attack boost which can immediately put on the pressure and break opposing teams. Grass/Fighting typing means Virizion resists the STAB moves of some of the hardest-hitting pokemon in the meta, including Crawdaunt, Donphan, and Absol. Virizion’s typing also helps it offensively, able to hit common threats and walls like Crawdaunt, Type:Null, and Slowbro with super-effective STAB. It also has great set up options with Swords Dance and Calm Mind that let it break past bulkier Pokémon such as Slowbro, Type:Null, Goodra, and non-Unaware Clodsire. Virizion also has a colourful movepool, with standout moves in Zen headbutt and Stone edge that provide it with the ability to get past some of its checks, such as Infernape, Vileplume, Clodsire, Oricorio, and Scyther. However, despite all of that, Virizion’s middling offensive stats frequently cause it to miss out on critical OHKOs. Virizion must boost its damage output with items like Life Orb and Choice Band, which can hinder more than help at times. Regardless, Virizion is outclassed by other Choice Band and Life Orb users which makes it difficult to justify its slot on your team. Virizion can serve a niche that not many other Pokémon can by leaning into its bulkier sets and taking advantage of its access to reliable recovery in Synthesis.
Swords Dance
One of the first sets we saw running around was SD 3 attacks Virizion, which still works from time to time by coming in early to break a team’s defensive core or sweeping late game. It runs Leaf Blade, Close Combat, and then one of either Zen Headbutt or Stone Edge, depending on what the rest of the team is unable to hit, allowing Virizion to hit most of the meta for super-effective. To mitigate its aforementioned middling offense, adding a Life Orb is typically Virizion’s best option. However, one of the issues alluded to earlier is that Life Orb sets struggle greatly with longevity. Virizion is already prone to damage from hazards and Rocky Helmet, which Vileplume often runs, and so the additional recoil from Life Orb compounds the problem.
Choice Band
Choice banded Virizion is another common set hailing all the way from the early metagame. The immediate power mitigates its average attack, allowing for OHKOs on many top threats. Notable calcs include OHKOing Infernape and max HP/ 0 Def Type:Null (which tends to be a SpDef wall) with Close Combat, Scyther with Stone Edge, and 2HKOing physically defensive Clodsire and Vileplume after 1 layer of spikes with Zen Headbutt. However, Virizion does not have any attacks it wants to be locked into, and doing so often allows opposing teams a free chance to set up, place hazards, or gain momentum.
As mentioned before, Virizion is outclassed by other choice band-breakers in the meta. Infernape and Crawdaunt both boast a much higher attack stat, and can lock into U-turn and Knock Off, respectively, at little adverse cost. Both also have great priority in Mach punch and Aqua jet, while Virizion is stuck with Upper Hand. Regardless, Choice Band Virizion can be successful when paired with the right teammates. Virizion really appreciates both hazard support and pivots that let it switch in safely. Examples include Mesprit, with access to both Stealth Rock and U-Turn, and Donphan, which can both set hazards and remove them. The aforementioned pokemon struggle into Crawdaunt and Slowbro and therefore benefit from Virizion’s unique affinity for dispatching them.
Bulky Calm Mind
Calm mind Virizion is currently a niche set that takes good advantage of Virizion’s high base stat total to distinguish it as one of a limited few Calm Mind users, as opposed to one of an abundance of physical attackers. Access to taunt means that, at the cost of an additional damaging move, Virizon can prevent almost all other calm mind users from setting up (the exceptions being Infernape and itself). Base 129 special defense means Virizieon can stay in on the likes of Comfey’s Draining Kiss or Mesprit’s Psychic Noise in order to prevent setup. The ability to set up while surviving those unboosted attacks is an invaluable attribute that Virizion alone possesses.
Another thing which sets Virizion apart is that it is one of only two special attackers in the metagame able to use STAB Aura sphere, which allows it to break Type: Null, one of this meta’s premier special walls. Furthermore, Virizion has Air Slash as coverage to hit opposing Virizion and other bulky grass types, like Vileplume and Shaymin. Its impressive special bulk is very useful in beating the aforementioned special attackers in a 1-on-1.
Teammates
Still, Virizion can achieve great success and force a lot of progress with the right teammates to support it. Crawdaunt is a great partner for Virizion as it deals with bulky Psychic types, most notably Mespirit and Reuniclus, by switching into their STAB Psychic attacks and hitting back for Adaptability-boosted super-effective damage. In addition, Crawdaunt can beat the fire types that often revenge kill Virizion, freeing up Virizion for the rest of the game. Virizion in return takes care of the faster attackers that threaten Crawdaunt like Kingdra, Shiftry, and Sawsbuck, naturally resisting their primary STAB attacks. Infernape also pairs really well with Virizion, beating the bulky grasses that it often loses to and checking offensive threats like Scyther and Comfey. Virizion lends its sword to cover Infernape’s back and eliminates bulky water-and-ground types which can eat a hit from Infernape and threaten to KO back, like Donphan, Golurk, and Slowbro. Infernape’s presence allows Virizion to free up its last slot to run a utility move, enabling it to stay longer in the game with synthesis or shut down walls (such was Clodsire) with taunt.
Dachsbun is also a solid partner, naturally walling Infernape and granting wish support to mitigate the passive chip Virizion endures throughout the game.
Clodsire compliments Virizion by being able to switch into checks such as Vileplume and Goodra. It also provides hazard support, by way of stealth rock, spikes, and toxic spikes. Virizion is also able to check Donphan and Crawdaunt, both of which pose huge threats to Clodsire.
Slowbro is another great teammate, as it deals with Pokémon that often revenge kill Virizion, such as Infernape and Scyther. In addition, it can use Teleport to ensure Virizion a safe switch in (and often a free opportunity to set up with Calm Mind). Similarly to Clodsire, it likes that Virizion can deal with Crawdaunt.
Final thoughts
Ultimately, Virizion is a jack of all trades master of none, and while it does have many different sets it can run, there isn’t a single set yet that has let it establish itself as a staple of the meta. Unfortunately, a common theme we’ve seen across Vrizion’s sets is its underwhelming offensive power; it needs a choice item or multiple setup turns in order to sweep. Currently it feels as though Virizion needs 1 or 2 Pokémon to be taken out of the meta for it to thrive but there is still great potential there.
Written by 7md_n