[OVERVIEW]
Landorus has nice offensive stats, a powerful STAB move that can be boosted further by Life Orb and Sand Force, and a great movepool. Thanks to its decent Special Attack and access to STAB Earth Power, Landorus is a great wallbreaker capable of OHKOing common Steel- and Fire-types such as Aegislash and Heatran. However, Landorus is easily checked by Pokemon that resist or are immune to Ground, which are pretty common in VGC. Because it is not fast and rather frail, it is easily revenge killed, so it needs a lot of support to work well. Moreover,Landorus is weak to common offensive types such as Water and Ice.
[SET]
name: Mixed Attacker
move 1: Earth Power
move 2: Hidden Power Ice
move 3: Stone Edge
move 4: Protect
item: Life Orb
ability: Sand Force
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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Earth Power is Landorus's most powerful Ground-type STAB move, OHKOing Pokemon such as Heatran and Aegislash and threatening any other Pokemon that does not resist it. It also is a single-target move, so it is not blocked by Wide Guard from the likes of Aegislash. Hidden Power Ice OHKOes Flying-types such as Mega Salamence and Landorus-T, which can easily switch in on Earth Power. Stone Edge OHKOes Pokemon that take neutral damage from Hidden Power Ice and are immune to Ground-type moves, such as Mega Charizard Y and Talonflame; the miss chance can be annoying, though. Protect allows Landorus to avoid Fake Out and super effective moves, scout for the foe's move, and stall out Tailwind and Trick Room.
Set Details
========
Full Special Attack investment is run to maximize Landorus's Special Attack, while maximum Speed EVs and a Timid nature allow it to be as fast as possible. Life Orb increases the power of its attacks, while Sand Force increases the power of Earth Power and Stone Edge under sand.
Usage Tips
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Landorus is a great wallbreaker and works well as a late-game sweeper, as few Pokemon can switch into a Life Orb-boosted Earth Power. Landorus does not fare well against Eletric-type Pokemon such as Mega Manectric and Thundurus, which usually carry Hidden Power Ice, and Rotom-W, which carries Hydro Pump. It is also not very fast and cannot take a lot of hits.
Team Options
========
Steel-types such as Mega Metagross, Scizor, and Aegislash help against Ice-type Pokemon. Tyranitar can also deal with Ice-type Pokemon, and it can set sand to activate Sand Force and replace Politoed's rain. Users of redirection moves such as Amoonguss can help Landorus attack without taking a hit. Pokemon with Icy Wind or Thunder Wave can slow down the opponent's Pokemon, helping with Landorus's low Speed. Mega Kangaskhan's Fake Out helps Landorus avoid one attack, while Landorus can deal with Aegislash in return. Grass-type Pokemon such as Ferrothorn, Virizion, and Mega Venusaur can take Water-type moves. Zapdos and Thundurus are good partners too, as the former can set up Tailwind and the latter offers Thunder Wave support, both of which make up for Landorus's lackluster Speed. Other Pokemon with Tailwind such as Talonflame and Pokemon that can deal with Ice- and Water-type moves such as Rotom-W are also pretty good partners.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Sludge Bomb threatens Fairy-type Pokemon, which can usually take Earth Power well thanks to their high Special Defense. Focus Blast can be used to OHKO Mega Kangaskhan, Ferrothorn, and Heatran, while Psychic threatens Fighting-types and Pokemon such as Amoonguss and Venusaur, which take little damage from Earth Power. Rock Slide is a more accurate alternative to Stone Edge, but it is less powerful and can blocked by Wide Guard. Knock Off is helpful to threaten bulky Pokemon immune to Ground, such as Cresselia. Expert Belt increases the power of Landorus's super effective moves without inflicting recoil.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Water- and Ice-type Moves**: Rotom-W can easily take any hit from Landorus thanks to Levitate and its typing and can KO it back with Hydro Pump. Suicune, Milotic, and Jellicent take little damage from Landorus's Earth Power and can KO it with Ice Beam, Scald, or Hydro Pump, with the last also being able to set up Trick Room. Politoed sets up rain for Swift Swim sweepers, which can outspeed and KO Landorus. Most Electric-type Pokemon such as Mega Manectric and Thundurus can KO Landorus with Hidden Power Ice.
**Priority Move Users and Faster Pokemon**: Mamoswine can easily OHKO Landorus with Ice Shard, and Choice Band Talonflame can KO it after some chip damage. Faster Pokemon such as Mega Salamence can easily outspeed Landorus and KO it.
**Trick Room**: Trick Room users such as Jellicent and Cresselia can attack before Landorus and KO it due to its mediocre bulk; in particular, Cresselia counters Landorus and KOes it with Ice Beam.
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