Approved by AM
Original thread can be found here: http://www.smogon.com/forums/threads/keldeo.3497246/
#647 - Keldeo (Resolute)
Original thread can be found here: http://www.smogon.com/forums/threads/keldeo.3497246/
#647 - Keldeo (Resolute)
"The Colt Pokemon"
Base Statistics:
91 HP / 72 Atk / 90 def / 130 SpA / 90 SpD / 108 Spd
Abilities
Justified: Raises Attack by one stage when hit by a Dark-Type move.
Notable Moves (Stab in Bold):
Keldeo is what many people would refer to as "the cream of the crop" of the later generations of pokemon, being an extremely destructive force in 5th gen & 6th gen Ou. Keldeo has numerous positives traits going for it, the most noticeable being a excellent special attack stat, backed up by a very deadly offensive typing, not to mention its considerably useful speed tier, allowing it to out-run many of Ou's premier wall breakers and bulky pokemon. However, Keldeo took a big hit when ORAS was released, as many of the new mega pokemon, such as Mega Metagross, Mega Diancie, Mega Altaria and Mega Gallade, were all capable of easily revenge killing our favourite pony. However, this did not prevent Keldeo from maintaining its status as a S-Class threat, mainly due to its notorious ability to punish switchins, as well as its infamous Substitute + Calm Mind set being able to set up against the extremely dangerous Mega Sableye. Keldeo is excellent at applying pressure, due to the use of scald, and water type move with a 30% chance of burning the target. With the only type being naturally immune to burning being fire, a type that water type moves do heavy damage, if not flat out kill them, scald is extremely dangerous, to the point of it being flat out spammable against teams that lack a status absorber. Keldeo also has excellent wall breaking potential, due its ability to directly threaten special walls such as Chansey with use of its signature move: Secret Sword, a fighting type move that hits the opponents defence stat, despite being a special attack. In combination with scald, excellent power (particularly with a boosting item), decent coverage through the use of icy wind and various hidden power types, Keldeo becomes almost impossible to switchin to. Keldeo also has a fair bit of versatility to work with. Substitute + Calm Mind sets are extremely dangerous to slower teams, Specs sets are nearly impossible to switch into, life orb sets can stall break through the use of taunt and scarf sets are decent revenge killers. On top of all this, ORAS bought Keldeo some extremely useful partners, such as Mega Metagross and Mega Diancie, making Keldeo's job even easier.
However, its not all fun and games for Keldeo. It's typing well overall excellent, does leave it easily revenge killed by very popular pokemon, such as Mega Metagross, Mega Diancie, and the notorious Talonflame. Keldeo's speed tier is also not as valuable as it used to be, with base 110 or over being considered the "desirable" speed tier for an offensively inclined pokemon, a bench mark Keldeo misses out on by a mere 2 points (now you know how Hydreigon feels). However, these faults are not enough to prevent Keldeo from being one of the most lethal pokemon in the current metagame.
Movesets:
"Substitute + Calm Mind"
Keldeo @ Leftovers
Ability: Justified
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Substitute
- Calm Mind
- Scald
- Secret Sword
Through the use of the popular "Sub + Calm Mind" strategy, Keldeo can serve as a reliable win condition against balance and stall teams. The EVs are set to maximize Keldeo's speed and power, with timid nature being preferred to be as fast as possible. Substitute is used to guard Keldeo from annoying status moves, as well as allowing to set up on more passive defensive pokemon, such as Alomomola, Heatran, and Mandibuzz. Calm mind is used to boost Keldeo's already impressive Special attack stat to scary levels, as well as giving the Water Horse a way to boost its Special defence, a trait which is appreciated to set up subs easier. Scald is used as a more reliable alternative to Hydro Pump, with perfect accuracy and the ability to cripple common Keldeo switchins such as Latias, Mega Venusaur and Gyarados with burns. Secret sword is used to hit special walls, as well as giving Keldeo a reliable fighting STAB move. This set works best against balance teams.
"Powerful Pony (Choice Specs)"
Keldeo @ Choice Specs
Ability: Justified
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Scald
- Secret Sword
- Hydro Pump
- Icy Wind
This set turns Keldeo into an extremely powerful wall breaker. The EVs are used to maximize Keldeo's damage output and speed. Scald is used to pressure Keldeo's switchins with the threat of a burn, such as Mega Venusaur and Gyarados. Secret Sword is used to do major damage to special walls, as well as impale Chansey, the most reliable swithin to special attackers. Hydro Pump is the nuke of the set, OHKOing or 2HKOing most of metagame, including its premier bulky pokemon, such as Mega Sableye, Hippowdon and Heatran. Icy wind is Keldeo's best coverage option to hit Celebi, Amoongus, Latios, and Latias, and the speed drop allows Keldeo to KO Latios on a switchin. This set works best against stall teams.
"Life Orb Attacker"
Keldeo @ Life Orb / Expert Belt
Ability: Justified
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Scald
- Secret Sword
- Icy Wind
- Taunt
This set requires no set up, and allows the user the freedom to switch moves, something no other Keldeo sets can replicate. Scald is chosen over Hydro Pump on this set due to its ability to punish switchins with burns, as well as is overall superior consistency. Secret Sword is used to break through special walls send in to absorb Keldeo's special moves, as well as giving Keldeo a reliable fighting type stab move. Icy wind is used to punish offensive switchins that can outrun Keldeo with the speed drop, allowing Keldeo to (hopefully) KO them next turn with a stab move or another Icy wind. An example of this situation is a Latios swithin, with Keldeo icy winds once, and then outspeeds due to the speed drop, and finishes with a second icy wind. Taunt is used to prevent status moves from coming Keldeos way, and allows it to shut down boosting sweepers and defensive pokemon. This sets performs decently against all play styles.
"Fast Pony (Choice Scarf)"
Keldeo @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Justified
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Scald
- Secret Sword
- Hydro Pump
- Hidden Power Electric
Arguably the least effective of Keldeo's sets, yet still good none the less. EV's are the standard, maximizing Keldeo's offensive potential. Choice scarf allows Keldeo to outspeed many common offensive threats, and revenge kill them with help of teammates and entry hazards. This set can also be used to clean up weakened teams. Scald is a reliable, constant and spammable stab move used to spread burns and clean up weakened teams. Secret sword is used as a fighting type stab move that deals with special walls, such as Chansey. Hydro Pump is used as a strong water type stab that picks of pokemon not in the kill range of Keldeo's other attacks. Hidden Power electric allows Keldeo to revenge kill regular Gyarados, Starmie, and Slowbro, with little prior damage. This set works best against offensively inclined teams.
Other Options:
- Salac berry is a cool option on the "Substitute + Calm Mind" set, to allow Keldeo to have an easier time against offensively inclined teams, but leftovers's passive recovery is generally more desirable to prevent you from getting as easily worn down.
- Substitute + icy wind is cool option to screw over offensive pokemon, but taunt is generally preferred to shut down utility pokemon
- Various hidden powers can be used on life orb and specs sets to hit specific targets, but icy wind is usually preferred (Hidden power bug for Celebi, Hidden power flying for Venusaur, Hidden power electric for gyarados).
Conclusion:
Keldeo remains one of the top threats in the metagame, due to its excellent typing, spammable and powerful moves, the ability to be versatile, and a nearly unrivalled ability to force switches.
Discussion Topics:
Is Keldeo really deserving of S tier?
Which is Keldeo's best set?
What is the most reliable counter to Keldeo?
Also, Keldeo-Resolute > Keldeo :).
Base Statistics:
91 HP / 72 Atk / 90 def / 130 SpA / 90 SpD / 108 Spd
Abilities
Justified: Raises Attack by one stage when hit by a Dark-Type move.
Notable Moves (Stab in Bold):
- Calm Mind
- Endeavour
- Hidden Power (Bug and Electric)
- Hydro Pump
- Icy Wind
- Scald
- Secret Sword
- Substitute
- Taunt
Keldeo is what many people would refer to as "the cream of the crop" of the later generations of pokemon, being an extremely destructive force in 5th gen & 6th gen Ou. Keldeo has numerous positives traits going for it, the most noticeable being a excellent special attack stat, backed up by a very deadly offensive typing, not to mention its considerably useful speed tier, allowing it to out-run many of Ou's premier wall breakers and bulky pokemon. However, Keldeo took a big hit when ORAS was released, as many of the new mega pokemon, such as Mega Metagross, Mega Diancie, Mega Altaria and Mega Gallade, were all capable of easily revenge killing our favourite pony. However, this did not prevent Keldeo from maintaining its status as a S-Class threat, mainly due to its notorious ability to punish switchins, as well as its infamous Substitute + Calm Mind set being able to set up against the extremely dangerous Mega Sableye. Keldeo is excellent at applying pressure, due to the use of scald, and water type move with a 30% chance of burning the target. With the only type being naturally immune to burning being fire, a type that water type moves do heavy damage, if not flat out kill them, scald is extremely dangerous, to the point of it being flat out spammable against teams that lack a status absorber. Keldeo also has excellent wall breaking potential, due its ability to directly threaten special walls such as Chansey with use of its signature move: Secret Sword, a fighting type move that hits the opponents defence stat, despite being a special attack. In combination with scald, excellent power (particularly with a boosting item), decent coverage through the use of icy wind and various hidden power types, Keldeo becomes almost impossible to switchin to. Keldeo also has a fair bit of versatility to work with. Substitute + Calm Mind sets are extremely dangerous to slower teams, Specs sets are nearly impossible to switch into, life orb sets can stall break through the use of taunt and scarf sets are decent revenge killers. On top of all this, ORAS bought Keldeo some extremely useful partners, such as Mega Metagross and Mega Diancie, making Keldeo's job even easier.
However, its not all fun and games for Keldeo. It's typing well overall excellent, does leave it easily revenge killed by very popular pokemon, such as Mega Metagross, Mega Diancie, and the notorious Talonflame. Keldeo's speed tier is also not as valuable as it used to be, with base 110 or over being considered the "desirable" speed tier for an offensively inclined pokemon, a bench mark Keldeo misses out on by a mere 2 points (now you know how Hydreigon feels). However, these faults are not enough to prevent Keldeo from being one of the most lethal pokemon in the current metagame.
Movesets:
"Substitute + Calm Mind"
Keldeo @ Leftovers
Ability: Justified
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Substitute
- Calm Mind
- Scald
- Secret Sword
Through the use of the popular "Sub + Calm Mind" strategy, Keldeo can serve as a reliable win condition against balance and stall teams. The EVs are set to maximize Keldeo's speed and power, with timid nature being preferred to be as fast as possible. Substitute is used to guard Keldeo from annoying status moves, as well as allowing to set up on more passive defensive pokemon, such as Alomomola, Heatran, and Mandibuzz. Calm mind is used to boost Keldeo's already impressive Special attack stat to scary levels, as well as giving the Water Horse a way to boost its Special defence, a trait which is appreciated to set up subs easier. Scald is used as a more reliable alternative to Hydro Pump, with perfect accuracy and the ability to cripple common Keldeo switchins such as Latias, Mega Venusaur and Gyarados with burns. Secret sword is used to hit special walls, as well as giving Keldeo a reliable fighting STAB move. This set works best against balance teams.
"Powerful Pony (Choice Specs)"
Keldeo @ Choice Specs
Ability: Justified
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Scald
- Secret Sword
- Hydro Pump
- Icy Wind
This set turns Keldeo into an extremely powerful wall breaker. The EVs are used to maximize Keldeo's damage output and speed. Scald is used to pressure Keldeo's switchins with the threat of a burn, such as Mega Venusaur and Gyarados. Secret Sword is used to do major damage to special walls, as well as impale Chansey, the most reliable swithin to special attackers. Hydro Pump is the nuke of the set, OHKOing or 2HKOing most of metagame, including its premier bulky pokemon, such as Mega Sableye, Hippowdon and Heatran. Icy wind is Keldeo's best coverage option to hit Celebi, Amoongus, Latios, and Latias, and the speed drop allows Keldeo to KO Latios on a switchin. This set works best against stall teams.
"Life Orb Attacker"
Keldeo @ Life Orb / Expert Belt
Ability: Justified
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Scald
- Secret Sword
- Icy Wind
- Taunt
This set requires no set up, and allows the user the freedom to switch moves, something no other Keldeo sets can replicate. Scald is chosen over Hydro Pump on this set due to its ability to punish switchins with burns, as well as is overall superior consistency. Secret Sword is used to break through special walls send in to absorb Keldeo's special moves, as well as giving Keldeo a reliable fighting type stab move. Icy wind is used to punish offensive switchins that can outrun Keldeo with the speed drop, allowing Keldeo to (hopefully) KO them next turn with a stab move or another Icy wind. An example of this situation is a Latios swithin, with Keldeo icy winds once, and then outspeeds due to the speed drop, and finishes with a second icy wind. Taunt is used to prevent status moves from coming Keldeos way, and allows it to shut down boosting sweepers and defensive pokemon. This sets performs decently against all play styles.
"Fast Pony (Choice Scarf)"
Keldeo @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Justified
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Scald
- Secret Sword
- Hydro Pump
- Hidden Power Electric
Arguably the least effective of Keldeo's sets, yet still good none the less. EV's are the standard, maximizing Keldeo's offensive potential. Choice scarf allows Keldeo to outspeed many common offensive threats, and revenge kill them with help of teammates and entry hazards. This set can also be used to clean up weakened teams. Scald is a reliable, constant and spammable stab move used to spread burns and clean up weakened teams. Secret sword is used as a fighting type stab move that deals with special walls, such as Chansey. Hydro Pump is used as a strong water type stab that picks of pokemon not in the kill range of Keldeo's other attacks. Hidden Power electric allows Keldeo to revenge kill regular Gyarados, Starmie, and Slowbro, with little prior damage. This set works best against offensively inclined teams.
Other Options:
- Salac berry is a cool option on the "Substitute + Calm Mind" set, to allow Keldeo to have an easier time against offensively inclined teams, but leftovers's passive recovery is generally more desirable to prevent you from getting as easily worn down.
- Substitute + icy wind is cool option to screw over offensive pokemon, but taunt is generally preferred to shut down utility pokemon
- Various hidden powers can be used on life orb and specs sets to hit specific targets, but icy wind is usually preferred (Hidden power bug for Celebi, Hidden power flying for Venusaur, Hidden power electric for gyarados).
Conclusion:
Keldeo remains one of the top threats in the metagame, due to its excellent typing, spammable and powerful moves, the ability to be versatile, and a nearly unrivalled ability to force switches.
Discussion Topics:
Is Keldeo really deserving of S tier?
Which is Keldeo's best set?
What is the most reliable counter to Keldeo?
Also, Keldeo-Resolute > Keldeo :).
Last edited:
