[Overview]
<p>Once upon a time, there was lion wandering in jungles, searching for its place. That lion was Luxray. While never being a top tier Pokemon, Luxray finally found its place in the NU tier. That said, Luxray has quite a bit going for it; it boasts only one weakness, sports high Attack and decent bulk, and finally got more toys, in form of Wild Charge and Guts, to play with. While never shining (despite its Electric typing) in any metagame, Luxray finally adapted to the current NU metagame, maintaining itself as a physically oriented powerhouse, threatening half of the Pokemon in tier with a great selection of coverage moves. However, that doesn’t mean Luxray comes without any drawbacks. A base 70 Speed is nothing to write home about and having a pretty shallow movepool means Luxray is unable to hit specific Pokemon in the tier. All points considered, however, Luxray has the right to be called "The Lion King of NU".</p>
[SET]
name: Choice
move 1: Wild Charge
move 2: Superpower
move 3: Ice Fang
move 4: Crunch / Volt Switch
item: Choice Band / Choice Scarf
ability: Intimidate
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Since Luxray is the most powerful physically oriented Electric-type in the tier, this set utilizes Luxray's high attack stat, making it a formidable wallbreaker. Luxray is meant to be breaking things apart, leaving its teammates to clean up the field. While not great, its extensive movepool gives Luxray a chance to nail just about any Pokemon in tier. Wild Charge deals outrageous amounts of damage to everything that doesn’t resist it. Luxray also has access to physical BoltBeam coverage, allowing it to hit a huge amount of threats. Superpower, together with Wild Charge, makes Luxray a reliable Pokemon to take down bulkier support Pokemon, 2HKOing Alomomola, Regirock, Lickilicky, and Miltank. Crunch is there to hit Ghost- and Psychic- types, namely Exeggutor, Duosion, Mesprit, and Misdreavus, for super effective damage, 2HKOing all of them with Choice Band. Finally, Luxray can run Volt Switch combined with Choice Scarf to maintain offensive momentum or act as a fine revenge killer, picking off weakened foes.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EV spread is pretty standard. However, it should be noted that an Adamant nature with Choice Band lets Luxray to 2HKO Regirock, physically defensive Lickilicky, Alomomola, and Miltank, while outspeeding all common sets. It also lets Luxray outspeed common Psychic-type Pokemon, such as Mesprit and Exeggutor, and 2HKO with Crunch. That aside, Jolly is preferred with Choice Scarf, as it lets Luxray outspeed positive-nature base 125 Speed Pokemon, namely Swellow.</p>
<p>Since the set is formally oriented to do as much damage as possible before fainting, entry hazards are a welcomed sight for Luxray, letting it score some important OHKOs and 2HKOs. Stealth Rock helps to wear down Pokemon such as Magmortar, and walls such as Torkoal, Regirock, Quagsire and Eelektross, which means Luxray can deal with them much more easily. Mesprit is a great teammate, as it can set up Stealth Rock and is immune to Luxray's only weakness. Weezing can Toxic opponents, leaving Luxray to finish them off. Spikes support is very helpful as well; Cacturne pairs well with Luxray, being able to take incoming Ground-type moves while providing both Spikes and Encore support to aid Luxray. Luxray can also return the favor by taking care of Flying-types that threaten Cacturne. Luxray is also worn down quickly by entry hazards on your side of the field, so Rapid Spin support is preferred. Cryogonal is perfect for this job, as it can tank special hits and spin hazards away, while Luxray can Intimidate physical attackers in return.</p>
[SET]
name: Guts
move 1: Wild Charge
move 2: Facade
move 3: Crunch
move 4: Hidden Power Grass
item: Toxic Orb
ability: Guts
nature: Naughty
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Dream World gave Luxray an interesting boost in the form of Guts. Luxray's main purpose is to wear the opposition down as much as possible, leaving sweepers to clean up. Guts boosted Wild Charge hits just as hard as Choice Banded one; however, Luxray loses the ability to 2HKO Regirock and Lickilicky due to Superpower being illegal with Guts. Facade inflicts reasonable amounts of damage and is, generally, one of the best options Luxray has, since its movepool is as tiny as a lion's cage in a zoo. Crunch can 2HKO all common Psychic- and Ghost-types, providing Luxray with decent coverage. Hidden Power Grass may look like an odd choice for the last move slot, but it allows Luxray to severely damage Quagsire and Golem; the former is 2HKOed, while the latter a clean OHKO after Stealth Rock and a layer of Spikes.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EV spread is simple and standard, aiming to max out Luxray's damage output. A Naughty nature is chosen for maximum attack power, without lowering Hidden Power Grass's power. Toxic Orb is the preferred item, as Luxray will rarely survive or stay in for more than 4 turns; Flame Orb is a suitable alternative if you intend to keep Luxray in for longer, however. Like all offensively orientated Pokemon, entry hazards help net more KOs. Mesprit may be the best teammate for this job, due to its ability to set up Stealth Rock and immunity to Luxray's only weakness. Regirock can also set up Stealth Rock and use Thunder Wave, allowing Luxray to outspeed otherwise threatening foes. Sawk has a niche as a partner, removing Pokemon Luxray has problems with. Garbodor can set up Spikes and Toxic Spikes; however, both Luxray and Garbodor have to look out for super effective Ground-type attacks. This makes Cacturne a great candidate to provide Spikes support, as it can handle Ground-types for Luxray. While Guts Luxray doesn’t mind status from Toxic Spikes in its own territory, other entry hazards make its short lifespan even shorter, so Rapid Spin support is always appreciated. </p>
[Other Options]
<p>When you have a movepool as shallow as Luxray's, there aren't too many options left. However, Luxray can abuse its decent defenses in conjunction with Intimidate and run defensive set with Roar and Toxic/Thunder Wave for team support. Howl is another move that sounds attracting, but Luxray will rarely find time to boost his Attack. Luxray also has access to a Rest + Sleep Talk, granting it semi-reliable recovery. Quick Attack is Luxray's sole priority move, and can be useful for picking off weakened foes, but Luxray has trouble fitting it into a set. Magnet Rise is yet another option, leaving Luxray with no weaknesses for 5 turns. SubCharge looks like it could work on paper, but one is unlikely to use it with success. Another option is a fully special set, since Luxray has a pretty sweet base 95 Special Attack stat and few usable special moves, but there are better Electric-types for this role.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Choice Band Luxray is able to 2HKO half of the metagame, making it difficult to switch into. However, when locked into Wild Charge, its main STAB, it is completely useless against any Ground-types. Faster threats can easily revenge kill Luxray, especially when it is Choice-locked. Tangela and Quagsire have no trouble handling the Choice Band set, but a surprise Signal Beam or Hidden Power Grass may give them a run for their money. Guts Luxray is stopped cold by defensive variants of Stunfisk, while Regirock only fears Superpower, which is incompatible with Guts. Camerupt shrugs off any of Luxray's attacks and can set up Stealth Rock or just Roar it away. Bastiodon, Amoongus, and Probopass also easily wall Guts Luxray. Finally, opponents with Lightningrod, such as Zebstrika or Raichu, can quickly turn tides on any Luxray locked into an Electric-type attack.</p>