NationalDex
volbeat
#313

Volbeat

Firefly Pokémon

Bug

It communicates with others by lighting up its rear at night. It loves Illumise’s sweet aroma.

Base Stats

HP 65
Attack 73
Defense 75
Sp. Atk 47
Sp. Def 85
Speed 85
Total 430

Type Effectiveness

Abilities

Held Items

Evolution Chain

Moves

Details

Category Firefly Pokémon
Height 0.7 m
Weight 17.7 kg
Base Exp 151
Growth Rate Slow Then Very Fast
Capture Rate 150
Base Happiness 70
Gender 100% ♂ / 0% ♀
Habitat Forest
Egg Groups Bug ,Humanshape

Sprites

volbeat Front Front
volbeat Back Back
volbeat Front Shiny Front Shiny
volbeat Back Shiny Back Shiny
volbeat Official Art Official Art
volbeat Official Art (Shiny) Official Art (Shiny)

Competitive

Rain Dance
Item
Damp Rock
Ability
Prankster
Nature
Relaxed
EVs
HP 252
Def 252
SpD 4
Baton Pass
Moves
Substitute / Thunder Wave
Item
Leftovers
Ability
Prankster
Nature
Bold
EVs
HP 252
Def 252
SpD 4

Strategy Overview

Volbeat isn't a Pokemon that seems very viable due to its pitiful stats, but a closer look reveals that it has access to the rare Prankster ability, which is where its main niche lies. It has all the right moves to utilize its ability as well, although the lack of Taunt really hinders it. Despite that, Volbeat makes for a great rain setter and also supports rain teams with paralysis support in the form of priority Thunder Wave. Volbeat also has a rare boosting move in Tail Glow, which it can effectively pass onto another Pokemon with priority Baton Pass, and priority Encore makes setting up against the likes of entry hazard leads and opposing boosting Pokemon easier. Unfortunately, Volbeat has low bulk and an even lower offensive presence, making setting up and passing a difficult task. Furthermore, its Bug typing is a double-edged sword; it gives Volbeat resistances to Fighting and Ground, but also burdens it with weaknesses to the omnipresent Fire- and Rock-type attacks. It faces a lot of competition from Liepard as a rain setter and Smeargle as a Baton Passer, as the former lacks a Stealth Rock weakness and the latter has a superior boosting move in Quiver Dance.

Competitive data from Smogon University via data.pkmn.cc