http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/lucario
First, let me say that Caelum's recent (?) revealing of this set was strangely not the first time I have ever heard of it, or used it for that matter. I have been using this set almost exclusively for weeks, but was apprehensive to write anything about it for a while. With conformation from Caelum and LR that it was a worthwhile set, I thought I'd flex my fingers a bit.
[SET]
name: Anti-Lead
move 1: Close Combat
move 2: ExtremeSpeed
move 3: Crunch
move 4: Counter
item: Focus Sash
ability: Inner Focus
nature: Lonely
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Lucario's ability to - quite literally - "counter" common leads of OU with its versatility and power makes it a worthwhile lead in the OU metagame. Otherwise forgotten selling points like its immunity to sandstorm, access to a powerful priority move, and Inner Focus allow it to find loopholes in the strategies of common leads.</p>
<p>A combination of Close Combat and ExtremeSpeed will deal with common suicide leads like Aerodactyl and Infernape, always 2HKOing both. The real icing on the cake is Inner Focus; with it, Infernape's (and any other Fake Out user) regular security against opponents with Focus Sash is turned into a weakness. Any Pokemon making the mistake of attempting to flinch you will be taken out by the aforementioned combination of Close Combat and ExtremeSpeed. Unfortunately, both of these attacks miss the 2HKO on Azelf, and as such, Crunch is the recommended third attacking option. Not only does this round off type-coverage, but with it, you are not left hopeless against switch-ins such as the Rotom-formes or Cresselia. Counter's main use is against bulky leads such as Bronzong, Metagross, Swampert, and Hippowdon that you normally wouldn't be able to touch, and also various attackers like Flygon, Mamoswine, and Machamp.</p>
<p>What makes Lucario the ideal Counter lead is not only Inner Focus, but also its immunity to sandstorm and threat of set-up. While most Focus Sash Pokemon have trouble dealing with instant weather brought on by Tyranitar and Hippowdon, Lucario's Steel-typing makes it immune, thus granting it the ability to Counter their attacks for the KO. Another widely underrated quality important for any Counter Pokemon is its initial threat factor; after a Swords Dance, Lucario becomes a powerful wall-breaker. Your opponent will likely not wish to allow this setup and greedily attack.</p>
<p>A Lonely nature is chosen to maximize damage from Counter, while max Speed is required to outrun +Speed Heatran and Mamoswine, allowing you to OHKO both with Close Combat before they set up. Other possibilites in the third slot include assorted Hidden Powers; should Swampert be exceedingly popular at the time, Hidden Power Grass is a suitable option (you will always 2HKO with a neutral nature), while Hidden Power Ice or Electric could be used against Salamence and Gyarados, respectively. Protect is another option to ease prediction with Counter. It should be noted however, the loss of Crunch in the third slot will lead you vulnerable to Ghost-types and Azelf. Swords Dance can also be used as a sort of inverse Counter; while normally bulky leads would have the chance to set up, you can turn the tables and prepare for an early game sweep. It is recommended that such choice be replacing Counter to retain type-coverage.</p>
Please post, especially if you have experience with the set. thank you
here's the messy post I made of this set to get it all down on paper in the New and creative moveset thread (should you wish to discuss anything messily over there). incidentally someone posted a gimmick version a few hours later, and Caelum admitted to using a similar set to what I had been using.
First, let me say that Caelum's recent (?) revealing of this set was strangely not the first time I have ever heard of it, or used it for that matter. I have been using this set almost exclusively for weeks, but was apprehensive to write anything about it for a while. With conformation from Caelum and LR that it was a worthwhile set, I thought I'd flex my fingers a bit.
[SET]
name: Anti-Lead
move 1: Close Combat
move 2: ExtremeSpeed
move 3: Crunch
move 4: Counter
item: Focus Sash
ability: Inner Focus
nature: Lonely
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Lucario's ability to - quite literally - "counter" common leads of OU with its versatility and power makes it a worthwhile lead in the OU metagame. Otherwise forgotten selling points like its immunity to sandstorm, access to a powerful priority move, and Inner Focus allow it to find loopholes in the strategies of common leads.</p>
<p>A combination of Close Combat and ExtremeSpeed will deal with common suicide leads like Aerodactyl and Infernape, always 2HKOing both. The real icing on the cake is Inner Focus; with it, Infernape's (and any other Fake Out user) regular security against opponents with Focus Sash is turned into a weakness. Any Pokemon making the mistake of attempting to flinch you will be taken out by the aforementioned combination of Close Combat and ExtremeSpeed. Unfortunately, both of these attacks miss the 2HKO on Azelf, and as such, Crunch is the recommended third attacking option. Not only does this round off type-coverage, but with it, you are not left hopeless against switch-ins such as the Rotom-formes or Cresselia. Counter's main use is against bulky leads such as Bronzong, Metagross, Swampert, and Hippowdon that you normally wouldn't be able to touch, and also various attackers like Flygon, Mamoswine, and Machamp.</p>
<p>What makes Lucario the ideal Counter lead is not only Inner Focus, but also its immunity to sandstorm and threat of set-up. While most Focus Sash Pokemon have trouble dealing with instant weather brought on by Tyranitar and Hippowdon, Lucario's Steel-typing makes it immune, thus granting it the ability to Counter their attacks for the KO. Another widely underrated quality important for any Counter Pokemon is its initial threat factor; after a Swords Dance, Lucario becomes a powerful wall-breaker. Your opponent will likely not wish to allow this setup and greedily attack.</p>
<p>A Lonely nature is chosen to maximize damage from Counter, while max Speed is required to outrun +Speed Heatran and Mamoswine, allowing you to OHKO both with Close Combat before they set up. Other possibilites in the third slot include assorted Hidden Powers; should Swampert be exceedingly popular at the time, Hidden Power Grass is a suitable option (you will always 2HKO with a neutral nature), while Hidden Power Ice or Electric could be used against Salamence and Gyarados, respectively. Protect is another option to ease prediction with Counter. It should be noted however, the loss of Crunch in the third slot will lead you vulnerable to Ghost-types and Azelf. Swords Dance can also be used as a sort of inverse Counter; while normally bulky leads would have the chance to set up, you can turn the tables and prepare for an early game sweep. It is recommended that such choice be replacing Counter to retain type-coverage.</p>
Please post, especially if you have experience with the set. thank you
here's the messy post I made of this set to get it all down on paper in the New and creative moveset thread (should you wish to discuss anything messily over there). incidentally someone posted a gimmick version a few hours later, and Caelum admitted to using a similar set to what I had been using.
