Taken over from Eyan
Aurorus
QC: 2/3 (galbia, Anty)
GP: 0/2
Overview
########
Aurorus is one of the premier offensive Pokemon in the PU metagame. 77 Attack and 99 Special Attack are plenty for Aurorus to function as a threatening mixed sweeper, while a Refrigerate-boosted Return or Hyper Voice smashes anything that doesn't resist it. Couple that with Aurorus's wide array of coverage options such as Earth Power and Zen Headbutt and its access to Freeze-Dry to beat Water-types, and walling it can be very difficult. Aurorus is also the only viable hail setter in PU. It can use Snow Warning to wear down its foes with passive damage, break through the Sturdy and Focus Sashes of the opposition, and spam a perfectly accurate Blizzard. Unfortunately, while Aurorus's typing is excellent for offense, it is horrific for defense, leaving Aurorus with six crippling weaknesses, most notably to the omnipresent Fighting- and Rock-type attacks of PU. In combination with its low base 58 Speed, Aurorus is fairly easy to take down before it can land a hit. Overall, though, Aurorus's versatility makes it a worthy addition to nearly any offensive team.
Offensive
########
name: Offensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Blizzard / Hyper Voice
move 3: Freeze-Dry
move 4: Earth Power
ability: Snow Warning / Refrigerate
item: Life Orb / Focus Sash
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
nature: Modest / Timid
Moves
========
Stealth Rock is a useful entry hazard for literally any team, wearing down foes in order to ease the sweeps of Aurorus and its teammates. Blizzard is a very powerful STAB attack that gets perfect accuracy in the hail and deals serious damage to anything that doesn't resist it. If running Refrigerate, Hyper Voice becomes the better STAB move for its ability to hit foes behind a Substitute. Freeze-Dry hits the bulky Water types of PU, most notably Poliwrath. Earth Power deals with the Steel- and Fire-types such as Probopass and Ninetales that resist Aurorus's Ice-type STAB attacks. Alternatively, Substitute can be used if your team has a Stealth Rock setter already. Substitute provides Aurorus with a safety net against status moves and potentially fatal attacks.
Set Details
========
Full investment in Special Attack and Speed are necessary to maximize Aurorus's offensive presence. A Modest nature is preferred to make the most of Aurorus's Special Attack, though a Timid nature can be used to outspeed and OHKO Huntail, Rock Polish Torterra, and Adamant Pawniard. Life Orb boosts the power of Aurorus's attacks and allows it to land crucial KOs that it normally could not, particularly with Freeze-Dry against Huntail. Focus Sash can be used to help Aurorus survive a single powerful attack and to let it function as a decent lead, though it will sorely miss the power boost from Life Orb. Snow Warning gives Blizzard perfect accuracy and wears down foes with passive damage. Alternatively, Refrigerate can be used to turn Hyper Voice into a powerful STAB attack if the ability to hit through Substitute is preferred.
Usage Tips
========
Aurorus is faster than many other Stealth Rock setters in PU such as Golem and Marowak, making it a decent choice as a dedicated entry hazard lead. It does not always have to lead, but it does the job as a lead well. Its STAB Ice-type moves and Earth Power allow it to dent many leads such as as they set up entry hazards of their own. While getting Stealth Rock up should be the priority most of the time, if the lead is a Taunt user such as Barbaracle or Kricketune, forget about Stealth Rock and focus on defeating the lead. If the opponent has an entry hazard remover, be sure to preserve Aurorus after setting up Stealth Rock. If they lack one, it is fine to simply let Aurorus die in order to bring in a teammate off of the free switch.
Team Options
========
Ghost-types such as Misdreavus and Gourgeist-S are good choices as partners to this set because they block opposing attempts to Rapid Spin away the Stealth Rock that Aurorus has set up, and both are immune to Fighting-type moves such as Poliwrath's Circle Throw. Misdreavus is also immune to Ground, while Gourgeist-S resists both Ground and Water. Gourgeist-S also helps deal with bulky Waters that Aurorus struggles to defeat even with Freeze-Dry. Poliwrath and Togetic also have good defensive synergy with Aurorus. Poliwrath can take Rock-type attacks while Aurorus deals with Flying-type moves, and Togetic can tank Grass-, Ground-, and Fighting-type attacks while Aurorus handles Poison- and Ice-type moves. Sweepers such as Sneasel appreciate the Stealth Rock support that Aurorus provides in order to make it easier for them to land KOs on the opposing team.
Choice Band
########
name: Choice Band
move 1: Return
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Zen Headbutt
move 4: Iron Tail / Stone Edge
ability: Refrigerate
item: Choice Band
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
nature: Adamant / Jolly
Moves
========
Because of the Refrigerate boost, Return is Aurorus's most powerful and reliable Ice-type STAB attack. Earthquake severely dents Steel-types such as Pawniard and Probopass. Zen Headbutt hits Poliwrath, which otherwise walls this set completely, while Iron Tail is used to 2HKO Piloswine. Stone Edge is an alternative option that doubles as a second STAB attack and hits Avalugg and Pelipper a little harder. Aqua Tail can also be used to hit Piloswine and has better accuracy with Iron Tail, but Aurorus needs Stealth Rock support to land the 2HKO.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack and Speed investment are required to help Aurorus hit as powerfully and as quickly as possible. Jolly can be used to outspeed Adamant Fraxure and Pawniard as well as Jolly Torterra, but Adamant is preferred to make Aurorus hit harder. Choice Band makes Aurorus a surprisingly good lure and wallbreaker, even with a mere 77 Attack.
Usage Tips
========
Though this set will primarily be spamming Return, be sure to take advantage of Aurorus's other coverage moves on predicted switches to Ice resists. Due to Aurorus's poor defensive typing, it doesn't get many opportunities to switch into the battlefield. Either get it in via a slow Volt Switch or U-turn, bring it in off a fainted teammate, or switch it into one of the few Pokemon that can't really hurt it such as Togetic. Because most players will expext Aurorus to be running a special attacking set, take advantage of its ability to lure in specially defensive Pokemon such as Lickilicky, as they will not appreciate taking Choice Band boosted hits over and over.
Team Options
========
Both physical and special sweepers such as Sneasel and Chatot can take advantage of this set's wallbreaking capabilities and will appreciate the removal of opposing walls. Bulky Water-types such Poliwrath make good partners as they not only have great defensive synergy with Aurorus, but they lure in Grass-types such as Tangela and Gourgeist, allowing Aurorus to come in and hit them with a Choice Band and Refrigerate boosted Return. As Aurorus will be switching around often because it will be locked into a single move, an entry hazard remover such as Pelipper will keep Aurorus healthy enough to wallbreak.
Rock Polish
########
name: Rock Polish
move 1: Rock Polish
move 2: Return
move 3: Earthquake / Stone Edge
move 4: Freeze-Dry
ability: Refrigerate
item: Life Orb
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
nature: Naive
Moves
========
Rock Polish increases Aurorus's Speed by two stages, allowing it to attempt a late-game cleanup. A Refrigerate-boosted Return is a powerful, reliable primary STAB attack Earthquake is a great coverage option to hit Steel-types such as Probopass, Pawniard, and Klang for massive damage. Alternatively, Stone Edge provides a secondary Rock-type STAB attack to hit Ice-resistant Pokemon such as Rotom-F and Ninetales. Freeze-Dry makes this set a great lure because it hits the Water-types such as Pelipper and Huntail that may attempt to switch in on this set.
Set Details
========
A Hasty nature with maximum Speed investment allow Aurorus to outspeed the entire unboosted metagame after a Rock Polish. Naive is preferred over Jolly as to not reduce the power of Freeze-Dry, and is preferred over Hasty to take neutral priority attacks such as Mightyena's Sucker Punch more easily. Maximum Attack investment in combination with Life Orb help Aurorus deal as much damage as possible. Refrigerate makes Return an Ice-type move and boosts its power, giving Aurorus a much needed STAB attack.
Usage Tips
========
Because Aurorus does not get many chances to enter the battlefield due to its poor defensive typing and weakness to Stealth Rock, be sure to bring it in only on a free switch from a KO or a slow U-turn or Volt Switch. Ensure that Pokemon which can take its dual STABs comfortably such as Klang have been significantly weakened before attempting to set up. If Aurorus cannot OHKO or 2HKO its foe, then it is very vulnerable to a revenge kill. Aurorus also fails to outspeed Choice Scarf users with over 95 Speed such as Haunter, so be careful around them.
Team Options
========
Water-types can switch in on the Steel- and Water-type moves that Aurorus cannot take. Poliwrath in particular takes on three of Aurorus's weaknesses in Steel, Rock, and Water, while Aurorus resists the Flying-type moves that threaten Poliwrath. Bulky Fairy-types such as Togetic resist the Fighting-type moves targeted at Aurorus. Togetic also provides a slow Baton Pass that gives Aurorus a safe switch-in, and can pass Aurorus a Special Attack boost thanks to Nasty Plot. It can also Defog away entry hazards, which Aurorus appreciates due to its weakness to Stealth Rock. Other Pokemon that can keep Stealth Rock off of Aurorus's side of the field include Torkoal, Armaldo, and Pelipper. Entry hazard support from setters such as Roselia will help weaken foes, giving Aurorus an easier time at attempting a late-game sweep.
Other Options
########
A Substitute + Calm Mind set is an option because Aurorus's STAB moves and coverage options force many switches, allowing it to set up free Substitutes on predicted switches. Flash Cannon is an option on special attacking sets to hit Rotom-F, Avalugg, opposing Aurorus, and, most importantly, Piloswine. Choice Specs give Aurorus enough power to 2HKO the entire metagame with its attacks, including Lickilicky. Encore can be useful to lock defensive Pokemon into support moves and sweepers into setup moves, allowing Aurorus to get a free Rock Polish or simply defeat the foe while it waits for Encore to end. Choice Scarf is an option to turn Aurorus into a decent revenge killer, as it outspeeds Pokemon with up to base 110 Speed, such as Jumpluff and Raichu. Choice Scarf also allows Aurorus to take down opposing sand teams with Blizzard. Icy Rock in combination with Snow Warning can increase the duration of hail, but Aurorus will typically not last long enough on the battlefield to make use of it. Moreover, there are few viable hail sweepers in PU.
Checks & Counters
########
**Fighting-types**: Throh and Poliwrath, two very common Pokemon in the PU metagame, significantly keep Aurorus in check. They can take anything that Aurorus has to throw at them, and both can OHKO it with a Fighting-type STAB attack.
**Priority Moves**: A number of priority moves are super effective on Aurorus and can effortlessly revenge kill it, particularly Poliwrath's Vacuum Wave. Even neutral priority moves such as Sucker Punch from Pawniard and Golem can deal serious damage on Aurorus's weaker Defense stat.
**Special Walls**: Lickilicky, Munchlax, Grumpig, and Piloswine all avoid the 2HKO from Aurorus's main attacks. Lickilicky and Munchlax can stall out Aurorus, while Grumpig and Piloswine threaten it offensively with Focus Blast and Earthquake.
**Faster Pokemon**: Many Pokemon that outspeed Aurorus such as Leafeon, Pawniard, and Smimipour can easily KO it with a myriad of super effective attacks. Even after a Rock Polish, Choice Scarf users with base 95 Speed and above can still outspeed Aurorus, particularly Earthquake Tauros.
Aurorus
QC: 2/3 (galbia, Anty)
GP: 0/2
Overview
########
Aurorus is one of the premier offensive Pokemon in the PU metagame. 77 Attack and 99 Special Attack are plenty for Aurorus to function as a threatening mixed sweeper, while a Refrigerate-boosted Return or Hyper Voice smashes anything that doesn't resist it. Couple that with Aurorus's wide array of coverage options such as Earth Power and Zen Headbutt and its access to Freeze-Dry to beat Water-types, and walling it can be very difficult. Aurorus is also the only viable hail setter in PU. It can use Snow Warning to wear down its foes with passive damage, break through the Sturdy and Focus Sashes of the opposition, and spam a perfectly accurate Blizzard. Unfortunately, while Aurorus's typing is excellent for offense, it is horrific for defense, leaving Aurorus with six crippling weaknesses, most notably to the omnipresent Fighting- and Rock-type attacks of PU. In combination with its low base 58 Speed, Aurorus is fairly easy to take down before it can land a hit. Overall, though, Aurorus's versatility makes it a worthy addition to nearly any offensive team.
Offensive
########
name: Offensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Blizzard / Hyper Voice
move 3: Freeze-Dry
move 4: Earth Power
ability: Snow Warning / Refrigerate
item: Life Orb / Focus Sash
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
nature: Modest / Timid
Moves
========
Stealth Rock is a useful entry hazard for literally any team, wearing down foes in order to ease the sweeps of Aurorus and its teammates. Blizzard is a very powerful STAB attack that gets perfect accuracy in the hail and deals serious damage to anything that doesn't resist it. If running Refrigerate, Hyper Voice becomes the better STAB move for its ability to hit foes behind a Substitute. Freeze-Dry hits the bulky Water types of PU, most notably Poliwrath. Earth Power deals with the Steel- and Fire-types such as Probopass and Ninetales that resist Aurorus's Ice-type STAB attacks. Alternatively, Substitute can be used if your team has a Stealth Rock setter already. Substitute provides Aurorus with a safety net against status moves and potentially fatal attacks.
Set Details
========
Full investment in Special Attack and Speed are necessary to maximize Aurorus's offensive presence. A Modest nature is preferred to make the most of Aurorus's Special Attack, though a Timid nature can be used to outspeed and OHKO Huntail, Rock Polish Torterra, and Adamant Pawniard. Life Orb boosts the power of Aurorus's attacks and allows it to land crucial KOs that it normally could not, particularly with Freeze-Dry against Huntail. Focus Sash can be used to help Aurorus survive a single powerful attack and to let it function as a decent lead, though it will sorely miss the power boost from Life Orb. Snow Warning gives Blizzard perfect accuracy and wears down foes with passive damage. Alternatively, Refrigerate can be used to turn Hyper Voice into a powerful STAB attack if the ability to hit through Substitute is preferred.
Usage Tips
========
Aurorus is faster than many other Stealth Rock setters in PU such as Golem and Marowak, making it a decent choice as a dedicated entry hazard lead. It does not always have to lead, but it does the job as a lead well. Its STAB Ice-type moves and Earth Power allow it to dent many leads such as as they set up entry hazards of their own. While getting Stealth Rock up should be the priority most of the time, if the lead is a Taunt user such as Barbaracle or Kricketune, forget about Stealth Rock and focus on defeating the lead. If the opponent has an entry hazard remover, be sure to preserve Aurorus after setting up Stealth Rock. If they lack one, it is fine to simply let Aurorus die in order to bring in a teammate off of the free switch.
Team Options
========
Ghost-types such as Misdreavus and Gourgeist-S are good choices as partners to this set because they block opposing attempts to Rapid Spin away the Stealth Rock that Aurorus has set up, and both are immune to Fighting-type moves such as Poliwrath's Circle Throw. Misdreavus is also immune to Ground, while Gourgeist-S resists both Ground and Water. Gourgeist-S also helps deal with bulky Waters that Aurorus struggles to defeat even with Freeze-Dry. Poliwrath and Togetic also have good defensive synergy with Aurorus. Poliwrath can take Rock-type attacks while Aurorus deals with Flying-type moves, and Togetic can tank Grass-, Ground-, and Fighting-type attacks while Aurorus handles Poison- and Ice-type moves. Sweepers such as Sneasel appreciate the Stealth Rock support that Aurorus provides in order to make it easier for them to land KOs on the opposing team.
Choice Band
########
name: Choice Band
move 1: Return
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Zen Headbutt
move 4: Iron Tail / Stone Edge
ability: Refrigerate
item: Choice Band
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
nature: Adamant / Jolly
Moves
========
Because of the Refrigerate boost, Return is Aurorus's most powerful and reliable Ice-type STAB attack. Earthquake severely dents Steel-types such as Pawniard and Probopass. Zen Headbutt hits Poliwrath, which otherwise walls this set completely, while Iron Tail is used to 2HKO Piloswine. Stone Edge is an alternative option that doubles as a second STAB attack and hits Avalugg and Pelipper a little harder. Aqua Tail can also be used to hit Piloswine and has better accuracy with Iron Tail, but Aurorus needs Stealth Rock support to land the 2HKO.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack and Speed investment are required to help Aurorus hit as powerfully and as quickly as possible. Jolly can be used to outspeed Adamant Fraxure and Pawniard as well as Jolly Torterra, but Adamant is preferred to make Aurorus hit harder. Choice Band makes Aurorus a surprisingly good lure and wallbreaker, even with a mere 77 Attack.
Usage Tips
========
Though this set will primarily be spamming Return, be sure to take advantage of Aurorus's other coverage moves on predicted switches to Ice resists. Due to Aurorus's poor defensive typing, it doesn't get many opportunities to switch into the battlefield. Either get it in via a slow Volt Switch or U-turn, bring it in off a fainted teammate, or switch it into one of the few Pokemon that can't really hurt it such as Togetic. Because most players will expext Aurorus to be running a special attacking set, take advantage of its ability to lure in specially defensive Pokemon such as Lickilicky, as they will not appreciate taking Choice Band boosted hits over and over.
Team Options
========
Both physical and special sweepers such as Sneasel and Chatot can take advantage of this set's wallbreaking capabilities and will appreciate the removal of opposing walls. Bulky Water-types such Poliwrath make good partners as they not only have great defensive synergy with Aurorus, but they lure in Grass-types such as Tangela and Gourgeist, allowing Aurorus to come in and hit them with a Choice Band and Refrigerate boosted Return. As Aurorus will be switching around often because it will be locked into a single move, an entry hazard remover such as Pelipper will keep Aurorus healthy enough to wallbreak.
Rock Polish
########
name: Rock Polish
move 1: Rock Polish
move 2: Return
move 3: Earthquake / Stone Edge
move 4: Freeze-Dry
ability: Refrigerate
item: Life Orb
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
nature: Naive
Moves
========
Rock Polish increases Aurorus's Speed by two stages, allowing it to attempt a late-game cleanup. A Refrigerate-boosted Return is a powerful, reliable primary STAB attack Earthquake is a great coverage option to hit Steel-types such as Probopass, Pawniard, and Klang for massive damage. Alternatively, Stone Edge provides a secondary Rock-type STAB attack to hit Ice-resistant Pokemon such as Rotom-F and Ninetales. Freeze-Dry makes this set a great lure because it hits the Water-types such as Pelipper and Huntail that may attempt to switch in on this set.
Set Details
========
A Hasty nature with maximum Speed investment allow Aurorus to outspeed the entire unboosted metagame after a Rock Polish. Naive is preferred over Jolly as to not reduce the power of Freeze-Dry, and is preferred over Hasty to take neutral priority attacks such as Mightyena's Sucker Punch more easily. Maximum Attack investment in combination with Life Orb help Aurorus deal as much damage as possible. Refrigerate makes Return an Ice-type move and boosts its power, giving Aurorus a much needed STAB attack.
Usage Tips
========
Because Aurorus does not get many chances to enter the battlefield due to its poor defensive typing and weakness to Stealth Rock, be sure to bring it in only on a free switch from a KO or a slow U-turn or Volt Switch. Ensure that Pokemon which can take its dual STABs comfortably such as Klang have been significantly weakened before attempting to set up. If Aurorus cannot OHKO or 2HKO its foe, then it is very vulnerable to a revenge kill. Aurorus also fails to outspeed Choice Scarf users with over 95 Speed such as Haunter, so be careful around them.
Team Options
========
Water-types can switch in on the Steel- and Water-type moves that Aurorus cannot take. Poliwrath in particular takes on three of Aurorus's weaknesses in Steel, Rock, and Water, while Aurorus resists the Flying-type moves that threaten Poliwrath. Bulky Fairy-types such as Togetic resist the Fighting-type moves targeted at Aurorus. Togetic also provides a slow Baton Pass that gives Aurorus a safe switch-in, and can pass Aurorus a Special Attack boost thanks to Nasty Plot. It can also Defog away entry hazards, which Aurorus appreciates due to its weakness to Stealth Rock. Other Pokemon that can keep Stealth Rock off of Aurorus's side of the field include Torkoal, Armaldo, and Pelipper. Entry hazard support from setters such as Roselia will help weaken foes, giving Aurorus an easier time at attempting a late-game sweep.
Other Options
########
A Substitute + Calm Mind set is an option because Aurorus's STAB moves and coverage options force many switches, allowing it to set up free Substitutes on predicted switches. Flash Cannon is an option on special attacking sets to hit Rotom-F, Avalugg, opposing Aurorus, and, most importantly, Piloswine. Choice Specs give Aurorus enough power to 2HKO the entire metagame with its attacks, including Lickilicky. Encore can be useful to lock defensive Pokemon into support moves and sweepers into setup moves, allowing Aurorus to get a free Rock Polish or simply defeat the foe while it waits for Encore to end. Choice Scarf is an option to turn Aurorus into a decent revenge killer, as it outspeeds Pokemon with up to base 110 Speed, such as Jumpluff and Raichu. Choice Scarf also allows Aurorus to take down opposing sand teams with Blizzard. Icy Rock in combination with Snow Warning can increase the duration of hail, but Aurorus will typically not last long enough on the battlefield to make use of it. Moreover, there are few viable hail sweepers in PU.
Checks & Counters
########
**Fighting-types**: Throh and Poliwrath, two very common Pokemon in the PU metagame, significantly keep Aurorus in check. They can take anything that Aurorus has to throw at them, and both can OHKO it with a Fighting-type STAB attack.
**Priority Moves**: A number of priority moves are super effective on Aurorus and can effortlessly revenge kill it, particularly Poliwrath's Vacuum Wave. Even neutral priority moves such as Sucker Punch from Pawniard and Golem can deal serious damage on Aurorus's weaker Defense stat.
**Special Walls**: Lickilicky, Munchlax, Grumpig, and Piloswine all avoid the 2HKO from Aurorus's main attacks. Lickilicky and Munchlax can stall out Aurorus, while Grumpig and Piloswine threaten it offensively with Focus Blast and Earthquake.
**Faster Pokemon**: Many Pokemon that outspeed Aurorus such as Leafeon, Pawniard, and Smimipour can easily KO it with a myriad of super effective attacks. Even after a Rock Polish, Choice Scarf users with base 95 Speed and above can still outspeed Aurorus, particularly Earthquake Tauros.
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