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-
Justified
- Raises Attack one stage when hit by a Dark-type move.
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Level 100 Statistics (see level 5, 50, 100)
|
Min- |
Min |
Max |
Max+ |
| HP |
91
|
- |
323 |
386 |
- |
| Atk |
129
|
264 |
294 |
357 |
392 |
| Def |
90
|
194 |
216 |
279 |
306 |
| SpA |
72
|
162 |
180 |
243 |
267 |
| SpD |
90
|
194 |
216 |
279 |
306 |
| Spe |
108
|
226 |
252 |
315 |
346 |
Overview
With its astounding Rock- and Fighting-type STABs that are unresisted by commonly seen Uber Pokemon, along with a respectable base 129 Attack stat, Terrakion can be a huge offensive threat in Ubers. Terrakion's Attack is also raised by one stage every time it gets hit by a Dark-type attack through its Justified ability. Along with its great Attack, Terrakion also boasts an impressive base 108 Speed that allows it to outspeed a fair amount of Uber Pokemon. While its typing is somewhat disappointing defensively, Terrakion's 91 / 90 / 90 defenses can come in handy at times, especially when granted a one-stage Special Defense boost from sandstorm. Terrakion also has access to a powerful offensive movepool with some added toys, such as Swords Dance and Rock Polish. Due to these attributes, Terrakion can function extraordinarily well as either a sweeper or revenge killer.
Terrakion is one of the premier revenge killers in the tier for its ability to revenge kill Extreme Killer Arceus. Close Combat does 74.8% - 88.3% to Normal Arceus with 252 HP EVs, while Normal Arceus with Adamant nature, max Attack, and Life Orb only has a 12.5% chance to OHKO Terrakion with ExtremeSpeed, even with every single entry hazard down. This is a feat very few Pokemon can boast, and is reason enough to consider using Terrakion as your revenge killer. This isn't Terrakion's only selling point, however; it also has nearly perfect coverage with just its STAB moves. Close Combat is sure to make a dent in a large portion of the tier, and 2HKOes many powerhouses such as Palkia, Zekrom, and even Kyogre with max HP investment. Stone Edge allows Terrakion to dent almost every Pokemon that is immune or resistant to Close Combat, such as Lugia and Ho-Oh. Although the accuracy is off-putting, Stone Edge allows Terrakion to revenge kill all forms of Rayquaza. It also allows Terrakion to clean up late-game more reliably than Close Combat due to the abundance of Ghost-types in Ubers. X-Scissor usually sees more use in Ubers than it does in OU because of its ability to smack threatening Psychic-types such as Mewtwo and Latias hard without the chance to miss that accompanies Stone Edge. The last slot is a toss up, and won't see much use. Rock Slide is a good option if you want more accuracy in a pinch versus targets such as Ho-Oh, but due to the natural bulk of most Uber Pokemon you will still be forced to use Stone Edge often. Earthquake hits grounded Steel-types such as Jirachi and Metagross, but its not even coming close to an OHKO on either of these Pokemon, and only has 20 more Base Power than a neutral Close Combat. It is also not advisable to hand your opponent set up opportunities by locking yourself into a weak attack with so many immunities. Toxic is actually more useful than one may think, allowing Terrakion to cripple Groudon, Giratina-O, Multiscale Lugia, Landorus-T, Hippowdon, and Ghost Arceus, all of whom would otherwise give Terrakion some serious problems. While this may make Toxic seem like an amazing move to get past all of Terrakion's counters, one has to realize that locking a Pokemon into a non-attacking move is rarely a good idea. Finally, Sacred Sword allows Terrakion to hit Bulk Up Dialga hard no matter how many boosts it has, but has almost no use outside of that (very rare) threat. Terrakion's ability, Justified, will oftentimes not see any use, but if one does manage to get the boost, it makes Terrakion all the more threatening.
Terrakion has enough advantages over other Choice Scarf users to warrant a slot on most teams. Its most prominent advantage is its Speed stat. With a base Speed of 108, Terrakion is able to outspeed every common non-boosted Pokemon, bar the the odd Choice Scarf Darkrai and Shaymin-S. It can even outspeed Kabutops in the rain if Kabutops runs an Adamant nature! Palkia may have to ability to switch directly into Kyogre in most scenarios, but it can't hope to revenge Swords Dance Rayquaza or Extreme Killer Arceus, which Terrakion accomplishes without breaking a sweat. Terrakion is also not completely useless against stall, as neither of the walls, Groudon and Giratina, that give Terrakion the most trouble have reliable recovery, while Chansey can wall even Palkia's unboosted Outrage all day. Over other physical revenge killers such as Garchomp and Zekrom, its claim to fame is once again its Speed. Garchomp has the unfortunate flaw of having to lock itself into Outrage to revenge a lot of things, while Terrakion has an equivalent STAB in Close Combat with only 1 base Attack point less than Garchomp. Zekrom, on the other hand, packs a bigger punch than Terrakion, but is extremely slow, and fails to do more than Speed tie with other slow Choice Scarf users, such as Kyogre. Garchomp and Zekrom also fail to revenge kill Extreme Killer Arceus. All other common Choice Scarf users (Zekrom, Garchomp, Kyogre, and Palkia) tend to be a free switch in for Ferrothorn, and allow your opponent some free Spikes. However, Ferrothorn will almost never switch directly into Terrakion for fear of a powerful Close Combat, and by the time Ferrothorn sees what move Terrakion has locked itself into, it has already accomplished its purpose of revenge killing.
Team Options & Additional Comments >>>
The EVs are obvious; maximize Attack and Speed. The nature is non-negotiable in most cases, as one of the biggest draws of Terrakion is its ability to outspeed basically every other common Choice Scarf user. As alluded to before, Terrakion is often the go-to revenge killer for offensive teams because of the lack of offensively-oriented Pokemon that can check Extreme Killer Arceus. One must not forget that stall teams often need revenge killers to eliminate troublesome Pokemon such as Dark Arceus and Steel Arceus, and Terrakion is a great choice for this purpose as well.
As Terrakion is a revenge killer, it doesn't really need much team support to be effective in its role. Bulky Ghost-types such as Ghost Arceus and Giratina can give Terrakion some problems, so it is helpful to have an answer to them as Terrakion can often give them a free switch in. Darkrai has trouble switching directly into anything, but it can handle these two Pokemon without breaking a sweat in most cases. Terrakion has a lot of trouble revenging bulky Calm Mind users such as various Arceus formes that are neutral to Close Combat, even though it's physically based, so don't rely on Terrakion to revenge kill these kinds of Pokemon. Once again, Darkrai is a good choice for a teammate to handle most Calm Mind Arceus sets with Dark Void and its ability to outspeed them unconditionally. Although it stacks weakness with Terrakion, Tyranitar can pair well with Terrakion with its ability to put the hurt on Ghost-types that aren't running Will-O-Wisp. Tyranitar also summons a sandstorm, which boosts Terrakion's oft-forgotten respectable Special Defense to quite impressive levels for a revenge killer. In the sand, very few special attacks can take Terrakion down in one shot. Although a bit less useful than Tyranitar on the offensive teams where Terrakion is often seen, Hippowdon is also able to summon a sandstorm, and can handle Excadrill, Jirachi, and Garchomp: all Pokemon that give Terrakion some trouble. Psychic- and Ghost-types can be used to lure Dark-type attacks for Terrakion to get an Attack boost off of, but it's usually quite risky. Finally, Terrakion needs prior damage on some Pokemon to be able to cleanly revenge kill them. Entry hazards usually do the trick, and, depending on the type of team one is running, Ferrothorn, Skamory, and Deoxys-S are all an option. While Ferrothorn and Terrakion stack a Fighting-type weakness, Terrakion can easily switch into the Fire-type attacks Ferrothorn so-often lures, and Ferrothorn can switch into 4 out of 6 of Terrakion's weaknesses and begin laying down Spikes or Stealth Rock. Deoxys-S offers no synergy whatsoever as it is usually employed as a suicide lead, but it is a great way for offensive teams to get some entry hazards down fast. Finally, Skamory can switch into Ground-type attacks aimed at Terrakion for free and lay down some layers of Spikes or Stealth Rock.
With Rock Polish and Swords Dance boosting Terrakion's already impressive Speed and Attack, Terrakion can be a huge force to be reckoned with. Add Terrakion's great offensive coverage due to its STAB moves, and you have the makings of an extremely potent sweeper. Terrakion also resists the most commonly used form of priority in Ubers, ExtremeSpeed, so priority won't be as much of a problem for Terrakion as it is in OU. It is often recommended that Terrakion use Rock Polish before it sets up a Swords Dance, as many commonly used Pokemon that outspeed Terrakion have a super effective move to take it down, such as Mewtwo's Psystrike, Darkrai's Focus Blast, and Shaymin-S's Seed Flare. After a Rock Polish, Terrakion hits a Speed stat of 692 and is able to outspeed virtually the entire tier, outside of Choice Scarf Deoxys and the occasional Ninjask. With Swords Dance, Terrakion hits an astounding 714 Attack stat that will allow it to tear through any number of Pokemon with its fantastic offensive STAB combination.
Team Options & Additional Comments >>>
An Adamant nature can be used for more power; Terrakion will still hit a total of 630 Speed after a single Rock Polish. However, this allows positive-natured base 95s and above to outspeed Terrakion before Rock Polish. While the set normally relies on its incredible Speed after a Rock Polish, Terrakion can often find it hard to set up in Ubers with its overall disappointing defensive typing. For this reason, it is normally recommended that a Jolly nature be used.
Wobbuffet is a teammate to Terrakion for several reasons: not only does it bait Dark-type attacks that grant Terrakion Justified boosts, it can also attract Dark-type Pokemon such as Darkrai and Tyranitar for Terrakion to switch into. While Darkrai can give Terrakion trouble with either Dark Void or Focus Blast, Choice Scarf variants are a piece of cake to set up on. Tyranitar on the other hand is pretty easy to set up on, as it cannot safely stay in and take a Close Combat. As Terrakion can often have a hard time setting up due to its somewhat lackluster defenses and typing, for an even safer setup, Wobbuffet can also Encore a support or Dark-type move, allowing Terrakion to switch in and boost its stats as the opposing Pokemon switches out. As a plus, Wobbuffet can handle Fighting-type moves aimed at Terrakion, and remove Choice Scarf users that try to outspeed and KO Terrakion. Like most sweepers, Terrakion appreciates entry hazard support that will allow it to efficiently KO its targets. Deoxys-S is a good candidate as it will also draw out Dark-type attacks for Terrakion to switch in on. Skarmory is another great example as it has relatively good defensive synergy with Terrakion. Skarmory can also set up entry hazards and Whirlwind the likes of Swords Dance Scizor, who might try to set up as Terrakion switches out. Hippowdon and Tyranitar also make good teammates as Terrakion appreciates sandstorm's boost to its Special Defense, as well as the residual damage wearing down opposing Pokemon.
The goal of this set is to bring immediate brute force onto the battlefield. Close Combat and Stone Edge are this set's main attacks, and are Terrakion's strongest STAB moves. In fact, Terrakion has a good chance to OHKO Great Wall Lugia after Stealth Rock damage; because most Lugia do not run a Speed-boosting nature, Lugia won't be able to stall out Terrakion with Roost. Terrakion is also capable of 2HKOing offensive Calm Mind Mewtwo after Stealth Rock damage, and because Mewtwo is a common switch-in, Terrakion can still deal a lot of damage with the safe Close Combat instead of being locked on something less reliable. Not only that, Terrakion can also 2HKO one of the sturdiest walls in the Ubers metagame, who also happens to be a very common switch-in to Terrakion: Groudon. Stealth Rock damage and two layers of Spikes ensures the 2HKO on Support Groudon, and since Groudon lacks reliable recovery, this can even be done without dedicated Spikes support, but some prior damage instead. It must also be noted that Terrakion outspeeds standard Extreme Killer Arceus, survives a +2 ExtremeSpeed, and can OHKO Arceus with a super effective Close Combat. Quick Attack can pick off Rayquaza and Mewtwo at about 25% HP and can be quite useful in a pinch. X-Scissor hits common Psychic-type Pokemon such as Mewtwo, but most can usually take that hit and strike back at Terrakion with their STAB moves. Sacred Sword ignores all Defense boosts, which is very helpful if your team struggles against Bulk Up Dialga.
Team Options & Additional Comments >>>
The set is pretty much self-explanatory. Choice Band grants you the immediate brute force you need in order to be an efficient wallbreaker. Jolly along with the listed EVs maximize Terrakion's offensive power without losing any important stat. If you're looking for an alternative over X-Scissor or Sacred Sword, Earthquake is a good option, as it can 2HKO Poison Arceus, who would otherwise wall Terrakion.
Hippowdon, Giratina, and Groudon are good counters to Terrakion. All three of them are able to tank Terrakion's moves, although Groudon cannot take repeated hits. Faster Arceus formes that can hit Terrakion super effectively are good checks, though some formes, namely Dark and Steel, cannot switch into this set safely. Mewtwo, as already noted, is faster, can take a hit, and strike back with a super effective STAB Psystrike. Darkrai, Dark Arceus, Dialga, Kyogre, and Rayquaza are good partners because they excel at removing Terrakion's counters and clearing the path for Terrakion to sweep, while also enjoying Terrakion's wallbreaking capabilities. Ho-Oh and Reshiram are good teammates as well because Terrakion can take on all Rock Arceus variants bar Swords Dance, who walls the aforementioned partners. Additionally, Ho-Oh supports Terrakion by defeating most variants of Calm Mind Arceus which Terrakion cannot handle, and Reshiram can kill Groudon and Giratina. Excadrill can switch into every move besides Close Combat and Sacred Sword and can OHKO Terrakion with Earthquake. If sandstorm is in effect, Excadrill outpaces Terrakion as well. Choice Scarf Garchomp outruns Terrakion and OHKOes with Earthquake, but risks being OHKOed by Close Combat on the switch. Although rare, Gliscor can also effectively wall this set thanks to its resistances and Protect, along with the ability to 2HKO Terrakion with Earthquake. However, Gliscor should be wary of Stone Edge, as it is 2HKOed after Stealth Rock damage.
Terrakion can choose to forgo Rock Polish and instead utilize Substitute; a move that takes advantage of Pokemon that Terrakion can easily force out. This set can easily lead against the all-too-common lead Dialga and get a free Substitute against it; Ferrothorn, Chansey, Blissey, and defensive Normal Arceus can also be forced out. Without an exceptionally bulky Ghost-type Pokemon, such as physically defensive Giratina or Ghost Arceus, your opponent's team is in for a world of pain if Terrakion gets a Substitute up. The standard mixed Giratina-O, which does not invest in bulk, is 2HKOed by an unboosted Stone Edge after Stealth Rock. Even Groudon does not particularly like switching into repeated Close Combats due to its lack of reliable recovery. Substitute not only eases prediction, but also protects Terrakion from the status that it loathes. Stone Edge and Close Combat are the obligatory STAB moves, providing unresisted coverage on everything commonly used in Ubers. Swords Dance does not often find time to be used, as the sheer power of Terrakion's offensive STABs make it unnecessary for the most part. However, if Terrakion can get behind a Substitute and get a Swords Dance up, nothing can take two hits from it. This set can still check Extreme Killer Arceus with a neutral Speed nature, but will fall to a Jolly one using Earthquake.
Team Options & Additional Comments >>>
The EVs are simple: maximizing its Attack and Speed are the only things Terrakion should focus on. The 4 Defense EVs are used so Terrakion can use Substitute four times instead of three. Do not be tempted to use an Adamant nature, as Terrakion is almost always used to check Extreme Killer Arceus, and cannot hope to do so unless it runs a Speed-boosting nature.
Life Orb is the mandatory item for this set, as it provides the much needed boosts to Terrakion's attacks, giving it an assured OHKO on Normal Arceus who invest in HP, a very important KO to get. Unlike in OU, the use of Pokemon such as Tangrowth, Gliscor, and Slowbro is basically nonexistent, with only Gliscor being viable and seeing any sort of decent usage; therefore, Rock Gem is largely useless on this set.
This set is fairly self-reliant; however, Dialga is appreciated as a teammate to switch into the Giratina formes after Terrakion's Substitute has been broken. Dialga can also set up Stealth Rock to further help with Terrakion's wallbreaking abilities. Ghost Arceus can be dealt with by Darkrai, as its super effective Dark-type STAB and ability to outpace and use Dark Void on Ghost Arceus make it a superb check. Groudon can be handled by Pokemon such as Lugia, Skarmory, Giratina, and defensive Normal Arceus. A support Mewtwo with Psystrike and enough Speed EVs to outspeed Terrakion is a good check as well, as Psystrike OHKOes Terrakion and Terrakion can't OHKO back. Although rare, Gliscor stands up well against this set, but a boosted Stone Edge still hurts it. Gliscor can be dealt with by Bronzong or Forretress with Hidden Power Ice; Manaphy with rain support is also an excellent counter. This set has a tendency to maim bulky Ghost-types, making Extreme Killer Arceus and Rock Polish + Swords Dance Groudon good partners.
Other Options
Air Balloon can be used on the Double Dancer set instead of Life Orb, but it is not as effective in Ubers as it is in OU. While Air Balloon does grant Terrakion immunity to Spikes and Toxic Spikes, it really only allows Terrakion to switch in more easily on Garchomp and Groudon. The former can do a good deal of damage to Terrakion with Outrage, while the latter can take Terrakion's attacks fairly well and can phaze any boosts that Terrakion has with either Dragon Tail or Roar.
Terrakion can run X-Scissor or Earthquake over either Rock Polish or Swords Dance if you are concerned about coverage. This is often not recommended as Terrakion usually needs both Rock Polish and Swords Dance to be an effective sweeper. If you really only want one boosting move, then Rock Polish is recommended as it is possible for Terrakion to boost its Attack stat through its Justified ability. The problem with relying on Justified is that Team Preview makes it hard to bait random Dark-type attacks for Terrakion to switch into.
Checks and Counters
Terrakion will often have trouble with bulky Ghost-types, most notably Ghost Arceus and Giratina-A. With only Stone Edge or Earthquake to effectively hit these two, both can easily set up on Terrakion or cripple it with either Will-O-Wisp or Thunder Wave. Terrakion also has trouble dealing with Groudon due to its immense physical bulk. If Terrakion does not have a Swords Dance boost by the time Groudon switches in, then Groudon can easily KO it with Earthquake or phaze Terrakion with Dragon Tail should Terrakion have Air Balloon equipped.
