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Mastering the Assault Vest: A Comprehensive Guide to Optimal Pokémon Usage

The Assault Vest is a powerful held item in Pokémon that significantly boosts a Pokémon’s Special Defense by 50%, allowing them to tank special attacks more effectively. However, this comes at the cost of being unable to use any non-damaging moves. Therefore, the Assault Vest is ideal for Pokémon that are already offensively oriented and don’t rely on status moves, setup moves, or recovery to be effective. Some prime examples include Pokémon like Drapion, Azumarill, and other offensive powerhouses with good natural Attack and HP stats who can afford to forgo support moves for extra survivability.

Understanding the Assault Vest’s Strengths and Weaknesses

Before diving into specific Pokémon, it’s crucial to understand what makes the Assault Vest a good (or bad) choice. The 50% Special Defense boost is substantial, turning many Pokémon into surprisingly resilient special walls. This allows them to survive powerful special attacks and dish out damage in return.

However, the inability to use non-damaging moves is a significant drawback. Pokémon reliant on status moves like Toxic, Thunder Wave, or Will-O-Wisp are completely unsuited for this item. Similarly, Pokémon that depend on setup moves like Swords Dance or Dragon Dance to boost their attack power, or recovery moves like Recover or Synthesis to stay healthy, will be severely hampered.

Therefore, the ideal Assault Vest user is a Pokémon that:

Has good base Attack and HP stats.
Learns a wide variety of powerful attacking moves (good coverage).
Doesn’t rely on status, setup, or recovery moves.
Benefits significantly from increased Special Defense.

Top Pokémon Candidates for Assault Vest

While the best choice will depend on the specific team composition and metagame, here are some excellent examples of Pokémon that can effectively utilize the Assault Vest:

Drapion: As mentioned earlier, Drapion benefits greatly from the Assault Vest. It has solid Attack and access to moves like Knock Off, Earthquake, and Cross Poison, making it a potent offensive threat. The added Special Defense allows it to survive more hits while dishing out damage.
Azumarill: Azumarill, with its Huge Power ability, already packs a punch. Giving it an Assault Vest lets it take on a wider range of opponents, particularly special attackers, while still dealing massive damage with moves like Aqua Jet and Play Rough.
Crawdaunt: Crawdaunt is a fantastic option for assault vest due to Adaptability, which doubles the STAB effect rather than the normal 1.5x, making its attacks hit even harder.
Conkeldurr: Conkeldurr is a bulky fighting-type that thrives on offense. The Assault Vest patches up its weaker Special Defense, allowing it to take hits while dealing heavy damage with moves like Drain Punch, Mach Punch, and Knock Off. It is a powerful and often overlooked choice.
Hariyama: This strongman pokemon is bulky with a decent attack stat, using the likes of knock off to support itself and being able to take special hits with the assault vest makes it an ideal choice
Rillaboom: Another Grass-type option, Rillaboom, is a strong pick. Grassy Surge and Grassy Glide make Rillaboom a menace that can take hits.
Incineroar: Incineroar is a great pokemon to run assault vest. Due to his good attack and defense stats, it can take physical hits and dish out damage with his powerful movepool.
Urshifu (Rapid Strike): Urshifu already has a high attack stat and a decent speed tier, but giving it an Assault Vest enables it to survive longer against special attackers while dealing heavy damage with its signature move, Surging Strikes.
Iron Hands: This pokemon has a huge base HP, a good attack, and an amazing typing. It can use moves such as earthquake and wild charge to deal damage. This pokemon is an outstanding candidate.
Tyranitar: Tyranitar is a bulky Rock/Dark type with a good Attack stat. While it often benefits from setup moves, an Assault Vest set can focus on sheer offensive pressure with moves like Stone Edge, Crunch, and Earthquake.
Gyarados: While often seen with Dragon Dance, a more offensive Gyarados with an Assault Vest can surprise opponents. It can use Waterfall, Earthquake, and Ice Fang to cover a wide range of threats.
Hatterene: This pokemon is a great choice for this due to magic bounce ability. Hatterene can use the likes of psychic and dazzling gleam to deal with enemies and can be good special wall.
Kommo-o: Another Dragon/Fighting-type that can utilize the Assault Vest is Kommo-o. Its versatile movepool and decent bulk, combined with the Special Defense boost, make it a formidable offensive threat.

Optimizing Assault Vest Usage

To maximize the effectiveness of the Assault Vest, consider the following tips:

Team Synergy: Ensure your team has other members that can handle status conditions and provide support. Since the Assault Vest user cannot provide these services, other team members must compensate.
Movepool Coverage: Choose moves that provide good coverage against a variety of threats. A diverse movepool ensures that the Assault Vest user isn’t walled by a single type of Pokémon.
EV Training: Invest in HP and Attack EVs to maximize survivability and damage output. The Special Defense boost from the Assault Vest is most effective when combined with a solid HP stat.
Predictive Play: Master the art of prediction. Since the Assault Vest user cannot use status or setup moves, you need to anticipate your opponent’s moves and react accordingly.
Metagame Awareness: Stay informed about the current metagame and adjust your Assault Vest user’s moveset and strategy accordingly. What works well against one team composition may not be effective against another.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I use setup moves like Swords Dance or Dragon Dance with Assault Vest?

No, the Assault Vest prevents the user from using any non-damaging moves, including setup moves like Swords Dance, Dragon Dance, or Belly Drum. This is a key drawback to consider.

2. Does the Assault Vest protect against status conditions like Toxic or Burn?

No, the Assault Vest only boosts Special Defense and prevents the use of non-damaging moves. It does not provide immunity to status conditions.

3. Can I use recovery moves like Recover or Synthesis with Assault Vest?

No, recovery moves are non-damaging and therefore cannot be used while holding an Assault Vest.

4. Does the Assault Vest stack with other Special Defense boosts?

Yes, the 50% Special Defense boost from the Assault Vest stacks additively with other Special Defense boosts, such as those from Calm Mind.

5. What happens if my Assault Vest is removed by Knock Off or Thief?

If the Assault Vest is removed during battle, the Pokémon will lose the Special Defense boost and be able to use non-damaging moves again.

6. Does the Assault Vest prevent the use of Z-Moves?

No, the Assault Vest only prevents the use of regular non-damaging moves. Z-Moves can still be used, even if they don’t deal direct damage (e.g., status Z-Moves).

7. Can I use Protect or Detect with Assault Vest?

No, Protect and Detect are non-damaging moves and are therefore unusable while holding an Assault Vest.

8. How does the Assault Vest interact with moves like Taunt?

Taunt prevents the target from using status moves. Since the Assault Vest already prevents the use of status moves, Taunt has no additional effect on a Pokémon holding the Assault Vest.

9. Is Assault Vest a good choice for Pokémon on a Trick Room team?

Generally, no. Trick Room teams often rely on setup and support moves to control the battlefield, and the Assault Vest’s restriction on non-damaging moves hinders this strategy. While some bulky attackers can benefit, it is not a staple for Trick Room. To get the most out of your team in trick room, consider pokemon such as Deoxys-D, Bronzong, Jirachi, Dialga, and Cresselia.

10. Can I use Sleep Talk with an Assault Vest?

No, Sleep Talk is a non-damaging move and cannot be used while holding an Assault Vest. You also can’t use rest with an assault vest.

11. How does Assault Vest compare to other defensive items like Leftovers or Shell Bell?

Leftovers provide passive HP recovery each turn, while Shell Bell restores HP based on damage dealt. The Assault Vest provides a significant Special Defense boost but restricts move choices. The best item depends on the Pokémon’s strategy and role on the team. Buddy Barrier, Score Shield, and Focus Band are also viable options, but assault vest is the best option in many cases.

12. Where can I find the Assault Vest in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet?

In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, you can find the Assault Vest behind the large warehouse near the cliffs on the southern side of Porto Marinada.

13. Can you set up 2 Stealth Rocks?

No, Stealth Rock does not stack. Setting it up multiple times will not increase the damage dealt. You should use stealth rock as it is a very low risk move with a very high reward.

14. Can I use Substitute with Assault Vest?

No, Substitute is a non-damaging move and cannot be used while holding an Assault Vest. The assault vest is basically a permanent taunt while holding it, so any move that doesn’t deal damage can’t be used.

15. What is the best defensive held item in Pokémon Unite?

In Pokémon Unite, Buddy Barrier, Score Shield, and Focus Band are often considered the best defensive held items. These are preferred because their passive effects are very strong. Assault Vest, on the other hand, can be very good, but it isn’t a top tier choice.

Conclusion

The Assault Vest can be a game-changing item when used correctly. By understanding its strengths and weaknesses and carefully selecting the right Pokémon, you can create a formidable offensive threat that can withstand even the most powerful special attacks. Remember to consider team synergy, movepool coverage, and EV training to maximize the effectiveness of your Assault Vest user. Understanding this allows you to use the assault vest to its fullest and allow you to tank more hits.

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What Pokémon is Assault Vest good on?