[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Moonblast
move 2: Rest
move 3: Sleep Talk
move 4: Aromatherapy / Thunder Wave
item: Leftovers / Sitrus Berry
ability: Fairy Aura
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpA
[SET COMMENTS]
Defensive Xerneas carves itself a wide niche in the metagame due to its good bulk, Fairy typing, and useful support options to aid its team. Moonblast is its STAB move of choice, as it OHKOes Marshadow and Zekrom, as well as deals substantial damage to Zygarde-C and the omnipresent Yveltal. When Dynamaxed, Xerneas gains substantial bulk and a more powerful STAB move in Max Starfall, letting it deal with boosted Dynamax sweepers like Zygarde-C and Zekrom without too much trouble. Rest is necessary for Xerneas to properly check Marshadow, Zygarde, and Zekrom; however, having to fish for Aromatherapy with Sleep Talk means Xerneas doesn't appreciate switching into these threats too often. Sleep Talk can be run alongside Rest to force out opposing Dragon-types, Marshadow, and offensive Yveltal even when asleep, as well as potentially waking up by rolling Aromatherapy or crippling foes with a lucky Thunder Wave roll. Aromatherapy gives Xerneas a way to aid its team effectively, as its bulk and typing grant it numerous chances to use the move. Alternatively Thunder Wave annoys switch-ins like Zacian-C, Necrozma-DM, and Eternatus. Leftovers increases Xerneas' longevity, allowing it to use Rest less often; Sitrus Berry is an alternative item that allows Xerneas to check opposing Poltergeist Marshadow much more effectively.
Xerneas fits best on bulky balance teams that appreciate its ability to act as a cleric, Dragon-type and Marshadow check, and paralysis spreader. Defensive Necrozma-DM can deal with Xerneas’s biggest checks in Zacian-C and defensive Necrozma-DM with relative ease and is the most reliable defensive partner to Xerneas; in return, Xerneas can switch into Marshadow, Zygarde-C, and Zekrom. Necrozma-DM also doubles as a Stealth Rock setter, complementing Xerneas’s presence to damage opposing Pokemon over time, or it can utilize Dragon Dance to double as an offensive threat. Xerneas, in turn, can use Aromatherapy to remove status from Necrozma-DM. Calyrex-S, in particular Choice Scarf variants, appreciates Xerneas being a cleric, as it can forgo Aromatherapy to instead run other options like Trick, Nasty Plot, or Will-O-Wisp. However, while Calyrex-S can threaten Xerneas's checks, it cannot switch into them easily. Dragon Dance Zygarde, especially Life Orb variants, can offensively pressure opposing Necrozma-DM and Zacian-C well, working well with Xerneas luring these two Pokemon in. Life Orb Zygarde-C variants with Rest, in particular, appreciate Xerneas's roles as a cleric and Marshadow check, as it can cure the sleep status incurred by Rest as well as prevent Zygarde-C from getting worn down as quickly. Defensive Zygarde-C and Ho-Oh are useful partners as well that act as additional defensive checks versus Steel-types; the former can switch into Pokemon with Knock Off like Yveltal and Necrozma-DM, and the latter can perpetually switch into Ferrothorn due to Regenerator and deny entry hazards with Defog. Eternatus is an option that differentiates itself with Pressure, offensively threatening Ferrothorn and more easily lowering its PP; it also doubles as a Kyogre check. Additionally, it and Xerneas can take pressure off of each other to check Marshadow and Yveltal with Knock Off. Rest Kyogre is able to switch into Toxic Eternatus and Glare Zygarde-C, helping Xerneas perform its role.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Offensive Xerneas is an extremely linear Pokemon with limited moveset options. Focus Blast can be used over Substitute in order to beat Ferrothorn, but it ensures that Xerneas will lose to Necrozma-DM. Additionally, an EV spread of 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe can be used to outspeed the rare Choice Scarf Marshadow, but this comes at a substantial cost to Xerneas' bulk.
Defensive Xerneas has a few more moveset options. Heavy-Duty Boots can be run over Leftovers on builds without much hazard control, but missing out on passive recovery is painful due to Xerneas’s lack of recovery aside from Rest. Air Balloon is another option that allows Xerneas to be a stronger immediate check to offensive Groudon on top of checking Poltergeist Marshadow. Defog can be run over Sleep Talk, Thunder Wave, or Aromatherapy to allow Xerneas to function as a Defogger; however, it isn’t preferred as Xerneas doesn’t enjoy staying in on entry hazard setters like Necrozma-DM and Ferrothorn. Roar can be run over Sleep Talk or Thunder Wave to phaze weaker Substitute setup sweepers like Dragon Dance Zygarde and Leftovers Dragon Dance Zekrom, but is usually not worth it as Xerneas prefers attacking said sweepers with Moonblast.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Zacian-C**: Bulky Zacian-C is by far the most reliable check to a boosted Xerneas, tanking Max Lightning quite easily and proceeding to take Xerneas out with Behemoth Blade. However, it must be cautious before deciding to switch in, since offensive Xerneas can easily elect to chip it down with Moonblast or Thunder prior to actually setting up. Defensive Xerneas can paralyze Zacian-C with Thunder Wave, but is forced out nonetheless.
**Necrozma-DM**: Necrozma-DM is a somewhat reliable check to Xerneas, but it must expend its own Dynamax in order to stop offensive Xerneas. However, if Necrozma-DM Dynamaxes too early, Xerneas can use Substitute twice followed by Max Guard to stall out its Dynamax and break through it.
**Ferrothorn**: Ferrothorn checks Xerneas reliably unless Xerneas has Focus Blast, since Power Whip can break Xerneas’s Substitutes, and Ferrothorn resists both of Xerneas’s attacks. Ferrothorn easily walls defensive variants with Leech Seed, and can set up Spikes without difficulty.
**Ho-Oh**: Ho-Oh, especially specially defensive variants, can quite easily outlast Xerneas's Dynamax with its own Dynamax with the sequence of Max Guard, Max Flare, and Max Guard. However, it comes down to a 50-50 after this; Ho-Oh either gets taken out by Thunder, which has a 50% chance to hit due to Max Flare setting Sun, or Xerneas gets taken out by a sun-boosted Sacred Fire.
**Blissey and Chansey**: Blissey and Chansey can easily switch into Thunder Wave and Moonblast and can threaten to force Rest or burn Aromatherapy PP from defensive Xerneas with Toxic.
**Shedinja**: While quite rare and reliant on team support, Shedinja can come in safely on any Xerneas set, preventing sets lacking Thunder Wave from making progress and annoying switch-ins with Will-O-Wisp or Toxic.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Mbouchon, 515077]]
- Quality checked by: [[baconeatinassassin, 367227], [Fc, 511624]]
- Grammar checked by: [[UT, 523866]]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Moonblast
move 2: Rest
move 3: Sleep Talk
move 4: Aromatherapy / Thunder Wave
item: Leftovers / Sitrus Berry
ability: Fairy Aura
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpA
[SET COMMENTS]
Defensive Xerneas carves itself a wide niche in the metagame due to its good bulk, Fairy typing, and useful support options to aid its team. Moonblast is its STAB move of choice, as it OHKOes Marshadow and Zekrom, as well as deals substantial damage to Zygarde-C and the omnipresent Yveltal. When Dynamaxed, Xerneas gains substantial bulk and a more powerful STAB move in Max Starfall, letting it deal with boosted Dynamax sweepers like Zygarde-C and Zekrom without too much trouble. Rest is necessary for Xerneas to properly check Marshadow, Zygarde, and Zekrom; however, having to fish for Aromatherapy with Sleep Talk means Xerneas doesn't appreciate switching into these threats too often. Sleep Talk can be run alongside Rest to force out opposing Dragon-types, Marshadow, and offensive Yveltal even when asleep, as well as potentially waking up by rolling Aromatherapy or crippling foes with a lucky Thunder Wave roll. Aromatherapy gives Xerneas a way to aid its team effectively, as its bulk and typing grant it numerous chances to use the move. Alternatively Thunder Wave annoys switch-ins like Zacian-C, Necrozma-DM, and Eternatus. Leftovers increases Xerneas' longevity, allowing it to use Rest less often; Sitrus Berry is an alternative item that allows Xerneas to check opposing Poltergeist Marshadow much more effectively.
Xerneas fits best on bulky balance teams that appreciate its ability to act as a cleric, Dragon-type and Marshadow check, and paralysis spreader. Defensive Necrozma-DM can deal with Xerneas’s biggest checks in Zacian-C and defensive Necrozma-DM with relative ease and is the most reliable defensive partner to Xerneas; in return, Xerneas can switch into Marshadow, Zygarde-C, and Zekrom. Necrozma-DM also doubles as a Stealth Rock setter, complementing Xerneas’s presence to damage opposing Pokemon over time, or it can utilize Dragon Dance to double as an offensive threat. Xerneas, in turn, can use Aromatherapy to remove status from Necrozma-DM. Calyrex-S, in particular Choice Scarf variants, appreciates Xerneas being a cleric, as it can forgo Aromatherapy to instead run other options like Trick, Nasty Plot, or Will-O-Wisp. However, while Calyrex-S can threaten Xerneas's checks, it cannot switch into them easily. Dragon Dance Zygarde, especially Life Orb variants, can offensively pressure opposing Necrozma-DM and Zacian-C well, working well with Xerneas luring these two Pokemon in. Life Orb Zygarde-C variants with Rest, in particular, appreciate Xerneas's roles as a cleric and Marshadow check, as it can cure the sleep status incurred by Rest as well as prevent Zygarde-C from getting worn down as quickly. Defensive Zygarde-C and Ho-Oh are useful partners as well that act as additional defensive checks versus Steel-types; the former can switch into Pokemon with Knock Off like Yveltal and Necrozma-DM, and the latter can perpetually switch into Ferrothorn due to Regenerator and deny entry hazards with Defog. Eternatus is an option that differentiates itself with Pressure, offensively threatening Ferrothorn and more easily lowering its PP; it also doubles as a Kyogre check. Additionally, it and Xerneas can take pressure off of each other to check Marshadow and Yveltal with Knock Off. Rest Kyogre is able to switch into Toxic Eternatus and Glare Zygarde-C, helping Xerneas perform its role.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Offensive Xerneas is an extremely linear Pokemon with limited moveset options. Focus Blast can be used over Substitute in order to beat Ferrothorn, but it ensures that Xerneas will lose to Necrozma-DM. Additionally, an EV spread of 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe can be used to outspeed the rare Choice Scarf Marshadow, but this comes at a substantial cost to Xerneas' bulk.
Defensive Xerneas has a few more moveset options. Heavy-Duty Boots can be run over Leftovers on builds without much hazard control, but missing out on passive recovery is painful due to Xerneas’s lack of recovery aside from Rest. Air Balloon is another option that allows Xerneas to be a stronger immediate check to offensive Groudon on top of checking Poltergeist Marshadow. Defog can be run over Sleep Talk, Thunder Wave, or Aromatherapy to allow Xerneas to function as a Defogger; however, it isn’t preferred as Xerneas doesn’t enjoy staying in on entry hazard setters like Necrozma-DM and Ferrothorn. Roar can be run over Sleep Talk or Thunder Wave to phaze weaker Substitute setup sweepers like Dragon Dance Zygarde and Leftovers Dragon Dance Zekrom, but is usually not worth it as Xerneas prefers attacking said sweepers with Moonblast.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Zacian-C**: Bulky Zacian-C is by far the most reliable check to a boosted Xerneas, tanking Max Lightning quite easily and proceeding to take Xerneas out with Behemoth Blade. However, it must be cautious before deciding to switch in, since offensive Xerneas can easily elect to chip it down with Moonblast or Thunder prior to actually setting up. Defensive Xerneas can paralyze Zacian-C with Thunder Wave, but is forced out nonetheless.
**Necrozma-DM**: Necrozma-DM is a somewhat reliable check to Xerneas, but it must expend its own Dynamax in order to stop offensive Xerneas. However, if Necrozma-DM Dynamaxes too early, Xerneas can use Substitute twice followed by Max Guard to stall out its Dynamax and break through it.
**Ferrothorn**: Ferrothorn checks Xerneas reliably unless Xerneas has Focus Blast, since Power Whip can break Xerneas’s Substitutes, and Ferrothorn resists both of Xerneas’s attacks. Ferrothorn easily walls defensive variants with Leech Seed, and can set up Spikes without difficulty.
**Ho-Oh**: Ho-Oh, especially specially defensive variants, can quite easily outlast Xerneas's Dynamax with its own Dynamax with the sequence of Max Guard, Max Flare, and Max Guard. However, it comes down to a 50-50 after this; Ho-Oh either gets taken out by Thunder, which has a 50% chance to hit due to Max Flare setting Sun, or Xerneas gets taken out by a sun-boosted Sacred Fire.
**Blissey and Chansey**: Blissey and Chansey can easily switch into Thunder Wave and Moonblast and can threaten to force Rest or burn Aromatherapy PP from defensive Xerneas with Toxic.
**Shedinja**: While quite rare and reliant on team support, Shedinja can come in safely on any Xerneas set, preventing sets lacking Thunder Wave from making progress and annoying switch-ins with Will-O-Wisp or Toxic.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Mbouchon, 515077]]
- Quality checked by: [[baconeatinassassin, 367227], [Fc, 511624]]
- Grammar checked by: [[UT, 523866]]
Last edited:
