[OVERVIEW]
Genesect has a nice niche in Doubles OU as a strong offensive pivot with great coverage that can OHKO prominent threats such as Landorus-T, Tapu Lele, and Mega Salamence. It can also dent common Trick Room setters such as Hoopa-U with its STAB U-turn while gaining momentum easily. It is a very good check to Fairy- and Psychic-types such as Hoopa-U and Tapu Lele, as its high Speed allows Genesect to outspeed and hit them hard with its STAB attacks. While Genesect does have a lot going for it, it has a poor matchup against common Steel- and Fire-types like Heatran, Aegislash, and Mega Charizard Y. Genesect's awkward base 99 Speed means that it's almost forced to run a Choice Scarf, which makes Genesect very weak to opposing speed control and also locks it into one move, though it does allow Genesect to outspeed most of the unboosted metagame. Despite having good defenses and a solid typing, Genesect's bulk is surprisingly poor; it even struggles to switch into some resisted moves such as Tapu Lele's Psychic, and being a mixed attacker forces it to run a Hasty or Naive nature, further lowering its bulk. Overall, Genesect is a solid choice for teams needing a fast answer to Fairy- and Psychic-types.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: U-turn
move 2: Iron Head
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Explosion / Gunk Shot
Item: Choice Scarf
Ability: Download
Nature: Hasty
Evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
U-turn is STAB boosted and allows Genesect to quickly pivot out of poor matchups and gain momentum on opposing switches. It also hits most opposing Trick Room setters for super effective damage. Iron Head allows Genesect to hit Fairy-types hard, notably scoring an OHKO on Tapu Lele and a 2HKO on Tapu Koko. Ice Beam is used to threaten common Pokemon that are weak to it, such as Zygarde and Mega Salamence. Explosion is a last-ditch spread move that hits very hard if Genesect has an Attack boost from Download, but Gunk Shot can OHKO Tapu Koko and does more damage to Tapu Fini than Iron Head.
Set Details
========
With a Choice Scarf equipped, Genesect can outspeed the majority of the unboosted metagame, including key threats such as Mega Salamence, Landorus-T, and Tapu Lele, and hit them hard with a strong super effective move or pivot out with U-turn before being hit. The 252 Speed EVs with a Hasty nature allow Genesect to outspeed Landorus-T and Tapu Lele, as well as speed tie with opposing Choice Scarf Genesect. 252 Attack EVs are used to power up Genesect's STAB attacks. The remaining 4 EVs are put into Special Attack to boost Ice Beam's power. Even with little investment in Special Attack, Ice Beam still gets the OHKO on Choice Scarf Landorus-T and Mega Salamence without any bulk while also scoring OHKOs on Assault Vest Landorus-T and bulky Mega Salamence with the Special Attack boost from Download. Significant Special Attack investment is needed to guarantee a KO on Assault Vest Landorus-T and bulky Mega Salamence without the Download boost.
Usage Tips
========
U-turn should be used during the early and middle stages of the battle to scout the foe's moves and to punch holes in the opposing team while keeping Genesect healthy for later in the battle. Make the most of U-turn's ability to let you pivot into a good matchup. Genesect makes for an excellent revenge killer due to its high Speed and Download-boosted attacks, but only bring it in on weak resisted attacks or when a teammate has fainted, as Genesect has relatively low bulk. It is important to remember that Genesect is 2HKOed by some of the threats it is meant to check, such as Landorus-T, Mega Salamence, and Tapu Lele.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that can take advantage of Genesect's pivoting capabilities make for good partners, such as Mega Gengar, Mega Salamence, and Heatran. Mega Gengar can trap Pokemon like Heatran that try and switch into Genesect on a U-turn, while Genesect's Speed with a Choice Scarf can overwhelm the opponent if they are unable to switch. Mega Salamence and Heatran can set up a Dragon Dance and Substitute, respectively, on the Steel- and Fire-types that Genesect typically lures in. Other good partners are Dragon- and Fighting-types that appreciate Genesect's ability to check Fairy- and Psychic-types like Deoxys-A and Tapu Lele. In return, Dragon-types can resist Fire-type attacks and Fighting-types can greatly weaken Steel-types to help Genesect.
Genesect's most important trait is its high Speed with a Choice Scarf equipped, so Pokemon that can shut down opposing speed control pair well with it. This includes Taunt users, such as Tapu Lele, Gyarados, and Tapu Koko. Genesect also appreciates speed control from its own team in the form of Icy Wind, Tailwind, or Thunder Wave. Solid Trick Room checks are also necessary, as Genesect's high Speed and low bulk make it particularly vulnerable to Trick Room. As Genesect usually lures in Fire-types, it appreciates partners that are capable of taking advantage of them; examples include Volcanion, Hydreigon, Terrakion, and Landorus-T.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
An Assault Vest allows Genesect to switch into strong special attacks with greater ease at the cost of the Speed given by a Choice Scarf. Similarly, a Life Orb, Expert Belt, or Choice Band set can give Genesect more power, but with the same opportunity cost. The loss of Speed is particularly bad for Genesect, [ac] as it relies on its high Speed to pivot out of bad matchups and gain momentum. Extreme Speed can be used, but is rather ineffective because of Tapu Lele's presence. It is also revealed at Team Preview, considering that only Shiny Genesect can legally use it. Flamethrower can also be used to hit Ferrothorn and Aegislash for super effective damage. Thunderbolt is an option to hit Mega Charizard Y for good damage, with 124 Special Attack EVs guaranteeing a 2HKO on a Mega Charizard Y not running defensive EVs without the Download boost. Energy Ball is a good option to hit Adamant Mega Swampert in rain, as Genesect with a Choice Scarf can outspeed it. Hidden Power Ground is also another viable choice to lure in Heatran and hit it hard. This works especially well with teammates that appreciate Heatran being removed, such as Mega Charizard Y and Tapu Lele. Overall, while Genesect has a large movepool and multiple viable item choices, the Choice Scarf set given is the most effective due to its base 99 Speed.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-type Pokemon**: Genesect does pitiful damage to Fire-types such as Heatran and Mega Charizard Y and is OHKOed by them. However, Mega Charizard Y needs to be careful not to get hit by a surprise Thunderbolt while Heatran has to be wary of Hidden Power Ground.
**Steel-type Pokemon*: If running Explosion or Gunk Shot, Genesect is walled by all Steel-types. Although it can strike back somewhat if running Flamethrower, Genesect is still walled by Heatran.
**Paralysis, Trick Room, and Tailwind**: Genesect's biggest draw is its very high Speed when holding a Choice Scarf. Opposing speed control counteracts this, leaving Genesect extremely vulnerable to a heavy hit.
**Faster Pokemon**: Weather sweepers, such as Kingdra and Excadrill, can strike first and deal heavy damage to Genesect.
**Intimidate**: As a mainly physical attacker, Genesect is vulnerable to Intimidate from Pokemon such as Landorus-T and Salamence. However, its damage output is not completely neutered by these, as Genesect's Ice Beam still hits for respectable damage. It can also still use U-turn to gain momentum.
[OVERVIEW]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: U-turn
move 2: Iron Head
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Explosion / Thunderbolt
Item: Choice Scarf
Ability: Download
Nature: Hasty
Evs: 112 Atk / 172 SpA / 224 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
========
========
========
Other Options
=============
===================
**Fire-type Pokemon**:
Genesect does pitiful damage to fire-types (e.g, Heatran, Mega Charizard-Y) and is OHKOed by them.
**Steel type Pokemon*:
If running Explosion, Genesect is walled by all steel-types. Although it can strike back somewhat if running Flamethrower, Genesect is still walled by Heatran and Aegislash.
**Paralysis, Trick Room, Tailwind**:
Genesect’s biggest draw is its naturally very high speed. Opposing speed control takes away, leaving it as a sitting duck.
**Faster Pokemon**:
Weather sweepers, such as Kingdra and Excadrill, can strike first and deal massive damage to Genesect.
**Intimidate**:
As a mainly physical attacker, Genesect is vulnerable to intimidate from pokemon such as Lando-T and Salamence. However, its damage output is not completely neutered by intimidate , as Genesect's Ice Beam still hits for respectable damage. It can also still use U-turn to gain momentum.
- Outspeeds and OHKOs prominent threats such as both Landorus formes, Shaymin-Sky, Tapu Lele, and Salamence-Mega.
- Dents common Trick Room setters, such as Hoopa and Necromza.
- Works as a strong offensive pivot with STAB U-turn. Its strong STABs and coverage options generally force switches, allowing it to easily grab momentum.
- Poor matchup against common fire-types and steel-types such as Heatran, Aegislash, Mega Charizard-Y, and Volcanion.
- Awkward speed tier limits it to running Choice Scarf.
- Despite its good defences and typing, its bulk is deceptively poor; Genesect has difficulty tanking some resisted moves, such as Tapu Lele’s Psychic. Its role as a mixed attacker forces it to run a -Def nature, making it even frailer.
- Weak against all forms of speed control.
- Overall, a decent pick for a hyper offense team that needs an answer to Psychics and Fairies.
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: U-turn
move 2: Iron Head
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Explosion / Thunderbolt
Item: Choice Scarf
Ability: Download
Nature: Hasty
Evs: 112 Atk / 172 SpA / 224 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
- U-turn is Genesect’s most spammable STAB move, allowing it to pivot out of poor matchups.
- Also hits common TR setters (e.g., Hoopa-U and Oranguru) for super-effective damage.
- Iron Head allows Genesect to OHKO or 2HKO fairies.
- Notably, it OHKOs Tapu Lele and 2HKOs Tapu Koko.
- Ice Beam is used to threaten common ice-weak pokemon such as Zygarde.
- Explosion is a last-ditch spread move.
- Thunderbolt hits Charizard-Y and stops Celesteela from walling Genesect and freely setting up Substitute.
- Flamethrower can be used for opposing steels such as Ferrothorn and Aegislash.
========
- With a choice scarf equipped, Genesect can outspeed the majority of the unboosted meta. This includes key threats such as Mega Salamence, Landorus-T and Tapu Lele and hit them hard with a strong super effective move or U-turn out before being hit.
- 224 Speed investment with a positive nature allows Genesect to outspeed Landorus-T and Tapu Lele.
- 112 Attack is used so Genesect can OHKO 0/4 Tapu Lele.
- Remainder is dumped into Special Attack. This allows Genesect to 2HKO Zard-Y with Thunderbolt.
========
- U-turn should be used during the early and middle stages of the battle to scout the opponent’s moves and to punch holes in the opposing team.
- Use U-turn to pivot into a better matchup.
- Because of its high speed and Download-boosted attacks, Genesect can serve as an excellent revenge killer.
- Genesect’s relatively low bulk means that it should only be brought in on resisted attacks and after a teammate has been KOd.
- Genesect is 2HKOd by some threats it is meant to check, such as Landorus-T, Tapu Lele, and Mega Salamance.
========
- Pokemon that can take advantage of Genesect’s pivoting capabilities, such as Mega Gengar, Mega Salamence, and sub Heatran.
- Mega Salamence and Heatran can set up if Genesect brings them in against Pokemon that deal negligible damage to them.
- Dragon-types and fighting-types that appreciate Genesect’s ability to check fairies and psychic-spam teams.
- In return, Dragon-types can tank fire-type attacks and Fighting types can greatly weaken steels for Genesect.
- Genesect’s most important trait is its high speed, so pokemon that can shut down opposing speed control pair well with it. This includes taunt users, such as Tapu Lele, Gyarados, and Tapu Koko
- Genesect also appreciates speed control from its own team in the form of Icy Wind, Tailwind, or Thunder Wave.
- Bring a solid TR check, as Genesect's high speed and low bulk make it particularly vulnerable to TR.
- As Genesect usually lures in fire-types, it appreciates pokemon capable of taking advantage of them (e.g, Volcanion, Hydreigon, Terrakion, and either Landorus forme).
Other Options
=============
- Gunk Shot is a good option to hit Tapu Koko and Tapu Fini hard, both of which don't take much from Genesect's other moves.
- Similarly, a Life Orb, Expert Belt or a Choice Band set can give Genesect more power at the cost of the speed of the Choice Scarf set. An Assault Vest allows Genesect to switch into strong special attacks with greater ease, but with the same opportunity cost. The loss of speed is particularly bad for Genesect as it relies on its fast speed to pivot out of bad matchups and gain momentum.
- Extreme speed can be used, but is rather ineffective because of Tapu Lele’s presence. It is also revealed at team preview, considering that only Shiny Genesect can legally use it.
- Hidden Power Ground is also another viable choice to lure Heatran. This works especially well with teammates that appreciate it being removed, such as Zard-Y and Tapu Lele.
- In other words, Genesect may have a vast movepool, but its base 99 speed makes Choice Scarf sets much more effective than other options.
===================
**Fire-type Pokemon**:
Genesect does pitiful damage to fire-types (e.g, Heatran, Mega Charizard-Y) and is OHKOed by them.
**Steel type Pokemon*:
If running Explosion, Genesect is walled by all steel-types. Although it can strike back somewhat if running Flamethrower, Genesect is still walled by Heatran and Aegislash.
**Paralysis, Trick Room, Tailwind**:
Genesect’s biggest draw is its naturally very high speed. Opposing speed control takes away, leaving it as a sitting duck.
**Faster Pokemon**:
Weather sweepers, such as Kingdra and Excadrill, can strike first and deal massive damage to Genesect.
**Intimidate**:
As a mainly physical attacker, Genesect is vulnerable to intimidate from pokemon such as Lando-T and Salamence. However, its damage output is not completely neutered by intimidate , as Genesect's Ice Beam still hits for respectable damage. It can also still use U-turn to gain momentum.
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