[OVERVIEW]
Xurkitree finds its place in the RU metagame as a very dangerous late-game cleaner while holding a Choice Scarf. Beast Boost and its enormous Special Attack let it very easily clean up weakened teams, and its decent Speed tier makes it a functional revenge killer. Xurkitree scares most Ground-types in the tier with its coverage moves, making it acceptable at keeping momentum mid-game via Volt Switch. However, Xurkitree requires support to sweep, as all Electric answers should be removed or heavily damaged before it attempts to clean. Stiff competition from other Electric-types, such as Thundurus, Raikou, and Toxtricity, means that Xurkitree is mostly outclassed at everything except Choice Scarf cleaning, making it a rather predictable Pokemon.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf Cleaner
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Volt Switch
move 3: Energy Ball
move 4: Dazzling Gleam
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Beast Boost
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Volt Switch allows Xurkitree to keep momentum. Most Ground-types are hesitant to switch directly into Xurkitree due to the threat of its coverage moves, so it is rather reliable at keeping momentum. Energy Ball hits Ground-types, OHKOing Seismitoad, Rhyperior, and Gastrodon while chipping Steelix and Zygarde-10% decently. Dazzling Gleam allows Xurkitree to almost always OHKO Zygarde-10% and hits Zarude, the tier's most common Grass-type. Choice Scarf's Speed boost is required to properly sweep.
Xurkitree appreciates teammates that can force damage onto its defensive answers, chipping them into KO range of Thunderbolt. Zarude forms a deadly VoltTurn core with Xurkitree, and it forces out the Ground-types that prevent Xurkitree from sweeping with Thunderbolt. Knock Off and Toxic users can be employed to weaken irritating Ground-, Grass-, and Electric-types that might stand in Xurkitree's way. Knock Off from the likes of Seismitoad, Incineroar, and Obstagoon removes Leftovers and Heavy-Duty Boots from these threats, while Toxic users such as Registeel, Incineroar, and Milotic can debilitate Xurkitree's defensive answers. Entry hazards, especially Spikes, can rack up even more damage, which makes Spikes-setting teammates like Roserade and Golisopod good teammates.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Choice Specs can be used to purely wallbreak, but Toxtricity is usually the superior choice for that. A Calm Mind set bearing Heavy-Duty Boots can be used, as it can use Energy Ball to break past Seismitoad and Gastrodon, something its main competition of Raikou fails to do. However, Raikou's superior Speed tier and better overall coverage make it preferred for this role.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Electric-resistant Pokemon**: Other Electric-types, such as Raikou, can come in and use their resistance to halt Xurkitree, assuming they haven't been chipped significantly already. The same goes for Grass-types, such as Zarude, Roserade, and Celebi, although Zarude must be cautious of Dazzling Gleam.
**Ground-types**: While most of the tier's Ground-types dislike Energy Ball, they can mess with a Xurkitree attempting to make progress by spamming its STAB moves. Threats such as Rhyperior, Seismitoad, and Gastrodon fall into this category. Other Ground-types such as Steelix and Zygarde-10% are not OHKOed by Energy Ball, but they will get hit for significant damage, and Zygarde-10% is usually OHKOed by Dazzling Gleam.
**Special Walls**: Special walls such as Registeel, Diancie, Umbreon, Assault Vest Reuniclus, and Porygon2 can wall Xurkitree if it hasn't accrued enough boosts from Beast Boost.
**Faster Choice Scarf Users and Priority**: Faster Choice Scarf users like Mienshao and Zarude can revenge kill weakened Xurkitree. The same goes for strong priority from the likes of Zygarde-10% and Golisopod.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Sputnik, 475916]]
- Quality checked by: [[Goldcat, 359771], [zizalith, 410251]]
- Grammar checked by: [[CryoGyro, 331519], [Finland, 517429]]
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