[OVERVIEW]
Boasting a fantastic ability, solid stats, and an expansive movepool with multiple valuable spread attacks, Landorus-T has earned its place as the most used Pokemon in Doubles. Its Choice Scarf set is particularly common and effective as a check to a variety of potent attackers, a pivot with U-turn, and a generator of free turns by inducing flinches with Rock Slide. However, Landorus-T is also somewhat flexible with its items, moves, and EV spreads, preventing it from being too predictable. Each of its sets also benefits greatly from Intimidate lowering the foes' Attack upon entering the field, which improves Landorus-T's ability to take attacks as well as its teammates'. Landorus-T excels not only in taking damage but also in dealing it with a strong Attack stat and multiple powerful attacks at its disposal. The well-earned popularity that Landorus-T enjoys means the opposition generally prepares well for it, typically by taking advantage of Landorus-T often lacking Protect or being locked into one move or by carrying lures to unexpectedly take it out.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Rock Slide / Stone Edge
move 4: Superpower / Hidden Power Ice
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Intimidate
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Earthquake is a consistent STAB-boosted attack that handles most of the foes Landorus-T is chosen to check and cleans weakened teams quite effectively, though you should avoid being locked into it when the opponent has multiple Ground-immune Pokemon. U-turn allows Landorus-T to be an effective pivot, switching out of negative matchups to bring in a safer teammate. It also deals decent damage to some foes, most notably OHKOing Hoopa-U. Rock Slide handles Flying-types that attempt to switch in on Earthquake and can save Landorus-T in end-game scenarios with its decently high flinch chance. Stone Edge is another option for Rock-type coverage because it deals significantly more damage and gets around Wide Guard. However, it is also far more inaccurate, and access to two consistent spread attacks is one of the reasons Landorus-T is such an effective Pokemon in Doubles. Superpower or Hidden Power Ice can be used to round out Landorus-T's coverage. Superpower nails Tyranitar and deals the most possible damage to Shuca Berry Heatran, Ferrothorn, and Snorlax, though the accompanying stat drops don't synergize well with the locking effect of Choice Scarf. On the other hand, Hidden Power Ice has decent targets in Zygarde, Mega Salamence, and opposing Landorus-T, but it is quite weak on most other foes due to Landorus-T's lack of investment. Knock Off is also a viable option in the last slot, offering utility by removing crucial items like Snorlax's Iapapa Berry and dealing considerable damage to Wide Guard Aegislash.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed EVs, a Jolly nature, and a Choice Scarf allow Landorus-T to outspeed the entire unboosted metagame, including threats like Deoxys-A and Mega Gengar. 252 Attack EVs ensure Landorus-T hits as hard as possible, as any potential added bulk is not as useful as dealing consistent damage. Though it doesn't have any choice in ability, Intimidate makes Landorus-T a very effective pivot by increasing its ability to take physical attacks.
Usage Tips
========
Landorus-T is quite effective in most lead matchups thanks to its Intimidate weakening incoming attacks, U-turn allowing it to pivot out of poor matchups, and its blazing speed. It also succeeds as a late-game cleaner with fast and powerful spread moves picking off injured foes. In the early-game, it's usually best to pivot around with U-turn to keep Landorus-T healthy and able to check opposing threats. Despite its decent bulk, playing recklessly can leave Landorus-T unable to stomach the necessary hits to function effectively in the mid- or late-game. Watch out for Milotic, as switching in while it is on the field or leading against it will sharply boost Milotic's Special Attack, leaving Landorus-T and its allies in a difficult situation. Though its Choice Scarf is crucial to this set's ability to function as intended, the locking effect requires you to watch out for being locked into a move that could become disadvantageous.
Team Options
========
Landorus-T is the most widely usable Pokemon in the metagame; thus, many teams can benefit from its presence. Intimidate is a fantastic ability for supporting physically frail Pokemon such as Mega Charizard Y and Mega Gardevoir. Teams in need of a faster ally to be an emergency check to opposing threats like Mega Gengar, Tapu Koko, and Mega Charizard Y typically prefer this set. As a frequent user of U-turn, Landorus-T needs allies that can switch in on powerful Water- and Ice-type attacks. A Water-type of your own, such as Tapu Fini or Milotic, works especially well. Earthquake affects all adjacent Pokemon, so Landorus-T needs Ground-immune allies such as Zapdos, Celesteela, and Hydreigon, which will not be damaged. Aegislash and opposing Celesteela can stop Landorus-T in its tracks with Wide Guard, so Hydreigon, Volcanion, and Tapu Koko work as solid allies by removing these threats. Grassy Terrain halves the power of Landorus-T's sole STAB attack, so allies that can take out Tapu Bulu like Mega Gengar and Aegislash allow Landorus-T's team's own Island Guardian to safely change the Terrain.
[SET]
name: Assault Vest
move 1: Earthquake / Earth Power
move 2: Rock Slide / Stone Edge
move 3: U-turn / Superpower / Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Knock Off / Superpower / Hidden Power Ice
item: Assault Vest
ability: Intimidate
nature: Adamant
evs: 248 HP / 4 Atk / 8 Def / 4 SpD / 244 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Earthquake is a wonderful move on any Landorus-T set, dealing consistent spread damage, and this set also benefits from being able to use the move without the locking effect of Choice sets. Alternatively, Earth Power circumvents Wide Guard and is unaffected by Intimidate, though the ability to deal spread damage is sometimes missed. Rock Slide hits the Flying-types that are immune to Earthquake and has the potential to make foes flinch. Stone Edge is a considerably stronger alternative, 2HKOing Zapdos, though it suffers from poor accuracy. U-turn helps Landorus-T function as an effective pivot, improving your ability to control field positioning, and also OHKOes Hoopa-U. Knock Off helps Landorus-T take on Aegislash and Snorlax, remove a crucial item like a pinch Berry or a Choice Scarf, and generally makes Landorus-T more difficult to switch into. Superpower is also a decent option in either of the last two slots, improving Landorus-T's ability to take on Tyranitar and Ferrothorn and ensuring Landorus-T can hit Heatran without the threat of a potential Wide Guard. With the plethora of common threats weak to Ice-type moves, Hidden Power Ice cements Landorus-T's ability to take on a majority of the tier, including Mega Salamence, Zygarde, and opposing Landorus-T, despite a negative Special Attack nature.
Set Details
========
The given defensive EVs with an Assault Vest help Landorus-T take on many powerful attackers in the metagame, ensuring it can switch in on and survive two hits from Timid Mega Charizard Y's Heat Wave, Mega Salamence's Double-Edge, and Hoopa-U's Hyperspace Fury. Using 244 Speed EVs, Landorus-T is able to move before Timid Heatran or, if under Tailwind, Modest Kingdra in rain. The remaining 4 EVs are placed in Attack so that, with an Adamant nature, Landorus-T can 2HKO Aegislash and OHKO Tapu Koko with Earthquake and OHKO uninvested Mega Charizard Y with Rock Slide. If Earth Power is being used in place of Earthquake, an EV spread of 216 HP / 124 SpA / 24 SpD / 144 Spe with a Timid nature is preferable, retaining the ability to outspeed Heatran, OHKO Tapu Koko, and 2HKO Aegislash. Though the drop in Attack means Rock Slide isn't guaranteed to OHKO Mega Charizard Y and the drop in HP prevents an ensured survival of two Double-Edges from Mega Salamence, Hidden Power Ice becomes much stronger and Landorus-T still survives two hits from Mega Charizard Y's Heat Wave or Hoopa-U's Hyperspace Fury.
Usage Tips
========
With increased bulk from its Assault Vest and the ability to switch moves, this Landorus-T set should be used primarily as a pivot, spreading Intimidate drops, scouting moves, and using its attacks to chip away at the opposition. Try to avoid revealing all of Landorus-T's moves early, as there are six moves that Assault Vest sets commonly run and it's helpful to be able to threaten having any of them. If the opponent has a Milotic on their team, play carefully to avoid triggering its Competitive ability with Intimidate. This set can work at any point in the game, switching in on and defeating many potentially problematic foes; however, its only decent Speed and lack of recovery mean that it is fairly easily worn down and should be preserved if it is the only member of its team that can handle a particular threat.
Team Options
========
Generally speaking, Landorus-T fits on a huge variety of teams due to the invaluable support offered by Intimidate and the wide variety of potential roles that it can fulfill. Assault Vest Landorus-T makes a name for itself in being able to switch in on and defeat many foes, including Heatran, Mega Charizard Y, Hoopa-U, Aegislash, and Landorus-T, if it is carrying the correct moves. Thus, teams in need of a solid answer to any of these Pokemon appreciate its added security. Though this set can take hits, it still prefers not to, so having a teammate with some sort of Speed control allows Landorus-T to move first more consistently. Trick Room support is notable in allowing Landorus-T to viably run a Speed-reducing nature and invest more in its offenses, though running such a spread leaves Landorus-T more susceptible to various foes outside of Trick Room. Teammates that can take on Kyurem-B and Deoxys-A, both of which can OHKO Landorus-T despite its increased bulk, are much appreciated, so Steel-types like Genesect and Aegislash make good partners.
[SET]
name: All-out Attacker
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Stone Edge / Rock Slide
move 3: Superpower / Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Protect
item: Groundium Z / Life Orb
ability: Intimidate
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Earthquake provides Landorus-T with the ability to deal STAB-boosted spread damage. When used in conjunction with Groundium Z, it becomes an extremely powerful single-target Tectonic Rage, allowing Landorus-T to take out Ground-weak foes protected by Wide Guard like Aegislash or weakened bulky foes that could otherwise shrug off Landorus-T's attacks like Tapu Fini. Earthquake's main drawback is its inability to hit Flying-type foes, so Stone Edge gives Landorus-T a way to take them on. Alternatively, Rock Slide is a more accurate though considerably less powerful option that deals spread damage and has a solid 30% chance to cause foes to flinch. To round out its coverage, Landorus-T has a couple of solid options; Superpower helps it cover Ferrothorn, Tyranitar, and Snorlax, while Hidden Power Ice takes on Zygarde, Mega Salamence, and opposing Landorus-T. Most of the foes listed otherwise take on Landorus-T fairly well, so the choice of which move to use depends on which list Landorus-T's team struggles with more. If neither set of foes is particularly troubling to Landorus-T's team, Knock Off is quite useful against item-reliant foes such as Snorlax. Finally, Protect shields Landorus-T from attacks while a partner takes out a threat, stalls out field conditions, and allows Landorus-T to scout incoming attacks.
Set Details
========
Groundium Z and Life Orb help Landorus-T break through bulkier foes in different ways; Groundium Z grants a one-time-use incredibly strong attack, while Life Orb boosts all Landorus-T's attacks at the cost of some recoil damage. Maximum Attack and Speed back up this set's goal of moving fast and dealing damage. With an Adamant nature, Landorus-T is still able to outspeed Timid Heatran and hits as hard as possible. If bulky Flying-types are especially problematic, Rockium Z can provide Landorus-T with a surprise Continental Crush that will take out most Mega Salamence and Zapdos sets.
Usage Tips
========
If using a Z-Move, Landorus-T should save it for a crucial moment, as the activation is only available once. Groundium Z sets also benefit from the ability to potentially bluff a Choice Scarf or Assault Vest set due to the lack of Life Orb recoil, so keep that in mind for early-game positioning. Try to avoid revealing Protect until it's especially necessary, as most other Landorus-T sets won't carry the move. Tapu Bulu is a common Landorus-T switch-in used to weaken Earthquake, so bear in mind that Tectonic Rage will be an even larger power increase over Earthquake when Grassy Terrain is active. Otherwise, this plays like any other Landorus-T set, pivoting in to take advantage of Intimidate, avoiding activating Milotic's Competitive, and attacking the foe with whatever move will deal the most damage to it.
Team Options
========
Intimidate support improves nearly every team, and with such sparse distribution, Landorus-T is often the best provider of this support. With the extra power behind this set, Landorus-T really appreciates some form of speed control, most commonly Tailwind from allies like Zapdos and Mega Charizard Y. This Landorus-T set is appreciated by teammates that are particularly threatened by Aegislash, Tyranitar, or Shuca Berry Heatran, as all are taken on better by this set than any other. Mega Salamence not only likes those threats removed but can also provide Tailwind support, though it shares an exploitable weakness to Ice-type moves that must be accounted for by the remaining members of the team. Amoonguss helps Landorus-T by taking on Grass- and Electric-types and benefits from the latter's positive matchups against Fire- and Flying-types. The two also have a mutually beneficial relationship with their role as pivots, Landorus-T gaining more opportunities to activate Intimidate and Amoonguss doing so with Regenerator.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Though entry hazards are uncommon and less helpful in Doubles matches, Landorus-T can be an effective user of Stealth Rock to help out teams especially weak to Mega Charizard Y or in need of chip damage on most foes. A Choice Band provides Landorus-T with considerably more power behind its attacks, though it lacks the speed of a Choice Scarf set and the versatility of Assault Vest and Groundium Z sets. Such a set benefits from running Explosion, which deals powerful spread damage to any foes. Explosion both benefits and endangers Landorus-T's teammates, damaging Landorus-T's ally but providing a free switch after its use. Sludge Bomb turns a difficult matchup in Tapu Bulu into one that Landorus-T easily wins, and fits best on special Assault Vest Landorus-T sets due to their ability to invest in Special Attack. Fly paired with a Flyinium Z to use Supersonic Skystrike achieves this as well while also aiding Landorus-T against Amoonguss, but taking up the item slot makes this difficult to fit onto most Landorus-T sets. Hammer Arm can take the place of Superpower, exchanging a bit of initial power for the lack of Attack and Defense drops, and can be useful on semi-Trick Room builds to help Landorus-T underspeed its foes. Substitute shields Landorus-T from Intimidate, status, and getting knocked out by a single strong hit. While all of the above moves have their niches to be effective, Landorus-T is pressed for moveslots as it is, so they are often unjustifiable over the moves listed in the main sets above. If Landorus-T needs more consistent damage in lieu of a one-time nuke from Groundium Z, Expert Belt sets can provide that helpful boost. Alternatively, a bulkier Landorus-T set that still incorporates Protect can be usable with a Sitrus or Yache Berry, as Assault Vest sets are forced to forgo the move. These bulky sets are among the best users of Stealth Rock, which Choice and Assault Vest sets cannot use.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Water-types**: Water-types such as Tapu Fini, Milotic, and Rotom-W are threatening to Landorus-T due to its inability to hit them super effectively and its weakness to their attacks. Milotic also takes advantage of Intimidate to grab Competitive boosts, while Rotom-W can safely switch in on Landorus-T due to its Ground immunity.
**Ice-types**: The largest downfall of Landorus-T's typing is its extreme weakness to Ice-type attacks, so Pokemon that carry them like Kyurem-B, Weavile, and various Ice-type coverage carriers are quite dangerous. Zapdos, Heatran, and Mega Gengar all commonly carry Ice-type moves due to the popularity of many Pokemon that are 4x weak to Ice.
**Ground-immune Pokemon**: Due to Choice Scarf's locking effect, Landorus, Salamence, and various other Ground-immune Pokemon can easily take advantage of Landorus-T locked into Earthquake, though many are weak to Rock Slide or Hidden Power Ice and must be wary of these moves. Groundium Z Landorus-T must be especially careful not to waste its Z-Move on a Pokemon switching out to a Ground-immune teammate.
**Intimidate and Burns**: As a primarily physical attacker, Intimidate from Pokemon such as Scrafty and opposing Landorus-T and burns from Rotom-W and Mega Gengar, among others, lower Landorus-T's effectiveness. Mixed sets are less affected by these attempts to shut Landorus-T down, though they still do not appreciate them.
**Faster Pokemon**: Choice Scarf Landorus-T operates under the assumption it will typically move first, which opposing Choice Scarf users like Genesect and Thundurus-T prevent from happening. Kingdra and Ludicolo, as Swift Swim sweepers, are particularly threatening when boosted by the presence of rain as they are guaranteed to move first and have powerful Water-type STAB attacks. Assault Vest sets are less troubled by stray fast attackers due to their significant bulk.
**Wide Guard**: With Earthquake and Rock Slide as two of Landorus-T's most common moves, Wide Guard can quickly shut it down, especially if Landorus-T is locked into one of these moves. Araquanid, Celesteela, and Aegislash are the most common and threatening Wide Guard users, though Aegislash fears Tectonic Rage and Earth Power and must use Wide Guard every turn to stay safe.
**Grassy Terrain**: Landorus-T detests Tapu Bulu's Grassy Terrain, as it halves the power of Earthquake. In addition, Tapu Bulu itself deals lots of damage with Wood Hammer and takes little from most of Landorus-T's available attacks.
Boasting a fantastic ability, solid stats, and an expansive movepool with multiple valuable spread attacks, Landorus-T has earned its place as the most used Pokemon in Doubles. Its Choice Scarf set is particularly common and effective as a check to a variety of potent attackers, a pivot with U-turn, and a generator of free turns by inducing flinches with Rock Slide. However, Landorus-T is also somewhat flexible with its items, moves, and EV spreads, preventing it from being too predictable. Each of its sets also benefits greatly from Intimidate lowering the foes' Attack upon entering the field, which improves Landorus-T's ability to take attacks as well as its teammates'. Landorus-T excels not only in taking damage but also in dealing it with a strong Attack stat and multiple powerful attacks at its disposal. The well-earned popularity that Landorus-T enjoys means the opposition generally prepares well for it, typically by taking advantage of Landorus-T often lacking Protect or being locked into one move or by carrying lures to unexpectedly take it out.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Rock Slide / Stone Edge
move 4: Superpower / Hidden Power Ice
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Intimidate
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Earthquake is a consistent STAB-boosted attack that handles most of the foes Landorus-T is chosen to check and cleans weakened teams quite effectively, though you should avoid being locked into it when the opponent has multiple Ground-immune Pokemon. U-turn allows Landorus-T to be an effective pivot, switching out of negative matchups to bring in a safer teammate. It also deals decent damage to some foes, most notably OHKOing Hoopa-U. Rock Slide handles Flying-types that attempt to switch in on Earthquake and can save Landorus-T in end-game scenarios with its decently high flinch chance. Stone Edge is another option for Rock-type coverage because it deals significantly more damage and gets around Wide Guard. However, it is also far more inaccurate, and access to two consistent spread attacks is one of the reasons Landorus-T is such an effective Pokemon in Doubles. Superpower or Hidden Power Ice can be used to round out Landorus-T's coverage. Superpower nails Tyranitar and deals the most possible damage to Shuca Berry Heatran, Ferrothorn, and Snorlax, though the accompanying stat drops don't synergize well with the locking effect of Choice Scarf. On the other hand, Hidden Power Ice has decent targets in Zygarde, Mega Salamence, and opposing Landorus-T, but it is quite weak on most other foes due to Landorus-T's lack of investment. Knock Off is also a viable option in the last slot, offering utility by removing crucial items like Snorlax's Iapapa Berry and dealing considerable damage to Wide Guard Aegislash.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed EVs, a Jolly nature, and a Choice Scarf allow Landorus-T to outspeed the entire unboosted metagame, including threats like Deoxys-A and Mega Gengar. 252 Attack EVs ensure Landorus-T hits as hard as possible, as any potential added bulk is not as useful as dealing consistent damage. Though it doesn't have any choice in ability, Intimidate makes Landorus-T a very effective pivot by increasing its ability to take physical attacks.
Usage Tips
========
Landorus-T is quite effective in most lead matchups thanks to its Intimidate weakening incoming attacks, U-turn allowing it to pivot out of poor matchups, and its blazing speed. It also succeeds as a late-game cleaner with fast and powerful spread moves picking off injured foes. In the early-game, it's usually best to pivot around with U-turn to keep Landorus-T healthy and able to check opposing threats. Despite its decent bulk, playing recklessly can leave Landorus-T unable to stomach the necessary hits to function effectively in the mid- or late-game. Watch out for Milotic, as switching in while it is on the field or leading against it will sharply boost Milotic's Special Attack, leaving Landorus-T and its allies in a difficult situation. Though its Choice Scarf is crucial to this set's ability to function as intended, the locking effect requires you to watch out for being locked into a move that could become disadvantageous.
Team Options
========
Landorus-T is the most widely usable Pokemon in the metagame; thus, many teams can benefit from its presence. Intimidate is a fantastic ability for supporting physically frail Pokemon such as Mega Charizard Y and Mega Gardevoir. Teams in need of a faster ally to be an emergency check to opposing threats like Mega Gengar, Tapu Koko, and Mega Charizard Y typically prefer this set. As a frequent user of U-turn, Landorus-T needs allies that can switch in on powerful Water- and Ice-type attacks. A Water-type of your own, such as Tapu Fini or Milotic, works especially well. Earthquake affects all adjacent Pokemon, so Landorus-T needs Ground-immune allies such as Zapdos, Celesteela, and Hydreigon, which will not be damaged. Aegislash and opposing Celesteela can stop Landorus-T in its tracks with Wide Guard, so Hydreigon, Volcanion, and Tapu Koko work as solid allies by removing these threats. Grassy Terrain halves the power of Landorus-T's sole STAB attack, so allies that can take out Tapu Bulu like Mega Gengar and Aegislash allow Landorus-T's team's own Island Guardian to safely change the Terrain.
[SET]
name: Assault Vest
move 1: Earthquake / Earth Power
move 2: Rock Slide / Stone Edge
move 3: U-turn / Superpower / Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Knock Off / Superpower / Hidden Power Ice
item: Assault Vest
ability: Intimidate
nature: Adamant
evs: 248 HP / 4 Atk / 8 Def / 4 SpD / 244 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Earthquake is a wonderful move on any Landorus-T set, dealing consistent spread damage, and this set also benefits from being able to use the move without the locking effect of Choice sets. Alternatively, Earth Power circumvents Wide Guard and is unaffected by Intimidate, though the ability to deal spread damage is sometimes missed. Rock Slide hits the Flying-types that are immune to Earthquake and has the potential to make foes flinch. Stone Edge is a considerably stronger alternative, 2HKOing Zapdos, though it suffers from poor accuracy. U-turn helps Landorus-T function as an effective pivot, improving your ability to control field positioning, and also OHKOes Hoopa-U. Knock Off helps Landorus-T take on Aegislash and Snorlax, remove a crucial item like a pinch Berry or a Choice Scarf, and generally makes Landorus-T more difficult to switch into. Superpower is also a decent option in either of the last two slots, improving Landorus-T's ability to take on Tyranitar and Ferrothorn and ensuring Landorus-T can hit Heatran without the threat of a potential Wide Guard. With the plethora of common threats weak to Ice-type moves, Hidden Power Ice cements Landorus-T's ability to take on a majority of the tier, including Mega Salamence, Zygarde, and opposing Landorus-T, despite a negative Special Attack nature.
Set Details
========
The given defensive EVs with an Assault Vest help Landorus-T take on many powerful attackers in the metagame, ensuring it can switch in on and survive two hits from Timid Mega Charizard Y's Heat Wave, Mega Salamence's Double-Edge, and Hoopa-U's Hyperspace Fury. Using 244 Speed EVs, Landorus-T is able to move before Timid Heatran or, if under Tailwind, Modest Kingdra in rain. The remaining 4 EVs are placed in Attack so that, with an Adamant nature, Landorus-T can 2HKO Aegislash and OHKO Tapu Koko with Earthquake and OHKO uninvested Mega Charizard Y with Rock Slide. If Earth Power is being used in place of Earthquake, an EV spread of 216 HP / 124 SpA / 24 SpD / 144 Spe with a Timid nature is preferable, retaining the ability to outspeed Heatran, OHKO Tapu Koko, and 2HKO Aegislash. Though the drop in Attack means Rock Slide isn't guaranteed to OHKO Mega Charizard Y and the drop in HP prevents an ensured survival of two Double-Edges from Mega Salamence, Hidden Power Ice becomes much stronger and Landorus-T still survives two hits from Mega Charizard Y's Heat Wave or Hoopa-U's Hyperspace Fury.
Usage Tips
========
With increased bulk from its Assault Vest and the ability to switch moves, this Landorus-T set should be used primarily as a pivot, spreading Intimidate drops, scouting moves, and using its attacks to chip away at the opposition. Try to avoid revealing all of Landorus-T's moves early, as there are six moves that Assault Vest sets commonly run and it's helpful to be able to threaten having any of them. If the opponent has a Milotic on their team, play carefully to avoid triggering its Competitive ability with Intimidate. This set can work at any point in the game, switching in on and defeating many potentially problematic foes; however, its only decent Speed and lack of recovery mean that it is fairly easily worn down and should be preserved if it is the only member of its team that can handle a particular threat.
Team Options
========
Generally speaking, Landorus-T fits on a huge variety of teams due to the invaluable support offered by Intimidate and the wide variety of potential roles that it can fulfill. Assault Vest Landorus-T makes a name for itself in being able to switch in on and defeat many foes, including Heatran, Mega Charizard Y, Hoopa-U, Aegislash, and Landorus-T, if it is carrying the correct moves. Thus, teams in need of a solid answer to any of these Pokemon appreciate its added security. Though this set can take hits, it still prefers not to, so having a teammate with some sort of Speed control allows Landorus-T to move first more consistently. Trick Room support is notable in allowing Landorus-T to viably run a Speed-reducing nature and invest more in its offenses, though running such a spread leaves Landorus-T more susceptible to various foes outside of Trick Room. Teammates that can take on Kyurem-B and Deoxys-A, both of which can OHKO Landorus-T despite its increased bulk, are much appreciated, so Steel-types like Genesect and Aegislash make good partners.
[SET]
name: All-out Attacker
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Stone Edge / Rock Slide
move 3: Superpower / Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Protect
item: Groundium Z / Life Orb
ability: Intimidate
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Earthquake provides Landorus-T with the ability to deal STAB-boosted spread damage. When used in conjunction with Groundium Z, it becomes an extremely powerful single-target Tectonic Rage, allowing Landorus-T to take out Ground-weak foes protected by Wide Guard like Aegislash or weakened bulky foes that could otherwise shrug off Landorus-T's attacks like Tapu Fini. Earthquake's main drawback is its inability to hit Flying-type foes, so Stone Edge gives Landorus-T a way to take them on. Alternatively, Rock Slide is a more accurate though considerably less powerful option that deals spread damage and has a solid 30% chance to cause foes to flinch. To round out its coverage, Landorus-T has a couple of solid options; Superpower helps it cover Ferrothorn, Tyranitar, and Snorlax, while Hidden Power Ice takes on Zygarde, Mega Salamence, and opposing Landorus-T. Most of the foes listed otherwise take on Landorus-T fairly well, so the choice of which move to use depends on which list Landorus-T's team struggles with more. If neither set of foes is particularly troubling to Landorus-T's team, Knock Off is quite useful against item-reliant foes such as Snorlax. Finally, Protect shields Landorus-T from attacks while a partner takes out a threat, stalls out field conditions, and allows Landorus-T to scout incoming attacks.
Set Details
========
Groundium Z and Life Orb help Landorus-T break through bulkier foes in different ways; Groundium Z grants a one-time-use incredibly strong attack, while Life Orb boosts all Landorus-T's attacks at the cost of some recoil damage. Maximum Attack and Speed back up this set's goal of moving fast and dealing damage. With an Adamant nature, Landorus-T is still able to outspeed Timid Heatran and hits as hard as possible. If bulky Flying-types are especially problematic, Rockium Z can provide Landorus-T with a surprise Continental Crush that will take out most Mega Salamence and Zapdos sets.
Usage Tips
========
If using a Z-Move, Landorus-T should save it for a crucial moment, as the activation is only available once. Groundium Z sets also benefit from the ability to potentially bluff a Choice Scarf or Assault Vest set due to the lack of Life Orb recoil, so keep that in mind for early-game positioning. Try to avoid revealing Protect until it's especially necessary, as most other Landorus-T sets won't carry the move. Tapu Bulu is a common Landorus-T switch-in used to weaken Earthquake, so bear in mind that Tectonic Rage will be an even larger power increase over Earthquake when Grassy Terrain is active. Otherwise, this plays like any other Landorus-T set, pivoting in to take advantage of Intimidate, avoiding activating Milotic's Competitive, and attacking the foe with whatever move will deal the most damage to it.
Team Options
========
Intimidate support improves nearly every team, and with such sparse distribution, Landorus-T is often the best provider of this support. With the extra power behind this set, Landorus-T really appreciates some form of speed control, most commonly Tailwind from allies like Zapdos and Mega Charizard Y. This Landorus-T set is appreciated by teammates that are particularly threatened by Aegislash, Tyranitar, or Shuca Berry Heatran, as all are taken on better by this set than any other. Mega Salamence not only likes those threats removed but can also provide Tailwind support, though it shares an exploitable weakness to Ice-type moves that must be accounted for by the remaining members of the team. Amoonguss helps Landorus-T by taking on Grass- and Electric-types and benefits from the latter's positive matchups against Fire- and Flying-types. The two also have a mutually beneficial relationship with their role as pivots, Landorus-T gaining more opportunities to activate Intimidate and Amoonguss doing so with Regenerator.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Though entry hazards are uncommon and less helpful in Doubles matches, Landorus-T can be an effective user of Stealth Rock to help out teams especially weak to Mega Charizard Y or in need of chip damage on most foes. A Choice Band provides Landorus-T with considerably more power behind its attacks, though it lacks the speed of a Choice Scarf set and the versatility of Assault Vest and Groundium Z sets. Such a set benefits from running Explosion, which deals powerful spread damage to any foes. Explosion both benefits and endangers Landorus-T's teammates, damaging Landorus-T's ally but providing a free switch after its use. Sludge Bomb turns a difficult matchup in Tapu Bulu into one that Landorus-T easily wins, and fits best on special Assault Vest Landorus-T sets due to their ability to invest in Special Attack. Fly paired with a Flyinium Z to use Supersonic Skystrike achieves this as well while also aiding Landorus-T against Amoonguss, but taking up the item slot makes this difficult to fit onto most Landorus-T sets. Hammer Arm can take the place of Superpower, exchanging a bit of initial power for the lack of Attack and Defense drops, and can be useful on semi-Trick Room builds to help Landorus-T underspeed its foes. Substitute shields Landorus-T from Intimidate, status, and getting knocked out by a single strong hit. While all of the above moves have their niches to be effective, Landorus-T is pressed for moveslots as it is, so they are often unjustifiable over the moves listed in the main sets above. If Landorus-T needs more consistent damage in lieu of a one-time nuke from Groundium Z, Expert Belt sets can provide that helpful boost. Alternatively, a bulkier Landorus-T set that still incorporates Protect can be usable with a Sitrus or Yache Berry, as Assault Vest sets are forced to forgo the move. These bulky sets are among the best users of Stealth Rock, which Choice and Assault Vest sets cannot use.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Water-types**: Water-types such as Tapu Fini, Milotic, and Rotom-W are threatening to Landorus-T due to its inability to hit them super effectively and its weakness to their attacks. Milotic also takes advantage of Intimidate to grab Competitive boosts, while Rotom-W can safely switch in on Landorus-T due to its Ground immunity.
**Ice-types**: The largest downfall of Landorus-T's typing is its extreme weakness to Ice-type attacks, so Pokemon that carry them like Kyurem-B, Weavile, and various Ice-type coverage carriers are quite dangerous. Zapdos, Heatran, and Mega Gengar all commonly carry Ice-type moves due to the popularity of many Pokemon that are 4x weak to Ice.
**Ground-immune Pokemon**: Due to Choice Scarf's locking effect, Landorus, Salamence, and various other Ground-immune Pokemon can easily take advantage of Landorus-T locked into Earthquake, though many are weak to Rock Slide or Hidden Power Ice and must be wary of these moves. Groundium Z Landorus-T must be especially careful not to waste its Z-Move on a Pokemon switching out to a Ground-immune teammate.
**Intimidate and Burns**: As a primarily physical attacker, Intimidate from Pokemon such as Scrafty and opposing Landorus-T and burns from Rotom-W and Mega Gengar, among others, lower Landorus-T's effectiveness. Mixed sets are less affected by these attempts to shut Landorus-T down, though they still do not appreciate them.
**Faster Pokemon**: Choice Scarf Landorus-T operates under the assumption it will typically move first, which opposing Choice Scarf users like Genesect and Thundurus-T prevent from happening. Kingdra and Ludicolo, as Swift Swim sweepers, are particularly threatening when boosted by the presence of rain as they are guaranteed to move first and have powerful Water-type STAB attacks. Assault Vest sets are less troubled by stray fast attackers due to their significant bulk.
**Wide Guard**: With Earthquake and Rock Slide as two of Landorus-T's most common moves, Wide Guard can quickly shut it down, especially if Landorus-T is locked into one of these moves. Araquanid, Celesteela, and Aegislash are the most common and threatening Wide Guard users, though Aegislash fears Tectonic Rage and Earth Power and must use Wide Guard every turn to stay safe.
**Grassy Terrain**: Landorus-T detests Tapu Bulu's Grassy Terrain, as it halves the power of Earthquake. In addition, Tapu Bulu itself deals lots of damage with Wood Hammer and takes little from most of Landorus-T's available attacks.
Last edited:
