>>53935236Espathra’s Speed Boost is automatic unlike Hisuian Braviary’s Esper Wing, which always has to worry about Dark switch ins and is far riskier (Espathra can set up with CM, Sub, Protect, or Roost and still get the boost.)
The big deal about Espathra is not SB but Stored Power. Hisuian Braviary will never set up as quickly as Espathra would.
Hisuian Braviary doesn’t have an immediate answer to Dark types unlike Espathra who has Dazzling Gleam. It has to be the team’s Tera slot just to stop Dark- and Ghost-types, and there are better and more reliable uses of Tera.
Hisuian Braviary has a terrible defensive typing for Smogon Singles, not only being weak to Dark/Ghost priority but also rocks and the ever present Boltbeam combo Espathra doesn’t have to worry about.
Espathra can have defensive investment because of how fast it can set up with Calm Mind + Speed Boost. Hisuian Braviary literally has to use an offensive set with Agility, Calm Mind, and Esper Wing, meaning it loses out on whatever survivability its bulk could afford for raw power.
Hisuian Braviary was released into the format alongside legacy Legendary Pokémon that can not only hit harder but fulfill its Defog role. It is outcompeted in both areas. Espathra was fortunate enough to be released in a much more limited format and even then the top brass have not unbanned it.
