[OVERVIEW]
* Azelf's fantastic Speed tier and expansive utility movepool, consisting of options like Stealth Rock, Taunt, and Skill Swap, give it a niche in UU as the tier's best and most reliable suicide lead for offensive teams.
* Azelf also possesses fantastic offensive stats and is capable of utilizing them given its access to high Base Power moves like Explosion, Fire Blast, Dazzling Gleam, and Psychic.
* Unfortunately, Azelf is extremely frail, and is thus unable to put its good offensive stats to use outside of as a suicide lead.
* As a result, Azelf is also extremely predictable and easy to play around with fast Taunt users like Aerodactyl and Whimsicott, priority, and faster Pokemon and Choice Scarf users.
* The prevalence of both Rapid Spin and Defog is also a problem for Azelf, as it can, at times, struggle to keep Stealth Rock up and will usually be unable to set it up again.
[SET]
name: Suicide Lead
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Explosion
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Knock Off / Fire Blast
item: Focus Sash
ability: Levitate
nature: Naive
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Stealth Rock is essential for setting entry hazards and allowing Azelf to claim its niche.
* Explosion is extremely useful for weakening a foe after setting up Stealth Rock.
* Taunt allows Azelf to prevent opposing leads from setting up entry hazards and can also help it to keep Defog users like Latias, Togekiss, and Empoleon from removing Stealth Rock.
* Knock Off allows Azelf to remove items from foes that may rely on them, such as Swampert and Klefki's Leftovers, and it is also useful for scouting Z-Crystals on foes.
* Fire Blast allows Azelf to hit Scizor and Forretress, Pokemon that would otherwise check it, for OHKOs. It also has use in being able to hit some Pokemon immune or resistant to Explosion, such as Decidueye and Cobalion, super effectively.
* Dazzling Gleam is an option for hitting Dark-types like Krookodile and Hydreigon harder, though these Pokemon usually take sufficient damage from Explosion.
Set Details
========
* Maximum investment in Speed with a Naive nature makes Azelf as fast as possible and allows it to outspeed most of the unboosted metagame.
* Maximum investment in Attack makes Azelf's Explosion quite powerful, while 4 Special Attack EVs are useful for giving Fire Blast a little more power.
* Focus Sash is the preferred item, as it nearly guarantees that Azelf will set up Stealth Rock and use Explosion afterward.
* Levitate is Azelf's only possible ability, but it is helpful for avoiding Ground-type attacks from the likes of Gliscor and Hippowdon.
Usage Tips
========
* Azelf's primary function is as a suicide lead on extremely offensive teams, which means that it is best to use Azelf as your lead.
* However, some opponents may use Pokemon like Choice Scarf Krookodile and Mega Absol as leads to counter Azelf, which means that a teammate capable of dealing with either threat should be brought out.
* Azelf should almost always use Stealth Rock first, though if the opponent's lead is likely going to set up or set entry hazards as well, it is best for Azelf to use Taunt to prevent entry hazards on its side of the field. Knock Off can also be used in necessary situations, such as against Choice Scarf Krookodile and Hydreigon, as these threats will whittle Azelf down to Focus Sash, have their Choice Scarf removed, and be unable to outpace Azelf as it sets Stealth Rock.
* More often than not, Azelf will use Stealth Rock and then Explosion, though it's possible to preserve Azelf's Focus Sash to weaken or revenge kill a foe later in a match.
Team Options
========
* Extremely offensive teams will appreciate Azelf's ability to quickly lay down Stealth Rock. Bisharp, Celebi, and Hydreigon are all examples of Pokemon that particularly enjoy securing KOs with Stealth Rock laid down.
* Pokemon weak to Stealth Rock such as Mega Aerodactyl, Entei, and Volcanion appreciate Azelf's ability to shut down opposing Stealth Rock setters with Taunt.
* Ghost-type Pokemon such as Chandelure, Doublade, and Decidueye can switch into Rapid Spin, thus keeping Azelf's Stealth Rock on the field.
* Pokemon with the Defiant ability, such as Bisharp and Tornadus, are capable of switching into Pokemon that use Defog to remove Azelf's Stealth Rock, receiving an Attack boost in the process.
* Pokemon that often struggle to switch in, such as Infernape, Salazzle, and Mienshao, can all be safely brought into play after Azelf uses Explosion.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Azelf can try functioning as a sweeper and wallbreaker with Nasty Plot and has everything in its movepool to help it do so. However, Azelf's frailty and poor typing keep it from reliably setting up most of the time, and it faces competition as a specially offensive Psychic-type from Latias and Starmie.
* A set with Life Orb and three attacks with the fourth move being Stealth Rock is plausible, but it is also hard to use due to Azelf's poor bulk and typing.
* Trick can be used with a Choice item to cripple a foe, though Azelf lacks space in its movepool and will often prefer to hold Focus Sash due to its frailty.
* Azelf can opt to run dual screens with Light Clay, Explosion, and a utility or coverage move of choice, though usually it is more effective as a Stealth Rock setter with a Focus Sash.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Due to its Psychic-type, Azelf is heavily pressured by most of UU's Dark-types. Bisharp and Mega Absol can defeat Azelf with the combination of Knock Off and Sucker Punch, while Krookodile commonly holds a Choice Scarf and can outpace and KO Azelf before it can use Explosion.
**Faster Pokemon**: Despite Azelf's good Speed, it is outsped and threatened by Mega Aerodactyl and Crobat, as well as by Choice Scarf users like Mienshao and Hydreigon.
**Strong Priority**: Azelf's poor defenses leave it vulnerable to almost all relevant forms of priority. Sucker Punch from Bisharp and Mega Absol is particularly troublesome, though Entei's Extreme Speed, Scizor's Bullet Punch, and Talonflame's Gale Wings Brave Bird are also quite threatening.
**Entry Hazard Removal**: Rapid Spin and Defog users like Tentacruel, Starmie, Empoleon, and Latias can all remove Azelf's Stealth Rock with relative ease after it has fainted.
* Azelf's fantastic Speed tier and expansive utility movepool, consisting of options like Stealth Rock, Taunt, and Skill Swap, give it a niche in UU as the tier's best and most reliable suicide lead for offensive teams.
* Azelf also possesses fantastic offensive stats and is capable of utilizing them given its access to high Base Power moves like Explosion, Fire Blast, Dazzling Gleam, and Psychic.
* Unfortunately, Azelf is extremely frail, and is thus unable to put its good offensive stats to use outside of as a suicide lead.
* As a result, Azelf is also extremely predictable and easy to play around with fast Taunt users like Aerodactyl and Whimsicott, priority, and faster Pokemon and Choice Scarf users.
* The prevalence of both Rapid Spin and Defog is also a problem for Azelf, as it can, at times, struggle to keep Stealth Rock up and will usually be unable to set it up again.
[SET]
name: Suicide Lead
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Explosion
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Knock Off / Fire Blast
item: Focus Sash
ability: Levitate
nature: Naive
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Stealth Rock is essential for setting entry hazards and allowing Azelf to claim its niche.
* Explosion is extremely useful for weakening a foe after setting up Stealth Rock.
* Taunt allows Azelf to prevent opposing leads from setting up entry hazards and can also help it to keep Defog users like Latias, Togekiss, and Empoleon from removing Stealth Rock.
* Knock Off allows Azelf to remove items from foes that may rely on them, such as Swampert and Klefki's Leftovers, and it is also useful for scouting Z-Crystals on foes.
* Fire Blast allows Azelf to hit Scizor and Forretress, Pokemon that would otherwise check it, for OHKOs. It also has use in being able to hit some Pokemon immune or resistant to Explosion, such as Decidueye and Cobalion, super effectively.
* Dazzling Gleam is an option for hitting Dark-types like Krookodile and Hydreigon harder, though these Pokemon usually take sufficient damage from Explosion.
Set Details
========
* Maximum investment in Speed with a Naive nature makes Azelf as fast as possible and allows it to outspeed most of the unboosted metagame.
* Maximum investment in Attack makes Azelf's Explosion quite powerful, while 4 Special Attack EVs are useful for giving Fire Blast a little more power.
* Focus Sash is the preferred item, as it nearly guarantees that Azelf will set up Stealth Rock and use Explosion afterward.
* Levitate is Azelf's only possible ability, but it is helpful for avoiding Ground-type attacks from the likes of Gliscor and Hippowdon.
Usage Tips
========
* Azelf's primary function is as a suicide lead on extremely offensive teams, which means that it is best to use Azelf as your lead.
* However, some opponents may use Pokemon like Choice Scarf Krookodile and Mega Absol as leads to counter Azelf, which means that a teammate capable of dealing with either threat should be brought out.
* Azelf should almost always use Stealth Rock first, though if the opponent's lead is likely going to set up or set entry hazards as well, it is best for Azelf to use Taunt to prevent entry hazards on its side of the field. Knock Off can also be used in necessary situations, such as against Choice Scarf Krookodile and Hydreigon, as these threats will whittle Azelf down to Focus Sash, have their Choice Scarf removed, and be unable to outpace Azelf as it sets Stealth Rock.
* More often than not, Azelf will use Stealth Rock and then Explosion, though it's possible to preserve Azelf's Focus Sash to weaken or revenge kill a foe later in a match.
Team Options
========
* Extremely offensive teams will appreciate Azelf's ability to quickly lay down Stealth Rock. Bisharp, Celebi, and Hydreigon are all examples of Pokemon that particularly enjoy securing KOs with Stealth Rock laid down.
* Pokemon weak to Stealth Rock such as Mega Aerodactyl, Entei, and Volcanion appreciate Azelf's ability to shut down opposing Stealth Rock setters with Taunt.
* Ghost-type Pokemon such as Chandelure, Doublade, and Decidueye can switch into Rapid Spin, thus keeping Azelf's Stealth Rock on the field.
* Pokemon with the Defiant ability, such as Bisharp and Tornadus, are capable of switching into Pokemon that use Defog to remove Azelf's Stealth Rock, receiving an Attack boost in the process.
* Pokemon that often struggle to switch in, such as Infernape, Salazzle, and Mienshao, can all be safely brought into play after Azelf uses Explosion.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Azelf can try functioning as a sweeper and wallbreaker with Nasty Plot and has everything in its movepool to help it do so. However, Azelf's frailty and poor typing keep it from reliably setting up most of the time, and it faces competition as a specially offensive Psychic-type from Latias and Starmie.
* A set with Life Orb and three attacks with the fourth move being Stealth Rock is plausible, but it is also hard to use due to Azelf's poor bulk and typing.
* Trick can be used with a Choice item to cripple a foe, though Azelf lacks space in its movepool and will often prefer to hold Focus Sash due to its frailty.
* Azelf can opt to run dual screens with Light Clay, Explosion, and a utility or coverage move of choice, though usually it is more effective as a Stealth Rock setter with a Focus Sash.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Due to its Psychic-type, Azelf is heavily pressured by most of UU's Dark-types. Bisharp and Mega Absol can defeat Azelf with the combination of Knock Off and Sucker Punch, while Krookodile commonly holds a Choice Scarf and can outpace and KO Azelf before it can use Explosion.
**Faster Pokemon**: Despite Azelf's good Speed, it is outsped and threatened by Mega Aerodactyl and Crobat, as well as by Choice Scarf users like Mienshao and Hydreigon.
**Strong Priority**: Azelf's poor defenses leave it vulnerable to almost all relevant forms of priority. Sucker Punch from Bisharp and Mega Absol is particularly troublesome, though Entei's Extreme Speed, Scizor's Bullet Punch, and Talonflame's Gale Wings Brave Bird are also quite threatening.
**Entry Hazard Removal**: Rapid Spin and Defog users like Tentacruel, Starmie, Empoleon, and Latias can all remove Azelf's Stealth Rock with relative ease after it has fainted.
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