Azelf

[Celestavian]

Azelf
HP: 75
ATK: 125
DEF: 70
SATK: 125
SDEF: 70
SPEED: 115​

Ability: Levitate
DW Ability: None

Weakness: Ghost (x2), Bug (x2), Dark (x2)
Normal effect: Normal, Electric, Poison, Rock, Dragon, Steel, Ice, Water, Grass, Fire, Flying
Resistance: Psychic (x0.5), Fighting (x0.5)
Immunities: Ground

Learnable Moves Via leveling up:

Hide

Rest, Confusion, Imprison, Detect, Swift, Uproar, Future Sight, Nasty Plot, Extrasensory, Last Resort, Natural Gift, Explosion

Learnable TMs:

Hide

TM02 - Psyshock, TM03 - Calm Mind, TM06 - Toxic, TM10 - Hidden Power, TM11 - Sunny Day, TM12 - Taunt, TM15 - Hyper Beam, TM16 - Light Screen, TM17 - Protect, TM18 - Rain Dance, TM19 - Telekinesis, TM20 - Safeguard, TM21 - Frustration, TM24 - Thunderbolt, TM25 - Thunder, TM27 - Return, TM29 - Psychic, TM30 - Shadow Ball, TM32 - Double Team, TM35 - Flamethower, TM37 - Sandstorm, TM38 - Fire Blast, TM41 - Torment, TM42 - Facade, TM44 - Rest, TM48 - Round, TM53 - Energy Ball, TM56 - Fling, TM59 - Incinerate, TM62 - Acrobatics, TM64 - Explosion, TM66 - Payback, TM68 - Giga Impact, TM70 - Flash, TM73 - Thunder Wave, TM77 - Psych Up, TM85 - Dream Eater, TM86 - Grass Knot, TM87 - Swagger, TM89 - U-Turn, TM90 - Substitute, TM92 - Trick Room

Egg Moves: None​

Azelf is among the many former OU and Uber Pokemon to join us in UU this gen, mainly because of Latios and Reuniclus taking its place as a sweeper and Team Preview all but eliminating its lead role. Not only that, but with the power creep smashing its weak defenses, there was simply no room for it in OU.

As a result, we now have one of the best checks to Slowbro + Chansey that can be found in one Pokemon, thanks to its deadly LO Nasty Plot set that got buffed with the advent of Psyshock. It's base 115 speed is practically unmatched by anything besides Alakazam, Weavile, and Dugtrio, who are all uncommon in the UU metagame. However, common scarfers like Heracross and Staraptor batter its weak defenses with STAB SE Megahorns and reckless-boosted Brave Birds that obliterate the little pixie. Also, depending on the set, Houndoom is untouchable, who can then use a whole bunch of Dark-type moves like Sucker Punch, Pursuit, and Dark Pulse. Nevertheless, Azelf is a threat every good team should be able to check.

Nasty Plotter
Azelf @ Life Orb
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Nasty Plot
- Psyshock
- Shadow Ball
- Fire Blast / Hidden Power [Fighting]​

Say hello to perhaps the best "mixed" sweeper in UU. Nasty Plot on a predicted switch and wreak havoc for the next 10 turns. Psyshock is the main STAB move here, wrecking every Fighting-type in the tier (especially the Hitmon's, whose 110 base Sp. Def. stats are avoided by Psyshock) after a Nasty Plot. Psyshock also hits Chansey on its horrible Defense stat, 2HKOing the bulkiest at +2. Shadow Ball eliminates Slowbro, the other half of the dubious duo of Slowbro + Chansey, for a clean OHKO at +2.

The last moveslot depends on what you have more trouble with: Registeel or Houndoom. 252/252+ Registeel is always OHKOed by Fire Blast after SR damage and a Nasty Plot, but it only leaves you with a weak Shadow Ball to use against Houndoom. On the other hand, HP Fighting provides perfect neutral coverage while preventing Sucker Punch-less variants of Houndoom from stopping your sweep, but Registeel will only take 57% - 67% from a Nasty Plotted HP Fighting. Cobalion is OHKOed by both, most of the time even without a Nasty Plot.

The biggest threat to this set are scarfers and priority. Cobalion makes a good teammate thanks to its 4x resistance to Bug, resistance to Ghost, as well as the attack boost it receives from Dark-type moves. If it switches into Houndoom's Dark Pulse, Cobalion can easily OHKO with Close Combat and perhaps sweep on it's own. Heracross can still threaten both, however, so packing a check to that, such as a revenge killing Choice Scarf Staraptor or Victini would be helpful.

Now it's time to discuss how you all feel about Azelf in this metagame, as well as posting sets you feel are good enough to use in the UU metagame.

 

[girazard]

Azelf is among the many former OU and Uber Pokemon to join us in UU this gen, mainly because of Latios and Reuniclus taking its place as a sweeper and Team Preview all but eliminating its lead role. Not only that, but with the power creep smashing its weak defenses, there was simply no room for it in OU.

Um...how does Team Preview prevent it from being a good lead?

 

[Virizion]

Um...how does Team Preview prevent it from being a good lead?

Player sent out Azelf!
Other player sent out Tyranitar!
Azelf, come back!
The foe's Tyranitar used Pursuit!

 

[Mysterious Trainer]

Player sent out Azelf!
Other player sent out Tyranitar!
Azelf, come back!
The foe's Tyranitar used Pursuit!

Team Preview would benefit Azelf from not being the victim of Pursuit... Hello?

The whole reason Azelf is not nearly as effective as a lead as it used to be is because the lead-metagame no longer exists. It was a common lead because it could beat other common leads.. Also, stop using OU Pokémon in your examples, this is a UU discussion thread.

 

[SHUCKLE MAN]

Also, stop using OU Pokémon in your examples, this is a UU discussion thread.

The original statement that people were discussing was about Azelf's role as a lead in OU.

 

[Jaxx]

Azelf can make a good lead in UU as common pursuit users such as T-tar aren't present. I think it deserves a mention on the OP.

 

[shrang]

Man NP Azelf in UU reminds me of Psycho Killer Mewtwo. It is definitely best used in the sun for maximum Fire Blast beastness. Thunderbolt is a great move for good neutral coverage against practically anything while still destroying Slowbro (use in place of Shadow Ball). Grass Knot is also a decent option if you want hit stuff like Suicune harder, but isn't as useful as Thunderbolt. Seriously, if something learns Thunderbolt, you should use it.

Azelf can run a stack off other sets too:
- Dual Screens + Boom (Seen quite a few of these along with SmashPass teams)
- Physical Choice (Band/Scarf)
- Special Choice (Specs/Scarf)
- All out attacker (Just the NP set with a coverage move over NP)
- SR lead (Still good for this role)

 

[tomtom5858]

This is the set I use on PO, and it wreaks havoc on everything and it's mother (especially stall. **** you, stall)

Azelf@Choice Scarf
EVs: 6 HP, 252 Att, 252 Spe
-Trick
-Stealth Rock
-Taunt
-U-Turn

This set basically flips the finger at stall, and makes sure things like Suicune are crippled for the rest of the game by giving them a Scarf. Taunt is there to screw around with people who think they can screw you aver by continuously CMind or something of the ilk. U-Turn gets you out of a bad match-up quickly without leaving yourself vulnerable to Pursuit, and makes sure that you aren't complete taunt bait.

 

[fatty]

Yeah, I think the best moves to use on the NP set are Psyshock/ Thunderbolt/ Fire Blast.

 

[asdfrozen]

How does it compare to Mismagius, who, despite being slower (still fast enough for most scenarios though), gets better typing?

 

[PK Gaming]

You should get rid of the HP Fighting slash. Its completely useless in UU. (Ttar & Heatran are nonexistant and Snorlax is hit harder by Psyshock) You should replace it with Thunderbolt.

You should also add a Dual Screens set.

Azelf @ Light Clay
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Stealth Rock
- Explosion / Taunt

 

[NatGeo]

Azelf also runs a might CB set something along the lines of:

Azelf @Choice Band
Trait: Levitate
Adamant Natue (+Atk, -SpAtk) / Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SpAtk)
-Zen Headbutt
-Fire Punch
-Ice punch
-Trick

 

[Nubagator]

Azelf also runs a might CB set something along the lines of:

Azelf @Choice Band
Trait: Levitate
Adamant Natue (+Atk, -SpAtk) / Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SpAtk)
-Zen Headbutt
-Fire Punch
-Ice punch
-Trick

I've been using CB with Okay results. But U-turn is a must.