http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/azelf
PS: I know the team options needs a bit of work, give me a day or two. I'm having trouble not sounding redundant.
Stealth Rock
<p>Lead Azelf doesn't have a great deal of issues itself since its primary goal is to just set-up Stealth Rock, cause a bit of damage, and usually just Explode. That said, there are some common leads that can give Azelf some problems. Choice Scarf, Iron Head Jirachi can render Azelf useless if Azelf is flinched. Another Steel/Psychic lead that can cause Azelf difficulties is Occa Berry Metagross since Azelf will be forced to switch since with Occa Berry Azelf won't be able to beat lead Metagross one-on-one. A Fake Out Infernape can also limit Azelf's usefulness as a lead since it must choose to either set up Stealth Rock or just activate Infernape's Focus Sash and be OHKOed itself. Lead Tyranitar, particularly Choice Band varieties, inhibit Azelf substantially since it can OHKO Azelf with Pursuit, regardless of it switching, and resists its entire move set. Really, Azelf will only be able to set up Stealth Rock in the face of lead Tyranitar.</p>
<p>Lead Azelf is largely a stand-alone player and doesn't require great team support, but there are some supporting players that can help lead Azelf be more effective. A Timid Magnezone with Magnet Rise can be useful against lead Jirachi, with its 4x resistance to Iron Head, and Metagross; whom Timid Magnezone with usually outrun and can Magnet Rise before being hit with an Earthquake. Magnezone will trap both of them and will almost always beat them one-on-one. A Swampert is also a decent partner since it can usually take anything from the the leads that trouble Azelf, sans Trick from Jirachi or Explosion from Metagross.</p>
Plot Sweeper
<p>A Calm Blissey with significant special defense EV investment with Wish and Protect is capable of beating Nasty Plot, Life Orb Azelf one-on-one by utilizing Toxic and a combination of intelligently using Wish and Protect. While Snorlax can be 2HKOed by a Nasty Plot boosted Psychic, Choice Band Snorlax can OHKO with Crunch. Latias resists Azelf's entire arsenal and can either just OHKO with Draco Meteor or set up itself with Calm Mind. Without Hidden Power Fighting, Heatran resists the entire move set and can finish off Azelf with its Fire-move of choice. Scizor can switch in on anything but Flamethrower and threaten Azelf with Bullet Punch, or play mind-games with your opponent and Pursuit Azelf as it attempts to switch; although this can be risky. Similarly, Weavile can switch in on anything but Flamethrower, or Hidden Power Fighting, and threaten an OHKO with Pursuit whether Azelf switches or not, assuming Weavile is holding a Choice Band. This is also true of Choice Band Tyranitar, although Tyranitar will require a decent special defense EV investment to avoid an OHKO from a Life Orb, Nasty Plot boosted Grass Knot. Due to Azelf's frailty, Choice Scarf Pokemon are a significant threat to it since it can't take a substantial number of hits.</p>
<p>Thick Fat Hariyama is an interesting complement to Nasty Plot Azelf, being able to effectively deal with: Blissey, Snorlax, Tyranitar, Weavile, and Heatran. Hariyama's access to Force Palm with its 30% paralysis rate may also help to cripple some of the Choice Scarf Pokemon that threaten Azelf. Scizor is also an effective partner as it can neuter Latias, Weavile, and Tyranitar and can lure in Heatran to OHKO with Superpower. Scizor's ability to switch into Choice Scarf Gengar with virtual impunity and eliminate it is also a great aid to Azelf's sweep. Stealth Rock support substantially enhances Azelf's sweeping potential. Swampert is an interesting choice to set up Stealth Rock due to its ability to deal with Tyranitar, Weavile, and Heatran; and Azelf's ability to take Grass Knot without issue makes it an excellent switch-in to Swampert's nemesis, Celebi. The paralysis status can also greatly hurt Azelf's potential and so an Aromatherapy Blissey is an interesting partner and Azelf's Fighting-resistance fits nicely alongside Blissey. Blissey can similarly used Thunder Wave itself to inhibit those Choice Scarf Pokemon that threaten Azelf.</p>
Dual Screen
<p>Dual Screen Azelf doesn't have many problematic opponents in the traditional sense. The sole goal of this Azelf is to set up another Pokemon so partners to this Azelf should be centered around those Pokemon that can set up for a sweep with the defensive buffers from the screens. Notable options are Baton Pass Gliscor, Dragon Dance Salamence, and Dragon Dance Gyarados.</p>
Special Choice
<p>Most of the threats to specially based Choice Azelf are nearly identical to those of Nasty Plot Azelf; however, Blissey or Cresselia are less cumbersome due to the threat of Trick or Explosion. However, being choice-locked comes at a higher cost of being Pursuit-bait; thus, even greater caution is necessary when utilizing this Azelf.</p>
Life Orb
<p>Life Orb runs into slightly less direct counters and checks than other Azelf set due to running four unique moves, while still maintaining the ability to switch between moves. That said, many of the same threats and complements remain true for this Azelf as well. It should be noted that this Azelf works best when a team is weakened or with entry hazards supports in Stealth Rock and Spikes. This is because that the damage output from just Life Orb alone isn't enough to overcome common checks, despite the more diverse move set.</p>
Physical Choice
<p>Physical Azelf, unlike the other Azelf's listed, plays quite differently. It can be a powerful scout with a boosted U-turn or an effective revenge killer with a Choice Scarf Explosion or Zen Headbutt. However, despite playing differently, it still suffers from many of the same checks; and even brings some new ones along the way. While Snorlax, Blissey, and Cresselia are no longer substantial threats; Metagross and Bronzong are now threatening to Azelf, even if Azelf opts to run Fire Punch due to the reduced damage output against both of them when compared to Fire Blast or Flamethrower. Once again, Timid Magnezone with Magnet Rise is an excellent complement; dealing with the problematic Steel-types that give this physical Azelf so much trouble.</p>
Team Options
<p>One of the primary concerns for Azelf is its frailty. Azelf's success relies on its speed; however, with the abundance of Choice Scarf, Azelf can often be OHKOed before it even has a chance to attack. This is one of the primary reasons that paralysis support can be so effective when utilizing Azelf. Additionally, Azelf is quite powerful; however, some bulkier Pokemon can give Azelf some issues and so Stealth Rock is almost mandatory for a bit of extra residual damage; one should even consider adding Spikes into the equation.</p>
<p>Offensively, Azelf has an excellent move pool and damage potential. However, Azelf will struggle against dedicated special walls such as Blissey, Snorlax, Latias, and even Cresselia. Azelf will also find it difficult to function well when placed against a stall team due to Blissey and a defensive Ghost-type, a particular concern being Spiritomb. An excellent way to help clear the way for Azelf amongst dedicated walls and stall teams is a powerful mixed sweeper such a mixed Salamence or Dragonite who can threaten and weaken a defensive team allow Azelf to sweep. As mentioned previously, Steel-types can be a concern to some forms of Azelf and while Scizor cannot take a Flamethrower or Fire Blast, its Bullet Punch is particularly concerning. A Timid Magnezone helps substantially in removing Steel-types that can concern for Azelf. A bulky-Water type can also help Azelf since Azelf will struggle against Tyranitar, Weavile, and Heatran. </p>
<p>Defensively speaking, there aren't many concerns here since Azelf's frailty makes any defensive combination mostly moot. Obviously, complementary typing's can be helpful; but Azelf's frailty makes it a questionable partner in terms of considering defensive attributes.</p>
PS: I know the team options needs a bit of work, give me a day or two. I'm having trouble not sounding redundant.
Stealth Rock
<p>Lead Azelf doesn't have a great deal of issues itself since its primary goal is to just set-up Stealth Rock, cause a bit of damage, and usually just Explode. That said, there are some common leads that can give Azelf some problems. Choice Scarf, Iron Head Jirachi can render Azelf useless if Azelf is flinched. Another Steel/Psychic lead that can cause Azelf difficulties is Occa Berry Metagross since Azelf will be forced to switch since with Occa Berry Azelf won't be able to beat lead Metagross one-on-one. A Fake Out Infernape can also limit Azelf's usefulness as a lead since it must choose to either set up Stealth Rock or just activate Infernape's Focus Sash and be OHKOed itself. Lead Tyranitar, particularly Choice Band varieties, inhibit Azelf substantially since it can OHKO Azelf with Pursuit, regardless of it switching, and resists its entire move set. Really, Azelf will only be able to set up Stealth Rock in the face of lead Tyranitar.</p>
<p>Lead Azelf is largely a stand-alone player and doesn't require great team support, but there are some supporting players that can help lead Azelf be more effective. A Timid Magnezone with Magnet Rise can be useful against lead Jirachi, with its 4x resistance to Iron Head, and Metagross; whom Timid Magnezone with usually outrun and can Magnet Rise before being hit with an Earthquake. Magnezone will trap both of them and will almost always beat them one-on-one. A Swampert is also a decent partner since it can usually take anything from the the leads that trouble Azelf, sans Trick from Jirachi or Explosion from Metagross.</p>
Plot Sweeper
<p>A Calm Blissey with significant special defense EV investment with Wish and Protect is capable of beating Nasty Plot, Life Orb Azelf one-on-one by utilizing Toxic and a combination of intelligently using Wish and Protect. While Snorlax can be 2HKOed by a Nasty Plot boosted Psychic, Choice Band Snorlax can OHKO with Crunch. Latias resists Azelf's entire arsenal and can either just OHKO with Draco Meteor or set up itself with Calm Mind. Without Hidden Power Fighting, Heatran resists the entire move set and can finish off Azelf with its Fire-move of choice. Scizor can switch in on anything but Flamethrower and threaten Azelf with Bullet Punch, or play mind-games with your opponent and Pursuit Azelf as it attempts to switch; although this can be risky. Similarly, Weavile can switch in on anything but Flamethrower, or Hidden Power Fighting, and threaten an OHKO with Pursuit whether Azelf switches or not, assuming Weavile is holding a Choice Band. This is also true of Choice Band Tyranitar, although Tyranitar will require a decent special defense EV investment to avoid an OHKO from a Life Orb, Nasty Plot boosted Grass Knot. Due to Azelf's frailty, Choice Scarf Pokemon are a significant threat to it since it can't take a substantial number of hits.</p>
<p>Thick Fat Hariyama is an interesting complement to Nasty Plot Azelf, being able to effectively deal with: Blissey, Snorlax, Tyranitar, Weavile, and Heatran. Hariyama's access to Force Palm with its 30% paralysis rate may also help to cripple some of the Choice Scarf Pokemon that threaten Azelf. Scizor is also an effective partner as it can neuter Latias, Weavile, and Tyranitar and can lure in Heatran to OHKO with Superpower. Scizor's ability to switch into Choice Scarf Gengar with virtual impunity and eliminate it is also a great aid to Azelf's sweep. Stealth Rock support substantially enhances Azelf's sweeping potential. Swampert is an interesting choice to set up Stealth Rock due to its ability to deal with Tyranitar, Weavile, and Heatran; and Azelf's ability to take Grass Knot without issue makes it an excellent switch-in to Swampert's nemesis, Celebi. The paralysis status can also greatly hurt Azelf's potential and so an Aromatherapy Blissey is an interesting partner and Azelf's Fighting-resistance fits nicely alongside Blissey. Blissey can similarly used Thunder Wave itself to inhibit those Choice Scarf Pokemon that threaten Azelf.</p>
Dual Screen
<p>Dual Screen Azelf doesn't have many problematic opponents in the traditional sense. The sole goal of this Azelf is to set up another Pokemon so partners to this Azelf should be centered around those Pokemon that can set up for a sweep with the defensive buffers from the screens. Notable options are Baton Pass Gliscor, Dragon Dance Salamence, and Dragon Dance Gyarados.</p>
Special Choice
<p>Most of the threats to specially based Choice Azelf are nearly identical to those of Nasty Plot Azelf; however, Blissey or Cresselia are less cumbersome due to the threat of Trick or Explosion. However, being choice-locked comes at a higher cost of being Pursuit-bait; thus, even greater caution is necessary when utilizing this Azelf.</p>
Life Orb
<p>Life Orb runs into slightly less direct counters and checks than other Azelf set due to running four unique moves, while still maintaining the ability to switch between moves. That said, many of the same threats and complements remain true for this Azelf as well. It should be noted that this Azelf works best when a team is weakened or with entry hazards supports in Stealth Rock and Spikes. This is because that the damage output from just Life Orb alone isn't enough to overcome common checks, despite the more diverse move set.</p>
Physical Choice
<p>Physical Azelf, unlike the other Azelf's listed, plays quite differently. It can be a powerful scout with a boosted U-turn or an effective revenge killer with a Choice Scarf Explosion or Zen Headbutt. However, despite playing differently, it still suffers from many of the same checks; and even brings some new ones along the way. While Snorlax, Blissey, and Cresselia are no longer substantial threats; Metagross and Bronzong are now threatening to Azelf, even if Azelf opts to run Fire Punch due to the reduced damage output against both of them when compared to Fire Blast or Flamethrower. Once again, Timid Magnezone with Magnet Rise is an excellent complement; dealing with the problematic Steel-types that give this physical Azelf so much trouble.</p>
Team Options
<p>One of the primary concerns for Azelf is its frailty. Azelf's success relies on its speed; however, with the abundance of Choice Scarf, Azelf can often be OHKOed before it even has a chance to attack. This is one of the primary reasons that paralysis support can be so effective when utilizing Azelf. Additionally, Azelf is quite powerful; however, some bulkier Pokemon can give Azelf some issues and so Stealth Rock is almost mandatory for a bit of extra residual damage; one should even consider adding Spikes into the equation.</p>
<p>Offensively, Azelf has an excellent move pool and damage potential. However, Azelf will struggle against dedicated special walls such as Blissey, Snorlax, Latias, and even Cresselia. Azelf will also find it difficult to function well when placed against a stall team due to Blissey and a defensive Ghost-type, a particular concern being Spiritomb. An excellent way to help clear the way for Azelf amongst dedicated walls and stall teams is a powerful mixed sweeper such a mixed Salamence or Dragonite who can threaten and weaken a defensive team allow Azelf to sweep. As mentioned previously, Steel-types can be a concern to some forms of Azelf and while Scizor cannot take a Flamethrower or Fire Blast, its Bullet Punch is particularly concerning. A Timid Magnezone helps substantially in removing Steel-types that can concern for Azelf. A bulky-Water type can also help Azelf since Azelf will struggle against Tyranitar, Weavile, and Heatran. </p>
<p>Defensively speaking, there aren't many concerns here since Azelf's frailty makes any defensive combination mostly moot. Obviously, complementary typing's can be helpful; but Azelf's frailty makes it a questionable partner in terms of considering defensive attributes.</p>
