Community POTW #086

[Serebii]

Time for the next Pokémon and we return to Galar!

It's the UFO itself, Orbeetle

Orbeetle #826 - Serebii.net Pokédex

Orbeetle Pokémon Serebii.net Pokédex providing all details on moves, stats, abilities, evolution data and locations for Pokémon Sword & Shield

www.serebii.net

 

[Mestorn]

Orbeetle is an interesting take on the 3 stage early bug evolution line. It spends a very long time in its cocoon as a Dottler, not that most trainers would complain as having a cocoon that armors itself and teammates by throwing up Screens is quite the boon on any team.

However, Orbeetle falls short on the competitive scale. This is not a good generation to be part Psychic type. Knock Off is everywhere, the superstar new Psuedolegend is part Ghost and U-Turn is as common as ever. Bug does not do Psychic any favors, just adding its Flying, Fire and Rock weaknesses (well, Psychic does not do Bug any favors), along side resistances to Grass, Ground and a redundant resistance to Fighting. Its stat distribution isn't that bad, its typing being the main letdown for its good defenses. Base 90 Speed is actually fairly fast for a defensive pokémon, but is still outsped by several crucial targets, and Base 80 SATK being below average, but still usable. However, it has 0 answers for Steel types, and its passivity can turn it into setup fodder. Orbeetle has a lot of fun tricks, but it can just as easily backfire on you.

Invasion of the Bug Snatchers
Orbeetle
Ability: Swarm
Item: Weakness Policy
-Agility
-Stored Power
-Bug Buzz
-Hypnosis/Recover
Nature: Timid (+SPE, -ATK)
EVs: 4 DEF / 252 SATK / 252 SPE

Weakness Policy Stored Power set. Take advantage of Orbeetle's many weaknesses and great bulk and to proc the Weakness Policy boost and Orbeetle becomes a threatening sweeper. Agility turns the Weakness Policy boost into a Shell Smash without the defense drop and jacks Stored Power up to an obscene Base 140 STAB move. Bug Buzz threatens the many Psychic and Dark types who blank Stored Power. Last move is up to preference. Hypnosis enables Orbeetle to shutdown a counter, or at least disable it long enough for Orbeetle to tear it to pieces. Recover gives Orbeetle longevity, enabling it to take more moves and so it does not have to worry about being KO'd by a priority move.

However, this set still falls short on several accounts. Steel types wall this set, though admittedly they are usually 2-3HKOd, as is anything that is especially tanky on the special side (Goodra, Chansey, Assault Vest). Orbeetle's base 80 SATK is especially evident in missing the OHKO on many Bug weak Pokémon like Umbreon, Cresselia, and many Stored Power resistant targets. After an Agility, you are still outspeed by Scarf Dragapult (but only that -Timid Regieleki is still outsped)

P.S. Hide your Miltanks and Tauroses (Taurosi?)

 

[XaelOstigian]

Every generation has a starter bug. A bug that looks like a worm, pupates, and then becomes a full adult, all usually within 10-20 levels, and Orbeetle is no exception with the exception of the evolution levels. Orbeetle is honestly one of the more bizarre starter bugs though with its mix of bulky but speedy stats, unique typing, and a plethora of support moves for itself and the opposition. Sadly the aforementioned typing is part of the reason it isn't really seen in the upper tiers, and despite getting a unique G-Max form it doesn't fully benefit from setting down gravity itself and needs team support to fully shine as a giant UFO. But don't underestimate this flying saucer bug, as it still has more than a few tools at its disposal to dominate...none of which include laser beams sadly.

Independence Day UFO

EVs: (HP 252) (Defense 252) (Speed 4)

Set Details:
A Stored Power set that gradually accumulates energy with Calm Mind and let lets loose a powerful Stored Power like that giant laser from the Independence Day UFO. Use Recover to heal yourself as you accumulate Calm Mind boosts slowly to fuel your Stored Power STAB, and fortunately with Bug Buzz as its secondary STAB Orbeetle is able to easily counter Dark types that usually shut down other Stored Power users. Leftovers aids in health recovery, Frisk helps gauge your opponent's strategy by scoping out their Pokemon's item (Though usually it is blatantly obvious on most Pokemon), and your EVs are put exclusively into HP and defense since Calm Mind already boosts your special defense, thus making Orbeetle as bulky as possible.

Sticky Support Saucer
Ability: Frisk
Item: Light Clay
Nature: Timid (+Speed) (-Attack)
EVs: (HP 252) (Defense 4) (Speed 252)

Moves:
Sticky Web
Reflect
Light Screen
Bug Buzz/Hypnosis

Set Details:
A lead entry hazard setter that offers team support in leu of offense. Sticky Web is an invaluable asset among the entry hazards since it totally wrecks the speed tier for your opponents that carefully calculate which Pokemon will go first in a given situation. Needless to say with Sticky Web, it probably won't be your opponent for most of the match. Additional team support comes in the form of Light Clay boosted Reflect and Light Screen that protect the rest of your teammates from attacks. Finally we have Bug Buzz which keeps Orbeetle from becoming Taunt bait or completely useless if its teammates all fall, though if you want to risk it you could just sub in Hypnosis which offers additional support with sleep control.