Bubblegum (Sylveon) @ Pixie Plate
Ability: Pixilate
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 180 HP / 60 Def / 252 SpA / 16 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 1 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 SpD
- Hyper Voice
- Moonblast / Psyshock / Shadow Ball
- Hidden Power [Ground]
- Protect
Sylveon is one of the few Pokemon in Doubles whos most common set doesn't carry Protect. While the Choice Specs set is very powerful, a Pixie Plate boost is still substantial, and will fool the occasional player into believing that you are locked into Hyper Voice like most Sylveon.
Pixie Plate allows you to capitalize on this assumption and if played correctly will result in the surprise KO of a Wide Guarding Hitmontop, or a weakened Heatran that wants to set up a Substitute. Protect can fulfill a similar role obviously, the key to using this set however is not to play Sylveon like any other Pokemon, but to bluff Choice Specs as best you can.
The slight speed investment will allow you to outspeed 4 speed Tyranitar, with a defensive investment to survive Jolly Kangaskhan's Return, with maximum special attack of course. The choice between moonblast and psyshock comes down to teambuild and a bit of preference. Moonblast is mainly for Wide Guard carrying fighting types, while Psyshock or Shadow Ball will expand Sylveons coverage. I personally prefer Psyshock to hit Amoonguss that think they can come in while you are locked into Hypervoice (although it is a clean 3HKO through Sitrus).
I want to stress again that this set will still be spamming Hyper Voice 99% of the time like the Specs set even though it has the freedom to change moves. You should only switch up moves when you are certain to get a KO or a serious momentum advantage from the play.
This EV spread is also probably the best EV spread for Choice Specs Sylveon as well, but I wanted to showcase something completely new, not just a new spread.
Offensive Calcs
252+ SpA Sylveon Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 76 Def Amoonguss: 206-244 (47.6 - 56.4%) -- 85.9% chance to 2HKO
252+ SpA Sylveon Hidden Power Ground vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Heatran: 244-288 (63.2 - 74.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Sylveon Moonblast vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Hitmontop: 278-330 (91.4 - 108.5%) -- 50% chance to OHKO
252+ SpA Sylveon Shadow Ball vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Mega Gengar: 178-210 (67.9 - 80.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Defensive Calcs
252 Atk Parental Bond Mega Kangaskhan Return vs. 180 HP / 60 Def Sylveon: 316-375 (84 - 99.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO