[OVERVIEW]
Aegislash's unique typing with useful resistances and immunities coupled with its great blend of offense and defense make it one of the most influential Pokemon in the tier. It can run many different sets that allow it to pick and choose its counters. A King's Shield + Toxic set is one of the hardest foes to switch around and take down, as it capitalizes on Aegislash's great bulk to whittle down its common checks with Toxic damage and powerful Shadow Balls. Swords Dance Aegislash with Shadow Sneak is an incredibly threatening sweeper that can pick off many teams just after some chip damage. Mixed sets make for strong wallbreakers that are capable of 2HKOing Amoonguss and heavily damaging Zarude, which would otherwise be safe switch-ins. It can also effectively run an Autotomize set with Weakness Policy, which takes advantage of the many weak super effective moves thrown at it, like Tentacruel's or Nihilego's Knock Off, while fixing one of its greatest flaws in its low Speed. Its great bulk in Shield forme and Stealth Rock resistance give it points of entry into Pokemon without strong super effective attacks like Nihilego and Jirachi. Still, Aegislash suffers from a very low Speed and typing that is vulnerable to many of UU's staples, including Krookodile, Moltres, and Zarude, which can easily revenge kill it. Aegislash is also overly reliant on King's Shield to tank most neutral hits, which can make it very predictable for setup sweepers like Dragon Dance Salamence and Swords Dance Lycanroc-D to take advantage of it. Lacking reliable recovery also leaves it very vulnerable to being worn down in the course of a game, especially if it takes Knock Off from Pokemon it wants to check like Nihilego. Some mixed walls like Assault Vest Tangrowth and Celesteela can easily scout and force out Aegislash early-game, which greatly hinders its unpredictability factor and lets opponents adjust accordingly.
[SET]
name: King's Shield + Toxic
move 1: King's Shield
move 2: Shadow Ball
move 3: Toxic
move 4: Substitute / Flash Cannon
item: Leftovers
ability: Stance Change
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
King's Shield allows Aegislash to switch into its Shield forme and scout Choiced-locked foes like Krookodile and Keldeo so that it can switch into the right teammate if needed. Shadow Ball is a strong STAB move and hits Toxic-immune targets such as Jirachi and Amoonguss. Toxic cripples common Shadow Ball switch-ins like Bulletproof Kommo-o and Assault Vest Tangrowth and builds up chip damage for Aegislash's teammates to capitalize on. Substitute allows Aegislash to get even more Toxic damage while also reducing the prediction it needs; it can also stop moves like Amonguss's Spore. Flash Cannon can be used instead of Substitute for more offensive presence and damage on foes like Krookodile and Nihilego. Close Combat is also an option on the last moveslot to punish Chansey while also having super effective coverage for Dark-types like Zarude and Crawdaunt. Heavy investment in HP and Special Defense lets Aegislash switch into Pokemon like Salamence and Galarian Slowbro without fearing a 3HKO in Shield forme and cripple or attack them; this investment also stops Amoonguss's Foul Play from breaking its Substitute. 136 Speed EVs are an option to outpace Conkeldurr and everything slower.
This set is a solid fit on semi-stall, balance, and bulky offense teams thanks to its ability to heavily wear down Aegislash's typical checks, open up holes for its teammates, and be a solid defensive presence. Specially defensive foes that don't care about Toxic, like Celesteela and Chansey, are incredibly hard for this set to deal with, stopping it from making any progress; that's why powerful wallbreakers such as Buzzwole and Mienshao pair really well with it, and Aegislash can soften up some checks to them like Salamence with Toxic damage. Other offensive Pokemon like Jungle Healing Zarude and Obstagoon don't care what Aegislash can do to them, so sturdier walls like Tangrowth and Kommo-o pair really well with this set. Fairy-types like Primarina and Togekiss give it more security against Fighting-types and cover Aegislash's Dark weakness; Sylveon is a notable partner, giving Aegislash Wish support so that it doesn't rely solely on Leftovers for its recovery. Umbreon is another useful partner, not only providing Wish but also easily spreading Toxic and checking some nuisances for Aegislash like Moltres and Nidoking. Regenerator and a Poison typing make Amoonguss one of the most obnoxious foes against this set, meaning that offensive checks to it like Moltres and Mamoswine are natural partners. Aegislash teams need a secondary check for Tangrowth and Nihilego, as they commonly run Knock Off and can leave Aegislash horribly crippled; Pokemon like Amoonguss can achieve this exact job.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Shadow Claw
move 3: Shadow Sneak
move 4: Close Combat
item: Weakness Policy / Air Balloon
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Swords Dance lets Aegislash boost up and break down some of its usual checks in Umbreon and Primarina. Shadow Claw offers strong neutral coverage against most of the tier. Iron Head is an option over Shadow Claw, giving a bit more power to OHKO specific foes like Togekiss and Diancie, but it prevents Aegislash from heavily damaging foes like Moltres and opposing Aegislash. Shadow Sneak prevents faster foes like Starmie and Azelf from easily revenge killing Aegislash. Close Combat gives it unresisted coverage and hits Dark-types like Krookodile and Crawdaunt super effectively. Weakness Policy takes advantage of Aegislash's great bulk in Shield forme, which lets it take one super effective hit, like Lycanroc-D's Crunch or Kommo-o's Flamethrower, to boost its Attack even further. Air Balloon is a very good alternative, making Aegislash even harder to revenge kill by hindering Pokemon like Diggersby and Rhyperior.
This set is an incredible fit on bulky offense and hyper offense teams looking for a strong priority-using sweeper. Aegislash appreciates pivots like Azelf and Rotom-W, which can bring it into the field safely; the latter can also give Aegislash even more setup opportunities with Trick + Choice Scarf. Other setup sweepers like Galarian Moltres and Thundurus-T pair really well with Aegislash, as they can overwhelm the opponent and open up holes for it to clean up. Quagsire and Buzzwole are incredibly hard for this set to get past thanks to their high physical bulk, super effective moves, and Unaware in the former's case; all of this makes Gyarados an incredible partner, KOing both with Power Whip and Bounce, respectively. Strong special attackers like Primarina, which handle both Quagsire and Buzzwole, are also really good teammates. Entry hazard setters greatly benefit Aegislash; Ribombee and Shuckle provide Sticky Web, letting Aegislash overcome its low Speed, while Krookodile and Rhyperior provide Stealth Rock to soften up foes.
[SET]
name: Mixed
move 1: Shadow Ball
move 2: Flash Cannon
move 3: Close Combat
move 4: Shadow Sneak / King's Shield
item: Choice Specs / Leftovers
ability: Stance Change
nature: Rash
evs: 8 Atk / 248 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Choice Specs makes Aegislash one of the strongest and most terrifying wallbreakers in the entire tier, allowing it to break through and 2HKO walls like Assault Vest Tangrowth with Stealth Rock. Shadow Ball is a very spammable move. Flash Cannon damages a great majority of Ghost-resistant foes and other specific targets like Bulletproof Kommo-o. Close Combat makes Aegislash not completely walled by Chansey. The EV spread and Rash nature give it a chance to 2HKO Chansey with Stealth Rock, but Aegislash must be careful because of the move's low PP and Soft-Boiled outhealing it. Shadow Sneak picks off weakened sweepers like Polteageist and Nasty Plot Azelf. If using Leftovers, King's Shield is a good option to let Aegislash take advantage of its defensive typing while maintaining a solid offensive presence.
This set can be used on balance and bulky offense teams and should be used early-game to wallbreak. However, due to Aegislash's mediocre Speed tier, it's very susceptible to being KOed so it appreciates pivots as teammates. Rotom-H and Moltres are great to safely bring Aegislash in, and they are also good at pressuring Assault Vest Tangrowth. This set can't reliably break past some specially defensive walls like Umbreon and Milotic, making strong physical wallbreakers like Azumarill and Conkeldurr good teammates; in return, these Pokemon appreciate Aegislash threatening answers to them like Buzzwole and physically defensive Tangrowth. Late-game cleaners like Lycanroc-D and Choice Scarf Krookodile greatly appreciate Aegislash weakening defensive Pokemon like Kommo-o and Amoonguss for them. Stealth Rock support from partners like Kommo-o and Nihilego is very valuable, as it allows Choice Specs Aegislash's Shadow Ball to 2HKO Assault Vest Tangrowth and RestTalk Primarina.
[SET]
name: Autotomize
move 1: Autotomize
move 2: Shadow Ball
move 3: Flash Cannon
move 4: Close Combat
item: Weakness Policy
ability: Stance Change
nature: Hasty
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Autotomize lets Aegislash bypass its low Speed and possibly clean up after the opposing team has been weakened. At +2, Aegislash outspeeds almost all of the entire unboosted metagame and other notable targets like Choice Scarf Krookodile. Shadow Ball and Flash Cannon are reliable STAB moves that give Aegislash ample coverage for almost the whole tier. Close Combat is needed to get past specially defensive walls like Chansey and Umbreon, which would otherwise wall Aegislash; it also hits Dark-types like Krookodile and Zarude super effectively. Weakness Policy takes advantage of the many super effective hits that aren't enough to KO Aegislash, like Azelf's Knock Off and Salamence's Flamethrower, to sweep more effectively.
This set is a good fit on bulky offense and other offense teams by virtue of being an effective cleaner. If Weakness Policy isn't triggered, Aegislash is fairly weak, so it greatly appreciates strong wallbreakers like Nidoking and Primarina opening up the path for it to clean up. Other setup sweepers like Dragon Dance Gyarados and Belly Drum Azumarill can help overwhelm the opponent or finish up Aegislash's job after it has weakened the opposing team. Even after Autotomize, Pokemon like Choice Scarf Zarude and Regieleki still outspeed Aegislash and can revenge kill it in its vulnerable Blade forme, which makes Sticky Web support from Shuckle or Araquanid incredibly valuable. Other entry hazards like Klefki's Spikes and Krookdile's Stealth Rock are very helpful after Weakness Policy, with three layers of Spikes making a KO on Choice Specs Primarina and Kommo-o possible and Stealth Rock guaranteeing an OHKO on Azumarill and Rhyperior.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Shadow Sneak is an option as the fourth move on the King's Shield + Toxic set to pick off weakened foes, most notably setup sweepers like Necrozma and Polteageist; however, it isn't as consistently useful as other options. Steel Beam gives Choice Specs Aegislash an incredibly powerful nuke to OHKO foes like Amoonguss, but it is not preferred due to Aegislash already effectively threatening Amoonguss with its other moves and the move whittling Aegislash down rather quickly. Choice Band makes Aegislash a terrifying physical wallbreaker and makes its priority even stronger, although this set can struggle with Rocky Helmet users like Buzzwole and doesn't appreciate being locked into moves. Metal Sound exploits defensive switch-ins like Amoonguss, giving Aegislash a great chance to KO it after Stealth Rock damage. However, this isn't the most consistent move, as it is very prediction reliant and unable to punish faster Pokemon on the switch; also, even with the -2 drop, sturdier Pokemon like Assault Vest Tangrowth can still deal with Aegislash.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Aegislash notably struggles with Dark-types like Obstagoon, Zarude, and Krookodile; while it does have Close Combat to punish them if they get too careless, they still threaten it with super effective moves and can easily switch in on Shadow Ball. Galarian Moltres and Umbreon are especially troublesome, as they have the special bulk to tank Aegislash's hits and can shake off status with Rest and Heal Bell, respectively.
**Mixed Walls**: Mixed walls like Assault Vest Tangrowth, Amoonguss, and Celesteela are very annoying for Aegislash early-game, as they aren't immediately threatened by any of its moves and can KO Aegislash in its Blade forme thanks to their lower Speed and super effective coverage. Chansey completely walls sets lacking Close Combat and can regain momentum with Teleport. However, it struggles more against Aegislash with Close Combat than the three previously mentioned.
**Burn and Knock Off**: Losing its passive recovery to Knock Off or a burn greatly limits the effectiveness of the King's Shield + Toxic set, making it incredibly susceptible to chip damage from weak attacks and Stealth Rock. Other sets also hate one or both of these, as special sets are very dependent on their boosting items and physical sets are significantly weaker when burned.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[TotomonGang, 534656]]
- Quality checked by: [[KM, 180416], [Twilight, 344575], [Hilomilo, 313384]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429], [DC, 449990]]
Last edited:
, but now it is ready for the final QC!
