[Overview]
<p>Bearing the grand title asof The Being of Willpower, Azelf does a fine job living up to such an honorable namenot disappoint. Its offensive stats are fantastic; base 125 in both Attack and Special Attack areis nothing to be taken lightly. Azelf is also blessed with a blazing Speed of base 115, outspeeding all allmost of the OU tier. Azelf also has a very wide movepool, which allows it to playfill a variety of roles, granting it accessthe ability [weird word] to fit on a variety of teams. It doesn't end there; Azelf also is known as one of the best dual screeners in OU, having accessing to both Stealth Rock and Taunt, both of which combine to earns Azelf a spot as a respectable lead as well.</p>
<p>However, at the end of the day, Azelf doesn't come without flaws. While Azelf can play many roles, tTeam pPreview makes it painfully obvious what role Azelf plays on thea team. Azelf also has pitiful defenses; it can rarely absorb more than two hits. Nothing has changed for Azelf in the BW2 transition, while to BW2; (semi) Pokemon likesuch as Espeon learns much preferred abilitieshave traits that are more in-demand, giving Azelf major competition in the OU environment. Nonetheless, Azelf is a powerful threat,(RC) and should be treated as such, as underestimating it will cause you to regret it.</p>
[SET]
name: Suicide Lead
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Taunt
move 3: Thunderbolt
move 4: Fire Blast
item: Focus Sash
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Azelf was a very popular lead in DPP, and while it isn't as on-demandcommon as it was then, it's still a set used to successful set today. The goal of this set is to set up Stealth Rock on the field,(RC) while preventing the opponent from doing the same. This set is very effective against other common leads, such as Ferrothorn, Forretress, and Skarmory. Thunderbolt provides excellent coverage, especially against Xatu, whose ability Magic Guard foils Azelf's plan to set up Stealth Rock. It also deals heavy damage to Starmie and Tentacruel. Fire Blast rounds out thiAzelf's coverage, hitting those Steel-types severely hard, as well asnd allowing Azelf to handlinge opposing leads whothat are immune to Thunderbolt, such as Forretress, respectivelyLandorus-T.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Focus Sash grants Azelf the chanceability to survive a hit so it can lay Stealth Rock reliably. Having a Timid nature is almost mandatory, as it maximizes Azelf'sthe most crucial aspect of this set: Speed. 252 EVs in Special Attack allows Azelf to make use of its stellar offenses. There aren't many other options for this set, as it is pretty straightfoward. Pokemon that possess the ability Magic Bounce are by far the biggest threats to this set; the ability allows the wielder to reflect Stealth Rock and Taunt back at Azelf. Espeon in particular can not only reflect Azelf's support move, i but can also take all of Azelf's attacks, and heal iting off any damage with Morning Sun or Wish. For this reason, Volcarona is a good ally tofor Azelf, as it can easily get rid of Espeon. Rotom-W is a great partner as well; it can deal with Cloyster, a Pokemon that can break through Azelf's Focus Sash with its ability Skill Link. However, not only does Azelf outspeeds Cloyster, it and can OHKO it as well with Thunderbolt, so it's not that big of a threat.</p>
[SET]
name: Dual Screen s
move 1: Reflect
move 2: Light Screen
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Stealth Rock / U-turn / Explosion
item: Light Clay
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid / Jolly
evs: 168 HP / 88 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Thanks to Azelf's outstanding Speed and access to very useful support moves, it can run a dual screen set,(RC) and achieve well with it. Despite Azelf's subpar defenses, it still has the potential to get a screen or two up to aid its teammates. Reflect and Light Screen allows a fellow teammate to set up or sweep, as well asnd make taking powerful hits much easier. Taunt is what makes Azelf stand out from other dual screeners, as it prevents set-up sweepers from advancsetting up against Azelf, along with(RC) and stoppings opposing leads in their tracks. The final moveselot depends on preference. Usually, Azelf is unable to set up both screens and Stealth Rock. However, after Azelf has set up the appropriate amount of screens, as both screens are not always necessary, it can proceed to set up Stealth Rock if it has the time. U-Tturn couldan be used to gain momentum when you sense danger, andwhile Explosion gives a free switch -in to youra teammate, (AC) though it should only be used after a screen is are up.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Light Clay is an invaliduable item tofor this set, (AC) asince it increases the duration of the screen's durability. The given EV spread gives Azelf as much bulk as possible;, (AC) preventing an OHKO from a Choice Band Tyranitar's Crunch from OHKOing, even after sand damage. The Speed EVs allow Azelf to set up the dual screens as quickly as possible. TauntExplosion can be removused in place of ExplosionTaunt in the third moveslot, as it pairs well with Stealth Rock, along with preventing slower spinners and Starmie (only 50% of the time against the latter) from removing Stealth Rock 50% of the time. Timid is the best option as a nature if Azelf doesn't run any attacking moves in order [flow] to reduce confusion recoil,; (semi) however, Jolly is the better choice if U-turn or Explosion is used. Flamethrower could be used to handle Scizor, asince it would otherwise limit Azelf to one screen. Signal Beam couldis also be an option to hithoroughly check Celebi and Tyranitar.</p>
<p>This variant of Azelf works very well on hyper offensive teams, so haveing set-up sweepers who bthat yenefit from having screens up are useful. Pokemon such as Swords Dance Scizor or Terrakion and Dragon Dance Salamence can take advantage of the dual screens. There aren't manyother threats to thais set don't differ from the suicide set. Also, Volcarona and Cloyster gets a bonus from Taunt; they can set up with ease if Azelf can prevent Stealth Rock from going up on the field.</p>
[SET]
name: Special Attacker
move 1: U-Tturn
move 2: Psyshock / Psychic
move 3: Fire Blast
move 4: Hidden Power Fighting / Grass Knot
item: Life Orb
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Azelf is more than capable forof running an all-out attacking set with its above-average offenses and Speed. This set is great for weakening opponents late-game,(RC) and can tackle a variety of Pokemon thanks to its great coverage. U-turn is great for pivoting against the opponing moment, as well as predicum and scouting ahead of them.. [what you said made no sense] Psyshock is the supremerior STAB option for Azelf, as it can tame thosehit specially defensive beast walls, (AC) such as Blissey and Chansey, (AC) hard. However, Psychic sports more power,(RC) and a chance to lower the possiblefoe's Special Defense drop. Fire Blast haprovides coverage overn Steel-types Azelf would normally have issues with. The final moveslot is based on what threats arise ontrouble your team; if you struggle with Heatran or Tyranitar, Hidden Power Fighting is the ideal choice. If you have difficulties defeating Starmie ofr Gastrodon, Grass Knot is the move of choice.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Life Orb gives Azelf thate needed power to break through walls. A Timid nature is used to maximize Azelf's Speed, a vital stat for this set. Azelf has thecan run a classic attacking set with 252 EVs in both Attack and Special Attack. Lum Berry is a valid option because it gets rids of any status inflictions Azelf may obtain, otheright be afflicted with; (se Azelfmi) any status would be rendered uelescause drops in both itAzelf's duration and performance. However, Azelf's power is significantly dropped from the loss of the Life Orb. Nasty Plot can beis an option infor the first moveslot; not only does it boosts Azelf's Special Attack stat to amazing heights, but it also does well against stall teams and defensive cores in general. However, due to Azelf's lacking defenses, it rarely grasps the opportunity to set up, making Nasty Plot not as reliable. If you don't fancy the accuracy rate Fire Blast has, Flamethrower couldan be used in its place. The power drop is easily noticed, however. Shadow Ball couldan be used as well in this moveset; it allows Azelf to handle Pokemon such as Latias, Starmie, and Espeon much easier. Energy Ball can replace Grass Knot as well, asince the occasional drop in Special Defense can be useful in certain situations.</p>
<p>Azelf does not need much team support since its vast variety of coverage moves allow it to manage itself on its own. That being said, the biggest threats to this set—and Azelf in general—are Reuniclus, Latios, and Latias. They can wall all of Azelf's attacks,(RC) and rRecover off any excess damage with Recover. Swords Dance Scizor is a great partner to Azelf due to the fact that Scizor can check all three of these Pokemon with Bug Bite. InFor the situation that either of the Eon twins carry Hidden Power Fire, Heatran can be a good partner in alongsideddition to Scizor, as Heatran can takforming a core withe Fire-type attacks aimed at it, forming a small defensive synergy that greatly aids Azelf in the long run.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Due to Azelf's wide movepool, it has lots of options to choose from. A Calm Mind set is viable, thowever,ugh Azelf's frailness doesn't give it many chances to even set up Calm Mind. Azelf can also be paired with Politoed and be an effective rain sweeper with Thunder.utilize Thunder. [that statement just isn't true] Choice Specs is also an option for Azelf, but the Special Attacker set already accomplishes what thea Choice Specs set would have [would've is awkward] without being locked into a move. Since Azelf has great selections for physical attacking moves, such as Zen Headbutt and Fire Blast, a Choice Band set could be used to utilize that. Finally, Azelf halearns many useful support moves, such as Thunder Wave and Toxic, giving it the option to play a supporting role. However, Azelf's defenses once again hold it back from successfully pulling off thisuch a set.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Azelf's poor defenses are its ultimate downfall, so defeatKOing it with the right move isn't too difficult. Pokemon with priority moves can KO Azelf before it gets the chance to strike back. Choice Band Scizor, for example, can easily defeat Azelf with Bullet Punch. Scizor also has access to Pursuit, (AC) alongsides does Tyranitar, both of which can traprevent Azelf from switching out safely and finish it off with their STAB moves. The formaler must be wary of Fire Blast, andwhile the latter must watch out for Hidden Power Fighting. Status inflictions, such as paralysis, can stop Azelf from achieving most of its taskgoals. Jirachi and Prankster Whimsicott can easily paralyze itAzelf. Jellicent theand specially defensive variant of Heatran can wall Azelf. THowever, (AC) they must be very careful of Grass Knot and Hidden pPower Fighting, respectively. Reuniclus, Latios, and Latias can also wall Azelf like clockwork if Azelf doesn't carry Shadow Ball. Latios and Latias are great switch-ins to Azelf, though a Life Orb U-turn severely dents both of them. Overall, Azelf's large selection of coverage moves make it difficult to counter it, but if you can identify the set in which the opponent has for AzelfAzelf's moveset, defeating it woisn't be a difficult task.</p>