Here's a guest appearance by Aurorus in
GCN's "Dino Dino Jungle" from 2003:
[OVERVIEW]
Aurorus is blessed with two amazing abilities that allow it to preform many different roles. Refrigerate boosts Aurorus's Normal-type moves to frightening power, and Ice-type attacks are already rather hard to switch into in NU. Snow Warning allows Aurorus to act as not only a fantastic weather supporter on Hail teams
i kind of think hail teams are irrelevant you need to mention that its a great catch-all check to weather teams, but also a nice suicide lead capable of breaking Focus Sashes without attacking. It also cripples Pokemon such as Gourgiest, Musharna, and Vileplume who rely on weather-based recovery moves for healing. In addition, Aurorus has access to fantastic coverage options for both physical and special attacking sets, which makes switching into it safely very difficult. Aurorus also acts as a great offensive check to some Flying-types in the tier, specifically the ever dangerous Fletchinder; as despite its lackluster typing, its bulky enough
due to its high HP stat to take most strong neutral hits. Unfortunately, Aurorus boasts one of the worst possible defensive typings. Not only is Aurorus weak to Stealth Rock, it's also weak to common elemental attacks such as Grass, Water, and Ground, as well as having a nasty 4x weakness to both Fighting and Steel. Sadly, Aurorus is also rather slow, even with a Choice Scarf equipped.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Hyper Voice / Blizzard
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Freeze-Dry
move 4: Psychic
item: Choice Specs
ability: Refrigerate / Snow Warning
nature: Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hyper Voice is the most powerful STAB move Aurorus gets thanks to the Refrigerate boost. It also allows Aurorus to by-pass Substitutes due to Hyper Voice's classification as a sound move. I am a dinosaur, hear me roar. If Snow Warning is the chosen ability, Blizzard becomes Aurorus' STAB move of choice; which hits roughly as hard as Refrigerate Hyper Voice after factoring in end-of-turn residual damage from Hail. Earth Power is fantastic coverage alongside Ice-type STAB, as it allows Aurorus to hit any Steel- or Fire-types, such as Magmortar, Klinklang, and Mawile, super effectively. Freeze-Dry is used to hit Water-types such as Prinplup and Lanturn super effectively. Psychic allows Aurorus to 2HKO Hariyama after Stealth Rock, which is noteworthy as Thick Fat Hariyama is one of the most common Ice-type resists in NU.
Set Details
========
Choice Specs are used to hit as hard as possible off the bat. Aurorus is generally used as a hit-and-run type of attacker, so being able to change moves isn't as crucial to its success. The choice between Snow Warning and Refrigerate comes down to residual damage by the hail, PP comparison between STAB moves, and Refrigerate's ability to abuse Hyper Voice and hit through Substitutes. Refrigerate is the better choice if you dislike constant Hail damage racking up on the rest of your teammates, are worried about Blizzard's measly 8 PP running low, or enjoy being able to bypass Substitutes with Hyper Voice. However, if Aurorus' teammates don't mind the cold (as it's never bothered them anyway), Snow Warning is also viable as it disrupts weather-based healing moves such as Synthesis and Moonlight and is a pain for opposing weather teams. EV spread allows Aurorus to switch into Stealth Rock five times, while maintaining maximum attacking power and Speed. Aurorus doesn't need the additional Speed granted by a Timid nature because it would not outspeed anything relevant with the added Speed, and the boost of power provided by a Modest nature is extremely helpful.
Usage Tips
========
Bring it in on resisted hits such as Fletchinder and Swellow, or against Pokemon that can't do very much back such as Xatu
such as? Aurorus really should be brought in on a uturn / volt switch on something that it forces switches on. Proceed to click the appropriate coverage move, or just fire off a Hyper Voice if the opponent lacks Ice-type resists. If your opponent has an offensive threat that Aurorus checks
such as?, be sure to preserve it and keep entry hazards off your side of the field. Running this set on a team with plenty of Volt Switch and U-turn users is awesome to grant Aurorus ample free switchins to launch off Hyper Voices.
Team Options
========
Fighting-types such as Hariyama and Sawk in particular can smash through defensive cores with Aurorus, and especially pair well with Snow Warning Aurorus who nerfs the recovery of popular Fighting resists. General set-up sweepers such as Fletchinder, Ludicolo, and Pyroar enjoy Aurorus's ability to soften up walls throughout thge battle, making sweeping late-game a lot easier. Being able to keep Stealth Rock off the field is crucial to Aurorus, as it is actually quite bulky at full HP even with no investment; however due to its hit-and-run style, losing 25% of its HP every time it switches in is very detrimental. Some viable entry hazard removers include Kabutops, Pelliper, and Prinplup.
[SET]
name: Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Blizzard
move 3: Earth Power
move 4: Freeze-Dry / Encore
item: Focus Sash
ability: Snow Warning
nature: Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock is very nice to have on Aurorus, as it forces plenty of switches against slower Pokemon, which gives it ample opportunities to set them up. It also gives Hail teams a Hail setter and Stealth Rock user in one slot, which is fantastic for Hail teams cramped teamslots. With Snow Warning as the chosen ability, Blizzard becomes Aurorus' most powerful and reliable STAB move. Freeze-Dry hits Water-types such as Mantine, Prinplup, and Pelliper super effectively, preventing them from Defogging on Aurorus. Earth Power hits Fire- and Steel-types such as Klinklang, Magmortar, and Mawile, who otherwise wall Aurorus' Ice STABs. Encore can also be used effectively on the lead set, allowing Aurorus to lock opponent's Pokemon into their first move, and let Aurorus react appropriately. Stone Edge could be used as well, as it allows Aurorus to OHKO Cryogonal who would otherwise be able to spin away the Stealth Rock. However, Encore and Freeze-Dry are a lot more effective overall as Cryogonal is very rare and not worth dedicating a moveslot for.
Set Details
========
Snow Warning allows Aururos to beat lead Archeops in one turn, and Crustle before it can get off a second attack barring a Custap Berry, meaning Aurorus works as a fantastic counter lead to common entry hazard leads. Aurorus doesn't need the additional Speed granted by a Timid nature because it would not outspeed anything relevant with the added Speed, and the boost of power provided by a Modest nature is extremely helpful.
Usage Tips
========
Aurorus can OHKO lead Archeops on the first turn to limit it to one action. Freeze Dry allows it to scare away Defoggers and deter Xatu switch-ins. Aurorus has a really good matchup versus most opposing entry hazard leads and entry hazard removers, making it a very effective lead Pokemon.
should it be allowed to die after it gets rocks up? or.... there needs to be more here
Team Options
========
Offensive Pokemon that appreciate both Stealth Rock and Ice-resists worn down include Jynx, Fletchinder, Scyther, and Artincuo. Additonal, more general offensive teammates who appreciate early Stealth Rock include Tauros, Magmortar, Mismagius, Pyroar, Kabutops, and Pinsir. While Aurorus matches up well against Lead hazard setters, it's still a wise idea to bring an offensive hazard remover to help support Aurorus if it's able to switch out and keep its Focus Sash intact. A fantastic example is Kabutops
claydol .
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Blizzard
move 2: Freeze-Dry
move 3: Earth Power
move 4: Stone Edge
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Snow Warning
evs: 20 Atk / 244 SpA / 244 Spe
nature: Timid
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Blizzard becomes Aurorus' most powerful and reliable STAB move when using Snow Warning. Freeze-Dry hits Water-types such as Ludicolo and Poliwrath super effectively. Earth Power hits Fire- and Steel-types such as Klingklang and Mawile, who otherwise wall Aurorus' Ice STABs. Stone Edge grants Aurorus the ability to OHKO Cryogonal, Articuno, and Jynx, while doing considerable damage to Regice and Lapras - all Pokemon who otherwise give Aurorus trouble. Psychic is also an option in the last slot, as it can 3HKO Hariyama, and 2HKO it after 2 rounds of Stealth Rock + Hail.
Set Details
========
244 Speed EVs and a Timid nature are needed to outspeed base 105 and 110 Speed Pokemon such as Archeops, Pyroar, Mismagius, and Scyther, all of which are incredibly important to be faster than.
20 Attack EVs allow Aurorus to OHKO Cryogonal, Jynx and 0 HP Articuno with Stone Edge, all of which can take on Aurorus otherwise, while still allowing Aurorus to outspeed positive natured base 110 Speed Pokemon. Snow Warning allows Scarf Aurorus to beat weather sweepers such as Victreebel, Ludicolo, Poliwrath, and Exeggutor by replacing the current weather condition with Hail, then subsequently outspeeding them.
Usage Tips
========
THIS POKEMON IS HERE TO STOP WEATHER TEAMS Bring it in on a weather sweeper whom is currently in the process of sweeping your team, then select the appropriate move, or hell, maybe even predict a switch if it's that kinda game. Then, pat yourself on the back and be thankful you had this Aurorus. This set is best used as a revenge killer, since if Aurorus switches into Ludicolo as it uses Rain Dance, Snow Warning gets erased and Aurorus will get KOed. Despite being most effective at revenge killing weather sweepers in particular, it's also just as effective at revenge killing general boosting sweepers late-game, barring priority moves.
Team Options
========
THIS POKEMON IS HERE TO STOP WEATHER TEAMS Fighting-types such as Sawk and Hariyama really appreciate that their common counters, Musharna and Vileplume, have their recovery cut in half during Hail. Having Hail active makes these Pokemon much easier to wear down, as they struggle to stay healthy, so try to bait them in early game to get them worn down quickly. Aurorus can actually sweep rather easily late game once Ice-type resists are worn down. Pairing Aurorus with Pokemon such as Nasty Plot Jynx or Choice Band Sneasel can result in a late game Blizzard Sweep; however, with more than once Ice-type on the team, an entry hazard remover is a necessity.
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Frustration
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Zen Headbutt
move 4: Stone Edge
item: Choice Band
ability: Refrigerate
nature: Adamant
evs: 4 Def / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
WHERE IS FACADE????????
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Frustration is the most powerful physical STAB move Aurorus gets thanks to the Refrigerate boost. It's Aurorus most powerful move, and is easily spammable as it has no drawbacks. Earthquake is fantastic coverage alongside Ice-type STAB, as it allows Aurorus to hit any Steel- or Fire-types, such as Magmortar, Klingklang, and Magneton, super effectively. It also allows Aurorus to hit Lanturn super effectively. Zen Headbutt allows Aurorus to 2HKO Hariyama and Poliwrath, both of which would otherwise wall it. Stone Edge is used to hit Water-types hard such as Prinplup, with the two most popular defensive Water-types, Pelliper and Mantine, being hit super effectively. In general Stone Edge is the best neutral coverage Aurorus has for the fourth slot.
Set Details
========
Choice Band is used to hit as hard as possible off the bat. Aurorus is generally used as a hit-and-run type of attacker, so being able to change moves isn't as crucial to its success. EV spread allows Aurorus to switch into Stealth Rock five times, while maintaining maximum attacking power and Speed. Aurorus doesn't need the additional Speed granted by a Jolly nature because it would not outspeed anything relevant with the added Speed, and the boost of power provided by an Adamant nature is extremely helpful.
Usage Tips
========
Many people expect Aurorus to be using special moves, so you can use this to your advantage by luring in and disposing of problematic Ice-resists for a teammate, or by just OHKOing a Pokemon that your opponent thought was going to be safe. Bring it in on resisted hits such as Fletchinder and Swellow, or against Pokemon that can't do very much back such as Xatu. Proceed to click the appropriate coverage move, or just fire off a Frustration if the opponent lacks Ice-type resists.
Team Options
========
Being able to keep Stealth Rock off of the field is crucial to Aurorus, as it is actually quite bulky at full HP even with no investment; however due to its hit-and-run style, losing 25% of its HP every time it switches in is very detrimental. Some viable entry hazard removers include Kabutops, Pelliper, and Prinplup. This set is less of a switch into Feltchinder due to it getting crippled by Will-O-Wisp; therefore, it would be a wise idea to pair it with additional Fletchinder checks.
Uturn teams
[SET]
name: Rock Polish
move 1: Rock Polish
move 2: Hyper Voice / Nature Power
move 3: Freeze-Dry
move 4: Earth Power
item: Life Orb
ability: Refrigerate
nature: Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Rock Polish attempts to remedy Aurorus' low Speed stat and give it the chance to sweep the opponents' team with Aurorus' power and coverage moves. Hyper Voice is the most powerful STAB move Aurorus gets thanks to the Refrigerate boost. It also allows Aurorus to by-pass Substitutes due to Hyper Voice's classification as a sound move. I am a dinosaur, hear me roar. Nature Power is also very useful on a Rock Polish set, as the lack of power is less crucial when cleaning up late game, and being able to bypass Sucker Punch from the likes of Cacturne, Kangaskhan, or Pawniard can be huge. Earth Power is fantastic coverage alongside Ice-type STAB, as it allows Aurorus to hit any Steel- or Fire-types, such as Magmortar, Klingklang, and Magneton, super effectively. Freeze-Dry is used to hit all Water-types super effectively, as well as Pokemon that commonly wall Aurorus such as Pelliper and Mantine 4x effectively.
WHERE IS THE THUNDERBOLT I SWEAR IT ISN'T REDUNDANT COVERAGE OR NOTHIN
bolts edit:
-_-
Set Details
========
Life Orb and a Modest nature are used to give Aurorus as much attacking power as possible. Refrigerate is used to abuse Hyper Voice's Substitute-bypassing properties, and greater PP than Blizzard; as well as not having Aurorus' main STAB move be weather-dependent. Hyper Voice's immediate damage is preferable to Blizzard's chip damage as Rock Polish Aurorus cannot afford to wait for Hail to claim the KOs. An much slower, bulkier spread of 128 HP / 252 SpA / 128 Spe allows you to outspeed Sneasel and below after a Rock Polish, and grants you significantly more bulk. However, it leaves you vulnerable to Scarfed Sawk, Lilligant, and Magneton, all of which you beat with 252 Speed.
Usage Tips
========
Wait until late-game when anything on you opponent's team carrying priority moves that Aurorus is susceptible to is knocked out, and try to bring in Aurorus on either a slow U-turn or Volt Switch from a teammate, or on a Flying-type such as Swellow or Fletchinder.
This is really sparce
Team Options
========
Pokemon that buy free turns for teammates are obviously very helpful when trying to give Aurorus a free turn to set up. A great example is Yawn, U-turn Uxie. Wallbreakers such as Choice Band Sawk, Magmortar, and Mixed Samurott can help weaken the opposing team throughout the game, giving Aurorus a much easier time sweeping once it's setup. Pokemon that wear down common problematic priority users such as Kabutops, Hariyama, Gurdurr, and Samurott. Garbodor does this job nicely, as Rocky Helmet plus Aftermath damage, plus the residual damage from all the entry hazards it sets up can eliminate the opponent's priority allowing Aurorus to sweep freely. Ferroseed also does an okay job at beating the non-Fighting-types, and it also handily beats Kabutops, another huge problem that Garbordor struggles to beat.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Nature Power, which turns into Tri-Attack in battles, is a viable option on the Choice Specs set for its 20% chance to inflict a status condition, as well as its classification as a non-attacking move, causing Sucker Punch to fail. Icy Rock on the lead set is the better option if you're opting to use Aurorus as a weather setter on a Hail team, as it prolongs the Hail to a much more usable duration. However, on an offensive team where Aurorus' goal is to break through opposing leads and set up Stealth Rock, Focus Sash is crucially important. Ancient Power is a possibility to prevent Aurorus from being walled by the likes of Articuno, Cryogonal, and Jynx; however, these Pokemon are much more rare than the targets of other coverage moves, and therefore it's less optimal to carry Ancient Power. Echoed Voice is a
cool move when used by Aurorus, as if the opponent does not act quickly and force Aurorus out, it can quickly become a "runaway-train" scenario. However, Aurorus is too slow to make good use of the move, and it starts off very weak, even with the Refrigerate boost. Physical Rock Polish is a possibility, but it faces stiff competition from Shell Smashers in the tier such as Huntail, Carracosta, and Barbaracle. Calm Mind plus three attacks is also a possible set, however Aurorus is too vulnerable to revenge killing and too slow to pull it off effectively, and should be used as a "hit and run" Pokemon with Choice Specs to boost its power, not Calm Mind. On that note, Substitute plus Calm Mind seems like a decent option, as it removes Aurorus's vulnerability to revenge killing; however, this leaves Aurorus with not enough coverage to hit everything effectively, and will also most likely be forced out. Lastly, it needs to be mentioned that Thunderbolt is never stronger than Freeze-Dry versus Water- or Flying-types thanks to Freeze-Dry getting STAB bonus; therefore, never use Thunderbolt on Aurorus, it's terrible.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Pokemon**: Due to Aurorus's poor defensive typing, it is not hard to revenge kill prior to setting up a Rock Polish. Pokemon such as Sawk, Ludicolo, Klinklang, Archeops, Kangaskhan, and Samurott can all revenge kill Aurorus easily.
**Priority**: Aurorus is weak to Aqua Jet, Mach Punch, and Bullet Punch, so it's rather easy to revenge kill even if Aurorus has already set up a Rock Polish. Common users of these moves include Gurdurr, Hariyama, Basculin, Carracosta, and Samurott.
Put in SuperEffective Attacks here as its quite weak to quite a number of things.
**Bulky Pokemon that Resist Ice**: Thick Fat Hariyama only has to fear Psychic from the Specs set, and can retaliate with either a Close Combat or Bullet Punch. The banded set gives it more trouble, but it can still survive any hit and threaten to OHKO back with Bullet Punch. Offensive Articuno can switch into any of Aurorus' attacks barring Stone Edge, and can Pressure stall Aurorus out of PP. Cryogonal can shrug off any hit special Aurorus throws at it, and can stall it out with Toxic and Recover; however, it has to be wary of the physical sets.
