[SET]
name: Ghostium Z
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Shadow Claw
move 3: Close Combat
move 4: Shadow Sneak
item: Ghostium Z
ability: Stance Change
nature: Jolly
evs: 72 HP / 252 Atk / 184 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
With great natural bulk in its Shield-form and stellar offensive stats in Blade-form, Aegislash is a potent wallbreaker and sweeper. Aegislash can abuse defensive Pokemon like Corviknight, Ferrothorn, Mega Scizor, and Toxic Blissey who struggle against Aegislash's typing and bulk in Shield-form as set-up fodder with Swords Dance. Aegislash's best physical STAB move in Shadow Claw can be boosted into a Never-Ending Nightmare Z-Move to break its other defensive checks like Toxapex and overall deal massive damage on any Pokemon that is out against Aegislash. Close Combat is its preferred coverage move to gain perfect coverage and hit Normal-type Pokemon like Blissey and Chansey, and prevent offensive checks like Mega Lopunny, Ash Greninja, Tyranitar, and Heatran from safely switching into it. Shadow Sneak allows Aegislash to become a threatening anti-offense Pokemon once boosted by Swords Dance to prevent faster Pokemon from revenge-killing it and sealing a last blow on weakened Pokemon after taking a hit from its stronger attacks. Aegislash's EV spread is made to outspeed Modest Magnezone and Specially Defensive Heatran to make sure it can properly setup and OHKO them with Close Combat.
Aegislash is most efficient on bulky offensive and balance teams to accentuate its bulk in Shield-form and provide a powerful wallbreaker to teams. Aegislash needs support from defensive Pokemon like Slowking, Tapu Fini and Tangrowth to cover its weaknesses and provide pivots for Aegislash to find an opportunity to set-up with Swords Dance. Trick Choice Scarf Pokemon like Victini and Jirachi provide an excellent role of crippling defensive Pokemon such as Blissey and Toxapex for Aegislash to use as easier set-up fodder. Pokemon that struggle to make progress against bulky Pokemon like Mega Scizor and Mega Lopunny appreciate Aegislash's wallbreaking capabilities and open up holes for them to take out faster Pokemon for Aegislash in turn. Aegislash also likes support from other strong wallbreakers like Ash Greninja and Choice Band Kartana to take on Pokemon like Garchomp and Landorus-Therian and appreciate Aegislash's ability deal massive damage to walls they struggle to break like Blissey for Ash Greninja and Corviknight and Mega Scizor for Kartana, and allow them to clean up without problem later.
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Shadow Claw
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Shadow Sneak
move 4: Pursuit
item: Choice Band
ability: Stance Change
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
With an instant boost from Choice Band to its already high Attack stat, Aegislash provides excellent role in revenge-killing and Pursuit-trapping. STAB Shadow Claw hits hard and unresisted on most Pokemon and makes it hard for defensive walls like Defensive Landorus-Therian and Gliscor to come in without taking too much damage. Close Combat hits Dark- and Normal-types that aren't afraid of Shadow Claw such as Tyranitar and Blissey, and deals massive damage to Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Heatran and prevent other Pokemon weak to it from switching in safely. Shadow Sneak gives Aegislash a form of priority to make up for its mediocre speed and hits much harder under Choice Band to easily revenge-kill weakened Pokemon. Pursuit provides a unique role in trapping Psychic-types like Mega Latias and Reuniclus who struggle to hit Aegislash without proper coverage and OHKO them if they try to switch out due to Pursuit's effect.
Choice Band Aegislash is well appreciated on balance teams that need a form of instant power and Pursuit support to deal with bulky Psychics. Pokemon like Mega Latias and Reuniclus heavily appreciate Aegislash's ability to trap and get rid of opposing Psychics for them to set-up easier. Aegislash needs support to switch out into against Ground-types like Landorus-Therian and Garchomp, so Pokemon like Tangrowth and bulky Kartana are great teammates. Due to Aegislash's vulnerability while in Blade-form, it can be taken advantage of by other Pursuit trappers like Weavile and Tyranitar, so having a teammate like Z-Move Heatran, Toxapex, and Corviknight to double-switch into is important.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Aegislash's Substitute and Toxic set with Leftovers can be used to deny defensive Pokemon like Thunder Wave Blissey from crippling Aegislash and wear down offensive threats, but it struggles to make progress against common walls in Corviknight and Toxapex that are immune to Toxic. Iron Head is an alternate STAB option to hit Fairy-types like Clefable harder, but isn't needed as Ghost- and Fighting-type coverage already provides perfect coverage. Autotomize might be considered on Aegislash's Ghostium Z set to become a faster threat, but loses its wallbreaking ability to break defensive walls like Corviknight and Toxapex.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Pursuit Trappers**: Pokemon like Weavile and Tyranitar can switch in to revenge-kill Aegislash with Pursuit when in its extremely frail Blade-form. This is most prevalent with the Choice Band set as it cannot change back to its Shield-form after making an attack. However, these two Pokemon cannot safely switch-in to either of Aegislash's sets, as they fear being OHKO'd by Close Combat.
**Ground-types**: Ground-type Pokemon like Garchomp, Landorus-Therian, and Gliscor all pressure Aegislash with Earthquake even in Shield-form. All these Pokemon can outspeed and take advantage of Aegislash while in its Blade-form and threaten to OHKO it. However, Aegislash does not allow most Ground-types to safely switch in and can stomach a hit in Shield-form from threats like Garchomp and Landorus-Therian and retaliate with a combination of a boosted Never-Ending Nightmare into a Shadow Sneak.
**Fire-types and Fire-type coverage**: Fire-type Pokemon like Mega Charizard Y and Heatran can dish out big damage on Aegislash in both of its forms, the latter of which can trap and kill Aegislash with Magma Storm. Aegislash can also be threatened by Flamethrower Clefable which Aegislash can struggle to break if Unaware. However, these Pokemon have trouble getting in safely without taking massive damage and risk being knocked out from Aegislash's attacks.
**Faster Pokemon and Sucker Punch**: Aegislash can struggle against faster Pokemon like Mega Lopunny and Ash Greninja who can threaten to OHKO Aegislash and aren't afraid of a Shadow Sneak. Mega Mawile and Bisharp can put pressure with Sucker Punch on Aegislash's Choice Band set as it has no status moves. It should be noted, however, that these Pokemon usually need a safe pivot in to avoid being OHKO'd themselves by a Close Combat.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[emillight, 541143]]
- Quality checked by: [[username1, userid1], [username2, userid2]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1]]
name: Ghostium Z
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Shadow Claw
move 3: Close Combat
move 4: Shadow Sneak
item: Ghostium Z
ability: Stance Change
nature: Jolly
evs: 72 HP / 252 Atk / 184 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
With great natural bulk in its Shield-form and stellar offensive stats in Blade-form, Aegislash is a potent wallbreaker and sweeper. Aegislash can abuse defensive Pokemon like Corviknight, Ferrothorn, Mega Scizor, and Toxic Blissey who struggle against Aegislash's typing and bulk in Shield-form as set-up fodder with Swords Dance. Aegislash's best physical STAB move in Shadow Claw can be boosted into a Never-Ending Nightmare Z-Move to break its other defensive checks like Toxapex and overall deal massive damage on any Pokemon that is out against Aegislash. Close Combat is its preferred coverage move to gain perfect coverage and hit Normal-type Pokemon like Blissey and Chansey, and prevent offensive checks like Mega Lopunny, Ash Greninja, Tyranitar, and Heatran from safely switching into it. Shadow Sneak allows Aegislash to become a threatening anti-offense Pokemon once boosted by Swords Dance to prevent faster Pokemon from revenge-killing it and sealing a last blow on weakened Pokemon after taking a hit from its stronger attacks. Aegislash's EV spread is made to outspeed Modest Magnezone and Specially Defensive Heatran to make sure it can properly setup and OHKO them with Close Combat.
Aegislash is most efficient on bulky offensive and balance teams to accentuate its bulk in Shield-form and provide a powerful wallbreaker to teams. Aegislash needs support from defensive Pokemon like Slowking, Tapu Fini and Tangrowth to cover its weaknesses and provide pivots for Aegislash to find an opportunity to set-up with Swords Dance. Trick Choice Scarf Pokemon like Victini and Jirachi provide an excellent role of crippling defensive Pokemon such as Blissey and Toxapex for Aegislash to use as easier set-up fodder. Pokemon that struggle to make progress against bulky Pokemon like Mega Scizor and Mega Lopunny appreciate Aegislash's wallbreaking capabilities and open up holes for them to take out faster Pokemon for Aegislash in turn. Aegislash also likes support from other strong wallbreakers like Ash Greninja and Choice Band Kartana to take on Pokemon like Garchomp and Landorus-Therian and appreciate Aegislash's ability deal massive damage to walls they struggle to break like Blissey for Ash Greninja and Corviknight and Mega Scizor for Kartana, and allow them to clean up without problem later.
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Shadow Claw
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Shadow Sneak
move 4: Pursuit
item: Choice Band
ability: Stance Change
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
With an instant boost from Choice Band to its already high Attack stat, Aegislash provides excellent role in revenge-killing and Pursuit-trapping. STAB Shadow Claw hits hard and unresisted on most Pokemon and makes it hard for defensive walls like Defensive Landorus-Therian and Gliscor to come in without taking too much damage. Close Combat hits Dark- and Normal-types that aren't afraid of Shadow Claw such as Tyranitar and Blissey, and deals massive damage to Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Heatran and prevent other Pokemon weak to it from switching in safely. Shadow Sneak gives Aegislash a form of priority to make up for its mediocre speed and hits much harder under Choice Band to easily revenge-kill weakened Pokemon. Pursuit provides a unique role in trapping Psychic-types like Mega Latias and Reuniclus who struggle to hit Aegislash without proper coverage and OHKO them if they try to switch out due to Pursuit's effect.
Choice Band Aegislash is well appreciated on balance teams that need a form of instant power and Pursuit support to deal with bulky Psychics. Pokemon like Mega Latias and Reuniclus heavily appreciate Aegislash's ability to trap and get rid of opposing Psychics for them to set-up easier. Aegislash needs support to switch out into against Ground-types like Landorus-Therian and Garchomp, so Pokemon like Tangrowth and bulky Kartana are great teammates. Due to Aegislash's vulnerability while in Blade-form, it can be taken advantage of by other Pursuit trappers like Weavile and Tyranitar, so having a teammate like Z-Move Heatran, Toxapex, and Corviknight to double-switch into is important.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Aegislash's Substitute and Toxic set with Leftovers can be used to deny defensive Pokemon like Thunder Wave Blissey from crippling Aegislash and wear down offensive threats, but it struggles to make progress against common walls in Corviknight and Toxapex that are immune to Toxic. Iron Head is an alternate STAB option to hit Fairy-types like Clefable harder, but isn't needed as Ghost- and Fighting-type coverage already provides perfect coverage. Autotomize might be considered on Aegislash's Ghostium Z set to become a faster threat, but loses its wallbreaking ability to break defensive walls like Corviknight and Toxapex.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Pursuit Trappers**: Pokemon like Weavile and Tyranitar can switch in to revenge-kill Aegislash with Pursuit when in its extremely frail Blade-form. This is most prevalent with the Choice Band set as it cannot change back to its Shield-form after making an attack. However, these two Pokemon cannot safely switch-in to either of Aegislash's sets, as they fear being OHKO'd by Close Combat.
**Ground-types**: Ground-type Pokemon like Garchomp, Landorus-Therian, and Gliscor all pressure Aegislash with Earthquake even in Shield-form. All these Pokemon can outspeed and take advantage of Aegislash while in its Blade-form and threaten to OHKO it. However, Aegislash does not allow most Ground-types to safely switch in and can stomach a hit in Shield-form from threats like Garchomp and Landorus-Therian and retaliate with a combination of a boosted Never-Ending Nightmare into a Shadow Sneak.
**Fire-types and Fire-type coverage**: Fire-type Pokemon like Mega Charizard Y and Heatran can dish out big damage on Aegislash in both of its forms, the latter of which can trap and kill Aegislash with Magma Storm. Aegislash can also be threatened by Flamethrower Clefable which Aegislash can struggle to break if Unaware. However, these Pokemon have trouble getting in safely without taking massive damage and risk being knocked out from Aegislash's attacks.
**Faster Pokemon and Sucker Punch**: Aegislash can struggle against faster Pokemon like Mega Lopunny and Ash Greninja who can threaten to OHKO Aegislash and aren't afraid of a Shadow Sneak. Mega Mawile and Bisharp can put pressure with Sucker Punch on Aegislash's Choice Band set as it has no status moves. It should be noted, however, that these Pokemon usually need a safe pivot in to avoid being OHKO'd themselves by a Close Combat.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[emillight, 541143]]
- Quality checked by: [[username1, userid1], [username2, userid2]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1]]
Last edited:
