Alakazam (Dual Screens) [QC Rejected 1/3]

danilo

danilo

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[SET]
name:Dual Screens
move 1: Light Screen
move 2: Reflect
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Encore/Psychic
item:Light Clay
ability:Magic Guard
nature:Timid
evs: 112 HP/ 252SPE/ 144 DEF

Why this set should be on site:
-Since Deoxys-S is gone, this set can now thrive!
-With Deoxys-S banned from OU, Alakazam is now the fastest dual screener.
-Only Dual Screener with access to Encore, which sets it apart from Azelf.
-Very good on hyper offensive teams due to the immediate support it provides.
-Magic Guard is an incredible ability on a Dual Screener because it results in the increased longevity of Alakazam.
-Useful for providing immediate support which is a liability on a Baton Pass team.
-Fast Taunt prevents Paralyzation and entry hazards.

Additional Comments
-evs are very simple. Max speed is needed to make sure that Alakazam can set up a screening right before taking a hit, and then set up another screen. The defense and hp evs are necessary to take Choice Banded Scizor's Bullet Punch 100% of time.
-Light Screen and Reflect are useful for allowing sweepers like Volcarona and Cloyster to set up more freely.
-Taunt is to prevent hazards and status.
-Encore is a move that makes Alakazam special. It's not uncommon for an opposing pokemon to try and boost its stats while you are setting up screens. Encore allows you to allow the opposing pokemon to continue boosting stats while you either switch out into an appropriate counter, or you continue to set up screens.
-Psychic is a reliable STAB move that Alakazam has in it's arsenal.
-Since most people expect Alakazam to be an offensive variant, they are often surprised as you set up a screen as they switch out their pokemon because they're fearing a powerful attack.
-In addition to being a very productive member of a hyper offensive team, Alakazam is also useful on a Baton Pass team because Baton Pass teams often find that they need screens in order to effectively set up a Shell Smash.
-Alakazam also out speeds Choice Scarfed Tyranitar, which means that it can set up a Reflect, take a Crunch, and then set up a Light Screen.
Teammates and Counters
-Gengar can destroy Alakazam if it's not running Psychic.
-Prankster Sableye shuts down this set with it's priority Taunt.
-Scizor can can U-Turn and Bullet Punch Alakazam to death, while Alakazam can't do much in return.
-Latios can defeat Alakazam with it's powerful Draco Meteor
-Volcarona is a good partner because it appreciates the lack of Stealth Rock on your side of the field, and it loves the screens that Alakazam provides.
-Cloyster loves Dual Screening Alakazam for the same reason Volcarona does.

Other Options
-Recover is about the only other viable option as it allows Alakazam to live a little longer. Unfortunately, Alakazam would much rather have all of the moves previously mentioned, as opposed to Recover.
 
I would go with 112 HP / 144 Def / 252 Spe. This lets Alakazam survive Scizor's Bullet Punch 100% of the time.

Also mention that Alakazam is faster than ScarfTar, allowing Zam to set up Reflect, take a Crunch, and then set up Light Screen. This is really the only advantage Zam has over Azelf, who has much better bulk.
 
Thanks Pocket, I was really looking for a more effective ev spread since I'm not great with those sorts of things. I'm about to add what you said.
 
Slash HP Fire with Encore/Psychic. It doesn't even need evs to OHKO basic CB Scizor and Its obviously worth a slot since Scizor is the main counter to this set.
 
I feel that those are like super duper inferior to Encore just cause Encore is so good on this set. I'll test HP Fire tomorrow, though.
 
Although it is illegal with Magic Guard, would Counter be a viable choice? If Alakazam can always survive a Bullet Punch with this EV spread, he can Counter it back and KO Scizor, removing him from the rest of the match. It also works for other physical attackers.
 
I kind of mentioned that in the beginning. I'm also gonna write up the Azelf set too, after i figure out what's happening with this set.
 
Poppy said:
counter is currently illegal with magic guard i believe

i'd probably mention that azelf is a fierce competitor for this set with better bulk and access to sr
Click to expand...

I already said I knew it was illegal with Magic Guard. I believe Counter should at least deserve a mention somewhere because behind a Reflect he can survive most physical attacks (As long as it isn't a Choice Banded Crunch from Tyranitar or something) and retaliate back, more often than not KOing the attacker, although that's just me.
 
yeah, dont use counter. considering both dual screens are neccessary, alakazam really only has two moveslots to work with, and you probably shouldnt be using one of them on a move that you wont ever get a chance to use 9 times out of 10 (if that). not to mention that its illegal with magic guard.
 
I don't see what this set has to offer that Azelf doesn't already...
Azelf is bulkier and doesn't get ohkoed by many physical attacks that Alakazam does.Also Azelf is immune to ground attacks which is quite useful.
For example CB Scizor's U-Turn does 98,38 - 116,13% behind Reflect.Azelf always survives this.
CB Haxorus always ohkoes Zam behind Reflect,while Azelf always survives behind Reflect.
Zam always gets 2hkoed by CB Dragonite's ES,while Azelf never.
Zam gets ohkoed by Scarf Tearkion's X-Scissor ~50% of the time while Azelf never.
I think you get the point...And note how all the pokes i mentioned are very common!
Zam's defense is shit even after Reflect.
Azelf also has actual fire moves instead of HP Fire and can use SR if you want...

The only real thing that Zam has over Azelf is that he can outspeed ScarfTar and setup Reflect before Ttar kills him.

But is this really worth an entire set instead of just a mention in OO?
 
Azelf certainly outclasses Alakazam in most of the aspects that Alexwolf mentioned. But there are three real things that I feel make Alakazam worthy of an analysis:
1.Fastest Dual Screen(self explanatory).
2.Access to Encore. Encore is just so good on a Dual Screener. Encore is so good for preventing sweeps, and letting your own pokemon sweep. Although Azelf can taunt to prevent a sweep, it generally can do nothing else. Encore is a lot more proactive as it either forces your opponent to switch, or they continue to set up as you switch into something that can kill what is being encored.
3.Magic Guard(self explanatory).
 
Used this set earlier, I found it really underwhelming. Lack of bulk meant that Alakazam could never switch in, so I was using it in a quick setup team instead of a bulkier style (where the match length may be longer and I would need screens set up more than twice or whatever). Using Alakazam early game, I barely ever got Stealth Rock up beforehand; I couldn't set it up and switch in Alakazam safely. This became frustrating throughout matches, and made me wish I had Azelf (who would have been pick one screen and also use Stealth Rock, meaning that I got the necessary quick setup turn or two and Stealth Rock was also down). When I used Alakazam mid-late game it was better but still pretty disappointing, I had to always sacrifice something (by switching it in stupidly or just waiting for it to be fainted) or play it really risky. It was better late game for sure, but even still it was pretty bad.

I barely used Encore - it's not effective when you can't switch in Alakazam to use it without taking huge risks. Because I had to bring Alakazam in on sacrificial terms, I barely ever found myself Encoring as the opponent had just fainted one of my Pokemon with an attack (hence I would screen instead). It was useful in places (eg. against Reuniclus), but generally a little bit pointless.

When I did replace Alakazam with Azelf, I found it quite a bit easier. Significantly better bulk on the physical side at least allowed me to play it better, and often get up a screen and save a Pokemon that I would've had to sacrifice with Alakazam. The Ground immunity is pretty huge too, often getting me a "free" switch against sand teams. Stealth Rock is a huge bonus, and Explosion was actually hugely useful. Azelf's Explosion is still pretty mega and definitely something I liked having. The Speed increase wasn't useful and I didn't really find that Tyranitar were coming in on Alakazam anyway, probably because they didn't want to risk a Focus Blast. I understand that Alakazam is faster, but I don't understand why you would sacrifice bulk that comes in handy far more often than a bit of extra Speed, a pretty unused Encore, and pretty unnoticed Magic Guard ability - none of which made a huge impact.

tl;dr is that it feels as though this is a set that's trying to be something it's not, by using a few unique facts that don't really work in practise like they do on paper (referring to the above post).
 
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