[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Surf
move 3: Secret Sword
move 4: Substitute / Taunt
item: Leftovers
ability: Justified
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
tera type: Steel
[SET COMMENTS]
Keldeo combines its excellent STAB combination, high Special Attack, and above average Speed and bulk to create a deadly set-up sweeper that handles common threats such as Cobalion, Greninja, and Excadrill. Substitute makes it even easier for Keldeo to set up and sweep while also ensuring that it cannot be revenge killed by foes such as Lokix, Zapdos, Tornadus-T. and Serperior. Taunt can be used instead to stop foes like Swords Dance Excadrill from setting up or to stop Pokemon like Slowking and Cobalion from crippling Keldeo with Thunder Wave, making it much easier for Keldeo itself to set up. Leftovers gives Keldeo a form of passive recovery and synergizes particularly well with Substitute, allowing Keldeo to gain the HP it lost making the substitute back. Tera Steel is used to turn almost all of Keldeo's weaknesses into resistances allowing it to take Flying-type moves from Zapdos and Tornadus-T, Grass-type moves from Hydrapple and Serperior, Psychic-type moves from Latios, and Fairy-type moves from Tinkaton. However, it does make Keldeo weak to Fire-, Fighting-, and Ground-type moves from Pokemon like Hisuian Arcanine, Cobalion, and Excadrill that it would normally be able to check.
Keldeo fits best on bulky offense teams that appreciate its ability to blow holes through teams after boosting with its solid STAB combination. Keldeo greatly appreciates the presence of hazard setters such as Excadrill, Tinkaton, and Sandy Shocks, as they are able to soften up opponents and make them easier for Keldeo to break. Excadrill also removes hazards for Keldeo, increasing its longevity and the chances that it will be able to pull off a sweep. Keldeo struggles greatly with Grass- and Flying-types like Hydrapple, Sinistcha, Zapdos, and Tornadus-T, so Pokemon like Mamoswine, Rhyperior, Hisuian Arcanine, and Okidogi make great partners to help deal with these threats. Keldeo is also checked by Psychic-types such as Latios and Metagross, which Dark-types like Lokix and Mandibuzz can easily switch into and threaten out. Both of these Pokemon also act as pivots to help bring Keldeo in safely, while the latter can also help to remove hazards to increase Keldeo's longevity.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/starfalcon555.540058/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user3.102/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.103/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user5.104/
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