[SET]
name: Specially Defensive (Steel)
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Toxic
move 3: King's Shield
move 4: Shadow Ball / Flash Cannon
item: Leftovers
ability: Stance Change
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 244 SpD / 12 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Aegislash's incredible dual-typing and defensive stats in Shield form allow it to function as an unrivaled wall on Steel teams that provides a buffer against Fighting-types. Substitute further enhances Aegislash's defensive capabilities as it allows Aegislash to attack or use Toxic more freely and prevents it from being hit by Leech Seed from Celesteela and Ferrothorn. One of Aegislash's most important piece of utility is Toxic as it slowly withers down threats such as Swampert, Porygon2, and Tyranitar and synchronizes perfectly with Substitute and King's Shield. Exclusive access to King's Shield grants Aegislash the ability to scout an opponent's moveset exceptionally well and irritate Pokemon like Rillaboom, Weavile, and Zarude with King's Shield's secondary effect. Additionally, King's Shield maximizes Leftovers' efficiency as it provides extra recovery for Aegislash. Shadow Ball allows Aegislash to hit opposing Aegislash, Celebi, and Victini while Flash Cannon primarily targets Tyranitar, Kyurem, and Mamoswine. The chosen EV spread maximizes Aegislash's specially defensive bulk while outpacing Tyranitar, Celesteela, and opposing Aegislash.
Aegislash is greatly appreciated as it's immune to Fighting-type attacks from Terrakion, Keldeo, and Buzzwole. Additionally, Aegislash cripples walls like Slowking, Gastrodon, and Mandibuzz that teammates such as Heatran, Excadrill, and Mega Scizor might struggle against. Heatran is a necessity on Steel teams because of it's Fire-type immunity, this allows it to combat threats like Victini, Blacephalon, and Volcarona. Excadrill removes entry hazards with Rapid Spin and is valued for switching into Volt Switch users like Tapu Koko and Regieleki. Excadrill also threatens opposing Heatran, Aegislash, and Magnezone with Earthquake so Heatran can use Fire-type moves more freely and Aegislash doesn't have to worry about Shadow Ball from the opponent. Celesteela, Corviknight, and Skarmory are all capable of switching into Ground-types like Landorus-T, Mamoswine, and Garchomp. Ferrothorn combats Water-types like Seismitoad, Tapu Fini, and Mega Gyarados with Power Whip and wears down opponent with Leech Seed. Furthermore, Ferrothorn provides entry hazards like Spikes and Stealth Rock to chip down the opposing team. Mega Scizor provides significant bulk and checks threats like Mega Diancie, Mega Altaria, and Kyurem with Bullet Punch. Mega Scizor is also able to pivot into Aegislash with U-turn when needed. Magnezone traps opposing Steel-types like Corviknight, Celesteela, and Ferrothorn.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs (Steel)
move 1: Shadow Ball
move 2: Flash Cannon
move 3: Steel Beam
move 4: Shadow Sneak
item: Choice Specs
ability: Stance Change
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Choice Specs Aegislash is an exceptional wallbreaker that remains unmatched on Steel teams due to it's impeccable offensive stats in Sword form and great STAB combination. Shadow Ball is quite standard and it lets Aegislash break through opposing Aegislash, Slowbro, and Galarian Slowking. Flash Cannon primarily targets foes such as Mamoswine, Mega Diancie, and Weavile. Steel Beam is a force to be reckoned with when boosted by Choice Specs, it allows Aegislash to reach unbelievably high amounts of damage against usually troublesome opponents like Tyranitar, Mega Venusaur, and Porygon2. Shadow Sneak while weakened by a Timid nature, is still vital as it allows Aegislash to deal with Blacephalon while also picking off weakened Gengar, Victini, and Mimikyu. The given EV spread maximizes Aegislash's speed and damage output.
Aegislash is highly appreciated because of it's Ghost-typing that allows it to eliminate threats like Galarian Zapdos, Heracross, and Breloom which are otherwise extremely threating to Aegislash's Steel-type teammates. There are plenty walls that Aegislash threatens like Toxapex, Zapdos, and Mega Sableye. Additionally, Aegislash is still capable of taking on more offensive Pokemon due to Stance Change, some of them are Kyurem, Zeroara, and Urshifu-R. Bisharp is a great Ghost-type deterrent and is capable of eliminating threats like Blacephalon, Gengar, and opposing Aegislash. Heatran provides a much needed Fire-type immunity and it checks Pokemon like Rotom-H, opposing Heatran, and Blacephalon. Celesteela, Skarmory, and Corviknight grant Ground-type immunities for Aegislash to switch into threats like Krookodile, Landorus-I, and Gliscor.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance (Steel)
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Shadow Claw
move 3: Shadow Sneak
move 4: Close Combat
item: Weakness Policy
ability: Stance Change
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Aegislash is a staple on Steel teams due to it's incredible wallbreaking power and great STAB combination that further intensifies it's abilities. With the help of Swords Dance and Weakness Policy, Aegislash becomes nearly unstoppable as it's able to break past even the best physical walls like Celesteela, Mega Venusaur, and Avalugg. Shadow Claw primarily targets Ghost- and Psychic-types like Galarian Corsola, Jirachi, and Slowbro while still being amazing neutrally. Shadow Sneak is a must-have due to Aegislash's abysmal speed, it hits Pokemon such as Victini, Blacephalon, and Gengar. Close Combat is a great coverage option against Steel- and Dark-types that interfere with Aegislash, some of these Pokemon are Ferrothorn, Tyranitar, and Alolan Muk. This set's EV spread maximizes Aegislash's offensive potential while also remaining as bulky as possible to set off Weakness Policy easier.
Aegislash is the best safeguard against Fighting-types that Steel teams have access to. It's able to switch into Kommo-o, Mega Gallade, and Keldeo while still retaliating quite powerfully due to Stance Change. Additionally, Aegislash's access to Shadow Sneak allows it to take out faster opponents like Blacephalon, Victini, and Gengar that boast powerful coverage against Steel. Heatran is an exceptional teammate as it's able to negate Fire-type attacks from the likes of Volcarona and Blacephalon and setup Stealth Rock so Aegislash can have an easier time wallbreaking. Excadrill prevents Pokemon like Tapu Koko and Magnezone from continuously using Volt Switch, removes entry hazards with Rapid Spin, and functions as a nice speed control option due to it's powerful STAB combination. Corviknight and Celesteela provide a Ground-type immunity for Landorus-T, Mamoswine, and Garchomp as well as support in Leech Seed and Defog. Melmetal can be an amazing teammate as it helps break past Pokemon like Tornadus-T, Gliscor, and Dragonite due to it's impressive defensive and offensive stats.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
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Steel
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Specially defensive sets may use Shadow Sneak instead of Substitute to aid against Blacephalon but it's hard to justify losing a vital part of Aegislash's Toxic stall. Choice Specs Aegislash may have Toxic over Shadow Sneak to cripple Pokemon like Mantine and Gastrodon although being locked into a status move may be suboptimal at times. Iron Head is an option on Swords Dance sets although considering most of your team will be harboring Steel-type STAB moves, it may be wiser to use Close Combat and Shadow Claw for diversity in coverage.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[GiyuForPresident, 574288]]
- Steel analysis by: [[GiyuForPresident, 574288]]
- Quality checked by: [[username1, userid1], [username2, userid2]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1]]
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