[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Low Kick / Superpower
move 3: Flare Blitz
move 4: ThunderPunch / Stone Edge / Quick Attack
item: Life Orb
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
<p>Though the common mixed Blaziken is considered a wallbreaker, almost all UU stall teams will carry one of its counters, such as Milotic, Altaria, or Hariyama. However, this Blaziken uses Swords Dance to boost its attack to sky-high levels, allowing it to OHKO all of its usual counters and run through unprepared stall teams.</p>
<p>Low Kick is Blaziken's main STAB move, OHKOing many walls (if Stealth Rock is on the field) without any drawbacks. However, Superpower is another option that can OHKO Milotic and defensive Altaria, as well as have a chance to OHKO Donphan with Stealth Rock down (in exchange for the Attack and Defense drop). Superpower will always OHKO 252 HP / 252 Def Milotic, and 252 HP / 40 Def Altaria will take a minimum of 77.68% from a resisted Superpower, which is a guaranteed OHKO with Stealth Rock down. Even after the stat drops, Blaziken will have a +1 boost under its belt and a clear path to sweep.</p>
<p>The secondary STAB move is a choice between Fire Punch and Flare Blitz. While Flare Blitz may sound like a dangerous choice for this set because of its terrible side effect, its sole purpose is to grab the OHKO on bulkier Pokemon like Spiritomb, Uxie, and Claydol. On the other hand, Fire Punch provides a safer option without any negative side effects.</p>
<p>The final slot comes down to three choices depending on a team's needs. Firstly, ThunderPunch comes in handy when faced with a defensive Slowbro, as it deals 73.15% - 88.83% and has a 7.69% chance to OHKO with Stealth Rock down after a single boost. Secondly, Stone Edge is a nice move to hit Altaria and Moltres without resorting to Superpower and having Blaziken's Attack and Defense drop. Lastly, Quick Attack provides Blaziken a way to hit faster Pokemon such as Dugtrio and Sceptile. To illustrate the damage output of a boosted Quick Attack, here are some damage calculations:</p>
<p>Damage Calculations</p>
<ul class=”damage_calculation”>
<li>+2 Quick Attack vs min HP / min Def Dugtrio - 96.68% - 113.74%</li>
<li>+2 Quick Attack vs min HP / min Def Sceptile - 59.43% - 70.11%</li>
<li>+2 Quick Attack vs min HP / min Def Espeon - 65.68% - 77.49%</li>
</ul>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>A Jolly nature is an alternative to outpace Pokemon who linger around the base 80 Speed tier, most notably neutral-natured Venusaur, Nidoking, Kabutops, Toxicroak, and other Blaziken. However, the decrease in power means Blaziken loses out on a guaranteed OHKO on Altaria with Stealth Rock down (Superpower and Flare Blitz both do a minimum of 70.90%).</p>
<p>Blaziken fits nicely on "spike stacking" offensive teams that use both Stealth Rock and Spikes. Stealth Rock and at least two layers of Spikes gives Blaziken a higher chance to OHKO Slowbro with ThunderPunch, as well as Dugtrio and Sceptile with Quick Attack. Another way to improve Blaziken's sweep is to spread paralysis around the opponent's team. Uxie and Mesprit are great candidates for this due to their natural bulk and ability to set up Stealth Rock.</p>
<p>Blaziken usually has trouble dealing with flinch and priority users. Ambipom is a nuisance because it has Fake Out to deal damage, as well as Return to follow up on a 2HKO upon Blaziken. Hitmontop also has Fake Out and Mach Punch to reduce Blaziken's HP. Azumarill can threaten Blaziken with STAB Aqua Jet, while Blaziken can't even muster a 2HKO with a boosted Quick Attack. On a balanced team, Weezing makes an exceptional partner to Blaziken when it comes to handling these threats, as it can use Will-O-Wisp as well as lure in Chansey to give Blaziken a good opportunity to get a free Swords Dance boost. Cloyster fits in with Blaziken due to its ability to set up Spikes while scaring away Azumarill. However, from an offensive standpoint, Choice Scarf Rotom makes an exceptional partner because it is immune to most priority moves, and can threaten foes with STAB Thunderbolt.</p>
<p>On an offensive team, Curse Registeel makes an excellent partner because Blaziken can lure in and defeat Milotic, Altaria, and Weezing—all three are common Haze users. With Haze users out of the picture, Registeel can stack Curse boosts rather easily without having its precious boosts removed. Feraligatr also makes a good partner because it shares many counters with Blaziken and appreciates having them significantly weakened or KOed.</p>