Hi, CAP.
I'll be writing the analysis for what I consider the single greatest Stratagem to ever hit the streets, the All-Out Attacker. I have used this set to extreme success in my most recent RMT located here, and it was so successful that it was requested of me to make it into a set for the on-site analysis. Hope you guys enjoy it!
Stratagem
[SET]
name: All-Out Attacker
move 1: AncientPower
move 2: Flamethrower / Fire Blast
move 3: Giga Drain
move 4: Earth Power / Vacuum Wave
item: Life Orb
ability: Technician
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
<p>Stratagem is the perfect all-out attacker with its perfect type coverage, phenomenally well-distributed stats, blistering Speed, and ability to single-handedly sweep over half the metagame. This set forfeits a boosting move for the perfect type coverage given by running four attacks and the ability to immediately attack once out and 2HKO virtually everything. It is quite literally impossible to switch into this set and avoid a 2HKO unless you are a dedicated special wall.</p>
<p>This set is marked by its four attacks, each there for a specific subset of the Pokemon Stratagem will wind up facing down. AncientPower is a fierce STAB attack and Stratagem's preferred option with Technician, hitting everything that's neutral to it extremely hard. Flamethrower and Giga Drain combine to hit all of the types that resist AncientPower for super effective damage. Fire Blast can be used over Flamethrower for the ability to OHKO Jirachi and Bronzong, but the lower accuracy coupled with Stratagem's inability to take hits well makes Flamethrower the better choice. The last slot is given to either Earth Power or Vacuum Wave, both having distinct advantages and disadvantages. Earth Power is a great option for OHKOing Heatran that lack a Choice Scarf and Empoleon, while a Technician-boosted Vacuum Wave allows you to pick off weakened Choice Scarf Heatran and revenge KO Pokemon such as Agility Lucario and Agility Empoleon. Vacuum Wave also allows you to take down weakened users of opposing priority moves from the likes of Infernape, Breloom, Empoleon, Metagross, and Scizor, all of whom normally beat Stratagem.</p>
<p>This Stratagem uses Technician to maximize the damage output from its attacking moves. The secondary effects of Giga Drain and AncientPower are invaluable, and Giga Drain's life restoration can both save Stratagem from some KOes and offset Life Orb recoil. Also, since this Stratagem is used on very offensive teams and has a tendency to come in after another Pokemon on its team has fainted or after a U-turn, it doesn't need Levitate for switching in. Furthermore, if Stratagem obtains an AncientPower boost, it will OHKO most of the metagame. Life Orb is a given on this set, as Stratagem needs the damage boost and ability to switch between its attacks. The EV spread is chosen to maximize Stratagem's Speed and Special Attack stats, with a Timid nature to ensure that it's as fast as possible to tie with Pokemon like Jolteon.</p>
<p>The best partners of this Stratagem are those that can tear down the special wall, Blissey, when she rears her ugly head to stop Stratagem. Choice Band Tyranitar is the best option for this, as it doesn't particularly mind anything Blissey can do and will destroy it with Pursuit. The sandstorm boost also makes Stratagem slightly more difficult to take down with special attacks. Gyarados makes an excellent Pokemon to pair with Stratagem as well for its ability to come in on Scizor's Bullet Punch, Jirachi's Iron Head, Infernape's Mach Punch, or any of the Fighting- and Ground-type attacks aimed at Stratagem and setup on them all. This Stratagem also greatly appreciates the presence of Stealth Rock and Spikes for their ability to put the opponent into a checkmate position where they lose if they switch and lose if they stay in. Azelf is a good offensive Stealth Rock user to pair with Stratagem as it can use Explosion to get Stratagem in early and scout for the opponent's initial response. Specially defensive Skarmory makes an excellent teammate for Spikes support, being able to come in on many of the attacks that Stratagem will lure and setup on them. Skarmory can also scout the opponent's team with Whirlwind, seeing if there's anything that might threaten Stratagem. Lastly, as this Stratagem really can't take hits very well, it appreciates as many free switch-ins as possible. Scizor makes a superb teammate for its bulky offensive style, sheer power, slow U-turns that can give Stratagem the switches it needs, and ability to plow through Blissey when needed.</p>
I'll be writing the analysis for what I consider the single greatest Stratagem to ever hit the streets, the All-Out Attacker. I have used this set to extreme success in my most recent RMT located here, and it was so successful that it was requested of me to make it into a set for the on-site analysis. Hope you guys enjoy it!
Stratagem
[SET]
name: All-Out Attacker
move 1: AncientPower
move 2: Flamethrower / Fire Blast
move 3: Giga Drain
move 4: Earth Power / Vacuum Wave
item: Life Orb
ability: Technician
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
<p>Stratagem is the perfect all-out attacker with its perfect type coverage, phenomenally well-distributed stats, blistering Speed, and ability to single-handedly sweep over half the metagame. This set forfeits a boosting move for the perfect type coverage given by running four attacks and the ability to immediately attack once out and 2HKO virtually everything. It is quite literally impossible to switch into this set and avoid a 2HKO unless you are a dedicated special wall.</p>
<p>This set is marked by its four attacks, each there for a specific subset of the Pokemon Stratagem will wind up facing down. AncientPower is a fierce STAB attack and Stratagem's preferred option with Technician, hitting everything that's neutral to it extremely hard. Flamethrower and Giga Drain combine to hit all of the types that resist AncientPower for super effective damage. Fire Blast can be used over Flamethrower for the ability to OHKO Jirachi and Bronzong, but the lower accuracy coupled with Stratagem's inability to take hits well makes Flamethrower the better choice. The last slot is given to either Earth Power or Vacuum Wave, both having distinct advantages and disadvantages. Earth Power is a great option for OHKOing Heatran that lack a Choice Scarf and Empoleon, while a Technician-boosted Vacuum Wave allows you to pick off weakened Choice Scarf Heatran and revenge KO Pokemon such as Agility Lucario and Agility Empoleon. Vacuum Wave also allows you to take down weakened users of opposing priority moves from the likes of Infernape, Breloom, Empoleon, Metagross, and Scizor, all of whom normally beat Stratagem.</p>
<p>This Stratagem uses Technician to maximize the damage output from its attacking moves. The secondary effects of Giga Drain and AncientPower are invaluable, and Giga Drain's life restoration can both save Stratagem from some KOes and offset Life Orb recoil. Also, since this Stratagem is used on very offensive teams and has a tendency to come in after another Pokemon on its team has fainted or after a U-turn, it doesn't need Levitate for switching in. Furthermore, if Stratagem obtains an AncientPower boost, it will OHKO most of the metagame. Life Orb is a given on this set, as Stratagem needs the damage boost and ability to switch between its attacks. The EV spread is chosen to maximize Stratagem's Speed and Special Attack stats, with a Timid nature to ensure that it's as fast as possible to tie with Pokemon like Jolteon.</p>
<p>The best partners of this Stratagem are those that can tear down the special wall, Blissey, when she rears her ugly head to stop Stratagem. Choice Band Tyranitar is the best option for this, as it doesn't particularly mind anything Blissey can do and will destroy it with Pursuit. The sandstorm boost also makes Stratagem slightly more difficult to take down with special attacks. Gyarados makes an excellent Pokemon to pair with Stratagem as well for its ability to come in on Scizor's Bullet Punch, Jirachi's Iron Head, Infernape's Mach Punch, or any of the Fighting- and Ground-type attacks aimed at Stratagem and setup on them all. This Stratagem also greatly appreciates the presence of Stealth Rock and Spikes for their ability to put the opponent into a checkmate position where they lose if they switch and lose if they stay in. Azelf is a good offensive Stealth Rock user to pair with Stratagem as it can use Explosion to get Stratagem in early and scout for the opponent's initial response. Specially defensive Skarmory makes an excellent teammate for Spikes support, being able to come in on many of the attacks that Stratagem will lure and setup on them. Skarmory can also scout the opponent's team with Whirlwind, seeing if there's anything that might threaten Stratagem. Lastly, as this Stratagem really can't take hits very well, it appreciates as many free switch-ins as possible. Scizor makes a superb teammate for its bulky offensive style, sheer power, slow U-turns that can give Stratagem the switches it needs, and ability to plow through Blissey when needed.</p>
