http://www.smogon.com/bw/pokemon/fraxure
[Overview]
<p>Although NFE, Fraxure has one of the most powerful Outrages in the lower tiers, and coming off a base 117 Attack stat, it's going to hurt. Fraxure's Speed is disappointing, though it becomes usable after a single Dragon Dance boost. Unfortunately for Fraxure, its movepool is so poor that it has next to nothing in terms of coverage, which leaves it walled by Steel-types. Fortunately, Fraxure can use Eviolite to boost its defensive stats, making it slightly easier to set up. Mold Breaker would have been an amazing ability if Fraxure had something to abuse it with, but Fraxure's horrible movepool makes it a wasted ability. Fraxure can pull off a good Dragon Dance or Swords Dance set, but it's not good for much else.</p>
[SET]
name: Physical Attacker
move 1: Dragon Dance / Swords Dance
move 2: Outrage
move 3: Dragon Claw
move 4: Taunt / Substitute
item: Eviolite / Life Orb
ability: Mold Breaker
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>What makes Fraxure unique is its NFE status, making it an excellent user of Eviolite. With Eviolite, Fraxure has enough bulk to pull off a Dragon Dance or Swords Dance set, turning it into a fearsome sweeper. Fraxure has one of the most powerful Outrages in the lower tiers, only behind Zweilous and Druddigon. Fortunately, Fraxure's access to good stat boosting moves and superior Speed set it apart from Zweilous and Druddigon. Furthermore, Outrage is only resisted by four Pokemon in the whole tier, which makes Fraxure difficult to wall. Dragon Claw is used as it doesn't lock Fraxure into Outrage, and it helps it scout for potential counters. The final slot is mainly a filler, but Taunt prevents Fraxure being statused, and it stops the opponent setting up. Finally, Subsitute can be set up on a switch, which is especially useful since it protects Fraxure from status-inducing moves.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EVs are fairly simple; maximum Attack and Speed investment gives Fraxure plenty of hitting power, and, after a Dragon Dance, enough Speed to outrun everything up to 252 Speed Durant with a Speed-boosting nature. A Jolly nature should be used with Swords Dance, along with a spread of 56 HP / 252 Atk / 200 Speed. This spread gives Fraxure enough Speed to outrun Adamant Honchkrow, and a little extra bulk to aid it in setting up. An Adamant nature is prefable on the Dragon Dance set for more hitting power, though Jolly is viable if you require extra Speed. You can invest more EVs into HP for a bulkier Fraxure, though this makes Outrage weaker, and requires more turns of set up. A Life Orb can be used if you prefer extra hitting power, but it causes recoil and significantly reduces its bulk. This set can act as a double dancer at the cost of losing Taunt or Subtitute, but the pay off is worthwhile.</p>
<p>This set appreciates support from entry hazards. Ferroseed can set up Spikes and Stealth Rock, Steelix can set up Stealth Rock, and Scolipede can set up Toxic Spikes for your team. Before firing off Outrages, it's ideal to weaken your opponent's Steel-types. Fire-types such as Entei and Fighting-types such as Hariyama are ideal candadates to knock out Steel-types; Magneton can trap them with its ability, Magnet Pull, and dispose of them with Hidden Power Fire.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Fraxure's movepool is limited, but there are a few other moves to consider. Roar can phaze Steel-types that resist Outrage, and it works reasonably well with Eviolite's defense boosts. Night Slash hits Ghost- and Psychic-types super effectively, but it doesn't provide a lot of coverage. Endure and Reversal can be used as a method to hit Steel-types, but it's very unreliable and risky. Aerial Ace can hit Grass-, Bug-, and Fighting-types super effectively, but its low Base Power means it won't deal a lot of damage. Dig is another move to hit Steel-types, but the opponent can switch out before it hits. Counter is pretty gimmicky, but it deals a lot of damage to prority users who try to outspeed Fraxure. Endeavor can be used alongside Endure to weaken walls into KO range, but it makes Fraxure vulnerable to priority moves. Hone Claws is another stat boosting move, and it raises Fraxure's accuracy in addition to its Attack, but it's not as useful as Dragon Dance or Swords Dance. Poison Jab and X-Scissor both hit Grass-types super effectively, but their overall type coverage is poor. Finally, a Lum Berry or Persim Berry can be used to rid Fraxure of confusion caused by Outrage.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Steel-types are the number one counter to Fraxure. None of Fraxure's moves can hit them super effectively, and they can phaze it out, set up on it, or KO it. Physically defensive Pokemon such as Cofagrigus and Tangrowth can take a hit and incapacitate Fraxure with Will-O-Wisp or Sleep Powder, respectively. If you can outspeed Fraxure and hit it super effectively, it'll probably faint if it isn't holding Eviolite. Taunt can stop Fraxure from setting up, thus making its attacks weaker, and also making it easier to outrun. Burning Fraxure is probably the best option, so bulky Ghosts such as Dusknoir are good counters. If you can Trick a choice item onto Fraxure, it will be unable to set up, thus making it easier to predict.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Fraxure gets Unnerve from the Dream World; however, it's pretty pointless as the majority of Pokemon won't be holding a Berry. Neither of Fraxure's abilities are helpful, so it doesn't matter which one you use.</p>
