[SET]
name: Wannabe Jirachi
move 1: Wish
move 2: Zen Headbutt
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Reflect / Light Screen
item: Leftovers
ability: Synchronize
nature: Jolly
evs: 248 HP / 44 Def / 216 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Playing similarly to the Wish / U-turn Jirachi set, this Xatu focuses on team support by either passing Wish or setting up a screen. Xatu's useful typing allows it to take Close Combats from Hitmonlee or Hitmontop and hit them back with Zen Headbutt. With the aid of either Reflect or Light Screen, Xatu is able to more easily pass Wish. The combination of a screen and Wish allows another member of the team to set up more easily. Unlike Jirachi, Xatu does not enjoy taking a hit due to its rather low defenses. For this reason, Xatu invests in Speed so it can U-turn away from a dangerous opponent before being hit. Protect can be used in place of either of the screens in the last slot in order to guarantee that Xatu lives long enough to receive Wish.</p>
<p>248 HP EVs are used instead of maximum HP so that Xatu can switch into Stealth Rock one extra time without healing, if the need presents itself. Almost maximum HP coupled with 44 Def EVs allow Xatu to take a few hits while fulfilling its role. With a Jolly nature and 216 Spe EVs, Xatu reaches a Speed stat of 308, achieving a bonus point and outspeeding anything up to Pokemon with base 90 Speed and a boosting nature.</p>
[SET]
name: Special Choice
move 1: Psychic
move 2: Shadow Ball
move 3: Heat Wave
move 4: Trick / Grass Knot
item: Choice Specs
ability: Synchronize
nature: Timid
evs: 40 HP / 252 SpA / 216 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set takes full advantage of Xatu's base 95 Speed and Special Attack by putting it on the offensive. Psychic is Xatu's most reliable form of attack, due to STAB and its high base power. The remaining slots are reserved for attacks that deal with those Pokemon that resists Psychic. Shadow Ball hits Grumpig and Hypno; however, it only 3HKOes the latter. Heat Wave deals a minimum of 70% to max HP / SpD Careful Steelix. Trick can be used in the last slot in order to cripple those bulky Pokemon wishing to switch into Xatu's attacks. Grass Knot allows Xatu to OHKO Quagsire and has a 66% chance to OHKO standard Gastrodon when factoring in Stealth Rock. Hidden Power Fighting can be used in the last slot in order to hit Bastiodon, Probopass, and Aggron harder.</p>
<p>The EVs for this set are relatively straightfoward. Max Special Attack allows Xatu to deal the most damage possible, while 216 Spe and a Timid nature give Xatu an extra stat point at 308. The remaining EVs are placed into HP so Xatu can more easily switch in using its 4x resistance to Fighting-type attacks; note, however, that many Fighting-type Pokemon also carry attacks that Xatu is weak to, mostly Stone Edge and Dark-type attacks. Xatu can use Choice Scarf, allowing it to get the jump on faster opponents, but the severe drop in power might be too detrimental to the set's success.</p>
[SET]
name: Status Shifter
move 1: Psycho Shift
move 2: Night Shade
move 3: Rest
move 4: Sleep Talk
item: Flame Orb
ability: Early Bird
nature: Bold
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>With this set, Xatu is able to counter a number of Pokemon that would not be countered by a normal Xatu set. Xatu's ability, Early Bird, allows it to awake from sleep one turn earlier, meaning Rest allows Xatu to cure itself from status and restore itself to full health with only one turn of sleep. Psycho Shift gives Xatu the ability to swap burn or sleep status onto the opponent, depending on Xatu's current status affliction. Burning an opponent means that Xatu can more efficiently take hits due to a health EV investment in HP and Defense. Xatu proves to be a reliable counter to Muk and Hitmontop that lack Stone Edge, if it manages to Psycho Shift burn onto them. Night Shade deals consistent damage to non-Normal-type Pokemon.</p>
<p>Xatu must exercise caution when finding itself facing a Pokemon with strong special attacks. Fire Pokemon are reliable counters to this set, due to their immunity to burn. Pokemon with recovery also prove troublesome to this set.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Night Shade is Xatu's best option for dealing consistent damage to a wide range of opponents. Thunder Wave provides always-useful paralysis and could net Xatu a free turn with the aid of Zen Headbutt's flinch rate. Quick Attack and Sucker Punch are two priority options that allow Xatu to finish off Pokemon with low health, although their use is rather limited. Drill Peck could be used on a comedy Choice Band set or as a stronger option against Hitmontop and Hitmonlee. Roost gives Xatu the ability to instantly replenish half of its health while removing its Flying-type; however, Wish is usually the superior option due to its ability to support the team. Tailwind boosts the Speed of your team for five turns; but because Xatu uses one turn to set up Tailwind and another to switch to another Pokemon, there are really only three turns available to utilize the Speed boosting effect. Signal Beam allows Xatu to hit Psychic-types and Grass-types with the use of only one move.</p>
[EVs]
<p>A majority of Xatu sets simply utilize 216 Speed EVs in order to outspeed Pokemon with 90 base Speed and a boosting nature. The remaining EVs are apportioned to HP and Defense on the Wannabe Jirachi set and Special Attack on the Choice Specs set. The Status Shifter set uses max HP / Defense to take hits more efficiently with the aid of burn.</p>
[Opinion]
<p>Xatu can be defined as a niche Pokemon. Due to its mediocre stats and somewhat shallow offensive movepool, it is generally forgotten about. However, it has the access to Wish, an advantage that separates it from other Pokemon. Xatu's x4 resistance to Fighting allows it to switch in against Hitmonlee and Hitmontop and scare them away with the possibility of STAB Psychic-type attacks. Xatu's decent Speed and Special Attack give it some sweeping potential, but Xatu's ability to disrupt the opponent is its main strength.</p>
[Counters]
<p>Grumpig and Hypno both counter Xatu fairly well, but need to be wary of Choice Specs Shadow Ball. They both take little damage from Xatu's other attacks and can wear Xatu down with repeated Seismic Tosses or Signal Beams. Steelix is a good counter to the physical set due to its high defense and resistances to Psychic and Bug. Steelix also has the ability to set up Stealth Rock and Roar Xatu, disrupting any Wish-passing schemes and dealing Stealth Rock damage. Due to Xatu's low defenses, faster Pokemon with super effective attacks, such as Frosslass and Manectric, can easily dispose of it. Scarf Sharpedo is able to switch in on Zen Headbutt, Psychic, Shadow Ball, or Heat Wave and KO Xatu with Crunch. The Rock / Steel types of UU, Bastiodon, Aggron, and Probopass, take little damage from Xatu's attacks and can strike back with Rock-type attacks. However, they need to avoid the rare Hidden Power Fighting.</p>
name: Wannabe Jirachi
move 1: Wish
move 2: Zen Headbutt
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Reflect / Light Screen
item: Leftovers
ability: Synchronize
nature: Jolly
evs: 248 HP / 44 Def / 216 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Playing similarly to the Wish / U-turn Jirachi set, this Xatu focuses on team support by either passing Wish or setting up a screen. Xatu's useful typing allows it to take Close Combats from Hitmonlee or Hitmontop and hit them back with Zen Headbutt. With the aid of either Reflect or Light Screen, Xatu is able to more easily pass Wish. The combination of a screen and Wish allows another member of the team to set up more easily. Unlike Jirachi, Xatu does not enjoy taking a hit due to its rather low defenses. For this reason, Xatu invests in Speed so it can U-turn away from a dangerous opponent before being hit. Protect can be used in place of either of the screens in the last slot in order to guarantee that Xatu lives long enough to receive Wish.</p>
<p>248 HP EVs are used instead of maximum HP so that Xatu can switch into Stealth Rock one extra time without healing, if the need presents itself. Almost maximum HP coupled with 44 Def EVs allow Xatu to take a few hits while fulfilling its role. With a Jolly nature and 216 Spe EVs, Xatu reaches a Speed stat of 308, achieving a bonus point and outspeeding anything up to Pokemon with base 90 Speed and a boosting nature.</p>
[SET]
name: Special Choice
move 1: Psychic
move 2: Shadow Ball
move 3: Heat Wave
move 4: Trick / Grass Knot
item: Choice Specs
ability: Synchronize
nature: Timid
evs: 40 HP / 252 SpA / 216 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set takes full advantage of Xatu's base 95 Speed and Special Attack by putting it on the offensive. Psychic is Xatu's most reliable form of attack, due to STAB and its high base power. The remaining slots are reserved for attacks that deal with those Pokemon that resists Psychic. Shadow Ball hits Grumpig and Hypno; however, it only 3HKOes the latter. Heat Wave deals a minimum of 70% to max HP / SpD Careful Steelix. Trick can be used in the last slot in order to cripple those bulky Pokemon wishing to switch into Xatu's attacks. Grass Knot allows Xatu to OHKO Quagsire and has a 66% chance to OHKO standard Gastrodon when factoring in Stealth Rock. Hidden Power Fighting can be used in the last slot in order to hit Bastiodon, Probopass, and Aggron harder.</p>
<p>The EVs for this set are relatively straightfoward. Max Special Attack allows Xatu to deal the most damage possible, while 216 Spe and a Timid nature give Xatu an extra stat point at 308. The remaining EVs are placed into HP so Xatu can more easily switch in using its 4x resistance to Fighting-type attacks; note, however, that many Fighting-type Pokemon also carry attacks that Xatu is weak to, mostly Stone Edge and Dark-type attacks. Xatu can use Choice Scarf, allowing it to get the jump on faster opponents, but the severe drop in power might be too detrimental to the set's success.</p>
[SET]
name: Status Shifter
move 1: Psycho Shift
move 2: Night Shade
move 3: Rest
move 4: Sleep Talk
item: Flame Orb
ability: Early Bird
nature: Bold
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>With this set, Xatu is able to counter a number of Pokemon that would not be countered by a normal Xatu set. Xatu's ability, Early Bird, allows it to awake from sleep one turn earlier, meaning Rest allows Xatu to cure itself from status and restore itself to full health with only one turn of sleep. Psycho Shift gives Xatu the ability to swap burn or sleep status onto the opponent, depending on Xatu's current status affliction. Burning an opponent means that Xatu can more efficiently take hits due to a health EV investment in HP and Defense. Xatu proves to be a reliable counter to Muk and Hitmontop that lack Stone Edge, if it manages to Psycho Shift burn onto them. Night Shade deals consistent damage to non-Normal-type Pokemon.</p>
<p>Xatu must exercise caution when finding itself facing a Pokemon with strong special attacks. Fire Pokemon are reliable counters to this set, due to their immunity to burn. Pokemon with recovery also prove troublesome to this set.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Night Shade is Xatu's best option for dealing consistent damage to a wide range of opponents. Thunder Wave provides always-useful paralysis and could net Xatu a free turn with the aid of Zen Headbutt's flinch rate. Quick Attack and Sucker Punch are two priority options that allow Xatu to finish off Pokemon with low health, although their use is rather limited. Drill Peck could be used on a comedy Choice Band set or as a stronger option against Hitmontop and Hitmonlee. Roost gives Xatu the ability to instantly replenish half of its health while removing its Flying-type; however, Wish is usually the superior option due to its ability to support the team. Tailwind boosts the Speed of your team for five turns; but because Xatu uses one turn to set up Tailwind and another to switch to another Pokemon, there are really only three turns available to utilize the Speed boosting effect. Signal Beam allows Xatu to hit Psychic-types and Grass-types with the use of only one move.</p>
[EVs]
<p>A majority of Xatu sets simply utilize 216 Speed EVs in order to outspeed Pokemon with 90 base Speed and a boosting nature. The remaining EVs are apportioned to HP and Defense on the Wannabe Jirachi set and Special Attack on the Choice Specs set. The Status Shifter set uses max HP / Defense to take hits more efficiently with the aid of burn.</p>
[Opinion]
<p>Xatu can be defined as a niche Pokemon. Due to its mediocre stats and somewhat shallow offensive movepool, it is generally forgotten about. However, it has the access to Wish, an advantage that separates it from other Pokemon. Xatu's x4 resistance to Fighting allows it to switch in against Hitmonlee and Hitmontop and scare them away with the possibility of STAB Psychic-type attacks. Xatu's decent Speed and Special Attack give it some sweeping potential, but Xatu's ability to disrupt the opponent is its main strength.</p>
[Counters]
<p>Grumpig and Hypno both counter Xatu fairly well, but need to be wary of Choice Specs Shadow Ball. They both take little damage from Xatu's other attacks and can wear Xatu down with repeated Seismic Tosses or Signal Beams. Steelix is a good counter to the physical set due to its high defense and resistances to Psychic and Bug. Steelix also has the ability to set up Stealth Rock and Roar Xatu, disrupting any Wish-passing schemes and dealing Stealth Rock damage. Due to Xatu's low defenses, faster Pokemon with super effective attacks, such as Frosslass and Manectric, can easily dispose of it. Scarf Sharpedo is able to switch in on Zen Headbutt, Psychic, Shadow Ball, or Heat Wave and KO Xatu with Crunch. The Rock / Steel types of UU, Bastiodon, Aggron, and Probopass, take little damage from Xatu's attacks and can strike back with Rock-type attacks. However, they need to avoid the rare Hidden Power Fighting.</p>
