Welcome to Smogon! Take a moment to read the Introduction to Smogon for a run-down on everything Smogon, and make sure you take some time to read the global rules.
Voting period is up :D. Tons of sets and even more votes this week, it was pretty close. The two most voted on sets (and winners) this week are Psychium Z Diancie by Stan Soojung and Waterium Z Cloyster by ThiccTornadus, congrats! There was a 3-way-tie for the runner up, so I've decided the winner is Cheryl.'s Fire Blast Nidoqueen, as I feel it gives up the least moveslot wise to lure Bronzong (no hard feelings everyone else xoxo). New threat coming soon™.
A mon that has been picking up in popularity recently due to our incredible lack of hazard removal, meet the Flying-type Magic Bouncer Xatu! Flying typing gives it access to Roost, which when combined with Rocky Helmet allows it to beat several of the bulkier entry hazard setters in the tier (namely Bronzong and Registeel). U-turn is to help keep up momentum on predicted switches. Psychic is Xatu's STAB attack, allowing it to additionally punish Nidoqueen (which is what the Speed EVs are for). The last move choice is mostly preference; Heat Wave lets Xatu beat Registeel/Bronzong more reliably, and also dissuade Doublade from switching in, Foul Play and Toxic lets Xatu dissuade pokemon from setting up in front of it, and Grass Knot lets it threaten Rhyperior with some heavy damage.
Xatu cant switch in on Seed Flare because after that it gets OHKOD by Z-Ominous Wind unless min rolls happen, it can also get spdef dropped by seed flare.
252 SpA Shaymin Seed Flare vs. 252 HP / 156 SpD Xatu: 90-106 (26.9 - 31.7%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252 SpA Shaymin Never-Ending Nightmare (120 BP) vs. 252 HP / 156 SpD Xatu: 240-284 (71.8 - 85%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Chesnaught @ Leftovers
Ability: Bulletproof
EVs: 248 HP / 124 Atk / 130 Def / 8 SpD
Impish Nature
- Spikes
- Wood Hammer
- Synthesis - Stone Edge
Chesnaught naturally can't setup Spikes on Xatu's face, and can't switch in on Xatu, but with this set, you can take advantage that Psychic doesn't OHKO Chesnaught, and back you have 50% of chance to kill it with Stone Edge as long as Stealth Rock is in the field, or simply 2HKO Xatu on the switch in.
0 SpA Xatu Psychic vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Chesnaught: 234-276 (61.7 - 72.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
124 Atk Chesnaught Stone Edge vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Xatu: 230-272 (68.8 - 81.4%) -- 50% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
Just wanna point out the effectiveness of this set can be rather tricky cause it will heavily depend of the xatu not being faster, if it is and if it carries toxic... you are screwed, but the spread works for outspeed the sample set so we good for this one at least. Uxie has no hope with setting rocks against xatu so skill swap allow you to effectively get your rocks up against teams that rely on it as their only form of hazard control (which are a fruckload).
You also end up screwing over it if it goes for toxic prior, and a poisoned xatu is way easier to pressure. Also can screw over some fighting types better (skill swaping fluffy or guts is hilarious) if you feel like it. Effectively lured.
Registeel @ Icium Z
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
- Iron Head
- Power-Up Punch/Curse
Just posting this since I actually ran into this about twice while I was laddering. Xatu will almost always come into an opposing Registeel, so use that opportunity to deal huge damage by clicking Subzero Slammer. Alternatively, you could use PuP or Curse then use the Z-move but if they use U-turn then rip
252+ Atk Registeel Subzero Slammer (140 BP) vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Xatu: 312-368 (93.6 - 110.5%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO
+1 252+ Atk Registeel Subzero Slammer (140 BP) vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Xatu: 466-550 (139.9 - 165.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
The standards Rocky Helmet/Icium Qwilfish hardly can set up Spikes against a Xatu team, but with this set you can outspeed and 2HKO Xatu with Splash Plate with Waterfall and beat it 1v1 if the opponent switches Xatu directly into Qwilfish, allowing you to possibly set-up Spikes. An alternative option is Waterium Z > Splash Plate if you don't have a better Z Move user, which allows Qwilfish to KO Xatu in one hit after a bit prior damage.
252 Atk Splash Plate Qwilfish Waterfall vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Xatu: 169-201 (50.7 - 60.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Qwilfish Hydro Vortex (160 BP) vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Xatu: 282-333 (84.6 - 100%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO
I was hoping xatu would be next... Roserade @ Life Orb
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature / Adamant
- Swords Dance
- Bullet Seed
- Poison Jab
- Sleep Powder
People bold the "lure" part, but really this whole set (maybe bar sleep powder) is a lure. You SD on the switch, and have a 50% chance to kill if jolly, and 100% chance if adamant (but miss on outspeeding gatr by 1 point). I would say use Z, but tbh Z make lures not fun s/o to avocado for that. Tech Jolly Bullet Seed also kills a lot of shit in the tier (does 99 min at +2 to bewear w/ 3 hits!) and 54 min to p2 at +2. Sleep Powder the things you can't hit, simple enough (but not Escav bc of overcoat).
+2 252 Atk Life Orb Roserade Poison Jab vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Xatu: 304-359 (91.2 - 107.8%) -- 50% chance to OHKO
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Roserade Poison Jab vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Xatu: 333-394 (100 - 118.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 Atk Life Orb Technician Roserade Bullet Seed (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Bewear: 378-447 (99.2 - 117.3%) -- approx. 93.8% chance to OHKO
+2 252 Atk Life Orb Technician Roserade Bullet Seed (3 hits) vs. 252 HP / 104 Def Eviolite Porygon2: 204-246 (54.5 - 65.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 Atk Life Orb Technician Roserade Bullet Seed (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Nidoqueen: 354-420 (110.2 - 130.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 Atk Life Orb Technician Roserade Bullet Seed (3 hits) vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Umbreon: 291-342 (73.8 - 86.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 Atk Life Orb Technician Roserade Bullet Seed (3 hits) vs. 188 HP / 128 Def Snorlax: 378-447 (74.4 - 87.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 Atk Life Orb Technician Roserade Bullet Seed (3 hits) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Gligar: 153-180 (45.8 - 53.8%) -- approx. 28.1% chance to 2HKO
+2 252 Atk Life Orb Technician Roserade Bullet Seed (3 hits) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Cresselia: 270-321 (60.8 - 72.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
[unhide]