Flygon, The Mystic Pokémon. Known as "The Desert Spirit," this Pokémon hides in the sandstorms it causes by beating its wings.
Overview
Everyone please turn and give a round of applause for the president and founder of the Pokemon-That-Really-Need-Megas-But-Still-Don't-Have-One Club. From the moment it was introduced in Gen 3, Flygon was one of those Pokemon that everyone just sort of liked. It's a dragon, and it's always been (and still is) relatively easy to get in-game. But then we all realized why it's so much easier to find. Because competitively and for a Dragon type, it's pretty pathetic. Sure, it has a massive movepool and in my opinion, one of the best designs and concepts, but it's just one of those Pokemon that became dated very quickly as more powerful Dragons *cough* Garchomp *cough* moved into its place. To make matters worse, in wifi it's extremely hard to obtain Defog legally now since it's 4th gen only, one of the few things that kept it alive in competitive, being the only Pokemon both resistant to Stealth Rocks and immune to Spikes and Toxic Spikes. but luckily, in Gen 6, Gamefreak gave Flygon one last glimpse of hope with the introduction of Mega Evolutions. But, as we have all seen, Gamefreak has yet again pushed him aside for the incredibly favored Garchomp, who instead got a Mega. To make matters worse, every single Dragon Type from Gen 3 got Megas in ORAS. Except Flygon, who has now become a target for many internet jokes and has become Pokemon's own version of Half-Life 3. But despite all said in done, Flygon can still be a very useful Pokemon and can easily fill in any spot on a team with its well-rounded stats and extensive movepool. It's just such a shame how heavily neglected Flygon is because it's just the coolest.
Positives
+ 100 in both Attack and Speed is pretty good. Not great, but it puts you ahead of most other Dragon-Types and UU threats.
+ It's got a great movepool, like most Dragons, being viable in both physical, special, and supporting.
+ 80/80/80 defenses aren't stellar, but you can take a few hits.
+ It's more resistant to entry hazards than any other Pokemon. So it can freely switch in and out of battle without having to worry too much about taking extra damage.
+ Only 3 weaknesses and 2 immunities make it hard to bring down with regular attacks.
+Its design is awesome.
Negatives
- While its stats are good, they're not great. Dragon Type and not having a single stat over 100 makes it well... pretty much a dictionary definition of “meh”.
- An utter lack of stat-boosting moves prevent those “meh” stats from becoming good.
- Defog, its best (and frankly only) niche, is only legally obtainable in Gen 4.
- A double weakness to Ice is never good, especially when the likes of Mamoswine are just waiting to chunk Ice Shards at you.
- Sadly just about anything our Flygon can do Garchomp (and other dragons) do way better.
Abilities
Levitate- That's it. Its pre-evolution Trapinch has 3 abilities, then it evolves and loses them all, leaving it hanging in the air. Literally. Nonetheless, Levitate is by no means a bad ability. It gives it full immunuty to Ground-Type moves and entry hazards except Stealth Rocks, which it already resists. Being able to safely switch in to Earthquakes and such is always helpful.
Movesets
Defensive Defogon
- Defog
- Roost
- Earthquake
- U-turn/ Toxic/ Dragon Tail
Item Attached: Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs and Nature:
EVs: 252 HP / 116 Def / 116 SpD / 24 Spe
Careful Nature
With Flygon's stats you wouldn't necessary think it could pull off a defensive set , but surprisingly...thanks to it's movepool , typing , ability it manages to be quite effective in certain situations. Flygon can come in to use Defog to remove entry hazards reliably and multiple times throughout the match. Which is really it's only niche to be honest , so take full advantage of this. Roost gives Flygon reliable recovery to ensure it isn't worn down too quickly by the likes of Houndoom and Mega Camerupt. Earthquake gives Flygon a reliable STAB option that wears down common hazard setters, such as Rhyperior, Mega Steelix, and Qwilfish. The last slot gives Flygon extra utility for certain situations , so pick your poison. U-turn is generally preferred, as it allows Flygon to build or maintain momentum for its team. Toxic is an intriguing option, as Flygon is likely to lure out defensive Pokemon such as Jellicent and Alomomola the first time it switches in. Dragon Tail can be helpful in preventing a powerful setup sweeper, such as Calm Mind Meloetta, from sweeping your team. It also gives Flygon a method of punishing opposing Flygon for switching in. While not listed, Fire Punch can be helpful if Flygon's team is very weak to Escavalier or Durant, but it won't be doing much damage against any other Pokemon due to the lack of Attack.
And This Time, It's Personal
-U-Turn
-Earthquake
-Dragon Claw
-Rock Slide
Item Attached: Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs and Nature:
EVs: 252 Attack/252 Speed/ 4 HP
Jolly Nature
This is the most common and basic set that Flygon runs. U-Turn combined with a Scarf makes Flygon a great opening scout, allowing it to quickly switch out of a threat. Earthquake is your go-to STAB, and with a Band powerup and maxed Attack, it can be pretty nasty. But be careful, because opponents usually will know that you're running a Choiced set, and proceed to switch into a flying type, forcing you to switch. Dragon Claw lacks the power of Outrage , but it's much more reliable and you won't have to worry about getting locked in and revenge killed by Fairy Types. The final move is your choice. Rock type moves are generally good for dealing with Flying and Ice types, but you can replace that with an elemental punch in order to expand your coverage or Defog.
Other Options
Dragon Rush- Basically the Stone Edge of Dragon Claw. High power, but terrible accuracy.
Crunch- The defense lowering is always helpful, but it doesn't give the most useful coverage.
Boomburst- A great move with awesome power and no drawbacks. Too bad it's normal type and special. Hopefully, Flygon's mega will give it a special boost and maybe a ground type -ate ability to make this move monstrously powerful.
Flamethrower/Fire Blast- If you're running a special or mixed set, this is always a good option for dealing with annoying counters like Steelix and Skarmory.
Draco Meteor- You know... if you really like power and don't mind drawbacks.
Fissure- For those crazy people who expect OHKO moves to hit.
Roost- Reliable recovery, especially if you choose to use a Life Orb.
Double & Triple Battle Options
Unfortunately for Flygon, there aren't many qualities it has that justify it as the stronger option than say Garchomp or Landorus. It's only option to become more relevant is to have its stats and ability reworked from the ground up with the current metagame in mind or for Flygon to get a Mega Evolution. Neither of which happened in ORAS, which means Flygon may be a niche Pokemon until it is granted more power. Tinted Lens or Adaptability would be a step forward
Egg Legs
Earthquake
Dragon Claw / Draco Meteor
Feint
Protect
Item Attached: Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs and Nature:
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Speed / 4 HP
Jolly / Naive Nature
Flygon has a bit of an inferiority complex to Garchomp. It does get Levitate and Feint, but at the cost of getting into speed ties with Mega Kangaskhan and the like. It also shares an ice weakness with Landorus and Thundurus which means any adequately prepared team will have an Ice type attack ready to fire at Flygon. Being weak to fairy seems to just be the final nail in the coffin. It it make the Flygon Trainer feel any better, Garchomp wouldn't be nearly as effective if it had just 2 points less in base speed. Lets not forget that Mega Salamence is a thing either. When one uses Flygon, they are usually forgoing a powerful Pokemon to do so.
Feint is high priority chip damage that's especially useful if the partner's attack can't afford to go into Protect., Draco Meteor is alternative Dragon coverage in case intimidate is prevalent. The other moves ares fairly standard.
Flygon meshes really well with Landorus and Thundurus, but at the same time adds to their already staggering Ice Weaknesses. Having levitate and STAB Earthquakes is a neat trait.
Flygon will have troubles in all the same areas the bigger Pokemon are having troubles, Pixelate Hyper Voices, Hidden Power Ices and the like. Faster Dragons too. Be very wary of using Flygon, until it Mega Evolves or finds itself in a limited environment with no Garchomp or Landorus, it may shine. Keep it in mind for future gens!
Countering Flygon
ICE TYPES. It's typing is one of its greatest strengths , but it can also be a curse with Ground/Dragon leaving you with a glaring and awful 4x weakness to Ice Type moves. Mamoswine and defensive mons like Donphan that have access to Ice Shard will eat just Flygon for breakfast. It also naturally will have problems with Fairy types. Especially if you're running a choice set with Outrage (which I don't recommend doing). It even manages to run into trouble with other Dragon types tbh because sadly almost anything Flygon can do Garchomp and the other dragon types can do way better. Did I mention how much I wish Flygon had been blessed with a Mega Evolution this gen?
Locations in Games
Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald:
Evolve Vibrava
FireRed/LeafGreen:
Trade from Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald/Colosseum/XD
Colosseum/XD:
Evolve Vibrava
Diamond/Pearl/Platinum:
Evolve Vibrava (Diamond & Pearl)
Trade from Diamond/Pearl (Platinum)
HeartGold/SoulSilver:
Evolve Vibrava
Black/White:
Evolve Vibrava (White)
Trade from White, Black 2 or White 2 (Black)
Black 2/White 2:
Evolve Vibrava
X/Y:
Evolve Vibrava
Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire:
Evolve Vibrava
Animé Appearences
