VGC Restricted Legendary Guide · Regulation I

Yveltal
VGC Guide 2026

Dark Aura boosts all Dark moves ×1.3 for every Pokémon on field. Snarl drops both opponents' Sp.Atk simultaneously. Oblivion Wing heals 75% of damage dealt. Yveltal combines spread control, self-sustain, and powerful Dark output.

126
Base HP
131
Base Atk
95
Base SpA
99
Base Speed

Dark Aura: Field-Wide Dark Boost

Mechanics

All Dark-type moves used by any Pokémon on field receive ×1.3 power (equivalent to a no-recoil Life Orb)

Effect applies to both sides — opposing Dark moves also receive the ×1.3 boost

Dark Aura disappears when Yveltal leaves the field; reactivates on switch-in

Yveltal Dark Pulse damage (with Dark Aura)
No item80 × 1.3 = 104
Life Orb80 × 1.3 × 1.3 ≈ 135
Snarl (spread)55 × 0.75 × 1.3 ≈ 54
Spread moves ×0.75; Snarl base 55 BP
Team Building Warning

Dark Aura strengthens opponent Dark moves equally. Avoid exposing Fairy or Psychic teammates to boosted Dark hits — particularly vs opponents using Darkest Lariat (Incineroar) or spread Dark Pulse attackers.

Oblivion Wing: The Sustain Move

Oblivion Wing is a 80 BP Flying special move with 100 accuracy that heals 75% of damage dealt — compared to standard draining moves which heal only 50%, Oblivion Wing restores 50% more HP per hit. This lets Yveltal consistently recover HP mid-battle, making it extremely difficult to wear down through chip damage.

In VGC doubles, Oblivion Wing's value is that even after taking multiple hits, a single Oblivion Wing against a bulky target restores significant HP — keeping Yveltal on the field far longer than opponents expect. Combined with Yveltal's base 110 Sp.Def and 126 HP, its sustain is among the best in the restricted pool.

Best Moveset

Spread Control Sustain Set (Recommended)
Snarl(Dark)
55 BP spread drops both opponents' Sp.Atk by 1 stage with Dark Aura boost
Oblivion Wing(Flying)
80 BP heals 75% of damage; keeps Yveltal healthy throughout the match
Dark Pulse(Dark)
80 BP special Dark single target; 30% flinch; boosted by Dark Aura
Protect(Normal)
Safe turn vs priority or to let partner act first; swap for Knock Off
ItemLife Orb or Focus Sash
AbilityDark Aura
NatureQuiet (+SpA / -Spe) or Modest (+SpA / -Atk)
EVs252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpDef
Mixed Attacker Set (Alternative)
Snarl(Dark)
Spread Sp.Atk drop on both opponents
Oblivion Wing(Flying)
Special Flying recovery
Knock Off(Dark)
Removes opponent items — Power Herb, Life Orb, Booster Energy
Sucker Punch(Dark)
+1 priority physical Dark; finishes low-HP targets before they act
NatureAdamant (+Atk / -SpA) or Naughty (+Atk / -SpDef)
EVs252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spe

Team Synergy

Incineroar
Fire/Dark

Fake Out grants Yveltal a free Snarl turn; Intimidate lowers physical threats; together they form Fake Out → Snarl Sp.Atk suppression opening

Xerneas
Fairy

Yveltal's Snarl drops opponent Sp.Atk -1, making Xerneas harder to special-KO before Geomancy; Dark/Fairy forms excellent offensive coverage

Amoonguss
Grass/Poison

Rage Powder redirects attacks away from Yveltal; Spore removes one threat, creating a safe Snarl turn

Iron Hands
Electric/Fighting

Quark Drive Atk boost in Electric Terrain; Yveltal's spread Snarl weakens opponent special attackers threatening Iron Hands' low Sp.Def

Weaknesses & Checks

Yveltal Type Weaknesses
×2
Electric
×2
Ice
×2
Rock
×2
Fairy
Threat
Fairy spread
Example
Xerneas Dazzling Gleam, Sylveon Hyper Voice
Response
Yveltal's hardest counter; Fairy ×2 and hits spread. Avoid leaving Yveltal exposed to Fairy spread without Fake Out protection.
Threat
Rock Slide spread
Example
Rock Slide from Garchomp, Arcanine-H
Response
Flying type makes Yveltal a Rock Slide magnet; Rock slide spread is common in doubles. Use partner to absorb or Fake Out to disrupt Rock Slide users.
Threat
Incineroar Fake Out + pivot
Example
Fake Out locks Yveltal, partner uses Rock Slide / Fairy move
Response
Yveltal paralyzed by Fake Out takes free damage from the partner. Prioritize disrupting opponents' Incineroar with your own Fake Out first.

Calculate Yveltal's Damage Output

Use the damage calculator to verify Snarl, Oblivion Wing, and Dark Pulse ranges with Dark Aura boost.