Usage Tips
Virizion is rather weak before a Swords Dance, so it is usually necessary to get one up before wreaking havoc on bulkier teams. Virizion's incredible special bulk allows for it to set up on prominent Pokemon such as Rotom-C not locked into Hidden Power Flying and Sceptile. Bulky Water-types such as Seismitoad and Vaporeon also work as setup fodder; however, Virizion must beware of Scald burns and is also somewhat hindered by a possible Toxic. As with most sweepers utilizing one, do not use Virizion's Z-Move too recklessly. Virizion needs its boosted Z-Move to break through Pokemon such as Golbat, Garbodor, and Weezing, so only use it when absolutely necessary. If aiming towards a potential sweep, Virizion is best saved for the mid- or late-game once its checks and counters have been weakened, but it can also set up in the early stages of a battle to weaken said checks for a teammate such as Choice Scarf Sawk to sweep later on. Virizion pressures most of NU's hazard removers such as Golbat and Cryogonal, but it cannot switch into any of their attacks easily. Because hazards are incredibly beneficial to Virizion's success in sweeping, it is often wise to play it rather aggressively and double switch into Virizion when expecting one of the hazard removers to be sent out, applying significant offensive pressure to prevent them from doing their job.

Team Options
Psychic-type Pokemon such as Xatu and Sigilyph have solid synergy alongside Virizion, as they can easily combat the bulky Poison-types that check it, while Virizion itself can take advantage of Choice-locked Dark-types that are used to trap Psychic-types such as Sneasel and Alolan Raticate. Virizion also greatly appreciates Stealth Rock and Spikes support from the likes of Steelix, Qwillfish, and Garbodor, as it helps circumvent Virizion's only decent Attack stat by continuously chipping away at the opposing team. Steelix in particular makes for a solid partner alongside Virizion, as it can check the Fairy-, Flying-, Psychic-, and Poison-type Pokemon that threaten it, while Virizion can handle the Water-type Pokemon that bother Steelix.

-------------------------

Usage Tips
Virizion is rather weak before a Swords Dance, so it is usually necessary to get one up before wreaking havoc on bulkier teams. Virizion's incredible special bulk allows for it to set up on prominent Pokemon such as Rotom-C not locked into Hidden Power Flying and Sceptile. Bulky Water-types such as Seismitoad and Vaporeon also work as setup fodder; however, Virizion must beware of Scald burns and is also somewhat hindered by a possible Toxic. If aiming towards a potential sweep, Virizion is best saved for the mid- or late-game once its checks and counters have been weakened, but it can also set up in the early stages of a battle to weaken said checks for a teammate such as Choice Scarf Sawk to sweep later on. Virizion also greatly appreciates Stealth Rock and Spikes support from the likes of Steelix, Qwillfish, and Garbodor, as it helps circumvent Virizion's only decent Attack stat by continuously chipping away at the opposing team. Steelix in particular makes for a solid partner alongside Virizion, as it can check the Fairy-, Flying-, Psychic-, and Poison-type Pokemon that threaten it, while Virizion can handle the Water-type Pokemon that bother Steelix.