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Azelf (Analysis)

Here's Ubers Azelf, hehe.

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http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/azelf

QC: 3/3, GP: 0/2

[Overview]
<p>At first glance, Azelf may appear seem to be an odd Pokemon to use in Ubers, seemingly outclassed by both Mewtwo and Darkrai. However, its access to U-Turn and Explosion, coupled with high Attack attacking stats and Speed stats, give it a unique niche in the Ubers metagame, allowing it to serve as a nimble anti-lead. When played correctly, Azelf can give cause headaches to many Ubers teams.</p>

[SET]
name: Ubers TrickScarf Lead
move 1: U-Turn
move 2: Trick
move 3: Stealth Rock
move 4: Explosion
item: Choice Scarf
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
<p>With a Choice Scarf attached, Azelf reaches 541 Speed, outspeeding most of the Ubers metagame, allowing it to serve and serving as a decent anti-lead. With its fast U-Turn, Azelf can corner faster and frailer leads such as Deoxys-S and Darkrai, while Trick can mess up the bulkier leads ones such as Groudon and Dialga. While it may appear that Mew is a better choice for such a role, Azelf's additional power makes all the difference. Azelf's U-Turn, when coupled with standard Ubers Choice Band Scizor's Bullet Punch, guarantees a 2HKO on max HP Deoxys-S, limiting it to one layer of entry hazards at best. Standard lead Mew does not guarantee the 2HKO, meaning Deoxys-S may be able to put up which mean Deoxys-S may just sneak in an extra layer, which can make a huge difference in the long run. Against a lead who can run different lead sets, like Kyogre, it is usually better for Azelf to U-Turn away and use the damage done by U-Turn to attempt to try and scout its set. After Azelf has taken out ruined the opposing lead, it can set up Stealth Rock of its own, or do huge damage go out with a bang with Explosion. It should be noted that having a fast Explosion is very useful mid-game, as Azelf can outspeed many sweepers and blow up on them as an emergency stop; due to this utility, so it is usually a good idea to preserve Azelf if possible.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Ice Punch can be used over Stealth Rock, or even Trick, to allow for Azelf to take down Rayquaza leads and do reasonable damage to put a heavy dent into Giratina-O. Similarly, Azelf can use Fire Punch Fire Punch can be used for Azelf to take out Forretress and Scizor leads.</p>

<p>Since Azelf is only U-Turning to break opposing Focus Sashes, a priority abuser is necessary needed to dispose of Deoxys-S and Deoxys-A, to stop them from setting up more than one layer of entry hazards. Scizor is the ideal partner for Azelf, as it can finish off max HP Deoxys-S with Bullet Punch after Azelf has hurt it with U-Turn. Rayquaza is another good priority abuser who can immediately pressure the opponent.</p>

<p>Giratina-O is virtually impervious to Azelf's attempts to dismantle it, as it resists U-Turn, is immune to both Trick and Explosion, and is able to . It can easily severely damage Azelf with Shadow Sneak before Azelf is able to achieves anything. Scizor leads also cause a lot of out trouble, since it can use Pursuit to severely damage Azelf as it U-Turns out. Choice Scarf Darkrai also outspeeds and OHKOs Azelf with Dark Pulse or puts it to sleep with Dark Void. Dialga, Kyogre and Ho-oh are good switch-ins to Scizor, although it is usually better to sacrifice Azelf and set up Stealth Rock, seeing as Scizor will KO Azelf with Pursuit anyway. Tyranitar, Dialga and Lugia are good switches into Giratina-O, while a good sleep absorber like Kyogre or RestTalk Dialga is a good godd switch into Darkrai. Watch out for A Trick from Choice Scarf Darkrai will ruin these pokemon, though so they must take care not to switch into Trick.</p>

[Team Options]
<p>Since Azelf is a lead, it usually does not need specialized team support. However, there are still leads that Azelf has troubles against and needs team support to overcome. RestTalk Dialga is the one of the best teammates, as it can take on most of the opposing leads that give Azelf trouble, like Giratina-O, Scizor, and Darkrai. Lugia and Tyranitar are good switch-ins to Giratina-O, while Ho-oh and Kyogre are good switch-ins to lead Scizor. Priority abusers are also good partners to Azelf, as they can help it finish off Deoxys-S and Deoxys-A leads. Scizor can KO max HP Deoxys-S with Bullet Punch after it has taken damage from U-Turn. Rayquaza is also a good priority abuser, who threatens to sweep if left unchecked.</p>

[Optional Changes]
<p>Azelf can run a rather decent Choice Band set with U-Turn, Explosion and some selection of either Ice Punch and , Fire Punch or one of them coupled with , and Trick. Azelf has the 2nd fastest Explosion in the game after Electrode (who is not usable in Ubers). An , and an Explosion off of 523 Attack will utterly maim, if not KO, anything that is not immune to it. A Nasty Plot set is also usable with Azelf's decent movepool, but is heavily outclassed by Darkrai, and to a certain extent, Mewtwo. Speaking of Azelf's movepool, it Azelf also has a range of other moves it can use, like Fire Blast, Thunder and Grass Knot.</p>

[Counters]
<p>Giratina-O is, without a doubt, the best counter to Azelf in the Ubers metagame. It is immune to both Trick and Explosion, while and resists U-Turn. Its great defenses also allows it to tank a potential Ice Punch. Scizor also counters Azelf very well, as it can Pursuit Azelf as it U-Turns, potentially KOing it, although it needs to watch out for a potential Fire Punch. Choice Scarf Darkrai outspeeds Azelf and can OHKO it with Dark Pulse. Giratina leads can also defeat Azelf without much trouble, although it won't enjoy Trick.</p>

Blue is additions.
Red is removals.

I'm not part of the GP team, this is just my attempt at a check. Looking over it again, I see I've changed quite a bit, including some very minor prose tweaks, so don't feel like you need to pay attention to every single minor change.
 
Okay, I've applied Komodo's changes for now (cosmicexplorer I'll apply your many changes when I find the time, sorry). Thanks to both.
 
Also shrang, please implement cosmicexplorer's changes so that this can get GP checked.

Thanks
 
Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work we go

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[Overview]

<p>At first glance, Azelf may appear like an odd Pokemon to use in Ubers, being seemingly outclassed by both Mewtwo and Darkrai. However, its access to U-turn and Explosion, coupled with high Attack and Speed stats, (comma) give it a unique niche in the Ubers metagame, allowing and allow it to serve as nimble anti-lead. When played correctly, Azelf can give headaches to many Ubers teams.</p>

You may want to add something about Azelf's utter fragility in the overview, not to mention Azelf's lack of STAB. Also, you may want to mention that Azelf is outclassed by both Mewtwo and Darkrai in every aspect except as an anti-lead, not that Azelf is seemingly outclassed. Azelf is outclassed except in one area.

[SET]
name: Ubers TrickScarf Lead
move 1: U-turn
move 2: Trick
move 3: Stealth Rock
move 4: Explosion
item: Choice Scarf
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>With a Choice Scarf attached equipped, Azelf reaches 541 Speed, outspeeding enough to outspeed most of the Ubers metagame, allowing it to serve as a decent anti-lead. With its fast U-turn, Azelf can corner faster and frailer leads such as Deoxys-S and Darkrai, (comma) while Trick can mess up bulkier leads such as Groudon and Dialga. While it may appear that Mew is a better choice for such a role, Azelf's additional power makes all the difference. Azelf's U-turn, (comma) when coupled with standard Ubers Choice Band Scizor's Bullet Punch, (comma) guarantees a 2HKO on max HP Deoxys-S, limiting it to one layer of entry hazards at best. Standard lead Mew does not guarantee the 2HKO, meaning Deoxys-S may be able to put up an extra layer, which can make a huge difference in the long run. Against a lead who can run different sets, like Kyogre, it is usually better for Azelf to U-turn away and use the damage done by U-turn to try and scout its set. After Azelf has taken out the opposing lead, it can set up Stealth Rock of its own, or do huge damage to whatever victim may be present on the field with Explosion. It should be noted that having a fast Explosion is very useful mid-game, as Azelf can outspeed many sweepers and blow up on them as an emergency stop; due to this utility, it is usually a good idea to preserve Azelf if possible.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Ice Punch can be used over Stealth Rock, (comma) or even Trick, to allow Azelf to take down Rayquaza leads and do reasonable damage to Giratina-O. Similarly, Azelf can use Fire Punch to take out Forretress and Scizor leads.</p>

<p>Since U-turn is only used to break opposing Focus Sashes, a priority abuser is necessary to dispose of Deoxys-S and Deoxys-A to stop them from setting up more than one layer of entry hazards. Scizor is the ideal partner for Azelf, as it can finish off max HP Deoxys-S with Bullet Punch after Azelf has hurt it with U-turn. Rayquaza is another good priority abuser who can immediately pressure the opponent with ExtremeSpeed or a possible set up.</p>

<p>Giratina-O is virtually impervious to Azelf's attempts to dismantle it, as it resists U-turn, is immune to both Trick and Explosion, (comma) and is able to severely damage Azelf with Shadow Sneak before Azelf is able to achieve anything. Scizor leads also cause a lot of trouble since it can use Pursuit to severely damage Azelf as it U-turns. Choice Scarf Darkrai outspeeds and OHKOes can either OHKO Azelf with Dark Pulse or puts put it to sleep with Dark Void. Dialga, Kyogre, (comma) and Ho-Oh are good switch-ins to Scizor, although it is usually better to sacrifice Azelf and set up Stealth Rock, seeing as Scizor will KO Azelf with Pursuit if it attempts to switch out anyway. Tyranitar, Dialga, and Lugia are good switches into Giratina-O, while a good sleep absorber like Kyogre or RestTalk Dialga is a good switch into Darkrai. A Trick from Choice Scarf Darkrai will ruin these Pokemon, so they must take care not to switch into Trick Choice Scarf Darkrai can still threaten these switch-ins with Trick, so tread carefully when switching into it.</p>

[Team Options]

<p>Since Azelf is a lead, it usually does not need specialized team support. However, there are still leads that Azelf has troubles against and needs team support to overcome. RestTalk Dialga is the one of the best teammates available, as it can take on most of the opposing leads that give Azelf trouble, particularly Giratina-O, Scizor, and Darkrai. Lugia and Tyranitar are other good switch-ins to Giratina-O, while Ho-Oh and Kyogre are good fantastic switch-ins to lead Scizor. Priority abusers are also good partners great teammates to Azelf as they can help it finish off Deoxys-S and Deoxys-A leads. Scizor can KO max HP Deoxys-S with Bullet Punch after it has taken damage from U-turn. Rayquaza is also a good priority abuser who threatens to sweep can threaten to sweep the opposition if left unchecked.</p>

[Optional Changes]

<p>Azelf can run a rather decent Choice Band set with U-turn, Explosion, (comma) and some selection of Ice Punch, Fire Punch, and Trick. Azelf has the 2nd second fastest Explosion in the game after Electrode (who is not usable in Ubers), and an Explosion off 523 Attack will utterly maim, if not KO, (comma) anything that is not immune to it. A Nasty Plot set is also usable with Azelf's decent movepool, but it is heavily outclassed by Darkrai, and to a certain extent, Mewtwo. Finally, Azelf also has a range of other moves it can use, like Fire Blast, Thunder, Shadow Ball, and Grass Knot, but oftentimes they are too situational and not worth the moveslot..</p>

[Counters]

<p>Giratina-O and Ghost Arceus are, (comma) without a doubt, the best counters to Azelf in the Ubers metagame. They are immune to both Trick and Explosion, and they resist U-turn. Giratina-O's great defenses also allow it tank a potential Ice Punch. Scizor also counters Azelf very well, as it can Pursuit Azelf as it U-turns, potentially KOing it, although it needs to watch out for Fire Punch. Choice Scarf Darkrai outspeeds Azelf and can OHKO it with Dark Pulse. Giratina leads can also defeat Azelf without much trouble, although it won't enjoy Trick.</p>

I didn't change the wording of a lot, just mostly added commas in multiple places.

GP 1/2

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GP CHECK II: The Golden Army

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[Overview]
<p>At first glance, Azelf may appear to be like an odd Pokemon to use in Ubers, being outclassed by both Mewtwo and Darkrai in virtually all roles. However, its access to U-turn and Explosion, coupled with high Attack and Speed stats, give it a unique niche in the Ubers metagame and allowing allow it to serve as a nimble anti-lead. When played correctly, Azelf can give headaches to many Ubers teams.</p>

[SET]
name: Ubers TrickScarf Lead
move 1: U-turn
move 2: Trick
move 3: Stealth Rock
move 4: Explosion
item: Choice Scarf
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
<p>With a Choice Scarf equipped, Azelf reaches 541 Speed, enough to outspeed most of the Ubers metagame, allowing it to serve as a decent anti-lead. With its fast U-turn, Azelf can corner faster and frailer leads such as Deoxys-S and Darkrai, while Trick can mess up bulkier leads such as Groudon and Dialga. While Though it may appear that Mew is a better choice for such a role, Azelf's additional power makes all the difference. Azelf's U-turn, when coupled with standard Ubers Choice Band Scizor's Bullet Punch, guarantees a 2HKO on max HP Deoxys-S, limiting it to one layer of entry hazards at best. Standard lead Mew does not guarantee the 2HKO, meaning Deoxys-S may be able to put up an extra layer, which can make a huge difference in the long run. Against a lead who can run different sets, like Kyogre, it is usually better for Azelf to U-turn away and use the damage done by U-turn to try and scout its set. After Azelf has taken out the opposing lead, it can set up Stealth Rock of its own, or do huge damage to whatever victim may be present on the field the current victim with Explosion. It should be noted that having a fast Explosion is very useful mid-game, as Azelf can outspeed many sweepers and blow up on them as an emergency countermeasure stop; due to this utility, it is usually a good idea to preserve Azelf if possible.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Ice Punch can be used over Stealth Rock, or even Trick, to allow Azelf to take down Rayquaza leads and do reasonable damage to Giratina-O. Similarly, Azelf can use Fire Punch to take out Forretress and Scizor leads.</p>

<p>Since U-turn is only used to break opposing Focus Sashes, a priority abuser is necessary to dispose of Deoxys-S and Deoxys-A to and stop them from setting up more than one layer of entry hazards. Scizor is the ideal partner for Azelf, as it can finish off max HP Deoxys-S with Bullet Punch after Azelf has hurt it with U-turn. Rayquaza is another good priority abuser who can immediately pressure the opponent with ExtremeSpeed or a possible set up by possibly setting up.</p>

<p>Giratina-O is virtually impervious to Azelf's attempts to dismantle it, as it resists U-turn, is immune to both Trick and Explosion, and is able to severely damage Azelf with Shadow Sneak before Azelf is able to achieve anything. Scizor leads also cause a lot of trouble since it can use Pursuit to severely damage put the hurt on Azelf as it U-turns. Choice Scarf Darkrai outspeeds and can either OHKO Azelf with Dark Pulse or put it to sleep with Dark Void. Dialga, Kyogre, and Ho-Oh are good switch-ins to Scizor, although it is usually better to sacrifice Azelf and set up Stealth Rock with Azelf and sacrifice it in the process, seeing as Scizor will KO Azelf with Pursuit anyway. Tyranitar, Dialga, and Lugia are good switches into switch-ins for Giratina-O, while a good sleep absorber like Kyogre or RestTalk Dialga is a good switch into switch-in for Darkrai. Choice Scarf Darkrai can still threaten these switch-ins with Trick, so tread carefully when switching into it.</p>

[Team Options]
<p>Since Azelf is a lead, it usually does not need specialized team support. However, there are still leads that Azelf has trouble against and needs team support to overcome. RestTalk Dialga is the one of the best teammates available, as it can take on most of the opposing leads that give Azelf trouble, like Giratina-O, Scizor, and Darkrai. Lugia and Tyranitar are good switch-ins to Giratina-O, while Ho-Oh and Kyogre are fantastic switch-ins to lead Scizor. Priority abusers are also great partners for teammates to Azelf as they can help it finish off Deoxys-S and Deoxys-A leads. Scizor can KO max HP Deoxys-S with Bullet Punch after it has taken damage from U-turn. Rayquaza is also a good priority abuser who can threaten to sweep the opposition if left unchecked.</p>

[Optional Changes]
<p>Azelf can run a rather decent Choice Band set with U-turn, Explosion, and some selection a combination of Ice Punch, Fire Punch, and or Trick. Azelf has the second fastest Explosion in the game after Electrode (who is not usable in Ubers), and an Explosion off its 523 Attack will utterly maim, if not KO, anything that is not immune to it. A Nasty Plot set is also usable with Azelf's decent movepool, but it is heavily outclassed by Darkrai, and to a certain extent, Mewtwo. Finally, Azelf also has a range of other moves it can use, like Fire Blast, Thunder, Shadow Ball, and Grass Knot, but oftentimes they are too situational and not worth the moveslot.</p>

[Counters]
<p>Giratina-O and Ghost Arceus, are without a doubt, the best counters to Azelf in the Ubers metagame. They are immune to both Trick and Explosion, and they both resist U-turn. Giratina-O's great defenses also allow it to tank a potential Ice Punch. Scizor also counters Azelf very well, as it can Pursuit Azelf as it U-turns, potentially KOing it, although it needs to watch out for a potential Fire Punch. Choice Scarf Darkrai outspeeds Azelf and can OHKO it with Dark Pulse. Giratina leads can also defeat Azelf without much trouble, although it won't enjoy Trick.</p>

finally this is done

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