Quick Disclaimer: I don't own any of these pictures used for the top of the chapter, and all rights go to the people who created them and own them.

Requested by: TheRainbowSylveon 

     Ok then, let's get right into it! Sylveon is a Fairy type Pokemon who was introduced in Generation 6 when they officially announced Pokemon X&Y, and is currently in the UU tier of the USUM meta. For it's abilities, it's got Cute Charm and Pixilate, with the latter being a far better ability both in game and in competitive play as it makes the type of Normal moves change into Fairy type moves, giving moves like Hyper Voice a boost and making it STAB. It's known as a Dragon slayer, but can it really do that with strong physical attackers in the tier? Yes, it can, with the help of it's teammates in a Dragon/Steel/Fairy core! Even with Azu and Serp in the tier now, both of which threaten it with Contrary and Belly drum huge power. And those steel types, plus Mega Beedrill really give it a hard time.

   I think that Sylveon is somewhat easy to predict when it comes to it's movesets, which rely on it's hidden ability Pixilate to some extent, although in varying lengths. The two sets that Sylveon could possibly have that come off the top of my head even though I haven't battled in UU for a long time are the cleric and Choice Specs set. The set for Choice Specs Sylveon is likely going to be Hyper Voice, Shadow Ball, Psyshock, and possibly HP Fire. Sylveon just hates, despite it's pleas for friendship, those stupid Specially defensive walls, so it packs Psyshock to knock some sense into them using their physical defense stat! Psyshock is also good for covering it's Poison weakness, and HP Fire for Steel types like the famous Scizor or Mega Aggron. Hyper Voice is for Sylveon to sing at the top of it's voice, where everyone will listen because wynaut, and to cause some major damage! Although, I wouldn't recommend it, because Choice Specs comes at a cost. You're only able to use one move, and if you choose wrongly, then the outcome of the battle will...be changed as the flow of the battle has tipped, as it gives you less momentum!

   The other set, which is oddly the only set for Sylveon on the Smogon site is the cleric set, where it chooses to take up more of a supportive role for the team. Sylveon can use Heal Bell to heal any status ailment on the team, provided that it's not hit by Taunt, and soak up special hits quite decently. It also gets access to Calm Mind, which can be used for a different set. Protect is used to stall and gain some health back with Leftovers, but can also be used with Wish to recover 50% of it's HP, or used to restore a lot of HP on a fellow teammate, since HP stats can be different. A problem with this is that Sylveon can be very passive and be stopped with the move Taunt. Taunt is a move that prevents you from using anything that isn't offensive, and can go through Substitute, but it lasts for only 3 turns. A few threats to Sylveon are Pokemon who can set up on it rather easily or Pokemon that resist it's STAB moves, or just take advantage of it being passive. Or they have a type advantage against it, like Mega Aggron, who can OHKO Sylveon in one hit with a Heavy Slam. Ouch, it must hurt to have a Pokemon far out of your weight division to be practically sitting on you, and super effective on top of that. Scizor is another notable threat, and Mega Beedrill is as well with it's Adaptability ability, and their super effective moves in BP and PJ. 

    Sylveon doesn't like getting poisoned or taunted, but the main problem with it is that it can be a bit too passive at times and it's physical defense is decent, but not exactly good. This leaves it vulnerable to Pokemon such as Tentacruel or Mega Aerodactyl, who appreciate it for being passive because it allows them to set up or get up entry hazards. I'd say that a few of it's greatest allies are it's greatest enemies as well, like Steel types. More information can be found here: https://www.smogon.com/dex/sm/pokemon/sylveon/

 Score: 6.5/10 or 7/10