epikkyogre78
Banned deucer.
Technically a bird.
QC: 2/3 [Alexwolf] [Fuzznip] []
GP: 0/2 [] []
Overview
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Azelf is a Pokemon that fits in nicely with the current metagame. It's fast with great mixed stats and great movepool. It gained Dazzling Gleam this generation, allowing it to muscle past certain Dark types for the first time. The Knock Off buff also helped it tremendously, allowing Azelf to function as a utility Pokemon along with U-Turn to provide unique support to a team. It is also rather difficult to outright counter because of it's wide movepool; however, some Pokémon will always be a pain for Azelf to face down, such as Tyranitar or Chansey. It is very frail, to the point that even resisted hits will do a large chunk to Azelf, making in incredibly hard to switch in. Levitate somewhat helps to compensate for this though, and it can be brought in by other means, such as a slow Volt Switch or U-Turn. Azelf also receives competition from Deoxys- S and Latios as offensive Psychic types, but Azelf differentiates itself with mixed stats and different coverage options. Overall, Azelf has its faults, but if you use it to its fullest potential, you will have a monster pixie on your hands.
All-Out Attacker
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Name: All-Out Attacker
Move 1: Psychic / Psyshock
Move 2: Fire Blast
Move 3: Knock Off
Move 4: U-Turn / Dazzling Gleam
Ability: Levitate
Item: Life Orb
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 Spe / 4 Atk
Nature: Naive
Moves
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Psychic is Azelf's go-to STAB move, hitting most things for solid damage. Although Psychic hits most things for more damage in the physically defensive metagame, Psyshock can be used instead to hit Pokemon Azelf has trouble with, like the pink blobs, Mega Charizard X, AV Conkeldurr, and special walls in general. Psyshock also does better against CM users, especially Keldeo. Fire Blast nails Steel types, who are always troublesome. Main targets include Skarmory, Bisharp, Ferrothorn, Excadrill, Magnezone, and Aegislash. Knock Off is great for taking down opposing Psychic types, and provides unique support to a team by disposing of the opponent's item. It also greatly hinders Pokemon like Heatran and Chansey that tend to switch into Azelf. U-Turn is great for generating momentum and deals a decent chunk of damage to most Pokémon. It also allows it to pivot against Tyranitar, a common switch-in.
Dazzling Gleam is an option in the last slot for muscling past certain Dark and Dragon types, such as Sableye, Hydreigon, Salamence, and Garchomp, but you're usually better off running U-Turn.
Thunderbolt and Grass Knot, however, are a different story. They can be used in one of the last two slots to hit certain targets. Grass Knot hits Quagsire, Gastrodon, Hippowdon, and Slowbro. Thunderbolt hits Crawdaunt, Gyarados, Togekiss, Mandibuzz, Vaporeon, and maintains coverage on Slowbro.
Set Details
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The EVs give Azelf maximum Speed to go along with great Special Attack. Life Orb gives Azelf extra power to net KOs and to give it that extra "oomph." A Naive nature allows it to outspeed many relevant threats, such as Gengar, Terrakion, Keldeo, and the Lati twins, and doesn't lower Azelf's Attack, which is needed for Knock Off and U-Turn.
Usage Tips
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Because Azelf's defenses often let it down, switch Azelf in on a Ground-type attack, or bring it in on a double switch, Baton Pass, slow Volt Switch, or a slow U-Turn.
Also, because Psychic is rather weak compared to other common attacks like Hydro Pump or Close Combat, it's hard to OHKO even decently bulky threats that get hit neutrally by Psychic, so only use Azelf to take down weakened threats, frailer Pokemon, Pokémon that are hit super effectively by its coverage moves, or Pokemon you know you can take down.
Use Azelf as a sort of utility Pokemon early game, knocking off items and generating momentum with U-Turn, and as a late-game cleaner.
Team Options
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This set is highly recommended in a VoltTurn core, as Pokemon like Forretress, Scizor, and Rotom-W can help bring Azelf in safely with a slow Volt Switch or U-Turn, and in return, Azelf helps break down walls for its teammates.
Fighting types such as Lucario, AV Conkeldurr, and Terrakion make great teammates because they deal with the Dark types that plague Azelf. They are great at taking advantage of most Pursuit users. In Lucario and Terrakion's case, they receive an attack boost from Dark-type attacks, allowing them to start a mini-sweep.
Azelf also appreciates hazards to increase its overall damage output, netting many KOs it couldn't otherwise achieve, and to help it take advantage of forced switches more with U-Turn. When used in conjunction with a VoltTurn core, it can produce deadly results. Some hazard users that pair well with Azelf are Infernape, Forretress, Mamoswine, Garchomp, Excadrill and Terrakion. All but Forretress deal with Tyranitar and can blow holes in the opposing team for Azelf to take advantage of. Forretress and Infernape fit well on a VoltTurn team with Azelf, especially Forretress.
Fairy types such as Azumarill or Mega Mawile make great teammates, as they also counter the Dark types that Azelf tends to have trouble handling. The two Pokemon listed can also weaken the opposing team for Azelf to take advantage of, and provide strong priority.
Finally, wall-breakers such as Kyurem-B, MixMence, and mixed Aegislash make great teammates, as they dismantle common cores and rip huge holes in the opposition.
Other Options
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Azelf can take advantage of its 125 Attack stat, and run a physically-based Life Orb set with Zen Headbutt, Fire Punch/Fire Blast, U-Turn, and a coverage move. However, Azelf is generally better off running a mixed set, and is outclassed by other, more powerful physical attackers.
Azelf can run a suicide lead set, like it did in DPP OU. However, other, faster Pokemon generally outclass Azelf in this role like Greninja, Aerodactyl, and Deoxys-S. Suicide lead sets aren't very good anyway due to the prevalence of Defog.
Azelf can run a decent dual screens set; however, Deoxys-S and Cresselia outclass it in this role, as they have higher speed and much more bulk, respectively.
Checks And Counters
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Greninja is an amazing check to Azelf, being able to switch into its STAB moves, Fire Blast, and Knock Off, outspeed it, and OHKO.
Tyranitar is a full-fledged counter to Azelf, being able to tank multiple hits from Azelf and trap it with a combination of Pursuit and Crunch. The DD set can switch in and start accumulating boosts.
Most Dark types have an easy time handling Azelf; however, they must watch out for U-Turn and the rare Dazzling Gleam.
Special walls with physical investment like Chansey, Blissey, and Sylveon make good counters to Azelf because they can shrug off Azelf's hits, even Psyshock, and proceed to Toxic/Seismic Toss, or in Sylveon's case, Moonblast.
Revenge killers are one of the main ways to deal with Azelf. One option is priority from Pokémon such as Talonflame, Aegislash, Scizor, Bisharp, Mega Mawile, Mega Pinsir, and Azumarill. Another option, though less common these days, is Choice Scarf Pokemon like Keldeo, Terrakion, and Garchomp. Naturally faster Pokemon such as Weavile, (Mega) Aerodactyl, and Deoxys-S work too.
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