[OVERVIEW]
*Lycanroc's combination of a high Speed stat, priority Accelerock and a powerful Z-Move in Splintered Stormshards allows it function as a capable cleaner.
*Lycanroc is also the fastest user of Stealth Rocks in the tier, complementing its access to Taunt and Endeavor to fulfill the role of a dedicated lead.
*That however, is where its positives end. Lycanroc's terrible bulk allows even resisted hits to score major damage, complicating setting up.
*Lycanroc also has a very shallow movepool, lacking the coverage it needs to break bulky Ground-types like Rhydon and Steelix.
*Finally, Faster threats that can survive a boosted Accelerock such as Whimsicott and Scarf Emboar can stop Lycanroc's sweep cold.
[SET]
name: Stealth Rocks Lead
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Taunt
move 3: Endeavor
move 4: Stone Edge / Accelerock
item: Focus Sash
ability: Steadfast
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 Def
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
*Setting up Stealth Rocks is the main focus of this set, taking advantage of its high speed tier and rock coverage to hit Xatu.
*Taunt prevents other Pokemon from setting their hazards against Lycanroc, or using it as setup bait.
*Endeavor in tandem with Focus Sash brings the foe down to 1 HP, and Lycanroc's only way to deal damage if it decides to forgo stone edge.
*Accelerock completes the Endeavor + Priority combination and allows Lycanroc to knock out a foe.
*Stone Edge allows Lycanroc to 2HKO Xatu while also being a reliable STAB move for Lycanroc to fall back on.
Set Details
========
*All of Lycanroc's Evs are poured into speed and attack to make most use out of its leading ability.
*Focus Sash allows Lycanroc to survive an otherwise fatal hit, allowing it to retaliate with Endeavor or act accordingly otherwise.
*Jolly is required to naturally outpace Pokemon that sit under Lycanroc's speed tier, such as Heliolisk.
Usage Tips
========
*Lycanroc should be sent out first in a match with the intention to lay Stealth Rocks for its team.
*Many mind games come on Lycanroc's part when its anti-lead by pokemon like Klinklang. Lycanroc can choose to taunt them, if the team doesn't fear much from these pokemon then Lycanroc can simply set up Stealth Rocks as it normally would.
*
Team Options
========
* Powerful wallbreakers and setup sweepers that appreciate Stealth Rock support to wear down their checks, such as Virizion and Vanniluxe, make good partners.
*Teammates that can prevent or pressure hazard removers from removing Stealth Rocks, such as Mismagius, Braviary and Choice Scarf Emboar also complement Lycanroc well.
*Lycanroc also appreciates checks to pokemon that can anti-lead it, like Klinklang and Whimsicott. Rotom-N and Garbodor are two examples of this, while Rotom-N can spinblock Rapid Spin users and Garbodor can complement Stealth Rocks by setting Spikes.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Stone Edge
move 3: Fire Fang
move 4: Accelerock
item: Lycanium-Z
ability: Steadfast
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 Def
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
*Swords Dance doubles Lycanroc's attack, allowing to muscle through bulkier pokemon and snipe faster threats with a boosted Accelerock.
*Stone Edge is Lycanroc's main STAB attack, which is upgraded via Lycanium-Z to Splintered Stormshards, tearing through anything that doesn't resist it.
*Fire Fang is Lycanroc's coverage move of choice, OHKOing offensive rock resists such as Virizion and Klinklang after a boost.
*Accelerock allows Lycanroc to pick off faster threats that would otherwise close its sweep.
Set Details
========
*Again, Maximum Attack and Speed investment with a Jolly Nature stats are required to maximize its power and take advantage of its speed tier.
*Steadfast raises Lycanroc's speed if it gets flinched, and is Lycanroc's only useful ability.
* Lycanium-Z turns Stone Edge into Splintered Stormshards, allowing Lycanroc to OHKO bulkier pokemon like Slowbro after a boost.
Usage Tips
========
*Try to set up Lycanroc onto attackers choice locked into moves it resists, such Delphox and Braviary locked onto their STAB moves.
*As Lycanroc is frail, refrain from switching it into even resisted hits early on.
*Lycanroc can also be used to revenge kill pokemon such as a boosted Zangoose thanks to its speed tier and priority Accelerock.
*Fianlly, Lycanroc should play carefully with its Z-Move, as it is its only way of breaking though bulkier pokemon and can be a valuable tool in wearing down its checks.
Team Options
========
*Spikes chips away at most of Lycanroc checks, Garbodar and Froslass being the notable setters.
*Teamates that can break bulky Ground-types, such as Whimsicott and Virizion make good teammates. These Grass-types can also threaten most bulky Water-types that require Lycanroc to use its Z-move, lifting some pressure off of it.
*Powerful Walbreakers such Vanilluxe can force Pokemon like Emboar to come in, putting them in the range of a boosted Accelerock.
*VoltTurn or Memento support eases Lycanroc setup by either getting it into a favorable matchup or forcing a crippled Pokemon to switch out.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
*Lycanoc's terrible movepool restricts it from having many options, but Lycanroc can opt to run Drill Rull to hit Steel and Ground-types harder, but its mostly inferior to Fire Fang.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ground-types**: Lycanroc struggles to break through Ground-types such as Rhydon and Steelix while they threaten to OHKO it back. Dugtrio can outspeed it and take a boosted Accelerock, allowing it to revenge kill Lycanroc, while yet others like Piloswine require it to use its Z-Move.
**Fighting-types**: Lycanroc also struggles to significantly damage Fighting-types like Hariyama and fears getting revenged by the likes Scarf Emboar and Passimian while they threaten it with their powerful STAB moves.
**Phyiscal Walls** Lycanroc struggles to break through Physically bulk Pokemon like Slowbro after firing Splinted Stormshards, although these Pokemon should be wary if its Z-Move is still in place.
**Faster Offensive Threats** Faster Pokemon that can take a boosted Accelerock, such as Whimsicott, Scarf Emboar, and Dugtrio threaten Lycanroc as long as they're healthy.
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