[SET]
name: Substitute + Roost
move 1: Ice Beam
move 2: Substitute
move 3: Roost
move 4: Protect / Earth Power
item: Leftovers
ability: Pressure
nature: Timid
evs: 104 HP / 152 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Ice Beam is Kyurem's strongest and most reliable attack. It threatens numerous wallbreakers and pivots such as Zygarde and Tangrowth. Substitute lets Kyurem evade status moves such as Toxic and Will-O-Wisp and take advantage of weaker moves such as Volt Switch and Scald. By using Substitute in conjunction with Roost, Protect, and Pressure, Kyurem can stall out many attacks such as Keldeo's Secret Sword, Tyranitar's Stone Edge, and Celesteela's Heavy Slam. Earth Power is an option to nail Steel-types such as Magearna, Heatran, and Mega Mawile if Kyurem is not paired with Dugtrio.
Set Details
========
Leftovers is the best item on this set due to its excellent synergy with the purpose of this set, PP stalling. The given HP EVs allow Kyurem to stall out Seismic Toss from Chansey and simultaneously hit a Leftovers number, so Kyurem can be at full HP rather than 99% after a few Leftovers turns recover the damage it takes from using Substitute. Maximum Speed investment and a Timid nature are crucial because Kyurem would otherwise not be able to stall valuable Moonblast PP from Tapu Fini which is one of the biggest threats to the types of team Kyurem is fit on. Kyurem's Speed investment is also useful for outspeeding Jolly Landorus-T. The remaining EVs are placed into Special Defense in order to effectively stall out Electric- and Grass-types such as Tapu Koko, Mega Manectric, Tangrowth, Amoonguss, and Mega Venusaur. They are also important to let Kyurem survive Mega Charizard Y's Fire Blast and stall out a +6 Calm Mind + Substitute Suicune. If Earth Power is used, allocate the Special Defense EVs into Special Attack, as Kyurem will stray a bit from Pressure stalling to become a more offensive presence.
Usage Tips
========
Kyurem should take advantage of Pokemon that cannot harm it due to its threatening STAB Ice Beam and typing. Landorus-T, Tapu Koko, Tangrowth, and Suicune are some of many Pokemon that Kyurem can net a free Substitute on. From there, it should focus on stalling out its initial switch-ins such as Keldeo and Tapu Fini or utilize a double switch into Dugtrio to trap and remove a problematic Pokemon such as Heatran. Ice Beam should be used to speed up the process or pressure switch-ins.
If Earth Power is used, stalling PP is more of a luxury, as Kyurem can be much more of a threat with the better coverage and the aforementioned Special Attack investment. Because of this variant's coverage, it tends to force in passive Pokemon such as Chansey and Toxapex much more easily for a teammate to take advantage of.
Team Options
========
Kyurem is best fit on semi-stall teams if it is using Protect, since it can efficiently stall out annoying threats such as Tapu Fini and Calm Mind + Substitute Suicune. Entry hazard control is appreciated because of Kyurem's Stealth Rock weakness. Skarmory and Zapdos are prime options for Defoggers, while Mega Sableye can discourage the use of Stealth Rock. Toxapex is a great teammate for its ability to set up Toxic Spikes to speed up the process of Pressure stalling. It can also absorb Toxic Spikes itself to aid Kyurem. Dugtrio is a mandatory teammate on teams with more defensive playstyles, and it is coincidentally a great partner for Kyurem. It eliminates Pokemon such as Chansey and Mega Mawile, which allows Kyurem to preserve its PP for other Pokemon on the opposing team.
Kyurem can also be fit on balance and bulky offense teams, but it should be using Earth Power. Earth Power sets are more of a threat due to their Special Attack investment and greater coverage, so Pokemon that take advantage of Earth Power Kyurem's common answers such as Clefable, specially defensive Toxapex, and Mega Scizor are fine teammates. Heatran is great for its ability to poison Pokemon for Kyurem, and it gains free Substitutes against the many Steel- and Fairy-types Kyurem baits in. Defensive VoltTurn support is appreciated to get Kyurem in. Assault Vest Magearna and Tornadus-T are good partners, since Kyurem takes advantage of the Ground- and Electric-type Pokemon they bring in. Finally, Kyurem will still need defensive support, but running Earth Power means more threatening backbones can be used. Amoonguss and Slowbro form a fine Regenerator core, and the former can absorb Toxic Spikes. Other absorbers of Toxic Spikes that fit well on balance builds include Mega Venusaur, Toxapex, and the rare Nihilego. Landorus-T fits very well with aforementioned teammates such as Mega Scizor and Assault Vest Magearna. Hazard removal is appreciated, and Latios and Mew are prime options.
name: Substitute + Roost
move 1: Ice Beam
move 2: Substitute
move 3: Roost
move 4: Protect / Earth Power
item: Leftovers
ability: Pressure
nature: Timid
evs: 104 HP / 152 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Ice Beam is Kyurem's strongest and most reliable attack. It threatens numerous wallbreakers and pivots such as Zygarde and Tangrowth. Substitute lets Kyurem evade status moves such as Toxic and Will-O-Wisp and take advantage of weaker moves such as Volt Switch and Scald. By using Substitute in conjunction with Roost, Protect, and Pressure, Kyurem can stall out many attacks such as Keldeo's Secret Sword, Tyranitar's Stone Edge, and Celesteela's Heavy Slam. Earth Power is an option to nail Steel-types such as Magearna, Heatran, and Mega Mawile if Kyurem is not paired with Dugtrio.
Set Details
========
Leftovers is the best item on this set due to its excellent synergy with the purpose of this set, PP stalling. The given HP EVs allow Kyurem to stall out Seismic Toss from Chansey and simultaneously hit a Leftovers number, so Kyurem can be at full HP rather than 99% after a few Leftovers turns recover the damage it takes from using Substitute. Maximum Speed investment and a Timid nature are crucial because Kyurem would otherwise not be able to stall valuable Moonblast PP from Tapu Fini which is one of the biggest threats to the types of team Kyurem is fit on. Kyurem's Speed investment is also useful for outspeeding Jolly Landorus-T. The remaining EVs are placed into Special Defense in order to effectively stall out Electric- and Grass-types such as Tapu Koko, Mega Manectric, Tangrowth, Amoonguss, and Mega Venusaur. They are also important to let Kyurem survive Mega Charizard Y's Fire Blast and stall out a +6 Calm Mind + Substitute Suicune. If Earth Power is used, allocate the Special Defense EVs into Special Attack, as Kyurem will stray a bit from Pressure stalling to become a more offensive presence.
Usage Tips
========
Kyurem should take advantage of Pokemon that cannot harm it due to its threatening STAB Ice Beam and typing. Landorus-T, Tapu Koko, Tangrowth, and Suicune are some of many Pokemon that Kyurem can net a free Substitute on. From there, it should focus on stalling out its initial switch-ins such as Keldeo and Tapu Fini or utilize a double switch into Dugtrio to trap and remove a problematic Pokemon such as Heatran. Ice Beam should be used to speed up the process or pressure switch-ins.
If Earth Power is used, stalling PP is more of a luxury, as Kyurem can be much more of a threat with the better coverage and the aforementioned Special Attack investment. Because of this variant's coverage, it tends to force in passive Pokemon such as Chansey and Toxapex much more easily for a teammate to take advantage of.
Team Options
========
Kyurem is best fit on semi-stall teams if it is using Protect, since it can efficiently stall out annoying threats such as Tapu Fini and Calm Mind + Substitute Suicune. Entry hazard control is appreciated because of Kyurem's Stealth Rock weakness. Skarmory and Zapdos are prime options for Defoggers, while Mega Sableye can discourage the use of Stealth Rock. Toxapex is a great teammate for its ability to set up Toxic Spikes to speed up the process of Pressure stalling. It can also absorb Toxic Spikes itself to aid Kyurem. Dugtrio is a mandatory teammate on teams with more defensive playstyles, and it is coincidentally a great partner for Kyurem. It eliminates Pokemon such as Chansey and Mega Mawile, which allows Kyurem to preserve its PP for other Pokemon on the opposing team.
Kyurem can also be fit on balance and bulky offense teams, but it should be using Earth Power. Earth Power sets are more of a threat due to their Special Attack investment and greater coverage, so Pokemon that take advantage of Earth Power Kyurem's common answers such as Clefable, specially defensive Toxapex, and Mega Scizor are fine teammates. Heatran is great for its ability to poison Pokemon for Kyurem, and it gains free Substitutes against the many Steel- and Fairy-types Kyurem baits in. Defensive VoltTurn support is appreciated to get Kyurem in. Assault Vest Magearna and Tornadus-T are good partners, since Kyurem takes advantage of the Ground- and Electric-type Pokemon they bring in. Finally, Kyurem will still need defensive support, but running Earth Power means more threatening backbones can be used. Amoonguss and Slowbro form a fine Regenerator core, and the former can absorb Toxic Spikes. Other absorbers of Toxic Spikes that fit well on balance builds include Mega Venusaur, Toxapex, and the rare Nihilego. Landorus-T fits very well with aforementioned teammates such as Mega Scizor and Assault Vest Magearna. Hazard removal is appreciated, and Latios and Mew are prime options.
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