[SET]
name: Utility Pivot
move 1: Hurricane
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: U-turn / Heat Wave / Taunt
move 4: Defog / Taunt
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Regenerator
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Tornadus-T has access to a ridiculous number of utility options that make it a premier utility choice on many balance and bulky offense teams. Knock Off cripples common Tornadus-T switch-ins like Tapu Koko, Zapdos, and Galarian Slowking. U-turn allows Tornadus-T to recover with Regenerator while generating momentum. Heat Wave hits Steel-types like Ferrothorn, Melmetal, Cawmodore, and Corviknight super effectively. Taunt prevents Pokemon like Landorus-T and Heatran from using Toxic and Stealth Rock while also letting Tornadus-T beat walls like Corviknight, Toxapex, and Clefable that rely on recovery moves. Tornadus-T is an apt Defogger, as it is quite easy to get onto the field while retaining momentum due to Regenerator and U-turn.
Many teams enjoy the utility and pivoting that Tornadus-T provides. Wallbreakers like Dragapult, Melmetal, Blacephalon, and Venomicon-E appreciate Tornadus-T pivoting them in safely with U-turn and removing entry hazards with Defog. Electric-types like Zapdos and Tapu Koko force Tornadus-T out, so Pokemon like Landorus-T and Equilibra are excellent choices for teammates. Equilibra and Colossoil provide Rapid Spin support, effectively allowing Tornadus-T to run Taunt over Defog. Other Regenerator users like Toxapex, Slowbro, and Astrolotl make for great defensive cores that sport excellent longevity. Both Toxapex and Astrolotl appreciate Tornadus-T's ability to switch into Ground-type attacks from Colossoil and Garchomp. Toxapex additionally absorbs Knock Off and Toxic from Pokemon like Clefable and Landorus-T. Other defensive pivots like Landorus-T pair well with Tornadus-T, as together they can safely switch into and pivot out on most of the tier's offensive threats.
[SET]
name: Assault Vest
move 1: Hurricane
move 2: Heat Wave
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: U-turn
item: Assault Vest
ability: Regenerator
nature: Timid
evs: 192 HP / 80 SpD / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Assault Vest Tornadus-T leverages its access to U-turn and Regenerator and its high Speed to become an incredibly safe switch-in to strong special attackers like Dragapult and Tapu Lele. Heat Wave is used to hit Steel-types like Ferrothorn, Melmetal, and Cawmodore super effectively. Knock Off punishes common Tornadus-T switch-ins like Tapu Koko, Heatran, and Landorus-T and hits Dragapult super effectively. The given EV spread allows Tornadus-T to survive two Choice Specs Dragapult Draco Meteors after Stealth Rock while outspeeding Cawmodore. If the team already has a Cawmodore check, a spread of 252 HP / 88 SpD / 168 Spe can be run, which still outspeeds Kartana and Adamant Weavile.
Assault Vest Tornadus-T is an excellent glue for most balance teams due to its ability to provide pivoting and Knock Off support. Entry hazard removal from Astrolotl, Landorus-T, or Colossoil is a must for any team with Assault Vest Tornadus-T. Astrolotl deserves special mention for forming a solid defensive Regenerator core with Tornadus-T, capable of effectively scouting most Choice item users. Offensive Pokemon like Dragapult, Tapu Lele, and Melmetal appreciate Tornadus-T's ability to pivot them in safely with U-turn. In return, they threaten the offensive Pokemon that are capable of overwhelming Tornadus-T like Venomicon-E, Weavile, and Calm Mind Tapu Koko. Because Tornadus-T struggles to check Dragapult and Tapu Lele by itself, pairing it with a Dark-type like Weavile or Colossoil is a good idea. Tornadus-T relies heavily on its Assault Vest to answer special wallbreakers; thus, Knock Off absorbers like Clefable, Arghonaut, and Toxapex are valuable teammates.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
========
Tornadus-T can run Toxic on its utility pivot set to cripple Pokemon like Zapdos and Astrolotl; however, it is usually not worth dropping any of the other utility options on the set for it, and Knock Off already punishes these Pokemon for switching in. Tornadus-T is capable of running a Nasty Plot sweeper set with Hurricane + Heat Wave and one of Weather Ball or Focus Blast, depending on if it is on a weather team or not. Sludge Bomb is an option to hit Fairy-types like Jumbao and Tapu Fini more consistently and potentially poison Zapdos switching in; however, it is generally useless outside of these matchups and results in awkward four-move coverage.
Checks and Counters
========
**Electric-types**: Zeraora, Arctozolt under hail, Tapu Koko, and Zapdos all threaten Tornadus-T with their super effective Electric-type STAB moves. None of these Pokemon appreciate switching into Knock Off, however. Rotom-W can switch into any of Tornadus-T's moves with ease and threaten it with status and a slow Volt Switch.
**Knock Off**: Tornadus-T relies on its items to make full use of Regenerator. Pokemon like Landorus-T, Kartana, Ferrothorn, and Tapu Fini can bait Tornadus-T in and remove its item with Knock Off.
**Rock-type Coverage**: Landorus-T and Garchomp can sometimes carry Stone Edge, which threatens to KO Tornadus-T.
**Faster Offensive Threats**: Weavile outspeeds Tornadus-T and threatens it with Triple Axel. Dragapult, Choice Scarf Kartana, and Choice Scarf Tapu Lele can all overwhelm or revenge kill Tornadus-T depending on its set. None of them can directly switch into Tornadus-T, however, due to their low bulk.
**Specially Bulky Pokemon**: Clefable, Blissey, and Toxapex can outlast Tornadus-T and threaten it with status. Specially defensive Heatran can easily switch into Hurricane and Heat Wave and threaten Tornadus-T with Toxic; however, it despises losing its Leftovers to Knock Off.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[dex, 277988]]
- Quality checked by: [[Lasen, 273339], [spoo, 251944]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Astra, 240732]]
name: Utility Pivot
move 1: Hurricane
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: U-turn / Heat Wave / Taunt
move 4: Defog / Taunt
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Regenerator
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Tornadus-T has access to a ridiculous number of utility options that make it a premier utility choice on many balance and bulky offense teams. Knock Off cripples common Tornadus-T switch-ins like Tapu Koko, Zapdos, and Galarian Slowking. U-turn allows Tornadus-T to recover with Regenerator while generating momentum. Heat Wave hits Steel-types like Ferrothorn, Melmetal, Cawmodore, and Corviknight super effectively. Taunt prevents Pokemon like Landorus-T and Heatran from using Toxic and Stealth Rock while also letting Tornadus-T beat walls like Corviknight, Toxapex, and Clefable that rely on recovery moves. Tornadus-T is an apt Defogger, as it is quite easy to get onto the field while retaining momentum due to Regenerator and U-turn.
Many teams enjoy the utility and pivoting that Tornadus-T provides. Wallbreakers like Dragapult, Melmetal, Blacephalon, and Venomicon-E appreciate Tornadus-T pivoting them in safely with U-turn and removing entry hazards with Defog. Electric-types like Zapdos and Tapu Koko force Tornadus-T out, so Pokemon like Landorus-T and Equilibra are excellent choices for teammates. Equilibra and Colossoil provide Rapid Spin support, effectively allowing Tornadus-T to run Taunt over Defog. Other Regenerator users like Toxapex, Slowbro, and Astrolotl make for great defensive cores that sport excellent longevity. Both Toxapex and Astrolotl appreciate Tornadus-T's ability to switch into Ground-type attacks from Colossoil and Garchomp. Toxapex additionally absorbs Knock Off and Toxic from Pokemon like Clefable and Landorus-T. Other defensive pivots like Landorus-T pair well with Tornadus-T, as together they can safely switch into and pivot out on most of the tier's offensive threats.
[SET]
name: Assault Vest
move 1: Hurricane
move 2: Heat Wave
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: U-turn
item: Assault Vest
ability: Regenerator
nature: Timid
evs: 192 HP / 80 SpD / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Assault Vest Tornadus-T leverages its access to U-turn and Regenerator and its high Speed to become an incredibly safe switch-in to strong special attackers like Dragapult and Tapu Lele. Heat Wave is used to hit Steel-types like Ferrothorn, Melmetal, and Cawmodore super effectively. Knock Off punishes common Tornadus-T switch-ins like Tapu Koko, Heatran, and Landorus-T and hits Dragapult super effectively. The given EV spread allows Tornadus-T to survive two Choice Specs Dragapult Draco Meteors after Stealth Rock while outspeeding Cawmodore. If the team already has a Cawmodore check, a spread of 252 HP / 88 SpD / 168 Spe can be run, which still outspeeds Kartana and Adamant Weavile.
Assault Vest Tornadus-T is an excellent glue for most balance teams due to its ability to provide pivoting and Knock Off support. Entry hazard removal from Astrolotl, Landorus-T, or Colossoil is a must for any team with Assault Vest Tornadus-T. Astrolotl deserves special mention for forming a solid defensive Regenerator core with Tornadus-T, capable of effectively scouting most Choice item users. Offensive Pokemon like Dragapult, Tapu Lele, and Melmetal appreciate Tornadus-T's ability to pivot them in safely with U-turn. In return, they threaten the offensive Pokemon that are capable of overwhelming Tornadus-T like Venomicon-E, Weavile, and Calm Mind Tapu Koko. Because Tornadus-T struggles to check Dragapult and Tapu Lele by itself, pairing it with a Dark-type like Weavile or Colossoil is a good idea. Tornadus-T relies heavily on its Assault Vest to answer special wallbreakers; thus, Knock Off absorbers like Clefable, Arghonaut, and Toxapex are valuable teammates.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
========
Tornadus-T can run Toxic on its utility pivot set to cripple Pokemon like Zapdos and Astrolotl; however, it is usually not worth dropping any of the other utility options on the set for it, and Knock Off already punishes these Pokemon for switching in. Tornadus-T is capable of running a Nasty Plot sweeper set with Hurricane + Heat Wave and one of Weather Ball or Focus Blast, depending on if it is on a weather team or not. Sludge Bomb is an option to hit Fairy-types like Jumbao and Tapu Fini more consistently and potentially poison Zapdos switching in; however, it is generally useless outside of these matchups and results in awkward four-move coverage.
Checks and Counters
========
**Electric-types**: Zeraora, Arctozolt under hail, Tapu Koko, and Zapdos all threaten Tornadus-T with their super effective Electric-type STAB moves. None of these Pokemon appreciate switching into Knock Off, however. Rotom-W can switch into any of Tornadus-T's moves with ease and threaten it with status and a slow Volt Switch.
**Knock Off**: Tornadus-T relies on its items to make full use of Regenerator. Pokemon like Landorus-T, Kartana, Ferrothorn, and Tapu Fini can bait Tornadus-T in and remove its item with Knock Off.
**Rock-type Coverage**: Landorus-T and Garchomp can sometimes carry Stone Edge, which threatens to KO Tornadus-T.
**Faster Offensive Threats**: Weavile outspeeds Tornadus-T and threatens it with Triple Axel. Dragapult, Choice Scarf Kartana, and Choice Scarf Tapu Lele can all overwhelm or revenge kill Tornadus-T depending on its set. None of them can directly switch into Tornadus-T, however, due to their low bulk.
**Specially Bulky Pokemon**: Clefable, Blissey, and Toxapex can outlast Tornadus-T and threaten it with status. Specially defensive Heatran can easily switch into Hurricane and Heat Wave and threaten Tornadus-T with Toxic; however, it despises losing its Leftovers to Knock Off.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[dex, 277988]]
- Quality checked by: [[Lasen, 273339], [spoo, 251944]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Astra, 240732]]
Last edited:
