Flapple, the Apple Wing Pokémon. It ate a sour apple, and that induced its evolution. In its cheeks, it stores an acid capable of causing chemical burns. It flies on wings of apple skin and spits a powerful acid. It can also change its shape into that of an apple. Under the influence of Gigantamax energy, it produces much more sweet nectar, and its shape has changed to resemble a giant apple. If it stretches its neck, the strong aroma of its nectar pours out. The scent is so sickeningly sweet that one whiff makes other Pokémon faint.

Overview

Flapple, the sour evolution of Applin in a unique spin on Version exclusives by making the evolutionary items exclusive. And Flapple immediately stands out thanks to its unique typing and as the highest Attack Hustle user in the game, which synergize amazingly with Dynamax thanks to the perfect accuracy Max Moves provide. Grav Apple stands out as a unique STAB that ensures Flapple will get through its opponent sooner rather than later thanks to its guaranteed Defense drop effect.

However, this apple has some bruises. Its typing provides a myriad of weaknesses including a crippling Ice weakness, which with below average bulk ensures Flapple has trouble surviving long enough. Below average base 70 speed means that Flapple requires Speed boosts to function well as a sweeper, which is further hampered by its inability to hit Steel types. Flapple’s reliance on Hustle for damage is also problematic, giving it severe reliability issues outside of Dynamax. What truly does Flapple in is the stiff competition it faces as a Grass type in Rillaboom and Tsareena who provide more utility to their teams while remaining a potent offensive and defensive threats.
Positives
Hustle Boosted Base 110 Attack is brutal, ensuring that when Flapple hits, it hits hard.
Excellent Dynamax Abuser with access to Max Air Stream to ramp up quickly.
Grav Apple is a Fantastic STAB, that makes protracted fights with Flapple a risky prospect
Resistances to popular types gives Flapple extra pivot opportunities.
Negatives
Numerous weaknesses including a crippling quadruple Ice weakness.
Poor defenses and below average speed means that Flapple struggles to perform its duties without being KO’d first.
Hustle is a liability outside of Dyanamax, making Flapple inconsistent.

Movesets

The Big Apple

-Grav Apple
-Outrage
-Dual Wingbeat
-Sucker Punch
Item Attached: Life Orb
Ability: Hustle
EVs and Nature:
4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature

This set is meant to boost up while Dyanamaxed and go for the sweep once the opposing team’s Steel types have been eliminated. If/when Dynamax drops, Grav Apple still has good utility, dropping Defense of targets can soften them up for Flapple’s teammates to bust through a tough wall or force a switch. Sucker Punch gives Flapple an invaluable priority option. Outrage is begrudgingly the Dragon STAB of choice. Its power does not leave Flapple wanting but being locked into Outrage is a free switch in for any Fairy types on the opposing team.

DYNAMAX:
Flapple is an excellent abuser of Dyanamax. Even without STAB, Hustle Boosted Max Airstreams hit hard and escalates Flapple’s speed to blistering levels. Flapples STAB Max moves are more defensive in nature, but Flapple enjoys the healing from Max Overgrowth to help survive for the entirety of the Dynamax. Sucker Punch’s Max Darkness has wide coverage and can at least hit most Steel types for neutral damage.

EVs and Items:
Standard Sweeper array. Max Speed is necessary for Flapple to get the jump on as many targets as possible before the Max Airstream boost. At +1 Jolly Flapple can outspeed all the way up to unboosted Base 127s, making it hard for most Pokémon to outspeed (as opposed to the mere Base 112s from Adamant Nature Flapple). Life Orb is recommended for as much power as possible, though Focus Sash enables Flapple to survive a single hit.

Other Options:
Dragon Dance -Flapple can run a Dragon Dance set, utilizing its good resistances to find a moment to setup, then Dynamax and go for the sweep.
U-Turn -Excellent Pivoting option, but weighed down by poor coverage and how unreliable U-Turn can be with Hustle.
Grassy Glide -STAB priority is always welcome and Flapple can setup its own Grassy Terrain if Rillaboom isn’t around.

Partners:
Gravity users have a good niche with Flapple, not only increasing its signature STAB move to an impressive base 120 power, but also fixing Flapple’s issues with Hustle. Necrozma stands out thanks to having coverage for Steel types and ability to setup Stealth Rock alongside good bulk. Any answers to Steel types are greatly appreciated, due to Flapple’s inability to hit them outside of Sucker Punch. Perennial Steel type assassin Magnezone is highly recommended and in turn enjoys Flapple’s ability to pivot into Ground moves. Fire types like Moltres, Chandelure and Blacephalon also work well, forming a Fire/Grass core with Flapple and having special offense to complement Flapple’s physical.

Countering Flapple

Steel types are a huge problem for Flapple, having high defense and resisting every move except Sucker Punch. While Grav Apple’s Defense drops are troubling if too many accrue, most can KO Flapple before it can get that far. Skarmory, Celesteela and Corviknight stand out, having the defense and typing to weather repeated hits while easily 2HKOing back. Priority is also problematic for Flapple, disregarding both the boosts from Dragon Dance and Max Airstream as well as potentially Sucker Punch. Ice Shard from the likes of Mamoswine and Weavile is a reliable OHKO, as is STAB First Impression from Golisopod, though none of them like switching into Flapple’s STABs. Revenge killing Flapple is quite viable -it can still be outsped by Dragapult, Crobat and the like even after a boost and can be easily dispatched with their STABs.

Anime Appearences

Flapple made a few appearances. Most notably, it was seen in the jungle where Koko and Zarude live. # -English Episode Name- -Jp. Episode Name- Pics M22 Pokémon: Secrets of the Jungle Pokémon: Koko   1220 Paring Pokémon While Parrying! The Finals III: Smashing Pics 24 Reunion at the Ancient Castle! Reunion at the Old Castle Pics 55 TBC Showdown! The Paldea Elite Four! Pics 56 TBC Liko VS Rika! At the End of the Battle Pics 67 TBC Shine, Terastallization! Liko VS Roy!! Pics