Analysis
Flygon serves a small but important niche in the March 2024 metagame as a Pokemon with great role compression, as it has the unique combination of Stealth Rock, Defog, Roost, and U-Turn on top of a good speed tier, one of the higher Attack stats in the metagame, and a solid defensive typing. Although it struggles against Galarian Weezing, one of the most common Pokemon in the metagame, it has a number of tools to work around this matchup, including Psychic Noise, Iron Tail, and chipping it down with entry hazards and U-Turn. Unfortunately, Flygon's poor matchup into one of the most common Pokemon, as well as having to compete with Swampert for the role of bulky Ground-type, relegates Flygon to being a rare sight on competitive teams.
Offensive Utility
Flygon's wide movepool allows it to fulfill several roles when building a team. Most importantly, it is the only Pokemon with access to both Stealth Rock and hazard removal. Earthquake is its primary STAB move, hitting Swampert for decent damage and forcing switches against Pokemon such as Magmortar and Alolan Dugtrio. Stone Edge hits Rotom-Fan and Regice hard on the turn they switch in, though its low accuracy makes it unreliable if these Pokemon are already on the field. If running a specially defensive set, this move also allows Flygon to prevent sweeps from both Oricorio forms. Psychic Noise is this set's method of dealing with Galarian Weezing, guaranteeing a 3HKO if not running a nature that lowers Special Attack. However, it should be noted that Psychic Noise does not prevent Pain Split from being used. Giga Drain is a niche option that is a guaranteed 2HKO against Swampert. This set can run a variety of items, including Leftovers for passive healing, Life Orb for more offensive sets with the goal of wallbreaking, and Assault Vest for sets with 4 attacks.
Choice Item
Choice Band Flygon is a threatening wallbreaker with good prediction, while Choice Scarf Flygon is one of the best revenge killers in the metagame. On both sets, Flygon's access to U-Turn helps it spread damage and pivot out of bad matchups. Choice Band boosted Iron Tail is a guaranteed 2HKO against Galarian Weezing, although its low accuracy puts it at risk of missing and getting burned. Choice Scarf sets can afford to run a mixed spread with Psychic Noise as an alternative.
Dragon Dance
Although Flygon becomes a powerful threat after a Dragon Dance boost and the added damage of Life Orb, it requires Galarian Weezing to be heavily chipped before it can attempt to sweep, and has to rely on the inaccurate Iron Tail and Stone Edge to deal with Galarian Weezing and Regice respectively. This set is a niche option on offense and hyper offense teams that don't mind losing Flygon as a result of missing a move.
Written by Gcgoat