Beedrill, the Poison Bee Pokémon, is a Bug and Poison-type Pokémon in Pokémon GO known for its offensive capabilities. Trainers often wonder about the best moveset to maximize its potential in battles, especially in player versus player (PvP) scenarios like the GO Battle League. A common question arises: Can Beedrill Learn Aerial Ace? While Beedrill can learn Aerial Ace in the broader Pokémon universe, in Pokémon GO, it’s not a move that trainers typically consider optimal for this Bug and Poison-type contender. Let’s delve into Beedrill’s move pool and identify the most effective options for PvP combat.
Beedrill’s Optimal Moves for PvP
When it comes to Pokémon GO PvP, selecting the right moves is crucial for victory. Beedrill has a variety of Fast and Charged Moves to choose from, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Here’s a breakdown of the recommended movesets, focusing on why moves like Aerial Ace often fall short compared to other choices.
Fast Moves: Poison Jab vs. Bug Bite
Beedrill has access to two primary Fast Moves: Poison Jab and Bug Bite. While the legacy move Bug Bite was once a contender, Poison Jab currently stands out as the superior option in most PvP scenarios.
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Poison Jab is a Poison-type move that benefits from STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus), dealing consistent damage and generating a decent amount of energy. Its Poison-typing is particularly advantageous in the current meta, offering effectiveness against Fairy-type Pokémon, which are prevalent and often pose a threat. The rise of Charm users like Wigglytuff and Clefable further solidifies Poison Jab’s utility.
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Bug Bite , also a STAB move, is a Bug-type attack. While it provides slightly different type coverage, its damage output and energy generation are generally less favorable compared to Poison Jab in the current meta. Another Bug-type Fast Move, Infestation, offers the highest energy gains by a minimal margin but sacrifices raw damage, making it less desirable overall.
Charged Moves: X-Scissor, Sludge Bomb, Fell Stinger, and Drill Run
Beedrill boasts a diverse pool of Charged Moves, allowing for strategic flexibility in battles. However, Aerial Ace is notably absent from the list of recommended moves due to its lack of STAB and inferior performance compared to Beedrill’s other options. The key Charged Moves to consider are:
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X-Scissor are both STAB moves, aligning with Beedrill’s Bug and Poison typing. X-Scissor is a low-energy move, making it excellent for baiting out opponent shields and applying shield pressure. Sludge Bomb, on the other hand, is a more powerful move with a higher damage output, acting as a strong STAB attack when shields are down.
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Fell Stinger , a Bug-type move added to Beedrill’s move pool, presents an interesting dynamic. While its damage is low if unshielded, it offers a potential Attack boost to Beedrill if it successfully baits a shield. However, its overall impact is often less reliable compared to other Charged Moves.
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Drill Run is Beedrill’s Community Day exclusive move and a game-changer for its PvP viability. This Ground-type move provides crucial coverage against Steel-type Pokémon, which resist both Bug and Poison-type attacks, making it an essential tool in Beedrill’s arsenal. Its high damage per energy (DPE) further enhances its value.
It’s important to note again that Aerial Ace, a Flying-type move, is not a STAB move for Beedrill. While it could theoretically offer coverage against Fighting-type Pokémon, Beedrill’s Bug and Poison-type moves, combined with Drill Run, already provide sufficient coverage against its weaknesses and common threats in PvP. Therefore, Aerial Ace is generally considered an inferior move choice for Beedrill in Pokémon GO PvP.
PvP Performance of Beedrill
Considering its optimal movesets, how does Beedrill fare in different PvP Leagues?
Great League: Viable with the Right Moves
In the Great League, Beedrill achieves a 3 / 5 rating. The introduction of Drill Run significantly boosted its viability, enabling it to secure wins against Registeel, a prominent Steel-type Pokémon in the meta. Beedrill remains effective against its intended targets, such as Fairy, Grass, and Fighting-type Pokémon. However, the prevalence of Poison-resistant Pokémon in the meta can sometimes hinder its overall performance, making it feel slightly out of place despite its Attack-weighted stats.
Ultra League and Master League: Limited Potential
Beedrill’s maximum CP of 1846 restricts its usability in higher leagues.
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Ultra League: 0 / 5 – Beedrill’s CP cap prevents it from being competitive in the Ultra League.
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Master League: 0 / 5 – Attempting to use Beedrill in the Master League is generally not recommended due to its stats and the power level of Pokémon in this tier.
Conclusion: Focus on STAB and Coverage
In conclusion, while Beedrill might conceptually learn Aerial Ace in the broader Pokémon universe, it is not a move that enhances its performance in Pokémon GO PvP. Trainers looking to optimize Beedrill for battles should prioritize moves like Poison Jab for its Fast Move and a combination of X-Scissor, Sludge Bomb, and especially Drill Run for its Charged Moves. These moves provide STAB damage, shield pressure, and crucial coverage against key threats, making Beedrill a potentially potent pick in the Great League when used strategically. Focus on leveraging its Bug and Poison-typing and the valuable coverage offered by Drill Run to maximize its impact in battles.
