Axew (Analysis)

Lamppost said:

[OVERVIEW] [Overview]

<p>Axew is one of the most fearsome Dragon-type Pokemon in Little Cup. Axew It has an extremely high base 87 Attack, which, when coupled with a 120 Base Power STAB attack, is the main reason for Axew's dominance. Axew It also has a decent base 57 Speed, and it is stronger than any of the other Dragon-types; however, it doesn't have access to Extremespeed like Dratini does. Axew has Swords Dance and Dragon Dance in its movepool, allowing it to either boost its amazing Attack by two stages, or raise both its Attack by one stage and Speed by one stage.</p>

[SET](no space between [SET] and the set)
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Outrage
move 2: Dragon Claw / Dual Chop
move 3: Dig
move 4: Hidden Power Ice
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Mold Breaker
nature: Naughty / Naive
evs: 220 Atk / 36 Def / 220 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>Axew’s Axew's (no curly apostrophes) great base 87 Attack, decent base 57 Speed, and powerful STAB Outrage make it an excellent Choice Scarf user Pokemon to give a Choice Scarf to. Dragon Claw and Dual Chop are good STAB options if you don't want Axew to be locked into Outrage. Dragon Claw gives Axew a move with 100% accuracy, while Dual Chop offers only 90% accuracy but features the ability to hit through Substitutes. If need be, Dig can hit Bronzor for super effective damage, which is good because Bronzor resists Axew's STAB attacks. Hidden Power Ice can help Axew take out physically defensive Pokemon like such as Hippopotas and Gligar, hitting them harder than Outrage. Mold Breaker is a very good ability for Axew, since it allows Axew to hit Pokemon that resist its STAB attacks and have Levitate, like such as Bronzor, (comma) who resist Dragon Claw and have Levitate super effectively with Dig. A Naughty nature is preferred as it boosts Axew's Attack without lowering its Special Attack, allowing it to still use Hidden Power Ice effectively. The given EV spread maximizes Axew's Attack and Speed, while also providing one point in Defense to give Axew some extra bulk.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Dual Chop could be considered over Dragon Claw if you want Axew to break through Substitutes. For example, if Misdreavus is behind a Substitute, one Dual Chop Dual Chop's first hit will break the Substitute and the second will do damage to Misdreavus. A Naive nature could also be used over a Naughty nature if you want Axew to have more Speed instead of Attack. Rock Smash hits Pawniard for 4x super effective damage, which is more than Dig can do, and doesn’t doesn't require a turn to charge up. Hidden Power Fire may be used over Hidden Power Ice if you want Axew to hit Ferroseed for 4x super effective damage, since Outrage hits Gligar hard anyway.</p>

<p>There are a lot of different teammates who can provide valuable support for Axew. Steel-type Pokemon like Bronzor, who resist Dragon- and Ice-type attacks, are all good teammates for Axew. Magnemite is an exceptionally (exceptionally excellent is too much xD) excellent teammate for Axew example because it can trap Steel-type Pokemon like Ferroseed who resist Dragon-type atacks (you already said this in this paragraph) and KO them with Hidden Power Fire. Wynaut can trap Bronzor, who would otherwise KO Magnemite with Earthquake.</p>

[SET]
name: Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Dragon Claw / Dual Chop
move 3: Outrage
move 4: Dig
item: Life Orb / Oran Berry
ability: Mold Breaker
nature: Adamant
evs: 220 Atk / 36 Def / 220 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>Dragon Dance gives Axew the Speed of a Choice Scarf and the strength of a Choice Band without the move restriction. Dragon Claw is the main attack for this set, as it gives Axew a powerful STAB attack that doesn’t doesn't lock Axew it like Outrage does. Outrage is used for a stronger STAB move than Dragon Claw, but it locks Axew in for 2-3 turns and leaves it confused afterwards. Dig hits Bronzor for super effective damage, which is very useful since it would otherwise wall Axew Bronzor resists all of Axew's other attacks. Life Orb should be used in is the preferred item slot so Axew can hit harder with its attacks and sweep more easily. An Adamant nature is the best option on this set in order to boost Axew's Attack. The EV spread maximizes its Attack and Speed stats while giving it a point in Defense so it can take hits better.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Dual Chop can be used over Dragon Claw if you want Axew to hit through Substitutes and aren't worried about the 10% accuracy decrease. Oran Berry may be used over Life Orb if you don't want Axew lose to avoid the loss of HP after every attack. Oran Berry is also useful for setting up, because if Axew is facing a faster Pokemon, it can set up one Dragon Dance, heal the lost HP off with Oran Berry, then proceed to KO with Outrage or Dragon Claw. A Jolly nature may also be considered if you want Axew to have the extra Speed, but Dragon Dance often makes up for the lost Speed it, so Adamant is better overall. Eviolite may also be used over Life Orb if you want Axew to have for some extra bulk, (comma) so it that Axew can survive Ice Shards and other attacks more easily.</p>

<p>Many of the same teammates who work well with the Choice Scarf set are also excellent partners for this set. Steel-types can sponge the Ice- and Dragon-types that Dragon-type attacks Axew is weak to, acting as defensive pivots for Axew it and allowing it Axew to safely switch out against foes who could KO it. In particular, Magnemite can even trap Steel-type Pokemon like Ferroseed and KO them with Hidden Power Fire, allowing Axew to cleanly sweep with its STAB moves. Wynaut can trap Bronzor with Shadow Tag, which is important since Wynaut Bronzor would otherwise KO Magnemite with Earthquake.</p>

[OTHER OPTIONS] [Other Options]

<p>Axew can utilize a Choice Band set, but it isn't really fast enough to outspeed the metagame that Pokemon it can OHKO, so it would will likely die before it can get an attack off. Swords Dance could also be used over Dragon Dance on the Dragon Dance set (I get what you're saying but you can't tell people to replace Dragon Dance and still call it Dragon Dance set...) to break through stall teams more easily, but Dragon Dance breaks through stall capably too. If you choose to use a Swords Dance set, swap the Adamant nature out for a Jolly nature. Rivalry could be utilized used on both sets since most people use the default male gender for all their Pokemon, but it's more of a gimmick than anything. Life Orb is viable over Choice Scarf if you want Axew to cause extra damage without having to set up with Dragon Dance or Swords Dance first. A bulky Dragon Dance set could also be used with the moveset Dragon Dance / Dragon Claw / Dig / Brick Break. The EV spread for this set set could be 236 Atk / 116 SpD / 140 Spe.</p>

[CHECKS AND COUNTERS] [Checks and Counters]

<p>Steel-types like Bronzor who resist Dragon-type attacks are good counters to the Choice Scarf set, as they force Axew to switch out if it isn’t isn't using Dig. Other Choice Scarf Pokemon like Deino can outspeed the Dragon Dance set and KO Axew with Outrage or Draco Meteor. Pokemon with Ice Shard, like such as Snover, (comma) with Ice Shard are also good counters checks to Axew, as they always hit before Axew and can hit it for super effective damage. Timburr is also a good counter to Axew since it has strong priority and can use Bulk Up to take Axew's its attacks more easily, especially against the Choice Scarf set.</p>

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