[Overview]
<p>Escavalier is known for its incredibly powerful STAB Megahorn and bulky defenses-- with a Choice Band, Escavalier has over 600 Attack. Nothing is switching safely into Escavalier without a Bug resistance and top-notch defensive stats, making Pokemon that can repeatedly check it truly few and far between. With good defensive stats and only a single weakness, Escavalier can take a hit and beat the majority of UU Pokemon one on one. It must rely on its bulk and power because of its terrible Speed stat. The biggest weakness of Escavalier's Bug and Steel typing is its 4x weakness to Fire-type attacks. Another flaw is its movepool; it has barely any support options and poor type-coverage, lacking any reliable Fighting- or Ground-type attacks.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Megahorn
move 2: Iron Head
move 3: Return / Double-Edge
move 4: Pursuit
item: Choice Band
ability: Swarm
nature: Adamant
evs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Def
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Escavalier shines as a bulky heavy hitter with a Choice Band equipped. The power gained from a Choice Band puts Escavalier's Attack above 600, ensuring that its 120 base power STAB Megahorns will severely dent anything switching in that does not have incredible defense and a resistance to Bug-type attacks. Because of its sheer power, Megahorn is essentially the only attack Escavalier should use outside of very special circumstances. Iron Head should be used if the opponent has some sort of bulky Fighting-, Poison-, or Ghost-type switching into the expected Megahorn. Return or Double-Edge should be used against the opponent if he or she carries a Pokemon that resists both STAB attacks, such as Zapdos or Moltres. Pursuit is an excellent tool to have in the last slot, because it allows you to remove Ghost- and Psychic-types, whom Escavalier can switch into with ease (though one should be wary of Will-O-Wisp).</p>
<p>The EVs are quite straightforward, maximizing bulk and power. The choice between Return and Double-Edge is personal preference. Double-Edge hits harder, but the recoil is definitely not welcome. If you carry Stealth Rock and have a way to keep it up, Return generally suffices against foes such as Moltres; otherwise, Double-Edge may be needed. Alternatively, Rock Smash could be used to hit Steel-types such as Cobalion and possibly 2HKO it with a lucky Defense drop.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Escavalier works amazingly well with Spikes and Stealth Rock support. Stealth Rock hits almost all Flying-type counters for heavy damage, and helps damage its grounded counters, such as Intimidate Arcanine. Spikes are always welcome, making Steel- and Fire-types think twice before switching in.</p>
<p>In general, you should carry something to deal with Escavalier's best counters. Having a Pokemon to switch into Fire-type attacks is a must. Arcanine is a really good bet, with Flash Fire and Flare Blitz to wreck the opponent. Steel-types are easier to deal with. Arcanine would also work wonders against these, specifically Registeel (though it should beware of Thunder Wave).</p>
<p>Offensively, Heracross works great with Escavalier, especially Choice Scarf variants. The sheer power of Escavalier's Megahorn will severely weaken even the strongest checks with repeated battering, leaving them unable to resist a Heracross sweep. One should be aware that this offensive strategy doubly relies on Megahorn's shaky 85 percent Accuracy.</p>
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Megahorn
move 3: Iron Head
move 4: Return
item: Leftovers
ability: Swarm
nature: Adamant
evs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Def
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set is meant to punish opponents that do not carry a Fire-type or an exceptionally powerful attacker. If the opponent loses or does not carry a Pokemon that can deal with Escavalier, then all you need to do is find a time to set up a Swords Dance and start plowing through the opponent's team until he or she runs out of Pokemon or eventually brings Escavalier down. Megahorn, Iron Head, and Return provide the best available coverage Escavalier will get with three moves.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>This set works very well with Trick Room, but a Brave nature, 0 Spe IVs, and possibly even a Life Orb should be used in that scenario. A viable alternative is to use paralysis support.</p>
<p>This set requires a teammate to switch into Fire-type attacks, should Escavalier be forced out by one. Snorlax with Whirlwind and Body Slam can make an incredible teammate, as it spreads paralysis and Stealth Rock damage to Escavalier's many counters.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Knock Off and Toxic can be used on a more defensive set, but most of Escavalier's counters are immune to Poison, commonly carrying a Steel or Poison typing. Reversal can be used to surprise Steel-types who stay in to attack you, though it is generally not going to work without a lot of luck. Focus Blast is discouraged, but if one needs to get past Steelix or Aggron, it can definitely be used.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Anything with a remotely powerful Fire-type attackcan deal with Escavalier—even a simple Hidden Power will do. Gligar walls it with Eviolite-boosted defenses and a resistance to Megahorn, though it cannot do much in return. Steel-types wall it, but they need to be careful of taking repeated Megahorns with entry hazards. Cobalion is probably the best Steel-type check, with good physical bulk and 4x resistances to both Megahorn and Stealth Rock. If Stealth Rock is kept off the field, Moltres and Zapdos work quite well.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Overcoat is practically useless, since it only stops hail damage—Escavalier is already immune to sandstorm. Swarm is much better. Escavalier can activate it by absorbing a hit or simply by switching into Stealth Rock numerous times, and the result will be almost completely unstoppable Megahorns.</p>
<p>Escavalier is known for its incredibly powerful STAB Megahorn and bulky defenses-- with a Choice Band, Escavalier has over 600 Attack. Nothing is switching safely into Escavalier without a Bug resistance and top-notch defensive stats, making Pokemon that can repeatedly check it truly few and far between. With good defensive stats and only a single weakness, Escavalier can take a hit and beat the majority of UU Pokemon one on one. It must rely on its bulk and power because of its terrible Speed stat. The biggest weakness of Escavalier's Bug and Steel typing is its 4x weakness to Fire-type attacks. Another flaw is its movepool; it has barely any support options and poor type-coverage, lacking any reliable Fighting- or Ground-type attacks.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Megahorn
move 2: Iron Head
move 3: Return / Double-Edge
move 4: Pursuit
item: Choice Band
ability: Swarm
nature: Adamant
evs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Def
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Escavalier shines as a bulky heavy hitter with a Choice Band equipped. The power gained from a Choice Band puts Escavalier's Attack above 600, ensuring that its 120 base power STAB Megahorns will severely dent anything switching in that does not have incredible defense and a resistance to Bug-type attacks. Because of its sheer power, Megahorn is essentially the only attack Escavalier should use outside of very special circumstances. Iron Head should be used if the opponent has some sort of bulky Fighting-, Poison-, or Ghost-type switching into the expected Megahorn. Return or Double-Edge should be used against the opponent if he or she carries a Pokemon that resists both STAB attacks, such as Zapdos or Moltres. Pursuit is an excellent tool to have in the last slot, because it allows you to remove Ghost- and Psychic-types, whom Escavalier can switch into with ease (though one should be wary of Will-O-Wisp).</p>
<p>The EVs are quite straightforward, maximizing bulk and power. The choice between Return and Double-Edge is personal preference. Double-Edge hits harder, but the recoil is definitely not welcome. If you carry Stealth Rock and have a way to keep it up, Return generally suffices against foes such as Moltres; otherwise, Double-Edge may be needed. Alternatively, Rock Smash could be used to hit Steel-types such as Cobalion and possibly 2HKO it with a lucky Defense drop.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Escavalier works amazingly well with Spikes and Stealth Rock support. Stealth Rock hits almost all Flying-type counters for heavy damage, and helps damage its grounded counters, such as Intimidate Arcanine. Spikes are always welcome, making Steel- and Fire-types think twice before switching in.</p>
<p>In general, you should carry something to deal with Escavalier's best counters. Having a Pokemon to switch into Fire-type attacks is a must. Arcanine is a really good bet, with Flash Fire and Flare Blitz to wreck the opponent. Steel-types are easier to deal with. Arcanine would also work wonders against these, specifically Registeel (though it should beware of Thunder Wave).</p>
<p>Offensively, Heracross works great with Escavalier, especially Choice Scarf variants. The sheer power of Escavalier's Megahorn will severely weaken even the strongest checks with repeated battering, leaving them unable to resist a Heracross sweep. One should be aware that this offensive strategy doubly relies on Megahorn's shaky 85 percent Accuracy.</p>
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Megahorn
move 3: Iron Head
move 4: Return
item: Leftovers
ability: Swarm
nature: Adamant
evs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Def
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set is meant to punish opponents that do not carry a Fire-type or an exceptionally powerful attacker. If the opponent loses or does not carry a Pokemon that can deal with Escavalier, then all you need to do is find a time to set up a Swords Dance and start plowing through the opponent's team until he or she runs out of Pokemon or eventually brings Escavalier down. Megahorn, Iron Head, and Return provide the best available coverage Escavalier will get with three moves.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>This set works very well with Trick Room, but a Brave nature, 0 Spe IVs, and possibly even a Life Orb should be used in that scenario. A viable alternative is to use paralysis support.</p>
<p>This set requires a teammate to switch into Fire-type attacks, should Escavalier be forced out by one. Snorlax with Whirlwind and Body Slam can make an incredible teammate, as it spreads paralysis and Stealth Rock damage to Escavalier's many counters.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Knock Off and Toxic can be used on a more defensive set, but most of Escavalier's counters are immune to Poison, commonly carrying a Steel or Poison typing. Reversal can be used to surprise Steel-types who stay in to attack you, though it is generally not going to work without a lot of luck. Focus Blast is discouraged, but if one needs to get past Steelix or Aggron, it can definitely be used.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Anything with a remotely powerful Fire-type attackcan deal with Escavalier—even a simple Hidden Power will do. Gligar walls it with Eviolite-boosted defenses and a resistance to Megahorn, though it cannot do much in return. Steel-types wall it, but they need to be careful of taking repeated Megahorns with entry hazards. Cobalion is probably the best Steel-type check, with good physical bulk and 4x resistances to both Megahorn and Stealth Rock. If Stealth Rock is kept off the field, Moltres and Zapdos work quite well.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Overcoat is practically useless, since it only stops hail damage—Escavalier is already immune to sandstorm. Swarm is much better. Escavalier can activate it by absorbing a hit or simply by switching into Stealth Rock numerous times, and the result will be almost completely unstoppable Megahorns.</p>